1Address to Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sir, I have been long accustomed to entertain so great a respect for the opinion of my fellow citizens, that the knowledge of their unanimous suffrages having been given in my favour scarcely leaves me the alternative for an Option. Whatever may have been my private feelings and sentiments, I believe I cannot give a greater evidence of my sensibility for the honor they have done me than by...
2From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Philip Burr Bradley of Connecticut, to be Marshal of and for the Connecticut district, continued, the legal term of his former appointment having expired. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . For Bradley’s original nomination to this position, see GW to U.S. Senate, 24 Sept. 1789...
3From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 31st 1790 M. de Poiery served in the American Army for several of the last years of the late war, as Secretary to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, and might probably at that time have obtained the Commission of Captain from Congress upon application to that Body. At present he is an officer in the French National Guards, and...
4From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 12 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
On the twenty ninth day of December 1794 the following nominations for promotions were laid before the Senate. First Sub Legion Bernard Gaines Captain 30 June 1794 vice Kersey promoted. Bartholomew Shomberg ditto ditto vice Hartshorne killed John Wade ditto 1 July vice Peters promoted. Ross Bird ditto 6 July
5From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I send herewith a copy of the Treaty of Friendship, Limits and Navigation, between the United States and his Catholic Majesty, which has been ratified by me with your Advice and Consent. A copy of the Treaty will be immediately communicated to the House of Representatives: it being necessary to make provision, in the present Session, for carrying into execution the Third and Twenty first...
6From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 9th 1790. Among the persons appointed during your late Session, to offices under the national Government, there were some who declined serving. Their names and offices are specified in the first column of the annexed list. I supplied these Vacancies, agreeably to the Constitution, by temporary appointments; which you will find...
7From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the communications of a deputation from the Cherokee Nation of Indians now in this City. And I request your advice, whether an additional Article shall be made to the Cherokee treaty, to the following effect—to wit. That the sum to be paid annually by the United States to the Cherokee nation of Indians, in consideration of the relinquishment of lands, as stated in the treaty...
8From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I submit to your consideration the report of the Secretary of State which accompanies this, stating the reasons for extending the negotiation proposed at Madrid to the subject of commerce, and explaining, under the form of instructions to the Commissioners lately appointed to that Court, the principles on which commercial arrangements with Spain might, if desired on her part, be acceded to on...
9From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill the offices annexed to their names respectively—namely— Nathaniel Rogers, to be Marshal of the New-Hampshire District; vice John Parker, deceased. Alexander Moore, to be Surveyor of the Port of West Point, in Virginia; vice John Spotswood Moore, who has resigned his appointmt. Charles Brown, to be Collector of the Port of George Town, in South Carolina;...
10From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate January 11th 1790. I have directed Mr Lear, my private Secretary, to lay before you a copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States by the State of North Carolina, together with the copy of a letter from His Excellency Samuel Johnson President of the Convention of said State to the President of the United States....
11From George Washington to the United States Senate, 29 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I nominate John Boyd, of Northumberland, to be Inspector of the Revenue for Survey No. 2 in the District of Pennsylvania; vice James Collins: and John Driver, of Virginia, to be Surveyor for the Port of Suffolk; and Inspector of the Revenue for the same port; vice Samuel Riddick; resigned. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s...
12From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Woodbury Langdon of the State of New Hampshire to be one of the Commissioners for settling the Accounts between the United States and individual States, in place of John Taylor Gilman who has resigned his appointment—and William Gardner to be Commissioner of Loans in the State of New Hampshire, in place of Nathaniel Gilman who has declined his appointment. LS , DNA : RG 46, First...
13From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Edward Church of Georgia, heretofore appointed but not received as Consul for the United States at Bilboa, to be Consul for the United States at the Port of Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and for such other parts within the allegiance of her most Faithful Majesty as shall be nearer to the said port, than to the residence of any other Consul, or Vice-Consul of the United States...
14Enclosure: Nominations for Vacancies, 3 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nominations for Promotions and Appointments. First Regiment. Major David Zeigler vice Wyllys killed. Major Richard Call vice Parker declined. Virginia. Captains. Thomas Doyle vice Zeigler promoted. John Armstrong vice Mercer resigned. John Pratt vice Heart promoted. Lieutenants. Cornelius Sedam vice Doyle promoted. John Jeffers vice Frothingham killed. Abner Pryor vice Armstrong promoted. Asa...
15From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Act for the admission of the State of Vermont into this Union having fixed on this, as the day of its admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any Officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that State. I therefore required your attendance to receive nominations of the several Officers necessary to put the federal Government...
16From George Washington to the United States Senate, 24 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I nominate for the Supreme-Court of the United States John Jay of New York, Chief-Justice John Rutledge, of South Carolina, James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, Associate Judges
17From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons as Company Officers and Surgeon and Surgeons Mates in the Corps of Artiller<is>ts and Engineers. The nomination of the Field Officers is suspended for the present. Captains 1. Griffith McCree North Carolina 2 Richard Scott Blackburn Virginia 3. James Bruff Maryland 4. Alexander Thompson New York 5. William Morris ditto 6. Decius Wadsworth
18From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Oliver Bowen, of Georgia, to be Marshal of the district of Georgia in the room of Thomas Glasscock, resigned. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; copy, DLC:GW . The Senate postponed action on Oliver Bowen’s nomination on 21 May before consenting on 24 May ( Senate Executive Journal , Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America: From the commencement of...
19From George Washington to the United States Senate: Answer to the Address of the Senate, 11 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your address, and for the assurances, which it contains of attention to the several Matters suggested by me to your consideration. Relying on the continuance of your exertions for the public good, I anticipate, for our Country, the salutary effects of upright and prudent Counsels. LB , DLC:GW . For the address of the Senate, see GW to the United States Senate and House of...
20From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to be Commissioners of Loans in the States to which their names are respectively affixed, viz. In the State of New Hampshire Nathaniel Gilman Massachusetts Nathaniel Appleton Rhode Island — Connecticut William Imlay New York John Cochran New Jersey James Ewing Pennsylvania Thomas Smith Delaware James Tilton Maryland Thomas Harwood
21From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the general principles agreed to by the Senate in August 1789, the adjustment of the terms of a treaty is far advanced between the United States and the Chiefs of the Creek Indians now in this city, in behalf of themselves and the whole Creek Nation. In preparing the Articles of this Treaty, the present arrangements of the trade with the Creeks have caused much embarrassment....
22From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 9 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I nominate James McDowell to be Inspector of the Revenue for the sixth survey in the District of virginia vice James Brackenridge resigned. L[S] , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; copy, DLC:GW . Secretary of the Treasury Oliver Wolcott, Jr., had written GW on 6 May: “The Secretary of The Treasury has the honor to submit to The President, recommendations in favor of several Candidates for the office of...
23From George Washington to the United States Senate, 19 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The following appointments have been made in the Army of the United States, during the recess of the Senate; and I now nominate the following persons to fill the Offices annexed to their names respectively. Artillery Peter L. Van Alen to be Lieutenant; vice [Dirck] Schuyler, resigned; to take rank from 6th Septr 1792. Infantry Alexander Gibson to be Captain vice William Lewis declined. Howell...
24From George Washington to the United States Senate, 19 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a representation of the Chargé des Affaires of France, made by order of his Court, on the Acts of Congress of the 20th of July 1789, and 1790 imposing an extra tonnage on foreign Vessels, not excepting those of that Country; together with the Report of the Secretary of State thereon: and I recommend the same to your consideration, that I may be enabled to give to it such...
25From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill vacancies which have taken place in the late military appointments—to-wit— Rank . Names . States . Brigadier General Rufus Putnam Territory of the United States North West of the Ohio—vice Marinus Willett, declined. Captains of Cavalry Jedediah Rodgers New York—vice John Craig, declined. Henry Bowyer Virginia—vice Lawrence Manning, declined. Lieutt of...
26From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from Abroad, and laying others in their stead, and also upon Spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same”, I have thought fit to divide the United States into the following Districts—namely— The...
27From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 21 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Matthew Clarkson, of Pennsylvania, to be the Commissioner on the part of the United States, agreeably to the 21st article of the Treaty of Friendship, limits and navigation between them and his Catholic Majesty, to examine and decide the claims of the Citizens of the United States for losses sustained in consequence of their vessels and cargoes having been taken by the subjects of...
28From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 17 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, I nominate Charles Cochran of South Carolina, to be Marshal of and for the District of South Carolina; vice Daniel L. Huger, resigned. and Thomas Waters Griffith, of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States of America, for the port of Havre Marat, in France; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or...
29From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 2 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Joel Barlow of the State of Connecticut, to be Consul-General of the United States of America, for the City & Kingdom of Algiers. John Gavino to be Consul of the United States of America for the port of Gibraltar, in the room of James Simpson appointed Consul for Morocco. Frederick Folger of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States of America for the port & district of Aux-Cayes,...
30From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the following Report which has been made to me by the Secretary of State. “The Secretary of State Reports to the President of the United States, that one of the Commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his Court, that his Catholic Majesty, apprized of our solicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free...
31From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 23d 1790 In my nomination of persons for Consular appointments on the 4th of the present month, the name of James instead of Joseph Fenwick was by mistake laid before you to be Consul for the port of Bourdeaux. LB , DLC:GW . See GW to the U.S. Senate, 4 June 1790 .
32From George Washington to the United States Senate, 22 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons for promotions and appointments in the Legion of the United States, viz. Thomas Posey of Virginia, Brigadier General vice Rufus Putnam resigned 14. February 1793. Michael Rudulph Adjutant and Inspector—vice Winthrop Serjeant declined. Promotions and Appointments in the Legion of the United States. Cavalry. Robert M[i]s Campbell Captain vice Stake resigned 7....
33From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Information having been received from Thomas Auldjo, who was appointed Vice Consul of the United States at Cowes in Great Britain, that his Commission has not been recognized by that Government, because it is a Port at which no foreign Consul has yet been received, and that it has been intimated to him, that his Appointment to the Port of Poole and parts nearer to that than to the residence of...
34From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 10 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I nominate John Pickering to be District Judge of New Hampshire; vice John Sullivan, deceased, and Benjamin Woods, to be Attorney for the United States in the District of North Carolina; vice William Hill, resigned. LB , DLC:GW . The Senate confirmed these nominations on 11 Feb. ( Senate Executive Journal Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America: From...
35From George Washington to the United States Senate, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Surveyor of the Port of Suffolk, in the State of Virginia, having become vacant by the resignation of Benjamin Bartlett, I nominate Lemuel Reddick to be Surveyor of said Port. LB , DLC:GW . Lemuel Riddick, Jr., had been recommended to GW for this appointment by Josiah Parker on 19 Dec. 1791. Tobias Lear delivered the nomination on 29 Dec., and the Senate confirmed Riddick’s...
36From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
A Convention between his most Christian Majesty and the United States for the purposes of determining and fixing the functions and prerogatives of their respective Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agents and Commissaries, was signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries on the 29th of July 1784. It appearing to the late Congress that certain alterations in that Convention ought to be made, they...
37From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 9th 1790 You will perceive from the papers herewith delivered, and which are enumerated in the annexed list, that a difference subsists between Great Britain and the United States relative to the boundary line between our Eastern, and their Territories. A plan for deciding this difference, was laid before the late Congress; and whether...
38From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentleman of the Senate, June 2nd 1790. The Troops at present in service consisting of one regiment of Infantry and one Battalion of artillery were apportioned by the acts of the former Congress on the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and as the Officers of said troops are in actual service, I nominate them, as in the list...
39From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Anthony Walton White of New-Jersey to be Surveyor for the Port of New Brunswick and Inspector of the Revenue for the same. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; LB , DLC:GW . The Senate confirmed Anthony Walton White’s nomination on this date (see Senate Executive Journal Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America: From the commencement of the First, to...
40From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Jabez Bowen to be Commissioner of Loans in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. and Daniel Benezet Junior to be Collector of the Port of Great Egg Harbour in the State of New Jersey. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . A “c” was written in a different hand after each...
41From George Washington to the United States Senate, 12 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Richard Peters to be District Judge of the Pennsylvania District: vice William Lewis, who has resigned his Appointment. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations. For the background to this appointment, see William Lewis to GW, 8 July 1791, in Edmund Randolph to GW, 13 July 1791, n.1 , and Timothy...
42From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 25 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate David Russell of the State of Vermont to be Collector of South Hero in the District of Vermont, vice Stephen Keyes, superseded. LB , DLC:GW . On this date, GW’s secretary George Washington Craik delivered this message to the Senate, which approved the nomination on 26 January. GW again wrote the Senate on 31 Jan. to nominate Russell as the “Inspector of South Hero in the District of...
43From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Great Britain, requiring that Commissioners should be appointed to fix certain boundaries between the Territories of the contracting parties, and to ascertain the losses and damages represented to have been sustained by their respective Citizens and Subjects, as set forth in the fifth, Sixth and Seventh Articles of the...
44From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 27 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Enoch Sawyer of North Carolina to be Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Plankbridge on Sawyers Creek in North Carolina. Frederick B. Sawyer, of North Carolina, to be Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Newbiggen Creek in North Carolina. Levy Blount, of North Carolina to be Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Plymouth in North Carolina. LB , DLC:GW . On this date,...
45From George Washington to the United States Senate, 1 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Benjamin Lincoln, of Massachusetts—Beverly Randolph, of Virginia—and Timothy Pickering, of Pennsylvania, to be Commissioners on the part of the United States, for holding a Conference or Treaty with the hostile Indians, agreeably to the proposal of said Indians. LS , in Tobias Lear’s writing, DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Senate Records of Executive Proceedings,...
46From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 2 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
A spirit of discontent from several causes arose in the early part of the present year among the Six Nations of Indians, and particularly on the ground of a projected settlement by Pennsylvania at Presqu’ Isle upon Lake Erie. The papers upon this point have already been laid before Congress. It was deemed proper on my part to endeavour to tranquilize the Indians by pacific measures....
47From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The aspect of the Affairs in Europe during the last summer, and especially between Spain and England, gave reason to expect a favourable occasion for pressing to accomodation the unsettled matters between them and us. Mr Carmichael, our Chargé des Affaires at Madrid, having been long absent from his Country, great changes having taken place in our circumstances and sentiments during that...
48From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 21 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, In the negotiation between the United States and his Catholic Majesty, I have received satisfactory proofs of attention and ability, exerted in behalf of the United States, to bring it to a happy and speedy issue. But it is probable that by complying with an intimation, made to the Secretary of State by the Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty, much further delay in...
49From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Certain Offices having become vacant, since your last Session, by the death, resignation or appointment to other Offices, of those who held them, I have, in pursuance of the power vested in me by the Constitution, appointed the following persons to fill these vacancies—vizt. Thomas Johnson, of Maryland, one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, vice John Rutledge, resigned. William...
50From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 22 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
Among the occasions, which have been afforded, for expressing my sense of the zealous and stedfast cooperation of the Senate, in the maintenance of government; none has yet occurred, more forcibly demanding my unqualified acknowledgments, than the present. Next to the consciousness of upright intentions, it is the highest pleasure to be approved by the enlightened representatives of a free...