PARIS, Sept. 9, 1787.
SIR,--Congress do not grant their sea-letters for the East Indies, but
to ships belonging to citizens of the United States, and navigated by
officers and seamen of the United States. Even the cargo must also
belong to their own citizens. Nor can these letters be obtained but on
an application to Congress themselves, whereupon they appoint a
committee of their own body to enquire into the circumstances relative
to the vessel, cargo and crew, and on their report of the fact, they
grant or refuse the passport.