of fine fur.  The latter I have taken to my own apartment and had packed in hops, and sewed up; the former are put into a warehouse of Mr. Barnes; all subject to your future orders.  Some letters came for you soon after your departure:  the person who delivered them said there were enclosed in them some for your friend whom you left here, and desired I would open them.  I did so in his presence, found only one letter for your friend, took it out and sealed the letters again in the presence of the same person, without reading a word or looking who they were from.  I now forward them to you, as I do this to my friend.

[* Shortly before, Mr. Jefferson had obtained passports for General Kosciusko, under an assumed name, from the foreign ministers in this country.  The annexed is the note addressed to Mr. Liston, soliciting one from him.

’Thomas Jefferson presents his respects to Mr. Liston, and asks the favor of the passport for his friend Thomas Kanberg, of whom he spoke to him yesterday.  He is a native of the north of Europe (perhaps of Germany), has been known to Thomas Jefferson these twenty years in America, is of a most excellent character, stands in no relation whatever to any of the belligerent powers, as to whom Thomas Jefferson is not afraid to be responsible for his political innocence, as he goes merely for his private affairs.  He will sail from Baltimore, if he finds there a good opportunity for France; and if not, he wi I come on here.  March 27, 1798.’]

Jacob Van Staphorst at Paris.  Our alien-bill struggles hard for a passage.  It has been considerably mollified.  It is not yet through the Senate.  We are proceeding further and further in war-measures.  I consider that event as almost inevitable.  I am extremely anxious to hear from you, to know what sort of a passage you had, how you find yourself and the state and prospect of things in Europe.  I hope I shall not be long without hearing from you.  The first dividend which will be drawn for you and remitted, will be in January, and as the winter passages are dangerous, it will not be forwarded till April:  after that, regularly, from six months to six months.  This will be done by Mr. Barnes.  I shall leave this place in three weeks.  The times do not permit an indulgence in political disquisitions.  But they forbid not the effusion of friendship, and not my warmest towards you, which no time will alter.  Your principles and dispositions were made to be honored, revered, and loved.  True to a single object, the freedom and happiness of man, they have not veered about with the changelings and apostates of our acquaintance.  May health and happiness ever attend you.  Accept sincere assurances of my affectionate esteem and respect.  Adieu.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXXXVIII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, June 21, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, June 21, 1798.