1From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you several proclamations expressing the lines which are to bound the District of ten miles square for the permanent Seat of the general government, which I wish you to have made public with all expedition. And in the most general and extensive manner that you can to prevent any kind of speculation. Let them be published in the News Papers—put up in public places and otherwise so...
2From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 3 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
In asking your aid in the following case permit me at the same time to ask the most perfect secrecy. The federal territory being located, the competition for the location of the town now rests between the mouth of the Eastern branch, and the lands on the river, below and adjacent to George town. In favour of the former, Nature has furnished powerful advantages. In favour of the latter is it’s...
3From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved your favors of the 9th & 11th ⟨instant,⟩ & shall be glad if the purchase from ⟨Burns⟩ should be concluded before you receive this at £15 or £⟨17⟩ as you ⟨illegible.⟩ but as you mention that should he ask as far as £20 or £25 you will await further instructions before you accept such an offer: I have thought it better, in order to prevent delays, to inform you, that I could wish...
4From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 28 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
If you have concluded nothing yet with Mr Burn’s; nor made him any offer for his land that is obligatory; I pray you to suspend your negotiations with him, until you hear further from me. With much Esteem I am, Gentlemen, Your &c. LB , DLC:GW ; ADfS , DLC:GW . David Burnes (1739–1799) owned a tract of some two hundred and twenty-five acres in the federal district, centered around the mouth of...
5From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 2 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Majr L’enfant comes on to make such a survey of the grounds in your vicinity as may aid in fixing the site of the federal town and buildings: his present instructions express those alone which are within the Eastern branch, the Potowmac, the Tyber, and the road leading from George-town to the Ferry on the eastern branch. He is directed to begin at the lower end, and work upwards, and nothing...
6From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
In order to avail the public of the willingness expressed by the inhabitants of Washington county, as mentioned in your letter of the 11th to sign a paper ceding their lots in Hamburg, on being requested by any person under my direction, I have written the inclosed letter, which, if you think it will answer the desired end, you will be so good as to dispatch to them, with the necessary...
7From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 1 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Being accustomed to write to you respecting the grounds for the fedl City, I continue the practice. It may be tuesday or Wednesday next before I shall leave this place, by which (say by mondays Post) I should be glad to hear what progress has been made, and what still remains to be done, in the business which so happily commenced on tuesday last under the accommodating spirit which then...
8From George Washington to William Deakins, 17 July 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Deakins, Jr., 17 July 1791. On 22 July Deakins referred to GW’s “much Esteem’d favor of the 17th Current.” See GW to Thomas Johnson, 14 July, n.1 .
9From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 13 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed is left open for your private perusal, and transmission. Two motives prompt me to this measure—the first is, the christian name of a Mr Jones, high sheriff of Montgomery County, the person intended to be associated with your brother in the business referred to them in the said letter, was unknown to Colo. Mercer and myself: the second, that before his name should...
10From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 24 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I was much pleased with the information which you gave me in your letter of the 19th Inst. relative to the progress of the work on the Potomack, and the prospect there is of the navigation being so nearly completed in the course of the ensuing summer. I observe, however, that you say nothing of what is doing or about to be done at the great falls. But as it is so obvious that the rendering...