dress his letters to me in Paris; but for reasons communicated in a former letter, I thought it best to decline this offer,, and therefore observed that his own packets would give him a speedier and more certain means of conveyance. I then took my leave.

I have troubled you sir, with the leading features of this conversation, that you might the better judge of the conclusions I draw from it. I think the cabinet is divided on the question of war or peace. If France appeared strong enough to excuse a retrograde manœuvre, I believe they would dis cover all at once, that Spain has better reasons to urge than they had been before apprized of; and therefore on principles of justice, and having received the strongest assurances of brotherly love from the catholick king, the defender of the faith, would disarm. His ministers will not treat with us at present, unless they could see their way to offensive and defensive alliance, which we shall be in no hurry to contract, Should war break out, the anti-American party will I believe agree to any terms; for it is more the taste of the medicine which they nauseate, than the size of the dose. Mr. Pitt I believe wishes a continuance of peace, Observe that he is rather the queen's man than the king's, and that since his majesty's illness she has been of great consequence. This depends in part on a medical reason. To prevent the relapse of persons who have been mad, they must be kept in constant awe of somebody, and it is said that the physician of the king gave the matter in charge to his royal consort, who performs that, like every other part of her conjugal duty, with singular zeal and perseverance. He and all those who are in possession of his entire confidence, wish (it is said) for war, which gives you know great patronage, and by the increase of taxes and offices increases the influence and power of the crown. The king and his friends are also violently indisposed to America.

Things being so situated, and having business on the continent, I shall leave this city in a few days, and shall perhaps write a farther letter of lamentations to the duke of Leeds before I go. I intend to write such a letter to you on the whole business as may, in case of need, be laid before the legislature, and consequently before the publick.

1 long since expressed my opinion to you, sir, that the appearances of prosperity here were fallacious. In nothing are they more so than in the affairs of the India company, which are deplorably bad; and they are now engaged in a war with Tippoo Saib, which, terminate how it may, must make them worse.

It is time to close this lengthy epistle. Let me therefore entreat you to receive the assurances, &c.

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS,

To George Washington, Esq.

President of the United States of America.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PResident of THE UNITED STATES, TO THE SENATE RELATIVE TO SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. FEB. 18, 1791. - THE aspect of affairs in Europe during the last summer, and especially between Spain and England, gave reason to expect a favourable occasion for pressing to accommodation the unsettled matters between them and us. Mr. Carmichael, our charge des affaires at Madrid, having been long absent from his country, great changes having taken place in our circumstances and sentiments during that interval, it was thought expedient to send some person in a private character, fully acquainted with the present state of things here, to be the bearer of written and confidential instructions to him, and at the same time to possess him in full and frequent conversations, of all those details of facts and topicks of argument which could not be conveyed in writing, but which would be necessary to enable him to meet the reasonings of that court with advantage. Col. David Humphreys was therefore sent for these purposes.

An additional motive for this confidential mission arose in the same quarter. The court of Lisbon had, on several occasions, made the most amicable advances for cultivating friendship and intercourse with the United States. The exchange of a diplomatic character had been informally, but repeatedly suggested on their part. It was our interest to meet this nation in its friendly dispositions, and to concur in the exchange proposed. But my wish was at the same time, that the character to be exchanged should be of the lowest and most economical grade. To this it was known that certain rules of long standing at that court would produce obstacles. Col. Humphreys was charged with despatches to the prime minister of Portugal and with instructions to endeavour to arrange this to our views. It happened, however, that previous to his arrival at Lisbon, the queen had appoint

ed a minister resident to the United States. This embarrassment seems to have rendered the difficulty completely insurmountable. The minister of that court in his conferences with col. Humphreys professing every wish to accommodate, yet expresses his regrets that circumstances do not permit them to concur in the grade of charge des affaires ; a grade of little privilege or respectability by the rules of their court, and held in so low estimation with them, that no proper character would accept it to go abroad. In a letter to the Secretary of State he expresses the same sentiments, and announces the appointment on their part of a minister resident to the United States, and the pleasure with which the queen will receive one from us at her court. A copy of his letter, and also of col. Humphreys' giving the details of this transaction, will be delivered to you.

On consideration of all circumstances, I have determined to accede to the desire of the court of Lisbon, in the article of grade. I am aware that the consequences will not end here, and that this is not the only instance in which a like change may be pressed. But should it be necessary to yield elsewhere also, I shall think it a less evil than to disgust a government so friendly and so interesting to us, as that of Portugal. I do not mean that the change of grade shall render the mission more expensive.

I have therefore nominated David Humphreys minister resident from the United States to her most faithful majesty, the queen of Portugal. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES RELATIVE TO ALGIERS AND MOROCCO. FEB. 22, 1791.

I WILL proceed to take measures for the ransom of our citizens in captivity at Algiers, in conformity with your resolution of advice of the first instant, so soon as the moneys necessary shall be appropriated by the legislature and shall be in readiness."

The recognition of our treaty with the new emperor of Morocco requires also previous appropriation and provision. The importance of this last to the liberty and property of our citizens induces me to urge it on your earliest attention.

GEORGE WASHINGTON,

MESSAGE

FROM THE presidenT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE SENATE RELATIVE TO SPAIN, AND THE NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI. JANUARY 11, 1792.

I LAY before you the following report, which has been made to me by the Secretary of State:

THE Secretary of State, reports to the President of the United States, that one of the commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his court, that his catholick majesty, apprized of our solicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free navigation of the river Mississippi, and the use of a port thereon, is ready to enter into treaty thereon at Madrid.

The Secretary of State is of opinion that this overture should be attended to without delay, and that the proposal of treating at Madrid, though not what might have been desired, should yet be accepted; and a commission plenipotentiary made out for the purpose.

That Mr. Carmichael, the present charge des affaires of the United States at Madrid, from the local acquaintance which he must have acquired with persons and circumstances, would be a useful and proper member of the commission; but that it would be useful also to join with him some person more particularly acquainted with the circumstances of the navigation to be treated of.

That the fund appropriated by the act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations will insufficiently furnish the ordinary and regular demands on it, and is consequently inadequate to the mission of an additional commissioner express from hence.

That therefore it will be advisable on this account, as well as for the sake of despatch, to constitute some one of the ministers of the United States in Europe, jointly with Mr. Carmichael, commissioners plenipotentiary for the special purpose of negotiating and concluding, with any person or persons duly authorized by his catholick majesty, a convention or treaty for the free navigation of the river Mississippi by the citizens of the United States, under such accommodations with respect to a port and other circumstances, as may render the said navigation practicable, useful, and free from dispute; saving to the President and Senate, their respective rights as to the ratification of the same; and that the

said negotiation be at Madrid, or such other place in Spain as shall be desired by his catholick majesty.

December 22, 1791.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

TH: JEFFERSON.

In consequence of the communication from the court of Spain, as stated in the preceding report, I nominate William Carmichael, present charge des affaires of the United States at Madrid, and William Short, present charge des affaires of the United States at Paris, to be commissioners plenipotentiary for negotiating and concluding, with any person or persons who shall be duly authorized by his catholick majesty, a convention or treaty concerning the navigation of the river Mississippi by the citizens of the United States; saving to the President and Senate their respective rights as to the ratification of the same. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE SENATÉ RELATIVE TO NEGOTIATIONS AT MADRID. MARCH 7, 1792. I SUBMIT to your consideration the report of the Secretary of State which accompanies this, stating the reasons for extending the negotiation proposed at Madrid to the subject of commerce, and explaining under the form of instructions to the commissioners lately appointed to that court the principles on which commercial arrangements with Spain might, if desired on her part, be acceded to on ours; and I have to request your decision, whether you will advise and consent to the extension of the powers of the commissioners as propos ed, and to the ratification of a treaty which shall conform to those instructions, should they enter into such a one with that court. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

THE Secretary of State having understood from communications with the commissioners of his catholick majesty, sub sequent to that which he reported to the President on the 22d of December last, that though they considered the navigation of the Mississippi as the principal object of negotia