1Enclosure: George Washington to Jacquelin Ambler, 13 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to pay to Messrs. Johnson, Stuart and Carrol Commissioners of the Federal buildings on the Patowmac, or to their order, or the order of any two of them, the second instalment of the monies granted by the state of Virginia towards the said buildings. RC ( Vi ); in TJ’s hand except for Washington’s signature; at foot of text: “The Treasurer of Virginia”; endorsed on verso in David...
2George Washington to Thomas Barclay, 11 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having furnished me with means for procuring peace, and ransoming our captive citizens from the government of Algiers, I have thought it best, while you are engaged at Marocco, to appoint Admiral Jones to proceed to Algiers, and therefore have sent him a commission for establishing peace, another for the ransom of our captives, and a third to act there as Consul for the U.S. and full...
3George Washington to the Cabinet, 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit you a Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to me, with the heads of Instructions proposed to be given to the Commissioners who may be appointed to hold a Treaty with the Western Indians, in the spring. As I intend, in a few days, to call for the advice and opinion of the Heads of the Departments on the points touched upon in the enclosed paper, I must request you will give it...
4George Washington to the Cabinet, 18 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The posture of affairs in Europe, particularly between France and Great Britain, places the United States in a delicate situation; and requires much consideration of the measures which will be proper for them to observe in the War between those Powers. With a view to forming a general plan of conduct for the Executive, I have stated and enclosed sundry questions to be considered preparatory to...
5George Washington to the Cabinet, 21 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Treaty which is agreed to be held on or about the first of June next at the Lower Sandusky of Lake Erie, being of great moment to the interests and peace of this Country; and likely to be attended with difficulties arising from circumstances (not unknown to you) of a peculiar and embarrassing nature; it is indispensably necessary that our rights under the Treaties which have been entered...
6George Washington to the Cabinet, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Fresh occurrences, but communicated through private channels, make it indispensable that the general principles which have already been the Subject of discussion, should be fixed and made known for the government of all concerned as soon as they can be, with propriety. To fix rules on substantial and impartial ground, conformably to treaties and the Laws of Nations, is extremely desirable. The...
7Enclosure: Questions on Neutrality and the Alliance with France, 18 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Question I. Shall a proclamation issue for the purpose of preventing interferences of the Citizens of the United States in the War between France and Great Britain &ca.? Shall it contain a declaration of Neutrality or not? What shall it contain? Question II. Shall a Minister from the Republic of France be received? Question III. If received shall it be absolutely or with qualifications—and if...
8George Washington to the Cabinet, 29 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It will not be amiss, I conceive, at the meeting you are about to have to day, to reconsider the expediency of directing the Custom house Officers to be attentive to the Arming or equipping Vessels—either for offensive or defensive War in the several Ports to which they belong—and make Report thereof to the Governor, or some other proper Officer. Unless this, or some other effectual mode is...
9George Washington to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 23 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Western Indians having proposed to us a conference at Au Glaise in the ensuing spring, I am now about to proceed to nominate three Commissioners to meet and treat with them on the subject of peace. What may be the issue of the conferences is difficult to foresee, but it is extremely essential that, whatever it be, it should carry with it the perfect confidence of our citizens that every...
10George Washington to the Commissioners of Accounts for the States, [22 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Having considered the two questions referred to me in your letters of yesterday, I am of opinion that the Report of your proceedings may be made to the President of the US. and that your books and papers will be most properly deposited in the Treasury department. You will therefore be pleased to deliver them to the order of the Secretary of the Treasury. Dft ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); in TJ’s hand,...
11George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 17 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors of Jan. 7. and 9. am sensible of the expediency of the act of authority you have found it necessary to exercise over all the persons employed in the public works under your care, and fully approve of what you did. It has appeared I think that nothing less would draw their attention to a single source of authority and confine their operations to specified...
12Enclosure I: George Washington to Commissioners of the Federal District, 1 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with real mortification the account of the demolition of Mr. Carrol’s house by Majr. L’Enfant, against his consent, and without authority from yourselves, or any other person: for you have done me but justice in asserting he had no such authority from me. My letter of the 28th. ult. to Mr. Carrol of Duddington will prove this. I now inclose you one to Majr. L’Enfant, in which you...
13George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 9 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of Sep. 5 . and in consequence thereof have authorised Mr. David Ross of Bladensburg, and Colo. Robert Townshend Hooe of Alexandria, to examine the accounts and vouchers of the expenditure of the monies appropriated to your trust as Commissioners of the public buildings of the federal territory, and to certify to me the result. Dft ( DLC : Washington Papers);...
14George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had under consideration Mr. Hallet’s plans for the capitol , which undoubtedly have a great deal of merit. Doctor Thornton has also given me a view of his. These last come forward under some very advantageous circumstances. The grandeur, simplicity, and beauty of the exterior, the propriety with which the apartments are distributed, and economy in the mass of the whole structure, will I...
15George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The regular course which the affairs of the Federal city are likely to move in by the appointment of a Superintendant, who may relieve you from details, and from all sacrifices of time except your periodical meetings, enables me now to proceed, on more certain grounds to the subject of compensation. That a proper compensation should be made you must undoubtedly be the public expectation as...
16XI. The President to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 18 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from the Secretary of State a Report on the Proceedings of the Governor of the Northwestern Territory at Kaskaskia, Kahokia, and Prairie, under the Resolution of Congress of August 29th. 1788, which containing Matter proper for your Consideration, I lay the same before you. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records, 1st. Cong., 3rd. sess.); in clerk’s hand, signed by Washington;...
17George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [14] December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation of affairs in Europe, in the course of the year 1790. having rendered it possible that a moment might arrive favorable for the arrangement of our unsettled matters with Spain, it was thought proper to prepare our representative at that court to avail us of it. A confidential person was therefore dispatched to be the bearer of instructions to him, and to supply by verbal...
18VI. The President to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [24 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
In execution of the powers with which Congress were pleased to invest me by their act intituled ‘an Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States’ and on mature consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the several positions within the limits prescribed by the said act, I have, by a proclamation bearing date this day, directed...
19George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [30 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate to you the translation of a letter received from the Representatives of Spain here in reply to that of the Secretary of state to them of the 21st. inst. which had before been communicated to you. Dft ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand, unsigned and undated; with dateline and part of salutation completed by George Taylor, Jr. (see notes below); endorsed by Taylor. Enclosure: Josef de Jaudenes...
20George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 23 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the communications which were made to you on the affairs of the United States with Spain and on the Truce between Portugal and Algiers, some other papers have been received which making a part of the same subjects are now communicated for your information. RC ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records, 3d Cong., 1st sess.); in Benjamin Bankson’s hand, signed by Washington. Enclosures: (1) Josef de...
21George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [2 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
As the present situation of the several nations of Europe, and especially of those with which the US. have important relations, cannot but render the state of things between them and us matter of interesting enquiry to the legislature, and may indeed give rise to deliberations to which they alone are competent, I have thought it my duty to communicate to them certain correspondences which have...
22George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [14–16 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the { Senate House of Repr. I lay before you a Report of the Secretary of state on the measures which have been taken on behalf of the US. for the purpose of obtaining a recognition of our treaty with Marocco, and for the ransom of our citizens and establishment of peace with Algiers. While it is proper our citizens should know that subjects which so much concern their interests...
23George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, [28 November 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the { Senate H. of Representatives I now lay before you, for your further information, some additional advices lately received, on the subject of the hostilities committed by the Chuckamogga towns, or under their name and guidance. The importance of preventing this hostile spirit from spreading to other tribes, or other parts of the same tribe of Indians, a considerable military...
24George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 30 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you for your consideration a letter from the Secretary of State, informing me of certain impediments, which have arisen to the coinage of the precious Metals at the Mint. As also a letter from the same Officer relative to certain advances of money, which have been made on public account. Should you think proper to sanction what has been done, or be of opinion that any thing more...
25V. The President to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 14 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after I was called to the administration of the government [I found it important to come to an understanding with the court of London on several points interesting to the U.S. and particularly to know Whether they were] disposed to enter into arrangements, by mutual consent, which might fix the commerce between the two nations on principles of reciprocal advantage. For this purpose I...
26George Washington to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 31 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before you a letter from the Secretary of State, with his account of the expenditure of the monies appropriated for our intercourse with foreign nations, from the 1st. of July 1792 to the 1st. of July 1793. and other papers relating thereto. PrC ( DLC ); in the hand of George Taylor, Jr., unsigned. Tr ( MHi ); 19th-century copy. Enclosures: TJ to Washington, 31 Dec. 1793 (first...
27VI. The President to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 23 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
It appearing by the Report of the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, that there are certain cases respecting grants of land within that territory, which require the interference of the Legislature of the United States;—I have directed a Copy of said Report and the Papers therein referred to to be laid before you; together with a copy of the Report of the Secretary of State...
28I. George Washington to William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddert, 3 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In asking your aid in the following case permit me at the same time to ask the most perfect secrecy. The federal territory being located, the competition for the location of the town now rests between the mouth of the Eastern branch, and the lands on the river, below and adjacent to Georgetown.—In favour of the former, Nature has furnished powerful advantages.—In favour of the latter is it’s...
29V. George Washington to William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to avail the public of the willingness expressed by the inhabitants of Washington county, as mentioned in your letter of the 11th. to sign a paper ceding their lots in Hamburg, on being requested by any person under my direction, I have written the inclosed letter, which if you think it will answer the desired end, you will be so good as to dispatch to them, with the necessary...
30Enclosure: George Washington to William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On passing thro George town I propose to examine the ground between that town and the Eastern branch, and on that examination to fix on a site for the public buildings. Should there be any circumstances in favour of the ground next adjoining to George town, I foresee that the old town of Hamburg will be a considerable obstacle, as the streets of that will probably not coincide with those which...