11From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Three things relative to the City of Washington call for my decision, and this is the last day I have Powers to give any. The first respects the dispute with Mr Law, touching the conveyances of Lotts; the second, to my approbation of the Plans for the Executive Offices; and the third, to the Instrument you transmitted to me in your letter of the 31st of January. With regard to the first,...
12Pardon for Benjamin Parkinson, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
To all persons to whom these Presents shall come Greeting. Whereas Benjamin Parkinson of the County of Washington in the State of Pennsylvania gentleman, now stands indicted of High-Treason committed within the said State—And whereas it is represented to me by David Lenox Esquire late Marshall of the District of Pennsylvania and others, that the Conduct of the said Benjamin Parkinson during...
13From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
At the conclusion of my public employments, I have thought it expedient to notice the publication of certain forged letters which first appeared in the year 1777, and were obtruded upon the public as mine. They are said by the editor to have been found in a small portmanteau that I had left in the care of my Mulatto servant named Billy, who, it is pretended, was taken prisoner at Fort Lee, in...
14From George Washington to Hans Alexander Siegfried von Steuben, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter dated the 1st of September last, inquiring for the fortune of your deceased Brother, Baron Steuben. A former application from some relation of the Baron led me to inquire how he disposed of his estate, and I found that the payment of debts and claims would absorb the greater part, and that the residue was given to some particular friends to whom he was attached, and who...
15From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Anthony Walton White of New-Jersey to be Surveyor for the Port of New Brunswick and Inspector of the Revenue for the same. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; LB , DLC:GW . The Senate confirmed Anthony Walton White’s nomination on this date (see Senate Executive Journal Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America: From the commencement of the First, to...
16To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 3 March 1797 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Green and Mullin will republish the Citizen and I observe the 1st. Number in Greens last paper. I have to number four and wish you to have the following numbers inserted in Baches’s paper as from them I can have them republished withot. your inclosing them and being subjected to postage. I understand you will be voted for to represent the County of Orange and will be elected unless you...
17Release of Lafayette, [3 March] 1797 (Madison Papers)
On 2 March, Harper (South Carolina) had moved a resolution that the House inform the president of the United States that it would “see with the highest satisfaction, any measures which he may deem expedient to adopt towards effecting the restoration of their said fellow-citizen to liberty” ( Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.;...
18To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 3 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I Contemplate with great pleasure the Change which is to take place in the penal Laws of the Commonwealth; and feel Much Anxiety that No time Shou’d be lost in bringing it into Complete Operation. The Law having Confided to the Executive, the purchase of a Sufficient Quantity of Land, and the direction of erecting the Necessary buildings for the Confinement and Accomodation of the Convicts; we...
19[Diary entry: 2 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
2. Wind as yesterday; cloudy, cold & Raw all day. Towards night it began to Snow. Mercury at 26.
20To George Washington from Joshua Lathrop, 2 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
At a time when you are receiving addresses from all the united States of America, and from many of the considerable corporations in Sd States. I fear it will be too much intruding upon your time & Patience to receive a line from a Person perhaps unknown to you, though you are well known to him. I never had the Pleasure of Seeing you or being in your Company but once which was in the year 1776...
21From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the last acts of my political life, and before I go hence into retirement, profound , will be the acknowledgment of your kind and affectionate letter from Boston—dated the 15th of January. From the friendship I have always borne you—and from the interest I have ever taken in whatever relates to your prosperity & happiness, I participated in the sorrows which I knew you must have felt...
22From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 2 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Joel Barlow of the State of Connecticut, to be Consul-General of the United States of America, for the City & Kingdom of Algiers. John Gavino to be Consul of the United States of America for the port of Gibraltar, in the room of James Simpson appointed Consul for Morocco. Frederick Folger of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States of America for the port & district of Aux-Cayes,...
23From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 2 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
United States, 2 March 1797. GW makes appointments and promotions in the U.S. army and nominates a total of eight men, including two lieutenants in the light dragoons. One of those officers, James Vincent Ball, is appointed to replace John Posey who resigned as lieutenant in the light dragoons on 19 Oct 1795. GW also appoints a surgeon’s mate in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers because...
24Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
This is the first Day of March, and I have no Letters from you of a later date than the 11 th of Feb’ ry. and then only a few lines. Several things which I have written to upon, and which I wish for directions before I proceeded to execute, are I suppose lost and forgotten by upon, in the Multitude of Your Thoughts. I must proceed with the advise of D r Tufts, for whom I have this day sent, in...
25From Alexander Hamilton to William Beekman, [1 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 1, 1797. ] “Having reconsidered the case of your Uncle (Wm. Beekman’s) Will with the authorities—I advise the Devisees to claim all that by the Partition became his several property & which in my former opinion with Mr. Evertson was considered as passing by his Will, not merely a proportion equal to his interest before Partition in the part which remained to him after...
26[Diary entry: 1 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
1. Mercury at 24. Wind Westerly and cold all day.
27To George Washington from James Anderson, 1 March 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 1 March 1797 . Anderson wrote GW on 8 March 1797 : “I wrote You on 1st” ( Papers, Retirement Series W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 1:20–23 ).
28Circular to United States Senators, 1 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States to [ ] Senator for the State of [ ]. It appearing to me proper that the Senate of the United States should be convened on Saturday the fourth day of March instant; You are desired to attend in the Chamber of the Senate on that day at eleven OClock in the forenoon to receive any communications which the President of the United States may then have to lay...
29To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the United States the opinion of the Attorney General, that a secretary may be allowed to a Minister Resident, or Chargé des Affaires. The Secretary has considered the situation of our affairs with the Barbary powers, & particularly with Algiers, and the necessity of a consul to reside there. That altho’ Mr Barlow desires to...
30Notes on a Paragraph by John Henry, [after 1 March 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
A paragraph written by Mr. Henry a Senator of the US. from Maryland, and inserted in Bache’s paper about the 1st. of March 97. It is in his handwriting. It was given by him to Mr. Hurt to copy and insert in the public papers. Mr. Hurt gave it to me. MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated and unsigned. The paragraph in question from the Aurora has not been identified, nor is it known how...
31From John Adams to United States Senate, February 1797 (Adams Papers)
If, in the general Apprehension of an intention to retire in that most eminent Citizen, to whom all Eyes had been directed and all hearts attended, as the Center of our Union for So long a period; the public opinion had exhibited any clear Indications, of another, in whom our fellow Citizens could have generally united; as Soon as I read that excellent Address which announced the Necessity of...
32To John Adams from Timothy Bloodworth, February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Timothy Bloodworth Presents his Compliments to the Vice President of the United States, & begs leave to acquaint him, that if it should be Necessary to send express to the Vice President Elect, his son Samuel Bloodworth will Chearfully perform the service, provided the respectibility of the personage, shall be considered competant to the service, if otherways, permit the freedom of the offer...
33February [1797] (Washington Papers)
1. Wind No. Easterly in the Morning—So. Westerly afterwards and raining more or less all day. Mercury at 34 in the morning. 2. A good deal of rain fell last [night]. Cloudy Morning but clear & very pleasant afterwards. Wind westerly. Mercury 42. 3. Much such a day as yesterday but rather cooler. Wind same place. Mer. 30. 4. Wind at So. West—weather pleasant. Mercury at 32 in the morning. 5....
34Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Gray Otis, [post 8 February] 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening Your kind Letter of Feb ry 8 th . I thank you for your congratulation, and kind wishes To be the Successor of Mrs Washington and to make good her place will be an arduous task. I can only Say that my Sincerest Wishes will be joined With my best endeavours to give offence to no one & satifaction to all. I have amidst many gloomy reflections, receivd pleasure from the...
35Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yes, my friend you have answered me as I deserve, and made me feel the striking difference between us, from the moment I had dispatched that letter, I regretted my folly, and felt sincerely ashamed of my ridiculous conduct— Dictated by anger, without time for reflection, I scarcely know what I wrote— you appeared to think I had not acted with delicacy, and my pride was wounded at the manner in...
36To John Adams from Thomas Welsh, 28 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor of 18th Instant was received last Night. I have sent a part of the Chronicle of yesterday that you may see for yourself the wonderfull Conversion which has been brought about within a few weeks this appears to be very general but how sincere or how lasting or what object is in View is a Subject of much Speculation. but they are all apparently perfectly satisfied with the Result of...
37[Diary entry: 28 February 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Wind variable and grt. appearances all day of Snow. Mer. 35. Went to Mrs. Grattons concer[t] in the Evening. “M rs. G rattan Respectfully informs the Ladies and Gentlemen of the City, that the 5th ladies’ concert will be on tuesday , the 28th day of February, at the Assembly-Room.” The concert was to begin at 6:30, and “at half past eight, the music will attend for the ball.” The program,...
38To George Washington from William Barton, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The near approach of the period of your leaving this city, suggests the propriety of my making a request, previous to Your departure, which I hope You will find no difficulty in granting—It is, Sir, that You will do me the favor of directing Your Secret[ar]y to return to me sundry Testimonials in my behalf, which I deposited in Your hands, soon after the Commencement of the Government. With a...
39From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 14th instt with a Postscript of the 24th came to my hands yesterday: and I hereby acknowledge the receipt of Mr Wilkes’s draught on the Cashier of the Bank of Pennsylvania for the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars on account of our joint concern in the lotts in Coxburgh—and which, as appears by the items of an account enclosed overpays my dividend of the receipts...
40To George Washington from Cornplanter, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Speech of the Cornplanter to General Washington. “ Father : I thank the great spirit for protecting us through the Various paths which we have trod since I was last at this place —As I am told you are about to retire from public business, I have come to pay my last address to you as the great Chief of the fifteen fires, and am happy to find that I have arriv’d here in time to address you once...
41From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Let me entreat you to attend early this morning to a fit character as a Comsr to attend the proposed Treaty with the Indians, by Mr Morris; and on this head, and on the message proper to accompany the nomination, I wish you would advise with Colo. Pickering; who has had more to do in Indian Affairs than any other Officer now in the Government, and perhaps may more readily think of a proper...
42From George Washington to the U.S. House of Representatives, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having maturely considered the bill, to alter and amend an Act intitled an Act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States, which was presented to me on the 22d day of this month I now return it to the house of Representatives, in which it originated, with my objections. First. If the bill passes into a law, the two companies of light dragoons will be from that moment...
43From John Jay to Jedidiah Morse, 28 February 1797 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav[ore] d . with yours of the 14 ult. and also with the one which accompanied the Set of your Geography, for which be pleased to accept my Thanks.— It gives me Pleasure to learn that you will endeavour at least to prepare for a History of the American Revolution. To obtain competent and exact Information on the Subject, is not the least arduous part of the Task— it will require...
44From James Madison to Joseph Chew, 28 February 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 February 1797. Acknowledged in Chew to JM, 31 Mar. 1797 (DLC). Encloses a letter to Chew from James Madison, Sr. Also discusses disposal of Chew’s Kentucky lands.
45From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have got so far, my dear Martha, on my way to Philadelphia which place I shall not reach till the day after tomorrow. I have lost one day at Georgetown by the failure of the stages, and three days by having suffered myself to be persuaded at Baltimore to cross the bay and come by this route as quicker and pleasanter. After being forced back on the bay by bad weather in a first attempt to...
46Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
It Can be of little Consequence to you my dear Madam wither Your late adventure with me amounts to 8000 dollars or only 8 /— Yet it is my duty to let you know how it stands and to take your commands either to vest You again as an adventurer in the next Class—or remit to your order the sum of 8/4— as I think it always best to rise in our subject instead of sinking from great to small things—my...
47To John Adams from Thomas Law, 27 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of this morning I Introduced the most difficult article of the proposed National code, that I might at once meet the most powerfull objections—And as you approve of the plan at the first glance I will proceed—I am convinced that the irresistible force of truth must ultimately cause an adoption of every general principle—first, by the subscription of those States who will benefit...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 27 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Tilghman authorizes me to tell you that our Law respecting endorsements is exactly the same as the Law of England & that 20 ⅌ Ct is the Amot of Damages on protested Bills drawn here upon Europe. Mr. Nicholson is returned to this City & I think the holders of his bill should Apply to him for payment. I think he would make some arrangement with them so as to secure the payment and allow...
49The Warning No. IV, [27 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The emissaries of France when driven from every other expedient for extenuating her depredations have a last refuge in the example of Great Britain. The Treatment which we receive from France (say they) is not worse than that which was received from Great Britain. If this apology were founded in fact it would still be a miserable subterfuge. For what excuse is it to France, or what consolation...
50[Diary entry: 27 February 1797] (Washington Papers)
27. Wind at So. Et. & lowering but no fall, Mer: 36. Went to the theatre in the Evening. Playing at the New Theatre were a comedy, The Way to Get Married; a farce, Animal Magnetism; and “a new Pantomime Ballet Dance ... called Dermot & Kathleen,” composed by Mrs. Byrne, a member of the theater company ( Gaz. of the U.S. [Philadelphia], 27 Feb. 1797; SCHARF [1] J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson...
51From George Washington to James Anderson, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d with the weekly reports, was received on the 25th. As its contents, is chiefly matter of information, it requires but little to be said in reply: and as the public business presses upon me at this juncture, and I shall (I hope) be at Mount Vernon ’ere long, I will suspend giving any opinion, or directions relative to the business entrusted to you, in this letter;...
52To George Washington from Thomas Bourke, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Considering that I have not the honor of being known to you, I fear I shall be justly charged with an unreasonable share of Confidence, in the liberty I take in troubling you with this letter. About the Middle of last month, Genl Gun & Colo. Tatnal Signified to me their wish of seeing me Appointed Surveyor of the Port of Savannah in the State of Georgia, where I reside, And Genl Gunn was good...
53From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
As the curtain is about to close on the political scenes of my life; and consequently to terminate the agency I have had in the affairs of the Federal City; I will, as far as a very hurried situation will permit, take notice of such parts of your several letters as remain undecided on. Having already informed you, that a Bill is pending in Congress for incorporating the Commissioners of the...
54To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th would have been sooner attended to, but the mails have lately come in, very irregularly, & always late at night —mr Davidson’s will be taken up as soon as we have a full board, which will be the last of this or beginning of next week —what mr Davidson alludes to in his memorial, where he says, deviations have been made since the publication of the engraved plan, we know...
55From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d inst., as also one of the first, have been duly received. The affectionate sentiments contained in them, are highly pleasing to me. But that which affords a still higher gratification, is to hear that you are not only attentive to your studies, but pleased with them also. Hence, I draw the most agreeable presages, that you will reward my cares & anxieties to see you a...
56To George Washington from David Green (alias Alexander Howard), 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I in behalf of a Numbers of prisoners at present Confined in the Goal of this City who have at Different Courts within a year past Received sentence of Confinement for Life to hard Labour and Solitude the Charges or Indictments are all one or two Excepted that of Forgery, Numbers for that of Uttering Bank Paper which was said to be Counterfeit and I believe from the Conversation I have had...
57From George Washington to Allen McLane, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you are Appointed with the Advice of the Senate of the United states Collector of the Customs for the District of Delaware. I have Selected you from a Convict[i]on that you will fill the Important Office with Honour to yourself and Advantage to your Country. And Sincerely wish you may find it your Intrest to Abandon your Other pursuites for the Support of your...
58From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I nominate William Vans Murray of Maryland to be Minister Resident of the United States of America to the United Netherlands. Allan McLean of Delaware, to be Collector for the District of Delaware and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Wilmington. John Gibbons of Georgia, to be Surveyor for the Port of Savannah and Inspector of the Revenue for the same. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; LB ,...
59To George Washington from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 27 February 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 27 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Wadsworth on 6 March : “Your favor of the 27th Ulto reached me in the forenoon” ( Papers, Retirement Series W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 1:17 ).
60To James Madison from William Eve, 27 February 1797 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon the liberty I now take in begging your attention to the inclosd. power Atto. when you reflect that the smallness of the Sum to be recd., would not be a sufficient inducement for me to be at the expence of a Journey to Philada. on that business only. I hope therefore you will be so very obliging as to call at the Treasury of the United States, and receive the Interest due...