1To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 1 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
I am too much occupied to find Time for the Use of a Cypher and in Effect the Government here is so occupied with its own Affairs that in transmitting to you a Letter under an Envelope there is no Risque. This however I am pretty certain will go safe. The States general have now been a long Time in Session and have done nothing. Hitherto they have been engaged in a Dispute whether they shall...
2To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 31 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to write to you on the twenty ninth of April last. I shall not trouble you with a Recital of Events which Mr Jefferson has I know very amply communicated to the Office of foreign Affairs. But being here on my Way to London, and finding a Vessel bound directly to New York, I take the Opportunity to send some Tables which contain the political military pecuniary and commercial...
3To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Accept I pray you the Seeds sent herewith. They are from the King’s Gardens and as you will observe by the within List the trees and Plants are from the Southern Provinces of this Kingdom—I think therefore they will flourish at Mount Vernon. I am always truly yours. AL , DLC:GW . The original of this undated note is filed at the end of January 1790 in the Washington Papers at the Library of...
4Enclosure: List of Seeds, January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Etat Des Graines des pais meridionaux De france Murier Blanc pour Les Elever de vers a Soye—white mulberry (for breeding Silk worms[)] Lentisque—Mastic-Tree. Therebinthe—Turpentine-Tree paliure—a species of the bramble or thorn. arbousier—the arbute or strawberry-Tree. micocoulier—an african tree, being a kind of lotos. mirthe—myrtle common Laurier frane. noble laurel. Erable de montpelier—The...
5To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 22 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Duplicate Sir Paris 22d January 1790 I received from Major Hasgill who arrived here on the twenty first Instant the two Letters which you did me the Honor to write upon the thirteenth of October. I shall in Consequence set off for London as soon as I possibly can. When last in that City I saw the Duke of Leeds twice at the french Embassadors, and from some slight Circumstances was induced to...
6To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 22 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
[Duplicate] Private Dear Sir Paris 22 January 1790 In another Letter of this Date I have mentioned a Part of Yesterday’s Conversation with the Count de Montmorin. That Part of it which I am now to communicate is for yourself alone. As Monsieur de la fayette had asked me some Days ago who should be sent to replace the Comte de Moustiers and (upon my answering with great Indifference it might be...
7To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 24 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of the thirteenth of October and immediately set about procuring the Articles you there mention. Such of them at least as are best to be procured in this Capital. They are already on their Way to Havre and you will find here enclosed the Account of the Cost (including the Packages) ⟨L⟩ 2384 . The Transportation to Havre will cost 46 The Charges there and the...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 31 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I did expect that in congratulating you, which I do most sincerely, upon your Appointment, I should have communicated a Matter which would have administred much Ease and Convenience to the Affairs of your Department. I learn this morning that these Expectations are frustrated from a Quarter and in a Manner which would excite my Surprize had I not long since acquired the Habit of wondering at...
9To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 7 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I arrived in this City on Saturday Evening the twenty eighth of March and called the next morning on the Duke of Leeds minister for foreign affairs—He was not at Home, I therefore wrote to him a note Copy whereof is enclosed as also of his answer received that Evening. On Monday the twenty ninth I waited upon him at Whitehall and after the usual Compliments, presented your Letter telling him...
10Enclosure I: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 7 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived in this City on Saturday Evening the twenty eighth of March and called the next Morning on the Duke of Leeds Minister for foreign Affairs. He was not at Home, I therefore wrote to him a Note Copy whereof is enclosed as also of his Answer received that Evening. On Monday the twenty ninth I waited upon him at Whitehall and after the usual Compliments, presented your Letter telling him...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 10 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept at this late Period my Congratulations upon your safe Arrival in America. I know not whether to add the farther Congratulation upon your Appointment to and Acceptance of the Office of Secretary of State because the latter is not yet ascertained on this Side of the Atlantic. You will find enclosed a Paper from your friend Sir John Sinclair to whom you was so kind as to introduce me. Pray...
12To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 12 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered at a capital manufacturers the plated Coolers which you desired. Nothing of this Sort has ever yet been executed here except in a coarse and clumsy manner in lacquered Ware. As far as I can judge from the Design which has been drawn consequent upon my Directions they will be very elegant, and cheaper than in a Form less beautiful. Still they will be expensive. I own that...
13To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 13 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 13 April 1790 My Letter of the seventh will have communicated what passed with the Duke of Leeds respecting the Business you committed to me. I take the Liberty to mention here that from his Countenance and Manner on the Perusal of your Letter, he seemed to derive from it that Sort of Pleasure which a Man feels at the Removal of Some thing which every now and then...
14To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Herewith I have the Honor to transmit a Duplicate of my last Letter of the thirteenth of April. Not having heard from the Duke of Leeds I wrote him a Note on the nineteenth, of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 1. To this I received no Reply, wherefore on the twenty ninth I addressed him again by a Letter of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 2. This was delivered at his Office Whitehall...
15Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 1 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I have the Honor to transmit a Duplicate of my last Letter of the thirteenth of April. Not having heard from the Duke of Leeds I wrote him a Note on the nineteenth, of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 1. To this I received no Reply, wherefore on the twenty ninth I addressed him again by a Letter of which a Copy is enclosed marked No. 2. This was deliverrd at his Office Whitehall...
16To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 2 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir London 2d May 1790 You will find enclosed the Copy of what I took the Liberty to trouble you with on the thirteenth of last Month. On Saturday the seventeenth I dined in Company with Mr Fox. The State of french Politics formed of Course a large Part of the Conversation. The Situation of other Countries was then passed in Review, and it became a question how far Britain might...
17To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The forgoing is Copy of what I wrote to you the twelfth of last month. I have since received yours of the first of March. The additional Pieces for your Surtout I cannot get untill I return to Paris⟨.⟩ I beleive no additional ornaments will be wanting and I incline to think that the Surtout as it now is will be large enough However you will have judged better upon seeing it and I shall...
18To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 29 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose a Copy of my Letter of the first Instant. On the Night of the fourth there was a hot Press here which has continued ever since, and the declared object is to compel Spain to atone for an Insult offered to Great Britain by capturing two Vessels in Nootka Sound. Permit me to observe incidentally that it would not be amiss for the American Captain who was a...
19Enclosure II: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 29 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose a Copy of my Letter of the first Instant. On the Night of the fourth there was a hot Press here which has continued ever since, and the declared Object is to compel Spain to atone for an Insult offered to Great Britain by capturing two Vessels in Nootka Sound. Permit me to observe incidentally that it would not be amiss for the American Captain who was a...
20To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 3 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Duplicate Sir, London 3 July 1790 This Letter will accompany Copies of what I had the Honor to write on the first and twenty ninth of May. I have heard nothing since from the Duke of Leeds. On the tenth of June the King prorogued the Parliament, which was dissolved on the eleventh. The Elections will be compleated in about ten Days, and then the Ministers will feel themselves more at Liberty...
21Enclosure III: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 3 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter will accompany Copies of what I had the Honor to write on the first and twenty ninth of May. I have heard nothing since from the Duke of Leeds. On the tenth of June the King prorogued the Parliament, which was dissolved on the eleventh. The Elections will be compleated in about ten Days, and then the Ministers will feel themselves more at Liberty to avow their Intentions than they...
22To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the fifteenth of April and also a Copy of it. In the Close of that Letter you mention my not having acknowleged the Receipt of your public Letter of the thirteenth of October. I have received the original Duplicate and triplicate of that Letter. I had the Honor to acknowledge the Receipt by mine of the twenty second of January with which I sent a private Letter of...
23To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 16 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
My Letter of the sixth informed you that the plated Ware was finished. It goes by the same opportunity which takes this Letter, viz. the Ship Goliah Captn Stephen Jones, and it will I hope arrive speedily and in good order. I shall transmit the Bill of Lading to Mr Constable having taken it in his Name that he might get the Articles landed for you. They amount as you will see by the enclosed...
24To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 16 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
public Sir London 16 August 1790 I had the Honor to write to you on the third of July of which Letter I now enclose a Copy. I have patiently waited since that Period for the Answer which had been promised on the twenty first of May to my Letter of the thirtieth of April. Had any Circumstance turned up which would in my opinion have justified a new application it should have been made, but this...
25Enclosure IV: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 16 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to write to you on the third of July of which Letter I now enclose a Copy. I have patiently waited since that Period for the Answer which had been promised on the twenty first of May to my Letter of the thirtieth of April. Had any Circumstance turned up which would in my opinion have justified a new application it should have been made, but this has not been the Case. You will...
26To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have this Instant received yours of the seventh of July, which acknowleges the Receipt of mine of the seventh and thirteenth of April, and first and second of May. Concluding from hence that mine of the twenty second and twenty fourth of January had not reached you, I shall enclose herein Copies of them. I delivered the Originals, with some others, to the Wife of Mr LeCouteulx de Caumont...
27To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 30 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In Reply to yours of the seventh of July I have the Pleasure to inform you that your plated Ware and Lamps are now on their Way to you. When I go to Paris (which will I think be shortly) I will get the additional Plateauxs which you want, and have them sent out by the first Conveyance. Should any Thing else occur in which I can be useful you have only to signify it, and you may rely on my best...
28To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 18 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
public Sir London 18 September 1790 I had the Honor to address you on the 16th of August, and stated as nearly as I could the Situation of Russia and Sweden. This Situation has produced a very natural Effect. Sweden being unsupported by her allies, and Russia having Nothing to gain by farther Fighting but a Part of the finland Deserts not worth fighting for, they have struck a Bargain of Peace...
29Enclosure V: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 18 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to address you on the 16th. of August, and stated as nearly as I could the Situation of Russia and Sweden. This Situation has produced a very natural Effect. Sweden being unsupported by her Allies, and Russia having Nothing to gain by farther Fighting but a Part of the finland Deserts not worth fighting for, they have struck a Bargain of Peace immediately without the...
30To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 21 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
public Sir, London 21 September 1790 Your Letter of the thirteenth of October last was delivered to me in Paris on the twenty first of January and the Receipt was immediately acknowleged from thence. I left that City shortly after and passing thro Flanders and Holland arrived in London the 27th of March. Next Morning I waited on his Grace the Duke of Leeds and (he not being at Home) wrote a...
31To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 24 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
public Sir London 24 September 1790 Just about to leave this City I have been detained for some Hours by an Object which appears to me important. I have already had Occasion to mention the Impress of American Seamen to serve on board of british Ships of War. The Ministers seemed desirous of doing what was Right, and of avoiding just Ground of Complaint, but the Orders for an Impress being of...
32To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 22 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you a Note on the 19th to accompany your Plateauxs. My last Letter was of the twenty fourth of September. Since that Period I have past thro flanders and a Part of Germany, and having coasted the Rhine to Strasbourgh came thence to this City. As I conjectured, so it has happened, that my longer Continuance in London would have been useless. Spain, finding from the Revolt of the...
33Enclosure I: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 22 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you a Note on the 19th. to accompany your Plateaux. My last Letter was of the twenty fourth of September. Since that Period I have past thro Flanders and a Part of Germany, and having coasted the Rhine to Strasbourgh came thence to this City. As I conjectured, so it has happened, that my longer Continuance in London would have been useless. Spain finding from the Revolt of the...
34To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 1 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address to you a Letter on the 22d of last Month in the Close of which I mentioned the Intention of saying at a future Period some few Words of the People who are now on the Stage. To begin then with our friend La fayette who has hitherto acted a splendid Part. Unfortunately both for himself and his Country he has not the Talents which his Situation requires. This important...
35Enclosure II: Gourverneur Morris to George Washington, 1 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to address to you a Letter on the 22d of last Month in the Close of which I mentioned the Intention of saying at a future Period some few Words of the People who are now on the Stage. To begin then with our friend La fayette, who has hitherto acted a splendid Part. Unfortunately both for himself and his Country he has not the Talents which his Situation requires. This important...
36To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 24 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
A Duplicate of your favor of the fourteenth of August was handed to me Yesterday. The Delay has probably arisen from the Circumstance of my Absence when Colo. Humphreys arrived in this City. I have already informed you of what passed in Relation to the Ballance due to you by Mr Welch and also of the Mode proposed for Reimbursement of Monies applied according to your Orders in this City, which...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 24 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not receive your Letter of the twelfth of August untill Yesterday Afternoon or I should have made an earlier Reply. I am very happy to find that you approve of the Ground on which the InterChange of Ministers with this Country was placed and the Judgment formed Respecting the Posts. I am led to fear that my Conduct in Regard to our impressed Seamen has not been equally fortunate, but I...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 24 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the twelfth of August was highly pleasing to me, among other Reasons because it releived me from a painful Situation. I wished to have expressed to you my Congratulations on your safe Arrival, and on the domestic Event which shortly succeeded. I wished also to express to you as an American my Satisfaction with your official Appointment, and as a Man my Esteem Respect and...
39Enclosure III: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 24 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A Duplicate of your favor of the fourteenth of August was handed to me Yesterday. The Delay has probably arisen from the Circumstance of my Absence when Colo. Humphreys arrived in this City. I have already informed you of what passed in Relation to the Ballance due to you by Mr. Welch and also of the Mode proposed for Reimbursement of Monies applied according to your Orders in this City, which...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 28 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
This will accompany what I had the Honor to write on the twenty fourth. In the Afternoon of that Day I received a Note from Mr. Burgess appointing an Hour of the twenty fifth for an Interview with the Duke of Leeds. I attended, but something or other kept his Grace away. The twenty sixth I received a note apologizing for the Disappointment and requesting my Attendance the twenty seventh. I...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 26 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowledge your favours of the twenty sixth of November and seventeenth of December which reached me two days ago. The System of Finance did not indeed fully meet my Opinions but I know it is necessary to conform even to the Prejudices of Mankind. I fully believe with you that any Resources dependent on Consumption will greatly encrease. I believe this Encrease will not be meerly in...
42Enclosure: Some observations of American Citizens on the late Decrees respecting Tobacco, 26 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In sofar as these Decrees relate exclusively to France it is not proper for Foreigners to express an Opinion. From the present Consideration therefore, shall be excluded the questions Whether to cultivate Tobacco be useful or pernicious. Whether on the former Supposition Articles of first necessity such as Grain or superior Utility such as Hemp might not be preferred on Ground of public Safety...
43To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowlege the Receipt of yours of the seventeenth of December which reached me several Days ago, but no good opportunity then presented itself to convey a Reply. The Idea you formed of the british Cabinet was I am perswaded perfectly just. This Government has lately taken some Steps which cannot but be advantageous to their Rivals for I am perswaded that the late Decrees laying a...
44Enclosure IV: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 9 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege the Receipt of yours of the seventeenth of December which reached me several Days ago, but no good Opportunity then presented itself to convey a Reply. The Idea you formed of the british Cabinet was I am persuaded perfectly just. This Government has lately taken some Steps which cannot but be advantageous to their Rivals for I am persuaded that the late Decrees laying a...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 16 Mch. 1791 , Since his of the 26th “the Assembly have taken another Step in the same disagreable Road” described there, depriving all ships other than those built in France of the privilege of French bottoms. This, added to the other decrees already noticed, produces much sensation among the few Americans settled in French ports.—He encloses copy of the note he gave to Lafayette. “He...
46Enclosure: Notes respecting Tobacco, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC : Gouverneur Morris Papers); at head of text: “Copy of the Paper referred to in the above letter.” Morris’ cogent observations about tobacco culture were obviously framed to impress Lafayette, being far more explicit than the generalized statement he presented to Montmorin on 19 Feb. 1791 on behalf of Americans then in France (see note, Morris to TJ, 26 Feb. 1791 , and enclosure). For...
47Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to George Washington, 27 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose a Letter and sundry Papers relating to it from Messieurs Schweizer Jeanneret & Co. I have referred these Gentlemen to Mr. Short telling them that it is most fitting in many Respects that they should apply to him. As it is possible however that this Business may come before you, I think it a Duty to convey some Observations which occur to me, and which may not...
48To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 27 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose a Letter and sundry Papers from Messieurs Schweizer Jeanneret and Company. I have referred these Gentlemen to Mr Short telling them that it is most fitting in many Respects that they should apply to him. As it is possible however that this Business may come before you, I think it a Duty to convey Some Observations which occur to me and which may not perhaps strike...
49To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 27 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I did intend to give you a pretty full detail of various Matters and Things by Colonel Ternant who will have the Honor to deliver this Letter but I am just about setting off to London which prevents me. Colo. Ternant however will give you every Information respecting the Decrees of the Assembly affecting our Commerce and the like —This he will do confidentially as a man of Honor at least so I...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 28 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have lately been compelled to take some of your three per Cent Stocks in order to cover Part of a large Debt very disagreably circumstanced and to replace a Portion of heavy Advances have sold it again and am bound in heavy Penalties to have the Transfer immediately made. This Stock consists of the Arrearage of Interest to the last Day of the last Year on $382.878..60 Cts of liquidated Debt...