Knox pronounced at once against it.
Randolph was against it. Hamilton said his judgment was against it, but
that if any two were for it, or against it, he would join them to make
a majority. I was for it. We agreed to give separate opinions to the
President. Knox said we should have had fine work, if Congress had
been sitting these two last months. The fool thus let out the secret.
Hamilton endeavored to patch up the indiscretion of this blabber, by
saying 'he did not know; he rather thought they would have strengthened
the executive arm.'
It is evident they do not wish to lengthen the session of the next
Congress, and probably they particularly wish it should not meet till
Genet is gone. At this meeting I received a letter from Mr. Remsen at
New York, informing me of the event of the combat between the Ambuscade
and the Boston. Knox broke out into the most unqualified abuse of
Captain Courtnay. Hamilton, with less fury, but with the deepest
vexation, loaded him with censures. Both showed the most unequivocal
mortification at the event.
August the 6th, 1793. The President calls on me at my house in the
country, and introduces my letter of July the 31st, announcing that I
should resign at the close of the next month. He again expressed his
repentance at not having resigned himself, and how much it was increased
by seeing that he was to be deserted by those on whose aid he had
counted: that he did not know where he should look to find characters
to fill up the offices; that mere talents did not suffice for the
department of State, but it required a person conversant in foreign
affairs, perhaps acquainted with foreign courts; that without this, the
best talents would be awkward and at a loss.
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