1001To George Washington from William West, 26 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Sensible that Merit only should claim the Attention of one, whom Merit alone has advanced to supreme Dignity; and sensible too that an honest Recommendation will be acceptable to you—I cannot but testify, in Favour of Mr Alexander Wooddrop Davey, of this Town, that I have been acquainted with him for some considerable Time, and admire him for his Integrity & upright Principles. And I scruple...
1002To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, 16 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Commissioners of the public buildings have at length dismissed me from the business in which I have been engaged in the City of Washington without giving me an opportunity though demanded of verbally explaining what from misrepresentation and the want of knowledge of the plan they supposed to be unpardonable inaccuracies. I do assert, and posterity will bear me witness to its truth, that...
1003To George Washington from Christian Theodor Sigismund von Molitor and Georg Hermann Vulteius, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
We humbly hope your Excellency will pardon the Boldness of this Application to which our extreme Necessity’s alone has driven us. We are two unfortunate German Officers who were in His Brittannick Majestys’ Service in America during the late unhappy War, and having married American Lady’s Sisters to each other, resigned our Commissions, and pich’d upon Nova Scotia for the Place of our...
1004To George Washington from Betty Washington Lewis, 24 July 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Betty Washington Lewis, 24 July 1796. The letter was offered for sale in Parke Bernet Galleries, Inc., Catalog 1663 (27 March 1956), item 160. That publication printed a partial text: “My dear brother, it is with infinite pleasure I here (sic) you intend to retire to your owne (sic) home, there I hope you will enjoy more satisfaction than you possibly can do in public...
1005From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 8, 1792. Submits “the in-closed Contract between the Superintendant of the Delaware Lighthouse &c. and Benjamin Rice, for the making of two mooring chains for the use of the Beacon boats on the River Delaware.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. William Allibone was superintendent of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers for Philadelphia, Cape...
1006To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 14 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
Ya en 12 de Deciembre passado tuve el inexplicable honor de participar a V. E. todas guantas occurrencias se presentaran asta aquella epoca: y como oy sigue viage a esse respectable Estado el Bargantin del Capt. Henrigue Kesler por mi expedido con un Cargamento de Mulas, me utilizo da conjunctura para tener el honor de notar aora a V. E. los movimientos politicos de estos Paizes, cujos son:...
1007Agreement of the Proprietors of the Federal District, 30 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
We the subscribers, in consideration of the great benefits we expect to derive from having the Federal City laid off upon our Lands, do hereby agree and bind ourselves, heirs, executors & administrators, to convey in Trust, to the President of the United States, or Commissioners, or such person or persons as he shall appoint, by good and sufficient deeds in fee simple, the whole of our...
1008To George Washington from James D. Smith, 1 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Will your Excelly pardon the freedom I have taken, of Addressing you, & of inclosing a letter of introduction, from an Uncle of mine in Scotland—who says he has been acquainted with you, forty years ago —I should have delivered it Personally, but time will not permitt me to go so fare as Philidelpha—& as your return to Mount Vernon being uncertain has made me take this liberty—I came into this...
1009To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and incloses the draught of a letter to mister Pinckney in answer to one lately received from him. as Colo. Hamilton, the Attorney General & Th: J. had a meeting on another subject, Th: J. took the liberty of consulting them on it, and has altered it agreeably to their minds. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George...
1010To George Washington from William Pearce, 22 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I Receved your letter of the 15th Inst. Since I wrote to you Respecting Mr Washingtons Intention to Survey his Land that a Joins yous, I have Receved a note from him Informing me that he shall Git an order at March Court for surveying it—and he wishes to Mark and set bounds—I would have attended to this Business before but I never Can find a day to spare from the business here. the oats will...
1011Enclosure, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Operations Intended for the ensuing season in the Federal City to which is added an Estimate of the Expenditure of one year proces & number of hands necessary. Number of men { 1st to continue clearing the Cellars & begin laying the foundation of the two principal buildings & bring these forward to such a stage as they will be safe from injury the next winter. the digers to continue afterward...
1012From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States. He was informed yesterday, by the Attorney General, that his opinion concerning the constitutionality of the Representation Bill was desired this morning. He now sends it with his reasons but more imperfectly stated than he could have wished—through want of time. He has never seen the bill, but from the...
1013To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to inform you on the 27th of the murder of certain friendly Indians at the Big beaver Creek, on the 9th instant. I enclose a Proclamation of the Governor of this State, relative to that affair. I assured him of the readiness of the General Government, to pay the reward offered upon the conviction of the Offenders. The Governor has directed the Magistrates to make inquisition...
1014To George Washington from the Marquise de Lafayette, 14 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the agitations of our revolution, I have always participated in the pleasure which Mr de La Fayette found in following your footsteps, in observing, according to your example and your lessons, the means of serving his country, and in thinking with what satisfaction you would learn the effects and success of them. Permit me, to offer you the assurance of this sentiment and permit at the...
1015To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
You were formerly deliberating on the purpose to which you should apply the shares in the Patowmack & James river companies presented you by our assembly; and you did me the honor of asking me to think on the subject. as well as I remember, some academical institution was thought to offer the best application of the money. should you have finally decided in favor of this, a circumstance has...
1016To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 26 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The State of our funds will not admit of delay in disposing of some part of the Stock borrowed of the State of Maryland —Our Labourers and Mechanics will have a month’s wages due, on monday next; and, also, there will then be one quarter’s Salary due to all the Officers, who are paid by the Year —The Rules of the public Offices do not permit any transfer of Stock until the first of January,...
1017To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 16 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
The rapid decline in the health of that firm patriot, and excellent Soldier Judge Sullivan, will shortly remove him to another world. With this in expectation, the People of New Hampshire are generaly anxious, as to his Successor. Their eyes and hearts are set upon The Honble Mr Pickering—a Gentleman of known learning and abilities, of stern integrity, and pure morality, A man who has no...
1018To George Washington from Charles Peale Polk, 6 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by your Excellencys Known Affibelity and admirable Condesention; A Citezen of Philadelphia Humbly requests the Indulgance of an Interview. His Errand tho’ far from being disenterested to himself, He hopes will be very far from being displeasing or Offensive to your Excellency. His Object is if Possible to Obtain the Honorable priveledge of One Short Setting from the President to...
1019To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Govr Morris did us the honr of delivering your Excellencys Letter himself, we were made very happy by having such an Oppo. in conversing with a Person of his Sensibility, if any thing in our Power had offerd, of rendering him the least Service, we assurd him he might command us. His stay in London will be but short, as he purposes of returning to France very soon, from whence he has but just...
1020From James Madison to George Washington, 5 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government, and is accordingly applied to that use by the violent partizans. I understand the letter was written by the first subscriber of it, as indeed is pretty evident from the stile and strain of it. The...
1021To George Washington from the Massachusetts Masons, 27 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
An Address of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, To their Honored and Illustrious Brother, GEORGE WASHINGTON. Boston December 27 A.D. 1792 Whilst the Historian is describing the career of your glory, and the inhabitants of an extensive Empire are made happy in your unexampled exertions: Whilst some celebrate the Hero so distinguished in...
1022To George Washington from Henry Lee, 7 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I am to receive in the course of next month Judge Wilsons bonds payable in one & two years to the amount of your demand for your dismal swamp lands. If you will take your original price thus payable I will purchase—my enquiry respecting the Judges affairs leaves not a doubt in my mind of his ability & I had full conviction from a recent transaction of his honor & integrity. Most respectfully...
1023To George Washington from Thomas Willis, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
this is meant inform Your Excellency of A new and advantagous plan of Arming & fighting A Ship it was meant for the french nation but I thought it my duty to lay it before Your Excellency preveus to french ambassador. I Shall not trouble Your Excellency at present with the petticulars of this project but only the most material—that is A 74 Gun Ship or one of any other Rate Can fight the whole...
1024To George Washington from Elizabeth Haynie, 19 October 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Elizabeth Haynie, 19 Oct. 1790. On 27 Dec. 1790 GW wrote Haynie : “Your letter of the 19 of October never reached my hands until a few days ago.”
1025To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 7 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although extremely unwilling to take up one moment of your Excellencys time the whole of which must be necessarily employed in the more momentous affairs of State; Yet I am taught to believe, that the Respectful address of a Soldier will never be Ungrateful to the ears of his General. When I last had the Honor of addressing your Excellency; I endeavored to aduce a chain of circumstances,...
1026To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 9 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hoban is desirous of forwarding to you a sample of Free Stone found on your Land (about Mount Vernon), on or near the River—Captn Butler has offerd to take charge of it —Mr Hoban says, that it is harder than the Bath Stone from the sample, which was taken from the outSide, & probably will be found better on getting into the quarry. I have the pleasure to inform you, that several persons...
1027To George Washington from James Read, 23 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Politeness with which you were always pleased to treat me in the Army, when I had occasion to wait on you, imboldens me to take the liberty of addressing you at present, and soliciting a continuance in the Office that I now hold, which is Collector of Port Brunswick; the General Assembly of this State appointed me to the Office in eightyfour (the first time that Duties were laid since the...
1028From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the Presidt. a letter from Mr. Pinckney. He will have that of waiting on him to-day to know what to say to the Commrs. of the Federal seat about the order for money on Virginia. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Thomas Pinckney to TJ, 8 Sep....
1029To George Washington from Elizabeth Willing Powel, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my Promise I have the Pleasure to send you the Extract from the Annual Register for the Year 1788 for the Use of your Nephew. That every happy Consequence may attend the Use of the Koumiss, in his Instance, I most sincerely wish. Its Utility in many Cases, similar to his appears to be well authenticated; and tho it is reccommended as an almost universal Remedy, which I know you...
1030To George Washington from William Pearce, 29 March 1795 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Pearce, 29 March 1795. On 5 April, GW wrote Pearce acknowledging “your last report enclosed in your letter of the 29th ulto” ( ViMtvL ).
1031To George Washington from George Clinton, 14 Sept. 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Clinton, 14 Sept. 1794. Edmund Randolph wrote Clinton on 17 Sept.: "In acknowledging your Excellency’s letter of the 14th instant, to the President of the United States, I am only expressing surprize at the delay in the passage of my letters. . . . The President thanks you for the information from Ontario County; but he had received the substance of it thro’...
1032To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th of december, which was directed to me in Richmond, did not find its way to this place till yesterday, which I trust, will account for what must have appeared neglectful on my part, my not having before acknowledged the receipt of it. Upon reflection, I am strongly impressed with the propriety of your declining to write, on the subject of extending the time for opening...
1033From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 27 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the translation of a letter he received last night from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes and which he supposes should be communicated to the legislature as being in answer to one communicated to them. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Preside[…]” endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL ....
1034To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honour most respectfully to represent to The President of the United States, that several applications have been made by persons charged with the general superintendance and immediate care of the Lighthouses & other establishments for the security of navigation representing the inadequacy of their compensations. After a full examination of the subject in...
1035To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 25 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of inclosing, a Letter received from Mr Covachichi, one of the partners of Messrs Lynch & Sands in the late purchase from Bailey—Wishing, ardently, to preserve harmony among all city proprietors, we have paid the earliest attention to this gentleman’s Letter —A copy of our Letter to him, and an Extract from the contract of Morris & Greenleaf, alluded to, by Mr...
1036From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon receipt of the communication to you from the Governor of Pennsylvania of the 18 of April last, I put that letter and the papers attending it into the hands of the Commissioner of the Revenue to examine into the suggestions made & report to me concerning them. The result is contained in a letter from that Officer dated the 25 of April, (which hurry of business put out of sight) and which...
1037To George Washington from Timothy Bloodworth, 7 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In compliance to repeated applications, I beg leave to Mention to the President of The United States som Carecters, who are Candidates for the Commissioner of Loans, in the State of North Carolina. Viz. Mr Abisha Thomas, now agent for setling accounts with the United States, the abilities of this Gentleman is generally Acknowledged. Mr Moore from North Carolina, whose Carrecter & Abilities are...
1038To George Washington from John Marshall, 14 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Not having been in Richmond when your Excellencys letter arriv’d, enclosing me a commission as Attorney for the United States in the Virginia district, I coud not, sooner, acknowlege the receit of it. I thank you sir very sincerely for the honor which I feel is done me by an appointment flowing from your choice, & I beg leave to declare that it is with real regret I decline accepting an office...
1039To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 8 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The last time I addressed you was from Baltimore. I took an opportunity about that time to write a few hasty thoughts in support of what I suggested to you, and published them in the Baltimore Telegraphe, in seven or eight Letters. I have since been through all the Western parts of this state, and should it aid in producing a good end, it will be among my chief delights. I wished to be here at...
1040To George Washington from David Stuart, 29 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from David Stuart, 29 Oct. 1791. On 20 Nov. GW mentioned to Stuart the “receipt of your letter of the 29th of October.”
1041To George Washington from Thomas Mifflin, 18 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s answer to my letter of the 15. instant, communicated in a letter from the Secretary at war, dated yesterday: and it is with peculiar regret that I perceive the embarrasment of my situation, relatively to the Presqu’ isle establishment, increasing with every addition to the correspondence which the subject has produced. I...
1042To George Washington from Jeremy Belknap, 25 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
It was my happiness to receive from under your hand, and afterward from your Mouth an approbation of the first Vol. of my history of New Hampshire —After a long but necessary Interruption I have resumed & am continuing the work wch I hope will be ready for publication next spring. In searching for materials of information respecting the Controversy between N. Hampshire & Vermont toward the...
1043To George Washington from Richard Dallam, 8 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I Beg leave Humbly to Adress myself to Your Excellency And pray to be enrolled with Your dependants and Sollicitors for Office that when an Opportunity offers I may be a pertaker of such Bounty as you may please to bestow. I am an admirer of Your Virtues, and am happy On the reflection, that Kind Providence, has placed so good a man at the head of the Government of my Country and given the...
1044To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
When last in Philadelphia you mentioned to me your wish that I should re dress a certain paper which you had prepared—As it is important that a thing of this kind should be done with great care and much at leisure touched & retouched, I submit a wish that as soon as you have given it the body you mean it to have that it may be sent to me. A few days since I transmitted you the copy of a letter...
1045To George Washington from Stephen Moylan, 7 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening in company with Genl Stewart who told me that in a few weeks he woud resign the office of Surveyor of this port[.] I take the liberty of placeing in your view John Moylan who directed the cloathing department in the war, and with whose abilities and integrity you are not unacquainted[.] I assure you Sir if a doubt of his defficiency in either remained on my mind, his name...
1046To George Washington from David Stuart, 14 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your Brother John A: Washington in the year 1786 gave me his bond for £998.12.6 which was due from his Brother Samuel’s estate to that of Mr Custis, in order that he might favor his brother’s estate—Mr B: Washington paid me the interest due on it, to the year 1791; but has since declined it, observing that I must bring suit against him, when he should take out an execution on the judgement he...
1047To George Washington from Samuel Blachley Webb, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Painfull as the task is I am under the necessity of soliciting the attention of the President of the United States. my long service in the Army dureing the late War, has deprived me of a property, which with common Industry would e’re this have placed me in a very Independant situation. Since the peace I have been employed in settling an Estate of which I am Administrator, constantly watching...
1048To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit the answer of General Pickens to your additional questions; and also a letter from Governor Blount relatively to a post at Bears Creek, and goods for the Trade of the Choctaws and Chickesaws. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your most obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For these two documents, see the enclosures below. GW received this cover...
1049To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President translations of some communications from Messers Viar & Jaudenes, also a letter for mister Pinckney. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The letter from Spanish consuls José de Jaudenes and José Ignacio de Viar to Jefferson of 12 June 1793 relayed Spanish concerns about efforts by U.S. officials in the Southwest Territory to...
1050To George Washington from Josiah Crane, June 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Josiah Crane Respectfully Sheweth. That your Memorialist previous to the Late war with Great Britain was a Citizen and Inhabitant of New York. That a few years before its Commencment, he went abroad to transact business in the mercantile Line. That at the commencement of it, he was a resident in the Island of St Thomas, in the Danish West Indies, where he Continued untill his...