The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
March the 2d, 1793. See in the papers of this date, Mr. Giles's
resolutions. He and one or two others were sanguine enough to believe
that the palpableness of these resolutions rendered it impossible the
House could reject them. Those who knew the composition of the House, 1,
of bank directors; 2 holders of bank stock; 3, stock jobbers; 4, blind
devotees; 5, ignorant persons who did not comprehend them; 6, lazy and
good-humored persons, who comprehended and acknowledged them, yet were
too lazy to examine, or unwilling to pronounce censure; the persons who
knew these characters, foresaw that the three first descriptions making
one-third of the House, the three latter would make one-half of the
residue; and, of course, that they would be rejected by a majority of
two to one. But they thought that even this rejection would do good, by
showing the public the desperate and abandoned dispositions with which
their affairs were conducted. The resolutions were proposed, and nothing
spared to present them in the fulness of demonstration. There were not
more than three or four who voted otherwise than had been expected.
* * * * *
March the 30th, 1793. At our meeting at the President's, February the
25th, in discussing the question, whether we should furnish to France the
three millions of livres desired, Hamilton, in speaking on the subject,
used this expression, "When Mr. Genet arrives, whether we shall receive
him or not, will then be a question for discussion," which expression I
did not recollect till E. Randolph reminded me of it a few days after.
Therefore, on the 20th instant, as the President was shortly to set out
for Mount Vernon, I observed to him, that as Genet might arrive in his
absence, I wished to know beforehand how I should treat him, whether
as a person who would or would not be received? He said he could see no
ground of doubt but that he ought to be received. On the 24th he asked
E. Randolph's opinion on the subject, saying he had consulted Colonel
Hamilton thereon, who went into lengthy considerations of doubt and
difficulty, and viewing it as a very unfortunate thing that the President
should have the decision of so critical a point forced on him; but, in
conclusion, said, since he was brought into that situation, he did not
see but that he must receive Mr. Genet. Randolph told the President he
was clear he should be received, and the President said he had never
had any doubt on the subject in his mind. Afterwards, on the same day,
he spoke to me again on it, and said Mr. Genet should unquestionably be
received; but he thought not with too much warmth or cordiality, so only
as to be satisfactory to him. I wondered at first at this restriction;
but when Randolph afterwards communicated to me his conversation of
the 24th, I became satisfied it was a small sacrifice to the opinion of
Hamilton.
* * * * *
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