71To George Washington from Charles Lee, 30 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 19th to which I take the earliest opportunity of answering. In expressing my willingness to accept the office of Attorney General of the United States, I do it with the utmost diffidence of my competency and can only assure you I will endeavour to discharge its important duties with diligence and fidelity. I had been arranging for a retired life, but...
72To George Washington from Charles Lee, 18 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Upon the Petition of Robert Randall the Attorney General reports most respectfully to the President of the United States That to attempt to corrupt the intergrity of a member of the legislature in his legislative functions, by offering to him a bribe in money, land or other valuable commodity is an offence indictable at common law and most properly cognisable in a court of justice. It is a...
73To George Washington from Charles Lee, 20 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have very little doubt, that Mr John Marshall would not act as a commissioner under the treaty with Great Britain for deciding on the claims of creditors. I have been long acquainted with his private affairs and I think it almost impossible for him to undertake that office. If he would, I know not any objection that subsists against him—1st He is not a debtor, 2d He cannot be benefitted or...
74To George Washington from Charles Lee, 26 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
It is my opinion that the house of representatives have not a right by the constitution to demand and obtain the papers described in their resolution of the 24th instant without the consent of the President. I am not acquainted with those papers, but supposing they contain nothing which may not be disclosed to the public I think it will be expedient under the circumstances of this particular...
75To George Washington from Charles Lee, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have examined with care the journals of the house of representatives and I have not met with any act of your administration which contradicts your present opinion relative to the right of that house to participate in making treaties, or any other part of your intended message. Col. Pickering was desired to express this as my opinion, and least he should omit it I have thought it necessary to...
76To George Washington from Charles Lee, 18 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have conversed with Mr Rawle on the petition of Daniel Hamilton for a pardon of his offence and on the petition of Daniel Leet and others for a general pardon of all those concerned in the late western insurrection to whom the clemency of government has not yet been extended. We concur in opinion that so long as any offender keeps himself out of the power of that court to which he is...
77To George Washington from Charles Lee, 22 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
There is reason to believe unless the Congress during their present Session shall make some addition to the fees or emoluments now allowed to the Attornies of the United States in the several Districts, that some of the most useful of those Officers will resign and their vacancies I fear it will be found impossible to fill with fit persons. None but eminent Counsel ought to be called to those...
78To John Adams from Charles Lee, 26 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to Congress a report in pursuance of their resolution of the 3d of March, 1795, respecting the title to the land situate in the south western parts of the United States, claimed by certain companies in that resolution described under a law of the state of Georgia, passed the 7th day of January in the year 1794. It is accompanied with all the charters, treaties, and...
79To George Washington from Charles Lee, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have been reflecting on the train of measures to be pursued respecting the western posts which yesterday seemed to meet your approbation. The subject was new to me then, and therefore I hope you will excuse me for presenting to your better judgment the result of mine on the letter proposed to be written to Lord Dorchester. That part of it which is to express an acquiescence on your part in...
80To George Washington from Charles Lee, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General having considered the information contained in Mr Wolcott’s note of the 19th instant most respectfully reports. That it affords reasonable ground to believe that the Republic of France has serious expectations to obtain from the King of Spain all or a part of his territories on the continent of North America, and contemplating a separation in government of the Western from...