51To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Herewith is an official letter submitting the draft of a Proclamation. I reserve some observations as most proper for a private letter. In the case of a former proclamation I observe it was under the seal of the U. States and countersigned by the Secretary of State. If the precedent was now to be formed I should express a doubt whether it was such an instrument as ought to be under the seal of...
52To George Washington from David Stuart, 11 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved so much pleasure and instruction from the inclosed observations, that I could wish the author would in some shape fan on the Public with them. I am satisfyed more than ever, that fiew even of those who presume most on their talents, and are most clamorous and illiberal against the funding System, have a true understanding of it. But allowing that they have, and are activated in...
53To George Washington from Jacob Wray, 13 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
My Brother George Wrays friends (Colo. Cary Mr Miles King & others) has put him in mind of asking for the care of the light house business on Cape Henry [.] my Brother is a very sober man Active in spirits & they think he would make a good superintendt to the business, & command a good watch, & Such an amusement would pleas him to see he was of Use as long as he continues in this life[.] he...
54To George Washington from Ferdinand Bayard, 15 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
to the desire of being useful, both to America & France, this intrusion of mine is to be accounted for, & your tryed love to the rights of Man, Keeps alive the hope, that the generous & honorable project of forming a corps of American volunteers, to join the french, will be approved & supported by you. as it has been publickly circulated, I doubt not but you are acquainted with that wish of...
55From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
This letter goes Express, to obtain the signature of the Secretary of State to the enclosed Proclamation. The reasons for sending it in this manner, are, to avoid the circuitous rout by Richmond, and the delay it might meet with by the Post; not having reached my hands until this morning, too late for the Mail of this day—nor in time for any other before Tuesday next—and because it is unknown...
56To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive yours of the 7th instant and I have transmitted a copy of it to Major General Wayne. I have the honor to enclose you a copy of his last letter of the 7th instant. No. 1. and my answer thereto No. 2. From every account, I learn that he is indefatigable in disciplining his troops. Money to the amount of Forty five thousand six hundred and thirty seven dollars and...
57To George Washington from John Francis Mercer, 15 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
In proceeding to execute my part of the engagement respecting the Land in Montgomery County information has been given me that I judge proper to mention to you—The Tract will not divide to advantage into three parts, but will to very great benefit into two valuable Estates—It woud be perhaps, therefor greatly for the interest of all parties for you to take between five & six hundred Acres, &...
58Proclamation, 15 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the Presdent of the United States. A Proclamation. Whereas certain violent and unwarrantable proceedings have lately taken place, tending to obstruct the operation of the laws of the United States for raising a revenue upon Spirits distilled within the same, enacted pursuant to express authority delegated in the Constitution of the United States; which proceedings are subversive of good...
59From George Washington to Henry Knox, 16 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th, with its enclosures, came duly to hand; & requires but little in reply to it, as your answer to Genl Waynes communications contain every direction which is necessary for his governmt at this time. Whatever may be the Attorney General’s opinion with respect to the legality of calling out Militia by the Governor of Pennsylvania—for supplying the place of the Rangers—it is...
60From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 17 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 8 and 9. inst: are received. The latter came to me on Saturday morning by Express, from the Post Office in Alexandria. I gave the Proclamation my signature and forwarded it in the afternoon of the same day, by a special messenger, to the Secretary of State for his countersign. If no unforeseen delay happens, the return of it may be in time for Friday’s Post, so as to be...
61From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 17 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sepr 17th 1792 Your private letter of the 11th, accompanying an Official one of the 9th came safe—as did your other private letter of the 9th. I feel myself obliged by the observations contained in the first, respecting the Proclamation. As the former Proclamations, on similar occasions, have been Countersigned by the Secretary of State, I have, for that...
62To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 17 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Representations have been made by the Collector of the Customs at Edenton, and the Inspector of the Revenue for the third Survey of North Carolina, that Thomas Davis Freeman Surveyor of the Port of Plymouth and Inspector of the Revenue for the same, has been absent from that Port since February last. As it is stated in those representations, that it is not known whither that Officer has gone,...
63To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your express is this moment arrived with the Proclamation on the proceedings against the laws for raising a revenue on distilled spirits, and I return it herein inclosed with my signature. I think if instead of the words ‘to render laws dictated by weighty reasons of public exigency & policy as acceptable as possible’ it stood ‘to render the laws as acceptable as possible’ it would be better....
64To George Washington from Isaac Mansfield, 19 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of serving as a Chaplain in the late Army of the United States under your Command—I was introduced to the Regiment under the Command of Genl Thomas in October 1775. The same Regiment commanded by Coll J. Bailey after Jan. 1. 1776 (which Coll J. Bailey had been Commandant under Genl Thomas) I was continued with, till they moved on from Roxbury to New York in March 1776....
65To George Washington from John Vaughan, 19 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Vaughan has the honor of transmitting to his Excellency President Washington a letter he received under Cover from England—The accounts from france are later than what are probably contained in the letter, & Not So Satisfactory as those Mr Vaughan recd by the same opportunity. L , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The enclosure has not been identified, but Philadelphia wine merchant John...
66From George Washington to Samuel Fraunces, 21 September 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Samuel Fraunces, 21 Sept. 1792. GW wrote Tobias Lear on 21 Sept. from Mount Vernon: “Not knowing what delays you may have met with on the Road, I have directed Mr Francis in a letter of this date, to engage Mr Page’s Coach to be here, to accomodate our journey to Philadelphia.”
67From George Washington to George Gale, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 21st 1792 Your letter of the 4th Instt came duly to hand, but previous to the receipt of it I had been under the necessity of giving the Secy of the Treasury some direction for the Commd of the Revenue Cutter of Maryland, I am not less obliged however by the trouble you have been at to obtain the information you gave me on this point. I would thank you for...
68From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Under cover of this Letter you will receive the Proclamation which is just returned to me with the counter signature of The Secretary of State. I have erased the words “dictated by weighty reasons of public exigency,” & scored others with a pencil, which you are hereby authorised to take out or retain as you may think best. As the Instrument is drawn I could do no other than fill up one of the...
69From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have written but one letter to you since I came to this place —I was on the point of writing a second when yours of the 5th of August came to my hands informing me of your intention to leave Portsmouth about the first of this month, and expectation of reaching Philadelphia (if no unforeseen delays happened) the 20th. This information arrested my intention, as it was uncertain at what place...
70From George Washington to John Lewis, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have sent your brother Howell to Fredericksburgh to receive from you my moiety of the money which has been paid to you by Mr Cooper for the Land in Gates County No. Carolina. I expect it will be fully paid; and a statement of the Accots rendered, by which I can here after settle with, and receive whatever may be due for my part, from Mr Cooper, without giving you any further trouble in the...
71From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Septr 21st [1792]. Fearing some accident may have prevented my last (enclosing a letter for Mr Robt Smith) from reaching your hands, I take the liberty of giving you the trouble to receive this, requesting to be informed if this be the fact—and if not, what has been the result of your enquiries in the business Committed to you. I have had many applications in...
72To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 22 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Letters of the 7th and 17th instant, and perceive with much pleasure a confirmation of the expectation which your former communications had given that your view of the measures proper to be pursued respecting the proceedings therein referred to, would correspond with the impressions entertained here. I flatter myself that the Proclamation will answer a very...
73To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant. I have now the honor to submit a copy of Major General Wayne’s last letter dated the 14th instant No. 1 and my answer thereto No. 2. I have also the honor to submit a Copy of Brigadier Putnams letter of the 14th No. 3 and of Brigadier Wilkinson’s of the 19th of August No. 4 with two enclosures one from Major Strong...
74To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of your private letter of the 17 instant. I continue in opinion, that it will be adviseable to address a letter with the proclamation to each of the Executives of the States mentioned, and shall prepare a draft of one to be forwarded with the requisite number of copies. A letter from Mr King also of the 17 instant surprised me with the intelligence contained in the...
75To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I am thus far on my return from New Hampshire to Philadelphia. I have been detained at Portsmouth a fortnight longer than I expected to have been, in order to settle some matters that were interesting to me. I shall leave this place tomorrow and proceed to Philadelphia at the rate of about 30 or 35 miles per day. I have neglected no opportunity of obtaining...
76To George Washington from Aiguillon, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Permit a Frenchman, who loves liberty, and is forced to quit his Country—a prey to factions, to offer his homage to the respectable man who has given a free Constitution to America. Perhaps my name may have reached you. Perhaps you have sometimes heard me spoken of as the friend of Lafayette—faithful, like him, to the cause which he cherished —and like him prosecuted by those who would...
77From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instt, with its enclosures, came duly to hand. It is exceedingly to be regretted that all the attempts of Government to bring the hostile Indians acquainted with the real designs of it—(so far as it respects the disputes with them)—should be so pointedly marked with misfortune, disappoint or delay. Captn Brants illness, and the sickness & delays of the other Chiefs of...
78From George Washington to Henry Knox, 24 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Septr 24 92 I thank you for the information contained in your private letters of the 16th & 18th instt—From the contents of the last, it is probable Mr Hammond will be here to day, or tomorrow before Noon. I perceive by the Papers that Mr Penn & lady are arrived—and with them, Mr Andrew Hamilton & family. What, pray, has been the reception of the last...
79To George Washington from Betty Washington Lewis, 25 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
My Indisposition for some time Past prevented my writing to you when Howell did, finding my self better to day, I shall endeavour to answer your request of my takeing Harriot to stay with me this winter. I shall have no objection to her being with me, if she comes well cloath’d or Provided to get them, that she may appear tolerable for I can assure you it was not so while with me before, by...
80To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
My not writing has been owing to two causes. I was confined to my bed by a fever (remittent) the 5th instant, which left me there till the 20th. I had little hopes of a recovery but it has pleased god that I should get the better of it. I am now convalescent and may soon be as well as heretofore. The other reason is that I have only had Mr Hammonds answer which is against a removal. Mr...
81To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Post of yesterday brought me your letter of the 21st instant, with the Proclamation enclosed, which was immediately published through the Secretary of State’s Office, in Brown’s Federal Gazette; and means will be taken to accelerate a general circulation of it. I have the honor to be with the highest respect & truest attachment, Sir, Your most Obedient and humble servant LB , DLC:GW . For...
82To George Washington from Henry Lee, 26 September 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Lee, 26 Sept. 1792. GW wrote Henry Lee on 30 Sept. : “I was favored with your letter of the 26th instt.”
83From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 26 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th inst: was presented to me by Mr Corbin, on his return from Philada. As my object in taking your Land near Monocasy (in payment of the Debt due from the Estate of your deceased Father to me) is to convert it into Cash as soon as possible without loss, I can have no other objection to an advantageous partition of the Tract than what might result from the uncertainty of...
84From George Washington to unknown recipient, 27 September 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to unknown recipient, 27 Sept. 1792. Sold by Leavitt, Strebeigh & Co., New York, item 501, 15–17 Mar. 1869. Listed as “A.L.S, ‘G. W——n,’ 1 p. 4to, Mount Vernon.”
85From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d Inst., & the enclosures, came to my hands by Wednesdays Post. I adhere to my resolution of commencing my Journey for Philadelphia the 8th of next month if the condition of my Servts will admit of it, two of them (one a Postilion) having been extremely ill with remittant fevers which have not yet left them. My order for the Carriage from Philadelphia, to be here by the...
86To George Washington from Thomas Newton, Jr., 28 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
By request of Tench Coxe Esqr. I beg leave to inform you of the persons who, have offerd as keepers of the Light house[.] Capt. William Lewis of Fredricksburg, Capt. Leml Cornick of Princess Ann, Mr James of the same place & a Mr Thos Herbert are all that I have known. Capt. Lewis & Capt. Cornick are men that I am well acquainted with and proper persons to take charge of so great a trust....
87Circular to the Governors of North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, 29 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will find the Copy of a Proclamation, which I have thought proper to issue, in consequence of certain irregular and refractory proceedings which have taken place in particular parts of some of the States, contravening the Laws therein mentioned. I feel an entire confidence, that the weight and influence of the Executive of North Carolina, will be chearfully exerted, in every...
88From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 29 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st instant from George Town came duly to hand. The delay in acknowledging the receipt of it, has proceeded from a belief that if the orders were transmitted before the sale of lots (appointed to be holden on the 8th of next month) they would get to your hands in time. Enclosed is an order from the President of the United States authorising the above Sale—and an another for...
89To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 24th instant. I have agreeably to your orders written to General Wayne in strong terms to take immediate measures to obtain a knowledge of the numbers and designs of the hostile Indians. I believe the Wabash is the principal channel through which this can be obtained—There is a person in this town lately from Niagara, from whom I...
90To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 29 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
A Ship having announced her Departure in two or three Days, I have sent to Dublin to muster up Some of the Last Papers, as Every hour is pregnant with Important News. Knowing those Virtuous Principles that adorn your Character, & which Justly render you the First Character of the Age, I venture to give my opinion—I was a Zealous & ostensible Supporter of the Revolution in France as settled in...
91From George Washington to Henry Lee, 30 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with your letter of the 26th instt enclosing one from Arthur Campbell Esqr—For the perusal of which I thank you. The information contained in it is extremely agreeable for it has brought the supposed dead to life, and a valuable man back to his Country again. I congratulate you on your return to Richmond in good health. In a few days I shall commence my journey for Philadelphia....
92To George Washington from Charles Pinckney, 30 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you copies of Letters from General Pickens and Colonel Anderson on the subject of Indian Affairs —To me I confess their intelligence is unexpected, for I thought the justice and friendship the United States had treated the Creeks and Cherokees with, had entirely secured their confidence and respect; and that notwithstanding the attempts of the northern and western...
93To George Washington from Joseph Donaldson, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
After a labour of thirty years in this Country I am reduced to distress—My first place of residence was Fredericksburg—I removed from thence to York in Pennsylvania and acquired by industry a fortune—I came to Baltimore and by giving too extensive credit I lost my all, during the War my services in York County were not unprofitable to the cause of Liberty, I exerted myself in sending out men...
94From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d ulto, with it’s enclosures, came duly to hand. Lest any material disadvantage should result from delay; I have signed the Act which has been drawn by the Commissioner of the Revenue & approved by you, for arranging allowances to the Supervisors &c.—and now forward it; but I would rather, if this is not likely to be the case, have it retained in your hands until my...
95Thomas Jefferson’s Conversation with Washington, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
This morning at Mt Vernon I had the following conversation with the President. he opened it by expressing his regret at the resolution in which I appeared so fixed in the letter I had written him of retiring from public affairs. he said that he should be extremely sorry that I should do it as long as he was in office. and that he could not see where he should find another character to fill my...
96From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Expecting this letter will find you in Philadelphia—I wish you wd begin in time to compare all my Speeches in Congress with the subsequent Acts of that body; that I may see what parts of them have passed altogether unnoticed, or which have been only partially noticed; thereby enabling me to judge whether any, and what parts of them should be brought forward again. It is my request also, that...
97From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is highly important that the proceedings in the Indictments of those who have opposed themselves, unwarrantably, to the Laws laying a duty on distilled spirits, should be placed on legal ground & prosecuted properly; it is my desire therefore that you will attend the Circuit Court at York Town, to be holden the of this Month and see that, that business is conducted in a manner to which no...
98To George Washington from John Lewis, 3 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd I send you a Coppy of Mr Cowpers Accot according to the payments that were to have been made He has never paid (without it has been within a very few weeks past) more than between three & four hundred pounds. His bonds I have parted with except the one I send you wch was in part of the last payment. I had every reason to believe I shoud have been able by Howell to have sent you the...
99From George Washington to James Mercer, 3 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
It has long been in my mind to ask you, though I have never yet done it, if you could give me any information of a conveyance of the Lotts I purchased at Colo. Mercer’s sale of Land in Frederick County in the year 1774. I can find no Deeds for these Lotts amongst my land papers; but by recurring to Letters which have passed between you & me (in a settlement of Accts with your Brother Colo....
100To George Washington from James McHenry, 4 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you Mr Tilghmans determination which I received only to-day. I had informed him that you had intimated to me a desire to appoint him to the vacant office of District Attorney if it could be ascertained that he would remove to Baltimore which the nature of the business made necessary. After visiting this Town to examine and investigate prospects in the way of...