51To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 16 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 10th instant. Mine to you of the 6th, which was sent by duplicates, will have informed you of the then state of the business of the Supervisorship of the District of Delaware. I have, within two days, received a letter from Mr Vining stating that an absence from home had delayed the receipt of my letter, & the ascertaining of Mr Barratt’s inclination in...
52To George Washington from Samuel Hanson (of Samuel), 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
It is with great reluctance I am induced to trouble you upon a disagreeable subject, which at the same time, I conceive you ought to have been made acquainted with long ago, tho’ I hoped the information would go from some other Quarter. It is the Conduct of Mr Lee, as Collector of this District. I beg leave to premise that, as soon as I had formed the resolution of exhibiting charges agt Mr...
53To George Washington from James Hardie, 23 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
A Copy of a Latin grammar, published by me some time ago accompanies this letter. As it only treats of the first elements of learning, it can be of no use to you; the perusal of it may however, be of some little advantage to your Grandson. Could I in a more suitable manner testify my respect for one, who on account of his many & superiour virtues, is by all deservedly named the Father of his...
54To George Washington from Thomas Hartley, 24 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I considered myself as highly honoured by your favour of the 25th ult. and have taken all the pains in my power to give you the satisfaction you wish for. Being soon oblidged to leave home for several weeks, I am somewhat pressed in time, but thought proper to write you the result of my Enquiries and Observations at this period, as I am sure you will be ready to make allowance for time and...
55To George Washington from Thomas Hartley, 7 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Sunbury, [Pa.,] 7 Oct. 1791. Recommends Maj. John Clark, whose military service you are familiar with, as “certainly a very good accountant” who “would be capable of filling an office where such Abilities were necessary—He has read Law with some Attention but has not been very successful in his Profession. Under present Circumstances any respectable Appointment would be convenient to him and...
56To George Washington from Benjamin Hawkins, 27 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I this day drew the attention of the Senate to the evident impropriety in publishing their Executive proceedings. I stated in as strong a point of view as I was capable of, the injustice and impolicy of suffering ourselves to become dupes to the foreign public characters resident at the seat of Government; by detailing in conversation any part of our proceedings. Our Secretary was imprudently,...
57I: Benjamin Hawkins’s Notes on the Debate in the United States Senate, c.3 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
S——te, on the agency it ought to have in judging of the expediency of sendg M——rs abroad. Resolution—“That in the opinion of the S——te it will not be for the interest of the U.S. to appoint M——rs Ple——y to reside permanently at Foreign Courts.” Mr. Haw[kins]—Doubts the P—— right to decide on the measure without the previous advice of the Se——te. Sees embarrassments in negativeing the character...
58To George Washington from Benjamin Hawkins, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Prompted by the free and candid manner you expressed yourself on political affairs to me some days past, I shall without reserve, communicate to you the reasons which enduced me yesterday to vote for striking out the second section in the bill which I enclose to you. That I may be understood throughout I must take a retrospect on indian affairs for some years back. During the war we...
59To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency the President, the Honorable the Senate, and the Honorable the House of Representatives, Composing the Legislature of the United States of America. The Memorial of Moses Hazen Esqr., late Brigadier General in the Army of the United States, most Respectfully Sheweth—That your Memorialist did himself the Honour to direct Memorials to the Legislature of America; the former was...
60To George Washington from Isaac Heard, 7 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
From a sincere Respect for the distinguished Character of Your Excellency, I made genealogical Collections, many years ago, relative to the Family of Washington, originally, from Lancashire; Branches of which were established in the Counties of Northampton, Kent and Wilts, enjoying ample Possessions; Several of the Family had been Knighted in the early-part of the last Century. Exclusive of...
61To George Washington from Samuel Henley, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
It is with reluctance that I trespass a moment on that time which is devoted to the most important national concerns, Nor would I now do it were I not urged by the most pressing necessity. This is my only Apology; (& may I not hope that your Excellency will deem it a sufficient one) for renewing my Application for some Appointment under the foederal Government. I am perswaded that the...
62To George Washington from William Hunter, Jr., 26 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Sensible, that the pressure of public business, you have to attend to, leaves little or no time for private, which makes me sorry to intrude, but hope on this occasion it will be forgiven, As it is only once more to mention Capt. Nicholas Hannah, whom you was so kind as name to Colo. Dark in Appointing the Officers of the Levies; He is now in Phila., and wishes to enter into the regular...
63To George Washington from John Hurt, 1 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The misfortunes of the last campaign have disturbed my mind so long, that contrary to my own inclination, or custom, of troubling you with letters—I am almost constrained to lay some matters before you as chief Magistrate. I am sensible that volumes will be written to you, & others, on this occasion, by men of information & high rank—but if I am not mistaken these will be confined to matters...
64To George Washington from James Iredell, 23 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the letter you did the Judges of the Supreme Court the honour to write to them on the 3d April 1790, I presume it is not only proper for a single Judge, but his express duty when he deems it of importance to the public service, to state any particular circumstances that occur to him in the course of his personal experience which occasion unexpected difficulties or...
65To George Washington from William Jackson, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Archibald McCall of this city, who is, I believe, employed to procure a house for the british Minister, appointed to the United States, says that Mr Hammond may be expected to arrive here within a fortnight or three weeks. This information may be depended on—it was given privately to a Gentleman of this place, last evening, by Mr McCall himself. The news papers, which go by this post,...
66To George Washington from John Jay, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
My first Idea was to have made a Sketch of what, in my opinion would be proper on the occasion; but finding in the Progress of it, that my Information relative to the actual State of Affairs was not sufficiently particular, and in several Respects defective, it became necessary to confine myself to general Remarks. How far the fiscal arrangements require amendments or additions, can best be...
67To George Washington from John Jay, 27 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
As I shall be absent from the next sup: Court, obvious Considerations urge me to mention to You the Reasons of it. Early in the next month I expect an Addition to my family—Mrs Jay’s delicate Health (she having for more than three weeks past been confined to her chamber) renders that Event so interesting, that altho she is now much better, I cannot prevail on myself to be then at a Distance...
68To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 10 Nov. 1791. After examining the enclosed papers relating to the land purchase of John Cleves Symmes on the Great Miami River, he thinks it proper to lay them before Congress, to demonstrate not only the foundation of Symmes’s larger claim but also the “expediency of providing some speedy and regular mode of deciding this and other questions of a like nature which might arise...
69To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to submit to the President a letter from Mr de Viar, with the answer he has prepared to it, and a letter in consequence for Colo. Humphreys. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosures were the Spanish chargé José Ignacio de Viar’s letter to Thomas Jefferson of 12 Dec. and Jefferson’s reply of 13 Dec., as well as Jefferson’s letter to...
70I: From Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the U.S. and subjoins what he supposes might form a proper introduction to the statement prepared by the Secretary at war. the occasion is so new that however short the letter proposed, he has no doubt it will need correction both as to the matter & manner. Sir As the circumstances which have engaged the U.S. in the present Indian war,...
71To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having received information that the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States are subject in Copenhagen and other ports of Denmark to considerable extra duties, from which they might probably be relieved by the presence of a Consul there, Reports to the President of the United States: That it would be expedient to name a Consul, to be resident in the port of...
72To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and sends him a draught of letters to Majr L’Enfant & the Commissioners, prepared on a conference with mister Madison. perhaps the former may be too severe. it was observed however, that tho’ the president’s sentiments conveyed to him thro’ mister Lear, were serious, & ought to have produced an effect on him, he gave them the go-by in his...
73To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
An account presented to me by Mr John B. Cutting, for expenditures incurred by him in liberating the seamen of the United States in British ports during the impressments which took place under that government in the year 1790, obliges me to recall some former transactions to your mind. You will be pleased to recollect the numerous instances of complaint or information to us, about that time,...
74To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President, and sends a sketch of such a message as he thinks might accompany the statement from the Secretary at war. he does not know whether the President intended that an estimate of the next years operations should accompany it. but he thinks it a proper occasion to bring forward the preparations for the next year, and that it forms the safest...
75To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state, to whom was referred, by the President of the United States, a letter from the Governor of Pennsylvania with the documents therein mentioned, on the subject of certain lands on Lake Erie, having had the same under consideration, thereupon Reports That Congress, by their resolution of June 6. 1788. directed the Geographer general of the United States to ascertain the...
76To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Estimate of the demands on the Foreign Fund from July 1, 1790, to March, 4, 1793 1790-1. 1791.-2. 1792-3 8 months France Salary 4500 6000. 6000. Secretary of Chargé des Affaires, during his absence in Holland. Suppose 4 months abt 243. 1350. 900. his expences on that journey abt 675. Gazettes postage, and other Extras abt 350. 350.
77Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Note on the subject of vacant Consulships. Lisbon. Candidates. Edward Church. his case is known to the President. John Telles of Philadelphia. his papers inclosed. Samuel Harrison. see Colo. Humphrey’s letter to the President. John Cowper. (Virginia) recommended by Josiah Parker. Cadiz. the former candidates not approved, & no new offer. it is very desireable we should have a consul there....
78To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you a draught of a letter to Governor Pinkney, & to observe that I suppose it to be proper that there should, on fit occasions, be a direct correspondence between the President of the U.S. and the Governors of the states; and that it will probably be grateful to them to recieve from the President answers to the letters they address to him. the correspondence with...
79To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the letters of the Commissioners on their discharge of the workmen ⟨&ca⟩ in the Federal city. the copy of the Extracts from them for Majr L’Enfant was not finished till last night, & therefore could not be sent to him till to-day, consequently the conference with him is put off to tomorrow. Th: J. incloses a copy of his letter to Majr...
80To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 21 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 21 Nov. 1791. Encloses a copy of his report of this day to the House of Representatives on the petition of Jacob Isaacks, noting: “it is printed on the back of a Permit in order to shew that the proposition therein made is perfectly practicable.” ALS , NUtM ; ALS (letterpress copy), DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 59, Domestic Letters.
81To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the conditions of our commerce with the French and British Dominions, are important, and a moment seems to be approaching when it may be useful that both should be accurately understood, I have thrown a representation of them into the form of a table, shewing, at one view, how the principal articles interesting to our agriculture and navigation stand in the European and American Dominions...
82III: Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having yesterday received a Note from Mr Strong as Chairman of a Committee of the Senate, asking a conference with him on the subject of the late diplomatic nominations to Paris, London and the Hague, he met them in the Senate chamber in the evening of the same day, and stated to them in substance what follows. That he should on all occasions be ready to give to the...
83Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The discussions which are opening between mister Hammond & our government, have as yet looked towards no objects but those which depend on the treaty of peace. there are however other matters to be arranged between the two governments, some of which do not rest on that treaty. the following is a statement of the whole of them. 1. The Western posts. 2. the Negroes carried away. 3. the debt of...
84To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 10 Nov. 1791. Sends a copy of a report he has prepared for the Senate. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . On 3 Nov. the U.S. Senate requested the secretary of state to prepare a report on the petition presented by John Mangnall on 2 Nov. requesting a pension and compensation for losses during the Revolutionary War ( Annals of Congress Joseph Gales, Sr., comp....
85To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to subjoin the alteration he suggested in the last paragraph of the President’s speech. Having read Colo. Humphreys’ letters after mister Short’s he had been led into an erroneous arrangements of the facts they state. Colo. Humphreys’ letter mentioning the king’s refusal of the constitution is of Aug. 22. while it appears by mister Short’s letter of Aug. 30. that...
86To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ellicot having sent the inclosed letter from Roberdeau for the perusal of Th: Jefferson, he thinks the 1st page & 2 or 3. lines of the 2d worth reading by the President. the rest contains communications of small news. he has learnt that Majr Lenfant, after his conversation with Th: J. wrote to Roberdeau to continue 50. hands; which shews he means to continue himself. Is the President’s...
87Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the U.S. and sends him the letter he has prepared for mister Hammond relative to his Commercial commission. he also incloses the rough draught of the one he has prepared on the subject of the treaty of peace, with the documents he proposes to communicate in support of the facts. the 1st of these (the Substance of the Conference &c.) is...
88To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The late appointment of a Minister Resident to the Hague, has brought under consideration the condition of Mr Dumas, and the question, whether he is, or is not, at present in the service of the U.S.? Mr Dumas, very early in the war, was employed first by Dr Franklin, afterwards by Mr Adams, to transact the affairs of the U.S. in Holland. Congress never passed any express vote of confirmation,...
89To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred by the President of the United States, the letter of the Governor of Virginia of January 7th 1792, with the Report of a Committee of the House of Delegates of that Commonwealth of December 12th 1791, and Resolution of the General Assembly thereon of December 17th on the case of Charles Russell, late an Officer in the service of the said...
90To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state, to whom has been referred by the President of the United States the Report of the proceedings in the Executive department of the North Western territory, for the month of July 1791, made by the Secretary of the said territory, thereupon Reports That the letter of July 12. 1791. therein entered, having been already communicated to the legislature of the United states,...
91To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State Reports to the President of the United States that one of the Commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his court, that his Catholic majesty, apprised of our sollicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free navigation of the river Missisipi, & the use of a port thereon, is ready to enter into treaty...
92To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has had under examination the Records of Proceedings in the Executive department of the Northwestern government from the 1st of Aug. to the 31st of December 1791—transmitted by the Secretary, and Reports to the President of the United States That finding nothing therein which calls for the attention or interference of the President, he has deposited them among the...
93To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have duly considered the letter you were pleased to refer to me, of the 18th of August from his Excellency Governor [Charles] Pinckney to yourself, together with the draught of one proposed to be written by him to the Governor of Florida claiming the redelivery of certain fugitives from justice who have been received in that Country. The inconveniencies of such a receptacle for debtors and...
94To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Having been in conversation to-day with Monsr Payan, one of the St Domingo deputies, I took occasion to enquire of him the footing on which our commerce there stands at present, & particularly whether the colonial arret of 1789 permitting a free importation of our flour till 1793 was still in force. he answered that that arret was revoked in France on the clamours of the merchants there: but...
95II: Draft of a Message to the United States Senate, c.3–4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your house has been pleased to communicate to me their resolutions, purporting a decision by them that it is expedient &c. from whence an implication arises that in their opinion they might have decided that no such appointments were expedient. After mature consideration & consultation, I am of opinion that the constitution has made the President the sole competent judge to what places...
96To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have given you the trouble of more reading on the subject of Major Lenfant’s letter, than you perhaps intended. I have done it from an apprehension that your mind might not be thoroughly satisfied whether he was not equally justifiable in the demolition of mister Carrol’s house, as in the demolition of trees & other obstacles, which he urges in his own justification. the truth is that...
97Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 22 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia, 22 Nov. 1791]. Sends a statement for 1,680 livres, the cost of champagne imported for GW this year, and, since there were insufficient funds deposited abroad to cover GW’s present order for thirty dozen bottles of champagne, requests a bill on Amsterdam for 800 florins. This, with the undervaluation of the previous shipment, will probably total more than 2,000 livres. AL , owned...
98To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson sends to the President a letter he has received from mister Hammond, with the general sketch of an answer he had proposed to write to him. he will have the honour of seeing the President on the subject to-day. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . For the background to this letter, see GW to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1791, n.3 , Jefferson to GW, 10 April, n.1 ,...
99To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 3 February 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
from Thomas Johnson, 3 Feb. 1792. GW refers in his letter to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia of 6 Mar. to “Mr Johnson’s letter of the 3d of february.” Johnson’s letter apparently included a draft, which has not been found, of an advertisement for designs for the Capitol. Thomas Jefferson advised the commissioners on 6 Mar.: “You will doubtless also consider it necessary to...
100To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
After many Endeavours for Assistance in answering your Inquiry into the Agriculture &c. of Montgomery Frederick and Washington Counties I was obliged to rely principally on my own Observations and Conjectures; for as very few measure their Fields or Produce it is mere guess Work and they commonly think and speak the best of their own Affairs. I wish my Conjectures had a more certain Foundation...