This moderate and respectful treatment towards
foreign-consuls, it is my duty to recommend and press on our citizens,
because I ask it for their good towards our own consuls, from the people
with whom they reside.
In what I have said, I beg leave to be understood as laying down general
principles only, and not as applying them to the facts which may have
arisen. Before such application, those facts should be heard from all
whom they interest. You, who have so heard them, will be able to make
the application yourself, and that, not only in the present, but in
future cases.
I have the honor to be, with great esteem, your most obedient, humble
servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXXIX.--TO MR. HAMMOND, October 26,1791
Mr. Jefferson has the honor of presenting his compliments to Mr.
Hammond, of expressing his regrets that he happened to be from home when
Mr. Hammond did him the honor of calling on him, and was equally unlucky
in not finding him at home when he waited on him on Monday. Being
informed by Mr. Bond, that Mr. Hammond is charged with a public mission
to the government of the United States, relative to which some previous
explanations might be proper, Mr. Jefferson has the honor to assure Mr.
Hammond, he shall be ready to receive any communications and enter
into explanations, either formally or informally, as Mr.
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