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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC04887 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1790 |
| Title | Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris regarding diplomatic problems with Britain |
| Date | 12 August 1790 |
| Author | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) |
| Recipient | Morris, Gouverneur |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | With separate (disconjugate) docketing leaf. Discusses diplomatic problems with Great Britain concerning American neutrality and the execution of the Treaty of Paris. "We wish to be neutral... if they will execute the treaty fairly." Written at a time when Britain and Spain were on the brink of war. Jefferson was concerned about Britain trying to conquer adjacent areas like Florida. In the fall of 1789 Alexander Hamilton began informal meetings with a representative of Great Britain, Major George Beckwith in Quebec. In the spring of 1790, President Washington sent Governeur Morris to England with objective of settling unresolved terms in the Treaty of Paris. The British government did not comply with any of Morris' requests before his departure in September. In early 1790, Britain was on the verge of war with Spain over conflicting claims in the Pacific Northwest and considered requesting permission for troops to pass through the U.S. to attack the Spanish possessions of Louisiana and Florida. The situation was resolved without bloodshed. |
| Subjects | Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Revolutionary War Treaty Diplomacy Neutrality Military History Boundary or Property Dispute |
| People | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Washington, George (1732-1799) Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816) |
| Place written | New York |
| Theme | Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | In this letter, Thomas Jefferson, the nation's first Secretary of State, discusses the difficulty of settling unresolved issues with Britain left over from the Revolutionary war. Americans were concerned about two key issues: the evacuation of British forts in the Northwest Territory and reimbursement for slaves who had been removed from the southern states by Britain during the Revolution. In the fall of 1789 Alexander Hamilton began informal meetings with a representative of Britain, Major George Beckwith, in QuÈbec. In the spring of 1790, President Washington sent Governeur Morris (1752-1816) to England to begin diplomatic negotiations. The British government acted aloofly toward Morris, and did not comply with any of his requests before his departure in September. In early 1790, however, Britain found itself on the verge of war with Spain over conflicting claims in the Pacific Northwest and requested permission for troops to pass through the United States to attack the Spanish possessions of Louisiana and Florida. The situation was ultimately resolved through negotiations, but it made Britain, which was becoming increasingly aware of its diplomatic isolation, realize the importance of establishing good relations with the United States. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |