straggling individuals or families falling in their way. An expedition
against them the last summer was less successful than there was reason
to expect; we lost in it about one hundred men. The operations of the
present summer will more probably bring them to peace, which is all
we desire of them, it having been a leading object of our present
government to guaranty them in their present possessions, and to protect
their persons with the same fidelity which is extended to its own
citizens. We ask nothing of them but that they will accept our peace,
friendship, and services; and we hope soon to make them sensible of
this, in spite of the incitements against us, which they have been so
much the dupes of. This is the general state of our affairs at present,
as faithfully as I am able to give it.

Your favors of August the 30th, September the 18th, October the 10th,
and February the 10th, have been duly received. Particular reasons
render it improper to press a formal acknowledgment of our Consuls in
the French colonies: for this purpose we must wait till circumstances
shall render it less inconvenient to their government. In the mean
time, as to every thing essential, the same attention will be paid
to yourself, your representations, and applications, as if you were
formally acknowledged. I am to recommend to you, in the strongest
terms, not to intermeddle in the least, by word or deed, in the internal
disputes of the colony, or those with the mother country: consider this
as a family affair, with which we have neither the right nor the wish to
intermeddle. We shall expect, however, narratives of them from time to
time.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.