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Washington, George. Autograph letter signed ('Go: Washington') as President, 27 November 1793.

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Washington, George. Autograph letter signed ('Go: Washington') as President, 27 November 1793.
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168. * Washington, George. Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington") as President, 2-pages (7.5 x 9 in.; 191 x 229 mm; front and back), Philadelphia, 27 November 1793, written to Governor of New York George Clinton. Exhibiting usual folds.
President George Washington, embroiled in the Citizen Genet affair, calls on his old friend, New York Governor George Clinton, for a ruling respecting privateers dispatched by the French minister to prey upon British vessels along the American coast - seemingly in open defiance of Washington's Neutrality Proclamation.
Marked "Private" at the top of the first page, Washington writes in full: Dear Sir, Not having the letters at hand, I am unable to refer to dates; but the one with which you were pleased to favour me, dated sometime in September, did not reach my hands before I had left this City [September 10]. Immediately, however, upon the receipt of it (at my own house in Virginia) I put it under cover to the Secretary of War with directions to answer it conformably to the rules [Neutralization Proclamation] which had been adopted for Government in such cases; but before my letter got to this place he also had left it, for Boston. This being the true state of the case will, I hope, apologize for your being so long without an acknowledgment of the first letter, whilst those of subsequent date have been answered with more promptitude. Whenever it shall be perfectly convenient to you, I would thank you for a statement of our joint concert in the Mohawk Land - that is, for information of what Lots have been sold, and what remain on hand, with the numbers of each. My compliments & best wishes attend you, Mrs. Clinton & the family - & with real regard & friendship, I am - Dear Sir, Your Affecte. & Obedt. Servt. Go: Washington
Earlier in 1793, following the declaration of war by France against Great Britain, Spain and Holland, President Washington issued his Neutrality Proclamation (22 April 1793), which declared that the U.S. was at peace with Great Britain and France and warned American citizens to avoid any acts of hostility against the belligerent powers. Washington's desire to steer an independent course regarding France was opposed by Alexander Hamilton, who thought the occasion a good opportunity to repeal the treaties concluded with France in 1778. With Citizen Genet's arrival in South Carolina (8 April 1793) came the instructions from his government, the Girondist regime, to win U.S. amity and negotiate a new treaty of commerce. Genet proclaimed that he was as much a delegate to the American people as to their government. He was quick to voice the dangerous opinion that the American people would disavow Washington's government - and insisted that his own interpretations of the French-American treaty were more valid that Washington's. Immediately, he commissioned four privateers and dispatched them to prey upon British vessels along the American coast; he also took steps to organize - on American soil - expeditions against Spanish and British territories. Then, on 5th June, Washington communicated with Genet informing him that his grants of military commissions on U.S. soil constituted an infringement of U.S. national sovereignty, and that the privateers commissioned by him would have to leave American waters and could not send their prizes to U.S. ports. Genet promised to comply with Washington's wishes - then soon thereafter authorized the arming and refitting of Little Sarah (renamed La Petite Democrate), a prize that had been brought in by a French vessel. After promising Jefferson that he would not dispatch the vessel, Genet ordered the privateer to sea. The Little Sarah incident convinced President Washington of the need to determine in detail and announce what acts were permissible - and which were banned - under the Neutrality Proclamation. Then, on 2nd August, the Cabinet decided to demand Genet's recall. Washington sent to Congress his full correspondence with the French minister, pointing out that Genet's conduct had tended to involve the U.S. in war abroad, and discord and anarchy at home. From the collection of William J. Bell. $15,000 - $20,000