The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793–1794

The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of1793–1794 matched Hamilton and Madison in thefirst chapter of an enduring discussion about the proper roles of executive andlegislative branches in the conduct of American foreign policy. Ignited byPresident Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation of 1793, which annulled theeleventh article of America’s treaty with France of 1778, the debate addressedwhether Washington had the authority to declare America neutral, despite theearly alliance treaty with France. The L