2d. The law of 1794, June 5th, certainly exempts the enlistment of foreigners in this country on board the vessels of their sovereign, from the penalties of that law, and leaves the subject merely under the law of nations. By that law the right of enlistment in a neutral country, given to both belligerents if they can devise equal advantage from it, is no breach of neutrality, but otherwise becomes questionable. We may, justly, I think, permit a vessel of either nation to supply its desertions by new engagements; but we should be cautious as to permitting them to increase their number, to carry away more than they brought in. 3d. It is difficult to draw a line between the two cases where the collector should consult the government, and where the district attorney. Where a case is political, rather than legal, or where it arises even on a _law_ whose object is rather political than municipal, the government should be consulted; and where the district attorney is the proper resort, still it should be on consultation by the collector, and not by the party interested. Affectionate salutations. TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. April 23, 1808. Notes on the British claims in the Mississippi territory. 1803, March 3d, act of Congress gave to March 31, 1804, to exhibit their claims on grants. 1804, March 27, act of Congress gave to November 30, 1804, and allowed transcripts instead of originals, &c. 1805, March 2d, act of Congress gave to December 1, 1805, to file their grants. And in fact to Jan 1, 1807, time when the sale might begin. 1807, December 15, the British claimants memorialize again. On no one of the acts did the British claimant take any step towards specifying his claim or its location, but remained inactive till the time was expired, and then remonstrated to his government that we had not given them time sufficient. And on the last of 1805, instead of having come forward with his claims, ready to avail himself of the third term which was then to be asked, and which was granted nominally to December 1, 1805, but in effect to January 1, 1807, he stays at home inactive, and on the 15th of December, 1807, again gives in a memorial that we have not given time enough, but still takes no step to inform us what and where his claim is.