51To George Washington from Rufus King, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 22d of december. Count Rumford being in Bavaria, I have requested the minister of that Country at this court, to forward your Letter to the count with his next dispatch —I have delivered to Mr Fulton the letter for him, and as soon as Sir John Sinclair returns to Town I will also deliver the Letter addressed to him —I have before sent two...
52To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to inclose a letter of Oct. 16. received this day from Mr Adams at the Hague. The following passage is in a letter recd this day from the Consul of the U. States at Falmouth in England, dated Novr 26th: “A vessel arrived to-day from Lisbon, and the master reports that at Madrid the populace would not permit Lord Bute to depart, and that the Spanish and...
53To George Washington from Robert Fulton, 5 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Last evening Mr King presented me with your Letter aquainting me of the Receipt of my publication on Small Canals, which I hope you will Soon have time to Peruse in a tranquil Retirement from the Buisy operations of a Public Life; Therefore Looking forward to that period when the whole force of your Mind will Act upon the Internal improvement of our Country, by Promoting Agriculture and...
54To George Washington from Jacob Broom, 4 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
as I was an applicant for the Office to which Major Bush was appointed, and by whose demise a vacancy has taken place, I take the liberty to renew my application —should I be so fortunate as to be the object of your choice, my best endeavors shall not be wanting to deserve the favor—on the other hand, should any one be preferred before me, I shall again chearfully submit; being firmly...
55To George Washington from Thomas Law, 4 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I respect & esteem you too much to intrude often upon your valuable time I am averse to lacerate a mind already wounded by complaint; yet I cannot forbear when I consider that perhaps in the Year 1800 at Mount Vernon, when Congress cannot come to the City, you may upbraid me for not candidly assigning to you the causes of the misfortune, when it was in your power to do them away. I have...
56To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is with much regret, we trouble you with the enclosures, but as the appropriations will now be finally determined, we hope it will be the last application on that subject—We have only to observe, that Mr Davidson has received payment for his proportion of the President’s Square, as delineated on the engraved plan —We are, with sentiments &c. LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners...
57To George Washington from Anna Margaretha de Neufville, 2 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
when I had the honour to wait upon you Sir, you was pleased to ask me wether my husband had appleid to old Congress, which I answerd in the negative to you, owing not understanding perfect by your meaning, he has So far applied as to have Send a Copie of the list of debtors and creditors, with a letter or petetion, to Request theire influeence, in ordre to be Sooner remboursed; the particulars...
58To George Washington from James Anderson, 1 Feb. 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 1 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 5 Feb. : “Your letter of the 1st instant, with the weekly reports, are received.”
59To George Washington from William Cocke, 1 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
In answer to yours of this date to Mr Blount And myself, I have to Observe that you May recollect that Some time past I delivered you a letter from Mr David Campbell on the Subject of his beeing appointed District Judge in the State of Tennessee and in Our then Conversation you intimated a de Sire to be informed whether he was a proper person to fill that Office I informed you that the...
60To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 1 February 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Washington Parke Custis, 1 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Custis on 27 Feb. and acknowledged his “letter of the … first.”
61To George Washington from James Scott, 1 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
From your most excellent Speech addressed to Congress upon the opening of the Session; which shewed so fully the able Legislator, the true Patriot, and the Patron of Letters, it appears that the Institution of a College in the united States, on a liberal Plan, wherein Arts & Sciences may be taught with more Precision and to a greater Extent than has hitherto been adopted in that Country, is in...
62To George Washington from the Chevalier de Colbert, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Will you be So good as to allow to a Soldier who fought in the last War for the American cause, under the Admirals Terney, D’Estouches, Barras, & de Grass, to recall himself to your Excellency to who he had the honnour to be introduced by the Marquis de la fayette at the Camp before York-Town. how far he was then to believe that by unforseen Events he Should be drove out of his own Country!...
63To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The sitting of the Court and an uncommon pressure of business have unavoidably delayed an answer to your last favour. I have read with attention Mr Pickerings letter. It is in the main a substantial and satisfactory paper, will in all probability do considerable good in enlightening public opinion at home—and I do not know that it contains any thing which will do harm elsewhere. It wants...
64To George Washington from Thomas Remington, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Humble Petition of Thomas Remington native of South America sends Greeting—that your Petitioner after having Experienced a great many Misfortunes & disappointments in this unknown part of the Continent and from frequent Applications to Merchants in this City for Employment—find that Notwithstanding all my Exertions there is not the smallest Probability of my getting into any Sittuation for...
65From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25–31 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The sitting of the Court and an uncommon pressure of business have unavoidably delayed an answer to your last favour. I have read with attention Mr. Pickerings letter. It is in the main a substantial and satisfactory paper, will in all probability do considerable good in enlightening public opinion at home—and I do not know that it contains any thing which will do harm elsewhere. It wants...
66From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [31 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
My late situation exposes me to applications which I cannot resist without appearing unkind. It is understood that Mr. Walker is about to resign the place of naval Officer. Mr. Jonathan Burrall Mr. Rogers (Walker’s Deputy) and Col Giles (the present Marshall) have all three mentioned the subject to me and requested me to express my opinion of their qualifications to you. As to Mr. Burrall...
67To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of inclosing to you a Sketch of such description of the public appropriations, as will, we think, be sufficient to identify them in the Deed from the Trustees—It is submitted for consideration. We also inclose a plan of the proposed two buildings for the Executive Departments. One will be sufficient for the Treasury Department, and the other for the Department of...
68To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
My late situation exposes me to applications which I cannot resist without appearing unkind. It is understood that Mr Walker is about to resign the place of naval Officer. Mr Jonathan Burrall Mr Rogers (Walkers Deputy) and Col. Giles (the present Marshall) have all three mentioned the subject to me and requested me to express my opinion of their qualifications to you. As to Mr Burrall there is...
69To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 25–28 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Every thing that has happened since my arrival here in which our Country is concerned, you will have seen by my Letters No. 2–3–4 & 5 to the Secretary of State of the dates of the 20th of Decr & of the 6th 15th & 24th of this Month. But I cannot permit my Nephew Horry to return to America after an absence of many years without giving him a line to you and assuring you of my grateful affection...
70To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the U. States the letters received this day from Mr King, & the Commissioners of the U.S. in London. Also the draught of a message to the Senate containing nominations of three persons to be inspectors in No. Carolina. At the last Session they were commissioned, one as Collector and the other two as Surveyors, for the...
71To George Washington from Richard Peters, 26 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have endeavoured to find out the Prices of Land at & near Philadelphia & from thence to Lancaster on & near the Route to that Place. But these Prices are so various that I am not able to fix on any Average. £100 ⅌ Acre is offered for Land on the West Side of Schuylkill near the Bridge —Near £60 this Currency were given last year for Land a Mile further West—I would not take this Sum for my...
72To George Washington from James Anderson, 25 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 25 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 29 Jan. : “Your letter of the 25th instant … came to hand.”
73To George Washington from Francis Preston, 25 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Bill extending the Laws of the United States to the State of Tennessee having passed, which makes it necessary a Federal Judge be appointed to that District, whose nomination is made by you, I have no doubts you are desirous to fix on a Character best calculated to perform the Duties of that high office and most acceptable to the People of that State—Under these impressions and at the...
74To George Washington from Henry Lee, c.24 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
General Lee returns herewith the paper which the President was pleased to give to him last evening—He has derived great pleasure from its perusal as it presents a complete refutation of all the charges exhibited agst govt by mr adet & breathes throughout a spirit of moderation & friendship which ought to produce the happiest effects. AL , DLC:GW . At this time, Lee represented Westmoreland...
75To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 24 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
General Lee and myself have Cancelled our bargain for the three tracts of land Laying in Kentucky, & which I purchased of him last year, (on certain Conditions,) two of which tracts had been previously Sold to you. In March I shall depart for that State to carry these conditions into effect —and if you have not yet Sold the two Sd tracts on Ruff-Creek, I would advise you not to do so—haveing...
76To George Washington from George Walker, 24 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Permit me, for the last time I shall ever trouble You on the subject, to lay before you the cause of the late small altercation which took place between Commissioner Scott and myself; for although Mr Scott drew Mr White into a concurrence; yet, he was not the moving cause. And as for Dr Thornton he was in the negative through the whole. Sometime previous to my leaving the City last Spring, I...
77To George Washington from Thomas Farrington, 23 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased, to accept the inclosed, as a real Testimony, of a sincere, & candid Respect, & Esteem from your very Obedient Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Thomas Farrington (c.1751–1807) graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Harvard College (now Harvard University) in 1773, and was a teacher in Medford, Mass., from October to December of that year. Soon thereafter, he opened a store....
78To George Washington from John Greenwood, 23 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Greenwood, 23 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Greenwood on 25 Jan. : “Your letter of the 23d instt came to me this morning.”
79To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the pleasure to present to the President a letter received this morning from Colo. Humphreys, by which it appears that Capt. OBrien & hands with the treasure are safe at Tripoli—and that the Dey of Algiers has demanded the delivery on pain of making war: there can be little doubt of the recovery of the money, seeing the Dey considers it as the property of the...
80To George Washington from Robert Rutherford, 23 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
From motives the most pure and a very generous impulse, I have hastily committed my sentiment to paper, as I fear for our common Country, and please to be assured, your reputation & peace of mind, is very dear to me, because I have ever considered you, as an honest Man, a patriot and firm friend to this people. The Crisis is Critical & Very important. I am aware of the difficulty’s you had in...
81To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 23 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will pardon me—I am persuaded you will—for troubling you with an affectionate, ’tho unimportant Letter: unimportant as to business—not so, as it respects my feelings. I have been promising myself the pleasure of seeing you in the course of this Winter, and presenting to you in person, my respects and my regrets; but, the severity of the season, with some other circumstances, I find will...
82To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 21 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of the 10th during my confinement under a severe attack of the Pleuresy —I am now on the recovery, tho’ very weak, nor have I yet left my room. The deed you wrote for is now enclosed, but I find it was not recorded within the time prescribed by Law. I have received no answer to my letter respecting your Kanawa Lands—As that letter was interesting to you, I hope it did not...
83To George Washington from George Frederick Stume, 20 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of George Frederick Stume formerly a Citizen of Mayence but now of the City of Philadelphia. Most respectfully sheweth That Your Memorialist after having gone through the Courses of the different Sciences at Several of the European Universities, he was appointed Secretary of the Departement of Finance by the Elector of Mayence and also Director of Finance to different noble...
84From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 January 179[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. De Neuville widow of Mr. De Neuville formerly of Holland lately passed through this City. On her way she called upon me and announced her intention to make application to Congress on the ground of the political services rendered the UStates by her husband, as in fact a principal cause of his pecuniary misfortunes—and expressed a wish that I would bring her case under your eye. I told her...
85To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Mrs De Neuville widow of Mr De Neuville formerly of Holland lately passed through this City. On her way she called upon me and announced her intention to make application to Congress on the grounds of the political services rendered the U. States by her husband, as in fact a principal cause of his pecuniary misfortunes—and expressed a wish that I would bring her case under your eye. I told her...
86To George Washington from James Anderson, 18 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 18 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 22 Jan. : “Your letter of the 18th instant … came to my hands yesterday.”
87To George Washington from Martha Parke Custis Peter, 18 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
In the last letter I received from Grandmama, she mentioned your having said you would give me A silver Tea Pot, and Bowl. I should be ungratful did I not take the earliest opportunity of thanking you for your goodness, in granting my request. Be assured dear Sir I am very sensible of the many obligations you have confered on me, & hope I shall ever be grateful, for them. I am at present with...
88To George Washington from Alexander White, 18 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your letter of 13th instant, and a copy of your letter of 26th Ulo in course of Post —I rather expected a Family residence would be required—I need not say, for indeed I scarcely know, what I wished on the occasion; but so far I had made up my mind that I would not remain in Office under circumstances which did not meet your cordial approbation; this I conceive Your letter...
89To George Washington from William Blount and William Cocke, 17 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We beg your Permission to recommend to you for your Nomination for District Judge of the District of Tennessee John Rhea Esquire: We recommend him upon the following grounds, In the late Revolution he embraced every opportunity to give Proofs by rendering personal services and otherwise of his firm Attachment to the Principles upon which the Independence of the United States was established,...
90To George Washington from James Innes, 17 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The peculiarity of my present situation must plead my apology for the intrusion of this letter. Since my acceptance of the office of Commissioner to carry into effect the 6th Article of the late treaty between the United States & Great Britain, I have been gradually preparing myself for the execution of that trust, by withdrawing from the functions of my profession, and by a resignation of the...
91To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your respected favor of the 13th instant reached this place last evening, and should have been answered by return of the mail; but I had been absent for some days at the Great Falls, on the business of the Potomac Company, and did not get home till this day. I trust, my dear Sir, that after knowing my reasons for not having sooner acknowledged the receipt of your kind letter of the 14th of...
92To George Washington from Hannah Fairfax Washington, 17 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to you by my Son Fairfax Washington, who I have sent to Phliadela with a view of reading the Law under Mr Charles Lee, and of improving himself, by being introduced into good company. Depending on the friendship you, & your good Lady, have allways express’d for his Father & myself, I make free to beg your countenancing him, & the favor will be gratefully acknowledg’d by...
93To George Washington from Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, 16 Jan. 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, 16 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Fergusson on 5 March and acknowledged her “very polite and obliging favour of the 16th of January” (see Papers, Retirement Series W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 1:6 –7).
94To George Washington from Samuel Nicholson, 16 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is with much reluctance I trouble you with the present application, but a great anxiety to provide for a numerous family, must be my appology. It has been the practice in the British, and I believe all other Navies, to admit as Midshipmen a Small proportion of Young Men who have not had any experience as Seamen. I am very desirous to have my two eldest sons Samuel aged 14 years, & Joseph...
95To George Washington from Elkanah Talley, 16 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with you; yet I presume you will pardon my taking the liberty of addressing you on a subject which relates to some of your property in this Neighbourhood. The property alluded to is the Land you had of Mr Dandridge, which was formerly a part of Bristo’s confiscated estate. Within these 2 years, repeated trespasses have been committed on sd...
96To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Possessing as I do a thousand evidences of your friendship, I am persuaded that you will readily beleive me, when I say that my silence of late, has been the effect of my unwillingness to intrude, lest I should for a moment prevent the consideration and different views, you give to the important subjects incessantly before you. Although the same cause continues to prevent my interruption, yet...
97To George Washington from Marie-Jeanne-Jacqueline-Antoinette Pernot, 12 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
allow an ancient inhabitant of America, who has had the honor of knowing you, when she was at Philadelphia, to break in one moment upon your important business, to claim from you the Justice, which She is threatened not to obtain from the tribunals. as president of congress your are to cause the laws of your country to be faithfully executed: and it is their strict execution I claim. give me...
98To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to return the address of the Senate of Pennsylvania, with the draught of an answer in terms which I imagined would correspond with your feelings, and which unsullied honor and the dignity of truth would authorize you to express. If however you prefer any other sentiments, by receiving the draught thus early, there will be time for alterations. I sent the intended letter to Mr...
99To George Washington from James Anderson, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Refering to my last of 2d have now to hand You Report of last week. As said in my last I have now brought my Family here, which with Mr Pearce sickness has put it out of my power to send You Inventory of every Article I find here. It is however nearly compleat And will certainly forward it in my next—which I intend by Monday, instead of this days post, I have been at all the Farm’s various...
100To George Washington from Alexander White, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Previous to Mr Scotts setting out for Annapolis, it was mentioned by him and not controverted by Doctor Thornton, that a full Board would not be necessary till about the tenth of this month, and that I might with propriety remain in Virginia till that period, unless something should occur to render my presence sooner necessary, in which case they would give me notice. By a letter put in the...