The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (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
Considering this question under the second article of the treaty also,
we are exempted from the Droit d'Aubaine in all the dominions of France;
for by that article, no particular favor is to be granted to any other
nation, which shall not immediately become common to the other party. Now,
by the forty-fourth article of the treaty between France and England,
which was subsequent to ours, it is stipulated, "que dans tout ce qui
concerne--_les successions des biens mobiliers_--les sujets des deux
hautes parties contractantes auront _dans les Etats respectifs_ les memes
privileges, libertés et droits, que la nation la plus favorisée." This
gave to the English the general abolition of the Droit d'Aubaine, enjoyed
by the Hollanders under the first article of their treaty with France, of
July the 23d, 1773, which is in these words, "Les sujets des E. G. des
P. U. des pays-bas ne seront point assujettis au Droit d'Aubaine dans
les Etats de S. M. T. C." This favor then, being granted to the English
subsequent to our treaty, we become entitled to it of course by the
article in question. I have it not in my power at this moment, to turn to
the treaty between France and Russia, which was also posterior to ours.
If by that, the Russians are exempted from the Droit d'Aubaine, "_dans
les Etats de_ S. M. T. C." it is a ground the more for our claiming the
exemption. To these, you will be pleased to add such other considerations
of reason, friendship, hospitality and reciprocity, as will readily occur
to yourself.
About two or three weeks ago, a Mr. Campbell called on me, and introduced
himself by observing that his situation was an awkward one, that he had
come from Denmark with an assurance of being employed here in a public
character, that he was actually in service, though un-announced. He
repeated conversations which had passed between Count Bernstorff and
him, and asked me when a minister would be appointed to that court, or a
character sent to negotiate a treaty of commerce; he had not the scrip
of a pen to authenticate himself, however informally. I told him our
government had not yet had time to settle a plan of foreign arrangements;
that with respect to Denmark particularly, I might safely express to
him those sentiments of friendship which our government entertained for
that country, and assurances that the King's subjects would always meet
with favor and protection here; and in general, I said to him those
things which being true, might be said to anybody. You can perhaps learn
something of him from the Baron de Blome. If he be an unauthorized man, it
would be well it should be known here, as the respect which our citizens
might entertain, and the credit they might give to any person supposed to
be honored by the King's appointment, might lead them into embarrassment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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