Founding Neutrality

🇫🇷🇬🇧 Europe's Tumultuous State

The backdrop to the Proclamation was the eruption of the French Revolutionary Wars. News reached America in April 1793 that Revolutionary France had declared war on Great Britain in February of that year, effectively placing France at war with much of Europe. This global conflict presented a significant challenge to the United States, which had recently secured its independence with French aid and maintained strong economic ties with Britain.

👨‍💼 Washington's Urgent Response

Upon receiving the critical news while attending a funeral at Mount Vernon, President Washington immediately returned to Philadelphia and convened a cabinet meeting on April 19. The urgency of the situation was clear: the United States needed a definitive stance to avoid being drawn into the conflict. The cabinet, including key figures like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, unanimously agreed on the necessity of a proclamation to prevent American citizens from participating in hostilities on behalf of any belligerent power.

🤝 Cabinet Divisions and Consensus

While the cabinet agreed on the principle of neutrality, differing views emerged on its implementation. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, though acknowledging neutrality as a *sine qua non*, suggested a more strategic delay, proposing that American neutrality could be leveraged as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from European powers. In contrast, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton firmly asserted that American neutrality was not a negotiable asset. These early ideological clashes foreshadowed the deeper political divisions that would soon define American politics, ultimately leading to Jefferson's resignation from his post in disagreement with the official proclamation.

⚔️ Pacificus vs. Helvidius

The Proclamation of Neutrality ignited a fervent "war of pamphlets" between two of the nation's most influential figures: Alexander Hamilton, writing under the pseudonym "Pacificus" for the Federalists, and James Madison, responding as "Helvidius" for the Democratic-Republicans. These exchanges, known as the Pacificus-Helvidius Debates, delved deep into constitutional interpretation and the nature of executive power in foreign policy.

💡 Hamilton's Defense of Executive Action

In his seven essays, Hamilton, as Pacificus, staunchly defended the constitutionality of Washington's proclamation. He argued that while Congress held the power to declare war, it was inherently the executive's duty to preserve peace until such a declaration was made. Furthermore, Hamilton contended that the 1778 Treaty of Defensive Alliance with France did not obligate the U.S. to join France in an offensive war, which he asserted France had initiated against other European powers. He also highlighted the pragmatic danger of siding with France, which could expose American borders to attacks from Great Britain and Spain, potentially inciting Native American tribes against the young republic.

⚖️ Madison's Constitutional Challenge

Prompted by Thomas Jefferson, a reluctant James Madison took up the pen as Helvidius. His five essays reflected the growing animosity between the political factions. Madison launched a sharp critique, accusing Federalists and Hamilton of monarchist tendencies. He championed a strict constructionist view of the Constitution, asserting that Congress, not the President, possessed comprehensive authority over foreign affairs, with only explicitly enumerated exceptions. Madison's arguments underscored the Democratic-Republican concern over executive overreach and the potential erosion of legislative power.

🎶 Hamilton: The Musical

The intense debates surrounding the Proclamation of Neutrality, particularly the intellectual sparring between Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, are vividly brought to life in the acclaimed musical Hamilton. The song "Cabinet Battle #2" dramatically portrays the clash of ideologies and personalities within Washington's cabinet as they grapple with the critical decision of American neutrality. This popular cultural representation has introduced a new generation to the complexities and high stakes of this pivotal moment in American history.

📜 References