131To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Capt. OBrien arrived here last Saturday from Lisbon. The Dey of Algiers is entirely our friend. Tripoli has agreed to a perpetual peace, for 40,000 dollars & some peace presents, without an annual tribute. In January last Mr Barlow mentions his expectations that peace would soon be effected with Tunis. The Dey of Algiers is now so warmly attached & has such entire confidence in the Honesty of...
132To George Washington from William Thornton, 25 December 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 25 Dec. 1798. On 30 Dec. GW wrote Thornton : “Your favor of the 25th instant . . . has been duly received.”
133To George Washington from Moses Jenkins, 27 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I Gladly Embrace an Opportunity of writing to Your Excellency on a Subject of as Great Importance as any thing Ever yet Comprehended By Mortal Man That is the Glory of God & the Redemption & Salvation of mankind; I am A Union Minister. & I Do Sincerely Beleive that if all human Inventions was Laid Aside, that it would be Imposible that any more than one party Could Exist in the Church of...
134To George Washington from William Thornton, 19 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
When Colonel Lear was here he said you were desirous of knowing if Mr Blagdin had laid in all the materials requisite for your Houses, as you thought they would not only be likely to rise, but probably be difficultly obtained properly Seasoned. I called on him, but not meeting with him I went the Day before yesterday to his Partner Mr Lenthall, who informed me that every Contract was made, and...
135To George Washington from Auguste de Grasse, 20 August 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Auguste de Grasse, 20 Aug. 1799. On 9 Sept. GW wrote de Grasse : “I have received your letter of the 20th of August.”
136To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 2 July 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 2 July 1798. On 4 July GW wrote Lear : “I have received your letter and A/c of the 2d Instt.”
137To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
(confidential) Sir, Philadelphia August 2. 1799. A letter from Mr Murray of May 17 received this week, covers a letter from Talleyrand, dated May 12th, assuring him that the Executive Directory will receive the Envoys of the U. States in their official character; and that they shall enjoy all the prerogatives attached to it by the law of nations; and that one or more ministers shall be duly...
138To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 25 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
at the moment of embarking on board of the vessel which is to carry us to France, I snatch a few minutes to inform you that when you receive these few lines we will be on our way to our native country where we will carry a deep sense of all which we owe you, and where I hope to be able to tell my parents all their own as well as my own obligations to you. we are this moment setting out to go...
139To George Washington from William Heath, 11 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which you did me the honor to write me, some time since, you expressed a wish to be a reader of my memoirs of the American revolutionary war, if they were published, The work being now out of press, I take the liberty to forward a Copy, and pray you to do me the honor of accepting it. When you think proper to give the memoirs a perusal, I intreat you to exercise much candour, and...
140To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 12 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
It is painful to trouble a man whom I have so long revered with these letters—But Oliver Wolcott whom you honored with a place, has cast me into prison for a small sum due honestly to him. The suit is pushed for two causes—One to defeat my hopes and expectations of the place of collector of the customs in New Haven. He wishes to have it given to Eli⟨zur⟩ Goodrich—Brother to the member of...
141To George Washington from Marmaduke Leigh, 25 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am told you wish to dispose of your Lands on the ohio river in the State of Virginia, I would willingly become a purchaser of a tract of your Land, particularly that tract below the Little Kenhawa river. Should the price and terms of payment suit me, As I am acquainted with the quality of your Lands on the ohio river, If you will Let me know your price and the terms of payment I will Let you...
142To George Washington from Foster & May, 30 April 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Foster & May, 30 April 1798. On 7 May GW wrote Foster & May : “Your letter of the 30th ulto” was received.
143To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 27 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the pleasure of enclosing you the number of square feet contained in your two purchases made of the public and Mr Carroll. We received Mr Carroll’s answer in writing, on the monday after you left the City, giving his full consent to confirm the Sale of the Lot on the terms proposed, and promising to execute the proper conveyance in the course of the present Week. It may be well...
144To George Washington from Rufus King, 26 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
As I forward several copies of the news Paper that contained the advertisement concerning your suit in the Chancery of Virginia, though a Ship in which one of them was sent, has been carried into France I hope some others arrived safe and in Season —Every one is anxious to hear from Vienna, the latest accounts from which, leaving it uncertain whether we are to expect the news of a Great...
145To George Washington from Nathaniel Ramsay, 18 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The letter which accompanis this was wrote yesterday before your Cart had returned from Mr Gough’s. The Calf which was drove in from his House was so very much fatigued and his feet appeared so sore that I have recomme[n]ded it to Mr Anderson to give it one days rest, and its being in the same pasture with the other one will make them somewhat acquainted, and perhaps drive better together. The...
146To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not meeting myself with any private conveyance, I have committed to the Atty Genl the care of forwarding the packet with your buckles; and also mentioned it to Mr Harrison, whose wife will shortly go to her father’s, & who will carry it, if Mr Lee should not find a conveyance. Mr Barlow sent by Capt OBrien a parcel of Barbary mellon seeds, addressed to the Society of Agriculture of...
147To George Washington from Anthony Heusler, 20 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Exelencies ordre I have the honnour to informe you that I am rady to go into your service, and Dew not pretant to pointe out to you anny new Rouls, but will satisfay my self white the same apointements as your other Gardner Injoire now, only white that Tiferance, to Recive frome your Exelencies an Ecquivalent of the amaunte of seele mad Yearly which will not bee any more. I...
148To George Washington from John McDowell, 8 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour by Doctr Stuart and with him have made such arrangements respecting the education of young Mr Custis, as we judged most eligible at this time. What these are, it is unnecessary for me to mention, as the Doctor will no doubt give you a full account of every thing. I hope the course of study, we have chosen for him, as well as the reasons for the choice, will meet with...
149From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I was much surprized on my arrival here to discover that your nomination had been without any previous consultation of you. Convinced of the goodness of the motives it would be useless to scan the propriety of the step. It is taken and the question is—what under the circumstances ought to be done? I use the liberty which my attachment to you and to the public authorises to offer my opinion...
150To George Washington from John Gerard William De Brahm, 26 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I feel a deep concern to revere, yea Love Eminent Men, who under the discipline of divine Goodness can be most Virtuously instrumental, what they cannot be in their own exertion for the good of Men, whom God does all the good they hinder him not, a drop of their blood is too precious in his Sight as to aprove of its Spilling, he preserves Men in most tender Love. finding, that the Seed of the...
151To George Washington from Mason Locke Weems, 26 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I was t’other day in Norfolk where a very particular friend of mine Captn James Tucker a man of merit and money, begd me to ask a favor of you which we both concluded your goodness wd readily grant. Captn Tucker is a Wealthy Merchant of Norfolk, largely in the importing line. He has lately been applied to for a quantity of Merchandize on credit by a Gentleman who calls himself Major James...
152Address of Baltimore City Council, 12 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
To partake of the prosperity arising from your unwearied attention to the Welfare of our Country—To admire that firmness which has never been disconcerted in the greatest difficulties, and which has acquired vigor in proportion to the exigency. To feel that honorable ascendancy you have obtained in the well founded opinion of your fellow Citizens by a Wise administration, and the exercise of...
153To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 20 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Many thanks my dear Sr for your favour of the 31st ultimo, the excellent advice it contains relative to the enforcement of discipline, I shall most assiduously attend to; every word of it shall be engraved on my Memory & it shall be the rule of my conduct. I am much obliged to you for complying with my request in pointing out an Aid, and I very chearfully accede to the conditions on which you...
154To George Washington from Samuel Washington, 7 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Haveing been for two years past particular unfortunate in Loseing all my Crop of small grain, Induces me to solicit a favor of you[.] the Last year I should have made Two Thousands Bushels of Wheat but was unlucky enough to get a man to stack for me who was not acquainted with the business and there came a wet spell of Weather, and I Lost all to about Two hundred bushls. That Loss I should by...
155To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir Philadelphia 30 March 1799 I received by yesterdays mail your letter of the 25th inst. For the present and until I can enjoy a few hours leisure from the most urgent business, I must content myself with a simple acknowledgment of the kindness of intention and friendship it discovers. Such has been the pressure of business upon the Clerks, that they have only been able to make...
156To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The increasing feebleness of my health rendering it impossible for me to discharge the duties of Secretary to Mr Murray in a manner which I can reconcile to myself, has induced me to come to a determination to return to America. I conceived it to be my duty, Sir, to inform you of this determination to quit a situation in wch your goodness had placed me; and a fear lest Mr Murray should, from...
157To George Washington from John Parker, 9 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Permit me, great sir, to address you and solicit the honor of your name and patronage to the work which I am now engaged in— “The Journals of Congress” from the year 1775 to the present time, including the reports of the Heads of Departments &c. My undertaking has met with the encouragement of Mr Jefferson & the Committee of Congress to whom the printing the old Journals was referred—The...
158To George Washington from Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, 14 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your hospitability & Kindnes, impress me with stronger sensation than my knowledge of the Language enable me to convey. After quitting the unhapy scenes of my own country, the prosperity & tranquility of this made a most pleasing contrast & I exclaimed with the Poet who expresses the Sentiments of America O Meliboe Deus [nobis]—haec otia fecit Namque erit ille mihi semper Deus (Virgil’s...
159To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th inst. I duly recieved. Colo. Heth is very highly esteemed here by all men of respectability, who are not in opposite politics with himself. I have always heard him spoken of as a man of business, and as being both sober & prudent. Tho’ I do not believe that he has been favored with a very liberal education, I consider him as possessed of a very strong mind, and of...
160To George Washington from William Thornton, 6 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the Section of Square No. 21, with an Alteration made by the red Line, which is allowing as much as the Surveyor, on attentively considering the Ground, thinks can be made with propriety. I have directed the general plan of the Levels to be made correspondent. I request you will be pleased to accept a Dozen Bottles of what may be truly called The heart of Oak. It is old Spirit that...
161To George Washington from James Anderson, 21 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of 18th gave me much Satisfaction every alteration which You think well of will be attended to in the Planing & executeing the Improvement of Your Estate. And as much Grass seeds as possable saved for every purpose proposed. Your Excellency’s approbation and mark thereof in allowing me £140 Hire is very agreable for this & future times. It will please me better than any share, for...
162To George Washington from Tadeusz Kościuszko, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I return You my warmest thanks for the Honour You have done me —If the situation of my health would admit my travelling so far, I would immediatly pay you my Respects and my personal Homage; it was my first intention, and I hope I shall at last accomplish it. Your High Character, Reputation and the Goodness of Your Heart, may give me the liberty to mention a circumstance concerning me and is...
163To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 7 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I recieved a few days ago; a letter from Mr John Nicholas in which after speaking of the violence of a certain party in that County, and the lengths to which they go he says, “among other things, you will see in Davis’s paper of the 24th July a hint at the affair with which you are acquainted from the celebrated John Langhorne himself. I am hinted at as the ‘dignified character of an...
164To George Washington from Nathaniel Luff, Jr., 3 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am a second time called to address a few lines to Thee, awakened in the night season, or previous to the dawn of day, for that purpose, (I believe,) the sentiments in the first instance that impressed my mind, not being inscribed on paper, are lost. I have in the second instance been more attentive to the impulse, (I will not call it divine) but am as to myself, fully satisfied of that...
165To George Washington from John Trumbull, 5 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your favour of the 25th of June last, some weeks ago; I am very much obliged to you for what you have done respecting the Prints but sorry that you should have had so much trouble with them. The wonderful Events of this Campaign in Europe have entirely contradicted my speculations of last Spring, and have at least removed to a greater distance the Danger which I...
166To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 8 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Morgan, 8 Oct. 1799. In one of two letters that GW wrote Morgan on 26 Oct. he referred to Morgan’s “favour of the 8th instt.”
167To George Washington from Isaac Price, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed a pamphlet entitled a Jerseymans Common Sense. if it is approved by you and you think it prudent at this criticle Juncture that such sentiments should be publick, I shall have a number more printed But if discerning men deem it imprudent—and not conducive of harmony and unity—I shall desist—I assure you sir that my motive is purely from a principle of love to my countrey,...
168To George Washington from David Stuart, 27 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I expect you have not had an opportunity of seeing the inclosed address—written by Mr Evans on the subject of the alien and sedition bills—It is so excellent in my judgement, that tho’ it is borrowed, I cannot refuse taking the liberty of furnishing you with it —It is much to be lamented, it did not appear sooner, as it could not have failed I think of dissipating the fears of many well...
169To George Washington from Samuel Washington, 29 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I recd your kind Letter of the 12th Instant and am happy in having an opportunity to return to you my most sincere thanks for your offer of Assistance and for your good Advice, which I can Assure you was very Acceptable as there is no person fonder of receiving Advice than what I am. Your Observations respecting the borrowing of Money I have reason to Attend to. for a Considerable part of the...
170To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 14th instant. The recommendations of Captains Taylor and Blue will not fail to be considered when the situation of things is mature for the appointment of Brigade Inspectors. Inclosed you will find a General Abstract of the recruiting returns, which at its date were received at the Office of the Adjutant General. Other Information induces me to...
171To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 8 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have conversed with Mr Brooke respecting Mrs Forbes and am enabled to get you the following history of that person. She is a widow—a Native of England & without a family—about 50 yrs of age—active & spirited in the execution of her business—sober & honest—well acquanted with Cookery & in his opinion capable of ordering & setting out a table—her appearance is decent & respectable & such is...
172To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 8 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you were pleased to write to me of the 3d inst. was not put into my hands ’till late on thursday evening, which prevented my answering it on friday morng as by some new arrangement the Mail for Alexa. is closed at ½ past 7 in the morning. The Lustre was taken down, well packed, and (with the Boat awning, Sail, &ca) put on board the Tryal, Capt. Hand, who sailed early on Monday...
173To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 6 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 5th by the Hands of Washington Custis, enclosing a Note of Tobacco, nett weight 912 lb. which I disposed off this Morning at Six dollars ⅌ Hd & a dollar for the cask, there was but one person in Town that would give more than 5¾, it being under a thousand; a Mr Williams sold this day ⟨5⟩0 Hhds all weighing upwards of 1000 at a Credit of 60 dy for Six & a half dollars....
174To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 2 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your last cover’d a Receipt for Seventy Nine Dollars & two Hhds Tobacco. I have inquired the Cash price & Credit Prices of Tobacco; they are as follow 7¼⟨$⟩ 7¾ @ 60 days & 8.120, if you are not in immediate want of the Money, the Gentn who offers 7¾ dollars can be rely’d on, & from the present prospect of things perhaps you could not do better with it. Mr & Mrs Law were here Yesterday I think...
175To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors of the 21st and 23d ultimo. They breathe a spirit of friendship and affection which has ever been ardently reciprocated by me. The appointment of the third Major General having been explicity declined by me I have nothing to add on that subject but one single observation. To wit that you are the only decided personal friend who has advised my acceptance of it....
176To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear General Trenton [N.J.] 10th Sepr 1798 If any change should take place in settling the relative rank of the majr Generals you hope and expect to be informed of it. The inclosed letters will shew you the progress and state of the Question. You will return them, and I am sure will duly respect this confidence. It will be proper you should deliberate upon the part which will...
177To George Washington from Henry Hill, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
The pleasing sensations produced on this anniversary are so connected with you, that my forwardness to pay it any mark of respect I hope may find indulgence—I should have been happier to have seen you & thrown myself at the feet of Mrs Washington and miss Custis, saving you the care in that case, which as it is, I must intreat you would undertake of gracing my Complimts to these Ladies. A very...
178To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your friendly letter of 15th Ocr last was highly acceptable, but before I enter upon a particular answer I mean to transcribe one of our friend Monsr La Fayette’s dated two days before. Upon hearing He was safe in the neighbourhood of Hamburgh I wrote to him on the 9th of Novr to which he answered from Lehmkhul near Ploin, as follows “My dear Sir With heart-felt satisfaction I have received...
179To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 23 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a draught on Mr James Russel of Alexandria (Mercht) for the amount of Mr Ariss’s last years rent. Mr Ariss’s great infirmities has prevented his making any exertions to obtain this money earlier & has induced me at his earnest request to depart from my usual mode of collection & your instructions—If this money is not paid immediately on demand, or assurances given...
180To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Words cannot express my present sensations, a heart overflowing with joy at the success of conscience over disposition is all I have to give—Dearest Sir did you but know the effect your letter has produced it would give you as consummate pleasure, as my former one did pain —My very soul tortured with the sting of conscience at length called reason to its aid and happy for me triumphed, the...