subject, and which I laid before the President.  He has, in consequence, instructed me to prepare a project of a convention, to be proposed to the court of Madrid, which I have accordingly done, and now enclose a copy of it.  I wish it may appear to you satisfactory.  Against property we may hope it would be effectual; whilst it leaves a door open to life and liberty except in a single unquestionable case.  Messrs. Carmichael and Short will be instructed to make this one of the subjects of their negotiation with the court of Spain.  I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CIII.—­TO COLONEL HUMPHREYS, April 9, 1792

TO COLONEL HUMPHREYS.

Philadelphia, April 9, 1792.

Dear Sir,

My last to you were of the 29th of November and the 13th of December.  I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your Nos. 34 to 44, inclusive.  The river here and at New York having remained longer blocked with ice than has been usual, has occasioned a longer interval than usual between my letters.  I have particularly to acknowledge, that Mr. Barclay’s receipt of drafts from you on our bankers in Holland for thirty-two thousand one hundred and seventy-five florins has come safely to my hands, and is deposited in my office, where it will be to be found wrapped in the letter in which it came.  You have been before informed of the failure of our arms against the Indians, the last year.  General St. Clair has now resigned that command.  We are raising our western force to five thousand men.  The stock-jobbing speculations have occupied some of our countrymen to such a degree, as to give sincere uneasiness to those who would rather see their capitals employed in commerce, manufactures, buildings, and agriculture.  The failure of Mr. Duer, the chief of that description of people, has already produced some other bankruptcies, and more are apprehended.  He had obtained money from great numbers of small tradesmen and farmers, tempting them by usurious interest, which has made the distress very extensive.  Congress will adjourn within a fortnight.  The President negatived their representation bill, as framed on principles contrary to the constitution.  I suppose another will be passed, allowing simply a representative for every thirty or thirty-three thousand, in each State.  The troubles in the French island continue extreme; we have, as yet, heard of the arrival but of a few troops.  There begins to be reason to apprehend, the negroes will perhaps never be entirely reduced.  A commission has issued to Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Short, to treat with the court of Madrid on the subjects heretofore in negotiation between us.  I suppose Mr. Short will be in Madrid by the last of May.  We expect Major Pinckney here hourly, on his way to London, as our Minister Plenipotentiary to that court.  For a state of our transactions in general, I refer you to the newspapers which accompany this.  I put under your cover letters and newspapers for Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Barclay, which I pray you to contrive by some sure conveyances.  We must make you, for some time, the common centre of our correspondence.