301To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
In order to enable you to lay before Congress the account required by law of the application of the monies appropriated to foreign purposes through the Agency of the Department of State, I have now the honor to transmit you the two statements No. 1. & 2. herein enclosed, comprehending the period of Two Years preceding the 1st day of July last. The first statement is of the sums paid from the...
302To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that mr Madison has just delivered to him the result of his reflections on the question How shall communications from the several states to Congress through the channel of the President be made ? “he thinks that in no case would it be proper to go by way of letter from the Secretary of state: that they should be delivered to the houses either...
303To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have duly considered the letter you were pleased to refer to me, of the 18th of August from his Excellency Governor [Charles] Pinckney to yourself, together with the draught of one proposed to be written by him to the Governor of Florida claiming the redelivery of certain fugitives from justice who have been received in that Country. The inconveniencies of such a receptacle for debtors and...
304To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have determined to make the subject of a letter, what, for some time past, has been a subject of inquietude to my mind without having found a good occasion of disburthening itself to you in conversation, during the busy scenes which occupied you here. perhaps too you may be able, in your present situation, or on the road, to give it more time & reflection than you could do here at any...
305Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In conversations with mister Carrol, mister Stoddard and mister Dickens they were properly impressed with the idea that if the present occasion of securing the Federal seat on the Patowmack should be lost, it could never more be regained, that it would be dangerous to rely on any aids from Congress, or the assemblies of Virginia or Maryland, & that therefore measures should be adopted to carry...
306To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of Apr. 24. and received at the same time mister Bertrand’s agricultural Prospectus. tho’ he mentions my having seen him at a particular place yet I remember nothing of it. and observing that he intimates an application for lands in America, I conceive his letter meant for me as Secretary of state, & therefore I now send it to the Secretary of state. he has given...
307To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournments of Congress may be by law, as well as by resolution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject & will have the honor of laying it before you by ten aclock. the address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill on...
308To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In the course of the visit we made the day we left Mount Vernon, we drew our host into conversation on the subject of the federal seat. he came into it with a shyness not usual in him. whether this proceeded from his delicacy as having property adjoining George town, or from what other motive I cannot say. he quitted the subject always as soon as he could. he said enough however to shew his...
309To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 24th Ult. which I presume you will have recieved at Cambden. the present is ordered to go from Petersburg to Taylor’s ferry. I think it better my letters should be even some days ahead of you, knowing that if they ever get into your rear they will never overtake you. I write to day indeed merely as the watchman cries, to prove himself awake, & that all...
310To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have given you the trouble of more reading on the subject of Major Lenfant’s letter, than you perhaps intended. I have done it from an apprehension that your mind might not be thoroughly satisfied whether he was not equally justifiable in the demolition of mister Carrol’s house, as in the demolition of trees & other obstacles, which he urges in his own justification. the truth is that...
311To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I should have taken time ere this to have considered the observations of mister Young, could I at this place have done it in such a way as would satisfy either him or myself. when I wrote the notes of the last year, I had never before thought of calculating what were the profits of a capital invested in Virginia agriculture. yet that appeared to be what mister Young most desired. lest...
312Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Report on Morocco and Algiers, 14 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having duly examined into the Papers and documents of his Office relative to the negotiations proposed to be undertaken with the Governments of Morocco and Algiers, makes thereupon to the President of the United States, the following Report. The Reports which he made on the 28th of Decemr 1790, on the trade of the United States in the Mediterranean to the House of...
313Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
That The Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the U. States as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of...
314Enclosure: Jefferson’s Opinion of American Conduct in an Anglo-Spanish War, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Heads of consideration on the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain & Gr. Britain and particularly should the latter attempt the conquest of Louisiana & the Floridas. The dangers to us, should Great Britain possess herself of those countries. she will possess a territory equal to half ours, beyond the Missisipi she will seduce that half of ours which is on this side the Missisipi...
315Minutes of a Cabinet Meeting, 19 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of Departments & the attorney General, at the President’s april 19th 1793. to consider the foregoing questions proposed by the President: it was agreed by all on Quest. I—(to wit, “shall a proclamation issue” &ca) that a Proclamation shall issue forbidding our Citizens to take part in any hostilities on the seas with or against any of the belligerent Powers; & warning...
316VII, 22 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Notes Text cases where individuals (as Henfield &c.) organize themselves into military bodies within the U.S. or participate in acts of hostility by sea, where jurisdiction attaches to the person . What is the present legal mode of restraint? binding to the good behavior? military restraint? or what? or can the act only be punished after it is committed? The Constitution having...
317Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels and Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the U.S., desirous of...
318Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creek Indians, 31 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments & Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st day of Aug. 1793. A letter from mister Gore to mister Lear, dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston & furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by...
319Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes dated June 18. & addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the U.S. with respect to the Southern Indians, & the Spaniards be prepared, and a notification as to the particular matters charged in...
320Cabinet Opinion on the Rules of Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
August 3. 1793 The foregoing rules having been considered by us at several meetings, and being now unanimously approved, they are submitted to the President of the United States. DS , in George Taylor, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW ; copy (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC : Jefferson Papers; copy, DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–1795,...
321Enclosure Questions for the Supreme Court, 18 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
1. Do the treaties between the U.S. & France give to France or her citizens a right , when at war with a power with whom the U.S. are at peace, to fit out originally in & from the ports of the U.S., vessels armed for war, with or without commission? 2. If they give such a right , does it extend to all manner of armed vessels, or to particular kinds only? if the latter, to what kinds does it...
322Commission, 22 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Skill, and Diligence of Thomas Johnson and Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and David Stuart of Virginia, I do . . ., in Pursuance of the Powers vested in me by the Act intituled “An Act for establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States,” hereby appoint them the said Thomas Johnson, Daniel...
323Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers and Prizes, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & the Attorney general at the Secretary of state’s office Aug. 5. 1793. The case of the Swallow letter of marque at New York, desired to be sent out of our ports, as being a privateer. it is the opinion that there is no ground to make any new order on the subject. The Polly or Republican, in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having...
324Cabinet Opinion on the Little Sarah [Petite Démocrate], 8 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting at the State house of the city of Philadelphia July 8. 1793. Present the Secretary of state, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary at War. It appears that a brigantine called the Little Sarah has been fitted out at the port of Philadelphia, with fourteen cannon, & all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France, &...
325Jefferson’s Conversation with Washington, 10 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
My lettre of to the President, directed to him at Mt Vernon, had not found him there, but came to him here. He told me of this & that he would take an occasion of speaking with me on the subject. he did so this day. he began by observing that he had put it off from day to day because the subject was painful, to wit his remaining in office which that letter sollicited. he said that the...
326Cabinet Opinion on the Recall of Edmond Genet, 23 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments & the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st & 2d of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of mister Genet’s correspondence & conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the U.S. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the U.S. & mister...
327Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from mister Genet of the 15th inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped & manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was recd as also the draught of an answer prepared by...
328II: Draft of a Message to the United States Senate, c.3–4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your house has been pleased to communicate to me their resolutions, purporting a decision by them that it is expedient &c. from whence an implication arises that in their opinion they might have decided that no such appointments were expedient. After mature consideration & consultation, I am of opinion that the constitution has made the President the sole competent judge to what places...
329Cabinet Opinion on Sending an Agent to the Choctaws, 1–5 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavor secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws & Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
330Cabinet Opinion on the Polly (Republican) and the Catherine, 12 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping & manning by French & other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be done, and they having...