George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-19-02-0489

From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 25 March 1796

To the United States Senate and House of Representatives

United States March 25. 1796

Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives

I send herewith, for your information, the translation of a letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Secretary of State, announcing the peace made by the Republic with the Kings of Prussia and Spain, the Grand Duke of Tuscany and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel; and that the Republican Constitution decreed by the National Convention, had been accepted by the people of France, and was in operation.1 I also send you a copy of the answer given by my direction to this communication from the French Minister.2 My sentiments therein expressed, I am persuaded will harmonize with yours and with those of all my fellow citizens.

Go: Washington

LS, DNA: RG 46, entry 47; copy, DNA, RG 233, entry 28, Journals; copy, DLC:GW.

1This sentence accurately summarizes Pierre-Auguste Adet’s letter to Timothy Pickering of 11 March (DNA: RG 46, entry 47).

2Pickering responded to Adet on 14 March: “I have laid before the President of the United States, the letter with which you honored me on the 11th instant: and I am directed to assure you of the high and sincere satisfaction he derives from the information you were charged by the Committee of Public Safety to communicate, That peace had been made between the French Republic and the King’s of Prussia and Spain, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel. With equal satisfaction the President receives the further information which you have been pleased to give, that the Republican Constitution decreed by the national Convention has been accepted by the french people, and that the constitutional Government is in operation” (DNA: RG 46, entry 47).

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