1. George Washington to H, March 23, 1793.

2. “An Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations” (1 Stat. description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). description ends 128–29 [July 1, 1790]) provided the sum of forty thousand dollars annually for the expenses of the State Department abroad. This act was amended and extended by “An Act to continue in force for a limited time, and to amend the act intituled ‘An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations’” (1 Stat. description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). description ends 299–300 [February 9, 1793]). On March 23, 1793, Jefferson wrote to Washington: “Before your departure it becomes necessary for me to sollicit your orders on the Treasury for the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations. This act commenced July 1. 1790. Two years allowance have been furnished and a sum of 500. Dollars over. Nine months of the 3d. year are now nearly elapsed, and according to an estimate I had the honor of giving in to you the 5th. of Nov. last, the expences to the 3d. of Mar. last probably amounted to about 90,785.09 D. from which deducting the sums received, to wit 80,500 D. the bankers would be in advance at that day upwards of 10,000 D. and near 20,000 D. by the time this remittance can reach them. They could feel no inconvenience from this because they had in their hands the Algerine funds but now that that is to be drawn for by Colo. [David] Humphreys, it becomes necessary to pay up the arrearages of the foreign fund, & to put them moreover in cash to answer the current calls of our ministers abroad, in order to prevent any risque to the honor of Colo. Humphreys’s bills. I must therefore sollicit your orders for 39,500 D. which will compleat the allowance for the 3d. year, ending June 30 …” (ALS, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives).