Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 29 August 1793

To Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes

Philadelphia Aug. 29. 1793.

Gentlemen

I have laid before the President of the US. the letter of the 27th. inst. which you did me the honor to write, and the printed paper it inclosed; and I am authorised to assure you that the President will use all the powers with which he is invested to prevent any enterprize of the kind proposed in that paper to the citizens of the US. and in general to prevent their concurrence in any hostilities by sea or by land against the subjects of Spain, or it’s territories.

The printed paper is accordingly forwarded to the Governor of Kentuckey, with instructions to pay strict attention to any endeavors which may be used among the citizens of that state to excite them to join in the enterprize therein proposed or any other, and to use all the means in his power to prevent it. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem, Gentlemen Your most obedt. servt

Th: Jefferson

PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Commissioners of Spain.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, DL). Tr (AHN: Papeles de Estado, legajo 3895); in Spanish; in Viar’s hand, attested by Viar and Jaudenes. Tr (AGI: Santo Domingo, legajo 2561); in Spanish.

TJ submitted this letter to the President this day, and Washington approved it the same day (Washington, Journal, description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed., The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797, Charlottesville, 1981 description ends 234).

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