Governor of Vermont’s of July the 16th. I presume it can not now be long
before I shall receive his answer to the two letters I wrote him from
Philadelphia on the same subject. I now enclose letters received by
yesterday’s post from Mr. Hammond, Mr. William Knox, and Mr. Paleske,
with answers to the two latter. Should these meet your approbation, you
will be so good as to seal and let them go on under the cover to Mr.
Taylor, who will have them conveyed according to their address. Should
you wish any alteration of them, it shall be made on their being
returned. The Prussian treaty is, I believe, within four years of its
expiration. I suspect that personal motives alone induce Mr. Paleske to
press for a convention, which could hardly be formed and ratified before
it would expire; and that his court cannot lay much stress on it. Mr.
Hammond’s former explanations of his notification of the 12th of
April having been laid before Congress, may perhaps make it proper to
communicate to them also his sovereign’s approbation of them.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect respect and
attachment, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXVIII.--TO M. DE TERNANT, September 27,1792
TO M. DE TERNANT.
Philadelphia, September 27,1792.
Sir,
Your letter of the 2d instant, informing me that the legislative body,
on the proposition of the King of the French, had declared war against
the King of Hungary and Bohemia, has been duly received, and laid before
the President of the United States: and I am authorized to convey to
you the expression of the sincere concern we feel, on learning that the
French nation, to whose friendship and interests we have the strongest
attachments, are now to encounter the evils of war. We offer our prayers
to Heaven that its duration may be short, and its course marked with as
few as may be of those calamities which render the condition of war so
afflicting to humanity; and we add assurances, that during its course we
shall continue in the same friendly dispositions, and render all those
good offices which shall be consistent with the duties of a neutral
nation.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXIX.--TO MR. PINCKNEY, October 12,1792
TO MR. PINCKNEY.
Philadelphia, October 12,1792.
Dear Sir,
Your favor of August the 7th came to hand on the 6th instant, and gave
me the first certain information of your safe arrival. Mr. Otto, being
about to sail for London, furnishes me with an opportunity of sending
the newspapers for yourself and Mr Barclay, and I avail myself of
it, chiefly for this purpose, as my late return from Virginia and
the vacation of Congress furnish little new and important for your
information. With respect to the Indian war, the summer has been chiefly
employed on our part in endeavoring to persuade them to peace, in
an abstinence from all offensive operations, in order to give those
endeavors a fairer chance, and in preparation for activity the ensuing
season, if they fail. I believe we may say these endeavors have all
failed, or probably will do so. The year has been rather a favorable one
for our agriculture. The crops of small grain were generally good. Early
frosts have a good deal shortened those of tobacco and Indian corn, yet
not so as to endanger distress. From the south my information is less
certain, but from that quarter you will be informed through other
channels. I have a pleasure in noting this circumstance to you,
because the difference between a plentiful and a scanty crop more than
counterpoises the expenses of any campaign. Five or six plentiful
years successively, as we have had, have most sensibly ameliorated the
condition of our country, and uniform laws of commerce, introduced by
our new government, have enabled us to draw the whole benefits of our
agriculture.
I enclose you the copy of a letter from Messrs. Blow and Milhaddo,
merchants of Virginia, complaining of the taking away of their sailors
on the coast of Africa, by the commander of a British armed vessel. So
many instances of this kind have happened, that it is quite necessary
that their government should explain themselves on the subject, and be
led to disavow and punish such conduct. I leave to your discretion to
endeavor to obtain this satisfaction by such friendly discussions as may
be most likely to produce the desired effect, and secure to our commerce
that protection against British violence, which it has never experienced
from any other nation. No law forbids the seaman of any country to
engage in time of peace on board a foreign vessel: no law authorizes
such seaman to break his contract, nor the armed vessels of his nation
to interpose force for his rescue. I shall be happy to hear soon, that
Mr. B. has gone on the service on which he was ordered.
I have the honor to be, with great and sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXX.--TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT, October 14,1792
TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT.
Philadelphia, October 14,1792.
Gentlemen,
Since my letters of March the 18th and April the 24th (which have been
retarded so unfortunately), another subject of conference-and convention
with Spain has occurred. You know that the frontiers of her provinces,
as well as of our States, are inhabited by Indians holding justly the
right of occupation, and leaving to Spain and to us only the claim of
excluding other nations from among them, and of becoming ourselves the
purchasers of such portions of land, from time to time, as they choose
to sell. We have thought that the dictates of interest as well as
humanity enjoined mutual endeavors with those Indians to live in peace
with both nations, and we have scrupulously observed that conduct.
Our agent with the Indians bordering on the territories of Spain has
a standing instruction to use his best endeavors to prevent them from
committing acts of hostility against the Spanish settlements. But
whatever may have been the conduct or orders of the government of
Spain, that of their officers in our neighborhood has been indisputably
unfriendly and hostile to us. The papers enclosed will demonstrate
this to you. That the Baron de Carondelet, their chief Governor at New
Orleans, has excited the Indians to war on us, that he has furnished
them with abundance of arms and ammunition, and promised them whatever
more shall be necessary, I have from the mouth of him who had it from
his own mouth. In short, that he is the sole source of a great and
serious war now burst out upon us, and from Indians who, we know,
were in peaceable dispositions towards us till prevailed on by him to
commence the war, there remains scarcely room to doubt. It has become
necessary that we understand the real policy of Spain in this point.
You will, therefore, be pleased to extract from the enclosed papers such
facts as you think proper to be communicated to that court, and enter
into friendly but serious expostulations on the conduct of their
officers; for we have equal evidence against the commandants of other
posts in West Florida, though, they being subordinate to Carondelet, we
name him as the source. If they disavow his conduct, we must naturally
look to their treatment of him as the sole evidence of their sincerity.
But we must look further. It is a general rule, that no nation has a
right to keep an agent within the limits of another, without the consent
of that other, and we are satisfied it would be best for both Spain and
us, to abstain from having agents or other persons in our employ or
pay among the savages inhabiting our respective territories, whether
as subjects or independent. You are, therefore, desired to propose and
press a stipulation to that effect. Should they absolutely decline it,
it may be proper to let them perceive that, as the right of keeping
agents exists on both sides or on neither, it will rest with us
to reciprocate their own measures. We confidently hope that these
proceedings are unauthorized by the government of Spain, and, in this
hope, we continue in the dispositions formerly expressed to you, of
living on terms of the best friendship and harmony with that country, of
making their interests in our neighborhood our own, and of giving them
every proof of this, except the abandonment of those essential rights
which you are instructed to insist on.
I have the honor to be, with great and sincere esteem, Gentlemen, your
most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXI.--TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, October 15, 1792
TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.
Philadelphia, October 15, 1792.
Sir,
I have received your favor of July the 10th, No. 4, but no other number
preceding or subsequent. I fear, therefore, that some miscarriage has
taken place. The present goes to Bordeaux under cover to Mr. Fenwick,
who I hope will be able to give it a safe conveyance to you. I observe
that you say in your letter, that ‘the marine department is to treat
with you for supplies to St. Domingo.’ I presume you mean ‘supplies
of money,’ and not that our government is to furnish supplies of
provisions, &c. specifically, or employ others to do it, this being a
business into which they could not enter. The payment of money here, to
be employed by their own agents in purchasing the produce of our soil,
is a desirable thing. We are informed by the public papers, that the
late constitution of France, formally notified to us, is suspended, and
a new convention called. During the time of this suspension, and while
no legitimate government exists, we apprehend we cannot continue the
payments of our debt to France, because there is no person authorized
to receive it and to give us an unobjectionable acquittal. You are
therefore desired to consider the payment as suspended, until further
orders. Should circumstances oblige you to mention this (which it is
better to avoid if you can), do it with such solid reasons as will occur
to yourself, and accompany it with the most friendly declarations
that the suspension does not proceed from any wish in us to delay the
payment, the contrary being our wish, nor from any desire to embarrass
or oppose the settlement of their government in that way in which their
nation shall desire it; but from our anxiety to pay this debt justly and
honorably, and to the persons really authorized by the nation (to whom
we owe it) to receive it for their use. Nor shall the suspension
be continued one moment after we can see our way clear out of the
difficulty into which their situation has thrown us. That they may
speedily obtain liberty, peace, and tranquillity, is our sincere prayer.
*****
I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, Dear Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXII.--TO M. DE TERNANT, October 16,1792
TO M. DE TERNANT.
Philadelphia, October 16,1792.
Sir,
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant,
proposing a stipulation for the abolition of the practice of
privateering in times of war. The benevolence of this proposition is
worthy of the nation from which it comes, and our sentiments on it have
been declared in the treaty to which you are pleased to refer, as well
as in some others which have been proposed. There are in those treaties
some other principles which would probably meet the approbation of your
government, as flowing from the same desire to lessen the occasions and
the calamities of war. On all of these, as well as on those amendments
to our treaty of commerce which might better its conditions with both
nations, and which the National Assembly of France has likewise brought
into view on a former occasion, we are ready to enter into negotiation
with you, only proposing to take the whole into consideration at once.
And while contemplating provisions which look to the event of war, we
are happy in feeling a conviction that it is yet at a great distance
from us, and in believing that the sentiments of sincere friendship
which we bear to the nation of France are reciprocated on their part.
Of these our dispositions, be so good as to assure them on this and all
other occasions; and to accept yourself those sentiments of esteem and
respect with which I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXIII.--TO MESSRS. VIAR AND JAUDENES, November 1, 1792
TO MESSRS. VIAR AND JAUDENES, _Commissioners of Spain_
Philadelphia, November 1, 1792.
Gentlemen,
I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of October the 29th,
which I have duly laid before the President of the United States: and
in answer thereto, I cannot but observe that some parts of its contents
were truly unexpected. On what foundation it can be supposed that
we have menaced the Creek nation with destruction during the present
autumn, or at any other time, is entirely inconceivable. Our endeavors,
on the contrary, to keep them at peace, have been earnest, persevering,
and notorious, and no expense has been spared which might attain that
object. With the same views to peace, we have suspended, now more than a
twelvemonth, the marking a boundary between them and us, which had been
fairly, freely, and solemnly established with the chiefs whom they had
deputed to treat with us on that subject: we have suspended it, I say,
in the constant hope, that taking time to consider it in the councils
of their nation, and recognising the justice and reciprocity of its
conditions, they would at length freely concur in carrying it into
execution. We agree with you, that the interests which either of us have
in the proceedings of the other with this nation of Indians, is a proper
subject of discussion at the negotiations to be opened at Madrid, and
shall accordingly give the same in charge to our commissioners there.
In the mean time, we shall continue sincerely to cultivate the peace and
prosperity of all the parties, being constant in the opinion, that this
conduct, reciprocally observed, will most increase the happiness of all.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of great esteem and respect,
Gentlemen, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXIV.--TO THE PRESIDENT, November 2,1792
TO THE PRESIDENT.
Philadelphia, November 2,1792.
Sir,
The letter of October the 29th, from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes, not
expressing the principle on which their government interests itself
between the United States and the Creeks, I thought it of importance to
have it ascertained. I therefore called on those Gentlemen, and entered
into explanations with them. They assured me, in our conversation, that
supposing all question of boundary to be out of the case, they did not
imagine their government would think themselves authorized to take under
their protection any nations of Indians living within limits confessed
to be ours; and they presumed that any interference of theirs, with
respect to the Creeks, could only arise out of the question of disputed
territory, now existing between us: that, on this account, some part
of our treaty with the Creeks had given dissatisfaction. They said,
however, that they were speaking from their own sentiments only, having
no instructions which would authorize them to declare those of their
court: but that they expected an answer to their letters covering mine
of July the 9th (erroneously cited by them as of the 11th), from which
they would probably know the sentiments of their court. They accorded
entirely in the opinion, that it would be better that the two nations
should mutually endeavor to preserve each the peace of the other, as
well as their own, with the neighboring tribes of Indians.
I shall avail myself of the opportunity by a vessel which is to sail
in a few days, of sending proper information and instructions to
our commissioners on the subject of the late, as well as of future
interferences of the Spanish officers to our prejudice with the Indians,
and for the establishment of common rules of conduct for the two
nations.
I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect and attachment,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXV.--TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT, November 3, 1792
TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT.
Philadelphia, November 3, 1792.
Gentlemen,
I wrote you on the 14th of last month; since which some other incidents
and documents have occurred, bearing relation to the subject of that
letter. I therefore now enclose you a duplicate of that letter.
Copy of a letter from the Governor of Georgia, with the deposition
it covered of a Mr. Hull, and an original passport signed by Olivier,
wherein he styles himself Commissary for his Catholic Majesty with the
Creeks.
Copy of a letter from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes to myself, dated October
the 29th, with that of the extract of a letter of September the 24th,
from the Baron de Carondelet to them.
Copy of my answer of No. 1, to them, and copy of a letter from myself,
to the President, stating a conversation with those gentlemen.
From those papers you will find that we have been constantly
endeavoring, by every possible means, to keep peace with the Creeks;
that in order to do this, we have even suspended and still suspend the
running a fair boundary between them and us, as agreed on by themselves,
and having for its object the precise definition of their and our
lands, so as to prevent encroachment on either side, and that we have
constantly endeavored to keep them at peace with the Spanish settlements
also: that Spain on the contrary, or at least the officers of her
governments, since the arrival of the Baron de Carondelet, have
undertaken to keep an agent among the Creeks, have excited them and the
other southern Indians to commence a war against us, have furnished them
with arms and ammunition for the express purpose of carrying on that
war, and prevented the Creeks from running the boundary which would
have removed the cause of difference from between us. Messrs. Viar and
Jaudenes explain the ground of interference on the fact of the Spanish
claim to that territory, and on an article in our treaty with the
Creeks, putting themselves under our protection. But besides that you
already know the nullity of their pretended claim to the territory, they
had themselves set the example of endeavoring to strengthen that claim
by the treaty mentioned in the letter of the Baron de Carondelet, and
by the employment of an agent among them. The establishment of our
boundary, committed to you, will, of course, remove the grounds of all
future pretence to interfere with the Indians within our territory, and
it was to such only that the treaty of New York stipulated protection:
for we take for granted, that Spain will be ready to agree to the
principle, that neither party has a right to stipulate protection or
interference with the Indian nations inhabiting the territory of the
other. But it is extremely material also, with sincerity and good faith,
to patronize the peace of each other with the neighboring savages. We
are quite disposed to believe that the late wicked excitements to war
have proceeded from the Baron de Carondelet himself, without authority
from his court. But if so, have we not reason to expect the removal of
such an officer from our neighborhood, as an evidence of the disavowal
of his proceedings? He has produced against us a serious war. He says in
his letter, indeed, that he has suspended it. But this he has not done,
nor possibly can he do it. The Indians are more easily engaged in a
war than withdrawn from it. They have made the attack in force on our
frontiers, whether with or without his consent, and will oblige us to a
severe punishment of their aggression. We trust that you will be able
to settle principles of a friendly concert between us and Spain, with
respect to the neighboring Indians: and if not, that you will endeavor
to apprize us of what we may expect, that we may no longer be tied up
by principles, which, in that case, would be inconsistent with duty and
self-preservation.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of perfect esteem and respect,
Gentlemen, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXVI.--TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, November 7, 1792
TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.
Philadelphia, November 7, 1792.
Dear Sir,
My last to you was of the 15th of October; since which I have received
your Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7. Though mine went by a conveyance directly
to Bordeaux, and may therefore probably get safe to you, yet I think
it proper, lest it should miscarry, to repeat to you the following
paragraph from it.
I am perfectly sensible that your situation must, ere this reaches you,
have been delicate and difficult; and though the occasion is probably
over, and your part taken of necessity, so that instructions now would
be too late, yet I think it just to express our sentiments on the
subject, as a sanction of what you have probably done. Whenever the
scene became personally dangerous to you, it was proper you should leave
it, as well from personal as public motives. But what degree of danger
should be awaited, to what distance or place you should retire, are
circumstances which must rest with your own discretion, it being
impossible to prescribe them from hence. With what kind of government
you may do business, is another question. It accords with our principles
to acknowledge any government to be rightful, which is formed by the
will of the nation substantially declared. The late government was of
this kind, and was accordingly acknowledged by all the branches of ours.
So, any alteration of it which shall be made by the will of the nation
substantially declared, will doubtless be acknowledged in like manner.
With such a government every hind of business may be done. But there are
some matters which I conceive might be transacted with a government _de
facto_; such, for instance, as the reforming the unfriendly restrictions
on our commerce and navigation. Such cases you will readily distinguish
as they occur. With respect to this particular reformation of their
regulations, we cannot be too pressing for its attainment, as every
day’s continuance gives it additional firmness, and endangers its taking
root in their habits and constitution; and indeed, I think they should
be told, as soon as they are in a condition to act, that if they do
not revoke the late innovations, we must lay additional and equivalent
burthens on French ships, by name. Your conduct in the case of M. de
Bonne Carrere is approved entirely. We think it of great consequence
to the friendship of the two nations, to have a minister here, in whose
dispositions we have confidence. Congress assembled the day before
yesterday. I enclose you a paper containing the President’s speech,
whereby you will see the chief objects of the present session. Your
difficulties as to the settlements of our accounts with France and as,
to the payment of the foreign officers, will have been removed by the
letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, of which, for fear it should
have miscarried, I now enclose you a duplicate. Should a conveyance for
the present letter offer to any port of France directly, your newspapers
will accompany it. Otherwise, I shall send it through Mr. Pinckney, and
retain the newspapers as usual, for a direct conveyance.
I am, with great and sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXVII.--TO M. DE TERNANT, November 20, 1792
TO M. DE TERNANT.
Philadelphia, November 20, 1792.
Sir,