1451[May 1790] (Washington Papers)
May 1st. Exercised in the Coach with Mrs. Washington & the Children in the forenoon & on foot in the afternoon. Mr. Alexr. White, representative from Virginia, communicated his apprehensions that a disposition prevailed among the Eastern & northern States (discoverable from many circumstances, as well as from some late expressions which had fallen from some of their members in the Ho.) to pay...
1452[Diary entry: 1 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
May 1st. Exercised in the Coach with Mrs. Washington & the Children in the forenoon & on foot in the afternoon. Mr. Alexr. White, representative from Virginia, communicated his apprehensions that a disposition prevailed among the Eastern & northern States (discoverable from many circumstances, as well as from some late expressions which had fallen from some of their members in the Ho.) to pay...
1453To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you an english newspaper wherein is inserted the copy of a treaty between the king of Prussia and the sublime Porte. This copy I am informed by a foreigner of veracity who perused the original at the house of the imperial minister, is a genuine translation. The terms of it are such that a war between the respective parties to it in conjunction with the kings of...
1454To George Washington from Samuel Johnston, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The following is an Extract from Genl Gregory Collector of the District of Camden’s Letter to me. “Respecting a Surveyor for Currituck Inlet there is no person that lives on Crow Island but Herbert. I am told the people dont like him, Mr Samuel Jasper is the only man that I think will answer, who lives on Knot’s Island, within six or seven miles of the Inlet, I have sent Mr Thomas Williams,...
1455To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Herewith I have the Honor to transmit a Duplicate of my last Letter of the thirteenth of April. Not having heard from the Duke of Leeds I wrote him a Note on the nineteenth, of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 1. To this I received no Reply, wherefore on the twenty ninth I addressed him again by a Letter of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 2. This was delivered at his Office Whitehall...
1456To George Washington from Thomas Paine, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Our very good Friend the Marquis de la Fayette has entrusted to my care the Key of the Bastile and a drawing, handsomely framed, representing the demolition of that detestible prison, as a present to your Excellency, of which his letter will more particularly inform. I feel myself happy in being the person thro’ whom the Marquis has conveyed this early trophy of the Spoils of Despotism and the...
1457To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Cahokia [Territory N. W. of River Ohio] Sir May 1st 1790 I have this day communicated to the Secretary of the Department of War all the Intelligence respecting the Indian Affairs that has come to my knowledge and Observation since I wrote to him before, and I am very sorry to have it to remark, that they do not wear a very favorable Complexion! That the Ouabush Indians should have taken the...
1458Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 1 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I have the Honor to transmit a Duplicate of my last Letter of the thirteenth of April. Not having heard from the Duke of Leeds I wrote him a Note on the nineteenth, of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 1. To this I received no Reply, wherefore on the twenty ninth I addressed him again by a Letter of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 2. This was deliverrd at his Office Whitehall...
1459[Diary entry: 2 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 2d. Went to Trinity Church in the forenoon—writing letters on private business in the Afternoon—Among other letters one by my order to Genl. Moylan, to know if he wd. accept the Consulate at Lisbon, as it was not proposed to give Salaries therewith.
1460To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 2 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir London 2d May 1790 You will find enclosed the Copy of what I took the Liberty to trouble you with on the thirteenth of last Month. On Saturday the seventeenth I dined in Company with Mr Fox. The State of french Politics formed of Course a large Part of the Conversation. The Situation of other Countries was then passed in Review, and it became a question how far Britain might...
1461[Diary entry: 3 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Monday 3d. Exercised on horseback about 9 Oclock. After my return, the Secretary of the Treasury called upon, and informed me that by some conversation he had had with Mr. King (of the Senate) it appeared that there was a probability the Senate would take up the Sales by the Legislature of Georgia, and the Affairs of the Indians which would be involved therein in a serious manner, and gave it...
1462To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The state of Georgia having granted to certain companies of individuals a tract of country within their chartered limits, whereof the Indian right has never yet been acquired, with a proviso in the grant which implies that those individuals may take measures for extinguishing the Indian right under the authority of that government, it becomes a question How far this grant is good? A society...
1463To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
a letter is received from Mr Dumas, begun Dec. 4 & ending Jan. 26. the only interesting passage is the following “I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100.¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
1464To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The forgoing is Copy of what I wrote to you the twelfth of last month. I have since received yours of the first of March. The additional Pieces for your Surtout I cannot get untill I return to Paris⟨.⟩ I beleive no additional ornaments will be wanting and I incline to think that the Surtout as it now is will be large enough However you will have judged better upon seeing it and I shall...
1465From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [3 May 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
A letter is received from Mr. Dumas, begun Dec. 4 and ending Jan. 26. The only interesting passage is the following: ‘I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100. ¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
1466[Diary entry: 4 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 4th. Exercised in the forenoon on Horse back. A respectable Company at the Levee to day.
1467To George Washington from John Mitchell, 4 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Colrain Township Lancaster County & state of Pennsylvania Honoured Sir May 4th 1790 As it is a virtue highly to be commended in every member of society to study the benefit of the body at large more than their own private interest so it is more particularly incumbent on those who are placed at the helm of affairs and are as it were the soul of the body politic to exercise this virtue in an...
1468[Diary entry: 5 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 5th. Requested General Rufus Putnam—lately appointed a Judge in the Western Government and who was on the eve of his departure for that Country to give me the best discription he could obtain of the proximity of the Waters of the Ohio & Lake Erie—the nature of their Navigations—Portages—&ca.—Also of the occurrences in the Country—the population of it—Temper of the people &ca. &ca....
1469To George Washington from James B. Pleasants, 5 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
As soon as the power of Granting Patents is vested by Law in the President, Angelheart Cruse intends to make application for Exclusive rights to a machine invented by me some years since, and for which he has my leave to take a Patent in his own name, The object in ⟨view⟩ is to apply Liquid force, as is apprehended, ⟨wi⟩th more simplicity, and superior power, ⟨tha⟩n has hitherto been done;...
1470From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 6 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to inform the President of the United states of America, that he has received a letter from the Governor of Virginia intimating that it is necessary an election should be made of the particular spot upon which it may be deemed proper to erect the intended Light house on Cape Henry, after which the Cession will be completed. The said Secretary having...
1471[Diary entry: 6 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 6th. Exercised on horseback in the forenoon. The following, out of several others who were invited, but prevented by sickness, dined here—viz.—Mr. Wingate, Mr. Maclay, Mr. Walker (of the Senate) and Messrs. Gilman, Aimes, Genl. Muhlenburg, Wynkoop, Page and Lady, Smith So. Carolina & Lady, and Mr. White & his Lady of the House of Representatives. William Maclay noted in his diary that...
1472To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to inform the President of the United states of America, that he has received a letter from the Governor of Virginia intimating, that it is necessary an election should be made of the particular spot upon which it may be deemed proper to erect the intended Light house on Cape Henry, after which the Cession will be completed. The said Secretary having...
1473To George Washington from John Nicholson, 6 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
It is not with a view that your mind should descend to the Matters which concern an individual that I beg leave to present the inclosed for your perusal: but As the subject relates to the interests of the states over whose concerns you preside And as the public paper both here And at the seat of General Government have exhibited representations of one side of the affairs therein refered to A...
1474[Diary entry: 7 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Exercised in the forenoon. Endeavoured through various Channels to ascertain what places required, and the characters fittest for Consuls at them. As the House of Representatives had reduced the Sum, in a Bill to provide for the expences of characters in the diplomatic line, below what would enable the Executive to employ the number which the exigencies of Government might make it...
1475To George Washington from Henry Hill, 7 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor as one of the Executors of the late Doctor Franklin to present you by the hands of Major Clarkson a token left by him in the following words—“My fine Crab tree walking stick with a gold head curiously wrought in the form of the cap of Liberty I give to my friend & the friend of Mankind General Washington—If it were a sceptre, he has merited it, & would become it.” I am with...
1476To George Washington from Beverley Randolph, 7 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose you a Letter from Colo. Clendenen Lieutenant of Kanawha covering Letters received by him from Colonels Lewis, and Rankins, on the subject of Indian depredations, and am with the highest Respect &c. LB , Vi : Executive Letter Book. Among the enclosures was probably “a letter from Robert Rankins, of Kantuckey, directed to Col. Thomas Lewis at the mouth of...
1477[Diary entry: 8 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Exercised in the Coach with Mrs. Washington & the Children in the forenoon. Received from Genl. Knox Secretary Genl. of the triennial Genl. Meeting of the Cincinnati held at Philadelphia the first Monday of this Month, the Copy of an Address from that body to me to which I was to return an answer on next. The address of the triennial meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, 4...
1478[Diary entry: 9 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 9th. Indisposed with a bad cold, and at home all day writing letters on private business. GW’s cold rapidly developed into pneumonia. Local physicians Dr. Samuel Bard, Dr. Charles McKnight, and Dr. John Charlton were summoned to the president’s bedside, but in spite of their efforts GW grew steadily worse. On 12 May, William Jackson wrote to Clement Biddle in Philadelphia enclosing a...
1479[Diary entry: 10 May 1790] (Washington Papers)
Monday 10th. A severe illness with which I was seized the 10th. of this Month and which left me in a convalescent state for several weeks after the violence of it had passed; & little inclination to do more than what duty to the public required at my hands occasioned the suspension of this Diary.
1480To George Washington from Robert Brough, 10 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Hampton [Va.], May 10th 1790. “I sometime ago unsuccesfully applied to you for an Appointment in the Customs —yr reasons were such as ought to govern—I am told there will be offices of a public Nature again in yr power—having read Law I have sometime been Notary Public at this place—if any thing of that sort or any other that is like to become profiteble shou’d occur, shall be ever obliged by...
1481To George Washington from Eliphalet Fitch, 10 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Respect which the World shews to your eminent Virtues and exalted Rank, has induced me to forward the inclosed Papers, relative to the Slave-Trade; which I beg Liave to present to you, thro’ the Indulgence of the Vice-President, to whom I have the Honour to be known. I am with the most perfect Respect and Esteem, Sir, Yr most Obedient and Most Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Eliphalet Fitch...
1482To George Washington from Moustier, 11 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The desire which I have had to multiply the portraits which Mad. de Brehan has made of you, has deprived her of the original for five months, which has remained during that time in the hands of the Engraver —Our citizens of all denominations are at this day more or less taken off from their habitual occupations—and their functions, civil or military, absorb the greater part of their...
1483To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 13 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 18th of July, which joined the copy of another preceding of the 25th of April which I had the honor to dispatch by Captain Joseph Proctor of Salem, I have always flattered myself with the hope of receiving an answer—and nothing remarkable having happened since, which merited the attention of the honorable the Congress of the United States of america, I have confined myself...
1484To George Washington from Betty Washington Lewis, 18 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
my being absent from Home for Six weeks is the reason of my not writing to you sooner, I was on a Visit to my Son Lawrence In Essex at the time I Expect’d his wife to lyin, Pore thing it Prove’d fatal to her, she was takein with Fits and died in twelve Ours without being Deliver’d, he lost a very good wife and with her all the Fortune as she was not of age to make a Right to any Part. We have...
1485To George Washington from Mercy Otis Warren, 18 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Though it is my wish to prefix the inclosed dedication to a volume prepared for the press I would not take this liberty without first asking your permission. The work contains two Tragedies and some micellaneous pieces, written several years since a subscription has been advertised & it will be commited to the press as soon as I have the honour of your reply. Most unfeignedly sir have your...
1486To George Washington from John Joseph de Barth and Mr. Thiebaud, 19 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
A great number of french people are arrived in this Country with an intention to settle on lands, which they have respectively acquired from the agents of the Scioto Company residing in Paris; which lands are situated between the Ohio & Scioto rivers in the Western territory of the United States, as expressed in the Contract between the United States and Messrs Sergent & Cutler. Independent of...
1487To George Washington from Arthur Fenner, 20 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having been lately elected, by the Freemen of this State, to the office of their first Magistrate, I therefore embrace this early oppertunity of assuring you of the sincere regard which I, in common with the Citizens in general, feel for your Excellency personally. Admist the Universal Applause and the grateful Acknowledgements of United America singular indeed would it be, if the Citizens of...
1488To George Washington from George Clinton, 21 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
With this I do myself the Honor to inclose You Copies of Letters from Lieut. Colonel Woolsey, Judge Platt, Justice Moor, and other Inhabitants of this State residing on the West Banks of Lake Champlain containing all the Information which I at present have on the Subject to which they relate. Your present Indisposition will not permit me personally to attend You on this Business and I have...
1489To George Washington from Ebenezer Thompson, 21 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Tho I am not insansiable that your Excellency must be troubled with many applications of this nature, Yet as it is probable that this state will in a few days adopt the Constitution and Laws of the Union, I take the liberty to request that you will be pleased to appoint me to the office of Collector of the Revenue for the port and District of Providence, an office which I now Sustain Under the...
1490To George Washington from Thomas Wignell, 22 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Wignell, with the utmost respect and deference, has the Honor of transmitting to the President of the United States, two copies of the Contrast. AL , DLC:GW . Thomas Wignell (d. 1803), an English actor, was a cousin of actor and theatrical manager Lewis Hallam. After performing in David Garrick’s Drury Lane Company, Wignell came to America in 1774. He performed with Hallam’s American...
1491To George Washington from Thomas Bee, 23 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Death of Mr Drayton having caused a Vacancy in the Fœderal Court for this State, I am induced to Offer myself as a Candidate for the Office I requested Mr Izard and Major Butler on a former Occasion to mention my Name to your Excellency, but your absence from New York, prevented them doing so in time. The reason of my not writing to you then myself was that I apprehended an application...
1492To George Washington from William Scudder, 23 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that a Body of Troops are to be Raised for the defence of the Frontiers—I would beg the liberty to mention, that during the late War, I took an active Part in the cause of the Country as early as Seventeen Hundred & Seventy five, & in the Service in July 1779 I was taken a Prisoner by the Indians at Fort Schuyler, and from a long Captivity in Canada, with a number of Misfortunes...
1493To George Washington from John Collins, 24 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
In all the Vicissitudes of time, and changes of Sentiments that have taken place in the united states, I have uniformly believed that the most essential happiness of our Country, ultimately depended, upon the establishment of an efficient executive power, under one federal head; being the only means, to obtain that tone to government necessary, to answer the ends of its institution; the...
1494From George Washington to the United States Senate, 25 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 25th 1790. I nominate the following persons to fill the offices affixed to their names—viz. Samuel Jasper, to be Surveyor of the Port of Currituck-Inlet in the State of North Carolina. Nathaniel Wilkins, to be Collector of the Port of Cherry Stone in the State of Virginia, in the place of George Savage, who has resigned. Henry Deering, to...
1495From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury conceives it to be his duty most respectfully to represent to the President of the United states, that there are, in his judgment, objections of a very serious & weighty nature to the resolutions of the two houses of Congress of the twenty first instant, concerning certain arrears of pay due to the Officers and soldiers of the Lines of Virginia and North Carolina....
1496From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 28, 1790. Submits “five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c on the river and Bay of Delaware” and recommends that these Contracts be approved. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1497To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 28 May 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Giuseppe Chiappe, 28 May 1790. In a letter to GW of 18 Jan. 1791 , Chiappe refers to his letter of the “28th of the month of May.”
1498To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c. on the river and Bay of Delaware, and the letter received with them. After due examination in this Office, the Contracts appear advantageous to the United states. Should they be approved, immediate...
1499To George Washington from Hugh Williamson, 28 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
While you are considering of a proper Person for Governor of the Territory ceded by North Carolina I take the Liberty of requesting that you would be so good as to enquire whether Mr William Blount would not probably discharge that Trust with Honour to himself and advantage to the Public. Those People who had most of them been separated from the State for some Years, have been toren by...
1500I. The Opinion of Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury conceives it to be his duty most respectfully to represent to the President of the United States, that there are in his judgment, objections of a very serious and weighty nature to the resolutions of the two Houses of Congress of the twenty-first instant, concerning certain arrears of pay, due to the Officers and soldiers of the Lines of Virginia and North...