Channels, Spring 2019

Page 36 Wilt • The President, Foreign Policy President Washington wrote “the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers.” 21 President George Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793 set a strong tone, and surprising precedent. Many presidents following Washington adopted a similar model of governing with respect to the United States and Europe. Not only was the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 a surprising precedent, given the pledge the United States made to France to support them in return for their support of the United States’ fight for independence; this was also a surprise given that it was President George Washington who made this announcement, and that the country supported his neutral stance. President Washington continued this line in his Farewell Address , where he reminds the country of the call for neutrality with respect to the European theater. He considered the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 to be the “index of his plan.” 22 In it, President Washington outlined his desire for the United States to “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” 23 While he strongly intends to see that the commitments made by the United States be carried out, he states that “it would be unwise to extend them.” 24 Looking back, it is unfortunate to consider that the United States chose not to honor its pact with France. Following the War of Independence, the United States agreed to aid France, its original ally, in the event of France going to war with another nation, like England, Spain, or Portugal. However, when war finally broke out, President Washington broke the commitment and pursued a neutral policy out of concern for the United States’ best interests as a burgeoning nation. Another action during Washington’s presidency is the Jay Treaty, which was widely viewed then as a weak and unfulfilling treaty. Nonetheless, President Washington received Congress’ approval, and the Treaty was subsequently ratified. Following President Washington was his natural successor and at the time, Vice President of the United States: John Adams. Adams was a Federalist of Federalists. He was on the committee during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and was a firm supporter of a strong national government. Furthermore, he served as the Ambassador to Great Britain, affording him diplomatic skills as well as his negotiation acumen. However, during his presidency, John Adams was mired in the XYZ Affair. This foreign policy scandal hindered the executive branch’s ability to command respect and international acknowledgement as a legitimate partner. Franco-American relations worsened especially, as a quasi-naval war broke out between the United States and France. Such an incident did not play well into the idea of the president’s supremacy or prominence concerning foreign affairs and impaired the presidency. From then on, presidents have acknowledged the need to remain cautious concerning diplomatic relations, secret diplomacy, and the spy network. President Thomas Jefferson set two major precedents concerning presidential power and authority: the Louisiana Purchase, and the Barbary Pirates War. An ardent Anti-Federalist and strong opponent to his predecessor, John Adams, Jefferson made it a point in the Constitutional Convention to oppose the new Constitution as a usurpation of states’ sovereignty. Moreover, President Jefferson – among many other Anti-Federalists following the successful adoption of the new Constitution – pursued a narrow and strict view of the document. Such a stance became known 21 Washington, George. “The Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793.” Avalon Law School , 2008, Lillian Goldman Law Library. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/neutra93.asp 22 Washington, George. “Farewell Address.” Evolving Presidency , edited by Michael Nelson, Los Angeles: Sage Books, 2016. Pages 54-62. 23 Ibid. 24 Ibid.