Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3Jefferson, Thomas
History
Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
hope, we continue in the dispositions formerly expressed to you, of
living on terms of the best friendship and harmony with that country, of
making their interests in our neighborhood our own, and of giving them
every proof of this, except the abandonment of those essential rights
which you are instructed to insist on.
I have the honor to be, with great and sincere esteem, Gentlemen, your
most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXI.--TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, October 15, 1792
TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.
Philadelphia, October 15, 1792.
Sir,
I have received your favor of July the 10th, No. 4, but no other number
preceding or subsequent. I fear, therefore, that some miscarriage has
taken place. The present goes to Bordeaux under cover to Mr. Fenwick,
who I hope will be able to give it a safe conveyance to you. I observe
that you say in your letter, that ‘the marine department is to treat
with you for supplies to St. Domingo.’ I presume you mean ‘supplies
of money,’ and not that our government is to furnish supplies of
provisions, &c. specifically, or employ others to do it, this being a
business into which they could not enter. The payment of money here, to
be employed by their own agents in purchasing the produce of our soil,
is a desirable thing. We are informed by the public papers, that the
late constitution of France, formally notified to us, is suspended, and
a new convention called. During the time of this suspension, and while
no legitimate government exists, we apprehend we cannot continue the
payments of our debt to France, because there is no person authorized
to receive it and to give us an unobjectionable acquittal. You are
therefore desired to consider the payment as suspended, until further
orders. Should circumstances oblige you to mention this (which it is
better to avoid if you can), do it with such solid reasons as will occur
to yourself, and accompany it with the most friendly declarations
that the suspension does not proceed from any wish in us to delay the
payment, the contrary being our wish, nor from any desire to embarrass
or oppose the settlement of their government in that way in which their
nation shall desire it; but from our anxiety to pay this debt justly and
honorably, and to the persons really authorized by the nation (to whom
we owe it) to receive it for their use. Nor shall the suspension
be continued one moment after we can see our way clear out of the
difficulty into which their situation has thrown us. That they may
speedily obtain liberty, peace, and tranquillity, is our sincere prayer.
*****
I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, Dear Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXII.--TO M. DE TERNANT, October 16,1792
TO M. DE TERNANT.
Philadelphia, October 16,1792.
Sir,
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