Thomas Jefferson Papers
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From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 July 1804

To Albert Gallatin

July 3. 04.

Th: Jefferson to mr Gallatin.

I know of nothing which ought to detain you in the city longer than the time you mention. I propose to-day to take an ultimate view of our instructions to our negociators in Spain, and chiefly to decide whether any later views, and particularly those from Baron Humboldt should occasion alterations of opinion in any point. within the course of the week we can agree as to the filling all vacancies in office.

The answer to the Spanish minister is perfectly proper. I have no doubt the 10th. article of the treaty meant to include the case of the vessel in question, but the law has not gone so far as the treaty, and it is the safest doctrine to suppose that a treaty requires a law in cases submitted by the constitution to the three branches of the legislature.

Lieutt. Gaines will be an excellent appointment as Collector at Fort Stoddert. as to Pope of New Bedford I have no particular information. affectionate salutations.

RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “affairs with Spain. Gaines.”

our instructions: see Madison to James Monroe and Charles Pinckney, 8 July (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:430-32).

For the answer to the Spanish minister, see Gallatin to TJ, 2 July (first letter).

requires a law: on 14 Feb. 1805, Congress passed an act that exempted the owners of Spanish vessels from having to pay duties on cargo unladed from distressed or wrecked ships and later re-exported. The law also authorized the Norfolk collector to refund the duties paid by the owners of the Nuestra Señora de la Merced (U.S. Statutes at Large description begins Richard Peters, ed., The Public Statutes at Large of the United States … 1789 to March 3, 1845, Boston, 1855-56, 8 vols. description ends , 2:314).

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