George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-08-02-0042

From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791

To Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox

Mount Vernon, April 4. 1791.

Gentlemen,

As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances—and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen interruptions it will be regulated (including days of halt) in the following manner.

I shall be on the 8th of April at Fredericksburg
11th Richmond
14th Petersburg
16th Halifax
18th Tarborough
20th Newbern
24th Wilmington
29th Georgetown, south-Carolina
 2nd of May Charleston, halting five days.
11th Savannah, halting two days.

Thence, leaving the line of the mail, I shall proceed to Augusta, and, according to the information which I may receive there, my return, by an upper road will be regulated.

The route of my return is at present uncertain, but in all probability, it will be through Columbia, Camden, Charlotte, Salisbury, Salem, Guilford, Hillsborough, Harrisburg, Williamsburg to Taylor’s ferry on the Roanoke, and thence to Fredericksburg by the nearest and best road.

After thus explaining to you, as far as I am able at present, the direction and probable progress of my journey, I have to express my wish, if any serious and important cases should arise during my absence, (of which the probability is but too strong) that the Secretaries for the Departments of State, Treasury, and War may hold consultations thereon, to determine whether they are of such a nature as to require my personal attendance at the seat of government—and, if they should be so considered, I will return immediately from any place at which the information may reach me—Or should they determine that measures, relevant to the case, may be legally and properly pursued without the immediate agency of the President, I will approve and ratify the measures, which may be conformed to such determination.

Presuming that the Vice-President will have left the seat of government for Boston, I have not requested his opinion to be taken on the supposed emergency—should it be otherwise I wish him also to be consulted.1 I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient Servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Tobias Lear’s hand, DLC: Thomas Jefferson Papers; LS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW; Df, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DLC:GW; copy, NNGL: Henry Knox Papers; copy, MHi: Adams Papers; copy, DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters.

For the background to this document, see Itinerary for the Southern Tour, February 1791, editorial note.

1John Adams went home with his family to Braintree on 2 May and did not return to Philadelphia until 21 Oct. (Tobias Lear to GW, 8 May; General Advertiser and Political, Commercial and Literary Journal [Philadelphia], 6 May; Gazette of the United States [Philadelphia], 26 Oct. 1791). Before his departure he discussed policy with the department heads. See GW to Jefferson, 4 April and note 1, and Knox to GW, 10 April, 30 May 1791.

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