921To George Washington from David Humphreys, 27 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you yesterday, some things have happened, of which I conceive it expedient to give information by this conveyance. On the evening of the 25th McGillivray omitted to comply with his positive promise to write to us or come over the river, in order to explain the objections of the Chiefs to the Project of the Treaty which we had proposed to them, and to propose...
922To George Washington from John Sullivan, 27 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Durham in New Hampshire much Esteemed Sir September 27th 1789 Sensible that your Excellencys exalted Station drew with it an Increase of Cares difficulties and ill judged applications I therefore amidst the dealing out of offices & making the necessary appointments have remained Silent untill your Excellencey saw the proper opportunity of reminding me that my Services were not forgotten but...
923To George Washington from Henry Bicker, Jr., 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Henry Bicker Jun. of the City of New york Most Humbly Sheweth That in the Year 1775 your Petitioner being well acquainted with the Use of Arms was called upon to teach the Militia of the City of Philadelphia—And for this Purpose left his Business in this City and went to Philadelphia where he instructed the Citizens in the Manual and other Exercises without Fee or Reward—that...
924To George Washington from Moses Michael Hays, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
For The Freedom I use in addressing you, I shall rely on The Friendship of General Knox to offer Such Opology, as will impress on you a favorable reception of this Letter. its Motive is to Solicit the appointment of the CoUectorship for the Port of New Port Rhode Island—When That State shall embrace the Feoderal Constitution and appearance Indicate Such measure not to be farr distant; It will...
925To George Washington from Benjamin Palmer, 29 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Benjamin Palmer Most humbly Sheweth. That your Petitioner lived on Minefords Island commonly called City Island in the State of New York in the beginning of the War between Great Britain and those States and your Petitioner with all his Family were taken Prisoners by the British who used us very Ill. And then ordered us off my Plantation which I then had on said Island down to...
926To George Washington from Hezekiah Welch, 29 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Goodness of the Gentman I am Addresing my self to, and the Necessity that I am under Obliges me to make though to you Sr am an onknown Stranger but your Goodness Emboldings me to send a fue Lines to inform you, I bore a Commission in the Continental Sea Service during the whole of the war. I had with most part of the time three son’s am now some what Advanced in Age with a Fameley yet to...
927To George Washington from Zacharias Sickels, September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having laboured hard for some time past in making Interest with such of the Members of both Houses as I was acquainted with to assist me in procuring only a Clerks birth in one of the Offices to be established under the present Government; The Gentlemen to whom I have applied is General Schuyler of the Senate and Mr Egbert Benson and Judge Lawrance of the lower House, they have promised me all...
928To George Washington from Betty Washington Lewis, 1 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Letter Sepbr 13th in answer to that of Colo. Balls, George, Bushrod, and Corbin is here at this time I shall indeaver to have Every thing done as you desire you mention in your Letter to me that the Negros was to be divided into five Parts and one fifth part would be mine, Bushrod informes me that I have no Right to any Part, there is with that negro that you have thurteen...
929To George Washington from Jacob Richardson, 1 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Clarke, who arived here last evening, in 50 days from Nants in France I receiv’d a number of Letters, into the Post Office, one of which was for you Sir, which I enclose, & Send by one of our Packets, which wish safe to your hands, I send it in this way that it may gett to you sooner than by Post, we have but one Post in a Week to N. york, goes from here Tuesdays, and getts to N. york...
930To George Washington from John Moriarty, 2 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Salem [Mass.] May it please your Excellency— 2d October 1789 I came here from Ireland in the begining of the late war & Cheerfully Contributed to the Cause of freedom & to maintain our rights, and amply bore my share of the burthen. In the year 1782. my losses in trade by Capture and other Casualties were great; & to Compleat my ruin £32000. of the old Emmission died in my hands, which the...
931To George Washington from James Duane, 3 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I want words to express, as I ought, my grateful acknowledgements for the high honor of your communication this day enclosing my Commission as district Judge. Happy in seeing, thro many difficulties, the first object of my wishes accomplished by the establishment of our national government, I aspired after no personal emoluments or promotion; but was contented to contribute the little in my...
932To George Washington from Solomon Bush, 4 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
No. 7 Boulton Street Piccadilly May it Please your Excellency London 4th Octr 1789 I took the liberty to address you some time since, sincerely congratulating your Excellency on your late dignified appointment, which be assured proceeded from the effusions of a Heart fervently thankfull to the great Author of all good for the blessings he has been pleas’d to shower down on my Country—The many...
933To George Washington from William Dawson, 5 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
You will please to remember that I was manager for Colo. George Mercer on his Estate in Frederick County when the Sam⟨e⟩ was Sold off by your Excellency, and your Excellency may also remember that Mr Jas Mercer was very often Complaing and Scolding, while at Sd Sale, and that one morning I informed your Excellency before Mr Mercer, what a hard year I had had of it, on account of the Overseers...
934To George Washington from John O’Connor, 5 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
You should not be interrupted by this address if I thought that any Citizen of America had a heart more sincerely attached to your person than the unhappy and obscure Individual who presumes to submit to your perusal his reflections on an important question. Tho you are not probably a Stranger to my afflictions in this land and the weight of Calumny to which I have been compelled to submit,...
935To George Washington from Samuel Osgood, 5 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose a Copy of an Advertisement which I propose to have published tomorrow, relative to Contracts for the conveyance of the Mail for one year to commence on the first Day of January next, at which time the present Contracts expire. It is not materially different from the Advertisement ⟨ illegible ⟩ By the ⟨ illegible ⟩ for the ⟨transportation illegible ⟩ the Post...
936To George Washington from Pierre Marmie, 7 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Early in the year 1784, the company I was connected with, and in whose behalf I have now the honor of adressing you, made purchase from Messrs Penn, late proprietaries of Pennsilvania, of that part of their mannor of Pittsburgh, which includes Fort Pitt, and the Whole of its appurtenances. our view was to Erect a distillery, and to make use of Such of the buildings, particularly the brick...
937To George Washington from Burgess Ball and Charles Carter, 8 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
We have perused your Letter to Mrs Lewis dated the 13th of September, and shall take pleasure in giving her all the Assistance in our power. We shall in the next paper advertize the Stocks &c. to be sold abt the 29th Inst., and, in the same Paper shall request all Persons having Claims against the Estate, to bring ’em in properly attested, but, we believe we have already the whole Accots (as...
938To George Washington from John Dandridge, 8 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take this moment to inform you that I have just recorded a Deed of the Land in Gloucester, to you, agreeable to the price offered in your Letter on that subject; to wit £800. You will be so good as to present my affectionate duty to my Aunt, & inform her that her Friends here are well. I am, Sir, with respectful regard, Yr Obt Sert ALS , ViMtvL . For background to this letter, see Dandridge...
939To George Washington from John Macpherson, 8 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
As I propose seting of for Philadelphia Tomorrow or next day, I did myself the honor to wait upon the Vice President; to take a dutiful leave of him and family. As Mr John Adams has long honor’d me with sincere friendship; I communicated to him, some Improvements of my Own; in the Art of war, he was pleased to reply he was a perfect Stranger to war, but thought it wou’d be proper I Shou’d wait...
940To George Washington from James Maury, 8 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having already experienced the obliging Condescension with which your Excellency was pleased to honor the Offer of my Services on my settling here in the commercial Line, I am emboldened to inform your Excellency that, for two or three years previous to my Departure from Virginia, I had been a Candidate with the late Congress for an Appointment in the consular Department; but these...
941To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 8 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
We had the honr of receiving your Excellencys favour of the 16th Augst the two inclos’d Letters therein we forwarded & whenever Messrs Fenwick & Co. draws for the Wine their order shall be punctualy paid. One Adams here is Suppos’d to be the first optician we have, he purposes to make the Terrestial Globe upon the New & approv’d method, it may take up two Months to Compleat & that will be as...
942To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your inspection a general return of the Ordnance, Arms, and Military Stores in possession of the United States specifying the places at which they are deposited. The stores in general were placed in their present situation by the chances or events of the late War—Springfield in Massachusetts and Carlisle in Pennsylvania excepted—At these places buildings were...
943To George Washington from Richard Law, 10 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
New London [Conn.] Oct. 10th 1789. Acknowledges commission as district judge for Connecticut. “A good Judiciary, am sensible, is of the utmost importance, and essential to the well being of every free Government—how far the present Judicial System will answer the Valuable End designed, is perhaps somewhat problematical, and must depend on experiment—much wisdom care & attention has ben,...
944To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 10 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I would not omit the first opportunity of expressing the Additional obligation your Excellency has conferred on me, by introducing me to that Respectable Character Mrs Montgomery; She forwarded your Letter by the post, as she is at Lord Ranelaghs twelve miles from this; Early the Next morning Lady Newenham & I paid our Respects, & had the pleasure of meeting her; Anxious to enjoy her Company...
945To George Washington from Lewis Nicola, 10 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Relying on your Excellencies goodness to excuse my trespassing on your time devoted to so important attentions I take the liberty to inform you that the, to me, unfortunate resolve of Congress passed in 1785 not allow any State interest paid by them to publick creditors, having occasioned a general belief that the State of Pensylvania would pay any more to its citizens compelled me to try some...
946To George Washington from Otho Holland Williams, 10 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The appointment of Coll Harrison to the Office of Judge in the supreme Court; and that of Mr Hanson to the Office of Chancellor, in this State; have created vacancies in the Commission of our general Court which, it is expected, will be filled by some of our most antient law Characters, to whom that situation will be most agreeable. The resignation of Mr Thomas Johnson, which is here spoken of...
947To George Washington from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
at the request of A number of my fellow citizens I take the liberty of Offering myself A candidate for the appointment of superintendance of the Several Establishments for the security of the navigation in the Bay and River Deleware, that I am thus late in making my application arises from the following causes, it not being well understood that a general apointment of that kind was to be made,...
948To George Washington from John Blair, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The honourable commission which you have been pleased to offer me in the service of the United States came to hand the tenth instt accompanied by your very polite letter, & the laws which have passed relative to the office. When I considered the great importance, as well as the arduous nature of the duties, I could not but entertain some fears, that I might find them well adapted neither to my...
949To George Washington from David Humphreys, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Seventeen Miles east of Camden [S.C.] My dear Genl Octr 13th 1789. Having been led to believe that this route was the shortest & best, we left Augusta this day week; and having now an opportunity by Charles Town, I write (in conformity to the intimation you was pleased to give) for the purpose of keeping you advised of our progress. From the Savannah at Augusta to the Congaree at Friday’s...
950To George Washington from John Jay, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay has the honor of informing the President of the United States, that yesterday afternoon he received a letter from Sir John Temple in the following words, vizt “New York 12th of October 1789, Sir. I beg leave to submit in the most respectful manner, the enclosed memorial to the consideration of the Government of the United States. The memorialist informs me he hath in his possession all...
951To George Washington from Beauregard and Bourgeois, 14 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
We the underwritten Subjects of his Catholick Majesty residing in New Orleans on the River Missisipi, most respectfully beg leave to address ourselves to your Excellency on a subject in which we find ourselves aggreved and that we are in Duty bound to communicate to you, who are the Father and great Protector of your Country, whose Honor we are persuaded you will not suffer, even in the...
952To George Washington from John Marshall, 14 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Not having been in Richmond when your Excellencys letter arriv’d, enclosing me a commission as Attorney for the United States in the Virginia district, I coud not, sooner, acknowlege the receit of it. I thank you sir very sincerely for the honor which I feel is done me by an appointment flowing from your choice, & I beg leave to declare that it is with real regret I decline accepting an office...
953To George Washington from James Mercer, 15 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I hope the necessity of the Case, will be a sufficient appollogy for my intruding myself on your Excellency, who must be too much engaged in the business belonging to yr important & very high office, to attend to business of a private Nature—I have however purposely delayed this application untill the recess of Congress, hoping that your Excellency may by that event, have the leisure to favour...
954To George Washington from Thomas Paine, 16 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I need not tell you how much I rejoice at the prosperous accounts from America, or how happy I feel that you have relinquished the temptations of quiet retirement for the busy scenes of Public Good. Had the opportunity of your coming once more forward not have offered itself you might have injoyed retirement with serenity; but retirement would have lost its felicity, had it been haunted, as...
955To George Washington from H. Duplessis, 17 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho it is the Highest of Presumption in Such unworthy object as me to dare to approach your excellency; yet that universal benevolence and Hospitality, which is the Characteristick of your Excellency has made me take the Liberty of troubling your excellency with my present distressed Situation. I have had the Honour of being during Sept. [7] years Professor of the french Language in the...
956To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your commands to write to you on all occasions I have the honor to inform you that Mr Kean arrived here yesterday from South Carolina. He brings a report which he received through such a channel as induces him to credit it, That a Mr Clark arrived at Savannah on the 2d of this month from the Rock Landing on the Oconee, and informed that the treaty had abruptly broken up without...
957To George Washington from James Wilson, 18 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Commission, appointing me one of the associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and your very obliging Letter, with which it was accompanied, I have had the Honour of receiving. Be assured, Sir, that I entertain a just Sense of the delicate and pleasing Manner, in which you describe the Motives and the Objects of your Choice. Permit me to add—I hope I do it with Justice...
958To George Washington from Samuel Coleman, 19 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Richmond, 19 Oct. 1789. “If the United States should want an Officer, in any of the departments of Government in this State, who ought, in the execution of his office, to possess abilities, integrity and Application in an uncommon degree; give me leave to recommend to your Notice Colonel Thomas Meriwether, a Gentleman who hath long served this Commonwealth with honour to himself and great...
959To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, I sit down to commit a few lines to the Post. Nothing worth particular mention has occurred since your Departure; except a report brought by Mr Keane from So. Carolina, that McGilivray the Indian Chief had, after a short conference, left our Commissioners, declaring that what they had suggested was only a repe[ti]tion of the old Storey and inadmissible, or something...
960To George Washington from William Reynolds, 20 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The vicissitudes of fortune all Men are subject to, and perhaps few have experienc’d the truth of the observation more severely than myself. A small inheritance from my Father, somewhat accumulated from five years close and successfull application to business previous to the War, had encouraged me to look forward with satisfaction. but a series, I may say of almost uninterrupted ill success in...
961To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 20 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your Letter of the 23d Ulto with its inclosures, by Mr Scott while I was attending Bedford Court last week, whereupon I sent up by the same Gentleman Directions to the Prothonotary of Fayette County to Issue a writ against John Stephenson without loss of Time, & gave pointed directions to the Sheriff to serve it immediately—I thought this necessary, because Mr...
962To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having received information that you intended to Honor this State with a visit, and wishing personally to shew you every mark of attention which the most sincere friendship can induce. I beg the favor of your making my house the place of your residence while you shall remain in Boston. I could wish that the accommodations were better suited to a Gentleman of your respectability but you may be...
963To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Nothing of importance has occurred since the letter I did myself the honor of writing you on the 18th instant. I am anxiously expecting to hear from the southern Commissioners. Major Wyllis and the other Officers have been detained by business Untill this day. They have taken young White Eyes under their protection. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient Servant ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW ....
964To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 22 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity of conveying to you my most grateful acknowledgements for the appointment of Judge in the fœderal Court of this District; and at the same time of expressing the extreme regret with which I am constrained to decline this flattering testimony of your approbation. I am well aware, Sir, that with You no considerations arising from personal inconvenience will, or...
965To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by the return Express I had the honour to receive at three OClock this morning: it would have given me pleasure had a residence at my house met with your approbation. I observe you had proposed taking an early dinner at Watertown, and proceed to Cambridge, and from thence to Boston on Saturday afternoon; I beg leave, if it should not interfere with your determination, or prove...
966To George Washington from Orina, 23 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The disposition which the British and other nations have Shown to acknowledge our independence, with the perfect liberty we enjoy, plainly indicate that Sovereign providence has bestowed upon us mental abilities Superior to what are in the possession of any foreigners. I am an original professor of human law, Social relation and civil policy; and with my most intimate Correspondent have found...
967To George Washington from George Cabot, 24 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The public papers having announced “that the President of the United States is on his way to Portsmouth in New Hampshire,” it immediately occurred to me that your rout wou’d be thro’ this village, & that you might find it convenient to stop here & take a little rest: shou’d this prove to be the case, permit me Sir to hope for your acceptance of such accomodations & refreshment as can be...
968To George Washington from Thomas Fielder, 24 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
T. Fielder presents most sincear Respects to his Excellency The President, of the united States of America[.] Has an uncommunicated Idea on Machinary which he hopes might be of utility to the Country. If when F. calls on Monday Morng at Eight his Excellency will condescend to appoint when he will honor him with a short interview, it will be esteem’d a very particular favor. AL , DLC:GW . GW...
969To George Washington from the Massachusetts Legislature, 24 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Governor & Council present their respectful compliments to the President of the United States & request the Honor of his company with his suite to Dine on Tuesday next at the Coffee house in State Street at 3 o’Clock P.M. L , DLC:GW . For background to this letter, see GW to Betty Lewis, 12 Oct. 1789, n.3 , and to John Hancock, 23 Oct. 1789, n.1 . On 25 Oct. the dining arrangements were...
970To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 24 October 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, Jr., 24 Oct. 1789. On 23 Nov. GW wrote to Newton : “Your letter of the 24th of October . . . has been duly received.”