51From George Washington to the German Reformed Congregations, June 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am happy in concurring with you in the sentiments of gratitude and piety towards Almighty-God, which are expressed with such fervency of devotion in your address; and in believing, that I shall always find in you, and the German Reformed Congregations in the United States a conduct correspondent to such worthy and pious expressions. At the same time, I return you my thanks for the...
52From George Washington to Moustier, 2 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
The sentiments expressed in your letter of yesterday are perfectly consonant to my ideas of propriety. I never doubted that you was animated by motives of the purest regard for my Country & myself. On the other part, you may rest assured, I shall always be happy in occasions of demonstrating the sincerity of friendship for your Sovereign & Nation: being with sentiments of real consideration...
53Circular to the Governors of the States, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
As Congress have not yet established any Department through which communications can be officially made from the General Government to the Executives of the several States, I do, agreeably to the foregoing Resolution, transmit to your Excellency the enclosed Act, and have the Honor to be, with due respect, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient, and Most Humble Servant LS , to John Eager Howard, MdAA...
54From George Washington to Ebenezer Hazard, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
As I have (without doing it officially) requested from the heads of the several Executive Departments such information as might be requisite to bring me acquainted with the business and duties of the Departments; I have thought fit to ask, in the same informal manner, for specific information, in writing, relative to the past and present state of the Post Office. I must, therefore, request you...
55From George Washington to John Jay, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although, in the present unsettled state of the Executive Departments under the Government of the Union, I do not conceive it expedient to call upon you for information officially; yet I have supposed that some informal communications from the Office of Secretary for Foreign Affairs might neither be improper or unprofitable. For finding myself, at this moment, less occupied with the duties of...
56From George Washington to William Lyles, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the draft which I received of you in Virginia on Mr William Hunter junior for three hundred pounds Virginia money. Two hundred pounds have been paid by Mr Hunter as you will see noted on the back of the draft, and, as it was not convenient for him to pay the whole here, I have remitted it to you, having received it upon the condition that I should be put to no trouble in the...
57From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 10 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to me of the 27 and mine to you of the 22 ultimo came open to my hand as I informed you in my last. The first never had received a seal, nor a fold that would have enclosed (agreeably to the expression of your letter) the latter. Both of them were wrapped in an open cover of brown paper, and exposed to the inspection of every curious person through whose hands they passed. As you...
58From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
A Convention between his most Christian Majesty and the United States for the purposes of determining and fixing the functions and prerogatives of their respective Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agents and Commissaries, was signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries on the 29th of July 1784. It appearing to the late Congress that certain alterations in that Convention ought to be made, they...
59From George Washington to James Madison, 12 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
As the Communications herewith enclosed will not take much time to read; As there are matters related which to me are new; and as the information respecting land transactions, and other things in the Western Country will require to be noticed & acted upon in some way or another, I send them to you together with a Gazette with a marked paragraph containing some suggestions that have not, I...
60From George Washington to the United States Senate, 15 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson the present Minister of the United States at the Court of France, having applied for permission to return home for a few months, and it appearing to me proper to comply with his request, it becomes necessary that some person be appointed to take charge of our affairs at that Court during his absence. For this purpose I nominate William Short Esquire, and request your advice on the...
61From George Washington to the Governor and Council of North Carolina, 19 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
It was scarcely possible for any Address to have given me greater pleasure, than that which I have just received from you: because I consider it not only demonstrative of your approbation of my conduct in accepting the first office in the Union, but also indicative of the good dispositions of the citizens of your State towards their Sister States, and of the probability of their speedily...
62From George Washington to Leonard de Neufville, 29 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the present month and the papers accompanying it have been handed to me since my late indisposition. As all public accompts and matters of a pecuniary nature will come properly under the inspection of the Treasury Department of the United States, I shall, when that department is organized & established, have those papers laid before the Secretary thereof —and so far as my...
63From George Washington to Ebenezer Hazard, 3 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of June, together with the amount of receipts and expenditures of the General Post-Office of the United States from 1782 to 1789, and the forms of bonds, accts &c. relating to the Post-Office Department, were duly handed to me; but my late indisposition has prevented my paying any attention to business ’till within a few days past. I have now inspected those papers; and...
64From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your very friendly letter of the 28th of June, and feel a grateful sense of the interest which you take in my welfare and happiness, and the kind solicitude which you express for the recovery of my health—I have now the pleasure to inform you that my health is restored, but a feebleness still hangs upon me, and I am yet much incommoded by the incision which was made in a very...
65From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 4 July 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas McKean, 4 July 1789. The endorsement on an envelope in PHi : McKean Papers reads: “Note from General G. Washington. July 4th 1789.”
66From George Washington to the Society of the Cincinnati, 4 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg you, gentlemen, to return my most Affectionate regards to the society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, and assure them, that I receive their congratulations on this auspicious day, with a mind constan[t]ly anxious for the honor and welfare of our country; and can only say, that the force of my abilities, aided by an integrity of heart, shall be studiously pointed to the...
67From George Washington to John Barry, 6 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received a list of the Ships that were in Canton in China the last year which you were so good as to send me on the 30th of June; and must beg your acceptance of my best thanks for this polite mark of attention. I am, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt LS , NHyF ; LB , DLC:GW . Following his illustrious naval career during the American Revolution, John Barry (1745–1803) settled at Strawberry...
68From George Washington to Uzal Ogden, 6 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th of June, which was duly received should have had an earlier acknowledgment and my best thanks have been rendered to you for your politeness in sending me the first number of a new periodical publication which accompanied it, had not my late indisposition prevented. I must now beg your acceptance of my thanks for this mark of attention, and assure you that it always...
69From George Washington to the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, 9 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Address, with which I have been honored, has made a most sensible impression upon me. That my acceptance of the Presidency of these United States should have given joy to the people of Massachusetts—and that my conduct through our late arduous struggle for Liberty and Independence hath met the approbation of the Citizens of that Commonwealth will be considered by me, as among the most...
70From George Washington to the Officials of Washington College, 11 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your very affectionate address and the honorary testimony of your regard which accompanied it call forth my grateful acknowledgements. A recollection of past events and the happy termination of our glorious struggle for the establishment of the rights of man cannot fail to inspire every feeling heart with veneration and gratitude towards the great Ruler of events, who has so manifestly...
71From George Washington to John Jay, 14 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I find myself incompetent to form any decided opinion upon the paper I received from you the other day without having a view of the transactions which have been had with the Spanish Minister. I wish also to know whether, if the negociations are renewed, it can be made to appear from anything that that Gentln has said, as the result of an advance towards it from him, in his official character?...
72From George Washington to Beverley Randolph, 15 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor, last evening, to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 6th inst. enclosing one from the County Leiutenant of Green Briar on the subject of Indian affairs. When Congress have finished the necessary and important business which has occupied them since their first meeting, and in which they are now engaged, I shall seize the earliest moment to lay before them such information...
73From George Washington to Ebenezer Hazard, 17 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 15th Instant enclosing the Post Office Ac[coun]ts in detail for the years 1784 & 1788. But there still remains one point on which I would wish to have further information. By the statement of the Produce and Expences of the Post office which accompanied your letter of the 27th of June, there appears to have been an annual Profit arising from that Department,...
74From George Washington to Hodge, Allen, & Campbell, 17 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterday requesting permission to add my name to your list of subscribers for an american edition of Dr Gordon’s history of the late revolution. As I have already several sets of that work I would wish to decline adding my name as a subscriber for more. I am Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant LB , DLC:GW .
75From George Washington to Abraham Hunt, 20 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Being desirous of purchasing a number of good brood mares to send to Virginia, I have been advised by several Gentlemen to make application to you for this purpose, with assurances that I might depend upon your judgment and fidelity in the business. I would wish to obtain from 10 to 20 good, likely, strong, and well made mares, none of which should exceed 6 years old, or be less than 15 hands...
76From George Washington to Mathew Irwin, 20 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 9th Inst. enclosing a letter from Captn O’Brian giving a detail of the sufferings of himself and several other unfortunate Americans who are Slaves in Algiers, and requesting that some measures may be taken by Government for their redemption. Mr Jefferson, our Minister at the Court of France, has in view, among other objects, the redemption of these...
77From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 20 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter, which is directed to the Government of the United States, was put into my hands; but upon having it translated I found it related to a person who is said to live in Philadelphia, and have therefore taken the liberty of forwarding it to your Excellency, not doubting but you will have the goodness to make known the contents to the person whom it concerns, if he is an...
78From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 24 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have contemplated your Note, wherein, after mentioning your having served in quality of Secretary of Congress from the first meeting of that Body in 1774 to the present time, through an eventful period of almost fifteen years, you announce your wish to return to private life: and I have to regret that the period of my coming again into public life, should be exactly that, in which you are...
79From George Washington to David Stuart, 26 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
In the first moments of my ability to sit in an easy chair (and that not entirely without pain) I occupy myself in acknowledging the receipt of, and thanking you for your letter of the 14th instt. Although my time (before I was confined) had been, and probably now will be, much engaged, yet, your communications—without any reserve—will be exceedingly grateful & pleasing to me. While the eyes...
80From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 27 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
The sincere regard I had for your very worthy, deceased father, induces me to offer you a place in my family. How convenient & agreeable it may be for you to accept the offer, is with you to determine and that you may be the better enabled to judge, I shall inform you that the emoluments will be about Six hundred dollars pr ann.—and the expences trifling as your board, lodging & washing (as...
81From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 27 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Among the first acts of my recommencing business (after lying six weeks on my right side) is that of writing you this letter in acknowledgement of yours of the ultimo —Not being fairly on my seat yet, or in other words not being able to sit up without feeling some uneasiness, it must be short. You cannot doubt my wishes to see you appointed to any office of honor or emolument in the new...
82From George Washington to Edward Newenham, 29 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my arrival in this City I have had the pleasure to receive a letter from you; but, you will do me the justice to believe, that my numerous avocations & encreasing duties have been such as to form some apology for want of punctuality in my private Corrispondencies. The immediate object of this letter is to introduce to your acquaintance & civilities Mrs Montgomery, a lady of a very...
83From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 2 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The extreme hurry in which I have been thrown for several days, to compare the merits and pretensions of the several applicants for appointments, under the Revenue Law (in order that the nominations might speedily follow the passage of the Collection Bill) has prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 27th Ulto until this time. Mr Charles Lee will certainly be brot forward as...
84From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
A List having my signature to it is herewith presented to you, containing the names of Persons whom I nominate as Collectors, Naval Officers and Surveyors for the Ports to which their Names are respectively annexed; And as several applications have been addressed to the President and Senate conjointly I lay all under this description before you, for your information. New Hampshire Districts &...
85From George Washington to the New York Legislature, 4 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The affectionate congratulations of so respectable a public Body, as the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New York, on my election to the Presidency of the United States, fill my breast with the most pleasing sensations. In the fortitude and perseverence of the Citizens of this State, even amidst the calamities and dangers with which they were surrounded in the late war, I...
86From George Washington to James Madison, 5 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I want to communicate two matters to Congress; the substance of which is contained in the enclosed Paper —The first requires to be decided upon before the proposed adjournment shall take place—but my motive for communicating the other, at this time, is only to fix the attention, & to promote enquiry against the next meeting. Whether would an oral or written communication be best? If the first...
87From George Washington to the United States Senate, 5 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In the list of Nominations which I laid before you the 3d instant there was a mistake in giving in the name of David Lambert as Surveyor of the Port of Richmond. This mistake I now desire to correct by inserting in place thereof, the name of Corbin Braxton. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . This message was delivered to the Senate by...
88From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
My nomination of Benjamin Fishbourn for the place of Naval Officer of the Port of Savannah not having met with your concurrence, I now nominate Laclan McIntosh for that place. Whatever may have been the reasons which induced your dissent, I am persuaded they were such as you deemed sufficient—Permit me to submit to your consideration, whether on occasions, where the propriety of nomiminations...
89From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the act for settling the accounts between the United States and individual States, a person is to be appointed to fill the vacant seat at the Board of Commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and individual States; I therefore nominate John Kean, of the State of So. Carolina to fill the vacant seat at the said Board of Commissioners. LS , DNA : RG 46, First...
90From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 7 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The business which has hitherto been under the consideration of Congress has been of so much importance, that I was unwilling to draw their attention from it to any other subject. But the disputes which exist between some of the United States and several powerful Tribes of Indians within the limits of the Union, and the hostilities which have in several instances been committed on the...
91Conference with a Committee of the United States Senate, 8 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sentiments expressed by the President to the Committee from the Senate appointed to confer with him on the mode of Communication between the President and the Senate respecting Treaties and Nominations. In all matters respecting Treaties, oral communications seem indispensably necessary—because in these a variety of matters are contained, all of which not only require consideration, but some...
92From George Washington to James Madison, 9 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Consequent of the enclosed resolution, I had a conference with the Commee therein named yesterday, when I expressed the Sentiments which you also have enclosed. I was assured by the Committee, that the only object the Senate had in view was to be informed of the mode of communication which would be most agreeable to the President, and that a perfect acquiescence would be yielded thereto. But I...
93From George Washington to Pierce Butler, 10 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for giving me the perusal of ⟨the⟩ enclosed Letters. The business respecting t⟨he⟩ Indians is now before Congress. It would be well if ⟨the⟩ information concerning fugitive Negros co⟨uld⟩ come forward specifically—Judge Draytons name shall be placed among those who will come under consideration whe⟨n⟩ nominations for the Judiciary are taken up —and I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Most...
94From George Washington to Wilson Miles Cary, 10 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your very obliging and affectionate Letter of the 19th Ulto and can assure you that no circumstance, amidst the numerous occurrences of my new and arduous employment, has given me more heartfelt satisfaction than the repeated testimonies of approbation which my conduct in accepting of the Presidency of these United Stats has drawn from every quarter, and particularly from those...
95Conference with a Committee of the United States Senate, 10 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sentiments deliver’d by the President at a second conference with the Senate—held The President has the “power by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make Treaties and to appoint Offices.” The Senate when these powers are exercised, is evidently a Council only to the President, however its concurrence may be to his Acts—It seems incident to this relation between them that not...
96From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 10 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have directed a statement of the troops in the service of the United States to be laid before you for your information. These troops were raised by virtue of the Resolves of Congress of the 20th of October 1786, and the 3d of October 1787, in order to protect the frontiers from the depredations of the hostile Indians; to prevent all intrusions on the public Lands; and to facilitate the...
97From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
On the 15th of September next there is to be a treaty held in the State of Georgia, between the Indians on the southern frontiers and Commissioners on the part of Georgia. At this treaty there will be a numerous and respectable concourse of Indians; two, and some say three thousand. Their famous Counsellor, the noted McGilvery is to be present at it; and it is now in agitation, and a bill is...
98From George Washington to the Moravian Society for Propagating the Gospel, 15 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I receive with satisfaction the congratulations of your Society and of the Brethren’s Congregations in the United States of America. For you may be persuaded that the approbation and good wishes of such a peaceable and virtuous Community cannot be indifferent to me. You will also be pleased to accept my thanks for the Treatise which you presented; and to be assured of my patronage in your...
99From George Washington to Arthur Young, 15 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Recollecting that in one of your letters to me you had requested me to send to you a sample of the wool produced by my sheep, I directed that a fleece of a middling quality should be sent to me at this place after the season of shearing, which has been done, and I now transmit it to you by the british Packet, directed to the care of Messrs Wakelin Welch and Son in London. I am Sir, your most...
100From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 16 August 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 16 Aug. 1789. On 26 Aug. he wrote to GW : “I have now your favor of the 16th Inst.”