8577. TREATIES OF COMMERCE, Objects of.—
My wish to enter treaties with
the other powers of Europe arises more from
a desire of bringing all our commerce under the
jurisdiction of Congress, than from any other
views. Because, according to my idea, the
commerce of the United States with those countries,
not under treaty with us, is under the
jurisdiction of each State separately; but that
of the countries, which have treated with us, is
under the jurisdiction of Congress with the two
fundamental restraints only which I have before
noted.—
To John Adams. Washington ed. i, 360.
(P.
1785)
