31Enclosure I: Timothy Pickering to Henry Knox, 20 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday. Two or three hours before, two runners arrived from the Indian Council at Buffaloe Creek, with their answer to your invitation to meet me at Kanandaiguay for the purposes therein mentioned. They apologized for the delay in sending their answer, by saying that they had waited the arrival of the Chief (meaning Cornplanter) by whom their former speech on the subject had...
32Enclosure II: Israel Chapin to Henry Knox, 17 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have endeavored to obtain every information from the Westward in my power Mr Wm Ewing having been employed in that quarter returned last evening and the minutes he has made are enclosed, and also the Copy of a letter from Captain Brant. I have had the accounts respecting Genl Waynes Action with the hostile Indians several ways, the particulars are mentioned in Mr Ewings...
33Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to the Secretary of War, 11 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order B. Dandridge has the honor to transmit herewith enclosed to the Secy of War, two letters from the Govr of No. Carolina, of the 19. & 25 of July last—& a letter from the Govr of Pennsylvania of the 9 inst. The President requests the Secretary to answer to such parts of the Govr of North Carolinas Letters as may be thought to require it. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW ....
34From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir German Town [Pa.] Friday 8 Oclock P.M. [8 Aug. 1794] Mr Bradfords letter (which I presume you have seen, and) which was sent to me by Express, conveyed to my mind a different idea than it is now impressed with, from the Secretary of States account of the conversation he has had with Colo. Nevill & Major Lenox. I concluded from the first (combined with the articles in the...
35From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have given the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Captn Willm A. Lee—and the Petition which accompanied it to have him restored—an attentive perusal. The judgment of the Court is, in my opinion, well supported by evidence (except in the article of nonconformity with the order of arrest; in this , the explanation of an expression of Captn Campbell may have led him into the error...
36Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 11 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretaries of the Treasury and of war and the attorney general, that the President is desirous, that they would take into consideration the Resolutions lately passed by the Inhabitants of Kentucky, and the intelligence lately received from Mr. Seagrove relative to the affairs in Georgia. The President wishes to see the Gentlemen at his...
37Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 11 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of conveying to the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War, and the Attorney General the wish of the President, that instead of a meeting at his house at 12 oClock on Monday next the opinions upon the two points suggested in a note of this morning should be committed to writing, and sent to the President by that time. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 7 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] July 7, 1794 . “The Congress of the United States having … appropriated a further Sum of Thirty Thousand dollars in addition to the Seventy Six Thousand dollars heretofore granted for the purpose of fortifying certain ports and Harbours in the United States … I have to request you will be pleased to furnish me as soon as convenient with a Memorandum of the manner in which the...
39Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 2 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 2, 1794. “The Secretary of State has the honor of forwarding to the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War the opinion of the President, as to the answer to be returned to Mr. Hammond on the subject of compensation; and requests their judgment upon the kind of answer, which will best conform to the President’s views.” LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State,...
40Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, [1 July 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of submitting to the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War, whether the enclosed letter from Mr. Hollingsworth, the attorney of the United States for the district of Maryland, does not place the case of the British vessel Pilgrim, which has been determined to be captured within the protection of our Coast, upon such a footing, that Mr. Fauchet may be...
41Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, [30 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General of the United States, that he has this day received a Convention bearing date the 27th. of March 1794 between Denmark and Sweden for the maintenance of the rights of neutral navigation. It is proper to notify the Gentlemen, that Mr. Jay is instructed, if he should...
42From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 25 instt, enclosing letters from Generals Wayne & Chapin, & from the Contracter Williams, came safe by Fridays Post. On neither shall I say any thing at present; because (if I find myself able to bear jolting over the infamous roads I have to travel) I shall, on thursday, commence my Journey for Philadelphia, & proceed by easy stages For this reason, and because it is...
43From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir Mount Vernon 25th June 1794. Your letter of the 18th instt came to me by the Post wch arrived in Alexandria on Monday evening. It is not more unusual than it is difficult to account for the motives wch induce Gov. M——’s either to antedate or to detain after they are written the letters which I receive from him. That there is design in it, admits of little doubt in my mind....
44From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 20 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
A Commissary of Stores having been appointed, it is necessary to fulfil the main object of that appointment that a very regular system of accountability should be established. As the accounts of the expenditures of money are connected with the subject I submit to you whether it will not be adviseable to instruct Mr. Hodgdon to concert with the Comptroller of the Treasury a plan for regulating...
45Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, [17 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretaries of the Treasury and of war and the Attorney General, that subscriptions have been carried on in Boston and Norfolk, and the monies, arising therefrom have been tendered to the President for the relief of the Unhappy Citizens of the United States now in captivity in Algiers. Sometime ago the Citizens of Philadelphia were in...
46George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [16 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Tomorrow I shall commence my journey for Virginia. My absence from the seat of Government will be as short as I can make it, to answer the purposes of my going. In the interim, occurrences may happen, out of the common routine which might suffer by delay. Where this is the case, & the matter is of importance, advise with the other Secretaries, & the Attorney General, and carry any unanimous...
47George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [10 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
It is my wish to set off for Mount Vernon on Monday next. With some inconvenience to myself, it might be delayed until Wednesday; beyond which the purposes of my journey would, in a great measure, be defeated by further delay. I therefore desire that everything which requires my attention in your Department previous to my absence, may be laid before me with as much promptitude as the case will...
48Enclosure: James Seagrove to Henry Knox, 4 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing you on the 28th ultimo by Capt. Skelly, his Excellency the Governor of Georgia arrived here. I have been frequently with him since his being in town, and have conversed freely and at large on the outrageous conduct of the people of this country. I should feel a sincere pleasure in being able to inform you that any measures have been taken by this government to...
49Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 24 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidents order B. Dandridge has the honor to send herewith enclosed to the Secretary of War, a letter just received by the president from the Govr of north Carolina; & to request the Secretary to cause such directions to be given, with regard to the subject thereof, as may be proper. A Letter to the President from Colo. Fitzgerald is also sent for the information of the Secretary, who...
50Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 20 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 20, 1794 . “The Secretary of State presents his respectful compliments to the Secretaries of the Treasury & of war and requests the favor of them to forward to him the papers in the case of the Ship William, transmitted on the 5th. of April last; together with their opinions thereon.” LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 6, January 2-June 26, 1794,...
51Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 2 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 2, 1794 . “The Secretary of State submits to the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, whether any, and what step can be taken upon the inclosed memorial of John Leamy.” LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 6, January 2–June 26, 1794, National Archives. Leamy was a Philadelphia merchant. His memorial has not been found.
52From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter from General Wayne to you, of the 10th of March, I have perused. The Contractors who supplied the articles of Hats & Shoes to the Army, which he complains of, or the person who inspected them—or both, ought to be called to a severe account for such abuse of public confidence. The ideas communicated in the above letter, relatively to long & short Coats are not, I conceive, bad....
53Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 26 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order B. Dandridge sends the enclosed letter &c. from the Govr. of No. Carolina to the President, to the Secretary of war. The President wishes the Secretary to inform him what has prevented a final settlement of the business respecting the Sloop L’Amie Marguirette, & what is necessary to be done in order to an ultimate decision relatively thereto. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW...
54From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have considered your report of the 15th instt relatively to the Frigates which are to be built; and as soon as the important points on which the master builders have differed, is settled by the expedient you have had recourse to; and you can obtain the means for carrying the law into effect, it is my desire that the work ⟨may be entered upon⟩ without delay; in the manner, and at the places...
55Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and William Bradford, 14 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The President wishes your opinion, as to the step, proper to be taken, upon the inclosed address. To send to congress, what the President thinks unfit for himself, will be unkindly received; being uncivil in itself. To acknowledge the body, as such, is in every view inadmissible. So that the question seems to turn upon this; whether it be better to treat the paper with unqualiffied and silent...
56From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Consider, and report such an answer to the letter herewith enclosed (from the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania of this date) as the contents in your judgment may require. Given at Phila. this 14th day of April 1794. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosed letter and Knox’s reply to Thomas Mifflin of 15 April, see Mifflin to GW, 14 April , and n.3 .
57From George Washington to Henry Knox, 12 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your report, dated the 11th instt, respecting the defence of Miro district is approved, and the Governor of the South Western Territory may be authorized to carry it into effect. Given at Philadelphia this 12th day of April 1794. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox included the defensive measures suggested in his letter to GW of 11 April in a letter to William Blount of 14 April ( Carter,...
58From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
After giving the application contained in the Memorial of Doctr White (herewith returned) all the consideration it deserves, you will report what you think can & ought to be done for the protection of the District of Mero under present circumstances. I am &c. Df , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On the memorial presented by James White, which requested federal assistance in the defense of the Mero...
59From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letter of yesterday, I observe, that to fortify Annapolis is, in my judgment, a very proper measure. But I do not see that the Executive of the U. States can take any steps towards it until the result of the motion, now pending in the House of Representatives, be known. It is my desire that you would examine carefully the Speeches which have been made in this City, &...
60From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
If the number of recruits in the Atlantic States, can afford a detachment of fifty men to the southward without too great an exposure of more important objects, it will accord with my opinion that that number should be sent thither. And they may be designated for Charleston or Savannah, as shall appear most eligible to you from the information that is to be obtained. Yours &c. Df , DLC:GW ; LB...
61Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 5 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of inclosing for the consideration of the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War and the Attorney General of the United States, the papers in the case of the British Ship William, a prize to a French vessel of war. The Secretary of State is of opinion, that it is not proved, that she was taken within the protection of our Coasts, and therefore that she...
62From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this date, enclosing one from Captn Williamson, is received. I have never entertained any doubt myself of the genuineness of the Speech which is published as Lord Dorchester’s; nor of the intentions of the B—— Government to keep this Country in a state of disquietude With the Indian nations; and also to alter the boundary between them and us, if, by any means, they can effect...
63Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 30 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of War the Letter herewith enclosed from the Govr. of Pennsylvania—dated the 28 instant—together with its enclosures, numbered from 1 to 7. The President requests the Secretary to take into consideration the Act No. 1—for raising four defence companies—and if he should entertain any doubt with respect to the...
64Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 28 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to inform the Secretary of War that the President thinks the fortification of New York much more difficult to be accomplished than that of any other place intended to be fortified—he therefore thinks it proper that the most skilful of the engineers should be selected for that purpose. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On the proposed fortification...
65Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 15 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has it in charge from the President of the United States, to request the attendance of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General, at his Room on Monday next 11. o’Clock. The following, among other subjects, will be submitted. 1. Whether it be expedient to send, to England with the complaints of spoliation, some agent to manage them,...
66Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 13 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I had a personal interview with Mr. Fauchet yesterday; and endeavoured to satisfy him of the difficulty, and, as I conceived, the impracticability of advancing the million of Dollars, which he requested. He described his distress, produced by the various draughts of the French Consuls, with great force, and in strong colours; and begged, that he might be permitted to state it on paper. This of...
67Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 6 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to transmit herewith enclosed, to the Secy of War a letter from the Governor of North Carolina, to the president; and sundry papers respecting the Spanish brig St Joseph. The President requests the Secretary to do with them what may be thought proper. ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter from Richard Dobbs Spaight to GW of 16 Feb. , and...
68Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 5 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to return to the Secy of War the letter of mr Seagrove of the 25 Decr 93 with its enclosures. Some parts thereof appearing to require particular attention, the President requests the Secretary to consider what is proper to be done in relation thereto. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Indian agent James Seagrove to Knox,...
69Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 24 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to transmit the letters herewith enclosed, from the Govr. of North Carolina to the President, to the ⟨Secry⟩ of War. The President requests the Secry to inform him if, in his opinion, any thing is contained in them, that requires the President’s particular attention; if not, to take such measures thereupon as to the Secry shall seem fit. ADfS...
70From George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Phila. Feby 15th 1794. You mentioned in the conversations, which I have lately had with you on the subject of Mr Jay and Mr King’s letter to me, of the 27th of last month, and particularly in what passed between us on thursday, that they had repeatedly declared, that they never considered that letter, as an official one; that on the contrary they had intended it, as a mere...
71Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 13 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to return to the Secretary of war the letters and enclosures from Gov. Blount which have been submitted to the Presidts perusal; and to enclose, at the same time, a Letter from the Gov. of Pennsylvania to the President, with a request that the Secretary will report to the President his opinion on the subject thereof. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB ,...
72From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 12 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will find the copy of a letter from Mr. Habersham of the 16th ultimo. The bearer of it (who is mentioned in it) informs me that from the month of June last till he left Georgia, there had been kept on foot from a thousand to twelve hundred Militia and that arrangements appeared to be going on for encreasing the number. The expense you will perceive, has been out of all proportion...
73Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 11 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
B. Dandridge has the honor by the Presidents order, to send the enclosed Proceedings of the Senate, on the subject of the Treaty with the Wabash & Illinois Indians, to the Secretary of War for his information. AL , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been identified, but it contained a copy of the resolution passed on 9 Jan., in which the Senate refused, by a vote of 21 to 4, to give...
74Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 2 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just taken the oath of office, which reminds me that I am brought into a nearer relation to your department than hitherto. While official men are under no less an obligation than others, to live in harmony; there are too many opportunities for misconception and misrepresentation to interrupt it. I have therefore prescribed this rule for myself: that if anything, supposed to be done in...
75From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a resolve of the Senate of the United States of the 31. Ultimo, and request you would state what measures have been taken relative to the subject alluded to. Df , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . After the draft was written by a clerk in the War Department, Knox enclosed it for GW’s approval in his letter of 4 Jan. to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. The Senate resolved “That the Senate will, on...
76From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 30 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I am content that the Post of Fort Franklin be supplied with Whiskey for the time mentioned in Major Craigs letter on the account of the Contractors and upon the terms mentioned. My Letter of the 28 instant marks out generally the plan to be pursued with regard to the supply of the army with Whiskey. You will perceive that the places of Deposit are Forts Washington Steuben & that lately...
77From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 28 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 28, 1793. On December 30, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Knox and referred to “My Letter of the 28 instant.” Letter not found. ]
78From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have read the proposed message to the “Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations” and approve of it, except that I question whether the 8th and the 11th paragraphs are expressed quite strong enough. The 8th gives too much ground, in my opinion, to expect a compliance with their request in its full extent; and the 11th although the sense is plain, seems hardly decisive enough for Indian...
79Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 13 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidents command Bw Dandridge has the honor to send to the Secretary of War—a Letter from the Govr of North Carolina, of 26 Nov. 93 to the President, covering depositions respecting the Spanish prize carried into Wilmington by Capt Hervieux—& to inform the Secretary that the President wishes him to take such measures thereupon as may seem to him adviseable. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW...
80From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 10 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
An arrangement has been made in consequence of your representation to the comptroller of the Treasury, of the 13th of August last, for discharging at the office of the accountant such part of the pay due to the Commissioned officers of the Army as they may desire to have paid here. The following plan has been devised for the purpose: Let the officers who wish to be availed of the arrangement,...