again received on their former footing, the petition would be very generally rejected.  He was serious in this, and I think it was the sentiment of the company, and is the sentiment perhaps of the nation.  In this they are wise, but for a foolish reason.  They think they lost more by suffering us to participate of their commercial privileges, at home and abroad, than they lose by our political severance.  The true reason, however, why such an application should be rejected, is, that in a very short time we should oblige them to add another hundred millions to their debt, in unsuccessful attempts to retain the subjection offered to them.  They are at present in a frenzy, and will not be recovered from it, till they shall have leaped the precipice they are now so boldly advancing to.  Writing from England, I write you nothing but English news.  The continent, at present, furnishes nothing interesting.  I shall hope the favor of your letters, at times.  The proceedings and views of Congress and of the Assemblies, the opinions and dispositions of our people in general, which, in governments like ours, must be the foundation of measures, will always be interesting to me, as will whatever respects your own health and happiness; being with great esteem,

Dear Sir, your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson

LETTER II.—­TO CHARLES THOMSON, April 22, 1786

TO CHARLES THOMSON.

London, April 22, 1786.

Dear Sir,

In one of your former letters, you expressed a wish to have one of the newly invented lamps.  I find them made here much better than at Paris, and take the liberty of asking your acceptance of one, which will accompany this letter.  It is now found, that any tolerable oil may be used in them.  The spermaceti oil is best, of the cheap kinds.

I could write you volumes on the improvements which I find made, and making here, in the arts.  One deserves particular notice, because it is simple, great, and likely to have extensive consequences.  It is the application of steam, as an agent for working grist-mills.  I have visited the one lately made here.  It was at that time turning eight pair of stones.  It consumes one hundred bushels of coal a day.  It is proposed to put up thirty pair of stones.  I do not know whether the quantity of fuel is to be increased.  I hear you are applying the same agent in America to navigate boats, and I have little doubt, but that it will be applied generally to machines, so as to supersede the use of water ponds, and of course to lay open all the streams for navigation.  We know, that steam is one of the most powerful engines we can employ; and in America fuel is abundant.  I find no new publication here worth sending to you.  I shall set out for Paris within three or four days.  Our public letters will inform you of our public proceedings here.