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to communicate for your consideration and attention. Some others will be laid before you in the course of the session; but, in the discharge of the great duties confided to you by our country, you will take a broader view of the field of legislation. Whether the great interests of agriculture, manufactures, commerce, or navigation, can, within the pale of your constitutional powers, be aided in any of their relations? whether laws are provided in all eases where they are wanting? whether those provided, are exactly what they should be? whether any abuses take place in their administration, or in that of the publick revenues? whether the organization of the publick agents, or of the publick force, is perfect in all its parts? in fine, whether any thing can be done to advance the general good, are questions within the limits of your functions, which will necessarily occupy your attention. In these and all other matters, which you in your wisdom may propose for the good of our country, you may count with assurance on my hearty co-operation, and faithful execution. TH: JEFFERSON.

Nov. 8, 1804.

DOCUMENT No. I.

ACCOMPANYING A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, RECEIVED NOV. 8, 1804.

Extract of a Letter from Don Pedro Cevallos, Minister of State of his Catholic Majesty, to Charles Pinckney, Esq. dated at the Prado, Feb. 10, 1804.

"Al mismo tpo que el ministro de S. M. en los Estados Unidos esta encargado de informer al govierno Americano sobre la falsedad del rumor indicado; tiene tambi en la orden pa manifestarle que S. M. ha tenido á bien renunciar a sus reclamaciones contra la enagenacion de la Lui* Vob. I.

30

siana hecha pro Francia, son embargo de los solidos motívos en que se fundaban; dando con esto una nueva prueba de su benevolencia y amistad a los Estados Unidos."

TRANSLATION.

"AT the same time that the minister of his majesty in the United States is charged to inform the American government respecting the falsity of the rumor referred to, he has likewise orders to declare to it that his majesty has thought fit to renounce his opposition to the alienation of Louisiana made by France, notwithstanding the solid reasons on which it is founded: thereby giving a new proof of his benevolence and friendship towards the United States."

Copy of a Letter from the Marquis of Casa Irujo to the Secretary of State.

MUY Senor mio: Las explicaciones que el Govierno de Francia hadado a S. M. Catca acerca de la venta de la Luisiana alos Estados Unidos, y las disposiciones amistosas de parte del Rey mi Ame acra estos Estados, le han determinador a abandonar la oposicion, que en una epoca anterior, y con motibos mui fundados, habia manifestado ala citada transaccion. En consequencia, y por orden especial de S. M. tengo el gusto de comunicar a V. S. sus reales intencions sobre un asunto tan importante, bien persuadido de que el govierno Americano vera en esta conducta del Rey mi Amo una nueva prueba de su consideraeion acia los Estados Unidos, y que estos corresponderan eon una verdadera reciprocidad a la amistad sincera del Rey de que lestiene dadas tantas pruebas.

Dios que a V. S. ms. as. Philadelphia 15 de May de 180. &c. &c.

(Signed)

EL MARQUIS DE CASA YRUJO.

Sor don Jayme Madison.

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SIR,

TRANSLATION.

THE explanations which the government of France has given to his Catholic Majesty, concerning the sale of Louisiana to the United States, and the amicable dispositions on the part of the king my master towards these states, have determined him to abandon the opposition, which at a prior period, and with the most substantial motives, he had manifested against that transaction. In consequence and by special order of his majesty, I have the pleasure to communicate to you his royal intentions on an affair so important; well persuaded that the American government will see, in this conduct of the king my master, a new proof of his consideration for the United States, and that they will correspond with a true reciprocity, with the sincere friendship of the king, of which he has given so many proofs.

God preserve you many years. Philadelphia 15th May,

1804.

James Madison, Esq.

DOCUMENT No. II.

ACCOMPANYING A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
THE UNITED STATES, NOVEMBER 8, 1804.

To all to whom these presents shall come:

WHEREAS by an act of Congress authority has been given to the President of the United States, whenever he shall deem it expedient, to erect the shores, waters, and inlets of the bay and river of Mobile, and of the other rivers, creeks, inlets, and bays, emptying into the gulf of Mexico, east of the said river Mobile, and west thereof to the Pascaguola, inclusive, into a separate district for the collection of duties on imposts and tonnage, and to establish such place within the same as he shall deem expedient to be the port of entry and delivery for such dis

trict; and to designate such other places within the same district, not exceeding two, to be ports of delivery only.

Now KNOW YE, that I THOMAS JEFFERSON, President of the United States, do hereby decide, that all the abovementioned shores, waters, inlets, creeks and rivers, lying within the boundaries of the United States, shall constitute and form a separate district, to be denominated "The District of Mobile;" and do also designate Fort Stoddert within the district aforesaid, to be the port of entry and delivery for the said district.

Given under my hand this 30th day of May, 1804.
(Signed)
TH: JEFFERSON.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, JAN. 31, 1805.

ACCORDING to the desire expressed in your resolution of the 28th inst. I now communicate a report of the Secretary of State, with documents relative to complaints against arming the merchant ships and vessels of the United States, and the conduct of the captains and crews of such as have been armed. TH: JEFFERSON.

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Jan. 31, 1805.

THE Secretary of State, to whom the President of the United States has been pleased to refer the resolution of the Senate, of the 28th inst. requesting that there may be laid before the Senate such documents and papers, or other information, as the President should judge proper, relative to complaints against arming the merchant ships or vessels of the United States, or the conduct of the captains and crews of such as have been armed—has the honour to annex hereto ;

1st. A copy of a letter, addressed to the Secretary of State, by the envoy of Great Britain, dated on the 31st of August last.

2d. An extract of a letter to the same, from the late charge des affaires of France, dated 6th May last, which was preceded and followed by other letters and conversations of the same gentleman, urging the subject upon the attention of the government. It has been also urged by the present minister of France in his interviews with the Secretary of State.

Of the enclosures alluded to in the aforesaid letter and extract, the only authenticated statement relative to the conduct of the American private armed vessels, which has been received at this department, is contained in the annexed letter from Mr. George Barnewall, of New York, and the document accompanying it.

All which is respectfully submitted,

JAMES MADISON.

Department of State, Jan. 31, 1805.

No. I.

SIR,

Mr. Merry to the Secretary of State.

PHILADELPHIA, AUG. 31, 1804.

I HAVE received information respecting several vessels which have of late been armed in, and have sailed from the different ports of the United States, some loaded with articles contraband of war, (gunpowder is said to be the general article) others with cargoes of innocent goods, and others again in ballast. After the diligent inquiry which it has been my duty to make on so important a subject, I think that I can have the honour of stating to you with cer tainty, that several vessels of the above description, which are mentioned to be schooner-rigged, have sailed lately from the port of Baltimore, whilst others, of a larger size, even ships of considerable burden, and completely equipped for war, have sailed from the port of Philadelphia, bound

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