421From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to communicate, to your Excellency, a circumstance which I hope will be followed by the most salutary consequences to the State of Virginia in particular, and which may ultimately have the happiest effect upon the interests of America in general. The Chevalier des Touche, commanding His most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Newport, finding himself enabled,...
422From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 14th of November last, did not come to my hands till the first of the present month; and at a time when I was about to set off for the Convention of the States, appointed to be holden in this City the 14th Instt. Consequently, it has not been in my power, at an earlier period, to reply to the important matters...
423From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
You will find by the enclosed letter from the Commissioners that Mr Hallet reports unfavorably of Doctor Thornton’s Plan “on the great points of practicability, time and expence:” and that I am referred “to Mr Blodget, Hoben, and Hallet, whose verbal information will be better than any we can give you"—on which to form ultimate Instructions. Mr Blodget I met at Baltimore in the moment I was...
424George Washington to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, [12 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
As you are about to meet on other business, it is my desire that you would take the enclosed application into consideration. It is not my wish, on one hand, to throw unnecessary obstacles in the way of gratifying the wishes of the applicants. On the other it is incumbent on me to proceed with regularity. Would not the granting of a Patent then, which I believe is always the concluding act, and...
425George Washington to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, 9 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting that my private Affairs will call me to Virginia on or before the 25th of this month, I have to request that you will lay before me, previous to that time, such matters within your department as may require my attention or agency before I set out; as well as those which might be necessary for me to know or act upon during my absence from the Seat of Government (which will be about...
426Memoranda on Thomas Jefferson’s Letters, 27 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Information from our Bankers in Holland that they had money in hand sufft to answer the demands for the Foreign Officers & Captives: and moreover that the residue of the Bonds of the last loan were engaged. The Sum necessary for the first is 60,393⅌—17s.—10d. a year—and 26,000⅌ was sent him to complete the business of the Medals. The officers was paid up to the first of the year 1789. Desires...
427Memorandum for Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
Will circumstances render a postponement of the Sale of Lots in the Federal City advisable? If not Where ought they to be made Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft works in the City? Whether ought the building of a bridge over the Eastern branch to be attempted—the Canal set about—and Mr Peter’s proposion with...
428Enclosure: Memorandum for Thomas Jefferson with Jefferson’s Answers and Notes, 27 August–8 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Will circumstances render a postponement of the Sale of Lots in the Federal City advisable? If not not adviseable? [2.] Where ought they to be made left to be considered ultimately on the spot, the general opinion being only that the leading interests be accomodated. [3.] Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft works in...
429II. The President to the Secretary of State, 4 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You will readily agree with me that the best interests of the United States require such an intimation to be made to the Governor of Canada, either directly or indirectly, as may produce instructions to prevent the Indians receiving military aid or supplies from the british posts or garrisons.—The notoriety of this assistance has already been such as renders enquiry into particulars...
430II. The President to the Secretary of State, 2 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Notes are sufficiently descriptive to comprehend the two objects fully; but it is necessary to remark, that if the first line begins at a point on Hunting Creek, the fourth line cannot, in any part, touch (Though it will include ) the Town of Alexandria; because Huntg. Creek is below the boundaries of the Town.—And, if it could be so ordered as for the first line to avoid touching...
431X. The President to the Secretary of State, [1 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing in the enclosed letter superceding the necessity of Mr. Ellicot, proceeding to the work in hand, I would thank you, for requesting him, to set out on thursday; or as soon after as he can make it convenient; also for preparing such instructions as you may conceive it necessary for me to give him for ascertaining the points we wish to know; first , for the general view of things, and...
432I. The President to the Secretary of State, 11 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive the Powers and Instructions with which Gouvr. Morris Esqr. is invested and his Communications consequent thereof.—You will give them the consideration their importance merit, and report your opinion of the measures proper to be taken thereupon. The following extract from one of my private letters to Mr. Morris contains all the notice I have yet taken of his public...
433Agenda for Commissioners of the Federal District, [ca. 5 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimates &ca. are sent to shew the views &ca. of Majr. LEnfant. MS ( DLC : Washington Papers); in the hands of both TJ and Washington, as indicated in notes below; undated, but certainly written after 1 Mch. and on or before 6 Mch. 1792. It is very probable that TJ wrote the first part of the agenda and sent it or left it with Washington on 5 Mch. 1792 (see Washington to TJ, 4 Mch. 1792 ) and...
434IV. The President to the Secretary of State, 9 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The messages to the two Houses, as altered, are quite agreeable to Whether, as it is equally known to both houses, that we have no person in a public character at the Court of London it is best that the word “informal” should remain in the message to the Ho: of Representatives, or not, Mr. J. may decide by the fair copy he shall send to RC ( DLC ); addressed by Washington: “Mr. Jefferson Secy...
435IX. The President to the Secretary of State, 19 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President concurs with the Secretary of State in opinion that, circumstances make it advisable to commit Mr. Short and the Marqs. de la Fayette to press in a discreet manner our Settlement with the Court of Spain on a broader bottom than merely that of the case of Ste. Marie, and authorises him to take measures accordingly. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ as...
436I. The President to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, 4 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances, and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
437III. The President to the Secretary of State, [4 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The P. begs to see Mr. Jefferson before he proceeds further in the Proclamation.—From a more attentive examination of some Papers, in his possession, he finds that it is in his power to ascertain the course and distance from the Court House in Alexandria to the upper and lower end of the Canal at the little Falls with as much accuracy as can be known from Common Surveying if not to...
438V. The President to the Secretary of State, [10 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The P. has given the enclosed letters an attentive reading and consideration, and has found nothing in them but what is just , and in the hands of a prudent user proper ; but at the end of the words of the letter to Mr. C “this wrong” 2d. page 10th. line may it not be well to add—“yet with that prudence and circumspection which will not commit the Government to the necessity of proceeding to...