Questions on State of the Nation and Its Foreign Affairs with European nations
Item
Type
Draft Document
Title
Questions on State of the Nation and Its Foreign Affairs with European nations
Description
The President has directed the Secretaries of State, War, and the Treasury, and the Attorney General to consider the state of the nation and its foreign relations, particularly with France, in addition to England, Spain, Holland, and others. McHenry lists a number of important questions respecting foreign affairs that should be addressed. If envoys extraordinary are refused audience, what will be the response? They may all repair to Holland, or one could repair home, with one remaining abroad, or all could return to America. Discusses executive authority. Asks in what manner intelligence should be announce to congress. Discusses whether immediate declaration of war should be recommended or requested. Should there be an embargo? What measures should be taken with Spain, Holland, and Portugal? What should be said to England? How to convey information to Mr. King? Discusses the degree to which U.S. should connect itself with Britain. What aids or benefits can be expected from England? Discusses the possibility of revolution in England and potential consequences in America.
year created
1798
month created
01
day created
24
author
sent from location
Philadelphia
recipient
in image
notable person/group
James McHenry
Mr. King
Mr Leston
U.S envoys to France
General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, of South Carolina
Francis Dana, chief justice of the State of Massachusetts
General John Marshall, of Virginia
envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French Republic
Congress
President John Adams
notable location
Philadelphia
Portugal
America
France
England
Spain
Holland
Britain
notable item/thing
delirium in America
intimacy of our connection with that nation
packet
ordinary conveyance
special trusty and confidential messenger
soundest policy
declaration of war on both sides
overtures [from England]
aids or benefits
brink of the dangerous precipice
our own interest
case of a revolution in England
wild democracy
executive authority of government
first intelligence be announced to Congress
message or speech
measures should be recommended to Congress
immediate declaration of war
an embargo
prudent to call them all home
envoys extraordinary
an audience
object of their mission
repair to Holland
notable idea/issue
Quasi War with France
French Revolution
United States foreign relations
relations with Britain
Jay's Treaty
notable phrase
In case of a revolution in England a wild democracy will probably prevail for as long a time as it did in France
document number
1798012400001
page start
1
number of pages
3
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (3 pages) | BIC04 (3 pages) | Collection: Special Collections, MSA SC 1407. McHenry Collection, M11697. | MSA SC 1407-1-61, M11697 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James McHenry | Philadelphia | [n/a] |
| Recipient | George Washington | [unknown] | [n/a] |