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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. XII (1790-1794) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. XII (1790-1794).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE.

Mount Vernon, 3 April, 1791.

Dear Sir,

You will readily agree with me, that the best interests of the United States require such an intimation to be made either directly or indirectly to the Governor of Canada, as may produce instructions to prevent the Indians receiving military aid or supplies from the British posts or garrisons. The notoriety of this assistance has already been such, as renders inquiry into particulars unnecessary. Major Beckwith seems peculiarly designated to be the channel of an indirect intimation. Referring the mode and extent of communicating with him to your own discretion, I wish it may be suggested, in such manner as to reach Lord Dorchester, or the officer commanding in Canada, that certain information has been received of large supplies of ammunition being delivered from British posts to the hostile Indians, about the beginning of last campaign; and as the United States have no other view in prosecuting the present war against the Indians, than, in the failure of negotiation, to procure, by arms, peace and safety to the inhabitants of their frontier, they are equally surprised and disappointed at such an interference by the servants or subjects of a foreign state, as seems intended to protract the attainment of so just and reasonable an object.

These are my sentiments on this subject at the present moment; yet so unsettled do some circumstances appear, that it is possible you may see a necessity either to treat it very delicately, or to decline acting on it altogether. The option is therefore left to your judgment, as events may make the one or the other the part of propriety.1 The enclosed paper is transmitted, and referred to you in the state I received it. I am, &c.

[1 ]Beckwith had already assured Hamilton that nothing more had been given to the Indians than the annual present at the usual time. Jefferson thought an opportunity presented itself of forcing the British to come forward and demand an amicable settlement. He would forbid settlements in the disputed territory, and in case of conflict, which was inevitable, to resort to arms.—Jefferson to Washington, 27 March, 1791. He asked Madison, who lodged in the same house with the British agent, to meet Beckwith and to represent, that while an annual present might be innocent in time of peace, it might be otherwise in a period of war; that it was a violation of neutrality to furnish arms to either power at war. This meeting was held on the evening of April 7th.—Writings of Madison, i., 530. Jefferson to Washington, 17 and 24 April, 1791. One of the first acts of the British Minister, George Hammond, was to give an explicit disclaimer that the government of Canada had supported or encouraged the hostility of the Indians in the west.—Jefferson to Hammond, 2 February, 1792.