[17] On account of the detention of the debt.
[18] "If any one is in possession of another's land, so much belongs to the owner as the use of the land is worth, and so much to the possessor as his labor and care are worth."
[19] "If things are to be restored by virtue of the peace, the profits are also to be restored from the day of the cession."
[20] "To whomsoever a thing is conceded by the peace, to him also the profits are conceded, from the time of the concession, BUT NOT BACK."
[21] For documents referred to in this letter, see American State Papers, Foreign Affairs, vol. ii., p. 216.
CIRCULAR TO THE AMERICAN CONSULS.
Philadelphia, May 31, 1792.
Sir,—Congress having closed their session on the 8th instant, I have now the honor to forward you a copy of the laws passed thereat. One of these, chapter twenty-four, will require your particular attention, as it contains such regulations relative to the consular office, as it has been thought proper to establish legislatively.
With respect to the security required by the sixth section, I would prefer persons residing within the United States, where the party can procure such to be his security. In this case, his own bond duly executed may be sent to me, and his sureties here may enter into a separate bond. Where the party cannot conveniently find sureties within the United States, my distance and want of means of knowing their sufficiency, oblige me to refer him to the minister or chargé des affaires of the United States, within the same government, if there be one, and if not, then to the minister of the United States, resident at Paris. The securities which they shall approve, will be admitted as good. In like manner, the account for their disbursements, authorized by this law (and no other can be allowed), are to be settled at stated periods with the minister or chargé within their residence, if there be one, if none, then with the minister of the United States at Paris. The person who settles the account is authorized to pay it. Our consuls in America are not meant to be included in these directions as to securityship and the settlement of their accounts, as their situation gives them a more convenient communication with me. It is also recommended to the consuls to keep an ordinary correspondence with the minister or chargé to whom they are thus referred; but it would be also useful, if they could forward directly to me, from time to time, the prices current of their place, and any other circumstance which it might be interesting to make known to our merchants without delay.