Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: 

In my message of the 15th instant I mentioned that plans and estimates of a dry dock for the preservation of our ships of war, prepared by a person of skill and experience, should be laid before you without delay.  These are now transmitted, the report and estimates by duplicates; but the plans being single only, I must request an intercommunication of them between the Houses and their return when they shall no longer be wanting for their consideration.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 30, 1802.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: 

In addition to the information accompanying my message of the 22d instant, I now transmit the copy of a letter on the same subject, recently received.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

WASHINGTON, December 30, 1802.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SIR:  Although an informal communication to the public of the substance of the inclosed letter may be proper for quieting the public mind, yet I refer to the consideration of the House of Representatives whether the publication of it in form might not give dissatisfaction to the writer and tend to discourage the freedom and confidence of communications between the agents of the two Governments.  Accept assurances of my high consideration and respect.

TH.  JEFFERSON.

NATCHEZ, November 25, 1802.

The Honorable the Secretary of State,

Washington.

SIR:  I have the honor to inclose you an original copy of a communication (together with a translation thereof) which I this morning received from the governor-general of the Province of Louisiana in answer to my letters of the 28th ultimo.

I am, sir, with respect and esteem, your humble servant,

WILLIAM C.C.  CLAIBORNE.

[Translation.]

New Orleans, November 15, 1802.

His Excellency WILLIAM C.C.  CLAIBORNE.

Most Excellent Sir:  I received a few days past your excellency’s esteemed letter of the 28th ultimo, in which your excellency, referring to the twenty-second article of the treaty of friendship, navigation, and limits agreed upon between the King, my master, and the United States of America, has been pleased to inquire, after transcribing the literal text of said article (which you find so explicit as not to require any comment nor to admit of dubious construction), if His Majesty has been pleased to designate any other position on the banks of the Mississippi, and where that is, if his royal pleasure does not continue the permission stipulated by the said treaty which entitled the citizens of the United States to deposit their merchandise and effects in the port of New Orleans; and you request at the same time that, as the affair is so interesting to the commerce of