51To George Washington from Henry Remsen, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
On the return of peace I found my situation so embarrassed by the calamitous events of the War, as rendered me incapable to recommence mercantile pursuits. This embarrassment was occasioned principally by the receipt of large sums in Continental and State paper money during the first four and an half years of the War, at specie value, for debts owing to me prior to my removal from this City....
52To George Washington from Richard Stevens, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having learned many persons are applying for Offices in the several States & being satisfied that it will be impossible for your Excellency to obtain an accurate knowledge of those who may be qualified to fill inferior departments unless they bring themselves under your notice, so as to enable you to make the requisite enquiries, I take the liberty to solicit the office of collector of the...
53To George Washington from Joseph Vickers, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Joseph Vickers Humbly Sheweth, That your Memorialist has been honored by the Legislature of the State of New-Jersey with the appointment of Naval-Officer for the Eastern District of said State, and that he still holds the Office of Naval-Officer And therefore prays that your Excellency will be pleased in the arrangement of officers to continue him in the Office aforesaid. And...
54To George Washington from Samuel Blachley Webb, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Painfull as the task is I am under the necessity of soliciting the attention of the President of the United States. my long service in the Army dureing the late War, has deprived me of a property, which with common Industry would e’re this have placed me in a very Independant situation. Since the peace I have been employed in settling an Estate of which I am Administrator, constantly watching...
55To George Washington from Joseph Woodward, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The system of Revenue now under the consideration of Congress requiring certain Officers to carry it into execution, and their appointment being to be vested in your Excellency with advice of the honorable Senate, I beg permission humbly to solicit an appointment to one of the Offices in the Boston Department. Conscious that your Excellency will only nominate such as are fully competent to the...
56To George Washington from William Young, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by the good Wishes and Persuasions of my fellow Citizens, I presume to address your Excellency, and to offer myself as a Candidate for the Collectorship of this State; my Conduct and Character as a Citizen is well known; and I trust will bear the most strict Investigation, for which, and with respect to the Abilities necessary for the Office, I humbly beg leave to refer your...
57To George Washington from David Salisbury Franks, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Early in the Year 1774, I settled in Montreal with a small Capital and a considerable Credit as a Merchant & was successful in Business. In the Spring of 1775 I suffered a short tho rigorous imprisonment on Account of my attachment to the Cause of America. As soon as the Troops under General Montgomery took Possession of Montreal I did everything in my Power to promote their Success, & at one...
58To George Washington from William Walton Morris, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Department of Geographer General to the United States, having become Vacant by the death of Thomas Hutchins Esquire—I take the liberty of offering myself a Candidate for that office, under full impressions of the delicacy that necessarily attends a personal application. Your Excellency therefore will excuse my mentioning that I was an assistant to the late Geographer, and employed during...
59To George Washington from Lucy Paradise, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave as a Fellow Citizen to congratulate you on the Honour you have done Us, in accepting to be our President for this, our New Federal Constitution—Long may your Excellency be Blessed with every happiness that this World can give, and that you may live, to see our Country flourish from your Wise and Good Councils. Is the Sincere Prayer of Sir Your Excellencies Most Obedient and Most...
60To George Washington from Nathaniel Pendleton, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the arduous, and important affairs in which your Excellency must be deeply Engaged at this time, I beg leave to intrude on a moment of your time while I add my feeble voice to the millions who celebrate their own good Fortune, in seeing Your Excellency at the head of our public Counsels; under a form of Government perfected and established by the influence of your wisdom &...
61To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself you will put a proper Construction upon my silence hitherto, and rather attribute it to a real diffidence which my mind is impressed with relative to the subject upon which I am now about to address you, than to any want of respect or the least disposition to attempt the attainment of an appointment under the present Government, thro any other medium than your influence &...
62To George Washington from William Denning, 13 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been always engaged in the Service of my Country during the Late war, particularly in the Confidential and important offices of Commissioner of Accounts and a Commissioner of the Board of Treasury and having the fullest evidence of the Approbation of the Honble The Congress by being again Unanimously Elected to the important trust of Commissioner of the Treasury in 1784 (But Congress...
63To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The secretary for the department of war humbly submits to the President of the United States the following report and statement of the troops in public service. That the enclosed resolve of Congress of the 3rd of October 1787 is the authority by which all the troops in the service of the United States were enlisted excepting two incomplete companies of artillery, which were returned in service...
64To George Washington from James McCubbin Lingan, 13 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Being informed that your Excellency Receives none but written applications from candidates for office. I have only to Say that I was appointed to the naval office at this Port from its first Establishment. in the Execution of this duty I trust general Satisfaction has been given and I know it has been discharged with fidelity to the State. Should the office be continued under the present...
65To George Washington from John Sharp, 13 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The petition of John Sharp of the City of Philadelphia humbly Sheweth That your petitioner in the course of the late Revolution had the honor to serve as a Captain in the service of the United States, as the Certificate herewith produced will testify—That he has a Wife and family to maintain, and at this present time is in want of Employment for the Support of himself and family, and humbly...
66To George Washington from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789. On 18 Nov. 1789 GW wrote to Anderson: “I have been favored with the receipt of your letter of the 14th of may last.”
67To George Washington from Stephen Hall, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Portland, Massachusetts [District of Maine], Sir, 14 May 1789. Can you permit me to take up one moment of your precious time in asking a favor! I wish for the Collectorship of duties at the Port of Portland, the Metropolis of the eastern part of the State of Massachusetts. But this Request, I am sensible, must appear both indelicate & improper without some knowledge of me. But how shall I make...
68To George Washington from John Jay, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting, herewith enclosed, the copy of Mr V. Berckel’s credentials which I received from him together with a translation of them. Be pleased to name the hour at which you may think proper to receive him, and I will give him notice of it and accompany him—if to-morrow permit me to observe that some hour previous to the levee will be most proper. With perfect respect...
69To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been upwards of twelve years employed in the laborious business of a Comr of the Continental Loan Office for the State of Pennsylvania which I have endeavoured to discharge with the greatest care, industry & integrity—& I must now entreat of your Excellency some appointment under the new Constitution which is become necessary to me for the support of a large family—as my attention to...
70To George Washington from Jonathan Lawrence, Jr., 15 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have made several attempts to address you, and as often drop’d my pen almost in Dispair, my Situation almost distracts and destroys me, I was my Dear General born to fair prospects, and under those prospects enterd the Service of my Country where I served untill my health became the Sacrifice. I was obligated to leave the Service tho happily to my feelings, it was on the day that the...
71To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789. On 31 May GW wrote to Livingston : “I . . . apologize for this late acknowledgment of your letter of the 15th instant.”
72To George Washington from William Livingston, Jr., 15 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having never studied the federal system with an Eye to preferment, I was ignorant until informed by Mr Patterson, of the mode of application on the subject in question. The numbers, as well as the Characters, of the Gentlemen who compete for the Collectorship of this State, would have deterred me from handing up my name to your Excellency on this occasion: had not my friends (who may in their...
73Address from the Senate to George Washington, 16 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
We the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere thanks for your excellent speech delivered to both Houses of Congress; congratulate you on the compleat organization of the federal Government, and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-citizens on your elevation to the Office of President: an Office highly important by the Powers constitutionally annexed to it and extremely honorable...
74To George Washington from Philip Burr Bradley, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The day is not far distant when a ⟨ mutilated ⟩ Connecticutt will be appointed by your Excellency; I hope therefore that my present application will at least escape the censure of being premature. Having conversed with the Senators and Representatives of this State on the Subject of procuring that office; and being assured of their support, I venture to request that your Excellency would be...
75To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the death of Mr Hutchins, the Office of Geographer to the United States has become vacant. In consequence of this event, I have by the advice of my Friends, thought proper to offer myself a Candidate to supply his place. As the proper execution of this business, will involve with it, an extensive astronomical knowledge, in both Theory, and Practice, it is with the greatest diffidence that I...
76To George Washington from William Hull, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the general Joy and Congratulations of my fellow-Citizens on your Excellencys Appointment to the Presidency of the United States, permit me to express the mingled Emotions, which I feel, on the interesting occasion. While on the one hand, I am animated with Joy, that my Country has been blessed with so happy an Event, on the other I cant but feel a degree of anxiety that after so many...
77To George Washington from the United States Senate, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
We, the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere Thanks for your excellent Speech delivered to both Houses of Congress; congratulate you on the complete Organization of the federal Government, and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-Citizens on your Elevation to the Office of President: an Office highly important by the Powers constitutionally annexed to it, and extremely honorable...
78John Adams’ Reply to George Washington’s Queries Regarding Presidential Conduct, [17 May 1789] (Adams Papers)
The Vice President of the United States has the honour to present his humble Opinion, on the Points proposed, for his consideration. 1. That an Association with all kinds of company, and a total Seclusion from Society, are extreams, which, in the actual Circumstances of this Country, and under our form of Government, may be properly avoided. 2. The System of the President, will gradually...
79To George Washington from John Adams, 17 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Vice President of the United States has the honour to present his humble opinion, on the Points proposed, for his consideration. 1. That an association with all kinds of company, and a total Seclusion from Society, are extreams, which, in the actual Circumstances of this Country, and under our form of Government, may be properly avoided. 2. The System of the President, will gradually...
80To George Washington from John Campbell, 18 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Campbell, 18 May 1789. On 31 May GW wrote to Campbell : “I have received your very polite letter of the 18th.”
81To George Washington from Mathew Carey, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
About twelve months ago, I took the liberty to request of your excellency a little temporary assistance in the prosecution of a work which I am induced to believe of no small public benefit. Circumstances at that time precluded a compliance with my request. I have since carried on the publication with considerable success, improved the plan, and, at a great expense, by sending an agent through...
82To George Washington from Hannah Cockle, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial & Petition of Hannah Cockle of the City of New York, Widow respectfully Sheweth That in the month of October one Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy five her your Memoralist Husband departed this Life & left her with five Small children the Eldest of which not S⟨mutilated⟩ years—That in that disagreeable Situation She your Memoralist was left destitute & at the Commencement of the...
83To George Washington from John G. Gebhard, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency must needs be weary of the incessant Acclamations from the public as well, as from private Characters, expressing their Joy and Heart-felt Satisfaction in a period, when he, who next god procured once Freedom for them, steps forth for the second time, to rescue them from Anarchy, to stand between them and their utter Destruction, and to crown his former labour with prosperity...
84To George Washington from Christian Theodor Sigismund von Molitor and Georg Hermann Vulteius, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
We humbly hope your Excellency will pardon the Boldness of this Application to which our extreme Necessity’s alone has driven us. We are two unfortunate German Officers who were in His Brittannick Majestys’ Service in America during the late unhappy War, and having married American Lady’s Sisters to each other, resigned our Commissions, and pich’d upon Nova Scotia for the Place of our...
85To George Washington from the Cherokee Chiefs, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
At a Great Talk held by the Warriors and Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation Assembled in Council at the Great and beloved town of Chota, the 19th day of May 1789 addressed to his Excellency the President of the United States. Great Brother: The Great Being above has directed our hearts to listen to the talks of peace, and sorry that ever any misunderstanding arose between us and our white brothers...
86To George Washington from the Cherokee Nation, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
We the Warriors, Chiefs and Representatives of the Cherokee nation resident and living in the following towns of Chota, Toquoh, Cettico, Little Telliquo Tumotly, Nioh or the Tassels’ town, Coettee, Chilhowah Tallassee, Great Telliquoh, Big Highwassa, Cheestowa, Eastanora Chatanugah, Chickamaugah, Stickoe, Ottilletaraconahah, Catatogah, Nicojackee, Tuskeegah, and Cheescheehah, our said towns...
87To George Washington from Nathaniel F. Fosdick, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been Naval Officer for this Port (being the Port of Falmouth) for this some time past, I take the Liberty to address your Excellency, requesting a continuation in the office under the New Government, & beg leave to refer your Excellency to the Honble Genl Knox & the Honble George Thatcher Esqrs. for proof of Character. I am Sir with the greatest respect your Excellency most Obedient &...
88To George Washington from Moustier, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Peculiar circumstances require peculiar measures. It was on this principle that I conceived there was no impropriety in soliciting an audience which seem’d to me, not only convenient but necessary to pave the way to the future management of business between the two nations. As by the transformation of the Federal Government of the United states the establish’d forms have ceased, the first...
89To George Washington from Benjamin Pitfield, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Benjamin Pitfield, of the City of Philadelphia, humbly Sheweth. That your Excellencies Petitioner hath been very unfortunate in Trade for some Years past, and by a series of unavoidable Losses, is now reduced to a State of Indigence, and not Able to Support his Family; unless he can Obtain some Assistance, he therefore is Emboldened to Apply to your Excellencies well known...
90To George Washington from Robert Purviance, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Compel’d from Necessity & encouraged by the Friendly interposition of my worthy Friend and Neighbour Dr James McHenry, with the Unanimous voice of my fellow Citizens, I am come forward with the Crowd to offer my self & Nephew, John H. Purviance for two of the New Appointments that will, I presume take place under the Federal Government, in our Naval department for the Port of Baltimore, Or My...
91To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have done myself the honor of waiting on you this evening but the dampness of the weather prevents my going abroad I therefore take the liberty of enclosing my opinion on the paragraph in the constitution which you were pleased to mention; the result of my conference with Mr Jay on the subject of sea letters; and the lights I have received by examining the laws of Pensylvania and...
92To George Washington from Arthur Young, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should long since have acknowledged the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter but I waited from time to time in expectation of some curious seeds which I hoped to be able to send, but being disappointed repeatedly I postpone no longer the pleasure of thanking you with great sincerity for the confidence you honour me with in relation to publishing extracts from your letters. I dare not presume...
93To George Washington from Daniel Bedinger, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
My time having since the peace, been almost wholly employed in the Naval Office at this place, I humbly flatter myself, that I have acquired some little knowledg of the nature of the business and Duties of a Collector of the Customs. Should any such Office be created, I beg leave to present myself as an humble candidate. I do not mean to trouble your Excellency further on the subject by...
94To George Washington from Josias Carvill Hall, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
If in the distribution of the Offices necessary to the execution of the new government there should be one suited to my capacity your Excellency will confer a favor by having me in consideration when you are pleased to make the appointment. My absence from home during the war, And consequent neglect & depriciation of my fortune, has made this application in some degree necessary. With the...
95To George Washington from Robert Hoops, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The humble Memorial of Robert Hoops on the part of his Brother Adam Hoops respectfully sheweth, that very early at the Commencement of the late Revolution his said brother enter’d as a volunteer in the Army of the United States and was soon after appointed an officer in it, in which Capacity he served untill the glorious Cause for which we took up Arms was happily obtained—Shortly after the...
96To George Washington from John Mitchell, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been highly honor’d by your notice and friendship as our Illustrious Commander in Chief—I earnestly hope you will not be Offended, at my sincerly congratulating you. but more particularly my country in the Honble & most Eminent Rank which you have been call’d on to fill, by the Unanimous Voice of the Citizens of the States, may the Almighty ruller and Governor of the Universe grant you...
97To George Washington from William North, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Fearful of intruding on Your Excellencys time, more valuable at present, if possible, than ever: I should have waited in silence until my merits had been sufficient to bring me forward, were I not informed that Your Excellency would not be displeased with applications from those who wished to serve the Public. For this Purpose, I offer myself to your Excellencys Notice—If I have abilities,...
98To George Washington from Christian Senf, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
At last the Period seems to have arrived, when I may venture, under the present, and happy, Goverment, to propose a Plan, I have had for several Years in Contemplation. The Opportunities, I have had during the War and since, have given me a good deal of Knowledge of Our Sea-Coast. The Advantages this Country has over many others, if its Inland Communications by Water are improved, are...
99To George Washington from John Story, 20 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to address you to offer myself as a Candidate for an Appointment under Goverment and beg leave to submit the following for Your Consideration. I am a Native of Boston and served with a Merchant untill the commencement of the late War, when I entered the service of my Country as a Volunteer and served as such untill 1776. Infirm health prevented my Acceptance of a Commission at...
100To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 21 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing the information obtain’d respecting the Districts, with the names of the Naval Officers, in the State of Maryland—likewise two letters forwarded to me by post. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the greatest respect, Sir, your Most obt & very Hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Daniel Carroll (1730–1796) of Upper Marlboro, Prince Georges County, Md., was a...