05 April 1792

GW at Philadelphia.  After considering his department heads’ advice, GW sent the House of Representatives his veto of the Apportionment bill, which would have proportionally increased the size of the House of Representatives. It was the first veto he had ever given. GW made two objections: the bill did not use a common divisor to determine the number of representatives, and it violated a constitutional clause that the number of Representatives would not exceed one for every thirty thousand citizens.

Attorney General Edmund Randolph wrote GW about the opinions of Supreme Court Justices James Wilson and John Blair on an act concerning claims of widows and orphans, as well as invalid pensions. He added their thoughts on the constitutionality of the Apportionment Bill.

Scottish agriculturalist Robert Dick wrote GW a letter of introduction for traveler James Oswald. GW’s personal secretary Tobias Lear wrote GW declining a now unknown appointment.

 

Date: 
05 April 1792
WeekDay: