51Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Communicating to the Senate the Dispatches of Gouverneur Morris, [28 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments January 28, 1794. Upon consideration of the resolution of the Senate, of January 24, 1794, calling for the correspondences, therein mentioned: General Knox is of opinion, that no part of the correspondences should be sent to the Senate. Colo. Hamilton, that the correct mode of proceeding is to do, what General Knox advises; but that the principle is...
52Cabinet Meetings. Proposals Concerning the Conduct of the French Minister, [1–23 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments & the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. & 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of mr Genet’s correspondence & conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. & mr Genet,...
53Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the Proposed Treaty with the Indians Northwest of the Ohio, [25 February 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
54Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Writing to the King of Prussia Concerning the Marquis de Lafayette, [14 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s, on the fourteenth day of January 1794. It was propounded by the President, whether in consideration of the eminent services of M. de la Fayette, to the U. S. and his present sufferings, it be not adviseable for the President, in a private , and unofficial character, to address to the King of Prussia a letter, requesting his release...
55Cabinet Opinion on the American Debt to France, 2 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th. of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury, with sundry Papers No. I. II. III and IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion...
56Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet and James King, 7 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and Atty. Genl. at the President’s on the 7th. of Dec. 1793. Mr. Genet’s letter of Dec. 3. questioning the right of requiring the address of Consular commissions to the President was read. It is the opinion that the address may be either to the US. or to the President of the US. but that one of these shoud be insisted on. A letter from James King was...
57Cabinet Meeting. Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, [7 December 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & Atty genl. at the President’s on the 7th. of Dec. 1793. Mr. Genet’s ltre of Dec. 3. questioning the right of requiring the address of Consular commissions to the President was read. It is the opinion that the address may be either to the US. or to the President of the US. but that one of these should be insisted on. A letter from James King was read,...
58Cabinet Meetings. Opinions Concerning the Relations of the United States with Several European Countries, [1–22 November … (Hamilton Papers)
At sundry meetings of the heads of departments & attorney general from the 1st. to the 21st. of Nov. 1793. at the President’s several matters were agreed upon as stated in the following letters from the Secretary of state. to wit. Nov. 8. Circular letter to the representatives of France, Gr. Brit. Spain & the U. Netherlands, fixing provisonily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at a...
59Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on the Time, Place, and Manner of the President-Elect Taking the Oath of Office, [1 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It is our opinion, 1. that the President ought to take the oath in public. 2. that the time be on Monday next at 12 o’clock in the forenoon. 3. that the place be the Senate-chamber. 4. that the Marshal of the district inform the Vice-President, that the Senate-chamber, being the usual place of the president’s public acts, is supposed to be the best place for taking the oath; and that it is...
60Cabinet Opinions on Various Letters, [23 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
At sundry meetings of the heads of departments and Attorney General from the 1st. to the 21st. of Nov. 1793. at the President’s several matters were agreed upon as stated in the following letters from the Secretary of state. To wit: Nov. 8. Circular letter to the representatives of France, Gr. Brit. Spain and the U. Netherlands, fixing provisorily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at...
61IV. Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
1. Do the treaties between the US. and France give to France or her citizens a right , when at war with a power with whom the US. are at peace, to fit out originally in and from the ports of the US, vessels armed for war, with or without commission? 2. If they give such a right , does it extend to all manner of armed vessels, or to particular kinds only? If the latter, to what kinds does it...
62Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay and Rufus King, 27 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We have received your Letter of the 26th instant. We take to day to revise it and tomorrow or the day after we expect to hand it to some Printer for publication with our Certificate. We are with respect and esteem Your obedient servants John Jay } Esquires. Rufus King LS , in the handwriting of H, Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to...
63Rules on Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the United States by any of the belligerent parties, for military service offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful. 2. Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent parties in the ports of the United States, purely for the accommodation of them as such, is deemed lawful. 3. Equipments in the ports of the United...
64Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet, 23 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments and the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. and 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of Mr. Genet’s correspondence and conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. and...
65Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw, 1 [–5] June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavor secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws & Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
66Cabinet Opinions on Indian Affairs, [25 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
67Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creeks, 31 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments and Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from Mr. Gore to Mr. Lear dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston and furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process...
68Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Furnishing Three Million Livres Agreeably to the Request of the French Minister, [25 … (Hamilton Papers)
Feb. 25. 1793. The President desires the opinions of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney General on the following question, to wit. Mr. Ternant having applied for money equivalent to three millions of livres to be furnished on account of our debt to France at the request of the Executive of that country, which sum is to be laid out in provisions within the US. to be sent to...
69Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Proposals Made by William S. Smith Relative to the French Debt, [2 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury, with sundry Papers—No. I. II. III & IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion what...
70Cabinet 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...
71Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the French Consul at Boston, [31 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments & Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from mr Gore to mr Lear, dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston & furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process from...
72Cabinet Opinions on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw Indians, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavour secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws and Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
73Cabinet Opinion on the Creek Indians and Georgia, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States having assembled the heads of the respective departments and the attorney General, laid before them for their advice thereon, sundry communications from the Governor of Georgia, and others, relatively to the recent alarming depredations of the creek Indians upon the State of Georgia. Whereupon after the subject was maturely considered and discussed it was...
74Cabinet Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls and Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to Mr. Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to Mr. Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of Mr. Genet, were read and approved. A letter from the Governr. of Georgia to the Secy. of...
75Henry Knox’s Report on Defense, with Opinion by Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 6 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of War humbly reports to the President of the United States That the following measures appear necessary to be taken in order in some degree to place the United States in a situation to guard themselves from injury by any of the belligerent powers of Europe. 1st. To have all the small arms of the United States put in order for immediate use. 2dly. To have all the cannon in...
76Cabinet Opinion on Military Rations, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having considered the note of the President of the U.S. to General Knox, on the subject of increased rations; we are of opinion, that a proposition to congress at this time concerning such increase would be inexpedient, even if the question were more free from difficulty, than it is. But liable as it is to objections , the inexpediency of such a proposition now , acquires double force. MS (...
77To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you, a letter from Governor Telfair of the 20th of July, containing enclosures relative to the murder of a Creek Indian. The measures which he has taken to discover the murderer and his abettor and bring them to punishment, seem to be satisfactory and to preclude the necessity of any thing further being done on the part of the general government. As to the...
78To George Washington from Henry Knox, 7 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to you, the pleasing information of a treaty with the Wabash indians; and which appears to have been a general one. After you shall have perused them, they shall be copied, to be laid before the two houses. Mr Bradshaw says, there were upwards of seven hundred indians present —He came by the way of Kentucky, and says that he understood that about twenty people had...
79Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letter to the President of the U.S. from Major Gaither—dated 23d May 93. I am Dear Sir Your humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Another writer added the phrase containing the date of Henry Gaither’s letter to Knox. Gaither, writing from Fort Fidius in Georgia, reported that residents of the Georgia frontier were fleeing their homes in fear of an Indian...
80To John Adams from Henry Knox, 28 September 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 13th instant and I have the honor to enclose you a letter from the spanish Residents. Your Steward himself has recovered and also his children, but his Wife is dangerously ill Your house is not what it ought to be, either for your dignity or the rent. But it is the best to be obtained. With respectful Compliments / I am my dear Sir / With...
81To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I propose to send a duplicate of McGillivrays letter to Seagrove, and conform his instructions thereto. I submit you a motions of Colo. Guns. The division to day was 15 for inserting the additional regiments to 13 against it. Colo. Burr, voted for it under some restrictions. The bill is recommitted to Mr Elsworth Mr Read[,] Hawkins, Mr Burr, and Mr Gun. The object of the amendment is not...
82Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 15 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Be so good as to submit to the President of the United States the letter of Genl Chapin, with the accompanying speeches of the cheifs of the six nations at Buffaloe Creek on the 7th ultimo. Yours ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In his letter to Knox of 25 Feb., written at Canandaigua, N.Y., Israel Chapin wrote: “Inclosed are the proceedings of a Council holden at Buffaloe Creek, the 7th of this...
83To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you, enclosed, the copy of another letter just received from Colonel Pickering, dated the 8th instant. I am, with the highest respect, Sir, Your most obt Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW .
84Enclosure: Report, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War, having in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States, received the communication of the Cherokee Chiefs, at present in Philadelphia respectfully Reports—That the communications and opinions of the said Cherokees, are contained in the papers hereunto annexed, as translated by James Carey, interpreter, and confirmed by George Miller, a young Indian who...
85To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a representation received from the Cornplanter. The fact of murdering the friendly indians by Capt. Samuel Brady, formerly of the Pensylvania Line, is mentioned in several letters from Fort Pitt, and that the people along the upper parts of the ohio are exceedingly alarmed on that account. The enclosed from Colo. Neville to General Butler, and from Major Craig to...
86To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to submit to your view a loose sketch of the general ideas which have occurred to me on the subject of instructions to the Commission[er]s. If any part of them should meet your approbation, they could, together with such additions as you may judge proper be drawn up in form. I will wait on you tomorrow to receive your further orders on this subject. I am Sir respectfully and...
87To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to you a letter from the Governor of Georgia dated the 5 instant with the deposition of Owen Bowen relatively to the murder of eight white persons. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your most obed. servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On 24 Dec. 1792 Bartholomew Dandridge, at GW’s direction, wrote John Stagg, Jr., chief clerk of the War Department, that...
88To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit a letter of the 9th Instant from General Chapin, just received by express, and enclosing a Copy of the proceedings at Buffaloe Creek on the 4th Instant. The Secretary of State Attorney General and myself met this morning upon this business, and the Secretary of State was to draft a letter to the Governor conformably to our opinion, to be submitted for your correction...
89To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 17 Mar. 1792. Communicates a letter from Gen. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney that Ralph Izard had just delivered to the War Department. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, who had been brevetted a brigadier general at the close of the Revolutionary War, has not been identified.
90To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration the copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury enclosing a letter from Mr Habersham Collector of Savannah in Georgia, and an Agent for the Treasury department in that State, relatively to the supply of Rations there on account of the United States. As the number of Militia in Georgia have very far exceeded the number permitted by you on...
91To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Knox, [14 November 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 14, 1792. On November 14, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Knox and referred to “your letter of this day.” Letter not found. ] PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). , XIII, 117–18.
92To George Washington from Henry Knox, 20 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your consideration a letter to Andrew Moore Esq. upon the appointment of some Ensigns in the Rifle Companies raising in the South Western parts of Virginia, and also a conditional appointment to Richard Chandler as an Ensign. This Gentleman is well recommended to Mr Jefferson, and also in a letter from Captain Ballard Smith to me—He is stated to Mr Jefferson as a...
93To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I submit to your consideration a draft of a letter to Major General Wayne—and also his letters to which the said draft is intended as an answer. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your obed. humble servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For Knox’s previous submission of Anthony Wayne’s letters of 20 June, 2 July, and 10 July, with their several enclosures, see Knox to GW, 9 Aug. 1793 ,...
94To John Adams from Henry Knox, 15 November 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit to the honorable the Senate, by order of the President of the United States, an extract of a letter from James Seagrove Esq, temporary agent to the Creek Nation, dated the 28th ultimo, containing further information relative to Indian affairs in the Southern department. I have the honor to be, sir, with perfect respect, your most obedient servant, Printed...
95To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Most of the principal Chiefs of the Wabash Indians who visited this City having died with the smallpox, it would have been improper & nugatory to have attempted with the remainder any explanation of the fourth article of the treaty of Post Vincennes the 7th day of Septr 1792. It was presumed that at the intended treaty to be held with the North Western Indians that the Wabash tribes would have...
96Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letter of General Wayne —Two month’s pay will go as soon as the Bank can prepare the notes. The further pay must depend upon the settlement of accounts, or the payments will get into great disorder—As general Wayne has again sent for the cornplanter, the question is shall Col. Procter go upon that business? Please to return the papers after the President shall...
97To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit the inclosed list of names, which have occurred to me as most suitable as Commissioners for the proposed treaty. I am sir With perfect respect and attachment Your humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed list contained the names of potential commissioners for a proposed council at Lower Sandusky with the hostile Indians of the Northwest Territory (see...
98To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor with great diffidence to submit hints of points in the War department which appear necessary to be mentioned to the Legislature at their approaching session. Arsenals are exceedingly wanted in the middle and southern states for the well ordering of the military stores—But as this is a ticklish subject it is omitted for the present. I have also the honor to submit a letter from...
99To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I write this Letter with the hopes of its meeting you at Mount-Vernon in good health, after your long and fatiguing journey. By information from Fort Pitt of the 9th Inst., the tranquility of the frontiers is very great. About Eight hundred of the troops have arrived at Fort Pitt, from the 16th of May to the 5th instant—Major General Butler had distributed these troops in such a manner, as to...
100To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
On the 13th I received a letter from General Wayne dated the 8th ultimo. He acknowledges to have received mine of the 20th of July, written in consequence of an express from the Commissioners forbidding him from encreasing his force at the head of the line. He complains of these orders and says that “our greatest difficulty will result from the want of timely supplies of provisions at the head...