Thomas Jefferson Papers

Notes on the Reception of Edmond Charles Genet, 30 March 1793

Notes on the Reception of Edmond Charles Genet

Mar. 30.1 93. At our meeting at the Presid’s Feb. 25. in discussing the question whether we should furnish to France the 3,000,000. ₶ desired, Hamilton in speaking on the subject used this expression ‘when Mr. Genet arrives, whether we shall recieve him or not, will then be a question for discussion.’ Which expression I did not recollect till E.R. reminded me of it a few days after. Therefore on the 20th. inst. as the Presidt. was shortly to set out for M. Vernon, I observed to him that as Genest might arrive in his absence, I wished to know before hand how I should treat him, whether as a person who would or would not be received? He said he could see no ground of doubt but that he ought to be received. On the 24th.2 he asked E.R.’s opinion on the subject; saying he had consulted Colo. Hamilton thereon who went into lengthy considerations of doubt and difficulty, and viewing it as a very unfortunate thing that the Presidt. should have the decision of so critical a point forced on him, but in conclusion said, since he was brought into that situation he did not see but that he must receive Mr. Genest. E.R. told the Presidt. he was clear he should be received and the Presidt. said he had never had any doubt on the subject in his mind.—Afterwards on the same day he spoke to me again on it, and said Mr. Genest should unquestionably be received, but he thought not with too much warmth or cordiality, so only as be satisfactory to him.—I wondered at first at this restriction; but when E.R. afterwards communicated to me his conversation of the 24th. I became satisfied it was a small sacrifice to the opinion of Hamilton.

MS (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand; written with “Anas” entry for 31 Mch. 1793 on the other side of a sheet bearing “Anas” entries for 2, 23, and 25 Mch. 1793. Entry in SJPL: “[Notes] on the opns as to the reception of Genet.” Included in the “Anas.”

1Second digit reworked, possibly from “1.”

2Reworked from “23d.”

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