Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 November 1793

To George Washington

Nov. 6. 1793.

Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose several letters for the perusal of the President.—When he wrote to the Governor of Kentuckey, on a former intimation from the Spanish representatives, there was no probability that the intervention of military force would be requisite, and as far as illegal enterprizes could be prevented by the peaceable process of law, his writing was proper. It is proper now, so far as the same means may suffice. But should military coercion become necessary, he submits to the President whether a letter from the Secretary at war should not go, Th: J. having avoided any order of that kind in his letter.

RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr (Lb in same, SDC). Not recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) TJ to Henry Knox, 6 Nov. 1793. (2) TJ to Isaac Shelby, 6 Nov. 1793. (3) TJ to Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 6 Nov. 1793 (two letters).

when he wrote to the Governor of Kentuckey: see TJ to Isaac Shelby, 29 Aug. 1793.

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