for your
own information. Should its delivery not be requisite you will be so
good as to return it, as we do not wish to set a precedent which may
bind us hereafter to a single unnecessary ceremony. To you, Sir, it will
be unnecessary to undertake a general delineation of the duties of the
office to which you are appointed. I shall therefore only express a
desire that they be constantly exercised in that spirit of sincere
friendship which we bear to the English nation, and that in all
transactions with the minister, his good dispositions be conciliated by
whatever in language or attentions may tend to that effect. With respect
to their government, or policy, as concerning themselves or other
nations, we wish not to intermeddle in word or deed, and that it be not
understood that our government permits itself to entertain either a will
or an opinion on the subject.

I particularly recommend to you, as the most important of your charges,
the patronage of our commerce, and its liberation from embarrassments in
all the British dominions; but most especially in the West Indies. Our
Consuls in Great Britain and Ireland are under general instructions
to correspond with you, as you will perceive by the copy of a circular
letter lately written to them, and now enclosed. From them you may often
receive interesting information. Mr. Joshua Johnson is Consul for us at
London, James Maury, at Liverpool, Elias Vanderhorst, at Bristol, Thomas
Auldjo, Vice-Consul at Pool (resident at Cowes), and William Knox,
Consul at Dublin. The jurisdiction of each is exclusive and independent,
and extends to all places within the same allegiance nearer to him
than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United
States. The settlement of their accounts from time to time, and the
payment of them, are referred to you, and in this, the act respecting
Consuls and any other laws made, or to be made, are to be your guide.
Charges which these do not authorize, you will be pleased not to allow.
These accounts are to be settled up to the first day of July in every
year and to be transmitted to the Secretary of State.

The peculiar custom in England, of impressing seamen on every appearance
of war, will occasionally expose our seamen to peculiar oppressions and
vexations. These will require your most active exertions and protection,
which we know cannot be effectual without incurring considerable
expense; and as no law has as yet provided fo