04 April 1792

GW at Philadelphia. GW wrote asking Thomas Jefferson if Va. Congressman Alexander White thought that Daniel Morgan would accept a commission in fighting hostile Indians. GW wrote to Secretary of War Henry Knox asking about Gen. Anthony Wayne’s commission in this force, and about Capt. Alexander Trueman’s peace mission to the Indians. GW also sent Knox a House of Representatives resolution concerning the inquiry into St. Clair’s failed expedition against the Indians. GW responded to St. Clair’s 31 March letter, discussing appointing St. Clair’s successor.  

Alexander Hamilton wrote GW regarding a controversial act that would proportionally increase the House of Representatives. Hamilton believed the Constitution allowed at least two constructions in deciding representation, so he thought it constitutional.

Jefferson wrote GW about the same issue. He believed the bill was unconstitutional because it did not use a common divisor to apportion representatives, and it exceeded the maximum ratio of representatives to citizens. Attorney General Edmund Randolph came to the same conclusion as Jefferson. GW’s personal secretary Tobias Lear summarized the department heads’ opinions on the bill’s constitutionality.  

GW’s friend Brian Fairfax responded about lawsuits pertaining to settling Margaret Green Savage’s estate.

 

Date: 
04 April 1792
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