4601From George Washington to Arthur Young, 15 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
That I may not be thought inattentive to your favor of the 25th of Jany—which came to my hands about ten days ago only—I avail myself of the first Packet since the receipt of it to inform you that the Annals, and Chicorium Intybus have got safe to my hands. A set of the former I have presented in your name, agreeably to your request, to the Agricultural Society in this City. For the other...
4602From George Washington to James Craik, 14 August 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Craik, 14 Aug. 1791. In a letter to GW of 31 Aug., James Craik referred to GW’s letter to him “of the 14th Inst”
4603From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 14 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Philadelphia August 14th 1791 As it never has been my intention to bestow double Offices on the same person, and my design that those Marshalls who have received Appointments under the late Revenue Act should hold the former (i.e. the Marshalls office) until the first of the present month (the time by which the Census was to be returned, or until this business should be...
4604From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 14 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
From the last letter I have received from my nephew the Major, I presume he is, ’ere this, on his tour to Berkeley; I shall therefore, during his absence, address my letters on matters which relate to my concerns at Mount Vernon, to you. And do request that the weekly reports may be transmitted to me as usual—with such other accounts of your progress in sowing &ca; prospects (with respect to...
4605From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 12 August 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Timothy Pickering, 12 Aug. 1791. Timothy Pickering wrote to his brother on 12 Aug.: “this day the President sent me a note, desiring to see me” ( Upham, Pickering, Octavius Pickering and Charles W. Upham. The Life of Timothy Pickering . 4 vols. Boston, 1867–73. 2:496).
4606From George Washington to William Darke, 9 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia August 9. 1791. I have received your letter of the 24 ult. —Regarding its contents, altho’ relating to objects of public import, as private communication, I shall reply to, and remark upon them, with that candor which my personal esteem, and my public wishes strongly enjoin. I need not tell you that my regret is seriously excited by learning that any cause of...
4607From George Washington to William Moultrie, 9 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure, my dear Sir, to receive your friendly letter of the 10th of last month—and I reply with affectionate regard to your congratulations & kind wishes. A slight indisposition (occasioned by a tumour—not much unlike the one I had in New York in the year 1789—) since my return, of which I am now recovered, does not forbid the expectation that my health may be ultimately...
4608From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 8 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
It appearing to me proper that the Commissioners should be apprised of the pretensions—signified in the enclosed letter—I send it to them accordingly, that such prudent use may be made of the information as to them shall seem fit. I have not given, nor shall I give any answer—at least for the present—to the writer of it; and no person is knowing to my having received such a letter. I am—Dear...
4609From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 7 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letters of the 27 & 30 of July; the last of which came to hand while the Judges of the Supreme Court were with me on an invitation to dinner. I took this opportunity of laying your letter before the Chief Justice, (as you mentioned your having written to him and to Mr Wilson on the subject) in order that it might be communicated to the other Judges—After a...
4610From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 31 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 16 only got to my hands on friday last —Not having my private papers at this place, to refer to, I can say nothing with precision as to the sum, or sums which is due from me on account of my purchase of Clifton’s land—It is highly probable, however, that the information given to you by your Attorney is right—Be the amount, however, what it may, I shall be ready at any moment,...
4611To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have given your letter to Mr. Short, dated the 28th. instant an attentive perusal.—As you place confidence in his judgment and discretion, I think it is very proper that the sentiments which are expressed in the cyphered part of it, should be handed to him; and approve the communicating of them to him accordingly. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The Secretary of State” endorsed by TJ as...
4612To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a full consideration of the reasons offered by Mr. Short, in his correspondence with you, for removing the restrictions laid upon him by his present instructions, so far as relates to his not opening a loan for more than a certain sum and not being allowed to open a new Loan until the terms of the preceding one shall have been ratified here, I have thought it expedient, & for the interest...
4613From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have just given the enclosed Letters an acknowledgment, & was about to file them; but not recollecting whether I had ever shewn them to you, or not—I now, as they contain information, & opinions on Men & things, hand them to you for your perusal. By comparing them with others, & the predictions at the times they were written with the events which have happened, you will be able to judge of...
4614From George Washington to Lafayette, 28 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 7 of March and 3 of May, and to thank you for the communications which they contain relative to your public affairs. I assure you I have often contemplated, with great anxiety, the danger to which you are personally exposed by your peculiar and delicate situation in the tumult of the times, and your letters are far from...
4615From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 28 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your favors of the 22d of November—the 1st & 24th of December 1790—and of the 9th of March 1791. The Plateaux which you had the goodness to procure for me, arrived safe; and the account of them has been settled, as you desired, with Mr R: Morris. For this additional mark of attention to my wishes, I pray you to accept my thanks. The communications in your several letters,...
4616To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 28 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just given the enclosed Letters an acknowledgment, and was about to file them; but not recollecting whether I had ever shewn them to you, or not—I now, as they contain information, and opinions on Men and things, hand them to you for your perusal.—By comparing them with others, and the predictions at the times they were written with the events which have happened, you will be able to...
4617From George Washington to the Commissioners for the Federal District, 24 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received from Mr Peter the inclosed letter proposing the erection of Warves at the New City, between Rock Creek and Hamburg. My answer to him is, that the proposition is worthy of consideration, and that the transaction of whatever may concern the public at that place in future being now turned over to you, I have inclosed the letter to you to do thereon whatever you may think best,...
4618From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) Dear Sir, Philadelphia July 22d 1791 If, without disclosing the object in the smallest degree, you can come at (from Mr William Houston or through any other channel by the time you return) the rate of abilities possessed by Colo. (Joseph) Habersham—to what they would most usefully apply—whether he is a man of arrangement—or Industry—&ca you would oblige me in making the enquiry...
4619From George Washington to David Humphreys, 20 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 16 of February and 3 of may, and am much obliged by your observations on the situation, manners, customs and dispositions of the Spanish nation—In this age of free enquiry and enlightened reason it is to be hoped that the condition of the people in every Country will be bettered and the happiness of mankind promoted. Spain appears to be so much behind the...
4620From George Washington to Aedanus Burke, 19 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6. of May covering one from Colo. Philemon Waters, was put into my hands while I was in Charleston —During my journey, you will readily conceive, it was not in my power to attend to, and answer the subject of Colo. Waters’s letter, which is the cause of this late acknowledgement of it—and I must now request, Sir, as his letter came thro’ your hands, and as a letter to him...
4621From George Washington to Richard Champion, 19 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
While I was on my Journey through the Southern States it was not in my power to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th of May, which was put into my hands at Camden, and to make a proper return of my thanks for the Manuscript reflections upon our present situation &c. —and the printed Volume of your Observations on the Commercial Connexion between Great Britain and the United...
4622From George Washington to Hannah Meredith Gordon, 19 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letter of the 3rd of march with which I have been honored, I am under the necessity of observing, that circumstances put it out of my power to afford you any assistance in recovering your lands which you mention to have been confiscated during the late war in the State of Pennsylvania. Situated as I am in respect to the General Government of this country, you must yourself,...
4623From George Washington to William Gordon, 19 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
As it has ever been a rule with me to make my private concerns give way to my public duties, when both cannot be accomplished, I now find myself under the necessity, from the weight of public business, which is at this time much encreased by an absence of more than three months, [(]on a tour thro’ the southern States) of refraining to enter so fully into my private correspondencies as my...
4624From George Washington to Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 19 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
At the same time that I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the first of march with which I have been honored, let me request you to accept my thanks for your polite attention in sending me the pamphlet which accompanied it. The importance of the subject, which has called forth your production and numerous others, is so deeply interesting to mankind that every philanthropic mind, however...
4625From 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 .
4626From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 17 July 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 17 July 1791. GW’s nephew wrote to him on 1 Aug. , acknowledging “rect of Your favor of the 17th Ulto.”
4627From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 14 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Without preface, or apology for propounding the following question to you—at this time—permit me to ask you with frankness, and in the fullness of friendship, whether you will accept of an appointment in the Supreme Judiciary of the United States? Mr Rutledge’s resignation has occasioned a vacancy therein which I should be glad to see filled by you. Your answer to this question by the Post...
4628From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 13 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received since my return to this place the letter which you were so kind as to write on the 6. of June, and am now to make you my acknowledgements for the information it contained. Very soon after I came to the government I took measures for enquiring into the disposition of the british cabinet on the matters in question between us: and what you now communicate corresponds very exactly...
4629George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 13 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved, since my return to this place, the letter which you were so kind as to write on the 6th. of June, and am now to make you my acknowledgements for the information it contained. Very soon after I came to the government, I took measures for enquiring into the dispositions of the British cabinet on the matters in question between us: and what you now communicate corresponds very...
4630From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed I send this afternoon, for your perusal. Tomorrow, 8’Oclock, I shall send the person who was the bearer of it, to you. It being the hour, he left word, when he left the letter, that he should call upon me. If Mr Pearce merits the character given him by T: D. he will unquestionably merit encouragement, & you can put him in the way to obtain it. Yrs ever ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson...
4631To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 12 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed I send this afternoon, for your perusal. Tomorrow, 8’oclock, I shall send the person who was the bearer of it, to you.—It being the hour, he left word, when he left the letter, that he should call upon me.—If Mr. Pearce merits the character given him by T: D. he will unquestionably merit encouragement, and you can put him in the way to obtain it.—Yrs. ever, RC ( DLC ); addressed:...
4632From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 8 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 20th of April, while I was on my journey to the southward, and until my return to this place it has not been in my power to acknowledge the receipt of it. I must now beg, Sir, that you will receive my best thanks for the particular attention which you have paid to such business as I have had occasion to place in your hands, and to be assured that you have...
4633[July 1791] (Washington Papers)
Friday July 1st. Received an Address from the Inhabitants of Frederick town and about 7 Oclock left it. Dined at one Cookerlys 13 Miles off & lodged at Tawny town only 12 Miles farther—being detained at the first stage by rain and to answer the address wch. had been presented to me in the Morning. Tawny town is but a small place with only the Street through wch. the road passes, built on. The...
4634[Diary entry: 4 July 1791] (Washington Papers)
Monday 4th. This being the Anniversary of American Independence and being kindly requested to do it, I agreed to halt here this day and partake of the entertainment which was preparing for the celebration of it. In the fore noon I walked about the town. At half passed 2 oclock I received, and answered an address from the Corporation and the complimts. of the Clergy of different denominations....
4635From George Washington to the Corporation and Inhabitants of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your congratulations on my arrival in Lancaster are received with pleasure, and the flattering expressions of your esteem are replied to with sincere regard. While I confess my gratitude for the distinguished estimation in which you are pleased to hold my public services, a sense of justice to my fellow-citizens ascribes to other causes the peace and prosperity of our highly favored...
4636[Diary entry: 3 July 1791] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 3d. Received, and answered an address from the Inhabitants of York town—& there being no Episcopal Minister present in the place, I went to hear morning Service performed in the Dutch reformed Church—which, being in that language not a word of which I understood I was in no danger of becoming a proselyte to its religion by the eloquence of the Preacher. After Service, accompanied by...
4637From George Washington to the Citizens of York, Pennsylvania, 3 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I receive your congratulations with pleasure, and I reply to your flattering and affectionate expressions of esteem with sincere and grateful regard. The satisfaction which you derive from the congeniality of freedom with good government, clearly evinced in the happiness of our highly favored country, at once rewards the patriotism that atchieved her liberty and gives an assurance of its...
4638[Diary entry: 2 July 1791] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 2d. Set out a little after 4 Oclock and in abt. 6 Miles crossed the line wch. divides the States of Maryland & Pennsylvania— the Trees on wch. are so grown up tht. I could not perceive the opening though I kept a lookout for it. 9 Miles from Tawny town, Littles town is past, they are of similar appe. but the latter is more insignificant than the former. Seven Miles farther we came to...
4639[Diary entry: 1 July 1791] (Washington Papers)
Friday July 1st. Received an Address from the Inhabitants of Frederick town and about 7 Oclock left it. Dined at one Cookerlys 13 Miles off & lodged at Tawny town only 12 Miles farther—being detained at the first stage by rain and to answer the address wch. had been presented to me in the Morning. Tawny town is but a small place with only the Street through wch. the road passes, built on. The...
4640From George Washington to the Inhabitants of Frederick, Maryland, 1 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I express with great pleasure my obligations to your goodness, and my gratitude for the respectful and affectionate regard which you are pleased to manifest towards me. Your ascripition of my public services over-rates their value, and it is justice to my fellow-citizens that I should assign the eminent advantages of our political condition to another cause—their valor, wisdom, and virtue—from...
4641[June 1791] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday June 1st. Having received information that Governor Martin was on his way to meet me; and would be at Salem this evening, I resolved to await his arrival at this place instead of halting a day at Guilford as I had intended. Spent the forenoon in visiting the Shops of the different Trades Men—The houses of accomodation for the single men & Sisters of the Fraternity & their place of...
4642[Diary entry: 30 June 1791] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 30th. The business which brot. me to George town being finished & the Comrs. instructed with respect to the mode of carrying the plan into effect—I set off this morning a little after 4 oclock in the prosecution of my journey towards Philadelphia; and being desirous of seeing the nature of the Country North of Georgetown, and along the upper road, I resolved to pass through Frederick...
4643[Diary entry: 29 June 1791] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 29th. The Deeds which remained unexecuted yesterday were signed to day and the Dowers of their respective wives acknowledged according to Law. This being accomplished, I called the Several subscribers together and made known to them the Spots on which I meant to place the buildings for the P. & Executive departments of the Government and for the Legislature of Do. A Plan was also...
4644[Diary entry: 28 June 1791] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 28th. Whilst the Commissioners were engaged in preparing the Deeds to be signed by the subscribers this afternoon, I went out with Majrs. L’Enfant and Ellicot to take a more perfect view of the ground, in order to decide finally on the spots on which to place the public buildings and to direct how a line which was to leave out a Spring (commonly known by the name of the Cool Spring)...
4645[Diary entry: 27 June 1791] (Washington Papers)
Monday 27th. Left Mount Vernon for George town before Six Oclock; and according to appointment met the Commissioners at that place by 9—then calling together the Proprietors of the Lands on which the federal City was proposed to be built who had agreed to cede them on certain conditions at the last meeting I had with them at this place but from some misconception with respect to the extension...
4646From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 20th instant, and the duplicates of your letters, which were missing when I last wrote to you—the originals of which have since been received—This acknowledgement is all the notice I shall take of them until I have the pleasure of seeing you. I have selected the letters written by you to me while you were in the administration of the government of...
4647From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
This is the eve of my departure for George town, & being Sunday, ought to have been a day of rest; but it is not so with me, either from company, or business; the latter, occasioned by a constant succession of company during the whole of last week: wch obliged me to postpone many matters until this day, which ought, & but for that reason, would have been done in the course of it—Such time as I...
4648From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 26 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter, which is under a flying seal, and the plough, which accompanies it, are referred to your inspection—and are addressed to your care, to be transmitted to Mr Chesnut at Camden. With great regard, I am dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant LS , privately owned; LS (photostat), PPRF . Charles Cotesworth Pinckney had introduced to GW the previous summer his friend John Chesnut,...
4649To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 20th. instant, and the duplicates of your letters, which were missing when I last wrote to you, the originals of which have since been received. This acknowledgement is all the notice I shall take of them until I have the pleasure of seeing you. I have selected the letters written by you to me while you were in the administration of the government of...
4650From George Washington to James Mercer, 21 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I was in Fredericksburg on my way to the southward I received a letter from Mr Neil McCoull of which, and the letter of his lawyer, referred to, the enclosed are copies. The verbal answer returned to Mr McCoull by his son, was that I had conceived so far as I was concerned in the business, that the matter had been settled long ago—But as it appeared otherwise from the application he had...