RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Jan. 1801 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably a manuscript, not found, of Paine’s “Dissertation on the Law of Nations. Respecting the Rights of Neutral Commerce and the Liberty of the Seas,” conveyed by TJ to Samuel Harrison Smith and printed as the first paper in Compact Maritime, 3–9 (see Paine to TJ, 1 Oct. 1800). Enclosed in Stephen Thorn to TJ, 27 Dec. 1800.

Charles François Lebrun, third consul of France, delivered his toast at the festivities held at Môrtefontaine on 3 Oct. to mark the signing of the convention between his country and the United States. Translated, it salutes “the union of America with the northern powers to give respect to the freedom of the seas.” It followed a toast by Napoleon Bonaparte commemorating Frenchmen and Americans who died fighting for American independence and one by the second consul, Jean Jacques Régis Cambacérès, recognizing John Adams as the “successeur de Washington” (Gazette nationale ou le Moniteur universel, 14 Vendémiaire Year 9 [6 Oct. 1800]; Stewart, French Revolution, description begins John H. Stewart, A Documentary Survey of the French Revolution, New York, 1951 description ends 773; Short to TJ, 18 Sep. 1800).