Though our spring has been cold and wet, yet the crops of small grain are as promising as they have ever been seen.  The Hessian fly, however, to the north, and the weavil to the south of the Potomac, will probably abridge the quantity.  Still it seems very doubtful whether we shall not lose more for want of the means of transportation, and I have no doubt that the ships of Sweden and Denmark would find full employment here.

We shall endeavor to get your newspapers under the care of Major Read, the bearer of this letter.

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

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLVI.—­TO MR. PINCKNEY, June 14, 1793

TO MR. PINCKNEY.

Philadelphia, June 14, 1793.

My last letters to you have been of the 7th of May and 4th instant. 
Since the last date, yours of April the 15th has come to hand.

I enclose you several memorials and letters which have passed between the executive and the ministers of France and England.  These will develope to you the principles on which we are proceeding between the belligerent powers.  The decisions being founded in what is conceived to be rigorous justice, give dissatisfaction to both parties, and produce complaints from both.  It is our duty, however, to persevere in them, and to meet the consequences.  You will observe that Mr. Hammond proposes to refer to his court the determination of the President, that the prizes taken by the Citoyen Genet, could not be given up.  The reasons for this are explained in the papers.  Mr. Genet had stated that she was manned by French citizens.  Mr. Hammond had not stated the contrary before the decision.  Neither produced any proofs.  It was therefore supposed that she was manned, principally, with French citizens.  After the decision, Mr. Hammond denies the fact, but without producing any proof.  I am really unable to say how it was; but I believe it to be certain there were very few Americans.  He says, the issuing the commission, Sic. by Mr. Genet within our territory, was an infringement of our sovereignty; therefore, the proceeds of it should be given up to Great Britain.  The infringement was a matter between France and us.  Had we insisted on any penalty or forfeiture by way of satisfaction to our insulted rights, it would have belonged to us, not to a third party.  As between Great Britain and us, considering all the circumstances explained in the papers, we deemed we did enough to satisfy her.  We are moreover assured, that it is the standing usage of France, perhaps too of other nations in all wars, to lodge blank commissions with all their foreign consuls, to be given to every vessel of their nation, merchant or armed; without which a merchant vessel would be punished as a pirate, were she to take the smallest thing of the enemy that should fall in her way.  Indeed, the place of the delivery