1To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned in my last that our Senators were chosen—This common wealth has been divided into Eight districts each having a right to chuse one representative to the general Government. Each town was directed to return the name of two persons for electors of President & vice President from the two highest in each district the General court are to chuse one this will make Eight and two are to be...
2To George Washington from John Dandridge, 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 26th Ultmo, yesterday, with the inclosures—I assure you, that I am sensible of the indulgence you have continually afforded to my Father’s Estate and of your present offer to extend it: But so sensible, also, am I, of the great difficulty in raising cash at present, and so anxious am I to adjust the claims against the Estate, that I shall take the price fixed on...
3To George Washington from Edward Moyston, 4 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
As the Convention of the States is expected to meet in this City in the next Month, I make bold to request your influence with such Gentlemen of your acquaintance as may want Accommodations. I have fitted up Chambers in the most convenient manner, and am certain that they will find it more agreeable than any private Lodging House in Town, as they will always have more Attendants, should their...
4To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
The house of Representatives want Yet four members and the Senate two. The first will not be formed until Monday, and the senate probably not untill Wednesday next the first of April. Colo. Hanson of Alexandria is so good as to take charge of the cloth sent you from the Hartford manufactory, and also of some federal buttons manufactored in this City, both of which will I hope safely reach you....
5To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 25 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 13th Current did not come to hand till the day before Yesterday, I fear I shall fail in geting you the Poland Oat —some have been Offered, but they were so much degenerated that they Appeared no better than the Common Oat, & the price 25 ⅌ Ct higher I have procured 200 Bushels of the Common Oat of the best Quality & well Cleaned & You may send for them or any part you Want,...
6From John Jay to George Washington, 24 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay presents his Compliments to his Excellency General Washington, & sends him herewith inclosed the 1 vol. of the Fœderalist— AL , DLC : Washington ( EJ : 10394 ). Endorsed. Dft , NNC ( EJ : 8425 ). Dft
7To George Washington from Tench Tilghman, 25 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 17th. Altho’ the greater part of the Cargo of the Ship Pallas is advertised for public Sale on the 1st of October next, it is not a matter of certainty that it will be disposed of in that manner—at least the whole of it. At any rate—I expect it will fall in a great degree under my Management, as Mr O’Donnell the Owner, who is a perfect Stranger in this...
8To George Washington from Joseph Eckley, 20 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
It was the desire of the Revd Dr Gordon who, a few days ago, embarked for Europe, that according to his own practice I would weekly send to you the Independent Chronicle printed in this Town. I have the honor of enclosing one of the Papers for your Excellency at this time; requesting you to permit me to assure you that it will afford me very great satisfaction to continue so to do in a regular...
9To George Washington from John Allison, 26 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Officers of the Continental line in October last to appoint officers of the State Society of Cincinnati; It was there resolv’d, that no officer not holding a Continental Commission should be entitled to become a member —As I saw it in a different light from the Gentlemen that compos’d that Body; I beg leave to lay before your Excellency the State & progress, of the Regiment...
10To George Washington from William Gordon, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I had proposed writing by the present opportunity, before I received your letter of Jany the 1st on tuesday last. Return you my most sincere thanks for your good wishes. The second volume will be printed off I expect by the end of the week after next. The first begins with the settlement of the several colonies, & comes down to & takes in the Lexington engagement. The second finishes with the...
11To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 3 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from the clerk of the H. Delegates will inform you that the marquess’s thanks to the assembly have been presented. The resolution directing the Bust was order’d to be carried into execution by the commercial agent who was soon after dismiss’d from office, it never came to my hands till I sent for it yesterday, I will endeavour to have it comply’d with tho’ like other...
12To George Washington from Charles Washington, 7 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
I labour under Many Afflictions On Acct of the Orphans, Money is Such a Scarce Article amongst us, that there are scarcely coming at any, the Rents & profits of the Estate wou’d (could they be Collected) plentifully Answer all demands—but Fortitude & Patience is my only resource—However in the space of two or three Months I hope to be able to remit £200—I have Sent a Small Supply at present of...
13To George Washington from Jacob Broom, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you upon the success of that inestimable Constitution, which I had the honor to witness your weighty and influential support and approbation of; and it is with singular pleasure I stand informed, that you have the unanimous suffrages of the Electors, to fill the Chair of first President. I take the liberty to solicit Your Excellency for an appointment as Collector or receiver of...
14To George Washington from John Jay, 17 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
Since my arrival here I have written you two or three hasty letters—being constantly involved in Business or Company from wh. it would not be here very practicable or perhaps prudent to retreat, I have been able to write but very little—The Convention this moment adjourned and I am writing in their Chamber—a Question being about to be put on the mode of adoption which you have seen, we moved...
15To George Washington from Robert Dick, 28 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of 21st instant came to my hands Yesterday: and I now comply with your request as far as in my power. The report of the Committee of Council at Quebec to Lord Dorchester was sent early in the last Spring by a Gentleman of Glasgow to a friend of mine, as an authentick paper transmitted to the British Ministry. It seems Canada is now divided into two Provences, and the part of it...
16To George Washington from Barras, 23 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I receivd the Letter which you did me the honor to write me, as well as the institution of the Cincinnatus Society formd by the American Army, I am much flatterd to be comprisd in a military Society the members of which have with So much glory concurrd under the Orders of your Excellency to establish American Liberty, but it gives me great pain to See, that all the General Officers of the Sea,...
17To George Washington from Thomas Ringgold Tilghman, 22 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have the most melancholy Task to perform, that was ever yet imposed upon me; that of making you acquainted with the Death of my poor Brother Tench. Painful however as it is, I thought a duty not to be dispensed with towards one for whom he had so high a Reverence & so warm an Attachment as for yourself. Not above three days before his death every symptom bade fair for a speedy Recovery, when...
18To George Washington from William Jackson, 20 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
It was not till last evening I discovered that a packet, which I had done myself the honor to address to you by a private conveyance, had been forgotten by the person to whom it was entrusted. To prevent a similar accident, and to avoid any farther delay, I take the liberty to forward the enclosed pamphlets (which are transmitted at the request of our State Society) by post. Unable to decline,...
19To George Washington from William Irvine, 6 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
My letter of the 18th of July to the Honorable the Secretary at War, (which he promises to shew your Excellency) will I hope explain to your satisfaction my reason for not writing you frequently: Since that time the Virginia Troops at this Post by order of General Lincoln have been discharged & paid four months agreeable to a Resolution of Congress of the 26th of May, without the most distant...
20To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 7 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I must appologise for not answering your esteemed favours of 1st & 2d Ulto (which reached me about a fourtnight ago) before this Time but hope you will excuse me when I enform you of the Occasion. A number of losses in Trade during & since the war had so much involved my Affairs that altho’ I had property in value equal to what I owed it was so much scatterd that I found myself under a...
21To George Washington from Lafayette, 3 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I Have Received Your first favour from Philadelphia with the Greater Satisfaction, as it promises me the pleasure to Hear Again from you Before long —a pleasure, My Beloved General, which Your friend’s filial Heart wants to Anticipate, and Enjoys most Affectionately—I Have not Been surprised to Hear of Your Attendance at the Convention, and would indeed Have wondered at a denial—on the success...
22To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I must call upon your friendship to excuse me for again mentioning the convention at Philadelphia. Your determination having been fixed on a thorough review of your situation, I feel, like an intruder, when I again hint a wish, that you would join the delegation. But every day brings forth some new crisis, and the confederation is, I fear, the last anchor of our hope. Congress have taken up...
23To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the Receipt of your Excellencys Letter of the 18th Inst. and in Consequence shall send this to the City of New York which I hope and expect is now in our possession. It is unnecessary to assure you Sir how pleasing it would be, to comply with the Wishes of the Officers now in Service, as expressed in their Memorial of the 17th Inst. because I am sure both you and they...
24To George Washington from Jacob Read, 9 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to See you last Summer at Mount Vernon I believe I informed you in answer to a question on the Subject that Congress had received a Copy of the Roll of Negroes &Ca taken by the Commissioners for Superintending the Embarkations at New York at the time of the removal of the Refugees and British Garrison from this City—I now find I was mistaken and that the one I had Seen...
25To George Washington from John Tucker, 16 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The sensible pleasure I feel at being Personally known to you, has Induced me to send you the Inclosed Dissertation on the Revolutions of States and Empires. It is the performance of a Worthy Clergyman of this Island; a Gentleman of a most amiable Character, and who I have the Happiness of being Intimately acquainted with. As this Treatise Breaths Liberal sentiments, Favourable to the Future...
26To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 2 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to return you my Thanks for the Loan of Peter—and I am happy that I have it in my Power to send him Home unhurt. Tarquin has recover’d the Laurells he lost at Alexandria—His Opponents were, old Cumberland, and Herod, the Property of Doctr Ross; both which he beat with great Ease. I have a fine 2 year-old Doe, perfectly tame, which I beg your Acceptance of. She shall be sent with...
27From James Madison to George Washington, 6 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
The arrival of R. H. Lee yesterday has made up a Quorum of the Senate. A Quorum in the other House was made on wednesday last. The ballots will be opened today unless an indisposition of Mr. Basset should prevent, which was not probable yesterday afternoon. The notifications to the President & Vice President will be left to the Senate. Mr. Charles Thomson will be the Messenger to the former....
28To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was of the 1st instant since which I have received your favor of the 25 Jany. You will probably have received mine long before this time of the 14th ultimo which will satisfy you that I received duly your favor of the 26th December. I now enclose you (in confidence) three Copies of letters written by our friend Lincoln to Govr Bowdoin which will shew you in a more connectd State...
29To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned yesterday, to some of the members of Congress, that I thought it would be very satisfactory to your Excellency to know the ideas of Congress relative to the number of troops to be reclaimed on the evacuation of New York—on this point a motion was made in Congress by Mr Gerry & seconded by Mr McHenry "That the commander in chief be authorized and directed after the evacuation of New...
30To George Washington from Samuel Hanway, 26 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
In a Short time after you left my office I Examin’d the falls of Cheat river agreeable to your request and find that it will be Imposible to effect a navigation up it through the Laurell Hill, I have made the stri[c]test Enquiry whare the most advantagious and nearest Communication by Land can be had from the north branch to the Western Waters, and find it Will be to the falls of the Tyeger...
31To George Washington from George Martin, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
With the purest Sentiments of Esteem and respect I took the earliest Opportunity of acknowledging the Honor of your Letter by the hands of My Nephew Mr Geo: Martin who was preparing to embark for Virginia from England, but I since find that unexpected Occurrences have detain’d him so long that it is more than probable this Letter will reach your hands before he can present his—give me leave...
32To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 1 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
If my waggone Comes to this Place Next Friday—or before, as I have directed—I Shall waite on you For Colo. Fairfaxes Desk and Papers—I have no order for them—the Executors said it was not Necessary—as my Power of attorney was Sufficient To Call for them —If you think it Necessary To List the Papers I Shall be Glad it Could be done before I Come down—Should any accident Prevent my going To...
33To George Washington from William Brown, 7 October 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Brown, 7 Oct. 1785. GW wrote Brown on 24 Nov. : “I am really ashamed, at this late hour to have the receipt of your favor of the 7th of Octor, to acknowledge.”
34To George Washington from Benjamin Hawkins, 10 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency some acts passed the last Session of our Legislature—by which you will see in some measure the disposition of this State to comply with the views of Congress; as well as, to grant such further powers as may render the Confederation more competent to the purposes of the Union. The Act for levying our proportion of one million five hundred thousand...
35To George Washington from Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 15 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Being honoured with a recommendatory letter of the Marquis de La Fayette to your Excellency, in view to adsist my endeavours to Settle my in this commonwealth with my wife and two children, who followed their husband and father from the Unhappy Nethelands I thougth it my duty to Sent that letter to your Excellency, as soon Possible. Althoug I lost the greatest part of my fortune in the defence...
36To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 23 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
Being but just now informed that a Vessell is to Sail in a very few days from Bristol for Baltimore Town, I have only time to say, that I have received your favor dated the 30th of June last, and that I immediately applyed to Mr Rack, the Secretary to the Bath Agriculture Society (who corresponds with most of the Societys in this Kingdom) for his friendly assistance in makeing the enquiry for...
37To George Washington from James Madison, 24 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of the 17th 18th under the same cover with the papers from Mr Pleasants. The Circular letter from this State is certainly a matter of as much regret, as the unanimity with which it passed is matter of surprize. I find it is every where, and particularly in Virginia, laid hold of as the signal for united exertions in pursuit of early amendments. In Pennsylva....
38To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 28 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
When I went to princeton in order to pay my respects to your Excellency I requested your permission to place the legion in the line of penslvania—I was induced to take that step from the idea which many gentlemen in the assembly of that state, told me the assembly in General entertained respecting the legion & the advantage it would result to them from having that Corps into their at the same...
39From James Madison to George Washington, 15 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have at length the pleasure to inclose you the favorable result of the Convention at Boston. The amendments are a blemish, but are in the least Offensive form. The minority also is very disagreeably large, but the temper of it is some atonement. I am assured by Mr. King that the leaders of it as well as the members of it in general are in good humour; and will countenance no irregular...
40From James Madison to George Washington, 21 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have deferred writing since my arrival here in the hourly hope of being enabled to communicate the final news from Poughkepsie. By a letter from Hamilton dated the day before yesterday I find that it is equally uncertain when the business will be closed, and what will be its definitive form. The inclosed gazettes state the form which the depending proposition bears. It is not a little...
41To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 30 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose here a Copy of a petition of some of the officers of the army to Congress, & request the permission to make some remarks on the difference betwixt my proposal & their demand. they do not mention positively that any of them shall go & settle on the lands Granted by Congress, nor do they intimate that a body or several body of them wishes to go & settle in Company...
42To George Washington from Aeneas Lamont, 31 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Perhaps you will be surprized at receiving a letter from a person entirely unknown to you, and more so, I fear, at the liberty I have already taken with your name: Altho’ I cannot attempt to Justifie this impertinance, yet I consider it some liquidation of my offence that I am not the first man of genius (or immaginary genius) that have succoured their efforts by the influence of the great....
43To George Washington from William Minor, 24 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
The proposition that your Excellency was pleased to make of Leaving to Some Gentlemen the Matter I laid before you on Saturday the 21st Instant in Regard to my Claim against you on Account of Lawrence Posey—is perfectly agreeable to me. I wish I had had presence of mind to have asked your Excellency to have Appointed Some Gentlemen to do the Business when I was at your Place—but I did not know...
44To George Washington from Essarts, 1 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
It is well known to all the world that your Excellency, after having fought for the liberty of the thirteen States, like a true Fabius, supported with an indefatigable zeal those laws & establishments which might tend to advance the happiness of your Country. Admiring your virtues, I am persuaded that the inclinations of a great man will not be averse to the reading of the works of one of the...
45To George Washington from Elhanan Winchester, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will perhaps be surprized to receive a letter from such a poor unworthy creature as I am, and one with whom you have no acquaintaince, but I can assure you, Worthy Sir, that you will find the language of gratitude and respect without disguise or flattery in these lines; and therefore permit me among Millions, (even the happy Millions of the Inhabitants of the united States, who owe their...
46To George Washington from Samuel Hodgdon, 11 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Want of time this Morning prevented my giving the reasons that operated in my mind against the delivery of the duplicate Cannon inscribed for Count De Grass—duty obliges me to inform your Excellency that the two pieces ordered by Congress were executed in this City and forwarded by the Ship Washington previous to any knowledge of those now on hand being preparing in the vicinity of camp—On...
47To George Washington from Alicia Bennett, the Countess of Tankerville, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I Am, favor’d with yours, and am very sorry it is not Convenient to you to Accept of the Trust, my Sons took the liberty of offering to you, I wish’d to give you as little trouble as the Nature of the business wou’d admit of. the Chief thing I look’d to, was the Sanction and Honor it wou’d be to my Son Henry to be under your protection. I have for near twenty years had great trouble and...
48To George Washington from David Humphreys, 18 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
A few hours after your departure, I received a private communication from a friend in Congress informing me of my appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe —Tho’ pleased with the information I considered myself as unfortunate in not having recd the Letter while your Excellency remained in Town—because I wished to avail myself of Letters of...
49To George Washington from David Humphreys, 24 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure, before I left New York, to receive your favor containing the enclosures respecting Asgil’s affair, and am taking measures for their publication —Interested, as I feel myself in your wellfare & happiness, I could not but be extremely affected by the account of your ill-health; and beg you will let me know in what condition your health is, as I shall not find myself at ease...
50To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 13 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is Invoice of the Buckwheat shipped by the Sloop Charming Polly Capt. Ellwood who sails to morrow for Alexandria—The Captain has not yet Called for the Bill of Lading but it shall be sent by the Vessel with the Certificate to save Duties. I informed your Excellency that I had again been disappointed (as I had twice before after positive Engagements) of a part of the Buckwheat but as I...