121To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state, to whom was referred, by the President of the United States, a letter from the Governor of Pennsylvania with the documents therein mentioned, on the subject of certain lands on Lake Erie, having had the same under consideration, thereupon Reports That Congress, by their resolution of June 6. 1788. directed the Geographer general of the United States to ascertain the...
122To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State Reports to the President of the United States that one of the Commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his court, that his Catholic majesty, apprised of our sollicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free navigation of the river Missisipi, & the use of a port thereon, is ready to enter into treaty...
123Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Note on the subject of vacant Consulships. Lisbon. Candidates. Edward Church. his case is known to the President. John Telles of Philadelphia. his papers inclosed. Samuel Harrison. see Colo. Humphrey’s letter to the President. John Cowper. (Virginia) recommended by Josiah Parker. Cadiz. the former candidates not approved, & no new offer. it is very desireable we should have a consul there....
124To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the conditions of our commerce with the French and British Dominions, are important, and a moment seems to be approaching when it may be useful that both should be accurately understood, I have thrown a representation of them into the form of a table, shewing, at one view, how the principal articles interesting to our agriculture and navigation stand in the European and American Dominions...
125II: Draft of a Message to the United States Senate, c.3–4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your house has been pleased to communicate to me their resolutions, purporting a decision by them that it is expedient &c. from whence an implication arises that in their opinion they might have decided that no such appointments were expedient. After mature consideration & consultation, I am of opinion that the constitution has made the President the sole competent judge to what places...
126III: Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 4 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having yesterday received a Note from Mr Strong as Chairman of a Committee of the Senate, asking a conference with him on the subject of the late diplomatic nominations to Paris, London and the Hague, he met them in the Senate chamber in the evening of the same day, and stated to them in substance what follows. That he should on all occasions be ready to give to the...
127To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Having been in conversation to-day with Monsr Payan, one of the St Domingo deputies, I took occasion to enquire of him the footing on which our commerce there stands at present, & particularly whether the colonial arret of 1789 permitting a free importation of our flour till 1793 was still in force. he answered that that arret was revoked in France on the clamours of the merchants there: but...
128To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having received information that the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States are subject in Copenhagen and other ports of Denmark to considerable extra duties, from which they might probably be relieved by the presence of a Consul there, Reports to the President of the United States: That it would be expedient to name a Consul, to be resident in the port of...
129To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the letters of the Commissioners on their discharge of the workmen ⟨&ca⟩ in the Federal city. the copy of the Extracts from them for Majr L’Enfant was not finished till last night, & therefore could not be sent to him till to-day, consequently the conference with him is put off to tomorrow. Th: J. incloses a copy of his letter to Majr...
130To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred by the President of the United States, the letter of the Governor of Virginia of January 7th 1792, with the Report of a Committee of the House of Delegates of that Commonwealth of December 12th 1791, and Resolution of the General Assembly thereon of December 17th on the case of Charles Russell, late an Officer in the service of the said...
131To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Estimate of the demands on the Foreign Fund from July 1, 1790, to March, 4, 1793 1790-1. 1791.-2. 1792-3 8 months France Salary 4500 6000. 6000. Secretary of Chargé des Affaires, during his absence in Holland. Suppose 4 months abt 243. 1350. 900. his expences on that journey abt 675. Gazettes postage, and other Extras abt 350. 350.
132I: From Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the U.S. and subjoins what he supposes might form a proper introduction to the statement prepared by the Secretary at war. the occasion is so new that however short the letter proposed, he has no doubt it will need correction both as to the matter & manner. Sir As the circumstances which have engaged the U.S. in the present Indian war,...
133To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson sends to the President a letter he has received from mister Hammond, with the general sketch of an answer he had proposed to write to him. he will have the honour of seeing the President on the subject to-day. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . For the background to this letter, see GW to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1791, n.3 , Jefferson to GW, 10 April, n.1 ,...
134To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Ellicot having sent the inclosed letter from Roberdeau for the perusal of Th: Jefferson, he thinks the 1st page & 2 or 3. lines of the 2d worth reading by the President. the rest contains communications of small news. he has learnt that Majr Lenfant, after his conversation with Th: J. wrote to Roberdeau to continue 50. hands; which shews he means to continue himself. Is the President’s...
135To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The late appointment of a Minister Resident to the Hague, has brought under consideration the condition of Mr Dumas, and the question, whether he is, or is not, at present in the service of the U.S.? Mr Dumas, very early in the war, was employed first by Dr Franklin, afterwards by Mr Adams, to transact the affairs of the U.S. in Holland. Congress never passed any express vote of confirmation,...
136To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
An account presented to me by Mr John B. Cutting, for expenditures incurred by him in liberating the seamen of the United States in British ports during the impressments which took place under that government in the year 1790, obliges me to recall some former transactions to your mind. You will be pleased to recollect the numerous instances of complaint or information to us, about that time,...
137To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has had under examination the Records of Proceedings in the Executive department of the Northwestern government from the 1st of Aug. to the 31st of December 1791—transmitted by the Secretary, and Reports to the President of the United States That finding nothing therein which calls for the attention or interference of the President, he has deposited them among the...
138Thomas Jefferson’s Memorandum of Conversations with Washington, 1 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
1792. Feb. 28. I was to have been with him long enough before 3. aclock (which was the hour & day he received visits) to have opened to him a proposition for doubling the velocity of the post riders, who now travel about 50. miles a day, & might without difficulty go 100. and for taking measures (by way-bills) to know where the delay is, when there is any. I was delayed by business, so as to...
139To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and returns him the letter to Genl St Clair. the only passage about which he has any doubt is the following “it does not appear by any information in my possession, that your exertions were wanting to produce a different result either in the previous preparations, or in the time of action. ” Th: J: never heard a statement of the matter from...
140To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the passage of the Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations, I desired the bankers of the United States in Amsterdam, to raise an account with the Secretary of State of the United States, to be confined to the objects of that Act, and requested them and our Ministers abroad to make up their accounts from July to July annually, and...
141To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and sends him his report on the subject of commerce with Spain, & the form of a message to the Senate. a second copy is now making out for the President’s own use, so that he may send in the one now inclosed to-day, assured of receiving the other the moment it is finished. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George...
142Enclosure: From Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having understood from communications with the Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty, subsequent to that which he reported to the President on the 22d of Decembr last, that though they considered the navigation of the Missisippi as the principal object of negociation between the two Countries, yet it was expected by their Court that the conferences would extend to all...
143Thomas Jefferson’s Memorandum of a Meeting of the Heads of the Executive Departments, 9 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
present H[amilton] K[nox] &J[efferson]. 1. Subject. Kirkland’s letter. British idea of a new line from Genesee to Ohio. see extract on another paper. deputation of 6. nations now on their way here. their dispositions doubtful. Street, a Connecticut man, a great scoundrel coming with them. ¼ of the nation agt us. other ¾ qu. agreed they should be well treated, but not overtrusted. Pond’s...
144To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State incloses to the President the letter to the King of France with the alteration he proposes for incorporating the vote of the house. if the President approves it, he will be so good as to return it in time to be written at large to-day, signed & sealed. Th: J. thinks the copy of the resolution delivered the President with the signature of the Speaker will be the proper...
145To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 16 Mar. 1792. Sends GW “two letters just recd from Colo. Humphreys.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The enclosures were two letters from the U.S. minister to Portugal, David Humphreys, which the secretary of state had received this day: a dispatch of 23 Dec....
146To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson having received information that a vessel sails from New York for Amsterdam about Wednesday, is endeavoring to get ready the necessary papers for Messrs Short & Carmichael, to go by tomorrow’s post. he beleives it impossible; but in order to take the chance of it, he troubles the President to sign the Commission to-day, which mister Taylor now carries to him for that purpose. AL...
147To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President, and sends for his perusal a letter he has prepared for the Commissioners, which will inform him also of mister Blodget’s ideas, in the mean time Blodget will be preparing the necessary papers. Th: J. has at length been able to see Dr Wistar about the big bones. they are at his house, always open to inspection. the Doctor is habitually at...
148To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under consideration the expediency & extent of a Convention with Spain to be established for with respect to fugitives from the United states to their adjoining provinces, or from those provinces to the United States, Reports to the President of the United States the inclosed Analytical view of the motives & principles which should govern such a Convention,...
149To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you two letters from Judge Symmes of Jan. 25th & 27th. his letter of Sep. 17. mentioned in the first of these was received by me Nov. 23. and after being laid before you, was answered Dec. 4. the part of the answer respecting leave from you to come to Philadelphia was in these words. “the President does not conceive that the Constitution has given him any controul...
150To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to present to the view of the President the subjects relative to Algiers, under their different aspects. on further consideration, & paying special attention to the circumstances of the present moment, which render expence an obstacle perhaps to what would be the best plan, he suggests others which would not be eligible under other circumstances, or for any length...
151To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson—has the honor to return to the President the letters of Seagrove from which he has had an extract taken. He incloses also the names of three gentlemen who have expressed their willingness to serve in the Mint. the President knows them personally & will judge of their fitness. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His...
152III: From Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Constitution has declared that “Representatives & direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers,” that “the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every 30,000, but each state shall have at least one representative; & until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse 3. Massachusets...
153Thomas Jefferson’s Memorandum on a Treaty with Algiers, 10 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
If the President should enter into a Provisional convention with the government of Algiers for a sum not exceeding 40,000 dollars, will the Senate advise & consent to it’s ratification, the government of Algiers being made clearly to understand that we are not to be bound by the treaty until it shall be ratified? If this sum appears too high, what lower limit would the Senate approve? If the...
154To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] Thursday Apr. 11. [1792] Th: Jefferson has the honor to send for the perusel of the President some letters from mister Barclay received yesterday. he has received no letter from mister Short, nor any other person in France. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW .
155To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 13 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a communication from Mr Hammond Minister Plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty covering a clause of a statute of that country relative to it’s commerce with this, and notifying a determination to carry it into execution henceforward. Conceiving that the determination announced could not be really meant as extensively as the words import, I asked and...
156To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
The day after your departure I received from a mister Greene, a merchant now at N. York, through a third person, the following communication “that he had had very late advices from Spain by way of the Spanish islands, to this effect, that war with France was inevitable, that troops were marching from all quarters of the kingdom to the frontiers, & that 50. sail of the line had been...
157To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you the day before yesterday, I have recieved a letter of Mar. 25. from Colo. Humphreys informing me that the Queen of Portugal was considerably better: as also mentioning the death of the emperor of Germany. what effect this last event will have on the affairs of Europe, cannot be foreseen, the character of the successor being absolutely unknown. he is 24. years of age. one...
158To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 18th we have had no confirmation of the capture of Tippoo Saib, nor of a fable current since that of the massacre of the king of France. this last was current in Philadelphia two or three days, and had the merit I believe of being raised here, as no source for it could ever be found. letters of Mar. 1. & 16. from mister Barclay at Gibraltar contradict the death of Muley...
159To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have determined to make the subject of a letter, what, for some time past, has been a subject of inquietude to my mind without having found a good occasion of disburthening itself to you in conversation, during the busy scenes which occupied you here. perhaps too you may be able, in your present situation, or on the road, to give it more time & reflection than you could do here at any...
160To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is my duty to suggest to your attention that in the act of the late session of Congress for making certain appropriations, is a clause enacting that a sum of 50,000 D. in addition to former provision be appropriated to defray any expence which may be incurred in relation to the intercourse between the U.S. & foreign nations, and to add that the public service will be advanced by having that...
161To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, incloses him a letter from mister Rittenhouse on the subject of procuring a house for the mint. mister Rittenhouse thinks the house in 7th street can be bought for 1600.£. it is probable that none can be rented under £150. and this sum would pay the interest and sink the principal of 1600£ in 15 years. the outhouses will save the necessity of...
162To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects incloses to the Presiden⟨t⟩ two letters recieved yesterday from mister Morris. he had sent the Observations of mister Keith to mister Rittenhouse, wi⟨th⟩ a note for his consideration. Th: J. incloses the Note wit⟨h⟩ mister Rittenhouse’s answer for the perusal of the Presiden⟨t⟩ if he thinks them worth the time. P.S. the Proces-verbal accompanying mister Morris’s...
163To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, incloses him a publication by mister Knox an Under-secretary of state in England, who seems to have been the true parent of the British system with respect to our commerce. he asks the favour of the President to read the paper No. 18—page 60—as it shews the expectation of what would be done on our part, & an acknolegement of the injury it...
164To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that the Director of the Mint has occasion for a sum of money for the following purposes. D[ollars] for the house purchased 1600.£ Pensylvania or 4266.66 for about 15. tons of copper to be procured. abt 5000. on account for workmen &c. 733.34 10,000. making in the whole ten thousand Dollars. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; AL...
165To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 3 July 1792. Submits “the translation of a letter from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes, with the draught of an answer he proposes to them, & a letter to the Governor of Georgia. he incloses also a translation of the papers which accompanied the letter he received.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State;...
166To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 3 July 1792. Encloses “to the President a letter just recd from Colo. Humphreys.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from David Humphreys, U.S. minister to Portugal, to Jefferson of 3 May 1792 concerned the recent assassination of Gustav III of...
167To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 3 July 1792. Submits “to the President a letter to mister Van Berckel on the subject of the infraction of the privileges of his house by a constable.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . For Dutch minister Franco Petrus Van Berckel’s letter to Jefferson of 25 June...
168To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 5 July 1792. Encloses “a letter just recieved from mister Hammond, which will be difficult to answer properly.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . British minister George Hammond’s letter of 5 July to Jefferson reads: “I have the honor of submitting to your...
169To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 6 July 1792. Submits to GW the draft of a letter from Jefferson to George Hammond. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . GW replied to Jefferson later this date: “The enclosed will, I think, throw the labouring Oar upon Mr H—— & is approved of accordingly” (
170To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 7 July 1792. Sends “a recommendation of a candidate for keeping the lighthouse at Cape Henry.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The enclosure was a recommendation of John Waller Johnston written by David Meade Randolph of Presque Isle, Va., on 30 June and...