From Thomas Jefferson to Luis Pinto de Souza, 21 February 1791
To Luis Pinto de Souza
Philadelphia February 21st. 1791
Sir
I have duly received the Letter of November 30th. which your Excellency did me the honor to write, informing me that her most Faithful Majesty had appointed Mr. Freire her Minister resident with us, and stating the difficulty of meeting us in the exchange of a Chargé des affaires, the Grade proposed on our part. It is foreseen that a departure from our System in this instance will materially affect our arrangements with other Nations, but the President of the United States has resolved to give her Majesty this Proof of his Desire to concur in whatever may best tend to promote that Harmony and perfect Friendship so interesting to both Countries: He has therefore appointed Colonel Humphreys to be Minister resident for the United States at the Court of her Majesty.
This Gentleman has long been of the President’s own family, and enjoys his particular Confidence. I make no doubt he will so conduct himself as to give perfect satisfaction to her Majesty and yourself, and I therefore recommend him to your friendly Attentions and respect. Mr. Freire will have every title to the same from us, and will assuredly receive it. It is always with pleasure that I repeat the Homage of those Sentiments of Respect and Esteem with which I have Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most obedient and most humble Servt.
PrC (DLC); in clerk’s hand, unsigned; at foot of text: “Addressed to Ao Illmo. e Exmo. Snr. Luiz Pinto de Sousa Coutinho Ministro e Secretario de Estado de S. M. F. dos Negocios etrangeiros e de Guerra &c.&c.&c.”
The letter of credence that TJ prepared for David Humphreys, addressed “To our great and good Friend Her most Faithful Majesty,” Maria I of Portugal, named him as “one of our distinguished Citizens, Minister resident for the United States of America near your Majesty” and requested that he be given “entire Credence to whatever he shall deliver on our Part, and most of all when he shall assure you of the Sincerity of our Friendship” (PrC in DLC, dated 21 Feb. 1791, entirely in Remsen’s hand including signatures of Washington and TJ).