William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Ambassadors Clause
| | The Executive Branch | |
"[H]e shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers "
Article II, Section 3
The Constitution gives the president the important diplomatic and ceremonial responsibility to meet with foreign ambassadors and dignitaries. This duty ensures that the president is the chief representative of American interests abroad. Here at the President's House, Washington and Adams received and welcomed representatives from Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and even the Vatican.
[Captions:]
Edmond Charles Genet was the first French Ambassador sent to the United States during George Washington's first term in office. He served in that capacity from 1793-1794 and would be the catalyst for a diplomatic crisis known as the "Citizen Genet Affair".
Courtesy of New York Public Library Digital Collections.
George Hammond was an English diplomat who served as Britain's first envoy to the United States from 1791 to 1795.
Courtesy of New York Public Library Digital Collections.
Sir Robert Liston served as the British Ambassador to the United States from 1796 to 1800.
Courtesy of National Gallery of Art.
Erected 2026
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Peace. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. 39° 57.026′ N, 75° 9.009′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It can be reached from the intersection of South 6th Street (County Road 2005) and Market Street (County Road 2004), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 598 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Taking the Oath (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker); The President's House (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Other markers no longer nearby. Strengthening Ties with the United States (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Awarding a Peace Medal (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The President's House Site 1790-1800 (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Archeology Methods and Interpretation (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The President's House - Washington and Adams (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Enslaved Africans in the Household of George and Martha Washington (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Contagion and Liberty (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Chef Hercules (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); History Lost & Found (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Mount Vernon to Philadelphia (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Dirty Business of Slavery (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
