1. The drafts have not been identified, but GW replied to Pickering on the same morning: “The enclosed draughts appear to me to be pertinent to the occasions which have given rise to them; and of course, in my judgment, are to be preferred to general forms. I would have you, however, look to the letter of credence from the French government to Mr Fauchet as somewhat analogous to the recall of Mr Monroe & also to the one given Mr Jay” (Transcript, MHi: Pickering Papers; Octavius Pickering certified this transcript as “A true copy” in 1866). For the letters of credence for Jean Antoine Joseph Fauchet and John Jay, see the Provisional Executive Council of France to GW, 15 Nov. 1793, and Notice of John Jay’s Powers as Envoy Extraordinary to Great Britain, 6 May 1794, source note.

GW signed a letter of credence to the Directory of the French Republic on this date: “Very, Dear Great Friends and Allies, Sincerely desirous to maintain that good understanding which from the commencement of their alliance, has subsisted between our two Nations; and to efface unfavourable impressions, banish suspicions and restore that cordiality, which was at once the evidence and pledge of a friendly Union; I have judged it expedient to appoint Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, one of our distinguished citizens, to reside near you, in the quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. He knows the friendship our Republic bears to yours, and our desire to strengthen and confirm it. From my knowledge of his abilities, prudence and integrity, I have entire confidence that he will be diligent and faithful to accomplish the objects of his mission, and render himself acceptable to you. I beseech you, therefore, to give full credence to whatever he shall say to you on the part of the United States, and especially when he shall assure you of their Friendship and Wishes for the Prosperity of the French Republic, which may God preserve” (ADS, ScC; copy, FrPMAE: Correspondence Politique, États Unis, vol. 46; copy, DNA: RG 59, entry 33). A letter addressed to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney on this date commissioned him as U.S. minister to France “to the end of the next session of the Senate and no longer” (LB, DNA: RG 59, entry 33).

In the letter of recall addressed to the Directory of the French Republic on this date, GW advised that it “appeared to me expedient to grant to James Monroe, our Minister Plenipotentiary with the French Republic, permission to return to the United States. He is accordingly charged to take his leave of You in a manner most suitable to the respect and friendship which the United States bear to your Nation” (LS, FrPMAE: Correspondence Politique, Etats Unis, vol. 46; LB, DNA: RG 59, entry 33).

Pickering also wrote Monroe on this date and enclosed a triplicate of his letter to Monroe written on 22 Aug. that explained the recall decision. Pickering additionally asked Monroe to give information to Pinckney on the claims of American merchants against France (see Papers of James Monroe, description begins Daniel Preston et al., eds. The Papers of James Monroe. 5 vols. to date. Westport, Conn., and Santa Barbara, Calif., 2003–. description ends 4:88–89; see also GW to Pickering, 10 Aug., and n.3).