Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Zebulon Hollingsworth, 14 November 1793

To Zebulon Hollingsworth

Germantown, Nov. 14th. 1793.

Sir

The British brig Coningham having been taken by the French privateer the Sans Culottes of Marseilles within the limits of our jurisdiction as is alledged, I am to desire you to take measures for bringing the case to final settlement according to the general rules laid down in the Letter I had the honor of addressing you on the 10th. inst. By a Letter of the present date I notify the two Ministers of the reference now made to you, relying that they will instruct their Consuls to pay requisite attention to it. I have the honor to be with Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your most Obedt. servt.

PrC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, unsigned; at foot of text: “Zebulon Hollingsworth Esq. Attorney for the District of Maryland at Baltimore.” Dft (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand; written on the same sheet as Dft of second letter to Hollingsworth of this date below; with note at foot of page referring to both: “these forms shewn to the Atty Genl. and approved. Nov. 15.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, DL). Recorded in SJPL. Enclosed in TJ to George Washington, [16 Nov. 1793].

After obtaining Cabinet approval for the substance of this letter and Edmund Randolph’s approval for the rough draft, TJ submitted a text of the final version to the President on 16 Nov. 1793, and Washington returned 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 , 252; Cabinet Opinions on Various Letters, [23 Nov. 1793]).

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