The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
We receive news from America of collections of the people in three or
four instances in the Eastern States, demanding delays in the proceedings
of the courts of justice. Those States, as you know, depended before
the war chiefly on their whale oil and fish. The former was consumed in
London, but, being now loaded with heavy duties, cannot go there. Much
of their fish went up the Mediterranean, now shut to us by the piratical
States. Their debts, therefore, press them, while the means of payment
have lessened. The mobs, however, separated without a single injury having
been offered to the person or property of any one, nor did they continue
twenty-four hours in any one place. This country has opened a market for
their whale oil, and we have made a good treaty of peace with Morocco. But
with Algiers we can do nothing. An American paper has published a letter,
as from me to the Count de Vergennes, on the subject of our productions of
tobacco and rice. It is surreptitious and falsified; and both the true and
untrue parts very improper for the public eye. How a newswriter of America
got at it, is astonishing, and with what views it had been altered. I will
be much obliged to you if you will endeavor to prevent its publication in
the Leyden Gazette.
The following question I take the liberty of proposing to you
confidentially. This country wants money in its treasury. Some individuals
have proposed to buy our debt of twenty-four millions at a considerable
discount. I have informed Congress of it, and suggested to them the
expediency of borrowing this sum in Holland, if possible, as well to
prevent loss to this country as to draw all their money transactions
to one point. But could they borrow the money in Holland? I would be
obliged to you for your opinion on this question, as it would decide me
in pressing this matter further on Congress, or letting it drop. It will
readily occur to you that the answer should come through the hands of your
ambassador here alone. The pain in which I write obliges me, after many
thanks for the interesting details of transactions in your country, to
assure you of the esteem and respect with which I have the honor to be,
Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.
TO MR. CARMICHAEL.
PARIS, December 26, 1786.
DEAR SIR,--A note from me of the 22d of September, apprised you it would
be some time before I should be able to answer your letters. I did not
then expect it would have been so long.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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