Volume 10 of the Presidential Series continues the fourth
chronological series of The Papers of George Washington. The
Presidential Series, when complete, will cover the eight
precedent-setting years of Washington's presidency. These volumes
present the public papers written by or sent to Washington during
his two administrations. Among the documents are Washington's
messages to Congress, addresses from public and private bodies,
applications for office and letters of recommendation, and
documents concerning diplomatic and Indian affairs. Also included
are Washington's private papers, consisting of family
correspondence, letters to and from friends and acquaintances, and
documents relating to the administration of his Mount Vernon
plantation and the management of the presidential household.
In the period covered by volume 10, the spring and summer of
1792, Washington was busy dealing with a host of foreign and
domestic issues. In response to General Arthur St. Clair's
disastrous defeat on 4 November 1791, Washington ordered both the
preparation of a renewed offensive against the hostile Indian
tribes in the Northwest Territory and an attempt to secure peace
without further recourse to arms. The first initiative necessitated
the selection of a new commanding general and the appointment or
promotion of a large number of junior officers. The second induced
Washington to invite delegations from several nonhostile Indian
nations to Philadelphia in the hopes that they either would support
the American military effort or would convince their brethren to
make peace with the United States. In addition, both the
promulgation of a new French constitution and the recent arrival of
the British plenipotentiary George Hammond--who had instructions to
settle the outstanding difficulties arising from the Treaty of
Paris of 1783 and lay the groundwork for improved Anglo-American
commercial relations--required careful handling. Domestically,
Washington's veto of the congressional Apportionment Act in April
1792 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional marked the first
use of the presidential veto in American history. In the wake of
Pierre L'Enfant's dismissal as superintendent of the Federal City,
Washington attempted to keep on schedule the construction of the
new capital on the Potomac River. Throughout this period Washington
wistfully longed to retire to Mount Vernon at the close of his term
in office. Although informed by all of his closest advisers that
his retirement would have calamitous consequences, Washington
instructed James Madison to draft a farewell address for his use if
he decided not to stand for reelection.
General
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