8578. TREATIES OF COMMERCE, Portugal.—
Considering the treaty with Portugal
among the most interesting to the United States, I some time ago took occasion * * * to
ask of the Portuguese Ambassador if he had yet
received from his Court an answer to our letter.
He told me he had not; but that he would
make it the subject of another letter. Two days
ago, his Secretaire d'Ambassade called on me
with a letter from his Minister to the Ambassador.
* * * By this [extract from the letter],
it would seem that this power is more disposed
to pursue a track of negotiation similar to that
which Spain has done. I consider this answer
as definitive of all further measures under our
commission to Portugal.—
To John Jay. Washington ed. i, 458.
(P.
1785)
