Mount Vernon, July 6, 1796.

    Sir: When the letter herewith enclosed, dated the 4th. instant was written in answer to yours of the 28th. Ulto; part of it, as you will perceive, was dictated under the impression of much hesitation and doubt; for I am not fond of rectifying Legislative mistakes by Executive Acts. I determined however to take the Attorney General opinion on the case:⁴⁹ resolving, if it accorded with those which had been sent me, to give the Act you forwarded, my signature.

[Note:The Attorney General's opinion, dated July 4, is in the Washington Papers . ]

    For this purpose I requested that his opinion might be fully stated to me in writing and delivered at Alexandria on the 4th. where I had promised to be at the celebration of the Anniversary of Independence; that I might, by the Post of next day, or rather the Mail of that evening, if his opinion had not a tendency to increase my own doubts, forward the Act to you. Knowing, that neither time nor opportunity would be allowed at a crowded meeting, to write, I prepared my letter in the morning, before I left home, on the supposition of a concurrence; and in that case, that I might have nothing to do but to sign and enclose the Act; but his opinion being adverse to this (as you will see by the enclosure, which I request may be returned to me) I declined doing it; and have desired him to draught something anew. This, when it comes to hand, (wch. I expected would have been in time for this days Post) shall be sent. ⁵⁰

[Note:The later opinion Is dated July 7, and is also in die Washington Papers . ]

    [C.H.S.]