51From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd with pleasure & thank you for your obliging favor of the 24th Ult. —I shall be happy in such communications as your leizure—& other considerations—will permit you to transmit me for I am as totally unacquainted with the political state of things, & what is going forward in the great national Council, as if I was an alien; when a competent knowledge of the temper and designs of our...
52From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 29 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have read the draught of yr letter, intended as an answer to the British Minister’s reply to Mr Pinckneys Memorial, on the Instructions of the 8th of June 1793. Those of the 6th of Novr following stands unconnected with the subject. It is essential that all the cited cases should be correct; and that the general statement should be placed on incontrovertible ground; otherwise, the argument...
53From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who does me the honor of delivering this letter to you is Mr Anstey. He is introduced to me in a very favorable point of view by our old acquaintance & friend Colol Fairfax of Bath, & by Mr Jay of New York. Mr Anstey being on a tour to Charleston, & purposeing to take richmond in the route, I use the liberty of introducing him to your civilities—and to assure you of the great...
54From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 26 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d instt I received yesterday morning. I still think of commencing my journey for Philadelpa at the time, & in the manner mentioned to you in my last; but if the weather or any thing else should occur to prevent it, you shall be informed thereof in a P.S. to this letter before it is sent to the Post Off[ic]e. The request of the Dutch Resident is embarrassing and means more,...
55From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 29 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
The contents of your letters of the 21 & 24th instt wch I recd by Monday’s Post —the importance of some of their enclosures; and the perturbed state of Mens minds, respecting the late treaty with G. Britain, togethr with the proceedings in some of the principal Towns to embarrass the business have determined me to repair to the Seat of government if I hear nothing from you between this &...
56From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In reply to the wish expressed in your letter of this date, to go to Philada on monday next, I can only observe, that my concurrence therein will not be withheld if there are no obstructions of an official nature; and this you can best ascertain yourself. I would however, just mention, that as it may be necessary for me, in pursuance of the law to regulate trade & commerce with the Indian...
57From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
The following details will enable you to comply with the request of Mr Henry Wade. On the Great Kanhawa, and bounded thereby, I hold, and am disposed to sell, about 24,000 acres of land in four Patents: the smallest of which contains 2000 acres. These 2000 acres, lie in the forks ⟨of⟩ the Kanhawa & Coal rivers, at the confluence of the two, & upon both. Opposite thereto, on the East side of...
58From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I send you a letter of the 26th Ulto from William Bingham Esquire to the Secretary of the Treasu[r]y together with the documents accompanying it. I desire your opinion on the following points arising upon these papers. I. Whether the proceedings heretofore by the U. States in Congress assembled have transferred from Mr Bingham to the public the consequences of the transaction in question so as...
59From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The continuation, and spreading of the malignant fever with which the City of Philadelphia is vis[i]ted, together with the absence of the heads of Departments therefrom, will prolong my abode at this place until about the 25th of October—at, or about, which time I shall, myself, (if the then state of things should render it improper for me to carry my family) set out for that City, or the...
60George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [3 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Fresh occurrences, but communicated thro’ private channels, make it indispensable that the general principles which have already been the subject of discussion should be fixed, & made known for the government of all concerned, as soon as it can be done with propriety. To fix rules on substantial ground, conformably to treaties & the Laws of nations, is extremely desireable. The verdict of the...
61From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 11 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The fruit of the Democratic Society begins, more and more, to unfold itself. You will report what is necessary to be done with the specimen of it which I herewith send; as it is not only addressed to the Executive, but to the Legislat⟨ure also⟩. Yours ⟨ mutilated ⟩ AL[S] , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. The text in the...
62From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to the request of your last letter (dated about the middle of Septr) I had an attested copy of the proceedings of the Potomac Company—& those of the Directors, taken from their Books and sent it to you by Post, in time for the Meeting which was proposed to be held by the Directors of the James river navigation on the 26th of that month in Richmond; and requested, if it should be...
63George 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...
64From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 24 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
My letter from Baltimore, and the one written by Friday’s Post, dated the 22d instt renders it in a manner, unnecessary for me to add more on the score of the treaty with G. Britain, or on the movements which are taking place thereupon, in different parts than to inform you, that if circumstances should make it more eligable for me to repair to Philadelphia, than for you to come to this place,...
65From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 21 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 6th, with its enclosures, till last night. Sensible as I am of the honor conferred on me by the General Assembly, in appointing me one of the Deputies to a Convention proposed to be held in the City of Philadelphia in May next, for the purpose of revising the Fœderal Constitution; and desirous as I am on all occasions, of...
66From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is highly important that the proceedings in the Indictments of those who have opposed themselves, unwarrantably, to the Laws laying a duty on distilled spirits, should be placed on legal ground & prosecuted properly; it is my desire therefore that you will attend the Circuit Court at York Town, to be holden the of this Month and see that, that business is conducted in a manner to which no...
67From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have directed Mr Dandridge to acknowledge the recet of your public dispatches of the 13. Inst., whilst I enclose those of our Envoy to you, which came under cover to me in a letter from him dated the 5. of August, with the following P.S.—“I shall enclose with this my dispatches to Mr Randolph. If the William Penn shou’d be stopped by a belligerent vessel, they will respect a letter directed...
68From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
12 April 1780. GW asks Randolph to undertake settlement of disputes among those holding mortgages on George Mercer’s lands in Virginia that GW sold prior to the war while acting under Mercer’s power of attorney. GW desired this “interesting & intricate” legal matter “brought to a conclusion at the ensuing Court.” GW promised Randolph that he would “take occasion in the course of a few Weeks to...
69From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
No mail, at two oclock yesterday, had been received in Alexandria from Philadelphia since the 29th Ulto. I am sending up this afternoon to see if the expected mail of this day is in; altho’ I have little hope of it, as the violence, & continuance of the rains since thursday last, has been such, in these parts, as to sweep every thing before it; & to do great damage to the gathered & growing...
70From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received your note of even date with this, and desire if the request of the Attorney-General accords with the unanimous sentiments of yourself and the other two Secretaries, the power may be sent agreeably thereto. I request also, that all the information that can be obtained from the Inspector Neville & the Marshal, may be had as soon as they shall have arriv’d in the City;...
71From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 3 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have given the correspondence between you and Mr Van Berckel respecting the suspension of the Dutch Consul Heineken, and the request to have ⟨his⟩ exequatur withdrawn, my consideration. The papers are returned, with a repetition of my desire, expressed to you yesterday⟨, that the au⟩thorities may be consulted ⟨ illegible ⟩ to ascertain how far usage & pract⟨ice of⟩ the law of nations, give...
72From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the last Post I recd a letter from Mr Lund Washington (who lives at my Seat, & takes care of my business in Virginia) Inclosing a Letter from Jno. Francis Mercer Esqr. to him, with a decree of the High Court of Chancery in Virginia ordering the Bonds &ca in my hands to be delivered to the Said Mr Mercer who was required to give Bond & sufficient Security to comply with certain Provisos. in...
73From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Hostile Indians having requested that all the Treaties which have been entered into with the several Western & Northern Tribes, may be produced at the proposed meeting at Sandusky. Therefore in order, that the Commissioners, for the proposed treaty, should be fully informed on the subject of their mission, it would be proper, that a summary view, should be formed of all the Treaties which...
74George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [29 July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It will not be amiss, I conceive, at the meeting you are about to have to day, to consider the expediency of directing the Customhouse Officers to be attentive to the arming or equipping Vessels, either for offensive or defensive war, in the several ports to which they belong; and make report thereof to the Governor or some other proper Officer. Unless this, or some other effectual mode is...
75From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 4 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The messenger, who was sent yesterday afternoon to the Post-Office in Alexandria, returned without letters: the Mails not having arrived. Some hours after my Messenger was dispatched for Alexandria, the Richmond production was delivered to me by Express: sent for that purpose. They have out gone all that has gone before them: but the meeting, according to the acct given by the Express, was not...
76From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 3d 1792. Since my last to you dated the 26th of Augt—I have been favoured with your letter bearing the same date, covering Mr Bordley’s “Sketches on rotations of Crops[.]” Permit me, through you to offer him my sincere thank for this instance (among many others) of his politeness. The subject is interesting and important, and as soon as I have leizure, for...
77From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 28 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 11th did not come to my hand till the 24th; and since then, till now, I have been too much indisposed to acknowledge the receipt of it. To what cause to ascribe the detention of the [letter] I know not, as I never omit sending once, and oftener twice a week to the Post Office—In Alexandria. It was the decided intention of the letter I had the honor of writing to your...
78From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
At this place, and in the moment I was about to step into my carriage, I was overtaken by an Express bearing the enclosed dispatches. As the application is of an unusual & disagreeable nature; and moreover, is intended, I have no doubt, to place me in an embarrassed situation, from whence an advantage may be taken; I forward it to you with a request, that you, the other two Secretaries and the...
79From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
A short time before I came home I received a power of Attorney from the Earl of Tankerville, & his Brother, the Honorable Mr Bennett; authorising Colo. Hooe, (miscalled Howe,)yourself & me, to dispose of property belonging to the latter in this State. Letters, from Lord Tankerville & the Countess his Mother, to me, accompanied the Power, expressive of their wishes that I would accept the...
80From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I learn with pleasure, by your letter of the 26 ultimo, that the person supposed to have been the principal in the murder of the two Indians on pine-creek has been lodged in Lancaster gaol, and that it is very probable all the offenders will soon be apprehended. I cannot avoid expressing my wish that the proceedings, in bringing these persons to justice may be such as will vindicate the laws...
81George Washington to Edmund Randolph, [24 November 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
It appears to me necessary, that processes should issue without further delay upon the Indictments found at the last Circuit Court held at York Town in the Commonwealth of Pensylvania, in reference to the laws laying a duty on Spirits distilled within the United States—and proper, that they should be served by the Marshall of the District of Pensylvania, in person. I am to desire that the...
82From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 23 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
I return herewith the Letters which you sent to me by Express. As soon as you have read that from Mr Bradford to me, you will send it tonight to The Secretary of the Treasury, together with the letter to yourself, for his perusal. I shall be in the City tomorrow morning before 8 o’Clock, at which hour I shall expect to see you; & I request you to notify the Secretary of the Treasy thereof,...
83From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 19 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
At five oclock this afternoon I reached this place, and shall proceed on in the morning. Mr Adams’ Commission, as Minister Resident to the United Netherlands, was signed, if I recollect rightly, before I left Philadelphia. If his letters of Credence are forwarded to me by the Post, they also shall be signed & returned to you; to supersede the necessity of his waiting for them in case every...
84From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 24 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) ⟨My⟩ dear Sir, Philadelphia Decr 24th 1793. It was my wish, for many reasons (needless to enumerate) to have retained Mr Jefferson in the Administration to the end of the present Session of Congress, but he is so decidedly opposed to it that I can no longer hint this desire to him. I now wish for your permission to nominate you to it the Office of Secy of State and will add that your...
85From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d Ultimo came duly to hand. A tedious and painful disorder which deprived me for many Weeks of the use of my pen, and which consequently required the greater exertion of it when I was able to set up, is the best apology I can make for not having acknowledged the receipt of the above letter sooner. The list of associates who purchased 100 Tickets in the lottery of the...
86From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 29 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your private letters of the 24th & 25th instant have been received, and you will learn by the official letter of this date, my determination of returning to Philadelphia after Monday, if nothing in the interem casts up, to render it unnecessary. I am excited to this resolution by the violent, and extraordinary proceedings which have, and are about taking place, in the Northern parts of the...
87From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 21 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
In several of the public Gazettes I had read your note to the Editor of the Philadelphia Gazette, with an extract of a letter addressed to me of the 8th instant; but it was not until yesterday, that the letter itself was received. It is not difficult, from the tenor of that letter, to perceive what your objects are; but that you may have no cause to complain of the withholding any paper...
88From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Both your letters, dated the 17th instt, found me at this place, where I arrived on Monday. The letter from the Commissioners to you, I return; as I also do the Gazettes of Pittsburgh & Boston. The proceedings at the latter place are of a very unpleasant nature: the result I forwarded to you from Baltimore, accompanied with a few hasty lines written at the moment I was departing from thence;...
89From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 26 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will receive two resolves—one of the Senate, dated the 24th; the other of the House of Representatives, dated the 25th instant; accompanying a letter from the Committee of public Safety of the French Republic to Congress requesting the President of the United States to cause the same to be answered, on their behalf. This answer you will prepare accordingly, in terms expressive of...
90From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have seen the form of the answer which you have drawn in Savages suit, and approve of it; presuming the references are founded on facts. Mr Fairfax was to have compared these, & will prepare a fair copy. I will remind him of the matter, & have it sent to you as soon as I can. The case of the depending petitions, in the General Court, is as follows. The Land was obtained under a Proclamation...
91From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 31 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday evening, I sent the packet, now under cover with this, to the Post Office in Alexandria; to be forwarded next morning at the usual hour (4 oclock) by the Baltimore mail; but behold! when my letter bag was brought back from the Office and emptied I not only got those which were addressed to me among which yrs of the 27th was one, but those also wch I had Sent up the evening before....
92From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 7 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed will make the third letter I have written to Mr Nicholas within twelve months upon an interesting matter to Colo. Fairfax, without receiving an answer. As I am convinced a miscarriage of my letters, and not inattention in him is the cause of it, I take the liberty of addressing the inclosed to your care, & shall thank you for the bare acknowledgment of it. At this moment, we are...
93From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th of October gave me pleasure, as I not only entertain hopes, but shall fully expect from the contents of it, to see you in the Office of Attorney General when the purposes mentioned by you for the delay are answered. I shall now mention some matters to you in confidence. Mr Pendleton declining to accept the appointment of District Judge has embarrassed me—& this...
94George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 11 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1794. On October 14, 1794, Randolph wrote to Washington: “At eight o’clock last night I was honored by Colo. Hamilton’s public letter of the 11th instant.” Letter not found. ] Although Randolph refers to “Colo. Hamilton’s public letter,” in actuality the letter in question was written by H for Washington. On October 11, 1794, Washington wrote a private...
95From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Impressed with a conviction that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government, I have considered the first arrangement of the judicial department as essential to the happiness of our country and to the stability of its’ political system—hence the selection of the fittest characters to expound the laws, and dispense justice, has been an invariable object of my...
96From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ it is not my intention to derive any pecuniary advantage from the generous vote of the Assembly of this State, consequent of its gratuitous gift of fifty shares in each of the navigations of the rivers Potomac and James; yet, as I consider these undertakings as of vast political & commercial importance to the States on the Atlantic, especially to those nearest the centre of the Union, &...
97From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States requests that the Attorney-General will give the question which accompanies the petition of Samuel Dodge, and which is herewith transmitted, a full consideration, and report his opinion thereon as soon as possible. LB , DLC:GW . GW enclosed the petition of Samuel Dodge for a presidential pardon, as well as two certificates and an affidavit included by Dodge...
98From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
It was not in my power to obtain the enclosed in time, to forward them by the last Mail; but they will, I hope, reach you seasonably for your intended meeting on the 26th—by the present mail. I feel very sensibly, the honor and confidence which has been reposed in me by the James river Company; & regret that it will not be in my power to discharge the duties of the office of President of the...
99George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, March 21st [–22] 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
To The Secretary of State—The Secretary of the Treasury—The Secretary of War and The Attorney General of the United States. Gentlemen, The Treaty which is agreed to be held on or about the first of June next at the Lower Sandusky of Lake Erie, being of great moment to the interests and peace of this Country; and likely to be attended with difficulties arising from circumstances (not unknown to...
100From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 16 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 11th instt were received this morning at my stage 15 miles short of this place. We arrived here in the forenoon of this day; and found a respectable force assembled from the states of Virginia and Maryland; and I am informed that about 1500 more (from the former state) either is, or will be at Frankfort, (ten miles on our left) this evening or tomorrow at farthest. Nothing...