". . . by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate . . ."
Article II, Section 2
The first Senate considered
several matters relating to foreign affairs sent to them by President Washington.
Issues on which the President consulted the Senate included negotiating and
ratifying Indian treaties, freeing American citizens held hostage in Algiers,
reopening trade with Great Britain, settling the dispute with Britain over the
Maine boundary, and approving a Consular Convention with France. The first time
Washington sought the advice and consent of the Senate, he did so in person.
After the senators insisted on discussing the questions he had posed rather than
simply giving consent as they were read aloud, he chose not to appear in the Senate
chamber again. This set a precedent that continues today.
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