1Editorial Note: Representation by France against the Tonnage Acts (Jefferson Papers)
The importance of the union in a commercial sense, Alexander Hamilton wrote in the eleventh Federalist , was one of those arguments for the proposed constitution on which there was least room for a difference of opinion and to which, in fact, a general assent had been given. Few informed readers could have disagreed with the assertion and none could have misunderstood him when he said that the...
2I. Louis Guillaume Otto to the Secretary of State, 13 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Pendant le long séjour que vous aves fait en France, vous aves eu Lieu de vous convaincre des Dispositions favorables de Sa Majesté pour rendre permanens les Liens qui unissent les deux Nations, et pour donner de la Stabilité aux Traités d’Alliance et de Commerce qui forment la Base de cette Union. Ces Traités ont été si bien maintenus par le Congrès formé sous l’ancienne Confederation qu’il a...
3Enclosure: Louis Guillaume Otto to Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Soussigné, Chargé des Affaires de France a reçu l’Ordre exprès de sa Cour de representer aux Etats Unis que l’Acte passé par le Congrès le 20e. Juillet 1789, et renouvellé le 20e. Juillet de l’Année courante, qui impose un Droit de Tonnage extraordinaire sur les Bâimens etrangers, sans en excepter les Navires François, est directement contraire à l’Esprit et au But du Traité de Commerce qui...
4II. Secretary of State to Louis Guillaume Otto, 29 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state presents his respectful compliments to the Chargé des affaires of France. It is not till now that his other occupations have permitted him to enter on the consideration of his letter of the 13th. inst. Will he be so good as to inform him whether other, the most favoured nations, pay the tonnage of 100 sols, on arriving in any part of France, from a foreign port , or...
5III. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, [1 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have called last night and left with you the inclosed draught of a letter to Otto but it was so cold I could not give up my hack. I recieved yours soon after I came home. Of the two constructions I observe you lean more to the 2d. and I more to the 1st. on account of the consequences to which the 2d. may be pursued. My first idea was to write this letter to Otto and previously...
6IV. Louis Guillaume Otto to the Secretary of State, [6 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
L’exemption du droit de fret accordée aux Etats unis par l’art. 5 du traité de commerce a été stipulée dans plusieurs traité conclus entre la France et d’autres Puissances. Les Principes de reciprocité qui forment communement la base des traités de commerce ont engagé à differentes epoques le Gouvernement Francois à stipuler cette exemption soit parceque l’autre Puissance contractante offroit...
7V. Louis Guillaume Otto to the Secretary of State, 8 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai L’honneur de vous adresser ci-joint une Lettre du Roi au Congrès, et une autre que vous ecrit M. de Montmorin. Vous y trouveréz l’Expression sincere des Sentimens que vous avéz inspirés à notre Gouvernement et des Regrets du Ministre de ne plus être immediatement en relation avec vous. Ces Sentimens sont partagés par toutes les Personnes qui ont eu l’Avantage de vous connoitre en France....
8VI. Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have perused with attention your intended report to the President; and will, as I am sure is your wish, give you my opinion with frankness. As far as a summary examination enables me to judge, I agree in your interpretation of the Treaty. The exemption sought does not appear to be claimable as a right. But I am not equally well satisfied of the policy of granting it on the ground you...
9VII. Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 13 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you copies of the printed papers you desired: also a letter I recieved last night. This paper I will thank you to return by the bearer when you shall have perused it, as it is yet to be translated and communicated to the President. It is evident that this matter will become serious, and tho’ I am pointedly against admitting the French construction of the treaty, yet I think it...
10VIII. Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 13 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the printed papers you have been so obliging as to send. I cannot forbear a conjecture that the communications of the Chargé des affaires of France are rather expedients to improve a moment, in which it is perceived questions concerning navigation are to be discussed than the effects of serious instructions from his Court. Be this as it may I really have not thought of any...