leave what directions on
the subject you shall think proper.

I am, with great and sincere esteem and respect, Dear Sir, your most
obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXL.*--TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT, March 23, 1793

TO MESSRS. CARMICHAEL AND SHORT.

Philadelphia, March 23, 1793.

Gentlemen,

It is intimated to us in such a way as to attract our attention,
that France means to send a strong force early this spring to offer
independence to the Spanish American colonies, beginning with those on
the Mississippi; and that she will not object to the receiving those
on the east side into our confederation. Interesting considerations
require, that we should keep ourselves free to act in this case
according to circumstances, and consequently, that you should not, by
any clause of treaty, bind us to guaranty any of the Spanish colonies
against their own independence, nor indeed against any other nation.
For when we thought we might guaranty Louisiana, on their ceding the
Floridas to us, we apprehended it would be seized by Great Britain, who
would thus completely encircle us with her colonies and fleets. This
danger is now removed by the concert between Great Britain and Spain;
and the times will soon enough give independence, and consequently free
commerce to our neighbors, without our risking the involving ourselves
in a war for them.

I am, with great respect and esteem, your most obedient, humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

** The above meets the approbation of George Washington.

[* This letter was in cipher, but a literal copy of it
preserved.]

[** This is in the hand-writing of General Washington.]

LETTER CXLI.--TO MR. HAMMOND, April 18, 1793

TO MR. HAMMOND.

Philadelphia, April 18, 1793.

Sir,

I have now the honor to enclose you the answer of the Attorney General
to my letter covering yours of March the 12th, on the case of Hooper and
Pagan, wherein he has stated the proceedings of Pagan for obtaining a
writ of error from the Supreme Court of the United States, for revisal
of the judgment of the inferior court pronounced against him; and, also,
his opinion on the merits of the question, had the writ of error been
procured, and the merits thereby been brought into question. From this
statement you will be able to judge whether Pagan has, _bona fide_,
complied with the rule which requires that a foreigner, before he
applies for extraord