45701To George Washington from James Mease McRea, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the Resignation of Colo. Hanson late Surveyor of this port I have been induced to offer myself a Candidate for that office. Not having the honor to be personally Known to you Sir, I have obtaind the recommendation of a few Gentlemen of this place, who are mostly of the longest standing, and who are I beleive mostly Known to you, in my favour, which I have the honor to inclose...
45702From George Washington to Stephen Moylan, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st was handed to me last Night. As I expect to be in the vicinity of Philadelphia (German town I believe) on the first of November I shall decline saying any thing on the subject of your application ’til then—It being my invariable custom to possess myself of the circumstances of every case before I decide on a nomination to the office —With esteem & regard I am Sir Yr...
45703To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by Monday’s post. That afternoon I went to see Mr Peters; and had the pleasure to find that your accommodation and a suitable provision for Congress had engaged the attention of him and divers other citizens of Philadelphia who were scattered in the adjacent country. They have had some consultations on the subject; and will continue them until suitable provision shall be made; of...
45704To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Since sealing my letter of this date, my servant has brought me an answer from the Mayor, which I enclose. I am surprized at the number of deaths from Oct. 11th to the 22d. I will continue to advise you of the state of the disease, as often as I can obtain any new information. very respectfully yr most obedt servt ALS , DLC:GW .
45705Enclosure: Matthew Clarkson to Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I think it may be concluded that the state of the mortal sickness is become more favorable, this appears from the decrease of funerals in the City generally, and at the Hospital at Bush-Hill It is not possible to ascertain, with any degree of precission the degree in which it has abated. The general appearance is pleasing, the Physicians have fewer applications from new patients, the...
45706From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th only came by the Post of last night, to Alexandria, & this is sent thither to day, that it may go by tomorrow’s Mail, & thereby reach you as soon as the nature of the case will admit. As you have given no positive opinion respecting the Power of the Executive to change the place for Congress to meet at, & as it is uncertain what will be the result of this business; I am...
45707Enclosure II: Antonio Serristori to the Governor of Leghorn, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Having spoken to Lord Hervey, & shewn him Your Eccel⟨ys⟩ Letter dated the 21 inst. as well as the Paper No. 1, therein a⟨n⟩nex’d, he has inform’d me by writing that he has represented t⟨he⟩ matter to the Commander of the Squadron who is now in t⟨he⟩ City, & who has written to the Commander in his Absence ordering him not to take any Step against the America⟨n⟩ Vessel. I remain &c. Your humble...
45708To George Washington from Solomon Bush, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Naval Office for the Port of Philadelphia being vacant by the Death of Doctr Phile, Permit me to solicit the same, assuring your Excellency that shou’d I be honourd with the Appointment no endeavours shall be wanting in Me, to give satisfaction, and fill the duties of the Office. I humbly beg leave to call your Excellencys attention to my present situation, confiding in your well known...
45709To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at my own house yesterday evening, where I found your letter of the 14 instant; having previously received that of the 25 of September, by the circuitous route of Albany, the evening before my departure from New York. As to the right of the President to convene Congress out of the ordinary course, I think it stands as follows—“he may on extraordinary occasions convene both houses of...
45710From George Washington to Ludwell Lee and Roger West, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The address of the Landholders & Inhabitants of Fairfax County, forwarded to me by you, has been received. It is a source of much pleasure to me to find my Fellow Citizens of Fairfax among those spirited republicans of the United States, who declare to the world their firm determination to support the Government they have chosen for themselves, & to oppose with manly resolution any attempts to...
45711From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday the 23d was handed to me upon my return from my usual ride, & almost at the moment I was setting down (with company) to dinner, which prevented my acknowledging the receipt of it by your servant. I am sorry I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you & your Lady before I return to the Northward, and regret the cause. On sunday, if I can previously arrange some business...
45712To George Washington from Nicholas Lewis, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour, to transmitt You Sundry Resolves entered into by a considerable proportion of the Inhabitants of the County of Albemarle, & I have Sir assumed thus far in conformity to the last of Said enclosed Resolutions. I am Sir With great respect your very Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Nicholas Lewis (1734–1808), uncle of Meriwether Lewis and grandson of Nicholas...
45713To George Washington from James Madison, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instant did not arrive till sunday night, and being not then at home, I did not receive it till last night. I now lose not a moment in complying with its request; tho’ I foresee it cannot reach you before you will have left Mount Vernon, and before you will probably have made up a final determination on some if not on all the questions proposed. These are 1. Ought the...
45714To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
My messenger, who carried into Philadelphia yesterday the letter, which I had the honor of addressing to you at Baltimore, brought from the post-office your favor of the 14th instant. It is but lately, that I could procure an intercourse with it: but he will go in again tomorrow, in order to convey this letter, and receive any others, which you may have thought proper to write to me. I have...
45715Enclosure: Draft for “A Proclamation By the President of the United States”, 24 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the situation of public affairs requires, that the ensuing session of congress should not be postponed beyond the first monday in december next, being the day appointed by the constitution of the United States for the assembling thereof; and there is reason to doubt, whether the city of Philadelphia, the temporary seat of government, which for some time past hath laboured under a...
45716To George Washington from Thomas Sandwich, 25 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you the 18th instant from Wrightsboro’ being then on a journey but least any accident shod happen to that Letter—I beg to repeat my observes that fumigating with Tobacco will stay the effects of the present dreadful disorder—This was done during the plague of London & the Tobacconists shops were all exempt. The steam from Vinegar with rue steeped in it is used...
45717To George Washington from Edward Stevens, 25 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are some Resolutions which the Yeomanry of the County of Culpeper have lately entered into, and which they have enjoined on me to Transmit to you. I am with the highest Respect Sir Your very Obedt hum: Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW .
45718To George Washington from Rayner Taylor, 25 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
That Philanthrophy which marks your character, encourages me to take the liberty of addressing you, particularly as a stranger lately settled in this City; the intention of which is to request the honour of your Name as a subscriber to an Anthem I am now publishing, particulars of which are mentioned in the Federal Gazette. I left the city of Annapolis a few months ago at the desire of Mr...
45719From George Washington to Francis Willis, Jr., 25 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th of Augt had to go to Phila. & come back, before I received it. The mistakes which have happened respecting the Negros of the late Mrs Saml Washington are somewhat singular; and it is not a little surprizing after the first mistake had happened, and so much pains had been taken to account for, & set it right, that now after a lapse of five or Six years the whole matter...
45720From George Washington to John Cowper, 26 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have in my possession a bond of yours, assigned to me by Mr Jno. Lewis, for £146.13.4d—payable with interest the 18. day of may last. I should be glad if you would cause it to be discharged as soon as convenient, as I am in want of the money. Tomorrow I shall leave this for the vicinity of Philada. the money may be sent by any of the Delegates of this State; or in any other manner more...
45721From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 26 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Since my arrival at this place from Philada the attachmt of which the enclosed is a copy has been served upon me. I wish to be informed by you how I am to proceed in this business, & what steps, if any, are necessary to be taken by me in consequence thereof. Notwithstanding the directions you have given to the contrary, there rarely comes a Collector who does not present (mingled with my own)...
45722To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I had this moment the honor of receiving your letter of the 23d instant by a special messenger from Philadelphia. As he is impatient to return, and I mean to write a duplicate for Elkton, I will trouble you with but a short communication. At Baltimore and Elkton, two letters of different dates are waiting for your arrival; one written on the 23d, the other on the 25th instant. Since the...
45723To George Washington from Elizabeth Foote Washington, 26 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Docter Stuarts stay here was so short the other day & he appear’d to be in such hast to be gone, that mr Washington apprehends he may not have been so circumstantial in his detail of Mr Washingtons case as is necessary, for the cancer Docter to form his judgment on, therefore we have taken the liberty to trouble you with another, as you were so good to mention to mr Washington when you were...
45724From George Washington to William Pearce, 27 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th came duly to hand. Tomorrow I leave this for Philadelpa or the vicinity of it; where, when you have occasion to write to me, direct your letters. As you seemed to be in doubt whether a proper character could be engaged in the part of the Country you live in, to look after my Negro Carpenters; and (having much work to do in their way, & not being willing to leave matters...
45725To George Washington from “A Citizen of Virginia”, 28 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The question, no doubt, has often occurred to you; “where will the Congress meet”? “by their adjournment,” which is law to them, at Philadelphia; but, by a physical necessity, more injurious, than law itself, at Philadelphia, they cannot meet. you, Sir, as President of the United States, by the impolitic and narrow jealousy of the Constitution, have a right to convene Congress; but, not to...
45726To George Washington from Philip Richard Fendall, 28 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The office of Surveyor of this District being vacant, by the resignation of Mr S. Hanson; I take the liberty of recommending Mr Vincent Gray to you as his Successour. Mr Gray has acted as deputy Collector for several years, and his conduct has been such as to give the highest satisfication to the Mercantile interest. I am so well convinced of his integrity and knowledge of the business that I...
45727To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 28 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the mortal fever which has raged in this city, is prodigiously reduced. A fortnight ago, from 10 to 14 were daily buried in Friends ’ burying ground: but in the last Five days only three in the whole have been buried there. Among the German Lutherans, the reduction appears by the following list— Oct. 22d buried 19 23 —— 10 24 —— 8
45728To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the time, when this letter is delivered to you by Major Lenox, you will have received the different letters, which I forwarded to you at Baltimore and Elkton, stating, among other things, what I had done concerning your lodgings. Colo. Franks not being in town, and his agent not being willing to let the house for any period, short of six months, I could not combine the objects, which you...
45729To George Washington from Philip Filicchi, 29 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Court of Tuscany having taken the greatest notice of the application I made in favor of the American Brig Minerva Captain Joseph Ingraham consign’d to my Commercial House, I have thought that Your Eccellency would be pleased to be acquainted with it. I therefore have the Honor to enclose a translation of my Letter to the Governor of Leghorn, and of the Answer of the Prime Minister for...
45730To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 29 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to the acquaintance of General Washington a person highly deserving of his Notice: Monsieur de Volney who will have the Honor to deliver this letter goes out to acquire in America an Addition to his Stock of knowledge. His Conversation equally pleasing and instructive will I trust agreably relax some of your careful Hours. I am happy in the opportunity he...
45731To George Washington from Robert Townsend Hooe and David Ross, 31 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have according to your appointment at the instance of the Commissioners of the City of Washington examined their Accounts, and find themselves charged to the State of Virginia £30.000. the State of Maryland £27.000 and for Lots and other articles sold £6.005.14.9. Amounting to the Sum of £63.005.14.9. And we find vouchers of Expenditure, up to the 30th Instant, to the Amount of...
45732To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 31 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
By some unaccountable delay, the Letter with which you have favored me, of the 13th inst. did not reach me ’till the 30th. While writing mine of the 2d of this month, the doubt which you have been pleased to mention, respecting the Law of Congress, fixg the seat of Government, occurred to me; but turng to the Law, I found the 5th sec: mentions—“That prior &ca all offices attached to the Seat...
45733I, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Objects to be communicated in Speech & Messages I Proclamation II Embarrassments on carrying into Execution the principles of neutrality; necessity of some auxiliary provisions by law— III Expectation of indemnification given in relation to illegal captures— IV State of our affairs with regard to G. Britain to Spain to France—claim of Guarantee —propositions
45734II, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Heads of subjects to be communicated to congress; some at the opening, others by messages. 1. The proclamation, and the reasons for issuing it, together with an observation on the French treaty. 2. The selling of prizes in our ports. 3. The engagement concerning compensation for vessels, captured under certain circumstances. 4. The propriety of vesting the fœderal courts with power to aid the...
45735III, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Sundry matters to be communicated for the information of Congress—either in the Speech at the opening of the Session, or by Messages thereafter, as shall be thought best. Proclamation, informing the United States of the actual State of things as they stood between them and the Powers at War. State of Our application respecting the surrender of the Western Posts. Additional Instructions of his...
45736IV, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
As soon as the European war had embraced those nations, with which the U.S. have an extensive commercial intercourse, there was reason to apprehend, that this intercourse might be interrupted, and our disposition for peace drawn into question, by the suspicions, usually entertained by belligerent powers. It seemed therefore to be my duty, to admonish my fellow-citizens, of the consequences of...
45737VIII, November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Commissioners charged with the settlement of Accounts between the United & the Individual States completed that important business within the time limited by Law; and the ballances which they have reported have been placed upon the Books of the Treasury. A copy of their Report bearing date the day of last will be laid before Congress for their information. The importance of the object will...
45738To George Washington from J. Des Moulins, 1 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from J. Des Moulins, 1 Nov. 1793. On 6 Jan. 1794, Moulins wrote to GW : “I humbly presume to remind your Excellency, of . . . a long Letter from Wilmington on the 1st of last Novr.”
45739To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 2 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The attorney general of the United States has the honor of submitting to the President of the United States the following considerations on the power and propriety of convening congress to a place, different from the city of Philadelphia. The constitution declares, that “neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more, than three days,...
45740To George Washington from Hannah Fairfax Washington, 2 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
On reconsidering Your Acct I think it but reasonable (as I am to be allow’d interest) that I shou’d also pay it (for the last ten Years) on the Acct thought to be due from our estate of £16.6. As I did agree to pay You the principal, I will certainly allow the interest for the above term of Yrs. If that Acct had been presented by any other; than from One of my Brothers Executors, I wou’d not...
45741To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hooe and Majr Ross’s report, which they have inclosed you will inform you of the result of their examination of our accounts; that with the Treasurer stands in the place of a cash account, is accurate and authorized by our warrants, which are justified by Vouchers—these were all compared and did not take up two days—The Gentlemen went farther and have given a general state of Funds, this...
45742To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Not having been in condition to attend you yesterday, and (though free from fever) yet not being well enough to go abroad immediately, I have concluded to submit to you by a line the result of my further reflections on the subject of my last letter. I believe it will be altogether safe for the ensuing session of Congress to be held at Philadelphia, and that the good of the public service...
45743To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Presuming that you are now in German Town, agreeably to the arrangement which you informed me you had made for that purpose, when I had the honor of seeing you at Mount Vernon, I shall address this letter to you at that place; and have taken the liberty to enclose two copies of some observations respecting the River Potomack, the Country about it and the City of Washington, which I have noted...
45744Enclosure: Observations on the Potomac River, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The River Potomack forms a junction with the Bay of Chesapeak 150 miles from the Sea. From thence to the head of tide-Water is about 160 miles. “This River is 7½ miles wide at its mouth; 4½ at Nomony Bay; 3 at Aquia; 1½ at Hollowing-Point; 1¼ at Alexandria—and the same from thence to the City of Washington, which is within 3 miles of the head of tide Water. It’s soundings are 7 fathoms at the...
45745From George Washington to Howell Lewis, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The short time I was with you, and the hurry into which I was thrown by the pressure of many matters, public & private, prevented my mentioning many things wch ought to have been communicated to you before I left home; but I shall do it by letter as they may happen to occur to me. I have already told you, that the Corn is to be gathered without loss of time as soon as circumstances will...
45746To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President sends for his perusal some of the letters which had been accumulating at his office, & which he received yesterday. he will wait on the President to-day to translate the Spanish papers sent by mister Short, as also with some other letters in foreign languages. Th: J. sends to the President a supply he received yesterday of paper, of which the...
45747To George Washington from Richard O’Bryen, 5 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the Portugeese obtaining a cessation of hostilities with this regency, the Algerine corsairs has captured ten american vessels the masters and crews, amounting to one hundred and five subjects of the United States—are employed as captive slaves on the most laborious work. the[y] are in a distressed and naked situation. Mathias Skjoldebrand Esqr: the Swede Consul has...
45748Enclosure: Resolutions from Frederick County, Virginia, Citizens, 5 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a numerous meeting of the Inhabitants of Frederick County at the Court House in Winchester on Tuesday the fifth day of november 1793 for the purpose of taking under Consideration the Proclamation of the President of the United States, declaring the neutrality of the said States in the present European War—Alexander White is appointed Chairman and John Peyton Clerk. Resolved that in the...
45749To George Washington from the Germantown, Pennsylvania, School Trustees, 6 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The trustees of the public School of German-town have the honor to wait upon the President with a respectful tender of the school buildings for the accommodation of Congress, should they convene at this place. To judge of the other inhabitants of German-town from our own motives, it cannot be questioned they would on this occasion strive to make it as convenient a residence as possible. On the...
45750From George Washington to the Germantown, Pennsylvania, School Trustees, 6 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The readiness with which the Trustees of the public School of Germantown tender the buildings under their charge, for the use of Congress, is a proof of their zeal for furthering the public good; and doubtless the Inhabitants of Germantown generally, actuated by the same motives, will feel the same dispositions to accommodate, if necessary, those who assemble but for their service & that of...