61To George Washington from Mildred Thornton Washington, 13 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Mildred Thornton Washington, 13 Oct. 1798. On 18 Oct. GW wrote Mildred Washington : “Your favour of the 13th instt came duly to hand.”
62To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 15 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 15 Oct. 1798. On 17 Oct. GW acknowledged the receipt of the commissioners’ “favour of the 15th.”
63From George Washington to James McHenry, 15 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d, and three of the 5th instant, came duly to hand. Those of the latter date, were received late in the evening preceeding my visit to the Federal City, where I was detained several days on business; and is the cause of their remaining unacknowledged so long. In the former, you ask if I am acquainted with characters, who have talents and acquirements to fit them for the...
64Enclosure: Troop Quotas, 15 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
By the Act “To augment the Army of the United States, & for other purposes.” Twelve Regiments of Infantry, and six Troops of Light Dragoons, are to be added to the present force—By the Establishment of them, the first will consist of 7680 Rank & File, and the 2d of 354. If four Regiments of the former, and all the latter, are to be raised in the States South of the Potomack, the quota of each...
65From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The information contained in your letter of the 3d instant was highly grateful to me. Such communications are not only satisfactory to me, but are really useful; for while I hold myself in readiness to obey the call of my Country, it is expedient that I should have more authentic information than News Paper inconsistencies, of the approaching, or receding storm; that I may regulate my private...
66To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
This morning I saw a New-York paper announcing the arrival of General Pinckney, & that on account of the prevailing fever, he had landed at Paulus Hook: So I expect in two or three days to have the happiness to see him. The inclosed letter I received yesterday morning, with others by the mail from New-York. I have the honor to be with great respect sir your most obt servt ALS , DLC:GW . The...
67To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States on the 30th of Sepr Ulto inclosed to me commissions for the three Major Generals of the army, signed and dated on the same day. When I considered the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course which he meant I should pursue on the...
68To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) my dear Sir. Trenton [N.J] 16 Octbr 1798 You will see by the inclosed the step I have taken, and the information and aid which I expect to derive from the Major Generals in case it is approved, and also the desire I have to draw you for a short time to Philadelphia. I know not how all this is to end, and feel perfectly tired of the uncertainty in which so many important measures...
69To George Washington from William Thornton, 16 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 16 Oct. 1798. On 18 Oct. GW wrote Thornton : “I regret, not having received your letter of the 16th until last night.”
70From George Washington to the District of Columbia Commissioners, 17 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 15th, enclosing Mr Blagdens statement, relative to my proposed buildings, did not reach my hands until last night. He has not accompanied this Statement with Specific prices; nor has it altered my opinion of the unreasonableness of the former estimates of some of its parts. But being desirous of closing the matter with Mr Blagden some way, or other, I make him the following...
71To George Washington from Thomas Law, 17 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Law, 17 Oct. 1798. On 24 Oct. GW wrote Law : “Your letter of the 17th instant was handed to me.”
72To George Washington from George Blagdin, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Commissioners handed me your letter of the 17th this morning, in which you propose providing Glass—Painting & Ironmongery yourself—and allow for the residue 10,500 d. which sum I think too little. having revis’d the Estimate with the greatest care—The lowest terms that I cou’d possably engauge on is 11,000 dollors, for which sum I will undertake to do the work in a compleate & workmanlike...
73To George Washington from Richard Bland Lee, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Genl Lee having intimated to me that you had informed him that my name stood on a list of candidates, in your possession for military appointments, it seems incumbent on me to explain to you the manner & motives of my application. When the prospect of a war with France seemed inevitable and the government judged it expedient to make provisional arrangements to meet such an event I was...
74To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is copy of a letter from General Pinckney received yesterday morning. I immediately answered it, a copy of which is also inclosed. Yours ever and affectionately ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters, both of which are in DLC:GW , are Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s to McHenry of 14 Oct. and McHenry’s to Pinckney of 17 October. In his letter to McHenry, Pinckney indicates his...
75From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The contents of your letter of the 13th instant, which I received last night, gave me much pleasure; and it has been increased since, by the annunciation (in the Gazettes) of General Pinckneys safe arrival at New York. I hope he will not play the second part of the difficulty created by General Knox. The extracts of letters from our Consuls, & other characters in France to you, are...
76From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Gazettes have announced your safe arrival at New York. On which happy event I most sincerely congratulate you, Mrs Pinckney and family. We were under no small apprehensions on your account. Although nothing is said respecting it, we hope Miss Pinckney’s health is perfectly restored. As it is not probable that you will travel by Water to Charleston, it is unnecessary, I trust to add, that...
77From George Washington to William Thornton, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I regret, not having received your letter of the 16th until last night. Had it reached me before I wrote to the Commissioners yesterday morning by Mr Thos Peter, I should have inclined more (although my wish is to have no trouble with the buildings) towards engaging Mr Blagden’s undertaking the Masonry, agreeably to his estimate; doing as much of the wood work myself, as my people are...
78From George Washington to Mildred Thornton Washington, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th instt came duly to hand. The contents gave me great pain, on two accounts; first, to find the situation of my brothers affairs in so deplorable a State; and next, that it is so little in my power to afford you effectual relief. My situation, is very little understood by most people. Whatever may be my property, the income of it, is inadequate to my expences: not from...
79To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 19 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return to this place I met with a Commission from the President of the United States appointing me one of the Judges of the supreme Court. This appointment I have accepted, and was induced thereto by the strongest motives. I was very unwilling to abandon a profession, to which I was much attached, and to the study of which I had devoted the greatest part of my life. A situation which...
80To George Washington from James Washington, 19 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Government of the U.S. of America have given a brilliant example that it knew well how to unite the true interest and welfare of the State with the happiness & prosperity of its Citizens; insomuch that those who are at the greatest distance cannot but admire a government founded on so excellent a basis. I do not stop here, I dare carry my views further and declare how happy I should be to...
81To George Washington from William Washington, 19 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of September the 27th I received, a few days ago by Major Simons. In conformity with your request I have enclosed a list which consists of such persons who I have reason to believe are desirous of obtaining commissions in the Army . . . I had indulged the pleasing hope that I had made a final retreat into the peaceful shades of retirement, but at this momentous crisis I shall not...
82To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received a letter this morning from General Hamilton which I inclose. You will be pleased to return it, as well as the annexed poetry, the production of Mr Horry sent for the perusal of Miss Custis. Yours ever & affectionately ALS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MiU-C : McHenry Papers. This probably was one of the three letters that Alexander Hamilton wrote McHenry on 19 October. In one of these Hamilton...
83To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Recollecting your anxiety that General Pinckney might [not] feel satisfied with the military arrangements of General officers proposed by you, I seize the first moment to relieve you from it. This morning Mr McHenry has received from Genl Hamilton a letter dated yesterday, in which is the following passage: After mentioning the arrival of General Pinckney, Genl Hamilton says— “You will learn...
84From George Washington to the South Carolina Society of the Cincinnati, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 30th of August communicating the resolve of the Cincinati of the state of South Carolina respe[c]ting the propriety of altering the Ribband to which the badge of the Society was directed by the constitution to be appendant, as indicative of the union, between the United States and France, and have transmitted it to the Secretary General, to be laid...
85From George Washington to John Adams, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me—dated the 9th instant—was received by the last Mail; and demands my particular acknowledgments. It was with sincere concern I received the account of Mrs Adams’s low state of health, and your consequent indisposition. If my fervent wishes would restore her, and you, to perfect health, this object would soon be accomplished: and in these...
86From George Washington to Rawleigh Colston, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is not more than three or four days since your letter enclosing one from Mr Thomas Marshall, has been received. That Gentleman is, as I myself also am in doubt whether more than one draug[h]t has not been made upon me by Colo. Marshall, for the taxes which he has been so kind as to pay for my land in Kentucky. But as the voluminous papers which I brought from Philadelphia are not yet...
87From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The last mail to Alexandria brought me a letter from the President of the United States, in which I am informed that he had signed, and given the Commissions to yourself, Generals Pinckney & Knox, the same date; in hopes that an amicable adjustment, or acquiescence might take place among you. But, if these hopes should be disappointed, and controversies should arise, they will of course be...
88From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Several causes have concurred, to retard the acknowledgment of the receipt of your favour of the 26th of August. At the time it came to hand, I was much engaged in matters that could not be well postponed; and before I got through them, I was siezed with a fever which was unremittingly severe for several days, and left me in so debilitated a state as to render writing, and business generally...
89From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of the Presidents letter to me, which I request may be, with this letter, burnt as soon as they are read, & no more said respecting the contents than might be proper for him to hear repeated again; Otherwise, a knowledge that the contents of my letters to, and from him, are in possession of others, may induce him to believe, in good earnest, that intriegues are carrying on,...
90From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th instt came by the last Mail. The enclosures are well calculated to effect their objects. But the explicit declaration contained in the one to General Knox, added to his knowledge of my sentiments on the subject of relative Rank, leaves little hope, in my mind, that he will obey your summons, and render his aid in the manner required of him. I hope no difficulty will...