3441To James Madison from George Washington, 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I returned yesterday from Annapolis, having conducted the Marquis La Fayette that far on his way to New York, and left him proceeding on the road to Baltimore, on Wednesday last. This trip afforded me opportunities of conversing with some of the leading characters in the different branches of the Legislature of Maryland, on the subject of inland navigation, and the benefits which might arise...
3442III. Washington’s Address to Congress Resigning his Commission, [23 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress and of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased...
3443To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 3 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Post brought me the enclosed letter under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette. If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body. It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am Dear Sir Yr. Most...
3444To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 15 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The Baron de Steuben informs me that he is about to make a final Settlement with Congress; and to obtain from them that compensation which his Services shall appear to have merited; having entered into no stipulation at the time he engaged in the Service, either for Pay or emoluments; chusing rather to let his Services point to their own rewards (after they were performed) than to set a value...
3445To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 24 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. came to my hands the 22d. at the moment the Governor and some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the receipt of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs. de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to...
3446To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 29 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not in my power to answer your favor of the 15th. by the last post for the reason then assigned. I wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I again am obliged to pay attention to other Company (the Governor being gone). My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the practicability of an easy and short communication between the waters of the Ohio and Potomack,...
3447To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
If with frankness, and the fullest latitude of a friend, you will give me your opinion of the Institution of the Society of Cincinnati, it would confer an acceptable favor upon me. If to this opinion, you would be so obliging as to add the sentiments, or what you suppose to be the Sentiments of Congress respecting it, I would thank you. That you may have the best Materials on which to form a...
3448To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 2 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until I had arrived at Annapolis, on my way home, that I heard of Colo. Humphrys’s appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe. Permit me now Sir, to recommend him to your countenance and friendship, which I would not do, did I not think him deserving of both. In him you will find a good scholar, natural and acquired abilities, great...
3449To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 25 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure to find by the public Gazettes that your passage to France had been short, and pleasant.—I have no doubt but that your reception at the Court has been equally polite and agreeable. I have the honor to inclose you the copy of an Act which passed the assemblies of Virginia and Maryland at the close of their respective sessions; about the first of last month.—The circumstances...
3450To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 10th. and 17th. of July which were committed to the care of Mr. Houdon; but I have not yet had the pleasure to see that Gentleman. His Instruments and materials (Doctr. Franklin informs me) not being arrived at Havre when they Sailed, he was obliged to leave them, and is now employed in providing others at Philadelphia, with which he will...
3451To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th. and 7th. of Jany. have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &c. which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question, I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to...
3452To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 14th. of November last, did not come to my hands till the first of the present month ; and at a time when I was about to set off for the Convention of the States appointed to be holden in this City the 14th. Instt. Consequently, it has not been in my power, at an earlier period, to reply to the important...
3453To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday put an end to the business of the Fœdral Convention. Inclosed is a copy of the Constitution, by it agreed to. Not doubting but that you have participated in the general anxiety which has agitated the minds of your Countrymen on this interesting occasion, I shall be excused I am certain for this endeavor to relieve you from it, especially when I assure you of the sincere regard and...
3454To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The merits of Mr. Shippen, Son of Doctr. Shippen of this City, will be the best apology I can offer for introducing him to your attention and civilities whilst he is in Paris. He is a young Gentleman of Talents and improvement—these I am sure you love. I shall only add therefore how much and how sincerely I am Yours &c., FC ( DLC : Washington Papers).
3455To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th. of August, and am sorry that it is not in my power to give you any further information relative to the practicability of opening a communication between Lake Erie and the Ohio, than you are already possessed of. I have made frequent enquiries since the time of your writing to me on that subject while Congress were sitting at Annapolis, but could never...
3456To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 31 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very much gratified by the receipt of your letter, dated the 3d. of May.—You have my best thanks for the political information contained in it, as well as for the satisfactory account of the Canal of Languedoc.—It gives me pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of that stupendous work, tho’ I do not expect to derive any but speculative advantages from it.—When America will...
3457To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 27 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding I had the pleasure to write to you somewhat largely on the 31st. day of Augt. last, I would not dispense with transmitting a line by so good an occasion, as that which is now offered to me by the departure of Mr. Gouveneur Morris for France. And the rather was I induced to this because I did not know whether you might have been much acquainted with that Gentleman, and because...
3458To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having found that there is a vessel on the point of sailing from Alexandria for Havre de Grace I would not forego so good an opportunity of addressing a letter to you, although nothing very material has occurred since the date of my last, which was transmitted by Mr. Gouverneur Morris.—As you will doubtless have seen in the Gazettes the Measures taken by the different States for carrying the...