, and who can corroborate them by his personal evidence. He
can especially verify the letter of Captain Young, were it necessary
to verify a paper, the original of which is under the command of his
Majesty's ministers, and this paper is so material, as to supersede of
itself all other testimony, confessing the orders to discharge Purdie,
that yet he had whipped him, and that it was impossible, without giving
up all sense of discipline, to avoid whipping a free American citizen.
We have such confidence in the justice of the British government, in
their friendly regard to these States, in their respect for the honor
and good understanding of the two countries, compromitted by this act of
their officer, as not to doubt their due notice of him, indemnification
to the sufferer, and a friendly assurance to these States that effectual
measures shall be adopted in future, to protect the persons of their
citizens while in British ports.

By the express command of the President of the United States, you are
to lay this case, and our sense of it, before his Britannic Majesty's
Minister for Foreign Affairs, to urge it on his particular notice by all
the motives which it calls up, and to communicate to me the result.

I have the honor to be, with great esteem, your most obedient, humble
servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XLVII.--TO JOSHUA JOHNSON, December 23, 1790

TO JOSHUA JOHNSON.

Philadelphia, December 23, 1790.

Dear Sir,

The vexations of our seamen, and their sufferings under the press-gangs
of England, have become so serious, as to oblige our government to take
serious notice of it. The particular case has been selected where
the insult to the United States has been the most barefaced, the most
deliberately intentional, and the proof the most complete. The
enclosed letter to you is on that subject, and has been written on the
supposition that you would show the original to the Duke of Leeds,
and give him a copy of it, but as of your own movement, and not as if
officially instructed so to do. You will be pleased to follow up this
matter as closely as decency will permit, pressing it in firm but
respectful terms, on all occasions. We think it essential that Captain
Young's case may be an example to others. The enclosed, letters are
important. Be so good as to have them conveyed by the surest means
possible. I am, with great esteem, Dear Sir, you most obedient and most
humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.