Thomas Jefferson: “The rights of a neutral to carry on commercial intercourse with every part of the dominions of a belligerent permitted…”

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;

I now render to Congress the account of the fund established for defraying the contingent expenses of Government for the year 1808.

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.

I have thought that the friendly dispositions of such a power might be advantageously cherished by a mission which should manifest our willingness to meet his good will.