92651From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President of the U. States has read, and approves the draught of the Secretary of States letter to the Govr of So. Carolina of this date. AL , DLC : Jefferson Papers; ADf , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy),
92652To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to present to the view of the President the subjects relative to Algiers, under their different aspects. on further consideration, & paying special attention to the circumstances of the present moment, which render expence an obstacle perhaps to what would be the best plan, he suggests others which would not be eligible under other circumstances, or for any length...
92653To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I submit two letters one from Genl Wayne and the other from Colonel Willet, and I have seen Colo. Burr relatively to the latter. In the morning when I wait upon you I will detail, the business. I have directed Capt. Trueman to be in readiness to set off on tuesday. I am Sir with perfect respect Your humble Sert ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Anthony Wayne was probably...
92654From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 1 April 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 1 April 1792. GW’s nephew wrote him from Mount Vernon on 8–9 April : “Your favor of the 1st Inst. came to hand at the usual time.”
92655To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson—has the honor to return to the President the letters of Seagrove from which he has had an extract taken. He incloses also the names of three gentlemen who have expressed their willingness to serve in the Mint. the President knows them personally & will judge of their fitness. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His...
92656To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 2 April 1792. Submits “the Indians reply to Your speech to Colonel Pickering.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Although the enclosure has not been positively identified, it was probably a copy of Red Jacket’s speech of 31 March. War Department clerk John Stagg, Jr.’s copy of the account of that day’s meeting reads: “The Indians of the five nations present in this City, being...
92657From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President has examined the enclosed—thinks it exactly conformable to the loan proposed by Mr Blodget—and approves of it accordingly. Mr Jefferson will request the Attorney General to draw (with care & caution) a Deed proper for the occasion. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The enclosure has not been identified, but for Samuel Blodget, Jr.’s loan proposal, see GW to the...
92658Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
Congress’s presentation of “An Act for an apportionment of Representatives among the several States according to the first enumeration” to Washington for his approbation on 26 Mar. 1792 set the scene for the first presidential veto in U.S. history. Recognizing the controversial nature of the bill, which increased the U.S. House of Representatives to 120 members, gave the size of each state’s...
92659I: From Henry Knox, 3 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your directions as delivered to me this day by the Attorney General, I have endeavoured to take into consideration the expediency of your giving your approbation to the Act intituled “An Act for an apportionment of Representatives among the several states according to the first enumeration,” the constitutionality thereof being doubted by some persons. I might plead my inability to...
92660II: From Alexander Hamilton, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States. He was informed, yesterday, by the Attorney General, that his opinion concerning the constitutionality of the Representation Bill was desired this morning. He now sends it with his reasons but more imperfectly stated than he could have wished—through want of time. He has never seen the bill, but from the...
92661III: From Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Constitution has declared that “Representatives & direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers,” that “the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every 30,000, but each state shall have at least one representative; & until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse 3. Massachusets...
92662IV: From Edmund Randolph, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The attorney general of the U.S. has the honor of reporting to the President of the U.S., on the representation-bill, as follows: The points, which involve the question of constitutionality, are three: The bill does not announce in terms the principle of proceeding, either in the establishment of the total number of 120, or its apportionment among the states. Some principle, however, it must...
92663V: Tobias Lear’s Notes on the Opinions of the Cabinet, c.4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The opinion of the Secretary of State declares the bill unconstitutional—for it does not apportion the Representatives among the states strictly according to their numbers. It provides for fractions—which the Constitution never intended. It leaves the dertermination of apportioning the Representatives without any fixed principle—which may hereafter be productive of great evil, and admits of...
92664VI: To the United States House of Representatives, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have maturely considered the Act passed by the two Houses, intituled “An Act for an apportionment of Representatives among the several States according to the first enumeration;” and I return it to your House, wherein it originated, with the following objections. First—The Constitution has prescribed that representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their...
92665To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 19th of March I received in due time, and have written to Mr Potts, to inform him, that no Money had been received—that there had been a great Remissness in the Prosecution of the Suit—that a few days before I had received Your Letter I had been speaking to a Gentleman of the Law whom I engaged last Summer to join with the one who had been before employed in the Room of one...
92666From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Am I right in understanding, as the result of the Conversation you had with Mr White, that it was his opinion Genl Morgan would serve under Officers superior to him in Rank in the Army about to be raised? I want to get the appointments closed, but wish to know, previously, whether this was Mr Whites opinion. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. On the cover, Jefferson docketed the...
92667From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Has G——W——ne decided yet? Has any answer been prepared for G——St—— —I am anxious to have these matters closed. Also for the departure of T—— and that the business with the Indians may be brought to a conclusion. Yrs always ALS , CSmH . Anthony Wayne earlier had informed the secretary of war that he would not accept a subordinate position in the new force being raised to subdue the hostile...
92668From George Washington to Henry Knox, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
You will lay before the House of Representatives such papers, from your department, as are requested by the enclosed Resolution. Df , in Tobias Lear’s hand, DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear noted at the bottom of the draft: “(The papers aluded to are such as relate to the expedition under Genl St Clair—).” The enclosed resolution was undoubtedly that passed by the House of Representatives...
92669From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have read and duly considered your letter of the 31st ultimo. The reasons you offer, for retaining your commission, until an opportunity should be presented, if necessary, of investigating your conduct, in every mode prescribed by law, would be conclusive with me, under any other circumstances than the present. But, the establishment of the troops allows only of one major general—you have...
92670To George Washington from Robert Dick, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your known goodness will, I hope, excuse the trouble of this letter, which I presume to write You in order to introduce to Your notice the bearer of it Mr James Oswald; who is a Son of George Oswald Esqre of Scotstown near Glasgow, and a partner in the business which I have conducted in Virginia and Maryland for many years. This Young Gentleman is Grand Nephew to Richard Oswald Esqre, the...
92671To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is my duty to releive you from suspence on the subject which you had the goodness to communicate to me yesterday, when I have no longer any hesitation in determining on it myself. Permit me, therefore, while my heart overflows with gratitude for this new instance of your kind attention to my welfare, to decline the acceptance of the appointment which you had the goodness to offer me. And...
92672To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Both Mr Blair and Mr Wilson are now at Trenton. I have never heard Mr Blair say a syllable upon the subject of the representation bill. Some days ago I met Mr Wilson in Sixth Street, and he stopped to ask me, whether Mr Blair had communicated to me an idea, which both of them entertained on a late law of the present session, requiring the judges of the circuit courts to hear applications of...
92673From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 6 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
In virtue of the last clause of “an Act for the relief of certain Widows, Orphans, Invalids & other persons,” you will cause to be paid to Nicholas Ferdinand Westfall the sum of three hundred and thirty six Dollars out of the fund of Ten thousand Dollars appropriated for defraying the contingent charges of Government, by an Act passed on the 26th day of March 1790. LB , DLC:GW . Hamilton had...
92674From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 6 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
You will lay before the House of Representatives such papers from your Department as are requested by the enclosed resolution. N.B. The papers alluded to are such as relate to the Expedition under Genl St Clair. LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosed resolution of 4 April of the House of Representatives requesting papers in the files of the executive departments for the House inquiry into the failure...
92675To George Washington from Samuel McDowell, 6 April 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Samuel McDowell, 6 April 1792. In his letter to McDowell of 20 Oct. 1792 , GW mentioned “Your letter of the 6th of April.”
92676To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 6 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I receive this Instant your favor of the twenty eighth of January and I do most sincerely thank you for the Informations which you have been so kind as to communicate. Beleive me I know how to value the friendship by which they were dictated. I have always thought that the Counsel of our Enemies is wholesome, tho bitter, if we can but turn it to good Account & In order that I may not fail to...
92677To George Washington from John Lowrey, 7 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I feal a degree of defidence, in troubling your Excellency—but beg that your impartial candor Will pardon the following observations. When a requisition from the general government to Raise troops for the protection of our fronteer brethren At the westward, my fealings being effected with their Unhappy sittuation, felt that impulse to leave my Private walks of life and step forth agreeable to...
92678To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 7 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the fourth instant. Although I was very desirous Sir, to hold my Commission of Major General until the Enquiry by the Committee of the House of Representatives should be over, for the Reasons which I assigned, and which you are pleased to think have some Weight, yet the evident necessity of the Officers being appointed who is to command the...
92679From George Washington to Betty Washington Lewis, 8 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
If your Son Howell is living with you, and not usefully employed in your own Affairs; and should incline to spend a few months with me, as a writer in my Office (if he is fit for it) I will allow him at the rate of Three hundred dollars a year, provided he is diligent in discharging the duties of it from breakfast until dinner—Sundays excepted. This sum will be punctually paid him and I am...
92680From George Washington to David Stuart, 8 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The letter from the Commissioners to Mr Jefferson of the has been laid before me, and I have desired him to approve the Contract respecting the bridge over Rock-Creek: but in future, it would be more agreeable to me, after a plan, or the principles leading to the measure, is approved, not to have the details or the execution suspended for a reference to me. Because, to judge properly of the...
92681From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 8 April 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 8 April 1792. In his letter to GW of 15–16 April , G. A. Washington informed his uncle: “I have received Your favor of the 8th.”
92682To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 8–9 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 1st Inst. came to hand at the usual time. just as I had seated myself late in the evening—(Sunday) and was about informing You that the Trees seeds &c. had not arrived, Capt. Cahart sent his Boat on shore with a part of the things You advised me of having shiped on bord his Vessel; the rest the Mate who came on shore (for the Vessel did not come to anchor) informed were...
92683To George Washington from William Archibald McCrea, 9 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
It was with doubtfull though respectful Solicitude, that I took the Liberty to address your Excellency, on the 26th Ulto requesting an appointment to the Office of Treasurer of the Mint. Having since been informed that I could not have that Honor conferred on me, but that your Excellency has been pleased to signify a Willingness that I should have an appointment, in the line of my Profession,...
92684From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons for Appointments and Promotions in the Army of the United States. Major General Anthony Wayne vice Arthur St Clair, who has resigned. Brigadier General Daniel Morgan Virginia. Brigadier General Marinus Willet New York. Brigadier General John Brooks Massachusetts Brigadier General James Wilkinson Kentucky. Adjutant General and Inspector Winthrop Sargent North...
92685To George Washington from Hannah Fairfax Washington, 9 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
As soon as I receiv’d the honor of Your Letter, I search’d over every old paper in my possession, but cou’d find nothing that cou’d give any information relative to the subject required, further than the Will of Laurence Washington (Your grand father; also the grand father of my deceas’d Husband) the abstracts of which You inclos’d me. I found the Will of Mrs Warner, Your great grand mother,...
92686From George Washington to John Carroll, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have recd, & duly considered your memorial of the 20th ultimo, on the subject of instructing the Indians, within and contiguous to the United States, in the principles & duties of Christianity. The war now existing between the United States and some tribes of the Western Indians prevents, for the present, any intercourse of this nature with them. The Indians of the five nations are, in their...
92687To George Washington from Bartholomew von Heer, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Bartholomew Van Heer, formerly Captain of an independent Corps of Light Dragoons Most respectfully sheweth That Your Memorialist, about a Year ago, took the Liberty, to apply to Your Excellency for a Captain’s Commission in the light Dragoons, if any should be raised; which was not done at that time: That some time ago, when Your Memorialist understood, that some Companies of...
92688Thomas Jefferson’s Memorandum on a Treaty with Algiers, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
If the President should enter into a Provisional convention with the government of Algiers for a sum not exceeding 40,000 dollars, will the Senate advise & consent to it’s ratification, the government of Algiers being made clearly to understand that we are not to be bound by the treaty until it shall be ratified? If this sum appears too high, what lower limit would the Senate approve? If the...
92689To George Washington from James Mease, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty of addressing you on a subject of some importance, with regard to myself; and hope it will not be thought intruding on that time, which I well know is occupied with the consideration of much more weighty concerns, or be thought too arrogant, as what I have to offer is meant with the greatest humility and respect. A few weeks since I applied to the Hble the secretary of...
92690To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
There is an Idea in your Letter of the Twenty eighth of January which upon second thought I find it my Duty to examine because altho it cannot now affect me yet it may perhaps have some Influence on Mr Pinckney’s Mission. At any Rate I wish you to be perfectly well acquainted with the leading Features of the british Administration. The Thing I allude to is the Cause which has been assigned for...
92691To George Washington from Samuel Allyne Otis, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
As my present employment is laborious in addition to the disagreeable circumstance of responsibility to numbers instead of one, I, by the advice of some friends take the liberty of soliciting the appointment to be Treasurer of the Mint; and if you think it expedient, the honor of your nomination to that office. I am Sir With profund respect Your most humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW nominated...
92692To George Washington from the United States Circuit Court Judges for New York, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
As we could not in our opinion convey the enclosed extracts from the Minutes of the Circuit Court now setting here to the Congress of the United States in so respectful and proper a manner as thro’ the President, we take the liberty to transmit them to you and to request the favor of you to communicate them to that honorable Body. We have the honor to be, with perfect respect, Sir, Your most...
92693Enclosure: Extracts of the Minutes of the United States Circuit Court for New York, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
At a stated Circuit Court of the United States held for the District of New York at the City of New York on Thursday the fifth day of April One thousand seven hundred and ninety two, at ten of the Clock Ante Meridiem. Present The Honorable John Jay Esquire Chief Justice of the United States. The Honorable William Cushing Esquire One of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United...
92694To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hamilton presents his respects to the President. Herewith are testimonials in favor of two Candidates for the Office of Treasurer of the Mint, Wm A. McCrea who has been mentioned by Mr Foster of the Senate, and James Abercrombie who is recommended by a number of respectable characters. LB , DLC:GW . Senator Theodore Foster wrote directly to GW on 2 April from Philadelphia that McCrea was “a...
92695To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] Thursday Apr. 11. [1792] Th: Jefferson has the honor to send for the perusel of the President some letters from mister Barclay received yesterday. he has received no letter from mister Short, nor any other person in France. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW .
92696To George Washington from William Gordon, 12 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Though I rejoice whenever I receive a letter from You, & think myself highly honored by it; yet I would by no means call off your attention from the important business of the United States. Your excellency’s safe return from the southern tour was matter of thankfulness, especially considering the danger you was once in upon the water. Not considering the distance & other circumstances, I...
92697To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 12 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a resolution of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund as of this morning. A particular piece of urgent business prevents personally waiting on the President with it. It is very much to be desired that the resolution may receive the immediate decision of the President. It is upon the same principles with the last. LB ,...
92698To George Washington from William Hull, 12 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
If Genl Brooks should accept, as he doubtless will, the Appointment of Brigadier General, the Office of Marshall in the district of Massachusetts will become vacant —In that case, I take the liberty to express my wish for that Appointment—I am, with the highest respect, your most obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The federal marshal for Massachusetts, John Brooks, declined the military commission for...
92699To George Washington from St. Hilaire, 12 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have made a voyage to Philadelphia expressly to have the honor of seeing you; but having learned that I cannot have an audience before tuesday, I have thought it my duty to send you a letter with which I have been charged for you. Shall I presume to beg your Excellency to have regard to the recommendation of the sister of the unfortunate Mauduit? I have not perhaps the talents which you knew...
92700To George Washington from James Seagrove, 12 April 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Seagrove, 12 April 1792. On 21 April, Seagrove wrote to GW from Rock Landing, Ga. : “My last letter to you was from Savannah under date of the 12th Inst.”