351Enclosure IV: Edmund Randolph to George Hammond, 19 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored by your letter of yesterday’s date, acknowledging the receipt of the Rule adopted by the President of the United States, for regulating the sailing of the vessels of nations hostile to each other. It is true Sir, that on the 27th of February last, I received your letter of the 25th of the same month; in which you express yourself in general terms thus—"Particular...
352To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival at Baltimore, Colo. S. Smith gave me a very early and easy opportunity of conversing with him on the subject of his letter to Colo. Hamilton. He repeated the same alarm, as still existing in the breasts of the merchants; adding, however, a confidence in the executive, as being better qualified to judge, from a comprehensive view of our situation. My explanations were apparently...
353To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of reporting to the President of the United States upon the Laws of the present session of Congress, That the following are memoranda of all the Laws yet printed. 1. The alteration of the flag. 2. The relief of the Inhabitants of St Domingo—what remains to be executed is to obtain a credit with the French Republic; with which Mr Monroe will be charged. 3....
354To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 14 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of informing you the other day, that the House of Representatives would probably remit to my office the documents, which related to the vexations and spoliations on our trade; conceiving, that they were of a nature, purely executive. Yesterday the Senate, as if they meant to take up the subject in some shape or other, passed a vote, as I have heard, calling for an...
355To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of Reporting to the President, that of the fifty three Laws, passed during the late Session of Congress, the following only require his immediate attention. 1. The calling out of the Militia for the western service —This is understood to be done. 2. The Loan of two million of dollars —done. 3. Paying instalments of foreign debts —done. 4. The Algerine money...
356Enclosure Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on Convening Congress, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
On the question, whether congress be now called, At a past day this question was agitated; and it was an unanimous opinion, that congress should not be then called. A revision of that opinion confirms me in its propriety. Some farther reasons therefore, amounting to what the constitution calls an “ extraordinary occasion ” must have occurred since; before if that opinion is to be relinquished....
357To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of submitting to the President of the United States the following observations on the act, providing for the relief of such of the inhabitants of St Domingo, resident in the United States, as may be found in want of support. As soon as the act had passed, a letter (marked A) was written to the Representatives of the several states in Congress. Answers have...
358To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Among my first reflections upon the two letters, which you did me the honor of shewing to me yesterday and the day before, I could not forget, that they produced a degree of delicacy to myself. The authors of them are of the number of my friends; and one is closely connected with me by other considerations. However, I did not rest long upon any idea of this kind; being persuaded, that after my...
359To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
The two questions, which I had the honor of receiving from you on the 29th Ultimo, being preparatory to the measures, which appear to me most adviseable to be pursued, on the late treaty with Great Britain; I shall take the liberty of connecting the whole subject together. Had the senate advised and consented to a ratification in an unqualified manner, the President would have had nothing, but...
360To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
The attorney-general has the honor of reporting to the President, on the questions propounded for consideration, as follows: Altho’ the questions are separately stated; yet are they in general so interwoven in substance, that the discussion of one must frequently run into others. The proclamation has announced the neutrality of the U.S. With this almost every citizen is in unison; and the few,...
361Cabinet 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...
362Enclosure: Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank, 12 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General of the United States in obedience to the order of the President of the United States, has had under consideration the Bill, entitled ‘An Act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States,” and reports on it, in point of Constitutionality as follows: It must be acknowledged, that, if any part of the bill does either encounter the Constitution, or is not...
363IX, 28 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Heads of matter, to be communicated to congress, either in the speech, or by message, as collected from the notes of the President, and the other gentlemen. advised speech— I. The acknowledgment to the people, which the reelection of the President would naturally excite add—speech II. The proclamation do 1. Referring to the time, when it issued. do 2. Assigning the motives of it to be do ...
364Cabinet 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...
365Cabinet 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,...
366II, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Heads of subjects to be communicated to congress; some at the opening, others by messages. 1. The proclamation, and the reasons for issuing it, together with an observation on the French treaty. 2. The selling of prizes in our ports. 3. The engagement concerning compensation for vessels, captured under certain circumstances. 4. The propriety of vesting the fœderal courts with power to aid the...
367Enclosure: Draft for “A Proclamation By the President of the United States”, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the situation of public affairs requires, that the ensuing session of congress should not be postponed beyond the first monday in december next, being the day appointed by the constitution of the United States for the assembling thereof; and there is reason to doubt, whether the city of Philadelphia, the temporary seat of government, which for some time past hath laboured under a...
368IV, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
As soon as the European war had embraced those nations, with which the U.S. have an extensive commercial intercourse, there was reason to apprehend, that this intercourse might be interrupted, and our disposition for peace drawn into question, by the suspicions, usually entertained by belligerent powers. It seemed therefore to be my duty, to admonish my fellow-citizens, of the consequences of...
369Enclosure: Additional Considerations on the Bank Bill, 12 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
No.2 Feby 12th 1791. The attorney general, holding it to be his duty to address to the President of the United States, as the grounds of an official opinion, no arguments, the truth of which he does not acknowledge; has reserved for this paper several topic’s, which have more or less influenced the friends & enemies of the bank-bill; and which ought therefore to be communicated to the...
370Cabinet 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...
371Cabinet Opinion, 13 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments and the attorney General, at the house of the President, of the United States, the subject of affording an auxiliary force to Major General Wayne for the purpose of enabling him to make a vigorous and offensive campaign against the hostile Indians being considered, it is advised, that he be authorised, to call for two thousand mounted volunteers...
372Cabinet 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...