Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor Samuel Huntington Pledges the Peoples’ Commitment to President George Washington’s Principles of Neutrality in the First Major International Conflict for the New US

“The inhabitants of this state appear sincerely disposed to observe a just neutrality conformably to the tenor of the proclamation which was issued by the President on that subject and have reason to to believe that the general sense and sentiments of the citizens of this state will prevent all infractions of the laws of nations as relative to the powers at war.”

Following the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in January 1793, the French revolutionary government found itself at war with Spain, the Netherlands and Great Britain. It dispatched Edmond Charles Genêt as minister to the United States, for the purpose of enlisting American assistance to the fullest extent possible. Genêt arrived in Charleston, South Carolina on April 8, 1793 – calling himself “Citizen Genêt” to emphasize the revolutionary title. He received a warm welcome and immediately began to issue privateering commissions that authorized the bearers, regardless of their country of origin, to seize British merchant ships and their cargo for personal profit, all with the approval and protection of the French Government. President Washington saw this as a dangerous attempt to draw the new United States into a European war, and on April 22 issued his Proclamation of Neutrality, declaring the U.S. a neutral nation in the conflict and threatening legal proceedings against any American providing assistance to the warring countries. Genet then proceeded to the capital at Philadelphia and was met with acclaim and jubilation everywhere he went, as many Americans supported the French Revolution’s goals of liberty, equality, fraternity. He was officially received by Washington on the afternoon of May 18th, but Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson soon informed him that the United States considered the outfitting of French privateers in American ports to be a violation of the U.S. policy of neutrality. Genet ignored this warning, and in fact threatened to take his case directly to the American people, bypassing official government opposition. Genêt was thus willing to challenge Washington and risk being seen as a foreign meddler in American domestic affairs.

President Washington’s Rules on Neutrality

Washington felt he had to take additional action to clarify the American position, and address problems that had arisen at various times after the issuance of the Proclamation of Neutrality, including the direct threat to neutrality posed by Genet. He held a series of Cabinet meetings that began on July 29, 1793, and rules emerged from them. On that day the Cabinet approved five of six general neutrality rules proposed by Edmund Randolph and Alexander Hamilton, and on the following day it agreed in principle to a proposal by Jefferson to include mention of the treaty provisions that formed exceptions to them. On the basis of these decisions, Hamilton produced a draft consisting of eight rules that he later amended, partly in response to suggestions made by members of the Cabinet. On instructions from the President, the Cabinet met August 3 and approved a text of the rules made from Hamilton’s revised draft, to which Randolph added a final paragraph. Jefferson submitted the signed rules document to the President, who approved it that same day. All this demonstrates the expedited treatment the matter was receiving, and how Washington and Hamilton felt. The rules complete, Hamilton set about creating the circular letter to introduce them to the Collectors who oversaw the ports, and a few days later submitted it to the President.

Samuel Huntington was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, served as president of the Continental Congress, and was the third governor of Connecticut, serving for ten years, until his death in 1796. Henry Knox served with distinction during the American Revolution, heading the Continental Army artillery, charged with Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River, and the successful completion of that mission earned him the promotion to brigadier general. He was one of the founding members of the Society of the Cincinnati and was the nation’s first Secretary of War.

Autograph letter signed, Norwich, August 16, 1793, to Henry Knox, indicating receipt of the terms of neutrality which the United States adopted towards Britain and France, and Connecticut’s willingness to abide by those terms, Huntington’s copy. “Sir, I am this day favored with your two letters of the 7am th instant containing the rules and regulations which the President of the United States has thought proper to adopt for a uniform line of conduct throughout the several states with respect to the belligerent powers; and also the regulations agreed upon between the general government and the Minister of France.

“You may be assured sir that a strict observance will be paid to the directions and regulations contained in those letters.

“I have also the satisfaction to inform you, that the inhabitants of this state appear sincerely disposed to observe a just neutrallity conformably to the tenor of the proclamation which was issued by the President on that subject and have reason to believe that the general sense and sentiments of the citizens of this state will prevent all infractions of the laws of nations as relative to the powers at war.”