House of Representatives' battle against the Jay Treaty
Document 1796McHenry comments on the House of Representatives' effort to block the Jay Treaty from being implemented by withholding funding. McHenry writes that unless Congress funds the implementations of the Jay Treaty, the British will retain the posts they agreed to withdraw from, and that as a consequence for blocking the treaty, Congressmen will have their pay withheld.
War Office James McHenry Robert Oliver, esq.
mrcht.
Baltimore
1796 J McHenry Philadelphia 7 April 1796
Dear Sir, I inclose you a political pamphlet which I have not read, and which, if you are busy it is not very likely you will. It is said to be good, and I can say nothing to the contrary. The house of representatives as you will see by the enclosed news-paper, have resolved, that they were right, in calling for the papers respecting the treaty, and, that the President was wrong in refusing them. Which do you and the people of Baltimore think in the right? Government have been informed that unless the appropriations of money are voted, as required by the treaty, that the posts will not be given up; and, if the posts are retained, the probability is, that compensation for spoliations will be with held also. The fate of the country is of course in the hands of the house of representatives. With sincere friendship I am yours James McHenry Robert Oliver, esq
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