y of it. He was,
therefore, for immediately sounding them on this subject through our
minister at London; yet so as to keep ourselves unengaged as long as
possible, in hopes a favorable issue with Spain might be otherwise
effected. But he was for sounding immediately, and for not letting slip
an opportunity of securing our object.

E. Randolph concurred, in general, with me. He objected that such a
reliance could not be effected without pecuniary consideration probably,
which he could not give. And what was to be their aid? If men, our
citizens would see their armies get foothold in the United States, with
great jealousy; it would be difficult to protect them. Even the French,
during the distresses of the late war, excited some jealous sentiments,

Hamilton said, money was often but not always demanded, and the aid he
should propose to stipulate would be in ships. Knox _non dissentiente_.

The President said the remedy would be worse than the disease, and
stated some of the disagreeable circumstances which would attend our
making such overtures.

November, 1792. Hamilton called on me to speak about our furnishing
supplies to the French colony of St. Domingo. He expressed his opinion,
that we ought to be cautious, and not go too far in our application
of money to their use, lest it should not be recognised by the mother
country. He did not even think that some kinds of government they
might establish could give a sufficient sanction.* I observed, that the
National Convention was now met, and would certainly establish a form
of government; that as we had recognised the former government because
established by authority of the nation, so we must recognise any other
which should be established by the authority of the nation. He said we
had recognised the former, because it contained an important member of
the ancient, to wit, the King, and wore the appearance of his consent;
but if, in any future form, they should omit the King, he did not know
that we could with safety recognise it, or pay money to its order.

* There had been a previous consultation at the President's
(about the first week in November) on the expediency of
suspending payments to France, under her present situation.
I had admitted that the late constitution was dissolved by
the dethronement of the King; and the management of affairs
surviving to the National Assembly only, this was not an
integral legislature, and