601To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2–3 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The line of Expresses, which I had the honor of mentioning to you before your departure, will begin to move to-morrow at 10 oClock in the morning as far as Carlisle. They will start from hence every day except Sundays, and even on Sundays, if it should be necessary. The same routine will be observed from Carlisle to this City; and the whole will continue, until you shall be pleased to order...
602To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
You know well, how much success turns the popular tide. So it has happened with General Wayne. Many, whom I have heard speaking in derogatory terms of his talents, now change their tone and say; that they were always certain, that the President would never appoint an incompetent man to the command of the army. There is one circumstance, however, which appears to me to demand his attention. His...
603To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
No public dispatches, or public events have appeared, since I had the honor of writing to you yesterday. Mr Brown, the senator of Kentucky, who has been in town about three days, called upon me yesterday. He was not explicit, whether he had received letters from the western army; but I am convinced from the manner of his sounding me to discover, if I was prepared to listen with indulgence to...
604To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Portuguese Minister has announced himself; excusing the past omission by the hourly expectation of departing from New-York for this city, and assigning for the reason of his not coming on, that he is deterred by the reports of the yellow fever, being in full havoc here. He has been answered with the civility, usual on such occasions. Mr Rawle and Mr Peters will leave town on Wednesday or...
605To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
E: Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that Mr Seagrove just now has learned from good authority, that General Clarke has abandoned his expedition in Georgia; and, under the influence of General Gunn and Mr Carnes, has come in, with all his followers. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. The...
606To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter of Colo. Nicholas, which I mentioned in mine of the day before yesterday is so lengthy that I must reserve it for you until your return; as I am confident, that the inclosing of such an almost illegible scrawl would answer little purpose, and I might not be justified in having a copy taken even by one of the clerks. However, the substance is, an answer to my various observations;...
607To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 7 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph, with affectionate wishes for the President’s health, has the honor of informing him, that Mrs Washington and the family were well this morning: that altho’ it is suspected by some, that Mrs Lenox, who now lies very ill in the house adjoining E.R.’s office, labours under the yellow fever; yet there does not seem to be any grounds for the apprehension. At least his clerks and...
608To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 7 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The express has been waiting, in expectation of the return of the messenger sent from hence on friday last and from the probability, that your dispatches might require an immediate Answer. He will be detained, however, until a late hour in the day, in order that Mr Jay’s communications may be copied, and forwarded to you. They grow extremely interesting, and assume a considerable degree of...
609To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 8 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I was honored by your private letter of the 6th instant, about half an hour ago; and immediately delivered to Mrs Washington the one, addressed to her. Mr Butler and Mr Brown, of the Senate, called to learn the intelligence from Europe. I considered their title to read the dispatches, as being no better, than that of other men; and I told them verbally only what I have told others. With the...
610To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 8 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge Colonel Hamilton’s letter of the 6. current written by your direction. Judge Peters and Mr Rawle intend to proceed tomorrow. They will carry with them copies of all the subscriptions. Some of the names indeed are so badly written; that mistakes are inevitable. If therefore any individuals, whose names do not appear, or may be inaccurately transcribed, should...
611To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the Atlantic, which arrived from Liverpool last evening, papers have been received from London, as low down as the 16th of August. Two of them the Sun , and the Star , which are supposed to be rivals, accord nearly in the same story of Robespierre’s fall. While I lament, that this, which is my only fear for the French Revolution, seems to be growing rapidly, and that the want of confidence...
612To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I communicated to Mrs Washington the route, which you marked out in your favor of the 9th current. All under your roof were in their usual good health this morning; and she desired me to say to you, that she will write by the express of Monday. Mr Fauchet certainly believes the destruction of Robespierre; and from circumstances, independent of those, which have been published, he had foreseen...
613To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The express of yesterday was suspended; from the probability, that by going off to-day he might arrive at Williamsport almost as soon as you should reach it. General Knox has promised me his memoranda to-morrow, when they shall be incorporated in mine, and the various subjects shall be digested in the order, which appears to me best. I do not understand, that you wish me to clothe in language...
614To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 13 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
In concurrence with general Knox, I have the honor of submitting to you the notes for the different communications to congress. My object has been, merely to give the summary idea, without contemplating precise language in any respect. As soon as you shall have signified your sense upon the matter, the form and dress can be easily thrown over it. The William Penn and Caroline have arrived from...
615To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 13 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Mr Freire, the Portuguese Minister, is arrived; and he is to call upon me to-day at 2 o’clock. Mrs Washington having written this morning will have told you, that she and the family are in good health. There is great reason to fear, that the French are making rapid strides towards Amsterdam; notwithstanding the interruption, which Breda and Maestricht are likely to give them. I am writing to...
616To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 14 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Mr Freire presented to me his credentials from the Queen of Portugal, as her minister resident. He is styled the Chevalier Cyprian Ribeiro Freire. They are in substance correct; tho’ from an ignorance of our constitution, he is said to be sent to reside near the Congress . Being satisfied, that he would be received, I interchanged the usual civility of language. He expressed a desire...
617To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 14 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The exterior and manners of Mr Freire, if it were possible to draw any conclusion at first sight, would indicate him, to wish to impress the belief, that he is in no habits of intimacy with either the English or Spanish diplomatic characters here: that he is averse to every entanglement of etiquette: that he is sent to render himself agreeable: He speaks English well, tho’ he means to...
618To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing to you a translation of the letters of Credence of Chevalier de Freire. By a Mr de Villemont a native and inhabitant of New Orleans, I have received two long letters of the 12th and 14th of august from Mr Short. It is full of dissatisfaction with the treasury-department, the department of state, & Mr Carmichael. With the first, for his having been so constantly...
619To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Swanwick has run before Fitzsimmons as far as 229 votes; and will be the representative in congress, unless the vote of the Pennsylvania part of the army shall have brought up the deficiency. In two places, where I have been for the two last days, some criticism has been spent upon the command having been given to Governor Lee. But upon the explanation, which I made, the authors of it...
620To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 16 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing to you a letter from Mr Z. Hollingsworth, attorney for the district of Maryland, in favor of Mr Graybell, as successor to Mr Ramsay. The silver coin of the U.S. bears upon its face so much neatness and simplicity, that I cannot restrain myself from transmitting a dollar for your inspection. In a letter of the 29th of July from Colo. Humphreys, an extract of...
621To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 16 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I did not mention to you in any of my late letters my request, that the heads, which I sent to you, should be returned; because I presumed, that this would be the case. In the contest between Fitzsimmons and Swanwick, many of the people cried out for “Swanwick and no excise.” This indicates the kind of address, which he must have made to the less-informed classes of men. But it was very...
622To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is circulated here, that Mr Fauchet has declined doing any business, until he shall learn his real position under the new turn of French affairs. I have not been able to see him; as he is said to be confined in the country by a bad leg. Mrs Washington was slightly indisposed this morning; but not enough so, to prevent her from going about as usual. The late abominable sacrifice of females...
623To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I purpose to execute, what Mr Jay recommends in his letter of the 23d of August, just received; a copy of which I have the honor of now enclosing. I mean also to have an interview with those persons here, who are interested in spoliations, tomorrow morning eleven OClock, upon the subject of an Agent. Mr Jay’s memento as to the acknowledgment of letters received from him, has been always...
624To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned in my letter of yesterday a slight indisposition of Mrs Washington. To day she is perfectly well. She sent me two letters, which came with two packages of books. She had opened them, and I now inclose them. In Childs and Swaine’s paper of the 17th instant is this passage under the London head. “Mr Jefferson the American Minister, at present in Paris, is charged with a special...
625To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have been employed this morning in communicating to the sufferers under British depredations Mr Jay’s letters of the 2d and 23d of August, copies of which have been forwarded to you. They have appointed a committee of five, at which Mr Fitzsimmons is the head, to confer with me from time to time. They are to meet this evening, and to call upon me again on Monday. I stated to the whole body...
626To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington having written herself, I need not add, that I saw her this morning in good health. A partial report from the army, leaves it extremely doubtful whether Swanwick will not be elected. Dunlap’s paper of this morning gives the numbers there; and those corps, whose votes have not been stated; will have a majority of eighty six votes in favor of Swanwick to bring up, before...
627To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
My anxiety has been awakened by the absence of all the expresses, which have probably reached Williamsport, since Sunday the 12th instant. But the general opinion is easy, from a conviction, that you will not encounter hostility, but will rather be occupied with milder arrangements for the restoration of order. Mr Rittenhouse has certified to me the distress of the mint for money; and Mr...
628To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
A New York paper of yesterday declares in the most express terms, that the British instruction of the 8th of June 1793, so far as relates to the carrying of corn, meal and Flour to France, is revoked. It comes in such a shape, that I believe it; and we may hourly expect something on that head. You recollect, that this was the first order, which bore upon the United States, and is the same,...
629To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from Wilson Nicholas, who expresses the most unqualified resentment against the insurgents, as being the sense of Albemarle county in Virginia. Mr Madison & his new associate arrived here last night. I have not had any conversation with him of a pointed or very interesting kind. I only discover an absolute detestation of the insurrection, and a full Opinion, that the...
630To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 22 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
There is a report here, that a captain in the militia, who went from Philadelphia, and received the votes of his company, has destroyed the polls. It is added also, that they were unanimous for Swanwick. I am told, that some of the furious ones, since the publication of Mr Jay’s and Lord Grenville’s papers, are very absurdly offended, that Mr Jay, instead of negotiating , did not make a...
631To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 22 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The merchants have not yet made their report, as to the appointment of an agent. I cannot account for not receiving letters from Colo. Monroe by the return of the vessel, which carried him. I flatter myself still, that the Southern mail of tomorrow may bring some from Baltimore, where she arrived. William Mclung has refused to accept his commission, as attorney for the district of Kentucky. I...
632To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 23 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter from Dr Edwards, which I have the honor of inclosing, is remarkable; as it comes from a man, who has been always considered, as being associated in what are called the Blue-Stocking politics of Pennsylvania. The letter, to which he alludes from Mr Jay, is on the 31st of July, and the original had been long ago received. A Jersey paper of Yesterday contains the second number of a...
633To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 23 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
This moment the merchants have addressed a letter to me, requesting the appointment of an agent to prosecute their appeals in England. I have put it into the hands of a transcriber, that a copy may be forwarded to you to morrow; when I shall take the liberty of adding some remarks. The commissioners of the fœderal city have entered into an arrangement with Mr Greenleaf, and have inclosed me a...
634To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 25 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of Mr Dandridge’s letter of the 20th instant from Bedford, the daily expresses are discontinued, and one is to go to the army only every other day. I should not have written now, but to inform you, that I shall have the draught in sufficient forwardness on your return; having made progress in it. Indeed if I knew your sense as to the matter, which you approve to be inserted, it...
635To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing to you the first draught of the speech. In its arrangement and matter no change is intended by me, unless you should think proper to say something as to the too great ease of naturalization. The propriety of this is perhaps doubtful. However a note is made in the margin for your consideration. The matter is compounded of the sketch sent me, and what occurred...
636To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing to you the translation of a letter from Mr Fauchet; and to request your instruction, whether it may not be better to grant a pardon under the peculiar circumstances of the case. I ought to have added, when you did me the honor of calling at the office this morning, that the lists, for which Colo. Hamilton has written, were copied at the desire of Mr Peters and Mr...
637To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that Mr Taylor finished the copy last evening, and will this morning compare it with Mr Dandridge. After this examination by them, E.R. will be glad to examine the two copies with Mr Dandridge over again—The senate were so far from a quorum yesterday, that there is no ground for expecting a house to-day. Mr Izard and Mr Muhlenberg, both...
638To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
The two copies are completed; and I pledge myself, that the transcribers are as silent on the contents as the grave. Colo. Griffin tells me, that Parker and Blount are feeling the pulse of the members upon the article of expence, incurred by the late expedition. This circumstance enables me to say to you, without forcing an opportunity, that I am determined, let it cost what labour it may, to...
639To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I saw Mr Woolcott; and upon consultation, it was thought better, that he should proceed with the bank, as upon his own credit; and write immediately to the Secretary of the treasury for a more official sanction, than he yet possesses—We agreed also, that the original of the letter, which he wrote to you, and the copy, which he sent, should be destroyed. If this be agreeable, you will be...
640To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has the honor of submitting to the President the translation of a letter, of this date from Mr Fauchet, and a proposed answer to him and a letter to Govr Clinton. If the President approves, it is wished to send Mr Fauchet’s letter immediately—The Messenger will accordingly wait. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His...
641To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has the honor of informing the President, that, if his leisure will permit, the calls from the treasury department render a further number of Sea letters necessary. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Monday actually was 10 November. However, the docket with this letter was changed from 10 to 9...
642To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
In my public Letter of this date, you will find every thing of an official Nature, which we are able to communicate at present. Your private favor of the 13 th . of September last brings with it the satisfactory conviction, that I have not misplaced my confidence in your candor. You may be assured, that, as in the whole of our diplomatic connection hitherto, I have arrived at every...
643To John Adams from Edmund Randolph, 16 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I could not resist the impulse of my long affection for Geneva, to postpone for a moment the papers, which you were so obliging as to send me last night. Its fate is truly afflicting and injurious to humanity. The transplantation of its academy would fill up a vast chasm in the Education of the United States. For I do not believe, that a complete system is to be found in any state, and I...
644To John Adams from Edmund Randolph, 21 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am extremely unwilling, that the department of state should become the vehicle of letters to congress, the contents of which may be improper, and the authors of which perhaps ought to have addressed themselves to the executive, rather than the legislature. Inclosed are two sealed letters, which have been forwarded to the President. He cannot open them, because they are addressed to the...
645To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph presents his respectful Compliments to the President of the United States and has the honor to send him the enclosed translation of a Letter this moment received from Mr Fauchet. L , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, Domestic Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. The letter is in the writing of State Department chief clerk...
646To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [December 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
When I renewed the note for your friendly favor, just before your departure for the Westward, I did not take up the former one. If you have it, I will thank you for it, when it is convenient to you to send it. But I cannot close this subject, without assuring you of the sense, which I have ever entertained, of this, your disinterested kindness, and which, I can truly say, has never been...
647To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 1 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that Mr Jay carried with him Higginson’s instructions, in which it was expressly declared that the costs and damages of appeals were to be defrayed by the U.S: that this sentiment was long ago repeated to him; and lately by Mr Bayard. How he could have originally doubted, E.R. cannot tell. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA :...
648To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 1 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
The secretary of State has the honor of communicating to the President, a letter from Mr Hammond inclosing one from Govr Simcoe, and an answer, proposed by E.R. to Mr Hammond. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Randolph enclosed George Hammond’s letter to him of 27 Nov., which transmitted a copy of John Graves Simcoe’s...
649Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 9 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State begs the favor of the opinion of the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War, and of the Attorney General upon the inclosed Letter of Mr. Hammond, of the 9th. ultimo. The point on which your advice will be particularly interesting is, whether the government of the United States is bound to urge the payment requested? LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of...
650To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia December 11. 1794. ½ past 12. o’clock E. Randolph with respectful compliments to the President, informs him, that he is obliged to go home, in order to take a dose of physic for the relief of his stomach and head from a load of bile, which is very oppressive and makes him very giddy. E.R. had the honor of calling at the President’s, while he was out on horseback; in order to...