Abstract
ABSTRACT In April 1793, after war erupted between France and England, President George Washington issued his so-called Neutrality proclamation declaring America’s intent to avoid involvement in the conflict. Writing as Pacificus, Alexander Hamilton produced a series of essays defending the proclamation and arguing that the Constitution gave the president broad discretion in foreign affairs. Responding as Helvidius, James Madison argued that Pacificus’ assertions threatened the constitutional separation of powers between Congress and the executive, and in fact the administration’s neutrality policy proved difficult to enforce. The Neutrality Proclamation is often see as a precedent for presidential dominance in matters of war and peace but, upon closer examination, it appears much more ambiguous.
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