Letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson

4/12/1793

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George Washington wrote this letter to inform Thomas Jefferson about the United States pursuing a neutral role in the war between Great Britain and France.

Notes on this document written by history scholars are available on Founders Online, a searchable archive of the correspondence and other writings of several of the Founders of the United States government.

Transcript

Mount Vernon April 12th 1793

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 7th instant was brought to me by the last Post. War having actually commenced between France and Great Britain, it behoves the Government of this Country to use every means in it’s power to prevent the citizens thereof from embroiling us with either of those powers, by endeavouring to maintain a strict neutrality. I therefore require that you will give the subject mature consideration, that such measures as shall be deemed most likely to effect this desirable purpose may be adopted without delay; for I have understood that vessels are already designated as Privateers, & preparing accordingly.

Such other measures as may be necessary for us to pursue against events which it may not be in our Power to avoid or controul you will also think of, and lay them before me at my arrival in Philadelphia, for which place I shall set out Tomorrow; but will leave it to the advices which I may receive to night by the Post, to determine whether it is to be by the most direct Rout, or by the one I proposed to have come—that is, by Reading, the Canals between the Rivers of Pennsylvania, Harrisburgh, Carlisle & ca.

With very great esteem & regard I am, Dear Sir, Your mo: humble Servant

Go: Washington

This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of State.

National Archives Identifier: 5956316

Full Citation: Letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson Regarding Neutral Role of U.S. in the War Between Great Britain and France; 4/12/1793; March - April 1793; Letters Received, 1789 - 1906; General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-washington-jefferson, April 24, 2025]

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