1801To George Washington from John Marshall, 8 April 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Marshall, 8 April 1789. On 11 April GW wrote to Marshall: “I have duly received your letter of the 8 Instt.”
1802To George Washington from Ezekiel Forman, 9 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ my time during the late War was much employed in the business of it, I have no confidence that your Excellency will recollect me, from my signature, and this is no time to urge upon any subject more than becomes absolutely necessary: for this, and other reasons, I must beg to refer your Excellency to others, for information respecting my character, and such requisites as you may be...
1803To George Washington from John Hopkins, 10 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been the Loan Officer of the United States in the State of Virginia since the Year 1780, by appointment of the Legislature—and by subsequent arrangments of Congress, not only continued in that Office, but honored in the Year 1785 with an additional appointment of receiver of Continental Taxes within the State, my Views and habits have been formed on the expectaton of holding the Office...
1804To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you, in conformity with the desire of a committee of citizens of this place a copy of an address intended to be presented to you on your way to Congress. It is a small tribute, but I can assure you it contains nothing which every one here does not feel. I recd your letter of the 1st instant. I must confess your reasons are of the most considerate kind, but you did...
1805To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 13 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is Invoice of the Buckwheat shipped by the Sloop Charming Polly Capt. Ellwood who sails to morrow for Alexandria—The Captain has not yet Called for the Bill of Lading but it shall be sent by the Vessel with the Certificate to save Duties. I informed your Excellency that I had again been disappointed (as I had twice before after positive Engagements) of a part of the Buckwheat but as I...
1806To George Washington from Samuel Caldwell, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Samuel Caldwell of the City of Philadelphia most Respectfully Sheweth. That your Petitioner in the month of March One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty eight, on the demise of the late Tonnage Officer—who was also by Law Secretary to the Board of Wardens for the Port of Philadelphia, was appointed by his Excellency the President and the Honble the Supreme Executive Council of...
1807To George Washington from William Hickman, Jr., 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour of waiting on your Excellency at your House for the purpose of soliciting a contrebution from you towards the erection of a Chapel or House of Worship (for the accomodation of the Methodist Episcopal Church) in this Town: I was flattered to hope we should be able to raise a sufficient sum of Money without calling on you, especially at a time when we are apprehensive you...
1808To George Washington from John Jay, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On my Return last Evening from a Fortnights absence in the country, I was informed that proper arrangements for your immediate accommodation were not yet made. Permit me therefore to take the Liberty of requesting the Favor of You to be with me in the mean Time; and if Mrs Washington should accompany you, we should be still more happy. As the measures which were in contemplation on this...
1809Address by Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The president of the Senate, chosen for the special occasion having opened and counted the votes of the Electors in the presence of the senate & the house of Representatives I am honored with the commands of the Senate to wait upon your Excellency with the information of your being elected to the office of President of the United States of America. This commission was entrusted to me on...
1810To George Washington from Carter Braxton, 15 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho your appointment to the Presidentship of America under the new Government be not yet formally notified, yet it amounts to a certainty that the fact is so, and will be anounced as soon as a sufficient number of Members are convened for the purpose of forming a Congress. Permit me then with great sincerity to salute you on the occasion & particularly to congratulate my Country & all...
1811To George Washington from Joseph Ward, 16 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Boston, April 16th 1789. “At this era, when every moment of your time is precious, I feel reluctance to call one tho’t from public concerns—but the impulse, kindled by the double ardour of affection to my Country, and to her beloved General, is irresistible. When I felt only for my General, I could not consent that his tranquility, and his fame, should again be put to hazard on the boundless...
1812To George Washington from the Committee of Congress, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Committee appointed in consequence of the Resolutions of both Houses of Congress, and which accompany this Note most respectfully communicate their appointment to the President of the United States, with a request that he will please to have it signified to them when they shall attend, with a Barge which has been prepared for that purpose, to receive him at Elizabeth Town or at such other...
1813To George Washington from John Jay, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Day after my last Letter to you of the 14 Inst. was written, Mr Benson informed me that measures were taking by Congress for your accommodation, and I since learn that every thing necessary on that Head has been done. This Circumstance cannot fail of being agreable to You, and for that Reason, as well as the Propriety which marks it, I cannot regret it; tho’ it will deprive me of a...
1814To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I called at Mr Moncrieff’s with the enclosed bill, and was informed that he went over to the Eastern Shore some time last week, and was not expected home for several days. I could find no person who transacted his business in his absence from whom I might have gained some information respecting the payment of the bill. I have therefore left it that you may do with it as you think best. Perhaps...
1815To George Washington from James McHenry, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Baltimore, 17 April 1789. Recommends for office Robert Purviance, Joshua Barney, and Robert Ballard. “Should these persons be found acceptable I can assure you that it will give great joy to the federalists of this town. The cause in this place owes much to them and their friends. I have one other memorandum which I beg to deposit with you. When the inferior federal courts are organised I...
1816To George Washington from Peter Jaquett, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
A series of misfortune since the conclusion of the late War oblidges me to trouble your Excellency with this application—After having served to the end of the War, I returned to my farm in expectation of a convenient subsistance at least, but the winds and the waters have conspired to overwhelm my little Plantation, and the unrightious Government of Delaware has deprived me of the only fund,...
1817To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure a few days since of receiving your Excellencys very kind favor of the 11 Ulto—My letter to which you refer was of such a nature that I did not expect an answer for I was confident that there had been a great number of applications and that the line of conduct which your Excellency adopted was the one which you would pursue —I expected no more than to be on the roll of those...
1818To George Washington from Otho Holland Williams, 18 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The honor of being known to your Excellency will, I trust, excuse my omiting to mention the circumstances which have rendered me, in some degree, dependant upon Government for employment, and for support. Your Excellency has been informed that my public Services have been acknowledged by an appointment, in this state, to the most considerable office in the llection of the Imposts. As that...
1819To George Washington from Charles Croxall, 19 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
It was my intention to have done myself the honor of waiting on your Excellency in person but finding you so crouded with applications on the same head, that it would be takeing too great a Liberty with your time. your Excellency may recollect the addition of men I made to Colel Thomas Hartleys Redgt of Contanental Troops, and he can testify my activity both in and out of the Feild dureing the...
1820To George Washington from William Jackson, 19 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the important cares which engage his attention, will my dear General permit the respectful intrusion of a private request on his goodness? it is the result of an implicit confidence in that goodness, dictated by necessity and declared with candor. Having resolved to refer my wishes entirely to the graciousness of Your Excellency’s disposition towards me, and to the knowledge which...
1821To George Washington from William Lyles, 19 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
This will be forwarded to your Excellency by Robert Young Esqr. of Nottingham, in Maryland, who has in view the appointment of the naval officers birth on patuxent river, his Situation and Knowledge of commercial transactions in every point of view, cannot fail to make him competent to such an appointment—Permit me therefore to assure your Excellency, that from a long acquaintance with Mr...
1822To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 19 April 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Smith, 19 April 1789. On 23 Sept. 1789 GW wrote to Smith: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the . . . 19th of April last.”
1823To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive Addresses from the Trustees and Faculty of the University of the State of Pennsylvania, The Judges of the Supreme court, and the standing Committee of the State Society of Cincinnati. These several Bodies request that you will be pleased to inform me when and where they may have the honor of waiting upon your Excellency with their respective Addresses aforesaid. I am,...
1824To George Washington from Sharp Delany, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
To obtain the Collectorship of the Port of Philadelphia from Your Excellency is the object of my present application. By the advice of many of my friends I am induced to trouble you with a detail of my pretensions, and chearfully submit them to Your Excellency, being firmly persuaded, that no person will be nominated by You to any Office, unless he has such claims and abilities as are just and...
1825To George Washington from William Temple Franklin, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ I am from Experience assur’d of your Excellencys Good Will towards me, yet being convinc’d that in discharging the important Trust to which you have been unanimously elected, Merit & not Favor will obtain your Patronage; I take the Liberty of laying before your Excellency a Sketch of my Services to the United States in the Line of public Foreign affairs, and of offering a continuation of...
1826To George Washington from Robert Leslie, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but a knowledge of you goodness, Could Create in me a presumption to trouble your Excellency with the folowing nerrative, and as no apology can be Sufficient to excuse me, I need not atempt any, but leave it to your Excellency, to pardon or condemn as it best deserves. I was at the age of Eighteen, by the death of my parents, left without Either money friends or a trade, the Clock and...
1827To George Washington from Isaac Sherman, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Nearly eleven years of the prime of life I have appropriated to the service of the public; eight years in the armies of the united states, and part of three years in the surveying department. Nearly the whole of the savings of eight years of uninterrupted military services I have expended in order to carry into effect the land ordinance of Congress—This I did from an order to promote the...
1828To George Washington from Richard Bache, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to submit to Your Excellency’s consideration & patronage, the inclosed Memorial. As I propose shortly (if permitted) to pay my personal respects to Your Excellency at Newyork, I have only to add, that I have the honor to be, with the greatest Defference & respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & very Humbe Servant The Petition of Richard Bache respectfully sheweth That in the...
1829To George Washington from John Bayard, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the general joy that is diffused through the United states on your Excellency’s unanimous election as President General, permit me to present you my most sincere & respectful compliments of congratulation. At the same time, from my peculiar situation & by the advice of my friends both in Philada & New York I take the liberty to offer myself to your Excellency for your nomination to the...
1830To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Committee have just receiv’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th and will be at Elizabeth Town on Thursday Morning. I must beg your Excellency will alight at my House where the Committee will attend and where it will give me (in a particular manner) the utmost pleasure to receive you. I have the honor to be with the most profound respect Sir, Your most obedient & very humble Servant LB ,...
1831To George Washington from Mathew Carey, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
In the prosecution of the American Museum—a work which your excellency has honoured with the most flattering approbation —I have begun & mean to continue a series of documents & public papers, respecting the most interesting circumstances, skirmishes, and battles of the revolution. For want of better resources, I am obliged at present frequently to recur to that corrupted publication, the...
1832To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Understanding your election to the office of President of the united States has been announced to you by the proper authority and that you had set out for New York, I take the liberty of expressing to you the great satisfaction I feel in your being called to and accepting the important trust—The establishment of order and good government is so much the wish and desire of every good citizin...
1833To George Washington from Francis Mentges, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
May I without blame or without cause of Offence entreat your Excellencys Attention in a moment of Leisure to the situation of One of your Old Officers, who has a strong Disposition to serve his Country, but who has hitherto from Various causes failed in his endeavours to Obtain a permanent Appointment, with the highest Esteem I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most Ob. humble Servt ALS ,...
1834To George Washington from William Munson, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
As the Important, and by thousands Long wishd for Day has now arived when your Excellency is placed at the head of the Great Council of the United States of America: and the Constitution thereof is now begining to operate, and I hope it will be blessd with the Smiles of heaven and have its Desired Effect; if So it is to America one of the most happy Events that Ever took place. As the...
1835To George Washington from Joseph Poole, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit me Sir to Join in the congratulations of my fellow Citizens on seeing your Excellency appointed to the first station in the Government of the United States by the sufrages of a large majority of their virtuous Inhabitants who all ardently wish to see a permanent Government carried into execution under your mild administration when faith and confidence shall once more be restord to this...
1836To George Washington from Pieter Johan van Berckel, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to adress these few Lines to your Excellency in order to request that you will do me the honour of disposing of my house in New: Ark on your way to New York—The acceptance of this invitation will be the more agreable as it will furnish me with an opportunity to congratulate and assure your Excellency, that nobody more Sincerely rejoices in the prospect of american...
1837To George Washington from James Wilson, 21 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
A Delicasy arising from your Situation and Character as well as my own has hitherto prevented me from mentioning to your Excellency a Subject of much Importance to me. Perhaps I should not even now have broke Silence but for one Consideration. A Regard to the Dignity of the Government, over which you preside, will naturally lead you to take Care that its Honours be in no Event, exposed to...
1838To George Washington from the Citizens of Elizabeth, New Jersey, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The citizens of Elizabeth desirous of evincing by every possible means the very great respect and affection which they entertain for your Excellency’s person and character, have directed that a cold collation be prepared for the refreshment of your Excellency & suite on your arrival here, of which we as a Committee of arrangement are requested to give the information. If your Excellency will...
1839To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of informing your Excellency that the Committees of both Houses arrived here this afternoon and will be ready to receive your Excellency at my House as soon as you can arrive here tomorrow morning. If you, Sir, will honor us with your company at Breakfast, it will give us great pleasure—We shall wait your Excellency’s arrival in hopes of that gratification. You can have a room...
1840To George Washington from John Lyle, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Under an assurance that You will deign to read this address, and thereby be led to consider wether I am of sufficient amount in Your estimation to Make enquiry about. I presume to Make an offer of My service to Your Excellency and solicit such employ as You May after hearing My Character think proper to intrust Me with. I refer You to Colonel John Neilson, William Paterson Esqr., Colo. John...
1841To George Washington from Samuel Seely, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
It gives me no small pleasure to see your Excellanacy once more place’d in the first office in this country, well knowing it is the just reward of a virtious life mainly spent in its service and defence. At the same time your excellancey will permit an Old Soldier, (although a young man) to look up to you as his pattron As he is sensible, that it will ever be pleaseing to a heart of...
1842To George Washington from James Booth, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed, that all applications for Offices under the Federal Government, must be made immediately to your Excellency, I beg leave to address you on that Subject. I hold under the Authority of the State, the Naval-Office of this County, to which I was appointed early in the Year 1777, and which has been regularly continued to me by several Re-Appointments. But as I conceive, that...
1843To George Washington from George Clinton, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 25th of last Month—I begg leave to assure your Excellency that had you found it convenient to have given us your Company at my House, instead of being Burdensome, it would have afforded my Familly the highest Pleasure and Sattisfaction. We must however acquiese in your Determination, and I do it with the less Reluctance as I observe the Arrangments...
1844To George Washington from John Conway, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Conway Begs leave to Congratulate his Excellency General Washington on his appointment to the Presidency of the United States, and respectfully offers himself a Candidate for employment by the Honorable Congress, either as Collector of the Customs for New-Jersey, or any appointment to which he may be thought competent. Enclosed are Recommendations and Vouchers for the inspection of the...
1845To George Washington from William Heth, 23 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I leave this, to be presented to you at a proper season. Unaccustomed to solicit employment, and wishing, always to be governed by the strictest propriety and delicacy, so, I shall now, avoid becoming a Supplicant for Office, under the common acceptation of the word, Yet, that duty, which I owe to myself and a growing family, impells me to signify to you, Sir, my willingness, & my wish, to...
1846To George Washington from ——, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
One who has long known and venerated your character and who is anxiously solicitous for your fame and happiness, takes this method to suggest a few thoughts which he hopes will not be useless. Among the first duties to which you will be called in your high station, will be the appointments to office through out the country. There is a silent looking on from every part of the union to see what...
1847To George Washington from Robert French, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Heads of a Petition from Rt French, Mariner of Philadelphia Confin’d in the Fort, Island St Croix To his Excellency the President and To The Right Honourable the senate and Congress of the United States the humble petition of Rt French respectfully Sheweth, that Your humble petitioner has a truly distress’d Family of a Wife and two Children in Philadelphia, that he has been a true and faithful...
1848To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
General Hazens most respectful Compliments to His Excellency General Washington begs to Inform him, That on the 27th of April 1786, he was taken with a Violent fit of the Appoplexy, perhaps the Quantity of Blood the Doctors took from him saved his life, And terminated the Disorder into a palsey, The first Year he got a Good deal better but the two latter he seams to be at a stand. Genl Hazen...
1849To George Washington from Robert Martin, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of being introduced to your acquaintance by Col. Hamilton in 79 at middlebrook. I then came from the W. Indies joined the Army and continued during the War. This is to request your Excellency to appoint me to some Office—Nothing, Except being reduced to the lowest ebb coud induce me to this—Col. Hamilton can inform you who I am. I have the Honor to be &c. &c. &c. ALS , DLC:GW .
1850To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have waited upon you in person and submited to your inspection the enclosed report which I have prepared to send to the Senate but by the interruption of visits I was not able to finish it until it was your time of receiving visits. I meant to have submitted to your consideration whither the words “however that” in the answer with which you were pleased to honor me might not be...