Proclamation of Neutrality
When France declared war on England on February 1, 1793, the United
States faced a huge political problem. France was America’s ally (supporter) during
the Revolutionary War, yet Great Britain’s financial support was important to
American ship owners.
Nonetheless, Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation, warning
American citizens to avoid involvement in the European war. Since the war did
not involve the United States, Washington was saying the country should not pick
sides and make an enemy. President Washington and the members of his cabinet
agreed that a policy of neutrality was in the best interest of the country. Although
both Hamilton and Jefferson favored a neutral position, Hamilton sided with
Britain and Jefferson with France.
President Washington gave the official statement in May of 1793. His
statement read,
"It appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia,
Great Britain, and the Netherlands on the one part, and France on the
other. The duty and interest of the United States require that they should
adopt a conduct friendly and impartial toward the [warring] powers. I have
thought fit to declare the position of the United States to observe a
conduct towards those powers respectfully; and warn our citizens to avoid
all acts which may in any manner tend to [go against] this position."
If you notice, nowhere in his statement does Washington use the word
“neutral”. This was on purpose! George Washington and his cabinet knew that
they had to be sensitive to both England and France. He avoided using the term
“neutral” so as not to offend England since America was doing business with the
country and did not want to risk that relationship.
While the country would not take sides during the war between France and
England, this proclamation started a rowdy debate between Alexander Hamilton
and James Madison. They both published a series of pamphlets talking about the
statement itself but also the war between France and England. James Madison
criticized the President and said he was not allowed to make a proclamation
establishing neutrality! Hamilton wrote mainly in defense of George Washington
and the proclamation of neutrality. Some of Hamilton’s arguments were that the
decree was constitutional because it is the duty of the President to preserve the
peace and that if America had sided with France, it would have opened itself up to
being attacked within American borders by the governments of Britain and Spain.