This treaty must of course be laid before both Houses, because both have important functions to exercise respecting it.  They, I presume, will see their duty to their country in ratifying and paying for it, so as to secure a good which would otherwise probably be never again in their power.  But I suppose they must then appeal to the nation for an additional article to the constitution, approving and confirming an act which the nation had not previously authorized.  The constitution has made no provision for our holding foreign territory, still less for incorporating foreign nations into our Union.  The executive in seizing the fugitive occurrence which so much advances the good of their country, have done an act beyond the constitution.  The legislature in casting behind them metaphysical subtleties, and risking themselves like faithful servants, must ratify and pay for it, and throw themselves on their country for doing for them unauthorized, what we know they would have done for themselves had they been in a situation to do it.  It is the case of a guardian, investing the money of his ward in purchasing an important adjacent territory; and saying to him when of age, I did this for your good; I pretend to no right to bind you; you may disavow me, and I must get out of the scrape as I can:  I thought it my duty to risk myself for you.  But we shall not be disavowed by the nation, and their act of indemnity will confirm and not weaken the constitution, by more strongly marking out its lines.

We have nothing later from Europe than the public papers give.  I hope yourself and all the western members will make a sacred point of being at the first day of the meeting of Congress; for vestra res regitur.

Accept my affectionate salutations and assurances of esteem and respect.

Th:  Jefferson.