University of Virginia Library

6384. PAPERS, Executive.—

Reserving
the necessary right of the President of the
United States to decide, independently of all
other authority, what papers, coming to him
as President, the public interests permit to be
communicated, and to whom, I assure you of
my readiness, under that restriction, voluntarily
to furnish on all occasions, whatever the purposes
of justice may require.—
To George Hay. Washington ed. v, 94. Ford ed., ix, 55.
(W. June. 1807)