Page:Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies, from the papers of Thomas Jefferson - Volume 4 - 2nd ed.djvu/18

 6 CORRESPONDENCE. all the vacant country on this side. This will secure both Spain and us as to the mines of Mexico, for half a century, and we may safely trust the provisions for that time to the men who shall live in it. I have communicated with Mr. Gallatin on the subject of using your house in any matters of consequence we may have to do at Paris. He is impressed with tlia same desire I feel to give this mark of our confidence in you, and the sense we entertain of your friendship and fidelity. Mr. Behring informs him that none of the money which will be due from us to him, as the assignee of France, will be wanting at Paris. Be assured that our disposi- tions are such as to let no occasion pass unimproved, of serving you, where occurrences will permit it. Present my respects to Madame Dupont, and accept yourself assurances of my constant and warm friendship.

LETTER V.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Washington, November 4, 1803.

A report reaches us this day from Baltimore (on probable, but not certain grounds), that Mr. Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the First Consul, was yesterday* married to Miss Patterson of that city. The effect of this measure on the mind of the First Consul, is not for me to suppose ; but as it might occur to him prima facie, that the executive of the United States ought to have prevented h, I have thought it advisable to mention the subject to you, that if necessary, you may by explanations set that idea to rights. You know that by our laws, all persons are free to enter into marriage, if of twenty-one years of age, no one having a power to restrain it, not even their parents ; and that under that age, no one can pre- vent it but the parent or guardian. The lady is under age, and the parents, placed between her affections which were strongly fixed, and the considerations opposing the measure, yielded with pain and anxiety to the former. IMr. Patterson is the President of the bank of Baltimore, the wealthiest man in Maryland, perhaps * November 8. It is now said that it did not take place on the 3rd, but will this day.