Thomas Jefferson actually said...

"I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States according to the latest returns received by the Department of War."

"His high station and the relations of Russia to the predominant powers of Europe must give him weight with them according to the vicissitudes of the war."

"His influence in negotiations for peace may be of value to the United States should arrangements of any sort affecting them be contemplated by other powers in the present extraordinary state of the wo..."

"I have thought that the friendly dispositions of such a power might be advantageously cherished by a mission which should manifest our willingness to meet his good will."