1From George Washington to Abraham Ackerman, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of the 5th Instant—and am much obliged to the Court for their attention in the case of John Springer Junior, and for committing him to the custody of the Sheriff. In a few days I shall give such orders about him—as will be consistent with justice and my duty to the public. In the mean time he will remain in custody of the Sheriff. His conduct in deserting to the...
2From George Washington to James B. M. Adair, 4 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 31st ulto from New York enclosing one from Sr Edwd Newinham—also the magazines, the Packet from Sr John Sinclair &c. for your care And attention in forwarding them I beg you to accept my thanks. Any civilities which it may be in my power to shew you while you remain in this Country, will give me Pleasure. I am Sir your Mot obt Sert LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG...
3From George Washington to John Adam, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I understand Mr Skinner is gone to Philadelphia. You will keep the inclosed Letter for him till he returns, when You will take the earliest opportunity of delivering it to him. I desire to see him as soon as he arrives & have written to him for the purpose. You will inform the Officer who came with a flag to Elizabeth Town Yesterday—that he is not to wait for an Answer to the Letters he...
4From George Washington to John Adam, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 10th of Febry & must take the liberty to tell you candidly there would not be a propriety in my writing to the President of Congress respecting your extra-expences while acting as Depy Comy of Prisoners; because it would open a door to innumerable applications, because I do not conceive it is proper for me to interfere in the pecuniary Arrangements of...
5From George Washington to Robert Adam, 13 January 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Adam, c.13 Jan. 1774. On c.13 Jan. 1774 Adam wrote to GW : “I am favoured with yours.” GW’s missing letter of c.13 Jan. was in answer to a letter from Adam dated 12 January .
6From George Washington to Robert Adam, 22 November 1771 (Washington Papers)
In case of your going to England I should be obliged to you for using your Endeavours to purchase for me the Rights of Captns Robt Stobo & Jacob Vanbraam, to part of the 200,000 Acres of Land claimd by the Officers and Soldiers under Governor Dinwiddies Proclamation of the 19th of Feby 1754 which, by a late determination of the Governor and Council will be, if got at all, Nine thousd Acres to...
7From George Washington to Robert Adam, 27 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I embrace this first oppertunity to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 20th from Philadelphia. Your meeting with the smallest delay in receiving payment for the Land purchased of Messrs Dow & Co. gives me pain—I receive no Earthly advantage from it—I have been paying interest for the Money near two Months & one of these I have had it on my desk. Had Mr Lund Washington, in explicit...
8From George Washington to Robert Adam, 8 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Honble Robt Morris Esqr. will pay Mr Lund Washingtons Bills upon me for £680 in your favor—£600 in favor of Mr Peter Dow—and £600 in favor of Mr Collin McIver. I am—Sir Yr Most Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
9From George Washington to Robert Adam, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
With a pleasing sensibility I received your favor of the 26th, and beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks for the favorable sentiments with which it abounds. I shall always feel pleasure when it may be in my power to render service to Lodge No. 39, and in every act of brotherly kindness to the Members of it; being with great truth Your affecte Brother and Obedt Servant ViAlL .
10From George Washington to Abigail Adams, 24 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States having understood that Mrs Adams intends visiting the Theatre this evening, he presents his Compliments to Mrs Adams, and requests her acceptance of a Ticket for his Box. The Play begins at 6 o’clock. L , in the writing of Tobias Lear, owned (1976) by Mrs. Harry Hull, Manchester, Massachusetts. GW’s diary entry for this day notes: “Went to the Play in the...
11From George Washington to Daniel Jenifer Adams, 12 January 1773 (Washington Papers)
As there appears to be a good deal of Inconsistency between your Letters to me and those to Colo. Carlyle respecting the Sale of the Brig, and as you have changd the Destination of the Vessell contrary to the Original Intention of the Voyage, and contrary to the expectation of the Owner here (to my very great Inconvenience) and as some other reasons might be added, if necessary, still more...
12From George Washington to Daniel Jenifer Adams, 20 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
If the price of Superfine Flour in Barbadoes is not under Twenty five Shillings prCt I would have mine sold there rather than hazard any other Market; but if it should be lower than this, I would in that case, take the chance of some of the other Islands (if you should call at them in your way to Jamaica) in any of which, if you can get such a price as to nett me two pence a pound Virga Curry...
13From George Washington to Daniel Jenifer Adams, 8 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have come to the Resolution of taking upon myself the payment of the Debts which your deceased Father has Taxed his Lands with provided you suffer a Condemnation of the Attached Effects—join your Sisters in conveying the Lands to me, and surrender possession of the Negro &ca. I shall have no objection’s to your Sisters continuing on the Plantation this year, if peaceable and quiet Possession...
14From George Washington to John Adams, 13 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour on the evening of the 11th instant to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War, your favour of the 7th announcing that you had with the advice and consent of the Senate appointed me “Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised for the Service of the U. S.” I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this New proof of public...
15From George Washington to John Adams, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me—dated the 9th instant—was received by the last Mail; and demands my particular acknowledgments. It was with sincere concern I received the account of Mrs Adams’s low state of health, and your consequent indisposition. If my fervent wishes would restore her, and you, to perfect health, this object would soon be accomplished: and in these...
16From George Washington to John Adams, 3 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favour of the 19th Ulto, mentioning the nomination of Mr Murray to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Republic. With the writer of the letter, which I did myself the honour to enclose in my last to you, I truly observed that I had never held any correspondence; and I only knew him in his public mission from this Country to the Barbary States, the...
17From George Washington to John Adams, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Not being in the habit since my return to private life, of sending regularly to the Post Office (nine miles from hence) every Post-day, it often happens that letters addressed to me lye longer there, on that account, than they otherwise would do. I have delayed no time, unnecessarily, since I had the honor of receiving your obliging favour of the 22d Ulto, to thank you for the polite &...
18From George Washington to John Adams, 3 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good, requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Monday the 8th of June next; you are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on that day, then and there to receive and deliberate on such communications as shall be made to you on my part. LS , MHi: Adams Papers ; LS (duplicate), owned (1995) by Joseph Maddelana of Beverly Hills, Calif.;...
19From George Washington to John Adams, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Resolution of the Board for the Reduction of the Public Debt of the 27th of August 1790, which has been submitted to me meets my ideas fully on the subject, and is now enclosed with my approbation. With very great esteem & regard I am Sir, Yr most Obet Hbe St Df , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Section 2 of the 12 Aug. 1790 “Act making Provision for the Reduction of the...
20From George Washington to John Adams, 14 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States and Mrs Washington request the pleasure of the Vice-Presidents and Mrs Adams’s company to dinner on Thursday next at four o’clock, an answer is desired. L , MHi : Adams Family Papers. No reply to this invitation has been found, nor is there a record of the dinner in GW’s diary, since he did not resume making entries until 24 June. Social relations between the...
21From George Washington to John Adams, 17 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have heard with much pleasure, that you contemplate a visit to the City designated for the permanent Seat of the Government of the U. States, in the course of the Summer, or early in autumn. It is unnecessary, I hope, for me in that event, to express the satisfaction it would give Mrs Washington & me to see Mrs Adams, yourself & Company in the shade of our Vine & Fig tree; but I shall...
22From George Washington to John Adams, 27 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Being very desireous of obtaining such aids and information as will enable me to form a just opinion upon the subject of the enclosed paper, in case the events therein mentioned should take place; I have taken the liberty to submit it to you for your consideration, requesting that you will favor me with an opinion thereon. With very great esteem & regard I am Sir, Your most Obedt Hbe Servt LS...
23From George Washington to John Adams, 20 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 10th instt with its enclosures. They contain a great deal of interesting matter; and No. 9 discloses much important information, and political foresight. For this proof of your kindness, and confidence, I pray you to accept my best, & most cordial thanks. Mr J. Adams, your son, must not think of retiring from the walk he is now in: his prospects, if he...
24From George Washington to John Adams, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States wishes to avail himself of your sentiments on the following points. 1st Whether a line of conduct, equally distant from an association with all kinds of company on the one hand and from a total seclusion from Society on the other, ought to be adopted by him? and, in that case, how is it to be done? 2d What will be the least exceptionable method of bringing...
25From George Washington to John Adams, 15 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry I did not know that you were in this place today—our want of Men & Arms is such, as to render it necessary for me to get the best advice possible of the most eligeble mode of obtaining of them. I adjourn’d the Council of Officers today, untill I could be favourd with your opinion (together with that of others of the Genl Court) on these heads—they meet again tomorrow at...
26From George Washington to John Adams, 15 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have not been able to give the papers herewith enclosed more than a hasty reading; returning them, without delay, that you may offer the perusal of them to whomsoever you shall think proper. The picture drawn in them, of the Genevese, is realy interesting & affecting. The proposition of transplanting the members, entire, of the University of that place, to America, with the requisition of...
27From George Washington to John Adams, 15 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Morning your polite Letter of the 1st Instt, was delivered to me by Mr Dana. I am much obliged to you for your introduction of that Gentleman and you may rely on my shewing him every Civility in my power. I have ever thought, and am still of opinion that no terms of accomodation will be offer’d by the British Ministry, but such as cannot be accepted by America. We have nothing my Dear Sir...
28From George Washington to John Adams, 16 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Compliments to the Vice-President. Enclosed is the curious and Insulting Letter mentioned yesterday Evening. AL , MHi : Adams Papers. The date is taken from the docket, which reads: “16 Feb. 1797”. GW enclosed a copy of Thomas Paine’s letter to him of 20 Sept. 1795 . In that letter, Paine denounced GW’s alleged indifference and inaction vis-à-vis his imprisonment in France, and accused GW of...
29From George Washington to John Adams, 22 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
As the Transmission of the inclosed paper through the usual Channel of the Department of foreign Affairs would, on the present Occasion, probably be attended with great Delay—and recent Intelligence of Military Transactions must be important to our Ministers in Europe at the present period of Affairs—I have thought it would be agreeable both to Congress & your Excellency, that the Matter...
30From George Washington to John Adams, 23 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for giving me the perusal of the enclosed. The details are interesting. The Picture is well drawn; and, it is to be feared, too well founded in facts. With very sincere esteem and regard I am Your Obedt & Affecte ALS , NjP : De Coppet Collection. GW evidently was returning John Quincy Adams’s letter to John Adams of 17 Nov. 1795. On 25 March, John Adams wrote to his son in part: “I...