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

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH, SECRETARY OF STATE. [PRIVATE.] - 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 EDMUND RANDOLPH, SECRETARY OF STATE.

[PRIVATE.]

Fort Cumberland, 18 October, 1794.

Dear Sir,

I have directed Mr. Dandridge to acknowledge the receipt of your public despatches of the 13th instant, whilst I enclose those of our envoy to you, which came under cover to me in a letter from him, dated the 5th of August, with the following postscript: “I shall enclose with this my despatches for Mr. Randolph. If the William Penn should be stopped by a belligerent vessel, they will respect a letter to you, more than one directed to him.” On opening it, I find duplicates only.

His private letter to me of the date above, and which he wishes may be considered as confidential, (which, and the possible risk, prevent my sending it to you by the returning express,) is a very pleasing one; as it is more indicative of a hope and expectation of general good success in his mission, than any that had come from him before. He conceives, that there is no indisposition in the present ministry to settle the several matters in dispute upon what they conceive to be just and liberal terms. But what these may appear to be, when they come to close discussion, no one can prognosticate. To give and take, I presume, will be the result. I am led to draw more favorable inferences from this letter, however, than from any of his preceding ones. I am, &c.1

[1 ]“I am this moment returned from a long conference with Lord Grenville. Our prospects become more and more promising as we advance in the business. The compensation cases (as described in the answer), and the amount of damages will, I have reason to hope, be referred to the decision of commissioners mutually to be appointed by the two governments, and the money paid without delay on their certificates, and the business closed as speedily as may be possible. The question of admitting our vessels into the Islands, under certain limitations, is under consideration, and will soon be decided. A treaty of commerce is on the carpet. All other things being agreed, the posts will be included. They contend, that the article about the negroes does not extend to those, who came in on their proclamations, to whom (being vested with the property in them by the right of war) they gave freedom, but only to those, who were bonâ fide the property of Americans when the war ceased. They will I think insist, that British debts, so far as injured by lawful impediments, should be repaired by the United States by decision of mutual commissioners. These things have passed in conversation, but no commitments on either side: and not to have any official weight or use whatever.

“The King observed to me the other day; ‘Well, Sir, I imagine you begin to see, that your mission will probably be successful.’ ‘I am happy, may it please your Majesty, to find that you entertain that idea.’ ‘Well, but don’t you perceive, that it is like to be so?’ ‘There are some recent circumstances’ (the answer to my representation, &c.), ‘which induce me to flatter myself that it will be so.’ He nodded with a smile, signifying that it was to those circumstances that he alluded. The conversation then turned to indifferent topics. This was at the drawing-room.

“I have never been more unceasingly employed, than I have been for some time past and still am; I hope for good, but God only knows. The William Penn sails in the morning. I write these few lines in haste, to let you see that the business is going on as fast as can reasonably be expected; and that it is very important that peace and quiet should be preserved for the present. On hearing last night, that one of our Indianmen had been carried into Halifax, I mentioned it to Lord Grenville. He will write immediately by the packet on the subject. Indeed I believe they are endeavoring to restore a proper conduct towards us everywhere; but it will take some time before the effects will be visible. I write all this to you in confidence, and for your own private satisfaction. I have not time to explain my reasons, but they are cogent. I could fill some sheets with interesting communications, if I had leisure; but other matters press and must not be postponed; for ‘there is a tide in the affairs of men,’ of which every moment is precious. Whatever may be the issue, nothing in my power to insure success shall be neglected or delayed.”—John Jay to Washington, 5 August, 1794.