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...
31From George Washington to John Adams, 25 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
With all the respect which is due to your public station, and with the regard I entertain for your private character, the following representation is presented to your consideration. If in the course of it, any expression should escape me which may appear to be incompatible with either, let the purity of my intentions; the candour of my declarations; and a due respect for my own character, be...
32David Humphreys to John Adams, 8 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday next, the President proposes to go, with Mrs Washington and his family, to view the remains of the the old fortifications near Kingsbridge. He has understood from Mrs Washington that Mrs Adams was desirous of gratifying her curiosity on the same subject. If you should find it convenient to make the ride, with Mrs Adams and your family, he will be happy in the pleasure of all your...
33From George Washington to John Adams, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for giving me the perusal of the enclosed. The sentiments do honor to the head & heart of the writer; and if my wishes would be of any avail, they shd go to you in a strong hope , that you will not withhold merited promotion from Mr Jno. Adams because he is your son. For without intending to compliment the father or the mother, or to censure any others, I give it as my decided...
34Enclosure: To John Adams, 27 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Secret United States [New York] August 27th 1790 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...
35From George Washington to John Adams, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed from Mr Joel Barlow (though the old date) came to my hands only yesterday. I have conceived it to be my duty to transmit it to you without delay—and without a comment; except that it must have been written with a very good, or a very bad design: which of the two, you can judge better than I. For, from the known abilities of that Gentleman, such a letter could not...
36From George Washington to John Adams, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Friday the 4th Instant, I have desired their Attendance, as I do yours by these Presents, 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. LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Senate...
37From George Washington to John Adams, 7 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will excuse me for reminding you of our conversation the other evening, when I inform’d you that General Lee’s departure for New York is advisable upon the Plan of his Letter, & under the Circumstance I thene mention’d, ought not to be delayed. In giving me your opinion of this matter I have no doubt of your takeing a comprehensive view of it. That is you will not only consider the...
38From George Washington to John Adams, 8 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I would thank you for giving the papers herewith sent a perusal—and for the result of it. I am now deliberating on the measure proper & necessary to be taken with respect to Mr G——t and wish for aid in so doing; the critical state of things making me more than usually anxious to decide right in the present case. None but the heads of departments are privy to these papers, which I pray may be...
39Tobias Lear to John Quincy Adams, 2 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I was at Bush Hill this Morning it was my intention to have requested your Company to dine tomorrow at the Presidents, by his desire; but as I did not see you at that time it slipped my recollection, and occasions you the trouble of this letter, which is to make the same request—to which you will be kind enough to give an Answer by the Servant. I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt Servt ALS ,...
40From George Washington to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 12 September 1796. In a letter marked private, GW asked Adams to look into the history of a sword that had come into his possession in an enigmatic manner. ALS , MHi : Adams Papers. For a full transcription and other information related to the sword, see GW to Adams, 25 June 1797 , in Papers, Retirement Series , W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement...
41From George Washington to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with a letter from you, dated at Berlin the 29th of Octr last; covering one from a namesake of mine, & who, very probably, may be a distant relation; as our families were from the same Country. Mine earlier than his; two brothers migrating during the Commonwealth of England. or rather, during the troubles of Charles the First. Not knowing through what other medium to...
42From George Washington to John Quincy Adams, 25 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 11th of Feb: and a duplicate thereof, have been duly received; and I pray you to accept my best thanks for the trouble you have had in tracing to its origen, the history of the Sword which came to my hands last year, in the manner communicated in a former letter. As it is more than probable you will have left Holland before this letter can be received, I shall give you no...
43Orders to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Adams, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The approaching season, and the distresses of the Army in the Articles of Blankets & Cloathing make it necessary, that every practicable measure should be pursued to procure supplies. Therefore to releive, if possible, the wants of the Troops, raised by the State of Maryland, in these essential Articles, you are to proceed immediately to Govr Johnson with the Letters you have in charge for...
44From George Washington to Robert Adams, 3 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 18th of Octr 1788 informing me of your having shipped a box of plants for me by desire of Sir Edward Newenham & Colo. Persse. The Box has arrived at Baltimore, and, I am informed, the plants are in good order; but the severity of the season has closed our Rivers and prevented their being sent round. You will please, Sir, to accept my thanks for your attention...
45From George Washington to Samuel Adams, 22 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Amidst a multiplicity of Business smaller matters are apt to be overlook’d—this I conceive to be the case with respect to the proposition of a Colo. Baillie, for opening a Road from Connecticut River to Montreal, and which I laid before Congress for their direction some Months ago—The matter again occurs upon a Second application, from Mr Weatherspoon (the bearer, at, as I understand, the...
46From George Washington to Samuel Adams, Sr., 10 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 11 of July inclosing to me the Address of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts—and to assure you that the pleasure I experienced on that occasion was much enhanced by the polite manner in which you have been pleased to convey it to me. The inclosed reply I beg leave to commend to your...
47From George Washington to Samuel Adams, Sr., 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your joint Letter of the 18th instant. Happy, inexpressibly happy, in the certain Intelligence, of a general Peace, which was concluded on the 20th Jnry—I feel an additional pleasure in reflecting that this glorious Event will prove a sure means to dispel the Fears expressed by your Commonwealth for their North Eastern Boundary, that Territory...
48From George Washington to Alexander Addison, 3 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of the 17th Ulto by the last Post. Not to have received the Instalment due to me on the Bond of the deceased Coll Ritchie (lodged in the Bank of Pennsylvania for collection) at the appointed period, is attended with considerable disappointment to me; and if it should not be paid (in whole) at the time mentioned in your Note, the inconvenience will be sorely felt...
49From George Washington to Alexander Addison, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instant came duly to hand. Whatever is found to be the contents of the Land I sold to the deceased Colo. Ritchie, by ⟨firm⟩ and actual measurement I shall abide by. I have not heard a tittle from Mrs Ritchie nor her brother in law on the subject of the Instalment, due me, and with pain I add, that if payment of what is due thereon is not immediately made, my own want of...
50From George Washington to Alexander Addison, 4 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 31st ofjany, enclosing your second charge to the Grand Juries of the County Courts of the fifth Circuit of the State of Pennsylvania, at the last Decr Sessions, has been duly received, and for the Enclosure I thank you. I wish, sincerely, that your good example, in endeavouring to bring the People of these United States more acquainted with the Laws & principles of their...