To George Washington from William White, 1 January 1794
From William White
[Philadelphia] Jany 1. 1794.
Dr White presents his most respectful Compts to the President; & will, with great Pleasure, call on Mr Sansom with the Presidents generous Donation of two hundred & fifty Dollars, just now received.1
In Order to prevent the Supposition of Dr Whites having given the whole or a Part of the Money, he would wish if the President has no Objection, to mention his Name to Mr Sansom, but not to be handed to the Board. Dr White, if he does not hear again, will presume, that he may go as far as this.2
AL, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to White, this date.
2. GW’s reply on “Thursday Morning,” 2 Jan., reads: “The President presents his respectful regards to Doctor White. The benefit to be derived, and not the merit of bestowing it, is the only motive which has governed in the case wch has been the subject of this corrispondence—of course, to know from whence it flowed ought not to be an object of enquiry, and as to conjectures they are very immaterial; however, as Doctr White has a delicacy on the subject the P—— did not intend nor would by any means wound it—he therefore leaves it to him (knowing the motives) to accompany the contribution with such explanations as he shall think proper” (ADf, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW).