1To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 16 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
your favour of the 14th was forwarded to me last evening by Mr Park—and which I now proceed to answer—tho not so Fully as you or myself wish. My overseer Roger Farril accepts your Terms—and will be with you Soon after christmas—but Says, should Richard Rhodes decline your Bussiness—he shall give the preference to the Farm at £45 pr year &c. From Rhodes I have received no Answer to my letters;...
2To George Washington from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will I know, pardon me for trespassing on your time, my object being the Public good. If we are to create such a navy, as will make our Commerce respected, and this I cannot doubt, will be the policy of our Country, one Navy yard at least must be established for building Ships. This subject will probably engage the attention of Congress at the ensuing Session, and it will be my Duty, to...
3To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a hasty letter on the 13th—Upon further consideration, we have judged it most advisable that a letter should be written by Mr Wolcott alone; in order that the strong point of view in which the facts and arguments in the case may be placed, may be presented by Reason only, to which the mind yields more willingly than to formal advice, in the semblance of official authority. This is...
4To George Washington from John Trumbull, 18 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
By the Ship Nancy, Captain Davidson bound to Alexandria, I have sent a small Box, addressed to you, and containing the Four Pair of Prints for which you did me the honour to subscribe so long since, and two Volumes which I was requested by my friend Mr West to forward to you with his best Respects: the prints are the finest impressions and, for security are rolled, and enclosed in a Tin Case....
5To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 14th instant yesterday evening. Be assured I regret and lament from the bottom of my soul the delays, and heart distressing obstructions which have prevented the nomination of the field and other officers for the 12 additional regiments and cavalry. It is not however (whatever the public opinion may be) to me that any of them can be ascribed; for whatever depended...
6To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 20 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
More than ten years have elapsed, since from time to time, I have most respectfully and circumstantially, stated the doings of Calvinists in The United States, in their concerted endeavors to defeat that liberty, toleration and protection in religion, which our laws establish, and upon which our national honor, happiness and safety depend. The moderation, caution, prudence, polite & respectful...
7To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear Sir Trenton [N.J.] 21 Sepr 1798 I received your letter of the 16 inst. yesterday evening. I thought it of consequence to make another effort, and acquaint the President with a part of its contents, in aid of the representation signed by Mr Wolcott, and to lose no time in conveying it to him. Inclosed is the copy of what I have which you will be pleased to return. I...
8To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 21 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recieved a letter from Mr Thomas Turner of King George, in which he expresses an ardent desire to enter into the service of his Country in the military line, and requests that I would mention him to you. This I do with much pleasure, because a long and intimate acquaintance with him assures me that there are few candidates who can possess more worth than he does. Warmly and I...
9To George Washington from Thomas Law, 22 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Unless you are irrevocably fix’d, as the Lots are so nearly equal in respect to prospect & nature of the ground permit me to observe that a House in the South Lot will rent better & promote the object you have in view more —Vizt the encouragemt of accomodations for Congress, as it will be forming an Avenue by cooperating in building & all the digging will be for public improvement—If you...
10To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
My last—dated I think on the 16—informed you, that my overseer had accepted your Terms—but that he Should Take the farm in preference to the home house—should Rhodes decline Takeing yr bussiness—From Whoom I have recd no answer to my Several letters, the first of which I am certain was lodged at his house—Consequently you had better look out—but should Rhodes come to my house, or write me...
11To George Washington from Marmaduke Leigh, 25 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am told you wish to dispose of your Lands on the ohio river in the State of Virginia, I would willingly become a purchaser of a tract of your Land, particularly that tract below the Little Kenhawa river. Should the price and terms of payment suit me, As I am acquainted with the quality of your Lands on the ohio river, If you will Let me know your price and the terms of payment I will Let you...
12To George Washington from Charles Carter, 27 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
When we set out for the upper Country, Mrs Carter and I indulged the pleasing Thoughts of paying our respects to the good people of Mount Vernon before we return’d to the Place of small Comfort, but Alas, How often are our most sanguine Hopes, Inclinations and Expectations baffled and prove abortive—an unlucky accident which you have heard of, has deprived us of that pleasure, and very nearly...
13To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 27 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the pleasure of enclosing you the number of square feet contained in your two purchases made of the public and Mr Carroll. We received Mr Carroll’s answer in writing, on the monday after you left the City, giving his full consent to confirm the Sale of the Lot on the terms proposed, and promising to execute the proper conveyance in the course of the present Week. It may be well...
14To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 27 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Peter favoured me with his Company at Newpost last Tuseday evening; and delivered me your letter of the 24th; with one Inclosed from Mr Anderson to garret; an overseer now in the employ of Mr Fontaine Maury. which letter I forwarded the next day, and this morning had an interview with Garret—he would not determine whether to receive your offer or not until he returned home and Consulted his...
15To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 28 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have at length got to this place & will do myself the pleasure to call at Mt Vernon on my return home. In the mean time I shd be happy to hear whether you accede to my proposition when last with you of taking good property for the whole debt due to you. I have houses & lots in the fœderal city: well situated & which to close our business I would part with even at this present dull period,...
16To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 30 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favour of the 24th instant has duly come to hand. I see in it a new proof of sentiments towards me which are truly gratifying. But permit me to add my request to the suggestions of your own prudence, that no personal considerations for me may induce more on your part than on mature reflection you may think due to public motives—It is extremely foreign to my wish to create to you...
17To George Washington from Landon Carter, 1 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Health is a grand object with man; but it becomes all important when the preservation of it in any one person comprehends all the relations of a People; when like a focus the views of all direct to a single point: Permit me therefore to lay before you some leading principles; some conclusions; and some consequent practice, for the security of health. I believe it is a fact generally admitted,...
18To George Washington from Joel Barlow, 2 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
On hearing of your late nomination as commander in chief of the American Armies I rejoice at it, not because I believe the war which that nomination contemplates is yet inevitable and that it will furnish an occasion for a farther display of your military talents, but because it may enable you to exert your influence to a greater effect in preventing the war. By becoming more the centre of...
19To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your confidential letter dated the 26th of Septr ulto last Saturday evening. I now return the copy of your letter to the President which I expect will get to him seasonably, and produce a happy effect upon the question it particularly refers to. I had a letter from him dated the 26, this morning, but no notice of the subject of either Mr Wolcotts letter, or mine of the 21st. The...
20To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 3 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 28 th ulto enclosing two Checks on the Bank of Alexandria; the one for D. Carroll for $428 40/100 the other for the Commissioners $178 57/100, and have directed the proper conveyances to be prepared for your purchases of the public; the deed from Mr Carroll was executed this day. Mr Blagdin delivered in his estimate yesterday amounting to $12,982 29/100....
21To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have to-day received some letters from Mr King dated in London July 28 August 1st & 5th. By them it appears there is more than ever a prospect of a new coalition against France: but a fact, and a very important one, stated by Mr King, has chiefly induced me to write. It is this. That Austria & Naples have entered into a defensive alliance for their mutual protection against France; and...
22To George Washington from William Herbert, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday Inclosing a letter from mr Be [1] knap I received this Morning, you may Instruct that Gentleman to Direct the Books he mentions, to my Care. I will distribute them Among the Subscribers here, & receive the money for them, if so ordered By him. it will be necessary that a List of the Subscribers Should Accompany them, with such Instructions as mr Belknap may think...
23To George Washington from Henry Lee, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Custis presented me with yr letr last night. Be assured I shall offer you no property not clear in title unless I may be imposed on, to prevent which am I here daily engaged in exploring the truth. I have a tract of land near gunston recd from W. Steptoe at valuation for money lent to him some years past. this I propose to offer among other property all of which will be submitted to you...
24To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive last night your letter dated the 30th of Sepr Ulto. I have reason to beleive that the information it contains is well founded. It would be a real and might produce the most extensive & lasting bad consequences, were the army to be composed of men who have heretofore opposed the government & its measures, and beleived in French professions and infallibility. I have a...
25To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received my dear Generals two letters dated the first instant, last night. You will have seen by the newspapers that I have sent an advertisement inviting proposals for clothing for the new regiments and cavalry; but I have not as yet, been able to accomplish a like measure to supply them with subsistence. It is not however too late, as contracts of this kind can be soon formed. When I...
26Address from the Virginia Militia, 6 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
At a full meeting of the Officers of the 10th & 91st Regiments of the Virginia Militia, convened at Bedford Court-House on 6th day of October 1798 for the purpose of being trained &c. it was unanimously agreed that Colo. Thomas Leftwich, Colo. John Trigg, Majr David Saunders, Majr Thomas Hubbard, Majr Samuel Handcock, Majr William Burton, Capt. Joel Leftwich & Capt. Isaac Okey be appointed a...
27To George Washington from Rawleigh Colston, 6 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a letter I lately received from Mr Thomas Marshall junr of Kentucky, who wrote me at the same time, that there was some small balance due from you to his father Col. Marshall, which he wished to be paid into my hands: If you will be pleased to inform me the amount, I will when agreeable to you, draw for it in favour of my Correspondent in Alexandria⟨.⟩ With my best wishes,...
28To George Washington from John Adams, 9 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received, yesterday the Letter you did me the Honor to write me on the 25th of September. You request to be informed, whether my determination to reverse the order of the three Major Generals, is final. and whether I mean to appoint another Adjutant General without your Concurrence. I presume, that before this Day you have received Information, from the Secretary at War, that I some time ago...
29To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 10 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure to write to you in august informing you of my intention to leave Holland & to return to America, some circumstances have occur’d which induced me to take another course. My ill health was the ground of my wish to quit Holland & an opportunity to remove to a dryer & I hope more healthy climate, & to retain at the same time the advantages which I enjoy’d in other...
30To George Washington from Samuel Knox, 10 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Being About to publish, by subscription an Essay on the best Method of Introducing an Uniform System of Education adapted to the United States, I Beg leave to solicit the favour of your permission to prefix to it an Introductory address to you. Though I own this Request is dictated by a share of vanity in presuming to be ambitious of so high a recommendatory sanction to my Essay; yet I truly...
31To George Washington from the Charles Town Academy Trustees, 13 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Trustees of the Charles Town Academy, beg leave to state to you the real situation of the school under their Gurdeanship; hoping that an institution calculated, & designed to dissemenate useful knowlege may meet with some encouragement from You—They have under many discouraging circumstances, and after encountering many difficulties been enabled to complete a two story brick House in this...
32To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I seize the first conveyance to inform you that General Pinckney is out of France. He embarked with his family, about the middle of August, in the ship Hope, Capt. Hendrick Hendrickson, for New-York, where we may daily expect to hear of his arrival. The letter giving me this information is from a Monsieur Hory, dated at Bourdeaux the 27th of August; it came to hand last evening from Chester...
33To 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.”
34To 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.”
35To 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...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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.”
39To 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.”
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 23 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The fear of missing my Brother upon the road after an absence of between six and seven years has impelled me to take the liberty of sending the inclosed letter under cover to you. As I know of no place where propriety and affection will unite so powerfully in inducing him to stop as at Mount Vernon, I have little doubt of his receiving this letter in safety. The election of representatives in...
49To George Washington from John Lambert, 24 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
it Gives me much Pleasure to inform you of the very great Improvement we have found by being Careful to Cultivate the Large Sort of Clover. the Summer before this we had About 80 Acres of the Small Red Clover—being a dry Sumer we Could not mow 3 bushels of Seed[.] this Summer being a like dry but haveing about 70 Acres of the Large Sort of red Clover we have mawn we hope 60 bushels of Seed on...
50To George Washington from Isaiah and Alexander Thomas, 24 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
As a specimen of literary and miscellaneous “folio of four pages,” printed weekly in this place, we send you the paper which accompanies these. Do us the honour to accept of the numbers as they are published. We have a laudable ambition of numbering so worthy a Man among our readers. With profound respect, We are Sir, Your obedt & humble servts LS , DLC:GW . Docketed by Tobias Lear: “Answd...