De Moustier is remarkably communicative. With adroitness he may
be pumped of any thing. His openness is from character, not from
affectation. An intimacy with him may, on this account, be politically
valuable.
I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CIV.--TO JOHN JAY, October 8, 1787
TO JOHN JAY.
(Private.) Paris, October 8, 1787.
Dear Sir,
The Count de Moustier, Minister Plenipotentiary from the court of
Versailles to the United States, will have the honor of delivering you
this. The connection of your offices will necessarily connect you in
acquaintance; but I beg leave to present him to you, on account of
his personal as well as his public character. You will find him open,
communicative, candid, simple in his manners, and a declared enemy to
ostentation and luxury. He goes with a resolution to add no aliment
to it by his example, unless he finds that the dispositions of our
countrymen require it indispensably. Permit me, at the same time, to
solicit your friendly notice, and through you, that also of Mrs.
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