rcumstance, we
treat Great Britain on the footing of the most favored nation where our
treaties do not preclude us, and that even these are just as favorable
to her, as hers are to us. Possibly she may be bound by treaty to admit
this exception in favor of Denmark and Sweden. But she cannot be bound
by treaty to withhold it from us. And if it be withheld merely because
not established with us by treaty, what might not we, on the same
ground, have withheld from Great Britain during the short course of the
present war, as well as the peace which preceded it?

Whether these explanations with the British government shall be verbal
or in writing, is left to yourself. Verbal communications are very
insecure; for it is only to deny them or to change their terms, in order
to do away their effect at any time. Those in writing have as many and
obvious advantages, and ought to be preferred, unless there be obstacles
of which we are not apprized. I have the honor to be, with great and
sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXVIII.--TO MR. HAMMOND, September 9, 1793

TO MR. HAMMOND.

Philadelphia, September 9, 1793.

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two memorials of the
4th and 6th instant, which have been duly laid before the President of
the United States.

You cannot be uninformed of the circumstances which have occasioned
the French squadron now in New York to seek asylum in the ports of
the United States. Driven from those where they were on duty, by the
superiority of the adverse party in the civil war which has so unhappily
afflicted the colonies of France, filled with the wretched fugitives
from the same scenes of distress and desolation, without water or
provisions for the shortest voyage, their vessels scarcely in a
condition to keep the sea at all, they were forced to seek the nearest
ports in which they could be received and supplied with necessaries.
That they have ever been out again to cruise, is a fact we have never
learned, and which we believe to be impossible, from the information
received of their wants and other impediments to active service. This
case has been noted specially, to show that no inconvenience can have
been produced to the trade of the other belligerent powers, by the
presence of this fleet in our harbors. I shall now proceed to more
general ground.

France, England, and all other nations have a right to cr