“ tion as to that part of the quadrant of the earth which is to be measured, that is to say as to one tenth of the quadrant, and as to the remaining nine tenths they are to be calculated on conjectural data, presuming the figure of the earth which has not yet been proved. it is liable too to the objection that no nation but your own can come at it; because yours is the only nation within which a meridian can be found of such extent crossing the 45 ^th. degree & terminating at both ends in a level. we may certainly say then that this measure is uncatholic, and I would rather have seen you depart from Catholicism in your religion than in your Philosophy . . . ”

The Académie des Sciences, of which Condorcet had become a member at the age of twenty-two, was suppressed by order of the Convention in 1793. Condorcet died in prison by taking poison in the following year.

This manuscript is not now in the Library of Congress. It was sent to Jefferson by Paine, with a covering letter dated from London, September 28, 1790, and reading: “I enclose you a few observations on the establishment of a Mint. I have not seen your report on that subject and therefore cannot tell how nearly our opinions run together, but as it is by thinking upon and talking subjects over that we approach towards truth there may probably be something in the enclosed that may be of use.

"As the establishment of a Mint combines a portion of politics with a knowlege of the Arts and a variety of other matters it is a subject I shall very much like to talk with you upon. I intend at all events to be in America in the Spring and it will please me much to arrive before you have gone thro’ the arrangement.”

Jefferson replied from Philadelphia on July 29, 1791: “ Your favor of Sep. 28, 1790. did not come to my hands till Feb. 11. and I have not answered it sooner because it said you would be here in the Spring. that expectation being past, I now acknolege the reciept . . .

" . . . Your observations on the subject of a copper coinage have satisfied my mind on that subject, which I confess had wavered before between difficulties. as a different plan is under consideration of Congress, & will be taken up at their meeting, I think to watch the proper moment, & publish your observations (except the Notes which contain facts relative to particular persons which I presume you would dislike to see published, & which are not necessary to establish the main object,) adding your name, because it will attract attention & give weight to the publication. as this cannot take place under four months, there is time for you to forbid me, if it should be disagreeable to you to have the observations published, which however I hope it will not be . . . ”

Jefferson gave Paine’s manuscript to Philip Freneau, who published it in the National Gazette , November 17, 1791. The essay was reprinted for the first time in The Complete Writings of Thomas Paine, edited by Philip Foner, 2 volumes, 1945.

Jefferson’s copy was sent to him by the author, who wrote from Paris on October 27, 1790 (received by Jefferson March 18, 1791): “Je prends la liberté de vous envoyer deux exemplaires, d’un petit ouvrage qui a pour titre, Principes sur les mesures; je vous prie d’en faire part à la societé philosophique de Philadelphie, ou toutes les sciences humaines se trouvent réunies; ”