1Address to Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sir, I have been long accustomed to entertain so great a respect for the opinion of my fellow citizens, that the knowledge of their unanimous suffrages having been given in my favour scarcely leaves me the alternative for an Option. Whatever may have been my private feelings and sentiments, I believe I cannot give a greater evidence of my sensibility for the honor they have done me than by...
2From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your Address, in which the most affectionate sentiments are expressed in the most obliging terms. The coincidence of circumstances which led to this auspicious Crisis, the confidence reposed in me by my Fellow-citizens, and the assistance I may expect from counsels which will be dictated by an enlarged and liberal policy, seem to presage a more prosperous issue to my...
3From George Washington to the United States Senate, 25 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of the order of the late Congress, Treaties between the United States, and several nations of Indians, have been negociated and signed. These Treaties, with sundry papers respecting them, I now lay before you, for your consideration and advice, by the hands of General Knox, under whose official superintendence the business was transacted, and who will be ready to communicate to...
4From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
A Convention between his most Christian Majesty and the United States for the purposes of determining and fixing the functions and prerogatives of their respective Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agents and Commissaries, was signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries on the 29th of July 1784. It appearing to the late Congress that certain alterations in that Convention ought to be made, they...
5From George Washington to the United States Senate, 15 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson the present Minister of the United States at the Court of France, having applied for permission to return home for a few months, and it appearing to me proper to comply with his request, it becomes necessary that some person be appointed to take charge of our affairs at that Court during his absence. For this purpose I nominate William Short Esquire, and request your advice on the...
6From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
A List having my signature to it is herewith presented to you, containing the names of Persons whom I nominate as Collectors, Naval Officers and Surveyors for the Ports to which their Names are respectively annexed; And as several applications have been addressed to the President and Senate conjointly I lay all under this description before you, for your information. New Hampshire Districts &...
7From George Washington to the United States Senate, 5 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In the list of Nominations which I laid before you the 3d instant there was a mistake in giving in the name of David Lambert as Surveyor of the Port of Richmond. This mistake I now desire to correct by inserting in place thereof, the name of Corbin Braxton. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . This message was delivered to the Senate by...
8From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
My nomination of Benjamin Fishbourn for the place of Naval Officer of the Port of Savannah not having met with your concurrence, I now nominate Laclan McIntosh for that place. Whatever may have been the reasons which induced your dissent, I am persuaded they were such as you deemed sufficient—Permit me to submit to your consideration, whether on occasions, where the propriety of nomiminations...
9From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the act for settling the accounts between the United States and individual States, a person is to be appointed to fill the vacant seat at the Board of Commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and individual States; I therefore nominate John Kean, of the State of So. Carolina to fill the vacant seat at the said Board of Commissioners. LS , DNA : RG 46, First...
10From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to the Law re-establishing the Government of the Western Territory, I nominate Arthur St Clair Governor. Winthrop Sargent Secretary. Samuel Holden Parsons, } John Cleve Symmes and Judges of the Court. William Barton I also nominate Ebenezer Tucker, Surveyor of Little Egg Harbour in the State of New Jersey. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Executive...
11From George Washington to the United States Senate, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of an Act providing for the expences which may attend negociations or Treaties with the Indian Tribes, and the appointment of Commissioners for managing the same, I nominate Benjamin Lincoln as one of three Commissioners whom I shall propose to be employed to negociate a Treaty with the Southern Indians. My reason for nominating him at this early moment, is, that it will not be...
12From George Washington to the United States Senate, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the nomination which I made yesterday, of Benjamin Lincoln, as one of three Commissioners to be employed to negociate a Treaty with the Southern Indians, I now nominate Cyrus Griffin and David Humphreys, as the two other Commissioners to be employed to negociate the before mentioned Treaty. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW...
13From George Washington to the United States Senate, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States will meet the Senate, in the Senate Chamber, at half past eleven oclock tomorrow; to advise with them on the terms of the Treaty to be negotiated with the Southern Indians. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Indian Relations; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear delivered this message to the Senate ( DHFC, Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary...
14From George Washington to the United States Senate, 22 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
To conciliate the powerful tribes of Indians in the southern district, amounting probably to fourteen thousand fighting men, and to attach them firmly to the United States, may be regarded as highly worthy of the serious attention of government. The measure includes, not only peace and security to the whole southern frontier, but is calculated to form a barrier against the Colonies of an...
15From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I nominate for the Department of the Treasury of the United States— Alexander Hamilton (of New York) Secretary. Nicholas Eveleigh (of So. Carolina) Comptroller. Samuel Meridith (of Pensylvania) Treasurer. Oliver Wolcott Junr (of Connecticut) Auditor. Joseph Nourse (in office) Register. For the Department of war— Henry Knox. For Judge in the Western Territory, in place of William Barton who...
16From George Washington to the United States Senate, 16 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
United States, 16 September 1789. Nominates Lemuel Wyatt as collector of customs for Reheboth, Massachusetts. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . This message was delivered to the Senate by Tobias Lear. Wyatt’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate on the same day ( DHFC Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds....
17From George Washington to the United States Senate, 17 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
It doubtless is important that all treaties and compacts formed by the United States with other nations whether civilized or not, should be made with caution, and executed with fidelity. It is said to be the general understanding and practice of nations, as a check on the mistakes and indiscretions of ministers or Commissioners, not to consider any treaty, negociated, and signed by such...
18From George Washington to the United States Senate, 24 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I nominate for the Supreme-Court of the United States John Jay of New York, Chief-Justice John Rutledge, of South Carolina, James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, Associate Judges
19From George Washington to the United States Senate, 25 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I nominate James Duane, Judge } for the District William S. Smith, Marshall of Richard Harrison, Attorney New-York. David Brearly, Judge, } for the District Thomas Lowry, Marshall, of Richard Stockton, Attorney New-Jersey. and I likewise nominate Thomas Jefferson for Secretary of State Edmund Randolph for Attorney-General Samuel Osgood for Post Master-General
20From George Washington to the United States Senate, 29 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
United States Gentlemen of the Senate. September 29th 1789. I nominate William Carmichael as Charge des affaires from the United States of America to the Court of Spain. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations.
21From George Washington to the United States Senate, 29 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
United-States Gentlemen of the Senate, September 29th 1789. Agreeably to the act of Congress for adapting the establishment of the Troops in public service to the Constitution of the United States, I nominate the Persons, specified in the enclosed list, to be the commissioned Officers thereof. This nomination differs from the existing arrangement only in the following cases—to wit. Lieutenant...
22Enclosure: Nominations for the United States Army, 29 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Officers of the Regiment of Infantry Leiut. Colo. Commandant Josiah Harmar And a Brigadier General by brevet, he having been appointed such by a resolve of Congress of the 31st of July 1787 Majors John Plasgrave Wyllys John F. Hamtramck Captains Jonathan Heart David Zeigler William McCurdy John Mercer David Strong John Smith Joseph Ashton Erkuries Beatty. Lieutenants John Armstrong John Pratt...
23From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate January 11th 1790. I have directed Mr Lear, my private Secretary, to lay before you a copy of the adoption and ratification of the Constitution of the United States by the State of North Carolina, together with the copy of a letter from His Excellency Samuel Johnson President of the Convention of said State to the President of the United States....
24From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, January 11th, 1790. Having advised with you upon the terms of a treaty to be offered to the Creek Nation of Indians, I think it proper you should be informed of the result of that business, previous to its coming before you in your legislative capacity. I have therefore directed the Secretary for the Department of War, to lay before you my...
25From George Washington to the United States Senate: Answer to the Address of the Senate, 11 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your address, and for the assurances, which it contains of attention to the several Matters suggested by me to your consideration. Relying on the continuance of your exertions for the public good, I anticipate, for our Country, the salutary effects of upright and prudent Counsels. LB , DLC:GW . For the address of the Senate, see GW to the United States Senate and House of...
26From George Washington to the United States Senate, 14 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your address, and for the assurances, which it contains, of attention to the several matters, suggested by me to your consideration. Relying on the continuance of your exertions for the public good, I anticipate, for our Country, the salutary effects of upright and prudent Counsels. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, Records of Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages. See...
27From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 9th 1790 You will perceive from the papers herewith delivered, and which are enumerated in the annexed list, that a difference subsists between Great Britain and the United States relative to the boundary line between our Eastern, and their Territories. A plan for deciding this difference, was laid before the late Congress; and whether...
28Enclosure, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
A List of the papers deliver’d to the Senate with the foregoing Message In the Bundle marked A. Papers in the bundle marked B. LB , DLC:GW . All of these enclosures are printed in DHFC, Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789-March 3, 1791 . 20 vols. to date. Baltimore, 1972–. 2:362–87. The actual resolve...
29From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 9th 1790. Among the persons appointed during your late Session, to offices under the national Government, there were some who declined serving. Their names and offices are specified in the first column of the annexed list. I supplied these Vacancies, agreeably to the Constitution, by temporary appointments; which you will find...
30From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 9th 1790 I nominate as Collectors, Naval Officer, and Surveyors for the Ports of the several Districts in the State of North Carolina, the persons whose names are respectively annexed to the Offices in the following list. Districts. Ports. Officers. Nominations { Collector James Read Wilmington. { Wilmington Naval John Walker Officer...
31From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, February 18th, 1790. By the mail of last evening I received a Letter from His Excellency John Hancock Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, enclosing a Resolve of the Senate and House of Representatives of that Commonwealth, and sundry documents relative to the eastern boundary of the United States. I have directed a copy of the Letter...
32From George Washington to the United States Senate, 30 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, March 30th 1790. I nominate the following persons to fill the Offices which are affixed to their respective names—viz. Rufus Putnam, to be one of the Judges in the Western Territory, in the place of Samuel Holden Parsons deceased. James Brown, to be Attorney for the United States in the District of Kentucky, in the place of George Nicholas who...
33From George Washington to the United States Senate, 28 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate April 28th 1790 I nominate George Wray to be Collector of the port of Hampton in the State of Virginia in the place of Jacob Wray resigned: also John McCullough to be Surveyor of the port of Swansborough in the District of Wilmington and William Benson to be Surveyor of the port of Windsor in the District of Edenton, both in the State of North...
34From George Washington to the United States Senate, 25 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 25th 1790. I nominate the following persons to fill the offices affixed to their names—viz. Samuel Jasper, to be Surveyor of the Port of Currituck-Inlet in the State of North Carolina. Nathaniel Wilkins, to be Collector of the Port of Cherry Stone in the State of Virginia, in the place of George Savage, who has resigned. Henry Deering, to...
35From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 31st 1790 M. de Poiery served in the American Army for several of the last years of the late war, as Secretary to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, and might probably at that time have obtained the Commission of Captain from Congress upon application to that Body. At present he is an officer in the French National Guards, and...
36From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentleman of the Senate, June 2nd 1790. The Troops at present in service consisting of one regiment of Infantry and one Battalion of artillery were apportioned by the acts of the former Congress on the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and as the Officers of said troops are in actual service, I nominate them, as in the list...
37From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 4th 1790. I nominate the following persons to be Consuls and Vice-Consuls of the United States of America for the Ports which are affixed to their names. viz. Cadiz Richard Harrison of Virginia to be Consul of the United States of America for the Port of Cadiz in the Kingdom of Spain, and for such parts of the said Kingdom as shall be...
38From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of the law lately passed for giving effect to an Act entitled “An Act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States,” within the State of North Carolina—I nominate the following persons to fill the Judicial Offices in that district. viz. William R. Davie to be Judge— John Sitgreaves to be Attorney—and John Skinner to be Marshall of the district of North Carolina. I...
39From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 11th 1790. I nominate Thomas Bee to be Judge of the South-Carolina district, in the place of William Drayton deceased. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . William Drayton died on 18 May 1790. For Thomas Bee’s application for the office, see...
40From George Washington to the United States Senate, 14 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, June 14th 1790. I nominate the following persons to be Collectors, Naval-Officers and Surveyors of the Ports of New Port and Providence in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations—viz. William Ellery to be Collector, } of New-Port. Robert Crooke to be Naval-Officer, Daniel Lyman to be Surveyor Jeremiah Olney to be Collector, } of...
41From 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 .
42From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Henry Marchant to be Judge, William Channing to be Attorney, and William Peck to be Marshall of the Judicial Court of the United States within the District of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. I likewise nominate the following persons to fill offices in the Revenue Department of the United States, within the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations—viz. Ebenezer...
43From George Washington to the United States Senate, 2 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to fill the Offices affixed to their names. viz. In the Judicial Department. William Peery, of the State of Delaware, to be one of the Judges in the Territory of the United States south of the River Ohio. John Stokes to be Judge of the North Carolina District, in place of William R. Davie who has declined his appointment. In the Revenue Department. Samuel...
44From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the general principles agreed to by the Senate in August 1789, the adjustment of the terms of a treaty is far advanced between the United States and the Chiefs of the Creek Indians now in this city, in behalf of themselves and the whole Creek Nation. In preparing the Articles of this Treaty, the present arrangements of the trade with the Creeks have caused much embarrassment....
45Enclosure: Secret Article of the Treaty with the Creeks, 4 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States states the following question for the consideration and advice of the Senate. If it should be found essential to a treaty, for the firm establishment of peace with the Creek Nation of Indians, that an article to the following effect should be inserted therein, will such an article be proper? vizt Secret Article. The commerce necessary for the Creek nation...
46From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Considering the circumstances which prevented the late Commissioners from concluding a Peace with the Creek Nation of Indians, it appeared to me most prudent that all subsequent measures for disposing them to a Treaty should in the first Instance be informal. I informed you on the 4th Inst: that the adjustment of the Terms of a Treaty with their Chiefs now here, was far advanced —such further...
47From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate the following persons to be Commissioners of Loans in the States to which their names are respectively affixed, viz. In the State of New Hampshire Nathaniel Gilman Massachusetts Nathaniel Appleton Rhode Island — Connecticut William Imlay New York John Cochran New Jersey James Ewing Pennsylvania Thomas Smith Delaware James Tilton Maryland Thomas Harwood
48From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Jabez Bowen to be Commissioner of Loans in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. and Daniel Benezet Junior to be Collector of the Port of Great Egg Harbour in the State of New Jersey. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . A “c” was written in a different hand after each...
49From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a Treaty between the United States and the Chiefs of the Creek-Nation, now in this city, in behalf of themselves and the whole creek-nation, subject to the ratification of the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate. While I flatter myself that this Treaty will be productive of present peace and prosperity to our southern frontier, it is to be...
50From George Washington to the United States Senate, 9 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate William Irvine of the State of Pennsylvania, John Taylor Gilman of the State of New Hampshire, and John Kean of the State of South Carolina, to be Commissioners for settling the Accounts between the United States and Individual States. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–91, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . “An Act to...