dle in it, or give room to a discussion
of it in Congress.

Randolph had prepared a draught of the speech. The clause recommending
fortifications was left out; but that for a military academy was
inserted. I opposed it, as unauthorized by the constitution. Hamilton
and Knox approved it without discussion. Randolph was for it, saying
that the words of the constitution anthorizing Congress to lay taxes,
&c. for the common defence, might comprehend it. The President said he
would not choose to recommend any thing against the constitution, but if
it was doubtful, he was so impressed with the necessity of this measure,
that he would refer it to Congress, and let them decide for themselves
whether the constitution authorized it or not. It was, therefore,
left in. I was happy to see that Randolph had, by accident, used the
expression 'our republic,' in the speech. The President, however, made
no objection to it, and so, as much as it had disconcerted him on
a former occasion with me, it was now put into his own mouth to be
pronounced to the two Houses of legislature.

No material alterations were proposed or made in any part of the
draught.

After dinner, I produced the draught of messages on the subject of
France and England, proposing that that relative to Spain should be
subsequent and secret.

Hamilton objected to the draught in toto; said that the contrast drawn
between the conduct of France and England amounted to a declaration of
war; he denied that France had ever done us favors; that it was mean for
a nation to acknowledge favors; that the dispositions of the people of
this country towards France, he considered as a serious calamity; that
the executive ought not, by an echo of this language, to nourish that
disposition in the people; that the offers in commerce made us by
France, were the offspring of the moment, of circumstances which would
not last, and it was wrong to receive as permanent, things merely
temporary; that he could demonstrate that Great Britain showed us
more favors than France. In complaisance to him I whittled down the
expressions without opposition; struck out that of 'favors ancient and
recent' from France; softened some terms, and omitted some sentiments
respecting Great Britain. He still was against the whole, but insisted
that, at any rate, it should be a secret communication, because the
matters it stated were still depending. These were, 1. the inexecution
of the treaty; 2. the restraini