From George Washington to the Cabinet, 17 February 1793
To the Cabinet
(Private)
Sir,United States [Philadelphia] Feby 17th 1793.
I transmit you a copy of a Letter from the Secretary of War to me, with the heads of instructions proposed to be given to the Commissioners who may be appointed to hold a Treaty with the Western Indians in the Spring.1
As I intend in a few days to call for the advice & opinion of the heads of the Departments on the points touched upon in the enclosed paper, I must request you will give it an attentive and serious consideration, and note such alterations, amendments or additions in writing as may appear to you proper to be introduced into the Instructions proposed to be given to the Commissioners.
I shall likewise request the opinion of the same Gentlemen upon the expediency of asking the advice of the Senate, before the end of their present Session, as to the propriety of instructing the Commissioners to recede from the present boundary, provided peace cannot be established with the Indians upon other terms. I therefore desire you will turn your attention to this matter also, in order that you may be able to give a deliberate opinion thereon, when the Gentlemen shall be called together.2
Go: Washington
LS, addressed to Hamilton, CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Papers; LS, addressed to Jefferson, DLC: Jefferson Papers; LB, DLC:GW. The letter-book copy indicates that this “Circular” letter was addressed to “The Secretary of State; The Secretary of the Treasury, and The Attorney General of the U.S.”
1. For Knox’s letter and the enclosed draft of instructions for the commissioners to be sent to Lower Sandusky, see Knox to GW, 16 Feb. 1793, and note 1.
2. GW and his cabinet discussed Knox’s draft and GW’s question at a meeting on 25 Feb. (Tobias Lear to Cabinet, 24 Feb., and Cabinet Opinion on a Proposed Treaty at Lower Sandusky, 25 Feb. 1793; 68).