1From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 25 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 20th. inst. In order to give you the information you desire on the subject of the Liquidated debts of the United states, and the comparative footing on which they stand, I must observe to you that the first and great division of our federal debt is into 1. Foreign, and 2. Domestic. The Foreign debt comprehends 1. The loan from the government of Spain. 2....