76101To George Washington from George Walton, 1 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The letter enclosed, came under cover to me from General Mathews by yesterday’s mail. In opening the latter, the seal of the former was a little injured. With every consideration of delicacy on my part, and of respect to the Executive of the Union on the other, I make this the occasion to mention, that, by the same mail, as well as by other conveyances, I am advised of such a general...
76102From James Madison to Hubbard Taylor, ca. 1 April 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 April 1796. Mentioned in JM to Taylor, 10 May 1796 . Reports that he has made arrangements with John Brown for the delivery of about $40 to Taylor.
76103[March 1796] (Washington Papers)
1. Thick heavy morning with the Wind at North. The afternoon not much better. 2. Same kind of day, & Wind as yesterday—with spitting of Snow. 3. A little Snow fell in the Night—heavy and thick all day. Wind abt. North. 4. Again a little Snow fell in the Night—but not eno’ to cover the ground. 5. Heavy morning with clouds all day. Wind at North, a little Easterly. 6. Thick morning but very...
76104List of Proposed Candidates for Sundry Offices, c. March 1796 (Washington Papers)
New Hampshire Pensylvania [ ] Sheafe William Rawle William Tighlman Massachusetts Thomas Fitzsimmons Theop. Parsons Presley Nevil Chrs. Gore Geo. Clymer [ ] Dexter Jonathan Williams Timo. Edwards Connecticut Delaware James Davenport George Reade Amasa Learned
76105To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 31 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not know how to thank you sufficiently, for the trouble you have taken to dilate on the request of the House of Representatives for the Papers relative to the British Treaty; or how to apologize for the trouble (much greater than I had any idea of giving) which you have taken to shew the impropriety of that request. From the first moment, and from the fullest conviction in my own mind, I...
76106[Diary entry: 31 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
31. Clear and warm but little Wind & that Easterly.
76107To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
With this you will receive an essay designed to introduce accuracy in the execution of new surveys, and permanency to the work when executed; which from the present improved state of the Sciences, may be done with ease, and expedition, by any person properly qualified for a surveyor. The method which I have proposed, will neither require more time, nor be attended with more expense, than the...
76108From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I do not know how to thank you sufficiently, for the trouble you have taken to dilate on the request of the House of Representatives for the Papers relative to the British Treaty; or how to apologize for the trouble (much greater than I had any idea of giving) which you have taken to shew the impropriety of that request. From the first moment, and from the fullest conviction in my own mind, I...
76109From George Washington to John Jay, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25th Instant—enclosing a copy of Mr Bayards letter to you. The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work: but I shall proceed...
76110From George Washington to George Washington Motier Lafayette, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th instt was received yesterday. The enclosures which accompanied it, evidence much discretion; and your conduct therein meets my entire approbation. In the early part of this month, I put a letter into the hands of Colo. Hamilton, inviting you to this place; and expected, until your letter of the above date was received, to have embraced you, under my own roof, tomorrow...
76111To George Washington from Thomas Law, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The obliging Lre of congratulation in which Mrs Washington & you united, could not fail to render the happiness of Eliza & me compleat. Mr & Mrs Peters have been kind enough to spend a day or two with us, as the sudden shock which Mrs Lear’s melancholy fate occasion’d, has somewhat affected Eliza’s health—We had just cross’d the Ferry when Eliza receiv’d the sad account of Mrs Lear’s desperate...
76112From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Great Britain, requiring that Commissioners should be appointed to fix certain boundaries between the Territories of the contracting parties, and to ascertain the losses and damages represented to have been sustained by their respective Citizens and Subjects, as set forth in the fifth, Sixth and Seventh Articles of the...
76113To John Jay from George Washington, 31 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25 th . Instant— enclosing a copy of M r . Bayards letter to you.— The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work:—but I shall...
76114To Thomas Jefferson from William Branch Giles, 31 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you herewith a paper containing the Presidents refusal to comply with the call of the House of R. for the papers respecting the Brittish treaty. From your perfect acquaintance with the state of public affairs, and the views of parties, all comments upon this extraordinary production are rendered unnecessary; the language is too plain to be mistaken, and must press upon your mind a crowd...
76115John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
The opportunities for writing occur so frequently at this time, and there is so little to say that I am apprehensive some of them will escape without carrying any letters to you; for one is ashamed to write a short letter; when it is to go so far; and like most correspondents I do not always remember that to write little is better than not to write at all. I send you by the present opportunity...
76116To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 30 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I delivered your letter to Wm Lewis Esqre together with yours to me and a draft of the Mortgage. He promised attention but as the Supreme Court is Sitting I believe he is much hurried. It will be over in a few days & then I suppose we shall get the business finished. In the mean time I drop this line that you may know that no delay occurs on my part. On the Contrary I wish to put you perfectly...
76117[Diary entry: 30 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
30. Clear in the forenoon with the wind mostly at west—cloudy afternoon.
76118From George Washington to Elizabeth Parke Custis Law, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Melancholy as the event is, on which you wrote the 25th instant; and unwelcome as you knew the information must be, yet it was the part of prudence to communicate it as early as you did: and the precaution you took of writing to me, was well judged; and wd have been necessary, had we not been previously prepared for the shock, by letters from Mr Lear; giving an account of her situation, which...
76119From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your former letters prepared us for the stroke, which that of the 25th instant announced; but it has fallen heavily notwithstanding. It is the nature of humanity to mourn for the loss of our friends; and the more we loved them, the more poignant is our grief. It is part of the precepts of religion and Philosophy, to consider the Dispensations of Providence as wise, immutable, uncontroulable;...
76120To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your kind & acceptable favor of the 27th instant; and at the same time a letter from the Secretary of War on the subject of the Arsenal. It contains but a few lines, informing me that he shall put the papers, which I transmitted last month, into the hands of the Attorney General, to enable him to draw the deeds, and that he will write me more particularly in a short...
76121To George Washington from George Minor, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Letter dated 13th april 1794 Wherein you requested me to watch over your land on four mile run—this I have done with all possible care; and find it morally impossible to prevent depredations, oughing chiefly to the distance I live from the premises, and the caution in windy weather, and halling the wood away in the night. Mr William pearce your Maneger was at My house yesterday and...
76122To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the U. States the result of his examination of Mr Livingston’s speech. He also returns the draught of the proposed answer to the House, in the 3d page of which he has restored the idea of the Senate being composed of few members, as a reason why they participated in the power of making treaties: for taking the thing at large,...
76123From George Washington to the U.S. House of Representatives, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
With the utmost attention, I have considered your resolution of the twenty fourth instant, requesting me to lay before your House, a copy of the instructions to the Minister of the United States, who negociated the treaty with the king of Great Britain, together with the correspondence and other documents relative to that treaty, excepting such of the said papers, as any existing negociation...
76124From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 30 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 30 March 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 26 Apr. 1796 . Informs Jones of Washington’s rejection of the House call for Jay’s papers.
76125To George Washington from William Pearce, 27–29 March 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Pearce, 27–29 March 1796. On 3 April, GW wrote Pearce: “Your letter of the 27th Ulto, with a Postscript of the 29th, came duly to hand yesterday.”
76126John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
On Monday I rec d your favour of the 20 th Nothing will damp the Rage for Speculation but a Peace which may break a few hundreds or thousands of speculators. The Georgia Business is Impudence of uncommon hardness. The Rage of Party is there unrestrained by Policy or Delicacy. Our sons Account of shakespears Relicks Fenno has printed without Names. He must early learn to bear Mortifications. He...
76127From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 29 March [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wish the inclosed could have been sent in a more perfect State. But it was impossible. I hope however it can be made out & may be useful. It required more time to say all that was proper in a more condensed form. In considering the course to be pursued by the President it may be well he should be reminded that the same description of men who call for the papers have heretofore maintained...
76128Enclosure: [Draft of a Response to Concerns about the Jay Treaty], [29 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your resolution and have considered it with the attention always due to a request of the House of Representatives. I feel a consciousness (not contradicted I trust by any part of my conduct) of a sincere disposition to respect the rights privileges and authorities of Congress collectively and in its separate branches—to pay just deference to their opinions and wishes—to avoid...
76129[Diary entry: 29 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
29. Very pleasant all day with the Wind westerly but variable.
76130To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I wish the enclosed could have been sent in a more perfect State. But it was impossible—I hope however it can be made out & may be useful. It required more time to say all that was proper in a more condensed form. In considering the course to be pursued by the President it may be well he should be reminded that the same description of men who call for the papers have heretofore maintained that...
76131To George Washington from Charles Lee, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have examined with care the journals of the house of representatives and I have not met with any act of your administration which contradicts your present opinion relative to the right of that house to participate in making treaties, or any other part of your intended message. Col. Pickering was desired to express this as my opinion, and least he should omit it I have thought it necessary to...
76132To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have examined the cases mentioned in Mr Livingston’s speech, in which he affects to draw certain conclusions that the President has heretofore admitted, by the nature of his communications to the House of Representatives, that their interference is necessary to the due formation and binding force of treaties: but not one applies to the point. All the instances cited relate to communications...
76133From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I send herewith a copy of the Treaty of Friendship, Limits and Navigation, between the United States and his Catholic Majesty, which has been ratified by me with your Advice and Consent. A copy of the Treaty will be immediately communicated to the House of Representatives: it being necessary to make provision, in the present Session, for carrying into execution the Third and Twenty first...
76134Message to the New York State Senate, 29 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
It appears to me that the concurrent resolution of the two houses of the Legislature of the twenty-fourth instant respecting the Mohawk Indians now in town applies only to the four who were mentioned in my message, and who as the resolution states have not adequate powers to make any settlement respecting the claims of their constituents to certain lands in this State. But besides these four,...
76135Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
Captain Beal was in Boston on Saturday and he prevaild on the post master to let him take up the Saturday Mail by which means I got those Letters which ought to have come on thursday Letters of the 11 th 12 th 13 15 & 16 th . the greatest comfort which I derived from them, was hearing that you were well. the prospect of sitting till June is not a very agreable one, and the cause less so. What...
76136From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I am mortified at not being able to send you by this post a certain draft. But the opinion that reasons ought to be given & pretty fully has extended it to considerable length & a desire to make it accurate as to idea & expression keeps it still upon the anvil. But it is so far prepared that I can assure it by tomorrow’s Post. Delay is always unpleasant. But the case is delicate & important...
76137[Diary entry: 28 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
28. Thick, foggy morning with moderate rain about Noon, with the Wind at East. About 3 Oclock it cleared & was pleast. but afterwds. grew cloudy & cold.
76138To George Washington from George Fitzhugh, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour dated the 28 Jany did not get to my hands until three days ago, oweing to my being from Home; please accept my thanks for its contents. About the last of Apl I shall visit Gloucester, whilest there, will take a full view of your Lands; for notwithstanding I well know the Neighbourhood it lays in, and have indeed been on the premises, yet being a Stranger to your intention of...
76139To George Washington from David Forman, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
engaged as you are in public duties, espetially at this important Era it is with diffidence that I beg leave to state to your Excly, that in the fall of the year 1789 I made an adventure and settlement with a considerable Number of Nega Slaves and other property Value of Ten thousand pounds Currancy to the then held as Spanish Cuntry of Louisiana, but within the limmits of the Uniteed States...
76140To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am mortified at not being able to send you by this post a certain draft—But the opinion that reasons ought to be given & pretty fully has extended it to considerable length & a desire to make it accurate as to idea & expression keeps it still upon the anvil—But it is so far prepared that I can assure it by tomorrow’s Post—Delay is always unpleasant. But the case is delicate & important...
76141To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
At the moment in which my Friend and I were making arrangements to go to Philadelphia at your desire and invitation, I received a resolution of the House of Representatives, extremely honorable for my father; it was accompanied by a letter from Mr Livingston, equally obliging for myself. Penetrated with gratitude for this public mark of bounty, as little expected as merited on my part, I...
76142From George Washington to Thomas Law, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
By letters recd from Hope Park, dated the 22d instt, we are informed that your Marriage with Miss Custis was celebrated the day before. On this pleasing occasion we offer you and Eliza, our sincere, & affectionate congratulations; and vows for the perfect happiness of you both, in the union you have formed. Whether here, or at Mount Vernon we shall always be happy to see you, and at either...
76143From George Washington to George Lewis, 28 March 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Lewis, 28 March 1796. On 9 April, Lewis wrote to GW: “Your letter of the 28th of last month, acknowledging the receipt of my two last letters, I receiv’d.”
76144To James Madison from Samuel Wilds, [28 March] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your Patriotic attempts to arrest & unfold any thing that bears the face of oppression or injustice, has endeared your name to all who are enemies to such practices, & has implanted such a confidence in me of your readiness to support any thing which may clearly appear for the good of your country, that I make bold to throw my sentiments into your hands as if you were an intimate & proven...
76145Impressed American Seamen, [28 March] 1796 (Madison Papers)
After the debate on 1 March, Livingston (New York) reported to the House on 14 March a bill for the relief and protection of American seamen. It was read twice and committed. The third reading of the bill began on 28 March with the blanks being filled to authorize an appropriation of $15,000 to pay the agents and to set the price of sailors’ certificates at twenty-five cents ( Annals of...
76146From James Madison to Joseph Jones, 28 March 1796 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 28 March 1796. Acknowledged in Jones to JM, 26 Apr. 1796 . Probably encloses accounts of House debate on Livingston’s motion calling for Jay’s papers.
76147To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 28 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Le tems que je M’étais proposé de passer en cette Ville tire dèsormais à Sa fin: je N’attends plus pour me mettre en route, que des Nouvelles de France que je ne prévois pas devoir changer mon plan, quoiqu’il paraisse qu’elles ayent changé L à Ma position. Mon dessein est de passer L’été dans la partie Montueuse, c’est à dire Salubre des etats du midi: il est bien évident qu’une des premieres...
76148[Diary entry: 27 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
27th. Clear all day. The Wind at East & pleasant tho’ a little cool.
76149From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st & 23d instant have filled us with pain and anxiety, from which, probably, we shall not be relieved before tuesday; tho’ we shall hope, on that day, to hear that both Fanny and Maria are much better, if not entirely recovered. Upon receipt of the first of the letters abovementioned, I made immediate enquiry in what train the business respecting the arsenal on Potomack...
76150To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 27 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Once more I refer you to another letter for what has occurred to me on the late distressing event, and I will therefore only say that the contents of your last letters to me shall be shortly attend’d to, and that I am most truly & devotedly your’s ALS , DLC:GW . See Lear to GW, 25 March. Lear is referring to GW’s letters of 13 and 21 March.