From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1792
To Thomas Jefferson
Mount Vernon Augt 13th 1792.
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you dated the 23d of July, I have received the second epistle of Govr Chittendon, enclosing a copy of the Lieutt Governor1 of Canada’s letter to him; but as he does not in that letter acknowledge the receipt of the One which went to him from the Secretary of State’s Office the motives which suspended an answer to his first letter still exist, unless2 he has given the information required of him immediately to yourself; however, that you may have the whole matter before you, to answer when you are possessed of3 all the facts which relate to the Subject, I forward the Governors last letter to me,4 as I also do that from Colo. Humphreys to you, covered by yours of the 30th Ulto.5 I am Dear Sir Yr Affecte
Go: Washington
ADfS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW.
1. At this place on the draft manuscript, GW wrote and then struck out the name “Clarkes.”
2. At this place on the draft manuscript, GW wrote and then struck out the phrase “it has been forwarded.” He then inserted the phrase “he has given the information required of him immediately” above the line.
3. At this place on the draft manuscript, GW wrote and then struck out the words “some information on.” He then inserted the phrase “all the facts which relate to” above the line.
4. For Gov. Thomas Chittenden’s second “epistle” and the enclosed letter from Alured Clarke to Chittenden of 5 July, see Chittenden to GW, 16 July 1792, and note 2. For Jefferson’s letters to Chittenden of 9 and 12 July, see GW to Jefferson, 7 July, n.2, and 23 July, n.5; 24:200, 218–19. For the correspondence between GW and Jefferson about whether the secretary of state should write Chittenden again before receiving a reply to his earlier letters, see GW to Jefferson, 23 July, and Jefferson to GW, 30 July. Jefferson never received a response from the governor of Vermont.
5. For David Humphreys’s letter to Jefferson of 21 May 1792, see Jefferson to GW, 30 July, n.2; ibid., 23:531–32.