I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, Dear Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.*
* A copy of the preceding letter was sent, enclosed by the
Secretary of State, to Mr. Genet.
LETTER CLXIV.--CIRCULAR TO THE MERCHANTS OF THE U.S., August 23, 1793
CIRCULAR TO THE MERCHANTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Philadelphia, August 23, 1793,
Gentlemen,
Complaint having been made to the government of the United States, of
some instances of unjustifiable vexation and spoliation committed on our
merchant vessels by the privateers of the powers at war, and it being
possible that other instances may have happened of which no information
has been given to the government, I have it in charge from the President
to assure the merchants of the United States, concerned in foreign
commerce or navigation, that due attention will be paid to any injuries
they may suffer on the high seas or in foreign countries, contrary to
the law of nations or to existing treaties: and that on their forwarding
hither well authenticated evidence of the same, proper proceedings will
be adopted for their relief. The just and friendly dispositions of the
several belligerent powers, afford well-founded expectation that they
will not hesitate to take effectual measures for restraining their armed
vessels from committing aggressions and vexations on our citizens or
their property.
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