CARMICHAEL AND SHORT, April 24, 1792
TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT.
Philadelphia, April 24, 1792.
Gentlemen,
My letter of March the 18th conveyed to you full powers for treating
with Spain on the subjects therein expressed. Since that, our attention
has been drawn to the case of fugitive debtors and criminals, whereon it
is always well that coterminous States should understand one another, as
far as their ideas on the rightful powers of government can be made to
go together. Where they separate, the cases may be left unprovided for.
The enclosed paper, approved by the President, will explain to you how
far we can go, in an agreement with Spain for her territories bordering
on us: and the plan of a convention is there stated. You are desired to
propose the matter to that court, and establish with them so much of it
as they approve, filling up the blank for the manner of the demand by us
and compliance by them, in such way, as their laws and the organization
of their government may require. But recollect that they bound on us
between two and three thousand miles, and consequently, that they should
authorize a delivery by some description of officers to be found on
every inhabited part of their border. We have thought it best to agree,
specially, the manner of proceeding in our country, on a demand of
theirs, because the convention will in that way execute itself, without
the necessity of a new law for the purpose.
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