201From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency’s favors of the 19th and 21st ulto and again to thank you, for your uniform and speedy communication of every southern event which comes to your knowledge. I have the pleasure to find, from General Greenes official letter, that Lord Cornwallis is not likely to reap any great benefits from his late Victory—indeed—were we certain that he would not...
202To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 5 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 1st instant, came to my hands yesterday. I regret the indisposition of General Knox; but hope, as there is yet time for consideration of those matters I referred to the heads of the Departments, no inconvenience will result from the delay, occasioned thereby; unless it should continue much longer. At George Town, I met Mr. Randolph; and by a Letter just received from Mr....
203To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The P—— returns the enclosed Report to Mr. J——. Boundary and the Navigation of the Missisipi are clearly defined—The propositions respecting Commerce he presumes is equally so, but having little knowledge of this subject he trusts to the guards provided by Mr. J——. The P—— has put one or two queries in the Margin of the Report merely for consideration. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”;...
204From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive duly your letter dated the 15th of Decr last; but I thought proper to delay answering or mentioning the contents of it, until after the arrival of Mr Madison, who I understood had been with you. He arrived yesterday, and I now take the earliest opportunity of mentioning to you the result of my reflections; and the expediency of your deciding, at as early a period...
205To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 25 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find by the enclosed that our troubles in the Federal City are not yet at an end.—I pray you to give the letters a consideration and inform me of the result, to morrow, or next day.—Yours affectly. & sincerely, RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. 1791. Entry in SJPL reads: “G.W. to Th:J. Federal city.” The Commissioners had written to Washington,...
206To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 16 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
West Point, 16 Aug. 1779 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 23 July enclosing one for Mr. Battora, which will be forwarded by the next flag. Dft ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2 p. Endorsed. Printed: Washington, Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick, xvi , 114.
207To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [15 January 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed came to my hands yesterday afternoon.—The documents respecting the dispute between Majr. L’Enfant an Dan Carroll of D. have been sent for the Attorney Genl. to form his opinion upon the case.—The whole are sent for Mr. J.’s perusal previous to the conversation he proposed to have with Majr. L E.—The President has not read the Papers, nor is he in any hurry to do it. RC ( DLC );...
208To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Sometime last fall I sent to Mr. Young transcripts of the accounts respecting the Agriculture of this Country, which I had collected from Gentlemen of the best information on this subject, with whom I was acquainted in the middle States, New York and Virginia. The account which you had the goodness to draw up was among the number. I have lately received from Mr. Young a letter in reply to mine...
209From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P—— returns Mr Muters letter, and gives Mr J—— an opportunity of reading one from Judge Innes, on the same subject. The latter, commences his operations from the point, to which we have not yet been able to get; namely—established Posts in the Indian Country—the primary object of the Campaign, after the accomplishment of which, every thing else would be easy. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson...
210From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The letter enclosed, intended for Govr Blount, appears to me to be very proper. ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed the letter: “Washington Presidt recd Nov. 15. 92,” and he noted below the text that “it was my letter of Nov. 14. 92.” In a note to GW of 14 Nov. 1792, Jefferson had submitted his letter to William Blount of that date and “the correspondence on which it is founded”...
211To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 August 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you dated the 23d. of July, I have received the second epistle of Govr. Chittenden enclosing a copy of the Lieutt. Governor of Canada’s letter to him; but as he does not in that letter acknowledge the receipt of the One which went to him from the Secretary of State’s office the motives which suspended an answer to his first letter still exist, unless he has given the...
212From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the meeting proposed to be held (at nine O’clock tomorrow morning) with the heads of the Great Departments) is to consider important subjects belonging (more immediately) to the Department of State—The President desires Mr Jefferson would commit the several points on which opinions will be asked to Paper, in the order they ought to be taken up. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers; ADf , DNA...
213From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from the Governor of New York, covering a communication to him from the Consul of the French Republic at that place, respecting the continuance of a British Letter of Marque in the Harbour of New York—reached my hands by the post of last evening; and I now transmit it to you, that it may be taken into consideration by yourself and the other Heads of the Departments, as soon...
214From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances—and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
215To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 31 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It is my wish that the result of the determination on Mr. G——ts request may go to him with your Signature, and of this date. It was for this reason I aimed at a decision on it Sunday or yesterday. Yours always RC (Edward N. Bomsey, Springfield, Virginia, 1984). Determination on Mr.G——ts request : TJ to Edmond Charles Genet, 31 Dec. 1793 .
216To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 28 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed is the rough draught of a letter to G.M.—I pray you to examine it, and alter any word, or sentence you may think too strong; or the whole of it, retaining my object; from which I shall make a fair copy and then take a press one: be not scrupulous therefore in making the alterations you judge necessary.—In the course of tomorrow I will send you the letter to be made up with your...
217From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I leave it to you, and the heads of the other two Departments to say what, or whether any answer should be given to the B. Minister’s letter of the 19th —It would seem as if neither he, nor the Spanish Commissioners were to be satisfied with any thing this Government can do. But on the contrary, are resolved to drive matters to extremity. Yours I send the enclosed to be signed. ALS , DLC :...
218To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 4 October 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 12th. Ulto., after travelling to Philadelphia and back again, was received by me, at this place, the 1st. instant. The letter from Madame de Chastellux to me, is short—referring to the one she has written to you for particulars respecting herself and infant son. Her application to me is unquestionably misplaced, and to Congress it would certainly be unavailing, as the...
219II. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Have you formed an opinion on the subject I submitted to you on Tuesday?—Have you heard whether the Bill was disputed in both or either House of Congress on the ground of the Constitution, or whe[ther] this objection (in its full force) was held in petto for the last move, in the present stage of the business?—If it was debated, as above, whether the Arguments adduced by the Author of the...
220To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 3 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Post brought me the enclosed letter under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette. If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body. It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am Dear Sir Yr. Most...
221To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 4 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I send, for the information and consideration of the Heads of the Departments, a letter which I received by the post of Yesterday from the Governor of North Carolina, stating the measures which he has taken relative to a privateer fitted out from South Carolina under a French Commission, and which had arrived, with a prize, in the Port of Wilmington in North Carolina. I intend setting out for...
222From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I send, for the consideration & opinion of the Heads of the Departments and the Attorney General of the U.S. a communication from the Governor of Pennsylvania respecting the Privateer Citizen Genet—together with copies of two letters from the French Consul to the Governor on the same subject, and a Report of two persons who had examined the Aforesaid Privateer by the Governor’s order. The...
223To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [29 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with two of your Excellency’s favors both of the 11th inclosing an extract of a letter from Governor Rutlege. I cannot but feel most sensibly affected by several parts of your Excellency’s letter. The successive misfortunes to the Southward—the progress of the enemy—and the great deficiency in military stores give rise to the most serious reflections, while our situation in...
224To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have given your letter to Mr. Short, dated the 28th. instant an attentive perusal.—As you place confidence in his judgment and discretion, I think it is very proper that the sentiments which are expressed in the cyphered part of it, should be handed to him; and approve the communicating of them to him accordingly. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The Secretary of State” endorsed by TJ as...
225To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had last the honor of addressing Your Excellency, the Embarkation which had been some time preparing and which had undergone several changes has sailed from New York. The fleet, including the Convoys consisted of 32 Sail, and left the Hook the 22 Ulto. By the best information I have been able to obtain The Light Infantry and Grenadiers with some other Corps, which were at first under...
226From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed for Mr Young, I pray you to put under cover to Mr Johnson—the other for Mr Vaughan may go in like manner, or otherwise, as you may think best; both however by the Packet. The letter for Mr Carroll I also return—besides which, were you to write a line or two to Mr Johnson, addressed to the care of the Postmaster in Baltimore, it might be a mean of giving him earlier notice of the...
227To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The P requests that Mr. J would give the letter and statement herewith sent from the S y of War a perusal, and return it to him in the course of the day, with his opinion as to the propriety of the manner of making the communication to Congress; and whether it ought not, at any rate, to be introduced in some such way as this (if it is to pass through him to Congress) “Pursuant to directions I...
228To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 10 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I return, from this place, the Papers which you put into my hands on the Road, to day. The unpromising state of the Negotiation at Madrid, and the opinion of the Commissioners that their Commission should be withdrawn, and matters at that Court placed in Statu quo, deserve very serious consideration. I pray you to give it; and if it rests altogether with the Executive (after the Agency the...
229To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 16 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to transmit Your Excellency a Letter from Major Genl. de Riedesel which only came to hand Two days ago. I would now inform Your Excellency, that agreeable to my Letter of the 18th of December I have obtained a Return of Moylan’s Regiment of Light Dragoons and find as I apprehended that there are Sixty three Non Commissioned Officers and Privates in it, who belong to...
230To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letter to Mr. Pinckney meets my ideas—but after mentioning Sweden as the Country most likely to obtain Copper from, I think it would be better not to confine him to the purchase there. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secrety. of State”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 Dec. 1792. Recorded in SJPL . TJ’s letter to Mr. Pinckney , as amended in light of Washington’s comment, is dated 30 Dec. 1792 .
231IX. The President to the Secretary of State, 19 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President concurs with the Secretary of State in opinion that, circumstances make it advisable to commit Mr. Short and the Marqs. de la Fayette to press in a discreet manner our Settlement with the Court of Spain on a broader bottom than merely that of the case of Ste. Marie, and authorises him to take measures accordingly. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ as...
232From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The conduct of Majr L’Enfant and those employed under him, astonishes me beyond measure! and something more than even appears, must be meant by them! When you are at leisure I should be glad to have a further conversation with you on this subject. Yrs sincerely & Affectionately ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. For the background to this letter, see Pierre L’Enfant to GW, 21 Nov. 1791,...
233From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
I wish more favorable explanations than I expect, from your interview with the British Minester. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson’s docket indicates that this letter was “recd June 2. 1792.” For the diplomatic exchange between Jefferson and British minister George Hammond concerning the nonexecution of various provisions of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, see GW to Jefferson, c.5–6 Mar.,...
234I. The President to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, 4 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances, and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
235From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. begs to see Mr Jefferson before he proceeds further in the Proclamation. From a more attentive examination of some Papers, in his possession, he finds that it is in his power to ascertain the course & distance from the Court House in Alexandria to the upper & lower end of the Canal at the little Falls with as much accuracy as can be known from Common Surveying if not to mathematical...
236From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 12 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th instant was brought to me by the last Post. War having actually commenced between France and Great Britain, it behoves the Government of this Country to use every means in it’s power to prevent the citizens thereof from embroiling us with either of those powers, by endeavouring to maintain a strict neutrality. I therefore require that you will give the subject mature...
237From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 23d 1792. Your letters of the 12th & 13th came duly to hand—as did that enclosing Mr Blodgets plan of a Capitol. The latter I forwarded to the Commissioners, and the enclosures of the two first are now returned to you. I believe we are never to hear from Mr Carmichael; nor of him but through the medium of a third person. His——I realy do not know with...
238From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Instrumt does not accord with my recollection of Mr Blodgets proposed Loan —and I confess I had much rather see a clear expression of the intention than to meet an explanation of it afterwards by one of the parties, to the contract. The number of Lots to be Mortgaged I do not positively recollect—but sure I am one half were to be North of an East & West line from the Presidents...
239From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor a few days ago, to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 2d Instant—and at the same time One from General Muhlenburg, inclosing the Return You had requested him to send me. I am exceedingly obliged to Your Excellency for your attention in this affair, and beg leave to refer You to the inclosed Copy of a Letter addressed to Major General Gates if He should be at Fredericksburg...
240To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency I make no doubt has been made fully acquainted with the Ordinance established by Congress by their Act of the 23d of March for regulating the Cloathing department, and recommending the Respective States to appoint State or Sub Cloathiers. I addressed the Other States on this subject on the 22d of May, but deemed the measure unnecessary with respect to Virginia, as a Gentleman...
241To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President sends to the Secretary of State the enclosed Extract which he has just received from a respectable Gentleman in this City—who informs him that the writer is a person of respectability and good information in London. The President wishes it to be shewn to the Gentlemen if they are still together. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May 1793....
242From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
If the heads of Departments and the Attorney General, who have prepared the eight rules which you handed to me yesterday, are well satisfied that they are not repugnant to treaties, or to the Laws of Nations; and moreover, are the best we can adopt to maintain Neutrality; I not only give them my approbation, but desire they may be made known without delay for the information of all concerned....
243To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The conduct of Majr. L’Enfant and those employed under him, astonishes me beyond measure!—and something more than even appears, must be meant by them—When you are at leisure I should be glad to have a further conversation with you on this subject.—Yrs. sincerely & affectionately, RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 18 Jan. 1792 and recorded in SJPL , where the note is described as being “on...
244To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 19 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President returns to the Secretary of State the letter and enclosures from Colo. Humphreys—and sends him a letter just received from Mr. Ellicott. The President wishes the Secretary’s opinion whether the direction to the Director of the Mint for collecting and assaying certain foreign Coins agreeably to the law—“regulating foreign Coins” &c—should go directly from the President to this...
245From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 18th I have received a Letter form Genl Muhlenberg of the 11th inclosing a List of Sundry Officers (named below) belonging to Colo. Gist’s Regiment, who were omitted in his former Return —& in consequence in the Arrangement intended for the present of the Drafts, which I forwarded to Your Excellency. These Officers do not properly...
246To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. L’Enfants letter of the 19th. of Octr. to Mr. Lear—Mr. Lear’s answer of the 6th. instt. (the press copy of which is so dull as to be scarcely legible), in which I engrafted sentiments of admonition, and with a view also to feel his pulse under reprehension—His reply of the 10th. to that letter together with the papers I put into your hands when here will give you a full view of the...
247To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desireous of having a full and accurate knowledge of such things as are required to be done by or through the President of the United States, by the laws passed during the late Session of Congress, and which are deposited among the Rolls in your Office—I have to request, that the said laws may be examined for this purpose, and that you will furnish me with extracts of such parts or...
248From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
The friday after you left this place I received the enclosed dispatches from Governor Chittendon, of the State of Vermont. If you conceive it to be necessary, undr the circumstances which exist, to write again to that Gentleman before he replies to your former letter on the subject in dispute, you will, of course, take such measures thereupon as shall appear proper under a full view of all...
249From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
On sunday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letters of the 23d and 26th of last month. I am happy to find by the former and the Letter You were so obliging as to forward from Colo. Wood that the Convention troops are now comfortably supplied. I hope this will be the case and that the mode You have in contemplation to adopt will answer your expectations. Colo. Wood’s conduct...
250To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 15 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I give any decided opinion upon the letter you have written to Majr. L’Enfont, or on the alterations proposed for the engraved plan, I wish to converse with you on several matters which relate to this business.—This may be, if nothing on your part renders it inconvenient, immediately after 8 Oclock to morrow, at wch. hour I breakfast, and at which if agreeable to yourself I should be...