George Hammond,

Philadelphia, November 26,1791.

LETTER LXXXVI.—­TO MR. HAMMOND, December 5, 1791

TO MR. HAMMOND, Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain,

Philadelphia, December 5, 1791.

Sir,

Your favor of November the 30th remains still unanswered, because the clerks are employed in copying some documents on the subject of the treaty of peace, which I wish to exhibit to you with the answer.

In the mean time, as to that part of your letter which respects matters of commerce, the fear of misunderstanding it induces me to mention my sense of it, and to ask if it be right.  Where you are pleased to say, that ’you are authorized to communicate to this government his Majesty’s readiness to enter into a negotiation for establishing that intercourse (of commerce) upon principles of reciprocal benefit,’ I understand that you are not furnished with any commission or express powers to arrange a treaty with us, or to make any specific propositions on the subject of commerce; but only to assure us that his Britannic Majesty is ready to concur with us, in appointing persons, times, and places for commencing such a negotiation.  Be so good as to inform me if there be any misapprehension in this, as some steps on our part may be necessary in consequence of it.

1 have the honor to be, with the most perfect esteem, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson,

LETTER LXXXVII.—­TO MR. HAMMOND, December 12, 1791

TO MR. HAMMOND.

Philadelphia, December 12, 1791.

Sir,

I take the liberty of enclosing you an extract of a letter from a respectable character, giving information of a Mr. Bowles, lately come from England into the Creek country, endeavoring to excite that nation of Indians to war against the United States, and pretending to be employed by the government of England.  We have other testimony of these his pretensions, and that he carries them much farther than is here stated.  We have too much confidence in the justice and wisdom of the British government, to believe they can approve of the proceedings of this incendiary and impostor, or countenance for a moment a person who takes the liberty of using their name for such a purpose; and I make the communication, merely that you may take that notice of the case which in your opinion shall be proper.

I have the honor to be, with great and sincere esteem, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LXXXVIII.—­TO MR. HAMMOND, December 13, 1791

TO MR. HAMMOND.

Philadelphia, December 13, 1791.

Sir,