Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to merchants of Elizabeth Town, New Jersey
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06037 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 27 August 1793 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 23.4 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Assures merchants of Elizabeth Town, New Jersey that the government will do all it can to protect commerce on the high seas. Says "due attention will be paid to any injuries they may suffer on the high seas, or in foreign countries, contrary to the law of Nations, or to existing treaties." Claims the "just and friendly dispositions" of the belligerent powers in Europe will move them to take effective measures to stop abuses. Hopes merchants will send information to the government. Since there is no specific mercantile group that receives such letters, Jefferson sent this letter to the merchants of Elizabeth Town in the hopes they would disseminate through New Jersey.
Philadelphia August 27th 1793.
Gentlemen
Complaint having been made to the Government of the United States of some instances of unjustifiable vexation and spoliation committed on our merchant vessels by the privateers of the Powers of War, and it being possible that other instances may have happened of which no information has been given to the Government, I have it in charge from the President to assure the merchants of the United States concerned in foreign commerce or navigation, that due attention will be paid to any injuries they may suffer on the high seas, or in foreign countries, contrary to the law of Nations, or to existing treaties and that on their forwarding hither will authenticated evidence of the same, proper proceedings will be adopted for their relief: - The just and friendly dispositions of the several belligerent Powers afford well founded expectation that they will not hesitate to take effectual measures for restraining their armed vessels from committing aggressions and vexations on our citizens or their property.
There being no particular portion or description of themercantile body pointed out by the laws for receiving communications of this nature, I take the liberty of addressing it to the merchants of Elizabeth Town for the State of New Jersey, and of requesting that thro' them it may be made known to all those of their State whom it may concern. Information will be freely received either from the individuals aggrieved, or from any associations of merchants who will be pleased to give it in a case so interesting to themselves & their country.
I have the honor to be with great respect, Gentlemen
Your most obedt. servt.
Th: Jefferson
[docket]
Letter from the
Secretary of State
Augt. 27. 1793.
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