1To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your knowledge of the world makes it hardly necessary for me to remind you how difficult it is to dislodge a cunning bad man when he has once got possession of the heart of a great & good one. The strongest evidence of this fact is derived from the history of Princes. Be not offended at my mentioning Tiberius. There is no similitude between your characters. He, a brutal Tyrant. You possessed,...
2To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Beware. Be upon your guard. You have cherished in your Bosom a Serpent, and he is now endeavouring to sting you death. Under the Mark of a Democrat, he thinks he conceals his ambition which is unbounded. His vanity makes him believe that he will certainly be your Successor. But he can not wait with patience untill it shall please God to take you from this world. He wishes to precipitate his...
3To George Washington from Nathaniel Appleton, 3 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
with great respect & diffidence I address the President of the United States. One of my sons Thoms Appleton about 26 years of age has resided in Paris the last 5 years, & has been connected in business with a very respectable House there, in supplying the City with Oil by contract, which gave a fair prospect of yeilding him a handsom proffit, but during the Revolution there, such dificulties...
4To George Washington from Robert Bourne, 9 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
A Church is Requir’d to be Built in London—to be Call’d the American Church—The appointments with you with Great Respect I remain ALS , DLC:GW . On 10 Dec. 1791 Robert Bourne informed “the president of the Congress” that “General Washington has been wrote too on the Subject” of the American Church in London, and Bourne expressed his hope that “it will meet Your full approbation” ( DLC:GW ). No...
5To George Washington from Shearjashub Bourne, 20 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Understanding that it is acceptable to you, to receive information upon the merits of Candidates to Office, through the Medium of the Representatives in Congress; And as the Bill for the Establishment of a Mint, will render necessary some Appointments; I beg leave to present to your Notice Mr Silvanus Bourne late Consul for St Domingo as a Candidate for the place of Treasurer in that...
6To George Washington from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the Legislature of the United States, appears not to contemplate, either an adequate regulation of the powers of their Consuls, or reward for their services, and the present state of St Dominique, being less favourable to mercantile pursuits, than heretofore, I have reason to think that my return to that Country, would only tend to increase the weight of those Disbursments, which my former...
7To George Washington from James Bowdoin, Jr., 3 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Regard, I am persuaded, your Excellency entertained for my late Father: the Respect, which his private, as well as public Character induced, whilst it should inspire a general Desire, to emulate his Virtues, ought in a peculiar Manner, to create in me, a Disposition, to tread in his Footsteps. These Considerations, added to a supposed Ability, to serve the United States, ⟨mutilated⟩ in the...
8To George Washington from Robert Brent, 25 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
It having been my lott to inherit nothing from the estate of my Ancestors; and finding the perils and uncertainties of the merchantile business, in which I was bred, enough to deter those from its persuit, who possessed ample capitals You will not be surprised at one, who did not possess that necessary advantage, declining its persuit. In order to secure a future independance I have been...
9To George Washington from David Campbell, 9 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
If the Judges of the Territory South of the Ohio are vested with federal Jurisdiction, which doubtless the[y] will be, otherwise violators of Treaties will go unpunished, they at present having no federal Jurisdiction: It will be necessary to appoint an Attorney for the District, whose business it will be ex officio, to commence prosecutions agains violators of Treaties or give information to...
10To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 21 November 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Carroll, 21 Nov. 1791. GW informed Daniel Carroll of Duddington on 28 Nov. that “Your letter of the 21st came to my hands on thursday afternoon.”
11To George Washington from Daniel Carroll of Duddington, 28 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write you a few days past, informing you of my disagreeable situation, Major L’Enfant has proceeded with his hands to the demolishing of my building which he has in great Measure effected, having entirely destroyed the roof, & thrown down the greater part of the upper story, in fine the building is ruined, this appears to be the most arbitrary act ever heard of. I...
12To George Washington from Daniel Carroll of Duddington, 21 December 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Carroll of Duddington, 21 Dec. 1791. In GW’s letter to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia of 27 Dec. , he referred to Carroll’s letter to him “of the 21st Instant.”
13To George Washington from Giuseppe Ceracchi, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose to you a Copy of a Memorial which I have the honor of presenting this day to Congress—Give me leave to submit it to the Friend and Patron of the fine Arts as well as to the President of the United States. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant LS , DLC:GW . The son of a Roman goldsmith, sculptor Giuseppe...
14Enclosure: Giuseppe Ceracchi to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Joseph Ceracchi, a Roman Sculptor begs leave to submit to your Honors the annexed Design, which he has conceived of a Monument for perpetuating the Memory of the American Revolution. If Congress should think proper to encourage this Design, the Artist, satisfied with the Glory, which his performance will receive from the Subject itself, desires no pecuniary Reward, and only wishes to have the...
15To George Washington from Francisco Chiappe, 8 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Cadiz, 8 Nov. 1791. Observing that GW has yet to acknowledge his letters or issue him orders, encloses a duplicate of his letter of 22 Mar., as well as two lists of gifts presented by the ambassadors of Denmark and Sweden to the emperor of Morocco, and requests advice on how he and his brothers, who have long temporized and given many excuses, should respond to the emperor’s continuing...
16To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 28 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mogador [Morocco], 28 Oct. 1791. Sends a duplicate of his letter of 31 Aug. by a Dutch captain bound for Saint Lucia with a cargo of mules and adds the following news: his brother Girolamo, consul for Venice at Tangier, has traveled to Madrid and Cadiz under the authority of Emperor Yazid Ibn-Muhammed of Morocco to arrange a ceasefire. A skirmish resulting in casualties occurred at Ceuta...
17To George Washington from John Churchman, 29 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
To the President of the United States of America the following Copy of a Memorial (with a hope it may be found worthy of Patronage) is respectfully submitted by the Subscriber. To the Honourable Congress of the United States The Memorial of John Churchman Respectfully represents. That on his application last year, to be enabled to perform a voyage to the northern magnetic point in Baffins Bay,...
18To George Washington from George Clinton, 24 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Confidential Sir New York, 24th February 1792 It is reported here that Colo. Smith either has or intends to resign the Office of Supervisor of the Excise for this District; Under this Impression and a Conviction that from the Nature of that Office there is none that it is more necessary should be filled with a Man of Discretion, Integrity and weight in the Community I begg leave to mention for...
19To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
After seeing things settled here as we thought the 10th of this Month, we left this place the Eleventh, we were again summoned by express and brought together last Tuesday. for Mr Roberdeau had the day after we left George Town collected hands, resumed digging of the Foundation of the Capitol—The severity of the season has prevented our visiting the spot more than once: when Mr Roberdeau...
20To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
We have before had occasion to inform you, that we had contracted with Mr Fendall, for the delivery of rough foundation Stones, from the falls to the amount of £1200, to be delivered by next and the money to be paid at different periods during the delivery, our attention has since been directed to the securing some of the Quarries on Acquia. Before doing any thing final however, it was...
21To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The numbers 3 in Square 107 at £20 No. 8 in Square 87, at 55 No. 15 in Square 105 at 92, and No. 16 in the same Square at 76£ fall again to the public those bids were to protect its Interest so that the real Sales are of Thirty one Lots averaging 96 . . 7 . . 9. To accomodate some Strangers we were obliged after the payment of the ¼ Deposit to agree that the Land should stand as Security,...
22To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of answering your letters on particular subjects, we think it best to do it separately. With a view to settle all accounts to the first of this month and to form, as far as we might be able, a scheme of the business for the ensuing year, we met here the day before yesterday. many accounts are presented for our examination, the aggregate of which, exceeds our expectation, and many of...
23Enclosure: Daniel Carroll’s Case, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
In 1790. the Cellar of his House was walled up and stood so the Winter—30th March 1791. He signed the Agreement subjecting his property. Mark’d. A. 27th or 28th June 1791 he executed a deed in Trust to Carry the Agreement into Effect—The Original is in the Office at Annapolis where it was lodged to be recorded, but the paper B. is a Copy of the trust part of that and the other Deeds. (B.) In...
24To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday morning we passed the enclosed order to Mr Boaraff, nor suspected that there would be any repugnance to, or delay in carrying it into effect. We saw nothing of him again till today, having in the morning heard that he had been in Virginia, had an intercourse with Mr Roberdeau there, returned and was proceeding in the old line. Soon after this he came to our Room to settle the pay...
25To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Several Incidents have occurred since Yesterday Evening—We had a conversation with Mr Roberdeau, which at first ⟨intimated⟩ no disposition to accomodate but afterwards on being renewed opened a prospect of our being able to retain him consistant with our own Views—This morning received a Letter from him and had another Conversation with him, which induced us to point out by Letter to him...
26To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 25 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
We are sorry to be under the disagreeable necessity of mentioning to you an Occurance which must wound your feelings. On our meeting here to day, we were to our great astonishment informed that, Majr L’Enfant, without any Authority from us, & without even having submitted the matter to our consideration, had proceeded to demolish, Mr Carroll’s house, Mr Carroll who had received some letters,...
27To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Papers give the best state we are able of Danl Carroll’s House —the times of the several runnings and their Difference can best be ascertained by the Artists employed, for, of the first we have no Certainty, of the latter we can conclude nothing—Majr L’Enfant has written us a Letter Concerning Mr Youngs House and Improvements, and without any previous Consultation with us another...
28To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 26 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
A variety of considerations have induced us to think, that many and great benefits might result from the employment of a person of intelligence, to make a tour for a few months into the Eastern States, and inform himself of the terms on which men, and materials may be had—We are happy that Mr Cabots engagements have permitted him to undertake this Office. We have requested him to call on you...
29To George Washington from James Craik, 18 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your very kind and freindly Letter of the 16th came to hand late this Evening, And the Mail being ready to close, I have only time to return you my Sincere thanks for it—I shall see Mr Harrison to morrow who at present is out of Town, And by the Ensuing Post you may expect his determination respecting the Office you are pleased to propose for him, which I hope will not be too late—Mrs Craik &...
30To George Washington from William Cushing, 2 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inform you, that being on my journey to attend the Supreme Court, which is to sit next Monday, I have had the misfortune to be stopt here, since Friday last, by a bad cold attended with somewhat of a fever, so that the probability, at present, seems against my being able to reach Philadelphia by the time court is to sit. Assoon as my health permits, however, I design to...
31To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 22 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose to You a few stanzas which several persons, eminent in polite literature—and who have moreover the honor of a more intimate acquaintance with you than myself—affirm to be neither inelegant unjust nor unworthy of the subject on the occasion. I rejoice in this opportunity of testifying the fervency of that attachment and patriotic homage with which I am, your very...
32To George Washington from William Darke, 9–10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I Take the liberty of Communicating to your Excelency The disagreable News of our defeat. We Left fort Washington the Begining of Septr, a Jornel of our march to the place of Action & the whole proseedings on our march I hoped to have had the Honour to inclose to you but that and all other papers, Cloathing &ca was Taken by the Indians—this Jornal I know would have gave you pain but thought it...
33To George Washington from Thomas Attwood Digges, 12 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I hope Your Excellency will forgive my intrusion upon Your more important concerns when my purpose is solely to serve the Infant Manufactures of Our Country, and once more to mention a few words about Mr Wm Pearce the loom & machinery artist whom I inducd to go out to America last spring & took the liberty to introduce to You. He has I find met with the encouragement & patronage which He...
34To George Washington from William Douleau, 1 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia, 1 Dec. 1791]. Solicits GW’s assistance in obtaining his release from the workhouse in which he is confined. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. Douleau’s letter is almost indecipherable because of his limited ability to write English. The unidentified man was either poorly educated or a native speaker of another language. Apparently confined to the Philadelphia workhouse...
35To George Washington from George Eimbeck, 15 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I Am Under the Disagreeable Necessity of Informing your Excellency that Fort Wayne is in A very Defenceless Situation having Neither Men Nor Amunition and as I have Frequently made Application to the Goverment of the State of Georgia without Redress. Humbly beg your Excellency to Honor me with your Orders Respecting the Business—your Honor will Please Send Orders for A Flag Staff and that the...
36To George Washington from Mary Endress, 27 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
In the first place I beg forgiveness for intruding upon your Excellency with so strange an Epistle as this, but I hope your Excellency will pardon the intrusion as soon as you understand the Subject it arises from. It is better than 5 Months already, that I have carried the copy of this letter in my Pocket, fearing I should offend your Excellency by sending it, but I have at last overcome the...
37To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
As the late unhappy miscarriage to the westward gives occasion to Expect that some troops will be speedily raised for the Continental Service permit me to recommend to you Mr David Thompson a Gentleman from Ireland —He was of the Whig volunteers there & came to this Country about five years ago as a preceptor to a Gentleman’s children near me & conducted Himself with prudence & propriety in...
38To George Washington from Andrew G. Fraunces, 26 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Committee appointed by Harmony Lodge No. 52 have directed me to present you with the inclosed, & with their most respectfull Compliments. I have the honor to be Sir with very great respect Your Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Andrew G. Fraunces, a clerk in the Treasury Department, was a son of GW’s steward Samuel Fraunces (see Andrew G. Fraunces to GW, 7 Mar. 1792 ). The enclosure, which has...
39To George Washington from Samuel Gath, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to offer you ray sentiments, or oppinion, what wou’d be the most reasonable, and prudent method to settle a lasting Covenant, or treaty of peace, with the Indians in the westren County—From what little I have read in my youth, I remember great crueltys practised by the Spanard Commanders in Maxico and Perew, and something has been practised Similer, in this here country called...
40To George Washington from Ernst Frederick Gayer, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Ernst Frederick Gayer Most respectfully sheweth That the Subscriber was born in Germany at Stuttgard, the Capital of the Dukedom of Wirtemberg and educated in the University of the same Place under the Direction of Mr Rappolt (Librarian and Professor of Natural Philosophy thereof) at the Expence of His Serene Highness Charles Eugen Duke of Wirtemberg Stuttgard his then...
41To George Washington from Pierre-Charles Georgest, 14 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Not being willing to act against my Country—in the impossibility of rende[r]ing my services exactly under a new administration, which is yet far from having the Knowledge necessary to guard it from committing errors prejudicial to public affairs—and finally, foreseeing the misfortunes without number, which are on the point of afflicting this Kingdom, to which the nature of my services cannot...
42To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Chew having confirmed the character received by you, of Mr Barratt, I have written to Mr Vining requesting him to ascertain whether the appointment will be acceptable to him. Mr Houston of Georgia declines the offer made to him, on the score of want of a familiar acquaintance with figures, and its being inconsistent with the State of his affairs, to translate himself wholly to the seat of...
43To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to enclose to the President of the United States a Contract between the Superintendant of the establishments on Delaware river, & Thomas Conaroe the elder for repairing the public Piers adjacent to Reeding Island in the said river. This contract was transmitted at a moment when the absence of the President rendered the submission of it...
44To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department, Philadelphia, 23 Feb. 1792. Submits a contract made by the superintendent of the New Castle Island lighthouse in New Hampshire with Titus Salter for supplying, keeping, lighting, and superintending the occasional repairs of that building and humbly opines that it is not disadvantageous to the United States, as its terms are the same as those in the last agreement for the...
45To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit the draft of a Report, pursuant to an Order of the House of Representatives of the first day of November last; and to be With the highest respect & most faithful Attachment, Sir, Your Most Obedient & hble Servant LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure was a copy of Alexander Hamilton’s report on the public debt and loans, dated 23 Jan. 1792, which he transmitted to the House of...
46To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a letter of the 7th of January 1792 from the Collector of Alexandria, in answer to one written at the direction of the President; and also the Answer of the Collector of Boston to an enquiry in relation to the Keeper of the Lighthouse at Portland. LB , DLC:GW . Neither of the enclosures has been found (see Syrett,...
47To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate for the information of the President a letter which he has just received from the Supervisor of North Carolina. The complexion of things there tho’ not pleasing is rather better than worse. LB , DLC:GW . For the background to this letter, which probably involved difficulties in collecting the excise tax on distilled spirits, see GW to...
48II: From Alexander Hamilton, c.25 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hamilton presents his respects to the President & submits the following alterations in the Letter. instead of “I shall be glad ” &c. to say “it is my desire” or “it appears adviseable” that you prepare &c. Instead of “when our Constituents ” &c. Say [“]When the Community are called upon for considerable exertions, to relieve a part, which is suffering undr the hand of an enemy, it is...
49To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department, Philadelphia, 21 Nov. 1791. Submits two contracts: one between the collector of New London, Conn., and Nathaniel Richards for supplying the lighthouses in that district for one year, to end on 1 Oct. 1792, the terms of which were somewhat more favorable than those of the preceding year; and another between the collector of New London and the keeper of the lighthouse there,...
50To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 13 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 13 Feb. 1792. Communicates “some letters which have recently come to hand respecting the execution of the Excise Law in Kentuckey.” LB , DLC:GW . The enclosures have not been identified. Residents of the Kentucky District of Virginia earlier had petitioned the U.S. House of Representatives to suspend collection of the federal excise tax on distilled spirits in the district until...