Mount Vernon, September 16, 1793.
Sir: The Packet herewith sent, I fd. at the Post Office in Alexandria, as I passed through that Town on Saturday afternoon.
The letter from the Minister of the French Republic, dated the 7th. instt, in answr. to one he had received from Govr. Clinton of the 3d. preceeding, breathes (as far as I can understand it from Mr. Dandridge's translation) the same language as all others do which have been received from that Gentleman lately.
The points in it to be decided on are two, first the proposition or rather information of Mr. Genet respecting the Privateers Little Democrat and Carmagnole, and 2d. the William Tell, Prize to the Cerf. If the latter should have got into the Court of Admiralty, it will not, (at least in the first instance) require the interference of the Executive; But if this should not have been the case, any opinion which you, the Secretary of State and Attorney General of the U. States, shall agree in (I take it for granted that Colo. Hamilton is not in a situation to attend) may be forwarded to the Governor of New York as my decision in both, or either case, without refering it to me.
With best wishes for your continuance in health etc.