361To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 7 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It appearing to me that the public business will require the Executive Officers to be together some time before the meeting of Congress, I have written to the Secretaries of the Treasury and War to meet me at Philadelphia or vicinity—say Germantown—by the first of November, and should be glad to see you there at the same time. The Attorney General is advised of this also. In a letter from...
362From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to transmit Your Excellency a Letter from Major Genl de Riedesel which only came to hand Two days ago. I would now inform Your Excellency, that agreeable to my Letter of the 18th of December I have obtained a Return of Moylan’s Regiment of Light Dragoons —and find as I apprehended, that there are Sixty three Non Commissioned Officers & privates in it, who belong to...
363From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed from Messrs Johnson & Carroll have this instant come to hand. Along with them you will receive the letter (this day read) from Doctr Stuart, that the sentiments of all three of the Commrs may appear at one view. I pray you, before Mr Madison leaves town, to lay all three before him and the Attorney Genl; and give me a written Memo. of the measures which you, & they, shall think...
364From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the last letter I have received from Messrs Deakins & Stoddart. What step had I best take to bring matters to a close with Burn’s, and by declaring at once the Site of the public buildings, prevent some inconvenience which I see may arise from the opinions promulgated by Mr L’Enfont? as much probably from complaisance as judgment. Yrs ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. The...
365From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States transmits to the Secretary of State, to report thereon, a memorial of Monsr deletombe, Consul of France, to the Legislature of Massachusetts, respecting certain parts of the Consular Convention agreed upon by and between his most Christian Majesty and the President of the United States—together with a Resolution of that Legislature upon said memorial; and a...
366From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency confidentially that a French Fleet may in the course of a few Weeks be expected upon this Coast, and as it is uncertain what part of the land they may first make, Gentlemen are to be stationed at different points to give them Signals and to make them some necessary communications immediately upon their arrival. Major Galvan who will have the honor...
367From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I clearly understood you on Saturday. And, of what I conceive to be two evils, must prefer the least—that is—to dispense with your temporary absence in autumn (in order to retain you in Office ’till January) rather than part with you altogether at the close of September. It would be an ardent wish of mine, that your continuance in office (even at the expence of some sacrifice of inclination)...
368To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [24 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
The Letters from Mr. de Mirbeck and Mr. Vall-travers to the P—— and from the Proprietors of the Federal City to Mr. Walker, he wishes Mr. Jefferson to read and consider, that answers to, or proper notice of them, may result from it. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Mch. 1792 and recorded in SJPL where the entry reads: “G. W. to Th: J. with letters of Mirbeck, Valtravers and Walker.”
369To 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...
370IX. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President sends to the Secretary of State the enclosed copy of a Report made by the Secretary of the Treasury to him—relative to the Debts of the United States to France, in order that it may be communicated to the Minister of the Republic of France. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; address almost entirely torn away; endorsed by TJ as received 10 June 1793. Entry in SJPL :...
371From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed letter (which was left for you at the Office of Foreign Affairs when I made a journey to the Eastern States) the motives on which I acted with regard to yourself, and the occasion of my explaining them at that early period. Having now reason to hope—from Mr Trumbulls report—that you will be arrived at Norfolk before this time (on which event I would most...
372To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Headquarters near Passaic, 18 Oct. 1780. “Circular.” “In obedience to the Orders of Congress, I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency the present state of the Troops of your line, by which you will perceive how few men you will have left after the first of January next. When I inform you also that the Troops of the other Lines will be in general as much reduced as Yours, you will be able...
373To 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...
374From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President has examined the enclosed—thinks it exactly conformable to the loan proposed by Mr Blodget—and approves of it accordingly. Mr Jefferson will request the Attorney General to draw (with care & caution) a Deed proper for the occasion. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The enclosure has not been identified, but for Samuel Blodget, Jr.’s loan proposal, see GW to the...
375To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 25 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President encloses a draft for the Director of the Mint to receive five thousand dollars for the purposes of that establishment—likewise a letter for Mr. G. Morris, which he requests the Secretary of State will be so good as to forward with the public dispatches he may send to that Gentleman. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; addressed: “The Secretary […]”; endorsed by TJ as received...
376From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 27th ult. with the papers which accompanied it. Referring to your Judgment whether a commission, similar to that intended for Mr Barclay, may be given without the agency of the Senate, I return both papers to you signed, in order that the one you deem most proper may be used. Your opinions respecting the acts of force which have already...
377From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed came to my hands yesterday afternoon. The documents respecting the dispute between Majr L’Enfant an Dan. Carroll of D. have been sent for the Attorney Genl to form his opinion upon the case. The whole are sent for Mr J.s perusal previous to the conversation he proposed to have with Majr L’E. The President has not read the Papers—nor is he in any hurry to do it. AL , DLC : Thomas...
378From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 14 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 22 of July and with its inclosure. With respect to appointing Officers for the Levies—Your Excellency I presume will have received before this, my Letters of the 18 & 22 Ulto, and by which You would find that I had arranged the matter, as far as the circumstances I was possessed of would admit, in consequence of your former application....
379To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to communicate, to your Excellency, a circumstance which I hope will be followed by the most Salutory consequences to the State of Virginia in particular, and which may ultimately have the happiest effect upon the interests of America in general. The Chevalier des Touche, commanding His most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Newport, finding himself enabled,...
380From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I return, from this place, the Papers which you put into my hands on the Road, to day. The unpromising state of the Negotiation at Madrid, and the opinion of the Commissioners that their Commission should be withdrawn, and matters at that Court placed in Statu quo, deser⟨ves⟩ very serious consideration. I pray you to give it; & if it rests altogether with the Executive (after the Agency th⟨e⟩...
381From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
It is my wish that the result of the determination on Mr G—ts request may go to him with your Signature, and of this date. It was for this reason I aimed at a decision on it Sunday or yesterday. Yours always ALS , owned (1984) by Edward N. Bomsey, Springfield, Virginia. GW was referring to Edmond Genet’s letter to Jefferson of 20 Dec., in which he asked that GW transmit to Congress...
382From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
If you & Mr Madison could make it convenient to take a family dinner with me to day—or, if engagements prevent this—wd come, at any hour in the afternoon most convenient to yourselves we would converse fully, and try to fix on some plan for carrying the Affairs of the Federal district into execution. Under present appearances it is difficult, but it is nevertheless necessary to resolve on some...
383From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
I am grieved to find that Mr Short was, on the 22d of April, without his Comn & Instructions —and that Mr Morris was not then in Paris. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson’s docket on the cover of this letter and his Summary Journal of Public Letters ( DLC : Jefferson Papers) record that GW’s note was received on 29 June. For the appointment of William Short and William Carmichael to...
384To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [22 February 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed meets my approbation.—Did Walker accord willingly, or reluctantly? The Plan I think, ought to appear as the Work of L’Enfont.—The one prepared for engraving not doing so, is, I presume, one cause of his dissatisfaction.—If he consents to act upon the conditions proposed, and can point out any radical defects, or others to amend which will be a gratification to him, not improper in...
385From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Before I had read the Papers put into my hands by you, requiring “instant attention” and a messenger could reach your Office, you had left town. What is to be done in the case of the Little Sarah, now at Chester? Is the Minister of the French Republic to set the Acts of this Government at defiance— with impunity ? and then threaten the Executive with an appeal to the People. What must the...
386From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
If, upon a due consideration of the letter from the Secretary of the N.W. Territory to Govr St Clair, which you sent to me yesterday, and is herewith returned, you shall be of opinion that my official interference is necessary on the subject of that letter, I must request that you will report to me wherein such interference may be necessary—as well as the authority under which the President...
387To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 3 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The President has examined the enclosed—thinks it exactly conformable to the loan proposed by Mr. Blodget—and approves of it accordingly. Mr. Jefferson will request the Attorney General to draw (with care and caution) a Deed proper for the occasion. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Apr. 1792 but not recorded in SJL or SJPL . The enclosure has...
388From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. has just recd the enclosed. He prays Mr Jefferson to write by tomorrows Post to Majr L’Enfant agreeably to what was mentioned this morning. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. For the background to this letter, see GW to Jefferson, 16 Mar. 1791 . The enclosure has not been found. GW and Jefferson conferred about the Federal City on the morning of 17 Mar. 1791, discussing the appropriate...
389To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 6 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 17 of July, upon the case of Lt. Governor Hamilton. This subject, on more mature consideration, appears to be involved in greater difficulty than I apprehended. When I first received the proceedings of the Council upon it, transmitted in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th of June, I had no doubt of the propriety of the treatment decreed against...
390To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 11 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that I have received advice from New York that a very large embarkation had taken place (said to amount to 8000) and that the fleet containing them was at the Hook on the point of sailing. Their destination reported to be for Chesapæk bay, on a combined operation in the 1st place against the French Squadron there, and afterwards to attempt the rescue...
391To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive duly your letter dated the 15th. of Decr. last; but I thought proper to delay answering or mentioning the contents of it, until after the arrival of Mr. Madison, who I understood had been with you.—He arrived yesterday, and I now take the earliest opportunity of mentioning to you the result of my reflections; and the expediency of your deciding, at as early a...
392To 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).
393From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I am glad the detention of the Ship gives you an opportunity of forwarding the enclosed. Yours ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed the letter: “Washington Presidt recd Nov. 13. 92.” Jefferson added a notation below the text in which he identified the enclosure: “it was my letter of Nov. 13. to mister Pinckney. London.” In that letter Jefferson wrote that the “ship New Pigou still...
394To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 28 August 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I returned to this City, and had waded through the Papers, and other matters which were laid before me on my arrival, and claimed my earliest attention I recollected the request in your letter of the 19th. of June, and herewith enclose copies of the Papers agreeably to that request. With great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Obedt Servt RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Thomas...
395From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
When Artizans are imported, and criticism is at Work, the inducement is greater to obtain those who are really skilful: for this reason, if Mr Pinckney should not readily meet with those who are unequivocally such; or, if there is a chance of getting better in France than in England, I think it would be well to instruct him to correspond with Mr Morris on this Subject with a view to obtain the...
396To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 15 March 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of the 23d. ulto.; but not at so early a period as might have been expected from the date of it. My mind has always been more disposed to apply the shares in the inland navigations of Potomac and James River (which were left to my disposal by the legislature of Virginia) towards the endowment of a University in the U States, than to any other object it had contemplated....
397From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The messages to the two Houses, as altered are quite agreeable to. Whether, as it is equally known to both houses, that we have no person in a public character at the Ct of London it is best that the word “informal” should remain in the message to the Ho. of Representatives, or not, Mr J. may decide by the fair copy he shall send to ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. For the background to this...
398From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to Messrs Carmichael and Short (now returned) is full & proper. I have added a word or two with A pencil, which may be inserted or not as you shall think best. The intention of them is to do away the charge of Sovereignty over more than are within our own territory. The erazures from the Speech—as you advise—are made, except exchange the word “high” for “just” If facts will justify...
399Enclosure: Memorandum for Thomas Jefferson with Jefferson’s Answers and Notes, 27 August–8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Will circumstances render a postponement of the Sale of Lots in the Federal City advisable? If not not adviseable? [2.] Where ought they to be made left to be considered ultimately on the spot, the general opinion being only that the leading interests be accomodated. [3.] Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft works in...
400To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 10 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 4th Instant I had the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 19th. of June. Your Excellency will permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations upon your appointment to the Government of Virginia. I thank you much for the accounts Your Excellency has been pleased to transmit me of the successes of Cols. Clarke and Shelby. They are important and interesting and do great honor to the...
401From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5–6 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The catalogue of complaints, enclosed, is long. May not our loss of the Indian trade—the participation of it I mean—and the expence & losses sustain’d by the Indian War be set against Mr H——list of grievances, in behalf of the B——Merchants—as well as, by taking our Slaves away depriving us of the means of paying debts. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. George Hammond, who was appointed Britain’s...
402From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Is there no clue to Mr Morriss meaning respecting Monsr Merlino? The next paragraph of his letter is enigmatical to me, from the want of my recollecting perfectly the subjects alluded to. What are the orders given him which he will implicitly obey, and which were, according to his acct, received so very opportunely? Has not a letter of his of subsequent date to that laid before me yesterday,...
403George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, [13 January] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The P. begs that Mr. J—— & Mr Ma—— would give the enclosed letters from the Commrs. an attentive perusal, and the whole of that business a serious consideration before nine oclock tomorrow morning—at which hour the P—— would be glad to converse with them on the subject. RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Addressed by Washington to “Mr Jefferson.” Docketed by Jefferson, “recd. Jan. 14.” For...
404To 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...
405To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find by the enclosed letter from the Commissioners that Mr. Hallet reports unfavorably of Doctor Thornton’s Plan “on the great points of practicability, time and expence”: And that I am referred “to Mr. Blodget, Hoben and Hallet, whose verbal information will be better than any we can give you”—on which to form ultimate Instructions. Mr. Blodget I met at Baltimore in the moment I was...
406To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 7 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed were found in the Road by a Neighbour of mine and sent to me. A letter to Mr. Danl. Carroll was along with them, and was forwarded to the Post Office in Alexandria. To releive your anxiety on Account of these Papers I forward, rather than be the bearer of them myself to Philadelphia. With sincerety and Affection, I am always Yrs. Dft ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); entirely in Washington’s...
407To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [24 February 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
The President desires Mr. Jefferson will give the enclosed Papers an attentive perusal, and return them to him as soon as he has done it; that Colo. Hamilton may have an opportunity of doing it also.—At 10 ’oclock tomorrow the P—— will speak with the heads of departments upon the subject of them, and requests their attendance accordingly. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jeffer[son]”; endorsed by...
408From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I am very well satisfied with the train things are in. You will recollect that the Proclamation, Rules and other things are referred to in the Speech —I shall depend upon there being got ready at your Office. Yours &ca ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. A note by Jefferson at the bottom of this document reads: “answer to note of this day respecting publication of proceedgs with Gr. Britn.” GW is...
409To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 25 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States has attentively considered the “Project of a Convention with the Spanish Provences” which was submitted to him by the Secretary of State, and informs him that the same meets his approbation.—The President, however, thinks it proper to observe, that in perusing the beforementioned Project some doubts arose in his mind as to the expediency of two points...
410George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [29 July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It will not be amiss, I conceive, at the meeting you are about to have to day, to consider the expediency of directing the Customhouse Officers to be attentive to the arming or equipping Vessels, either for offensive or defensive war, in the several ports to which they belong; and make report thereof to the Governor or some other proper Officer. Unless this, or some other effectual mode is...