5401From George Washington to John Marshall, 5 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 26 Ulto and am sorry to inform you that it is not in my power to furnish the proof which you require of Mr Armsteads executors having had regular notice of the protest. The only person (Colo. Fielding Lewis) who could have been adduced to prove that fact, is dead. Upon my going to Congress in 1774 I left that among other debts, with him to collect for...
5402From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 5 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you was pleased to favor me, dated the 29th Ulto came to hand. For proof of my unwillingness to put the securities I have for the debt due to me for your fathers estate, in suit, I need only appeal to the length of time the money has been due—to the frank and friendly manner in whh I have, from time to time, exposed my want of it; and to the returns which have been made...
5403To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I do most sincerely & affectionately congratulate my Country, on the unanimous election of your Excellency to the Presidency of the united States. The importance of this transaction, is so great in my estimation that I consider it, under Providence, as the key-Stone to our political Fabrick. It is from this Consideration alone, that I can rejoyce with you Sir, as a private Friend, on your...
5404From George Washington to John Brown, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I would thank you for informing me, when it is convenient to you, whether a Deed of Conveyance from George Muse to me for 3323 Acres part of a large tract of 7276 Acres lying on the Great Kanhawa is fully proved, and admitted to record. and if not, what steps are necessary for me to pursue to effectuate it. In the first case I should be glad to receive the Deed—In the Second your advice will...
5405To George Washington from Levinus Clarkson, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Should your Excey find by a mature investigation of the subscriber character, during the late War, & Life past to merrit an office under the United States, for wc. information I refer your Excy to Govr Livingston Honr Wm Paterson, Ralph Izard, Pierce Butler, Robt Morris, Jno. Jay, Doctor Samuel Johnson, & Chancelor Livingston & other⟨s.⟩ It will afford relief to a numirous family who have...
5406From George Washington to James Dunlop, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d has been duly received—The Bond of Messrs Montgomerie, Willson, Stewart &ca is in the possession of Mr Keith of Alexandria, along with other papers belonging to the Estate of the decd Colo. Colvil—and the £600 which you propose to pay, towards the discharge of it, may go into the hands of Colo. Robert T. Hoe (The attorney of Lord Tankerville and his brother Mr Bennett, to...
5407From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ago Mr Muse informed me by letter—that he expected an order for the delivery to him of the Papers belonging to the Estate in my possession —I answered they were subject to, and ready for that order whenever presented but as a friend I would advise him to let them remain in your hands and draw out such only as he might want. To this he seems perfectly agreeable and I mention the matter...
5408To George Washington from John Langdon, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency the information of your unanimous election to the Office of President of the United States of America. Suffer me, Sir, to indulge the hope, that so auspicious a mark of public confidence will meet your approbation, and be considered as a sure pledge of the affection and support you are to expect from a free and an enlightened people. I am, Sir,...
5409To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On the Sunday sennight after leaving Mount Vernon I arrived here, where to my surprise I found that a quorum of the Senate was not assembled, and but a small majority of Representatives. On this day we went to business, and to my very great satisfaction I heard an unanimous vote of the electing States in favor of calling you to the honorable office of President of the United States. Before...
5410To George Washington from James Madison, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of R.H. Lee yesterday has made up a Quorum of the Senate. a Quorum in the other House was made on Wednesday last. The ballots will be opened today unless an indisposition of Mr Basset should prevent, which was not probable yesterday afternoon. The notifications to the President & Vice President will be left to the Senate. Mr Charles Thomson will be the messenger to the former. The...
5411From George Washington to Thomas Montgomerie, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th Ulto came duly to hand, since which I have received a letter from Mr Dunlop informing me that he had about £600 Sterling which he was ready to pay on account of the Bond of Messrs Montgomerie, Stewart[,] Wilson &ca but that he had been instructed to do this in Current Money at the par of Exchange. The meaning of which I know not unless there is an act of Assembly...
5412To George Washington from Robert Morris, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered by Mr Charles Thompson, who has the honour to be charged with the Public Dispatches which announce your Election to the first Office in the American Empire —Permit me on this occasion to congratulate your Excellency, not on the appointment to Office, for your honors and happiness were compleat without it, but upon this unequivical proof of the gratitude of Millions whose...
5413From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
In an overhaul, and arrangement of my papers, I have found an agreement (and Bond for the performance of it) with your father; by which he was to convey all the right, title, and interest which he had in a tract of 7276 acres of Land on the Great Kanhawa, to me. This, I beleive, was accordingly done; but it runs in my mind (though Colo. Pendleton undertook to see to the recording of it) that...
5414To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my taking the liberty to enclose a part of my sons Letter to your Excellency & to give you the trouble of reading it you will see in the extract. The Letter is dated London Feby 2. 1789⟨.⟩ I have not shown the part relative to the treaty of commerce to any one. Mr Shippen will leave Europe in August. I rejoice with all the citizens of America at your appointment to the first seat...
5415To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Accept of my warmest & sincerest congratulations, upon your appointment to the Presidency of the United States of America! & altho’ it cannot add to the Illustrious Character, you have so justly merited & established through the World, yet it reflects additional honor upon the Western Empire —by a display of her Wisdom—prudence & Gratitude, in the choice she has made of her greatest...
5416From George Washington to Richard Curson, 7 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr Shotwell of New York, surviving partner of the House of Embree and Shotwell—informing me that he had shipped a quantity of Clover and Timothy seed to Baltimore for me (no vessel offering for Alexandria) and had directed it to you —As soon as it may arrive I will thank you to have it sent round here in any manner that will be most expeditious, for it is...
5417From George Washington to William Shotwell, 7 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
To promise what one does not perform is at all times wrong but in the delay of the Grass-seeds with which you undertook to supply me, I have sustained an irrepairable injury in as much as that my whole system of husbandry is deranged by it. £500 would be no compensation for this disappointment—My spring grain with which these seeds were to be sown, are now almost entirely in the ground and a...
5418To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 8 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On rect of your last favr, I immediately bespoke the livery Lace which is manufactured here (there being none imported of that patern) and I now Inclose 14 yds by post. I have About 80 bushels buckwheat now filling in bags & am promised about 100 bushels more tomorrow to go in Capt. Ellwood who sails for Alexa. on saturday or sunday so that I hope there will be no disappointment for I have...
5419To George Washington from Vincent Gray, 8 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
From a report, I have understood, that you wanted in your Family a Steward, or rather wood want one it when you arrivd in New York, I have not had the Honour to be personnally known to you, but being sensible of the high & honourable office which you are now appointed to, I take the liberty to offer my service, to serve you in that capasity, should you find me worthy & capable of executing...
5420From George Washington to Daniel Hinsdale, 8 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received you[r] letter of the 23d Ulto accompanied with the Cloth whh the Directors of the Woollen Manufacture of the City of Hartford were so polite as to send me. I must beg you to accept of my best thanks for your agency in forwarding the Cloth to me—and likewise make my warmest acknowledgments acceptable to the Directors for this mark of their politness and attention. I am extremely...
5421To George Washington from John Marshall, 8 April 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Marshall, 8 April 1789. On 11 April GW wrote to Marshall: “I have duly received your letter of the 8 Instt.”
5422To George Washington from Ezekiel Forman, 9 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ my time during the late War was much employed in the business of it, I have no confidence that your Excellency will recollect me, from my signature, and this is no time to urge upon any subject more than becomes absolutely necessary: for this, and other reasons, I must beg to refer your Excellency to others, for information respecting my character, and such requisites as you may be...
5423From George Washington to Crèvecoeur, 10 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive, by the last post, your very polite letter; and must beg you to accept of my warmest acknowledgments for the felicitations and good wishes which were contained in it. A combination of circumstances, and events, seems to have rendered my embarking again on the ocean of publick affairs, inevitable. How opposite this is to my own desires and inclinations, I need not...
5424To George Washington from John Hopkins, 10 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been the Loan Officer of the United States in the State of Virginia since the Year 1780, by appointment of the Legislature—and by subsequent arrangments of Congress, not only continued in that Office, but honored in the Year 1785 with an additional appointment of receiver of Continental Taxes within the State, my Views and habits have been formed on the expectaton of holding the Office...
5425From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The cloth & Buttons which accompanied your favor of the 30th Ult., came safe by Colo. Hanson; and really do credit to the Manufactures of this Country. As it requires Six more of the large (engraved) button to trim the Coat in the manner I wish it to be, I would thank you, my good Sir, for procuring that number and retaining them in your hands until my arrival at New York. Not to contemplate...
5426From George Washington to John Dandridge, 11 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 2d Instt—and in replying to it, again assure you, with great sincerity, that whatever my own wants of money may be if you think more than £800 can (by waiting till times get a little better) be had for your Land in Gloucester County it will be perfectly agreeable to me to let the debt due to me from your fathers Estate remain on its present footing. For...
5427From George Washington to John Marshall, 11 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 8 Instt —From a bad memory, I can recollect nothing of the circumstances relating to the payment of the money by Colo. Pendleton more than what is stated in my books. The Acct with the Executors of Mr Armstead was transmitted to you—and I find the entry of the Cash paid by Colo. Pendleton to stand thus on my Cash Acct—1765 May 10th To Cash of Mr Edmd...
5428From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 12 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th instant came duly to hand—It would be an arduous, if not an impracticable, task for me to travel over the ground of services rendered by all the Officers of the American Army (for no line of determination, when the business was once begun, could be drawn) in order to form certificates that would apply to every character, and do equal justice to merit on the one hand, and...
5429To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you, in conformity with the desire of a committee of citizens of this place a copy of an address intended to be presented to you on your way to Congress. It is a small tribute, but I can assure you it contains nothing which every one here does not feel. I recd your letter of the 1st instant. I must confess your reasons are of the most considerate kind, but you did...
5430To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 13 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is Invoice of the Buckwheat shipped by the Sloop Charming Polly Capt. Ellwood who sails to morrow for Alexandria—The Captain has not yet Called for the Bill of Lading but it shall be sent by the Vessel with the Certificate to save Duties. I informed your Excellency that I had again been disappointed (as I had twice before after positive Engagements) of a part of the Buckwheat but as I...
5431From George Washington to Archibald Moncrief, 13 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have in my possession a bill of Exchange f[or] 333 24/72 Dollars drawn upon you by Mr Donald of Richmond in favor of David Stuart Esqr. payable five days after Sight—and will thank you to have the money ready for me to receive when I pass through Baltimore. I am Sir your Most Obedt Servant LB , DLC:GW . Archibald Moncrief was a Baltimore merchant. This sum was paid by David Stuart to GW in...
5432To George Washington from Samuel Caldwell, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Samuel Caldwell of the City of Philadelphia most Respectfully Sheweth. That your Petitioner in the month of March One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty eight, on the demise of the late Tonnage Officer—who was also by Law Secretary to the Board of Wardens for the Port of Philadelphia, was appointed by his Excellency the President and the Honble the Supreme Executive Council of...
5433To George Washington from William Hickman, Jr., 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour of waiting on your Excellency at your House for the purpose of soliciting a contrebution from you towards the erection of a Chapel or House of Worship (for the accomodation of the Methodist Episcopal Church) in this Town: I was flattered to hope we should be able to raise a sufficient sum of Money without calling on you, especially at a time when we are apprehensive you...
5434To George Washington from John Jay, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On my Return last Evening from a Fortnights absence in the country, I was informed that proper arrangements for your immediate accommodation were not yet made. Permit me therefore to take the Liberty of requesting the Favor of You to be with me in the mean Time; and if Mrs Washington should accompany you, we should be still more happy. As the measures which were in contemplation on this...
5435From George Washington to John Langdon, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Official Communication, by the hand of Mr Secretary Thompson, about one o’clock this day. Having concluded to obey the important & flattering call of my Country, and having been impressed with an idea of the expediency of my being with Congress at as early a period as possible; I propose to commence my journey on thursday morning which will be the day after to...
5436Address by Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The president of the Senate, chosen for the special occasion having opened and counted the votes of the Electors in the presence of the senate & the house of Representatives I am honored with the commands of the Senate to wait upon your Excellency with the information of your being elected to the office of President of the United States of America. This commission was entrusted to me on...
5437Address to Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sir, I have been long accustomed to entertain so great a respect for the opinion of my fellow citizens, that the knowledge of their unanimous suffrages having been given in my favour scarcely leaves me the alternative for an Option. Whatever may have been my private feelings and sentiments, I believe I cannot give a greater evidence of my sensibility for the honor they have done me than by...
5438To George Washington from Carter Braxton, 15 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho your appointment to the Presidentship of America under the new Government be not yet formally notified, yet it amounts to a certainty that the fact is so, and will be anounced as soon as a sufficient number of Members are convened for the purpose of forming a Congress. Permit me then with great sincerity to salute you on the occasion & particularly to congratulate my Country & all...
5439[April 1789] (Washington Papers)
[16 April 1789] About ten o’clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity; and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York in company with Mr. Thompson, and colonel Humphries, with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering...
5440[Diary entry: 16 April 1789] (Washington Papers)
[16 April 1789] About ten o’clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity; and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York in company with Mr. Thompson, and colonel Humphries, with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering...
5441From George Washington to the Mayor, Corporation, and Citizens of Alexandria, 16 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although I ought not to conceal, yet I cannot describe, the painful emotions which I felt in being called upon to determine whether I would accept or refuse the Presidency of the United States. The unanimity in the choice, the opinion of my friends, communicated from different parts of Europe, as well as of America, the apparent wish of those, who were not altogether satisfied with the...
5442To George Washington from Joseph Ward, 16 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Boston, April 16th 1789. “At this era, when every moment of your time is precious, I feel reluctance to call one tho’t from public concerns—but the impulse, kindled by the double ardour of affection to my Country, and to her beloved General, is irresistible. When I felt only for my General, I could not consent that his tranquility, and his fame, should again be put to hazard on the boundless...
5443From George Washington to the Citizens of Baltimore, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The tokens of regard and affection, which I have often received from the Citizens of this Town, were always acceptable; because, I believed them, always sincere. Be pleased to receive my best acknowledgments for the renewal of them, on the present occasion. If the affectionate partiality of my fellow Citizens has prompted them to ascribe greater effects to my conduct & character, than were...
5444To George Washington from the Committee of Congress, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Committee appointed in consequence of the Resolutions of both Houses of Congress, and which accompany this Note most respectfully communicate their appointment to the President of the United States, with a request that he will please to have it signified to them when they shall attend, with a Barge which has been prepared for that purpose, to receive him at Elizabeth Town or at such other...
5445To George Washington from John Jay, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Day after my last Letter to you of the 14 Inst. was written, Mr Benson informed me that measures were taking by Congress for your accommodation, and I since learn that every thing necessary on that Head has been done. This Circumstance cannot fail of being agreable to You, and for that Reason, as well as the Propriety which marks it, I cannot regret it; tho’ it will deprive me of a...
5446To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I called at Mr Moncrieff’s with the enclosed bill, and was informed that he went over to the Eastern Shore some time last week, and was not expected home for several days. I could find no person who transacted his business in his absence from whom I might have gained some information respecting the payment of the bill. I have therefore left it that you may do with it as you think best. Perhaps...
5447To George Washington from James McHenry, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Baltimore, 17 April 1789. Recommends for office Robert Purviance, Joshua Barney, and Robert Ballard. “Should these persons be found acceptable I can assure you that it will give great joy to the federalists of this town. The cause in this place owes much to them and their friends. I have one other memorandum which I beg to deposit with you. When the inferior federal courts are organised I...
5448To George Washington from Peter Jaquett, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
A series of misfortune since the conclusion of the late War oblidges me to trouble your Excellency with this application—After having served to the end of the War, I returned to my farm in expectation of a convenient subsistance at least, but the winds and the waters have conspired to overwhelm my little Plantation, and the unrightious Government of Delaware has deprived me of the only fund,...
5449To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure a few days since of receiving your Excellencys very kind favor of the 11 Ulto—My letter to which you refer was of such a nature that I did not expect an answer for I was confident that there had been a great number of applications and that the line of conduct which your Excellency adopted was the one which you would pursue —I expected no more than to be on the roll of those...
5450To George Washington from Otho Holland Williams, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The honor of being known to your Excellency will, I trust, excuse my omiting to mention the circumstances which have rendered me, in some degree, dependant upon Government for employment, and for support. Your Excellency has been informed that my public Services have been acknowledged by an appointment, in this state, to the most considerable office in the llection of the Imposts. As that...