31To George Washington from “Adolescens”, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ an address, most respected Sir, to one in your exalted Station, to which a fictitious name is subscribed may seem altogether strange & uncommon, yet the Contents of this letter will I hope be a sufficient apology for its Author’s temerity, and, I flatter myself that a Man whose heart is ever alive to the calls of Humanity, will not deem it an impertinent intrusion. That I may not trespass...
32To George Washington from “A Friend”, 20 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
You with the assistance of Your Countrymen and Foreigners have effected a Wonderful Revolution You have free’d Yourselves from the power of the British Government a Government overwhelming in corruption and oppression, Now You are Free hol[d] Yourselves so form Wise Laws and see them executed but not with too much arbitrary Government for that brings on a Revolution such as will be in Ireland...
33To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 8 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The last time I addressed you was from Baltimore. I took an opportunity about that time to write a few hasty thoughts in support of what I suggested to you, and published them in the Baltimore Telegraphe, in seven or eight Letters. I have since been through all the Western parts of this state, and should it aid in producing a good end, it will be among my chief delights. I wished to be here at...
34To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 28 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
There has been a meeting in this town, for the unmeaning purpose of attempting to shake your opinion, on the subject of our late negociation. I deem it not improper to notice, that the men appointed, as actors, to shape the resolutions, are composed of that order in society, who are Confessedly unqualified, for want of information, to examine the subject on which they judged with such hasty...
35To George Washington from “A Genuine Federalist”, 25 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
How you will Brook this I know not and most probably will never know, be that as it May I hope you will attend to the following hints, so far as the[y] merit attention the[y] are Communicated by one who has neither a disposition to flatter nor to give offence and who is actuated by no other Motives than a desire to promote the publick interest and avert the evils with which we are threatned....
36To George Washington from Aiguillon, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Permit a Frenchman, who loves liberty, and is forced to quit his Country—a prey to factions, to offer his homage to the respectable man who has given a free Constitution to America. Perhaps my name may have reached you. Perhaps you have sometimes heard me spoken of as the friend of Lafayette—faithful, like him, to the cause which he cherished —and like him prosecuted by those who would...
37To George Washington from Thomas Hill Airey, 1 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Please to permit a person at the distance of near two Hundred miles from your Excellencies temporary place of residence, and unknown to your Excellency, to intrude on your precious moments while I attempt to impart a matter, that may appear of some importance, & at the same time a mistiry that has evaded the deepest reserches of the Learned, in expounding the Prophetick writings. it is...
38To George Washington from Robert Aitken, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
after very Sincere Congratulations upon Your Excellency’s Election to the distinguished Office of Chief Magistrate of the United States, I beg leave to Solicit your Excellency’s friendship in a Case deeply interesting indeed to me; but in which I conceive, if not mistaken, the Honor and Justice of the Union are also concerned. Your Excellency, I presume, is uninformed of the large Sums of...
39To George Washington from Frantz Joachim von Aken, 15 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
The 1st instant I humbly took the liberty to wait on the Congress or states of America with my Discovery of extinguishing fires; but fearing that either have I not rightly adressed the Letter or could there be some hindering accidents for it’s arrival, occasioned by our actual wars in Europe: I hope Sir! that You’ll graciously excuse my repeated writting to the American People, adressing my...
40To George Washington from Charles-Guillaume Vial D’Alais, 16 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
jay l’honneur de vous prîer de vouloir bien Sollicitter pour moy La decoration de L’ordre de Cincinnatus prés de L’auguste assemblée que vous presidés. Mr de biron mon ancien Colonel à eu L’honneur de vous La demender pour moy il y à prés de 15 mois en vous priant de me L’adresser à Cayenne ou je venois d’etre Nommé Comandant en chef. vous trouverés, Monsieur Cy joint un extrait de mon etat de...
41To George Washington from Roger Alden, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, herewith enclosed, the original communications from the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, and copies of his letters addressed to the late Secretary of Congress. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir—Your most Obedient Humble Servant ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; copy, in Alden’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 149. Winthrop...
42Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels and Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the U.S., desirous of...
43To George Washington from Alexander Murray, 8 July 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Alexander Murray, 8 July 1794. The entry for 12 July in GW’s journal of proceedings lists among the papers sent "to the Secy. of War for his consideration" a letter "from Alexr. Murray 8 July ’94. soliciting naval appointment" ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 . Charlottesville, Va., 1981. , 312). The cover of that...
44To George Washington from William Alexander, 15 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I find Congress have it in Contemplation to open a land office, for the Sale of the public lands North West of the river ohio, and that a Surveyor General or superintendant will be appointed. I take the liberty to offer myself for that office and should you think me worthy of it, I shall endeavour to do the duty faithfully. I was by warrant under the hand and seal of Mr Hutchins late...
45To George Washington from William Alexander, 10 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by my friends, I take up my Pen to ask you for the appointment, of Naval Officer, for the District of Baltimore; which if conferred on me, I flatter myself, it will be executed with the Stricktest propriety. As Offices, flow through the channel of Favor, when candidates, are equally qualified to execute them—permit me, Sir, in that case, to offer an argument in my favor? that there...
46To George Washington from William J. Alldridge, 19 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since I took the liberty of offering myself as a candidate for the office of Assayer at the Mint, in case Mr Richardson should decline it, but, as I am since informed he has determined to retain it, (not having found it so prejudicial to his health as he at first feared,) I have now only to apologize for the trouble I have given You, and to beg I may be permitted to renew the...
47To George Washington from John Allen, 16 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Gorey, Wexford County, Ireland, 16 May 1793. Writes that “A sincere desire of benefiting the World . . . is the chief if not the only motive of this address and I am well assured . . . that any thing proceeding from such a principle will at least meet with your every attention.” He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dublin “the beginning of the year 1784 being about 22, from...
48To George Washington from Paul Allen, 18 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The happiness Individuals of the United States have in addressing your Excellency, is One of the greatest blessing they enjoy under the present Constitution. Emboldened by the kind reception others have met with from your Excellency in similar circumstances, I have presumed to venture on that ground under the fullest conviction that your Excellency has ever attended to the welfare of those who...
49To George Washington from William Allen, 10 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Convention of this State having Ratified the new Constitution by which happy event the Union of the whole is Compleated; and as it is more than Probable that the Laws of the Union will Speedily embrace this State in common with the rest, I beg Leave Sir, with the greatest deference to Present my Self to your Excellency as a Candidate for the Office of Surveyor of the Customs at this Port....
50To George Washington from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
at the request of A number of my fellow citizens I take the liberty of Offering myself A candidate for the appointment of superintendance of the Several Establishments for the security of the navigation in the Bay and River Deleware, that I am thus late in making my application arises from the following causes, it not being well understood that a general apointment of that kind was to be made,...
51To George Washington from Isaac All, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the advice of my friends, I came to this place to Solicit an appointment in the Customs for the Port of Philadelphia, and was honoured with Letters to Several members of the Senate and house of representatives through whome it was thought my application might have been made. I have Since understood that would be improper which obliges me tho’ an entire stranger to the President to throw...
52To George Washington from William Allum and William Talbot, 19 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Allum and William Talbot, 19 June 1793. Tobias Lear wrote Allum and Talbot on 17 July that GW “has this day received your letter of the 19th ultimo.”
53To George Washington from Eelko Alta, 19 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
for some time ago I observed in the Patriotic Museum a communication given by Mr Brissot concerning the œconomical transactions of your Excellency at your Country Seat, and also your attachment for agriculture and more particularly to that branch thereof, which is my principal Study. this encreassed the respect which I nourished towards you, contemplating You as the General of the United...
54To George Washington from the American Philosophical Society, 12 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, desirous of expressing due Regard for Preeminence in Science and Virtue, have directed an Eulogium to be prepared in the Memory of their late President, Dr David Rittenhouse; which is to be pronounced before the Society, on Saturday next, the 17th inst. at 12 o’clock, in the Presbyterian Church, in High Street. It is particularly requested, that the...
55To George Washington from Mathurin-Michel Amoureux, 10 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
With a view to be useful to this my adoptive Country, I have publish’d a Short treatise on the culture of the wine-grapes, of which I take the liberty to Send you a copy, wishing that it may prove acceptable to you. whilst in france I had Selected notes on this Subject, & waited for their reception before I would publish this treatise; but the vessel, on board of which my papers & Cloths were...
56To George Washington from “An American”, 14 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
To the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES. SIR, BEING an American by birth, an early admirer of your principles and conduct, and feeling a consciousness of the dignity attached to a free citizen of the United States, I take the liberty of addressing you in this public manner. Sure I am, that if you were acquainted with the secret recesses of my heart, you would excuse any improper expression, and...
57To George Washington from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr and Mrs Andersons most respectfull Compliments to his Excy and makes bold to present him with a Portrait of the Twins born in the year 1775, which was intended to have been sent to your Excy last Spring but no favorable oppertunity offered, whereby we Could have sent them. They have the Honor of bearing the Names of your Excy & Lady, and are the Twins if it does not Slip your Excy memory,...
58To George Washington from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789. On 18 Nov. 1789 GW wrote to Anderson: “I have been favored with the receipt of your letter of the 14th of may last.”
59To George Washington from James Anderson, 1 March 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 1 March 1797 . Anderson wrote GW on 8 March 1797 : “I wrote You on 1st” ( Papers, Retirement Series W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 1:20–23 ).
60To George Washington from James Anderson, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Refering to my last of 2d have now to hand You Report of last week. As said in my last I have now brought my Family here, which with Mr Pearce sickness has put it out of my power to send You Inventory of every Article I find here. It is however nearly compleat And will certainly forward it in my next—which I intend by Monday, instead of this days post, I have been at all the Farm’s various...
61To George Washington from James Anderson, 25 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 25 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 29 Jan. : “Your letter of the 25th instant … came to hand.”
62To George Washington from James Anderson, 11 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving Your favors of 5th Yesterday And am sorry You think me not so explicit as I should have been, I will say my intention in it is remote from deceit, that sort of conduct I think myself a stranger to. And the respectability of Your Character has a different claim from all who know it. I now beg leave more fully to explain myself And give an Account of my manner of...
63To George Washington from James Anderson, 28 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Only Yesterday I had the honor to receive Your favor of 18th And in Answer, am well satisfied of Mr Pearce being a Man of Character, and of Abilitys. And circumstanced as You are, must be of great value to You—You are pleased to say that from this and other reasons You advanced the Salary from £100 to 100 Gu[inea]s. I have to beg leave to observe that if You, & me come on Terms the lowest I...
64To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 3 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your obliging favour of the 20th June last some time ago—since which time I have had no opportunities of sending any parcels from hence, which is the reason I have not sooner acknowledged that favour—I am highly flattered with the kind reception you have given to my little work The Bee the 7th, 8th, 9th—10th & 11th Volumes of which will accompany this. The former...
65To George Washington from James Anderson, 22 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was duely favored with Yours of 13th And the seeds which I delivered to the Gardener —I am sincerely happy in finding You approve my various Schemes—And as to the Distillery—will make it appear at least a 50 pCt trade have bought about 100 Barlls Corn at 20/. Another 100 will do untill late in the Fall When more will come in. And the ⟨Tailings⟩ will do for some time to Mix with the Corn....
66To George Washington from James Anderson, 18 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 18 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 22 Jan. : “Your letter of the 18th instant … came to my hands yesterday.”
67From George Washington to James Anderson, 13 Feb. 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to James Anderson, 13 Feb. 1797 . Anderson wrote GW on 22 Feb. : “I was duely favored with Yours of 13th.”
68To George Washington from James Anderson, 12 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
In case the Overseer who was uncertain; has not agreed to stay with You —I can get one here, who is accustomed to the management of Negroes. And can come well recommended, As to which would wish to hear from You. In a few days I intend being at Marleborough when I will take a measure of the parts of Mr Mercers Thrashing Machine In Order to make preparations in winter by cuting Timber for the...
69To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 15 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I received, a few weeks ago the letter of the 25 April which you did me the honour to write to me. Lord Buchan, at the same time favoured me with a sight of what you had written to him. I can make no other return but the most sincere thanks for these unmerited marks of your obliging attention—I shall at least make it my study so to act as not to make you ashamed of this kindness. Tho’ it must...
70To George Washington from James Anderson, 6 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your very obliging letter dated the 26th May last only a few days ago upon my return from a pretty long visit to a friend in South Wales. I learnt by a note from Lord Buchan that accompanied it, that it had lein here some time, from these causes I have not sooner had it in my power to acknowledge this favour. Along with it I received Six guineas which came safe, which is...
71To George Washington from James Anderson, 1 Feb. 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 1 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 5 Feb. : “Your letter of the 1st instant, with the weekly reports, are received.”
72Agreement with James Anderson, 5 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Articles of Agreement made and entered into this fifth-day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Ninety six, by & between George Washington, President of the United States, on one part and James Anderson, at present of Stafford County and State of Virginia on the other part, Witness, that for & in consideration of the wages and allowances herein after mentioned, the...
73To George Washington from James Anderson, 14 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of 5th came duely, And have now to hand You reports of last Week, in Writing of which in mistake began on the wrong end of 3 page —I am sorry that I have hitherto been unsucessfull in procuring Fowls for Mrs Washing—It is said we are too late—And they are all sold—Shall still try—I have never heard from Mr Carter, And if I do not in a few days Shall try in some other place —Am glad...
74To George Washington from James Anderson, 3 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 3 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 8 Jan. : “Your letter of the 3d instant” was “received by me yesterday.”
75To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 10 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
As I know your Excellency is very desireous of promoting improvements in Agriculture, I have been emboldened to use the freedom to desire the bearer hereof, John Bell, to offer his services to you before he engages himself with any other person, thinking you might perhaps be well pleased to have the assistance of one, in your rural operations, who from the assurances given to me by Dr...
76To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 30 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your respected favour of the [ ] Feby was transmitted to me by Mr Pinckney about a week ago, since which time I have felt uneasy lest you may have thought I neglected to return an answer, in time, to the letter you alude to dated in December last, which never has yet reached me. I shall regret, if in consequence of that circumstance, any thing that could have depended upon me shall have been...
77To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 15 September 1795–3 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
The respect I entertain for your character personally, may, perhaps, induce me to be guilty of an impropriety in thus addressing to you some remarks upon the easiest mode of constructing bridges of a large span, which I conceive may be of considerable utility in many parts of the united states of America, whose general prosperity I have been accustomed to believe, is at all times an object of...
78Enclosure Memorial from John Anderson, 20 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of John Anderson Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, Humbly Shewth That he has invented a Bronze Gun Metal, which has the advantages of Common-Iron-Guns, and of Common-Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is destroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage. That the advantages of...
79To George Washington from John Anderson, 26 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Though I have many friends in America, I have not desired any of them to present this letter, because I lived long in great intimacy with Doctor Franklin, because I spent the summer 1791 in Paris with your honest, but unfortunate M. La Fayette, because I am convinced that the Field Pieces of my invention would be very serviceable at present to the troops of the United States, because my Ship...
80To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Although I formerly had the Honor, of being personally presented to your Excellency, when an officer of the army of the United States—I apprehend my Charecter was not Sufficiently distinguished; to entitle me to your recollection at this distant period—I must therefore rely on your Benevolence, to pardon the liberty I now take, in offering to introduce myself to your Excellencys notice and...