The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (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
the Vainqueur de La Bastille was afterwards equipped and commissioned in
Charleston, the Anti-George in Savannah, the Carmagnole in Delaware, a
schooner and a sloop in Boston, and the Polly or Republican was attempted
to be equipped in New York, and was the subject of reclamation by Mr.
Genet, in a style which certainly did not look like relinquishing the
practice. The Little Sarah or Little Democrat was armed, equipped and
manned, in the port of Philadelphia, under the very eye of the government,
as if meant to insult it. Having fallen down the river, and being
evidently on the point of departure for a cruise, Mr. Genet was desired
in my letter of July the 12th, on the part of the President, to detain
her till some inquiry and determination on the case should be had. Yet
within three or four days after, she was sent out by orders from Mr. Genet
himself, and is, at this time, cruising on our coasts, as appears by the
protest of the master of one of our vessels maltreated by her.
The government thus insulted and set at defiance by Mr. Genet, and
committed in its duties and engagements to others, determined still to
see in these proceedings but the character of the individual, and not to
believe, and it does not believe, that they are by instructions from his
employers. They had assured the British minister here, that the vessels
already armed to our ports should be obliged to leave them, and that no
more should be armed in them. Yet more had been armed, and those before
armed had either not gone away, or gone only to return with new prizes.
They now informed him that the order for departure should be enforced,
and the prizes made contrary to it should be restored or compensated. The
same thing was notified to Mr. Genet in my letter of August the 7th, and
that he might not conclude the promise of compensation to be of no concern
to him, and go on in his courses, he was reminded that it would be a fair
article of account against his nation.
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