given to Mr. Genet, on a proposition from him to pay up the whole of the French debt at once.  While it will enable you to explain the impracticability of the operation proposed, it may put it in your power to judge of the answer which would be given to any future proposition to that effect, and perhaps to prevent their being brought forward.  The bill lately passed in England, prohibiting the business of this country with France from passing through the medium of England, is a temporary embarrassment to our commerce, from the unhappy predicament of its all hanging on the pivot of London.  It will be happy for us, should it be continued till our merchants may establish connections in the countries in which our produce is consumed, and to which it should go directly.

Our commissioners have proceeded to the treaty with the northwestern Indians.  They write, however, that the treaty will be a month later than was expected.  This delay, should it be extended, will endanger our losing the benefit of our preparations for the campaign, and consequently bring on a delicate question, whether these shall be relinquished for the result of a treaty in which we never had any confidence.  The Creeks have proceeded in their depredations till they assume the appearance of formal war.  It scarcely seems possible to avoid its becoming so.  They are so strong and so far from us, as to make very serious addition to our Indian difficulties.  It is very probable that some of the circumstances arising out of our affairs with the Indians, or with the belligerent powers of Europe, may occasion the convocation of Congress at an earlier day than that to which its meeting stands at present.

I send you the forms of the passports given here.  The one in three columns is that now used; the other having been soon discontinued.  It is determined that they shall be given in our own ports only, and to serve but for one voyage.  It has also been determined, that they shall be given to all vessels bona fide owned by American citizens wholly, whether built here or not.  Our property, whether in the form of vessels, cargoes, or any thing else, has a right to pass the seas untouched by any nation, by the law of nations; and no one has a right to ask where a vessel was built, but where is she owned?  To the security which the law of nations gives to such vessels against all nations, are added particular stipulations with three of the belligerent powers.  Had it not been in our power to enlarge our national stock of shipping suddenly in the present exigency, a great proportion of our produce must have remained on our hands for want of the means of transportation to market.  At this time, indeed, a great proportion is in that predicament.  The most rigorous measures will be taken to prevent any vessel, not wholly and bona fide owned by American citizens, from obtaining our passports.  It is much our interest to prevent the competition of other nations from taking from us the benefits we have a right to expect from the neutrality of our flag; and I think we may be very sure that few, if any, will be fraudulently obtained within our ports.