Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02862 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 February 1794 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 22.8 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
Marked private. Washington as President to Knox as Secretary of War. John Jay, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Rufus King, a Senator from New York, wrote a newspaper article they uncharacteristically signed with their own names decrying the actions of Edmond Charles Genet, the French Minister to America. Genet was trying to outfit privateers to support the French revolutionary government, and Washington refused to support this breach of neutrality. Genet threatened to go over Washington's head to the American public, which had given Genet a warm welcome. Jay and King published this threat in their article, sparking an anti-French backlash. Washington attempted to act even-handedly, which offended Jay and King, who saw Genet as a real threat. They sent an angry letter to Washington, which he references in this letter to Knox. Washington asks Knox to be the go-between. Knox's efforts led to a reconciliation, and the offensive letters were burned.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Phila. Feby. 15th. 1794.
Dear Sir,
(Private)
You mentioned in the conversations, which I have lately had with you on the subject of Mr. Jay and Mr. King's letter to me, of the 27th. of last month, and particularly in what passed between us on Thursday, that they had repeatedly declared, that they never considered that letter, as an official one; that on the contrary they had intended it, as a mere private one; and that they did not in the most distant manner contemplate or design to give offence [sic] to me, or to wound my feelings, by the language or matter which it contains. Thursday, after repeating the foregoing, you added that those gentlemen were desirous of having a personal interview with me concerning the letter. I should therefore be glad to know, in a line by the bearer, whether I am at liberty to act on the above mentioned communications, as being made by you to me with their knowledge & approbation?
Yours always & sincerely
Go: Washington
General Knox.
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