Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 March 1793

To George Washington

Philadelphia Mar. 23. 1793.

Sir

Before your departure, it becomes necessary for me to sollicit your orders on the Treasury for the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations. This act commenced July 1. 1790. Two years allowance have been furnished and a sum of 500. Dollars over. Nine months of the 3d. year are now nearly elapsed, and according to an estimate I had the honor of giving in to you the 5th. of Nov. last, the expences to the 3d. of Mar. last probably amounted to about 90,785.09 D. from which deducting the sums received, to wit 80,500. D. the bankers would be in advance at that day upwards of 10,000. D. and near 20,000. D. by the time this remittance can reach them. They could feel no inconvenience from this, because they had in their hands the Algerine fund. But now that that is to be drawn for by Colo. Humphreys, it becomes necessary to pay up the arrearages of the foreign fund, and to put them moreover in cash to answer the current calls of our ministers abroad, in order to prevent any risque to the honor of Colo. Humphreys’s bills. I must therefore sollicit your orders for 39,500. D. which will compleat the allowance for the 3d. year, ending June 30. A summary view of the account is stated below. I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect & esteem, Sir, your most obedt. humble servt.

Th: Jefferson

D D.
Actual expences incurred from 1790. July 1. to 1792. July 1. 64,485.09
Probable do. as by acct. given in to 1793. Mar. 3. 26,300.   90,785.09

1790. Aug. 14. Cash to Colo. Humphreys.    500.
1791. Mar. 19. Bill on the bankers in favr. of Secy. of state. 99,000ƒ = 40,000.
ƒ D.
do. on do. in favr. of G. Morris   2 475 =   1 000. } 40,000 80,5001
do. on do. in favr. of J. B. Cutting    577.10 =    233⅓
1792. Jan. 23. do. on do. in favr. of Secy. of state. 95,947 = 38,766⅔
99,000

RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); endorsed by Tobias Lear. PrC (DLC); at foot of text in ink by TJ: “<Short Wm.>” and “Secy. Treasy.”; lengthwise in left margin in ink by George Taylor, Jr.: “To the President of the U.S.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, DL); lacks subjoined account. Tr (Lb in same, SDC). Not recorded in SJL.

As requested, the President gave TJ orders on the treasury this day (TJ to Alexander Hamilton, 23 Mch. 1793; Washington, Journal description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed., The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797, Charlottesville, 1981 description ends , 102). For the relevant statutes concerning intercourse with foreign nations, dated 1 July 1790 and 9 Feb. 1793, see Annals description begins Annals of the Congress of the United States: The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … Compiled from Authentic Materials, Washington, D.C., Gales & Seaton, 1834–56, 42 vols. All editions are undependable and pagination varies from one printing to another. The first two volumes of the set cited here have “Compiled … by Joseph Gales, Senior” on the title page and bear the caption “Gales & Seatons History” on verso and “of Debates in Congress” on recto pages. The remaining volumes bear the caption “History of Congress” on both recto and verso pages. Those using the first two volumes with the latter caption will need to employ the date of the debate or the indexes of debates and speakers. description ends , ii, 2292, iii, 1411–12.

1Tr: “80,000.”

Index Entries