University of Virginia Library

8915. WAR, Power to declare.—[further continued]

The power of declaring
war being with the Legislature, the Executive
should do nothing necessarily committing
them to decide for war. [510]
To Vice-President Clinton. Washington ed. v, 116. Ford ed., ix, 100.
(W. 1807)

 
[510]

This extract, Jefferson explained to Clinton, defined
one of the principles that controlled his action
in the issuance of his proclamation after the attack
on the Chesapeake.—Editor.