From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 25 June 1793
To George Hammond
Philadelphia June 25th. 1793.
Sir
I have the honor of your’s of the 19th. instant. In mine of the same date, I had that of stating to you the matter of fact of the President’s requisition to the privateers in question. The development of it’s terms, and the inferences from them1 will, it is conceived, be most properly referred to the occasion which shall call for them. Such occasion may never happen; but, if it does, the2 disposition which has been manifested, is a security that, that will be done, which shall be right. I have the honor to be, respectfully, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson
PrC (DLC); in the hand of George Taylor, Jr., signed by TJ; at foot of text: “The minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain.” Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 89: 15418); in TJ’s hand, with notations in margin by Alexander Hamilton (see notes below); undated and unaddressed. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, DL). Tr (Lb in PRO: FO 116/3). Tr (same, 5/1). Enclosed in second Memorandum to George Washington, [11 July 1793], and Tobias Lear to TJ, 15 July 1793.
1. In Dft TJ here wrote “are open to all, or may be left.” Alexander Hamilton bracketed this passage and wrote the next eight words opposite it in the margin.
2. In Dft TJ here wrote “President’s justice.” Alexander Hamilton bracketed these words and wrote the next five words opposite them in the margin.