51To George Washington from James Anderson, 11 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving Your favors of 5th Yesterday And am sorry You think me not so explicit as I should have been, I will say my intention in it is remote from deceit, that sort of conduct I think myself a stranger to. And the respectability of Your Character has a different claim from all who know it. I now beg leave more fully to explain myself And give an Account of my manner of...
52To George Washington from James Anderson, 28 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Only Yesterday I had the honor to receive Your favor of 18th And in Answer, am well satisfied of Mr Pearce being a Man of Character, and of Abilitys. And circumstanced as You are, must be of great value to You—You are pleased to say that from this and other reasons You advanced the Salary from £100 to 100 Gu[inea]s. I have to beg leave to observe that if You, & me come on Terms the lowest I...
53To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 3 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your obliging favour of the 20th June last some time ago—since which time I have had no opportunities of sending any parcels from hence, which is the reason I have not sooner acknowledged that favour—I am highly flattered with the kind reception you have given to my little work The Bee the 7th, 8th, 9th—10th & 11th Volumes of which will accompany this. The former...
54To George Washington from James Anderson, 22 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was duely favored with Yours of 13th And the seeds which I delivered to the Gardener —I am sincerely happy in finding You approve my various Schemes—And as to the Distillery—will make it appear at least a 50 pCt trade have bought about 100 Barlls Corn at 20/. Another 100 will do untill late in the Fall When more will come in. And the ⟨Tailings⟩ will do for some time to Mix with the Corn....
55To George Washington from James Anderson, 18 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 18 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 22 Jan. : “Your letter of the 18th instant … came to my hands yesterday.”
56From George Washington to James Anderson, 13 Feb. 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to James Anderson, 13 Feb. 1797 . Anderson wrote GW on 22 Feb. : “I was duely favored with Yours of 13th.”
57To George Washington from James Anderson, 12 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
In case the Overseer who was uncertain; has not agreed to stay with You —I can get one here, who is accustomed to the management of Negroes. And can come well recommended, As to which would wish to hear from You. In a few days I intend being at Marleborough when I will take a measure of the parts of Mr Mercers Thrashing Machine In Order to make preparations in winter by cuting Timber for the...
58To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 15 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I received, a few weeks ago the letter of the 25 April which you did me the honour to write to me. Lord Buchan, at the same time favoured me with a sight of what you had written to him. I can make no other return but the most sincere thanks for these unmerited marks of your obliging attention—I shall at least make it my study so to act as not to make you ashamed of this kindness. Tho’ it must...
59To George Washington from James Anderson, 6 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your very obliging letter dated the 26th May last only a few days ago upon my return from a pretty long visit to a friend in South Wales. I learnt by a note from Lord Buchan that accompanied it, that it had lein here some time, from these causes I have not sooner had it in my power to acknowledge this favour. Along with it I received Six guineas which came safe, which is...
60To George Washington from James Anderson, 1 Feb. 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 1 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 5 Feb. : “Your letter of the 1st instant, with the weekly reports, are received.”
61To George Washington from James Anderson, 14 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of 5th came duely, And have now to hand You reports of last Week, in Writing of which in mistake began on the wrong end of 3 page —I am sorry that I have hitherto been unsucessfull in procuring Fowls for Mrs Washing—It is said we are too late—And they are all sold—Shall still try—I have never heard from Mr Carter, And if I do not in a few days Shall try in some other place —Am glad...
62To George Washington from James Anderson, 3 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 3 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 8 Jan. : “Your letter of the 3d instant” was “received by me yesterday.”
63To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 10 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
As I know your Excellency is very desireous of promoting improvements in Agriculture, I have been emboldened to use the freedom to desire the bearer hereof, John Bell, to offer his services to you before he engages himself with any other person, thinking you might perhaps be well pleased to have the assistance of one, in your rural operations, who from the assurances given to me by Dr...
64To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 30 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your respected favour of the [ ] Feby was transmitted to me by Mr Pinckney about a week ago, since which time I have felt uneasy lest you may have thought I neglected to return an answer, in time, to the letter you alude to dated in December last, which never has yet reached me. I shall regret, if in consequence of that circumstance, any thing that could have depended upon me shall have been...
65To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 15 September 1795–3 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
The respect I entertain for your character personally, may, perhaps, induce me to be guilty of an impropriety in thus addressing to you some remarks upon the easiest mode of constructing bridges of a large span, which I conceive may be of considerable utility in many parts of the united states of America, whose general prosperity I have been accustomed to believe, is at all times an object of...
66Enclosure Memorial from John Anderson, 20 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of John Anderson Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, Humbly Shewth That he has invented a Bronze Gun Metal, which has the advantages of Common-Iron-Guns, and of Common-Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is destroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage. That the advantages of...
67To George Washington from John Anderson, 26 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Though I have many friends in America, I have not desired any of them to present this letter, because I lived long in great intimacy with Doctor Franklin, because I spent the summer 1791 in Paris with your honest, but unfortunate M. La Fayette, because I am convinced that the Field Pieces of my invention would be very serviceable at present to the troops of the United States, because my Ship...
68To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Although I formerly had the Honor, of being personally presented to your Excellency, when an officer of the army of the United States—I apprehend my Charecter was not Sufficiently distinguished; to entitle me to your recollection at this distant period—I must therefore rely on your Benevolence, to pardon the liberty I now take, in offering to introduce myself to your Excellencys notice and...
69To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 7 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although extremely unwilling to take up one moment of your Excellencys time the whole of which must be necessarily employed in the more momentous affairs of State; Yet I am taught to believe, that the Respectful address of a Soldier will never be Ungrateful to the ears of his General. When I last had the Honor of addressing your Excellency; I endeavored to aduce a chain of circumstances,...
70To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 2 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Impress’d with that deference, with which from a Very early period of my life—I have been taught to Venerate and respect, your great and exalted Charecter—permit me, once more (perhaps for the last time) to adress you. The great the important era , which will e’er long deprive the Citizens of the United States—of the Patronage to which they have been long accustomed; and under which they have...
71To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to Your Excellency, a letter I receiv’d from Mr Vining, in answer to One, I address’d to him, on the Subject of a letter he a few days since receivd from Mr Jaquet. By which Your Excellency will see that Mr Jaquet is Contradicted, in what he has said in his letter to Mr Vining, and that by a person who wrote the Certificate, and attested it. The Certificate had...
72To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I last did myself the Honor of waiting upon your Excellency, on the Subject of my application now before You—Mr Lear inform’d me, that something had been Suggested to my disadvantage, respecting a transaction between Major Jaquet and myself relative to some Certificates. In Order to set that business in a proper point of View, I have for your Excellencys satisfaction Obtaind from Major...
73Enclosure: Address from Annapolis, Maryland, Citizens, 5 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The citizens of Annapolis conceive it their duty, at this time, to unite their voices with those of their fellow citizens in various parts of the United States; and they beg leave to assure you, that they are deeply and indelibly impressed with a sense of the paternal vigilance exalted wisdom and dignified firmness manifested by your proclamation on the subject of neutrality. It is their fixed...
74To George Washington from “An Observer,” 1 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your wisdom and patriotism have been trumpeted forth by your admirers, till a kind of belief of their transcendant magnitude was forced on the minds of your fellow citizens, and till it was hardly safe to offer a modest doubt whether you were not the first of men. You have, however, unfortunately for yourself and ungratefully and cruelly for your country, silenced your advocates and deceived...
75To George Washington from “An Old Soldier”, 25 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I hope it is a moment of leasure if this luckely should fall into your hands—urgent necessity induces me thus humbly to approach your Excellancy—I will not Sr long divert your attention from your arduous employment—but beg leave to observe—that on the first alarm of war I entered the Service of my Country being a minute Man in the then Massachusetts State—and having a fervant zeal to see the...
76To George Washington from Anonymous, 11 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The purport of this Epistle will I presume apologize for the liberty I take in addressing you. By the accounts we receive from Philadelphia we are inform’d that a dreadful disease rages there which proves fatal to most people, & that the Contagion probably will spread to other parts of the Country; an Idea has occurr’d to me that this Malady may be obviated, & I therefore think it my duty to...
77To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your knowledge of the world makes it hardly necessary for me to remind you how difficult it is to dislodge a cunning bad man when he has once got possession of the heart of a great & good one. The strongest evidence of this fact is derived from the history of Princes. Be not offended at my mentioning Tiberius. There is no similitude between your characters. He, a brutal Tyrant. You possessed,...
78To George Washington from Anonymous, March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I know you to be good—and you are great, independent of public opinion—I mean intrinsically great, if you were not possessed of that opinion. But you are possessed of it, and stand higher, beyond all comparison in the estimation of persons of every description than any man. The virtuous part of the community who have for years put everything to hazard to obtain a Government, likely to insure...
79To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
un malheureux Homme Ce trouvent dans une mauvais etat, prie a monsr le President Washington, de vouloir lui assistér avec 60. dolls.; d’quelle bonté, Cet malheureux Homme sera toujour dans la Reconoissance, & Remerciment de un bon Ami de l’humanité Comme Monsr le Precident Washington. Si Cet malheureux Homme mérite la Grace de Monsr le president Washington, Il Lui priê de lui envoier Cette...
80To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Beware. Be upon your guard. You have cherished in your Bosom a Serpent, and he is now endeavouring to sting you death. Under the Mark of a Democrat, he thinks he conceals his ambition which is unbounded. His vanity makes him believe that he will certainly be your Successor. But he can not wait with patience untill it shall please God to take you from this world. He wishes to precipitate his...
81To George Washington from Anonymous, 9 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
The fear of this not reaching your hands induced the form of the superscription. The motive of my assuming the liberty to address you, is from my often having read with the utmost concern that several of the back settlers have been scalped &C. by the savage Indians; and of the very ineffectual means taken to prevent a repetition of their barbarities by the Small force sent against them, which...
82To George Washington from Anonymous, 18 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although my name will not be, to this paper many where you preside know me personally, I have been under your command when you were surrounded with eminent Danger. I lost every thing by the American War, nor, did I ever join the enemies of America in thought, word, or deed. I am banished from my native country like many others; because I cannot pay my debts; If I had the gold which I exchanged...
83To George Washington from Anonymous, 30 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Amid’st the more important objects which call your Philanthophy into action on a general scale, may not an individual intrude with his embarrassments stated. I have found it in vain to complain to trees, and to pour out where there is either a want of sentiment or ability, is equally fruitless: therefore I have resolved (perhaps improperly) to apply where there is both ability and benevolence;...
84To George Washington from Anonymous, 9 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The first request of General Washington is that he will burn this line after reading it, as it comes from a man who on his own account (unconnected with those who have the strongest ties on him) would not trouble any mortal with the request of a favor: therefore in case your more important duties obliges you to spurn at my intrusion, let it become impossible for any person by my hand writing...
85To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
I HAVE just seen your P roclamation , written with your usual propriety and delicacy. But I do not accord with your idea, that “the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith, adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial towards the belligerent powers,” leagued against France. It is not their duty, because, though bound by no express...
86To George Washington from Anonymous, 1793 (Washington Papers)
permettez moi, mr le président qu’après avoir lu un voyage fait dans votre heureuse république en 1788 je vous fasse part de l’effusion de mon Coeur et des réfléxions quil m’a fait faire. Je Suis ravi, enchanté de la beauté, de la bonté de votre gouvernement et Ce qui me Comble C’est que je vois dans l’avenir, Si vous Continuez t’jours de meme Ce que j’espere, réaliser Ce réve enchanteur de...
87To George Washington from Anonymous, 13 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should never have presumed to address a letter to your Excellency and least of all an anonymous one, were it not for the delicate and responsible situation in which your power of nominating and appointing to office places you and likewise for the necessity consequent thereupon of your being acquainted with the character and abilities of various candidates. A Collector we are told is shortly...
88From “A true Friend to virtuous Liberty and Equality”, 4 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
A Short time ago having a few leisure weeks, curiosity led me to take a tour on horse back from this place through the central parts of the eastern states to Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, from thence along the post road to Savanna in Georgia, and from there back to this place, passing through the central parts of the southern and middle states on my return. A report having prevailed previous to...
89To George Washington from Benevolence, 4 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have lately travelld through the N. England States Vermont—&c. The Generale topick was the times but principally the Sufferings of our Citizens among the Algerines—At Several places the Generale wish was that the President Would Issue his proclamation for a generale Contribution for their Relief—I heard one farmer Say he would give 5 Guinies another 2. no person said under a Dollar. Upon the...
90To George Washington from One of the People, 16 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I need not, I trust, make any apology for the freedom I now take in sending you these few lines—They are well intended, and cannot, I think, in reason, give any offence. The following truths are undeniable—There is a God—He is the supreme governor of the universe, both in a natural and moral sense—This God is holy, just, good, and merciful. Being holy, he cannot but hate sin; and being just,...
91To George Washington from Pastor Americanus, 17 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my presuming to address you on the subject of the culture of Wool, is, because it is a matter on which the gradual abolition of our National Debt depend, i.e. upon industry and population of America, as the same is held forth in the following observations. That it is the real fact, I shall now undertake to prove: so always, and provided, That you will patronize the following...
92To George Washington from d’Anterroches, 6 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
if I take the liberty to address myself to your Excellency, also I never yet had the honor of being introduced to you, believe that necessity alone can force me to do it, and not the want of delicacy. My own interest and of course that of my wife and children, obliges me to become troublesome to you; but your well known goodness gives me leave to hope that you will excuse me. If you will...
93To George Washington from Nathaniel Appleton, 4 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed that the appointment of Commissioners of the Loan Office for the several States will shortly come under Your Excellencys consideration, I would with all due deference take the freedom to inform your Excellency that in the year 1776 I had the honor of being appointed to that Office in this State by the Legislature thereof, and of being continued therein by Congress to the...
94To George Washington from Nathaniel Appleton, 3 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
with great respect & diffidence I address the President of the United States. One of my sons Thoms Appleton about 26 years of age has resided in Paris the last 5 years, & has been connected in business with a very respectable House there, in supplying the City with Oil by contract, which gave a fair prospect of yeilding him a handsom proffit, but during the Revolution there, such dificulties...
95To George Washington from Edward Archer, 21 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although I have not the honor of being personally acquainted with your Excellency I have taken the Liberty of addressing you. I observe a Bill is now pending before the representatives of the United States for establishing Marine Hospitals for Sick and disabled Seamen and preserving regular levies for the Harbours of the United States. The State of Virginia is now erecting a Marine Hospital...
96To George Washington from Thomas Archer, 22 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th Ins’t was calld on to Visit your Molatto Man, who was then at Mrs Stiles’s Bush Town; Early in the Morning, he got up, & to all appearance was in perfect health, when he started on his journey from the Tavern, immediately after he came to a Run (not more than two Hundred yards from the House) which was considerably rais’d the preceeding Night by a sudden fall of Rain, in attempting...
97To George Washington from “A Republican,” 3 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
3 Sept. 1795. Writes that no act of the British since GW “engaged in politics” has received more reprobation by Americans than the recent treaty, because “it respects the entire surrender of this country into the hands of our inveterate enemies the British, ” and because of the secrecy surrounding it. The objects of John Jay’s mission appear “opposite to what he has accomplished in his...
98To George Washington from James Francis Armstrong, 31 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to bring before your mind that, if a vacancy in any office in your appointment, for which you may judge me fit, should occur, you would consider me as a candidate. The Secretary of the Treasury will detail the motives upon which I found my request. I have the honour to be—Sir, your most obedient Servant ALS , DLC:GW . James Francis Armstrong (1750–1816), a Princeton graduate and...
99To George Washington from John Armstrong, 25 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to accept my sincere Congratulations on the reputed State of your good health & safe return to our Afflicted Capitol, or the invirons thereof. The design of this letter which ought to have been much sooner addressed, is to tender my Cordial thanks & acknowledgments of your Excellencys friendly rememberance of my son in the appointment proposed to him—of which thro’ an accidental delay...
100To George Washington from John Armstrong, 29 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The design of my Subject being in some sense premature, you may possibly consider it as the effect of doatage, but however that may be, I cannot with ease longer deny myself the pleasure of addressing a few lines more to your Excellency—by which I only mean to convey my private wishes & give this farther testimony, that nothing on your part, nor age & growing infirmities upon mine, hath yet...