the _renvoi_ of Genet was proposed by himself. I opposed
it on these topics. France, the only nation on earth sincerely our
friend. The measure so harsh a one, that no precedent is produced
where it has not been followed by war. Our messenger has now been gone
eighty-four days; consequently, we may hourly expect the return, and
to be relieved by their revocation of him. Were it now resolved on, it
would be eight or ten days before the matter on which the order should
be founded, could be selected, arranged, discussed, and forwarded. This
would bring us within four or five days of the meeting of Congress.
Would it not be better to wait and see how the pulse of that body, new
as it is, would beat. They are with us now, probably, but such a step as
this may carry many over to Genet's side. Genet will not obey the
order, &c. &c. The President asked me what I would do if Genet sent the
accusation to us to be communicated to Congress, as he threatened in the
letter to Moultrie. I said I would not send it to Congress; but either
put it in the newspapers, or send it back to him to be published if he
pleased. Other questions and answers were put and returned in a quicker
altercation than I ever before saw the President use. Hamilton was for
the _renvoi_; spoke much of the dignity of the nation; that they were
now to form their character; that our conduct now would tempt or deter
other foreign ministers from treating us in the same manner; touched on
the President's personal feelings; did not believe France would make it
a cause of war; if she did, we ought to do what was right, and meet the
consequences, &c. Knox on the same side, and said he thought it very
possible Mr. Genet would either declare us a department of France, or
levy troops here and endeavor to reduce us to obedience. Randolph of my
opinion, and argued chiefly on the resurrection of popularity to Genet,
which might be produced by this measure. That at present he was dead in
the public opinion, if we would but leave him so. The President lamented
there was not unanimity among us; that as it was, we had left him
exactly where we found him; and so it ended.

November the 21st. We met at the President's. The manner of explaining
to Congress the intentions of the proclamation, was the matter of
debate. Randolph produced his way of stating it. This expressed its
views to have been, 1. to keep our citizens quiet; 2. to intimate to
foreign nations that it was the Preside