g her son forwarded by the Diligence to London,
on his way to America. The letter will explain to you the mode and the
means, and the parentage and genius of the young gentleman will
insure your aid to him. As this goes by the French packet, I send no
newspapers, laws, or other articles of that kind, the postage of which
would be high.

I am with great and sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CIX.--CIRCULAR TO THE AMERICAN CONSULS, May 31, 1792

CIRCULAR TO THE AMERICAN CONSULS.

Philadelphia, May 31, 1792.

Sir,

Congress having closed their session on the 8th instant, I have now the
honor to forward you a copy of the laws passed thereat. One of these,
chapter twenty-four, will require your particular attention, as it
contains such regulations relative to the consular office, as it has
been thought proper to establish legislatively.

With respect to the security required by the sixth section I would
prefer persons residing within the United States, where the party
can procure such to be his security. In this case, his own bond duly
executed may be sent to me, and his sureties here may enter into a
separate bond. Where the party cannot conveniently find sureties within
the United States, my distance, and want of means of knowing their
sufficiency, oblige me to refer him to the Minister or _Charge des
Affaires_ of the United States, within the same government, if there be
one, and if not, then to the Minister of the United States, resident
at Paris. The securities which they shall approve, will be admitted as
good. In like manner, the account for their disbursements, authorized
by this law (and no other can be allowed) are to be settled at stated
periods with the Minister or _Charge_ within their residence, if there
be one; if none, then with the Minister of the United States, at Paris.
The person who settles the account is authorized to pay it. Our Consuls
in America are not meant to be included in these directions as to
securityship and the settlement of their accounts, as their situation
gives them a more convenient communication with me. It is also
recommended to the Consuls to keep an ordinary correspondence with the
Minister or _Charge_ to whom they are thus referred; but it would be
also useful, if they could forward directly to me, from time to time,
the prices current of their place, and any other circumstances which it
might be interest