181From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for your letter of the 10th of January, giving me an account of the enemy’s incursion into your state. Baron De Stueben has informed me of their successive operations to five miles below Hoods. It is mortifying to see so inconsiderable a party committing such extensive depredations with impunity: but considering the situation of your state, it is to be...
182From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 17 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General will, I presume, draw the Deed for the Lot for the Mint. The purchase of it, I approve of. If you can aid me in answering the queries of Mr Young, contained in his letter enclosed, I would thank you —I wish to write to him by Mr Pinckney. Is not fish Oil one of the things that will claim the particular attention of Mr Morris? Yrs &ca ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. For GW’s...
183From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Sometime last fall I sent to Mr Young transcripts of the accounts respecting the Agriculture of this Country, which I had collected from Gentlemen of the best information on this subject, with whom I was acquainted in the middle States—New York & Virginia. The account which you had the goodness to draw up was among the number. I have lately received from Mr Young a letter in reply to mine...
184From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hamilton came so late that I could only broach the subject to him—He will breakfast with me at 8 Oclock—at which time If you can make it convenient I should be glad of your company—after which we will talk the matter over fully. Yrs ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. Jefferson endorsed this letter as having been “recd Jan. 16. 92,” which was a Monday. GW apparently wished to discuss...
185From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your very agreeable Favor of the 28th ulto which I have had the pleasure to receive, & which is filled with such sincere Marks of Cordiality & Affection, could not fail to be very acceptable to me. I thank you Sir! for your Congratulations on the late Success in Virginia—a Success which must be productive of happy Relief to that State in particular; and I trust if properly improved, will be...
186Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State the letter to the Minister of France, relative to the supply of money to pay certain Bills drawn by the administration of St Domingo, which has been submitted to the President; and to inform the Secretary, that the President, presuming that the contents of said letter is conformable to the arrangements made on...
187From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, containing some things which are not in Gouvr Morris official letter, the President sends it for Mr Jeffersons perusal. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. Jefferson placed an asterisk directly in front of this word and noted at the bottom of the manuscript page that the enclosure was “of Oct. 23. 92.” For Gouverneur Morris’s letter to Jefferson of 23 Oct. 1792, written in his...
188From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The returned draught of a letter to Mr Gouvr Morris accords with my sentiments. Taking it for granted, that the words “We suppose this will rather overpay the instalments & interest due on the loans of 18.6 & 10 Millions”—means all that could be demanded by the French Government to the close of last year. This being the idea I have entertained of the payments, & engagements to pay. If it has...
189Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
By direction of the President of the U. States, Bw Dandridge has the honor to enclose to the Secretary of State, two pardons—one for Hezekiah Usher, the other for Geo. Dunbar Usher, in order to have the Ud States seal affixed to them; and to request that the Secretary will wait on the President tomorrow morning at nine o’Clock, to take into consideration certain matters which were postponed on...
190From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 2nd of April from Richmond—since which I have only received two letters from you of the 10th of April and 15th of May. Concluding that some of your dispatches may have been forwarded to Taylor’s ferry (by which route I did not return) I have to request, if that should have been the case, and the communications were of a particular or pressing...
191Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the President’s commands T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State the following letters & papers which have been put into the President’s hands by the Secretary. viz. Genet’s communications relative to Spain Lettr from Govr. of Pennsya. dated 24th June & Warden’s report. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson’s docket reads “Washington Presidt recd July 15.93.”...
192Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State the letter from the Treasurer of Virginia, which has been submitted to him —and to request that the Secretary would inform the President where he can obtain a copy of the New Impressions of the Federal City? The President wishes to know if it would not be adviseable, in the Secretary’s Opinion, to have a...
193From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
A letter from Colo. S. Smith (of Baltimore) to the Secretary of the Treasury, giving information of the conduct of the Privateers—Citizen Genet & Sans Culottes—is sent for your perusal: after which it may be returned; because contained therein, is a matter which respects the Treasury Department solely. As the letter of the Minister from the Republic of France, dated the 22d of June, lyes yet...
194Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 14 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President sends to the Secretary of State the enclosed Extract which he has just recd from a respectable Gentleman in this City—who informs him that the writer is a person of respectability & good information in London—The President wishes it to be shewn to the Gentlemen if they are still together. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. The enclosed unsigned letter from John Vaughan to GW of 14 May...
195From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
You will readily agree with me that the best interests of the United States require such an intimation to be made to the Governor of Canada, either directly or indirectly, as may produce instructions to prevent the Indians receiving military aid or supplies from the british posts or garrisons—The notoriety of this assistance has already been such as renders enquiry into particulars...
196From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th & 7th of Jany have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &ca which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question—I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to dictate...
197From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 23d Ulto; but not at so early a period as might have been expected from the date of it. My mind has always been more disposed to apply the shares in the inland navigations of Potomac & James River (which were left to my disposal by the legislature of Virginia) towards the endowment of a University in the U. States, than to any other object it had contemplated. In...
198From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Baron de Steuben informs me, that he is about to make a final settlement with Congress; and to obtain from them that compensation which his Services shall appear to have merited; having entered into no stipulation at the time he engaged in the Service either for Pay or emoluments; chusing rather to let his Services point to their own rewards (after they were performed) than to set a value...
199From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your dispatch of the 3d with it’s several enclosures reached Alexandria on Wednesday evening, and got to my hands yesterday morning. This afternoon I shall send to the post office the Letters for mister Bankson, with my signature to the Exequatur for mister Dannery, & Letters patent revoking that of mister Duplane. Your letter to the latter, two to the French minister, one to his Secretary mr...
200From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
This letter goes Express, to obtain the signature of the Secretary of State to the enclosed Proclamation. The reasons for sending it in this manner, are, to avoid the circuitous rout by Richmond, and the delay it might meet with by the Post; not having reached my hands until this morning, too late for the Mail of this day—nor in time for any other before Tuesday next—and because it is unknown...
201From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I would take the liberty of addressing a few lines to Your Excellency, respecting such of the Officers and privates of Blands and Baylors Regiments of Dragoons and of Harrisons Artillery, as belong to the state of Virginia. Their situation is really disagreable and discouraging; and it is perhaps the more so, from its being now almost if not intirely singular. It is said, that under the idea...
202From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Notes are sufficiently descriptive to comprehend the two objects fully; but it is necessary to remark, that if the first line begins at a point on Hunting Creek, the fourth line cannot, in any part touch (Though it will include) the Town of Alexandria; because Huntg Creek is below the boundaries of the Town. And, if it could be so ordered as for the first line to avoid touching...
203From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th reached me this day. I have ever been of opinion, that the reduction of the post of Detroit would be the only certain mean of giving peace and security to the whole Western Frontier, and I have constantly kept my Eye upon that object; but such has been the reduced state of our Continental Force, and such the low ebb of our Funds, more especially of late,...
204From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 1st instant, came to my hands yesterday. I regret the indisposition of General Knox; but hope, as there is yet time for consideration of those matters I referred to the heads of the Departments, no inconvenience will result from the delay, occasioned thereby; unless it should continue much longer. At George Town, I met mister Randolph; & by a Letter just received from mister...
205From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having found that there is a vessel on the point of sailing from Alexandria for Havre de Grace I would not forego so good an opportunity of addressing a letter to you; although nothing very material has occurred since the date of my last, which was transmitted by Mr Gouverneur Morris. As you will doubtless have seen in the Gazettes the Measures taken by the different States for carrying the...
206From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 10th & 17th of July which were committed to the care of Mr Houdon; but I have not yet had the pleasure to see that Gentleman. His Instruments and materials (Doctr Franklin informs me) not being arrived at Havre when they Sailed, he was obliged to leave them; & is now employed in providing others at Philadelphia, with which he will proceed to...
207From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 4th Instant I had the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 19th of June. Your Excellency will permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations upon your appointment to the Government of Virginia. I thank you much for the accounts Your Excellency had been pleased to transmit me of the successes of Cols. Clarke & Shelby. They are important and interesting—and do great honor to the...
208From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not in my power to answer your favor of the 15th by the last post for the reason then assigned. I wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I again am obliged to pay attention to other Company (the Governor being gone). My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the practicability of an easy, & short communication between the waters of the Ohio & Potomack, of...
209From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with Your Excellency’s severals Letters of the 3d 10th and 19th Novembr with their Inclosures; at the time of their receipt, the Army was preparing for Winter Quarters, and a multiplicity of business prevented my acknowledging them until this moment. I pray you now, to be assured, I was extremely obliged, by your particular attention, in making those communications,...
210Memorandum for Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Will circumstances render a postponement of the Sale of Lots in the Federal City advisable? If not Where ought they to be made Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft works in the City? Whether ought the building of a bridge over the Eastern branch to be attempted—the Canal set about—and Mr Peter’s proposion with...
211From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 13th Instant I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th Ulto with a Copy of the Resolution of the Assembly to which it refers. The proceeding is founded in a generous & just liberality with respect to the Officers & Soldiers who had not been provided for by the Act alluded to—and will I hope at least have a happy operation in alleviating their distresses which were...
212From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favors of the 22d 25th and 26th ulto. We have already had reports that the Enemy left Portsmouth precipitately a few days after landing. I shall be happy to hear it confirmed, as well as the cause to which their hurry is attributed—that of the appearance of a French or Spanish Fleet upon the Coast of Carolina. Should this account be premature, and...
213From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
When I inform you, that your letter of the 19th Ulto went to Philadelphia and returned to this place, before it was received by me; it will be admitted, I am persuaded, as an apology for my not having acknowledged the receipt of it sooner. If I had entertained any suspicions before, that the queries which have been published in Bache’s Paper proceeded from you, the assurances you have given of...
214From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. has given the enclosed letters an attentive reading & consideration, and has found nothing in them but what is just, and in the hands of a prudent user proper; but at the end of the words of the letter to Mr C. “this wrong” 2d page 10th line may it not be well to add—“yet with that prudence & circumspection which will not commit the Government to the necessity of proceeding to...
215From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive duly your letter dated the 15th of Decr last; but I thought proper to delay answering or mentioning the contents of it, until after the arrival of Mr Madison, who I understood had been with you. He arrived yesterday, and I now take the earliest opportunity of mentioning to you the result of my reflections; and the expediency of your deciding, at as early a period...
216From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the meeting proposed to be held (at nine O’clock tomorrow morning) with the heads of the Great Departments) is to consider important subjects belonging (more immediately) to the Department of State—The President desires Mr Jefferson would commit the several points on which opinions will be asked to Paper, in the order they ought to be taken up. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers; ADf , DNA...
217From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 23d 1792. Your letters of the 12th & 13th came duly to hand—as did that enclosing Mr Blodgets plan of a Capitol. The latter I forwarded to the Commissioners, and the enclosures of the two first are now returned to you. I believe we are never to hear from Mr Carmichael; nor of him but through the medium of a third person. His——I realy do not know with...
218From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor a few days ago, to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 2d Instant—and at the same time One from General Muhlenburg, inclosing the Return You had requested him to send me. I am exceedingly obliged to Your Excellency for your attention in this affair, and beg leave to refer You to the inclosed Copy of a Letter addressed to Major General Gates if He should be at Fredericksburg...
219From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
If the heads of Departments and the Attorney General, who have prepared the eight rules which you handed to me yesterday, are well satisfied that they are not repugnant to treaties, or to the Laws of Nations; and moreover, are the best we can adopt to maintain Neutrality; I not only give them my approbation, but desire they may be made known without delay for the information of all concerned....
220From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
On sunday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letters of the 23d and 26th of last month. I am happy to find by the former and the Letter You were so obliging as to forward from Colo. Wood that the Convention troops are now comfortably supplied. I hope this will be the case and that the mode You have in contemplation to adopt will answer your expectations. Colo. Wood’s conduct...
221From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nothing in the enclosed letter superceding the necessity of Mr Ellicots proceeding to the work in hand—I would thank you, for requesting him, to set out on thursday; or as soon after as he can make it convenient: also for preparing such instructions as you may conceive it necessary for me to give him for ascertaining the points we wish to know; first, for the general view of things—& next for...
222From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th ulto, after travelling to Philadelphia and back again, was received by me, at this place, the 1st instant. The letter from Madame de Chastellux to me, is short—referring to the one she has written to you for particulars respecting herself & infant son. Her application to me is unquestionably misplaced, and to Congress it would certainly be unavailing, as the Chevalier...
223From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th of August, and am sorry that it is not in my power to give you any further information relative to the practicability of opening a communication between Lake Erie and the Ohio, than you are already possessed of. I have made frequent enquiries since the time of your writing to me on that subject while Congress were sitting at Annapolis, but could never...
224From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor till Th[r]ee days ago to receive Your Excellency’s Letters of the 4th Ulto & 2d Instant. With respect to your enquiry about sending Tobacco to New York & Long Island for the prisoners—it is not in my power to give You a decisive answer, but I am much inclined to think that it would not be permitted by the Enemy. I have heard by report that the matter has been mentioned, on...
225From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 20 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
The letters of Gouvr Morris give a gloomy picture of the Affairs of France. I fear with too much truth. If the order of Senate, dated the 7th of last May, is compleated, it must be with all Offices except the Judges. The Post Office (as a branch of Revenue) was annexed to the Treasury in the time of Mr Osgood—and when Colo. Pickering was appointed thereto, he was informed, as I find by my...
226From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was very much gratified by the receipt of your letter, dated the 3d of May. You have my best thanks for the political information contained in it, as well as for the satisfactory account of the Canal of Languedoc. It gives me pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of that stupendous work, tho’ I do not expect to derive any but speculative advantages from it. When America will be...
227From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having been so fortunate as to reconcile the contending interests of Georgetown and Carrollsburg, and to unite them in such an agreement as permits the public purposes to be carried into effect on an extensive and proper scale, I have the pleasure to transmit to you the enclosed proclamation, which after annexing your counter signature and the seal of the United States, you will cause to be...
228From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to find by the public Gazettes that your passage to France had been short, and pleasant. I have no doubt but that your reception at the Court has been equally polite, & agreeable. I have the honor to inclose you the copy of an Act which passed the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland at the close of their respective Sessions; about the first of last month. The circumstances...
229From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States transmits to the Secretary of State, to report thereon, a memorial of Monsr deletombe, Consul of France, to the Legislature of Massachusetts, respecting certain parts of the Consular Convention agreed upon by and between his most Christian Majesty and the President of the United States—together with a Resolution of that Legislature upon said memorial; and a...
230From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency confidentially that a French Fleet may in the course of a few Weeks be expected upon this Coast, and as it is uncertain what part of the land they may first make, Gentlemen are to be stationed at different points to give them Signals and to make them some necessary communications immediately upon their arrival. Major Galvan who will have the honor...