27151From George Washington to d’Estaing, 7 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 30th of May by the hands of Monsieur de Ternant. and I beg you will be assured that I have a proper sense of the very polite and obliging manner in which you are pleased to express your personal regard for me. The manner in which you speak of M. de Ternant is highly honorable to him—and, from his talents, discretion, and proper views, united...
27152From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have heard of the death of your promising Son with great concern, and sincerely condole with you and Mrs Knox on the melancholy occasion. Parental feelings are too much alive in the moment of these misfortunes to admit the consolations of religion or philosophy; but I am persuaded reason will call one or both of them to your aid as soon as the keenness of your anguish is abated. He that gave...
27153From George Washington to Frances Ramadge, 9 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Frances Ramadge, 9 Sept. 1791. The receiver’s copy of Ramadge’s letter of 22 Aug. to GW was docketed: “Ansd 9 Sept.”
27154From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
The lively interest which I take in your welfare, my dear Sir, keeps my mind in constant anxiety for your personal safety amidst the scenes in which you are perpetually engaged. Your letter of the 6th of June by Monsieur de Ternant gave me that pleasure which I receive from all your letters, which tell me that you are well—But from the account you there gave it did not appear that you would be...
27155From George Washington to La Luzerne, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 15 of May, which reached me but a few days ago, I cannot forbear to express the sensibility with which I receive those warm effusions of personal attachment and respectful remembrance which are contained in it. and at the same time I beg you will be assured that I reciprocate them with truth and sincerity. As the happiness of the french Nation...
27156From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 10 Sept. 1791. Randolph wrote to GW on Monday, 12 Sept. , of “your communication to me on Saturday last.”
27157From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 11 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 6th instant. The indisposition and consequent (unexpected) absence of my Nephew from Mount Vernon, to whom my concerns there are entrusted, will oblige me to visit that estate before the meeting of Congress. Thursday I propose to leave this city, and on Sunday afternoon expect to arrive in Baltimore—I shall come provided with 1172 ⅔ dollars for...
27158From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 12 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of may with its enclosures came duly to hand. During my absence on my late southern tour the proposals of Messrs Schweizer and Jeannerett, made their appearance here, as well through Mr Otto, Chargé des Affaires of France, to the Secretary of State, as through Mr Short, to the Secretary of the Treasury—In pursuance of certain arrangements, made previous to my departure,...
27159From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 12 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday was presented to me this day—but at a time when I was in conversation with a Gentleman on business. I embrace the first moment of leisure to acknowledge the receipt of it, and to add assurances of my belief that the account given by Mr Sheuber of his leaving the british service, and bringing letters to me whilst my quarters were at Rocky Hill is true. I have some...
27160George Washington to George Clinton, 14 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] September 14, 1791 . Discusses the possibility of the British establishing a post south of Lake Champlain. Df , in the handwriting of H, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives. Clinton was governor of New York.
27161From George Washington to George Clinton, 14 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th instant, with its inclosure, did not reach me ’till yesterday. The intelligence, it communicates, is of a nature both serious and important. Indeed, the step it announces, as about to be taken by the British, would be one so extraordinary in every view, as to justify a question, whether the indications, which are alleged to have been given, have not rather proceeded from...
27162From George Washington to James Seagrove, 14 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Three letters of yours—two bearing the 16th and the other the 25. of August are just come to hand—Your former letters in July have also been received. The Secretary of war will write to you on the subject of Indian affairs—and the Secretary of State will do the same on the business which respects the Negroes, when he returns from the visit he is now making to his family in Virginia. It falls...
27163To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [16 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Whilst I was in Wilmington waiting breakfast to day, I made the best enquiry time & circumstances would permit, for some fit character to fill the office lately held by Doctr. Latimer. Several persons were mentioned, but the weight of information was in favor of one Andrew Barratt. He was spoken of by Mr. Vining as a man of respectable character, of decision and temper. He now is, or lately...
27164From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 16 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Whilst I was in Wilmington waiting breakfast to day, I made the best enquiry time & circumstances would permit, for some fit character to fill the office lately held by Doctr Latimer. Several persons were mentioned, but the weight of information was in favor of one Andrew Barratt. He was spoken of by Mr Vining as a man of respectable character, of decision and temper. He now is, or lately has...
27165From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
No. 28. Dear Sir, MOUNT VERNON, Septr. 23d. 1791. Your letter of the 18th. with the Gazettes came duly to hand, and I wish you to forward the latter (such as were sent last) by Wednesday’s and Friday’s Post; in which case they will arrive in Alexandria, on Mondays and Fridays when I shall have a messenger at the Post-Office in readiness to receive them. Accompany the papers with occurrencies...
27166To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [24 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d. inst: enclosing a copy of one from the French Minister; I have to inform you, that your proceedings with respect to the request of the Minister of France, meet my entire approbation. I am Sir Your hble Servt. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jean Baptiste de Ternant to H, September 21, 1791 .
27167From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your two letters of the 21st instant—one dated in the morning, and the other in the evening of that day. What appeared to you to be the object of the formal enquiries of Mr Powell and the Mayor of the City, in their late interrogatories? Did they mean to convict Mr Gallatine of mis-representation—or me of an improper interference in the building of a House...
27168To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [2 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. ulto., (enclosing a letter from Govr. St. Clair, and sundry papers relating to the subject of the settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes) I have duly received. The Secretary of State, as well as I recollect, has already written both to Govr. St. Clair & Judge Symmes on this subject; but whether he has or has not, it can make no material...
27169From George Washington to John Dandridge, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th ultimo found me at this place—but not until it had travelled to Philadelphia and back again. As I never entertained a suspicion of your having any intention to impose upon me by a misrepresentation of the assets of your Father’s estate—So you and your good Mother may rest assured that I have no disposition to contribute to her distresses by withdrawing from her the use...
27170From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th ulto, (enclosing a letter from Govr St Clair, and sundry papers relating to the subject of the settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes) I have duly received. The Secretary of State, as well as I recollect, has already written to both Govr. St Clair & Judge Symmes on this subject; but whether he has or has not, it can make no material...
27171From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nothing at present occurs to me of which I have to inform you, except that since the rect of your letter of the 22d ulto respecting the situation of affairs in the French Island of Hispaniola—your other letter of the 22d & that of the 24th of the same month, one giving an Accot of the Expedition under Gl Wilkinson—the other enclosing a Statemt of the Troops now on our frontiers, having been...
27172From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, which I think was written on this day week, I have received your letters of the 25th and 27th Ulto. I am not yet enabled to speak decisively with respect to the Blankets. Many have arrived, but are not yet opened, in Alexandria. Mr Wilson, who has imported of them largely, at from 56/. to 75/. Sterg pr piece of 15 blankets; has offered them to me at 70 prCt but as he...
27173From George Washington to Ternant, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Sir, Mount Vernon October 2nd 1791. The details with which you have been pleased to favor me (under date of 24th ult.) of the unfortunate insurrection of the negroes in Hispaniola, came duly to hand; and I pray you to accept my best thanks for the trouble you have taken to give them. What the final issue of this affair may be is difficult at this distance, and with the imperfect...
27174To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 7 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, October 7, 1791. On October 11, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Washington : “The Post of this day has brought me your letter of the 7th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
27175From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 7 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came duly to hand, with the enclosures. I have had Samples of the Alexandria Blankets sent me—the quality of them is not good; inferior to those I had from Watson—& far, very far indeed, inferior to those which I used to import myself. The prices, length & breadth of three kinds, are enclosed. Messrs Sitgreaves, give no length to their Blankets—and if Colo. Biddle...
27176To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [10 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 30th. September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington. I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my...
27177From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington. I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my...
27178From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st inst: I have duly recd—likewise one of the 4th, covering a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury together with some communications from Lt Colo. Beckwith. I herewith transmit you an Address & Memorial of the Officers, Civil & Military, of the District of Miro, which was sent to me by Govr Blount—I wish you to take the same into your consideration, & make a Report...
27179From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 2d & 5th came to my hands on Saturday morning. Yesterday I allotted to acknowledge the rect of them & to write several letters; but company coming in before breakfast, and from thence till dinner, and an early succession again to day—I can do no more than say they came duly to hand, and approve of your getting the Rooms (mentioned in your letter of the 2d) Painted—The...
27180From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Madison, 10 Oct. 1791. Sold by Stan V. Henkels, 1892, catalog 694, item 63.
27181From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of Friday, I received your communications of the first instant; and from the character of Mr Campbell am glad to hear he is disposed to act as Attorney for the District of Virginia; & that you had forwarded the Commission to him for that purpose. Also, that a pardon had been sent to Saml Dodge as it appears that his errors were unintentional. It is my wish & desire that you would...
27182To James Madison from George Washington, 10 October 1791 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 October 1791, Mount Vernon. Listed in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 (1892). The list probably kept by Peter Force (DLC: Madison Miscellany) mentions a letter of this date from Washington to an unspecified correspondent and notes that it “Relates to house repairs.”
27183To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I addressed a private letter to you a few days ago I had no more idea that Monday the 24th. instt. was the day appointed for the meeting of Congress, than I had of its being dooms-day until it was mentioned to me in a letter which I have just received from Mr. Lear (who was under the like mistake). It had taken such deep root in my mind that the last monday in the month was the time that...
27184From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791 When I addressed a private letter to you a few days ago I had no more idea that monday the 24th instt was the day appointed for the meetings of Congress, than I had of its being dooms-day until it was mentioned to me in a letter which I have just received from Mr Lear (who was under the like mistake). It had taken such deep root in my mind...
27185From George Washington to William Jackson, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
With pleasure I received your letter of the 9th, and am obliged by the communications therein contained. 1 have written regularly to Mr Lear once a week, some times oftener, on business; but can do little more than drop him or you a line by this Post, as the unexpected discovery that the 24th, instead of the 31st instt is the day appointed for the meeting of Congress, obliges me to bestow...
27186From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791. I have been under a strange mistake with respect to the time appointed for the meeting of Congress, and a distressing one; inasmuch as I shall have but little time after my arrival in Philadelphia to receive, & digest the thoughts which may have occurred to the heads of Departments, with those of my own, into proper form for communication, or...
27187From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th was forwarded to me yesterday morning by the Post-Master in Alexandria (having sent no person to that place the evening before). I am glad of the intimation given of the intentions of the Minister of France; and pleased, tho’ distressed at the same time, at the information that, the 24th instt is the day fixed on for the meeting of Congress. I had no more idea of this...
27188From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 15 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a letter for Mr Muse, requesting him to put my papers into your hands, and to give you such information with respect to the business, as is necessary to bring you acquainted with the present state of it—After you have read the letter, and noticed the contents, seal and deliver it to him. Receive from Mr Muse all the blank leases with which I have furnished him, as well as those...
27189To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am thus far on my way to Philadelphia, and if the disagreeableness of the weather (for it is now raining) does not prevent it, shall proceed to Bladensburgh at least to night; but be my dispatch what it probably may, the mail which leaves this tomorrow, will arrive in Philadelphia before me. This being the case, and time pressing, I forward the enclosed suggestions of Mr. Jefferson and Mr....
27190From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 17 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I am thus far on my way to Philadelphia, and if the disagreeableness of the weather (for it is now raining) does not prevent it, shall proceed to Bladensburgh at least to night; but be my dispatch what it probably may, the mail which leaves this tomorrow, will arrive in Phialdelphia before me. This being the case, and time pressing, I forward the enclosed suggestions of Mr Jefferson and Mr...
27191Proclamation, 17 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States doth hereby order and direct that the sale of Lots in the City of Washington to commence this day be of such lots as the Commissioners or any two of them shall think proper—that the same sale shall be under their direction and on the Terms they shall publish. LB , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia,...
27192From George Washington to David Stuart, 18 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Bladensburgh [Md.] Oct. 18th 1791 Dear Sir, half past 5 Oclock A. M. I pray you to drop me a line by the Mail of to morrow (which closes in the evening) informing me of the number of Lots sold, and the amount of them. When the business of the meeting is ended I shall be obliged to you for some acct of the final issue of the Sales &ca. I am now writing by Candle light, and this is the only...
27193Conversation with Ralph Izard, Pierce Butler, and Aaron Burr, 24 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Izard, Mr Butler and Mr Burr, three members of the Senate, waited upon the President at six o’clock in the evening of this day, in order to request his opinion upon the etiquette which might be proper to be established between the Senators of the United States and foreign Ministers in respect to visiting each other—viz.—whether it would be proper for the Senators to pay the first visit to...
27194From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 25 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I meet you, upon the present occasion, with the feelings which are naturally inspired by a strong impression of the prosperous situation of our common Country, and by a persuasion equally strong, that the labours of the Session, which has just commenced, will, under the guidance of a spirit no less prudent than patriotic, issue in measures, conducive to the stability and increase of national...
27195Conversations with Pierce Butler, Ralph Izard, and Aaron Burr, 26 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
On the morning of this day the President requested Mr Butler (who had to pass by his house) to give him a call on his way to the Senate Chamber; and in this interview the President informed Mr Butler, that after the best consideration which time and circumstances had allowed him to bestow on the subject of etiquette, which had been submitted to him on the 24 instant, he thought it most...
27196From George Washington to the United States Senate, 26 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have directed the Secretary of War, to lay before you for your consideration, all the papers relative to the late negociations with the Cherokee Indians—and the treaty concluded with that tribe, on the 2d day of July last, by the Superintendant of the Southern district; and I request your advice, whether I shall ratify the same. I also lay before you the instructions to Colonel Pickering,...
27197From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 26 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you copies of the following Acts, which have been transmitted to me during the recess of Congress viz. An Act passed by the Legislature of New Hampshire, for ceding to the United States, the Fort and Light House belonging to said State. An Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, ratifying on behalf of said State, the first article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United...
27198The President to the House of Representatives, 26 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from the Governor of North Carolina a copy of an act of the General assembly of that state authorizing him to convey to the U.S. the right and jurisdiction of the sd. state over one acre of land in Occacock island and ten acres on the Cape island within the sd. state, for the purpose of erecting lighthouses thereon, together with the deed of the Governor in pursuance thereof,...
27199From George Washington to James Madison, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I return you the list of Sales in the Federal City. You will oblige me, by drafting a short answer to the address, to be presented tomorrow, and sending it to me this Evening or in the Morning early. If you want the address let me know it & it shall be sent to you. Yours—Sincerely & Affectly ALS , H-Ar : Cartwright Collection. James Madison erroneously docketed the cover 22 Oct. 1791....
27200From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 27 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have directed the secretary of War to lay before you for your information the reports of Brigadier General Scott, and Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Wilkinson, the officers who commanded the two expeditions against the Wabash indians, in the months of June and August last; together with the instructions by virtue of which the said expeditions were undertaken. When the operations now depending...