f the case which in
your opinion shall be proper.

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

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXXXVIII.--TO MR. HAMMOND, December 13, 1791

TO MR. HAMMOND.

Philadelphia, December 13, 1791.

Sir,

I have laid before the President of the United States the letters of
November the 30th and December the 6th, with which you honored me, and
in consequence thereof and particularly of that part of your letter of
December the 6th, where you say that you are fully authorized to
enter into a negotiation for the purpose of arranging the commercial
intercourse between the two countries, I have the honor to inform you,
that I am ready to receive a communication of your full powers for that
purpose, at any time you shall think proper, and to proceed immediately
to their object.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect. Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXXXIX.--TO THE PRESIDENT, December 23, 1791

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Philadelphia, December 23, 1791.

Sir,

As the conditions of our commerce with the French and British dominions
are important, and a moment seems to be approaching when it may be
useful that both should be accurately understood, I have thrown a
representation of them into the form of a table, showing at one view how
the principal articles, interesting to our agriculture and navigation,
stand in the European and American dominions of these two powers. As to
so much of it as respects France, I have cited under every article the
law on which it depends; which laws, from 1784 downwards, are in my
possession.

Port-charges are so different, according to the size of the vessel and
the dexterity of the captain, that an examination of a greater number of
port-bills might, perhaps, produce a different result. I can only say,
that that expressed in the table is fairly drawn from such bills as I
could readily get access to, and that I have no reason to suppose it
varies much from the truth, nor on which side the variation would
lie. Still, I cannot make myself responsible for this article. The
authorities cited will vouch the rest.

I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect and attachment,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

_Footing of the Commerce of the United States with France and Engla