1Edmund Randolph to Jaquelin Ambler, 21 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am instructed by the President of the United States to ask information from the Treasurer of Virginia, whether the arrearage of the Virginia donation to the fœderal city can be now paid. The public service suffers much from the want of it, and I must therefore request an answer, as soon as it may be convenient. If the money cannot be immediately advanced, the President would be glad to know,...
2From George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 26 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to favor me, dated the 15th of August last year, accompanying sevl pamphlets on interesting subjects, came safe; though long after its date, as you will perceive by the enclosed note from a Mr Callender; which serves as a wrapper of six guineas which I send for the vols. of the Bee (15 in number) which have come to my hands. As you have never authorised...
3From George Washington to Mary Dabney Anderson, 20 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Not before the 8th instant had I the honor to receive your favor of the 17th of May, accompanied with a piece of Silk of your own manufacture. Contrary as it is to an established maxim of mine—not to accept a Present from any one—yet, considering this as a mark of your peculiar attention to me and as an evidence of what our climate, aided by industry, is capable of yielding, I receive, and...
4From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 18 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, from Mount Vernon, I have seen & conversed with Mr Morris on the subject of a person to Manage a Tilt-hammer for you. He says it is difficult to get one who understands the business, & in other respects is worthy of confidence. The Person he had, he was obliged to discharge, on account of his inebrity, & knows not where to supply his place but by importation; which is...
5From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 27 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Eight or ten days ago I wrote to you concerning a Manager for the Tilt hammer which you contemplated the erection of; since which I have received your letter of the 15th instant; in which, doubts of going on with it are expressed. As I am equally ignorant of the expence of erecting, & the profit when erected, I can say nothing encouraging or discouraging of the measure: but if from an...
6From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 25 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th instt from the Sulpher Springs has been recd. When General Knox (who for several days has been expected) returns, I will deliver your letter to him —and from him (in whose department the business lyes) you will receive an answer to your proposition. I hear with the greatest pleasure of the spirit which so generally pervades the Militia of every State that has been...
7From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 10 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
We removed to this place about twelve days ago to avoid the heat of Philadelphia, & probably may remain at it until the middle of next month. It was here I received your letter of the 5th instant, which came to my hands yesterday. The business of establishing Arsenals, and providing proper places for them is within the Department of War; the Secretary of which (General Knox) set out on Friday...
8From George Washington to the Earl of Buchan, 26 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is no uncommon thing to attempt, by excuses, to atone for acts of omission; and frequently too, at the expence of as much time as (seasonably employed) would have superceded the occasion of their presentment. Sensible as I am of this—and ashamed as I am of resorting to an apology so common yet I feel, so forcibly, the necessity of making one for suffering your Lordships very polite and...
9From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 2 July 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Burgess Ball, 2 July 1794. A cover addressed in GW’s writing to "Colo. Burgess Ball near Leesburgh" and docketed "2d July 1794" was owned (1993) by Christopher Wilson, Arlington, Va. Ball’s letter to GW of 15 July acknowledges the receipt of a letter that has not been found.
10From George Washington to the Cabinet, 16 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Tomorrow I shall commence my journey for Virginia. My absence from the seat of Government will be as short as I can make it, to answer the purposes of my going. In the interim, occurrences may happen, out of the common rotine which might suffer by delay. where this is the case, & the matter is of importance, advise with the other Secretaries, & the Attorney General, and carry any unanimous...
11From George Washington to the Cabinet, 10 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is my wish to set off for Mount Vernon on Monday next. With some inconvenience to myself, it might be delayed until Wednesday; beyond which the purposes of my journey would, in a great measure, be defeated by further delay. I therefore desire that everything which requires my attention in your Department previous to my absence, may be laid before me with as much promptitude as the case will...
12From George Washington to Charles Carter, Jr., of Culpeper, 29 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 14th instant. The enclosed to Mr John Lewis, left open for your perusal, will shew what I require for myself, and am willing to do for others. Do you & he therefore, after full enquiry into facts, point out what this ought to be—and no delay shall be experienced from me. The two hundred pounds for which you endorsed an order upon a Merchant of this...
13From George Washington to Charles IV of Spain, 5 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have made choice of William Short, who until his late Mission to the Court of Your Majesty, hath for some time past resided at the Hague in quality of Minister of the United States of America, near their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Netherlands, now to reside near Your Majesty in quality of Minister of the United States of America. He is well apprized of the friendship...
14From George Washington to Cherokee Chiefs and Warriors, 14 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to see you and take you by the hand after so long a Journey. I rejoice that you are all in good health and bid you heartily welcome to this City. I am made acquainted with the talks you have had with the Secretary of War, You may depend upon what he may say to you in my behalf. My Children I am very sorry that since I took some of you and others of your nation by the hand about two...
15Enclosure: To the Chiefs and Warriors of the Chickasaw Nation, 11 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I thank the great Spirit that I have the opportunity of taking you by the hand in this City, and that you are all in good health after so great a Journey. I have long desired to see you and I have caused you to be invited to make this visit, and I thank you for performing it—I love the Chickasaws and it will always afford me sincere satisfaction, to be instrumental to their happiness in any...
16From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have subscribed to the alteration in the seventh article of the "Terms & conditions declared on the 17th day of October 1791 for regulating the materials and manner of the buildings and improvements on the lots in the City of Washington" and now enclose it to you. I wish, however, you had declared that so much of the stone walls, on which the railing in the street is to be placed, as shall...
17From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I had hopes, and at one time strong expectation, that Congress would have closed their Session before this; and that other matters would have permitted my proposed visit to Mount Vernon about the time of your meeting in the Federal City; which (by a letter from Mr Carroll), I understood was appointed to be on the 5th of this month. In this expectation I have been disappointed. Congress are...
18From George Washington to the Committee of Public Safety of the French Republic, 28 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
To the Representatives of the French people, members of the Committee of public Safety of the French Republic, the great and good Friend and Ally of the United States. It has appeared expedient to grant to Gouverneur Morris, our Minister plenipotentiary near the french Republic, permission to return to the United States. He is accordingly charged to take his leave of the Committee of public...
19From George Washington to the Committee of Public Safety of the French Republic, 28 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
To the Representatives of the French People, Members of the Committee of Public Safety of the French Republic, the Great and good Friend and Ally of the United States. On the intimation of the wish of the french Republic that a new Minister should be sent from the United States, I resolved to manifest my sense of the readiness, with which my request was fulfilled, by immediately fulfilling the...
20From George Washington to John Cowper , 4 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th Ulto with another from Christopher Cowper, enclosing 450 Dols. in Bank Bills, came to my hands by tuesdays post. The receipt of the latter is acknowledged in my letter to that Gentn, & will be placed to the credit of the bond to Mr Jno. Lewis of Fredericksburg & assigned by him to me. This bond I shall return to Mr Lewis that it may be given to you upon a final...
21From George Washington to John Cowper, 30 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
By saturday’s post I received a Letter from Mr Christopher Cowper, dated the 18 Instant, enclosing one from you of the 23d of June. The Letter alluded to in the last, has been received. It is a very singular occurrence that the Capt: Waglam, to whose care £140. was committed for my use, should rather choose to hazard the conveyance of it back, then deliver it to my Secretary, whom I left in...
22From George Washington to Elizabeth Parke Custis, 14 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Shall I, in answer to your letter of the 7th instant say—when you are as near the Pinnacle of happiness as your sister Patcy conceives herself to be; or when your candour shines more conspicuously than it does in that letter, that I will then , comply with the request you have made, for my Picture? NO—I will grant it without either: for if the latter was to be a preliminary, it would be...
23Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 23 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War presents his Compliments to Mister Dandridge and begs the favor that the enclosed letter from Governor Mifflin, just received, may be submitted to the President of the U: States. L , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Pennsylvania governor Thomas Mifflin’s letter to Knox of 23 May enclosed "a copy of a letter from Brigadier General Wilkins, dated the eleventh current, relatively to...
24Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 15 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Conceiving it may be satisfactory to the President, I enclose the first report from Capt. Hills respecting the Scite for an Arsenal upon the Powtomac. Yours ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The report of John Hills has not been identified.
25Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 16 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit, the enclosed draft of a letter to the respective Governors relatively to the law for drafting the eighty thousand Militia, to the President. I am Sir Your humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . GW approved the draft on this date ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 . Charlottesville, Va., 1981. , 303). The circular, which...
26Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 13 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Genl Knox’s Compliments to Mr Dandridge and requests he will submit to the President the enclosed draft and also Captain Hills instructions respecting a proper spot for the erection of Arsenals. L , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter is in the writing of Nathan Jones, a War Department clerk. The enclosures have not been identified. John Hills (died c.1819), who claimed to have been educated in...
27Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 14 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letter to the President of the U.S., which is conformable to the principles agreed upon by the heads of departments and the attorney General The secretary of state has agreed to the draft, but the secretary of the treasury has been too busy to peruse it. If the President should approve it, I beleive it may yet be put on board the active Capt. Welsh for charleston,...
28From George Washington to Francis Deakins, 1 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to favor me, dated the 12th Ulto I received at George Town on my way to this place. I am much obliged to you for your ready compliance with my request, and for the trouble you have taken to examine into the trespasses which have been committed on my part of Woodstock manner. The footing on which you have placed the collection & deposit of the Rents, on my...
29From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 1 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d instt I have received & thank you for your kind attention to the trees which were imported for my use in the Peggy, particularly for your having sent them to Mount Vernon—although I fear the season was too far advanced to entertain much hope of their living. The purport of the enclosed which I pray you to forward by a safe conveyance, is to ask the favor of your Brother...
30From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 30 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 22d instt—If there is a prospect of rise in the price of Tobacco I would await the chance of it—especially as Mr Jones has not compleated the collection. I wish the Order of Colo. Mercer on that Gentleman may be re-examined—if I recollect the purport of it, it is only for such Rents as arose on the moiety of Woodstock which fell to my share. Whether those...
31Agreement with James Donaldson, 29 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum of the allowance proposed to be made to James Donaldson, and what is expected from him 400 lbs. of Porke } 200 do. Beef 1000 Herrings 200 Shad per Annum 200 lbs. of midling flour 20 bushels of Indian Meal or midlg flour equivalent One hundred & twenty dolrs To pay his, & families passage round to Mount Vernon, & furnish him with the use of Tools with which to work when...
32From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 8 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is not my wish to add to the trouble which I am sorry has been thrown upon you (in a manner unavoidably) in the management of the Suit against the Representatives, or Security of the deceased Doctr Savage—But when I am written to on this subject by those who are interested therein—I feel the necessity of making some response lest Silence should receive an unfavorable interpretation. On this...
33Enclosure II: Edmund Randolph to Jean-Antoine-Joseph Fauchet, 19 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph with respects to Mr Fauchet informs him, that he shall by the post of tomorrow take proper measures in the case of Mr Juteau to obtain all its particulars, and will communicate the result to Mr Fauchet. Copy, DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The copyist wrote "July."
34Enclosure: Edmund Randolph to Jean-Antoine-Joseph Fauchet, 25 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
We have just received intelligence, that the Ship sometimes called Vanstabel, at others Chickamogga, and at others Isaac, is at Reedy Island, in the River Delaware. The circumstances of this vessel have for some time past attracted the attention, and excited much dissatisfaction in the Government; but it was expected, that she had long ago been divested of the Character, which was offensive to...
35From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 13 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
A week rarely passes without bringing me a letter of similar contents with the enclosed. As a common centre I am addressed by all those who know not where else to apply. Altho’ it is apart from my public duties, and I have very little leizure for private occupations yet I have never failed (either by myself or some other) to make a response to the request which has been received. This must be...
36Enclosure II: Edmund Randolph to Foreign Ministers, 18 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of enclosing to you the determination of the President of the United States, as to the sailing of the vessels of War of any of the belligerent Nations from the United States. The rule being reasonable in itself, and conformable to the law of nations, is now transmitted to you, with a hope, that you will cause it to be promulgated among the Ships of War, whether public or...
37From George Washington to the United Netherlands States General, 15 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
It being found expedient that William Short minister Resident for the United States of America near your High Mightinesses should enter upon another mission, he is instructed to take leave of your High Mightinesses, and to express to you in terms unreserved our friendship, and our sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and confidence, so happily subsisting between the two...
38From George Washington to James Germain, 1 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
An honest man—a man attentive to his duty—and one who discharges the trust reposed in him with activity, zeal and integrity fears neither the inspecting eye, nor the chiding remarks of his Employer; because he feels something within him, that tells him, that the first measure is dictated by that prudence wch ought to govern all men who commits a trust to another—and that such a conduct as I...
39Enclosure III: Edmund Randolph to Christopher Gore, 23 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, giving information of the dismission of the prosecution against Mr Juteau. Mr Fauchet, however, is exceedingly dissatisfied with the manner in which this business was conducted. He says, that he would have preferred, that the trial should go on, to the compulsion of Mr Juteau to appear at the bar. It is very certain, that the wish of the...
40From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Pay to the Secretary of State, out of the fund appropriated to defray the Contingent charges of Government, the sum of Fifteen hundred Dollars, for the use of Colo. Innes. LB , DLC:GW . James Innes was being sent as a commissioner to inform the government of Kentucky about the state of negotiations on navigation of the Mississippi River (see Edmund Randolph to GW, 7 Aug. , and n.2). Secretary...
41From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton , 3 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
As I know nothing that calls me to the City to day, I shall not be there until tomorrow—which will be in time for common occurances. The contents of the enclosed are agreeable. Yours always ALS , DLC : Hamilton Papers. The enclosure has not been identified.
42From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
To your note of this date (in behalf of the Department of War) asking my opinion or direction respecting the advisability of sending (under the existing circumstances of the Western Counties of Pennsylvania) two months pay to the army under the immediate orders of General Wayne, I answer, that under my present impressions the measure had better be delayed—at least until the Commissioners who...
43From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 7 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I approve of the plan proposed in your letter of the 4 inst. namely, that a power for making a loan of 800,000 dollars be lodged in Holland, to be used at the time specified in that letter. When the business of Algiers is arranged, it will be seen, whether it be proper to give the premium of two per cent for an engagement to have the loan ready when it is wanted. The remaining 200,000 dollars...
44From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
As the million of dollars, granted by the Act of the 20th of march, last, was certainly for the objects in Algiers, I was anxious that some steps should be taken concerning the money. But as you represent in your letter of the 27th instant, that this cannot be done yet, you will inform me when you shall find that it can be done; and in the mean time, I wish to know, whether some provisions...
45From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 22d of June came duly to hand, and for the opinion contained it, I thank you. I always feel sincere gratification from the frankness, and unreserved advice of my friends, whether it coincides with my own sentiments or not. As Congress, to whom the matter was referred, did not (from causes unknown to me) think proper to take up the subject of compensation for British...
46From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
To the best of my recollection I shewed, or turned over to your office, a letter from the Governor of this State, with enclosures, to which the one herewith sent of the 27th refers. But the parts of the former alluded to in the latter have escaped me. I therefore send it to you, that if any answer thereto, or acting upon either or both is necessary, that you will do it accordingly. I am &c. LB...
47From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 24 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State informs me, that as the intercourse with Europe will be opened on Monday, it is expedient that an arrangement should be made concerning the million of dollars directed to be borrowed for foreign purposes. I wish therefore to know, whether any steps have been taken upon the subject; and if not, that the loan should be set on foot in order that a proper disposition may be...
48From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I did not think it worth while to give you the trouble of writting a formal answer, and therefore I desired the Secretary of State, who was with me on business, if he had an opportunity, to ask an explanation of the last clause in your letter of the 30th ulto —He has just informed me, that you state that there is money in your hands, applicable to the French debt; and upon the whole, I do not...
49From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 11 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia July 11th 1794 I am sorry to hear that your little son continues indisposed, and wish you to carry him into the Country for a few days, if it is conceived that exercise & Change of Air will be of Service to him. Before you go, or as soon after as convenient, I should be glad to receive your opinion in writing, on the Kentucky & Georgia business, both of which...
50From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 30 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 24th instant, covering the resignation of the Collector of Hampton, and a letter from Colo. Carrington recommending a successor to that office, came to hand by the last post. As Govr Lee is (I believe) yet in Alexandria, I will suspend my choice in hopes of deriving some aid from his information on this head; as he has lately been a good deal in the neighbourhood of Hampton....