651George Washington to the Trustees of the Germantown Academy, [ca. 6 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The readiness with which the Trustees of the school of Germ. to. tender the buildings under their charge for the use of Congress is a proof of their zeal for furthering the public good. And doubtless the other inhabitants actuated by the same motives will feel the same dispositions to accomodate if necessary those who assemble but for their service and that of their fellow citizens. Where it...
652George Washington to the Justices of the Supreme Court, [22 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The circumstances which had induced me to ask your counsel on certain legal questions interesting to the public, exist now as they did then: but I by no means press a decision whereon you wish the advice and participation of your absent brethren. Whenever therefore their presence shall enable you to give it with more satisfaction to yourselves, I shall accept it with pleasure. Dft ( DNA : RG...
653George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had under consideration Mr. Hallet’s plans for the capitol , which undoubtedly have a great deal of merit. Doctor Thornton has also given me a view of his. These last come forward under some very advantageous circumstances. The grandeur, simplicity, and beauty of the exterior, the propriety with which the apartments are distributed, and economy in the mass of the whole structure, will I...
654George Washington to the Senate, 8 May 1792 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
If the President of the U.S. should conclude a Convention or treaty with the Government of Algiers for the ransom of the thirteen Americans in captivity there, for a sum not exceeding 40,000 dollars, all expences included, will the Senate approve the same? or is there any & what greater or lesser sum, which they would fix on as the limit beyond which they would not approve the ransom? If the...
655George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [2 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
As the present situation of the several nations of Europe, and especially of those with which the US. have important relations, cannot but render the state of things between them and us matter of interesting enquiry to the legislature, and may indeed give rise to deliberations to which they alone are competent, I have thought it my duty to communicate to them certain correspondences which have...
656To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 24 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President wishes the Secretary of State to let him know what measures, in his opinion, will be proper to be taken on the subject stated by the British Consul Genl. [ Note by TJ: ] Bond’s letter of Aug. 23. RC ( DLC ); in Tobias Lear’s hand, with note at foot of text by TJ; addressed: “The Secretary of [State]”; endorsed by TJ as a letter from Washington received 26 Aug. 1793. Recorded in...
657Commission, 22 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Skill, and Diligence of Thomas Johnson and Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and David Stuart of Virginia, I do . . ., in Pursuance of the Powers vested in me by the Act intituled “An Act for establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States,” hereby appoint them the said Thomas Johnson, Daniel...
658Enclosure: Exequatur for Thomas Dannery, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
George Washington President of the United States of America. To all whom it may concern. The Citizen Dannery having produced to me his commission as Consul for the Republick of France at Boston, I do hereby recognize him as such, and do declare him free to exercise and enjoy such functions, powers, and priviledges, as are allowed to Consuls of the French Republick by the laws, treaties, and...
659To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, With Jefferson’s Comment, 19 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have run over the four numbers of Genl. Green’s letters to Congress—herewith returned—and find nothing contained in them, unmarked by you, which ought, in my opinion, to be with held from the Public. Even those of the 3d. of Novr. 1780, tho’ quite unnecessary, might pass with an explanatory note on the then value of our paper currency. It probably is best to [leave] out the scored part of...
660George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 30 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you for your consideration a letter from the Secretary of State, informing me of certain impediments, which have arisen to the coinage of the precious Metals at the Mint. As also a letter from the same Officer relative to certain advances of money, which have been made on public account. Should you think proper to sanction what has been done, or be of opinion that any thing more...
661To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
On further consideration I have thought it may be as well to omit the proposition for making any addition however small to the foreign fund, till the next session of Congress, by which time it will be more evident whether it is necessary or not. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir Your most obedt & most humble servt ALS (letterpress), DLC : Jefferson Papers. Congress voted to...
662From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to send him the letters and orders referred to in Mr. Morris’s letter, except that of the 8th. of April, which must be a mistake for some other date, as the records of the office perfectly establish that no letters were written to him in the months of March and April but those of Mar. 12. and 15. and Apr. 20. and 26. now inclosed....
663To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The opinion is, 1. that the attorney for the district of Kentucky do forthwith take the most effectual measures for prosecuting according to law O’Fallon; and that he be informed, that unless the testimony within his reach will clearly subject him to the charge of treason, the prosecution be for a riot. 2. that a proclamation issue, reciting the treaties, law and further proclamation on this...
664Henry Knox’s Report on Defense, with Opinion by Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 6 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of War humbly reports to the President of the United States That the following measures appear necessary to be taken in order in some degree to place the United States in a situation to guard themselves from injury by any of the belligerent powers of Europe. 1st. To have all the small arms of the United States put in order for immediate use. 2dly. To have all the cannon in...
665Enclosure: Letter of Protection for Friendly Indians, [13 March 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
George Washington , President of the United States of America. To all to whom these Presents shall come. Know Ye , That the Nation of Indians called the inhabiting the Town of and other Towns, Villages and Lands of the same community, are, in their persons, Towns, Villages, Lands, Hunting-grounds and other Rights and Property in the Peace and under the Protection of the United States of...
666George 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...
667George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 9 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of Sep. 5 . and in consequence thereof have authorised Mr. David Ross of Bladensburg, and Colo. Robert Townshend Hooe of Alexandria, to examine the accounts and vouchers of the expenditure of the monies appropriated to your trust as Commissioners of the public buildings of the federal territory, and to certify to me the result. Dft ( DLC : Washington Papers);...
668George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [30 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate to you the translation of a letter received from the Representatives of Spain here in reply to that of the Secretary of state to them of the 21st. inst. which had before been communicated to you. Dft ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand, unsigned and undated; with dateline and part of salutation completed by George Taylor, Jr. (see notes below); endorsed by Taylor. Enclosure: Josef de Jaudenes...
669George Washington to the Senate, 9 April 1792 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee to report that the President does not think that circumstances will justify, in the present instance, his entering into absolute engagements for the ransom of our captives in Algiers, not callg. for money from the treasury, nor raising it by loan, without previous authority from both branches of the legislature If the President should enter into a Provisional convention with...
670Proclamation of the Consular Convention of 1788, [9 April 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation Whereas a Convention for defining and establishing the functions and privileges of the respective Consuls and vice-Consuls of his most Christian Majesty and of the said United States, was concluded and signed by the Plenipotentiaries of his said most Christian Majesty and of the said United States, duly and respectively...
671George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [28 November 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the { Senate H. of Representatives I now lay before you, for your further information, some additional advices lately received, on the subject of the hostilities committed by the Chuckamogga towns, or under their name and guidance. The importance of preventing this hostile spirit from spreading to other tribes, or other parts of the same tribe of Indians, a considerable military...
672George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 31 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, with his account of the expenditure of the monies appropriated for our intercourse with foreign nations, from the 1st. of July 1792 to the 1st. of July 1793. and other papers relating thereto. PrC ( DLC ); in the hand of George Taylor, Jr., unsigned. Tr ( MHi ); 19th-century copy. Enclosures: TJ to Washington, 31 Dec. 1793 (first...
673To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson sends to the President a letter he has received from mister Hammond, with the general sketch of an answer he had proposed to write to him. he will have the honour of seeing the President on the subject to-day. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . For the background to this letter, see GW to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1791, n.3 , Jefferson to GW, 10 April, n.1 ,...
674Cabinet Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls and Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to Mr. Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to Mr. Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of Mr. Genet, were read and approved. A letter from the Governr. of Georgia to the Secy. of...
675Cabinet Opinion on Military Rations, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having considered the note of the President of the U.S. to General Knox, on the subject of increased rations; we are of opinion, that a proposition to congress at this time concerning such increase would be inexpedient, even if the question were more free from difficulty, than it is. But liable as it is to objections , the inexpediency of such a proposition now , acquires double force. MS (...
676To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 15 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States approves of the enclosed Letter to Mr. Hammond, and likewise of that to Mr. Rawle. [ Note by TJ :] viz the letter of May 15. 93. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; addressed: “The Secretary of State”; with subjoined note by TJ. Enclosures: (1) TJ to George Hammond, 15 May 1793 . (2) TJ to William Rawle, 15 May 1793 . Recorded in SJPL .
677To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 15 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President approves of the enclosed draft of a letter to Mr. Morris—and wishes to know if there is any opportunity of sending it directly, as he thinks it would be best for him to send the one for Made. la fayette, to Mr. Morris at the same time, knowing that she is in France. [ Note by TJ: ] This was the letter of Mar. 15. 93. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; addressed: “The...
678George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 23 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the communications which were made to you on the affairs of the United States with Spain and on the Truce between Portugal and Algiers, some other papers have been received which making a part of the same subjects are now communicated for your information. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records, 3d Cong., 1st sess.); in Benjamin Bankson’s hand, signed by Washington. Enclosures: (1) Josef de...
679To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President approves the enclosed and wishes the Secretary to send it as soon as convenient. [ Note by TJ: ] This was the letter to Mr. Genet on his proposal respecting the French debt. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; addressed: “The Secretary of State”; with note by TJ at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as received 12 June 1793. Recorded in SJPL .
680The President to the House of Representatives, 26 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from the Governor of North Carolina a copy of an act of the General assembly of that state authorizing him to convey to the U.S. the right and jurisdiction of the sd. state over one acre of land in Occacock island and ten acres on the Cape island within the sd. state, for the purpose of erecting lighthouses thereon, together with the deed of the Governor in pursuance thereof,...
681George Washington to Thomas Barclay, 11 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having furnished me with means for procuring peace, and ransoming our captive citizens from the government of Algiers, I have thought it best, while you are engaged at Marocco, to appoint Admiral Jones to proceed to Algiers, and therefore have sent him a commission for establishing peace, another for the ransom of our captives, and a third to act there as Consul for the U.S. and full...
682Enclosure: Revocation of Duplaine’s Exequatur, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
George Washington President of the United States of America. To all whom it may concern. The Sieur Antoine Charbonet Duplaine heretofore having produced to me his Commission as Vice Consul for the Republick of France, within the States of New Hampshire, Massachussets, and Rhode Island, and having thereon received from me an Exequatur bearing date the fifth day of June 1793. recognising him as...
683To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, incloses him a publication by mister Knox an Under-secretary of state in England, who seems to have been the true parent of the British system with respect to our commerce. he asks the favour of the President to read the paper No. 18—page 60—as it shews the expectation of what would be done on our part, & an acknolegement of the injury it...
684To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States requests that the Secretary of State will lay the enclosed letter before the Gentlemen who are to meet today—that it may be taken into consideration with the other matters which may be before them. [ Note by TJ: ] viz. a letter from T. Newton. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear; with note by TJ at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May 1793....
685George Washington to the Senate, 10 April 1792 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
If the President should enter into a Provisional convention with the government of Algiers for a sum not exceeding 40,000 dollars, will the Senate advise & consent to it’s ratification, the government of Algiers being made clearly to understand that we are not to be bound by the treaty until it shall be ratified? If this sum appears too high, what lower limit would the Senate approve? If the...
686George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [14] December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation of affairs in Europe, in the course of the year 1790. having rendered it possible that a moment might arrive favorable for the arrangement of our unsettled matters with Spain, it was thought proper to prepare our representative at that court to avail us of it. A confidential person was therefore dispatched to be the bearer of instructions to him, and to supply by verbal...
687To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 15 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Captn. of Marines on Board the Ambuscade has just put the enclosed into my hands. He was sent he says on purpose to do it—and waits only for an answer. Give it I pray you such an one as it ought to receive. Yours Almost dark [ Note by TJ: ] This was Genet’s letter of Aug. 13. addressed to the Presidt. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The Secy of State”; with TJ’s note at foot of text;...
688VI. 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...
689Agenda for Commissioners of the Federal District, [ca. 5 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimates &ca. are sent to shew the views &ca. of Majr. LEnfant. MS ( DLC : Washington Papers); in the hands of both TJ and Washington, as indicated in notes below; undated, but certainly written after 1 Mch. and on or before 6 Mch. 1792. It is very probable that TJ wrote the first part of the agenda and sent it or left it with Washington on 5 Mch. 1792 (see Washington to TJ, 4 Mch. 1792 ) and...
690To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 2 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very well satisfied with the train things are in. You will recollect that the Proclamation, Rules and other things are referred to in the Speech . I shall depend upon there being got ready at your Office. Yours &ca [ Note by TJ :] Answer to note of this day respecting publication of proceedings with Gr. Britn. RC ( DLC ); in Washington’s hand, with note by TJ at foot of text; addressed:...
691To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, with Jefferson’s Note, 20 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President returns the enclosed draft of a letter to Mr. Pinckney, the contents of which meet his approbation. The President will thank Mr. Jefferson to send him a map of the Federal City, if he has any by him. [ Note by TJ: ] The above was the letter of Mar. 16. 93. to Mr. Pinckney. RC ( DLC ); in the hand of Tobias Lear, except for note by TJ at foot of first page below dateline; second...
692George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [14–16 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the { Senate House of Repr. I lay before you a Report of the Secretary of state on the measures which have been taken on behalf of the US. for the purpose of obtaining a recognition of our treaty with Marocco, and for the ransom of our citizens and establishment of peace with Algiers. While it is proper our citizens should know that subjects which so much concern their interests...
693George Washington to Madame de Lafayette, 15 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I addressed a few lines to you on the 31st. of January, in a state of entire uncertainty in what country or condition they might find you, as we had been sometimes told you were in England, sometimes in Holland, and at sometimes in France. Your letter of Octob. 8. 1792. first relieved me from doubt, and gave me a hope that, being in France, and on your own estate, you are not as destitute, as...
694George 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,...
695George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The regular course which the affairs of the Federal city are likely to move in by the appointment of a Superintendant, who may relieve you from details, and from all sacrifices of time except your periodical meetings, enables me now to proceed, on more certain grounds to the subject of compensation. That a proper compensation should be made you must undoubtedly be the public expectation as...