Cabinet Opinion on a Resolution of the U.S. Senate, 28 January 1794
Cabinet Opinion on a Resolution of the U.S. Senate
January 28. 1794.
At a meeting of the heads of departments
Upon consideration of the resolution of the Senate, of January 24. 1794, calling for the correspondences, therein mentioned:1 General Knox is of opinion, that no part of the correspondences should be sent to the Senate.
Colo. Hamilton, that the correct mode of proceeding is to do, what General Knox advises; but that the principle is safe, by excepting such parts as the President may choose to withhold:
Mr Randolph, that all the correspondence, proper from its nature to be communicated to the Senate, should be sent; but that what the President thinks improper, should not be sent.
In either form messages are recommended to be prepared.2
H. Knox
Alexandr Hamilton
Edm: Randolph.
LS (in Edmund Randolph’s handwriting), DLC:GW. GW’s docket reads: “Opinions of the heads of Departs. respectg the resolve of the Senate requesting the corrispondence with the Minisr of the U.S. in France.”
1. For the resolution asking for the diplomatic correspondence of Gouverneur Morris, the U.S. minister to France, see U.S. Senate to GW, 24 January.
2. For the reply sent, see GW to the U.S. Senate, 26 February.