From George Washington to John Page, 30 January 1796
To John Page
Saturday 30th Jan: 1796
Dear Sir
Retaining but an imperfect recollection of the facts that influenced the decision on Mr Guenets petition, I desired the Secretary of State to make particular enquiry into the nature of his case (of the district Judge & others) & report specially to me on the occasion.
Enclosed is the result,1 which I give you the perusal of as a proof of his want of candour, and that every favor consistent with the Laws and the nature of his offence, had been shewn to him; in consideration of his circumstances, by the Court: As also the necessity for example: for indeed you, nor no other, not in the Administration of the government, can form any idea of the plague & vexation it has received from the conduct of these kind of people, & the complaints which have proceeded from them, from one or other, of the Representatives of the Belligerent Powers. When you have read the Enclosed Report, be so good as to return it to Dear Sir Your Obedt Servt2
Go: Washington
ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection. Page later wrote on this letter the following commentary: “Guenet was in the great Jail of Philada where he said he was unjustly confined by the federal Court on a charge of assisting in fitting out & arming a french Ship in the Port of Philada, & was also fined beyond his Ability to pay, & I had at his request laid his Petition & Statement of his Case before the President. on which he wrote the letter above. The Report of the Secretary (Pickering) was such as rendered further interference improper. The Presidt’s Condescention & ready attention to the frenchman’s Case, I thankfully acknowledged & applauded without Flattery.”
1. For the enclosed report, see Timothy Pickering to GW, 29 January.
2. Page replied to GW on this date: “I have this Moment received your Letter inclosing the Secretary of State’s Report to you respecting the Case of Mr Guenet, which is returned according to your Desire. Accept Sir, my best thanks for the Honor you have done me by paying so much Attention to my Application in behalf of Guenet—& be assured that I should be unhappy at the Thoughts of having given you so unnecessarily so much Trouble (being perfectly satisfied with the Statement & Sentiments of the Secretary of State) had I not the Consolation of knowing, that you will attribute the Application I made, to its proper Motive; & that I can now, silence any Complaints which I may hear respecting the supposed rigorous Treatment of Guenet: for I can do this, without Referrence to the private Communication which you have condescended to make, as the District Judge had convinced me that he had experienced Lenity instead of Rigor” (ALS, DLC:GW).