1From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 31 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am ashamed, so much after the date of it, to have the receipt of your letter of the 15th of Decr to acknowledge; but truth being the best apology I can make for the omission, you will receive it as follow. Immediately upon the receipt of that letter, I sent it where all other letters relative to the same subject were referred, to the Secretary of War, who was in the act of investigating...
2From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 26 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I discovered, after my letter of the 24 with its enclosure, was sent to the Post Office, that it would have to remain in Baltimore until friday, before it would be taken up by the cross-post for Frederick Town. This will occasion a delay on which I had not calculated: and as the return Post from the last mentioned place may not be immediate, the intention of this letter is to request the favor...
3From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 24 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Secretary of State is vacant—occasioned by the resignation of Mr Randolph. Will you accept it? You know my wishes of old, to bring you into the Administration —Where then is the necessity of repeating them? No time more than the present, ever required the aid of your abilities—nor of the old and proved patriots of this Country. To have yours would be pleasing to me, and I verily...
4From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 5–6 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 15th Ulto, came to my hands at a time when my attention was much occupied on some matters of importance. To this circumstance, and to my knowledge (as you will perceive by the enclosed extract of a letter from the Secretary of State to the Commissioners of the federal city) that one of your requests had been anticipated; and to the expression of your apprehension, that...
5From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 6 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
About the 20th of last month I received a letter from you dated at George Town the 12th of Jany—but which, I presume, ought to have been dated the 12th of February. It came to hand at a time when the Session of Congress was drawing to a close, and of course when the business of it pressed upon me. I therefore laid it aside to be acknowledged by Mr Potts, but missing that opportunity, I was...
6From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 27 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I regret not having met you at the Federal City, on my way home; and was concerned for the cause of the disappointment. I have made no choice yet of persons to supply the places of yourself & Doctr Stuart, as Commissioners; nor, in truth, do I know on whom to fix for this purpose, at this stage of the business, & under present circumstances. Mr Greenleaf gave me some reasons to believe that...
7From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 23 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th instant came Safe, but not until after it had lain many days in the Post Office in Frederick Town, by the mark thereon. Your consenting to remain longer in the Commission of the Federal District gave me much pleasure; for although I have no doubt with respect to the accomplishment of the law (establishing the permanent residence of Congress), nor of the execution of the...
8From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 23 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d Ulto came duly to hand. With regret I perceive your determination to with draw from the Commission under which you have acted—for executing the plan of the federal City. My wish was, and still is, if it could be made to comport with your convenience and inclination, that it should be changed; or at least suspended: for I should be sorry to see others (coming in at the...
9From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 1 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
While I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th of January, I cannot but express the regret with which I received the resignation of your office of Associate Justice of the supreme Court, and sincerely lament the causes that produced it. It is unnecessary for me to say how much I should have been pleased, had your health & other circumstances permitted you to continue in office;...
10Circular on the State of American Agriculture, 25 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Some enquiries having been made of me by important Characters on the state of agriculture in America, comprehending its Several relations, and intended to ascertain the value of our lands, with their yield in the several kinds of grain, grass &ca—the prices of farming stock, the prices of produce &ca together with a list of the Taxes in the different States, which may in any way affect the...
11From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 8 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
It appearing to me proper that the Commissioners should be apprised of the pretensions—signified in the enclosed letter—I send it to them accordingly, that such prudent use may be made of the information as to them shall seem fit. I have not given, nor shall I give any answer—at least for the present—to the writer of it; and no person is knowing to my having received such a letter. I am—Dear...
12From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 7 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letters of the 27 & 30 of July; the last of which came to hand while the Judges of the Supreme Court were with me on an invitation to dinner. I took this opportunity of laying your letter before the Chief Justice, (as you mentioned your having written to him and to Mr Wilson on the subject) in order that it might be communicated to the other Judges—After a...
13From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 14 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Without preface, or apology for propounding the following question to you—at this time—permit me to ask you with frankness, and in the fullness of friendship, whether you will accept of an appointment in the Supreme Judiciary of the United States? Mr Rutledge’s resignation has occasioned a vacancy therein which I should be glad to see filled by you. Your answer to this question by the Post...
14Commission, 22 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Skill, and Diligence of Thomas Johnson and Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and David Stuart of Virginia, I do . . ., in Pursuance of the Powers vested in me by the Act intituled “An Act for establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States,” hereby appoint them the said Thomas Johnson, Daniel...
15From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
In assenting to the opinion that the due administration of Justice is the strongest cement of good Government, you will also agree with me that the first organization of the Judicial department is essential to the happiness of our Country, and to the stability of our political system—hence the selection of the fittest characters to expound the Laws, and dispense Justice has been an invariable...