Henry Knox to George Washington on the Problem of Accepting Edmond-Charles Gent's Credentials as French Minister to America, 2 May 1793

Book excerpt: This is Knox's retained draft of the original sent to Washington. Knox signs on behalf of Hamilton. The cover letter states that they are sending an answer to Washington's third question to the cabinet asked on 18 April. They are answering with A conformity of opinion. The answer was sent as an enclosure to Washington that is not included here. The long, detailed answer (the original of which is in the George Washington papers at the Library of Congress, along with a copy of this cover letter) is in reference to the problem of accepting Edmond-Charles Gent's credentials as French minister to America. The enclosure was only signed by Hamilton, even though it expressed Knox's opinion as well. On verso is the beginning of a different letter, in the hand of Alexander Hamilton.