t
has thought it proper to issue the proclamation of which I enclose you a
copy, in order to mark out to our citizens the line of conduct they
are to pursue. That this intimation, however, might not work to their
prejudice, by being produced against them as conclusive evidence of
their knowledge of the existence of war and of the nations engaged in
it, in any case where they might be drawn into courts of justice for
acts done without that knowledge, it has been thought necessary to write
to the representatives of the belligerent powers here, the letter
of which a copy is also enclosed, reserving to our citizens those
immunities to which they are entitled, till authentic information
shall be given to our government by the parties at war, and be thus
communicated, with due certainty, to our citizens. You will be pleased
to present to the government where you reside this proceeding of the
President, as a proof of the earnest desire of the United States to
preserve peace and friendship with all the belligerent powers, and to
express his expectation that they will in return extend a scrupulous and
effectual protection to all our citizens, wheresoever they may need it,
in pursuing their lawful and peaceable concerns with their subjects, or
within their jurisdiction. You will, at the same time, assure them, that
the most exact reciprocation of this benefit shall be practised by us
towards their subjects, in the like cases.

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

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXLIV.--TO M. DE TERNANT, April 27,1793

TO M. DE TERNANT.

Philadelphia, April 27,1793.

Sir,

Your letter of the 13th instant, asking monies to answer the expenses
and salaries of the consular offices of France, has been duly laid
before the President, and his directions thereon taken.

I have in consequence to observe to you, that before the new government
of France had time to attend to things on this side the Atlantic, and
to provide a deposite of money for the purposes here, there appeared a
degree of necessity that we, as the friends and debtors of that nation,
should keep their affairs from suffering, by furnishing money for urgent
purposes. This obliged us to take on ourselves to judge of the
purpose, because on the soundness of that, we were to depend for our
justification. Hence we furnished monies for their colonies and their
agents here, without expr