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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON) - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 4 (Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 4.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

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TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON)

j. mss.

Baltimore Feb 14, 1783.

Sir,

—I apprised you in my former letter of the causes which had so long delayed my departure. These still continue. I have this moment received a printed copy of his Brit. Majty’s speech to his Parliamt. by which we learn that preliminaries between America & Gr Br, among which is one for the acknowlegment of our independency, have been provisionally agreed to on his part. That the negotiations with the other powers at war were considerably advanced & that he hoped in a very short time they would end in terms of pacification. As considerable progress has been made in the negotiations for peace since the appointment with which Congress were pleased to honour me, it may have become doubtful whether any communications I could make, or any assistance I could yield to the very able gentleman in whose hands the business already is, would compensate the expense of prosecuting my voyage to Europe. I therefore beg leave through you Sir to assure Congress that I desire this question to be as open to them now as it was on the day of my appointment, and that I have not a wish of my own either to go or to stay. They will be pleased to weigh the economy of the one measure against the chance which the other may offer of my arriving in such time as that any communications which have been confided to me may produce effect on definitive articles. I shall continue here for the prosecution of my voyage under the orders before received, or for it’s discontinuance should that be more eligible to Congress and be signified at any moment for my departure.1

[1 ]To this Livingston replied:

Philadelphia, 18th February, 1783.

“Sir,—I was honoured yesterday with your favour of the 14th, which I shall lay before Congress this morning. As you have by this time received their resolution which I had the honour to send you by the last Post, and again enclose; you will be relieved in some measure from your embarrasments, tho’ not entirely from your suspense with respect to their final determination. But that cannot be long doubtful, since the negotiations have certainly arrived at such a crisis, as either to terminate soon in a peace, or a total rupture, in the latter case you will necessarily be obliged to proceed on your voyage, as Congress seems anxious to avail themselves of your abilities and information in the negotiations, unless they are fully assured that a speedy peace will preclude them from that advantage.”