ould have
enabled them to get over. The nobility of and about Paris have come
over, as was expected, to the side of the people, in the great question
of voting by persons or orders. This had induced a presumption, that
those of the country were making the same progress, and these form the
great mass of the deputies of that order. But they are found to be where
they were centuries ago, as to their disposition to keep distinct from
the people, and even to tyrannize over them. They agree, indeed, to
abandon their pecuniary privileges. The clergy seem at present much
divided. Five-sixths of that representation consists of the lower
clergy, who, being the sons of the peasantry, are very well with the
_Tiers-Etat_. But the Bishops are intriguing, and drawing them over
daily. The _Tiers-Etat_ is so firm to vote by persons or to go home,
that it is impossible to conjecture what will be the result. This is the
state of parties, as well as we can conjecture from the conversation of
the members; for as yet no vote has been given, which will enable us to
calculate on certain ground.

Having formerly written to you on the subject of our finances, I enclose
you now an abstract of a paper on that subject, which Gouverneur Morris
communicated to me. You will be a better judge of its merit than I am.
It seems to me worthy good attention.

I have a box of books packed for you, which I shall carry to Havre,
and send by any ship bound to New York or Philadelphia. I have been so
inexact, as to take no list of them before nailing up the box. Be so
good as to do this, and I will take with me my bookseller's account,
which will enable us to make a statement of them. They are chiefly
_Encyclopedies_, from the 23rd to the 30th _livraison_. Paul Jones has
desired me to send to yourself and Colonel Carrington each, his bust.
They are packed together in the same box. There are three other boxes,
with two in each, for other gentlemen. I shall send them all together,
and take the liberty of addressing them to you. I rejoice extremely to
hear you are elected, in spite of all cabals. I fear your post will not
permit me to see you but in New York, and consequently for a short time
only. I shall much regret this.

I am, with sentiments of sincere attachment and respect, Dear Sir, your
friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCI.--TO MONSIEUR DE PONTIERE, May 17, 1789

TO MONSIEUR DE PONTIERE.

Paris, May 17, 1789.

Sir,

I am hon