1From 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...
2From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 10 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have directed a statement of the troops in the service of the United States to be laid before you for your information. These troops were raised by virtue of the Resolves of Congress of the 20th of October 1786, and the 3d of October 1787, in order to protect the frontiers from the depredations of the hostile Indians; to prevent all intrusions on the public Lands; and to facilitate the...
3Enclosure: A Statement of the Troops in the Service of the United States, 8 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The establishment as directed to be raised and organized by the acts of Congress of the 3rd of October 1787. To wit. One Regiment of Infantry. Consisting of 1 Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. 2 Majors 7 Captains 7 Lieutenants 8 Ensigns 1 Surgeon 4 Mates. eight companies, each of which to consist of four Serjeants— four Corporals—two musicians and Sixty privates 560 One Battalion of Artillery 1...
4From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The governor of the western territory has made a statement to me of the reciprocal hostilities of the wabash Indians, and the people inhabiting the frontiers bordering on the river Ohio, which I herewith lay before Congress. The United States in Congress assembled by their acts of the 21st day of July 1787, and of the 12th of August 1788 made a provisional arrangement for calling forth the...
5From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
United States, Gentlemen of the Senate, September 26th 1789. Having yesterday received a letter written in this month by the Governor of Rhode Island, at the request in behalf of the General Assembly of that State, addressed to the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the eleven united States of America in Congress assembled, I take the earliest opportunity of laying a...
6From 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. Having been yesterday informed by a joint-Committee of both Houses of Congress, that they had agreed to a Recess to commence this day, and to continue until the first monday of January next, I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you that, considering how long and laborious this Session has been, and the Reasons, which, I...
7From 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...
8From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 4 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Whenever there shall be a sufficient number of the two Houses of Congress assembled to proceed to business, I request to be informed of it. And also at what time and place it will be convenient for Congress that I should meet them, in order to make some oral communications at the commencement of their session. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most humble servant LS , DNA : RG 46, First...
9From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives. I embrace with great satisfaction the opportunity, which now presents itself, of congratulating you on the present favourable prospects of our public affairs. The recent accession of the important State of North Carolina to the Constitution of the United States (of which official information has been recieved)—the rising credit and...
10From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 12 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a statement of the south western frontiers, and of the Indian Department which have been submitted to me by the Secretary for the Department of War. I conceive that an unreserved, but confidential communication of all the papers relative to the recent negociations with some of the southern tribes of Indians is indispensibly requisite for the information of Congress—I am...
11From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 21 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary for the Department of War, has submitted to me certain principles to serve as a plan for the general arrangement of the Militia of the United States. Conceiving the subject to be of the highest importance to the welfare of our Country, and liable to be placed in various points of view, I have directed him to lay the plan before Congress for their information, in order that they...
12From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 25 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received from His Excellency John E. Howard, Governor of the State of Maryland, an Act of the Legislature of Maryland to ratify certain Articles in addition to, and amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of the several States; and have directed my Secretary to lay a copy of the same before you, together with the copy of a...
13From 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...
14From 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...
15From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 15 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my Secretary to lay before you the copy of a vote of the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire, to accept the Articles proposed in addition to, and amendment of, the Constitution of the United States of America, except the second Article—At the same time, will be delivered to you, the copy of a letter from His Excellency the President of the State of New Hampshire to the...
16From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received from his Excellency Joshua Clayton President of the State of Delaware the articles proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; which articles were transmitted to him for the consideration of the Legislature of Delaware, and are now returned with the following Resolutions annexed to them—viz. The General...
17From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my Secretary to lay before you the copy of an act and the form of ratification, of certain articles of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, by the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania; together with the copy of a letter which accompanied the said act, from the Speaker of the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania to the the President of the United States. The...
18From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 1 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my private Secretary to lay before you a copy of the adoption, by the Legislature of South Carolina, of the articles proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; together with the copy of a Letter from the Governor of the State of South Carolina to the President of the United States, which have lately...
19From 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...
20From 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...
21From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my Secretary to lay before you a copy of the ratification of the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States by the State of North Carolina; together with an extract from a letter, accompanying said ratification, from the Governor of the State of North Carolina to the President of the United States. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Legislative...
22From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, was received by me last night, together with a letter to the President of the United States from the President of the Convention, I have directed my secretary to lay before you a copy of each. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Legislative...
23From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
An Act of the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations for ratifying certain articles as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, was yesterday put into my hands; and I have directed my Secretary to lay a copy of the same before you. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW ; copy,...
24From 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....
25From 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....
26From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 14 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having informed Congress of the expedition which had been directed against certain Indians North West of the Ohio, I embrace the earliest opportunity of laying before you, the official communications which have been received upon that subject. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislature Proceedings, President’s Messages; copy, DNA : RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791,...
27From 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...
28From George Washington to United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a Report of the Secretary of State on the subject of the Citizens of the United States in captivity at Algiers, that you may provide on their behalf what to you shall seem most expedient. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Foreign Relations; copy, DNA : RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative...
29From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a copy of an exemplified Copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, for vesting in the United States of America the jurisdiction of a Lot of Land at Sandy Hook in the County of Monmouth; and a Copy of the letter which accompanied said Act, from the Governor of the State of New Jersey to the President of the United States. LB , DLC:GW . The beacon on...
30From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 17 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you an official statement of the appropriation of ten thousand dollars, granted to defray the contingent expences of government by an act of the 26th of March 1790. a copy of two resolutions of the Legislature of Virginia, and of a petition of sundry Officers and assignees of Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia line on continental establishment, on the subject of bounty-lands...
31From 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...
32From 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,...
33From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the copy of a letter from the President of the National Assembly of France to the President of the United States, and of a decree of that Assembly which was transmitted with the above mentioned letter. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; copy, DNA : RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative...
34From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 27 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
In order that you may be fully informed of the situation of the frontiers, and the prospects of hostility in that quarter; I lay before you the intelligence of some recent depredations, received since my message to you upon this subject, of the 24th instant. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; copy, DNA : RG 233, First...
35Tobias Lear to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I will thank you to send me, from time to time, two copies of such bills as may be printed by order of the Senate, previous to their passing into laws; and likewise two copies of your Journals as they are printed. I am induced to make this request from a wish which the President of the United States often expresses to see the bills in this stage. If there are any bills of this description now...
36From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 9 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received from the Governor of Vermont authentic documents expressing the consent of the Legislatures of New York and of the Territory of Vermont, that the said territory shall be admitted to be a distinct member of our union; and a Memorial of Nathaniel Chipman and Lewis R. Morris Commissioners from the said Territory, praying the consent of Congress to that admission by the name and...
37From 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...
38From 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,...
39From 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...
40From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you copies of the following Acts, which have been transmitted to me during the recess of Congress viz. An Act passed by the Legislature of New Hampshire, for ceding to the United States, the Fort and Light House belonging to said State. An Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, ratifying on behalf of said State, the first article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United...
41From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have directed the secretary of War to lay before you for your information the reports of Brigadier General Scott, and Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Wilkinson, the officers who commanded the two expeditions against the Wabash indians, in the months of June and August last; together with the instructions by virtue of which the said expeditions were undertaken. When the operations now depending...
42From 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...
43Enclosure: Giuseppe Ceracchi to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Joseph Ceracchi, a Roman Sculptor begs leave to submit to your Honors the annexed Design, which he has conceived of a Monument for perpetuating the Memory of the American Revolution. If Congress should think proper to encourage this Design, the Artist, satisfied with the Glory, which his performance will receive from the Subject itself, desires no pecuniary Reward, and only wishes to have the...
44From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 31 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith the arrangement which has been made by me, pursuant to the Act, entitled “An Act repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from abroad, & laying others in their stead, and also upon spirits, distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same,” in respect to the subdivision of the several districts,...
45From 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,...
46From 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,...
47From 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...
48From 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...
49From 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...
50From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 20 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the copy of a letter which I have received from the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and of sundry documents which accompanied it, relative to a contract for the purchase of a certain tract of land bounding on Lake Erie; together with a copy of a report of the Secretary of State on the same subject. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of...