1From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd with pleasure & thank you for your obliging favor of the 24th Ult. —I shall be happy in such communications as your leizure—& other considerations—will permit you to transmit me for I am as totally unacquainted with the political state of things, & what is going forward in the great national Council, as if I was an alien; when a competent knowledge of the temper and designs of our...
2From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
12 April 1780. GW asks Randolph to undertake settlement of disputes among those holding mortgages on George Mercer’s lands in Virginia that GW sold prior to the war while acting under Mercer’s power of attorney. GW desired this “interesting & intricate” legal matter “brought to a conclusion at the ensuing Court.” GW promised Randolph that he would “take occasion in the course of a few Weeks to...
3From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 7 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed will make the third letter I have written to Mr Nicholas within twelve months upon an interesting matter to Colo. Fairfax, without receiving an answer. As I am convinced a miscarriage of my letters, and not inattention in him is the cause of it, I take the liberty of addressing the inclosed to your care, & shall thank you for the bare acknowledgment of it. At this moment, we are...
4From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
A short time before I came home I received a power of Attorney from the Earl of Tankerville, & his Brother, the Honorable Mr Bennett; authorising Colo. Hooe, (miscalled Howe,)yourself & me, to dispose of property belonging to the latter in this State. Letters, from Lord Tankerville & the Countess his Mother, to me, accompanied the Power, expressive of their wishes that I would accept the...
5From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have seen the form of the answer which you have drawn in Savages suit, and approve of it; presuming the references are founded on facts. Mr Fairfax was to have compared these, & will prepare a fair copy. I will remind him of the matter, & have it sent to you as soon as I can. The case of the depending petitions, in the General Court, is as follows. The Land was obtained under a Proclamation...
6From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
At my return from Philada I met your favor of the 15th ulto—& since, have received that of the 28th. The rough draft of the conveyance from Colo. Bassett to me, appearing to be just in recital, &, I presume, legal in form; I return it with a wish that the business may be finally accomplished as soon as circumstances will permit. With respect to the Suit of Doctr Savage, you will be so good as...
7From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me your favor of the 3d—& the Post preceeding, that of the 27th ulto. My particular thanks are due for the attention you have paid to the renewal of my Patents— Your Fees on this, & the other business you have had the management of for me, I would gladly pay, if you will please to let me know the amount. Whether it is to Mr Mercer (who by order of Court, has the property...
8From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 19 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
Some considerable time ago I wrote a letter to my Nephew, Bushrod Washington, and used the freedom of addressing it to your care—At that time I conceived he was living at richmond, but the establishment of circuit Courts it seems has changed his plan: he now intends to fix at Fredericksburg. Will you allow me the liberty my dear sir, to request the favor of you to open my letter to him, if it...
9From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 23 July 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 23 July. On 29 July Randolph wrote GW : “Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand.”
10From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ it is not my intention to derive any pecuniary advantage from the generous vote of the Assembly of this State, consequent of its gratuitous gift of fifty shares in each of the navigations of the rivers Potomac and James; yet, as I consider these undertakings as of vast political & commercial importance to the States on the Atlantic, especially to those nearest the centre of the Union, &...
11From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 13 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
At the time your letter from the Rocks was delivered to me, I had neither pen, ink, paper, or a table to write on at command; consequently could only verbally acknowledge the receipt of it, which I did by Mr Wormley: since my return home I have met your other favor of the 29th Ulto. The great object, for the accomplishment of which I wish to see the inland navigation of the Rivers Potomac &...
12From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
It was not in my power to obtain the enclosed in time, to forward them by the last Mail; but they will, I hope, reach you seasonably for your intended meeting on the 26th—by the present mail. I feel very sensibly, the honor and confidence which has been reposed in me by the James river Company; & regret that it will not be in my power to discharge the duties of the office of President of the...
13From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to the request of your last letter (dated about the middle of Septr) I had an attested copy of the proceedings of the Potomac Company—& those of the Directors, taken from their Books and sent it to you by Post, in time for the Meeting which was proposed to be held by the Directors of the James river navigation on the 26th of that month in Richmond; and requested, if it should be...
14From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th is this instant come to hand. Elizabeth & Sarah, daughters of Michl Cresap, live I presume in Hampshire, to the Sheriff of which I will direct the summons; tho’ it is at a hazard—having no other knowledge of the matter, than that their mother married one Jacobs of that county. Luther Martin lives in Maryland, and is I believe Attorney General of that State—What is to be...
15From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
By Doctr Stuart I return the books you were so obliging as to allow me the reading of: by him also I send you the Travels of the Marqs de Chastellux, for your perusal. I felt for your disappointment the day you left this, & hope no accidents intervened afterwards to give further interruption to your journey. Unknowing of the quantity of rain which had fallen in the course of the night, I was...
16From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 19 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
It gave me great pleasure to hear that the voice of the Country had been directed to you as chief magistrate of this Commonwealth, & that you had accepted the appointment. Our affairs seem to be drawing to an awful crisis: it is necessary therefore that the abilities of every man should be drawn into action in a public line, to rescue them if possible from impending ruin. As no one seems more...
17From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who does me the honor of delivering this letter to you is Mr Anstey. He is introduced to me in a very favorable point of view by our old acquaintance & friend Colol Fairfax of Bath, & by Mr Jay of New York. Mr Anstey being on a tour to Charleston, & purposeing to take richmond in the route, I use the liberty of introducing him to your civilities—and to assure you of the great...
18From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 21 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 6th, with its enclosures, till last night. Sensible as I am of the honor conferred on me by the General Assembly, in appointing me one of the Deputies to a Convention proposed to be held in the City of Philadelphia in May next, for the purpose of revising the Fœderal Constitution; and desirous as I am on all occasions, of...
19From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 28 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 11th did not come to my hand till the 24th; and since then, till now, I have been too much indisposed to acknowledge the receipt of it. To what cause to ascribe the detention of the [letter] I know not, as I never omit sending once, and oftener twice a week to the Post Office—In Alexandria. It was the decided intention of the letter I had the honor of writing to your...
20From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 9 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your favor of the 2d I have to request that you will not be at the trouble of forwarding any money to me from the treasury. If I should attend the Service, it will suit me as well to receive it from you in Philadelphia as at this place. If I should not, I have no business with it at all. It gives me pleasure to find by your letter that there will be so full a representation from...
21From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me on the 27th Ulto, with the enclosure, came duly to hand. I receive them as a fresh instance of your friendship and attention. For both I thank you. The diversity of Sentiments upon the important matter which has been submitted to the People, was as much expected as it is regretted, by me. The various passions and medium by which men are...
22From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d Ultimo came duly to hand. A tedious and painful disorder which deprived me for many Weeks of the use of my pen, and which consequently required the greater exertion of it when I was able to set up, is the best apology I can make for not having acknowledged the receipt of the above letter sooner. The list of associates who purchased 100 Tickets in the lottery of the...
23From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Impressed with a conviction that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government, I have considered the first arrangement of the judicial department as essential to the happiness of our country and to the stability of its’ political system—hence the selection of the fittest characters to expound the laws, and dispense justice, has been an invariable object of my...
24From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th of October gave me pleasure, as I not only entertain hopes, but shall fully expect from the contents of it, to see you in the Office of Attorney General when the purposes mentioned by you for the delay are answered. I shall now mention some matters to you in confidence. Mr Pendleton declining to accept the appointment of District Judge has embarrassed me—& this...
25From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this date and Shall give it that attention which the importance of the subject, to which it relates, demands. When I have made up my opinion on the matter you shall be informed thereof—with very gret esteem I am Sir, Yr most Obedt Sert Df , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Letter not found, but see GW to Randolph, 11 Feb. 1790 .
26From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 11 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have weighed with deliberate attention the contents of your letter of yesterday; and altho’ that consideration may result in an approbation of the ideas the[re]in suggested; yet I do not, at present, feel myself authorized to give a sanction to the measures which you propose. For, as the Constitution of the United States, & the Laws made under it, must mark the line of my official conduct, I...
27From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 13 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this morning, and in consideration of the reasons urged in that, & a former letter I consent to your returning to Virginia; but hope that your absence from the Seat of Government will not exceed the time mentioned in your letter to me of the 5th inst. With very great esteem, I am Sir, Your most Obedt Servt. Df , in Tobias Lear’s writing, DNA : RG 59,...
28From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In reply to the wish expressed in your letter of this date, to go to Philada on monday next, I can only observe, that my concurrence therein will not be withheld if there are no obstructions of an official nature; and this you can best ascertain yourself. I would however, just mention, that as it may be necessary for me, in pursuance of the law to regulate trade & commerce with the Indian...
29From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry for the cause of your detention in Philadelphia, of which your letter of the 24 inst. informed me. But as I expect to leave this place on monday next for Virginia, it would not be in your power to arrive here, by that time, after the rect of this. There will therefore be no necessity for your leaving Mrs Randolph in her present situation to meet me in New York. I am Sir...
30From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I learn with pleasure, by your letter of the 26 ultimo, that the person supposed to have been the principal in the murder of the two Indians on pine-creek has been lodged in Lancaster gaol, and that it is very probable all the offenders will soon be apprehended. I cannot avoid expressing my wish that the proceedings, in bringing these persons to justice may be such as will vindicate the laws...
31Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has desired me to transmit to you the enclosed containing a copy of a bill exhibited in the High Court of Chancery of Virginia relative to certain lots drawn as prizes in Colonel Bird’s lottery, and to request that you would take some opportunity to remind him of the business, and do the necessary in it before his departure from this place. The President thinks he shall be too...
32From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States requests that the Attorney-General will give the question which accompanies the petition of Samuel Dodge, and which is herewith transmitted, a full consideration, and report his opinion thereon as soon as possible. LB , DLC:GW . GW enclosed the petition of Samuel Dodge for a presidential pardon, as well as two certificates and an affidavit included by Dodge...
33Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 9 July 1791. By the president’s command, returns the enclosed letter with the thanks of the president for the attorney generals attention in submitting it for his perusal and notes that “The President expresses his pleasure at its contents.” LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter has not been identified.
34From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 September 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 10 Sept. 1791. Randolph wrote to GW on Monday, 12 Sept. , of “your communication to me on Saturday last.”
35From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of Friday, I received your communications of the first instant; and from the character of Mr Campbell am glad to hear he is disposed to act as Attorney for the District of Virginia; & that you had forwarded the Commission to him for that purpose. Also, that a pardon had been sent to Saml Dodge as it appears that his errors were unintentional. It is my wish & desire that you would...
36Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 31 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of this date ⟨requesting to⟩ be informed whether you understood the President rightly upon the following points respecting ⟨the demoliti⟩on of Mr Carroll’s House. Questn 1: Whether payment could be ordered to Carroll for ⟨more⟩ of his House than was run up, when he executed his ⟨agreement?⟩ Answr upon this point the Attorney General’s opinion is desired....
37Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The President directs me to offer you his sincere condolence for the loss of your sister—to which permit me, my dear sir to add mine. The President thinks it would be best for you to take an opportunity of conversing with Mr Ellicot respecting Mr Carroll’s house, before you send him your opinion on the subject, as he wishes every information to be had that can be obtained respecting it. The...
38From 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...
39From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Sep. 3d 1792. Since my last to you dated the 26th of Augt—I have been favoured with your letter bearing the same date, covering Mr Bordley’s “Sketches on rotations of Crops[.]” Permit me, through you to offer him my sincere thank for this instance (among many others) of his politeness. The subject is interesting and important, and as soon as I have leizure, for...
40From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is highly important that the proceedings in the Indictments of those who have opposed themselves, unwarrantably, to the Laws laying a duty on distilled spirits, should be placed on legal ground & prosecuted properly; it is my desire therefore that you will attend the Circuit Court at York Town, to be holden the of this Month and see that, that business is conducted in a manner to which no...
41From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 24 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
It appears to me necessary, that processes should issue without further delay upon the Indictments found at the last Circuit Court held at York Town in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in reference to the laws laying a duty on Spirits distilled within the United States —and proper, that they should be served by the Marshal of the District of Pennsylvania, in person. I am to desire, that the...
42From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Hostile Indians having requested that all the Treaties which have been entered into with the several Western & Northern Tribes, may be produced at the proposed meeting at Sandusky. Therefore in order, that the Commissioners, for the proposed treaty, should be fully informed on the subject of their mission, it would be proper, that a summary view, should be formed of all the Treaties which...
43From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 28 February 1793 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 28 Feb. 1793. In his letter to GW of 28 Feb. , Randolph wrote that he “did not receive the letter, with which you honored me this morning, until my return from the Statehouse at 4 O’clock this afternoon.”
44From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I send you a letter of the 26th Ulto from William Bingham Esquire to the Secretary of the Treasu[r]y together with the documents accompanying it. I desire your opinion on the following points arising upon these papers. I. Whether the proceedings heretofore by the U. States in Congress assembled have transferred from Mr Bingham to the public the consequences of the transaction in question so as...
45From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your letter to me of the 25t[h] inst. stating the opinion of the Secretarry of State, the Secretary of the Treasury and yourself, on the subject of a suit instituted against Mr Bingham —and suggesting the propriety of giving instructions to the Attorney for the United S. in the Massachusetts Dist. to appear in behalf of Mr Bingham —provided that Mr Bingham will execute...
46From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 May 1793 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, c.18 May 1793. Randolph wrote GW on 18 May , “I was from home, sir, on the business of your letter, when you did me the honor of stopping at our house.”
47From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 30 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The continuation, and spreading of the malignant fever with which the City of Philadelphia is vis[i]ted, together with the absence of the heads of Departments therefrom, will prolong my abode at this place until about the 25th of October—at, or about, which time I shall, myself, (if the then state of things should render it improper for me to carry my family) set out for that City, or the...
48From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 14 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the copy of a Letr I wrote to you agreeably to the date—since which I have received yours of the 3d instt—which shews it had not at that time got to your hands. I sincerely hope your son Peyton is in no danger from the sick person he saw, and that the rest of your family, wherever they be, are in good health. Are you certain that the disorder of which the persons in German town...
49From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th only came by the Post of last night, to Alexandria, & this is sent thither to day, that it may go by tomorrow’s Mail, & thereby reach you as soon as the nature of the case will admit. As you have given no positive opinion respecting the Power of the Executive to change the place for Congress to meet at, & as it is uncertain what will be the result of this business; I am...
50From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 24 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) ⟨My⟩ dear Sir, Philadelphia Decr 24th 1793. It was my wish, for many reasons (needless to enumerate) to have retained Mr Jefferson in the Administration to the end of the present Session of Congress, but he is so decidedly opposed to it that I can no longer hint this desire to him. I now wish for your permission to nominate you to it the Office of Secy of State and will add that your...