1From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I doubt the expediency of specially convening The Congress at this time for the following reasons— The consti[tu]tion requires that an extraordinary occasion should exist as the basis of the exercise of the Power of the President to convene the Legislature. It is not perceived that any circumstance now exists which did not exist months ago of sufficient force to constitute an extraordinary...
2Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers and Prizes, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & 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 new order on the subject. The Polly or Republican, in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having...
3To George Washington from Joseph Gaston Chambers, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Some time since I had the honor of applying to the President of the United States on the subject of an improvment in fire arms which seemed capable of being converted to public advantage. The result of farther experiments being favourable to the opinion first formed and the occasion for Military operations still existing in our country I am induced to trouble him once more on the same. I wish...
4To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I doubt the expediency of specially convening the Congress at this time for the following reasons. The consti[tu]tion requires that an extraordinary occasion should exist as the basis of the exercise of the Power of the President to convene the Legislature. It is not perceived that any circumstance now exists which did not exist months ago of sufficient force to constitute an extraordinary...
5To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
It was on the 3d instant agreed between the heads of the departments and the Attorney General that each individual should submit his opinion to you in Writing upon the propriety of calling Congress together before the period at which they are to assemble. In the present state of things in this Country as well as in Europe an expectation of uncommon events has been generally excited. The...
6To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit the answer of General Pickens to your additional questions; and also a letter from Governor Blount relatively to a post at Bears Creek, and goods for the Trade of the Choctaws and Chickesaws. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your most obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For these two documents, see the enclosures below. GW received this cover...
7To George Washington from Heinrich Matthias Marcard, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Many reasons of public and private nature have excited in me a desire to change my situation by leaving my native Country, Germany, for the united states, if this could be done with a prospect of succeeding. The Greatness of Your Character, Sir, inspires me with a confidence which makes me forget the distance between me and a man so high in reputation and station, and to address You by these...
8To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Mr Randolph presents his respectful compliments to the President; and has the honor of inclosing to him the paper, on which he had committed his opinion, as to the calling of congress, and which he intended to have transcribed. But as he is now engaged in consultation with the heads of the departments, and is on the point of being called to the court, he begs the favor of the President to...
9Enclosure Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on Convening Congress, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
On the question, whether congress be now called, At a past day this question was agitated; and it was an unanimous opinion, that congress should not be then called. A revision of that opinion confirms me in its propriety. Some farther reasons therefore, amounting to what the constitution calls an “ extraordinary occasion ” must have occurred since; before if that opinion is to be relinquished....
10Cabinet 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...