I have the honor to be, with sentiments of perfect esteem and respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXVI.—­TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, November 7, 1792

TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Philadelphia, November 7, 1792.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 15th of October; since which I have received your Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.  Though mine went by a conveyance directly to Bordeaux, and may therefore probably get safe to you, yet I think it proper, lest it should miscarry, to repeat to you the following paragraph from it.

I am perfectly sensible that your situation must, ere this reaches you, have been delicate and difficult; and though the occasion is probably over, and your part taken of necessity, so that instructions now would be too late, yet I think it just to express our sentiments on the subject, as a sanction of what you have probably done.  Whenever the scene became personally dangerous to you, it was proper you should leave it, as well from personal as public motives.  But what degree of danger should be awaited, to what distance or place you should retire, are circumstances which must rest with your own discretion, it being impossible to prescribe them from hence.  With what kind of government you may do business, is another question.  It accords with our principles to acknowledge any government to be rightful, which is formed by the will of the nation substantially declared.  The late government was of this kind, and was accordingly acknowledged by all the branches of ours.  So, any alteration of it which shall be made by the will of the nation substantially declared, will doubtless be acknowledged in like manner.  With such a government every hind of business may be done.  But there are some matters which I conceive might be transacted with a government de facto; such, for instance, as the reforming the unfriendly restrictions on our commerce and navigation.  Such cases you will readily distinguish as they occur.  With respect to this particular reformation of their regulations, we cannot be too pressing for its attainment, as every day’s continuance gives it additional firmness, and endangers its taking root in their habits and constitution; and indeed, I think they should be told, as soon as they are in a condition to act, that if they do not revoke the late innovations, we must lay additional and equivalent burthens on French ships, by name.  Your conduct in the case of M. de Bonne Carrere is approved entirely.  We think it of great consequence to the friendship of the two nations, to have a minister here, in whose dispositions we have confidence.  Congress assembled the day before yesterday.  I enclose you a paper containing the President’s speech, whereby you will see the chief objects of the present session.  Your difficulties as to the settlements of our accounts with France and as, to the payment of the foreign officers, will have been removed by the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, of which, for fear it should have miscarried, I now enclose you a duplicate.  Should a conveyance for the present letter offer to any port of France directly, your newspapers will accompany it.  Otherwise, I shall send it through Mr. Pinckney, and retain the newspapers as usual, for a direct conveyance.