Thomas Jefferson: “Their wisdom will also see the necessity of making every preparation for whatever events may grow out of the present…”

When the documents concerning the relations between the United States and Great Britain were laid before Congress at the commencement of the session, the answer of Mr. Pinkney to the letter of Mr. Canning had not been received.

I transmit to Congress a letter recently received from our minister at the Court of St. James, covering one to him from the British secretary of state, with his reply.

His influence in negotiations for peace may be of value to the United States should arrangements of any sort affecting them be contemplated by other powers in the present extraordinary state of the world;

His high station and the relations of Russia to the predominant powers of Europe must give him weight with them according to the vicissitudes of the war.