 First “foreign” issue may actually be a domestic one  US settlers begin moving out into Western territories at a quick pace  Native Americans will naturally want to defend their new territories  Get a lot of encouragement from both the English and Spanish  Other nations have little regard for the new US govt; Why should Natives?

 Certain tribes south of the Ohio River will come to peaceful settlements with the US, like the Cherokee, Chickamauga, and Creek  This allows areas like Kentucky (1792)and Tennessee (1796) to be settled  The tribes of the Northwest will not be nearly as peaceful  Battles between the Natives and Americans will rage well into the next century

 GW’s presidency is very difficult  Never easy to go first; there’s no model to fall back on  He becomes the standard bearer for all future office holders  He will be placed in some very difficult situations

 Within a few months of GW’s inauguration the French Revolution will break out  It’s a very popular event amongst American citizens  The support of the French is coupled with a continuing resentment of England  The general expectation is that the U.S. will participate in some way  BUT- which side would the U.S. participate on- the French govt. or the French rebels?

 Getting involved in the French Rev would be a bad idea  We are not in a position to help out physically or financially  GW will keep the US out of it  This will not sit very well with France (govt. or rebels) or with many American citizens

 Civil war is not France's only issue  It’s also dealing with some major problems with the English (as usual)  England and France will go to war in 1793 (as usual)  This conflict will put the U.S. in a very difficult and unpleasant spot  Both England and France will look to the U.S. to shift the balance of power in their respective favors

Side with France Side with England  France will expect help from the US  They gave us a ton of assistance during the American Revolution  Money  Troops  Navy  They aren’t even asking for that much into return; just want the use of ports and some troops  In many ways, the U.S. owes France  Wouldn’t necessarily be “siding” with England  In terms of politics, we are still anti-England  However, ¾ of our trade is with England  Most of our taxes are collected off of English products  England’s navy could shut down our trade

 GW will issue a Proclamation of Neutrality  All cabinet members will agree (although TJ is not happy with the decision)  Another instance where the final decision comes down to a Hamilton-Jefferson argument (TJ- generally pro-French, AH- generally pro- England)  GW- “The United States will be friendly and impartial”  Warns that Americans helping either side would be denied the protection and security of the U.S. government

 This is not well received by the American people  Most people find the decision hypocritical  GW’s decision gets coupled with the arrival of Frenchman Edmund Genet  Genet arrives under the premise of recruiting troops  His backstory is a little cloudy  Genet is very popular with the American people, but not so well received by the govt.  His actions nearly endanger the concept of neutrality

 England will push the limits on neutrality  After war breaks out, they issue a series of orders preventing “neutral” ships from trading in the West Indies, and/or carrying weapons and resources to France  That is a major area for U.S. trade  England will begin seizing US trade vessels  Very aggressive and a big time provocation/instigation of war  Hamilton will beg Washington for peace efforts and an avoidance of war

 GW is willing to consider peace and John Jay will be sent to England  Objective: payment for assaulted US ships, withdrawal of British troops, end Indian aid, secure commercial treaty  Hamilton cripples Jay’s leverage  When the Jay Treaty is complete it really doesn’t address any of the U.S. concerns  Ultimately the treaty provides for England evacuating it’s forts (again), and limited US trade  However- it keeps the U.S. out of war  The treaty is not well received at home

 Spain will be upset with the Jay Treaty as well  Treaty was so one-sided in favor of England, Spain thought there must have been a side deal cut  Thomas Pinckney will be sent to deal with some longstanding issues between the U.S. and Spain  This treaty works out well for the U.S.  We receive free navigation of the MS River, right of deposit in New Orleans, and the US idea of Florida’s boundaries

 By the end of his second term, Washington was ready to pack it in  He actually was ready to retire after his first term, but was convinced by Jefferson and Hamilton to stay on  Had become very sensitive to criticism, and was criticized a lot  GW had lost a lot of Jefferson’s support; TJ actually resigned from the cabinet in 1793  Before stepping away, Washington drafted a farewell address  Key points: stay out of foreign affairs, avoid political parties