1From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you several proclamations expressing the lines which are to bound the District of ten miles square for the permanent Seat of the general government, which I wish you to have made public with all expedition. And in the most general and extensive manner that you can to prevent any kind of speculation. Let them be published in the News Papers—put up in public places and otherwise so...
2From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 3 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
In asking your aid in the following case permit me at the same time to ask the most perfect secrecy. The federal territory being located, the competition for the location of the town now rests between the mouth of the Eastern branch, and the lands on the river, below and adjacent to George town. In favour of the former, Nature has furnished powerful advantages. In favour of the latter is it’s...
3I. George Washington to William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddert, 3 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In asking your aid in the following case permit me at the same time to ask the most perfect secrecy. The federal territory being located, the competition for the location of the town now rests between the mouth of the Eastern branch, and the lands on the river, below and adjacent to Georgetown.—In favour of the former, Nature has furnished powerful advantages.—In favour of the latter is it’s...
4From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved your favors of the 9th & 11th ⟨instant,⟩ & shall be glad if the purchase from ⟨Burns⟩ should be concluded before you receive this at £15 or £⟨17⟩ as you ⟨illegible.⟩ but as you mention that should he ask as far as £20 or £25 you will await further instructions before you accept such an offer: I have thought it better, in order to prevent delays, to inform you, that I could wish...
5George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favors of the 9th. and 11th instant and shall be glad if the purchase from Burnes should be concluded before you recieve this at £15 or £15–10 as you hope. But as you mention that should he ask as far as £20. or £25. you will await further instructions before you accept such an offer, I have thought it better, in order to prevent delay, to inform you that I would wish his...
6From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 28 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
If you have concluded nothing yet with Mr Burn’s; nor made him any offer for his land that is obligatory; I pray you to suspend your negotiations with him, until you hear further from me. With much Esteem I am, Gentlemen, Your &c. LB , DLC:GW ; ADfS , DLC:GW . David Burnes (1739–1799) owned a tract of some two hundred and twenty-five acres in the federal district, centered around the mouth of...
7From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 2 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Majr L’enfant comes on to make such a survey of the grounds in your vicinity as may aid in fixing the site of the federal town and buildings: his present instructions express those alone which are within the Eastern branch, the Potowmac, the Tyber, and the road leading from George-town to the Ferry on the eastern branch. He is directed to begin at the lower end, and work upwards, and nothing...
8George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 2 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Majr. L’enfant comes on to make such a survey of the grounds in your vicinity as may aid in fixing the site of the federal town and buildings. His present instructions express those alone which are within the Eastern branch, the Patowmac, the Tyber, and the road leading from George town to the ferry on the Eastern branch. He is directed to begin at the lower end and work upwards, and nothing...
9From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
In order to avail the public of the willingness expressed by the inhabitants of Washington county, as mentioned in your letter of the 11th to sign a paper ceding their lots in Hamburg, on being requested by any person under my direction, I have written the inclosed letter, which, if you think it will answer the desired end, you will be so good as to dispatch to them, with the necessary...
10V. George Washington to William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to avail the public of the willingness expressed by the inhabitants of Washington county, as mentioned in your letter of the 11th. to sign a paper ceding their lots in Hamburg, on being requested by any person under my direction, I have written the inclosed letter, which if you think it will answer the desired end, you will be so good as to dispatch to them, with the necessary...
11Enclosure: George Washington to William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On passing thro George town I propose to examine the ground between that town and the Eastern branch, and on that examination to fix on a site for the public buildings. Should there be any circumstances in favour of the ground next adjoining to George town, I foresee that the old town of Hamburg will be a considerable obstacle, as the streets of that will probably not coincide with those which...
12From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 1 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Being accustomed to write to you respecting the grounds for the fedl City, I continue the practice. It may be tuesday or Wednesday next before I shall leave this place, by which (say by mondays Post) I should be glad to hear what progress has been made, and what still remains to be done, in the business which so happily commenced on tuesday last under the accommodating spirit which then...
13From 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 .
14From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 13 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed is left open for your private perusal, and transmission. Two motives prompt me to this measure—the first is, the christian name of a Mr Jones, high sheriff of Montgomery County, the person intended to be associated with your brother in the business referred to them in the said letter, was unknown to Colo. Mercer and myself: the second, that before his name should...
15From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 24 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I was much pleased with the information which you gave me in your letter of the 19th Inst. relative to the progress of the work on the Potomack, and the prospect there is of the navigation being so nearly completed in the course of the ensuing summer. I observe, however, that you say nothing of what is doing or about to be done at the great falls. But as it is so obvious that the rendering...
16From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 11 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
You would oblige me by receiving the contents of the enclosed order; and then, by informing me of the price the Tobacco would fetch. With esteem, I am Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy), ViMtvL ; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosed order from John Francis Mercer to Benjamin W. Jones of 5 April, authorizing the payment of past rent due on GW’s land in Montgomery County, Md., see n.2 of...
17From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 1 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d instt I have received & thank you for your kind attention to the trees which were imported for my use in the Peggy, particularly for your having sent them to Mount Vernon—although I fear the season was too far advanced to entertain much hope of their living. The purport of the enclosed which I pray you to forward by a safe conveyance, is to ask the favor of your Brother...
18From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 30 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 22d instt—If there is a prospect of rise in the price of Tobacco I would await the chance of it—especially as Mr Jones has not compleated the collection. I wish the Order of Colo. Mercer on that Gentleman may be re-examined—if I recollect the purport of it, it is only for such Rents as arose on the moiety of Woodstock which fell to my share. Whether those...
19From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 17 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th instant has been duly received: That the duties of a Commissioner of the Federal City would have been discharged with ability and fidelity by the Gentleman whose name you have mentioned to me, I cannot harbour a doubt; but the An——l Gab——l, in his situation would have been charged with partiality. From a thorough conviction of this, I have never turned my attention to a...
20From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 6 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ulto has been duly received. Before I knew, or had heard of any movement in the Federal City, among the Proprietors thereof, I had, in answering some dispatches from the Commissioners, given it to them as my clear and decided opinion, that those who were entrusted with the affairs of the City ought to be residents thereof. It is & has always been my opinion. It was the...
21From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 14 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to recommend the enclosed letter to your care. And to ask if it be practicable to procure me ten or a dozen Bushels of Oats from the Glades for Seed, by the first of March next? With esteem & regard I—am Dear Sir Your Obedt Servant ALS (photostat), CSmH . GW addressed this letter to Deakins at “George Town Potomac.” Deakins replied to GW from Georgetown, D.C., on 18 Nov.: “I have...