561To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 January 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received with sincere regret your resignation of the office of Secretary of State. Since it has been impossible to prevail upon you, to forego any longer the indulgence of your desire for private life; the event, however anxious I am to avert it, must be submitted to. But I cannot suffer you to leave your Station, without assuring you, that the opinion, which I had formed, of your...
562From George Washington to Thomas Harwood, 27 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to pay to Thomas Johnson, David Stuart, and Daniel Carroll esquires, Commissioners of the Federal district, or to their order, or the order of any two of them—twenty-four thousand Dollars, in part of the Seventy-two thousand dollars given by the Assembly of Maryland, towards the defraying the expences of the public Bu[i]ldings within the said District. LB , DLC:GW . As the state of...
563To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [21 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
To morrow I shall be engaged all day, but will, in the course of it, fix a time to view the Big bones at Doctr. Wisters. I hope Mr. Blodget does not begin to hesitate concerning the loan?—And I hope the Commissioners, when they are about it, will build a Stone bridge and a compleat one, over Rock Creek—it will be the cheapest in the end.—Yrs. sincerely, RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”;...
564From George Washington to Samuel McDowell, Sr., 20 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th of April, inclosing a copy of the Constitution formed for the State of Kentucky, did not get to my hands ‘till I was about leaving this place to go to Mount Vernon, and I embrace the earliest opportunity, after my return to the seat of Government, to acknowledge the receipt of it, and to thank you for the transmission. I am Sir, with esteem Your most Obedt Servt. Df , in...
565From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 31 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Instt has been received, & I will answer such parts as require it. The money in your hands, belonging to me, may be lodged in Alexandria, & made subject to Mr William Pearce (my manager) his order. This will answer all the purposes of your coming down, if he is advised thereof—At the sametime write, & transmit me the accts, that I may see who have paid, and who are...
566From George Washington to Warner Washington III, 4 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have been too much indisposed since the receipt of your letter of the 31st ulto to give it an earlier acknowledgment. Placing, as you do, the want of supplies to some interruption of the communication with your father, I promise, if you will entrust a letter to him under my cover, that it shall reach his hands in ten days from the date. I prefer doing this to advancing money myself (even if...
567From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters, dated the 29th Ulto, have been received. The enclosures for the several Printers, to whom they are directed, are franked; and will go with this, and other letters to the Post Office this afternoon. I do not think it would be amiss to add Hartford, in Connecticut (a paper of extensive circulation altho’ I do not recollect the name of the Editor of it) and some Gazette in North...
568From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill vacancies which have taken place in the late military appointments—to-wit— Rank . Names . States . Brigadier General Rufus Putnam Territory of the United States North West of the Ohio—vice Marinus Willett, declined. Captains of Cavalry Jedediah Rodgers New York—vice John Craig, declined. Henry Bowyer Virginia—vice Lawrence Manning, declined. Lieutt of...
569From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 24 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th inst: was received yesterday. With you, I sincerely regret the death of your amiable Sister; but as it is one of those events which is dispensed by an allwise and uncontroulable Providence; and as I believe no person could be better prepared to meet it, it is the duty of her relatives to submit, with as little repining as the Sensibility of our natures is capable of. Mr...
570From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 9 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I now lay before you a General Account rendered by the Bankers of the United States at Amsterdam of the payments they had made between the 1st of July 1790 and 1791 from the fund deposited in their hands for the purposes of the Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States, and foreign Nations, and of the balance remaining in their hands; together with a letter from the...
571From George Washington to Abraham Baldwin, 7 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 30th of April, containing the resignation of your seat at the general Board of Commissioners for finally adjusting all accounts between the United States and the individual States; and shall cause it to be filed in the proper office as soon as the necessary arrangemt of departments shall have been made. I am, with great esteem, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt...
572From George Washington to Ségur, 4 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I received with much satisfaction the information of your having made an acquisition in this Country, & of your intentions to take up your residence among us. Your letter of the 30th of Sepr giving me this information, did not get to my hands ’till some time in the last month. The United States opens, as it were, a new World to those who are disposed to retire from the noise & bustle of the...
573From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from Abroad, and laying others in their stead, and also upon Spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same”, I have thought fit to divide the United States into the following Districts—namely— The...
574From George Washington to James Maury, May 1795 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the copy of a letter I wrote you from George Town, on Potomac, the 28th ulto; at which time & place I happened to be, as I was returning to this city. As soon as the Tobacco is disposed of (regarding the caution therein contained) ⟨I⟩ pray you to send me by the first American (⟨ne⟩utral) vessel, bound to Potomac, the following articles—viz. 500 Ells of best Oznabrigs 500 Do Do...
575From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 31 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th instant was received by the last Post to Alexandria. I thank you for the information contained in it; as I shall for any further communication of the sentiments of the people respecting the treaty, which you may be able to obtain, and think worthy of transmission: for, as it is an interesting subject, on which mens minds are a good deal occupied, I should like, as far...
576From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I cannot, under all the circumstances of the case, satisfy myself, that I am at liberty to go contrary to my last instructions; and that I have authority to direct the money, which I have expressly directed to be applied to the purchase of the public debt, to be applied to any other object. Still, however, I am willing, that the embarrassments, which you Stat Richard Peters, ed. The Public...
577From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d ulto, with it’s enclosures, came duly to hand. Lest any material disadvantage should result from delay; I have signed the Act which has been drawn by the Commissioner of the Revenue & approved by you, for arranging allowances to the Supervisors &c.—and now forward it; but I would rather, if this is not likely to be the case, have it retained in your hands until my...
578To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 27, 1794. “Pay to the Secretary of State, out of the fund appropriated to defray the Contingent Charges of Government, the sum of Fifteen hundred Dollars, for the use of Colo. Innes.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. “An Act making appropriations for certain purposes therein expressed” appropriated twenty thousand dollars for the contingent expenses...
579From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 26 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 26th 1792 The purpose of this letter is merely to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 5th & 13th instt, and to thank you for the information contained in both without entering into the details of either. With respect, however, to the interesting subject treated on in that of the 5th, I can express but one sentiment at this time, and that is a...
580From George Washington to John Adams, 3 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good, requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Monday the 8th of June next; you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on that day, then and there to receive and deliberate on such communications as shall be made to you on my part. LS , MHi: Adams Papers ; LS (duplicate), owned (1995) by Joseph Maddelana of Beverly Hills, Calif.;...
581From George Washington to James McHenry, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I shall have occasion to write to Mr Lear by tomorrow’s Post, and would thank you to let me know (in a summary way) what money he has drawn on acct of the Arsenal on the Potomack; and what report he has made to the War Office of his proceedings in that business, for I shall take an occasion (as from myself) to ask him what has been done therein. Yours always ALS (photostat), DLC : James...
582To John Jay from George Washington, 31 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25 th . Instant— enclosing a copy of M r . Bayards letter to you.— The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work:—but I shall...
583From George Washington to David Shepherd, 25 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the information which you have given me in your letter of the 30th of Decr respecting the intention of the Tomlinsons and others to dispute my title to a tract of land called the Round Bottom. I wish these persons, and any others who may be disposed to dispute my title to that land, to be informed in the most explicit and pointed manner, that it is my fixed determination to...
584From George Washington to Thomas Pinckney, 1 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding Mr Lear is already known to you, I cannot suffer him to depart without this letter of introduction to your civilities, whilst he may remain in London. He is a person whose conduct has entitled him to my warmest friendship & regard—and one from whom you may obtain the best oral information of the real state of matters in this Country. Mercantile pursuits with draws him from my...
585From George Washington to David Rittenhouse, 9 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Having had under consideration the letter of the Director of the mint of this day’s date, I hereby declare my approbation of the purchase he has made of the house and lot for the mint. of the employment of mr Voight as Coiner, of the procuring fifteen tons of copper, & proceeding to coin the cents and half cents of copper & dismes & half dismes of silver: and I leave to his discretion to have...
586From George Washington to John Hurt, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 24th instant, and have to inform you on the subjects mentioned in it, that, according to the best of my recollection the Arrangements respecting the Commutation of the half-pay of the Officers in the late army were made between Congress & a Committee from the Army, without any agency of mine. Nor do I remember to have taken any measures with regard to...
587From George Washington to John Eager Howard, 19 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
It may seem strange to those, not acquainted with circumstances, that the office of State should be so long vacant; but causes, not within my power to controul, have occasioned it. I have, at length, proposed to Colo. Pickering, to go from the War office into that of State, & he has agreed to do so: this, of course makes a vacancy in the former. Permit me, to ask you Sir to fill it. I shall...
588From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 21 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Matthew Clarkson, of Pennsylvania, to be the Commissioner on the part of the United States, agreeably to the 21st article of the Treaty of Friendship, limits and navigation between them and his Catholic Majesty, to examine and decide the claims of the Citizens of the United States for losses sustained in consequence of their vessels and cargoes having been taken by the subjects of...
589From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) Your private letter of the 16 came to my hands at the same time that your official one did of the 18th. From what is there said it appears by the enclosures, I am satisfied no unnecessary delay respecting the Algierine frigate has taken place. From a former one, & perhaps from a solicitude to execute promptly whatever is entrusted to me, I had conceived otherwise. As I have Mr Liston...
590To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [1 February 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I received the enclosed letter with the document therein, last night. For reasons which will appear obvious, I make you acquainted with the contents of them, being Yours ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H endorsed this letter: “This covered a letter from Mr. Coxe of the 31 of January 1795 containing a charge against Mr. Woolcott for my having committed to him & he having exercised...
591From George Washington to the Militia and Citizens of Frederick County, Va., 28 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
The approbation of my public conduct, which you have been so good as to express in behalf of the People of your county, has not failed to excite the most agreeable Sensations, and you have made it the dearer, by the terms of personal affection with whch it is accompanied. At all times it has been my ende⟨av⟩our to discern, and promote the welfare of o⟨ur⟩ country to the ⟨utmo⟩st of my...
592From George Washington to Samuel Taft, 8 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Being informed that you have given my name to one of your Sons, and called another after Mrs Washington’s family—and being moreover very much pleased with the modest and innocent looks of your two daughters Patty and Polly I do, for these reasons, send each of these Girls a piece of chintz—and to Patty, who bears the name of Mrs Washington, and who waited more upon us than Polly did, I send...
593From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 17 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate, I nominate Charles Cochran of South Carolina, to be Marshal of and for the District of South Carolina; vice Daniel L. Huger, resigned. and Thomas Waters Griffith, of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States of America, for the port of Havre Marat, in France; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or...
594From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have received with vexation the enclosure you have just sent me from the French Minister: and pray you to take the opinion of the Gentlemen upon the measure proper to be taken in this business. Every day, more & more discovers the intention of this Agent to perplex this Government, and to scatter thick & wide the Seeds of dissention. Yours always— ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson...
595From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 12 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a statement of the south western frontiers, and of the Indian Department which have been submitted to me by the Secretary for the Department of War. I conceive that an unreserved, but confidential communication of all the papers relative to the recent negociations with some of the southern tribes of Indians is indispensibly requisite for the information of Congress—I am...
596From George Washington to John Rutledge, 1 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 18th ulto and Mr Jay’s resignation of the Office of chief Justice of the United States, both came to my hands yesterday. The former gave me much pleasure, and without hesitating a moment, after knowing you would accept the latter, I directed the Secretary of State to make you an official offer of this honorable appointment. To express to you my wish that it may be...
597To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 24 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from poor Madam La Fayette! How desirable it would be, if something could be done to relieve that family from their present unhappy Situation. Colo. Smith, yesterday, gave me the enclosed extract of a Letter from the House of Warder & Co. to one of their Partners in this City. Whether it is founded in fact, or with design to affect the prices of provision in this County, I...
598From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed places matters on their true rounds; and in my opinion on a proper footing. ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed this letter: “recd Nov. 1. 92.” Beneath GW’s text Jefferson added “this was my answer of Nov. 1. to Viar & Jaudenes.” Jefferson wrote the Spanish diplomats José Ignacio de Viar and José de Jaudenes in reply to their letter to him of 29 Oct. (see Jefferson to...
599From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 14 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the duplicate of my last. The calamity which has befallen Philadelphia & seems in no wise to abate renders it more essential than ever for the heads of Departments to Assemble, that proper measures with respect to the public offices & Papers may be adopted. It is time also, if the President can with propriety interpose, to decide something with respect to the meeting of Congress....
600To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
From Colo. Mentges’ information, there are detachments of Militia a considerable distance in the rear; compose⟨d⟩ in part, of those whose march was designe⟨d⟩ to be arrested. He adds, many of them are illy clad. This being the case, it appears to me, that an expence, without an equivalent advantage, would result from bringing them forward; and that the cloaths which they must draw to fit them...
601From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 18 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, from Mount Vernon, I have seen & conversed with Mr Morris on the subject of a person to Manage a Tilt-hammer for you. He says it is difficult to get one who understands the business, & in other respects is worthy of confidence. The Person he had, he was obliged to discharge, on account of his inebrity, & knows not where to supply his place but by importation; which is...
602From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I informed you on the 11th Inst. that a bill was before the House to provide for the Expences that might attend the Treaties & Negociations to be made with the Indian Tribes, and for the appointment of Commissioners to be employed in the same. This Bill has to day passed into a Law, and in consequence thereof I have nominated, and by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, have appointed...
603To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 18 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chief Justice and Judge Paterson are in Town. The former called upon me yesterday evening to know at what time he should receive my communications. I was embarrassed—but declared the truth, that by waiting for the Attorney General, the business which it was proposed to lay before them, was not fully prepared. I shall expect to see you by Nine; and as the Judges will have to decide whether...
604From George Washington to Samuel Potts, 18 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 31st of October, on the subject of a Legacy left by Mr[s] Savage to Mrs Bomford, has been received; and shall be transmitted to the Revd Mr Fairfax, whose avocations not being of the constant and indispensible nature that mine have been and still are, have given him better opportunities of attending to the Affairs of the late Mr[s] Savage than I have had; his knowledge of...
605To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [31 March 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorised to negotiate and agree for a Loan to the United States to an amount not exceeding one hundred thousand Dollars, bearing an Interest not exceeding six ⅌. Cent ⅌ annum to be applied towards carrying into effect the appropriation made by the Act Entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven...
606From George Washington to John Joseph De Barth, 30 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
As there appears no prospect of your making the stipulated payments for the lands which you agreed to purchase from me, lying on the Kanawas &c. and the object of my disposing of them being thereby defeated—I think it would be best that the bargain should be cancelled (as you expressed to Mr Lear a readiness to do it if required by me); for it would be an unpleasant thing for me to pursue...
607From George Washington to the Citizens of Columbia and Granby, South Carolina, 25 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by your professions of respect and affection, and I am truly grateful for your kind regards and good wishes. Replying to them with sincere acknowledgement, I desire to assure you that I shall always remember with pleasure your polite attentions. LB , DLC:GW . GW arrived late on 22 May 1791 at Columbia, S.C., and was forced to remain there until 4:00 A.M. on 25 May because of...
608From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th instt enclosing a Memorial of the same date, came to my hands yesterday. The latter shall have the best consideration I can give it, between this and Monday next; when, if nothing, unforeseen at present, intervenes to prevent, I shall be in George Town on my return to Philadelphia; and will converse fully with you on the subject matter of it. With esteem & regard I...
609From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 23d 1790 In my nomination of persons for Consular appointments on the 4th of the present month, the name of James instead of Joseph Fenwick was by mistake laid before you to be Consul for the port of Bourdeaux. LB , DLC:GW . See GW to the U.S. Senate, 4 June 1790 .
610From George Washington to James Monroe, 25 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I expected to have put the enclosed into your hands at Baltimore, on my way to this place; but you had left it in the morning of the day I got there. I now beg leave to trouble you with the delivery—or the forwarding of it. I hope you & Mrs Monroe have had a pleasant passage, and are well. My best respects attend her, and I am Dear Sir Your Obedt & Very Hble Serv. ALS (photocopy), Coins &...