501To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fitz Simons has applied to me upon the subject of another missionary being added to the one allowed by your permission upon the request of Bishop Carrol as a Companion in case of sickness and as an assistant in all objects whether spiritual or political. Peter Janin has been appointed at the following rate, One hundred & fifty dollars for equipment and two hundred Dollars ⅌ Annum and he has...
502To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your view a note of Mr Rutherford of the Senate and my answer thereto containing principles of the solidity of which I am fully convinced. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir Your obedient servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . John Rutherfurd’s letter to Knox of 12 Dec. raised the claim of Staats Morris for an army promotion. Believing that Knox had...
503To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you the opinion of James Seagrove agent for the Creek Nation upon the subject of the negroes which ought to have been returned in pursuance of the treaty of New York. I beg leave to add that if the United States deem it inexpedient to press for a return of the negroes that it would appear proper that the owners should be compensated conformably to some equitable...
504To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
In addressing myself to you I experience the mingled emotions of respect and affection, the former repelling lest I should intrude, and the latter attracting me to hold conversation with you, whom independent of all political considerations, and situations, I shall ever hold dear to my soul. Having overcome my reluctance to break in upon your important affairs, I shall truly state to you the...
505To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I cannot refrain from trespassing on Your time by expressing to you the perfect satisfaction which the people of New England possess by the operations of the general goverment. The unanimity of the legislature of this state was such as to overbear all dispositions of a disorganizing nature. Had the legislature conceived it proper or constitutional they would have expressed their approbation in...
506To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have been requested by several respectable characters in this place, to name for your consideraton Christopher Gore Esqr. of this vicinity as a suitable character for one of the Commissioners to repair to Great Britain in pursuance of the late treaty. I before took the liberty of suggesting his name upon another occasion, and to express my conviction, of his fitness, for high confidential...
507To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received your kind favor of the 4th instant. I shall always regret every circumstance which may obstruct a compliance with your wishes public or private. The appointment of Commissioner would mar most effectually my plans for the Summer, and which are now in an expensive train of execution. There is another circumstance which I confess confidentially, has a considerable influence on my...
508To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Possessing as I do a thousand evidences of your friendship, I am persuaded that you will readily beleive me, when I say that my silence of late, has been the effect of my unwillingness to intrude, lest I should for a moment prevent the consideration and different views, you give to the important subjects incessantly before you. Although the same cause continues to prevent my interruption, yet...
Notwithstanding the information of this Morning respecting the Insertion in Dunlap’s Paper on Monday, certain reasons determine us rather to return to you the Paper with our certificate. You will find that we have altered nothing material to your purpose. The omission of what concerned the President has proceeded from a scruple about official propriety. We are with respect & esteem D r Sir...
510XIV. Opinion of the Secretary of War, 29 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your secret communication of the 27th instant, and the questions stated therein I humbly beg leave to observe, That the United States, by not being under the obligation of any treaty, either with Spain or England, are in a situation, to grant, or deny, the passage of troops, through their territory, as they shall judge fit. The granting or refusing therefore the expected demand of...
511To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 16 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the other objects to be considered tomorrow, it is the desire of the President that the memorial of a frenchman , an inhabitant of the Western territory upon an injury which he suffered from the Commandant of a Spanish post should also be reported upon. The memorial is lodged in your office with your last report. Will you please to bring it with you?—I am Dear Sir Your sincerely &...
512To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 19 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your friendly note of this morning for which I sincerely thank you. I shall frequently avail myself of your kindness, and I should have done so this day, in order to evince my impressions on the occasion, had I not previously engaged to Mrs. Knox, that I would dine with her being the first time since her late confinement.—I am my dear Sir respectfully and affectionately Yours,...
513Enclosure: Henry Knox’s Heads of Instructions for the Commissioners to the Western Indians, [ca. 16 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners to be fully informed upon the subject of all the Treaties which have been held by the United States, or which have been held under their authority with the Northern and western Indians—particularly of the Treaty of Fort Harmar in the year 1789, and of the boundaries then described. That the Commissioners possess themselves fully of all the proceedings of said Treaty, and of...
514Cabinet Opinions on Indian Affairs, [25 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
515Cabinet Opinions on the Debt to France, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 25. 1793. The President desires the opinions of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney General on the following question, to wit. Mr. Ternant having applied for money equivalent to three millions of livres to be furnished on account of our debt to France at the request of the Executive of that country, which sum is to be laid out in provisions within the US. to be sent to...
516Cabinet Opinion on Military Rations, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having considered the note of the President of the U.S. to General Knox, on the subject of increased rations; we are of opinion, that a proposition to congress at this time concerning such increase would be inexpedient, even if the question were more free from difficulty, than it is. But liable as it is to objections , the inexpediency of such a proposition now , acquires double force. MS (...
517Cabinet Opinion on the American Debt to France, 2 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th. of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury, with sundry Papers No. I. II. III and IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion...
518To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 26 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
General Knox has received Mr: Jefferson’s kind note of this day, and hopes to be well enough, in a very few days, to attend to the business alluded to; when he will inform Mr: J thereof. At present, HK’s indisposition prevents his attending to any serious business. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. 1793. A letter from Knox to TJ of 1 Apr. 1793, recorded in SJL...
519Cabinet Opinion on the Creek Indians and Georgia, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States having assembled the heads of the respective departments and the attorney General, laid before them for their advice thereon, sundry communications from the Governor of Georgia, and others, relatively to the recent alarming depredations of the creek Indians upon the State of Georgia. Whereupon after the subject was maturely considered and discussed it was...
520Cabinet Opinions on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw Indians, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavour secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws and Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
521Cabinet Opinions on the Republican and the Catharine, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 12. 1793. The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th. inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping and manning by French and other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be...
522Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 17. 1793 At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from Mr. Genet of the 15th. inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped and manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was read, as also the draught of an...
523Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 20. 1793. At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes dated June 18. and addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the US. with respect to the Southern Indians, and the Spaniards be prepared, and a justification as to the...
524Cabinet Opinions on the Little Sarah, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting at the State house of the city of Philadelphia July 8. 1793. Present the Secretary of state, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary at War. It appears that a brigantine called the Little Sarah has been fitted out at the port of Philadelphia, with fourteen cannon, and all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France,...
525Cabinet Opinion on Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
July 12. 1793. At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France and Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming and arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the US.,...
526III. Henry Knox’s Questions for the Supreme Court, [ca. 18 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
First What distance on the sea Coast may be established, consistently with the usage and laws of nations as the limits of the protection of the UStates. May all rivers and all bays which are enclosed such as New York the Delaware Chesapeak, and the sounds of North Carolina and Long Island, be considered as within such protection? A cannon shot may be projected about 4 Miles. second Do the...
527IV. Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
1. Do the treaties between the US. and France give to France or her citizens a right , when at war with a power with whom the US. are at peace, to fit out originally in and from the ports of the US, vessels armed for war, with or without commission? 2. If they give such a right , does it extend to all manner of armed vessels, or to particular kinds only? If the latter, to what kinds does it...
528Cabinet Opinion on Prizes and Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That the Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the UStates as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of their...
529Rules on Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the United States by any of the belligerent parties, for military service offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful. 2. Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent parties in the ports of the United States, purely for the accommodation of them as such, is deemed lawful. 3. Equipments in the ports of the United...
530Cabinet Opinions on Privateers and Prizes, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and the Attorney general at the Secretary of state’s office Aug. 5. 1793. The case of the Swallow letter of marque at New York, desired to be sent out of our ports, as being a privateer. It is the opinion that there is no ground to make any order on the subject. The Polly or Republican , in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having...
531Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet, 23 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments and the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. and 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of Mr. Genet’s correspondence and conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. and...
532Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creeks, 31 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments and Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from Mr. Gore to Mr. Lear dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston and furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process...
533Henry Knox’s Report on Defense, with Opinion by Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 6 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of War humbly reports to the President of the United States That the following measures appear necessary to be taken in order in some degree to place the United States in a situation to guard themselves from injury by any of the belligerent powers of Europe. 1st. To have all the small arms of the United States put in order for immediate use. 2dly. To have all the cannon in...
534Cabinet Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls and Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to Mr. Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to Mr. Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of Mr. Genet, were read and approved. A letter from the Governr. of Georgia to the Secy. of...
535To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 9 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to inform the British Minister that the privateers Petit Democrate and Caramagnole sent into New London as a prize the Brig Nancy of Jamaica, That the Governor of Connecticut having possess’d himself of the said Brig by a party of Militia was ready to deliver her up to her Master or Owner at the time of her capture, but that no such persons have appear’d, and that in...
536To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 11 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Swedish neutral Vessel having been brought into our ports before the fifth of August, is not comprehended in the rule to restore Vessels taken by the illicit privateers after that period. It would appear to me, that the appeal to the Circuit Court should be prosecuted. If the event should then be unfavorable, and it should be proper to interfere with force, it must I conceive be by virtue...
537To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 22 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
General Stewart declines accepting the Appointment of Inspector for the port of Philadelphia and would have done the same with the naval office had it been offered to him. He says that he made the application at the instance of his father in Law , who is now convinced that the accepstance of the office would injure his commercial pursuits . I enclose you a letter from the Governor of Maryland,...
538Cabinet Opinions on Various Letters, [23 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
At sundry meetings of the heads of departments and Attorney General from the 1st. to the 21st. of Nov. 1793. at the President’s several matters were agreed upon as stated in the following letters from the Secretary of state. To wit: Nov. 8. Circular letter to the representatives of France, Gr. Brit. Spain and the U. Netherlands, fixing provisorily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at...
539Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet and James King, 7 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and Atty. Genl. at the President’s on the 7th. of Dec. 1793. Mr. Genet’s letter of Dec. 3. questioning the right of requiring the address of Consular commissions to the President was read. It is the opinion that the address may be either to the US. or to the President of the US. but that one of these shoud be insisted on. A letter from James King was...
540To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 24 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you, the enclosed letter, dated the 20th. inst: received this day, from the Governor of Maryland, with sundry depositions, relative to the augmentation of force alledged to have been received in the port of Baltimore by the French Privateer Schooner Industry, and the capture of the Brig Cunningham by the Sans Cullotes of Marseilles. I have the honor also to inclose...
541To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Knox, 20 June 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your kind favor of the 1st. instant two days ago. Mr. Joseph Pope of this Town the inventor of the improvements in the horizontal Mills, and the proprietor of the Patent has lately still further improved them, so as to carry four pairs of stones. He is my particular acquaintance, and he will immediately have accurate drawings made and transmitted to you by which, with the...