To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 November 1793
From the Commissioners for the District of Columbia
George Town 3d Novm. 1793
sir
Colo. Hooe and Majr Ross’s report, which they have inclosed you will inform you of the result of their examination of our accounts; that with the Treasurer stands in the place of a cash account, is accurate and authorized by our warrants, which are justified by Vouchers—these were all compared and did not take up two days—The Gentlemen went farther and have given a general state of Funds, this part is not so precise, it gives a general Idea, and was added under an impression; that you might perhaps think proper to publish it—not that they urge it, and we have no desire at all that it should be done1—We have much more pleasure in being able to inform you, that we have a prospect by negociations with the Banks, to keep in Credit till May, even if Virginia should disappoint us; and then Mr Greenleaf’s payment and Loan; if not extended, coming on, things may be pushed with vigour a year longer.2
We have concerned in an application for a chartered Bank on such a system that we hope the City may be bennefitted by its Gaurrantee for the payment of Interest instead of the deposit of productive Funds required by Dutch Capitalists. to give the out lines of the whole would be too lengthy, but it appears to us a sober plan.3
Permit us to request your order on Virginia for her last payment—We are advised the Taxe’s are now coming in, and we wish to make the demand early in the Session. We are &ca
Th. Johnson
Danl Carroll
Comrs
P.S. Colo. Deakins has just now receivd a Letter from Mr Hopkins informing him that the executive of Virginia has granted an order on the Secretary of War for 10.000 Dollars.
Copy, DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent, 1791–1802.
1. See Robert Townsend Hooe and David Ross to GW, 31 October. For background to this audit, see D.C. Commissioners to GW, 5 Sept., and n.2 to that document.
2. In an agreement of 23 Sept., James Greenleaf had contracted with the commissioners to purchase 3,000 lots in the Federal City at £25 each, to be paid in seven annual installments commencing on 1 May 1794. In addition, Greenleaf agreed to loan monthly £1,000 current money of Maryland, commencing on 1 May 1794 and continuing until the public buildings “now erected” were completed, or until 1 Jan. 1800 (see GW to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 Aug. 1793, n.3).
3. For the passage by the Maryland legislature of a bill to establish a bank in the District of Columbia, see Daniel Carroll to GW, 9 Dec., and n.2 to that document.