The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, Vol. 9: September 1791-February 1792

Abstract

The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, Vol. 9: September 1791-February 1792. Edited by Philander D. Chase, Dorothy Twohig, et al. (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, Pp. 672. $ 62.50.) The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, Vol. 5: MayOctober 1803. Edited by J. C. A. Stagg, et al. (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, Pp. 704. $67.50.) These two carefully edited and annotated volumes provide splendid windows into the early national statesmanship of founding fathers George Washington and James Madison. During the time periods covered, both men demonstrated remarkable political acumen, but with different results: in 1791-1792, President Washington experienced growing difficulty and frustration over domestic issues, while in 1802-1803, Secretary of State James Madison enjoyed remarkable diplomatic success. Three issues in particular dogged President Washington from October 1791 to February 1792: conflict among those responsible for developing the Federal District, General Arthur St. Clair's defeat by the western Indians, and a contest with the U. S. Senate over foreign policy powers. Volume 9 of the Presidential Series illustrates Washington's constant involvement with the laying out and building of the District of Columbia. Indeed, the president became much more involved than he wanted or expected to be, thanks to the refusal of planner Pierre Charles L'Enfant and his subordinates to work under direction of the Federal District Commissioners. Rather than obey his superiors, the planner hoped to answer directly to the president. L'Enfant differed with the commissioners, preferring to finance construction through foreign loans rather than through land sales and favoring an ambitious building schedule. Determined to control events, he obstructed the sale of lots and even demolished a private dwelling being built in the path of a projected District street without authorization. Washington closely followed the controversy, exchanging a stream of letters with all parties to the dispute, patiently trying to achieve a reconciliation. Hoping to retain the talented but ungovernable planner, the president nevertheless insisted on obedience to the commissioners. When L'Enfant refused to accept these terms, Washington fired him. Even more disheartening, the president in December 1791 received the shocking news that General Arthur St. Clair's party had been defeated by the western Indians the previous month on the Wabash River. The administration responded to this crisis by proposing to Congress a new and more vigorous military campaign to subdue the frontier foe. When several congressmen voiced opposition to what they considered an immoral and bankrupt policy, Washington took his case to the public, an unprecedented step. Secretary of War Henry Knox published a defense of the administration's actions in the newspapers, along with Washington's carefully drafted cover letter. In making overdue diplomatic appointments, Washington clashed with the Senate over foreign policy powers. The issue involved whether the Senate should specify the location and grade of diplomats, leaving the president merely to fill the openings it created, or whether the executive possessed the authority to recognize overseas nations, and the Senate merely the power to confirm nominees. The upper house approved the appointments of Thomas Pinckney to Great Britain and Gouverneur Morris to France only after the administration convinced it of the need for such representation abroad. The larger constitutional question of whether the president or Senate should recognize foreign nations remained unresolved, however. Washington's handling of these and other events illustrates his presidential leadership style, an area where historians only recently have accorded him the high marks he deserves. To address thorny issues, he began, late in 1791, to summon his department heads for group consultations. …