To return to business (for I am never tempted to pray but when a warm feeling for my friends comes athwart my heart). They tell me that they are about altering Dr. Ramsay's book in London in order to accommodate it to the English palate and pride.1 I hope this will not be done without the consent of the author, and I do not believe that will be obtained. If the booksellers of London are afraid to sell it, I think it can be sold here. Even the English themselves will apply for it here. It is very much esteemed by those who have read it. The French translation will be out in a short time. There is no gutting in that. All Europe will read the English transactions in America as they really happened. To what purpose then hoodwink themselves? Like the foolish ostrich who, when it has hid its head, thinks its body cannot be seen. I will beg the favor of you to prevail on Mr. Dilly 2 to send me 50 copies by the diligence. We shall see by the sale of these what further number we may call for. I will undertake to justify this to the author. They must come unbound. It will be necessary at the

1 The reference is to David Ramsay's "History of the Revolution of South Carolina from a British Province to an Independent State," published at Trenton in 1785. A French translation was published in 1787; and an English edition in 1788. See Allibone's Dictionary of Authors, vol. iii. p. 1734.-EDS.

'Charles Dilly, a well-known London bookseller, was born May 22, 1739, and died May 4, 1807. Among the books published by him were Boswell's Corsica, Tour to the Hebrides, and Life of Johnson, and Lord Chesterfield's Miscellaneous Works. He and an elder brother, Edward, had an extensive trade with America. See Dictionary of National Biography, vol. xv. pp. 91, 92.—EDS.

same time to put into some of the English papers the following advertisement.

"The bookseller to whom Dr. Ramsay's history of the revolution of South Carolina was addressed for sale, having been advised that the executing that commission would expose him to the actions of certain persons whose conduct in America, as therein represented, is not in their favor, the public are hereby notified that they may be furnished with the said work either in the original English, or well translated into French, by writing to Froullé, libraire au quai des Augustins à Paris, and franking their letters. An opportunity of sending it to London occurs every week by the diligence." Send me a paper or two with this advertisement in it.

To put an end to your trouble I will wish you a good night, I beg your pardon. I had forgot that you would have it without my wishes. I bid you, therefore, a simple adieu, with assurances of my friendship and esteem.

TO MARTHA JEFFERSON RANDOLPH.'

NEW YORK, May 16, 1790.

MY DEAR PATSY,-Yours of the 25th of April came to hand ten days ago, and yesterday I received Mr.

'Martha, eldest child of Thomas and Martha (Wayles Skelton) Jefferson was born at Monticello in September, 1772; and when in her twelfth year accompanied her father to France, where she was carefully educated. In 1789 she returned to America with her father, and on the 23d of the following February was married to her second

Randolph's of the third instant. When I wrote to him last week, I hoped to have been soon rid of the periodical headache which had attacked me. It has indeed been remarkably slight since that, but I am not yet quite clear of it. I expect every fit to be the last. I inclose the newspapers for Mr. Randolph. He will probably judge, as the world does, from the style and subject of the Discourses on Davila, that they are the production of the VicePresident. On Monday last the President was taken with a peripneumony, of threatening appearance; yesterday (which was the fifth day) he was thought by the physicians to be dying. However, about 4 o'clock in the evening, a copious sweat came on, his expectoration, which had been thin and ichorous, began to assume a well digested form, his articulation became distinct, and in the course of two hours it was evident he had gone through a favorable crisis. He continues mending to-day, and from total despair we are now in good hopes of him. Indeed, he is thought quite safe. My head does not permit me to add more than the affectionate love to you all, of yours,

cousin, Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., eldest son of Col. Thomas Mann Randolph, of Tuckahoe, by whom she had ten children. She died September 27, 1836.-Eds.

'The Discourses on Davila were first published in the Gazette of the United States, at Philadelphia, in 1790. See Works of John Adams, vol. i. pp. 454, 618; vol. vi. p. 225.-EDS.

TO EDMUND PENDLETON.1

PHILADELPHIA, July 24, 1791. DEAR SIR, I received duly your favor of the 13th, and communicated it to the President. The titles of your relation were unquestionably strong of themselves, and still strengthened by your recommendation; but the place was before proposed to another, whose acceptance will probably fix it.

The President is indisposed with a tumor like that he had in New York the year before last. It does not as yet seem as if it would come to a head.

We are wonderfully slow in receiving news from General Scott.' The common accounts give reason to hope his expedition has succeeded well. You will have seen the rapidity with which the subscriptions to the bank were filled; as yet the delirium of speculation is too strong to admit sober reflection. It remains to be seen whether in a country whose capital is too small to carry on its own commerce,

1 Edmund Pendleton was born in Caroline County, Va., September 9, 1721. His early advantages were small, and he began his career in the office of the County Clerk. In 1744 he was admitted to the bar; and in 1752 he was elected to the House of Burgesses. From that time down to his death, October 23, 1803, he filled a conspicuous place in public life as legislator and jurist, and was described by Jefferson as taken all in all the ablest man in debate I ever met with." (See Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography, vol. iv. pp. 708, 709; Randall's Life of Jefferson, vol. i. p. 198.) The letter which follows is printed from the collection of Jefferson's letters given to the Historical Society by Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Washburn.-EDS.

' General Charles Scott, a native of Virginia, who had removed to Kentucky, was then serving in St. Clair's unfortunate expedition against the Indians.-EDS.

to establish manufactures, erect buildings, etc., such sums should have been withdrawn from these useful pursuits to be employed in gambling. Whether it was well judged to force on the public a paper circulation of so many millions, for which they will be paying about 7 per cent. per annum, and thereby banish as many millions of gold and silver for which they would have paid no interest. I am afraid it is the intention to nourish the spirit of gambling by throwing in from time to time new aliment.

The question of war and peace in Europe is still doubtful. The French Revolution proceeds steadily, and is, I think, beyond the danger of accident of every kind. The success of that will ensure the progress of liberty in Europe and its preservation here. The failure of that would have been a powerful argument with those who wish to introduce a king, lords, and commons here, a sect which is all head and no body. Mr. Madison has had a little bilious touch at New York, from which he is recovered, however. Adieu, my dear Sir. Your affectionate friend and servant.

TO SAMUEL BIDDLE.

PHILADELPHIA, December 12, 1792.

SIR, Having asked the favor of Mr. Hollingsworth to look out for a person in his neighborhood who would be willing to go to Virginia and overlook a farm for me, he informs me that you will undertake