ust be attended with
great advantages. Whether of a nature to improve our morals or our
happiness, is another question. But is it sure that Great Britain, by
her searches, her seizures, and other measures for harassing us, will
permit us to preserve our neutrality? I know it may be argued, that the
land-war, which she would superadd to her sea-war, by provoking us to
join her enemies, should rationally hold her to her good behavior with
us. But since the accession of the present monarch, has it not been
passion, and not reason, which, nine times out of ten, has dictated her
measures? Has there been a better rule of prognosticating what he
would do, than to examine what he ought not to do? When I review
his dispositions and review his conduct, I have little hope of his
permitting our neutrality. He will find subjects of provocation in
various articles of our treaty with France, which will now come into
view, in all their consequences, and in consequences very advantageous
to the one, and injurious to the other country. I suggest these doubts,
on a supposition that our magazines are not prepared for war, and in the
opinion that provisions for that event should be thought of.

The enclosed letter from Mr. Dumas came to me open, though directed
to you. I immediately waited on the ambassadors, ordinary and
extraordinary, of Holland, and the envoy of Prussia, and prayed them
to interest themselves to have his person, his family, and his
goods protected. They promised me readily to do it, and have written
accordingly; I trust it will be with effect. I could not avoid enclosing
you the letter from Monsieur Bouebe, though I have satisfied him he is
to expect nothing from Congress for his inventions. These are better
certified than most of those things are; but if time stamps their worth,
time will give them to us. He expects no further answer. The gazettes of
Leyden and France to this date accompany this, which will be delivered
you by the Count de Moustier, Minister Plenipotentiary from this
country.

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 CIII.--TO JAMES MADISON, October 8, 1787

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, October 8, 1787.

Dear Sir,

The bearer hereof, the Count de Moustier, successor to Monsieur de la
Luzerne, would, from his office, need no letter of introduction to you
or to any body. Yet I ta