1. François D’Ivernois (1757–1842) was a Genevan economist and politician in exile in England and ardent opponent of the French Revolution who corresponded with and sent copies of his writings to JA, TJ, GW, and others. He had recently proposed to have the deposed professors of the University of Geneva staff a national university in Washington, D.C., and sent copies of his works La Révolution française à Genève; Tableau historique et politique de la conduit de la France envers les Genevois depuis le mois d’octobre 1792, jusqu’au mois de juillet 1795 and Réflexions sur la guerre En reponse au Réflextions sur la Paix, both London, 1795. PTJ description begins Julian T. Boyd, Charles T. Cullen et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (43 vols. to date; Princeton, N.J., 1950–) description ends , 28: 268–69, 275–78, 280–81, 306–9, 600; PGW: PS description begins Dorothy Twohig et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series (19 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1987–) description ends , 17: 564–69; Adams Family Correspondence description begins Margaret Hogan et al., eds., Adams Papers: Adams Family Correspondence (13 vols. to date; Cambridge, Mass., 1963– description ends , 11: 81–83, 83n3.

In his reply of 2 Feb., cited above, JJ commented “D’Ivernois is very industrious— I hear no more of his plan of transplanting the University of Geneva into the united States. He is a sensible diligent man, and I suspect his Correspondence with Mr Gallatin has done no Harm—”.

2. In his reply of 2 Feb., JJ stated “It gives me pleasure to find that in your opinion no great mischief will be done by the combustible Materials in Congress— If like Doctr. Youngs Squib, they only ’burn hiss and bounce, waste paper, stink and dye’ all will be well. The Tide has changed and begins to run strong— I hope it will be observed and used, or as they say in Massachusetts, improved.—”. The quotation is from English poet and dramatist Edward Young’s The Love of Fame, Satire 3, line 65.

3. To this JJ replied: “To be with my Family is a Comfort, and yet I have too much to do with public affairs to be comfortable— You can retire from the Senate to your Country Seat, and pass six months of Otium cum Dignitate [’leisure with dignity’— see Cicero, Pro Sestio, XLV: 98] — We have both had busy lives, and I apprehend that in the Fluctuation of human affairs, I am not to expect to enjoy the Tranquility and Repose which all wish for, but which few find until they pass to that Country where the weary rest from their Labours—and where parties and Politics have no admittance. I suspect that young nations like young people are apt to burn their Fingers; and that we have much wisdom to learn, and to pay for— I think I see in this Country the Seeds of Trouble; and that our political machine will in more Senses than one get out of order— But be these things as they may, I believe it to be wise to do all the Good we can, and to enjoy all the Good we meet with—.”