Mount Vernon, June 24, 1796.
Sir: The information contained in a letter8 of which the enclosed is a correct copy (with a reservation only of names agreeably to the request of the writer) may serve as a comment upon the conduct of the owner of the privateer Flying-fish; and as a development also of the intentions of the French Government so far as it relates to the Commerce of the United States with Great Britain. The communications in the last numbers of the Aurora (that I have seen) afford still further evidence of this system, and are calculated most evidently to prepare the public mind for this event, at the same time that they labour to make it appear that the treaty with that country is the cause of such conduct in France.
[Note:From Hamilton (undated but filed in the Washington Papers under the date of its receipt by Washington, June 23). ]
The source from which the information comes, cannot, as to it's authenticity and knowledge of facts, be doubted; of course, if the persons through whom it has passed to the reciter are not mistaken in their details, the most entire credit is to be given to the account.
Under these impressions, and the serious aspect which they present, it is my request that you, and the Secretaries of the Treasury and War would meet; consult the treaties, the laws of nations and of the U. States, which have any relation to the subject, and after mature deliberation, to report to me your opinions of the measures, which you conceive ought to be adopted under such information and circumstances, particularly,
1. Whether immediate explanation should be asked on this subject, from the Minister of the French Republic in Philadelphia: and in that case (which I am inclined to think is right) to proceed without the delay of sending to me, to make the requisition accordingly. Unless from the tenor of the answer to the letter you had drafted before I left Philada. respecting the capture of the Mount Vernon, it should in your judgments be unnecessary.
2. Whether there is power in the Executive, and, in that case, whether it would be expedient, in the recess of the Senate, to send an extra character to Paris to explain the views of this Government, and to ascertain those of France; and in the affirmative of these, to suggest for my consideration the names of such persons as in your opinions are best qualified to subserve these purposes.
I shall expect to hear fully from you on this interesting subject, and shall only add, that if, in the investigation of it, my presence in Philada. is deemed necessary, or if any other occurrence should require my return before the time I had allotted for it, I can and will set out for that place as soon as I am advertised of the necessity. 9
[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers .On June 24 Washington wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury, directing commissions to be made out for certain minor appointments and adding: "Of this date I have written to the Secy. of State on an interesting subject, requesting him to deliberate with you and the Secretary of War on the purport of the Communication, and to transmit me the result. To this letter and its enclosure I shall refer you." This letter is entered in the "Letter Book" in the Washington Papers . ]