it attentively, I am persuaded it must have been written on the 5th of May:  of this little mistake I ought to have been sooner sensible.  Our latest letters from America are of the middle of April, and are extremely barren of news.  Congress had not yet proposed a time for their recess, though it was thought a recess would take place.  Mr. Morris had retired, and the treasury was actually administered by commissioners.  Their land-office was not yet opened.  The settlements at Kaskaskia, within the territory ceded to them by Virginia, had prayed the establishment of a regular government, and they were about sending a commissioner to them.  General Knox was appointed their secretary of the war-office.  These, I think, are the only facts we have learned which are worth communicating to you.  The inhabitants of Canada have sent a sensible petition to their King, praying the establishment of an Assembly, the benefits of the habeas corpus laws, and other privileges of British subjects.  The establishment of an Assembly is denied, but most of their other desires granted.  We are now in hourly expectation of the arrival of the packet which should have sailed from New York in May.  Perhaps that may bring us matter which may furnish the subject of a more interesting letter.

In the mean time, I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Sir,

your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

P.S.  July 14.  I have thus long waited, day after day, hoping to hear from Mr. Jarvis, that I might send a cipher with this:  but now give up the hope.  No news yet of Mr. Lambe.  The packet has arrived, but brings no intelligence, except that it is doubtful whether Congress will adjourn this summer.  The Assembly of Pennsylvania propose to suppress their bank on principles of policy.  T.J.

LETTER LXVII.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, June 23, 1785

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, June 23, 1785.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 2nd instant, since which I have received yours of the 3rd and 7th.  I informed you in mine of the substance of our letter to Baron Thulemeyer:  last night came to hand his acknowledgment of the receipt of it.  He accedes to the method proposed for signing, and has forwarded our despatch to the King.  I enclose you a copy of our letter to Mr. Jay, to go by the packet of this month.  It contains a statement of our proceedings since the preceding letter, which you had signed with us.  This statement contains nothing but what you had concurred with us in; and, as Dr. Franklin expects to go early in July to America, it is probable that the future letters must be written by you and myself.  I shall therefore take care that you be furnished with copies of every thing which comes to hand on the joint business.

What is become of this Mr. Lambe?  I am uneasy at the delay of that business, since we know the ultimate decision of Congress.  Dr. Franklin, having a copy of the Corps Diplomatique, has promised to prepare a draught of a treaty to be offered to the Barbary States:  as soon as he has done so, we will send it to you for your corrections.  We think it will be best to have it in readiness against the arrival of Mr. Lambe, on the supposition that he may be addressed to the joint ministers for instructions.