To George Washington from James Innes, 8 April 1796
From James Innes
Richmond Virginia April 8th 1796
Dear Sir
I have the honor, this moment, to receive yr letter of the 4th of this month.
The government of the united States, which I voted for at its adoption,1 on principles of theory, has been progressively endeared to me by its administration, and practice—From this Consideration, I have been ever anxious to give to it Energy, and Efficacy, by every aid in my power—But at the present Crisis—I feel myself actuated by more than ordinary motives, to manifest my Zeal, that it may forever be executed with Independence, and firmness, on the true basis of its Constitution.
After a request, that you would accept my acknowledgement of the honor you have done me—by recommending me to the trust you mention, I do not hesitate to express my willingness to undertake it. That I may, as soon as possible disentangle myself from every Engagement either official, or professional, I take leave to request, that the Secretary of State will have the goodness to give me the most early Information of the period of time, at which I should hold myself in preparation to enter upon the functions of my new office.2 with Sentiments, of the most perfect respect, Esteem, and regard, I have the honor to be—yr most obt sert
Jas Innes
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Innes represented Williamsburg at the 1788 Virginia convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution.
2. Innes evidently had not yet received Secretary of State Timothy Pickering’s letter to him dated 6 April: “The President informs me that he has written to advise you of his having nominated you to be a Commissioner for the purpose of adjusting the claims of British Creditors, under the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation with Great Britain: and the nomination having been approved by the Senate, the President thinks it proper that you should be further informed of the actual State of this business.
“There is every reason to believe that the Government of Great Britain intended to carry the treaty into effect with perfect good faith: but the opposition to it manifested by many citizens of the United States, and their appeal to the House of Representatives to defeat it, cannot but have excited an apprehension in the British Government that such might be the event: We know, by direct official information, that the preliminary arrangements for the delivery of the Posts are suspended, at this moment, on account of the part taken in this affair by the House of Representatives, and that they will continue suspended until their decision shall be known.
“Under these circumstances, it is probable that the Commissioners who are to come from Great Britain will remain there until they shall be advised by the Minister here from that Country that the treaty is in a fair train of execution, by the concurrence of the House of Representatives in making the requisite provisions for that purpose. Hence it is not to be expected that the business of the Commission under the sixth article of the treaty can commence sooner than September or October next, and the pay of the Commissioners will in like manner be suspended.
“In this state of things, should you be inclined to accept the appointment of a Commissioner, it will be expedient to suspend the acceptance, seeing it would vacate the office you now hold under the Government of Virginia. The Commissions, which are made out, will consequently remain in this office, until it is certain that the treaty will be executed, and until the Commissioners on the part of Great Britain shall arrive. … P.S. Although you may think it proper to suspend your formal acceptance of the appointment, yet it will be desirable to know that you will accept it, at the time above referred to” (DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters). Innes, who served as attorney general for Virginia, experienced political and personal complications in accepting this appointment under the Jay Treaty (see his letter to GW, 17 Jan. 1797, DLC:GW).