11Enclosure I: From James Wilson, 31 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania I am empowered to “ digest into proper Order and Form the Laws of that Commonwealth;” and “to report such Alterations, Additions and Improvements as the Principles and Forms of the Constitution may require.” In this Work I have made some Progress; during which it has occurred to me, that a similar Work with Regard to the Laws of the United States...
12From George Washington to James Wilson, 23 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia, January 23d 1792. Your goodness will, I am persuaded, excuse my not giving an earlier consideration to the subject which you presented to my view in your letter of the 31st ultimo. A variety of occurences—some of them not very pleasing—have happened since that period, to absorb my attention. My opinion with respect to the advantages which would result from...
13To George Washington from the Supreme Court Justices, 20 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have taken into consideration the Letter written to us by your Direction, on the 18th Instant, by the Secretary of State. The Question “whether the public may with propriety be availed of the advice of the Judges, on the Questions alluded to?[”] appears to us to be of much Difficulty as well as Importance—as it affects the judicial Department, we feel a Reluctance to decide it, without the...
14To George Washington from Supreme Court Justices, 8 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have considered the previous Question stated in a Letter written to us by your Direction, by the Secretary of State, on the 18th of last month. The Lines of Separation drawn by the Constitution between the three Departments of Government—their being in certain Respects checks on each other—and our being Judges of a court in the last Resort—are Considerations which afford strong arguments...
15From George Washington to James Wilson, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Bushrod Washington—a nephew of mine—is sent at his own desire to this City to study the Law—His Father having requested me to get him properly fixed, it would give me much pleasure to see him placed under your care, if it is convenient to you to take another student. The young Gentleman I am told, has had a good Classical education, but the Invasions of Virginia under the...
16From George Washington to James Wilson, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Necessity obliges me to give you my promissary Note instead of the deposit of a hundred Guineas—I will take it up as soon as I can. Permit me to recommend my Nephew to you—not only as a student requiring your instruction—but to your attentions as a friend. His youth and inexperience may require it, and I persuade myself his sensibility & gratitude will make you every return which may be in his...
17From George Washington to James Wilson, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I promise to pay James Wilson Esqr. or order, on demand one hundred Guineas—His Fee for receiving my Nephew—Mr Bushrod Washington—as a Student of Law in his Office. PP .