721To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 12 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I clearly understood you on Saturday. And, of what I conceive to be two evils, must prefer the least—that is—to dispense with your temporary absence in Autumn (in order to retain you in Office ’till January) rather than part with you altogether at the close of September. It would be an ardent wish of mine, that your continuance in Office (even at the expence of some sacrifice of inclination)...
722To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President returns to the Secretary of State, with his approbation, the Answer to Mr. Hammond’s Memorial—and the letter to M. Morris which have been submitted to him—and hopes the documents mentioned to be sent to Mr. Morris will be as full as they can be with propriety. The President also suggests the expediency of sending copies of the same to Mr. Pinckney by Majr. Jackson, or some other...
723III. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, [5 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury left the enclosed to day (without my seeing him) and is to call to morrow morning to know how it is approved, or what alterations to make. Whether to assign, or not to assign reasons for non-complying with the French Ministers proposals is one question—and the footing on which to decline doing it another. I wish you to consider these and if it is not convenient...
724IX. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President sends to the Secretary of State the enclosed copy of a Report made by the Secretary of the Treasury to him—relative to the Debts of the United States to France, in order that it may be communicated to the Minister of the Republic of France. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; address almost entirely torn away; endorsed by TJ as received 10 June 1793. Entry in SJPL :...
725George Washington to the Cabinet, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Fresh occurrences, but communicated through private channels, make it indispensable that the general principles which have already been the Subject of discussion, should be fixed and made known for the government of all concerned as soon as they can be, with propriety. To fix rules on substantial and impartial ground, conformably to treaties and the Laws of Nations, is extremely desirable. The...
726To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find by the enclosed letter from the Commissioners that Mr. Hallet reports unfavorably of Doctor Thornton’s Plan “on the great points of practicability, time and expence”: And that I am referred “to Mr. Blodget, Hoben and Hallet, whose verbal information will be better than any we can give you”—on which to form ultimate Instructions. Mr. Blodget I met at Baltimore in the moment I was...
727To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
To call upon Mr. Hammond without further delay for the result of the reference to his Court concerning the surrender of the Western Posts—or to await the decision of the trial at Richmond on the subject of British debts before it be done, is a question on which my mind has been divided for sometime. If your own judgment is not clear in favor of one, or the other, it is my desire, as the heads...
728To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 3 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President Sends to the Secretary of State the enclosed letter from Mr. Chiappe, which has been forwarded by Mr. Simpson at Gibralter. If, upon translating this letter, there should be found in it any thing important to be communicated to the President—the Secretary will do it when the President arrives in Philadelphia. The President proposes to set out from this place on sunday next. RC (...
729To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 16 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I should be glad if you would give the enclosed a perusal, and let me know if you think the reasons there given are sufficient to authorise the additional Loan of 3,000,000 of florins applied for by the Secretary of the Treasury in a letter which you have seen. The answers contained in the Report, shew the points on which I required information from him. In addition to the motives assigned in...
730George Washington to the Cabinet, 29 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It will not be amiss, I conceive, at the meeting you are about to have to day, to reconsider the expediency of directing the Custom house Officers to be attentive to the Arming or equipping Vessels—either for offensive or defensive War in the several Ports to which they belong—and make Report thereof to the Governor, or some other proper Officer. Unless this, or some other effectual mode is...
731To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 11 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States sends to the Secretary of State a letter and enclosures which he has just received from the Governor of New York, respecting the detention of an Armed vessel which was about to sail from New York, supposed to be commissioned as a privateer by one of the European belligerent Powers. The President wishes the Secretary of State to lay these documents before the...
732To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President requests that the Secretary of State will have the enclosed letter from the Governor of So. Carolina taken into consideration, with the other matters which are to be weighed. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May 1793. Recorded in SJPL . Enclosure: William Moultrie to Washington, 26 Apr. 1793, expressing hope that the President would approve...
733To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 22 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the U. States requests the attendance of the Secretary of State at his House tomorrow morning at Nine o’Clock. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr.; endorsed by TJ as received 22 July 1793. Recorded in SJPL .
734To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 11 June [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President returns Mr. Hammond’s memorial and the deposition accompanying it—and desires that they may be laid before the Heads of the Departments tomorrow with the communications from Governor Clinton. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; partially dated; addressed: “The Secret[…].” Recorded in SJPL . For enclosures, see enclosures listed at TJ to Washington, 11 June 1793 .
735To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 20 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I leave it to you, and the heads of the other two Departments to say what, or whether any answer should be given to the B. Minister’s letter of the 19th. It would seem as if neither he, nor the Spanish Commissioners were to be satisfied with any thing this Government can do. But on the contrary, are resolved to drive matters to extremity. Yours I send the enclosed to be signed. RC ( DLC );...
736To Thomas Jefferson from J. Wheatcroft, 6 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My last packet of papers Address’d to you was so unlucky as to be left behind, I have forwarded those with the remainder of the series to the present time, if you have not the leisure some of your Friends may like to go over the transactions of France for the last 6 months, a Faction of dissorginators have now got the lead with us but it is hoped the reign will not be long. I am wth sincere...
737Petition from Eli Whitney, 20 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
To the Honourable Thomas Jefferson Esquire Secretary of State for the United States of America: The Petition of Eli Whitney of the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, humbly sheweth: That having invented a Machine for the Purpose of ginning Cotton, he is desirous of obtaining an exclusive Property in the same. Concerning which invention, your Petitioner alledges as follows...
738To Thomas Jefferson from Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 15 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Confirming what We had the honor to write you the 1 Ulto. with the Account Current of the Department of State up to 30 June, We have now the pleasure to advise you, the Acceptance of £3000. Draft of Willing Morris & Swanwick on John & Francis Baring Cy. of London, 400. Ditto of Walter Stewart on Joseph Birch of Liverpool. £3400. Which had been noted on their first presentation for...
739To Thomas Jefferson from Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 10 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The extreme uncertainty of the effects the present War in Europe may have upon the tranquillity and prosperity of this Country, and the fears We entertain on the subject, induce us to wish to become Citizens of the United States, so as at all events, to secure to ourselves under your Government, the invaluable priviledges of true Liberty and protection of property: And We are the more eager to...
740To Thomas Jefferson from Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 20 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We have your respected favor of 19 March remitting us Hd. Cy. ƒ99.000. in a Bill drawn by the Treasury of the United States to your order on ourselves, which we shall credit to an account with the Secretary of the united States of America, That will in future be charged with the drafts of Mr. Short, Mr. Carmichael, Col: Humphreys, and Mr. Dumas for their salaries and allowances. We shall await...
741To Thomas Jefferson from Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 1 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since our last Respects of 4 April, We are honored with your esteemed favors of 20 March and 12 April through Thos. Pinckney Esqr. who advised us to have received from you bills of Exchange to the amount of £4000. Stg. of which £3,000. Dft of Willing Morris & Swanwick on John & Francis Baring & Co. of London has been protested for non acceptance, but hope has been given it will be paid. 400....
742To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor of enclosing you the Copy of a Letter Just Received by express, from the Mayor of the Borough of Norfolk, with the Proceedings of the Court of Aldermen On the Subject of it. To Afford a Temporary Relief to the Distressed emigrants, the Executive have Directed two thousand Dollars to be immediately Advanced, which is to be Applied Agreeably to the direction of the...
743To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 29 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter just received from Colonel Newton Commandant of the Norfolk Militia, the Executive are notified of the Arrival in Hampton Road, of a British ship of 74 Guns, with her Prize the Sans Culotte. The enclosed is a Copy of Colonel Newton’s letter and an Application from the British-Consul, that the ship be permitted to Water and take in Provisions. The Board have declined giving any...
744To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 10 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor of enclosing the Copy of a letter from John Hamilton, esqr. British Consul at Norfolk. The communications contained in Mr. Hamilton’s letter have been transmitted by direction of the Executive, to the Commandants of the Militia of the Borough of Norfolk, and the Counties of Nansemond and Norfolk. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of respect and esteem, &c. FC ( Vi :...
745George Wythe to Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 17 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The citizens of Richmond wish you, or one of you, if the other be absent, to present to the president their address which is inclosed with This. I am your friend RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson secretary of state and Edmund Randolph, attorney general, Philadelphia.” Enclosure: Inhabitants of Richmond and vicinity to George Washington, Richmond, 17 Aug. 1793, expressing approval of...
746Enclosure: Extracts from Arthur Young to George Washington, 17 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Extract of a Letter From Arthur Young Esquire To The President of the US. dated 17. Jan. 1793. “Your information has thrown me affloat on the high-Seas. To analyse your Husbandry has the difficulty of a problem. I cannot understand it, and the more I know of it, the more surprising it appears. Is it possible that the Inhabitants of a great Continent not new settlers, who of course live only to...
747To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Yznardi, Jr., 25 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Boston, 25 Aug. 1793 .Intending to embark for Cádiz by the first opportunity, he asks for TJ’s commands. He will proceed immediately to Madrid to have his appointment acknowledged by the king and on 1 Jan. he will begin to pay strict attention to TJ’s letter of instructions. To end Algerine depredations on American trade and bring about a peace so much desired by merchants he offers, if TJ...
748Editorial Note: Jefferson and the American Debt to France (Jefferson Papers)
The documents printed below have been grouped here in order to record more clearly, with the benefit of Jefferson’s connecting commentary, the process by which the Washington administration rejected Edmond Charles Genet’s request for a substantial advance payment of the American debt to France. On instructions from the Provisional Executive Council of France, Genet had pledged to use the...
749Editorial Note: The Recall of Edmond Charles Genet (Jefferson Papers)
The decision to demand Edmond Charles Genet’s recall less than three months after his arrival in Philadelphia as the French Republic’s first minister to the United States resulted from the irrepressible conflict between the Washington administration’s insistence on maintaining strict American neutrality during the War of the First Coalition and Genet’s mandate from his Girondin superiors to...
750Editorial Note: The Referral of Neutrality Questions to the Supreme Court (Jefferson Papers)
The number and complexity of questions about what constituted neutral behavior by the United States with respect to the warring nations of Europe grew rapidly in the summer of 1793 in the face of Edmond Charles Genet’s persistent challenges to American neutrality policy. With its energies increasingly tied up in the resolution of proliferating appeals by foreign diplomats, especially British...