rselves, in the
mutual patronage of commercial intercourse, is a sufficient stimulus
on both sides to insure that patronage. A treaty, contrary to that
interest, renders war necessary to get rid of it.

I send this by Chancellor Livingston, named to the Senate the day after
I came into office, as our Minister Plenipotentiary to France. I have
taken care to impress him with the value of your society. You will find
him an able and honorable man; unfortunately, so deaf that he will have
to transact all his business by writing. You will have known long ago,
that Mr. Skipwith is reinstated in his consulship, as well as some
others who had been set aside. I recollect no domestic news interesting
to you. Your letters to your brother have been regularly transmitted,
and I lately forwarded one from him, to be carried you by Mr.
Livingston.

Present my best respects to our amiable and mutual friend, and accept
yourself assurances of my sincere and constant affection.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXCII.--TO THE HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS, November 6, 1801

_Circular to the Heads of the Departments, and private_.

Washington, November 6, 1801.

Dear Sir,

Coming all of us into executive office, new, and unfamiliar with the
course of business previously practised, it was not to be expected, we
should, in the first outset, adopt in every part a line of proceeding so
perfect as to admit no amendment. The mode and degrees of communication,
particularly between the President and heads of departments, have not
been practised exactly on the same scale in all of them. Yet it would
certainly be more safe and satisfactory for ourselves as well as the
public, that not only the best, but also an uniform course of proceeding
as to manner and degree, should be observed. Having been a member of
the first administration under General Washington, I can state with
exactness what our course then was. Letters of business came addressed
sometimes to the President, but most frequently to the heads of
departments. If addressed to himself, he referred them to the proper
department to be acted on: if to one of the secretaries, the letter, if
it required no answer, was communicated to the President, simply for his
information. If an answer was requisite, the secretary of the department
communicated the letter and his proposed answer to the President.
Generally they were simply sent back after perusal; which signified
his approbation. Sometimes h