401To George Washington from William Linn, 30 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Excuse the liberty I take in inclosing to you a discourse delivered on the late fast day. The reasons for the publication, in the manner which it appears, you will see in the preface. To confirm some of my sentiments, I have quoted, in the notes, a few passages from your address on your resignation; & I was sorry that more could not be conveniently introduced from a performance immortal as...
402To George Washington from Charles Little, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Little, 27 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Little on 28 Nov. : “Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday.”
403To George Washington from James Lloyd, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favors of the 25 and 27 Ulto came duly to hand and I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for them. You will have heard before this reaches you, that you were, yesterday, by the unanimous vote of the Senate, appointed Lieutenant General & Commander in Chief of the Armies of America. To all, but the few wicked men who, for base & selfish purposes, wish to subject our Country to...
404To George Washington from James Lloyd, 28 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to forward to you, under cover with this, Mr Gerry’s correspondence with M. Talleyrand and the report of the Secretary of State, on the transactions relative to the U. States and France. I did myself the honor to write you a long letter, in the beginning of last July, in which I gave you, agreeably to your request, the best information I was able to procure, of the...
405To George Washington from James Lloyd, 6 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a message from the President of the U. States which was communicated to both Houses, yesterday. Private letters have been received by the vessel that brought the dispatches from our Envoys which mention that General Pinckney and General Marshall intended leaving France and that Mr Gerry had determined to remain notwithstanding the pressing remonstrances of...
406To George Washington from James Lloyd, 18 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favor, dated the 13 Inst:, yesterday. I enclose a handbill, this moment from the press, by which you will see that Mr Marshall has arrived at New York. I sincerely wish that Mr Pinckney may not have cause to repent of having gone to the South of France. Mr Gerry remains at Paris. He has written a letter in which he declares that he does not consider himself...
407To George Washington from James Lloyd, 21 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have now the honor to forward to you the letter of Talleyrand to our Envoys with their answer. Mr Marshall arrived here on tuesday evening and was received in a manner highly pleasing to him & all the true friends of America. The information we have received from him is, that a great majority of the French nation wish for the reestablishment of monarchy but that they are disavowd and...
408To George Washington from David Longworth, 21 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Perhaps your Excellency will be disposed to pardon, & think it a laudable ambition, which has stimulated me to endeavor to make my publication appear worthy your patronage—The whole of the materials & execution of the edition of Telemachus, now presented you, are entire american, my mode of hot pressing is on an entire new principle from that practised in Europe —under these considerations I...
409To George Washington from Nathaniel Luff, Jr., 3 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am a second time called to address a few lines to Thee, awakened in the night season, or previous to the dawn of day, for that purpose, (I believe,) the sentiments in the first instance that impressed my mind, not being inscribed on paper, are lost. I have in the second instance been more attentive to the impulse, (I will not call it divine) but am as to myself, fully satisfied of that...
410To George Washington from Jean Luzac, 30 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
If my use of the English language to write it with purity, was extensive enough that I might dare to approach by means of it to a person as illustrious by his actions as General Washington, & who writes himself in that language with a force & an energy so difficult to express, I should not take the liberty of speaking to you an idiom which is more familiar to me. never Sir should I have even...
411To George Washington from Thomas Macdonald, 19 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
It gave me pleasure to be made the bearer of a volume of Reports from the British Board of Agriculture, to be presented to you on the part of the Board, and which was delivered to me for that purpose by Sir John Sinclair, with the enclosed letter—As it was only just finished at the Press when I left London, it was sent me in loose sheets which have been bound up here—Coll Innes who left town...
412To George Washington from Anthony Macharg, 16 July 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Anthony Macharg, 16 July 1798. On 28 July GW wrote Macharg : “Your letter of the 16th instt has been duly received.”
413To George Washington from Daniel Marshal, 30 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
wishing to prove my Respectfulness to you, I Send you the inclosed Writings. I would be glad, if you had not read yet all them and most happy, if you would not send them back. I got them double. I came, with my Boy Seven Years of Age, from Magdeburgh to the United States of America, in the last Year, intending to purchase and cultivate a small Farm; but Circumstances have engaged me in Trade...
414To George Washington from John Marshall, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The flattering evidences I have receiv’d of your favorable opinion, which have made on my mind an impression only to wear out with my being, added to a conviction that you must yet feel a deep interest in all that concerns a country to whose service you have devoted so large a portion of your life, induce me to offer you such occasional communications as, while in europe I may be enabled to...
415To George Washington from John Marshall, 12 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th inst. which came by the last mail was communicated to Colo. Carrington & woud have been shown also to Colo. Heth had he been within our immediate reach. Colo. Cropper is a man of fair character correct politics & unquestionable courage. No doubt can be entertaind of his fitness for the command of a regiment nor shoud I have hesitated to transmit him immediately your...
416To George Washington from John Marshall, 22 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to Genl Dumas was deliverd by me to his lady from whom in consequence of it I receivd during my stay in Paris the most polite & flattering attentions. She deliverd me the inclosd answer which was written in Copenhagen & forwarded to her. Having heard that Mrs Marshall is in Winchester I shall immediately set out for that place. Permit me Sir to acknowledge the receipt of your very...
417To George Washington from John Marshall, 1 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
You may possibly have seen a paragraph in a late publication, stating that several important offices in the gift of the Executive, & among others that of secretary of State, had been attainable by me. Few of the unpleasant occurrences produc’d by my declaration as a candidate for congress (& they have been very abundant) have given me more real chagrin than this. To make a parade of profferd...
418To George Washington from John Marshall, 7 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving from Mr Pickering your letter to me inclosing others for France, intrusted to my care, to the delivery of which I shall be particularly attentive. Receive Sir my warm & grateful acknowledgements for the polite &, allow me to add, friendly wishes which you express concerning myself as well as for the honor of being mentiond in your letters. I expect to...
419To George Washington from John Marshall, 8–10 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Before this reaches you it will be known universally in America that scarcely a hope remains of accomodating on principles consistent with justice, or even with the indep[end]ence of our country, the differences subsisting between France & the United States. Our ministers are not yet, & it is known to all that they will not be, recognizd, without a previous stipulation on their part, that they...
420To George Washington from John Marshall, 24–27 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of addressing to you from the Hague by Capt. Izzard, a very long letter which I hope you have receiv’d. The offer therein made of occasionally communicating to you my observations on the great & interesting events of europe was not even intitled to the small value which in my own mind I had bestowd upon it. Causes, which I am persuaded you have anticipated, forbid me to...
421To George Washington from John Marshall, 16 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Neither Colo. Carrington nor Colo. Heth are now in town. So soon as they arrive your letter of the 12th inst. with its inclosures, will be communicated to them. I wish it may be in our power to furnish any useful information on the subjects inquired into. Returns of all the elections have been receivd. The failure of Colo. Hancock & of Major Haymond was unexpected & has reducd us to eight in...
422To George Washington from John Marshall, 8 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 30th of Dec’r while Genl Pinckney was at this place and of delivering to him the packet it inclosed. He left us with the ladies of his family on the 4th in health and spirits. I thank you for the charge of Judge Addison; ’tis certainly well written and I wish that as well as some other publications on the same subject could be more generally...
423To George Washington from Thomas Marshall, Jr., 4 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
When I was at my fathers in the Month of June last he directed me to pay two years taxes on two Surveys of yours on Rough Creek into the treasury which I did to wit for the years 1796 & 1797 One third of the amount of the last years Taxes being reduced by our last Assembly it amounted to only £6.8. the Auditors rect for these I left at my fathers, and at the same time I entered your Lands with...
424To George Washington from Alexander Martin, 4 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to permit the enclosed little dramatic piece to wait on you in your present Retirement, it was written by me this Session of Congress partly for Amusement, and partly with a view by bringing forward in this Manner the most prominent Characters in our late Revolution, to reconcile in some Measure if possible the present jarring political Sentiments that unfortunately distract our...
425To George Washington from Thomas Coleman Martin, 16 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3d instant and it will afford me great satisfaction if the answer I am giving shall contribute to yours. I have invented a machine for seperating the grain from the straw of wheat & other small grain which bears but a small degree of analogy either to the Scotch machine or Mr Bookers as I had no knowledge of either at the time...
426To George Washington from Thomas Coleman Martin, 21 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th is before me, in answer to which I beg lieve to express my thanks for your earnest wish for my success in the threshing machine which I have invented. I am sorry however that it is not yet in my power to give a full & satisfactory account of the extent of its utility: since I last wrote you I have had no more wheat with which I coul[d] make further experments. I am now...
427To George Washington from John Mason, 4 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the great Interest you have always taken in the promotion of the Navigation of the Potomak—I lose not a moment to inform you that I have at length suceeded to get this great Object aided by a grant of the Legislature of this State to the full amount contemplated by the Company—and it is with extreme Pleasure I have it in my Power to enclose a Resolution to that Effect which has this...
428To George Washington from John Mason, 24 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Letter you did me the honor to write me on the 2d Inst. reached me at Annapolis, in due time, on the Day after its date. It had the fullest Effect to do away an opinion with some that you were not so sanguine as formerly as to the Importance of the Potomak Navigation & disposed many to be more friendly to the Petition of the Company, but unfortunately for some time before, the Members in...
429To George Washington from Thomson Mason, 17 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
On my Return Home yesterday Evening I found your Letter of the 15th Inst. and am sorry I happened to be from Home at that time, but we shall be very happy to see Mrs Washington & yourself at any other time which may be convenient to you. You are extremely welcome to take up as many of the Holly plants, you mention, as you chuse. I am with Respect, Sir your obdt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Thomson...
430To George Washington from James McAlpin, 27 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I never had the honour of writing to you upon a subject which gave me so much concern as the present! but however painful the task, it is my duty to Acquaint you with my ill success in the execution of your order for your Regimentals. Having, after considerable enquiry, found out an embroiderer, I had flattered myself that nothing was wanting to the completion of the business but the gold...
431To George Washington from James McAlpin, 15 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I received your much esteemed favor of the 7th Inst. ⅌ Mr Custis on Wednesday last—also an Order for Cloths &c. which was compleated on Saturday, and delivered to him. In your letter you mention your depending on me for procuring one Dozn peices Nankeen & trimmings for the Cloths, this as well as the other part of the order which I received from Mr Dandridge, was punctualy executed by me, and...
432To George Washington from Daniel McCarty, 2 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your propositions with which I was honor’d a few days ago, respecting an exchange of Lands between us, I have considered with that deliberation which the importance of the subject requires, and am concerned at their not appearing so advantageous to me as to justify an acceptance of them —This exchange has long been the object of my wishes and has often been revolved in my mind, from which...
433To George Washington from Daniel McCarty, 6 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry that any expressions contained in my letter should convey to your mind an Idea that I conceived you capable of wishing an advantage in the intended exchange of property, such a suspicion was as foreign from me, as it has ever been unmerited by you, the contrast between your character, and that of mankind in general is too great to admit the most distant comparison, I was...
434To George Washington from Patrick McCarty, 26 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
According to Your directions I have Enquired in George town about the Stoves but there is no Such things in it, when You Send for them be Particular in Getting the pipes to them, as they Seldom have any Made but Such as have an open flew behind to Go into the Chimney. I am Sir with the Greatest respect Your Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . On 22 April GW paid Patrick McCarty £13.10 “in full for...
435To George Washington from Archibald McClean, 2 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Having formed an intention of removing from this town to the Westward, I had fixed on a tract of land in the vicinity of Pittsburg for which I have been endeavouring to negotiate; but was lately informed that you hold a tract in Ohio county in this state about fifteen or twenty miles below Wheeling. I would prefer that situation to the former, & wish to know if you are inclined to dispose of...
436To George Washington from Archibald McClean, 4 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having been appointed administrator to the estate of Mrs Kirk deceased, relict of James Kirk esqr. late of this town, I am desirous of settling the accounts as speedily as possible. Mrs Kirk, before her death, informed me that a bond had been lodged with you to satisfy a debt due you from Mr Kirk’s estate, and that there is still a balance of said bond remaining in your hand. As I have not met...
437To George Washington from John McDowell, 8 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour by Doctr Stuart and with him have made such arrangements respecting the education of young Mr Custis, as we judged most eligible at this time. What these are, it is unnecessary for me to mention, as the Doctor will no doubt give you a full account of every thing. I hope the course of study, we have chosen for him, as well as the reasons for the choice, will meet with...
438To George Washington from John McDowell, 14 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
When Doctr Stuart, was here, it was thought best that young Mr Custis should apply himself to the study of Euclid’s Elements before he attempted any thing else. From this plan I have deviated a little, and have perhaps been somewhat remiss in not informing you of it sooner. I discovered in him a great aversion to Mathematics, and as there was a class reading Natural Philosophy; and he...
439To George Washington from John McDowell, 19 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
By your favour of the 13th Inst. which I have just had the honour to receive, I find that my last letter had not come to hand when it was written. In it, I gave you a pretty full account of the manner in which young Mr Custis had employed his time, since he has been here. I flatter myself, that the reasons, that induced me to depart from the plan originally adopted, will appear satisfactory to...
440To George Washington from John McDowell, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
When I returned to Annapolis last Saturday, I had the honour to receive your letter of the 30th Ulto inclosing one hundred and five dollars to defray the expences of Mr Custis. I have paid off all the accounts, except that of Mr Stuart, who is not in town at present; and transmit them to you, with the receipts on them as you desired. There remains in my hands a small ballance, which shall be...
441To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received, this morning, your letter of the 23d inst. for which I am much obliged to you. I did not in my own mind consider you dilatory in your answer, aware of the nature of your employments, and the incessant interruptions, by company to which you are subject. There are one or two points you mention which I shall say a few words to. The officers of the additional Regiments were put upon...
442To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was too much hurried with business before leaving Philada to answer your last letter of the 14th of Augt and since my arrival here I have had a bilious fever, and more business than if I had remained in Philada, according to which reasoning I ought not to answer it now. The fact is I perhaps should have suspended the pleasure a little longer, if I had not received to-day the enclosed letter...
443To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will hardly stand in need of the inclosed paper to convince you of its writers principles altho’ it may be necessary as a proof of his criminal intentions. It is to be laid before Congress to-day. There are some circumstances that would induce a belief that there is more of French in the plot than British; altho’ Chisholm actually had conversation last winter with the British minister on...
444To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received my dear Generals two letters dated the first instant, last night. You will have seen by the newspapers that I have sent an advertisement inviting proposals for clothing for the new regiments and cavalry; but I have not as yet, been able to accomplish a like measure to supply them with subsistence. It is not however too late, as contracts of this kind can be soon formed. When I...
445To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Governor Davie of N. Carolina sent me by the last mail, three copies of a little work of his intitled, “instructions to be observed for the formations and movements of Cavalry,” one of which he requested me, which I now do, to present to the commander in chief. I do not recollect whether I mentioned to you, that he is one in the Commission to the Directory. The President has directed the...
446To George Washington from James McHenry, 7 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday evening your letter of the 3d inst. I had understood by the public prints you were indisposed, and am truely & sincerely rejoiced to learn from yourself that you have recovered. I think it will be proper you should intermit for some time your attention to business, and avoid the early morning and evening air, as well as much exposure to the hot sun. The President is...
447To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your packet of the 6th and letter of the 7th of June inst. This is intended chiefly to acknowledge the circumstance. Mr Frances being Purveyor I have employed him to procure the articles mentioned in your letter. I have also seen Mr McAlpin, who informed me, that, tho’ some Spring Ships had arrived, he has not been able to obtain the gold thread; and that he had apprehensions he...
448To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed some minute information respecting the nominations which you may wish to see. I have at the request of a committee of the Senate furnished them with a bill embracing the new organization for the army, and am preparing another for the provisional army, and a third for the Hospital department. I have required from Genl Hamilton assistance and have received it. Yours ever and...
449To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir Philadelphia 30 March 1799 I received by yesterdays mail your letter of the 25th inst. For the present and until I can enjoy a few hours leisure from the most urgent business, I must content myself with a simple acknowledgment of the kindness of intention and friendship it discovers. Such has been the pressure of business upon the Clerks, that they have only been able to make...
450To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear General Trenton [N.J.] 10th Sepr 1798 If any change should take place in settling the relative rank of the majr Generals you hope and expect to be informed of it. The inclosed letters will shew you the progress and state of the Question. You will return them, and I am sure will duly respect this confidence. It will be proper you should deliberate upon the part which will...