To George Washington from Henry Knox, 30 May 1794
From Henry Knox
War department May 30. 1794
Sir
The Committee of the Senate have called upon me for an opinion on the enclosed Bill.1
As it appears to be pregnant with considerable consequences I have the honour to submit it to your consideration and I beg leave to wait upon you to morrow morning in order to receive your sentiments thereon. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obed. Servant
H. Knox
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. Knox enclosed a printed copy of "An Act for the more effectual Protection of the South-Western Frontier Settlers" (DLC:GW). The act, which had passed the House of Representatives on 29 May, authorized GW to call out up to 10,000 militia if "thought necessary to carry on offensive operations against the Creek and Cherokee nations," authorized him to establish military posts "for the permanent security of the South Western frontier settlers," and authorized him to call out militia to repel any threatened Indian invasion. In the Senate on 30 May, the bill was referred to a committee consisting of Rufus King, James Jackson, John Rutherfurd, Richard Potts, and Oliver Ellsworth. On 31 May that committee reported against the bill. It subsequently was heavily amended by the Senate; and, with the House disagreeing to the amendments and the Senate standing their ground, the bill failed (U.S. House Journal, Washington Administration, 6:370, 418, 420-22, 425-26, 429-32; U.S. Senate Journal, Washington Administration, 6:161, 164-65, 178, 181-86, 191, 196).