.

Sir,

In the letter of the 8th instant, which I had the honor of writing you,
I informed you that the Count de Vergennes was dangerously ill. He
died yesterday morning, and the Count de Montmorin is appointed
his successor. Your personal knowledge of this gentleman renders it
unnecessary for me to say any thing of him.

Mr. Morris, during his office, being authorized to have the medals
and swords executed, which had been ordered by Congress, he authorized
Colonel Humphreys to take measures here for the execution. Colonel
Humphreys did so; and the swords were finished in time for him to carry
them. The medals not being finished, he desired me to attend to them.
The workman who was to make that of General Greene, brought me yesterday
the medal in gold, twenty-three in copper, and the die. Mr. Short,
during my absence, will avail himself of the first occasion which shall
offer, of forwarding the medals to you. I must beg leave, through you,
to ask the pleasure of Congress as to the number they would choose
to have struck. Perhaps they might be willing to deposite one of each
person in every college of the United States. Perhaps they might choose
to give a series of them to each of the crowned heads of Europe, which
would be an acceptable present to them. They will be pleased to decide.
In the mean time I have sealed up the die, and shall retain it till I
am honored with their orders as to this medal, and the others also when
they shall be finished.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect,

Sir, your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LI.--TO JOHN JAY, February 23, 1787

TO JOHN JAY.

Paris, February 23, 1787.

Sir,

The _Assemblee des Notables_ being an event in the history of
this country which excites notice, I have supposed it would not be
disagreeable to you to learn its immediate objects, though no way
connected with our interests. The Assembly met yesterday: the King, in a
short but affectionate speech, informed them of his wish to consult
with them on the plans he had digested, and on the general good of his
people, and his desire to imitate the head of his family, Henry IV.,
whose memory is so dear to the nation. The _Garde des Sceaux_ then spoke
about twenty minutes, chiefly in compliment to the orders present. The
Comptroller General, in a speech of about an hour, opened the budget,
and enlarged on the several subjec