1Reply of the President to the Senate, [18 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your Address, in which the most affectionate sentiments are expressed in the most obliging terms. The coincidence of circumstances which led to this auspicious Crisis, the confidence reposed in me by my Fellow-citizens, and the assistance I may expect from counsels which will be dictated by an enlarged and liberal policy, seem to presage a more prosperous issue to my...
2Alexander Hamilton’s Nomination by George Washington for the Office of Secretary of the Treasury of the United States … (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 11, 1789. On this date Washington submitted to the Senate the following nominations for the Treasury Department: “Alexander Hamilton (of New York) Secretary. Nicholas Eveleigh (of So. Carolina) Comptroller. Samuel Meredith (of Pensylvania) Treasurer. Oliver Wolcott Junr: (of Connecticut) Auditor. Joseph Nourse (in Office) Register.” LS , RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791,...
3Address of the President to Congress, 8 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives. In meeting you again I feel much satisfaction in being able to repeat my congratulations on the favorable prospects which continue to distinguish our public affairs. The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our Country with plenty, and with the means of a flourishing commerce. The progress of public credit is witnessed by a...
4Reply of the President to the Senate, [13 December] 1790 (Madison Papers)
These assurances of favorable attention to the subjects I have recommended, and of entire confidence in my views, make the Impression on me which I ought to feel. I thank you for them both. And shall continue to rely much for the success of all our measures for the public good, on the Aid they will receive from the wisdom and integrity of your Councils. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records); FC (...
5X. The President to the Senate, [17 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you a representation of the Chargé des affaires of France, made by order of his court, on the acts of Congress of the 20th. of July 1789. and 1790. Imposing an extra tonnage on foreign vessels, not excepting those of that country, together with the Report of the Secretary of State thereon: and I recommend the same to your consideration, that I may be enabled to give it such answer...
6VI. The President to the Senate, [14 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Conceiving that in the possible event of a refusal of justice on the part of Gr. Britain, we should stand less committed should it be made to a private rather than to a public person, I employed Mr. Gouv. Morris, who was on the spot, and without giving him any definite character, to enter informally into the conferences before mentioned. For your more particular information I lay before you...
7The President to the Senate, 18 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The aspect of affairs in Europe during the last summer, and especially between Spain and England, gave reason to expect a favorable occasion for pressing to accommodation the unsettled matters between them and us. Mr. Carmichael, our Chargé des affaires at Madrid, having been long absent from his country, great changes having taken place in our circumstances and sentiments during that...
8VIII. The President to the Senate, [22 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I will proceed to take measures for the ransom of our citizens in captivity at Algiers, in conformity with your resolution of advice of the first instant, so soon as the monies necessary shall be appropriated by the legislature and shall be in readiness. The recognition of our treaty with the new Emperor of Marocco requires also previous appropriation and provision. The importance of this last...
9VI. Draft of a Message from the President to the Senate, [4 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The ‘Act for the admission of the state of Vermont into this union’ having fixed on this, as the day of it’s admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that state. I therefore required your attendance to recieve nominations of the several officers necessary to put the federal...
10George Washington to the Senate, [ca. 4 January 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Your house has been pleased to communicate to me their resolutions, purporting a decision by them that it is expedient &c. From whence an implication arises that in their opinion they might have decided that no such appointments were expedient. After mature consideration and consultation, I am of opinion that the constitution has made the President the sole competent judge to what places...
11George Washington to the Senate, 8 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, covering the copy of one from the Governor of Virginia with the several papers therein referred to, on the subject of the boundary between that State and the territory of the United States, south of the Ohio. It will remain with the Legislature to take such measures as it shall think best for settling the said boundary with that State,...
12George Washington to the Senate, with Jefferson’s Note to Washington, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was led, by a consideration of the qualifications of Patterson of New Jersey to nominate him an associate justice of the Supreme court of the US. It has since occurred that he was a member of the Senate when the act creating that office was passed and that the time for which he was elected had not yet expired. I think it my duty therefore to declare that I deem the nomination to have been...