George Washington: From Hero to President

The first of which was treaty negotiation. The Constitution said that the president must negotiate treaties "with the advice and consent of the senate". Washington tried to talk to the senate first before negotiating treaties, when this did not work he decided to negotiate treaties first and then get approval of the senate.(Web2) Also, Washington initiated the convenient practice of using nonpermanent executive agents, who did not require confirmation by the Senate, in the conduct of informal or preliminary negotiations with foreign powers.(Ferling 111) However, the most significant foreign policy move was the Proclamation of Neutrality. .
             Two weeks after Washington's second inauguration, reports reached Philadelphia of the execution in France of King Louis XVI. Two weeks later came the news that Washington had feared: Revolutionary France had declared war on Britain, Spain, and the Netherlands. The United States had allied themselves with France after France was helped the colonists in the Revolution. The president asked both Jefferson and Hamilton for suggestions on how to maintain strict neutrality. Hamilton and Jefferson, two of Washington's closest advisors in the cabinet, did not think neutrality was a good idea. They felt that only bad things would come of it. Washington wondered if he should proclaim neutrality and if the treaties of 1778 are still valid. Washington's advisors did not want to declare neutrality, however, on April 22, 1793 Washington did. He briefly stated that he did not want to participate in the war and that the American government would not aid any citizens who decide to "abet hostilities" (Web1). A storm of criticism beset Washington's decisions from every quarter.
             There were many short-term and long-term effects of his decision. The French were extremely unhappy with his decision because of their efforts in aiding the United States in the American Revolution.