welve years' duration. Convinced that the fewer
examples, the better, of either persons or causes unamenable to the laws
of the land, I could have wished, still more had been done; but more
could not be done, with good humor. The extensions of authority given
by the convention of 1784, were so homogeneous with the spirit of this
government, that they were prized here. Monsieur de Reyneval has had the
principal charge of arranging this instrument with me; and, in justice
to him, I must say, I could not have desired more reasonable and
friendly dispositions, than he demonstrated through the whole of it.

I enclose herewith the several schemes successively proposed between us,
together with the copies of the written observations given in with them,
and which served as texts of discussion, in our personal conferences.
They may serve as a commentary on any passage which may need it, either
now or hereafter, and as a history how any particular passage comes to
stand as it does. No. 1. is the convention of 1784. No. 2. is my first
scheme. No. 3. theirs in answer to it. No. 4. my next, which brought us
so near together, that, in a conference on that, we arranged it in the
form in which it has been signed. I add No. 5. the copy of a translation
which I have put into their hands, with a request, that if they find any
passages in which the sense of the original is not faithfully rendered,
they will point them out to me; otherwise, we may consider it as having
their approbation. This, and the convention of 1784, (marked No. 1.) are
placed side by side, so as to present to the eye, with less trouble, the
changes made; and I enclose a number of printed copies of them, for the
use of the members, who will have to decide on the ratification. It is
desirable that the ratification should be sent here for exchange, as
soon as possible.

With respect to the consular appointments, it is a duty on me to add
some observations, which my situation here has enabled me to make.
I think it was in the spring of 1784, that Congress (harassed by
multiplied applications from foreigners, of whom nothing was known but
on their own information, or on that of others as unknown as themselves)
came to a resolution, that the interest of America would not permit the
naming any person not a citizen, to the office of consul, vice-consul,
agent, or commissary. This was intended as a general answer to that
swarm of foreign pretenders. It appears to me, that it wi