1. The ordinary appropriation was $40,000. For the additional $20,000, see section 2 of “An Act making further provision for the expenses attending the intercourse of the United States with foreign nations; and to continue in force the act, intituled ‘An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations,’” delivered to GW on this date and approved on 30 May (1 Stat. description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends 487–88; see also Journal of the House, description begins The Journal of the House of Representatives: George Washington Administration 1789–1797. Edited by Martin P. Claussen. 9 vols. Wilmington, Del., 1977. description ends 8:455, 510; and Journal of the Senate, description begins The Journal of the Senate including The Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate: George Washington Administration 1789–1797. Edited by Martin P. Claussen. 9 vols. Wilmington, Del., 1977. description ends 8:289–90).

2. The enclosed “Estimate of the sums necessary for defraying the expenses of foreign intercourse, for the year 1796,” signed by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, estimated $36,000 for ministers plenipotentiary at Paris, London, Madrid, and Lisbon; $18,000 for outfits at the latter three cities; $5,400 for four secretaries; $5,600 for salaries of ministers returning home; $3,000 for contingent expenses of ministers; and $20,000 “Probable expenses of obtaining papers and prosecuting the claims of our citizens for spoliations on their Commerce.” Given the $60,000 appropriation and a deduction of $4,500 for the half-year difference between the salaries of two ministers plenipotentiary and two ministers resident, there remained a deficit of $23,500 (DNA: RG 46, entry 47).

To defray “the extraordinary expenses … for foreign intercourse,” section 3 of “An Act making further appropriations for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six,” approved on 1 June, appropriated “a sum not exceeding” $23,500 (1 Stat. description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends 493).