Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 21 December 1793

To George Washington

Dec. 21. 93.

Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President incloses a letter from the Governor of Pensylvania in answer to one from Mr. Genet praying him to deliver the French sailors (whom he calls deserters) on board a vessel to be transported to New York, there to be put on board a man of war. The Convention having directed the proceeding to be observed in this case, and the laws having directed the District judge to attend to it, Th:J. has prepared an answer to the Governor informing him that the Federal Executive has nothing to do in it, but to leave the law to take it’s course.

RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); addressed: “The Presid[…]”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr (Lb in same, SDC). Not recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Thomas Mifflin to TJ, 20 Dec. 1793, and enclosure. (2) TJ to Mifflin, 21 Dec. 1793.

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