1To George Washington from Abraham Baldwin, 30 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
An appointment from the State of Georgia as one of their representatives in congress lays me under the necessity of resigning my seat at the general board of commissioners for finally adjusting all accounts between the United States and the individual States. With the greatest possible respect I have the honour to be your most devoted humble Servant ALS , DNA:PCC , item 78. Abraham Baldwin...
2To George Washington from William Finnie, 30 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Urged by the all powerful impulse of necesaty I presume to appear before your Excellency as an humble Solicitor for employment in the service of the United States In the late War from its commencement until the conclusion thereof I had the honor to serve as Deputy Quarter Master General and to receive that testimonial of my conduct therein from the late General Green which I take the liberty...
3To George Washington from William Lindsay, 30 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
If you are not already fatigued with the Numerous similar Applications that have already been made, I will with Permission make known to you it is my wish to be continued Naval Officer of Norfolk. for circumstances, I refur you to Col. Parker, who was present at my Appointment. having served in the Army—the Executive thought my pretentions equal to any that offer’d. Should you think that my...
4To George Washington from Reuben Wilkinson, 30 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having had the honor of being annually appointed Collector of the Port of Savannah for two years by a very respectable majority of the Legislature of the State of Georgia— my desire of continuing in that situation induces me to trouble you on the subject of my reappointment; this trouble has been rendered necessary in as much as the Constitution of the United States has taken that power out of...
5To George Washington from Paul Richard Randall, May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is with extreme diffidence I obtrude myself upon your notice in expressing an inclination to serve my country in some publick Employment. I have no meritorious claims to urge in support of my pretensions having had very little opportunity of manifesting a patriotick zeal. After receiving an education suitable to the bar, and being admitted to practise in this state, I made a small tour in...
6To George Washington from John Cochran, 1 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you & my Country on your Appointment to the chief Presidency of the united states of America by the unanimous voice of its Citizens. That you may be happy & successful in the discharge of this important Trust is my most ardent Wish. A reliance on the Benevolence of my Countrymen & Necessity have compelled me to make an application, which I could wish I did not stand...
7To George Washington from Moustier, 1 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is truly mortifying to me to be under the disadvantage of using a foreign language in which I am so little versed. I conceive I must have committed errors, from the interpretation you have given, Sir, to my preceding letter, in regard to two points which were far from my intention. The first is relative to the application of the general principle on which I thought that a private audience...
8To George Washington from Annis Boudinot Stockton, 1 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Can the muse, can the freind forbear! (for oh I must Call thee friend, great as thou art) to pay the poor tribute she is capable off, when she is so interested in the universal Congratulation—I thought I Could testify my Joy when I saw you—but words were vain, and my heart was so filled with respect, love, and gratitude, that I Could not utter an Idea. Be pleased to accept the enclosed...
9To George Washington from Anthony Walton White, 1 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
My friends have advised me to offer myself a candidate for the office of Collector of the Impost of this State. Presuming Sir, that it would intrude too much on your time to read the letters and Certificates my friends have offered, induced me to decline accepting any to accompany this application, and I should not have enclosed the letter from the Governor of my Native State, did I not...
10To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having had the honour of writing to your Excellency by Mr Allen, of expressing the pleasure I have recieved in common with my fellow citizens in general of your deserved elevation to the first place in the Fœderal Government of the American Country; this consideration would have precluded you the trouble of the present communication were it not for the paper accompanying, which I flatter...
11To George Washington from John Lasher, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of John Lasher Most respectfully Sheweth That your Memorialist in the glorious contest which has happily secured the Independence and Liberty of the United States was among the first who engaged in the service of his Country. That at the commencment of the contest he was appointed Colonel of one of the Regiments of Militia, and in 1776 served in that Capacity in the State Levies...
12To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is not without regret that I reflect on the interruption that was given to the conversation I had the honor to hold with your Excellency on the subject of the etiquette which would be observed by the President of the United States, since I still find that this subject occupies much of the public attention, & I could have wished to have corrected my own opinions by a more perfect knowledge...
13To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you the Treaties concluded, in pursuance of the Instructions received from Congress on the twenty sixth of October 1787 and second of July 1788, with several of the Indian Nations in January last. That they were not presented at an earlier period was owing, in part, to my own Indisposition—to the severity of the Winter which rendered the Communication by the...
14To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By yesterdays post we were advised of Your Excellencys arrival at New York, and If a variety of incidents did not concur to prevent me, I should have the honor in person to congratulate you, on the gratitude and confidence, which you so emminently experience from united America. Until the adoption of the present system of national Government, It was a constant, and a painful reflection to...
15To George Washington from James Warren, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
When your arrival at the head of the General Government is announced, it is become my duty as it was before my inclination, to make my congratulations both to you & to my Country, which I most sincerely do, on this occasion: for however I may have been at first in opinion against the new Constitution before its ratification, I now think it the duty of every good citizen to rejoice in every...
16To George Washington from Frederick Weissenfels, 2 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Frederick Weissenfels Most Respectfully Sheweth. That he being far advanced in Years, And having no Mechanical Occupation nor any other employ, whereby he might Enjoy among his fellow Citizens a Comfortable subsistance he finds himself in Consequence thereof under Considerable Embarresments—his Character and Conduct in the Service of the United States during the late War he...
17To George Washington from William Heth, 3 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of presenting yesterday forenoon, your letter to Mrs Washington, together with the package committed to my care; and was happy to find her, & the family well. It is with pleasure I inform you, that I have made such particular & pointed arrangements with the Proprietors of the Stages, as leaves me no reason to doubt, of Mrs Washingtons being extremely well accommodated on her...
18To George Washington from Michael Morgan O’Brien, 4 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the advice of my Friends, I am induced to apply to your Exellency for an Appointment in the Customs at the Port of Philadelphia. I am informed in that Arrangement, there will be a Surveyor, and a Searcher, in either of which Capacities I shoud be happy to serve, if I am thought worthy of the Appointment. I flatter myself it woud not be unacceptable to my fellow Citizens, and that I shoud be...
19To George Washington from Philadelphia County Society for Promotion of Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, 4 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
On the 4th day of May 1789 His Excellency George Washington Esqr. was elected a Corresponding member of the Philadelphia County Society for the Promotion of Agriculture and Domestick Manufactures the Society inviting his Assistance. N.B. To meet at the house of Mr Bennet in Frankford on the first Monday in June at 2 OClock. DS , in the writing of Edward Duffield, Jr., secretary of the society,...
20To George Washington from George Taylor, Jr., 4 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President being invested by the Constitution with the Appointment of Officers for the new Government, I hope it will not be deemed importunate in me to mention to your Excellency, my former Services, lest, by the numerous great and important Objects which must necessarily occupy your Attention, they may escape you. I will not presume to ask for any Office in particular, because, conscious...
21From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 May 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
In conformity to the intimation you were pleased to honor me with on evening last I have reflected on the etiquette proper to be observed by the President and now submit the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject. The public good requires as a primary object that the dignity of the office should be supported. Whatever is essential to this ought to be pursued though at the risk of...
22To George Washington from George Bush, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the questions you were pleased to put to me this day, I take the liberty to trouble you with the following detail. I was born in the Delaware State, my Father still lives there, & I have resided there ever since the dissolution of the Army. I served an Apprenticeship of four Years to a Merchant in Philadelphia, at the expiration of which in 1776 I was appointed a Liut. in the...
23To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to the knowledge and notice of your Excellency, my son, who will have the honor of presenting this. He wishes to be so happy as to obtain the approbation & nomination of your Excellency to the appointment of Collector of imposts or duties for New Jersey. Motives of delicacy prevented my mentioning this matter either by letter or in person in the course of your...
24To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to the intimation you were pleased to honor me with on evening last I have reflected on the etiquette proper to be observed by the President and now submit the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject. The public good requires as a primary object that the dignity of the office should be supported. Whatever is essential to this ought to be pursued though at the risk of...
25To George Washington from the United States House of Representatives, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Representatives of the people of the United States present their congratulations on the event by which your fellow citizens have attested the pre-eminence of your merit. You have long held the first place in their esteem: you have often received tokens of their affection. You now possess the only proof that remained of their gratitude for your services, of their reverence for your wisdom,...
26To George Washington from Lydia Watkins, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
permit me among the multitude who rejoice at your appointment, to Congratulate you as president of the United States of America, and to assure your Excellency that I enjoy an heartfelt Satisfaction at any event tending to promote your happiness or exaltation. May I hope you have some recollection of one who had the honor of being known to you some years back at Paramus New Jersey? I have...
27Address of the House of Representatives to the President, [5 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Representatives of the People of the United States present their congratulations on the event by which your fellow-citizens have attested the pre-eminence of your merit. You have long held the first place in their esteem: you have often received tokens of their affection. You now possess the only proof that remained of their gratitude for your services, of their reverence for your wisdom,...
28To George Washington from Peter Baynton, 6 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Peter Baynton most respectfully sheweth That your Petitioner was appointed in the Year 1776, Comptroller of the General Post Office by Richard Bache Esquire Post Master General, in whom was vested the Appointment of all the Offices of that Department & your Petitioner continued to execute the Duties of his Office with the Approbation of his Patron and to the Satisfaction of the...
29To George Washington from Christian Febiger, 6 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Fully sensible of the very delicate & troublesome Situation, in which you are placd, the disagreeable Sensations you are every moment subjected to by numerous Applications from every Quarter. I had determind (as my Bussiness in New York is entirely of a private Nature) not to trouble your Excellency at present; Butt my Friends have advisd me to the contrary. Permitt me therefore to intrude for...
30To George Washington from Louis de Pontière, 6 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I am very uncertain whether this letter will reach you or not, I have nevertheless, taken the liberty to write to you, exposing my situation which becomes more & more deplorable—while I had friends & Relations I asked of them whatever was necessary for me during the American war, & since my return to France while the hope the interest of my Captaincy would be paid I have been received...
31To George Washington from William Powell, 6 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Memorialist convinced of the necessity of Appointing Officers of Honesty, Industry, and Abilities, under the present Constitution for the Collection of the Revenues in all the United States—Begs leave to Offer his Services, as Weighmaster & Gauger or Surveyor, for the District of said New Haven not doubting but his character & abilities will be found adequate to the appointment The...
32To George Washington from John Churchman, 7 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The memorial of John Churchman Respectfully represents That in the Beginning of the Year 1787, he has published & sent to different parts of America and Europe, a Scheme for determining the Longitude from a combined observation of the latitude & variation of the magnetic needle, that the principles on which it is founded have been approved by some of the most learned mathematicians of the age,...
33To George Washington from Ebenezer Hazard, 7 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is really with Reluctance that I add my name to the List of those who are Candidates for Offices, and by their Importunity encrease the weight of your Burthens: nor did I intend to do it: for, enjoying already the Office of Postmaster General, and conscious of no Cause of Removal, I thought it unnecessary; but having been lately informed that I have a Competitor, and fearing lest your...
34To George Washington from Richard Harrison, 8 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago through the Medium of my friend Coll Harrison, with diffidence took the liberty of offering my self for Employment under the Goverment to the administration of which your Excellency has been unanimously called. However disagreeable to speak of oneself I would now beg permission briefly to state the grounds on which I thus presumed. Although I was never honored with a direct or...
35To George Washington from Hugh Williamson, 8 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It does not appear from any Information in my Hands that Col: Jos: Martin has at this Time any public Commission under which he may be authorised to treat with the Indians. On the 20th of June last he was appointed by Congress Agent for the Cherokees having been previously nominated by Mr Brown of Virginia. That appointment was for six months from the Time he took on himself the Duties of the...
36To George Washington from Mary Wooster, 8 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to address your Excellency on a subject which perhaps may be thought improper for a Woman, but I rely on my particular unfortunate situation and the candor of your Excellency for my justification⟨.⟩ My Son having been excedingly unfortunate during the course of the last War by the loss of his pay⟨,⟩ receiving his debts in Continental Money, by being plunder’d to a very considerable...
37To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt [of] Sundry papers relative to the cherokees indians —These shall be examined, together with those relative to the North western Indians and reported on to you as soon as may be. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Sir, your Obedient and Humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . See GW’s letter of this date to Knox .
38To George Washington from Warner Lewis, 9 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
As it does not appear to me to be certain that you have received a letter which I wrote you by the stage on the 11’th of March last, I now take the liberty of inclosing you a copy of it: and, that I may not again be troublesome to you on the same subject, I will request a line from you, by post, informing me of your being made acquainted with my having attended to your directions. With very...
39To George Washington from William Mumford, 9 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of William Mumford, most Humbly and Respectfully Sheweth, That he officiated as Deputy Secretary of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Planatations, from the commencement to the close of the late War, which gave Independence to America; and a considerable part of that Time as Clerk to the Council of War and Deputy Intendant of Trade for the Port of Providence, that the two...
40To George Washington from Isaac All, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the advice of my friends, I came to this place to Solicit an appointment in the Customs for the Port of Philadelphia, and was honoured with Letters to Several members of the Senate and house of representatives through whome it was thought my application might have been made. I have Since understood that would be improper which obliges me tho’ an entire stranger to the President to throw...
41To George Washington from John Berrien, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of informing you that I have come forward from Georgia to this place to Offer myself as a Candidate for the Office of Collector of the Customs for the State of Georgia. Haveing formerly held the Office of Collector for the Port of Savannah, with reputation, I trust that on the score of experience, my pretensions to the appointment which I now Solicit from you Sir, will at...
42To George Washington from Arthur Campbell, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although I am not honored with a personal acquaintance; yet I can count myself among the number of your early and uniform admirers, and who can now rejoice in seeing the affairs of my Country administered successfully by your hand in preference to any other. I was among the first that embraced the principles of the American revolution, and was not merely an inactive wellwisher; what was then...
43To George Washington from Frederick Jay, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Several of my Friends have advised me to become a Candidate for the Office of Collector for this Port—I am persuaded that your Excellency is not unacquainted with the Part wch I took and the losses Sustained by me and the whole Family during the late War, which in Some measure (I do presume) recommends them to a Share of their Country’s favours—Should Your Exclcy think proper to Name me to...
44To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27 and Feb. 13 both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4 and 5. the details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern &...
45To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of addressing your Excellency in April, by Genl Jackson, & have since that period been extremely gratified by hearing of your happy arrival at the seat of Government, & acceptance of the supreme Executive Authority of the United States—an event, that I am confident affords the sincerest pleasure to every true friend of America. I also observe that the Impost Act was in...
46From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27. and Feb. 13. both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4. and 5. The details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern...
47To George Washington from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr and Mrs Andersons most respectfull Compliments to his Excy and makes bold to present him with a Portrait of the Twins born in the year 1775, which was intended to have been sent to your Excy last Spring but no favorable oppertunity offered, whereby we Could have sent them. They have the Honor of bearing the Names of your Excy & Lady, and are the Twins if it does not Slip your Excy memory,...
48To George Washington from Nathaniel Barrett, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Being soon to embark for France, in which Kingdom I shall reside for several years; I have been advised by many of my Friends to offer myself as a Candidate for the Place of Consul to that Kingdom, or if the general system of Consulates shall not be presently arranged, to serve in the mean Time as Commercial Agent for the united states. My residence in Paris with the Connections I have formed...
49To George Washington from Edward Carrington, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
At the same moment that I am assured your Excellencies own inclinations would have been infinitely more gratified in domestic than in public life, I must beg leave to offer my sincere congratulations upon the unanimity with which your Country men, divided as they have been in every other political act, have called you to the highest and most important Trust in the Republic, as it evidences the...
50To George Washington from Edward Church, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am one of that unfortunate number whom the late revolution has precipitated from a state of decent competence, and reduced to the necessity of joining the class of your most humble and needy petitioners; but it is not to be expected that the most fortunate revolutions can be favorable to the interest of every individual, I therefore presume not to complain, or to found any pretensions to...