51From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 7 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The business which has hitherto been under the consideration of Congress has been of so much importance, that I was unwilling to draw their attention from it to any other subject. But the disputes which exist between some of the United States and several powerful Tribes of Indians within the limits of the Union, and the hostilities which have in several instances been committed on the...
52From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 23 December 1793 (Washington 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. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; Copy, DNA : RG 233, Third...
53From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 29 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
United States, Gentlemen of the Senate. September 29th 1789. His Most Christian Majesty, by a letter dated the 7th of June last, addressed to the President and Members of the General Congress of the United States of North America, announces the much lamented death of his Son the Dauphin. The generous conduct of the French Monarch and Nation towards this Country renders every event that may...
54From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 25 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you an official statement of the expenditure, to the end of the year 1792, from the sum of ten thousand dollars, granted to defray the contingent expenses of government, by an Act passed, on the twenty sixth of March 1790. Also an abstract of a supplementary arrangement made in the district of North Carolina, in regard to certain surveys, to facilitate the execution of the law...
55From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
In meeting you again I feel much satisfaction in being able to repeat my congratulations on the favorable prospects which continue to distinguish our public affairs. The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our Country with plenty, and with the means of a flourishing commerce. The progress of public credit is witnessed by a considerable rise of American Stock abroad as well as at home....
56From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 12 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
It is with great concern that I communicate to you the information received from Major General St Clair of the misfortune which has befallen the troops under his command. Although the national loss is considerable according to the scale of the event, yet it may be repaired without great difficulty, excepting as to the brave men who have fallen on the occasion, and who are a subject of public...
57From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a copy of a letter from the Judges of the Circuit Court of the United States held for the New York District; and of their opinion and agreement respecting the “Act to provide for the settlement of the claims of Widows and Orphans barred by the limitations heretofore established, and to regulate the claims to Invalid Pensions.” D[S] , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793,...
58From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 28 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
In my first communication to Congress during their present Session, I gave them reason to expect, that “certain circumstances of our intercourse with foreign nations” would be transmitted to them. There was at that time every assurance for believing, that some of the most important of our foreign affairs would have been concluded, and others considerably matured, before they should rise. But,...
59From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 5 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my private Secretary to lay before you Copies of three Acts of the Legislature of the State of New York, which have been transmitted to me by the Governor thereof. viz. “An Act declaring it to be the duty of the Sheriffs of the several Counties within this State to receive, and safe keep such prisoners as shall be committed under the authority of the United States.” “An Act for...
60From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 5 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
As the present situation of the several Nations of Europe, and especially of those with which the U.S. have important relations, cannot but render the state of things between them and us matter of interesting inquiry to the legislature, & 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...
61From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 25 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I meet you, upon the present occasion, with the feelings which are naturally inspired by a strong impression of the prosperous situation of our common Country, and by a persuasion equally strong, that the labours of the Session, which has just commenced, will, under the guidance of a spirit no less prudent than patriotic, issue in measures, conducive to the stability and increase of national...
62Address to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 6 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives. It is some abatement of the satisfaction, with which I meet you on the present occasion, that in felicitating you on a continuance of the National prosperity generally, I am not able to add to it information that the Indian hostilities, which have, for some time past, distressed our North Western frontier, have terminated. You will,...
63From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 7 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you copies of certain papers relative to the Spanish interference, in the execution of the Treaty entered into, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, between the United States and the Creek nation of Indians together with a letter from the Secretary of State to the President of the United States, on the same subject. Copy, DNA : RG 233, Second Congress, 1791–93, House...
64From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 14 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I was called to the administration of the Government, I found it important to come to an understanding with the Court of London, on several points interesting to the United States, and particularly to know whether they were disposed to enter into arrangements, by mutual consent, which might fix the commerce between the two Nations on principles of reciprocal advantage. For this...
65From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I place before you the plan of a City that has been laid out within the District of ten miles square, which was fixed upon for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States. DS , sold by Sotheby’s, Catalog 5759, item 205, 26 Oct. 1988; LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 233, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals. For the background to this letter, see...
66From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a Report of the Secretary of State on the measures which have been taken on behalf of the United States for the purpose of obtaining a recognition of our Treaty with Morocco, 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 and their feelings have duly...
67From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 10 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Resolution passed at the last session of Congress, requesting the President of the United States to cause an estimate to be laid before Congress at their next session, of the quantity and situation of the lands not claimed by the Indians, nor granted to, nor claimed by any of the Citizens of the United States, within the territory ceded to the United States by the State of North Carolina,...
68From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a copy of an exemplified copy of an Act of the Legislature of Vermont, ratifying, on behalf of that State, the Articles of amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States; together with a copy of a letter which accompanied said ratification. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB ,...
69From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives In recurring to the internal situation of our country since I had last the pleasure to address you, I find ample reason for a renewed expression of that gratitude to the Ruler of the Universe, which a continued series of prosperity has so often and so justly called forth. The acts of the last session, which required special...
70From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
I lay before Congress copies of Acts passed by the Legislatures of the States of Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, ratifying the amendment proposed by the Senate and House of Representatives at their last session, to the Constitution of the United States, respecting the judicial power thereof. The Minister of the French Republic having communicated to the Secretary of State, certain...
71From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 1 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having received official information of the accession of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to the Constitution of the United States, I take the earliest opportunity of communicating the same to you, with my Congratulations on this happy event, which unites under the general Government all the States which were originally confederated; and have directed my Secretary to lay...
72From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 11 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received from the Governor of Virginia a Resolution of the General Assembly of that Commonwealth, ratifying the first Article of the amendments proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States. A Copy of which, and of the letter accompanying it, I now lay before you. Sundry papers relating to the purchase by Judge Symmes of the lands on the Great Miami, having been...
73From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
By an Act of Congress passed in the 26th of May 1790 it was declared that the Inhabitants of the territory of the United States south of the river Ohio, should enjoy all the privileges, benefits and advantages set forth in the ordinance of Congress for the government of the territory of the United States north-West of the river Ohio; and that the government of the said territory south of the...
74From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
It appearing by the Report of the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, that there are certain cases respecting Grants of Land within that territory, which require the interference of the Legislature of the United States; I have directed a copy of said Report and the papers therein referred to, to be laid before you; together with a Copy of the Report of the Secretary of State...
75From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 22 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I forward to you extracts from the last advices from our Minister in London; as being connected with communications already made. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW . On 21 Jan., Edmund Randolph sent GW two letters from Thomas Pinckney addressed to the Secretary of State. The first, which Pinckney erroneously...
76From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a copy of a letter and of sundry documents which I have received from the Governor of Pennsylvania, respecting certain persons who are said to have fled from Justice out of the State of Pennsylvania into that of Virginia; together with a Report of the Attorney General of the United States upon the same subject. I have received from the Governor of North Carolina a copy of an...
77From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 6 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my Secretary to lay before you a Copy of an exemplified Copy of a Law, to ratify, on the part of the State of New Jersey, certain Amendments to the Constitution of the United States; together with the Copy of a letter which accompanied said ratification, from The Honorable Elisha Lawrence Esquire Vice President of the State of New Jersey to the President of the United States....
78From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 2 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
It appears from the Information, which I have lately received, that it may be probably necessary to the more successful conduct of our affairs on the coast of Barbary that one Consul should reside in Morocco another in Algiers and a third in Tunis or Tripoli. As no appointment for these offices will be accepted without some Emolument annexed I submit to the consideration of Congress whether it...
79From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 9 November 1792 (Washington 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 river Ohio. It will remain with the Legislature to take such measures, as it shall think best, for settling the said boundary with...
80From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 2 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. I send you certain communications, recently received from Georgia, which materially change the prospect of affairs in that quarter, and seem to render a war with the Creek Nations more probable than it has been at any antecedent period. While the attention of Congress will be directed to the consideration of measures suited to the...
81From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 28 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my Secretary to lay before you the copy of an Act of the Legislature of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, entitled “An Act for calling a Convention to take into consideration the Constitution proposed for the United States, passed on the 17th day of September A.D. 1787, by the General Convention held at Philadelphia,”—together with the copy of a letter accompanying said...
82From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 17 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I lay before Congress copies of the Journal of the proceedings in the Executive Department of the Government of the U. States, south of the river ohio, to the 1st of September 1794. Copy, DLC:GW ; copy DNA : RG 233, Entry 19, Journals. GW enclosed the journal of proceedings from 1 March to 1 Sept., for which, see Carter, Territorial Papers Clarence Edwin Carter et al., eds. The Territorial...
83From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 21 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I lay before Congress copies of a letter from the Governor of the State of New York, and of the exemplification of an act of the Legislature thereof, ratifying the amendment of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the Senate and House of Representatives, at their last Session, respecting the judicial power. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 33; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosures, see George...
84From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and House of Representatives I transmit to you a Memorial of the Commissioners appointed by virtue of an Act intitled, “an act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States,” on the subject of the public buildings under their direction. Since locating a District for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States, as...
85From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 11 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you, in confidence, two Reports made to me by the Secretary for the department of War, relatively to the present state of affairs on the western frontiers of the United States. In these Reports the causes of the present war with the Indians; the measures taken by the Executive to terminate it amicably; and the military preparations for the late Campaign are stated and explained;...
86From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives. The Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty having communicated to the Secretary of State the form of a Certificate, without which the vessels of the United States cannot be admitted into the ports of Spain; I think it proper to lay it before Congress. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793-95, Senate Records of Legislative...
87From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you, for your consideration, the copy of a letter which I have received from the Attorney General of the United States. L , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 233, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals. The enclosed copy of Edmund Randolph’s letter to GW...
88From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 21 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the Copy of a Letter which I have received from the Judges of the Circuit Court of the United States held for the Pennsylvania District, relatively to the “Act to provide for the settlement of the Claims of Widows and Orphans barred by the limitations heretofore established, and to regulate the claims to Invalid Pensions. ” DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records...
89From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 1 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday, from the Judge of the District of South Carolina, a letter, inclosing the presentments of the Grand Jury to him; and stating the causes which have prevented the return of the Census from that District; copies of which are now before you. LS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 233,...
90From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 December 1793 (Washington 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. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; Df , in Thomas Jefferson’s writing, DLC : Jefferson Papers; Copy, DNA : RG...
91From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
An article of expence having occurred in the department of foreign affairs for which no provision has been made by law, I lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State explaining the same, in order that you may do thereon what you shall find to be right. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG...
92From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
In execution of the powers with which Congress were pleased to invest me by their Act intitled “An Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States” and on mature consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the several positions, within the limits prescribed by the said Act, I have, by Proclamation, bearing date this day, a copy of which is...
93From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 1 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. The Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation concluded between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty, having been duly ratified, and the ratifications having been exchanged at London on the 28th day of October 1795, I have directed the same to be promulgated; and herewith transmit a copy thereof for the information...
94From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a copy of the ratification, by the Commonwealth of Virginia, of the Articles of amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States; and a copy of a letter which accompanied said ratification from the Governor of Virginia. LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 233, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals. GW enclosed a copy of Gov....
95From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 18 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received from the Secretary of State a report on the proceedings of the Governor of the North Western Territory at Kaskaskia, Kahokia, and Prairie under the Resolution of Congress of August 29th 1788, which containing matter proper for your consideration, I lay before you. LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals; copy,...
96From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 25 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Measures, now in operation for taking possession of the posts of Detroit and Michilimackinac, render it proper, that provision should be made for extending to those places and any others alike circumstanced the civil authority of the north western territory. To do this will require an expence, to defray which the ordinary salaries of the Governor and Secretary of that territory appear to...
97From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I transmit for your information certain intelligence lately received from Europe, as it relates to the subject of my past communications. LS , DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DNA : RG 233, Third Congress, 1793–95, House Records of Legislative Proceedings, Journals; LB , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA
98From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 1 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received from His Excellency Alexander Martin Governor of the State of North Carolina, an Act of the General Assembly of that State, entitled “an Act for the purpose of ceding to the United States of America, certain Western Lands therein described”—and have directed my Secretary to lay a Copy of the same before you, together with the copy of a Letter accompanying said Act from His...
99From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 13 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have thought it proper to lay before you a communication of the 11th instant from the Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, to the Secretary of State relative to the commerce of the two Countries, together with their explanatory correspondence, and the Secretary of State’s letter to me on the subject. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Legislative Proceedings,...
100From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a statement relative to the frontiers of the United States, which has been submitted to me, by the Secretary for the Department of War. I rely upon your wisdom to make such arrangements, as may be essential for the preservation of good order, and the effectual protection of the frontiers. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative Proceedings,...