Draft Thomas Jefferson Circular Addressing by Thomas Jefferson (1 results)
Published by New York, N.Y. 1790
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No binding. Condition: Very Good. Letter, to Consuls and Vice-Consuls, August 26, 1790, New York. Draft or copy in the hand of a clerk. 2 pp., 7 3/4 x 9 1/4 in. In this letter, Thomas Jefferson provides initial and basic instructions to the consuls and vice-consuls of the United States in European and Caribbean ports. It focuses… primarily on the logistics of monitoring and reporting the presence of American vessels in the ports under their authority and on other "political and commercial intelligence as you may think interesting to the United States." It authorizes consuls and vice-consuls to wear the uniform of the U.S. Navy if they choose to do so and provides details on the features of the uniform. Finally, Jefferson offers advice on maintaining good relationships with the governing authorities. He urges the consuls to avoid minor quarrels and to use the utmost respect in communications with governing officials, "never indulging in any case whatever a single expression which may irritate." Complete Transcript New York August 26, 1790.SirI expected ere this to have been able to send you an act of Congress prescribing some special duties and regulations for the exercise of the consular offices of the United States, but Congress not having been able to mature the act sufficiently, it lies over to their next Session. In the mean while I beg leave to draw your attention to some matters of information which it is interesting to receive.I must beg the favor of you to communicate to me every six months, a report of the vessels of the United States which enter at the ports of your district, specifying the name and burthen of each vessel, of what description she is (to wit, Ship, Snow,[1] Brig &c) the names of the master and owners, and number of seamen, the Port of the United States from which she cleared, places touched at, her cargo outward and inward, and the owners thereof, the port to which she is bound, & times of arrival and departure, the whole arranged in a table under different columns, and the reports closing on the last days of June & Decr.We wish you to use your endeavors that no vessel enter as an American in the Ports of your district which shall not be truly such, and that none be sold under that name which are not really of the United States.That you give to me from time to time information of all military preparations, and other indications of war which may take place in your ports; and when a war shall appear imminent, that you notify thereof the merchants and vessels of the United States within your district, that they may be duly on their guard: and in general that you communicate to me such political and commercial intelligence as you may think interesting to the United States.The Consuls & vice-Consuls of the United States are free to wear the uniform of their Navy, if they chuse to do so. This is a deep blue coat with red facings, lining and cuffs, the cuffs slashed, and a standing collar; a red waistcoat (laced or not at the election of the wearer) and blue breeches; yellow buttons with a foul anchor, and black cockades and small swords.Be pleased to observe that the vice-Consul of one district is not at all subordinate to the Consul of another. They are equally independent of each other.[2]It is understood that Consuls and vice-Consuls have authority of course to appoint their own agents in the several ports of their district, and that it is with themselves alone those agents are to correspond.It will be best not to fatigue the Government in which you reside, or those in authority under it, with applications in unimportant cases. Husband their good dispositions for occasions of some moment, and let all representations to them be couched in the most temperate & friendly terms, never indulging in any case whatever a single expression which may irritate. I have the honor to be &cHistorical BackgroundAs Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson was responsible for the consular service of the United States. I. (See website for full description). Manuscript Letter.
