I have laid before the President of the United States the letters of November the 30th and December the 6th, with which you honored me, and in consequence thereof and particularly of that part of your letter of December the 6th, where you say that you are fully authorized to enter into a negotiation for the purpose of arranging the commercial intercourse between the two countries, I have the honor to inform you, that I am ready to receive a communication of your full powers for that purpose, at any time you shall think proper, and to proceed immediately to their object.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect.  Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LXXXIX.—­TO THE PRESIDENT, December 23, 1791

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Philadelphia, December 23, 1791.

Sir,

As the conditions of our commerce with the French and British dominions are important, and a moment seems to be approaching when it may be useful that both should be accurately understood, I have thrown a representation of them into the form of a table, showing at one view how the principal articles, interesting to our agriculture and navigation, stand in the European and American dominions of these two powers.  As to so much of it as respects France, I have cited under every article the law on which it depends; which laws, from 1784 downwards, are in my possession.

Port-charges are so different, according to the size of the vessel and the dexterity of the captain, that an examination of a greater number of port-bills might, perhaps, produce a different result.  I can only say, that that expressed in the table is fairly drawn from such bills as I could readily get access to, and that I have no reason to suppose it varies much from the truth, nor on which side the variation would lie.  Still, I cannot make myself responsible for this article.  The authorities cited will vouch the rest.

I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect and attachment, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

Footing of the Commerce of the United States with France and England, and with the French and English American Colonies.

[Illustration:  page143]

[Illustration:  page144]

LETTER XC.—­TO THE PRESIDENT, January 4, 1792

TO THE PRESIDENT.

Philadelphia, January 4, 1792,

Sir,