92651Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
GW’s nomination on 22 Dec. 1791 of Thomas Pinckney, Gouverneur Morris, and William Short as ministers at London, Paris, and The Hague, respectively, occasioned significant Senate debates that ultimately involved the meaning of the “advice and consent” provision of the Constitution and the extent of presidential authority over foreign affairs. Early in his first administration the president had...
92652I: Benjamin Hawkins’s Notes on the Debate in the United States Senate, c.3 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
S——te, on the agency it ought to have in judging of the expediency of sendg M——rs abroad. Resolution—“That in the opinion of the S——te it will not be for the interest of the U.S. to appoint M——rs Ple——y to reside permanently at Foreign Courts.” Mr. Haw[kins]—Doubts the P—— right to decide on the measure without the previous advice of the Se——te. Sees embarrassments in negativeing the character...
92653II: Draft of a Message to the United States Senate, c.3–4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your house has been pleased to communicate to me their resolutions, purporting a decision by them that it is expedient &c. from whence an implication arises that in their opinion they might have decided that no such appointments were expedient. After mature consideration & consultation, I am of opinion that the constitution has made the President the sole competent judge to what places...
92654III: Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having yesterday received a Note from Mr Strong as Chairman of a Committee of the Senate, asking a conference with him on the subject of the late diplomatic nominations to Paris, London and the Hague, he met them in the Senate chamber in the evening of the same day, and stated to them in substance what follows. That he should on all occasions be ready to give to the...
92655To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Having been in conversation to-day with Monsr Payan, one of the St Domingo deputies, I took occasion to enquire of him the footing on which our commerce there stands at present, & particularly whether the colonial arret of 1789 permitting a free importation of our flour till 1793 was still in force. he answered that that arret was revoked in France on the clamours of the merchants there: but...
92656From George Washington to Mary Butler, 6 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I received duly your letter of the 22nd ultimo.⟩ Permit me to assure you that in a public view, I consider the recent misfortune greatly enhanced by the loss of the truly gallant General Butler, and that I deeply participate in the grief which afflicts you on this distressing event. A small detachment of troops had been ordered to be stationed at Pittsburgh previously to the receipt of your...
92657From George Washington to Brown & Francis, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 13th of December, requesting that I would furnish Mr John Francis with such letters to Amsterdam, or other parts of Europe, as might enable him to obtain a loan of money for your house, to the amount of about 100,000 dollars, to make it co[n]venient for you to build and fit out such vessels as you mention for the East India trade. I have taken this matter,...
92658To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of answering your letters on particular subjects, we think it best to do it separately. With a view to settle all accounts to the first of this month and to form, as far as we might be able, a scheme of the business for the ensuing year, we met here the day before yesterday. many accounts are presented for our examination, the aggregate of which, exceeds our expectation, and many of...
92659To George Washington from Henry Lee, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit herewith a Resolution of the General Assembly with respect to certain Lands located by the Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia line under the Laws of this Commonwealth, and since ceded to the Chickasaw Indians, together with a Report of a Committee of the House of Delegates on the same subject. Permit me Sir, to express my hope that some general regulations...
92660To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Among the great duties of your high station, the selection of proper characters for public offices is not the least difficult, nor the least important. The multiplicity of applications, the diversity, and sometimes the contrariety of opinions, must often produce painful embarrassments: while a constant aim to provide for the public service, will frequently oblige you to disregard private...
92661From George Washington to Robert Bowyer, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received your letter, giving me information of the death of the Right Honble the Countess Dowager of Huntingdon, and accompanied with an engraving of that Lady, from a painting of yours. Although I had not the satisfaction of knowing the late Countess personally, yet having been honored with her correspondence, and learning from others the amiable and benevolent character which...
92662To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Papers give the best state we are able of Danl Carroll’s House —the times of the several runnings and their Difference can best be ascertained by the Artists employed, for, of the first we have no Certainty, of the latter we can conclude nothing—Majr L’Enfant has written us a Letter Concerning Mr Youngs House and Improvements, and without any previous Consultation with us another...
92663Enclosure: Daniel Carroll’s Case, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
In 1790. the Cellar of his House was walled up and stood so the Winter—30th March 1791. He signed the Agreement subjecting his property. Mark’d. A. 27th or 28th June 1791 he executed a deed in Trust to Carry the Agreement into Effect—The Original is in the Office at Annapolis where it was lodged to be recorded, but the paper B. is a Copy of the trust part of that and the other Deeds. (B.) In...
92664To George Washington from Richard O’Bryen, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Permit & unfortunate American Captive to draw youre Excellencey’s attention to the perusal of this letter Relative to Barbary affairs. The United States in my opinion may Obtain a peace with this Regency for the Sum of 60 thousd pounds Ster. all Expences Included. The Same time by Giveing moratime Stores Masts planks Scantling frames tar pitch & turpentine and a few light Cruisers. The peace...
92665To George Washington from Charles Pinckney, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir Charleston [S.C.] January 8: 1792 I am to lament that my absence from this place for nearly two months in attending the Legislature & other Business in the Country deprived me of the pleasure of seeing & shewing every civility in my power to Lord Wycombe during his short stay in Charleston. I am told his Lordship is now on a visit to the Floridas & that it is probable he...
92666To George Washington from Charles Pinckney, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
My absence from Charleston has prevented my acknowledging sooner your favour of the 8th inclosing Mr Jefferson’s opinion on the subject of a proposed application from the Executive of this State for the redelivery of certain fugitives charged by the Grand Jury of this District with having forged the Indents assumed by the Union. The Constitution having very properly delegated the management of...
92667From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have long suspected—but, such has been my situation for some years back, that I have not been able to ascertain the fact—that a tract of about 1200 acres wch I hold on four mile-run near Alexandria has had the wood thereon dealt pretty freely with by unauthorised persons in its vicinity. The enclosed from Mr Whiting gives information of a particular act. He is directed in a letter of this...
92668From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 8 January 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Anthony Whitting, 8 Jan. 1792. GW wrote Bushrod Washington on 8 Jan. 1792 : “Mr Whiting . . . is directed in a letter of this date, to wait upon Colo. Little.” Whitting himself alluded to the missing letter in his letters to GW of 15 and 22 January.
92669To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday morning we passed the enclosed order to Mr Boaraff, nor suspected that there would be any repugnance to, or delay in carrying it into effect. We saw nothing of him again till today, having in the morning heard that he had been in Virginia, had an intercourse with Mr Roberdeau there, returned and was proceeding in the old line. Soon after this he came to our Room to settle the pay...
92670To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I submit to your consideration, instructions for Capt. Pond. A suitable character by the name of Steedman, presenting I submit the propriety of his joining Pond. I will wait upon you this evening to explain the idea further. I have the honor with perfect respect to be sir Your obedient Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Capt. Peter Pond of Connecticut and William Steedman were Indian traders preparing to...
92671To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
A few days past, I had the Honor of writing to you by a Ship from ⟨Nuny⟩, expressing my most fervent wishes for Many, Many, happy returns of this Season to you & your House. Having ever given you my most Secret opinion on Political Subjects, I think it a Duty incumbent on me to acquaint you, that I shall, during this Session, most warmly Support Government. For this Month past, the Lower order...
92672To George Washington from Elizabeth Willing Powel, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my Promise I have the Pleasure to send you the Extract from the Annual Register for the Year 1788 for the Use of your Nephew. That every happy Consequence may attend the Use of the Koumiss, in his Instance, I most sincerely wish. Its Utility in many Cases, similar to his appears to be well authenticated; and tho it is reccommended as an almost universal Remedy, which I know you...
92673To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Several Incidents have occurred since Yesterday Evening—We had a conversation with Mr Roberdeau, which at first ⟨intimated⟩ no disposition to accomodate but afterwards on being renewed opened a prospect of our being able to retain him consistant with our own Views—This morning received a Letter from him and had another Conversation with him, which induced us to point out by Letter to him...
92674To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having received information that the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States are subject in Copenhagen and other ports of Denmark to considerable extra duties, from which they might probably be relieved by the presence of a Consul there, Reports to the President of the United States: That it would be expedient to name a Consul, to be resident in the port of...
92675To George Washington from Galbreath Patterson, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
In the Papers of my Father Wm Patterson I find Instructions signed by your Excellency March 1779 relative to Indian affairs under which he acted—I also find an account rendered of what monies came into his Hands for the prosecution your Order but presume be never received any compensation for his Services—The result of his enquiries or whether the Public was served is a matter I know nothing...
92676From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you the following Report which has been made to me by the Secretary of State. “The Secretary of State Reports to the President of the United States, that one of the Commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his Court, that his Catholic Majesty, apprized of our solicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free...
92677From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 11 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you, in confidence, two Reports made to me by the Secretary for the department of War, relatively to the present state of affairs on the western frontiers of the United States. In these Reports the causes of the present war with the Indians; the measures taken by the Executive to terminate it amicably; and the military preparations for the late Campaign are stated and explained;...
92678From George Washington to the United States Senate, 12 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Richard Peters to be District Judge of the Pennsylvania District: vice William Lewis, who has resigned his Appointment. DS , DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations. For the background to this appointment, see William Lewis to GW, 8 July 1791, in Edmund Randolph to GW, 13 July 1791, n.1 , and Timothy...
92679From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The P. begs that Mr J—— & Mr Ma—— would give the enclosed letters from the Commrs an attentive perusal, and the whole of that business a serious consideration before nine oclock tomorrow morning—at which hour the P—. would be glad to converse with them on the subject. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. GW addressed the letter to “Mr Jefferson,” and Jefferson docketed the address cover as...
92680John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 13 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 13 Jan. 1792. As directed by the secretary of war transmits the enclosed letter, dated 31 Dec. 1791, of Lieutenant Jeffers, commanding officer at Fort Franklin, for submission to the president. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Lt. John Jeffers, presumably to Henry Knox, has not been identified. Tobias Lear returned it directly to Knox on 14 Jan. after...
92681To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 13 January 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 13 Jan. 1792. In his letter to GW of 15–16 Jan. 1792 , Whitting stated: “In a Letter wrote on Friday last I informed your Excellency of the Loss of your letter by Dogue run Will.” As GW’s lost letter, which was subsequently found, was dated 8 Jan. 1792, Anthony Whitting’s letter to GW explaining the circumstances of its having been lost must have been...
92682To George Washington from Pierre-Charles Georgest, 14 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Not being willing to act against my Country—in the impossibility of rende[r]ing my services exactly under a new administration, which is yet far from having the Knowledge necessary to guard it from committing errors prejudicial to public affairs—and finally, foreseeing the misfortunes without number, which are on the point of afflicting this Kingdom, to which the nature of my services cannot...
92683To George Washington from George Skene Keith, 14 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of writing your Excellency, which I hope you will excuse, and of sending you a few Copies of a Pamphlet on Weights, Measures and Coins of which I beg your acceptance. I write to you as a man of Mind, not as a man of Rank. But I should not have troubled you with this Letter, if the Treatise which accompanies it were not the work of much labour, and considered as the best...
92684Tobias Lear to Joseph Williams, 14 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity, after receiving your letter of the 11th instant, to inform you of the President’s sentiments on the subject of it. I think I mentioned to you when I had the pleasure of seeing you in this place, that the President had, when on his tour to the southward, been prevailed upon by the strong sollicitations of Colonel Washington and several other Gentlemen of South...
92685From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed came to my hands yesterday afternoon. The documents respecting the dispute between Majr L’Enfant an Dan. Carroll of D. have been sent for the Attorney Genl to form his opinion upon the case. The whole are sent for Mr J.s perusal previous to the conversation he proposed to have with Majr L’E. The President has not read the Papers—nor is he in any hurry to do it. AL , DLC : Thomas...
92686To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the letters of the Commissioners on their discharge of the workmen ⟨&ca⟩ in the Federal city. the copy of the Extracts from them for Majr L’Enfant was not finished till last night, & therefore could not be sent to him till to-day, consequently the conference with him is put off to tomorrow. Th: J. incloses a copy of his letter to Majr...
92687From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 15 January 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Anthony Whitting, 15 Jan. 1792. In a letter to Whitting of 16 Jan. 1792 GW referred to “My letter, of yesterdays date.”
92688To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 15–16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter wrote on Friday last I informed your Excellency of the Loss of your letter by Dogue run Will. I sent him to Town on friday with a Letter to a friend of mine begging he would Give every assistance in his power in endeavoring to find it which he I believe did but without Success—Not knowing its Contents I can make no reply. However there are a few things I Could wish to Mention in...
92689To George Washington from Ernst Frederick Gayer, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Ernst Frederick Gayer Most respectfully sheweth That the Subscriber was born in Germany at Stuttgard, the Capital of the Dukedom of Wirtemberg and educated in the University of the same Place under the Direction of Mr Rappolt (Librarian and Professor of Natural Philosophy thereof) at the Expence of His Serene Highness Charles Eugen Duke of Wirtemberg Stuttgard his then...
92690To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency the President, the Honorable the Senate, and the Honorable the House of Representatives, Composing the Legislature of the United States of America. The Memorial of Moses Hazen Esqr., late Brigadier General in the Army of the United States, most Respectfully Sheweth—That your Memorialist did himself the Honour to direct Memorials to the Legislature of America; the former was...
92691From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hamilton came so late that I could only broach the subject to him—He will breakfast with me at 8 Oclock—at which time If you can make it convenient I should be glad of your company—after which we will talk the matter over fully. Yrs ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. Jefferson endorsed this letter as having been “recd Jan. 16. 92,” which was a Monday. GW apparently wished to discuss...
92692From George Washington to Thomas Pinckney, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Jany 16th 1792 I do myself the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th of November, and to express the satisfaction which I feel in finding you are disposed to go abroad in the public character which was suggested to you. The Secretary of State will give you the official information of your appointment to the Court of London; and I am...
92693From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 16 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
My letter, of yesterdays date, was closed, and sent to the Post Office, before it occurred to me, to enquire, whether you have taken advantage of the present frost, to store the House with Ice. Do not neglect to have it well filled, and well pounded, as it is filling. Ice, put in whilst the weather is intensely cold, keeps better than that which is taken up in more moderate weather—and still...
92694From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favors of January 7th & 9th—am sensible of the expediency of the act of authority you have found it necessary to exercise over all the persons employed in the public works under your care, and fully approve of what you did. It has appeared, I think, that nothing less would draw their attention to a single source of authority and confine their operations to specified...
92695To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
As the late unhappy miscarriage to the westward gives occasion to Expect that some troops will be speedily raised for the Continental Service permit me to recommend to you Mr David Thompson a Gentleman from Ireland —He was of the Whig volunteers there & came to this Country about five years ago as a preceptor to a Gentleman’s children near me & conducted Himself with prudence & propriety in...
92696To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a letter of the 7th of January 1792 from the Collector of Alexandria, in answer to one written at the direction of the President; and also the Answer of the Collector of Boston to an enquiry in relation to the Keeper of the Lighthouse at Portland. LB , DLC:GW . Neither of the enclosures has been found (see Syrett,...
92697To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to you the communications of the Cherokee chiefs and my report thereon, and also a draft of a message, which appears necessary, to the Senate on the occasion. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir Your most obedient and humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The ratification and proclamation of the Treaty of Holston on 11 Nov. 1791 failed to settle...
92698Enclosure: Report, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War, having in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States, received the communication of the Cherokee Chiefs, at present in Philadelphia respectfully Reports—That the communications and opinions of the said Cherokees, are contained in the papers hereunto annexed, as translated by James Carey, interpreter, and confirmed by George Miller, a young Indian who...
92699To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
the approching season for renewing the work at the federal city and the Importance of progressing it so as to determine the ballance of opinion on the undertaking, to that side to which it already favorably incline, require, that Exertions should be made to Engage in it from the begining with such a degree of vigor and activity, as will disappoint the hopes of those who wish ill to the...
92700Enclosure, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Operations Intended for the ensuing season in the Federal City to which is added an Estimate of the Expenditure of one year proces & number of hands necessary. Number of men { 1st to continue clearing the Cellars & begin laying the foundation of the two principal buildings & bring these forward to such a stage as they will be safe from injury the next winter. the digers to continue afterward...