Enclosure: [Questions in Preparation for a Meeting], 18 April 1793
[Enclosure]
| Question | I. | Shall a proclamation issue for the purpose of preventing interferences of the Citizens of the United States in the War between France & Great Britain &ca? Shall it contain a declaration of Neutrality or not? What shall it contain? |
| Questn. | II. | Shall a Minister from the Republic of France be received? |
| Questn. | III. | If received shall it be absolutely or with qualifications; and if with qualifications, of what kind? |
| Questn. | IV. | Are the United States obliged by good faith to consider the Treaties heretofore made with France as applying to the present situation of the parties.3 May they either renounce them, or hold them suspended ’till the Government of France shall be established? |
| Questn. | V. | If they have the right is it expedient to do either—and which? |
| Questn. | VI. | If they have an option—would it be a breach of Neutrality to consider the Treaties still in operation? |
| Questn. | VII. | If the Treaties are to be considered as now in operation is the Guarantee in the Treaty of Alliance4 applicable to a defensive war only, or to War either offensive or defensive? |
| Questn. | VIII. | Does the War in which France is engaged appear to be offensive or defensive on her part? or of a mixed & equivocal character? |
| Questn. | IX. | If of a mixed & equivocal character does the Guarantee in any event apply to such a War? |
| Questn. | X. | What is the effect of a Guarantee such as that to be found in the Treaty of Alliance between the United States and France? |
| Questn. | XI. | Does any article in either of the Treaties prevent Ships of War, other than Privateers, of the Powers opposed to France, from coming into the Ports of the United States to act as Convoys to their own Merchantmen?—or does it lay any other restraints upon them more than wd. apply to the Ships of War of France? |
| Questn. | XII. | Should the future Regent of France send a minister to the United States ought he to be received? |
| Questn. | XIII. | Is it necessary or advisable to ask together the two Houses of Congress with a view to the present posture of European Affairs? If it is, what should be the particular objects of such a call? |
Philada. April 18th. 1793.
Go: Washington
3. For a description of the provisions of the 1778 treaties of Alliance and Amity and Commerce with France which affected the diplomatic position of the United States in 1793, see H to John Jay, first letter of April 9, 1793, note 2.
4. This is a reference to Article 11 of the Treaty of Alliance, which guaranteed “the present Possessions of the Crown of france in America as well as those which it may acquire by the future Treaty of peace” (, 39).