To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [18 June] 1792
From Thomas Jefferson
[18 June 1792]
Nothing new.
Th: J.
P. S. Opening Freneau’s p⟨aper⟩ this moment I see a peice against the […] impost duties1 & it mentions the insufficiency of the revenue cutters for their object. This suggests a Quere. How comes an armed force to be in existence, & under the revenue department, & not the department of war? Would it not be well to call for a separate statement of the expence of these cutters, and either put them down, or turn them over to the war-office?
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Addressed by Jefferson to JM at Orange, “to the care of mr. Maury / Fredericksburg.” Franked and postmarked “18 / JU.” Jefferson’s franking signature clipped from cover.
1. “On the Additional Duties on Imports,” National Gazette, 18 June 1792.