11Cabinet Opinions on Indian Affairs, [25 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
12Cabinet Opinion on the American Debt to France, 2 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th. of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury, with sundry Papers No. I. II. III and IV. relating to a negotiation for changing the form of the debt to France; and required their opinion...
13Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet and James King, 7 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and Atty. Genl. at the President’s on the 7th. of Dec. 1793. Mr. Genet’s letter of Dec. 3. questioning the right of requiring the address of Consular commissions to the President was read. It is the opinion that the address may be either to the US. or to the President of the US. but that one of these shoud be insisted on. A letter from James King was...
14Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creeks, 31 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments and Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from Mr. Gore to Mr. Lear dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston and furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process...
15Minutes of a Meeting Concerning the Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania, [24 August 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a Meeting at the Presidents House City of Philadelphia Aug 24. 1794 Present The President of The United States. The Secretary of State The Secretary of the Treasury. The President proposed for the opinion and advice of The Secretary of State & the Secretary of the Treasury the following questions. 1 Shall orders issue for the immediate convening of the whole or any part of the Militia...
16Cabinet Opinions on Various Letters, [23 November 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
At sundry meetings of the heads of departments and Attorney General from the 1st. to the 21st. of Nov. 1793. at the President’s several matters were agreed upon as stated in the following letters from the Secretary of state. To wit: Nov. 8. Circular letter to the representatives of France, Gr. Brit. Spain and the U. Netherlands, fixing provisorily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at...
17Cabinet Opinion on the Creek Indians and Georgia, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States having assembled the heads of the respective departments and the attorney General, laid before them for their advice thereon, sundry communications from the Governor of Georgia, and others, relatively to the recent alarming depredations of the creek Indians upon the State of Georgia. Whereupon after the subject was maturely considered and discussed it was...
18To 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...
19Cabinet 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...
20Henry 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...
21Cabinet 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 (...
22To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The only additional inquiry, which I have been able to make, concerning Mr S——l, was from Mr Brown; who thinks that the inclinations of that gentleman are strong towards peace; but that he would not hesitate to contend with zeal for any boundary, which his instructions might prescribe. Indeed, if a doubt of his tendency on this head should be considered as the only objection to him, I suspect,...
23To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing to you some very afflicting letters from M. de la Fayette to his intimate friends in Europe. They are accompanied by a letter from Tollendal, addressed to you, which shews the reason of their being sent. Many of them are in French; and I will have them translated, if you should not think, that those, which are in English, and in the same unhappy strain, would...
24To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I must call upon your friendship to excuse me for again mentioning the convention at Philadelphia. Your determination having been fixed on a thorough review of your situation, I feel, like an intruder, when I again hint a wish, that you would join the delegation. But every day brings forth some new crisis, and the confederation is, I fear, the last anchor of our hope. Congress have taken up...
25To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 31 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of sending to the President a letter from Colo. Smith; upon which he is now in conference with Mr Hammond and the result will be communicated to the President in the morning. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Samuel Smith’s letter to Randolph of 29 March, sending information about...
26To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 10 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of submitting to the President a draft of a letter to Mr Hammond, upon Mr Butler’s statement. Judge Peters thinking that a marshall is immediately wanted, Mr Wm Nicolls’s name is inserted in the commission sent —A blank commission for the accountant is also transmitted. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries...
27To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
The secretary of State has the honor of reporting to the President on the letter of Mr Short from San Lorenzo, of Novr 6. 1793, as follows: The first paragraph, and several others succeeding, relate to the causes of delay in the departure of Mr Blake. The four marked thus (X) mention, that Spain has furnished a convoy to American vessels against the Algerines; that the answer, promised by the...
28To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 29 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that he saw Judge Wilson yesterday, and Mr Madison last evening. The former, to whom E.R. took an occasion of bringing up the subject of the resolution of the senate in a general Shape, said, that what they might have, he thought, ought to be sent; and what they ought not to have, ought not to be sent. The latter expressed himself thus: “I...
29To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 10 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of sending to the President all the letters of consequence, written to Colo. Humphries concerning the Algerine Mission, since the last money was voted by congress. They are of the following dates. July 19. August 25, Novr 21 on the same sheet with a rough letter to Short—and Decr 31, 1794. It is observable too, that these letters were written, as soon as it was...
30To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
The appointment of Mr Pickering, which is mentioned in your favor of the 21st instant from George Town, was noted in my report on the laws. I mentioned the subject to the attorney-general, who promised to consider, whether a fresh commission was necessary. I have the honor of inclosing a new commission; and if it should appear to be improper or unnecessary, in the opinion of the law-officer, I...
31To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 1 February 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 1 Feb. 1792. In a letter of 2 Feb. to Randolph, Tobias Lear mentioned “the Atty Genls note of last evening” to the president. Tobias Lear informed Edmund Randolph: “the President thinks it proper that the Atty Genl should proceed in Cottrell’s case in the manner mentioned in the Atty Genls note of last evening as the result of the conference between him...
32To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of the 21st instant. It shall be properly attended to. Yesterday brought me from New-York a flood of letters from Europe. Mr Jay’s letters are of the 31. Jany—2d feby—5th feby—6. feby—and 22d feby—They mention the letters from me, containing observations upon the two projets; and that he shall write by the Philadelphia Ships fully in answer. He thinks...
33To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of submitting to your consideration a letter from the late Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of an act passed on the 20th of March last, appropriating to our intercourse with foreign nations an additional million of dollars. He refers to a report, in which he has brought into view the necessity of some further provision, and transmits an extract of a letter from...
34To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
The expression in the opinion of the secretary of the treasury, to which you refer in your favor of the 27th ultimo, appears to me to amount to this: that we have lost ground in not being able to give as strong proofs of our neutrality now , as we were some time ago. No doubt he alluded principally to the rejection of the clause, sent from the senate to the house of representatives, for...
35To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 12 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
If the Foederal laws were ever so precise in censuring the conduct, to which you alluded in your communication to me on Saturday last, I should doubt, whether the source of your information is not too delicate to become the groundwork of a public act. Courts would be very reluctant in extracting testimony from the mouth of an associate, and perhaps the character of government demands, that...
36To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing to you a translation of the letters of Credence of Chevalier de Freire. By a Mr de Villemont a native and inhabitant of New Orleans, I have received two long letters of the 12th and 14th of august from Mr Short. It is full of dissatisfaction with the treasury-department, the department of state, & Mr Carmichael. With the first, for his having been so constantly...
37To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 16 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing to you a letter from Mr Z. Hollingsworth, attorney for the district of Maryland, in favor of Mr Graybell, as successor to Mr Ramsay. The silver coin of the U.S. bears upon its face so much neatness and simplicity, that I cannot restrain myself from transmitting a dollar for your inspection. In a letter of the 29th of July from Colo. Humphreys, an extract of...
38To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of observing to the President in reply to his queries; that the ruin of our merchants was expressed as strongly, as it is, in order to prepare Mr Short, in case some nervous measure should be adopted by government, with a general idea of the magnitude of the cause, before a particular explanation could be forwarded to him; and that, altho’ the jealousy mentioned by...
39To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 31 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has the honor of informing the President of the United States, that, having already accounted to him for the sum of thirteen thousand, two hundred dollars, destined for the relief of such of the exiles from St Domingo, as resided in the United States, he has offered the remaining eighteen hundred dollars, as follows: six hundred to Pennsylvania, which have been accepted:...
40To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 12 August 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 12 Aug. 1790. In a letter to Randolph of 12 Aug. 1790 GW referred to “your letter of this date.”
41To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I saw Mr Bourne and Mr Bradford together yesterday. The former is disinclined to the office of district attorney, saying, among many other things by way of objection, that nothing would tempt him to bring down upon him the fire of both parties. They agreed in the superiority of Howell as to talents; but as he never read the law, until he began to practise, I cannot conceive, that he possesses...
42To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph presents his respects to the President; and having this morning written the inclosed letter to Colo. Nicholas, he takes the liberty of submitting it to the President’s perusal. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. The enclosure has not been identified, but GW wrote on this document, "Draught approved. G. W——n."
43To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor to inform the President, that the subjects within the department of state for consultation, are 1. The form of a message, to accompany Mr Morris’s letters. 2. Whether Mr Pinckney’s last dispatches are to be communicated to congress? and how, if at all? When E.R. came from the President’s this afternoon, the office was shut; but he purposes to notify the gentlemen, as...
44To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 30 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The intelligence, as derived from Mr G. thro’ Mr N——s, stands thus: Colo. H. was asked by the committee, what authority he had for drawing the money borrowed in Europe, over here. His answer was, “I have verbal authority from the President, and fortunately written also”—It is supposed by Mr G., that the written authority, or rather the letter from Mount Vernon, which is referred to, does not...
45To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 4 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
No public dispatches, or public events have appeared, since I had the honor of writing to you yesterday. Mr Brown, the senator of Kentucky, who has been in town about three days, called upon me yesterday. He was not explicit, whether he had received letters from the western army; but I am convinced from the manner of his sounding me to discover, if I was prepared to listen with indulgence to...
46To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I had this moment the honor of receiving your letter of the 23d instant by a special messenger from Philadelphia. As he is impatient to return, and I mean to write a duplicate for Elkton, I will trouble you with but a short communication. At Baltimore and Elkton, two letters of different dates are waiting for your arrival; one written on the 23d, the other on the 25th instant. Since the...
47To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 3 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of observing to you this morning, that the commissioners ought not, in my opinion, nor indeed in the opinion of Mr Jefferson and Mr Madison, to abandon the legal title to the lots sold. The facility, which occurred to me, was, that the commissioners might by a power of attorney authorize Mr Pinckney or any other of our ministers residing at places abroad, where Mr Greenleaf...
48To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of returning to the President, the papers respecting the Ship of War to be built in Georgia. Nothing seems to be further necessary on the part of the President, unless perhaps it be to say to the Department, which has the principal superintendance of the Business, that a minute attention to economy is peculiarly desirable; and that it is recommended, that...
49To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency, as a Friend to the Reputation of Virginia, and the Interests of the Continent, that Colo. Harrison is again restored to the Councils of America. During his Absence at the Northward, he had been appointed one of our privy Council, but refused to qualify, as such. This afforded him an Opportunity, to vindicate himself from those malicious Insinuations, which first...
50To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed certificate will, I believe, authenticate the acts of Mr Harvie in his official character, to the fullest extent. This is the earliest moment, in which I could procure it. I am Dear sir with great truth yr affectionate friend & serv. ALS , NhD . The certificate has not been found, but see Randolph to GW, 9 July .
51To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
The bill, drawn by Edward Church on the Secretary of State and accepted by me, amounts to one hundred and fifty pounds sterling. The Secretary of the Treasury is disinclined to pay it out of the monies in his hands. I must therefore request you to give an order for the payment, out of the contingent fund at your disposal. The form of the Order may be somewhat in this shape. “The President of...
52To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, written about five days ago, the committee of the whole house have been engaged in the amendments from congress. Mr Henry’s motion, introduced about three weeks past, for postponing the consideration of them, was negatived by a great majority. The first ten were easily agreed to. The eleventh and twelfth were rejected 64 against 58. I confess, that I see no propriety in adopting...
53To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of submitting to the President the draught of the parts of the letter to Mr Hammond. The errors in writing will be corrected in the fair copy. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. The date is supplied from the docket on the AL , which agrees with the date on the letter-book copy. The draft, which...
54To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the rough draught of a deed, prepared to be executed by Colo. Bassett. I send it to you for your satisfaction, with an assurance that I shall not fail to accomplish the business at the next general court. I am Dear Sir with the greatest truth yr obliged and affte friend ALS , ViMtvL . See Randolph to GW, 15 May 1784 , and the references in note 2 of that document . See also...
55To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 8 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
We were so late in getting here last night, that I had not an opportunity of putting this letter into the mail. However, it is not of consequence enough to regret; as it only contains the message for the letter of Governor Fenner, Mr Pinckney’s memorial, and my answer. "To the two houses "Having forwarded to you on the 15 day of April last the copy of a letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary...
56To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your excellency’s favour, desiring me to communicate with Mr Lund Washington on the subject of Colo. Mercer’s affairs, has been duly received. I have written to him on the subject; informing him, that the application of Mr John Mercer for the b ond was founded on an order of the high court of chancery. He was directed to give bond, and, I believe, he has done so tho’ of this I am not I cannot...
57To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 22 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of presenting to you some of those views, which the very delicate affair of the removal affords, and the result of a provisional inquiry, which I set on foot. 1. The charges have come in an ambiguous form; half-private, half-public; and it must be uncertain, until the arrival of the new-minister from France, to what extent those charges are to be pressed. To seize so...
58To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the time, when this letter is delivered to you by Major Lenox, you will have received the different letters, which I forwarded to you at Baltimore and Elkton, stating, among other things, what I had done concerning your lodgings. Colo. Franks not being in town, and his agent not being willing to let the house for any period, short of six months, I could not combine the objects, which you...
59To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
The two questions, which I had the honor of receiving from you on the 29th Ultimo, being preparatory to the measures, which appear to me most adviseable to be pursued, on the late treaty with Great Britain; I shall take the liberty of connecting the whole subject together. Had the senate advised and consented to a ratification in an unqualified manner, the President would have had nothing, but...
60To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the papers, which I have now the honor of returning to you, a wish seems to be expressed, that the President should recommend to congress a digest of federal law, the appointment of one person only to such a service, and the selection of the author of those papers for that work. Whether at a future day, when congress shall appear to have neglected or slumbered over, the subject, it may be...