ady seen the necessity of
distinguishing America from Europe, even in their treaties; and a
difference of commerce, of government, of condition and character, must
every day evince more and more the impracticability of involving them
under common regulations. Nor ought a difference of arrangement with
respect to us to excite claims from others, whose circumstances bear no
similitude to ours.

I beg leave to submit these considerations to your Excellency's wisdom
and goodness. You will see them to be such as could not be offered
formally. They must shield themselves under the protection of those
sentiments of veneration and esteem, with which your character
heretofore inspired me, and which I flattered myself were not merely
indifferent to you. Be so good as to honor with a conference hereon, the
bearer, Colonel Humphreys (who was known to you in London), a gentleman
who has long been of the President's family, and whose worth has
acquired so much of our confidence, that whatever shall be arranged
with him, on this subject, may be considered as settled. Presuming on a
continuance of her Majesty's dispositions, accept this private assurance
that a proper person shall be appointed in due form to reside with you,
as soon as we shall know the result of your deliberations with Colonel
Humphreys, whom I beg leave to present to your notice; adding the homage
of those sentiments of respect and attachment, with which I have the
honor to be, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XXXV.--TO JOSHUA JOHNSON, August 7,1790

TO JOSHUA JOHNSON.

New York, August 7,1790.

Sir,

The President of the United States, desirous of availing his country of
the talents of its best citizens in their respective lines, has thought
proper to nominate you consul for the United States, at the port of
London. The extent of our commercial and political connections with that
country, marks the importance of the trust he confides to you, and the
more, as we have no diplomatic character at that court. I shall say more
to you in a future letter on the extent of the consular functions, which
are, in general, to be confined to the superintendence and patronage of
commerce and navigation: but in your position, we must desire somewhat
more. Political intelligence from that country is interesting to us in a
high degree. We must, therefore, ask you to furnish us with this as
far as you shall be able; to se