The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
FRANCE / FOREIGN RELATIONS
The French revolution still goes on well, though the danger of a
suspension of payments is very imminent. Their appeal to the
inhabitants of their colonies to say on what footing they wish to be
placed, will end, I hope, in our free admissions into their islands
with our produce. This -precedent must have consequences. It is
impossible the world should continue long insensible to so evident a
truth as that the right to have commerce and intercourse with our
neighbors, is a natural right. To suppress this neighborly intercourse
is an exercise of force, which we shall have a just tight to remove
when the superior force.
to Thomas Mann Randolph, 30 May 1790
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