1To George Washington from the Cabinet, 2 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your directions, we have consulted together on the subject of your letter of the 24th of June; and we are of opinion that a direct explanation should be asked of Mr Adet, the minister of the French Republic, in the terms of the inclosed draught of a letter to him, which, as you desired, will be sent without delay. We are also of opinion that the Executive has not the power, in the...
2Cabinet Opinion on Submission of Letters to Congress, 24 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state submits to the Secretaries of the treasury and war, whether the inclosed letters from Mr Pinckney or either of them shall be sent to congress. E.R. is of opinion, that the letter of the 28th of Jany, and not the other ought to be sent. I am [of] opinion that it is not adviseable to send either—That of the 28th of January contains no new substantive matter material to the...
3Cabinet Opinion on Funds for French Refugees, 22 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of advising the President of the U.S. to apply the remainder of the money, given by law to the indigent of St Domingo, resident here, to the furnishing of them with the means of going thither, it being known, that several vessels are now bound thither from different parts of the U.S. with passports, for the purpose of conveying them. DS (in Edmund Randolph’s...
4Enclosure: Cabinet Opinion on an Address from the Democratic Society of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 14 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The President wishes your opinion, as to the step, proper to be taken, upon the inclosed address. To send to congress, what the President thinks unfit for himself, will be unkindly received; being uncivil in itself. To acknowledge the body, as such, is in every view inadmissible. So that the question seems to turn upon this; whether it be better to treat the paper with unqualiffied and silent...
5Cabinet Opinion on Granting a Passport, 2 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
We are of the opinion, that a passport ought to be granted for a vessel under the above restrictions. I am inclined to think the vessel ought sail not only by the permission, but in consequence of the directions of the President. The same opinion. DS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. This opinion appears at the bottom of a letter from Philadelphia merchant Thomas FitzSimons to Edmund...
6Cabinet Opinion on the Conyngham and the Pilgrim, 27 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and Attorney general. March 27. 1794. The Secretary of War, the attorney general and the Secretary of State advise, that the Conyngham be not delivered up to the British owners; the secretary of the treasury dissenting. The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of war, and the attorney general advise, that the Pilgrim be delivered up to the British...
7Cabinet Opinion on Enforcing the Embargo, 26 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments, and the Attorney general of the U.S. at the President’s, on the twenty sixth day of march 1794. The resolution of congress, of this date, being submitted to them by the President, for their opinion as to the best Mode of executing the same; It is advised unanimously, that the governors of the several States ought to be called upon, to enforce the said...
8Cabinet Opinion on the Payment of the U.S. Debt to France, 11 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is advised unanimously, that Mr Fauchet be informed, that He shall be supplied with the instalments, due in September and November next, according to the manner, expressed in the report of the Secretary of the treasury to the President on this subject. It is proposed by the Secretary of the treasury and of war, and by the attorney general, that it be verbally stated to Mr Fauchet by the...
9Cabinet Opinion on Expeditions Against Spanish Territory, 10 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments, and the attorney general at the President’s on the 10th day of March 1794. The intelligence from Kentucky, and the territory no. west of the Ohio, was laid before them; whereupon it was advised 1. that a proclamation issue against the expeditions, understood to be prepared in Kentucky, for the invasion of the Spanish dominions. 2. that a representation...
10Cabinet Opinion on a Resolution of the U.S. Senate, 28 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments 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 safe, by excepting...
11Cabinet Opinion on a Letter to the King of Prussia, 14 January 1794 (Washington 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 on...
12Cabinet Opinion, 7 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & Attorney 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 U.S. or to the President of the U.S. but that one of these shoud be insisted on. A letter from James King was...
13Record of Cabinet Opinions, 22 November 1793 (Washington 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 provisorily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at a...
14Cabinet Opinion on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls & Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to mister Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to mister Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of mister Genet, were recd & approved. A letter from the Governr of Georgia to the Secy of...
15Henry Knox’s Report on Military Preparations, with Cabinet Opinion, 6 September 1793 (Washington 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...
16Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creek Indians, 31 August 1793 (Washington 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 mister Gore to mister 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...
17Cabinet Opinion on the Recall of Edmond Genet, 23 August 1793 (Washington 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 mister Genet’s correspondence & conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the U.S. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the U.S. & mister...
18Cabinet 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...
19Cabinet Opinion on the Rules of Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
August 3. 1793 The foregoing rules having been considered by us at several meetings, and being now unanimously approved, they are submitted to the President of the United States. DS , in George Taylor, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW ; copy (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC : Jefferson Papers; copy, DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–1795,...
20Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
That The Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the U. States as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of...
21Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels and Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the U.S., desirous of...
22Cabinet Opinion on the Little Sarah [Petite Démocrate], 8 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting at the State house of the city of Philadelphia July 8. 1793. Present the Secretary of state, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary at War. It appears that a brigantine called the Little Sarah has been fitted out at the port of Philadelphia, with fourteen cannon, & all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France, &...
23Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes dated June 18. & addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the U.S. with respect to the Southern Indians, & the Spaniards be prepared, and a notification as to the particular matters charged in...
24Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from mister Genet of the 15th inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped & manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was recd as also the draught of an answer prepared by...
25Cabinet Opinion on the Polly (Republican) and the Catherine, 12 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping & manning by French & other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be done, and they having...
26Cabinet Opinion on Sending an Agent to the Choctaws, 1–5 June 1793 (Washington 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...
27Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 1 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
On the letters & papers from Genl Williams & Colo. Smith. It is the opinion that the writers be informed that with respect to vessels armed & equipped in the ports of the U.S. before notice to the contrary was given, the President is taking measures for obliging them to depart from the ports of the U.S. and that all such equipments in future are forbidden: but that as to the prizes taken by...
28Cabinet Opinion on Georgia and the Creek Indians, 29 May 1793 (Washington 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...
29Cabinet Opinion on the Proposal of William Stephens Smith, 2 March 1793 (Washington 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. Ill & IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion what...
30Cabinet Opinion on the Administration of the Presidential Oath, 1 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
It is our opinion, My opinion given yesterday was founded on prudential considerations of the moment; though I think it right in the abstract to give publicity to the Act in question. If this is to be done on the present occasion, I see no objection to the above form. I am not, however, satisfied that prudential considerations are not equally ballanced. LS , DLC:GW ; copy, NNGL : Knox Papers....