1From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 15 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives I lay before You an Official Statement of the Expenditure to the end of the Year 1796, from the Sums heretofore granted to defray the Contingent Charges of the Government. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 47; LB , DLC:GW . The “Act making further appropriations for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six,” 1 June 1796, had appropriated...
2To George Washington from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The following communications from the Senate were this day made to the President. LB , DLC:GW . This statement is immediately followed on the LB by multiple extracts of resolutions and motions copied primarily from the U.S. Senate journal for 8, 9, and 10 February. For the printed version of those resolutions, and for the congressional measures made between 8 amd 10 Feb., see Journal of the...
3From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 19 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. At the opening of the present Session of Congress I mentioned that some circumstances of an unwelcome nature had lately occurred in relation to France; that our trade had suffered and was suffering extensive injuries in the West Indies from the Cruisers and Agents of the French Republic; and that communications had been received from...
4From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 9 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Herewith I lay before you, in confidence, reports from the departments of State and the Treasury, by which you will see the present situation of our affairs with the Dey and Regency of Algiers. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; Df , DNA : RG 59, entry 142; LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG
5From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives In recurring to the internal situation of our country since I had last the pleasure to address you, I find ample reason for a renewed expression of that gratitude to the Ruler of the Universe, which a continued series of prosperity has so often and so justly called forth. The acts of the last session, which required special...
6From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 28 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The extraordinary expenses, to be incurred in the present year in supporting our foreign intercourse, I find will require a provision beyond the ordinary appropriation, and the additional twenty thousand dollars lately granted. I have directed an estimate to be made, which is sent herewith, and will exhibit the deficiency, for which an appropriation appears to be necessary. LS , DNA : RG 46,...
7From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 25 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Measures, now in operation for taking possession of the posts of Detroit and Michilimackinac, render it proper, that provision should be made for extending to those places and any others alike circumstanced the civil authority of the north western territory. To do this will require an expence, to defray which the ordinary salaries of the Governor and Secretary of that territory appear to...
8From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
By an Act of Congress passed in the 26th of May 1790 it was declared that the Inhabitants of the territory of the United States south of the river Ohio, should enjoy all the privileges, benefits and advantages set forth in the ordinance of Congress for the government of the territory of the United States north-West of the river Ohio; and that the government of the said territory south of the...
9From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 25 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives I send herewith, for your information, the translation of a letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Secretary of State, announcing the peace made by the Republic with the Kings of Prussia and Spain, the Grand Duke of Tuscany and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel; and that the Republican Constitution decreed...
10From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 15 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and House of Representatives. By the ninth section of the act entitled “an Act to provide a naval armament” it is enacted, “that if a peace shall take place between the United States and the Regency of Algiers that no further proceedings be had under this act.” The peace which is here contemplated having taken place, it is incumbent upon the Executive to suspend all...
11From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives I send herewith, for the information of Congress, the treaty concluded between the United States and the Dey and Regency of Algiers. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 47; copy, DNA : RG 59, Reports of the Secretary of State to the President and Congress; copy, DNA : RG 233, entry 28, Journals. The enclosed copy of the treaty of 5 Sept. 1795,...
12From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 1 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. The Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation concluded between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty, having been duly ratified, and the ratifications having been exchanged at London on the 28th day of October 1795, I have directed the same to be promulgated; and herewith transmit a copy thereof for the information...
13From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 29 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives. In pursuance of the authority vested in the President of the united States by an act of Congress passed the third of March last, to reduce the weight of the copper coin of the united States, whenever he should think it for the benefit of the united States, provided that the reduction should not exceed two pennyweights in each cent,...
14From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 29 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives I send herewith, for the information of Congress, 1st. An act of the legislature of the State of Rhode Island, ratifying an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, to prevent suits in certain Cases against a state. 2. An act of the State of North Carolina making the like ratification. 3. An act of the State of North...
15From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 13 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and House of Representatives. I lay before you an official Statement of the Expenditure to the end of the year 1795, from the sums heretofore granted to defray the Contingent charges of the Government. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 47; copy, DNA : RG 233, entry 28, Journals; copy, DLC:GW . The enclosed statement of 1 Jan. 1796 accounted for $22,931.05, consisting of an...
16From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and House of Representatives I transmit to you a Memorial of the Commissioners appointed by virtue of an Act intitled, “an act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States,” on the subject of the public buildings under their direction. Since locating a District for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States, as...
17From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 4 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
A letter from the minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic received on the 22d of the last month, covered an address, dated the 21st of October 1794, from the Committee of Public Safety to the Representatives of the United States in Congress; and also informed me that he was instructed by the Committee to present to the United States the Colours of France. I thereupon proposed to...
18From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I trust I do not deceive myself, while I indulge the persuasion, that I have never met you at any period, when, more than at the present, the situation of our public affairs has afforded just cause for mutual congratulation, and for inviting you to join with me in profound gratitude to the Author of all good, for the numerous and extraordinary blessings we enjoy. The termination of the long,...
19From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 2 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
It appears from the Information, which I have lately received, that it may be probably necessary to the more successful conduct of our affairs on the coast of Barbary that one Consul should reside in Morocco another in Algiers and a third in Tunis or Tripoli. As no appointment for these offices will be accepted without some Emolument annexed I submit to the consideration of Congress whether it...
20From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 2 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to you copies of a letter from the Governor of the State of Delaware, and of an Act inclosed, “declaring the assent of that State to an amendment therein mentioned to the Constitution of the United States.” LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 33; copy, DNA : RG 233, Records of the House of Representatives, Journals; copy, DLC:GW . A copy, certified as a “True Copy” by State Department clerk...
21From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 28 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
In my first communication to Congress during their present Session, I gave them reason to expect, that “certain circumstances of our intercourse with foreign nations” would be transmitted to them. There was at that time every assurance for believing, that some of the most important of our foreign affairs would have been concluded, and others considerably matured, before they should rise. But,...
22From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 25 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I communicate to Congress copies of a Letter from the Governor of the State of Georgia, and of an act of the Legislature thereof, “to ratify the resolution of Congress explanatory of the judicial power of the United States.” LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, second session, entry 33; copy, DNA : RG 233, Records of the House of Representatives, Journals; LB , DLC:GW . See George...
23From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 17 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to Congress copies of a Letter from the Governor of the State of New-Hampshire, and of an Act of the Legislature thereof, ratifying “the article proposed in amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” respecting the judicial power. I also lay before Congress copies of a Letter from the Governor of the State of ⟨Nor⟩th Carolina, and of an Act of the Legislature thereof,...
24From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 17 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have received Copies of two Acts of the Legislature of Georgia, one passed on the twenty eighth day of December, and the other on the Seventh day of January last, for appropriating and selling the Indian lands within the territorial limits claimed by that state. These copies, tho’ not officially certified, have been transmitted to me in such a manner as to leave no room to doubt their...
25From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
I lay before Congress copies of Acts passed by the Legislatures of the States of Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, ratifying the amendment proposed by the Senate and House of Representatives at their last session, to the Constitution of the United States, respecting the judicial power thereof. The Minister of the French Republic having communicated to the Secretary of State, certain...
26From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 17 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I lay before Congress copies of the Journal of the proceedings in the Executive Department of the Government of the U. States, south of the river ohio, to the 1st of September 1794. Copy, DLC:GW ; copy DNA : RG 233, Entry 19, Journals. GW enclosed the journal of proceedings from 1 March to 1 Sept., for which, see Carter, Territorial Papers Clarence Edwin Carter et al., eds. The Territorial...
27From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 11 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to you, for consideration, a Representation made to me by The Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject of constituting an Officer to be specially charged with the business of procuring certain public supplies. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 33; copy, DNA : RG 233, Records of the House of Representatives, entry 19; copy, DLC:GW . See Alexander Hamilton’s third letter to GW of 2 December.
28From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 3 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to you an official statement of the expenditure, to the 30th of September last, from the sums heretofore granted to defray the Contingent Expenses of Government, by Acts passed the 26th day of March 1790—and the 9th of June 1794. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 33; copy, DNA : RG 233, entry 19, Journals; copy, DLC:GW . GW was referring to “An Act making appropriations for the support of...
29From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 21 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I lay before Congress copies of a letter from the Governor of the State of New York, and of the exemplification of an act of the Legislature thereof, ratifying the amendment of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the Senate and House of Representatives, at their last Session, respecting the judicial power. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 33; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosures, see George...
30From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 19 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of Heaven, by which the American people became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our Country, and look forward to the riches, power and happiness, to which it seems destined; with the deepest regret do I announce to you that during your recess, some of the Citizens of the United States, have been found capable of an insurrection. It...
31From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 4 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives. I lay before Congress the copy of a Letter, with it’s enclosure, from the Secretary of State to the minister plenipotentiary of his britannic majesty; it being an answer to a letter from the minister to him, bearing date the 22d ultimo, and already communicated. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793-95, Senate Records of...
32From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 2 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. I send you certain communications, recently received from Georgia, which materially change the prospect of affairs in that quarter, and seem to render a war with the Creek Nations more probable than it has been at any antecedent period. While the attention of Congress will be directed to the consideration of measures suited to the...
33From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives. The Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty having communicated to the Secretary of State the form of a Certificate, without which the vessels of the United States cannot be admitted into the ports of Spain; I think it proper to lay it before Congress. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793-95, Senate Records of Legislative...
34From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 21 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives. I lay before you, in confidence, sundry papers, by which you will perceive the state of affairs between us and the Six Nations, and the probable cause to which it is owing. And also certain information, whereby it would appear that some encroachment was about to be made on our territory by an officer and party of british troops....
35From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 20 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives. In the communications, which I have made to Congress during the present session, relative to foreign nations, I have omitted no opportunity of testifying my anxiety to preserve the United States in peace. It is peculiarly therefore my duty at this time, to lay before you the present state of certain hostile threats against the...
36From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 12 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of representatives. As the letter, which I forwarded to Congress on the 15th day of April last, from the Minister plenipotentiary of his britannic majesty to the Secretary of State, in answer to a memorial of our minister in London, related to a very interesting subject, I thought it proper not to delay its communication. But since that time the...
37From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 15 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a Letter from the Minister plenipotentiary of his britannic majesty to the Secretary of State; a Letter from the Secretary of the territory South of the river Ohio, enclosing an ordinance and proclamation of the Governor thereof; the translation of so much of a petition of the Inhabitants of Post Vincennes, addressed to the President, as relates to Congress; and certain...
38From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 4 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you three letters from our Minister in London; advices concerning the Algierine Mission, from our Minister at Lisbon and others; and a letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Secretary of State, with his answer. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DNA : RG 233, Third...
39From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 28 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
In the execution of the resolution of Congress, bearing date the 26. of March 1794, and imposing an embargo, I have requested the Governors of the several States to call forth the force of their militia, if it should be necessary for the detention of vessels. This power is conceived to be incidental to an embargo. It also deserves the attention of Congress, how far the clearances from one...
40From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 25 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The two letters, which I now forward to Congress, were written by a Consul of the United States; and contain information, which will probably be thought to require some pecuniary provision. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DNA : RG 233, Third Congress, 1793–95, House Records of Legislative Proceedings, Messages; LB...
41From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 18 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Minister Plenipotentiary of the French republic having requested an advance of money, I transmit to Congress certain documents, relative to that subject. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosed documents, see Cabinet Opinion on the Payment of the U.S. Debt to France, 11 March , and notes 1–3...
42From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 12 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to you the translations of two letters from the Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty to the Secretary of State, and of their enclosures. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, Presidential Messages; LB , DNA : RG 233, Third Congress, 1793–95, House Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals; LB , DLC:GW . All the enclosures were...
43From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 5 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having reported to me upon the several complaints, which have been lodged in his office, against the vexations and spoliations on our commerce, since the commencement of the European war; I transmit to you a copy of his statement, together with the documents upon which it is founded. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings,...
44From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to you, an extract from a letter of mister Short, relative to our affairs with Spain; and copies of two letters from our Minister at Lisbon, with their enclosures, containing intelligence from Algiers. The whole of these communications are made in confidence, except the passage in Mr Short’s letter, which respects the Spanish Convoy. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate...
45From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 24 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
The extracts, which I now lay before you, from a letter of our Minister at London, are supplementary to some of my past communications; and will appear to be of a confidential nature. I also transmit to you copies of a letter from the Secretary of State to the Minister plenipotentiary of his britannic majesty, and of the answer thereto, upon the subject of the treaty between the United States...
46From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 7 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
I transmit to you an act and three ordinances passed, by the Government of the territory of the United States south of the river ohio, on the 13th and 21st of March, and 7th of May 1793. And also certain letters from the minister plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Secretary of State, enclosing dispatches from the general and extraordinary Commission of Guadeloupe. LS , DNA : RG 46,...
47From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Communications have been made to Congress, during the present Session, with the intention of affording a full view of the posture of affairs on the south western frontiers. By the information, which has lately been laid before Congress, it appeared, that the difficulties with the Creeks had been amicably and happily terminated. But it will be perceived, with regret, by the papers herewith...
48From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 22 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I forward to you extracts from the last advices from our Minister in London; as being connected with communications already made. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW . On 21 Jan., Edmund Randolph sent GW two letters from Thomas Pinckney addressed to the Secretary of State. The first, which Pinckney erroneously...
49From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 21 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is with satisfaction I announce to you, that the alterations which have been made by law in the original plan for raising a duty on spirits distilled within the United States, and on Stills, cooperating with better information, have had a considerable influence in obviating the difficulties, which have embarrassed that branch of the public revenue. But the obstacles, which have been...
50From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 20 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having already laid before you a Letter of the 16th of August 1793, from the Secretary of State to our Minister at Paris; stating the conduct and urging the recal, of the Minister plenipotentiary of the Republic of France; I now communicate to you, that his conduct has been unequivocally disapproved; and that the strongest assurances have been given, that his recal should be expedited without...