Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER L.—­TO WILLIAM SHORT, March 8,1791

TO WILLIAM SHORT.

Philadelphia, March 8,1791.

Dear Sir,

A conveyance offering by which we can send large packets, you will receive herewith the following articles.

1.  The newspapers.

2.  The acts of the second session of Congress.

3.  A report on the fisheries of the United States.  It is thought that this contains matter which may be usefully communicated.  I am persuaded the better this subject is understood in France, the more they will see their interest in favoring our fisheries.

4.  A letter from the President to the King, of which an open copy is enclosed for your information.

5.  A letter from myself to the Count de Moustier, in answer to his to the President and myself, taking leave.

6.  A letter from myself to the President of the National Assembly of France, in answer to his to Congress on the death of Dr. Franklin.  Let it be understood, that Congress can only correspond through the executive, whose organ in the case of foreign nations is the Secretary of State.  The President of the United States being co-ordinate with Congress, cannot personally be their scribe.

7.  Some papers in a case interesting to Dr. M’Henry, of Baltimore.  He at first sent them to me, with a desire to commit the subject of them wholly to you.  I informed him, we could not consent that you should be used as the agent of private individuals, but that if he would provide an agent on the spot who would undertake the details of solicitation, management, correspondence, &c.  I would desire you to patronize the measure so far as you should find it prudent and just.  It is put on this footing, as you will see by his answer to me.

8.  A correction of the report on weights and measures.

You are desired to have a medal of gold struck from the diplomatic die formerly ordered, and present it with a chain of gold to the Count de Moustier, who is notified that this will be done by you.  I formerly informed you, that we proposed to vary the worth of the present, by varying the size of the links of the chain, which are fixed at three hundred and sixty-five in number.  Let each link, in the present instance, contain six livres worth of gold, and let it be made of plain wire, so that the value may be in the metal and not at all in the workmanship.  I shall hope to receive the dies themselves, when a safe conveyance presents itself.  I am, with great esteem, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LI.—­TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, March 8, 1791

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE.

Philadelphia, March 8, 1791.

Sir,

I have it in charge from the President of the United States of America, to communicate to the National Assembly of France, the peculiar sensibility of Congress to the tribute paid to the memory of Benjamin Franklin, by the enlightened and free representatives of a great nation, in their decree of the 11th of June, 1790.