Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to David Humphreys re: trade, laws of European countries against US commerce
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05967 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1791/06/23 Pagination: 2 p. + addr 23.2 x 19.1 cm Order a Copy
Extensive ink bleedthrough obscures Jefferson's writing. Written to America's secret agent in Lisbon concerning laws of France, Spain and England damaging American commerce. "Our best interest would be to employ our principal labours in agriculture.... Hanging prosperity on the fluctuating counsels and caprices of others renders it wise... to turn seriously to manufactures.... The Indians north of the Ohio have hitherto continued their little depredations, but we are in daily expectation of hearing of the success of a first excursion [i.e., Gen. Scott's expedition] to their towns...." Also mentions Washington returning from his southern tour.
Notes: Humphreys served as an American secret agent at London, Lisbon, and Madrid. Carmichael, the American diplomat in Madrid, had became ill. Recipient's name on the bottom of the first page has been moved to the end. Capitalization has been standardized.
Philadelphia June 23 1791
Dear Sir
My last letters to you have been of Apr 11 and May 13 and I am now to acknowle[d]ge the receipt of yours of Mar. 6. No. 13. for 14. Mar. 31. No. 15 Apr. 8. No. 16. Apr. 30. No. 17. May 3. No. 18.
As yet no native candidate, such altogether as we would wish, has offered for the Consulate of Lisbon, and as it is a distinguished place in our commerce, we are somewhat more difficult in that than other appointments.
Very considerable discouragements are recently established by France Spain & England with respect to our commerce: the first as to whale oil, tobacco, & ships, the second as to corn, & the third as to corn & ships. Should these regulations not be permanent, still they add to the proofs that [inserted: too] little reliance is to be had on a steady & certain course of commerce with the countries of Europe to permit us to depend more on that than we cannot avoid. Our best interest would be to employ our principal labour in agriculture, because to the profits of labour [inserted: which is dear] this adds the profits of our lands which are cheap. But the risk of hanging our prosperity on the fluctuating councels & caprices [inserted: of others] [strikeout] renders it wise in us to turn seriously to manufactures; and if Europe will not let us carry our provisions to their manufacturers we must endeavor to bring their manufacturers to our provisions.
A very uncommon drought has prevailed thro' most of the states, so that our crop of wheat will be considerably shorter than common. [2] Our public paper continues high, and the proofs that our credit is now the first in Europe are unequivocal. The Indians North of the Ohio have hitherto continued their little depredations, but we are in daily expectation of hearing the success of a first excursion to their towns by a party of 7. or 800 mounted infantry under Genl. [Winfield] Scott. Two or three similar expeditions will follow successively under other officers, while a principal one is preparing to take place at a later season.
I thank you for your communication from Mr. [William] Carmichael. His letter of Jan. 24. is still the only one we have from him. Until some surer means of hearing from Madrid can be devised, I must beg of you to give us from time to time all the intelligence you can from that capital. The conveyance by the British packets is tolerably sure, when direct conveyances fail.
You will receive herewith a continuation of the newspapers, for yourself, as also a letter & newspapers for Mr. Carmichael which I must beg the favour of you to convey as safely as you can.
The President is expected here the beginning of the ensuing month, being arrived at Mt. Vernon on his return from his Southern tour.
I am with great & sincere esteem Dear Sir
your most obedt & most humble sevt
Th: Jefferson
Colo. Humphreys.
[address leaf:]
A Monsieur
Monsieur Humphreys
Resident des E.U. D'Amerique
a Lisbonne
[recipient's docket:]
Philadelphia June 23
1791
from
Mr Jefferson
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