1731To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Sign’d the paper because I have been told I schould Sign it, and because almost all the others who were of the same opinion as I am have also sign’d —for, Sir, I will easely schow you that there were Six gentlemen for more than fifteen hundred and only six for fifteen hundred . they are as follows. general lee baron de Stueben Some of the Second column were for 2500, but would...
1732To George Washington from Henry Marchant, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
it is my Duty to give Your Excellency the earliest Intelligence of a Transaction highly important, as it may affect the national Honor, and the Interest of Individuals. On the thirtieth day of July last, A British MerchtShip, called the Catharine, William James Davis Master or Commander mounting Eight Cannon, and a number of wooden Guns, arrived and anchored in this Harbour—She was last from...
1733To George Washington from Comfort Sage, 31 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
the opinion of the Subscriber, would not of itself have given him the Confidence, in this manner, to address the Supreme Magistrate, of the United States, the present mode, of application, has been represented, as agreeable, to the Usual practice, on Such Occasions, this measure, was advised, by a parson, whose Station was Sufficiently, alevated, to forbid the doubting, its propriety, this...
1734To George Washington from Charles Washington, 23 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29 of Octr, I recd by Mr Muse, and am Sorry to find the two Little boys are at a place where they are gaining so little Improvement at so high an Expence, perhaps they might do better at Alexandria, Mr McCray tils me there is a well Established School at that place, and supposees there Expence would not amount to nere what it is at present, or if you think it more advisable...
1735To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 7 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I send herewith the Seal you was pleased to commit to my Care—The time has been scarcely sufficient for the purpose. The Letter to Mrs Ferguson has been forwarded with one from myself, in the manner you requested. As I may not have the pleasure of seeing you again before you leave the City, permit me once more to express my most affectionate wishes for your health & happiness, and most...
1736To George Washington from James Bowdoin, 26 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the Post I had the honour of your Letter of the 14th Instant, And am happy to find that the Plan &c. accompanying my last was in any degree Satisfactory, and may be of use. I hope the measures for procuring further intelligence will be effectual. The loss of Charlestown is unfortunate, and the more so if owing, as is said to be the Case, to a want of provisions. I wish it may be repaired...
1737To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter dated the 17th from Judge Benson: He accepts the place of third Commissioner under the fifth article of the British treaty, and was to set out yesterday for Passamaquoddy, to meet there the other Commissioners on the third of October. The trust, he remarks, is not incompatible with his present office; and interfering with it only for a short time, his acceptance...
1738To George Washington from Robert Morris, 23 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Hutchins in a Letter of the twenty Second Instant, inclosed to me a copy of his letter to your Excellency of the fourteenth, and of your answer of the Sixteenth. I have had a conference on the Subject of these letters with the Minister of War, and afterwards with Captain Hutchins. General Lincoln tells me that a Map of South Carolina has already been taken at great expence and with...
1739To George Washington from Rufus Putnam, 17 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
By the papers herewith enclos’d your Excellency will be informed of Captain Silvanus Smith’s application to be recommended for one of the vacant Majorities in the Massachusetts Line—And also Captain Burnham’s, and others, objections thereto, as Captain Burnham is very desirous, and Captain Smith has no objection, I beg leave to request, that, the relative rank of the Massachusetts Captains may...
1740To George Washington from William Barton, 10 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
You did me the honor, some time since, of accepting a printed copy of a paper of mine, which had been read before the American Philosophical Society. I now, Sir, take the liberty of offering for your acceptance the inclosed Supplement to that paper. With sentiments of the highest respect, & most perfect attachment I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedt hble Servant ALS , DLC:GW ....
1741From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 May 179[4]] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor of enclosing herewith the draft of a Passport for the President’s signature intended for the brigantine Lily, now at Baltimore. The case was here before the Secretary’s letter of yesterday was sent to the President, and was overlooked. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to George Washington, May 1, 1794 ; H to Otho H. Williams,...
1742To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Polite attention shown by Your Excellency and the Gentlemen of Your Family to Mrs Arnold when in distress, demand my grateful acknowledgement and thanks which I beg leave to present. From Your Excellencys Letter to Sr Henery Clinton, I find a Board of General Officers have given it as their Opinion that Major André comes under the description of a Spy: my good Opinion of the Candor, and...
1743To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 3 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with your Excellencys favor of the 30th ulto, covering a letter for General Stark, which I shall deliver him assoon as he arrives, and offer him every aid in my power to contribute. I did myself the honor to adress you on the 1st Instant in a letter which will go by this conveyance, and to which I beg leave to refer you for information relative to the batteaux to be...
1744To George Washington from John Trumbull, 3 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
By the Ship Factor bound to Philadelphia I send a Box addressed to your Excellency, containing Two Prints, which I beg you will do me the Honour to Accept. The Plate of the Death of Montgomery is at length compleat, and the impression which I now send is, (excepting the inferiority of the Paper,) such as will be delivered to my friends in America; that of the Death of Warren is promised to be...
1745To George Washington from John Page, 30 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Multiplicity & importance of Business in which I have been engaged, prevented my making the Extracts from Mr Anderson’s Letter which I promised you on Tuesday last, till unfortunately it was mislaid so that I have not yet found it—but I recollect that he gave me his Opinion freely that Mr Gayle was an honest punctual Man, & he supposed capable of making such Payments as you might require—&...
1746To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 21 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Addison, 21 Nov. 1798. GW wrote Addison on 6 Dec. 1798 that he had received “your favor of the 21st Ulto.”
1747To George Washington from Walter Livingston, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excells. request to know the S t ate of our Magazines I have enquired of Mr Joshua Sands who informed me there was 160 bb: of Salt Beef, 77 of Pork, 26 of Vinegar, 17 of Soap & 7 of Salt—Whiskey there is none neither is there any expected. I ordered two Hhds of West India Rum and 53 Tierces of French Rum to be sent on from Morristown together with 1 Box of Soushong and...
1748From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 6th. by the bearer. The draft was sent forward by Post on Tuesday. I shall prepare a paragraph with respect to the University & some others for consideration respecting other points which have occured. With true respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Yr. very obed serv ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. For background to this letter, see...
1749To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 8 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Benjamin Cattle Esquire an inhabitant of South Carolina lately in the Continental Army and one of the Governors privy Council has been in a declining state of health for a long time. It has been recommended to him by his physician, and friends to go to the Northward by winter to New York for the recovery of his health, and General Leslie has been polite enough to grant him the necessary...
1750To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 13 March 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, 13 Mar. 1786. On 9 April GW wrote Newton : “I have been favored with your letters of. . . 13th of March—the last of which speaks of a letter written by you to me of the same date—this letter has never got to hand.”
1751To George Washington from Charles Cornwallis, 18 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I agree to open a Treaty of Capitulation upon the Basis of the Garrisons of York & Gloucester, including Seamen, being Prisoners of War, without annexing the Condition of their being sent to Europe, but I expect to receive a Compensation, in Arranging the Articles of Capitulation for the Surrender of York-Town in its present State of Defence. I shall in particular desire that the Bonetta Sloop...
1752To George Washington from La Luzerne, 12 September 1784 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself that the distance in which I live now from you has not lessened the esteem and Confidence with which you have been constantly pleased to honor me. I should think myself very fortunate if the future incidents of my Life could afford me an opportunity to receive new proofs of your Kindness and of your Friendship. The first moments I passed with my Countrymen were employed in...
1753To George Washington from Andrew Porter, 2 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with some degree of surprise that I find Captain Craig Claiming rank of me in the corps of artillery. This matter between us as well as all other Officers in said corps, having been fully inquired into by several boards of Officers appointed to settle relative rank, whose determinations were approved of by your Excellency. published in General Orders, as well as those Issued to the...
1754To George Washington from Lieutenant John Knight, 10 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Many reasons as well as the unexpected lengthening time of my Captivity enduces me to take the liberty of addressing you on a Subject the propriety of which I must leave to your Judgement. Freedom from being a Prisoner , is the ultimate of my request, and as this great indulgence I conceive lyes entirely with yr Excellency, I must beg your attention one moment—to my reasons for this...
1755To George Washington from John Pierce, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to en close an account of several advances made by me to the Army without particular Warrants from your Excellency—some of which were by General Orders for discharged Men, others to alleviate the real wants of officers, and many have arose for the Sale of Ticketts of the last Class of the United States Lottery, all which if the Army had been regularly paid, I should have...
1756To George Washington from Thomas Marshall, 12 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I was honord with your letter of the 25th of March last, and felt myself much flattered by your kind remembrance. I have paid the Taxes arising on two tra[c]ts of Land, one of 3000 As. and the other of 2000 now in your possission & formerly survey’d for John Saunders lying on Rough Creek now in Hardin County. The amount of Taxes for the years 1792 1793 & 1794 is £8.17.3. I have drawn on you...
1757To George Washington from the Saint Domingue Refugees of Wilmington, Delaware, April 1794 (Washington Papers)
To The President of the United States, the Petition of Sundry Persons late of the Island of St Domingo, now residing at Wilmington in the Delaware State respectfully sheweth That on the fourth day of October last, when Cape Francois was abandoned finally to the revolted Negroes, more than two hundred wretched French Inhabitants, of which number are your Petitioners, embarked for Wilmington in...
1758To George Washington from David Forman, 21 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Allthough I have had Accts from N.Y. several times since I had the Honour of Writing to your Excly I did not think any of them of Importance to Warnt the Expence of forwarding—This Morning I have Accts from and I think may engage Your Excly full confidence that Sixty Transports most of them very large were all prepared to sail for Charles Town under the Convoy of four Frigates, for the purpose...
1759To George Washington from Solomon Southwick, 13 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the time of the Alarm last Summer, I was obliged to borrow Bread-kind to feed the Militia, call’d in on that Occasion. Not being able to procure a Sufficiency otherways, I applied to the Marquis La Fayette and General Shattelaux for one Hundred Barrels of Flour, who with great Politeness told me I might have that Quantity or more, and gave Derections for the French Commissary to let me have...
1760To George Washington from Nicholas Simon van Winter and Lucretia Wilhelmina van Winter, 26 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Vos Lettres, que nous avons eu l’honneur de recevoir l’Année passée, par la main de Monsieur le Marquis de la Fayette, par les quelles vous avez eú la bonté d’agréer les Vers de ma chere Compagne, (hommage dû a votre magnanimité et a Votre Vertu,) nous donnent ⟨assèz⟩ de ⟨pardiesse⟩ pour vous presenter à prèsent Germanicus, Nous nous flattons, que votre admiration poúr le meilleur Héros de...
1761To George Washington from Certain Inhabitants of New York City, 9–14 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 9–14 July 1776 . “Your Memorialists are of Opinion that suffering Tories to remain in this City or near it on Long Island & Shrewsbury &ca will be attended with much danger. . . . Your Memorialists therefore pray your Excellency that orders may be given for the removal of dangerous persons from this City and other Places to some distant parts in the Country, that the minds of your...
1762To George Washington from Jonathan Dayton, 1 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that Lieut. MacDonald formerly of the 71st British but last of the King’s Orange Rangers has made his escape from New York by way of Staaten Island to this post. He tells me that the injury which has been done him in point of rank, the ill treatment he has received from his Colonel and his attachment to America & her cause, joined to the consideration...
1763To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to submit for your inspection a draught of a letter to Lord Dorchester, made out agreeably to the idea presented in the attorney generals letter, which corresponds with the second draught I had the pleasure of reading to you on saturday, and yesterday morning. I beleive it is the safest ground to move upon, and the most correctly constitutional. I have shewn it to Mr Lee & Mr...
1764To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 14 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your favor of december the 14th I had the honor to write to you from Trenton, and I mentioned an enclosed letter from you for the Marquis Fayette, which coming to hand after the Marquis had sailed, I wished to know your pleasure, whether I should forward it to France or return it to you—I have not been honored with your commands upon that point. Soon after my arrival in this city,...
1765Enclosure: John Vaughan to George Washington, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
“America and all that belongs to it is Still viewed with Jealousy in England and be assured that if this war of Kings succeeds, Spain and England will jointly quarrel with America, So as to shake your funds to their roots—Be assured the War will daily open cases of Jeopardy and dispute to compromise your peace. The publick is a little Cooled in its rage for War and adverse events would quickly...
1766To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The moment I recd your favor of the 3rd Instant which was not u[n]til 11 OClock yesterday—I orderd out a Covering party & took with me some field Officers, under an Escort of a few Dragoons—& proceeded to the place where Genl Du Portail was to be—but he had gone away about a half an hour before we arrived. I immediately detached a Light Horse who returned without coming up with him after he...
1767From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 5 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United States that in pursuance of his instructions, due public notice was given in the Gazettes of Virginia and of the principal sea ports of the United States, that proposals would be received at the Treasury office untill the 31st. Ultimo, for building by Contract a Light-house, and the necessary...
1768To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à V. E. la copie de la lettre que je reçois de M. le Cte de Grasse apportée par le Vaisseau de 50. qui a escorté notre convoi, il est arrivé aux deux tiers, le reste dispersé prés de la côte par un coup de vent. V. E. sent toute la consequence du Secret absolu qu’il faut garder sur cette lettre, et la necessité en même temps de faire tous nos preparatifs en...
1769To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 17 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
i had beg as a favour of your Exellency to honour’d me with a recommendation to the hble Congres for grant my officers with theirs Commissions, and my self with the Commission of brigadier. in Case i Could be granted with thoses Expectations, i would beg of your Exellency a Certificat of my services, and allow me to go back to france, but if i can not obtain the Commissions of my officers, i...
1770To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 25 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to refer your Excellency to the inclosed Letter to Congress and the papers it contains, for Information from this Quarter. Colonel Wayne is very anxious to go down the Country—I wish him to be relieved by a General Officer; but as I have none to send there, your Excellency will be so good as to order one or more to this place. I percieve by the Resolution of Congress that three...
1771To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 28 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the course of seven Years Service, I am only conscious of neglecting my public Duty two Days viz. Wednesday & Thursday last—My feelings as a soldier are wounded—But my future Happiness and Prospects in Life greatly depended upon their being spent as they were & under those circumstances I flatter myself Your Excellency will excuse me. I am with my usual Respect Your Excellency’s most obed....
1772To George Washington from John Johnston, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency George Washington Esqr. Captain Genl & Commander In Chief of all the Forces of the United States of North America—The Petition of John Johnston of Upper Merion near the Gulph Mill Farmer Humbly Sheweth That on the Eleventh of Decr last your Petitioner was Plundered by the Brittish Army of almost every thing I had, (to a Considerable amount,)—Except my working horses. that...
1773To George Washington from Miles Merwin, 13 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Having received information that, Mr Lear , Your private Secretary has resigned his Office, this address is designed as an application for it, if it is not already supplied. If Your Excellency should think this request deserving an answer it can be conveyed to me by Master Custis at my Schoolhouse, or by a Servant at my dwelling north second street No. 191. Relying on your generosity alone, to...
1774To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
In my passage through the Jerseys and since my arrival here I have taken particular pains to discover the public sentiment and I am more and more convinced that this is the critical opportunity for establishing the prosperity of this country on a solid foundation—I have conversed with men of information not only of this City but from different parts of the state; and they agree that there has...
1775To George Washington from John Barry, 30 June 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Barry, 30 June 1789. On 6 July GW wrote Barry : “I have received a list of the Ships that were in Canton . . . which you were so good as to send me on the 30th of June.”
1776To George Washington from Isaac Heard, 10 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
London, 10 July 1796. Heard reports his latest genealogical findings on GW’s ancestry. ALS , DLC:GW . For a partial transcription, see William Augustine Washington to GW, 23 March 1798 , n.2, in Papers, Retirement Series , W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 2:154; see also Heard to GW, 9 Aug. 1793 .
1777To George Washington from Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de Vioménil, 17 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Si votre éxélence a bien d’amité La vérite de tous les Sentiments qui matachent a les vertus, a les talents, et a Sa personne, elle a du croire que je Serois vrayment affligé en apprenant a mon retour de hampton qu’elle etoit partie dyork, pour retourner Sur La riviere du nord, Sans que jeusse eû l’agrement de luy Souhaiters le plus heureux voyage et de luy renouveller mes voeux pour tout ce...
1778To George Washington from Jean François Gergens, 15 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
Les merits, que votre Excellence S’â attiré toujours pour le bien d’humanité, le zèle noble et infatigable, dont vous avez gagné le vrai bien de vos frères; les plusieurs heures pleins de trouble, que vous avez Sacrifié pour la liberté de vos freres, et les differents dangers, que vous vous étes exposé pour defendre la liberté civile, et pour eloigner tout esclavage déshonorant l’humanité:...
1779To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor to inform the President, that the subjects within the department of state for consultation, are 1. The form of a message, to accompany Mr Morris’s letters. 2. Whether Mr Pinckney’s last dispatches are to be communicated to congress? and how, if at all? When E.R. came from the President’s this afternoon, the office was shut; but he purposes to notify the gentlemen, as...
1780To George Washington from Ezra Badlam, 21 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the Rectitude of my heart in the Charge lately exhibited against me, I was happy in the anticipation of my honourable acquital till I Recieved the unexpeced and humuliating shock by sentence of a Court Martial approved by your Excellency. This my fate, has furnished a full evidence of the vanity of all human hapiness. Before the present War I was happy in the enjoyment of domestick...