1To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In the selection of Characters to fill the important offices of Government in the United States I was naturally led to contemplate the talents and disposition which I knew you to possess and entertain for the Service of your Country.—And without being able to consult your inclination, or to derive any knowledge of your intentions from your letters either to myself or to any other of your...
2To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed letter (which was left for you at the Office of Foreign Affairs when I made a journey to the Eastern States) the motives on which I acted with regard to yourself, and the occasion of my explaining them at that early period. Having now reason to hope from Mr. Trumbulls report that you will be arrived at Norfolk before this time (on which event I would most...
3To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 21 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive duly your letter dated the 15th. of Decr. last; but I thought proper to delay answering or mentioning the contents of it, until after the arrival of Mr. Madison, who I understood had been with you.—He arrived yesterday, and I now take the earliest opportunity of mentioning to you the result of my reflections; and the expediency of your deciding, at as early a...
4Enclosure: George Washington to Louis XVI, 6 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Time limited for the Duration of Mr. Jefferson’s Residence in Quality of our Minister plenipotentiary near your Majesty will shortly expire, and the public Interests require that he should undertake other Functions, we have directed him to take Leave of your Majesty, and to assure you of our Friendship and sincere Desire to preserve and strengthen the Harmony and Confidence which so...
5Proclamation of the Consular Convention of 1788, [9 April 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation Whereas a Convention for defining and establishing the functions and privileges of the respective Consuls and vice-Consuls of his most Christian Majesty and of the said United States, was concluded and signed by the Plenipotentiaries of his said most Christian Majesty and of the said United States, duly and respectively...
6To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 19 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Letters and documents from Mr. Gouvr. Morris are sent for the perusal of the Secretary of State. The private letters from the Marquis de la Fayette and Mr. Payne he also gives Mr. Jefferson a sight of; because there are some ideas in the latter which are new, and in the former, general information respecting the Affairs of France, which, by being compar’d with other Accounts may...
7IX. Queries from the President to Members of the Cabinet, 27 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Provided the dispute between Great Britain and Spain should come to the decision of Arms, from a variety of circumstances (individually unimportant and inconclusive, but very much the reverse when compared and combined) there is no doubt in my mind, that New Orleans and the Spanish Posts above it on the Mississippi will be among the first attempts of the former, and that the reduction of them...
8II. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Have you formed an opinion on the subject I submitted to you on Tuesday?—Have you heard whether the Bill was disputed in both or either House of Congress on the ground of the Constitution, or whe[ther] this objection (in its full force) was held in petto for the last move, in the present stage of the business?—If it was debated, as above, whether the Arguments adduced by the Author of the...
9To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States transmits to the Secretary of State, to report thereon, a memorial of Monsr. de le tombe, Consul of France, to the Legislature of Massachusetts, respecting certain parts of the Consular Convention agreed upon by and between his most Christian Majesty and the President of the United States, together with a Resolution of that Legislature upon said memorial; and...
10To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 27 [August] 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed is the report (I mentioned to you on our Passage to Rhode-Island) of the Officer who was directed to explore the Navigation of Big Beaver &c.—When you have read, and taken such extracts from it as you may be inclined to do, please to return the papers to me, as they will have a place with some other Papers I mean to take with me to Virginia. The short and rough Extracts also enclosed,...
11George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 20th. came safely to hand, together with the Memorial of Monsieur de Latombe of the 7th. of June, and the Resolve of the Legislature of Massachusetts of the 24th. of the same month. On considering the nature of the difficulties which have occurred in the execution of the Consular Convention, they appeared to be such as could not be removed but by a legislative Act. When...
12Enclosure II: Sketches for the Conveyance of the Lands whereon the Federal Seat is to be fixed, [17 September 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The Conveyance to be executed, according to the forms of the laws of Maryland, by the Proprietors of the land designated by the President for the federal seat. The preamble to recite the substance of that part of the residence act which authorises the President to receive grants of lands and money for the use of the United States and to declare that the object of the conveyance is to furnish...
13To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, [before 8 December 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The P———requests that Mr. J———would give the letter and statement herewith sent from the S. of War a perusal, and return it to him in the course of the day with his opinion as to the propriety of the manner of making the communication to Congress; and whether it ought not, at any rate, to be introduced in some such way as this (if it is to pass thro him to Congress) “Pursuant to directions I...
14VI. 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...
15XI. 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;...
16I. 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...
17IV. 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...
18V. 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...
19VI. The President to the Senate, [14 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Conceiving that in the possible event of a refusal of justice on the part of Gr. Britain, we should stand less committed should it be made to a private rather than to a public person, I employed Mr. Gouv. Morris, who was on the spot, and without giving him any definite character, to enter informally into the conferences before mentioned. For your more particular information I lay before you...
20VIII. The President to the Senate, [22 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I will proceed to take measures for the ransom of our citizens in captivity at Algiers, in conformity with your resolution of advice of the first instant, so soon as the monies necessary shall be appropriated by the legislature and shall be in readiness. The recognition of our treaty with the new Emperor of Marocco requires also previous appropriation and provision. The importance of this last...
21X. The President to the Senate, [17 January 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you a representation of the Chargé des affaires of France, made by order of his court, on the acts of Congress of the 20th. of July 1789. and 1790. Imposing an extra tonnage on foreign vessels, not excepting those of that country, together with the Report of the Secretary of State thereon: and I recommend the same to your consideration, that I may be enabled to give it such answer...
22II. 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...
23III. 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...
24VI. 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...
25VII. The Proclamation by the President, 24 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the U. S. of America. a Proclamation. Whereas the General assembly of the state of Maryland by an act passed on the 23d. day of December in the year 1788. intituled ‘An act to cede to Congress a district of 10 miles square in this state for the seat of the government of the U. S.’ did enact that the representatives of the said state in the house of representatives of...
26X. 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...
27XIII. The Proclamation by the President, 30 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the U. S. of A. a Proclamation Whereas by a proclamation bearing date the 24th. day of Jan. of this present year, and in pursuance of certain acts of the states of Maryland and Virginia, and of the Congress of the U. S. therein mentioned, certain lines of experiment were directed to be run in the neighborhood of George town in Maryland for the purpose of determining the...
28Enclosure III: The President to the President of the National Assembly of France, 27 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received with particular satisfaction, and imparted to Congress the communication made by the Presidents letter of the 20th of June last in the name of the National Assembly of France. So peculiar and and so signal an expression of the esteem of that respectable body for a citizen of the United States, whose eminent and patriotic services are indelibly engraved on the minds of his countrymen...
29George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favors of the 9th. and 11th instant and shall be glad if the purchase from Burnes should be concluded before you recieve this at £15 or £15–10 as you hope. But as you mention that should he ask as far as £20. or £25. you will await further instructions before you accept such an offer, I have thought it better, in order to prevent delay, to inform you that I would wish his...
30The President to the Senate, 18 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The aspect of affairs in Europe during the last summer, and especially between Spain and England, gave reason to expect a favorable occasion for pressing to accommodation the unsettled matters between them and us. Mr. Carmichael, our Chargé des affaires at Madrid, having been long absent from his country, great changes having taken place in our circumstances and sentiments during that...
31George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 2 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Majr. L’enfant comes on to make such a survey of the grounds in your vicinity as may aid in fixing the site of the federal town and buildings. His present instructions express those alone which are within the Eastern branch, the Patowmac, the Tyber, and the road leading from George town to the ferry on the Eastern branch. He is directed to begin at the lower end and work upwards, and nothing...
32VI. Draft of a Message from the President to the Senate, [4 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The ‘Act for the admission of the state of Vermont into this union’ having fixed on this, as the day of it’s admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that state. I therefore required your attendance to recieve nominations of the several officers necessary to put the federal...
33To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 6 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The P. would thank Mr. Jefferson for placing all, or such of the enclosed Papers (after he has perused them) in the hands of the Attorney General as he shall deem necessary for the purpose of drawing the several conveyances of the ceded Lands, or the form of one. For the former, it is conceived farther information than the enclosures contain, is wanting.—For the latter, the agreement, and...
34III. The President to James Seagrove, 20 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The confidence, which your character inclines me to place in you, has induced me to commit the enclosed letter, from the Secretary of State to Governor Quesada, and the negotiation which will be consequent thereon to your care and management. The letter which is under a flying seal, to be closed before it is delivered, will inform you of the import, and serve to instruct you in the mode of...
35V. 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...
36IX. 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...
37I. 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...
38IV. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, [16 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed is the last letter I have received from Messrs. Deakins and Stoddart.—What step had I best take to bring matters to a close with Burn’s, and by declaring at once the site of the public buildings, prevent some inconvenience which I see may arise from the opinions promulgated by Mr. L’Enfont? as much probably from complaisance as judgment.—Yrs, RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”:...
39V. 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...
40Enclosure: 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...
41VI. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, [17 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The P. has just received the enclosed.—He prays Mr. Jefferson to write by tomorrows Post to Majr. L’Enfont agreeably to what was mentioned this morning. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Mch. 1791. Entry in SJPL reads: “[1791. Mar.] 17. G. W. to Th: J. concerning Lenfant.” Enclosure not identified.
42IX. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been so fortunate as to reconcile the contending interests of Georgetown and Carrollsburg, and to unite them in such an agreement as permits the public purposes to be carried into effect on an extensive and proper scale, I have the pleasure to transmit to you the enclosed proclamation, which, after annexing your counter signature and the seal of the United States, you will cause to be...
43To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 1 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 27th. ult. with the papers which accompanied it. Referring to your judgment whether a commission, similar to that intended for Mr. Barclay, may be given without the agency of the Senate, I return both papers to you signed, in order that the one you deem most proper may be used. Your opinions respecting the acts of force which have already...
44I. 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...
45II. 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...
46To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. came to my hands at this place.—Part of it did as you supposed, and might well suppose, astonished me exceedingly. I think it not only right that Mr. Carmichael should be furnished with a copy of the genuine letters to Mr. G. Morris, but that Mr. Morris should also know the result of his conferences with the Duke of Leeds at the Court of Madrid.—The contents of my...
47To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The round of business and of ceremony, which now engages my attention, only allows me leisure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th. of last month, which will receive a more particular consideration.—I am, with great esteem, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, RC ( DLC ); in hand of William Jackson except for signature; endorsed by TJ as received at Albany 25 May 1791 and so...
48To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 15 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 2nd. of April from Richmond, since which I have only received two letters from you of the 10th. of April and 15th. of May. Concluding that some of your dispatches may have been forwarded to Taylor’s ferry (by which route I did not return) I have to request, if that should have been the case, and the communications were of a particular or...
49To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 17 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last post from the southward I received your letters of the 17th. and 24th. of April, with their enclosures. In a letter of the 7th. of May, which I wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury from Charleston, I expressed my approbation of what he informed me had been determined by the Vice-President and the Heads of Departments, relative to Mr. Short’s negociation at Amsterdam, and the...
50To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 26 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 20th. instant, and the duplicates of your letters, which were missing when I last wrote to you, the originals of which have since been received. This acknowledgement is all the notice I shall take of them until I have the pleasure of seeing you. I have selected the letters written by you to me while you were in the administration of the government of...