271From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
The ardent desire which Mr La Fayette feels to embrace his Parents and Sisters in the first moments of their liberation, induces him to set out for New York, or further Eastward, in search of a Passage to France. It was my opinion that he had better have awaited authentic accounts of this event; but his eagerness to see his friends—the fear of a Winter passage—and a conviction that he is under...
272To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 3d of May, and am glad to find that the recruiting service is likely to progress without further delay. To facilitate this, nothing will contribute more than Clothing. It is certainly necessary to push on this business with proper energy, and to be provided with an ample and timely supply of every article wanted, if it is expected that such Troops as we...
273From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 9 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 9th Augt 1798 By the same Post which brought me your favour, began in Philadelphia and ended in New York the 1st instant, I received a letter from General Knox dated the 29th Ulto, in answer to one I had written him on the 16th of that month. In confidence, and as a proof of my frankness & friendship, I send both of them to you, together with my reply of this...
274From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington’s indisposition (being confined eight or ten days)—and other circumstances, would not allow me to give your letter of the 9th instant, and the Reports, Journals &c. &c. which accompanied it, an earlier consideration. Having done this, however, with as much thought as I have been able to bestow, under the circumstances mentioned, I can see no cause (with the limited force which...
275From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 25 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 15th instant came duly to hand. So far as my information extends (which by the bye is very limited) the Recruiting Service in this State progresses beyond my expectation, But is retarded very considerably from the want of cloathing: the ragged appearance of the Recruits having a tendency to disgust, rather than to excite, enlistments. I think with you, that policy...
276To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Not for any intrinsic value the thing possesses, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, and as a remembrancer of me; I pray you to accept a Wine cooler for four bottles, which Coll. Biddle is directed to forward from Philadelphia (where with other articles it was left) together with this letter, to your address. It is one of four, which I imported in the early part of my...
277To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing a Copy of what you had written to the Secretary of War, on the subject of a Military Academy. The Establishment of an Institution of this kind, upon a respectable and extensive basis, has ever been considered by me as an Object of primary importance to this Country; and while I was in the Chair of Government, I omitted no proper...
278From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 10 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Queries—propounded by the Commander in Chief To Majors Genl Hamilton & Pinckney. 1st Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d Is it probable that the French will, in the way of...
279To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The last mail to Alexandria brought me a letter from the President of the United States, in which I am informed that he had signed, and given the Commissions to yourself, Generals Pinckney & Knox, the same date, in hopes that an amicable adjustment, or acquiescence might take place among you. But, if these hopes should be disappointed, and controversies should arise, they will of course be...
280Enclosure: Queries Propounded by the Commander in Chief, [10 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
1st. Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d. In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d. Is it probable that the French will, in the way of exchange or by other means, become possessed of the Floridas & Louisiana? 4th....
281To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your private letter of the 16th. instant came duly to hand, & safe: and I wish you at all times, and upon all occasions, to communicate interesting occurrences with your opinion thereon (in the manner you have designated) with the utmost unreservedness, to me. If the augmented force was not intended as an interroram measure, the delay in Recruiting it, is unaccountable; and baffles all...
282From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 12 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will be furnished with the Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to me, suggesting many very important matters for consideration, and to be reported on. It is my desire, that you will bestow serious and close attention on them, and be prepared to offer your opinion on each head, when called upon. I also propose, for your consideration and opinion, a number of queries which...
283To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 26 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mount Vernon, February 26, 1799. “I received your letter of the 18th. instant yesterday. You refer me to enclosed letters for information on the subject therein mentioned. One letter only came, and that under a Seal to General Lee, which I shall forward, unopened, tomorrow by my Nephew Mr. Bushrod Washington, who is a neighbour of his.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ALS ,...
284To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Washington’s indisposition (being confined eight or ten days) and other circumstances, would not allow me to give your letter of the 9th instant, and the Reports, Journals &c. &c. which accompanied it, an earlier consideration. Having done this, however, with as much thought as I have been able to bestow, under the circumstances mentioned, I can see no cause (with the limited force which...
285From George Washington to Samuel Hanson, 23 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the certificate of the hundred shares of Stock in the Bank of Columbia, given to Mr Tobias Lear the 6th of April 1796 and transferred by him to me the 18th instant. A certificate thereof I pray you to transmit me by the Post—or other safe conveyance—With esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Obedient Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy), NN : Washington Papers. Samuel Hanson of Samuel...
286From George Washington to Robert Goodloe Harper, 10 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
By the last Post I was honoured with your “observations on the dispute between the United States and France” and for your polite attention in sending them to me I pray you to accept my best acknowledgments. Being on the point of celebrating Harvest [at] home, I must be allowed, as a Farmer, to make every other matter yield to the accomplishment thereof; that being over, the Pamphlet, I am...
287From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 10 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th of last month has been duly received, and is entitled to my thanks for the details it contains; and for the assurance you have given me ⟨o⟩f a preference in Renting yr Land. But as there is not the smallest probability of my Renting, or buying, while you hold both at the rates which have been mentioned, I by no means desire that you should miss an opportunity of doing...
288From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 6 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24th Ulto, and thank you for your kind assurance of suffering no tenant to remain on your land (near my mill) who is a nuisance to me. But it was from a thorough conviction in my mind that no person, or persons, who meant to get a livelihood by dint of labour—In short who did not depend more upon slight of hand, and unwarrantable shifts than labour, for a...
289From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 4 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
It has often been in my mind to ask, (if your tenements near my Mill are not under leases already) whether you would be inclined to let them to me, for a term of years? for what term? and at what Rent? I can assure you, most sincerely and candidly, that it is not because I want these tenements, that I make this enquiry; but to be relieved from Neighbours who are really a nuisance; and who...
290From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 5 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Feby ⟨ha⟩s ⟨bee⟩n received. I do not know what quantity of Land you hold adjoining me. I have heard it called three, and sometimes 400 acres. But suppose a medium between the two, that is 350 acres, the interest of twelve dollars an acre would make a Rent of more than £75 pr Annum. If there is any person, or persons, who can afford to give this, from any thing the land...
291From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 16 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have given the proposition you have made me, respecting your part of Chapel land, all the consideration that is necessary; the result of which is. That I will give, as a Rent, thirty dollars for every hundred acres within the bounds you shall establish; and in that proportion for the overplus, or add[itional] acres, according to measurement: Provided I receive a Lease for the whole quantity,...
292From George Washington to William Hartshorne, 27 March 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Hartshorne, 27 Mar. 1798. On 27 Mar. Hartshorne wrote GW : “Thy favor of this date I recd.”
293From George Washington to Sally Ball Haynie, 11 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 28th of last month, and without enquiring at this time why you left Mr Lewis’s family—or how you employ your time, I have requested him to furnish you with ten pounds to supply you with such necessaries as you may be in immediate want. But as you have no fortune to support you, Industry, economy, and a virtuous conduct are your surest resort, and best...
294From George Washington to William Heath, 20 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your kind and friendly letter of the 17th Ulto has been duly received, and I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for the affectionate sentiments you have been pleas’d to express for me, therein. I can assure you, Sir, I never ascribed a motive to the letter you wrote me, on my Election to the Chair of Government, so unworthy of you as to suppose it was written with a view of: “Pressing...
295From George Washington to David Henley, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th Ulto from Knoxville has been duly received, and for the kind & affectionate sentiments expressed therein towards Mrs Washington & myself, we pray you to accept our best acknowledgments, and an assurance of our esteem & regard for you. Should you ever pass, or repass this road, we should be glad to have an opportunity of repeating them to you in person, at this retreat...
296From George Washington to Elizabeth Dandridge Aylett Henley, 20 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the Enclosed, which is left open for your perusal before it is forwarded, that your son John, is appointed a Mid-shipman in the Navy of the United States. You will press him to take the oath of Office, required by the Secretary of the Navy, without delay; and forward it to that Gentleman in the manner he directs—Enclosing it in a letter couched in some such terms as you...
297From George Washington to John Henry, 3 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
As you were so obliging upon a former occasion as to aid me in obtaining Plank from Mr Smith of Vienna, as I am in want of more, & some Scantling; and as my letter to him may not pass through so safe a channel as by committing it to your care, I take the liberty of using this freedom—persuaded you will excuse it. If to relax, & diversify the scene a little, you should find it convenient &...
298From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 15 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
At the threshold of this letter, I ought to make an apology for its contents; but if you will give me credit for my motives, I will contend for no more, however erroneous my sentiments may appear to you. It would be a waste of time, to attempt to bring to the view of a person of your observation & discernment, the endeavors of a certain party among us, to disquiet the Public mind with...
299From George Washington to Hepburn & Dundas, 23 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th was recd yesterday. If my attendance at Mr Heiskill’s in Alexandria on the 26th could render you any real Service, I would do it with pleasure. But all that I could relate would be hearsay whilst means exist, to obtain (I presume) positive proofs of the facts you wish to establish. With respect to the division of the tract, of (what you call) 51,302 acres, I am as...
300From George Washington to William Herbert, 21 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Two negociable Notes, sent to the Bank of Alexandria for collection. The amount of which, when received, to be placed to my credit. I begin to feel the necessity more clearly, of renewing my note, than I do a prospect of receiving what is due to me from others. I mention it now that measures for accomplishing of it may be taken in time. Having forgot the name of the person who has...