From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1792
To Thomas Jefferson
Private
Dear Sir[Philadelphia] Decr 31st 1792
I do not recollect perfectly what your sentiments were respecting the application of Mr De la Forest—and being to give an answer to the Secretary of the Treasury on this occasion I should be glad to receive them previously thereto.1
The difficulty of the case you well know arises from the unauthorised request, and the hazard of advancing monies without it. I am Yours sincerely
Go: Washington
ALS, DLC: Jefferson Papers; ADf, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW. Jefferson docketed the ALS: “recd Dec. 31. 92.”
1. French diplomat Antoine-René-Charles-Mathurin de La Forest had requested that the United States apply part of its Revolutionary War debt payments to the salaries of the French consuls in the United States. For background on La Forest’s request and for the eventual resolution of this issue in favor of the French consuls, see Hamilton to GW, 29 Dec., and notes, and GW to Hamilton, 1 Jan. 1793, and notes. For Jefferson’s approval of La Forest’s suggestion, see his letter to GW of 1 Jan. 1793.