From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 May 1793
To George Washington
May. 4. 1793.
Th: Jefferson having prepared a written opinion on the Question Whether Passports should be granted to vessels belonging to American citizens, but of foreign built, has the honor of inclosing it to the President as an explanation of the principles on which the affirmative was adopted yesterday.
RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr (Lb in same, SDC). Not recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Opinion on Ship Passports, 3 May 1793.
TJ also wrote Washington a brief note this day asking for “a dozen Passports for present use” (RC in DNA: RG 59, MLR, addressed “The President of the US.,” endorsed by Lear; Tr in Lb in same, SDC; not recorded in SJL).