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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.05969 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0120] October-December 1793 |
| Title | Thomas Jefferson to George Read, Jr. about foreign powers and sea boundaries |
| Date | 10 November 1793 |
| Author | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) |
| Recipient | Read, George Jr. |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Government document |
| Content Description | Letterpress copy, but signed by Jefferson. Discusses the distance a nation's power and protection extends from the sea coast. Notes that "belligerent" European powers have frequently appealed to President George Washington for protection in waters along the United States coast. Washington thinks it prudent not to assume the distance protection extends without first having the opportunity of "entering into friendly explanations and arrangements" with the interested nations. In the meantime, Washington has determined that protection should extend as far as one sea league (the foreign powers in question decide the length of a league amongst themselves by treaty). States that no national law has been made on the thorny issue of captures occurring in the jurisdiction of the United States. Sends the documents to attorneys of states along the sea coast (please see GLC02437.05965, GLC2437.05966, GLC02437.05967 for copies of this letter sent to different attorneys). |
| Subjects | Navy France French Revolution President Global History and Civics Maritime Law Military History Diplomacy Treaty Privateering Government and Civics |
| People | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Read, George (1733-1798) Washington, George (1732-1799) |
| Place written | Germantown, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | Government & Politics; The Presidency; Naval & Maritime; Foreign Affairs; Law |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | George Read, Jr., was the attorney for the District of Delaware. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Ogden about foreign powers and sea boundaries Thomas Jefferson to Pierpoint Edwards about foreign powers and sea boundaries Thomas Jefferson to Richard Harrison about foreign powers and sea boundaries Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox about sea boundaries |