15681From George Washington to Ebenezer Tucker, 24 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Captain Burnett delivered me your letter of the 18. instant , and is so obliging as to take charge of this answer. It is my sincere opinion that the land mentioned in it is worth what I asked for it—to wit four dollars per acre, and once would have sold for it; but, if, in the present scarcity of cash it will not fetch that sum, let those, who are really inclinable to buy, come forward, like...
15682From George Washington to Samuel Tucker, 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received repeated informations that a Number of persons known to be inimical to the Cause of the American States, or of a Suspicious Character have lately removed from this and other Places into the County of Monmouth in New Jersey, with intent no doubt from its Situation, of Communicating with and Aiding our Enemies: All those of Similar Characters on Long Island and the Other Counties...
15683From George Washington to Samuel Tucker, 24 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Readiness shewn by the Committee of safety for the Province of New Jersey to succour this Place with their Millitia on a late Occasion when they were at my Request called upon by Brigadier General The Earl of Stirling and the Alacrity with which I am Informed the Millitia then stepped forward in Defence of their Country are Sufficient Proofs of the Important Service the province of New...
15684From George Washington to Samuel Tucker, 21 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
As we have the strongest reason to beleive the period is just at Hand or will soon be, when we shall have the most pressing occasion for Troops successfully to oppose and defeat the formidable Army we expect against us, I confess I feel myself not a little concerned for the slow manner in which the Levies come in that were required by Congress, and which will be essential to counteract the...
15685From George Washington to St. George Tucker, 30 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th Ulto, from Winchester, came duly to hand; but presuming you were on a Circuit, I have allowed time for the completion, to offer you my acknowledgment of its receipt. My Sollicitude for the establishment of a National University in this Country, has been great, and unceasing; but as the sentiments of the Legislature have not been in unison therewith, I had postponed the...
15686From George Washington to William Tudor, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your friendly letter of the 26th of July, together with the History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts; and cannot delay to return you my thanks for these tokens of your regard. Though I have not yet had time to look through the book, from the interesting nature of the subject, and the judicious manner in which it seems to be handled, I anticipate considerable amusement...
15687From George Washington to John Tulleken, 12 May 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Tulleken, 12 May 1757. On 27 Oct. 1757 Tulleken wrote to GW : “Your very Agreable letter of the 12th of May I but very lately had the pleasure of receiveing.”
15688From George Washington to Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recvd your letter of the 22 Int. Capn Farnum carries up the arrangement with him—as all claims are to receive their final discussion—he will now have it in his power to lay his before such officers as may be appointed to give opinion in cases of disputed rank. I must refer the Capn to the officer commanding at your post on the subject of a furlough. The liberty of granting furloughs has been...
15689From George Washington to Benjamin Tupper, 21 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
In posting Officers to the Light Infantry for this Campaign, I neither forgot nor meant to neglect you—so far from it, I intend to convince you of my sense of your merit by this proof of my attention & an assurance, that under a comparative view of all circumstances the arrangement as new made appeared most likely to promote the public service in general. At the same time, that I was conscious...
15690From George Washington to Benjamin Tupper, 20 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have reced your Letter of the 11th Instant and another without date the former inclosing the proceedings of a Court Martial held for the Trial of Shem Kentfield. Inclosed you have Copy of the General Order approving the proceedings and a Warrant for the Execution of the Prisoner—the place of Execution is left to you. The necessity of the Contractors furnishing Lard bread when required has...
15691From George Washington to Benjamin Tupper, 29 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I think it best, under present Circumstances, that you should remain in your present Command untill the Arrival of Colo. Reed, or the removal of the Troops from Albany. I wish it was in my power to comply with your Request for an additional Allowance of Rations, so long as you remain—I think it very reasonable, but a positive Resolve of Congress forbids it. It is equally out of my Ability to...
15692From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this morning Received Information that One or more Boats have pass’d thro: the Narrows in defiance of the fire from the Rifle Men, who had no Boats to pursue them, this passage I had reason to suppose was properly guarded by the Whale Boats under your Command—and am not a little surprized on hearing the Contrary—I do expect you will for the future have them rowing across the Narrows from...
15693From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 18 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 18 May 1776. Tupper’s letter to GW of 16 May is endorsed in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing: “Ansd 18.”
15694From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tupper, 20 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Whereas Information has been given to me that two Vessels the one belonging to Holmes & the other to Coffin, both Persons of known Enmity to the United Colonies are now laying at Martha’s Vineyard, intending to proceed to Boston with their Cargoes for the Benefit & Refreshment of the ministerial Troops there—These are therefore to require you to seize the said Vessels, with their Cargoes, &...
15695From George Washington to Benjamin Tupper, 27 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed according to the General Order of the day with your Regiment to Verplanks Point, in order to assist in repairg the Work at that place—You will take your Tents with you, and in the first place attend to the comfort and conveniency of your Men by building Chimneys to the Tents—You will take your directions, as to the repair of the Works, from Major Rochefontaine the Acting...
15696From George Washington to Philip Turner, 24 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your letter of the 3d instant with its inclosure. It would give me much satisfaction to find so necessary a department as the medical on ⟨the⟩ most unexceptionable footing. But as [I] do not undertake to judge in cases of this nature I would imagine that Congress will adopt such changes as may appear best calculated to this end, and to reconcile any want of harmony which...
15697From George Washington to Thomas Turner, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Altho^ I am not much accustomed to accept presents, I cannot refuse one offered in such polite terms as accompanied the Pistols & furniture you were so obliging as to send me by Captn Fauntleroy. They are very elegant, & deserve my best thanks, which are offered with much sincerity. The favourable Sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, & the obliging and flattering manner in which they...
15698Speech to the Tuscarora Indians, 1 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
This will be Deliverd you by our Brother Tom, a Warrior of the Nottoways, who with others of that Nation, have distinguished themselves in our service this summer, against our Cruel and perfidious Enemys —The intent of this, is, to Assure you of our real Friendship and Love—and to confirm & Strengthen that chain of Friendship, which has subsisted between us for so many ages past, a Chain like...
15699From George Washington to Brigadier General John Tyler, 28 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yr favor of the 18th inst. by serjt Hebberd, who delivered with it Richd Bird—his Pocket Book containing sundry Papers 3 half Joes two Gu[i]neas & 100 Paper Dollars inclosed in a letter from his Wife —I have not the least doubt of his past Villainous conduct, and intentions to practice the same in future & shall therefore have him properly secured until he can be conveyed to...
15700From George Washington to John Tyler, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been this day honored thro’ the hands of the Delegates of your State in Congress with your favor of the 21st December inclosing a Vote of the House of Delegates of the 17th. For so singular and honorable a mark of their attention and Esteem I beg leave through you, Sir, to present my humble thanks; and for the polite manner in which the Resolve was transmitted, I intreat you to accept...
15701From George Washington to the United Baptist Churches of Virginia, May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I request that you will accept my best acknowledgments for your congratulation on my appointment to the first office in the nation. The kind manner in which you mention my past conduct equally claims the expression of my gratitude. After we had, by the smiles of Heaven on our exertions, obtained the object for which we contended, I retired at the conclusion of the war, with an idea that my...
15702From George Washington to the United Brethren of Wachovia, North Carolina, 1 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I am greatly indebted to your respectful and affectionate expressions of personal regard, and I am not less obliged by the patriotic sentiments contained in your address. From a Society, whose governing principles are industry and the love of order, much may be expected towards the improvement and prosperity of the country, in which their settlements are formed—and experience authorises the...
15703From Robert Morris to United States Congress, 10 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Subscribers, taking into Consideration the important Situation of Affairs in the present Moment, and the Propriety & even Necessity of informing the People and rousing them into Action; considering also the Abilities of Mr Thomas Paine as a Writer, and that he has been of considerable Utility to the common Cause by several of his Publications. They have agreed that it will be much for the...
15704From George Washington to United States Congress, 8 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Upon a careful examination of the Report delivered to Congress the 17th of June, by the Committee on the Peace Arrangement the following remarks have occurred. Nothwithstanding there may not be any very essential difference between the proposed Plan for a standing Force now under consideration, & the Sketches which were given in my Memorial of the 1st of May; yet it is my wish to make known...
15705From George Washington to United States Congress, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with...
15706From George Washington to the U.S. House of Representatives, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
With the utmost attention, I have considered your resolution of the twenty fourth instant, requesting me to lay before your House, a copy of the instructions to the Minister of the United States, who negociated the treaty with the king of Great Britain, together with the correspondence and other documents relative to that treaty, excepting such of the said papers, as any existing negociation...
15707From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 7 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I shall not affect to conceal the cordial satisfaction, which I derive, from the Address of the House of Representatives. Whatsoever those services may be, which you have sanctioned by your favor, it is a sufficient reward, that they have been accepted as they were meant. For the fulfilment of your anticipations of the future, I can give no other assurance, than that the motives, which you...
15708From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 13 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The sentiments expressed in your address are intitled to my particular acknowledgment. Having no object but the good of our Country, this testimony of approbation and confidence from it’s immediate Representatives, must be among my best rewards, as the support of your enlightened patriotism has been among my greatest encouragements. Being persuaded that you will continue to be actuated by the...
15709From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 14 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I receive with pleasure the assurances you give me that you will diligently and anxiously pursue such measures as shall appear to you conducive to the interests of your Constituents; and that an early and serious consideration will be given to the various and weighty matters, recommended by me to your attention. I have full confidence that your deliberations will continue to be directed by an...
15710From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 30 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I now transmit you a report by the Secretary of State, of such laws, decrees and ordinances, or their substance respecting commerce in the countries, with which the United States have commercial intercourse, as he has received, and had not stated in his report of the sixteenth instant. Copy, DNA : RG 233, Third Congress, 1793–95, House Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals; LB , DLC:GW...
15711From George Washington to the U.S. House of Representatives, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having maturely considered the bill, to alter and amend an Act intitled an Act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States, which was presented to me on the 22d day of this month I now return it to the house of Representatives, in which it originated, with my objections. First. If the bill passes into a law, the two companies of light dragoons will be from that moment...
15712From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 28 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The pleasure I derive from an assurance of your attention to the objects I have recommended to you, is doubled by your concurrence in the testimony I have borne to the prosperous condition of our public Affairs. Relying on these sanctions of your enlightened Judgment, and on your patriotic aid, I shall be the more encouraged in all my endeavours for the public weal; and particularly in those...
15713From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 8 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your very affectionate Address produces emotions which I know not how to express. I feel that my past endeavours in the Service of Country are far overpaid by its goodness: and I fear much that my future ones may not fulfil your kind anticipation. All that I can promise is, that they will be invariably directed by an honest and an ardent zeal. Of this resource my heart assures me. For all...
15714VI: To the United States House of Representatives, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have maturely considered the Act passed by the two Houses, intituled “An Act for an apportionment of Representatives among the several States according to the first enumeration;” and I return it to your House, wherein it originated, with the following objections. First—The Constitution has prescribed that representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their...
15715From George Washington to the U.S. House of Representatives, 29 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I anticipated with confidence the concurrence of the House of Representatives in the regret produced by the insurrection. Every effort ought to be used to discountenance what has contributed to foment it, & thus discourage a repetition of like attempts. For notwithstanding the consolations which may be drawn from the issue of the event, it is far better that the artful approaches to such a...
15716From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Philip Burr Bradley of Connecticut, to be Marshal of and for the Connecticut district, continued, the legal term of his former appointment having expired. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . For Bradley’s original nomination to this position, see GW to U.S. Senate, 24 Sept. 1789...
15717From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 31st 1790 M. de Poiery served in the American Army for several of the last years of the late war, as Secretary to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, and might probably at that time have obtained the Commission of Captain from Congress upon application to that Body. At present he is an officer in the French National Guards, and...
15718From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 12 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
On the twenty ninth day of December 1794 the following nominations for promotions were laid before the Senate. First Sub Legion Bernard Gaines Captain 30 June 1794 vice Kersey promoted. Bartholomew Shomberg ditto ditto vice Hartshorne killed John Wade ditto 1 July vice Peters promoted. Ross Bird ditto 6 July
15719From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I send herewith a copy of the Treaty of Friendship, Limits and Navigation, between the United States and his Catholic Majesty, which has been ratified by me with your Advice and Consent. A copy of the Treaty will be immediately communicated to the House of Representatives: it being necessary to make provision, in the present Session, for carrying into execution the Third and Twenty first...
15720From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 9th 1790. Among the persons appointed during your late Session, to offices under the national Government, there were some who declined serving. Their names and offices are specified in the first column of the annexed list. I supplied these Vacancies, agreeably to the Constitution, by temporary appointments; which you will find...
15721From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the communications of a deputation from the Cherokee Nation of Indians now in this City. And I request your advice, whether an additional Article shall be made to the Cherokee treaty, to the following effect—to wit. That the sum to be paid annually by the United States to the Cherokee nation of Indians, in consideration of the relinquishment of lands, as stated in the treaty...
15722From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I submit to your consideration the report of the Secretary of State which accompanies this, stating the reasons for extending the negotiation proposed at Madrid to the subject of commerce, and explaining, under the form of instructions to the Commissioners lately appointed to that Court, the principles on which commercial arrangements with Spain might, if desired on her part, be acceded to on...
15723From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill the offices annexed to their names respectively—namely— Nathaniel Rogers, to be Marshal of the New-Hampshire District; vice John Parker, deceased. Alexander Moore, to be Surveyor of the Port of West Point, in Virginia; vice John Spotswood Moore, who has resigned his appointmt. Charles Brown, to be Collector of the Port of George Town, in South Carolina;...
15724From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate January 11th 1790. I have directed Mr Lear, my private Secretary, to lay before you a copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States by the State of North Carolina, together with the copy of a letter from His Excellency Samuel Johnson President of the Convention of said State to the President of the United States....
15725From George Washington to the United States Senate, 29 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I nominate John Boyd, of Northumberland, to be Inspector of the Revenue for Survey No. 2 in the District of Pennsylvania; vice James Collins: and John Driver, of Virginia, to be Surveyor for the Port of Suffolk; and Inspector of the Revenue for the same port; vice Samuel Riddick; resigned. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s...
15726From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Woodbury Langdon of the State of New Hampshire to be one of the Commissioners for settling the Accounts between the United States and individual States, in place of John Taylor Gilman who has resigned his appointment—and William Gardner to be Commissioner of Loans in the State of New Hampshire, in place of Nathaniel Gilman who has declined his appointment. LS , DNA : RG 46, First...
15727From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Edward Church of Georgia, heretofore appointed but not received as Consul for the United States at Bilboa, to be Consul for the United States at the Port of Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and for such other parts within the allegiance of her most Faithful Majesty as shall be nearer to the said port, than to the residence of any other Consul, or Vice-Consul of the United States...
15728Enclosure: Nominations for Vacancies, 3 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nominations for Promotions and Appointments. First Regiment. Major David Zeigler vice Wyllys killed. Major Richard Call vice Parker declined. Virginia. Captains. Thomas Doyle vice Zeigler promoted. John Armstrong vice Mercer resigned. John Pratt vice Heart promoted. Lieutenants. Cornelius Sedam vice Doyle promoted. John Jeffers vice Frothingham killed. Abner Pryor vice Armstrong promoted. Asa...
15729From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Act for the admission of the State of Vermont into this Union having fixed on this, as the day of its 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 receive nominations of the several Officers necessary to put the federal Government...
15730From George Washington to the United States Senate, 24 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I nominate for the Supreme-Court of the United States John Jay of New York, Chief-Justice John Rutledge, of South Carolina, James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, Associate Judges