n the subject of property you left there on
coming to America. I have it in charge to inform you that the United
States have at present no minister at the Hague, and consequently
no channel through which they could express their concern for your
interests. However willing, too, we are to receive and protect all
persons who come hither, with the property they bring, perhaps it may be
doubted, how far it would be expedient to engage ourselves for what they
leave behind, or for any other matter retrospective to their becoming
citizens. In the present instance, we hope, that no confiscation of the
residuum of your property left in the United Netherlands having taken
place, the justice of that government will leave you no occasion for
that interference which you have been pleased to ask from this.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XXI.--TO GEORGE JOY, March 31, 1790

TO GEORGE JOY.

New York, March 31, 1790.

Sir,

I have considered your application for sea-letters for the ship Eliza,
and examined into the precedents which you supposed might influence the
determination. The resolution of Congress, which imposes this duty on
the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, provides expressly, 'that it be made
to appear to him by oath or affirmation, or by such other evidence as
shall by him be deemed satisfactory, that the vessel is commanded by
officers, citizens of the United States.' Your affidavit satisfies me
that one of the officers is a citizen of the United States; but you are
unacquainted with the others, and without evidence as to them, and even
without a presumption that they are citizens, except so far as arises
on the circumstances of the captain's being an American, and the ship
sailing from an American port. Now, I cannot in my conscience say, that
this is evidence of the fact, satisfactory to my mind. The precedents
of relaxation by Mr. Jay, were all between the date of the resolution
of Congress (February the 12th, 1788) and his public advertisement,
announcing the evidence which must be produced. Since this last, the
proceedings have been uniform and exact. Having perfect confidence in
your good faith, and therefore without a suspicion of any fraud
intended in the present case, I could have wished sincerely to grant the
sea-letter; but besides the letter of the law which ties me down, the
public security against a partial dispensation of justi