Dear Sir,—I send you a letter of Short's for perusal, and one of Edgar Patterson, asking what is already I presume provided for, and one of General Armstrong, which I do not well understand, because I do not recollect the particular letter which came by Haley. I presume the counsel he refers to is to take possession of the Floridas. This letter of June 15th is written after the cession by Carlos to Bonaparte of all his dominions, when he supposed England would at once pounce on the Floridas as a prey, or Bonaparte occupy it as a neighbor. His next will be written after the people of Spain will have annihilated the cession, England become the protector of Florida, and Bonaparte without title or means to plant himself there as our neighbor.
Ought I to answer such a petition as that of Rowley? The people have a right to petition, but not to use that right to cover calumniating insinuations.
Turreau writes like Armstrong so much in the buskin, that he cannot give a naked fact in an intelligible form. I do not know what it is he asks for. If a transport or transports to convey sailors, there has been no refusal; and if any delay of answer, I presume it can be explained. If he wishes to buy vessels here, man them with French seamen, and send them elsewhere, the breach of neutrality would be in permitting, not in refusing it. But have we permitted this to England? His remedy is easy in every case. Repeal the decrees. I presume our Fredericksburg rider need not come after his next trip. I salute you affectionately.
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
Monticello, September 16, 1808.
Dear Sir,—You will perceive by the enclosed papers that an aggression has been committed on the Spanish territory by (if I understand the case,) both our land and sea officers. I enclose the papers to you that the necessary orders may be given in your department, and the papers handed on to the War department that the same may be done there. I suppose it will suffice for the present to order the men to be immediately given up, and the officers given to understand that the conduct of those who committed it will become a subject of consideration for the Cabinet on its re-assembling at Washington, and that we will not permit aggressions to be committed on our part, against which we remonstrated to Spain on her part.
I expect to be in Washington on the last day of September, or 1st of October. I salute you with affection and respect.
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
Monticello, September 20, 1808.
Dear Sir,—Yours of September 10th and 14th were received yesterday, and my time being brief, my answer must be so.