to all nations except those, or rather that, which has a navigation
act; and to that it retorts only its own principles. Being founded
in universal reciprocity, it is impossible it should excite a single
complaint. Its consequences on that nation are such as they cannot
avoid; for either they must repeal their navigation act, in order to be
let in to a share of foreign carriage, or the shipping they now employ
in foreign carriage will be out of employ, and this act frustrated,
on which their naval power is built. Consequently, that power will be
reduced within safer limits, and the freedom of the ocean be better
secured to all the world. The more extensive the adoption of this
measure is, the more irresistible will be its effect. We would not wish
to be declared the exciters of such a concert of measures, but we have
thought it expedient to suggest informally to the courts of France,
Spain, and Portugal, the measure we propose to take, and to leave with
them to decide, on the motives of their own interest, how far it may be
expedient for them to adopt a similar measure. Their concurrence will
more completely insure the object of our act, and therefore I leave it
to yourself to insinuate it with all the discretion and effect you can.

Your letter of May the 6th, 1789, is still the last we have received,
and that is now near two years old. A letter from Colonel Humphreys,
written within twenty-four hours after his arrival at Madrid, reached us
within two months and ten days after its date. A full explanation of the
causes of this suspension of all information from you, is expected
in answer to my letter of August the 6th. It will be waited for yet a
reasonable time, and in the mean while, a final opinion suspended. By
the first vessel to Cadiz, the laws and gazettes shall be forwarded.

I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,