1From George Washington to Thomas Johnson and Thomas Sim Lee, 10 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th ulto did not reach me until the 8th instant; I went the next day to Alexandria & laid it before Colos. Fitzgerald and Gilpin, who with myself, acceded fully to the propriety of your proposal of buying servants. Of this, the Secretary was directed to inform you; also of our sentiments respecting the hire of Negroes by the year, & to ask your opinion of the number...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Johnson, 30 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg you will be pleased to ascribe to the change in our administration and to my not becoming immediately possessed of all the business which lay before the executive, your letter of the 7th. of the last month remaining so long unanswered. It has happened very unluckily that this was among the latest of the several matters which have come to my hand. I am to return you thanks for your...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Johnson, 29 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President having recieved a joint letter of the Commissioners on the subject of regulations, and two separate letters from Mr. Carrol on other subjects, as also Majr. Lenfant’s plan these have been the subjects of conferences held at his desire and in his presence. He has concluded an immediate meeting of the Commissioners necessary, to take preliminary measures preparatory to a...
4From George Washington to Thomas Johnson and Thomas Sim Lee, 9 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Presuming that Colo. Fitzgerald according to his promise has communicated to you the vote of the Potomack Co. passed at the last general Meeting, held at George Town, and the measures consequent of it, taken by the directors, I shall trouble you with no more than the result which you will find in the enclosed authenticated Act of the Assembly of this State. It is scarcely necessary to observe...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Johnson, 8 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of Feb. 29. the day after I had written a public letter to the Commissioners, which touched on some of the subjects of yours. I may say in this private letter what could not be so well said in a public one, that there never was a moment’s doubt about parting with Major Lenfant rather than with a single commissioner.—I must correct an error in my public letter. I said...
6From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 2 February 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Johnson, 2 Feb. 1775. On 25 Feb. Johnson reported to GW that he had “got your Letter from thence of the 2d Inst.”
7From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 1 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Johnson, 1 Sept. 1777. Johnson wrote GW on 4 Sept .: “I recvd your Letter of the first Instant.”
8From George Washington to Thomas Johnson and Thomas Sim Lee, 18 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Subscribers to the Potowmac Navigation held yesterday agreeable to the Acts of Assembly of both States, a President and Directors were chosen, the former I have accepted of, & you two in conjunction with George Gilpin & John Fitzgerald Esqrs. were appointed Directors which I hope will be agreeable to you[.] As the Season begins to advance I have thought necessary that we...
9From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 20 January 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Johnson, 20 Jan. 1775. On 24 Jan. Johnson wrote GW that on that day he had received GW’s “two Letters . . . dated the 20 instant.”
10James Madison to Thomas Johnson, 21 November 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 17th. relating of a Course of Instructions on the principles of Dentristry"; and will communicate it to the other members of the Ex. Committee: from whom you will learn the views taken of the subject. With cordial esteem Draft (DLC) .
11From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 20 February 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Johnson, 20 Feb. 1774. Johnson wrote GW on 21 Feb. : “A Servant just now delivered me your Letter of Yesterday.”
12From John Jay to Thomas Johnson, 12 March 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your’s of the 3 d . of last month, & regret the Indisposition which detained You from Philadelphia— I hope your Health has been since re-established. The then daily Expectation of an addition to my Family, and which soon after took place, prevented my attending the Sup. Court. Judge Cushing on his Return informed me that there had been a Conference on the Subject of...
13From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 12 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
On a supposition that you are now at Annapolis, the Petition of the Directors of the Potomac Company, is enclosed to your care. A Duplicate has been forwarded to the Assembly of this State. The fate of it I have not heard, but entertain no doubt of its favorable reception, as there are many auspicious proofs of liberality & justice already exhibited in the proceedings of it this Session. I...
14From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 31 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am ashamed, so much after the date of it, to have the receipt of your letter of the 15th of Decr to acknowledge; but truth being the best apology I can make for the omission, you will receive it as follow. Immediately upon the receipt of that letter, I sent it where all other letters relative to the same subject were referred, to the Secretary of War, who was in the act of investigating...
15From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 26 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I discovered, after my letter of the 24 with its enclosure, was sent to the Post Office, that it would have to remain in Baltimore until friday, before it would be taken up by the cross-post for Frederick Town. This will occasion a delay on which I had not calculated: and as the return Post from the last mentioned place may not be immediate, the intention of this letter is to request the favor...
16From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having heard that your State have appointed Lieutt Colo. Geo. Stricker to the Command of a Battalion, I hold myself bound to inform you That the Character he holds here as an Officer will not justify such an appointment—Yesterday he obtained my leave to resign, complaining that his private Affairs indispensably require his presence at home for several Months—Had there been any other Field...
17From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 8 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
It was not ’till our return to the great Falls, that Colo. Gilpin and myself discovered the error of the propos’d meeting of the Directors of the Potomac Company at Alexandria on Monday preceding the first day of August. The general Meeting of the company it seems is, by Law, to be held on the first Monday in that month; & this not happening, in the present year, ’till the 7th day of it—we...
18From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 21 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you a representation made to me, by Mr Chaloner Deputy Commy of Purchases, upon the difficulty, under your present law, of procuring Waggons to bring forward the public Stores of provision collected at the Head of Elk and Middletown in your State. The State of Pennsylvania has been already exceedingly harrassed in providing teams, as we have drawn our Horses...
19From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 23 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th instant came Safe, but not until after it had lain many days in the Post Office in Frederick Town, by the mark thereon. Your consenting to remain longer in the Commission of the Federal District gave me much pleasure; for although I have no doubt with respect to the accomplishment of the law (establishing the permanent residence of Congress), nor of the execution of the...
20From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 6 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
About the 20th of last month I received a letter from you dated at George Town the 12th of Jany—but which, I presume, ought to have been dated the 12th of February. It came to hand at a time when the Session of Congress was drawing to a close, and of course when the business of it pressed upon me. I therefore laid it aside to be acknowledged by Mr Potts, but missing that opportunity, I was...
21From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you for informing me, what foundation there is for so much of the following extract of a letter from Doctr Brooke at Fredericksburgh to Doctr Stuart of this County, as relates to the officious light in which my conduct was viewed for havg written the letter alluded to. Since then, I was informed by “the Honourable James Mercer, that his Brother Colo. John Mercer, who was...
22From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 17 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday, & not before, I received authentic information, that the Assembly of this State had passed a similar Act & resolutions, with those of your Legislature, and have fixed upon the 8th of Feby to open Books for the purpose of receiving subscriptions in the City of Richmond & Towns of Alexandria & Winchester: which Books are to be kept open until the 10th day of May following. They have...
23From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 8 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
It appearing to me proper that the Commissioners should be apprised of the pretensions—signified in the enclosed letter—I send it to them accordingly, that such prudent use may be made of the information as to them shall seem fit. I have not given, nor shall I give any answer—at least for the present—to the writer of it; and no person is knowing to my having received such a letter. I am—Dear...
24From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a number of concurring circumstances there is reason to beleive that the enemy mean to evacuate Philadelphia. It is necessary therefore to draw together as great a force as can be provided for, with the utmost expedition. But as several of our out posts, covering magazines & the like, cannot be recalled without a body of Militia to act in their room, I am obliged to request of the...
25From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
In assenting to the opinion that the due administration of Justice is the strongest cement of good Government, you will also agree with me that the first organization of the Judicial department is essential to the happiness of our Country, and to the stability of our political system—hence the selection of the fittest characters to expound the Laws, and dispense Justice has been an invariable...
26From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 20 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
It so happened that your letter of the 4th ulto with its enclosures, did not meet a quick passage to me; & that some delays afterwards, more the effect of accident than neglect, prevented the petition & Bill, (which you were so obliging as to draw) from getting to the Assemblies of the two States, so soon as were to be wished; however they are now before them; & from that of Maryland, I am...
27From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favor of the 22d Instant. Satisfied that an intercourse with Philadelphia would be productive of great disadvantages, I have endeavoured to prevent it, as far as I could; and have not in any instance granted passports for that purpose, but where the parties applying have been recommended, either by some public body or by Gentlemen in whom I had entire...
28From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 5 August 1774 (Washington Papers)
As the Resolves of all the Colonies which had come to hand in this Meeting, adopted your Appointment of Philadelphia as the Place to hold the Congress in. As the first of Sepr or thereabouts hath been fixed upon by all of them (except your Province) as a fit Time—and as this Time is now so near at hand as to render it difficult, if practicable, to change it without putting too much to the...
29From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 24 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Secretary of State is vacant—occasioned by the resignation of Mr Randolph. Will you accept it? You know my wishes of old, to bring you into the Administration —Where then is the necessity of repeating them? No time more than the present, ever required the aid of your abilities—nor of the old and proved patriots of this Country. To have yours would be pleasing to me, and I verily...
30From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The late Resolution of Congress for sending Genl Smallwood and Colo. Gist from this Army, to arrange and command the Militia of Maryland, now called to the Feild, and the frequent applications I had, before the arrival of those Gentn at this place, to send Officers to the Eastern Shore to take the direction of the Militia assembling there, give me reason to beleive, that the regulations, in...
31From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Bainbridge the Wife of Peter Bainbridge has laid before me some papers respecting the proceedings of Capt. Eggleston of Colo. Lee’s Legion on the case of their son Peter Bainbridge which carry the face of a most extraordinary and unwarrantable kind of conduct—But as it is impossible to decide ex part⟨e⟩ I have by the inclosed referred the Matter to Major General Greene commanding the...
32From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 19th inclosing a list of the Feild Officers of your Battalions, with the arrangement of their Rank. I have never received Returns from any of the Colonels, except Colo. price, of the State of their Regiments; if Genl Smallwood is at Annapolis, be kind enough to desire him to collect them, and transmit them to me as soon as possible. I have the Honor to be Sir...
33From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 20 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
As well from report, as from the ideas expressed in your letter to me in December last, I am led to conclude that you are disposed (circumstanced as our public affairs are at present) to ratify the Constitution which has been submitted by the general Convention to the People; and under this impression, I take the liberty of expressing a single sentiment on the occasion. It is, that an...
34From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 7 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letters of the 27 & 30 of July; the last of which came to hand while the Judges of the Supreme Court were with me on an invitation to dinner. I took this opportunity of laying your letter before the Chief Justice, (as you mentioned your having written to him and to Mr Wilson on the subject) in order that it might be communicated to the other Judges—After a...
35From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 4 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having by a Resolve of the 26th of February last annexed the German Battalion to the State of Maryland, and no means having been yet taken to compleat it: I have thought proper to dispatch Capt. Hubley to receive information from you, in what manner the Officers shall proceed to recruit. Upon his return, I will send off a proper number of Officers, either to receive directions from...
36From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 1 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
While I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th of January, I cannot but express the regret with which I received the resignation of your office of Associate Justice of the supreme Court, and sincerely lament the causes that produced it. It is unnecessary for me to say how much I should have been pleased, had your health & other circumstances permitted you to continue in office;...
37From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
It gave me pleasure to find by your letter of the 7th that the Petition of the Directors of the Potomac Company had met so ready & favorable a reception in the assembly of Maryland. I am informed that an act similar to the one you sent me has passed the Legislature of this State, but I have received no official advice of it. Permit me, my good Sir, to ask if there would be a probability of...
38From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency, that after a variety of attempts, and much time and labour spent by Several Boards of Officers, the Arrangement of the Maryland line has been at length fixed —and Commissions have been issued for the Officers agreably to it, by the Board of War, except in the instances mentioned in the inclosed List. The Gentlemen named in this, belong to the...
39From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 11 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The latest Accounts received respecting the Enemy, (rendered probable by a Variety of Circumstances) inform Us, That they are very busily engaged in fitting up their Transports at Amboy for the Accomodation of Troops, That they have completed their Bridge and are determined to make their first push at Philadelphia. The Campaign is therefore opening, and our present situation, weaker than when...
40From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 12th inst. I very highly approve of the determination of your Council to reinlist the nine months Men at this period; if it is left undone, untill the time of their service is near expiring, it will be almost impossible to re-engage them. I, some time ago, pointed out to Congress the expediency of adopting this measure but as yet have not received their Answer....
41From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 1 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Sir Henry Clinton in order to supply the British prisoners at Fort Frederick and Winchester with necessaries and money has twice requested a passport for a vessel to go with the same to the port of Baltimore. As it is necessary the prisoners should be supplied, I have granted permission to a schooner to proceed to Hampton road—Where the cargo is to be received into some of the Bay craft, and...
42Report of Thomas Story to the Committee of Secret Correspondence and the Committee’s Memorandum upon It, [1 October … (Franklin Papers)
DS and copy: National Archives “On my leaving London Arthur Lee Esqr. requested me to inform the Committee of Correspondence, that he had several conferences with the French Embassador who had communicated the same to the French Court, that in consequence thereof the Duke De Vergennes had sent a gentleman to Mr. Lee, [who informed] him that the French Court could not think of entering into a...
43From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 23 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d Ulto came duly to hand. With regret I perceive your determination to with draw from the Commission under which you have acted—for executing the plan of the federal City. My wish was, and still is, if it could be made to comport with your convenience and inclination, that it should be changed; or at least suspended: for I should be sorry to see others (coming in at the...
44From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 14 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Without preface, or apology for propounding the following question to you—at this time—permit me to ask you with frankness, and in the fullness of friendship, whether you will accept of an appointment in the Supreme Judiciary of the United States? Mr Rutledge’s resignation has occasioned a vacancy therein which I should be glad to see filled by you. Your answer to this question by the Post...
45From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 5–6 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 15th Ulto, came to my hands at a time when my attention was much occupied on some matters of importance. To this circumstance, and to my knowledge (as you will perceive by the enclosed extract of a letter from the Secretary of State to the Commissioners of the federal city) that one of your requests had been anticipated; and to the expression of your apprehension, that...
46From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 27 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I regret not having met you at the Federal City, on my way home; and was concerned for the cause of the disappointment. I have made no choice yet of persons to supply the places of yourself & Doctr Stuart, as Commissioners; nor, in truth, do I know on whom to fix for this purpose, at this stage of the business, & under present circumstances. Mr Greenleaf gave me some reasons to believe that...
47From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting you the inclosed Letter from a Committee of Congress, now here. These Gentlemen have represented the distress of the Army for want of provision so fully, and in so just a light, that I shall forbear to trouble you with many observations upon the subject. I shall only add, if the picture they have drawn is imperfect, it is because the colouring is not...
48From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 20 July 1770 (Washington Papers)
I was honourd with your favour of the 18th of June about the last of that Month and read it with all the attention I was capable of but having been closely engaged with my Hay & Wheat Harvests from that time till now I have not been able to enquire into the Sentiments of any of the Gentlemen of this side in respect to the Scheme of opening the Inland Navigation of Potomack by private...
49From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was, some little time past, empowered by Congress to call for 5000 Militia from the States of Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. This Resolve was, I beleive, occasioned by a report, which has proved groundless, that the Enemy intended suddenly to evacuate Rhode Island —to draw part of their force from New York, and attack this Army before its expected reenforcements arrived. Finding no...
50From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 22 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you have been pleased to honor me—dated the 16th Instt, came to my hands the day before yesterday; by the Post of tomorrow, this answer will be forwarded to you. Mr Rumsey has given you an uncandid acct of his explanation to me, of the principle on which his Boat was to be propelled against stream. At the time he exhibited his model, and obtained my certificate, I had no...