5451To George Washington from Richard Peters, 26 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have endeavoured to find out the Prices of Land at & near Philadelphia & from thence to Lancaster on & near the Route to that Place. But these Prices are so various that I am not able to fix on any Average. £100 ⅌ Acre is offered for Land on the West Side of Schuylkill near the Bridge —Near £60 this Currency were given last year for Land a Mile further West—I would not take this Sum for my...
5452To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the U. States the letters received this day from Mr King, & the Commissioners of the U.S. in London. Also the draught of a message to the Senate containing nominations of three persons to be inspectors in No. Carolina. At the last Session they were commissioned, one as Collector and the other two as Surveyors, for the...
5453To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of inclosing to you a Sketch of such description of the public appropriations, as will, we think, be sufficient to identify them in the Deed from the Trustees—It is submitted for consideration. We also inclose a plan of the proposed two buildings for the Executive Departments. One will be sufficient for the Treasury Department, and the other for the Department of...
5454To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
My late situation exposes me to applications which I cannot resist without appearing unkind. It is understood that Mr Walker is about to resign the place of naval Officer. Mr Jonathan Burrall Mr Rogers (Walkers Deputy) and Col. Giles (the present Marshall) have all three mentioned the subject to me and requested me to express my opinion of their qualifications to you. As to Mr Burrall there is...
5455To George Washington from the Chevalier de Colbert, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Will you be So good as to allow to a Soldier who fought in the last War for the American cause, under the Admirals Terney, D’Estouches, Barras, & de Grass, to recall himself to your Excellency to who he had the honnour to be introduced by the Marquis de la fayette at the Camp before York-Town. how far he was then to believe that by unforseen Events he Should be drove out of his own Country!...
5456To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The sitting of the Court and an uncommon pressure of business have unavoidably delayed an answer to your last favour. I have read with attention Mr Pickerings letter. It is in the main a substantial and satisfactory paper, will in all probability do considerable good in enlightening public opinion at home—and I do not know that it contains any thing which will do harm elsewhere. It wants...
5457To George Washington from Thomas Remington, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Humble Petition of Thomas Remington native of South America sends Greeting—that your Petitioner after having Experienced a great many Misfortunes & disappointments in this unknown part of the Continent and from frequent Applications to Merchants in this City for Employment—find that Notwithstanding all my Exertions there is not the smallest Probability of my getting into any Sittuation for...
5458To 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.”
5459To George Washington from William Cocke, 1 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
In answer to yours of this date to Mr Blount And myself, I have to Observe that you May recollect that Some time past I delivered you a letter from Mr David Campbell on the Subject of his beeing appointed District Judge in the State of Tennessee and in Our then Conversation you intimated a de Sire to be informed whether he was a proper person to fill that Office I informed you that the...
5460To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 1 February 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Washington Parke Custis, 1 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Custis on 27 Feb. and acknowledged his “letter of the … first.”
5461To George Washington from James Scott, 1 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
From your most excellent Speech addressed to Congress upon the opening of the Session; which shewed so fully the able Legislator, the true Patriot, and the Patron of Letters, it appears that the Institution of a College in the united States, on a liberal Plan, wherein Arts & Sciences may be taught with more Precision and to a greater Extent than has hitherto been adopted in that Country, is in...
5462To George Washington from Anna Margaretha de Neufville, 2 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
when I had the honour to wait upon you Sir, you was pleased to ask me wether my husband had appleid to old Congress, which I answerd in the negative to you, owing not understanding perfect by your meaning, he has So far applied as to have Send a Copie of the list of debtors and creditors, with a letter or petetion, to Request theire influeence, in ordre to be Sooner remboursed; the particulars...
5463To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is with much regret, we trouble you with the enclosures, but as the appropriations will now be finally determined, we hope it will be the last application on that subject—We have only to observe, that Mr Davidson has received payment for his proportion of the President’s Square, as delineated on the engraved plan —We are, with sentiments &c. LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners...
5464To George Washington from Jacob Broom, 4 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
as I was an applicant for the Office to which Major Bush was appointed, and by whose demise a vacancy has taken place, I take the liberty to renew my application —should I be so fortunate as to be the object of your choice, my best endeavors shall not be wanting to deserve the favor—on the other hand, should any one be preferred before me, I shall again chearfully submit; being firmly...
5465To George Washington from Thomas Law, 4 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I respect & esteem you too much to intrude often upon your valuable time I am averse to lacerate a mind already wounded by complaint; yet I cannot forbear when I consider that perhaps in the Year 1800 at Mount Vernon, when Congress cannot come to the City, you may upbraid me for not candidly assigning to you the causes of the misfortune, when it was in your power to do them away. I have...
5466To George Washington from Robert Fulton, 5 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Last evening Mr King presented me with your Letter aquainting me of the Receipt of my publication on Small Canals, which I hope you will Soon have time to Peruse in a tranquil Retirement from the Buisy operations of a Public Life; Therefore Looking forward to that period when the whole force of your Mind will Act upon the Internal improvement of our Country, by Promoting Agriculture and...
5467To George Washington from Daniel Carroll of Duddington, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to address you a few lines, which I hope will not intrude much on your time, and when I assure you I am actuated from the best of principles, I flatter myself my intention will be received in a proper manner—I am informed, & I bilieve the fact is so, that the Commissioners are about to erect two large offices contg forty rooms each, near the Presidents house, this being the...
5468To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th Ulto did not reach the City till late on friday evening, of course, it could not receive an earlier attention—We hope with you that the Spring will be early and exertions shall not be wanting, on our part, to forward the public buildings—Our own Ideas with respect to the mode of carrying them on, we expressed loosely in our Letter of 31st Ulto. when we say, “we think it...
5469To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
In the course of business, a circumstance has occurred, which appears to us of sufficient importance to justify a reference to the executive—Messrs Morris & Nicholson having made payments to an amount sufficient to entitle them to a conveyance of the property sold by them to Mr Law, requested the Commissrs to convey the same to him —Upon a view of the Several Instruments of writing executed by...
5470To George Washington from Rufus King, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 22d of december. Count Rumford being in Bavaria, I have requested the minister of that Country at this court, to forward your Letter to the count with his next dispatch —I have delivered to Mr Fulton the letter for him, and as soon as Sir John Sinclair returns to Town I will also deliver the Letter addressed to him —I have before sent two...
5471To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to inclose a letter of Oct. 16. received this day from Mr Adams at the Hague. The following passage is in a letter recd this day from the Consul of the U. States at Falmouth in England, dated Novr 26th: “A vessel arrived to-day from Lisbon, and the master reports that at Madrid the populace would not permit Lord Bute to depart, and that the Spanish and...
5472To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We have just received a Letter from Mr Law, of which a Copy is inclosed at his Request, as you will observe & We think it unnecessary to trouble you with any Remarks. We are with sentiments of the greatest Respect sir Yr obt servts LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent. The copy of Thomas Law’s letter to the commissioners,...
5473To George Washington from Andrew Jackson, 8 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed, that, you were about to nominate, some proper person to fill the office, of District Judge in the State of Tennessee, I think it my duty as the representative, of that State, to furnish you with such information, as will Enable you to nominate a legal Charecter, best qualified to Execute the duties of that office and whose appointment will be most satisfactory to the...
5474To George Washington from Thomas Law, 8 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday delivered a Lre into the Commissioners Office and returning from thence in company with Mr Hadfeild, that gentleman told me that he could get the Capitol covered in this Season , “why not write so then to the Commissioners?[”] said I—his answer was “I shall be more likely to effect it by my own means without their knowing of my intention ”—this upon my honor is a fact, but I do not...
5475To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 8 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is said that a vacancy has occurred in the collectorship of the port of Wilmington, in Delaware —In bringing to view the name of Mr Vining, who has since the adoption of the government had the honour of being personally known to you, Sir, I need only add that I believe Mr Vining would be gratify’d by being appointed collector. I am with most respectful attachment Sir yr mo. ob. svt ALS ,...
5476To George Washington from Elizabeth Willing Powel, 8 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
With Pleasure should I accede to your Proposal respecting your Coach, was I to be the possessor of the Horses; but when I assure you that they are for my Nephew you will see the Necessity of the Union being dissolved between them and their espoused Coach. I have deferred answering you Sir until I had an Opportunity of sounding him on the Subject, without directly telling him it was for Sale;...
5477To George Washington from William Blount, 9 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your Request for specific Charges against David Campbell to opperate (as I presume) as Reasons why he should not be nominated to the office of federal Judge of the District of Tennessee, I offer the following, That at the first Session of the Legislature held for the State of Tennessee that Gentleman caused himself to be put in Nomination for a Judge, was himself upon the spot,...
5478To George Washington from Thomas Law, c.10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday morning walking about in search of ornament Carvers whose work costs two Dollars ⅌ Diem—It occurred to me that I had best enclose this Lre to You as the followg words to the Commrs may save perhaps 10000 Ds “You will order Jno. Hadfeild to avoid all superfluous & useless ornaments”—pardon this intrusion which I make as short as possible. With unfeigned esteem respect &...
5479To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment returned from Berkley, and as business will call me to Philadelphia in the course of next week I shall have the pleasure of communicating to you fully every thing relative to the subject of the Arsenal land &c. At present I have only time to say, that Rutherford’s deed has not yet come to hand, and that Wager’s is in the office to be recorded at the Court of this month. The...
5480To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to inform the President of the United States, that having examined the Constitution & the law respecting the President & Vice President of the U. States, he sees no part requiring that the Vice-President elect should come to the Seat of Government to take the oath to support the Constitution of the U.S. which appears to be the only oath required of him....
5481To George Washington from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The following communications from the Senate were this day made to the President. LB , DLC:GW . This statement is immediately followed on the LB by multiple extracts of resolutions and motions copied primarily from the U.S. Senate journal for 8, 9, and 10 February. For the printed version of those resolutions, and for the congressional measures made between 8 amd 10 Feb., see Journal of the...
5482To George Washington from Elkanah Watson, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
My Short visit at Mount Vernon in Jany 1785 will always be a source of the Most grateful reflections to my mind, & I trust the important information I derived from you, at that time as to your vision in improveing the Navigation of the Potowmac, in connection with some branches of the Ohio Leading in the direction of Detroit, for the avowed purpose of diverting the fur trade from Montreal to...
5483To 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...
5484To George Washington from “A Sincere Friend,” 11 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Knowing your regard for all Public utility & benefit; I beg leave to acquaint you of my having a prescription for the Dropsy, it’s great simplicity & mild performance of the cure, is very remarkable. In what manner or mode, I should communicate it, to the Legislature of this Country, is what I would be happy in being inform’d of. With great Respect—I am Yr Excellency’s—Most Obedt Servt AL ,...
5485To George Washington from Henry Lee, 12 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I find myself fatigued with my journey or should wait on you this evening. While in Newyork I mentioned to a friend of mine there your pair of horses & price—He has authorized me to buy them, money to be paid (1000 Ds) on delivery. I promised to write to him by tomorrows mail, & consequently must ask your decision this evening. please to present my best respects to Mrs Washington & tell her...
5486To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 12 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Book forwarded herewith was sent to me at Cowes when on the Eve of my departure or I would have transmitted it to you by a less circuitous Route. the want of a fit opportunity to convey it hence ‘till the present time has likewise occasioned the detention of the inclosed letter which was written shortly after my arrival. I beg leave again to offer my sincere wishes that your retirement may...
5487From 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.”
5488To George Washington from William Blount and William Cocke, 13 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We recommend Robert Hays of Davidson County for Ma[r]shal Thomas Gray of Jefferson County for Attorny and Morgan Brown of Palmyra for Collector of the Impost in the State of Tennessee. Mr Hays was an officer in the Revolutionary army, is at present Colonel of a Regiment of Cavalry and a Citizen of great Respectability. Mr Gray is a Lawyer of upwards of twenty years standing in No. Carolina and...
5489To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the draughts of letters to General Pinckney, Colo. Humphreys and Mr Adams. In the letter to Colo. Humphreys (not private) remains to be added what is mentioned in that to Mr Adams respecting his salary, on which the Secretary entertained some doubts; but on the whole deemed the principle he has adopted to be...
5490To 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...
5491To George Washington from Landon Carter, 14 February 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Landon Carter, 14 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Carter on 27 Feb. : “Your favor of the 14th instt came duly to hand.”
5492To George Washington from George Clinton, 14–24 February 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Clinton, 14–24 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Clinton on 28 Feb. : “Your favor of the 14th instt with a Postscript of the 24th came to my hands yesterday.”
5493To George Washington from Charles Lee, 14 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have examined the journals of the House of Representatives and also of the Senate respecting your message to Congress of the 18th of February 1793 accompanied with a report and plot of the territory of the United States on Patowmack. In each House an order was made that the message lie on the table. On the next day the Clerk of the House of Representatives delivered to the Senate a message...
5494To George Washington from William Thornton, 14 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I imagine there will not be a full Board for two or three weeks, and, as I consider the Subject of extending the reservations to the areas which are formed by the Intersection of several Streets & Avenues as very interesting I thought it would border on neglect were I to fail to lay them before you, although I with great unwillingness intrude again upon your time. When the Subject of...
5495To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 15 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It gives me real & heartfelt concern to mention, that it is an Age Since I had the Honor & Happiness of a Line from you, whom I now & always have Esteemed as the first and most Virtuous Man of this Age. The Feild of European Politics has Undergone great Changes Since your last—that Change will Still Produce more, untill Every State, Monarchist or Republican is Convulsed; But I trust the United...
5496To George Washington from Burgomasters and Senators of Bremen, 16 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Le Sr Fréderic Jacques Wichelhausen, venant de nous présenter les lettres patentes, qui font foi de sa nomination au poste de Consul des Etats Unis de l’Amerique pour le port de cette Ville, nous ne tardons pas, de marquer à Votre Excellence, combien il nous est agréable, que Son choix pour cet employ est tombé sur une personne, que les talens, que nous lui connoissons, Ses merites & Sa...
5497To George Washington from William Hambly, 17 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Some time since I did myself the pleasure to wait on you through the Medium of my Friends Messrs Thompson & Veitch, with the present of an old Cheshire Cheese. The gracious manner in which you was pleased to receive it—and the growing respect I feel for your Character—influences me to supplicate your Condescension, to receive another at my hands—which I hope you will be pleased to do. At this...
5498To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, c.17 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
William Claiborne, of the State of Tenassee—to be district judge. Recommended by General Marshall—and strongly by Colo. Carrington. David Campbell, late a Judge of that Territory, is recommended for District Judge, by a Mr Roane the friend of James Ross Esqr. who relies on his discernment & probity in the recommendation. Elias Backman, a merchant of Gottenburg in Sweden, to be Consul for that...
5499To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the draught of an answer to the Grand Master of Malta. If approved & signed, the Secretary proposes to commit the same to the care of M. Maisonneuve who desires to be Consul at Malta, who forwarded the letter from the Grand Master, and to whom Mr La Colomb (who is settled in Philadelphia) will send the packet by a...
5500To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 15th Instant—Your Ideas respecting the capitol are those which have been the prevailing ones with us for some time—No step has been omitted to put things in a state for advancing that building, as far as possible during the present Season; and we expect it to progress 30 additional feet, at least, by December next —You would see by our last Letters to you,...