1From George Washington to William Jackson, 26 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
At the sametime that I acknowledge the receipt of your letter, notifying me of your intention to enter upon a professional pursuit —and, during the ensuing term propose yourself for admittance as a practitioner of law in the Supreme Court of the State of Pennsylvania—I beg you to be persuaded that my best wishes will accompany you in that, or in any other walk into which your interest or...
2From George Washington to James Madison, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
At as early an hour this evening as you can make it convenient, I should be glad to see you. yrs sincerely & affecly Sparks transcript , MH . The only year of GW’s presidency in which 13 Dec. fell on a Tuesday was 1791.
3Conversation with Ralph Izard, Pierce Butler, and Aaron Burr, 24 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Izard, Mr Butler and Mr Burr, three members of the Senate, waited upon the President at six o’clock in the evening of this day, in order to request his opinion upon the etiquette which might be proper to be established between the Senators of the United States and foreign Ministers in respect to visiting each other—viz.—whether it would be proper for the Senators to pay the first visit to...
4From George Washington to Robert Bowyer, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received your letter, giving me information of the death of the Right Honble the Countess Dowager of Huntingdon, and accompanied with an engraving of that Lady, from a painting of yours. Although I had not the satisfaction of knowing the late Countess personally, yet having been honored with her correspondence, and learning from others the amiable and benevolent character which...
5Conversations with Pierce Butler, Ralph Izard, and Aaron Burr, 26 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
On the morning of this day the President requested Mr Butler (who had to pass by his house) to give him a call on his way to the Senate Chamber; and in this interview the President informed Mr Butler, that after the best consideration which time and circumstances had allowed him to bestow on the subject of etiquette, which had been submitted to him on the 24 instant, he thought it most...
6From George Washington to Daniel Carroll of Duddington, 28 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st came to my hands on thursday afternoon. By the Post of next morning I was unable to answer it; and this is the first opportunity that has offered since by wch it cd be done. It would have been better, & given me more satisfaction, if you had made your Appeal to the Commissioners; to whom all matters respecting the Federal district and City are now committed; but as you...
7From George Washington to John Kean, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
The weighty consideration which you mention as having determined you to accept the appointment of Cashier to the Bank of the U. States and the disinterested manner in which you have offered to continue your services to the Government, as far as may be compatible with the duties of your new station, conspire to induce my approbation of your conduct. As it is stated that so considerable a...
8From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the communications of a deputation from the Cherokee Nation of Indians now in this City. And I request your advice, whether an additional Article shall be made to the Cherokee treaty, to the following effect—to wit. That the sum to be paid annually by the United States to the Cherokee nation of Indians, in consideration of the relinquishment of lands, as stated in the treaty...
9From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Decr 26th 1791 The enclosed is a private letter from Colo. Nicholas (an influential character in Kentucky) to the Attorney General. He put it into my hands to read; I, without having asked his permission, send it to you for the same purpose, of course the communication is confidential. My reason for sending it to you is, to shew you the uniform sentiment of...
10From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington. I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my...
11From George Washington to James Madison, 19 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
If Mr Madison could make it convenient to spare half an hour from other matters, G. W. would be glad to see him at 11 oclock to day. AL (photocopy), NjP : Armstrong Photostats; AL , sold by Christie, Manson & Woods, International, Inc, 1993. No evidence has been found confirming the subject of this meeting.
12From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed meets my approbation. Did Walker accord willingly, or reluctantly? The Plan I think, ought to appear as the Work of L’Enfont. The one prepared for engraving not doing so, is, I presume, one cause of his dissatisfaction. If he consents to act upon the conditions proposed, and can point out any radical defects, or others to amend which will be a gratification to him—not improper in...
13From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill the offices annexed to their names respectively—namely— Nathaniel Rogers, to be Marshal of the New-Hampshire District; vice John Parker, deceased. Alexander Moore, to be Surveyor of the Port of West Point, in Virginia; vice John Spotswood Moore, who has resigned his appointmt. Charles Brown, to be Collector of the Port of George Town, in South Carolina;...
14From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you copies of the following Acts, which have been transmitted to me during the recess of Congress viz. An Act passed by the Legislature of New Hampshire, for ceding to the United States, the Fort and Light House belonging to said State. An Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, ratifying on behalf of said State, the first article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United...
15From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 8 January 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Anthony Whitting, 8 Jan. 1792. GW wrote Bushrod Washington on 8 Jan. 1792 : “Mr Whiting . . . is directed in a letter of this date, to wait upon Colo. Little.” Whitting himself alluded to the missing letter in his letters to GW of 15 and 22 January.
16From George Washington to Pierre L’Enfant, 28 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st instant came duly to hand, as did one of the same date from Mr Carroll of Duddington on the same subject. A Copy of my answer to the latter is enclosed, by which you will perceive I have proposed an accomodation. As a similar case cannot happen again (Mr Carrolls house having been begun before the Federal District was fixed upon) no precedent will be established by...
17From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 7 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came duly to hand, with the enclosures. I have had Samples of the Alexandria Blankets sent me—the quality of them is not good; inferior to those I had from Watson—& far, very far indeed, inferior to those which I used to import myself. The prices, length & breadth of three kinds, are enclosed. Messrs Sitgreaves, give no length to their Blankets—and if Colo. Biddle...
18From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 27 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I proposed the alternatives contained in my letter of the 28th Ulto to Mr Carroll of Duddington it was done on the ground of accomodation; & under full persuation that, as the house of that Gentleman had been begun before the land was ceded, and had progressed between that and the ultimate decision on the lines of the Street which embraces part of it, no doubt would arise with respect to...
19From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st inst: I have duly recd—likewise one of the 4th, covering a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury together with some communications from Lt Colo. Beckwith. I herewith transmit you an Address & Memorial of the Officers, Civil & Military, of the District of Miro, which was sent to me by Govr Blount—I wish you to take the same into your consideration, & make a Report...
20From George Washington to Henry Lee, 14 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Unfortunate and melancholy as the event is, which has given rise to your communication of the instant, I sincerely thank you for it. Since the receipt of your letter official account of the defeat is come to hand, and is herewith enclosed. As the whole of it went to Congress, it was thought best to expunge no part of that which should be given to the public; otherwise the throwing away of...
21From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have directed the secretary of War to lay before you for your information the reports of Brigadier General Scott, and Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Wilkinson, the officers who commanded the two expeditions against the Wabash indians, in the months of June and August last; together with the instructions by virtue of which the said expeditions were undertaken. When the operations now depending...
22From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I receive with real mortification the account of the demolition of Mr Carrolls house by Major L’Enfant, against his consent, and without authority from yourselves or any other person: for you have done me but justice in ass⟨erting that⟩ he had no such authority from me. My letter of the 28th Ulto to Mr Carroll of Duddington will prove this. I now enclose you the copy of one to Majr L’Enfant,...
23From George Washington to Thomas Harwood, 27 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to pay to Thomas Johnson, David Stuart, and Daniel Carroll esquires, Commissioners of the Federal district, or to their order, or the order of any two of them—twenty-four thousand Dollars, in part of the Seventy-two thousand dollars given by the Assembly of Maryland, towards the defraying the expences of the public Bu[i]ldings within the said District. LB , DLC:GW . As the state of...
24From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Madison, 10 Oct. 1791. Sold by Stan V. Henkels, 1892, catalog 694, item 63.
25From George Washington to David Shepherd, 25 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the information which you have given me in your letter of the 30th of Decr respecting the intention of the Tomlinsons and others to dispute my title to a tract of land called the Round Bottom. I wish these persons, and any others who may be disposed to dispute my title to that land, to be informed in the most explicit and pointed manner, that it is my fixed determination to...
26From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the following Report which has been made to me by the Secretary of State. “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, apprized of our solicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free...
27From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Upon reflection, I think it best that no mention should be made of the probability that the characters we run over yesterday will be nominated as General Officers (in case the Bill shall pass)—and, if you have disclosed the matter to Mr M——or any one else, that secrecy may be enjoined as to the Men, not the numr. In the embryo state of this business it might (especially as it respects the...
28From George Washington to the United States Senate, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Surveyor of the Port of Suffolk, in the State of Virginia, having become vacant by the resignation of Benjamin Bartlett, I nominate Lemuel Reddick to be Surveyor of said Port. LB , DLC:GW . Lemuel Riddick, Jr., had been recommended to GW for this appointment by Josiah Parker on 19 Dec. 1791. Tobias Lear delivered the nomination on 29 Dec., and the Senate confirmed Riddick’s...
29From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791 When I addressed a private letter to you a few days ago I had no more idea that monday the 24th instt was the day appointed for the meetings of Congress, than I had of its being dooms-day until it was mentioned to me in a letter which I have just received from Mr Lear (who was under the like mistake). It had taken such deep root in my mind...
30From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have given the enclosed draught of a letter to Captn Brandt a careful perusal. Such additions as are made with a pencil may be advisable—but, after you have given them an attentive consideration, they may stand or fall as you shall think best. Yours &ca ALS , PHi : Society Collection; Df , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW
31From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 18 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
It gave me much pleasure to find by a late letter of yours to Mr Jefferson, that the dispute between Major L’Enfant & Mr Carroll of Duddington is likely to terminate more favorably than might have been expected from the nature of it; and that you are disposed to take no further notice of his late unjustifiable proceedings. You will perceive by the enclosed copy of a letter which I have just...
32From George Washington to the United States Senate, 12 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Richard Peters to be District Judge of the Pennsylvania District: vice William Lewis, who has resigned his Appointment. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations. For the background to this appointment, see William Lewis to GW, 8 July 1791, in Edmund Randolph to GW, 13 July 1791, n.1 , and Timothy...
33From George Washington to Pierre L’Enfant, 2 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received with sincere concern the information from yourself as well as others, that you have proceeded to demolish the house of Mr Carroll of Duddington, against his consent, and without authority from the Commissioners or any other person. In this you have laid yourself open to the Laws, and in a Country where they will have their course. To their animadversion will belong the present...
34From George Washington to Otho Holland Williams, 7 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from General Moultrie of south Carolina, dated December 29th, informing that he had sent to me, by the Baltimore Packet (which was to sail the next day) the following plants—to wit—2 boxes with sweet shrubs—2 boxes with Italian Myrtle—one box with two opopynaxes—one box with two olianders—and two boxes with the Palmitto Royal. Now, my dear Sir, as I have received no...
35From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 23 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Having received from the Governor of Virginia a letter, enclosing a Resolution of the General Assembly of that State, and a Report of a Committee of the House of Delegates, respecting certain lands located by the Officers and Soldiers, of the Virginia line under the laws of that State, and since ceded to the Chickasaw Indians, I lay copies of the same before you; together with a Report of the...
36From George Washington to William Jackson, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
With pleasure I received your letter of the 9th, and am obliged by the communications therein contained. 1 have written regularly to Mr Lear once a week, some times oftener, on business; but can do little more than drop him or you a line by this Post, as the unexpected discovery that the 24th, instead of the 31st instt is the day appointed for the meeting of Congress, obliges me to bestow...
37From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The P—— returns the enclosed Report to Mr J—— Boundary, and the Navigation of the Missisipi are clearly defined—The propositions respecting Commerce he presumes is equally so, but having little knowledge of this subject he trusts to the guards provided by Mr J——. The P—— has put one or two queries in the Margin of the Report merely for consideration. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. For...
38From George Washington to Eliphalet Pearson, 14 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10th of September, enclosing, by order of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Judge Lowell’s eulogy on the late Governor Bowdoin. I must beg, Sir, you will present my proper acknowledgements to the Academy for this mark of attention, and at the same time receive yourself my thanks for the polite manner in which you have transmitted to me the Eulogy on...
39From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Certain Offices having become vacant, since your last Session, by the death, resignation or appointment to other Offices, of those who held them, I have, in pursuance of the power vested in me by the Constitution, appointed the following persons to fill these vacancies—vizt. Thomas Johnson, of Maryland, one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, vice John Rutledge, resigned. William...
40From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The P——requests that Mr J——would give the enclosed letter & papers a reading between this and dinner—and come an hour before it, that he may have an opportunity of conversing with him on the subject of them. Mr Walker of George Town is in this City—from him, if Mr J——could contrive to get him to his house, he might learn the sentiments of the people of the place, Carrolsburg &ca—with respect...
41From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I was sorry to learn from your letter of the 7th instant, that you propose to resign the Office which you hold under the United States. Presuming that this determination is the result of a due reflection upon the subject, and a conviction that the measure is for your best interest, I acquiesce in it, altho’ I regret the loss of your services to the public. And, while I express my approbation...
42From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791. I have been under a strange mistake with respect to the time appointed for the meeting of Congress, and a distressing one; inasmuch as I shall have but little time after my arrival in Philadelphia to receive, & digest the thoughts which may have occurred to the heads of Departments, with those of my own, into proper form for communication, or...
43From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 20 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the copy of a letter which I have received from the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and of sundry documents which accompanied it, relative to a contract for the purchase of a certain tract of land bounding on Lake Erie; together with a copy of a report of the Secretary of State on the same subject. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of...
44From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith the arrangement which has been made by me, pursuant to the Act, entitled “An Act repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from abroad, & laying others in their stead, and also upon spirits, distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same,” in respect to the subdivision of the several districts,...
45From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Would it be advisable to let L’Enfont alter the Plan if he will do it in a certn given time—and provided also we retain the means if any thing unfair is intended that we may not suff[er]. Ought any thing to be said in my letter to him respecting payment for his past Services. Should Mr Ellicot be again asked in strong & explicit terms if the Plan exhibited by him is conformable to the actual...
46From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
That General St Clair may not think his letters (enclosed) to me, have been unattended to, or slighted, I wish such an answer as will do for publication may be prepared—conformably—to the Sentimts which seemed to be entertained of the matter when the subject was before us the other day. I am always Yrs P.S. To say neither too much, nor too little, in the answer will be a matter of some...
47From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your two letters of the 21st instant—one dated in the morning, and the other in the evening of that day. What appeared to you to be the object of the formal enquiries of Mr Powell and the Mayor of the City, in their late interrogatories? Did they mean to convict Mr Gallatine of mis-representation—or me of an improper interference in the building of a House...
48From George Washington to Henry Lee, 7 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
At the sametime that I address the letter which accompanies this to you, officially, permit me to offer my sincere congratulations on your Appointment to the Government of Virginia, and to add my best wishes for the prosperous Administration of the important Office which you now fill, as well as for your personal happiness. An anxiety to do well, which is inseperable from high Offices,...
49From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon Colo. Hamilton was desired, as soon as the Tariff was ready, to let it be known. Enclosed is his answer. Say whether the meeting shall be tomorrow, or on Monday morning? Yours sincerely ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. Jefferson endorsed this undated note as having been received on 9 Dec. 1791. The enclosed answer of Alexander Hamilton has not been positively...
50Proclamation, 17 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States doth hereby order and direct that the sale of Lots in the City of Washington to commence this day be of such lots as the Commissioners or any two of them shall think proper—that the same sale shall be under their direction and on the Terms they shall publish. LB , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia,...