iation, sustained by
vessels taken as before mentioned between the dates of June the 5th
and August the 7th, it is proposed, as a provisional measure, that the
collector of the customs of the district, and the British Consul, or any
other person you please, shall appoint persons to establish the value of
the vessel and cargo, at the times of her capture and of her arrival
in the port into which she is brought, according to their value in that
port. If this shall be agreeable to you, and you will be pleased to
signify it to me, with the names of the prizes understood to be of this
description, instructions will be given, accordingly, to the collectors
of the customs where the respective vessels are.

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

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXVII.--TO MR. PINCKNEY, September 7,1793

TO MR. PINCKNEY.

Philadelphia, September 7,1793.

Sir,

We have received, through a channel which cannot be considered as
authentic, the copy of a paper, styled 'Additional instructions to the
commanders of his Majesty's ships of war and privateers, &c.' dated at
St. James's, June 8, 1793. If this paper be authentic, I have little
doubt but that you will have taken measures to forward it to me. But
as your communication of it may miscarry, and time in the meanwhile be
lost, it has been thought better that it should be supposed authentic:
that on that supposition I should notice to you its very exceptionable
nature, and the necessity of obtaining explanations on the subject
from the British government; desiring at the same time, that you will
consider this letter as provisionally written only, and as if never
written, in the event that the paper which is the occasion of it be not
genuine.

The first article of it permits all vessels, laden wholly or in part
with corn, flour, or meal, bound to any port in France, to be stopped,
and sent into any British port, to be purchased by that government, or
to be released only on the condition of security given by the master,
that he will proceed to dispose of his cargo in the ports of some
country in amity with his Majesty.

This article is so manifestly contrary to the law of nations, that
nothing more would seem necessary than to observe that it is so. Reason
and usage have established that when two nations go to war, those who
choose to live in peace retain their natural right to pursue their
agriculture,