I hope & believe that upon reflection you will think the French matter stands about right. Take the message as a whole it cannot hurt, but must help you at Richmond, to which my eye is now diverted. I owe Mrs Rives too much to for her kind letter to be able to pay it in my present dilapidated state. For the last ten days I have been confined to my room, & principaly to my bed by a villainous Influenza, from which I am as yet but recovering. On Monday when I went to the Capitol I was scarcely able to hold up my head. In other respects my health is robust. In a day or two I shall pay my respects to Madam with an epistle. The Genl. is in fine health and rampant Spirits. If Louis Phillippe were within striking distance he would hold his Throne by a brittle tenure. That matter cannot fail to go right. I have not heard how Mr & Madame Serurier take the affair. There is to be a state dinner at the Presidents tomorrow, & we shall see whether they attend. If they do, they will at least be pleased in one respect, of which I will apprise Mrs R.

The opposition never were at ^in^ so low a state. The story is that Mr Clay retires from the contest & I believe it. Remember me kindly to Mrs Rives. Let me hear from you often & believe me to be