5739. NAVIGATION, Reduction of British.—
It has been proposed in Congress to pass a navigation act which will deeply
strike at that of Great Britain. * * *
Would it not be worth while to have the
bill now enclosed, translated, printed and circulated
among the members of the [French]
National Assembly? If you think so, have
it done at the public expense, with any little
comment you may think necessary, concealing
the quarter from whence it is distributed;
or take any other method you think better,
to see whether that Assembly will not pass
a similar act? I shall send copies of it to
Mr. Carmichael, at Madrid, and to Colonel
Humphreys, appointed resident at Lisbon,
with a desire for them to suggest similar acts
there. The measure is just, perfectly innocent
as to all other nations, and will effectually
defeat the navigation act of Great Britain,
and reduce her power on the ocean
within safer limits.—
To William Short. Washington ed. iii, 225.
(Pa.,
1791)
