The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
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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
SIR,--In a former letter which I had the honor of writing you, I mentioned
that information had been received that M. Duplaine, vice-consul of
France, at Boston, had been charged with an opposition to the laws of the
land, of such a character, as if true would render it the duty of the
President immediately to revoke the Exequatur, whereby he is permitted
to exercise the functions of vice-consul in these United States. The
fact has been since inquired into, and I now enclose you copies of the
evidence establishing it; whereby you will perceive how inconsistent
with peace and order it would be, to permit, any longer, the exercise of
functions in these United States by a person capable of mistaking their
legitimate extent so far, as to oppose, by force of arms, the course
of the laws within the body of the country. The wisdom and justice of
the government of France, and their sense of the necessity in every
government, of preserving the course of the laws free and unobstructed,
render us confident that they will approve this necessary arrestation of
the proceedings of one of their agents; as we would certainly do in the
like case, were any consul or vice-consul of ours to oppose with an armed
force, the course of their laws within their own limits. Still, however,
indispensable as this act has been, it is with the most lively concern,
the President has seen that the evil could not be arrested otherwise than
by an appeal to the authority of the country.
I have the honor to be, with great esteem and respect, your most obedient,
and most humble servant.
TO ----.
MONTICELLO, October 17, 1793.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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