1To George Washington from George Biscoe, 29 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Before the late revolution I was for several years employed in three different Naval Departments, and since the Government was new modell’d had the honor of the appointment by the Executive of this State to the Trust of Naval Officer for the District of Patuxent & presuming that an Appointment of the Several Naval Officers to the different Districts of the United States will under the Fœderal...
2To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 29 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the Pleasure to write to you a short Letter on the third of last Month. Monsieur de la fayette is since returned from his political Campaign in Auvergne, crowned with Success. He had to contend with the Prejudices and the Interests of his order, and with the Influence of the Queen and Princes (except the Duke of Orleans) but he was too able for his Opponents. He played the Orator with as...
3To George Washington from John Beatty, 28 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been honoured, by the State of New Jersey, in the appointment, to several public Employments, and which I am flattered by my Friends, as having discharged with Fidelity and attention; I am induced, thro their Solicitation, to offer myself as a Candidate for public favor, Under Your Excellys Administration and to Entreat you, to place my name on the List of Nomination, for the Collectors...
4To George Washington from James B. Nickolls, 28 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the numerous applicants for appointments to office, I beg leave to offer myself a Candidate for that of Collector of the Customs at the Port of Norfolk & Portsmouth in Virginia, the latter has been my residence for four Years past in which I have real property, & I flatter myself I possess so much the good will of the People, there, as to be perfectly agreeable to them in the Office I...
5To George Washington from George Walker, 28 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
No Doubt but you will be surprised to Receve a Letter of this sort from a stranger. The more so when you perseve the Author to be a soldier, but hope my Sittuation will Pleade an excuse. To be short, I’m a Discharged Soldier from the Ohio, that I Receved sevon months ago; without, one Farthing, almost Naked, altho I had a Years Clothing Due, and a Journey of six hundred miles to New-York. I...
6To George Washington from Robert Barnwell, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the late Congress a Board of Commissioners was appointed to consist of one person from the Eastern another from the Middle and a third from the Southern States to settle their accounts between the States and the United States. Mr Baldwin from the South having been appointed a member of the General Government has vacated his seat at this Board. Should Your Excellency have no Person in view...
7To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have frequently called to see Billy he continues too bad to remove—Doctor Smith was uneasy without some other experienc’d Surgeon or Physician to look at his knee, and I called on Doctor Hutchinson They are of opinion that the present Sore reaches to the joint and that it would be very improper to remove him at least for a week or two, by which time he probably may be fit to send on by the...
8To George Washington from James Cebra, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of James Cebra of the City of New York humbly Sheweth. That your Petitioner is a Native of this City, in which he has formerly sustained the Character of a reputable Merchant, to which Business he was regularly bred: that he lived untill the late War, reputably and comfortably, but from its Effects, has become at the age of Fifty Nine, unable to support a Wife and small infirm...
9To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have an ambition to take a share in Your Excellency’s administration, and know of no line in which I can render so good service as in the judicial department. Having expressed this, it will, I trust, not be deemed indelicate in me to give a short account of myself & my studies. I was born in Chester county in this State, and having been instructed for seven years in the latin and greek...
10To George Washington from William Macpherson, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will pardon my troubling you at this important moment, on a subject which relates solely to my self—but necessity, and a reliance on the benevolence of your Excellencys disposition, induce me to use the liberty. Having after the conclusion of the War connected my self in Life, I now find my self under very embarrassed circumstances, owing to causes a detail of which I...
11To George Washington from James Milligan, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is with much diffidence and hesitation, that, I presume to address your Excellency at a period, when business and applications must croud upon your time and patience; But urged by some of my friends, and relying on Your Excellency’s well known goodness, I am encouraged, with all possible deference and respect, briefly to put you in mind of an old and, I hope, not an unworthy Servant of the...
12To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The reports of last Week were commited to the Tuesdays Stage and hope that nothing will interfere to prevent Your receiving them regularly, but if agreeable to you, wish rather to send them on Thursday as interuptions that often happen rendars it difficult for me to prepare them on Monday. We have had during the week several rains which are noted in the diary of the weather but owing to the...
13To George Washington from Augustin-Gabriel des Hayes de La Radière, 26 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Brillent de la Radiere, my Brother, died in 1779, in the service of the United Colonies—Congress was then indebted to him a depreciation, for which they are bound to me, his Heir, by a contract in the sum of 14800 and odd livres, bearing interest at the rate of 6⅌cent payable in Paris at the House of Mr Grand, Banker. Mr Grand, when I have called upon him, has always answered that he...
14To George Washington from James Tilton, 25 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
However unexceptionably I may have conducted the business of the continental loan-office of Delaware, I have reason to think I shall not be without a competitor in the appointments to be made under the new constitution of the United States. It is not surprising, indeed, amidst the present rage for office, that the modification necessary under the new government, should afford a pretext for a...
15To George Washington from ——, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
One who has long known and venerated your character and who is anxiously solicitous for your fame and happiness, takes this method to suggest a few thoughts which he hopes will not be useless. Among the first duties to which you will be called in your high station, will be the appointments to office through out the country. There is a silent looking on from every part of the union to see what...
16To George Washington from Robert French, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Heads of a Petition from Rt French, Mariner of Philadelphia Confin’d in the Fort, Island St Croix To his Excellency the President and To The Right Honourable the senate and Congress of the United States the humble petition of Rt French respectfully Sheweth, that Your humble petitioner has a truly distress’d Family of a Wife and two Children in Philadelphia, that he has been a true and faithful...
17To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
General Hazens most respectful Compliments to His Excellency General Washington begs to Inform him, That on the 27th of April 1786, he was taken with a Violent fit of the Appoplexy, perhaps the Quantity of Blood the Doctors took from him saved his life, And terminated the Disorder into a palsey, The first Year he got a Good deal better but the two latter he seams to be at a stand. Genl Hazen...
18To George Washington from Robert Martin, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of being introduced to your acquaintance by Col. Hamilton in 79 at middlebrook. I then came from the W. Indies joined the Army and continued during the War. This is to request your Excellency to appoint me to some Office—Nothing, Except being reduced to the lowest ebb coud induce me to this—Col. Hamilton can inform you who I am. I have the Honor to be &c. &c. &c. ALS , DLC:GW .
19To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have waited upon you in person and submited to your inspection the enclosed report which I have prepared to send to the Senate but by the interruption of visits I was not able to finish it until it was your time of receiving visits. I meant to have submitted to your consideration whither the words “however that” in the answer with which you were pleased to honor me might not be...
20To George Washington from James Booth, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed, that all applications for Offices under the Federal Government, must be made immediately to your Excellency, I beg leave to address you on that Subject. I hold under the Authority of the State, the Naval-Office of this County, to which I was appointed early in the Year 1777, and which has been regularly continued to me by several Re-Appointments. But as I conceive, that...
21To George Washington from George Clinton, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 25th of last Month—I begg leave to assure your Excellency that had you found it convenient to have given us your Company at my House, instead of being Burdensome, it would have afforded my Familly the highest Pleasure and Sattisfaction. We must however acquiese in your Determination, and I do it with the less Reluctance as I observe the Arrangments...
22To George Washington from John Conway, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Conway Begs leave to Congratulate his Excellency General Washington on his appointment to the Presidency of the United States, and respectfully offers himself a Candidate for employment by the Honorable Congress, either as Collector of the Customs for New-Jersey, or any appointment to which he may be thought competent. Enclosed are Recommendations and Vouchers for the inspection of the...
23To George Washington from William Heth, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I leave this, to be presented to you at a proper season. Unaccustomed to solicit employment, and wishing, always to be governed by the strictest propriety and delicacy, so, I shall now, avoid becoming a Supplicant for Office, under the common acceptation of the word, Yet, that duty, which I owe to myself and a growing family, impells me to signify to you, Sir, my willingness, & my wish, to...
24To George Washington from the Citizens of Elizabeth, New Jersey, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The citizens of Elizabeth desirous of evincing by every possible means the very great respect and affection which they entertain for your Excellency’s person and character, have directed that a cold collation be prepared for the refreshment of your Excellency & suite on your arrival here, of which we as a Committee of arrangement are requested to give the information. If your Excellency will...
25To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of informing your Excellency that the Committees of both Houses arrived here this afternoon and will be ready to receive your Excellency at my House as soon as you can arrive here tomorrow morning. If you, Sir, will honor us with your company at Breakfast, it will give us great pleasure—We shall wait your Excellency’s arrival in hopes of that gratification. You can have a room...
26To George Washington from John Lyle, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Under an assurance that You will deign to read this address, and thereby be led to consider wether I am of sufficient amount in Your estimation to Make enquiry about. I presume to Make an offer of My service to Your Excellency and solicit such employ as You May after hearing My Character think proper to intrust Me with. I refer You to Colonel John Neilson, William Paterson Esqr., Colo. John...
27To George Washington from Samuel Seely, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
It gives me no small pleasure to see your Excellanacy once more place’d in the first office in this country, well knowing it is the just reward of a virtious life mainly spent in its service and defence. At the same time your excellancey will permit an Old Soldier, (although a young man) to look up to you as his pattron As he is sensible, that it will ever be pleaseing to a heart of...
28To George Washington from Richard Bache, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to submit to Your Excellency’s consideration & patronage, the inclosed Memorial. As I propose shortly (if permitted) to pay my personal respects to Your Excellency at Newyork, I have only to add, that I have the honor to be, with the greatest Defference & respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & very Humbe Servant The Petition of Richard Bache respectfully sheweth That in the...
29To George Washington from John Bayard, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the general joy that is diffused through the United states on your Excellency’s unanimous election as President General, permit me to present you my most sincere & respectful compliments of congratulation. At the same time, from my peculiar situation & by the advice of my friends both in Philada & New York I take the liberty to offer myself to your Excellency for your nomination to the...
30To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Committee have just receiv’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th and will be at Elizabeth Town on Thursday Morning. I must beg your Excellency will alight at my House where the Committee will attend and where it will give me (in a particular manner) the utmost pleasure to receive you. I have the honor to be with the most profound respect Sir, Your most obedient & very humble Servant LB ,...
31To George Washington from Mathew Carey, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
In the prosecution of the American Museum—a work which your excellency has honoured with the most flattering approbation —I have begun & mean to continue a series of documents & public papers, respecting the most interesting circumstances, skirmishes, and battles of the revolution. For want of better resources, I am obliged at present frequently to recur to that corrupted publication, the...
32To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Understanding your election to the office of President of the united States has been announced to you by the proper authority and that you had set out for New York, I take the liberty of expressing to you the great satisfaction I feel in your being called to and accepting the important trust—The establishment of order and good government is so much the wish and desire of every good citizin...
33To George Washington from Francis Mentges, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
May I without blame or without cause of Offence entreat your Excellencys Attention in a moment of Leisure to the situation of One of your Old Officers, who has a strong Disposition to serve his Country, but who has hitherto from Various causes failed in his endeavours to Obtain a permanent Appointment, with the highest Esteem I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most Ob. humble Servt ALS ,...
34To George Washington from William Munson, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
As the Important, and by thousands Long wishd for Day has now arived when your Excellency is placed at the head of the Great Council of the United States of America: and the Constitution thereof is now begining to operate, and I hope it will be blessd with the Smiles of heaven and have its Desired Effect; if So it is to America one of the most happy Events that Ever took place. As the...
35To George Washington from Joseph Poole, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit me Sir to Join in the congratulations of my fellow Citizens on seeing your Excellency appointed to the first station in the Government of the United States by the sufrages of a large majority of their virtuous Inhabitants who all ardently wish to see a permanent Government carried into execution under your mild administration when faith and confidence shall once more be restord to this...
36To George Washington from Pieter Johan van Berckel, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to adress these few Lines to your Excellency in order to request that you will do me the honour of disposing of my house in New: Ark on your way to New York—The acceptance of this invitation will be the more agreable as it will furnish me with an opportunity to congratulate and assure your Excellency, that nobody more Sincerely rejoices in the prospect of american...
37To George Washington from James Wilson, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
A Delicasy arising from your Situation and Character as well as my own has hitherto prevented me from mentioning to your Excellency a Subject of much Importance to me. Perhaps I should not even now have broke Silence but for one Consideration. A Regard to the Dignity of the Government, over which you preside, will naturally lead you to take Care that its Honours be in no Event, exposed to...
38To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive Addresses from the Trustees and Faculty of the University of the State of Pennsylvania, The Judges of the Supreme court, and the standing Committee of the State Society of Cincinnati. These several Bodies request that you will be pleased to inform me when and where they may have the honor of waiting upon your Excellency with their respective Addresses aforesaid. I am,...
39To George Washington from Sharp Delany, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
To obtain the Collectorship of the Port of Philadelphia from Your Excellency is the object of my present application. By the advice of many of my friends I am induced to trouble you with a detail of my pretensions, and chearfully submit them to Your Excellency, being firmly persuaded, that no person will be nominated by You to any Office, unless he has such claims and abilities as are just and...
40To George Washington from William Temple Franklin, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ I am from Experience assur’d of your Excellencys Good Will towards me, yet being convinc’d that in discharging the important Trust to which you have been unanimously elected, Merit & not Favor will obtain your Patronage; I take the Liberty of laying before your Excellency a Sketch of my Services to the United States in the Line of public Foreign affairs, and of offering a continuation of...
41To George Washington from Robert Leslie, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but a knowledge of you goodness, Could Create in me a presumption to trouble your Excellency with the folowing nerrative, and as no apology can be Sufficient to excuse me, I need not atempt any, but leave it to your Excellency, to pardon or condemn as it best deserves. I was at the age of Eighteen, by the death of my parents, left without Either money friends or a trade, the Clock and...
42To George Washington from Isaac Sherman, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Nearly eleven years of the prime of life I have appropriated to the service of the public; eight years in the armies of the united states, and part of three years in the surveying department. Nearly the whole of the savings of eight years of uninterrupted military services I have expended in order to carry into effect the land ordinance of Congress—This I did from an order to promote the...
43To George Washington from Charles Croxall, 19 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
It was my intention to have done myself the honor of waiting on your Excellency in person but finding you so crouded with applications on the same head, that it would be takeing too great a Liberty with your time. your Excellency may recollect the addition of men I made to Colel Thomas Hartleys Redgt of Contanental Troops, and he can testify my activity both in and out of the Feild dureing the...
44To George Washington from William Jackson, 19 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the important cares which engage his attention, will my dear General permit the respectful intrusion of a private request on his goodness? it is the result of an implicit confidence in that goodness, dictated by necessity and declared with candor. Having resolved to refer my wishes entirely to the graciousness of Your Excellency’s disposition towards me, and to the knowledge which...
45To George Washington from William Lyles, 19 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
This will be forwarded to your Excellency by Robert Young Esqr. of Nottingham, in Maryland, who has in view the appointment of the naval officers birth on patuxent river, his Situation and Knowledge of commercial transactions in every point of view, cannot fail to make him competent to such an appointment—Permit me therefore to assure your Excellency, that from a long acquaintance with Mr...
46To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 19 April 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Smith, 19 April 1789. On 23 Sept. 1789 GW wrote to Smith: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the . . . 19th of April last.”
47To 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,...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To 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...