To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 22 November 1793
From George Washington
22d. Novr. 1793.
Dear Sir
I think Colo. Humphrey’s in one of his letters to you, refers to his to me, for some article of News. I see nothing therein that we have not had before; but send it nevertheless, for your perusal.
Can any thing be said, or done, respecting the Marquis de la Fayette? I send the letter that you may give it another perusal. I send a letter also from a French Gentleman in New York offering his Services as Engineer &ca. We may want such characters! A civil answer therefore may not be amiss to give him, although he cannot be employed now, nor never indeed1 he is well qualified.
Are resignations deposited in the Office of State? If they are I send one just received. Yours always
Go: Washington
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Nov. 1793. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, SDC); with minor variations, the most important being noted below. Recorded in SJPL. Enclosures: (1) David Humphreys to Washington, 13 Sep. 1793, dealing with the President’s reelection and burden of correspondence, the surrender of Toulon, various reported military setbacks to France, the approaching embarkation of Portuguese troops to Spain, the need to preserve American neutrality, the unlikelihood of war between England and the United States, and the Reverend Close’s efforts to obtain the latest and best constructed English plow for Washington (RC in DLC: Washington Papers). (2) Lafayette to the Princesse d’Hénin, 15 Mch. 1793 (presumably the text Washington received from John B. Church, not found, but on which see TJ to Church, 11 Dec. 1793, and note; an extract is printed as the enclosure to Angelica Schuyler Church to TJ, 19 Aug. 1793). Other enclosures not found.
One of his letters to you: David Humphreys to TJ, 13 Sep. 1793. For the plight of the Marquis De La Fayette, see note to TJ to Gouverneur Morris and Thomas Pinckney, 15 Mch. 1793.
1. FC: “never unless.”