We have been in expectation for some time that some overture would have been made to us from the Court of France, on the subject of the treaty of commerce recommended by the National Assembly to be entered into between the two nations. The executive of ours are perfectly disposed to meet such overtures, and to concur in giving them effect on the most liberal principles. This sentiment you may freely express to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
We receive with deep regret daily information of the progress of insurrection and devastation in St. Domingo. Nothing indicates as yet that the evil is at its height, and the materials, as yet untouched, but open to conflagration, are immense. The newspapers heretofore sent you, and those now sent, will have informed you of a very bloody action we have had with the Northern Indians, in which our army was defeated. This imposes the necessity of stronger preparations than were before thought requisite.
Some communications from the Court of Madrid having been lately, for the first time, made to us, these shall be the subject of a separate letter.
You mention some failures in the receipt of the journals of Congress and other public papers. I trust always to Mr. Remson to make them up from time to time, and I can answer for his punctuality. I send you his statement of those which have been sent, so that the failure has probably arisen from the inexactitude of those to whom they have been confided. At present we watch for vessels bound to Havre whereby to send them. You will receive some by the de Jeune Eole, which sails from hence to that port next week. I am not certain whether this letter will go by the same conveyance, or by the English packet. I am, with the highest esteem and attachment, your affectionate humble servant.
TO THOMAS PINCKNEY.
Philadelphia, January 17, 1792.
Sir,—Your favors of November the 29th, 30th, and December the 1st, came duly to hand, and gave sincere pleasure, by announcing your disposition to accept the appointment to London. The nominations to Paris and the Hague having been detained till yours could be made, they were all immediately sent in to the Senate, to wit, yourself for London, Mr. G. Morris for Paris, Mr. Short for the Hague. Some members of the Senate, apprehending they had a right of determining on the expediency of foreign missions, as well as on the persons named, took that occasion of bringing forward the discussion of that question, by which the nominations were delayed two or three weeks. I am happy to be able to assure you, that not a single personal motive with respect to yourself entered into the objections to these appointments. On the contrary, I believe that your nomination gave general satisfaction. Your commission will be immediately made out, but as the opportunities of conveyance at this season are precarious, and you propose coming to this place, I think it better to retain it.
As to the delay proposed in your letter, it was to be expected: indeed, a winter passage from Charleston to this place, or across the Atlantic, is so disagreeable, that if either that circumstance or the arrangement of your affairs should render it in the smallest degree eligible to you, to remain at home till the temperate season comes on, stay till after the vernal equinox; there will be no inconvenience to the public attending it. On the contrary, as we are just opening certain negotiations with the British minister here, which have not yet assumed any determinate complexion, a delay till that time will enable us to form some judgment of the issue they make take, and to know exactly in what way your co-operation at the place of your destination, may aid us. On this and other accounts, it will be highly useful that you take this place in your way, where, or at New York, you will always be sure of finding a convenient passage to England.
I have the honor to be, with the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.