The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 9) / Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private

by Thomas Jefferson

Philadelphia, June 19, 1793.

Sir,—I had the honor 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 and important, and 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 honor of a reply to my letter, and to assure you of the sentiments of respect with which I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.

---

TO J. MADISON.

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 proclamation 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. 2. 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, and we might reasonably ask a price, the broadest privileges of neutral nations. The first objection was so far respected as to avoid inserting the term neutrality, and the drawing the instrument was left to E. R. That there should be a proclamation 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 and 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 has got pretty well again; he sets off this day to Mount Vernon, and 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 and pair. Doctor Logan sends you the enclosed pamphlet. Adieu. Yours affectionately.

INDEX TO VOL. III.

• Adams, John—His alienation from Mr. Jefferson, [257].
  • His anonymous contributions to newspapers, [267].
  • Letter from Jefferson explaining the difference between them, [270].
  • Friendly relations with Jefferson restored, [292].
• Algiers—War with our best policy, [164]. (See [Barbary States]).
  • Provision for our prisoners, [269], [436], [533].
• America—Origin of the aborigines of, [109].
• Apportionment—Bill apportioning representation, [348].
• Aubaine, Droit d'—Law of in France in relation to our citizens, [189].
  • Its abolition in France, [259].
• Baily, M.—Made mayor of Paris, [78].
• Bank of United States—Shares taken immediately, [268].
• Bankrupt Bill—[495].
• Barclay, Thomas—His second mission to Morocco, [261].
• Barbary States—Barclay's mission to, [261].
  • Letter to Emperor of Morocco, [264].
  • Provision for Algerine prisoners, [209], [436], [533].
• Billon—Report of National Assembly of France on, [207].
• Bill of Rights—Constitution should be so amended as to insert one, [3], [13].
  • Arguments for and against Bill of Rights, [4], [13], [201].
  • Amendments proposed by Jefferson, [100], [101].
• Boundary—Difficulties on our Eastern Boundary, [230].
• Canals—The Potomac and Ohio Canal, [29].
  • The Big Beaver and Cayahoga Canal, [30].
• Capitol—Plans for Capitol at Washington, [507], [508].
  • Dr. Thornton's plan approved, [508].
• Carolina, North—(See [lands public]).
• Census—Of United States, [205].
• Chargé des Affaires—Proper form for their credentials, [142].
• Charters—Whether Legislature can revoke them, [103], [108].
• Cherokees—Their rights under treaty of Hopewell, [192].
• Clark, Gen.—His character and talents, [217].
• Commerce—Our commercial relations with England and France, [99], [100], [320].
  • Whether, in our commercial regulations, we should discriminate in favor of France, [99], [100].
  • Our commerce with French West Indies, [113], [114], [191], [319].
  • Statement of our commerce with England and France, [315], [316], [317], [318].
  • Our commercial relations with France, [509], [516].
  • Our commercial relations with the Netherlands, [510].
  • Our commercial relations with Great Britain, [511], [514].
  • Our commercial relations with Spain, [512].
  • Our commercial relations with Portugal, [533].
  • Foreign built vessels, purchased by our citizens, stand on the same footing as to neutral rights with home-built vessels, [550].
• Coinage—Employment of Mr. Drost at the mint, [139], [140], [446].
  • Relative to copper coinage, [279].
  • Hamilton's report on the mint, [330]. (See [Mint].)
• Confiscation—Relative to confiscation of refugees' property at breaking out of Revolutionary war, [372], [377], [378], [380], [381], [382], [383], [384].
  • Question of restitution after the war, [372], [385], [386].
  • Restitution recommended by Congress, [376].
  • Confiscation of debts due here to the English, [387].
  • Debts not confiscated during war survive it, [406], [407].
  • But if confiscated, the debtor released, [407], [408].
• Congress—Current business before, [208].
  • Corrupting influences brought to bear on, [360], [361], [362].
• Constitutions—No such thing as a perpetual Constitution, [106], [108].
• Constitution, Federal—Mr. Jefferson's opinion of, [12].
  • Its adoption, [13].
  • Its unpopularity in New York and Virginia, [24].
  • The elections under, [24].
  • Organization of Government under, [88].
  • Amendments to, [89].
  • Vote of States on, [207].
  • General acquiescence in, [132].
  • The successful operation of new government, [199], [200].
• Consuls—Native consuls always preferred, where they can be had, [155], [195].
  • Consular fees, [160].
  • Consular authentication of instruments, [160].
  • J. Johnson sent consul to London, [176].
  • Instructions to consuls, [187].
  • How far exempt from duties, taxes, &c., [193].
  • The footing on which law of nations places consuls, [295].
  • Circular to consuls, [429].
  • What security required of them, [429].
  • Our right to send Consuls to French colonies, [252].
  • Consular arrangements with Prussia, [457].
• Currency—Great scarcity of metals after Revolution, [398]. (See [coinage]).
• Deane, Silas—His wretched condition, [101].
• Debt.—Imprisonment for, wrong, [396], [397].
• Debts, British—Remedy to recover suspended, [387], [391], [392], [393], [394], [395].
  • Justification of the suspension, [395].
  • Obstacles in way of recovery of in the States, [407], [408], [409], [410], [411], [412], [413], [414].
  • No interest on allowed during war, [415], [416], [417], [418], [419], [420].
  • Justification thereof, [416], [417], [418].
• Debt, Foreign—Distinction between foreign and domestic debt, [156].
  • Payment of foreign debt pressed, [33].
  • Arrangement to pay officers, [37].
  • Amount due, [91], [92].
  • Mode of paying debt to France, [546], [575].
• Debt, Public—The funding of, [152], [153], [165], [169].
  • Funded debt above par, [283].
  • Debt to France will not be paid in depreciated assignats, [294].
  • Condition of public debt, [361].
• Debts, State—The question of their assumption by general government, [145], [148], [159], [166], [169], [185].
  • Arguments for and against assumption, [166].
  • Opposition to in Virginia and North Carolina, [198].
• Democracy—The participation of the people in government, [81].
• Distillation—Of pure from salt water, [228].
• Dumas, M.—Statement of his case and claim, [331].
• Education—The schools of Europe, [313].
• England—Bad health of the King of, [6], [7], [25], [34], [49], [87].
  • Bad feeling in, towards U. States, [32].
  • Our diplomatic relations with, [182], [203].
  • Political relations with, [182].
  • Infractions by United States of her treaty with, [183].
  • Admission of our wheat by, [249].
  • Negotiations with, through Hammond, [365], [439].
  • Review of matters in controversy with, [365], [423], [424], [425], [426], [427].
  • Her seizure of our slaves at end of war, [387], [391].
  • Refuses to withdraw troops from our posts, [388].
  • On whom the blame of not executing the treaty should fall, [400].
• Europe—Political condition of, [5], [9], [25], [34], [49], [154], [163].
  • War between Russia and Turkey, [56].
  • War between Russia and Sweden, [92].
  • War between England &France, [537].
  • Relations between Spain and England, [537].
• Excise—Distinction between excise and import, [17].
• Federalists—The views and aims of the party, [450], [503].
  • Strength of the party, [503].
  • The condition of, [548].
• Fisheries—Report on whale and cod fisheries, [185], [214].
• Fly, Hessian—An account of, [32], [38].
• France—Election to States General, [8].
  • Question whether States should vote by persons or orders, [8], [11], [23], [27], [34], [36], [40], [41], [43].
  • Concessions by the King, [11], [78].
  • Riots, [22], [26].
  • Opening of States General, [22], [26], [43].
  • Condition of finances, [26].
  • Large numbers of inferior Clergy returned to Assembly, [27].
  • State of parties in National Assembly, [27], [34], [35].
  • Majority of Clergy unite with Tiers Etat, [40], [41], [43], [44].
  • Proposition to distribute bread among poor, [48].
  • Tiers Etat declare themselves National Assembly, [50], [53], [57].
  • Character of Tiers Etat, [58].
  • Character of the Noblesse, [58].
  • Clergy go over to Tiers Etat, [58].
  • A Royal session proclaimed, [60].
  • Duke of Orleans joins Tiers Etat, [62].
  • Proceedings of Court party, [60], [61].
  • Disaffection of soldiery, [64].
  • King urges Nobles and Clergy to go over to Tiers Etat, [64], [65], [83].
  • Supplies of provisions from U. S., [65], [67], [68], [69], [73].
  • Constitutional reforms by National Assembly, [69], [70], [71], [75], [94], [97], [115].
  • Scarcity of provisions in Paris, [73], [86], [94], [111], [117].
  • Military intervention by the Government, [74], [75].
  • Fall of Neckar and appointment of new minister, [85].
  • Character of new ministry, [75].
  • Insurrections, [76], [77], [78], [79], [84].
  • Bastile taken and destroyed, [77], [79], [84].
  • Fall of court ministry and recall of Neckar, [78], [79], [84].
  • Noblesse begin to emigrate, [79], [84], [87].
  • Massacres begin, [84], [85], [87].
  • The Constitutional reforms contemplated by liberal party, [89], [94], [97].
  • Internal condition of, [93], [94].
  • Financial embarrassments of France, [97], [115], [121].
  • Friendly disposition of National Assembly towards U. S., [99].
  • Division of parties in National Assembly, [116].
  • Danger of civil war, [117].
  • The King's flight from Paris, [284], [285], [293].
  • Plan of a French colony in America, [179].
  • How far our people exempt from Droit d'Aubaine in France, [189].
  • Commercial relations of, with U. S., [225], [274], [275], [356], [448].
  • Duty on our oil, [250].
  • Duty on our tobacco, [250], [274], [288], [289].
  • War between France and Spain, [357].
  • Payment of our debt, [252], [546].
  • Suspended by French revolution, [476].
  • Declaration of war by, against Hungary and Bohemia, [458].
  • Our shipments to Marseilles, [486].
  • Revolutionary government of France recognized by U. S., [489], [500], [522].
  • Military successes of France, [494], [495], [549], [570].
  • Effects of in United States, [502].
  • Mr. Jefferson's views of Jacobins, [501].
  • Reply to notification of establishment of French Republic, [518].
  • Plan of Allies to exclude neutral commerce with, [519].
  • Execution of King, [520].
  • Progress of the war, [549], [570].
  • Dumourier's desertion, [570].
• Franklin, Benjamin—His declining health, [134].
  • His death, [139].
  • His philosophical attainments, [212].
  • His popularity in France, [213].
  • National Assembly of France expresses grief at his death, [218].
• Freneau, Philip—Appointed clerk in State Department, [215].
  • Circumstances under which he was appointed, [464].
• Fugitives—Surrender of depends on convention, [299].
  • Convention proposed by France, [299].
  • Difficulties in arranging a convention with Spain, [346].
  • Project of convention with Spanish provinces, [350].
  • General views on conventions for delivery of fugitives, [352].
  • Forcible seizure in Florida by Americans of slaves escaped there, [454].
• Generations—Whether one generation can bind another, [103].
• Genet, M.—His arrival in U. States as minister of France, [563].
• Government—The best treatises on, [145].
  • The establishment of seat of, [145], [146], [148], [152], [160].
  • Removal of, to Philadelphia for ten years, and established permanently at Georgetown afterwards, [162], [163], [169].
• Hamilton, A.—His split with Jefferson, [460], [470].
  • His report on manufactures, [461].
  • His strong English bias, [548].
  • His political system, [548].
• Hammond, Mr.—His negotiation with Jefferson, [365].
• Hazzard, Mr.—His collection of State papers, [20].
• Henry, Patrick—His views in respect to amendments to Virginia constitution, [469].
• Hessian Fly—An account of, [32], [38].
• Humphreys, Col. David—Sent on special mission to Europe, [180].
  • Appointed resident minister to Portugal, [215].
  • Sent on special mission to Algiers, [529].
• Import—Distinction between import and excise, [17].
• Impressment—Of American sailors by England, [204], [206].
  • Case of Hugh Purdie, [204].
  • Provision for impressed seamen, [335].
  • Jefferson's views on impressment, [448].
  • Negotiations in relation to, [525].
• Indians—Treaty with Creek Indians concluded, [184].
  • What right States have over Indians within their limits, [142], [281].
  • Their progress in civilization, [217].
  • Expedition against, fails, [117].
  • Our policy towards, [246], [247].
  • Hostility of the six nations, [248].
  • Intrigues of the English with, [248].
  • Disclaimed by their government, [331].
  • Scott's expedition against, [273], [279].
  • What right a State has over Indian territory within its limits, [192], [281].
  • Gen. Wilkinson's expedition against, [306].
  • Our intervention with, in favor of Spain, [358].
  • Intrigues of Spanish agents among, [455], [459], [474], [479], [480], [566].
  • Our conduct towards Creek Indians, [478], [479], [480].
  • Spain incites Indians to hostility against us, [478], [479], [480].
  • Our relations with the Indians, [478], [479], [480], [487], [581], [584].
  • Spanish officers furnish them with arms, &c., [566].
• Indies, West—View of U. S. in regard to French West Indies, [275].
  • Commerce with, [275], [276].
  • Insurrection of negroes in St. Domingo, [303], [306], [320], [450].
  • Relief furnished by U. States, [492].
• Insurrection—Of negroes in St. Domingo, [303], [306], [320], [450].
• Jefferson, Thomas—Made Doctor of Laws by Harvard University, [14].
  • Asks leave of absence from France, [31], [102], [121].
  • Draws Constitutional charter to be signed by King of France, [45], [46], [47].
  • Declines any office in U. States, [102].
  • Declines Secretaryship of State, [124].
  • Accepts the same, [126].
  • Reason for this change, [131].
  • The appointment of his Assistant, [127].
  • Arrives in New York to enter on duties of his office, [128], [129].
  • Elected member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, [130].
  • Letters of farewell to Parisian friends, [133], [134], [135], [136].
  • His observations on the weather, [144].
  • His illness, [155].
  • Depredations on his property during the war, [197].
  • His visit to eastern States, [265].
  • His purpose to retire from the Cabinet, [467], [490], [521], [577].
  • Delay therein, and reasons for it, [506], [531].
  • Letter to Gen. Washington, urging him to serve a second term, [360].
  • His negotiations with Mr. Hammond, [439].
  • His conversations with Hammond, [365], [439].
  • His controversy with Hamilton, [460].
  • Statement of, to Washington, [460].
  • Summary of his views on Constitution, [463].
  • Hamilton's attacks upon him, [460], [470].
  • Collection of his letters, [520].
  • Refuses to embark in any enterprise to improve his fortune while in public office, [527].
• Jones, Paul—Difficulties with Russian officers, [301].
  • Sent Commissioner to Algiers, [431].
  • His instructions, [431].
  • His death, [528].
• Juries—Remarks on, by Jefferson, [81].
• Jurisdiction—One Sovereign not amenable to jurisdiction of another, [277].
• Kaims, Lord—Jefferson's opinion of, [452].
• La Fayette, Marquis de—Jefferson advises him to join Tiers Etat, [20].
  • Embarrassment of his position, [32].
  • Made commander in chief of National Guards, [84].
  • Efforts to secure his release from imprisonment, [524].
• Lands, Public—What included in cession of North Carolina, [229].
• Laws—Collection of laws of different States, [184].
  • No such thing as a perpetual law, [106], [108].
• Law of Nations—One Sovereign not amenable to jurisdiction of another, [277].
  • Enemy's property in our territory may be seized at beginning of the war, [369].
  • Debts also may be confiscated, [387].
  • Right of one party where other violates a treaty, [391].
  • Before a foreigner can apply to executive for relief, he must exhaust his remedies in the courts, [538], [540], [541], [585].
  • We acknowledge always the government de facto, [489], [500], [522].
• Literature—Literary news of Europe, [14].
• Loans—Negotiation of Holland loan, [247].
  • Destination of Holland loan, [536].
• Louis XVI.—His execution, [520].
• Luzerne, Marquis de—Letter of regret to, on termination of his mission to U. S., [140], [141].
  • Gold medal for, [170].
• Measure—Standard of, [157], [161].
  • The Standard adopted by National Assembly of France, [276]. (See [weights and measures].)
• Mesmerism—Jefferson considers Mesmer a maniac, [212].
• Ministers, Foreign—Medals presented to on leaving, [142].
  • Breach of privilege, [453].
• Mint—Arrangements for its establishment, [139], [140], [446], [509], [542].
  • An assayer for, [542].
  • Hamilton's report on, [330]. (See [coinage].)
• Mississippi River—Question of the right of navigation with Spain, [172].
  • Necessity of some port on its banks, [173], [178], [228].
  • Negotiations in relation to, [178], [227], [233], [234], [328], [340], [341], [342], [344].
• Morocco—Death of Emperor of, [357]. (See [Barbary States].)
• Morris, Gouverneur—Appointed minister to France, [325].
  • His instructions, [325], [329], [448].
  • His salary, [325].
  • Opposition to his appointment, [329].
• Morris, R.—His purchases of lands in Massachusetts, [231].
• Moustier, Ct. de—Letter of respect to, on terminating his mission to United States, [216].
• Neckar, M.—His character, [52], [53].
  • His popularity in France, [61], [62].
  • His dismissal from office, [75].
  • His recall, [78], [79].
• Neutrality—Principles of, pursued by our government, [559], [561], [571], [573], [574], [582].
  • Our efforts to preserve neutrality, [533], [535], [542], [551], [557], [564], [569], [574], [580], [583].
  • Proclamation of, [543], [544].
  • Circumstances attending it, [591].
  • Invasions of our neutrality by France, [547], [558], [560], [571], [583].
  • Existing treaties with France, &c., and duties under, 651.
  • Hamilton's interference with this question, [552], [556].
  • It is a question belonging to State and not Treasury department, [556].
  • Government does not prohibit exportation of arms, ammunition, &c., but leaves them to be confiscated, if seized, [558], [560].
  • Punishment of our citizens for invasions of, [559], [574].
  • The equipment and arming of vessels in our waters, violation of our neutrality, [559], [561], [571], [573], [586], [587], [588], [589].
  • Right of France and Holland under pre-existing treaties, to arm and equip vessels in our ports, [564].
  • Circumstances under which French vessels were armed and equipped in our ports, [573].
  • Difficulties with French and English ministers, [585], [586].
• Office—Rotation in, [18].
• Olive—Introduction of, culture in South Carolina, [475].
• Orleans, Duke of—Goes over to the Tiers Etat, [62].
  • His character, [95].
  • His faction, [118].
• Pagan, Thomas—Memorial in his case, [308].
  • Answer thereto, [335].
  • Merits of his case, [538].
• Paine, Thomas—Extract of letter from, [32].
  • Sensation produced by his pamphlet "The Rights of Man," [267], [279].
• Passports—For sea vessels and mode of distributing them, [555].
  • To whom and on what conditions granted, [581].
• Pinckney, Thomas—Appointed minister to England, [298], [321].
  • His letters of credence, [441].
  • Instructions to, [442].
• Portugal—Establishment of mission to, [174], [175].
  • Health of Queen of, [359].
  • Her successor, [359].
  • Commercial relations with, [488].
• Post-Office—Plan to increase speed of posts, [344].
• President, The—Question of his re-eligibility, [13].
• Prisoners—Redemption of Algerine prisoners, [112], [531]. (See [Barbary States].)
• Privateering—Proposition to abandon it in time of war, [477].
• Proclamation—Against whiskey riots in Pennsylvania, [471].
• Randolph, Edward—His vacillation in Cabinet, [569].
• Republicans—Their ascendency in country, [491], [493].
• Rhode Island—Accedes to the Union, [146].
• Rice—The rice trade of France, [110].
• Science—Scientific news of Europe, [15], [16].
• Sea Letters—On what terms granted, and to whom, [130].
• Secretaries—Proposed to give them seats on floor of Congress, [491].
• Short, Wm.—Appointed resident minister at Hague, [322].
  • His salary and outfit, [322].
  • Joined in mission to Spain to negotiate for navigation of the Mississippi river, [328].
• Slavery—Slaves escaping to Florida restored to masters, [195], [219].
  • Difficulties in connection with fugitive slaves, [454].
  • Efforts to elevate negro race, [291].
  • Our slaves carried off by English at end of war, [387].
• Spain—Presentation of case of Don Blas to court of, [138].
  • Independence of her colonies, [534].
  • Invasions by, of jurisdiction of United States, [222].
• States General—(See [France]).
• State, Department of—Statement of accounts of, [482], [483], [484].
• St. Domingo—Sends deputies to States General of France, [52].
  • They are received, [64].
  • Insurrection of the negroes, [303], [306], [320], [450]. (See [West Indies].)
• Stocks, Public—Depreciation in their value, [343], [430].
• Sugar—The manufacture of from maple, [158].
• Ternant, M.—His alienation from Jefferson and affiliation with Hamilton, [549].
• Treaties—Paramount to State laws, [402], [403], [404], [405], [406].
• United States—Supply of corn from, for France, [66], [67], [68], [119], [122].
  • Credit of, in Holland, [114].
  • Division of parties in, [209], [363], [494], [495], [557].
  • Invasion of our jurisdiction by Spain, [222].
  • Prosperity of, [260].
  • Gambling, stock-jobbing and speculating mania abroad in, [285].
  • Condition of political parties, [361].
  • The federalists, their views, strength, and conduct, [450], [503], [548].
• Virginia—Whether her first constitution was repealable by an ordinary legislature, [202].
  • Destruction of her records in 1781, [258].
  • Jefferson's views of a new Constitution for, [314].
• War—What amounts to levying war, [256].
• Washington, George—Elected first President, [21].
  • Letter to, from Jefferson on the occasion, [30].
  • His health, [132], [166], [579].
  • His pure Republicanism, [224].
  • His visit to southern States, [245].
  • Equestrian statue of, proposed, [347].
  • Letter from Jefferson, urging him to serve a second term, [360].
  • Reasons urged in favor of it, [360], [361], [362], [364].
  • Dissensions in his Cabinet, [460].
  • His proclamation against Pennsylvania riots, [471].
  • Attacks upon him in newspapers, [579].
• Washington City—Survey and map of, [221].
  • Laying off the city, [236], [297], [301], [336].
  • Reservation of public grounds, [238].
  • Proposition to build a whole street, [300].
  • Sale of lots, [301].
  • Plan for Capitol and President's house, [337], [507].
  • Dr. Thornton's model of Capitol approved, [508].
• Waste—The law of, [452].
• Weights and Measures—A standard of, [149], [150], [157], [161], [171], [496].
• West Indies—(See [Indies, West]).
• Whale Fishery—Of England, [112].
• Wine—Mazzeis, experiment at making it in Virginia, [251], [284].
• Yazoo—The Yazoo claims, [251], [281].