101To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
A thousand times after my letter to you, enclosing Observations on the Potomack &c. had gone, did I wish to recall it: for the more I reflected on your situation at this moment, in point of business, the more did I see the impropriety, as well as the unfriendliness of my adding to that burthen, which I could not but know was at least as great as it ought to be, and more especially as mine was...
102To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment been honored with your respected favor of the 21st instant—and shall, as soon as possible, obtain information on the several points therein mentioned, which shall be immediately communicated to you. The law for extending the time for opening the navigation of the Potomac has been passed in this State as well as Virginia. I take the liberty to enclose a packet for Mr...
103From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 1 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 1, 1792 . On May 2, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Washington: “The case was here before the Secretary’s letter of yesterday was sent to the President.” Letter not found. ]
104To George Washington from Joseph Stanton and Theodore Foster, 3 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Act establishing the New Revenue System, imposing Duties on Spirits imported, and those distilled within the United States, requires a Supervisor to be appointed in each State, for carrying it into Execution, and considering it a Duty that we owe to the State which we have the Honor to represent in the National Legislature, to recommend to your Excellency such a Character for this Office...
105To George Washington from Charles Carter of Ludlow, 15 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but a very particular, and critical circumstance, shoud imbolden me to address you on a private affair. but tis of such a tender nature to a Parent, that Im certain of your Pardon. I have two Sons, in Philadelphia, in a most critical situation exposed to the raging Fever, that by accts sweeps, all before it. during the month of August I made them a remittance, of 150 Dollars. this...
106To George Washington from Daniel Carroll of Duddington, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to address you a few lines, which I hope will not intrude much on your time, and when I assure you I am actuated from the best of principles, I flatter myself my intention will be received in a proper manner—I am informed, & I bilieve the fact is so, that the Commissioners are about to erect two large offices contg forty rooms each, near the Presidents house, this being the...
107To George Washington from Richard Peters, 30 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
R. Peters’s respectful Compliments to The President & returns the Pamplet on the Foo⟨t⟩ Plough with Thanks for the Perusal. R.P. thinks there are many good & useful Observations in the Book, but he cannot prefer the Plough to the Bar Share Plough in Use among good Farmers here. The Idea of accomodating one Plough to many & different Operations may be well executed. But he would rather have...
108Enclosure: Opinions of Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 22 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am not willing to give a pretext for not doing us justice by the appearance of carelessness or indifference as to the fulfilment of our engagements. I continue to think that the idea of a special instruction to Mr Jay is proper, because it is an evidence of our being in earnest, because as Mr. Jay’s mission was produced by circumstances subsequent to the communication to Congress, that...
109To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 15 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of Adressing your Excellency and beging your influence in favor of a Young man who wishes to enter into the Army—his name is John Connolly he is about 22 Years of age has some millitary Knowledge and is a handsome young fellow—his father you Know by Character (if not Personally) which is not in favour of the Young man—but I will Pledge my self for the Sincearity of his...
110III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournments of Congress may be by law, as well as by resolution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject and will have the honor of laying it before you by ten aclock.—The address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill...
111To George Washington from Shubael Swain, 3 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Impress’d with a sense of Gratitude and respect due your Eminent and Conspicuous Situation I pray leave with all deferance to approach you as an humble Supplicant. Altho’ it might be an Improper Intrusion on the Important time that must Necessarily engage the Attention of the Father of this Riseing and Great Empire; Yet Emboldened by that generous and Unreserved Conduct which have ever been...
112To George Washington from Burgomasters and Senators of Bremen, 15 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
C’est avec la joye la plus vive, que nous avon⟨s⟩ vû par la Copie des patentes, presentées au Bourguemaitre President de cette ville par le Citoÿen Arnold Delius, que Vôtre Excellence, de concert avec le tres Illustre Senat des Etats Unis de l’Amerique, lui a fait expedier les heureuses dispositions, de resserrer les liens, dont les avantages mutuels du Commerce et de la navigation,...
113To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 9 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after we had the honor of seeing you on your way to Philadelphia, we sent up to Jacob Funk in Washington County for a particular state of the situation of the Lotts in Hamburg, and never ’till yesterday received his answer. We find there are 287 Lotts laid out upon 130 Acres of Land; and as far as we can Judge from the Book of Sales kept by Funk which he sent us, the whole of the...
114To George Washington from Anonymous, 11 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The purport of this Epistle will I presume apologize for the liberty I take in addressing you. By the accounts we receive from Philadelphia we are inform’d that a dreadful disease rages there which proves fatal to most people, & that the Contagion probably will spread to other parts of the Country; an Idea has occurr’d to me that this Malady may be obviated, & I therefore think it my duty to...
115To George Washington from Robert Slaughter, Jr., 12 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Permitt a fellow Citizen and a Father of a Son who he expects is now in captivity to address you on a subject the most Interesting to a Parent that is the liberty of a Child. I have a Son by the name of Thomas Slaughter Who was bound an apprentice as a Seaman to a British Vessell calld the Success of Whitehaven the property of Williamson & Hanes of that port the Captain named Birkett. which...
116To George Washington from Samuel Gath, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to offer you ray sentiments, or oppinion, what wou’d be the most reasonable, and prudent method to settle a lasting Covenant, or treaty of peace, with the Indians in the westren County—From what little I have read in my youth, I remember great crueltys practised by the Spanard Commanders in Maxico and Perew, and something has been practised Similer, in this here country called...
117From John Jay to George Washington, 26 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
The British Ratification of the Treaty not having arrived and consequently the time for appointing the Commissioners mentioned in it not being come, I have this long postponed replying to yours of 21 last month. It certainly is important that the Commissioners relative to the Debts, and also the Captures, be men the best qualified for those places. Probably it would be adviseable to appoint...
118To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to The President—incloses him a letter which Mister Coxe has just brought to him for his perusal. It is conceived that a reply may be given to this Letter, by Mister Coxe, which being published with the letter, may do good. If the President sees no objection, the idea will be pursued. Augt 15. 1794. It is said that papers have been received...
119To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The opinion is, 1. that the attorney for the district of Kentucky do forthwith take the most effectual measures for prosecuting according to law O’Fallon; and that he be informed, that unless the testimony within his reach will clearly subject him to the charge of treason, the prosecution be for a riot. 2. that a proclamation issue, reciting the treaties, law and further proclamation on this...
120To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I propose to send a duplicate of McGillivrays letter to Seagrove, and conform his instructions thereto. I submit you a motions of Colo. Guns. The division to day was 15 for inserting the additional regiments to 13 against it. Colo. Burr, voted for it under some restrictions. The bill is recommitted to Mr Elsworth Mr Read[,] Hawkins, Mr Burr, and Mr Gun. The object of the amendment is not...
121To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Packet, No. 1. which is enclosed contains the last dispatches from General Wayne. The private letter included therein, is a duplicate of one not yet come to hand, which it would seem contains the papers to which it refers. Packet, No. 2. The last letters from Tennessee. Packet, No. 3. The proceedings of a Court Martial on a soldier who attempted to desert. With the greatest respect I have the...
122To George Washington from John Gerar William de Brahm, c.1 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
c.1 March 1795 . “For want of opportunity to approach” GW, Brahm is “confined to this public conveyance [newspaper publication] to trust a public concern of great moment in the eyes of thousands.” “Euphratia, impiously called America, after an arrogant European, is inhabited ever since one century after the Deluge by a people originally called Dehutes, descending from one of the ten sons of...
123To George Washington from Joseph Buell, 18 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Advertisement I have Explored your tract of land lying on the bank of the Ohio five or six Miles below the little Kenhaway the situation of which pleases me. I will Give you five dollars pr Acre for the tract and make the payment agreable to the mode prescribed in your advertisemt. I am Sir your Excelences Most Obedient humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Joseph Buell (1763–1812),...
124To George Washington from William Carter, Sr., 4 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
William Wray, a Youth of a Reputable Family, & a Nephew of mine by Marriage, having lived with me from August 1784. in Order to study Physick & Surgery, is now very desirous of entering into the Army with a View of serving his Country & improving himself in the practical Part of his Profession & wishes to be appointed a Mate under a Surgeon for that Purpose; But in Case there is no Vacancy for...
125To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
To the President of the United States, The Secretary of State respectfully makes the following brief representation of the affairs of the United States in relation to Algiers. When Colonel Humphreys left America in April 1795, he was accompanied by Joseph Donaldson Esqr. who had been appointed Consul for Tunis and Tripoli; and him Colo. Humphreys was authorized to employ in negociating a...
126To George Washington from Alexander McCaskey, 19 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Having been on business in York County Pennsylvania at the time of Coll Ballards Death, & being Just return’d I found myself Anticipated in my intention by a Number of Respectable Applicants for the Surveyors Office. But Presuming on your Excellency’s Candour & goodness I have ventured tho’ Late to remind you of my former Application by letter with the Recommendations accompanying it, to which...
127To George Washington from John Jay, 14 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
apprehensive that my Letter to you (herewith enclosed) is not exactly such an one, as the Gentleman mentioned in it, may perhaps wish and expect it to be, I think it adviseable to send him a copy of it: and that you may have the more perfect and accurate Information, I enclose a copy of my Letter to him. I have lately received much Intelligence from several Quarters—some allowances are to be...
128From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the inspection of the President a set of copper promisory notes, and coins, made by Boulton, the superiority of which over any thing we can do here, will fully justify our wish to set our mint agoing on that plan.—They are obscured by the sea-air. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same,...
129To George Washington from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 12 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I purchased for you a Black Guelding Eight Years old fifteen hands high a good pacer both slow & fast. his trot not so good, but fast—I wish I could say he was handsome but that rarely belongs to this breed, but he carries well & when moveing has a decent appearance—he Cost one hundred & thirty Dollars. he has always been used to a plain snaffle Bit. I can every monday send him by a...
130To George Washington from the United States Circuit Court Judges for Pennsylvania, 18 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
To you it officially belongs to “take care that the Laws” of the United States “be faithfully executed.” Before you, therefore, we think it our duty to lay the sentiments, which, on a late painful occasion, governed us with regard to an Act passed by the Legilature of the Union. The People of the United States have vested in Congress all legislative Powers “granted in the constitution.” They...
131To George Washington from James Mercer, 20 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Necessity of the Case will I hope be a sufficient appollogy for my addressing your Excellency on the following Subject. You Sir may recollect that Ld Dunmore in Novr 1774 purchased of you & Colo. Tayloe Trustees for the Creditors of George Mercer, under a decretal order of the General Court, certain Slaves to the value of 436£ Va. Currency on twelve months Credit—for which (circumstanced...
132To George Washington from Francis Deakins, 12 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am Sorry I was from home when you called to See your Land —Since my return I have wrote twice to Mr Jones—who now lives 16 miles from us—for A Statment of your Rents for 1792 93 & 94 the years he has to Account for—he has Just Sent me his Account—but Such as wants a further explanation which I have requested of him, & will forward it to you as Soon as it can be got. It is expected youl...
133To George Washington from the Citizens of Marseilles, 24 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
Free Nations are always in alliance, and are alike interested in affording mutual aid and assistance to each other. A common interest has already united the inhabitants of the American States to the interests of regenerated France. Their three-coloured flags are unfurled upon every sea, proclaiming that the free Americans and French are brethren. The name of Washington is as much revered here...
134To George Washington from James Young, 18 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Great Dock Street No. 4— Sir, [New York] July 18th 1789 A Conscious Sensibility Of Your Native Goodness of heart, now Emboldens me to Address your Excellency, from Causes too of Such a Nature, As You only, with propriety, Can hear and determine—the Sole power, being Wisely and Judiciously placed in Your hands, of the Appointment, of all Officers, Necessary to Execute the Federal Laws. As an...
135To George Washington from James Seagrove, 5 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
The information, which I am about to give appearing to me of importance to the United States, I hope will plead my excuse for thus intruding on your moments of retirement. In my dispatch of the 14th Ulto to the Secretary of War I promised to procure what information I could respecting a Spanish Officer which General McGillivray mentions in his letter to me of the 18th of May, a Copy of which...
136To George Washington from Joseph Fenwick, 10 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a letter from Mr Secondat the only Son of the celebrated Montesquieu. he is now about 80 years old and infirm; his moral & social virtues, not less conspicuous than the Talents of his predecessor, have protected him thro’ the storm of the Revolution, notwithstanding the prejudice that prevaild against the class of men of which he was born a member. At his...
137To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 31 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have Just receved a letter from Mr Benja. Jones, he Writes me your Part of the Rents of Woodstock is 4500 lb. Tobo ⅌ year. the whole of which is in the hands of the Tenants which he expects to Collect & pay into my hands by August Next. You shall then be Informed the Value of it at this Market. With Great Respect I am Sir Your Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The words "George town June 4th" was...
138To George Washington from “John A. Dingwell”, 12 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to do myself the honour to Inform your Excellency, that I have it now in my power to give you an Information Such as you Cannot Concieve the importance off—an information that I am well assured will Inable you to Save many of the lives and pounds of the United States and also put it in your power to disopoint the Enimies of america by inableing you to Counter Act their...
139To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, Jr., 24 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
My Father desires me to present you his most respectful & affectionate wishes—He begs your acceptance of a China Bowl which may possibly be novel from its size & antiquity—it being much older than himself—It has been very carefully packed up & he hopes it will reach you safe[.] My Father is now here on his way to Washington County—having determined to reside with me near Hagers Town—since the...
140To George Washington from Thomas Mifflin, 19 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
It has just been reported to me that the Schooner Jane, Benjamin Stammers Master—a prize to the Little Democrat was yesterday stopp’d at Mud-island; where she will be detained till your instructions are received for restoring her to the owners at the time of her capture. I am with perfect respect Sir Your most obedient Servant LS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; Df , PHarH : Executive...
141To George Washington from Thomas Rodney, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is with very great pleasure Indeed, that I address you as Chief Magistrate And Commander in Chief of the United States—As you have long Merited it; So may you long continue to possess the confidence of your fellow Citizens whose Unanimous voice raised you to the Exalted Station you now hold, and may the wisdom of your Conduct and counsels long preserve the Union of the States. Being content...
142To George Washington from “Caius,” 21 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
21 July 1795. The “sentiments” given in this letter do not reflect “merely the emanations of a solitary individual” but those of thousands of Americans who have urged GW to withhold his approval of the treaty with Great Britain or to direct negotiations that will change it. His address proceeds to highlight selected objections to the treaty. “The first class” of objections concern “Omissions”...
143To George Washington from Albert Stevens, 16 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will be not a little supprized at the presumption of a youth, in private life, at the age of Nineteen, in writing to your Excellency: but a sense of your Excellencys true greatness, and innate goodness, banishes the fear of offending by this scribble, and prompts me to write. I am the son of a farmer in the town of Brookfield, Fairfield county, and state of Connecticut; my...
144To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 17 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the U.S. & encloses herewith the draft of a Passport, requested by mister Hammond for a vessel intended by him to be dispatched to Halifax, and which the Secretary understood from the Secy of State was to be granted by the President. LB , DLC:GW . For the request for a passport by British minister George Hammond “for the sole...
145To George Washington from John Jay, 21 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
In a Packet sent last Week to Mr Randolph, was enclosed directed to You a Book which the author, a Mr Miles of this City, requested me to forward to You. I was then so pressed for Time as not to have Leisure to write to you. You will receive herewith enclosed a Note or Memoir which Messrs Lameth and Duport have given me for the purpose of laying it before you. These Gentlemen express an...
146From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
For a considerable time past the Commissioner of Loans for New York, has laboured under a degree of bodily infirmity little suited to the arduous duties of his station. A belief that his demise would speedily have terminated the embarrassment, united with other considerations, has hitherto prevented me from officially representing his situation to you, & the possible inconvenience to the...
147To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from Mr Paleski, the Prussian Consul being marked “duplicate,” I suppose the Original may have already fallen under your notice. I thought it proper however to lay it before you: at the same time it appears to be so clear a case, that I have written an answer to Mr Paleski, suggesting that the prolonging of a treaty is tantamou[n]t to the making of a treaty, in which the...
148From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the last week from Lisbon, announcing an actual declaration of war by France against England and Holland, when applied to the preceding note of the British court ordering the French minister to leave London (which is generally considered as preliminary to a declaration of war) now render it extremely probable that those powers are at actual war, and necessary in my opinion that...
149To George Washington from John Vaughan, 4 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing a letter I have just recieved from Carolina—from a house of Character there, the perusal of which may not be improper at the present moment; I would not even wait to make the extract, which if your Excellency should wish can be done at any moment. I remain with the greatest respect—Your obt Servt A Vessel goes to Charleston on Tueday next. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
150To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you, enclosed, the copy of another letter just received from Colonel Pickering, dated the 8th instant. I am, with the highest respect, Sir, Your most obt Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW .