To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 10 March 1793
From George Washington
Sunday March 10th: 1793
Sir
If, upon a due consideration of the letter from the Secretary of the N.W. Territory to Govr. St. Clair, which you sent to me yesterday, and is herewith returned, you shall be of opinion that my official interference is necessary on the subject of that letter, I must request that you will report to me wherein such interference may be necessary—as well as the authority under which the President may exercise it.
But I confess to you, that the long absence of the Governor, as well as of some of the Judges, from the Territory, appears to me, if not the cause of producing1 the irregularities complained of by the Secretary, to be a great means of encouraging a spirit of riot and disorder, by relaxing the energy of the laws.2 This, therefore, is an additional reason for me to wish that the Governor may be pressed to repair to the Territory without delay—And unless he does, I shall be under the disagreeable necessity of issuing a peremptory Order for that purpose.3
I wish to be informed whether Judge Turner has set out for the Territory.
I think it would be best for you to consult with the Atty. Genl. to determine whether transcripts of the treaties made with the Indians under the State Government of N. York should be sent for or not.
Go: Washington
RC (DLC); in the hand of Tobias Lear, signed by Washington; at foot of text: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ: “Lear Tobias. recd. Mar. 10. 93.” Dft (DNA: RG 59, MLR); in Lear’s hand; contains emendations, the most significant of which are noted below. FC (Lb in same, SDC). Recorded in SJPL. For the enclosure, see note to TJ to Washington, 9 Mch. 1793.
On 12 Mch. 1793 TJ sent Washington a brief note reporting that he had “enquired and finds that Judge Turner is not yet gone from this city” (RC in same, MLR, addressed: “The President of the US.,” endorsed by Tobias Lear; Tr in Lb in same, SDC; not recorded in SJL).
1. Word interlined in Dft.
2. Word interlined in Dft in place of “government.”
3. In the Dft Lear substituted this sentence for an inchoate formulation that he lined through heavily.