1From George Washington to the Alexandria, Virginia, Inspectors of Tobacco, 21 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
In 1790 I had 13 Hhds of Tobo Inspected at the Warehouses in Alexandria—and in 1791, 12 more were also Inspected at the same place. Not meeting a price which I was disposed to take, they remain there still. My Nephew Majr Washington either before, or since your care of those Warehouses was allowed to stow them in a secure place, therein; but as it is now more than a year since this happened,...
2From George Washington to Jaquelin Ambler, 13 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to pay to Messrs Johnson, Stuart & Carrol Commissioners of the Federal buildings on the Patowmac, or to their order, or by the order of any two of them, the second instalment of the monies granted by the state of Virginia towards the said buildings. LS , in Thomas Jefferson’s writing, Vi ; L (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; copy, DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB ,...
3Pass for Jean-Pierre Blanchard, 9 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Blanchard a citizen of France, proposing to ascend in a balloon from the city of Philadelphia, at 10 o’clock, A.M. this day, to pass in such direction and to descend in such place as circumstances may render most convenient—T hese are therefore to recommend to all citizens of the United States, and others, that in his passage, descent, return or journeying elsewhere,...
4Tobias Lear to Daniel Bowen, 28 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lear presents his Compliments to Mr Bowen & will thank him to send by the Bearer the six framed pictures which Mr B. bid off yesterday for the President —Whenever Mr Bowen has leisure to draw off the Acct of the Prints &c. bo[ugh]t by him for the President Mr Lear will immediately pay it—and it would be pleasing to the President if he could know what would be a compensation to Mr Bowen for...
5From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 9 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 1st inst. and expressing my sincere wishes that your personal happiness may be promoted by the election you have made to continue in your State Legislature, I cannot but regret the loss of your services to the United States in your Senatorial Capacity. I am persuaded, however, that your endeavours to serve your Country will be no less...
6From 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...
7From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
No. 13. Gentlemen, Philadelphia Novr 13th 1792 . I have duly received your letter of the 13th of October, enclosing a list of the sale of lots in the federal City; with the prices of which I am more gratified than I am by the number which have been disposed of. I am pleased to find that several of your Mechanics were among the purchasers of lots, as they will not only, in all probability, be...
8From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 18 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to the Secretary of State, dated if I recollect rightly, the 5th instant, intimating among other things, that you had failed in an attempt which had been made to import workmen from Scotland, equally with that for obtaining them from Holland, fills me with real concern: for I am very apprehensive if your next campaign in the Federal City is not marked with vigor, it will cast such...
9From George Washington to John Singleton Copley, 12 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Through the hands of the Vice-President of the United States—Mr Adams—I received a few days ago your acceptable present of the Print, representing the death of the Earl of Chatham. This work, highly valuable in itself, is rendered more estimable in my eye, when I remember that America gave birth to the celebrated artist who produced it. For the honor you have done me in this mark of your...
10Tobias Lear to Jonathan Dayton, 9 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letter of this date, the President of the United States directs me to inform you, that he is ready to do, at any time, whatever may depend on him towards completing the “grant and conveyance of certain lands to John Cleves Symmes and his associates,” in conformity to An Act of the Legislature passed during the last session of Congress. But as the President understands that...
11From George Washington to Francis Deakins and Benjamin Jones, 22 December 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Francis Deakins and Benjamin Jones, c.22 Dec. 1792. Tobias Lear wrote to William Deakins, Jr., on this date: “The President of the United States directs me to transmit the enclosed letter to you, and beg the favor of your forwarding it to your brother Colo. Frs Deakins and Mr Jones, by the first safe opportunity that may offer after it gets to your hands” ( DLC:GW ).
12George Washington and John Francis Mercer to Francis Deakins and Benjamin W. Jones, 8 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since the Letter which we addressed to you, requesting your valuation of a certain tract of Land in Montgomery County, another arrangement has taken place with regard thereto. It is now agreed that the price of seven dollars per acre shall be fixed & the whole tract divided into two equal parts, with respect to quantity, quality & value. In giving effect to this agreement, we must still rely...
13Directive to John Christian Ehlers, 7 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
List of Trees, Shrubs &c. had of Jno. Bartram to supply the place of those of his Catalogue of Mar: 92. which failed. No. —feet high E. d. 2 Ulex europeus grows from 3 to 4 embellished with sweet scented flowers of a fine yellow colour. [Furze] a. 3. Hypericum kalmianum 3 to 4. profusely garnished with fine gold coloured blossoms 2 plants. [“Shrub St. John’s wort”] 4. Hyperi: Angustifolium 3...
14From George Washington to John Christian Ehlers, 4 November 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Christian Ehlers, 4 Nov. 1792. GW wrote Anthony Whitting on this date : “I have written, as you will see by the enclosed, long letters, both to Thos Green and the Gardner. . . . The letters are left open for your perusal & delivery.”
15From George Washington to John Christian Ehlers, 7 November 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Christian Ehlers, c.7 Nov. 1792. In his letter to Anthony Whitting of 11 Nov. , GW refers to his “last post to the gardener.”
16From George Washington to Andrew Ellicott, 20 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Honble Mr Cushing one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the U. States has some thought of passing through the Federal City in the Circuit he is about to make. Should this happen, I shall be obliged to you for shewing him such parts of it as he may incline to view. I am Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS , DSI . William Cushing, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was currently...
17From 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.”
18From 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...
19Circular 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...
20From George Washington to Thomas Green, 4 November 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Green, 4 Nov. 1792. GW wrote Anthony Whitting on this date : “I have written, as you will see by the enclosed, long letters, both to Thos Green and the Gardner. . . . The letters are left open for your perusal & delivery.”
21From George Washington to Thomas Green, 6 January 1793 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Green, c.6 Jan. 1793. On 6 Jan., GW wrote Anthony Whitting : “You will See by the enclosed to Thomas Green (which Seal before you send it to him) on what footing I have placed his continuance, or discharge.”
22Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to inform the Secretary of the Treasury that the President has appointed William Lewis to be keeper of the Light-house on Cape Henry, with a salary of four hundred Dollars per annum. The President does not conceive that the circumstance of mister Cormicks being employed to oversee the building of the Lighthouse, tho’ in his favor, as...
23From 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...
24From 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...
25From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 31 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter was written agreeably to the date, but by an accident, was omitted when my other letters were sent to the post office on Monday last; since wch ‘till yesterday afternoon, I have been absent from home. On my return, amongst other Letters I found the enclosed from the Inspector of the 5th survey in the State of North Carolina. The picture drawn by him of the temper of the...
26From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 7 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me your letter of the first instant, with the enclosures respecting the disorderly conduct of the Inhabitants of the Western Survey of the District of Pennsylvania, in opposing the execution of what is called the Excise Law; & of the insults which have been offered by some of them to the Officers who have been appointed to collect the duties on distilled spirits agreeably...
27From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 22 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
This will merely inform you that your letter of the 10th with it’s enclosure—and that of the 11th Inst: have been duly received; and that if the Regulations of your Department, mentioned in the former, are carried strictly into execution, the most happy consequences, it is to be hoped, will result from them. I am sir &c. LB , DLC:GW .
28From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 26 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 26th 1792 Your letter of the 18th, enclosing answers to certain objections communicated to you in my letter of the 29th Ulto came duly to hand; and although I have not, as yet, from a variety of causes, been able to give them the attentive reading I mean to bestow, I feel myself much obliged by the trouble you have taken to answer them; as I persuade...
29From 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...
30Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 6 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of the Treasury, with the President’s approbation affixed thereto, the Contract entered into by Thomas Newton jur on the part of the U.S. with John McComb junr to execute certain additional objects specified in said Contract, to the Lighthouse lately erected on Cape Henry: And to inform the Secretary that the...
31From 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...
32From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 1 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
After reading the enclosed letter return it to me. My sentiments on the general principle your are acquainted with—With the one handed, under this cover, do as shall seem best to you in the case before us, & let me know the result; or, if you chuse it, I am ready to confer further with you on the subject. I am always Your Sincere frd & sr. ALS , DLC : Hamilton Papers. The enclosure was...
33Tobias Lear to William Hilton, 2 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States has received at his seat in Virginia, a number of plants from the Island of Jamaica, which were accompanied with a particular description of the plants sent, and a catalogue of the plants in the Jamaica public Garden. As there was no Letter received with the plants, the President would not have known to whose politeness he was indebted for this mark of...
34Tobias Lear to Samuel Hodgdon, 16 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of laying before the President the enclosed extract of a letter which you put into my hands for that purpose, and he has directed me to request that you would let him know the number & state of the arms & accoutrements which are under your care in this place, that he may be able to form a judgement whether it would be proper to spare the num[b]er wanted out of the public...
35Tobias Lear to Samuel Hodgdon, 18 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President wishes to know if the Vessel which has taken the Arms for So. Carolina has sailed if she has not, when she expects to sail, as [he] has letters prepared for So. Carolina which he wishes to send by the first vessel. The President likewise desires to have an Acct of the number Arms furnished from the public stores for So. Carolina. With great esteem, I am Sir, Your most Obedt Servt...
36From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 19 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have run over the four numbers of Genl Green’s letters to Congress—herewith returned—and find nothing contained in them, unmarked by you, which ought, in my opinion, to be withheld from the Public. Even those of the 3d of Novr 1780—tho’ quite unnecessary, might pass with an explanatory note on the then value of our paper currency. It probably is best to [leave] out the scored part of No. 1,...
37From 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...
38From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir Phila. Octobr 18th 1792. I did not require the evidence of the extracts which you enclosed me, to convince me of your attachment to the Constitution of the United States, or of your disposition to promote the general Welfare of this Country. But I regret—deeply regret—the difference in opinions which have arisen, and divided you and another principal Officer of the...
39From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed places matters on their true rounds; and in my opinion on a proper footing. ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed this letter: “recd Nov. 1. 92.” Beneath GW’s text Jefferson added “this was my answer of Nov. 1. to Viar & Jaudenes.” Jefferson wrote the Spanish diplomats José Ignacio de Viar and José de Jaudenes in reply to their letter to him of 29 Oct. (see Jefferson to...
40Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State the Commissions which were sent to the President for his signature, which they have received. T. Lear begs leave to observe that in the Commission of Mr Joy, it is expressed: “He demanding and receiving no Fees or Perquisites” —which appears to be contrary to the fourth Section of the Act passed during the last Session of Congress,...
41Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President orders T. Lear to return to the Secretary of State the letter from Mr Pinckney—the one from Mr Johnson and that from Mr Livingston, which have been submitted to the President’s perusal; and to observe that the President thinks it is to be regretted that Mr Pinckney does not say anything in his letters relative to certain matters which he was instructed to be particularly attentive...
42From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Letter to Mr Pinckney meets my ideas—but after mentioning Sweden as the Country most likely to obtain Copper from, I think it would be better not to confine him to the purchase there. ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed this letter: “recd Dec. 30. 92.” On 29 Dec., Jefferson had sent to GW for his review a letter to Thomas Pinckney, U.S. minister to Great Britain, under the...
43Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
T. Lear is ordered by the President of the U.S. to transmit to the Secretary of State a letter and its enclosures, together with a draft of the survey of the federal district, which he has received from the Commissione[r]s. The President requests that the Secretary will take this matter into consideration and report to the President his opinion whether it should be laid before Congress or not....
44From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
If you have not closed your letter to Mr Pinckney I wish you would desire him to be very attentive to the embarkation of Troops for America—especially Quebec—& to give the earliest advice of the measure—& of the numbers —Yours &ca ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed the letter: “recd Dec. 31. 1792.” GW erroneously dated this letter “31st Jan.” For Jefferson’s letter to Thomas...
45From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 7 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mount Vernon, 7 Oct. 1792. Forwards to Philadelphia Jefferson’s papers that were “found in the Road” by one of GW’s neighbors, except for a letter to Daniel Carroll of Rock Creek, Md., which has been sent to the Alexandria post office. ADfS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Jefferson wrote to James Madison from Bladensburg, Md., on 1 Oct. that he had “unfortunately dropped”...
46Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to inform the Secy of State, that the President desires Commissions to be made out for the following persons—and to bear the dates annexed thereto—viz. John Adams, the first, and Benjamin Gunnison, second mate in the New Hampshire Cutter—June 30th 1792. John Finley, second Mate in the New York Cutter—July 17: 1792. David Porter, Master of the...
47From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The letter enclosed, intended for Govr Blount, appears to me to be very proper. ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed the letter: “Washington Presidt recd Nov. 15. 92,” and he noted below the text that “it was my letter of Nov. 14. 92.” In a note to GW of 14 Nov. 1792, Jefferson had submitted his letter to William Blount of that date and “the correspondence on which it is founded”...
48Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s Command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of State the Draft of a Proclamation, which the President requests may be prepared for his signature. The President likewise wishes the Secretary’s opinion whether this Proclamation should be published in the papers here, or whether it would be proper to send it to Georgia only for publication. AL , DLC : Jefferson...
49From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 23d 1792. Your letters of the 12th & 13th came duly to hand—as did that enclosing Mr Blodgets plan of a Capitol. The latter I forwarded to the Commissioners, and the enclosures of the two first are now returned to you. I believe we are never to hear from Mr Carmichael; nor of him but through the medium of a third person. His——I realy do not know with...
50From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hammond starts three to one against you. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed this letter: “Washington President recd Dec. 1. 9⟨ mutilated ⟩.” For background on Jefferson’s negotiations with George Hammond, British minister to the United States, see Jefferson’s notes on two conversations with Hammond later this month, c. 10 Dec. and c. 12 Dec. 1792, and editorial notes, in...