The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (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
DEAR SIR,--I had written to you yesterday on the subject of notifying
our East India trade, in answer to yours of the 29th of August, and
approving your proposition of giving the notice to our trade beyond the
Straits of Sunda, by a consul specially sent to Batavia, and to that on
this side by our consul at the Isle of France. Since writing that letter,
I have received yours of the 31st, covering Mr. Crownenshield's. This
letter shows a great and intimate knowledge of the subject, and points
out so many various circumstances which may require a variation in the
course to be pursued, that it confirms me in the opinion that it must be
confided to the discretion of a well-chosen agent, governing himself by
circumstances as they may occur. I think it possible, however, from Mr.
Crownenshield's letter, that we may not have done the best in our power
for notifying Madras, and the other ports in the bay of Bengal. I refer
it to yourself, therefore, to decide on the advice you can so readily
get at Baltimore, whether we should not despatch a third person, with
instructions to procure himself a passage in any private vessel which
may be going from this country to any port in the bay of Bengal, or to
any other port from which he can probably get a passage to some port in
the bay of Bengal, and from whence he can notify the other ports in the
same bay, either by personally visiting them or by writing. Such a person
should carry with him your commission as an agent of the navy, to obtain
credence by secretly exhibiting that to those he should notify. I return
you Mr. Crownenshield's and Mr. Gallatin's letters. I shall be absent
from this place from the 9th to the 16th inst. Mr. Madison will be with
me to-morrow, on a visit of some days. I salute you with affection and
respect.
TO GEORGE HAY.
MONTICELLO, September 4, 1807.
DEAR SIR,--Yours of the 1st came to hand yesterday. The event has been
* * * * * that is to say, not only to clear Burr, but to prevent the
evidence from ever going before the world. But this latter case must not
take place. It is now, therefore, more than ever indispensable, that not
a single witness be paid or permitted to depart until his testimony has
been committed to writing, either as delivered in court, or as taken by
yourself in the presence of any of Burr's counsel, who may choose to
attend to cross-examine. These whole proceedings will be laid before
Congress, that they may decide, whether the defect has been in the
evidence of guilt, or in the law, or in the application of the law, and
that they may provide the proper remedy for the past and the future.
I must pray you also to have an authentic copy of the record made out
(without saying for what) and to send it to me; if the Judge's opinions
make out a part of it, then I must ask a copy of them, either under his
hand, if he delivers one signed, or duly proved by affidavit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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