3351From George Washington to William Livingston, 6 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I want Words to express the heart-felt pleasure I experence on receiving the congratulation & plaudit of so respectable a Body, as the Legislature of the State of New Jersey—I cannot however suppress the effusions of my gratitude for their flattering allusion to an event which hath immortalized & signalized the name of Trenton; for the delicate manner of their recalling to mind none but...
3352From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doct: Witherspoon I believe is known to you, consequently it is unnecessary for me to inform you that he is among the most respectable Citizens we have in the United States. Business carries him to Gt Britain, & business or inclination may possibly lead him to France—in which case I persuade myself he will partake of those Civilities and attentions, which you bestow so liberally upon every...
3353From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance, Doct: Witherspoon President of the College of New Jersey & the bearer of this letter—It is with pleasure I can recommend him to your notice, as a Gentleman well known on this side the water for his Abilities & Literature; I therefore the more readily take the liberty of presenting him to you as worthy of your civilities. We have just now my...
3354From George Washington to George Gray, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I consider the approbation of the Representatives of a free and virtuous People as the most enviable reward that can ever be conferred on a public Character. A sense of duty impelled me to contribute, whatever My Sword or my Pen could effect, towards the establishment of our Freedom & Independence—The smiles of Providence on the united exertions of my fellow Citizens have compleated our...
3355From George Washington to Pennsylvania Legislature, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am duly affected by the wellcome reception I have met with on my return to this City; & with unusual pleasure accept your obliging congratulation. But I feel myself particularly indebted to you Gentlemen, for that delicate sensibility, which hath spared my feelings, and by suppressing your sentiments of my conduct, placed it in but too fair a point of light. It is from a heart overflowing...
3356From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The perfect establishment of American Independence is indeed an event of such infinite importance as to fill the mind with gratitude & joy; and afford the fairest occasion for mutual congratulations. The honorable sentiments you are pleased to express respecting the Merits of the Army, the just idea you entertain of their bravery, sufferings, and magnanimity; and the honest desire you manifest...
3357From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to the honor of your acquaintance Doctr Witherspoon president of the College in New Jersey, & formerly member of Congress. a Gentleman whose abilities exerted in favour of America, have obtained him much credit & esteem. Any civilities you may have it in your power to shew him whilst in France, will greatly oblige Dr Sir Yrs &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
3358From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
After seeing the backs of the British Forces turned upon us, and the Executive of the State of New York put into the peaceable possession of their Capitol, I set out for this place. On Monday next I expect to leave the City, and by slow traveling arrive at Baltimore on Wednesday, where I will spend one day and then proceed to Annapolis and get translated into a private Citizen. I am y’r...
3359From George Washington to James Irvine, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The honorable manner in which you are pleased to notice my return to this City, is particularly acceptable to me. It would have been a proof of the want of Patriotism and every social Virtue, not to have assumed the character of a Soldier when the exigency of the Public demanded, or not to have returned to the Class of Citizens when the necessity of farther Service ceased to exist—I can...
3360From George Washington to American Philosophical Society, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
While you recall to my mind the honor formerly done me by enrolling my name in the List of the Members of your Society, you greatly heighten the pleasure of your present congratulations. For if I know my own inclination, it is to be the friend and associate to men of Virtue & philosophical knowledge; or if I have a wish ungratified, it is that the Arts & Sciences may continue to flourish with...
3361From George Washington to Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th inst: has been delivered to me—I am extremely sorry to be obliged to deny any request which comes from you; but never having opened a corrispondence with the Minister of War in France, & having refused the like application from other Officers, it is impossible to comply with it in this instance. I shall however be very happy in giving you a Certificate or letter,...
3362From George Washington to Samuel Hodgdon, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Trunk, & two boxes or Cases which you brought from New York for me, with a few other Articles which I shall send to you tomorrow, I would have go on by Land as my Papers, & other valuable things are contained in them. The Boxes & other parcels which were sent from Rocky hill by Colo. Morgan, may go by Water to Alexandria, for which place a Vessel (Colo. Biddle informs me) is just on the...
3363From George Washington to Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron, duc de Lauzun, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doct: Witherspoon president of the college in New Jersey, will have the honor to deliver you this Letter. This Gentn by a very early exertion of his abilities in favor of this Country obtained a seat in Congress, where he served with much credit during some of the most critical periods of the late contest. As he is now going to Europe, I have taken the liberty to introduce him to the honor of...
3364From George Washington to Hugh Martin, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I have been & still am extremely occupied in closing my public & private Affairs in this City, it is not in my power to make any farther observations on the subject contained in your letters of the 3d of Novr & 8th of Decr, than just to remark, that in my opinion it would be very unfortunate to lose the knowledge of any discovery which tended to prevent or remove the calamities of human...
3365From George Washington to John Ewing, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I entreat you to accept my grateful thanks for your affectionate Address; and to be assured that the kindness & partiality of your sentiments respecting me, as well as the elegance & urbaninity of your expressions; have made an impression on my mind, never to be effaced. Conscious of no impropriety in wishing to merit the esteem of my fellow Citizens in general; I cannot hesitate to...
3366From George Washington to Plunket Fleeson Glentworth, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have great occasion to be satisfied with the proofs you have now given of regard for my person, and approbation of my Services. Nothing could have been more proper on this occasion than to atrribute our glorious successes in the manner you have done, to the bravery of our Troops, the assistance of our Ally & the interposition of Providence. Having by such means acquired the inestimable...
3367From George Washington to Samuel Sterett, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I experience a singular satisfaction in receiving your congratulations on the establishment of Peace and the security of those important interests which were involved in the fate of the War. Desirous of being considered the friend, and (as far as consists with my abilities), the Patron of the Arts & Sciences; I must take the liberty of expressing my sense of the obligations I am under to the...
3368Washington’s Account, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Drs. The United States in acct with G: Washington Cr. 1783 Dollars ab/ 1783 Dollars ab/ th th Decr 13 To Balle of Acct given in this day £ 217.
3369From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Gen: Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle—Begs to know if the Vessel for Alexandria will Sail today—and whether Colo. Biddle has procured the Articles required. If more money is wanted Colo. Biddle will please to name the Sum—and the Genl would be glad to receive the Acct. PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence.
3370From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a Letter from General McIntosh in Georgia praying me to use my intrest with your Excellency in favor of a young frenchman under the name of Du Coins whose situation is explained in the Letter I now do myself the honor to enclose. Tho’ I am unacquainted with the young Gentleman otherwise than by that Letter, yet having served with Credit in our Army, and being represented...
3371From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have only time before my departure from this City to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 1 Novr and 14 December with the several inclosures which I will take an opportunity of laying before Congress at as early a period as possible. I should have been very happy to have seen you—here—and am sorry your health did not permit it—I hope however I shall soon have that pleasure at...
3372From George Washington to Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Among the last acts of my public life none afford me more pleasure than to acknowledge the assistance I have received from those worthy men whom I have had the honor to command & whose exertions have so much contributed to the safety & liberty of my Country. In the number of these, you my dear sir, cannot pass unnoticed: the great zeal, intelligence & bravery you have shewn, & the various...
3373From George Washington to George Clinton, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
It was with exceeding great concern I heard by Mr Gouvr Morris that you had had a return of your Fever—I hope it was slight, and that you are now perfectly restored to health—No man wishes it more sincerely than I do. I have been able to negotiate a matter with Mr Robt Morris by which about Seventeen hundred pounds York Currency will be thrown into your hands on my Acct which sum, when...
3374From George Washington to Lachlan McIntosh, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have within a few days past received your two favors of the 15 October and 1st Novr the latter inclosing your application to Congress. Inclosed is my Letter to the Minister of france on the subject of Captain Du Coins—I have yet no answer, if it comes before I close this, I will send it you. Tomorrow I set off for Annapolis on my way home and will deliver your application with the other...
3375From George Washington to Joseph Shallcross, 16 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I earnestly wish to convince you of the pleasure I take in reciprocating your congratulation on our glorious successes, and the attainment of an honorable Peace. Altho’ the prospect of our public affair has been sometimes gloomy indeed; yet the well-known firmness of my Countrymen, and the expected aid of Heaven, supported me in the trying hour and have finally reallised our most sanguine...
3376From George Washington to Samuel Purviance, Jr., 18 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The acceptable manner in which you have wellcomed my arrival in the Town of Baltimore, and the happy terms in which you have communicated the congratulations of its Inhabitants, lay me under the greatest obligations. Be pleased, Gentlemen, to receive this last public acknowledgment for the repeated instances of your politeness; and to believe, it is my earnest wish that the Commerce, the...
3377From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 20 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity to inform Congress of my arrival in this City, with the intention of asking leave to resign the Commission I have the honor of holding in their Service. It is essential for me to know their pleasure, and in what manner it will be most proper to offer my resignation, whether in writing or at an Audience; I shall therefore request to be honored with the necessary...
3378From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 21 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
In my last dispatch to your Excellency, I had the honor to inform Congress that the American Troops had taken possession of the City of New York, and had delivered it to the Government of the State; and that the British Troops had retired to Staten and Long Islands. I had also the honor to inclose to you Sir Guy Carleton’s last letter, informing me of his intention to take his final departure...
3379From George Washington to J. Foy Chase, 22 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permit me, Gentlemen, to offer to you my sincere thanks for you r Congratulations on the happy events, of Peace and the Establishment of our Independence. If my Conduct throughout the War has merited the confidence of my fellow Citizens—and has been instrumental in obtaing for my Country the blessings of Peace and Freedom—I owe it to that Supreme being who guides the hearts of all—who has so...
3380From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 22 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself particularly happy in receiving the approbation of the Genl Assembly of Maryland, for those services which my Country had a right to demand, and which it was my duty to render in defence of it. Having happily attained the object for which we had drawn the Sword, I felicitated myself on my approaching return to private life, and I must acknowledge I anticipated an unusual degree...
3381From George Washington to United States Congress, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with...
3382From George Washington to William Paca, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I shall ever cherish a pleasing remembrance, of the welcome reception I have experienced from your Excellency and the Council, on my return to this City, after the happy and honorable termination of the War. The flattering sentiments you entertain of my exertions in defence of our Country, and the favorable point of light in which you place my Character, too strongly demonstrate your...
3383From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have taken frequent opportunities, both in public & private, of acknowledging your great zeal, attention & abilities in performing the duties of your Office; yet I wish to make use of this last moment of my public life, to signifie in the strongest terms my entire approbation of your conduct, and to express my sense of the obligations the public is under to you, for your faithful &...
3384From 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 .
3385From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
After as prosperous a journey as could be expected at this season of the year, I arrived at my seat the day before Christmas, having previously divested myself of my official character—I am now a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, where I should be happy to see you if your public business would ever permit and where, in the meantime, I shall fondly cherish the remembrance of all...
3386From George Washington to Richard Conway, 31 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Nothing could have contributed more essentially to encrease the satisfaction I experience on my return from a successful War, to the tranquillity of domestic life, than your affectionate Congratulations. To find that neither time nor absence have interrupted or diminished the harmony of our happy neighbourhood, and that the circumstances are most favorable to the growth & prosperity of your...