If this shall be agreeable to you, and you will be pleased to
signify it to me, with the names of the prizes understood to be of this
description, instructions will be given, accordingly, to the collectors
of the customs where the respective vessels are.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CLXVII.--TO MR. PINCKNEY, September 7,1793
TO MR. PINCKNEY.
Philadelphia, September 7,1793.
Sir,
We have received, through a channel which cannot be considered as
authentic, the copy of a paper, styled 'Additional instructions to the
commanders of his Majesty's ships of war and privateers, &c.' dated at
St. James's, June 8, 1793. If this paper be authentic, I have little
doubt but that you will have taken measures to forward it to me. But
as your communication of it may miscarry, and time in the meanwhile be
lost, it has been thought better that it should be supposed authentic:
that on that supposition I should notice to you its very exceptionable
nature, and the necessity of obtaining explanations on the subject
from the British government; desiring at the same time, that you will
consider this letter as provisionally written only, and as if never
written, in the event that the paper which is the occasion of it be not
genuine.
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