2971Memorandum for Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Will circumstances render a postponement of the Sale of Lots in the Federal City advisable? If not Where ought they to be made Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft works in the City? Whether ought the building of a bridge over the Eastern branch to be attempted—the Canal set about—and Mr Peter’s proposion with...
2972To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
War Department [Philadelphia] 27 August 1791. Informs GW that Lieutenant Sherman of the Rhode Island Company of the Second U.S. Regiment “has left his company on the march” and desires to resign his commission: “from received knowledge of his character, . . . his resignation will not injure the service.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lt. Henry Sherman, Jr. (1759–1829), served as an officer of...
2973To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honour to call at your house to-day, to speak with you: but you were engaged with Mr Jefferson. And the time not admitting another opportunity (as I wish to leave town on Monday morning) you will permit me to communicate what I had to say, in writing. As you thought it expedient, I went to New York, to converse with Mr Osgood on the business of the post-office. The contracts...
2974To George Washington from John Bertles Shee, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I hope that your Philanthropic Soul will pardon the Temerity that actuates the Person who now addresses you to write you I have Sir taken this unbounded Liberty on the Consideration of your being acquainted with my Father & Connections It will be necessary to inform you that thr’o Misconduct (& to my Shame & I confess it) that I incurred my Father’s displeasure insomuch so that I was forced to...
2975From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 28 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 11th instant came duly to hand—and I have also received the papers from Mount Vernon which, in my letter of the 31st of July, I informed you I had written for. Enclosed you have an exact copy of the decree of the Court of Chancery in Virginia, under which I became the purchaser of Clifton’s land. I likewise send you the opinion of the Attorney-General of the United States...
2976From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed for Mr Young, I pray you to put under cover to Mr Johnson—the other for Mr Vaughan may go in like manner, or otherwise, as you may think best; both however by the Packet. The letter for Mr Carroll I also return—besides which, were you to write a line or two to Mr Johnson, addressed to the care of the Postmaster in Baltimore, it might be a mean of giving him earlier notice of the...
2977To George Washington from Samuel Langdon, 29 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
The deep impressions of my obligations to you, induce me now to present a Volume which I have just published. I hope it will recommend itself to your notice as an attempt to give an easy, rational, & useful explication of a sacred book, heretofore often abused by whimsical interpretations, & on that account too much neglected & despised by many modern christians. If I have proved from that...
2978From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 29 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to you on friday last, I acknowledged the receipt of yours of the 22d, and informed you that I should again write as on this day, by the Post, who would also be the bearer of the materials for the Bolting Chest. The latter is accordingly sent, directed to the care of the Post Master in Alexandria, and hope it will be in time for the Work of Mr Ball. In my last, I...
2979To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 29 August 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 29 Aug. 1791. GW informed Anthony Whitting on 4 Sept.: “Your letter of the 29th of last month came duly to hand, with the report of the preceeding week.”
2980To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 29 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed for Mr. Young , I pray you to put under cover to Mr. Johnson—the other for Mr. Vaughan may go in like manner, or otherwise, as you may think best;—both however by the Packet. The letter for Mr. Carroll I also return—besides which, were you to write a line or two to Mr. Johnson, addressed to the care of the Postmaster in Baltimore, it might be a mean of giving him earlier notice of...
2981From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [31 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to transmit herewith to the President of the United States the result of the enquiry on the subject of Mr. Drayton. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. H may have misdated this letter to Washington or it was misdated by the copyist, for “the result of the enquiry on the subject of Mr. Drayton” may be found in Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to...
2982To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 31 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Extiment de mon devoir La continuation a Vôtre Excellence de Toutes Les Novelles de cet Royaume particullierement sur ce qu’il peut servir de gouvernement aux Venerables Etats, J’ai L’haute honneaur de Les umillier a V.E. & dans Le même temps de supliquer tres humblement vouloir m’honnorer de ⟨ illegible ⟩ ordres tres respectables ⟨ illegible ⟩ Toutes mes humbles precedentes pour me...
2983To George Washington from James Craik, 31 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I am very Sorry to inform you that I was honoured with yours of the 14th Inst. only last night, not being in the habit of sending to the Post Office, The Post Master did not choose to give himself the trouble to send it, or to inform me such a letter was there, tho I might have expected such a favour from him—In answer to your request with regard to my very Worthy freind the Major. I am sorry...
2984Ratification of the Holland Loan, 1 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Now Know ye, that the President of the United States of America having seen and considered the said contract, hath ratified and confirmed, & by these presents doth ratify & confirm the same and every article thereof. In testimony whereof he has caused the seal of the U.S. to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with his hand. Done at the City of Philadelphia the first day of...
2985To George Washington from John Clark, 2 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
A few Days since, when I had the pleasure of seeing you at McAlisters Town, on your return from the Southward; I did not expect that I should have occasion to write you so soon; but my Friend Colonel Hartley, having informed me that he believed the Office of Auditor was vacant, by the refusal of Mr Smith, whom I had understood was appointed; I beg leave to propose myself a Candidate for that...
2986To George Washington from George III, 2 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
George the Third by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Arch-Treasurer, and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire &ca To the United States of America sendeth Greeting. Our Good Friends. Having nothing more at Heart than to cultivate and improve the Friendship and good Understanding which happily subsist between...
2987To George Washington from Pierce Butler, 3 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia, 3 September 1791]. “I received the inclosed letter while I was at dinner—It is my duty to send it to You.” ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The letter of Isaac Motte, naval officer for the port of Charleston, S.C., to Senator Pierce Butler, dated Boston, 21 Aug. 1791, reads: “I have just heard of the death of my worthy and good friend, Mr Geo: Abbott Hall—There’s a...
2988To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 3 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I did not receive the letter you did me the honor to address of the 25th ult:, until it was too late, to acknowledge its receipt, by the return of the post who brought it. On the Objects to be ascertained, so great a diversity of Opinion prevails, even amongst the best informed, that it seems requisite, the decision in every instance, should be the result, of what has really occured, or at...
2989To George Washington from Robert Ballard, 4 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I must once more take the liberty of trespassing on your time with a few lines, which respects the compensation to be allowed me for my services as Inspector of the Revenue. The Supervisor in his Circular Letter to me, says that, “as it was supposed that the Office would add but little trouble to the Office of Surveyor, no particular compensation is allotted.” I cannot find any part of the Law...
2990From George Washington to John Greenwood, 4 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Greenwood, 4 Sept. 1791. Greenwood wrote GW on 10 Sept. that “I Received yours dated the 4th by the hand of sr John Jays son.”
2991From George Washington to John Jay, 4 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
The indisposition, and consequent absence from Mount Vernon of my Nephew, Majr Washington, to whom the care of my private business is entrusted, makes it indispensably necessary for me to go home before the meeting of Congress. My stay there will be longer or shorter according to circumstances —but it cannot exceed the middle of October, as I must be back before the meeting of that Body. Will...
2992From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 4 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th of last month came duly to hand, with the report of the preceeding week, and I am sorry to find by them that the weather had become dry again, but as we have had some fine rain here in the course of last week —as it is now raining, and has been doing so near twelve hours—and has all the appearances of a general rain, I hope in your next to hear, that you have...
2993To 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...
2994From George Washington to Armand, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 22nd of march last. Being indisposed on the day when Monsieur de Combourg called to deliver your letter I did not see him—and I understood that he set off for Niagara on the next day. The interesting state of affairs in France has excited the sympathy and engaged the good wishes of our citizens, who will learn with great pleasure that the...
2995To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 5 September 1791. Encloses the resignation of Thomas Seayres, “who was appointed an Ensign on the 30th of April 1790, and a Lieutenant on the 4th of March last—But he never joined the troops, and therefore his resignation is not to be regretted.” LS , DLC:GW . Thomas Seayres (Thomson, Thompson Sayres), son of Col. John Seayres (d. 1777), was commissioned an ensign in February...
2996From George Washington to Moustier, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive the letter which you were so good as to write to me from Berlin on the 26 of April. The favorable sentiments which you express of our country and its councils are very agreeable to me—The kind interest which you take in my personal happiness excites a grateful sensibility. You will learn with pleasure that events have realised the most sanguine hopes of our...
2997From George Washington to Edward Newenham, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 31st of January, and 10 of March last, and to express my obligations to your flattering and friendly assurances of regard. The interest which you are so good as to take in the welfare of the United States makes the communication of their prosperity to you, a most agreeable duty. You will learn with pleasure that events have...
2998To George Washington from William Loughton Smith, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
New York, 5 September 1791. Encloses for GW’s perusal a letter from Arnoldus Vanderhorst, the intendant of Charleston, recommending his uncle Elias Vanderhorst as consul for the port of Bristol—“I beleive the Intendant would not recommend any person unworthy of the Station”—and calls “attention to Col. Motte, as Successor to Mr Hall, & to Mr Bounetheau for the place of Naval Officer: From my...
2999To George Washington from Charles Carroll, 6 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Carroll, 6 Sept. 1791. GW wrote to Carroll on 11 Sept. : “I have been duly favored with your letter of the 6th instant.”
3000To George Washington from Aulay Macaulay, 6 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to appeal to your humanity on behalf of a poor old man in this neighbourhood whose name is Thomas Franklin—and who stands in the relation of first cousin to the late Dr Benjamin Franklin—His Father and Dr F.’s Father were Brothers—He is now in indigent circumstances—and sinking under the pressure of age and infirmities—Dr Franklin once took some notice of him tho’ he made no...
3001From George Washington to John Canon, 7 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10. of August —and am very sorry to find that so far as it relates to my property under your care, I have no further satisfaction than the assurance which you have given in all the letters received from you, that I shall have a statement of my interest committed to your care—But Sir, I surely had a right to expect something more than the promise of a...
3002To George Washington from George Clinton, 7 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit to your Excellency Copies of certain Dispatches, which I this Day received from Lieutenant Colonel Woolsey, commanding Officer of the Militia of Clinton County in the Northern Part of this State; with an Extract of his Letter to me in which they were inclosed. The repeated Insults which our Citizens have experienced from the British; both before, and since my...
3003From George Washington to d’Estaing, 7 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 30th of May by the hands of Monsieur de Ternant. and I beg you will be assured that I have a proper sense of the very polite and obliging manner in which you are pleased to express your personal regard for me. The manner in which you speak of M. de Ternant is highly honorable to him—and, from his talents, discretion, and proper views, united...
3004To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
We were detained on the road by the rains so that we did not arrive here till yesterday about two oclock. as soon as horses could be got ready, we set out & rode till dark, examining chiefly the grounds newly laid open, which we found much superior to what we had imagined. we have passed this day in consultation with the Commissioners, who having deliberated on every article contained in our...
3005From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have heard of the death of your promising Son with great concern, and sincerely condole with you and Mrs Knox on the melancholy occasion. Parental feelings are too much alive in the moment of these misfortunes to admit the consolations of religion or philosophy; but I am persuaded reason will call one or both of them to your aid as soon as the keenness of your anguish is abated. He that gave...
3006From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We were detained on the road by the rains so that we did not arrive here till yesterday about two oclock. As soon as horses could be got ready, we set out and rode till dark, examining chiefly the grounds newly laid open, which we found much superior to what we had imagined. We have passed this day in consultation with the Commissioners, who having deliberated on every article contained in our...
3007From George Washington to Frances Ramadge, 9 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Frances Ramadge, 9 Sept. 1791. The receiver’s copy of Ramadge’s letter of 22 Aug. to GW was docketed: “Ansd 9 Sept.”
3008To George Washington from John Greenwood, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I Received yours dated the 4th by the hand of sr John Jays son, this moment Saturday 12 Oclock, in Which you seame to think I have neglected you, or the article Miscaried, I Received them safe, but Whas out of stuff that is I had none Good enuf for the purpose, and so did not procede till I Could Get it, of Which I procured Whith Dificulty, on tuesday And have began it, Which you Will Get next...
3009From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
The lively interest which I take in your welfare, my dear Sir, keeps my mind in constant anxiety for your personal safety amidst the scenes in which you are perpetually engaged. Your letter of the 6th of June by Monsieur de Ternant gave me that pleasure which I receive from all your letters, which tell me that you are well—But from the account you there gave it did not appear that you would be...
3010From George Washington to La Luzerne, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 15 of May, which reached me but a few days ago, I cannot forbear to express the sensibility with which I receive those warm effusions of personal attachment and respectful remembrance which are contained in it. and at the same time I beg you will be assured that I reciprocate them with truth and sincerity. As the happiness of the french Nation...
3011From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 10 Sept. 1791. Randolph wrote to GW on Monday, 12 Sept. , of “your communication to me on Saturday last.”
3012To George Washington from Tubeuf, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
One of the advantages which I expected from a letter which M. the Marqs de la Fayette has remitted to me, in which he has recommended me to you, was to present it with my own hands, and to lay before you the plan of an enterprize which I am just about to undertake on the bordes of Clinch. A passage of 85 days from Havre de Grace to this place, longer by half than what I had calculated upon,...
3013From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 11 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 6th instant. The indisposition and consequent (unexpected) absence of my Nephew from Mount Vernon, to whom my concerns there are entrusted, will oblige me to visit that estate before the meeting of Congress. Thursday I propose to leave this city, and on Sunday afternoon expect to arrive in Baltimore—I shall come provided with 1172 ⅔ dollars for...
3014From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 12 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of may with its enclosures came duly to hand. During my absence on my late southern tour the proposals of Messrs Schweizer and Jeannerett, made their appearance here, as well through Mr Otto, Chargé des Affaires of France, to the Secretary of State, as through Mr Short, to the Secretary of the Treasury—In pursuance of certain arrangements, made previous to my departure,...
3015To 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...
3016From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 12 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday was presented to me this day—but at a time when I was in conversation with a Gentleman on business. I embrace the first moment of leisure to acknowledge the receipt of it, and to add assurances of my belief that the account given by Mr Sheuber of his leaving the british service, and bringing letters to me whilst my quarters were at Rocky Hill is true. I have some...
3017George Washington to George Clinton, 14 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] September 14, 1791 . Discusses the possibility of the British establishing a post south of Lake Champlain. Df , in the handwriting of H, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives. Clinton was governor of New York.
3018From George Washington to George Clinton, 14 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th instant, with its inclosure, did not reach me ’till yesterday. The intelligence, it communicates, is of a nature both serious and important. Indeed, the step it announces, as about to be taken by the British, would be one so extraordinary in every view, as to justify a question, whether the indications, which are alleged to have been given, have not rather proceeded from...
3019From George Washington to James Seagrove, 14 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Three letters of yours—two bearing the 16th and the other the 25. of August are just come to hand—Your former letters in July have also been received. The Secretary of war will write to you on the subject of Indian affairs—and the Secretary of State will do the same on the business which respects the Negroes, when he returns from the visit he is now making to his family in Virginia. It falls...
3020From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [16 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr. Brown of Kentucke, to Genl. Irvine, giving an account of some interesting particulars in the Western Country. Part of the letter, I have understood, has been forwarded to you, but not the whole. Genl. Irvine is of opinion that the waters will be still so far practicable as to permit the progress of the Troops under Genl. Butler; by the...