Contraband
goods, however, are always excepted, so that they may still be
seized; but the same powers have established that naval stores are not
contraband: and this may be considered now as the law of nations. Though
England acquiesced under this during the late war, rather than draw on
herself the neutral powers, yet she never acceded to the new principle,
and her obstinacy on this point is what has prevented the late renewal
of her treaty with Russia. On the commencement of a new war, this
principle will probably be insisted on by the neutral powers, whom we
may suppose to be Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, America, and perhaps Spain.
_Quere_; if England will again acquiesce. Supposing these details
might be useful to you, I have taken the liberty of giving them, and
of assuring you of the esteem with which I am, Sir, your very humble
servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER XCVII.--TO JOHN JAY, September 24, 1787
TO JOHN JAY.
Paris, September 24, 1787.
Sir,
The times are now so critical, that every day brings something new
and important, not known the day before.
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