In just and desirable for both parties; and although it had not been imagined that the materials for doing it were to be had here at this moment, yet we shall be pleased to find that they may. the mean time, what is further to be done, will doubtless be the subject of further reflection and inquiry with you; and particularly the operation proposed in your letter will be viewed under all its aspects. Among these, we think it will present itself as a measure too questionable, both in principle and practicability, too deeply interesting to the credit of the United States, and too unpromising in its result to France, to be found eligible to yourself. Finally, we rest secure that what is of mutual concern will not be done but with mutual concert. TO THE FRENCH MINISTER.2 J. MSS. June 19th, 1793. SIR, I have the honor of yours of the 19th instant. In mine of the same date I had that of stating to you the of fact of the President's requisition to the privateers in question. The developement of it's terms & the inferences from them [are open to all, or may be left] to the occasion which shall call for them. Such occasion may never happen; but, if it does, the [President's justice] is a security that that will be done which shall be right. 1 Genet proposed to give "assignments" of the United State's debt to France to merchants in payment for produce. * This letter was submitted to Hamilton and Knox in the following letter: June 19, 1793. "Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the Secretaries of the Treasury & war, draughts of two letters of this day's date to the Ministers of France and England. He confesses himself not satisfied with the letter altogether, as it has somewhat of the appearance of evasion. The gentlemen will be pleased to propose any alterations either may desire, handing the letters round to him to be finally submitted to the President." At the foot of his letter is written, in their own handwritings: Approved A. Hamilton 3 Here Hamilton has written in the margin: "Will it is conceived be most properly referred." 'Here Hamilton has written in the margin: "Disposition which has been manifested." TO THE BRITISH MINISTER.1 J. MSS. PHILADELPHIA June 19, 1793 SIR, I had the honour to address you a letter on the 29th of May was twelvemonth on the articles still unexecuted of the treaty of peace between the two nations. The subject was extensive & important & therefore rendered a certain degree of delay in the reply to be expected. But it has now become such as naturally to generate disquietude. The interest we have in the Western posts, the blood and treasure which their detention costs us daily, cannot but produce a corresponding anxiety on our part. Permit me therefore to ask when I may expect the honour of a reply to my letter, and to assure you of the sentiments of respect with which I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient & most humble servt. CABINET OPINION ON SPANISH AFFAIRS. June 20., 1793. At a meeting this day of the heads of deparmts at the Prest's on summons from him, a lre from Messrs. Viar & Jaudenes dated June 18. & addressd to the Secy of state was read; whereupon it is the opn that a full detail of the proceedgs of the U. S. with respect to the Southern Indns & the Spands be prepared, & a justificn as to the particular matters charged in the sd Ire, that this be sent with all the necessary documts, to our Commrs at the ct of Madrid with instns to them to communicate the same to the ct. of Madrid leavg to them a discretion to change expressions in it which to them may appear likely to give offence in the circumstances under which they may be at the time of receivg it, & that a copy be sent to Mr. Pinckney for his informn, & to make such use of the matter it contains as to him shd seem expedt; that an answer be written to Messrs. V. and J. informg them that we shall convey our sentimts on the subject to their court thro' our commrs at Madrid & letting them see that we are not insensible to the style & manner of their communications. 1 See note to preceding letter, and the Cabinet opinion following. A draught of a ltre from the Secy of state to Mr. Hammond, asking when an answer to his ltre of May 29. 1792 might be expected, was read & approved. TO THE FRENCH MINISTER. J. MSS. PHILADELPHIA, June 23, 1793. SIR,-In answer to your letter of the 18th instant on the subject of the bills drawn by the administration of St. Domingo, in favor of certain citizens of the United States, I am instructed to inform you, that the funds therein mentioned have been so clearly understood, on all hands, to be specially appropriated for the payment of the bills which were recognized by the former agents of France here, as to be incapable of being diverted, without disappointing the just expectations of our citizens, holders of those bills. Indeed the Government has been so much a party in countenancing those expectations, as, in such an event, to lie under an obligation, in point of propriety, to satisfy the parties themselves to the extent of the balance which yet remains to be advanced. TO JAMES MADISON. J. MSS. June 23, 1793. DEAR SIR,-My last was of the 17th. if I may reckon a single line anything. Yours of the 13th came to hand yesterday. The proclamn as first proposed was to have been a declaration of neutrality. It was opposed on these grounds. 1. That a declaration of neutrality was a declaration there should be no war, to which the Executive was not competent. That it would be better to hold back the declaration of neutrality, as a thing worth something to the powers at war, that they would bid for it, & we might reasonably ask a price, the broadest privileges 2. of neutral nations. The 1st objection was so far re spected as to avoid inserting the term neutrality & the drawing the instrument was left to E. R. That there should be a proclamn was passed unanimously with the approbation or the acquiescence of all parties. Indeed it was not expedient to oppose it altogether, lest it should prejudice what was the next question, the boldest & greatest that ever was hazarded, and which would have called for extremities, had it prevailed. Spain is unquestionably picking a quarrel with us. A series of letters from her commissioners here prove it. We are sending a courier to Madrid. The inevitableness of war with the Creeks, and the probability, I might say the certainty of it with Spain (for there is not one of us who doubts it,) will certainly occasion your convocation, at what time I cannot exactly say, but you should be prepared for this important change in the state of things.-The President is got pretty well again. He sets off this day to Mount Vernon & will be absent a fortnight. The death of his manager, hourly expected, of a consumption, is the call. He will consequently be absent on the 4th of July. He travels in a Phaeton & pair. Doctr Logan sends you the inclosed pamphlet. Adieu. Yours affectionately. TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH. J. MSS. PHILADELPHIA June 24. 1793. DEAR SIR, I have to acknowlege your two favors of May 31. & June 13. I was so much pressed the last week on the post-day that it was impossible for The President is at this time gone to me to write. Mount Vernon, for a few days only. Maria has the mumps in the city, so that she has not been with me for a week past. She had it favorably. The person engaged for me as a manager, came up from Elkton to see me the last week. He is not yet certain on the subject of tenants, his mother, who had decided to go as one, having met an advantageous situation at home, & his cousin, whom I formerly wrote you was gone to see the place, having been intercepted by another offer. He still thinks he shall get some, & is to let me know definitively by the last of August. The time of the tenants' removing in Maryland is not till March. This man is about 30. years of age, of not a very bright appearance, but seems as if he would be docile, so that I hope to get my own outlines followed by him. He agrees in condemning Indian corn & hogs, and in preferring the potatoe & clover to every other means of feeding all kinds of stock, even horses. If he does not get tenants for my lands on the East side of the river I shall perhaps propose to Clarkson to go there, unless I could find a person more kind to the labourers & with a smaller family. In the mean time it would be better he should know nothing of my arrangements, unless indeed he were to have an offer elsewhere, which I would not chuse he should lose.-The late accounts from France give us hopes that Du Mourier's desertion has had no other effect than to derange that army awhile, whilst it shews the unshaken republicanism of the army & people. Their internal insurrections do not wear the face they were made to |