1From 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...
2From 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...
3From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
A short time since I wrote to you, and hope the letter got safe to your hands. If this should reach them, it is intended to introduce Mr Strickland, of Yorkshire in England, to your civilities and attention—His merits, independent of the recommendation of Sir Jno. Sinclair, will entitle him to them. From Monticello, Mr Strickland intends crossing the ridge for Winchester; and to return to this...
4From 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...
5From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed came under cover to me in a packet from Mr Lear, accompanied with the following extract of a letter, dated—London February 12th 1794. “A Mr Bartraud, a famous Agriculturalist belonging to Flanders, put into my hands a few days ago several papers for Mr Jefferson on the subject of manuring & vegitation, requesting that I would forward them to him by some vessel...
6From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received with sincere regret your resignation of the office of Secretary of State. Since it has been impossible to prevail upon you, to forego any longer the indulgence of your desire for private life; the event, however anxious I am to avert it, must be submitted to. But I cannot suffer you to leave your Station, without assuring you, that the opinion, which I had formed, of your...
7From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
It is my wish that the result of the determination on Mr G—ts request may go to him with your Signature, and of this date. It was for this reason I aimed at a decision on it Sunday or yesterday. Yours always ALS , owned (1984) by Edward N. Bomsey, Springfield, Virginia. GW was referring to Edmond Genet’s letter to Jefferson of 20 Dec., in which he asked that GW transmit to Congress...
8From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received with vexation the enclosure you have just sent me from the French Minister: and pray you to take the opinion of the Gentlemen upon the measure proper to be taken in this business. Every day, more & more discovers the intention of this Agent to perplex this Government, and to scatter thick & wide the Seeds of dissention. Yours always— ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson...
9From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I am very well satisfied with the train things are in. You will recollect that the Proclamation, Rules and other things are referred to in the Speech —I shall depend upon there being got ready at your Office. Yours &ca ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. A note by Jefferson at the bottom of this document reads: “answer to note of this day respecting publication of proceedgs with Gr. Britn.” GW is...
10From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Is there no clue to Mr Morriss meaning respecting Monsr Merlino? The next paragraph of his letter is enigmatical to me, from the want of my recollecting perfectly the subjects alluded to. What are the orders given him which he will implicitly obey, and which were, according to his acct, received so very opportunely? Has not a letter of his of subsequent date to that laid before me yesterday,...
11From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 27 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is another Specimen of Mr Genets Indecent conduct towards the Executive Government of the U. States. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed this note as “recd Nov. 27. 93.” GW probably enclosed the correspondence between Edmond Genet and George Clinton that Clinton had sent with his letter to GW of 24 Nov . (see note 3 to that letter).
12From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
I think Colo. Humphrey’s in one of his letters to you, refers to his to me, for some article of News. I see nothing therein that we have not had before; but send it nevertheless, for your perusal. Can any thing be said, or done, respecting the Marquis de la Fayette? I send the letter that you may give it another perusal. I send a letter also from a French Gentleman in New York offering his...
13From 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...
14From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 7 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
It appearing to me that the public business will require the Executive Officers to be together some time before the meeting of Congress, I have written to the Secretaries of the Treasury & War to meet me at Philadelphia or vicinity—say Germantown—by the first of November, and shd be glad to see you there at the same time. The Attorney General is advised of this also. In a letter from General...
15From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I will thank you to have made out and forwarded to me a Commission for the Collector of Annapolis, in place of Davidson, leaving the name of the person blank to be filled up by me. You will please to have the U: States seal affixed thereto, and countersigned by you, so that it may be sent directly from me to the person who shall be appointed. With much esteem, I am Sir, Your mo: humble Servt...
16From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I return, from this place, the Papers which you put into my hands on the Road, to day. The unpromising state of the Negotiation at Madrid, and the opinion of the Commissioners that their Commission should be withdrawn, and matters at that Court placed in Statu quo, deser⟨ves⟩ very serious consideration. I pray you to give it; & if it rests altogether with the Executive (after the Agency th⟨e⟩...
17From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 7 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday’s date, and approving the measures sugg[e]sted therein, desire you will make arrangements for carrying them into effect with as little loss of time as may be. LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Jefferson’s letter to GW of 6 Sept. has not been found.
18From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President requests Mr Jefferson would bring with him the French Minister’s letter, communicating his powers to enter upon a New, & liberal Commercial Treaty. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson’s docket reads: “recd Aug. 23. 93.” The letter requested was Edmond Genet to Jefferson of 23 May 1793 ( Jefferson Papers Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson . 41 vols. to...
19From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I send, for the consideration & opinion of the Heads of the Departments and the Attorney General of the U.S. a communication from the Governor of Pennsylvania respecting the Privateer Citizen Genet—together with copies of two letters from the French Consul to the Governor on the same subject, and a Report of two persons who had examined the Aforesaid Privateer by the Governor’s order. The...
20From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Captn of Marines on Board the Ambuscade has just put the enclosed into my hands —He was sent he says on purpose to do it—and waits only for an answer. Give it I pray you such an one as it ought to receive. Yours almost dark ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers; ADfS , DNA : Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Jefferson’s note at the...
21From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I clearly understood you on Saturday. And, of what I conceive to be two evils, must prefer the least—that is—to dispense with your temporary absence in autumn (in order to retain you in Office ’till January) rather than part with you altogether at the close of September. It would be an ardent wish of mine, that your continuance in office (even at the expence of some sacrifice of inclination)...
22From 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....
23From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
As there are several matters which must remain in a suspended State—perhaps not very conveniently—until a decision is had on the conduct of the Minister of the French Republic—and as the Attorney General will, more than probably, be engaged at the Supreme Court next week —It is my wish under these circumstances, to enter upon the consideration of the letters of that Minister tomorrow, at 9...
24From 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...
25From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Chief Justice & Judge Paterson are in Town. The former called upon me yesterday evening to know at what time he should receive my communications. I was embarrassed—but declared the truth, that by waiting for the Attorney General, the business wch it was proposed to lay before them, was not fully prepared. I shall expect to see you by nine; And as the Judges will have to decide whether the...
26From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Before I had read the Papers put into my hands by you, requiring “instant attention” and a messenger could reach your Office, you had left town. What is to be done in the case of the Little Sarah, now at Chester? Is the Minister of the French Republic to set the Acts of this Government at defiance— with impunity ? and then threaten the Executive with an appeal to the People. What must the...
27From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
I send, for the information and consideration of the Heads of the Departments, a letter which I received by the post of yesterday from the Governor of North Carolina, stating the measures which he has taken relative to a privateer fitted out from South Carolina under a French Commission, and which had arrived, with a prize, in the Port of Wilmington in North Carolina. I intend setting out for...
28From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from the Governor of New York, covering a communication to him from the Consul of the French Republic at that place, respecting the continuance of a British Letter of Marque in the Harbour of New York—reached my hands by the post of last evening; and I now transmit it to you, that it may be taken into consideration by yourself and the other Heads of the Departments, as soon...
29From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
You will find by the enclosed letter from the Commissioners that Mr Hallet reports unfavorably of Doctor Thornton’s Plan “on the great points of practicability, time and expence:” and that I am referred “to Mr Blodget, Hoben, and Hallet, whose verbal information will be better than any we can give you"—on which to form ultimate Instructions. Mr Blodget I met at Baltimore in the moment I was...
30From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
If you should have leizure between this and my return, to furnish me with your thoughts on Mr Arthur Youngs queries—(Transmitted to you sometime ago—) It would enable me to solve his questions soon afterwards. Yours always and sincerely ALS , NNPM . Jefferson docketed this letter as “recd June. 24. 93.” For British agriculturist Arthur Young’s queries, see his letter to GW of 17 Jan. 1793 . GW...