... you will see a peice signed pacificus in defense of the proclm'n. You will readily know the pen. I know it the more readily because it is an amplification only of the topics urged in discussing the question when first proposed. The right of the Executive to declare that we are not bound to execute the guarantee was then advanced by him and denied by me. No other opinion expressed on it. In this paper he repeats it, & even considers the proclamation as such a declaration. But if any body intends it as such (except himself) they did not then say so. The passage beginning with the words 'the answer to this is &c. is precisely the answer he gave at the time to my objection that the Executive had no authority to issue a declaration of neutrality, nor to do more than declare the actual state of things to be that of peace - 'for until the new government is ackoleged the treaties &c. are of course suspended.' ... (TJ to James Madison, 29 June 1793)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbc3&fileName=rbc0001_2007jeffca...