1Enclosure: 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...
2Enclosure: John Vaughan to George Washington, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
“America and all that belongs to it is Still viewed with Jealousy in England and be assured that if this war of Kings succeeds, Spain and England will jointly quarrel with America, So as to shake your funds to their roots—Be assured the War will daily open cases of Jeopardy and dispute to compromise your peace. The publick is a little Cooled in its rage for War and adverse events would quickly...
3Enclosure: Letter of Credence from the Provisional Executive Council of France, 30 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
In the name of the French Republic. In virtue of the law of the 15th. of Aug. last which attributes to the Executive Provisory council all the functions of the Executive power, and of the Decree of the National Convention of the 21st. Sep. following, which continues the public authorities which were in activity at this last epoch. We citizens forming the Executive Provisory council of the...
4Opinion on the Restoration of Prizes, 16 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The facts suggested, or to be taken for granted, because the contrary is not known, in the case now to be considered, are, that a vessel was purchased at Charleston and fitted out as a privateer by French citizens, manned with foreigners chiefly, but partly with citizens of the US. the command given to a French citizen by a regular commission from his government, that she has made prize of an...
5From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and submits to his approbation a letter to Mr. Ternant, in conformity to that to Mr. Hammond. It has been submitted to the Secretaries of the treasury and War and Attorney General, and corrected by them. If the President approves the letter he asks the favor of him to stick a wafer in it, and the bearer will proceed to deliver that and Mr....
6From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that having, from a slight expression of Mr. Genet’s yesterday, doubted whether he did not chuse to wait upon the President separately from Mr. Ternant, he called on the latter yesterday evening, but he was not at home. He called again this morning, and left it to himself and Mr. Genet to come together or separately as they should chuse....
7From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and will take the liberty of waiting on him at half after one, as well that he may get through some long papers he has to communicate to him, as that he may be sure of being there when Mr. Genet comes. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . For the
8From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President a letter to the Govr. of Georgia, and two others on the occasion of Mr. Ternant’s recall. He sends at the same time the letters which were written on the recall of Mr. De Moustier, as it is necessary to preserve a certain proportion between the expressions used on these occasions. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the...
9George Washington to the Provisional Executive Council of France, [24 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The citizen Ternant has delivered to me the letter wherein you inform me that yielding to his desire to serve his country in the military line, you had determined to recall him from his mission as your Minister plenipotentiary to the US. His conduct during the time of his residence in this country has been such as to meet my entire approbation and esteem; and it is with great pleasure I render...
10From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 27 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President, (among other papers,) those relating to a commercial treaty with France, and to the reimbursement of the French debt, being translations of the communications of Mr. Genet on those subjects. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Translations of...
11Cabinet Opinion on the Creek Indians and Georgia, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States having assembled the heads of the respective departments and the attorney General, laid before them for their advice thereon, sundry communications from the Governor of Georgia, and others, relatively to the recent alarming depredations of the creek Indians upon the State of Georgia. Whereupon after the subject was maturely considered and discussed it was...
12From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President French copies of the communications of Mr. Genet on the subject of our debt to France, as they will convey his sense perhaps more faithfully to the Secretary of the treasury should the President think proper to refer them to him.—He has changed the expression in the close of the 2d. paragraph of the letter to Mr. Van Berkel, so as to...
13From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send the President draughts of letters on the subjects discussed in his presence the other day, meant merely as a ground-work for the gentlemen to propose amendments to. He shall be able to send another in the course of to-day, so that the whole would be ready for consideration tomorrow, if the President should think proper to have them considered before the...
14From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has now the honor of inclosing to the President the draught of a letter to Mr. Genet on the subject of the departure of the privateer.—Also a letter just received from Colo. Humphreys. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear as a letter of 1 June 1793. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Draft of TJ to...
15Cabinet Opinions on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw Indians, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavour 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 and Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
16I. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor of inclosing him the draught of a reference to the Secretary of the Treasury, with the papers to be referred, on the subject of the French debt. The latter clause of the letter is inserted merely for the consideration of the President. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb...
17IV. Alexander Hamilton’s Draft Report on the American Debt to France, with Jefferson’s Commentary, [5 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The Secy. of the Treasury, to whom were referred by the President of the US. sundry documents communicated by the Min. Plenipy. of the Republic of France, respectfully makes the following report thereupon. The object of the communication appears to be to engage the US. to enter into arrangements for discharging the residue of the debt which they owe to France by an anticipated payment of the...
18V. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot but think that to decline the propositions of Mr. Genet on the subject of our debt, without assigning any reasons at all, would have a very dry and unpleasant aspect indeed. We are then to examine what are our good reasons for the refusal, which of them may be spoken out, and which may not. 1. want of confidence in the continuance of the present form of government, and consequently...
19VI. Alexander Hamilton’s Addition to His Draft Report, with Jefferson’s Commentary, [6–7 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President concurring with the Preceeding letter , and so signifying to Colo. Hamilton he erased the words ‘Which is humbly submitted’ on the former report , and added on the same paper as follows. If nevertheless the President should be of opinion that reasons ought to be assigned the following seem to [be] the best which the nature of the case will admit, viz. ‘Two modes of reimbursing or...
20VII. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [7 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor of returning to the President [the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the proposition of Mr. Genet. He is of opinion that all may be omitted which precedes the words ‘two modes of reimbursing or discharging &c.’] What follows […] [the reasons which are proper] and not offensive. [The following passage should perhaps be] altered. ‘It has repeatedly come under...
21VIII. Alexander Hamilton’s Report on the American Debt to France, 8 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury to whom was referred a Communication from the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France, on the subject of the Debts of the United States to France, respectfully makes thereupon the following Report. The object of this communication is to engage the United States to enter into an arrangement for discharging the residue of the debt which they owe to...
22From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson respectfully submits to the President the draught of a letter to Mr. Hammond on the subject of the prizes taken by the Charleston privateers. Mr. Randolph has read and approved it. He has had no opportunity of communicating it to the Secretaries of the Treasury and War. The former is still prevented from coming to town by the situation of his family. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR );...
23From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter from Mr. Pinckney covering proposals from a Mr. Holloway to come over as engraver to our mint. It does not appear that Mr. Holloway was very eminent, as far as we can judge from the expressions in Mr. Pinckney’s letter: his idea of making it a kind of appointment for life seems inadmissible; and the delay to which his appointment...
24From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the draught of a letter to Mr. Pinckney. Also the paper sent to him for the signatures now put to it. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) TJ to Thomas Pinckney, 4 June 1793 . (2) Cabinet Opinion on the Creek...
25Enclosure: Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 3 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The failure of the late enterprize against the United Netherlands may be expected to have made a favorable alteration in regard to the prospects of obtaining loans there for the US. Such an expectation is also countenanced by a late letter from our bankers at Amsterdam, which however as yet gives no certainty, that can be a basis of operation. The existing instructions from the department to...
26Opinion on a New Foreign Loan, 5 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Instructions having been given to borrow 2. Millions of florins in Holland, and the Secretary of the Treasury proposing to open a further loan of 3. millions of florins, which, he says, ‘a comprehensive view of the affairs of the US. in various relations, appears to him to recommend,’ the President is pleased to ask Whether I see any objections to the proposition? The power to borrow money is...
27From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to enclose him the answer to his note of yesterday. Should any article of it need explanation, he will be at the orders of the President for that purpose to do it either verbally or in writing. Tr ( Lb in DNA : RG 59, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Opinion on a New Foreign Loan, 5 June 1793 .
28From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter from our bankers at Amsterdam stating a balance due them on the foreign intercourse fund Apr. 2. of 13,255 florins equal to about 5,300 Dollars.—This being communicated for the information of the President, the following explanation is necessary. Independant of the fund on which this balance appears, the bankers had in their...
29From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a memorial from Mr. Hammond. He proposes to ask a meeting with the Secretaries of the treasury and war at 9. aclock tomorrow, in time to write by the post of tomorrow. Should the President think fit that the inclosed should be the subject of deliberation, it may be considered at the same time. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The...
30Cabinet Opinions on the Republican and the Catharine, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 12. 1793. 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 and manning by French and other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be...
31From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President his answer to Mr. Genet on the subject of the French debt. He had prepared it yesterday morning, but unluckily left it at home, which has delayed it a day. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: TJ to Edmond Charles...
32From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President some letters received from Mr. T. Digges which contain some interesting information on the subject of our coins. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Preside[…]”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Thomas Digges to TJ, 10 Mch. 1793. (2) Digges to Thomas Pinckney, 21...
33From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor of inclosing to the President the opinion on the two cases of vessels referred to the heads of the department, and the letter he has prepared in consequence to the Attorney of the district. Genl. Knox will wait on him with his letter to the Governor .— Symmes’s case is to be considered of tomorrow, as it required some enquiry. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed:...
34Enclosure: Alexander Hamilton’s Report on a New Foreign Loan, 15 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the treasury in obedience to the order of the President of the US. of the 6th. inst. respectfully makes the following report. The statement herewith transmitted, marked A. shews in the Credit side thereof, the amount of the fund arising from foreign loans transferred to the US. amounting to 2,965,643.47 D. and, on the Debet side thereof, the amount of the sums which have been...
35Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 17. 1793 At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from Mr. 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 and manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was read, as also the draught of an...
36Report on the Proceedings of the Southwest Territory, 19 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having received from the Secretary of the territory of the US. South of the Ohio a report of the proceedings of that government from Sep. 1. 1792. to the 16th. of Feb. 1793. Reports to the President of the US. That they do not contain any thing necessary for him to act on: unless, as it is suggested by Mr. Smith, it should be necessary to lay before Congress the act of...
37From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 19 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The decision of the case of the British debts which was expected to have taken place at Richmond, being now deferred, Th: Jefferson has the honor of submitting to the President the draught of a letter to Mr. Hammond, asking an answer on the subject of the treaty of peace. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. PrC ( DLC ). Tr ( Lb...
38From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 19 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the minutes of the 17th. inst. The letters then agreed on are sent to the Secretaries of the Treasury and war for their corrections, and will then be handed to the President. He sends him also a letter from the Attorney of Kentuckey for his information, and because the subject of it belongs to another department. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR );...
39Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 20. 1793. At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes dated June 18. and addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the US. with respect to the Southern Indians, and the Spaniards be prepared, and a justification as to the...
40From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have taken time ere this to have considered the observations of Mr. 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 Mr. Young most desired. Lest therefore no...
41Cabinet Opinions on the Little Sarah, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson 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, and all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France,...
42Dissenting Opinion on the Little Sarah, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am against the preceding opinion of the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, for ordering a battery to be erected on Mud-island, and firing on the Little Sarah, an armed vessel of the Republic of France. Because I am satisfied from what passed between Mr. Genet and myself at our personal interview yesterday, that the vessel will not be ordered to sail till the return of the President, which,...
43Memorandum to George Washington, [11 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Papers requiring the President’s instant attention. Th:J’s letter to Viar and Jaudenes . } the Courier goes on Saturday. Genet’s communications relative to Spain Little Sarah. the Governor’s letter of June 24 . and Warden’s 1st. report . the Governor’s letter of July 7. x Th:J’s conversation with Genet .
44Memorandum to George Washington, [11 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
To be read at the President’s leisure. Governr. H. Lee’s letter. June 28. concerning supposed pestilential disease in W.I. The Suckey. Th:J’s letter June 26. to Mr. Hammond. Th:J. to Mr. Hammond. June 25. on insinuation concerning Western posts. do. to do. do. developement of order about privateers arming. Philips’s letter June 7. cannot be received as Consul at Curaçoa....
45Memorandum to George Washington, [11–13 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. has the papers in the following cases which require as early consideration as the President can well give them. Vainqueur de la Bastille. Genet’s letter July 8. and Govr. of Carolina’s June 24. Le Citoyen Genet and prizes. Hammond’s letter July 10. Genet’s letter June 26. covering protests of the Consuls against interference of the Admiralty courts, and expressing very improper...
46From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [11 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President. He had expected that the Secretaries of the Treasury and War would have given to the President immediately the statement of facts in the case of the Little Sarah, as drawn by the former and agreed to, as also their Reasons: but Colo. Hamilton having informed Th:J. that he has not been able to prepare copies, Th:J. sends the President the...
47Cabinet Opinion on Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
July 12. 1793. 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 and Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming and 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 US.,...
48From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President Dr. Thornton’s answer to Mr. Hallet’s objections this moment received, and which he has not had time to read. Perhaps the President may think it worth while to communicate them to Mr. Hobens and see what he thinks of them, for which reason he sends them to the President in the instant of recieving them. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by...
49From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President returns him Montmorin’s letter , which he thought he would wish to keep, and sends him a letter from Govr. Chittenden , open as he received it. Also the letter from Algiers in which there is nothing new but their present marine force in the last page but one. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); with final sentence written a day later (see note 1 below);...
50From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President the rough draught of an answer to Mr. Genet’s letter of June 22. It is left unclosed, in case any other matters should be thought proper to be added. Otherwise he would propose to close it with reiterations of friendship to his nation. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same,...