1From George Washington to the Earl of Buchan, 30 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I received a few days ago, the letter which your Lordship did me the honour to write to me on the 27th of March last; accompanied with a view of Dr Anderson’s proposed periodical publication. Dr Anderson’s plan appears judicious, and if the execution shall equal the design in goodness (as from your account of the Author we have reason to expect) there can be no doubt but his Journal will be of...
2From George Washington to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 30 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
This late acknowledgement of the receipt of your letter of the 6th of November 1789, and the little box which accompanied it, might require some particular apology had I only my own private concerns to attend to; but when important public duties require my constant attention every allowance must be made for the want of punctuality in those things which regard me individually. I beg, Sir, that...
3From George Washington to Joseph Mandrillon, 30 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
In replying to your several letters of the 15th of June and 4th of December 1789, and the 10th of January 1790, I must request you to accept my acknowledgements for the very polite terms in which you express your attachment to me—and my best thanks for the several enclosures which accompanied your letters. The unremitting attention which my public duties require, will, I am persuaded,...
4From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
An Act of the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations for ratifying certain articles as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, was yesterday put into my hands; and I have directed my Secretary to lay a copy of the same before you. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages; LB , DLC:GW ; copy,...
5From George Washington to John Canon, 25 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2. instant has reached my hands and in consequence thereof I have applied to Mr Scott for fifty pounds as you desired, who informs me that he did not expect a draught to exceed £15. or £20. and therefore had not made his arrangements for 50. however he says he will pay it if he can make it convenient. As the rents of my lands under your care were to be paid in wheat, and the...
6From George Washington to George Clendinen, 25 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have upon the great Kanawa and Ohio river, between the two Kanawas several large and valuable tracts of land, which I have been long endeavoring to settle, but without effect. Some three or four years ago I wrote to Colonel Thomas Lewis, who lives in that neighbourhood, requesting his assistance or agency in this business, transmitting to him at the same time instructions expressive of my...
7From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 25 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
When I returned to your hands the instructions and papers respecting my lands in your neighbourhood, I thought I had sufficiently obviated the reasons which first induced you to decline any agency in that business, by putting it on a footing which might render it perfectly compatible with your own interest and convenience, and I was in a measure confirmed in the opinion that you had accepted...
8From George Washington to David Stuart, 25 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
According to promise, you ought to have received the enclosed at an earlier period; but no inconvenience, I apprehend, will arise from my omitting to do it before now. Our best wishes attend you all and I am—Dear Sir Your Affecte Hble Servt ALS , ViHi . The enclosures were probably documents related to the suit brought by Robert Alexander against the estate of John Parke Custis that Stuart had...
9From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 23d 1790 In my nomination of persons for Consular appointments on the 4th of the present month, the name of James instead of Joseph Fenwick was by mistake laid before you to be Consul for the port of Bourdeaux. LB , DLC:GW . See GW to the U.S. Senate, 4 June 1790 .
10From George Washington to Michael Jenifer Stone, 21 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States requests the pleasure of Mr Stone’s company to dinner on Thurs-day next at 4 Oclock. An answer is requested. D , DLC : Stone Papers (Maryland), vol. 1730–1863. No reply from Stone has been found. GW recorded in his diary on Thursday, 24 June, that he entertained Stone, along with several other members of the House of Representatives ( Diaries Donald Jackson...
11From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letters & documents from Mr Gouvr Morris are sent for the perusal of the Secretary of State. The private letters from the Marquis de la Fayette and Mr Payne he also gives Mr Jefferson a sight of; because there are some ideas in the latter which are new—and in the former, geneneral information respecting the affairs of France, which, by being compar’d with other accts may (though...
12From George Washington to Daniel Owen, 19 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 29th of may, which contained official information of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, until the form of the ratification should be received, which, together with your letter accompanying it, got to my hands but a few days ago;...
13From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 16 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, was received by me last night, together with a letter to the President of the United States from the President of the Convention, I have directed my secretary to lay before you a copy of each. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Legislative...
14From George Washington to David Stuart, 15 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d Instant came duly to hand. If there are any Gazettes among my files at Mount Vernon which can be of use to you they are at your Service. Your description of the public mind, in Virginia, gives me pain. It seems to be more irritable, sour & discontented than (from the information I receive) it is in any other state in the Union, except Massachusetts; which, from the same...
15From George Washington to John Adams, 14 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States and Mrs Washington request the pleasure of the Vice-Presidents and Mrs Adams’s company to dinner on Thursday next at four o’clock, an answer is desired. L , MHi : Adams Family Papers. No reply to this invitation has been found, nor is there a record of the dinner in GW’s diary, since he did not resume making entries until 24 June. Social relations between the...
16From George Washington to the Savannah, Ga., Hebrew Congregation, 14 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office, which I have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow-citizens: and especially for the expressions which you are pleased to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congregation. As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has...
17From George Washington to the United States Senate, 14 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 14th 1790. I nominate the following persons to be Collectors, Naval-Officers and Surveyors of the Ports of New Port and Providence in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations—viz. William Ellery to be Collector, } of New-Port. Robert Crooke to be Naval-Officer, Daniel Lyman to be Surveyor Jeremiah Olney to be Collector, } of...
18From George Washington to John Jay, 13 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Would there be prudence, justice or policy in extending mercy to the Convict mentioned in the enclosed Papers? Under this cover I send you for perusal two letters, just recd, from Mr Gouvr Morris. Yours sincerely and affectionately ALS , NNC : John Jay Collection. See Thomas Bird to GW, 5 June 1790 , and notes. In a letter to Gouverneur Morris of 7 July 1790, GW acknowledged receipt of...
19From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my Secretary to lay before you a copy of the ratification of the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States by the State of North Carolina; together with an extract from a letter, accompanying said ratification, from the Governor of the State of North Carolina to the President of the United States. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Legislative...
20From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 11th 1790. I nominate Thomas Bee to be Judge of the South-Carolina district, in the place of William Drayton deceased. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . William Drayton died on 18 May 1790. For Thomas Bee’s application for the office, see...
21From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of the law lately passed for giving effect to an Act entitled “An Act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States,” within the State of North Carolina—I nominate the following persons to fill the Judicial Offices in that district. viz. William R. Davie to be Judge— John Sitgreaves to be Attorney—and John Skinner to be Marshall of the district of North Carolina. I...
22From George Washington to Arthur Fenner, 4 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the Rect of your Excellency’s letter of the 20th of May, I cannot forbear to congratulate you and the people of your State upon the happy event which has since taken place by the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States by the Convention of Rhode Island. Having now attained the desireable object of uniting under one general Government all those States...
23From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 4th 1790. I nominate the following persons to be Consuls and Vice-Consuls of the United States of America for the Ports which are affixed to their names. viz. Cadiz Richard Harrison of Virginia to be Consul of the United States of America for the Port of Cadiz in the Kingdom of Spain, and for such parts of the said Kingdom as shall be...
24From George Washington to Lafayette, 3 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your kind letter of the 12th of January is, as your letters always are, extremely acceptable to me. By some chance its arrival had been retarded to this time. Conscious of your friendly dispositions for me and realising the enormous burden of public business with which you was oppressed, I felt no solicitude but that you should progress directly forward and happily effect your great...
25From George Washington to David Ramsay, 3 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
A copy of your history of the american Revolution has been presented to me by Mr Allen of this city, in compliance as he informs me with your orders. I therefore beg, Sir, that you will accept my acknowledgments and best thanks for this mark of polite attention, from which I expect to derive much pleasure and satisfaction in the perusal, with very great esteem, I am Sir, your most obedient...
26From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentleman of the Senate, June 2nd 1790. The Troops at present in service consisting of one regiment of Infantry and one Battalion of artillery were apportioned by the acts of the former Congress on the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and as the Officers of said troops are in actual service, I nominate them, as in the list...
27From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 1 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having received official information of the accession of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to the Constitution of the United States, I take the earliest opportunity of communicating the same to you, with my Congratulations on this happy event, which unites under the general Government all the States which were originally confederated; and have directed my Secretary to lay...
28From George Washington to the Delegates of the State Societies of the Cincinnati, May 1790 (Washington Papers)
To the Delegates of the State Societies of the Cincinnati assembled at their triennial Meeting. Gentlemen Although it is easier for you to conceive, than for me to explain the pleasing sensations which have been excited in my breast, by your congratulations on my appointment to the head of this rising Republic: yet I must take the liberty to thank you sincerely for the polite manner in which...
29From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 31st 1790 M. de Poiery served in the American Army for several of the last years of the late war, as Secretary to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, and might probably at that time have obtained the Commission of Captain from Congress upon application to that Body. At present he is an officer in the French National Guards, and...
30From George Washington to the United States Senate, 25 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 25th 1790. I nominate the following persons to fill the offices affixed to their names—viz. Samuel Jasper, to be Surveyor of the Port of Currituck-Inlet in the State of North Carolina. Nathaniel Wilkins, to be Collector of the Port of Cherry Stone in the State of Virginia, in the place of George Savage, who has resigned. Henry Deering, to...
31From George Washington to La Luzerne, 29 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th of Janry, replete with politeness to myself & useful informations respecting public affairs, has but lately been received. In making my acknowledgments for the distinguished place I hold in your remembrance & for the obliging terms in which you allude to my conduct in war & peace; I should do injustice to conceal the favorable sentiments which were always entertained by...
32From George Washington to the United States Senate, 28 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate April 28th 1790 I nominate George Wray to be Collector of the port of Hampton in the State of Virginia in the place of Jacob Wray resigned: also John McCullough to be Surveyor of the port of Swansborough in the District of Wilmington and William Benson to be Surveyor of the port of Windsor in the District of Edenton, both in the State of North...
33From George Washington to James Madison, 27 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
If the weather will permit, & Mr Madison’s health suffer him to go out to day, the Presdt would be glad if he would give him a call before he goes to the House. Transcript, MH : Jared Sparks Collection. Madison was ill with influenza during the last week or so of April but was well enough to consult with GW on 27 April about the Foreign Intercourse Act ( Diaries Donald Jackson and Dorothy...
34From George Washington to the Virginia Legislature, 27 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen, April 27th 1790 With a due sense of the affectionate terms in which your affection is conceived, I offer my best thanks for your congratulations on my election to the Chief Magistracy of a free and enlightened Nation. If I have been enabled to make use of whatever abilities Heaven has been pleased to confer upon me, with any advantage to our common Country,...
35From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 15 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, dated March 1st I have been favored with your letter of the 24th of January accompanied by the surtout of Plateaux &ca. These came very safe—are very elegant—much admired—and do great justice to your taste—accept my thanks for the attention. Upon trial it appears that they need no addition, the intention therefore of this letter is to counteract, if it should arrive in...
36From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 14 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
By a letter which I have lately received from my nephew, Major Washington of Mount Vernon, I find you have made a tender of your services to him to overlook one of my farms, and have referred me to Colo. Cadwalader, now in Congress, for your qualifications and character. This enquiry I have made, and the result of it is that you have a competent knowledge in the business of agriculture, and...
37From George Washington to David Stuart, 11 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have given my consent in the manner the law directs, to the agreement you have made with Mr Alexander; and, agreeably to your desire, have this day forwarded it under cover to Mr Lund Washington; being persuaded, under the existing circumstances, it is better to do this than hazard a decision at Law—but it is a strange affair! I wrote to you a few days ago, and directed for you at Abingdon...
38From George Washington to Lund Washington, 11 April 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 11 April 1790. In a letter to GW, 28 April 1790 , Lund Washington refers to “Yours of the 11th.”
39Proclamation, 9 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Whereas a Convention for defining and establishing the functions and privileges of the respective Consuls and vice-Consuls of his most Christian Majesty and of the said United States, was concluded and signed by the Plenipotentiaries of his said most Christian Majesty and of the said United States, duly and respectively authorized for that purpose, which Convention is in the form following,...
40From George Washington to the Society of Free Quakers, c.8 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I desire to assure you of the sensibility with which I receive your congratulations on my appointment to the highest office and most extended trust which can be confided by a free People—and I thank you with sincerity for the obliging terms in which you express yourselves in my behalf. Ever happy in being favored with the approbation of my fellow-citizens, the time at which yours is declared...
41From George Washington to Henry Knox, 7 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The papers which you yesterday submitted to me, respecting the arrangement of the three companies to be sent to Georgia and the Instructions to be given to their Captains, have been duly considered, and meet my approbation. The proposed disposition of the said companies after their arrival in Georgia— “To wit One company—at the St Mary’s. One do—at Beards } Altamaha Bluff on the One do at the...
42From George Washington to Louis XVI, 6 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Very great and good Friend and Ally As the Time limited for the Duration of Mr Jefferson’s Residence in Quality of our Minister plenipotentiary near your Majesty will shortly expire, and the public Interests require that he should undertake other Functions, we have directed him to take Leave of your Majesty, and to assure you of our Friendship and sincere Desire to preserve and strengthen the...
43From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 5 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my private Secretary to lay before you Copies of three Acts of the Legislature of the State of New York, which have been transmitted to me by the Governor thereof. viz. “An Act declaring it to be the duty of the Sheriffs of the several Counties within this State to receive, and safe keep such prisoners as shall be committed under the authority of the United States.” “An Act for...
44From George Washington to the United States Supreme Court, 3 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have always been persuaded that the stability and success of the National Government, and consequently the happiness of the People of the United States, would depend in a considerable degree on the Interpretation and Execution of its Laws. In my opinion, therefore, it is important that the Judiciary System should not only be independent in its operations, but as perfect as possible in its...
45From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 1 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have directed my private Secretary to lay before you a copy of the adoption, by the Legislature of South Carolina, of the articles proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; together with the copy of a Letter from the Governor of the State of South Carolina to the President of the United States, which have lately...
46From George Washington to the United States Senate, 30 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, March 30th 1790. I nominate the following persons to fill the Offices which are affixed to their respective names—viz. Rufus Putnam, to be one of the Judges in the Western Territory, in the place of Samuel Holden Parsons deceased. James Brown, to be Attorney for the United States in the District of Kentucky, in the place of George Nicholas who...
47From George Washington to David Stuart, 28 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th enclosing the Act of Assembly authorising an agreement with Mr Alexander came to my hand in the moment my last to you was dispatched. I am sorry such jealousies as you relate should be gaining ground, & poisoning the minds of the Southern people. But, admit the fact which is alledged as the cause of them, and give it full scope, does it amount to more than what was...
48From George Washington to Robert Morris, 27 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President and Mrs W——Compliments and thanks to Mr Morris for his politeness. They have nothing to charge Mr Morris with but their affectionate regards for Mrs Morris and the family; and to wish him a pleasanter journey than the state of the Roads promise, and a safe return to this City when his business in Philadelphia shall be accomplished. AL , PWacD : Sol Feinstone Collection, on...
49From George Washington to John Eager Howard, 25 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
You will receive with this a Medal struck by order of the late Congress in commemoration of your much approved conduct in the battle of the Cowpens—and presented to you as a mark of the high sense which your Country entertains of your services on that occasion. This Medal was put into my hands by Mr Jefferson; and it is with singular pleasure that I now transmit it to you.I am, with very great...
50From George Washington to William Washington, 25 March 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Washington, 25 Mar. 1790. William Washington wrote to GW on 7 Nov. 1790 , referring to “Your Excellency’s favor of March 25th.” See GW to John Eager Howard, 25 Mar. 1790, n.1 .