of it open for your own satisfaction, as also a
cipher, to be used on proper occasions in the correspondence between us.

To you, it would be more than unnecessary for me to undertake a general
delineation of the functions of the office to which you are appointed.
I shall therefore only express our desire, that they be constantly
exercised in that spirit of sincere friendship and attachment which
we bear to the French nation; and that in all transactions with the
minister, his good dispositions be conciliated by whatever in language
or attentions may tend to that effect. With respect to their government,
we are under no call to express opinions which might please or offend
any party, and therefore it will be best to avoid them on all occasions,
public or private. Could any circumstances require unavoidably such
expressions, they would naturally be in conformity with the sentiments
of the great mass of our countrymen, who, having first, in modern times,
taken the ground of government founded on the will of the people, cannot
but be delighted on seeing so distinguished and so esteemed a nation
arrive on the same ground, and plant their standard by our side.

I feel myself particularly bound to recommend, as the most important
of your charges, the patronage of our commerce and the extension of its
privileges, both in France and her colonies, but most especially
the latter. Our Consuls in France are under general instructions to
correspond with the Minister of the United States at Paris; from them
you may often receive interesting information. Joseph Fenwick is
Consul at Bordeaux, and Burwell Carnes at Nantz; Monsieur de la Motte,
Vice-Consul at Havre, and Monsieur Cathalan at Marseilles.

An act of Congress, of July the 1st, 1790, has limited the allowance of
a Minster Plenipotentiary to nine thousand dollars a year, for all his
personal services and other expenses, a year's salary for his outfit,
and a quarter's salary for his return. It is understood that the
personal services and other expenses here meant, do not extend to the
cost of gazettes and pamphlets transmitted to the Secretary of State's
office, to translating or printing necessary papers, postage, couriers,
and necessary aids to poor American sailors. These additional charges,
therefore, may be inserted in your accounts; but no other of any
description, unless where they are expressly directed to be incurred. By
an ancient rule of Congress, your salary will c