201Enclosure Memorial from John Anderson, 20 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of John Anderson Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, Humbly Shewth That he has invented a Bronze Gun Metal, which has the advantages of Common-Iron-Guns, and of Common-Brass Guns, without their imperfections. That he has invented a Carriage for Guns; by which the recoil of the Gun is destroyed, without giving motion to the Carriage. That the advantages of...
202To George Washington from John Anderson, 26 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Though I have many friends in America, I have not desired any of them to present this letter, because I lived long in great intimacy with Doctor Franklin, because I spent the summer 1791 in Paris with your honest, but unfortunate M. La Fayette, because I am convinced that the Field Pieces of my invention would be very serviceable at present to the troops of the United States, because my Ship...
203To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 11 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Although I formerly had the Honor, of being personally presented to your Excellency, when an officer of the army of the United States—I apprehend my Charecter was not Sufficiently distinguished; to entitle me to your recollection at this distant period—I must therefore rely on your Benevolence, to pardon the liberty I now take, in offering to introduce myself to your Excellencys notice and...
204To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 7 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although extremely unwilling to take up one moment of your Excellencys time the whole of which must be necessarily employed in the more momentous affairs of State; Yet I am taught to believe, that the Respectful address of a Soldier will never be Ungrateful to the ears of his General. When I last had the Honor of addressing your Excellency; I endeavored to aduce a chain of circumstances,...
205To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 2 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Impress’d with that deference, with which from a Very early period of my life—I have been taught to Venerate and respect, your great and exalted Charecter—permit me, once more (perhaps for the last time) to adress you. The great the important era , which will e’er long deprive the Citizens of the United States—of the Patronage to which they have been long accustomed; and under which they have...
206To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to Your Excellency, a letter I receiv’d from Mr Vining, in answer to One, I address’d to him, on the Subject of a letter he a few days since receivd from Mr Jaquet. By which Your Excellency will see that Mr Jaquet is Contradicted, in what he has said in his letter to Mr Vining, and that by a person who wrote the Certificate, and attested it. The Certificate had...
207To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I last did myself the Honor of waiting upon your Excellency, on the Subject of my application now before You—Mr Lear inform’d me, that something had been Suggested to my disadvantage, respecting a transaction between Major Jaquet and myself relative to some Certificates. In Order to set that business in a proper point of View, I have for your Excellencys satisfaction Obtaind from Major...
208To George Washington from Robert Anderson, 15 October 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Anderson, 15 Oct. 1784. On 3 Nov. GW wrote to Anderson : “Your letter of the 15th of Octor is at hand.”
209To George Washington from Major John André, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Buoy’d above the Terror of Death by the Consciousness of a Life devoted to honorable pursuits and Stained with no Action that can give me Remorse, I trust the request I make to your Excellency at this Serious period and which is to Soften my last moments will not be rejected. Sympathy towards a Soldier will Surely induce Your Excellency and a military Tribunal to adapt the Mode of my death to...
210To George Washington from Major John André, 24 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
What I have as yet Said concerning myself was in the justifiable attempt to be extricated; I am too little accustomed to duplicity to have Succeeded. I beg your Excellency will be persuaded that no Alteration in the Temper of my Mind or Apprehension for my Safety, induces me to Take the Step of Adressing you, but that it is to rescue myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean Character...
211To George Washington from Benjamin Andrews, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You wrote lately to our company of Otis & Andrews, for blue drab cloth, and trimmings of it’s colour, for a Surtout; I am sorry it has not been in their power to procure either; but I take the liberty of sending, and Your Excellency will do me the honor of receiving, a pattern of blue & scarlet, which I happend to have lying by, in my house; with such trimmings, as after writing to several...
212To George Washington from Captain Abiathar Angel, 2 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
“Being in a Very Poor State of Health and Some Misunderstandings happening Between Me & Some of My Company, which I did Not Expect, which Renders it difficult for me to Serve With Pleasure—I therefor Move to Your Excelly for Leave to Resign My Command in Favor of Capt. Henry Work.” ALS , DLC:GW . Abiathar Angel (1744–1830) of Lanesboro was a captain in Col. David Brewer’s Massachusetts...
213To George Washington from Colonel Israel Angell, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the arrival of the New Arrangement of the army Sent me by Major Thayer, I Appli’d to Colo. Greene and informed him that I thought it Necessary to Send on a list of the Officers who tarried in Service, togeather with the names of those who Retired, to Your Excellencey as Soon as possible, (as he Inclin’d to take the Regt) but he Said he thought there was no necessity of being in a hurry...
214To George Washington from Col. Israel Angell, 31 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Israel Angell, 31 Jan. 1778. On 1 Feb., GW wrote Angell : “I am favoured with yours of yesterday.”
215To George Washington from Colonel Israel Angell, 8 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Am Sorry to have Occasion to trouble your Excellency Upon So disagreable a matter, Lieutenant John Hubbart of my Regt who will present you these Lines, had a Furlough Granted him the 2nd of January Last for Eighty Days, which Expierd the 21st of march past, the 3rd Instant the Regt was Mustered and Inspected. Lt Hubbart was not return’d at this time, but Capt. Tew who had ben at Morris Town...
216To George Washington from Colonel Israel Angell, 2 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The following Officers were appointed in the Regiment under My Command, by the Honbl. Majr Genl Gates and Sullivan, Viz., John Hubbart Lt appointed May 18th 1779, Joseph Wheaton Lt appointed 1st September 1779, John M. Greene Ensign, appointed 1st March 1779. John Rogers Ensign William Pratt [Ensign] Joseph Masury [Ensign] Jeremiah Greenman [Ensign] Appointed 1st May 1779. The above Gentlemen...
217To George Washington from James Angell, 16 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The above account would have been forwarded ere this had I not been absent from America. You will oblige me by forwarding the amount to any person you please in this town, to whom I will give a receipt. I have no agent at present in Alexandria. I am Sir with respect Your Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . In August 1789 William Goddard made his wife’s brother James Angell (d. 1797) of Rhode Island...
218Enclosure: Address from Annapolis, Maryland, Citizens, 5 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The citizens of Annapolis conceive it their duty, at this time, to unite their voices with those of their fellow citizens in various parts of the United States; and they beg leave to assure you, that they are deeply and indelibly impressed with a sense of the paternal vigilance exalted wisdom and dignified firmness manifested by your proclamation on the subject of neutrality. It is their fixed...
219To George Washington from d’Annemours, 6–7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to Communicate to your Exelency a letter Which I intend to Send to the Persons I mention’d to you at moris town, when I had the honour to wait upon you there. I have not translated it in English Because I am conscious Colonel hamilton will do it (even verbally) Better than I Could have done in writing. I have Spared none of the Reasons that are able to Determine them to Come...
220To George Washington from d’Annemours, 15 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of applying to your Exelency on a Subject in which the merit and the Sentiments of the parti concerned will, I hope plead an appology for the trouble it may give you; and it is also the only one I can offer for the intrusion of this letter: Give me leave to lay it under your Exelency’s Eyes. Monsr contineau de Kerloquen, had, in the year 1779, the honour of being promoted to...
221To George Washington from “An Observer,” 1 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your wisdom and patriotism have been trumpeted forth by your admirers, till a kind of belief of their transcendant magnitude was forced on the minds of your fellow citizens, and till it was hardly safe to offer a modest doubt whether you were not the first of men. You have, however, unfortunately for yourself and ungratefully and cruelly for your country, silenced your advocates and deceived...
222To George Washington from “An Old Soldier”, 25 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I hope it is a moment of leasure if this luckely should fall into your hands—urgent necessity induces me thus humbly to approach your Excellancy—I will not Sr long divert your attention from your arduous employment—but beg leave to observe—that on the first alarm of war I entered the Service of my Country being a minute Man in the then Massachusetts State—and having a fervant zeal to see the...
223To George Washington from Anonymous, 11 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The purport of this Epistle will I presume apologize for the liberty I take in addressing you. By the accounts we receive from Philadelphia we are inform’d that a dreadful disease rages there which proves fatal to most people, & that the Contagion probably will spread to other parts of the Country; an Idea has occurr’d to me that this Malady may be obviated, & I therefore think it my duty to...
224To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your knowledge of the world makes it hardly necessary for me to remind you how difficult it is to dislodge a cunning bad man when he has once got possession of the heart of a great & good one. The strongest evidence of this fact is derived from the history of Princes. Be not offended at my mentioning Tiberius. There is no similitude between your characters. He, a brutal Tyrant. You possessed,...
225Instructions for Maneuvers at West Point, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The regiments will immediately recieve ten cartridges pr man. At 7 o’clock precisely the regiments will be on the grand parade formed in battalion according to the plan laid down in the regulations: the light Infantry companies at twenty paces distance on the right of each regiment. The first part of the manouvre will be performed by motion only without firing. 1st Four discharges by platoons...
226To George Washington from Anonymous, March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I know you to be good—and you are great, independent of public opinion—I mean intrinsically great, if you were not possessed of that opinion. But you are possessed of it, and stand higher, beyond all comparison in the estimation of persons of every description than any man. The virtuous part of the community who have for years put everything to hazard to obtain a Government, likely to insure...
227To George Washington from an Anonymous French Officer, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Fort-Dauphin [Saint-Domingue], 1 April 1776 . Offers his services to GW. He says that he served in Germany during the last war as a lieutenant in the Royal Grenadiers and was dismissed three years after the peace. He came to Saint-Domingue to advance himself but has not been able to obtain a company. He does not sign his name for fear that this letter might be intercepted and injure him at the...
228To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
un malheureux Homme Ce trouvent dans une mauvais etat, prie a monsr le President Washington, de vouloir lui assistér avec 60. dolls.; d’quelle bonté, Cet malheureux Homme sera toujour dans la Reconoissance, & Remerciment de un bon Ami de l’humanité Comme Monsr le Precident Washington. Si Cet malheureux Homme mérite la Grace de Monsr le president Washington, Il Lui priê de lui envoier Cette...
229To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Beware. Be upon your guard. You have cherished in your Bosom a Serpent, and he is now endeavouring to sting you death. Under the Mark of a Democrat, he thinks he conceals his ambition which is unbounded. His vanity makes him believe that he will certainly be your Successor. But he can not wait with patience untill it shall please God to take you from this world. He wishes to precipitate his...
230To George Washington from Anonymous, 9 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
The fear of this not reaching your hands induced the form of the superscription. The motive of my assuming the liberty to address you, is from my often having read with the utmost concern that several of the back settlers have been scalped &C. by the savage Indians; and of the very ineffectual means taken to prevent a repetition of their barbarities by the Small force sent against them, which...
231To George Washington from Anonymous, 18 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although my name will not be, to this paper many where you preside know me personally, I have been under your command when you were surrounded with eminent Danger. I lost every thing by the American War, nor, did I ever join the enemies of America in thought, word, or deed. I am banished from my native country like many others; because I cannot pay my debts; If I had the gold which I exchanged...
232To George Washington from Anonymous, 30 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Amid’st the more important objects which call your Philanthophy into action on a general scale, may not an individual intrude with his embarrassments stated. I have found it in vain to complain to trees, and to pour out where there is either a want of sentiment or ability, is equally fruitless: therefore I have resolved (perhaps improperly) to apply where there is both ability and benevolence;...
233To George Washington from Anonymous, 7 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
This letter, which begs of your Excellency the favour of a perusal begins with a confission of a fault, even while in the verry Commission of it; for indeed I confess, I do not think myself entitled to the freedom I now venture to take; but what will not a Man hazard when hope rouses him from despair! Alas how often has my honest avarice of the approbation of the good and worthy, been ready to...
234To George Washington from Anonymous, 9 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The first request of General Washington is that he will burn this line after reading it, as it comes from a man who on his own account (unconnected with those who have the strongest ties on him) would not trouble any mortal with the request of a favor: therefore in case your more important duties obliges you to spurn at my intrusion, let it become impossible for any person by my hand writing...
235To George Washington from an Anonymous New Jersey Farmer, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have past your Quarters Several times Lately I saw With Concern A number of Peirsons Great Enemies to Your Excellency (as A general) and their Country Pleas therefore to take Great Care of the Name of Ogden, (Particularly that family) and their Connection Peter McKee &c. Depend on What I write here to be fact I know them Well. Abought 5 Days Ago one Wm Stewart an assistant of these fals...
236To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
I HAVE just seen your P roclamation , written with your usual propriety and delicacy. But I do not accord with your idea, that “the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith, adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial towards the belligerent powers,” leagued against France. It is not their duty, because, though bound by no express...
237To George Washington from Anonymous, 1793 (Washington Papers)
permettez moi, mr le président qu’après avoir lu un voyage fait dans votre heureuse république en 1788 je vous fasse part de l’effusion de mon Coeur et des réfléxions quil m’a fait faire. Je Suis ravi, enchanté de la beauté, de la bonté de votre gouvernement et Ce qui me Comble C’est que je vois dans l’avenir, Si vous Continuez t’jours de meme Ce que j’espere, réaliser Ce réve enchanteur de...
238To George Washington from Anonymous, 13 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should never have presumed to address a letter to your Excellency and least of all an anonymous one, were it not for the delicate and responsible situation in which your power of nominating and appointing to office places you and likewise for the necessity consequent thereupon of your being acquainted with the character and abilities of various candidates. A Collector we are told is shortly...
239To George Washington from an Anonymous Citizen, 4 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
4 August 1776 . “My House is forcibly entered & posessed by officers and Soldiers without my Consent, to the number of 60 or 70. . . . From A barrack, my House is now become A mere Hospital Noise & Disturbance day and night, reign in every part—The two Halls below are occupied by the rude hand of Insolence the Doors nailed, & I am at last reduced to such narrow limits that the next...
240From “A true Friend to virtuous Liberty and Equality”, 4 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
A Short time ago having a few leisure weeks, curiosity led me to take a tour on horse back from this place through the central parts of the eastern states to Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, from thence along the post road to Savanna in Georgia, and from there back to this place, passing through the central parts of the southern and middle states on my return. A report having prevailed previous to...
241To George Washington from Benevolence, 4 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have lately travelld through the N. England States Vermont—&c. The Generale topick was the times but principally the Sufferings of our Citizens among the Algerines—At Several places the Generale wish was that the President Would Issue his proclamation for a generale Contribution for their Relief—I heard one farmer Say he would give 5 Guinies another 2. no person said under a Dollar. Upon the...
242To George Washington from One of the People, 16 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I need not, I trust, make any apology for the freedom I now take in sending you these few lines—They are well intended, and cannot, I think, in reason, give any offence. The following truths are undeniable—There is a God—He is the supreme governor of the universe, both in a natural and moral sense—This God is holy, just, good, and merciful. Being holy, he cannot but hate sin; and being just,...
243To George Washington from Pastor Americanus, 17 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my presuming to address you on the subject of the culture of Wool, is, because it is a matter on which the gradual abolition of our National Debt depend, i.e. upon industry and population of America, as the same is held forth in the following observations. That it is the real fact, I shall now undertake to prove: so always, and provided, That you will patronize the following...
244To George Washington from Comtesse d’Anterroches, 18 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
Fame has informed me that you are the friend of humanity—that your generous heart delights in doing good. I take the liberty to claim your protection for the Chevalier D’Anterroches my son, who is settled in Elizabeth Town, near New York. Altho’ I have no right to make a request of this nature, which is altogether an idea of my own; yet whoever dares to accuse me of imprudence, has never...
245To George Washington from d’Anterroches, 6 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
if I take the liberty to address myself to your Excellency, also I never yet had the honor of being introduced to you, believe that necessity alone can force me to do it, and not the want of delicacy. My own interest and of course that of my wife and children, obliges me to become troublesome to you; but your well known goodness gives me leave to hope that you will excuse me. If you will...
246From Edward Antill to David Humphreys, 25 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I go on Monday to Join the Cantonment of the Regiment I am under the Necessity of applying for permission to draw Provisions for my Famely Consisting of five Canadian Refugees. the mode of Drawing Suggested by the Minister of War has obligd me to Trouble You. as by the Inclos’d Copy of Directions to the Contractors. I should be obligd to send the monthly returns to Albany & Draw there...
247To George Washington from Edward Antill, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Delicacy of a Millitary Character should be placed in the first Rank of all Public ones myself with the Other Officers of the Corps not Immediately Concernd in the dispute with Major Reid have foreborn Importunities or Sollicitations on that Subject not having a Wish to be troublesome. but the peace Establishment now hastening on and no Decision hitherto having taken place We beg leave to...
248To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to Appologize for troubling you again on the State of the Regiment. I forwarded to Head Quarters a Return of the Regiment as it then Stood & Requested your Intentions as to the Contents[.] Lt Wilson of our Regiment having Some business at Camp will Wait your Commands with which he will return to me, if your Excellency Declines filling up the Remainder of the Subaltern officers,...
249To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Assur’d, this will be delivered You, by Mr Bradford now Exchang’d: I could not in Justice to myself, & Family, forego so good an oppertunity, to mention my Situation to You Sir; particularly as it is to escape the prying Eye, of Impertinent Curiosity. Once more, in Anxious Expectation, of a Change, in our unfortunate Situation; we have waited the Result of the Commissioners meeting at Amboy:...
250To George Washington from Nathaniel Appleton, 4 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed that the appointment of Commissioners of the Loan Office for the several States will shortly come under Your Excellencys consideration, I would with all due deference take the freedom to inform your Excellency that in the year 1776 I had the honor of being appointed to that Office in this State by the Legislature thereof, and of being continued therein by Congress to the...