To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 April 1794
From Edmund Randolph
Philadelphia April 28. 1794
Sir
With the change of the word “embassy,” which is a technical term for a particular diplomatic order, for “mission,” which is a general one; I cannot see the possible necessity for another alteration in the letter to Mr L—g—n.1
I sincerely believe, that Mr P——y would be agreeable to France; tho’ not so agreeable as Mr L——n. The arrangement of Mr J—y, as resident in London, might be a fortunate circumstance, if he would assent to it. But I doubt this; because he has eye immediately on the government of N.Y.—and ultimately on the Presidency. Besides his present office is an abundance for his wants, and he can educate his children in their own country; which of itself is an immensity. However, if he could be consulted, without Mr L——n knowing it, I still repeat, that it would be a fortunate circumstance, should he remove the objection, which has been made to his nomination as envoy.2 I have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.
Edm: Randolph
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. In his second letter to GW of 27 April, Randolph submitted a draft for GW’s letter to Robert R. Livingston of 29 April, in which GW offered Livingston the post of U.S. minister plenipotentiary to France.
2. Thomas Pinckney was presently the U.S. minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain. John Jay was the current chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He served as governor of New York State from 1795 until 1801. Although GW nominated Jay as an envoy extraordinary to Great Britain in his first letter to the U.S. Senate of 16 April, the nomination was not approved until 19 April (, 150–52). For the offer of the British ministerial position to Jay, see GW to Jay, 29 April.