701II. Thomas Jefferson’s Questions for the Supreme Court, [ca. 18 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
✓ 1. < Are we free, by the treaty , to prohibit France from arming vessels within our ports to cruize on her enemies? > 2. If we are free to prohibit her, are we, by the laws of neutrality, bound to prohibit her? agreed. 3. What are the articles, by name, to be prohibited to both or either party? 4. May the prohibition extend to the use of their own means e.g. mounting their own guns,...
702IV. 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...
703V. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a copy of the questions to be proposed to the judges, which he has endeavored to make with exactness, but cannot be sure he may not have mistaken some of the interlineations of the original. He has added at the end those from his own paper which were agreed to. They are the numbers 22. &c. to the end. He incloses also the rough draughts...
704From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 19 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inform him that Judges Jay and Wilson called on him just now and asked whether the letter of yesterday pressed for an answer. They were told the cases would await their time, and were asked when they thought an answer might be expected: they said they supposed in a day or two. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President...
705From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor of inclosing him some letters just received also the draught of a letter to the Judges. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) William Carmichael and William Short to TJ, 18 Apr. , 5 May 1793
706From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 25 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a second complaint of Peter Le Maigre a merchant of this city, for a second vessel taken from him by the British. In the former case , which happened during the absence of the President, it was unanimously agreed by the heads of the departments that it would be proper to communicate the case to Mr. Hammond, and desire his interference. RC...
707From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
When you did me the honor of appointing me to the office I now hold, I engaged in it without a view of continuing any length of time, and I pretty early concluded on the close of the first four years of our republic as a proper period for withdrawing; which, I had the honor of communicating to you. When the period however arrived circumstances had arisen, which, in the opinion of some of my...
708From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the copy of questions which had been destined for the judges. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] , Document IV of a group of documents on the referral of neutrality questions to the...
709Cabinet 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...
710Rules 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...
711Opinion on Convening Congress, 4 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President having been pleased to propose, for consideration, the question Whether it be proper or not to convene the legislature at an earlier period than that at which it is to meet by law? and at what time? I am of opinion it will be proper. 1. Because the protection of our Southern frontiers seems to render indispensable a war with the Creeks, which cannot be declared, nor provided for...
712To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 4 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
If the heads of Departments and the Attorney General, who have prepared the eight rules which you handed to me yesterday, are well satisfied that they are not repugnant to treaties, or to the Laws of Nations; and moreover, are the best we can adopt to maintain Neutrality; I not only give them my approbation, but desire they may be made known without delay for the information of all concerned....
713From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and will pay due attention to his letter of this day. The question of convening the legislature was considered and as our opinions differed, we agreed to give them separately which will be done tomorrow. We are to meet at 10, aclock tomorrow to apply the rules, now approved by the President, to the several memorials and complaints as yet...
714Cabinet 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...
715From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the draught of a letter to Mr. Genet, in pursuance of the opinion of Saturday last approved by the President. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: TJ to Edmond Charles Genet, 7 Aug. 1793
716From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose the draught of a letter to Mr. Hammond. If the President approves it, he will send it to Mr. Hammond’s immediately, as tomorrow’s post is the last one which will be in time for the Packet. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: TJ to George Hammond,...
717From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter just received from Mr. Hammond, and the answer he proposes to give to it. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: George Hammond to TJ , and TJ to Hammond, both 8 Aug. 1793
718From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President, begs leave to express in writing more exactly what he meant to have said yesterday. A journey home in the autumn is of a necessity which he cannot controul after the arrangements he has made, and, when there, it would be his extreme wish to remain. But if his continuance in office to the last of December, as intimated by the President, would,...
719From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson presents his compliments to the President. The report of the Commissioners of public accounts was delivered to Mr. Taylor to be filed away . He was called to new York on Saturday by the illness of his child, and Mr. Blackwell has been searching some time for it without being able to find it. He will continue to search, and when found it shall be sent to the President. Tr ( Lb...
720From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Albion Coxe, engaged in England by Mr. Pinckney as Assayer of the mint, has not yet completely qualified himself by giving security as required by law; in the mean time he has been of necessity employed at the mint in his proper capacity, and of course is entitled to paiment for his services. The Director of the mint asks instruction on this subject, and I should be of opinion he might pay...
721From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [ca. 18–19 August 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson on examination of the subject finds that the resolution for restoring or compensating prizes taken by the proscribed vessels was agreed to by the heads of departments and Atty. Genl. on the 5th. There was a difference of opinion how far it should be communicated to Mr. Hammond; the President was pleased to call at the office of Th:J. and to decide in favor of a full...
722From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 21 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter from Mr. Seagrove . When he shall have considered of the questions of wages to Albion Coxe (till he shall have qualified himself to draw his regular salary) and the ordering a coinage of 1000 Dollars in small silver for the Treasury, he will be so good as to communicate his determinations. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The...
723From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the letter of the National assembly to him of Dec. 22. 92. It’s most distinct object seems to have been to thank the U.S. for their succours to St. Domingo. It glances blindly however at commercial arrangements, and on the 19th. of Feb. the same assembly passed the decree putting our commerce in their dominions on the footing of natives...
724Cabinet 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...
725From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson with his respects to the President incloses a draught of the clause for the letter to Mr. Morris for his consideration. Tr ( Lb in DNA : RG 59, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Draft of the second paragraph of TJ to Gouverneur Morris, [23] Aug. 1793 .
726From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President Minutes of what passed on the subject of the letter to Mr. Genet. Also the draught of a letter to the Merchants . Both papers have been twice sent to the Atty. General’s, but he is not in town nor will be till tomorrow. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); addressed: “The Preside[…]”; endorsed by Washington. Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures:...
727From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the memoir of M. Lentilhon, with a letter to Dr. Mc.Henry adapted to his case. Of the letter of M. Millet he can make very little. It is rendered difficult of comprehension by the bad English in which it is written: and still more by the imperfect and indigested views of the writer. He sees no distinct object in it but to get the President...
728From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter received from Mr. Maury, Consul at Liverpool, inclosing a copy of the order of the British government for intercepting our commerce in Grain. We shall doubtless receive it authentically and soon from Mr. Pinckney. In the mean time Mr. Maury’s information seems sufficient foundation to instruct Mr. Pinckney provisionally to make...
729Cabinet 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...
730From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [ca. 2–4 September 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President his letter of Aug. 7. to Mr. Hammond, which was confined to the special cases of three vessels therein named. The object of Mr. Hammond’s letter of Aug. 30. is to obtain from the government a declaration that the principle of those special cases shall be extended to all captures made within our waters or by the proscribed vessels, whether...
731Henry 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...
732Cabinet 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...
733From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 9 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inclose him draughts of letters to Mr. Genet and Mr. Hammond, as agreed on Saturday. If Genl: Knox and the Atty. Genl. should wait on the President to-day, it would be well they should see them. Th:J. will have that honour before he leaves town. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Preside[…]”; endorsed by Bartholomew...
734From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your two favors from Chester and Elkton, and have now the honor to inclose you an address from the town and vicinity of Petersburg, which in a letter from Mr. Peachey I was desired to deliver you. I also inclose you a letter from Mr. Genet on the subject of Galbaud, and his conspiracies, with my answer sent to him. My hurry of business has prevented my translating the...
735Memorandum to George Washington, 22 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking them up in their order, they appear susceptible of answer in the following way. The 1st. and 2d. by a concurrence of sentiment for the maintenance of the constitution, and preservation of peace, and the pleasure with which the President recieves their assurances of support in these objects. 3. Notice of the expressions of their personal respect . 4. Approbation of their expressions of...
736From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inclose him a commission from the French Executive council to Mr. Dannery to be Consul for them at Boston, also an Exequatur, countersigned by himself, which will want the President’s signature, and then the seal of the US. With these is a letter to Mr. Genet, and a cover to Mr. Bankson directing him what to do. Should the whole...
737From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter he has received from Mr. Bournonville, and his answer. He is in hopes Mr. Dandridge will be able to translate the letter to the President, and if he approves of the answer he will be pleased to stick a wafer in it, as well as in the cover to Mr. Bankson. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the United States at...
738From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received from Mr. Gore by yesterday’s post the evidence on the aggression committed by Mr. Duplaine Vice Consul of France at Boston, and it appears fully to establish the fact against him. I have therefore prepared and countersigned a Revocation of his Exequatur, with letters on the subject to him, to Mr. Genet, and Mr. Morris; as also instructions to Mr. Bankson in what way to make up their...
739From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a Note to Mr. Coxe and a letter which is the subject of it. When perused he will ask the favor of the President to stick a wafer into the cover and forward it by post. Mr. Coxe’s note to Th:J. is put into a separate packet among papers to be returned to Th:J. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US. Mount Vernon”;...
740From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith the following papers. Mr. Genet’s answer with respect to his opposing the service of process on a vessel is singularly equivocal. I rather conjecture he means to withdraw the opposition, and I am in hopes my letter to Mr. Hammond will have produced another effort by the Marshal which will have succeeded. Should this not be the case, if military constraint...
741From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 9 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of answering, by the return of post, your favor of Sep. 27. recieved this day, inclosing the letter and memorial of Messieurs King, Pratt and others, owners of the ship Andrew, and her cargo, desiring the interposition of the Executive on account of the cargo of rice taken by a decree of the general council of L’orient, and of the freight and detention of the vessel. The...
742From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was the day before yesterday honored with your favor of the 7th. inst. by post and yesterday I received that of the 11th. by express from Colo. Carrington. I will take care to be at Germantown by the 1st. of the month. As the ploughing thro the roads of the month of January would be disagreeable with my own horses, I shall send them back from Fredericksburg, for which place I will set out...
743From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President sends for his perusal some of the letters which had been accumulating at his office, and which he received yesterday. He will wait on the President to-day to translate the Spanish papers sent by Mr. Short, as also with some other letters in foreign languages. Th:J. sends to the President a supply he received yesterday of paper, of which the...
744From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose several letters for the perusal of the President.— When he wrote to the Governor of Kentuckey , on a former intimation from the Spanish representatives, there was no probability that the intervention of military force would be requisite, and as far as illegal enterprizes could be prevented by the peaceable process of law, his writing was proper. It is...
745Report on the Proceedings of the Southwest Territory, 7 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having received from the Secretary of the territory South of the Ohio a report of the Proceedings of the Governor of that territory from Mar. 1. to Sep. 1. 1793. has examined the same and Reports to the President That he finds nothing therein which will require his immediate agency. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Pr[…]”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr....
746From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [7 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Smith supposes the bill he incloses must be laid before Congress. On a former suggestion of the same kind , Th:J. being able to find nothing which rendered it necessary, consulted the Attorney General, who was of opinion it was not necessary, but promised [to] make more diligent enquiry. The result will now be asked of him by Th:J. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); undated, but endorsed by...
747From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [16 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inclose for his information the following letters written in consequence of the two last consultations preceding his departure. There being quadruplicates of most of them, the trouble of looking over them will be proportionably diminished to the President. Nov. 8. four letters to the foreign ministers on the extent of our...
748Materials for the President’s Address to Congress, [ca. 22 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Notes Text. Cases where individuals (as Henfield &c) organize themselves into military bodies within the US. or participate in acts of hostility by sea, where jurisdiction attaches to the person . The Constitution having authorised the legislature exclusively to declare whether the nation, from a state of peace, shall go into that of war, it rests with their wisdom to consider What is...
749Cabinet 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...
750From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President returns the inclosed. He will mention M. de la Fayette to Mr. Pinckney in a letter he is now about to write, to go by the William Penn on Thursday. The other paper was inserted in Brown’s paper of Friday, probably by the Governor. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Washington. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not...