received a commission there to cruise against nations at peace with us,
and has taken and sent a British vessel into this port. Without taking
all these facts for granted, we have not hesitated to express our
highest disapprobation of the conduct of any of our citizens who may
personally engage in committing hostilities at sea against any of the
nations, parties to the present war, and to declare, that if the case
has happened, or that should it happen, we will exert all the measures
with which the laws and constitution have armed us, to discover such
offenders and bring them to condign punishment. And that the like
conduct shall be observed, should the like enterprises be attempted
against your nation, I am authorized to give you the most unreserved
assurances.

The capture of the British ship Grange, by the French frigate
L'Embuscade, within the Delaware, has been the subject of a former
letter to you. On full and mature consideration, the government deems
the capture to have been unquestionably within its jurisdiction, and
that according to the rules of neutrality and the protection it owes to
all persons while within its limits, it is bound to see that the crew be
liberated, and the vessel and cargo restored to their former owners.
The Attorney General of the United States has made a statement of the
grounds of this determination, a copy of which I have the honor to
enclose you. I am, in consequence, charged by the President of the
United States to express to you his expectation, and at the same time
his confidence that you will be pleased to take immediate and effectual
measures for having the ship Grange and her cargo restored to the
British owners, and the persons taken on board her set at liberty.

I am persuaded, Sir, you will be sensible, on mature consideration, that
in forming these determinations, the government of the United States has
listened to nothing but the dictates of immutable justice: they consider
the rigorous exercise of that virtue as the surest means of preserving
perfect harmony between the United States and the powers at war.

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

Th: Jefferson.

[* The parts of this letter which are mere repetitions of what is
contained in the preceding, to the British Minister, are omitted.]

LETTER CXLIX.--TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA, May 21,1793

TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.

Philade