1To George Washington from “A.B.,” 19 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
Being a Resident of this place and since the prospect of having the seat of a great Empire (which the Rapid Increase of my native Country forebodes, and its Rising consequence among the nations Indicates) is likely to be fixed near us, I have been for one, well pleased. Being under the direction of the man who gave our Infant Empire its Consequence, and whose manly fortitude supports her...
2To George Washington from James Abercrombie, 20 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The death of Dr Frederick Phile the late Naval Officer of this State, occasioning a vacancy in that department, I beg leave to offer myself a Candidate for the appointment. I forbear to trouble your Excellency with testimonials in my favor, as I flatter myself those recommendations which upon my application for the Treasuryship of the Mint, I presented to Coll Hamilton, will operate with equal...
3To George Washington from Henry-Dominique d’Acary de La Rivière, 8 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
d’Acary ler Lieutenant Colonel du 15e Regiment d’infanterie française demende a Son exellence le General Washington la permission de lui aller offrir ces respectueux homages et prendre ces ordres pour france ou il va Se rendre et come le Navire Sur lequel il S’embarque part demain il desire que Son exelence veuilt bien lui accorder un moment d’audience aujourdhuit. AL , DLC:GW . This document...
4To George Washington from Achmed Ben Aly, 12 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have been these four Months in this city without having the Honor of addressing you, about five weeks ago I delivered to the Minister of State a Letter containing a true statement of my Misfortunes & present Situation to be Laid before You. The Spanish ambassador having been kind enough to provide for my Passage to Spain &a, I must in complyance with his orders Set out to Morrow Morning for...
5To George Washington from “A CITIZEN”, 4 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
ONE great advantage resulting from a republican system of government is, the unrestrained privilege of scrutinizing public measures, and candidly investigating the conduct of those men, who are entrusted with the management of public affairs. No character, however dignified, no measure, however important, can possibly escape the exercise of this invaluable right. It is unnecessary, at present,...
6To George Washington from James B. M. Adair, 31 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose to your Excellency, a letter, which was entrusted to my care by Sir Edward Newenham of Dublin, who desired me to deliver it in person, an honour which I should certainly have done myself, had I not been detained in this part of the Country by business, & by the contagious fever, which, I am extremely sorry to find, prevails at Philadelphia. As I am thus under a...
7To George Washington from Daniel Jenifer Adams, 25 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
With very great diffidence, I beg leave to address your Excellency, on a subject to which I am moved, more from necessity, than either from real inclination, or ambition. Your Excellency I presume, is not unacquainted, that after near five years perilous & hard Service under your Command (in which I hope I merited your good opinion, in the station I held) I was one of those unfortunate...
8To George Washington from John Adams, 10 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letters No. 6. 7 8 and 9, especially the last, contain Information of so much Importance that, although they are written in great confidential Freedom from a Son to a Father, I think it my Duty to transmit them to you. I beg the favour of having them returned to me at your Leisure by the Post. The unnatural Effervescence against the Treaty which broke out in Boston has made little...
9To George Washington from John Adams, 17 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Vice President of the United States has the honour to present his humble opinion, on the Points proposed, for his consideration. 1. That an association with all kinds of company, and a total Seclusion from Society, are extreams, which, in the actual Circumstances of this Country, and under our form of Government, may be properly avoided. 2. The System of the President, will gradually...
10To George Washington from John Adams, 16 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letters are from two as respectable characters as any in Massachusetts, containing information which I hope has been transmitted to you, through other channels. But as it is possible, it may be otherwise, it is my duty to lay them before you, which I beg leave to do by the bearer Colo: Smith. With all possible defference and respect I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient...
11Proceedings of Sinking Fund Commissioners, 26 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking fund on the 26th day of December 1795; Present, The President of the Senate, The Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury. A Report of the Secretary of the Treasury was read, as follows. “That to provide for the payment of the Interest on the public debt which will fall due at the close of the present year, it will be necessary to...
12To George Washington from John Adams, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
That New Orleans, and the Spanish Posts on the Missisippi, will be among the first attempts of the English, in case of a war with Spain, appears very probable: and that a combined operation from Detroit, would be convenient to that end cannot be doubted. The Consequences, on the western Settlements, on the commerce with the West Indies, and on the general Security and tranquility of the...
13To George Washington from John Adams, 24 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Captain John ⟨mutilated⟩ of Harvard in the Massachusetts, has been recommended to me, by So many respectable characters, and in Such handsome terms, that I cannot refuse his request of a Line to the President of the United States in his favour. He has the merit of long and early Services, though he is Said to have been lately unfortunate. As his application is entirely out of my Department,...
14To George Washington from John Quincy Adams, 9 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
I received at Amsterdam on the 5th instt the Letter which you did me the honour to write me on the 12th of September, and immediately made enquiries to ascertain whether there was at Amsterdam a person by the name of Sollingen. I could trace no such person, but am informed that Sollingen near Dusseldorf in Germany is a place where there are noted manufactures of arms and sword-cutlery. I have...
15To George Washington from John Quincy Adams, 11 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honour of writing you, I have been informed that about a year ago a workman in the sword manufactories at Sohlingen a hilt founder by the name of Alte, was induced in consequence of the unsettled and distressed situation of that part of Germany to go to America, and before he went had the sword made according to his own fancy, with the intention as I understand of presenting it...
16To George Washington from Richard Adamson, 2 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
I humbly Submit to your Excellency the inclos’d for your consideration, and, conscious as I am of the boldness of this Intrusion, I shall not add to my presumption by attempting an apology where none is adequate to the occasion. I shall only therefore observe, that my distress is occasioned by a late Severe ilness, to shake off the Effects of which, I am advis’d to have recourse to the Berkley...
17To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 4 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Supposing that you would be in Philadelphia when I should arrive here, Matthew Ritchie of the town of Washington in this state desired me to adjust the future payments and obtain the execution of a conveyance from you to him of the lands on Miller’s Run in Washington county in this state, sold to him by Mr Ross in your name. About two months ago a bill for 3000 dollars was sent down to Mr Ross...
18To George Washington from Pierre-Auguste Adet, 1 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I come to acquit myself of a duty very dear to my heart, I come to deposit in your hands and in the midst of a people justly renowned for their courage and their love of liberty, the symbol of the triumphs and of the enfranchisement of my nation. When she broke her chains, when she proclaimed the imprescriptible rights of man, when in a terrible war she sealed with her blood the covenant she...
19To George Washington from John Adlum, 3 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial and Petition of John Adlum Most Respectfully Sheweth, That your Memorialist stands informed that an appointment of Agent for Indian affairs for the Northern department, is about to be made—And your Memorialist being well acquainted with the greatest part of the Country inhabited by the six nations, and personally known to many of the Chiefs of that people—and acustomed to their...
20To George Washington from “Adolescens”, 5 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ an address, most respected Sir, to one in your exalted Station, to which a fictitious name is subscribed may seem altogether strange & uncommon, yet the Contents of this letter will I hope be a sufficient apology for its Author’s temerity, and, I flatter myself that a Man whose heart is ever alive to the calls of Humanity, will not deem it an impertinent intrusion. That I may not trespass...
21To George Washington from “A Friend”, 20 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
You with the assistance of Your Countrymen and Foreigners have effected a Wonderful Revolution You have free’d Yourselves from the power of the British Government a Government overwhelming in corruption and oppression, Now You are Free hol[d] Yourselves so form Wise Laws and see them executed but not with too much arbitrary Government for that brings on a Revolution such as will be in Ireland...
22To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 8 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The last time I addressed you was from Baltimore. I took an opportunity about that time to write a few hasty thoughts in support of what I suggested to you, and published them in the Baltimore Telegraphe, in seven or eight Letters. I have since been through all the Western parts of this state, and should it aid in producing a good end, it will be among my chief delights. I wished to be here at...
23To George Washington from “A Friend to the People,” 28 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
There has been a meeting in this town, for the unmeaning purpose of attempting to shake your opinion, on the subject of our late negociation. I deem it not improper to notice, that the men appointed, as actors, to shape the resolutions, are composed of that order in society, who are Confessedly unqualified, for want of information, to examine the subject on which they judged with such hasty...
24To George Washington from “A Genuine Federalist”, 25 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
How you will Brook this I know not and most probably will never know, be that as it May I hope you will attend to the following hints, so far as the[y] merit attention the[y] are Communicated by one who has neither a disposition to flatter nor to give offence and who is actuated by no other Motives than a desire to promote the publick interest and avert the evils with which we are threatned....
25To George Washington from Aiguillon, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Permit a Frenchman, who loves liberty, and is forced to quit his Country—a prey to factions, to offer his homage to the respectable man who has given a free Constitution to America. Perhaps my name may have reached you. Perhaps you have sometimes heard me spoken of as the friend of Lafayette—faithful, like him, to the cause which he cherished —and like him prosecuted by those who would...
26To George Washington from Thomas Hill Airey, 1 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Please to permit a person at the distance of near two Hundred miles from your Excellencies temporary place of residence, and unknown to your Excellency, to intrude on your precious moments while I attempt to impart a matter, that may appear of some importance, & at the same time a mistiry that has evaded the deepest reserches of the Learned, in expounding the Prophetick writings. it is...
27To George Washington from Robert Aitken, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
after very Sincere Congratulations upon Your Excellency’s Election to the distinguished Office of Chief Magistrate of the United States, I beg leave to Solicit your Excellency’s friendship in a Case deeply interesting indeed to me; but in which I conceive, if not mistaken, the Honor and Justice of the Union are also concerned. Your Excellency, I presume, is uninformed of the large Sums of...
28To George Washington from Frantz Joachim von Aken, 15 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
The 1st instant I humbly took the liberty to wait on the Congress or states of America with my Discovery of extinguishing fires; but fearing that either have I not rightly adressed the Letter or could there be some hindering accidents for it’s arrival, occasioned by our actual wars in Europe: I hope Sir! that You’ll graciously excuse my repeated writting to the American People, adressing my...
29To George Washington from Charles-Guillaume Vial D’Alais, 16 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
jay l’honneur de vous prîer de vouloir bien Sollicitter pour moy La decoration de L’ordre de Cincinnatus prés de L’auguste assemblée que vous presidés. Mr de biron mon ancien Colonel à eu L’honneur de vous La demender pour moy il y à prés de 15 mois en vous priant de me L’adresser à Cayenne ou je venois d’etre Nommé Comandant en chef. vous trouverés, Monsieur Cy joint un extrait de mon etat de...
30To George Washington from Roger Alden, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, herewith enclosed, the original communications from the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, and copies of his letters addressed to the late Secretary of Congress. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir—Your most Obedient Humble Servant ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; copy, in Alden’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 149. Winthrop...
31Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels and Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the U.S., desirous of...
32To George Washington from Alexander Murray, 8 July 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Alexander Murray, 8 July 1794. The entry for 12 July in GW’s journal of proceedings lists among the papers sent "to the Secy. of War for his consideration" a letter "from Alexr. Murray 8 July ’94. soliciting naval appointment" ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797 . Charlottesville, Va., 1981. , 312). The cover of that...
33To George Washington from William Alexander, 15 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I find Congress have it in Contemplation to open a land office, for the Sale of the public lands North West of the river ohio, and that a Surveyor General or superintendant will be appointed. I take the liberty to offer myself for that office and should you think me worthy of it, I shall endeavour to do the duty faithfully. I was by warrant under the hand and seal of Mr Hutchins late...
34To George Washington from William Alexander, 10 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by my friends, I take up my Pen to ask you for the appointment, of Naval Officer, for the District of Baltimore; which if conferred on me, I flatter myself, it will be executed with the Stricktest propriety. As Offices, flow through the channel of Favor, when candidates, are equally qualified to execute them—permit me, Sir, in that case, to offer an argument in my favor? that there...
35To George Washington from William J. Alldridge, 19 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since I took the liberty of offering myself as a candidate for the office of Assayer at the Mint, in case Mr Richardson should decline it, but, as I am since informed he has determined to retain it, (not having found it so prejudicial to his health as he at first feared,) I have now only to apologize for the trouble I have given You, and to beg I may be permitted to renew the...
36To George Washington from John Allen, 16 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Gorey, Wexford County, Ireland, 16 May 1793. Writes that “A sincere desire of benefiting the World . . . is the chief if not the only motive of this address and I am well assured . . . that any thing proceeding from such a principle will at least meet with your every attention.” He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dublin “the beginning of the year 1784 being about 22, from...
37To George Washington from Paul Allen, 18 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The happiness Individuals of the United States have in addressing your Excellency, is One of the greatest blessing they enjoy under the present Constitution. Emboldened by the kind reception others have met with from your Excellency in similar circumstances, I have presumed to venture on that ground under the fullest conviction that your Excellency has ever attended to the welfare of those who...
38To George Washington from William Allen, 10 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Convention of this State having Ratified the new Constitution by which happy event the Union of the whole is Compleated; and as it is more than Probable that the Laws of the Union will Speedily embrace this State in common with the rest, I beg Leave Sir, with the greatest deference to Present my Self to your Excellency as a Candidate for the Office of Surveyor of the Customs at this Port....
39To George Washington from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
at the request of A number of my fellow citizens I take the liberty of Offering myself A candidate for the appointment of superintendance of the Several Establishments for the security of the navigation in the Bay and River Deleware, that I am thus late in making my application arises from the following causes, it not being well understood that a general apointment of that kind was to be made,...
40To George Washington from Isaac All, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the advice of my friends, I came to this place to Solicit an appointment in the Customs for the Port of Philadelphia, and was honoured with Letters to Several members of the Senate and house of representatives through whome it was thought my application might have been made. I have Since understood that would be improper which obliges me tho’ an entire stranger to the President to throw...
41To George Washington from William Allum and William Talbot, 19 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Allum and William Talbot, 19 June 1793. Tobias Lear wrote Allum and Talbot on 17 July that GW “has this day received your letter of the 19th ultimo.”
42To George Washington from Eelko Alta, 19 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
for some time ago I observed in the Patriotic Museum a communication given by Mr Brissot concerning the œconomical transactions of your Excellency at your Country Seat, and also your attachment for agriculture and more particularly to that branch thereof, which is my principal Study. this encreassed the respect which I nourished towards you, contemplating You as the General of the United...
43To George Washington from the American Philosophical Society, 12 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, desirous of expressing due Regard for Preeminence in Science and Virtue, have directed an Eulogium to be prepared in the Memory of their late President, Dr David Rittenhouse; which is to be pronounced before the Society, on Saturday next, the 17th inst. at 12 o’clock, in the Presbyterian Church, in High Street. It is particularly requested, that the...
44To George Washington from Mathurin-Michel Amoureux, 10 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
With a view to be useful to this my adoptive Country, I have publish’d a Short treatise on the culture of the wine-grapes, of which I take the liberty to Send you a copy, wishing that it may prove acceptable to you. whilst in france I had Selected notes on this Subject, & waited for their reception before I would publish this treatise; but the vessel, on board of which my papers & Cloths were...
45To George Washington from “An American”, 14 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
To the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES. SIR, BEING an American by birth, an early admirer of your principles and conduct, and feeling a consciousness of the dignity attached to a free citizen of the United States, I take the liberty of addressing you in this public manner. Sure I am, that if you were acquainted with the secret recesses of my heart, you would excuse any improper expression, and...
46To George Washington from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr and Mrs Andersons most respectfull Compliments to his Excy and makes bold to present him with a Portrait of the Twins born in the year 1775, which was intended to have been sent to your Excy last Spring but no favorable oppertunity offered, whereby we Could have sent them. They have the Honor of bearing the Names of your Excy & Lady, and are the Twins if it does not Slip your Excy memory,...
47To George Washington from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789. On 18 Nov. 1789 GW wrote to Anderson: “I have been favored with the receipt of your letter of the 14th of may last.”
48To George Washington from James Anderson, 1 March 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 1 March 1797 . Anderson wrote GW on 8 March 1797 : “I wrote You on 1st” ( Papers, Retirement Series W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 1:20–23 ).
49To George Washington from James Anderson, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Refering to my last of 2d have now to hand You Report of last week. As said in my last I have now brought my Family here, which with Mr Pearce sickness has put it out of my power to send You Inventory of every Article I find here. It is however nearly compleat And will certainly forward it in my next—which I intend by Monday, instead of this days post, I have been at all the Farm’s various...
50To George Washington from James Anderson, 25 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 25 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 29 Jan. : “Your letter of the 25th instant … came to hand.”