e de sa Detention actuelle dans la prison du Luxembourg,
mais je vous prie Monsieur (si des raisons que ne me sont pas connues
s'opposent a sa liberation) de vouloir bien m'en instruire pour que je
puisse les communiquer au Gouvernement des Etats Unis. J'ai l'honneur
d'etre, Monsieur,

Votre tres humble Serviteur

Gouv. Morris.

Paris, i Ventose l'An ad. de la Republique une et indivisible.

Le Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres au Ministre Plenipotentiaire des
Etats Unis de V Amerique pres la Republique Francaise.

Par votre lettre du 26 du mois dernier, vous reclamez la liberte de
Thomas Faine, comme Citoyen americain. Ne en Angleterre, cet ex-depute
est devenu successivement Citoyen Americain et Citoyen francais. En
acceptant ce dernier titre et en remplissant une place dans le Corps
Legislatif, il est soumis aux lob de la Republique et il a renonce de
fait a la protection que le droit des gens et les traites conclus avec
les Etats Unis auraient pu lui assurer.

J'ignore les motifs de sa detention mais je dois presumer quils bien
fondes. Je vois neanmoins soumettre au Comite de Salut Public la demande
que vous m'avez adressee et je m'empresserai de vous faire connaitre sa
decision.

Dir ORGUBS. (1)

1 Archives of the Foreign Office, Paris, "Etats Unis," vol.
xl. Translations:--Morris: "Sir,--Thomas Paine has just
applied to me to claim him as a citizen of the United
States. Here (I believe) are the facts relating to him. He
was born in England. Having afterwards become a citizen of
the United States, he acquired great celebrity there by his
revolutionary writings. In consequence he was adopted a
French citizen and then elected Member of the Convention.
His conduct since this epoch is out of my jurisdiction. I am
ignorant of the reason for his present detention in the
Luxembourg prison, but I beg you, sir (if reasons unknown to
me prevent his liberation), be so good as to inform me, that
I may communicate them to the government of the United
States." Deporgurs: "By your letter of the 36th of last
month you reclaim the liberty of Thomas Paine as an American
citizen. Born in England, this ex-deputy has become
successively an American and a French citizen. In accepting
this last title, and in occupying a place in the Corps
Legislatif he submitted himself to the laws of the Republic,
and has certainly renounced th