ry work, and that they will then
make him the scape-goat of the transaction. The declarations too, which
I send you in my public letter, if they should become public, will
probably raise an universal cry. It will all fall on him, because
Montmorin and Breteuil say, without reserve, that the sacrifice of the
Dutch has been against their advice. He will, perhaps, not permit these
declarations to appear in this country. They are absolutely unknown:
they were communicated to me by the Duke of Dorset, and I believe no
other copy has been given here. They will be published doubtless in
England, as a proof of their triumph, and may from thence make their way
into this country. If the Premier can stem a few months, he may remain
long in office, and will never make war if he can help it. If he should
be removed, the peace will probably be short. He is solely chargeable
with the loss of Holland. True, they could not have raised money by
taxes to supply the necessities of war; but could they do it were their
finances ever so well arranged? No nation makes war now-a-days, but by
the aid of loans: and it is probable, that in a war for the liberties
of Holland, all the treasures of that country would have been at their
service. They have now lost the cow which furnishes the milk of war.
She will be on the side of their enemies, whenever a rupture shall
take place: and no arrangement of their finances can countervail this
circumstance.

I have no doubt, you permit access to the letters of your foreign
ministers, by persons only of the most perfect trust. It is in the
European system to bribe the clerks high, in order to obtain copies
of interesting papers. I am sure you are equally attentive to the
conveyance of your letters to us, as you know that all are opened that
pass through any post-office of Europe. Your letters which come by the
packet, if put into the mail at New York, or into the post-office at
Havre, wear proofs that they have been opened. The passenger to whom
they are confided, should be cautioned always to keep them in his own
hands, till he can deliver them personally in Paris.

I have the honor to be, with very sincere esteem and respect, Dear Sir,
your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXII.--TO THE COUNT DE MONTMORIN, November 6, 1787

TO THE COUNT DE MONTMORIN.

Sir,

Paris, November 6, 1787.

I take the liberty of asking your Excellency's perusal of the enclosed
case