, to refuse to receive any minister
who is personally disagreeable. Martens, the latest and a very respected
writer, has laid it down so clearly and shortly in his 'Summary of
the Law of Nations,' B. 7. ch. 2. sect. 9. that I will transcribe the
passage verbatim. 'Section 9. Of choice in the person of the minister.
The choice of the person to be sent as minister depends of right on the
sovereign who sends him, leaving the right, however, of him to whom he
is sent, of refusing to acknowledge any one, to whom he has a personal
dislike, or who is inadmissible by the laws and usages of the country.'
And he adds notes proving by instances, &c. This is the whole section.

Notwithstanding all these appearances of peace from France, we are,
besides our existing army of five thousand men, and additional army
of nine thousand (now officered and levying), passing a bill for
an eventual army of thirty regiments (thirty thousand) and for
rigimenting, brigading, officering, and exercising at the public
expense our volunteer army, the amount of which we know not. I enclose
you a copy of the bill, which has been twice read and committed in
Senate. To meet this expense, and that of the six seventy-fours and six
eighteens, part of the proposed fleet, we have opened a loan of five
millions at eight per cent., and authorize another of two millions: and,
at the same time, every man voting for these measures acknowledges
there is no probability of an invasion by France. While speaking of the
restoration of our vessel, I omitted to add, that it is said that our
government contemplate restoring the Frenchmen taken originally in the
same vessel, and kept at Lancaster as prisoners. This has furnished the
idea of calling her a cartel vessel, and pretending that she came as
such for an exchange of prisoners, which is false. She was delivered
free and without condition, but it does not suit to let any new evidence
appear of the desire of conciliation in France.

I believe it is now certain that the commissioners on the British debts
can proceed together no longer. I am told that our two have prepared a
long report, which will perhaps be made public. The result will be,
that we must recur again to negotiation, to settle the principles of the
British claims. You know that Congress rises on the 3rd of March, and
that if you have acceded to my prayers, I should hear from you at
least a week before our rising. Accept my affectionate salutations, and
as