The clerk for foreign languages has but half the usual salary.  I found his clerkship on this establishment when I came into office, and made no change in it, except, that in the time of his predecessor, where translations were required from any language with which he was unacquainted, they were sent to a special translator and paid for by the public.  The present clerk is required to defray this expense himself.

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

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXX.—­CIRCULAR TO THE MINISTERS, February 13, 1793

Circular to the Ministers of France, the United Netherlands Great Britain, &c.

Philadelphia, February 13, 1793.

Sir,

The House of Representatives having referred to me, to report to them the nature and extent of the privileges and restrictions on the commerce of the United States with foreign nations, I have accordingly prepared a report on that subject.  Being particularly anxious that it may be exact in matters of fact, I take the liberty of putting into your hands, privately and informally, an extract of such as relate to our commerce with your nation, in hopes that if you can either enlarge or correct them, you will do me that favor.  It is safer to suppress an error in its first conception, than to trust to any after correction; and a confidence in your sincere desire to communicate or to re-establish any truths which may contribute to a perfect understanding between our two nations, has induced me to make the present request.  I wish it had been in my power to have done this sooner, and thereby have obtained the benefit of your having more time to contemplate it:  but circumstances have retarded the entire completion of the report till the Congress is approaching its end, which will oblige me to give it in within three or four days.

I am, with great and sincere esteem, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

P. S. The report having been prepared before the late diminution of the duties on our tobacco, that circumstance will be noted in the letter which will cover the report.  T. J.

France receives favorably our bread-stuff, rice, wood, pot and pearl ashes.

A duty of five, sous the kental, or nearly four and a half centss paid on our tar, pitch, and turpentine.  Our whale-oils pay six livres the kental, and are the only whale-oils admitted.  Our indigo pays five livres the kental, their own two and a half; but a difference of quality, still more than a difference of duty, prevents its seeking that market.

Salted beef is received freely for re-exportation; but if for home consumption, it pays five livres the kental.  Other salted provisions pay that duty in all cases, and salted fish is made lately to pay the prohibitory one, of twenty livres the kental.