uld not recall him
from that ministry, without giving him another, and there was no vacancy
at present. However, he would hazard his first thoughts on the subject,
saving the right of correcting them by further consideration. They
were these: that there was a loose expression in one of de Moustier's
letters, which might be construed into a petition for leave of absence;
that he would give him permission to return to France; that it had been
before decided, on the request of the Marquis de la Luzerne, that Otto
should go to him to London; that they would send a person to America
as _Charge des Affaires_ in place of Otto, and that if the President
(General Washington) approved of him, he should be afterwards made
minister. He had cast his eye on Colonel Ternant, and desired the
Marquis to consult me, whether he would be agreeable. At first I
hesitated, recollecting to have heard Ternant represented in America, as
an hypochondriac, discontented man, and paused for a moment between him
and Barthelemy, at London, of whom I have heard a great deal of good.
However, I concluded it safer to take one whom we knew and who knew us.
The Marquis was decidedly of this opinion. Ternant will see that his
predecessor is recalled for unconciliatory deportment, and that he
will owe his own promotion to the approbation of the President.
He established a solid reputation in Europe, by his conduct when
Generalissimo of one of the United Provinces, during their late
disturbances; and it is generally thought, that if he had been put at
the head of the principal province, instead of the Rhingrave de Salm,
he would have saved that cause. Upon the whole, I believe you may expect
that the Count de Moustier will have an immediate leave of absence,
which will soon after become a recall in effect. I will try also to have
the consuls admonished as to the line of conduct they should observe. I
shall have the honor of writing you a general letter, within a few days.
I have now that of assuring you of the sentiments of sincere esteem and
respect, with which I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble
servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXXIII.--TO WILLIAM SHORT, February 9,1789

TO WILLIAM SHORT.

Paris, February 9,1789.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 22nd of January, on which day I received yours
of December the 31st, and since that, the other of January the 14th. We
have now received news from America down to the middle of