To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Auldjo, 8 September 1791
From Thomas Auldjo
Cowes, 8 Sep. 1791. Nothing of commercial importance has occurred here since his letter of 8 July last. Americans enjoy every advantage and attention they can expect.—British armaments have been reduced to peacetime levels “since the Allied Courts have come to an agreement with Russia about terms of peace to be proposed to the Porte for the termination of the War.”—The Secretary of State still has not decided upon the ratification of his commission, but the issue will be decided when Lord Grenville returns to London. Apparently the delay is caused by their reluctance to approve consuls at new locations.
RC (DNA: RG 59, CD); 2 p.; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Oct. 1791 and so recorded in SJL.
The difficulty with Auldjo’s COMMISSION is explained in note to Auldjo to TJ, 4 Nov. 1790, but see also Auldjo to TJ, 7 Nov. 1790, and Documents ii and iv in group of documents on consular problems at 20 Feb. 1791. The decision to accommodate the British government’s wish to have him appointed to another post had not reached Auldjo when he wrote the above letter, but on 2 Nov. 1791 he wrote TJ that “his Britannick Majesty has been pleased to acknowledge the Commission which Congress has honoured me with for the port of Poole and in consequence I shall now be enabled to enter upon the dutys of my office which I shall hope to fulfill with honor to myself and advantage to America” (RC in DNA: RG 59, CD; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Jan. 1792 and so recorded in SJL).