he will execute the commission. Your nation is very far from the
liberality that treatise inculcates. The proposed regulation on the
subject of our wheat is one proof. The prohibition of it in England
would, of itself, be of no great moment, because I do not know that
it is much sent there. But it is the publishing a libel on our wheat,
sanctioned with the name of parliament, and which can have no object but
to do us injury, by spreading a groundless alarm in those countries of
Europe where our wheat is constantly and kindly received. It is a mere
assassination. If the insect they pretend to fear, be the Hessian fly,
it never existed in the grain. If it be the weevil, our grain always
had that; and the experience of a century has proved, that either the
climate of England is not warm enough to hatch the egg and continue the
race, or that some other unknown cause prevents any evil from it. How
different from this spirit, my dear Sir, has been your readiness to help
us to the dry rice, to communicate to us the bread tree, &tc. Will any
of our climates admit the cultivation of the latter? I am too little
acquainted with it to judge. I learn that your newspapers speak of the
death of Ledyard, at Grand Cairo. I am anxious to know whether there be
foundation for this. I have not yet had time to try the execution of
the wood hygrometer proposed by Dr. Franklin. Though I have most of the
articles ready made, I doubt now whether I shall be able to do it before
my departure for America, the permission for which I expect every hour;
and I shall go off the instant I receive it. While there, I shall have
the pleasure of seeing your father and friends. I expect to return in
the fall.

In the mean time, I have the honor to be, with very great esteem and
respect, Dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCIII.--TO THOMAS PAINE, May 19,1789

TO THOMAS PAINE.

Paris, May 19,1789.

Dear Sir,

Your favors of February the 16th to April the 13th, and of May the 3rd
and 10th, are received; and the two last are sent to Mr. Leroy, who will
communicate them to the Academy.

You know that the States General have met, and probably have seen
the speeches at the opening of them. The three orders sit in distinct
chambers. The great question, whether they shall vote by orders or
persons can never be surmounted amicably. It has not yet been proposed
in form; but the votes which have been taken on the outwor