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
Will you be so good as to send a passport to Julian Y. Niemcewicz, an
American citizen, of New Jersey, going to Europe on his private affairs?
I have known him intimately for twenty years, the last twelve of which
he has resided in the United States, of which he has a certificate of
citizenship. He was the companion of Kosciusko. Be so good as to direct
it to him at Elizabethtown, and without delay, as he is on his departure.
Mr. Gallatin's estimate of the number of foreign seamen in our employ
renders it prudent, I think, to suspend all propositions respecting our
non-employment of them. As, on a consultation when we were all together,
we had made up our minds on every article of the British treaty, and this
of not employing their seamen was only mentioned for further inquiry and
consideration, we had better let the negociations go on, on the ground
then agreed on, and take time to consider this supplementary proposition.
Such an addition as this to a treaty already so bad would fill up the
measure of public condemnation. It would indeed be making bad worse. I am
more and more convinced that our best course is, to let the negotiation
take a friendly nap, and endeavor in the meantime to practice on such
of its principles as are mutually acceptable. Perhaps we may hereafter
barter the stipulation not to employ their seamen for some equivalent to
our flag, by way of convention; or perhaps the general treaty of peace
may do better for us, if we shall not, in the meantime, have done worse
for ourselves. At any rate, it will not be the worse for lying three weeks
longer. I salute you with sincere affection.
P. S. Will you be so good as to have me furnished with a copy of Mr.
Gallatin's estimate of the number of foreign seamen? I think he overrates
the number of officers greatly.
TO MR. GALLATIN.
MONTICELLO, April 21, 1807.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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