1To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday, My Dear General, your favour of the 17th Ulto—I have seen the Manufacturer of Glass and have given to him the different sizes you have written for and the Number of each. He cannot accomodate you, at this moment, with the largest panes of the best kind of Glass he therefore wishes three week in which time he will have the whole ready boxed for Shiping; After I [s]hall...
2To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Boston, 10 June 1791. Recommends for any “opening in the public line” Francis Cabot, his aide during the disorders of 1787 in Massachusetts, “a Gentleman of information & of great probity,” who “has justly merited the esteem & confidence of a very extensive acquaintance” and is “a Gentleman of a respectable family, brother to Mr Cabot one of our Senators in Congress.” Cabot “left this part of...
3To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Knowing that your Excellency must be greatly burdened by the weight of public affairs and that the pressure is increased by various other avocations I should hardly have been persuaded to have broken in so much upon your time as to have given any other Gentleman, going from among us, a line of introduction But when I considered your Excellencys love of science & your partiality for scientific...
4To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Docr Oliphant was during the war at the head of the medical department at the southward —He always supported the character as master of his profession a Gentleman of arangment, of Justice, œconomy & industry—He is among those unhappy men who have suffered by the late war and has seen better days If there should be an opening for him again in the public line I have no doubt but he would honour...
5To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
A few moments since I arrived here on my way to New York the packet sets off at 3 oClock perhaps I might arrive sooner should I take passage in her than by the stages but as that is attended with a degree of uncertainty I have determined to pursue my first intentions of coming on by land—I have thought it my duty to give your Excellency this information & that I shall, probably, be in the City...
6To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I received this morning your Excellencys very welcome favour of the 11th there on I beg leave to observe that immediately on my receiving the commission with which I was honoured appointing me Collector for the port of Boston & Charlestown I entered upon the duties of the office—I have appointed Majr Rice, not him of the late army, my deputy, he is a Gentleman very pleasing to the people, of...
7To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I was the last night honoured by the receipt of your Excellencys commission appointing me collector for the port of Boston —It shall be my study early to obtain, a perfect knowledge of the duties of the office and my constant care so to discharge them as thereby to secure the approbation of my own mind and the confidence of my country. No circumstance could be more pleasing than the one which...
8To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I consider, my dear General, that not only the happiness of the people under the new government but that the very existance of it depends in a great measure upon the characters and abilities of those who may be employed in the judiciary and executive branches of government. Under this government I hope yet to live and to leave in its arms a large and an extensive family I cannot therefore be...
9To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Boston, 16 July 1789. “When I had the honour of addressing your Excellency on the subject of returning to public life I did not suggest a wish to hold one office in preference to an other —Indeed at that time it was not ascertained what offices would be established under the new constitution. It was however the general idea that the union would be formed into different districts and that there...
10To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I was early convinced, upon your Excellencys retirement from public life, that too much of your time, for your own happiness was engrossed by a correspondence as extensive as is the knowledge of letters, and by the frequent visits of people throughout the equally extended limits. An idea that these visits were multiplied by the ease with which people obtained letters of introduction to your...
11To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure a few days since of receiving your Excellencys very kind favor of the 11 Ulto—My letter to which you refer was of such a nature that I did not expect an answer for I was confident that there had been a great number of applications and that the line of conduct which your Excellency adopted was the one which you would pursue —I expected no more than to be on the roll of those...
12To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the last evening the pleasure of receving your Excellencys very kind and welcome favour of the 31st Ulto—It will be pleasing indeed to our citizens, when they find that federal ideas increase in your part of the United States. Things here wear a complexion, which evince, that a large majority of our people are friends to the new constitution, and I am confident they will embrace the...
13To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned in my last that our Senators were chosen—This common wealth has been divided into Eight districts each having a right to chuse one representative to the general Government. Each town was directed to return the name of two persons for electors of President & vice President from the two highest in each district the General court are to chuse one this will make Eight and two are to be...
14To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour with the receipt of your two favors Octr— and the 14th Ulto—The information conveyed by them is pleasing and interesting it at once relieved my mind from a state of painful anxiety and impressed in its stead sensations the most agreeable. Last Thursday our votes were given in for representatives and for electors of President and vice President Mr Ames is probably chosen for...
15To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of transmitting to your Excellency a publication containing a number of letters written some time since by Mr J: Adams—It is the only copy which I have seen And it appears by the authors advertisement that we may not soon expect to see it generally circulating—The writer has I think discovered great knowledge of our country and of the state of our affairs and conducted his...
16To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing to your Excellency a political publication which lately made its appearance in this Commonwealth. It was ushered into light with all that cover of secrecy which often attends that of an illegitimate child. The father however has shared the fate which is common in such cases his likness being so strongly impressed upon his offspring that all our shrewd observers...
17To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was my dear general a few days since in Boston where I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 23d Ulto. The information which your Excellency has received, respecting the machinations of the antifederal characters, appears from what circulates in this part of the country, but too well founded. I have no doubt, but every exertion will be made to introduce into the new government, in...
18To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving the several letters answers to those which I have had the honour of writing to your Excellency. In one of my last I suggested to your Excellency what appeared to me to be the temper of our last house of representatives relative to the new constitution and my apprehensions lest the same spirit which they possessed would be by them difused through the...
19To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honoured with the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 29th Ulto. Nothing very material has taken place since the convention was dissolved, saving the meeting of our General court. An attempt was made by some in the house of representatives, in a proposed answer to the Governours speach, to reprobate the doings of the convention held at Philadelphia and of the one in...
20To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honoured by the receipt of your favor of the 31st Ulto. Your feelings and wishes which have been called up by the distresses of my family are such as fully evince your concern for our happiness and welfare are additional proofs of your affection and demand our most grateful acknowledgments. A Gentleman of this town who attended the New Hampshire convention the last week...
21To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
New hampshire convention is setting the accounts are vague and uncertain things do not look as well as we wish they did we however flatter ourselves that the constitution will go down among them—Governour Sullivan & Mr Langdon, who have been in oposite boxes, are in this matter united and they are uniting their whole interest in favor of the constitution. Our supream judicial Court opened here...
22To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the pleasure of announcing to your Excellency that we had adopted the reported constitution. Nothing very material has taken place since saving what is mentioned in the enclosed paper by that you will learn what was the temper of many of those who had been in the oposition I think they discovered a candour which does them honor and promises quiet in the State. Some however...
23To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The convention this evening ratified the constitution. present three hundred and fifty five members One hundred & Eighty seven Yeas & one hundred & sixty eight Nays 19 majority in favor of the adoption. As I mentioned to you in my last the spirit which operated the last winter had its influence in the appointment of members for the convention and was a clog upon us through the whole business,...
24To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will find by the papers of yesterday, which I do myself the pleasure to inclose, that the Governour has taken his seat as President of the Convention and that he came forward with a motion for the adoption of the constitution and sub joined a recommendation that some alterations may take place in it; The motion has taken up a considerable time; those in the opposition want the...
25To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosend two news papers in which are the debates of the convention to Saturday the 19th —they are not forward enough to give your Excellency a just state of the business I therefore am inclined to observe that yesterday we were on the 9th sect.—The oposition seem now inclined to hurry over the business and bring on as soon as possible the main question—however this...
26To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
In my last, I mentioned to your Excellency the critical situation in which I consdeered my son though I entertained hopes that appearances were in his favor; my hopes were alive untill friday morning last; a manifest change then took place in him—He died at four in the afternoon. In him I have lost a beloved son, an agreeable companion, and a sincere and confidential friend—With him expired...
27To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9–13 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear General, been some time in this town with my son Benjn who has been exceedingly sick for about four weeks. On thursday last we thought his days were fully numbered, and that his last moments were rolling rapidly on and that they would have been terminated before the evening; but in the afternoon he revived, he yet lives, his situation, we trust, is not so critical as it has...
28To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln (Washington Papers)
I was honored by the reciept of your favour of the 7th Ulto, and your circular address by one of the last Posts. I wish your Excellency had not in so decided a manner expressed your determination to retire from the head of the order of Cincinnati. I shall communicate your address to our delegates at the next general meeting, and to our State society. I have made three trips into the eastern...
29To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lear will have the honor of delivering this. I have the highest expectations that his services will be acceptable. He wishes to pursue in his liesure hours, the study of the law; his want of books may retard his progress therein—Had I been acquainted with any Gentleman of the bar in your neighbourhood, I would have solicited the loan of some books for him, but, as I am not permit me to ask...
30To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 16th Ulto. It is probable that Mr Lear will be with you by the first of June I expect him from Portsmouth New Hampshire in about six days he will soon after commence his journey for Virginia I hope & trust your Excellency will find him a Gentleman of an amiable character. With real esteem & affection I have the honor of...
31To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 6th Ulto I wrote to Mr Lear, who lives at Portsmouth New Hampshire, on the subject of joyning your family and requested to know the terms, ⅌ Year, he would perform the several duties pointed out The following is an extract from his letter in answer to mine “Two hundred dollars ⅌ annum will be satisfactory on my [part] for the services...
32To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have since my return, My Dear General, been looking agreeably to your request, among my young friends to see whether I could find among them one who would answer your purpose as a private Secy &c. &c.—I have at last found a Mr Lear who supports the character of a Gentleman & a schollar—He was educated at Cambridge in this State—Since he left College he has been in Europe & in different parts...
33To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 October 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 Oct. 1784. On 5 Feb. 1785 GW wrote to Lincoln : “Not until these few days have I been favored with your letter of the 18th of Octr.”
34To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I may not omit so good an opportunity as now offers ⅌ Major Bayliss to inform your Excellency that at the meeting of the Cincinnati of this State they with great pleasure adopted the system as altered and amended by the general meeting and it appears to give great satisfaction to the citizens at large. I am pursuing the plan I mentioned to your Excellency the last fall of erecting mill for...
35To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since I was honored with the receipt of your favor of this State society of the Cincinnati have had a meeting & have made choice of General Knox Genl Putnam Colo. Cobb Colo. Hull & Majr Serjeant to represent them in the General Meeting to be held at Philadelphia on May next. they are notified to attend I expect that two or three or more will have the pleasure of meeting your Excellency...
36To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am this minute honored with the receipt of your Excellencys favor of this date. I will give the necessary orders for the removal of the Invalids to West Point—The assistant Qr M aste r Mr Hodgden is here, who will wait on you, and I will particularly instruct him in this business. One of the lads I expected would go with me to Boston has been sick and is not here & the other I mentioned a...
37To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned yesterday, to some of the members of Congress, that I thought it would be very satisfactory to your Excellency to know the ideas of Congress relative to the number of troops to be reclaimed on the evacuation of New York—on this point a motion was made in Congress by Mr Gerry & seconded by Mr McHenry "That the commander in chief be authorized and directed after the evacuation of New...
38To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a subsistance Roll for the officers, in the hospital department with Mr Carletons remarks—I wish your Excellencys information who of them will be continued in pay for this month—I have the honr to be Dr Sir with great esteem your Excellencys most Ob. st DLC : Papers of George Washington.
39To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
My late aid and Assistant Major Jackson is quitting public life and is going to Europe with commercial views. I think him a youth of great honor abilities & integrity and feel myself much interested in his future happiness—I have therefore to request from your Excellency a letter in his favor to some friend in England or france & a certificate purporting his services in the field & that he has...
40To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
There are in Philadelphia six or eight officers and about one company of the invalid regiment. They are in a situation disagreeable to themselves and expensive to the public. Some of the Officers, by the loss of limbs and other inabilities, are rendered totally incapable of acquiring by their own exertions a support in life—others are in a degree debilitated, while some seem to have recovered...
41To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I find by the returns that there are but a few of Sheldons Dragoons who are not engaged to serve during the War; and as all the Horses are sold, I am fully in opinion that the little service which the remainder of the Corps would render in the circumstances they now are, will not compensate the expences which must arise from keeping them together. I therefore think that if at the time your...
42To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
The commanding officers are applying for arms for the Musick—The donation of Arms to the Troops was in consequence of your Excellency’s recommendation should you be of opinion, all circumstances considered, they have a right to arms, I think no difficulty will arrise in Congress from the measure. I have requested General Knox to commence as soon as possible the build ing a Magazine on...
43To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Trumbull, your Excellencys secretary put into my hands, this morning a letter in which he represents that the gentleman who, before him, filled the office he now holds, was, soon after his appointment thereto, honored with a Lieutenant Colonels Commission and that this took place soon after the resolve of Congress which gave all your Excellencys Aid de Camp the rank of Lieutenant...
44To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 21 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to Your Excellency the copy of a letter from Sir Guy Carleton to Brigadier General Clarke, written to him in consequence of a request which I made that Sir Guy would be equally explicit in declaring that our officers, who had been prisoners of war, were absolved from their paroles—as I had done in a similar declaration respecting their officers who were...
45To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to request that you will be pleased to order an inscription, expressive of the vote of Congress, to be engraved on two of the six pound cannon taken at York Town, and which were to be presented to the Count de Grasse. When the engraving is finished the Q.M. Genl will take order for transporting the cannon to this City. I am, with the most perfect respect and esteem Your...
46To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of your letter enclosing certificates from the several Lines of their acceptance of the commutation of half pay proposed by Congress in their act of the 22nd of march last. I am, with perfect respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s obedient, humble servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
47To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor, in obedience to the order of Congress to inclose the copy of a letter from the president of this state to their Delegates in Congress, and the copy of a Letter from General Irvine to the secretary at War with the doings of Congress on these Letters. I have the Honor to be Dear General with great esteem Your obedt servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. I have this day...
48To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed are forwarded by order of Congress. I have not yet heard from Sr Guy Carleton. I have the honor to be your Excellencys most Ob. servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
49To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to Your Excellency some late resolves of Congress. I have the honor to be, with perfect respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
50To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Resolves of Congress, your Excellency will learn, that we are in conjunction to make proper Arrangements for setting at liberty all land Prisoners. It seems to be the wish of Congress that this business should be effected as soon as possible, therefor to avoid the delays which may arise by adjusting the matter between us by Letter, I have to propose that your Excellency would...