51To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 16 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 9th Instant is this Moment delivered to me at this place by an Express from Richmond. The Contents of it make a deep Impression on my Mind. To disobey the Call of my Country into Service when her venerable Chief makes a Demand of it, must be a Crime, unless the most substantial Reasons justify declining it. And I must trust to your Candour & Goodness to excuse me for not...
52To George Washington from William Aylett Lee, 1 July 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Aylett Lee, 1 July 1794. The entry for 12 July in GW’s journal of proceedings lists among papers sent "to the Secy. of War for his consideration" a letter "from Wm. A. Lee 1 July ’94."
53To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 18 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
public Sir London 18 September 1790 I had the Honor to address you on the 16th of August, and stated as nearly as I could the Situation of Russia and Sweden. This Situation has produced a very natural Effect. Sweden being unsupported by her allies, and Russia having Nothing to gain by farther Fighting but a Part of the finland Deserts not worth fighting for, they have struck a Bargain of Peace...
54Enclosure: Report on Edmond Genet’s Debt Proposal, 23 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury upon two Letters from the Minister plenipotentiary of France to the Secy of State severally bearing date the 11. & 14 of November inst. respectfully reports to the President of the United States as follows. 1. The object of these Letters is to procure an engagement that the bills which the Minister may draw upon the sums, which according to the terms of the...
55To George Washington from James Napper Tandy, 22 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Jas Napper Tandy, presents his most respectful Complimts to the President of the United States; and incloses him a Letter from their mutual Friend Sir Edward Newenham —and Tandy will take the Liberty of waiting upon his Excellency tomorrow, Or attend any other time he may think proper to appoint; to receive his Commands—previous to his writing to the Knight. AL , DLC:GW . The docket on this...
56To George Washington from Christopher Cowper, 25 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
By direction of Mr John Cowper of Gates County No. Carolina, I beg leave to enclose you four hundred & fifty dollars in Bank Notes ⅌ List at foot, which be pleas’d to pass to the credit of his bond granted to Mr John Lewis of Fredericksburg and assignd you; the receipt thereof please to acknowledge —the balance to make one hundred & forty pounds Virginia Currency shall transmit you the first...
57To George Washington from Jacob Read, 3 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hugh Rose of this State will do himself the honour of paying his Respects to Your Excellency and delivering this Letter[.] I pray leave to present him to Your Excelly as a Gentleman of worth and fortune. As my brother in Law and also a Cousin German by birth I cannot be indifferent to Mr Rose’s Reception or happiness on his present tour [.] I have therefore taken the Liberty of presenting...
58Cabinet Opinions on the Republican and the Catharine, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 12. 1793. The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th. inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping and manning by French and other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be...
59From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity of announcing to you one whom I know to be so interesting to You as the bearer of this Mr. Motier La Fayette. I allow myself to share by anticipation the satisfaction which the Meeting will afford to all the parties—the more, as I am persuased, that time will confirm the favourable representation I have made of the person & justify the...
60To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing to you some very afflicting letters from M. de la Fayette to his intimate friends in Europe. They are accompanied by a letter from Tollendal, addressed to you, which shews the reason of their being sent. Many of them are in French; and I will have them translated, if you should not think, that those, which are in English, and in the same unhappy strain, would...
61To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 20 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Virginia Berkeley County } Honorable Sir July 20th 1790 As nothing extraordinary happened Since I saw you last I did not think it necessary To trouble you with a Letter. k[n]owing the fatigue You had to go through I thought it Improper to be troublesome. The suit against Robin Scott is not yet determined about the Land on Gooscreek. The Gentlemen who were appointed Could never be got togather....
62To George Washington from Samuel Sterett, 8 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The death of the late Surveyor of this port has occasioned the Office to be vacant. With respect & submission I offer myself a Candidate to fill it—My Character, both public & private, I hope, does not require particular recommendation to support it—And as to my situation in other respects I will candidly state that my support is totally dependant on my Industry, and I am ambitious to be...
63To George Washington from John Beck, 10 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of John Beck of the City of New York Humbly sheweth That your petitioners parents were well affected to the American cause and during the late war were robbed and plundered and greatly distressed by the Enemy at New Haven in the state of Connecticut. The petitioners parents are at present in very indigent circumstances, and advanced in years; And wholly unable to render him any...
64To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 20 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
As I took the liberty of addressing you previous to my setting out to Bath, having return’d therefrom, I trouble you with a few Lines—Fanny I think is much better, but her Sister I think not so well, and as to myself, I’ve been several times (since I wrote you) at Deaths door, ’tho at present am again mending—my State of Health is exceedingly precarious indeed, and unless the Cause can be soon...
65To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Chew having confirmed the character received by you, of Mr Barratt, I have written to Mr Vining requesting him to ascertain whether the appointment will be acceptable to him. Mr Houston of Georgia declines the offer made to him, on the score of want of a familiar acquaintance with figures, and its being inconsistent with the State of his affairs, to translate himself wholly to the seat of...
66To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write to you on the 17th Inst. I have received a letter from Mr Morris, in which he thinks it best that the furniture should not be removed sooner than the first of next month. This is about the time I had fixed upon for our departure from this place; and everything will then be in perfect readiness for shipping. It is a work of more time than I had any idea of, to...
67To George Washington from Brunswick District, Va., Citizens, 24 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The deputies Elected by the Citizens of Mecklenburg Lunenburg, Brunswick and Greensville to report to the President of the United States their Opinions of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce Lately Concluded at London between John Jay and Lord Grenville, Met at Brunswick Courthouse on the 24th day of August 1795. To wit. Lewis Burwell, Major General Hopkins, William Delony, Thomas Field, William...
68To George Washington from Brown & Francis, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
We are exceeding sorry to be under the Necessity of a moment of your Attention on a subject which we think there was no Occasion, that the Judge of the Federal Court Living at Newburn in North Carolina should have compell’d us to apply to you upon, but the Fact is that the said Judge is the Cause of withholding from Capt. Low (the Bearer) & as a Considerable Sum of Money & other property which...
69To George Washington from Gabriel Peterson Van Horne, 26 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Urged by the impression of Duty, And That Irrisistable impulse which, Arises from the Circumstances of past , and recent Events —When Savage Hostilities have become Formidable; And the Supreme Authority Violated with impunity—To be indifferent At such a Crisis, must discover an Apparent Disrespect for the Dignity of the Laws, And that Zealous Support requisite for the Executive Arm. Conscious...
70To George Washington from Joseph-Léonard Poirey, 27 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Je Supplie Son Excéllence Le Général Washington de pardonner à la Liberté que je prends de lui présenter le mémoire d’une demande que l’Excès des malheurs me porte à faire aux Etats-unis: Je n’ai sur terre que la Justice de ma demande et sa Bonté pour appui: avant d’intéroger le Ciel sur l’avenir qu’il me prépare, Je dois m’adresser à l’homme qui ayant fait le Bonheur du nouveau monde—pourra...
71To George Washington from Thomas Lee, Jr., 28 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have not been unmindful of the desire you expressed that I should make enquiry about your runaway Woman; From the information I have received she has certainly been here. This information has been gained from a free mulattoe Woman who is Cooke in a boarding house in this City kept by a Mr Marcelline, this Cooke acknowledges she is well acquained with Oney & that she has been here, says...
72To George Washington from Charles Carter of Ludlow, 30 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I am told Major Jackson is about to leave you, and that you have written to yr Nephew Howell Lewis to go up. If you shou’d be in want of another, give me leave to mention to you my son Chs L. Carter; he has had a good education, is well acquainted with the Greek & Latin languages, writes a good hand and very correct, as a specimen of which I have made him copy this Letter. The wheel of fortune...
73To George Washington from Benjamin Walker, 25 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have waited to reply to the Letter you honored me with of the 19 inst. until I could acquaint you that the Advertisement was actually inserted and what would be the expence It will be inserted three times in the Minerva our best daily paper and as often in the Herald a Weekly paper which has extensive circulation over the Continent ⟨A⟩n Interval of two Weeks will take place between each time...
74To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 8 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the last Southern post I received Mr Hills letter dated the 25th January 1794 respecting the Sloop L’amee Margueritte, and enclosing me a copy of the instructions he had received from the Secretary of state. I find from them that he was directed in such cases in the first instance to call on the parties concerned to appoint by mutual consent arbiters to decide whether the capture was made...
75To George Washington from Beverley Randolph, 5 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letters contain the latest intelligence received from our southwestern frontier. I did myself the honour to inform you on the first of the present month, that the state of Virginia retained in service the troops employed in the defence of the counties of Washington, Montgomery and Russel. This force consists of fifty rangers and four Scouts which were directed to be raised in the...
76To George Washington from Charles Burnham Cochran, 25 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
The notice which you have been pleased to take of me allready through the intercession of my friends particularly Mr Izard by appointing me to the office of Marshall for the District of South Carolina has made me presume to Solicit your attention and Suffrage once more for the office of Naval Officer—Now vacant by Col. Motte’s death —With diffidence I renew an application of this kind, so...
77To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
A law having passed to inable the President to cause a loan to be made in aid of the current receipts from the Public revenues, it is urgent that measures should be taken without delay for carrying it into effect. The enclosed statement shews the probable situation of the Treasury to the end of the ensuing quarter as far as materials are now possessed and manifests the necessity of an...
78To George Washington from Robert Aitken, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
after very Sincere Congratulations upon Your Excellency’s Election to the distinguished Office of Chief Magistrate of the United States, I beg leave to Solicit your Excellency’s friendship in a Case deeply interesting indeed to me; but in which I conceive, if not mistaken, the Honor and Justice of the Union are also concerned. Your Excellency, I presume, is uninformed of the large Sums of...
79To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, May 1793 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Augustine Washington, May 1793. GW wrote Anthony Whitting on 2 June that “Colo. Washington wrote to me a few days ago” to report that “one load of lime & two of Shells” had been delivered. For William Augustine Washington’s efforts to acquire oyster shells for his uncle, see his letter to GW of 14 May .
80To George Washington from Samuel Vaughan, 28 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
It is with pleasure I take up my pen to renew an acquaintance with an Illustrious Character I have ever respected & admired, and to introduce to You my Son Benjamens amiable family who are embarking in the Ocean Capt. Howard for New York. My amiable Daughter in Law & seven Children are accompanied by my Daughter Sarah and the Revd Mr Merrick, a worthy & respectable character, who has resided...
81To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Ducoigne, 24 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Jean-Baptiste Ducoigne, 24 April 1794. On 16 July, GW sent Henry Knox “a letter from Baptiste Ducoigne, Kaskasias, 24 April ’94” ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 . Charlottesville, Va., 1981. , 314).
82To George Washington from Duncan McLaren, 18 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Doubting not but it will appear Strange and great presumtion in me who are a mean Mechanic to trouble Such a great man with my writing from a Foreign Country and having no title to any favour from you: yet I hope in hearing my Claim you will in Some measure excuse me; I was bred a Mason and taught in the differant branches of that trade Such as Stone Cuting and building Stones and bricks; I...
83From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to transmit to the President of the United States a Contract made by the Collector of Portsmouth in New Hampshire with Titus Salter for furnishing the Light house on New Castle Island with oil, wick, fuel & candles, and for the care & lighting of the same from the 15th. day of August 1789. to the 1st. day of July next, including some...
84Cabinet Opinion on the Administration of the Presidential Oath, 28 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
If the qualification is to be in private, T.J, A.H H.K and E.R, are of opinion, that Mr Cushing should administer the oath to the President at his own house, where such officers, or others, as He may notify, will attend. T.J. and A.H. think, that it ought to be in private. H.K. and E.R. on the other hand think, that the qualification ought to be in public: and that the Marshal of the district...
85To 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...
86To George Washington from Veritas, 3 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
IN countries where the people have little or no share in the government, (as in Great Britain for instance) it is not uncommon for the executive to act in direct opposition to the will of the nation . It is to be hoped that the practice of apeing the absurd and tyrannical systems of Britain, though already carried to an alarming extent in this country, will never proceed so far, as to induce...
87To George Washington from John Greenwood, 1 May 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Greenwood, 1 May 1792. In his letter to Greenwood of 1 July GW referred to “Your letter of the first of May.”
88To George Washington from Count d’Estaing, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Le Pere de la Patrie l’est aussi de tous ceux qui ont fait des éfforts pour lui être utile. Votre Excellence la prouvé aux Marins françois en obtenant de la société de Cincinnatus qu’ils Seroient traittés comme les Officiers de L’armée de terre. il m’a fallu resister au désir de ceux des deux Services qui ont été particuliérement mes Camarades. J’ai Voullu n’adresser qu’une listte pour chaque...
89To George Washington from Anne-Louis de Tousard, 26 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
I understand that a Corps of Artillery and Engeneers is raising, of which the Field officers and Commander in chief have not been yet appointed. Please, Sir, to remember my Services in the American Army, the loss of my right arm; that I have been brought up as an Artillery officer and Served fourteen years in that Corps where lessons and instructions Constituting a good Engeneer were also...
90To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26–27 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 20th instant, and therein acknowledged the receipt of your respected favor of the 17th instant. Since which I have applied for your account with the Commissioners, and informed that I would settle it when presented. It has not yet been handed in; but as soon as there is a little leisure from the present press of business at their office I presume it...
91To George Washington from Charles Pinckney, 2 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to remind you that I shall expect the honour of your company at dinner on Thursday at four O Clock —and to a Ball on friday Evening at seven O Clock. I am with respectful Regard Dear Sir Your’s Truly ALS , PHi : Gratz Collection. GW landed at two o’clock in Charleston at Prioleau’s wharf to an artillery salute, pealing bells, and “reiterated shouts of joy” from “an uncommonly large...
92To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Major Ellicott’s, Briggs’s and Benjamin Ellicott’s Letters of the 29th of June, and 28th of February which you inclosed to Us assert so many untruths, artfully combined that an unusual lengthiness is required to draw the Circumstances into view which have happened for two or three years past. We certainly best know the real State of our own minds with regard to this Corps and Dermott, and of...
93To George Washington from the Rhode Island Ratifying Convention, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had on the 29th Ulto the Satisfaction of addressing you after the Ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Convention of this State. I have now the Honor of Inclosing the Ratification as then agreed upon by the Convention of the People of this State; the Legislature is now in Session in this Town, an appointment of Senators will undoubtedly take place in the...
94From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 14 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Attorney for the District of Virginia has presented to the accounting officers of the Treasury Department, a claim against the United States for his services in attending at Norfolk by direction from the Secy. of State, in order to take depositions respecting a british vessel alledged to have been taken by a french privateer within the limits of the United States; which claim has been...
95To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 12th instant. My avocations have not permitted me sooner to comply with your desire. I have looked over the papers & suggested alterations & corrections; and I have also numbered the paragraphs I. II. III &c. in the order in which it appears to me eligible they should stand in the Speech. I thought upon full reflection you could not avoid an allusion to your...
96To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 31 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of sending to the President a letter from Colo. Smith; upon which he is now in conference with Mr Hammond and the result will be communicated to the President in the morning. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Samuel Smith’s letter to Randolph of 29 March, sending information about...
97To George Washington from Anna La Caux, 29 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will doubtless be surpris’d at being address’d by a Stranger, & particularly from so distant a part of Europe as Ireland, but distant as it is, the Universal Benevolence of General Washinton’s Character is well known, & his firm attachment to the welfare of mankind, & even to individual right & happiness, has embolden’d me to lay before Your Excellency the Cause of two Orphans,...
98To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States & encloses the drafts of two passports for the President’s signature. One for the Schooner Commerce, now in this Port; and the other for the Schooner Eagle at Baltimore. Colo. Smith of Baltimore has applied, thro’ the Secry of State, for a Passport for a small vessel (name & Captain not known) to be sent...
99To George Washington from Jacob Broom, 4 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
as I was an applicant for the Office to which Major Bush was appointed, and by whose demise a vacancy has taken place, I take the liberty to renew my application —should I be so fortunate as to be the object of your choice, my best endeavors shall not be wanting to deserve the favor—on the other hand, should any one be preferred before me, I shall again chearfully submit; being firmly...
100To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The rise in the price of copper, & difficulty of obtaining it from other quarters, has induced the Director of the Mint (as I had the honor of mentioning to you yesterday) to turn his attention to Sweden, as the country from which according to his information it may be obtained on the best terms. he wishes that some means could be adopted of importing some on the public account. there is so...