1To John Adams from John Fitzgerald, 27 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
The citizens of Alexandria viewing with the liveliest apprehensions, the alarming situation of our political differences with the republick of France, as detailed in the communications of our Envoys at Paris to the secretary of State, and desirous of evincing their attachment to the Government of their country, and a virtuous indignation at any attempt to infringe its national sovereignty,...
2To John Adams from John Fitzgerald, 25 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a numerous Meeting of the Citizens of Alexandria held at the Court House on the 25th. Inst. in pursuance of a publick notice for that purpose, the following resolutions were adopted—with only two dissenting voices Col. John Fitzgerald in the Chair. Resolved, That the prospect of an impending rupture with the republick of France, is one which is deeply to be deplored; and that war and all...
3To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 20, 1791. On June 30, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Fitzgerald : “Yours of the 20th of June came duly to hand.” Letter not found. ] Fitzgerald, a neighbor of George Washington, had served as one of his aides during the American Revolution. In 1793 he succeeded Charles Lee as collector of customs at Alexandria.
4To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 17 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Last evening a British Schooner, from New Providence bound to Norfolk arrived here as prize to the Privateer Sans Culotte. The Prize Master says, she was taken off Cape Hatteras, and by application of the French Vice Consul here is desirous of being admitted to an entry; this I refused until I could hear from you. The necessity of some general rule of conduct on this and similar occasions is...
5To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, [October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Vessels built in our State for the Tobo. Business are generally constructed for the Stowage of that article & a Ship of 200 Tons ought to carry 400 Hogshead. Vessels of foreign Nations are not always so constructed as to stow in proportion which must depend in a great measure on the trade intended when they are framed but the English French Dutch & Scot[c]h Ships in generally carry in...
6To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, [July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
By an Act of Congress in the Year 1790, the Gold Coins of France, England, Spain and Portugal were made a legal tender, in the receipt and payment of all monies received and paid by virtue of said Act, at the rate of 89 cents for every penny-weight thereof. By an Act past last Session, the Gold Coins of Britain and Portugal were made a legal tender after the 1st. Instant, at the rate of 100...
7To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 2 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly honored by the receipt of letters of the 21st and 26th. Ulto. to which regular attention has been paid. In yours of the 21st. you say that “Schedules have been received from you up to the 1st. of February which implies as much punctuality as could have been expected.” In this quotation I suppose there must have been an error as a schedule to the first of March was regularly...
8To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 13 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, October 13, 1794. On October 28, 1794, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., wrote to Fitzgerald: “Your letter of the 13th instant to the Secy of the Treasury has been rec’d in this office.” Letter not found. ] Fitzgerald was collector of customs at Alexandria, Virginia. Wolcott’s letter to Fitzgerald continues as follows: “It is deemed to be a clear principle that no person can become...
9To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 21 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with great reluctance I write you particularly as Congress is sitting & I am satisfied you have full employment for every moment of your time, yet I cannot forbear soliciting your kind assistance in favor of establishing a Branch of the National Bank in this town, to effect which a memorial is forwarded to the Directors stating some of the Advantages which would result to the public from...
10To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Surveyor of this District having some time ago sent in his resignation to the President and a few days since gone to live out of the District, I found myself under the necessity of making a temporary appointment, and have accordingly nominated Mr. Vincent Gray to act until your instructions arrive, which I flatter myself will not be disagreeable to you. The President will of course have...
11To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] August 20, 1793 . Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “Circular letter to the Collectors of the Customs of the 4th. Instant.” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives.
12To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 2 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] August 2, 1794 . “A violent Rheumatic complaint, by which I am afflicted without intermission, obliges me to have recourse to the Berkley Springs.… Mr Gray will superintend the business of my Office during my absence.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; typescript furnished by the National Society, Daughters of the American...
13To Thomas Jefferson from John Fitzgerald, 3 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday afternoon received your Excellency’s Letter and immediately waited upon Mr. Adam and delivered him the Letters inclosed . We have this Morning laid off the Goods consisting of 45 ps. [pieces] Oznabriggs 5 ps. Drillings 2 ps. coarse white Linen (there being no white Sheeting but what we judged too fine, as it would come at about £30 ⅌ yard) 2 ps. blue and 2 ps. red Duffells, 6 ps....
14To Thomas Jefferson from John Fitzgerald, 1 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter by Mr. Custis covering Tobacco Notes for the Purchase of the Encyclopedie I received. I have made the Purchase agreeable to your directions. I have engaged that the Weights of the Tobacco of 1777 shall be made good. The Box I will have made in a few days and will then take the first Opportunity of Forwarding them to Mr. Hunter. I am very very respectfully Your...
15To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald, 17 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your kind Favor of 28th Ulto, which I only receiv’d by last sundays Post —it gives me the most pleasing satisfaction to find, that those who were endeavoring to Injure you in the Public Esteem, are become sensible of their own insignificance & earnestly hope they may feel the contempt & Scorn of all good men in proportion to the Iniquitous Scheme which they expected to...
16To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 20 January 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Fitzgerald, 20 Jan. 1798. On Monday, 22 Jan., GW wrote Fitzgerald and referred to “your letter of Saturday.”
17To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 25 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
It was only by last Post that I was honor’d by the receipt of your letter of the 28th past & how to account for the detention I am entirely at a loss since its coming to hand I have made every enquiry respecting the Price to be procured for flour, & am offer’d only 31/ & 33/ ⅌ Barrell paid in 90 days the flour to be all deliver’d at this place. Flour would be higher if American bottoms could...
18To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Hearing this Morning that the Surveyor of this District was about to resign, I could not in justice to the Individual, or my own sense of propriety in the Office which I have the honor to hold, forbear solliciting your attention to Mr Vincent Gray; who was Mr Lee’s Deputy & continues to be mine[.] his constant & Vigilant attention, his strict impartiallity, & his knowledge of the business,...
19To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 19 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
The day on which I had the pleasure of seeing you at George Town was so extremely cold, that I did not go to Alexandria that morning as I intended. Since that time Mr Jesse Sims has been from home & I have not had an opportunity of seeing him untill this day. He requests I will mention his proposals to you which are—that he will give new Notes drawn by himself & endorsed by Mr Jno. Wise...
20To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 14 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
When I last had the honor of dining with you in this town, I mention’d the information given by some people in Maryland to the executive of that state respecting the Estate of Thomas Digges, & wishing to bring it under the confiscation Law[.] This Business is now drawing to a Crisis, & it may possibly be brought to trial next Month in the General Court[.] I am possess’d of a great variety of...
21To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 21 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Upon communicating the contents of your letter to Mr Simms he declared he could not comply with the terms. I told him I could have nothing more to do with it, except, that I would convey his sentiments to you if he commited them to writing he accordingly address’d the enclosed to me, upon which you will act as you see proper. The first application ever made to me was by a letter sent to me on...
22To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I make no doubt but you will be surpriz’d to have a Letter of this date from me at this pla⟨ce.⟩ I was detain’d Nine days on the other side Susquehan⟨ah⟩ for an oppy of crossing it & when I did it was not without great difficulty & some danger. Upon my arrival here on Saturday after noon, I waited upon Mr Laurens, who (then being much engag’d) asked me to Breakfast next Morning giving me to...
23To George Washington from John Fitzgerald and William Hartshorne, 21 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
We are duly honor’d with your letter of 18th Inst. with the Virginia Bill & other enclosures the Bill we have put into the Printer’s hands & order’d him to strike one Hundred Copies which we expect will be compleated by monday next at which time we intend to forward Copies to the Managers at Richmond & Winchester—Mr Richards has promis’d to be very carefull of the Original. We now return you...
24To George Washington from Col. John Fitzgerald, 19 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. John Fitzgerald, 19 Feb. 1777. Fitzgerald’s letter to GW of 19 Feb . begins: “Since Sealing my letter of this date.”
25To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honor’d by the receipt of your letter of the 19 past & would have answer’d it in course had Mr Moore been in town It was only Yesterday I could go into the business with him, & upon going to examine the house found a Woman of the name of Jackson with a family of Children in it—she told me her Husband was gone to Boston & that she did not expect his return in less than three weeks,...
26To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 11 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
On my return last night from the General Court at Anapolis, I found myself honor’d by two letters from you, one of Monday on private business, & the other covering your Answer to the resolves of the town meeting, which were enclosed to you. You will be pleased to observe that the Publick Papers join the Eighth Resolution with the others which, I dont know why, were seperated in the Copy sent,...
27To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 13 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of this date & am extremely sorry it is out of my power to meet you & Colo. Senf at the falls tomorrow as Mr Ridout’s Brigg will then be clear for sailing & his dispatches are yet to be made out[.] I have sent your letter to Colo. Gilpin & have no doubt but he will attend & I hope you & he will make any alterations in the Plan which may appear necessary to you...
28To George Washington from John Fitzgerald and James Craik, 13 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A number of the Inhabitants of this town & its Vicinity wish to have the pleasure of meeting you on your entrance into the State & escorting you to Mt Vernon[.] As they flatter themselves that this token of their sincere affection & esteem will not meet your disapprobation, they have dispatched the bearer & request you will let them know at what time you will probably cross the ferry that they...
29To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 5 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
By this time you will probably have received from Mr Charles Lee a letter resigning the Collectorship of this Port[.] This Gentleman has for a length of time past informed me of his intentions & always wished that I should make application to succeed him[.] in this however I was undetermin’d untill Governor Lee on his way from the Northward insisted on it in such positive terms that I promised...
30To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 7 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Upon coming home I immedeatily Conversed with Colo. Lyles on the Subject of the Importation of a She Ass for you & also with the Captain[.] Colo. Lyles is very desirous to effect it & will if it is practicable—The Captain not having any expectation of orders in that way made no enquiry respecting them he says they are plenty & he believes there is no difficulty in obtaining them[.] I think the...