51From George Washington to Henry Knox, 13 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was dated the 5th instt since which I have received your letters of the 4th 5th & 7th; & shall reply to such parts of them as appear to require it. It is painful to find the Recruiting Service advancing so slowly as your last letters indicate. Endeavor to rouse the Officers who are engaged in this business, to fresh exertions. The unhappy fate of our Messengers is a lamentable...
52From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
This morning your Letter of the 11th came to hand, but I have not as yet had time to read, much less to consider, the enclosures therein contained. Mr Seagrove’s dispatches of the 5th ulto enclosing a packet for you, was received at the same time; & about noon his other Letter of the 27th was brought to me by Express. The whole, as well those addressed to me, as the others directed to you, are...
53From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 15th I promised you my sentiments on Mr Seagroves communications; and though I am not enabled to do it so fully as I could wish, I shall nevertheless give them as fully as I can. His letters, and the enclosures there in contained, with the evidence in support, go to points, which may be classed under six heads. 1st—Spanish interference, to prevent the treaty between the...
54From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 15th I acknowledged the receipt of yours of the 11th; since which your dispatches of the 16th are come to hand, and convey but a gloomy prospect of peace with the Indians, in either hemisphere; but shew the necessity of preparing more vigorously if possible for the dernier resort. That the Western Indians are stimulated to acts of hostility on one side, and every mean which...
55From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letter of the 17th inst; with it’s enclosure from Genl Wayne. Whatever Genl Wayne may require towards the equipmt of his troops for the service for wch they are designed, provided a compliance therewith be authorised by Law, I think had better be granted. powder in particular, precisely such as he desires, I would furnish him with in order that there may be no room for...
56From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you—dated the 26th of Augt—I have received your dispatches of the 23d; 26th; & 28th; of the same month; and it is probable, the Messenger who will carry this & other letters to the Post Office, will bring me the result of your deliberations on the communications from Georgia. I am exceedingly glad to find by the copy of Genl Putnams letter to you, that he had resolved to...
57From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 3d 1792. I thank you sincerely for the medicine you were so obliging as to send for my Nephew, and for the sympathetic feeling you express for his situation. Poor fellow! neither, I believe will be of any avail. Present appearances indicate a speedy dissolution. He has not been able to leave his bed except for a few moments to set in an Arm Chair since...
58From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 31st of Augt and first of the present month, have been duly received. The enclosures in the first for Govr Tellfair and Mr Seagrove have been approved, and forwarded. Those of the Second I have read, but will give them a second & a more attentive consideration before I express any decisive opinion upon General Waynes Plan for carrying on the War. My first impression of it,...
59From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th, with its enclosures, came duly to hand; & requires but little in reply to it, as your answer to Genl Waynes communications contain every direction which is necessary for his governmt at this time. Whatever may be the Attorney General’s opinion with respect to the legality of calling out Militia by the Governor of Pennsylvania—for supplying the place of the Rangers—it is...
60From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instt, with its enclosures, came duly to hand. It is exceedingly to be regretted that all the attempts of Government to bring the hostile Indians acquainted with the real designs of it—(so far as it respects the disputes with them)—should be so pointedly marked with misfortune, disappoint or delay. Captn Brants illness, and the sickness & delays of the other Chiefs of...
61From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Septr 24 92 I thank you for the information contained in your private letters of the 16th & 18th instt—From the contents of the last, it is probable Mr Hammond will be here to day, or tomorrow before Noon. I perceive by the Papers that Mr Penn & lady are arrived—and with them, Mr Andrew Hamilton & family. What, pray, has been the reception of the last...
62From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d Inst., & the enclosures, came to my hands by Wednesdays Post. I adhere to my resolution of commencing my Journey for Philadelphia the 8th of next month if the condition of my Servts will admit of it, two of them (one a Postilion) having been extremely ill with remittant fevers which have not yet left them. My order for the Carriage from Philadelphia, to be here by the...
63Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 14 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the dispatches from Mr Seagrove, which were submitted to the president yesterday. The President thinks there are some parts of these communications which should be laid before Congress, and requests that the Secretary will select such as may be proper & have them communicated accordingly. ALS (letterpress copy),...
64Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 21 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the enclosed letter from the Governor of Virginia, which has been submitted to the President; and to transmit a letter which the President has received from the Representatives of the frontier Counties in the Gene[r]al Assembly of Virginia. The President requests that the Secretary will take the subject of the...
65Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 23 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the two letters from Major General Wayne, with their enclosures, which have been submitted to the President, whose remarks thereon are herewith enclosed. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lear wrote over his original date of 22 Nov. on the letterpress copy to change it to 23 November. Lear’s docket reads “23d Nov. 1792,” and...
66Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 24 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the letter to Govrnor Lee—to Thomas Wilson Esq. & others —and the Copy of a letter to Genl Wayne, which have been submitted to the President & to inform the Secretary that their contents meet the ideas of the President. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For Knox’s letters to Henry Lee and to Thomas Wilson, see Lear...
67Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 25 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s Command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War General Sevier’s letter, which the President has refused, and to inform the Secretary that the President observes, that the Secretary will in his answer to Genl Sevier let him know that by accounts from the Superintendent of Indian Affairs to the Southward, the disposition of the Creek nation is very different...
68Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 11 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the Speeches to the Chiefs of the Six Nations and to the hostile Indians which have been submitted to the President, and to inform the Secretary that their contents embrace the President’s ideas on that subject. The President observes that the Secretary will write to General Wayne respecting Corn Planter, and to...
69Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 18 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s commd T.L. has the honor to return to the Secy of War the letters from Genl Wilkinson wh. have been submitted to the Presidt—and to say that if there be any thing in these letters wh. in the Secy’s opinion should be communicated to Congress the President wishes it might be done. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox presented the Senate on 19 Dec. an extract of a letter that he...
70Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 29 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secy of War the Speechs of Hendricks wh. have been submittd —likewise a letter from Mr Hoge to the Secy of War & the Secy’s answer, wh. expresses in its conclusion the President’s idea on the subject. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox, in his letter to Lear of 28 Dec., enclosed “speeches from Hendricks, to which I confess I...
71Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 18 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s Command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the letter & enclosures from Majr Genl Wayne, which have been submitted to the President, and the letter from Mr Greenup, upon which the President observes that if the request therein containd can be complied with, it ought to be done as he thinks it would be attended with good affects. ALS (letterpress copy),...
72Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 21 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of War a letter which he has just received from the Gentlemen in Congress representing the State of Georgia. The President requests that the Secretary will take the contents of this Letter into consideration and report to him thereon as soon as he conveniently can. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The...
73Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 30 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the letters from the Executives of Maryland and Virginia which have been submitted to the President; together with a draft of the Secretary’s answer to the Governor of Maryland, which meets the President’s approbation. The President desires however that matters may not be carried to extremity against Richardson....
74Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 2 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidets Command—T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of War, for his inspection, a lettr from Govr Moultrie, enclosing a deposition relative to the murder of certain Cherokee Inds by a party of Geo[r]gians in Oct. last. And a lettr from Colo. Mentges respectg his late office & desiring another appointmt. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . See William Moultrie to GW, 8 Jan. 1793 ....
75From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have given due consideration to the papers annexed. If the usage of the Army has been, that the Officer next in seniority has not only the right to fill the vacancy which is occasioned by death—Resignation—or dismission; but also (if adjudged worthy of promotion) to have his Commission dated at the time the said vacancy happened: And; as it appears that the resignation of Captn Mercer of the...
76From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dr Sir. [Philadelphia] Thursday Morning Feby 28th 1793 It is much to be regretted that the subject of Rations (encreased) had not been thought of and considered at an earlier period! It is to be feared a proposition at this time would be received with an ill grace. probably no attention paid to it. At the meeting you are about to have it might be well to mention the matter and know...
77From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 9 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Expecting that my private Affairs will call me to Virginia on or before the 25th of this month, I have to request that you will lay before me, previous to that time, such matters within your department as may require my attention or agency before I set out; as well as those which might be necessary for me to know or act upon during my absence from the Seat of Government (which will be about...
78Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 25 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Presdent’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of War a lettr from O. Pollock & Jno. Nicholson Esqs. requesting to be furnished with copies of certain parts of the treaty lately made by Genl Putnam with the Illonois & Wabash Indians —to wh. the President requests the Secretary will give an Answer to the effect of the enclosed sketch, wh. was intended to have been...
79From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the several matters contained in my circular Letter to you before I left Philada which you were desired to take into consideration, I now submit to you (& the other Gentlemen to whom the above mentioned Letter was directed, and who you will now also consult) a request of the Society of Quakers to be permitted to make presents to the Indians at the proposed Treaty at Sandusky....
80From George Washington to Henry Knox, 12 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instt with its enclosures came duly to hand. It is painful, after the exertions Government have made to keep the Southern Indians quiet, & the expence that has been incurred to effect it, to receive such unfavorable accts from that quarter as are contained in the letters of Mr Seagroves which you have forwarded to me. From Genl Waynes Representation of the want of...
81Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 20 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidts commd T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secy of War the letters & enclosures from Govr Blount and to inform the Secy, that the Presidt conceivg the information contained therein to be highly interesting to the U.S. requests the Se[c]y to take them into serious consideratn & report to him thereon as early as may be—and at the same time to report on the letters from...
82From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Gazettes of to day, I perceived a Vessel is just arrived in this Port from New Orleans, on board of which are several of our citizens; who, having passed down the Mississipi, are now on their return to Ohio, their place of residence. It is of great importance that this Government should be fully informed of the Spanish force in the Floridas—The number of their Posts—and the strength &...
83Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 19 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President directs me to send you the enclosed which was handed to him last night. As it was written perhaps in expectation that some notice would be taken of the death of the Marqs de Bretagny, as having been an officer in the American service, the President wishes you to do there with what shall seem to you proper. I have the honor to be &c. ALS , DLC : GW; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has...
84From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Under cover with this note, you will receive two letters and an enclosure from Govr. Mifflin, wch are sent to you for your information. Also the Journal of a Mr Ewing’s Voyage down, & his observations respecting the posts, Settlements &c. on the Mississipi. It is my earnest desire that you would prosecute these enquiries with assiduity. It merits investigation in order to decide whether the...
85From George Washington to Henry Knox and Andrew Pickens, 26 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the information given by the Secretary of War and Genl Pickins the 24th instant, answers to the following queries are requested. ALS , DLC:GW ; ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The text in angle brackets is from the letterpress copy. The memorandum to GW from Henry Knox and Andrew Pickens of 24 July , relative to the present state of the Cherokee and Creek Indians...
86Enclosure II William Blount and Andrew Pickens to Henry Knox, 1 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your request, we present you with such Observations on the Subject of establishing a permanent military and trading Post at the mouth of Bear Creek as at present occur to us. The Creeks, if not the Cherokees must be chastized by the hand of Government before they will desist from killing and robbing the Frontier Inhabitants of the United States. The Chickasaws and Chocktaws must...
87From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from the Governor of the State of Delaware dated the 23d instt came to hand this moment. The occasion requires something to be written, or done in consequence of the information. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . GW enclosed Joshua Clayton’s first letter to him of 23 Aug. 1793, which has not been found. According to GW’s executive journal for 26 Aug., the date of this letter’s...
88Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 28 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the enclosed letter & papers from the District Attorney of New York⟨.⟩ and the draught of a letter consequent thereof to Governor Clinton. And to inform the Secretary that the President thinks the letter proposed to be written to Governor Clinton a proper one for the Occasion; yet as it is the first of the kind...
89From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dr Sir, Philadelphia Sepr 9th 1793. It was the opinion of the Gentlemen at their meeting on Saturday last if I mistake not, that Mr Wolcott should be desired to request Mr Webster to substantiate the language of the Minister of the French Republic as related by him in the enclosed letter. Colo. Hamilton’s situation—for which I feel extreme regret—does not permit his having any agency...
90From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Packet herewith sent, I fd at the Post Office in Alexandria, as I passed through that Town on Saturday after noon. The letter from the Minister of the French Republic, dated the 7th instt, in answr to one he had received from Govr Clinton of the 3d preceeding, breathes (as far as I can understand it from Mr Dandridge’s translation) the same language as all others do which have been...
91From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 25th 1793 I have duly received your letters of the 15th & 18th instt and as the last announces your intention of setting out for Boston the next day I shall add nothing in this letter on business—but shall thank you for the information you have given me—as well private as public; and observe that, it appears to me highly necessary that the heads of...
92From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The violence with which (from all accounts I have received) the contagious fever in Philada continues to rage makes it still more necessary than ever that the meeting of the Heads of Departments which I requested you to attend in a letter of the 25th Sept: should not fail to take place by the first of November that, among other things measures may be taken for security of the public offices &...
93Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 13 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidents command Bw Dandridge has the honor to send to the Secretary of War—a Letter from the Govr of North Carolina, of 26 Nov. 93 to the President, covering depositions respecting the Spanish prize carried into Wilmington by Capt Hervieux—& to inform the Secretary that the President wishes him to take such measures thereupon as may seem to him adviseable. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW...
94From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have read the proposed message to the “Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations” and approve of it, except that I question whether the 8th and the 11th paragraphs are expressed quite strong enough. The 8th gives too much ground, in my opinion, to expect a compliance with their request in its full extent; and the 11th although the sense is plain, seems hardly decisive enough for Indian...
95From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a resolve of the Senate of the United States of the 31. Ultimo, and request you would state what measures have been taken relative to the subject alluded to. Df , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . After the draft was written by a clerk in the War Department, Knox enclosed it for GW’s approval in his letter of 4 Jan. to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. The Senate resolved “That the Senate will, on...
96Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 11 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
B. Dandridge has the honor by the Presidents order, to send the enclosed Proceedings of the Senate, on the subject of the Treaty with the Wabash & Illinois Indians, to the Secretary of War for his information. AL , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been identified, but it contained a copy of the resolution passed on 9 Jan., in which the Senate refused, by a vote of 21 to 4, to give...
97Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 13 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to return to the Secretary of war the letters and enclosures from Gov. Blount which have been submitted to the Presidts perusal; and to enclose, at the same time, a Letter from the Gov. of Pennsylvania to the President, with a request that the Secretary will report to the President his opinion on the subject thereof. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB ,...
98From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Phila. Feby 15th 1794. You mentioned in the conversations, which I have lately had with you on the subject of Mr Jay and Mr King’s letter to me, of the 27th of last month, and particularly in what passed between us on thursday, that they had repeatedly declared, that they never considered that letter, as an official one; that on the contrary they had intended it, as a mere...
99Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 24 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to transmit the letters herewith enclosed, from the Govr. of North Carolina to the President, to the ⟨Secry⟩ of War. The President requests the Secry to inform him if, in his opinion, any thing is contained in them, that requires the President’s particular attention; if not, to take such measures thereupon as to the Secry shall seem fit. ADfS...
100Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 5 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to return to the Secy of War the letter of mr Seagrove of the 25 Decr 93 with its enclosures. Some parts thereof appearing to require particular attention, the President requests the Secretary to consider what is proper to be done in relation thereto. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Indian agent James Seagrove to Knox,...