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which established the neutrality of the United States in the French Revolution, despite our alliance with France.  This was consistent with Washington's view that the United States should not entangle itself in foreign matters.   

which established the neutrality of the United States in the French Revolution, despite our alliance with France.  This was consistent with Washington's view that the United States should not entangle itself in foreign matters.   

In 1794 and 1795, President Washington averted a second war with Britain over conflicts in the Northwest and shipping.  Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay (one of the three authors of the Federalist papers) persuaded the British to leave the Northwest posts, but Jay accepted continuing humiliation of the United States by British naval supremacy.  This weak treaty ("Jay's Treaty") greatly angered many Americans.

In 1794 and 1795, President Washington averted a second war with Britain over conflicts in the Northwest and shipping.  Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay (one of the three authors of the Federalist papers) persuaded the British to leave the Northwest posts, but Jay accepted continuing humiliation of the United States by British naval supremacy.  This weak treaty ("Jay's Treaty") angered many Americans.

There were also conflicts between Congress and the President.  Due to the American outrage, Congress demanded that President Washington provide papers relating to Jay's Treaty so everyone could see how this happened.  But Washington refused, and established the principle of "Executive Privilege" of President: the President does not take orders from Congress and does not have to produce executive-type documents to it.  Being George Washington and having suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, no one was going to challenge him on this!

There were also conflicts between Congress and the President.  Due to the American outrage, Congress demanded that President Washington provide papers relating to Jay's Treaty so everyone could see how this happened.  But Washington refused, and established the principle of "Executive Privilege" of President: the President does not take orders from Congress and does not have to produce executive-type documents to it.  Being George Washington and having suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, no one was going to challenge him on this!

 

A treaty that was more successful than Jay's Treaty was Pinckney's Treaty in 1795, whereby Spain gave the United States the right to navigate the Mississippi River, and Spain accepted a border between the United States and Spanish Florida (remember, Florida was not an English settlement and was not part of the United States then).

A treaty that was more successful than Jay's Treaty was Pinckney's Treaty in 1795, whereby Spain gave the United States the right to navigate the Mississippi River, and Spain accepted a border between the United States and Spanish Florida (remember, Florida was not an English settlement and was not part of the United States then).