1351To George Washington from Eliphalet Dyer, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
it is with a degree of Diffidence & reluctance that I undertake to Address you on a Subject which so nearly Concerns myself and which perhaps may be thot rather Indelicate but knowing your Candor I beg leave to Impart to you my Wishes and inclination which I trust you will gratify if not inconsistant with the Publick good which have no doubt you will attend to & make your great & principall...
1352To George Washington from John Elliott, Jr., 18 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is from a heart fill’d with cordial affection, that I take the liberty thus to address thee; having been made thankful that the supreme Ruler of the Universe hath been pleased to set over the United States of America, one so well qualified for such a station; which I am confirm’d in the belief of, from thy acknowledgment of “the interposition & guidance of Providence—thy sense of the Divine...
1353To George Washington from John Skey Eustace, 18 August 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Skey Eustace, 18 Aug. 1789. On 23 Nov. GW wrote to Eustace : “Your Letters of the 24th of July and 18th of August have been received.”
1354From George Washington to Cyrus Griffin, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I think it expedient to acknowledge the receipt of your two Notes, dated the 10th of July & the 14th of Augst, for the purpose of assuring you that there was certainly nothing improper in the tenor of them. But it will be an instance of Justice to inform you, at the same time, that, without considering myself at liberty to give either encouragement or discouragement to the wishes of Gentlemen...
1355From George Washington to the New York Port Wardens, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
As the period has arrived, when the United States were to make provision for keeping up the proper supplies for the Light Houses in different Ports, and as the Treasury Department has not yet been organised so as to carry that arrangement into effect; I must desire that you will still continue the superintendence of the Light House in this Port, keeping an exact account of the expenses which...
1356From George Washington to Comfort Sage, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter dated the 31st of July, a few days after the nominations in the Revenue Department had been made; and your other letter of the 8th instant has just now been put into my hands. In consequence of those letters, it is but right I should inform you, that my not having received any immediate application from you, expressive of your readiness to fill the office, was the reason...
1357To George Washington from Elizabeth Thompson, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I once more take the liberty of addressing myself to your Excellency, requesting that you will be so good as to give your approbation to the payment of Mr Thompson’s Acct for the Articles provided by him for George M. White-Eyes, which articles he would not have Supplied him with, had he not thought that he was acting upon a Surety of it’s being by your desire. I have Sir—the honour of being...
1358To George Washington from George Turner, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The numerous applications which no doubt your Excellency has received from candidates for public favour, and the superior abilities which such a range of choice must afford, impress me with great doubts as to the propriety of any application from me. I have taken a liberty, however, which I hope your Excellency will excuse—in thus soliciting the favour of your nomination to place me in some...
1359From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to the Law re-establishing the Government of the Western Territory, I nominate Arthur St Clair Governor. Winthrop Sargent Secretary. Samuel Holden Parsons, } John Cleve Symmes and Judges of the Court. William Barton I also nominate Ebenezer Tucker, Surveyor of Little Egg Harbour in the State of New Jersey. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Executive...
1360To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 18 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Govr Morris did us the honr of delivering your Excellencys Letter himself, we were made very happy by having such an Oppo. in conversing with a Person of his Sensibility, if any thing in our Power had offerd, of rendering him the least Service, we assurd him he might command us. His stay in London will be but short, as he purposes of returning to France very soon, from whence he has but just...
1361From George Washington to the Protestant Episcopal Church, 19 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely thank you for your affectionate congratulations on my election to the chief magistracy of the United States. After having received from my fellow-citizens in general the most liberal treatment—after having found them disposed to contemplate in the most flattering point of view, the performance of my military services, and the manner of my retirement at the close of the war—I feel...
1362To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
My former appointment to run the Line between the Western boundary of the State of New York, and the Lands belonging to the United States, added to the considerable expense I have already been at under that appointment in making the necessary Astronomical Instruments, and commencing the business by forwarding the Baggage to the Tyoga; together with my expenses in this City for three months...
1363To George Washington from David Jones, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my Conference with you, a Member of Congress informed me that a Bill will soon come before you, in which your Excellency will have the appointment of Commisioners to treat with the Indians, should I meet your aprobation to be one, you would releive an old Soldier, who never forsook the Cause of his Country, & Confer the greatest obligation on your Humble Sert P.S. I am Just going off at...
1364From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I informed you on the 11th Inst. that a bill was before the House to provide for the Expences that might attend the Treaties & Negociations to be made with the Indian Tribes, and for the appointment of Commissioners to be employed in the same. This Bill has to day passed into a Law, and in consequence thereof I have nominated, and by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, have appointed...
1365From George Washington to the United States Senate, 20 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of an Act providing for the expences which may attend negociations or Treaties with the Indian Tribes, and the appointment of Commissioners for managing the same, I nominate Benjamin Lincoln as one of three Commissioners whom I shall propose to be employed to negociate a Treaty with the Southern Indians. My reason for nominating him at this early moment, is, that it will not be...
1366To George Washington from the Board of Treasury, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Secretary Lear having applied to this office for a statement of the Post Office accounts, as entered in the books of the treasury, we do ourselves the honor of transmitting an abstract statement of them to the last of December 1788. No final adjustment has been made of the present Postmaster General’s accounts for the two last years, for the reasons stated in our communication No. 6, on the...
1367To George Washington from John Hills, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having made it my constant Study, for several Years, to be fully acquainted with the Geography of this Country, (which necessary knowledge I apprehend few, (if any) have obtained)—& being particularly attached to this Science, induced me to make a general Collection of the Plans, Sketches &ca of great part of this Continent during the War—I likewise have procured all that were in the...
1368To George Washington from Francis Nichols, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of offering myself a Candidate for the Office of Marshall for the District of Pennsylvania, which I should have done in Person had I not understood that this Mode was the most acceptable and least inconvenient to You. A Certificate of my military Services which I had the Honour of receiving from You during the late War, will I flatter myself evince that I have some Claim. I...
1369To George Washington from the Public Creditors of Pennsylvania, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
That your Memorialists, influenced by a faithful and uniform attachment to the Happiness and Glory of their Country, behold, with peculiar Satisfaction, the establishment of a Government which is expressly constituted to promote and perpetuate Union, Order, and Justice, the great sources of National Prosperity: And when they consider the Characters that are appointed to organize and administer...
1370From George Washington to the United States Senate, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the nomination which I made yesterday, of Benjamin Lincoln, as one of three Commissioners to be employed to negociate a Treaty with the Southern Indians, I now nominate Cyrus Griffin and David Humphreys, as the two other Commissioners to be employed to negociate the before mentioned Treaty. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW...
1371From George Washington to the United States Senate, 21 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States will meet the Senate, in the Senate Chamber, at half past eleven oclock tomorrow; to advise with them on the terms of the Treaty to be negotiated with the Southern Indians. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, President’s Messages—Indian Relations; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear delivered this message to the Senate ( DHFC, Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary...
1372To George Washington from Bennet Ballew, 22 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
To the president of the united states of America, the memorial of Bennet Ballew, Agent plenipotentiary from the chiefs & Head warrior of Cherokee Nation, resident & living in the towns of Chota, Toquoh, Gettico Little Telliquo Tumotly, Nioh or the Tassel’s town, Coettee, Chilhowah Tallassee, Big Tilliquo, Big Highwassa, Cheestowa, Eastanolee, Chatanugah Chichamaugah, Stickoee...
1373To George Washington from Arthur Campbell, 22 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The communications I formerly had the honor to transmit to your Excellency respecting the South-western parts of the United States, now appear to have more weight, than was then foreseen. Alexr McGillivray at times menacing the Southern States; at others soothing them with the appearance of a Treaty. At this time actively engaged in composing some differences, and forming a league among the...
1374To George Washington from Robert Johnson, 22 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
About the 10th instant two men were fired on by a party of Indians but no damage sustained only one of the horses the men rode was killed: the Indians took the saddle & bridle and the night following they stole eleven horses, our men pursued them next day came up with them and retook all the horses, together with said saddle & bridle, and killed two (one of which was a white man). On Sunday...
1375From George Washington to the United States Senate, 22 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
To conciliate the powerful tribes of Indians in the southern district, amounting probably to fourteen thousand fighting men, and to attach them firmly to the United States, may be regarded as highly worthy of the serious attention of government. The measure includes, not only peace and security to the whole southern frontier, but is calculated to form a barrier against the Colonies of an...
1376To George Washington from George Walton, 22 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed copy of an affidavit, the original of which is deposited in our archives, is one among the many proofs existing of the unfriendly conduct of the Spaniards with respect to our black people —It is transmitted to you to form a part of the documents which it is expected you will make the foundation of some discussions with the Spanish Minister before the rising of the National...
1377To George Washington from Nathan Brownson, 24 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed that it is expected of those who wish to receive appointments to Office under the general Government, that they signify their desire to your Excellency in writing together with their pretentions. If a family reduced by the fortune of war from Affluence to Indigence will have any influence my Situation in that respect claims attention. As to ability and fidelity mine may be...
1378To George Washington from James Craik, 24 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
after a long and anxious solicitude on Account of your late indisposition, permit me to tender my Sincere congratulations for your happy recovery —Among your numberless Correspondents, and at a time when every pen has been bussy in inquiring for your health, the Anxiety of an old friend thus expressed might have been somewhat troublesome, as it might seem to induce the necessity of a literary...
1379To George Washington from John Hurt, 24 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
As I presume it can be no very great breach of propriety, to trouble you with a letter, written with respect, I beg leave to mention a few circumstances for your consideration, which I hope, & am persuaded, never came within your knowledge. I make no doubt that it was in a great measure owing to you, Sir, that Congress did from time to time keep up the hopes & expectations of the officers in...
1380To George Washington from Thomas Lowrey, 24 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Alexandria New Jersey May it Please Your Excellency August 24th 1789 Being Informed that the Appointment of Marshall to the Federal Court of the state of New Jersey is shortly to take place, and that it rests in the Grant of your Excellency. I beg leave to Approach you on that subject, and sollicit your Excellencys good Disposition toward me in the same, as I flatter myself the Personal...
1381To George Washington from Andrew Porter, 24 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to offer myself a candidate for the Office of Surveyor Genl for the Western Territory, and solicite your Excellency for the appointment to that Office. Herewith I have enclosed the Certificates of Doctrs Ewing & Rittenhouse of my Qualification and fitness to fill that important Office. Also one from the Honble Henry Knox under whose immediate Command I served during the War....
1382To George Washington from Ségur, 24 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the advantage of the departure of Mr Paul Jones to bring myself to the recollection of your Excellency, and to congratulate you upon the ratification of the new Constitution by the United States and electing you their President—They will not be deceived in their experience—Your wisdom will mantain the splendor of that liberty which your courage established. I earnestly wish that...
1383To George Washington from Roger Alden, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, herewith enclosed, the original communications from the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, and copies of his letters addressed to the late Secretary of Congress. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir—Your most Obedient Humble Servant ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; copy, in Alden’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 149. Winthrop...
1384To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that it devolvs on me to communicate to you the loss of your Mother who departed this Life abt 3 oClock today. The Cause of her desolution (I believe) was the Cancer on her Breast, but for abt 15 days she has been deprived of her speech, and for the five last days she has remain’d in a Sleep. She has lived a good Age &, I hope, is gone to a happier place than we live at present in....
1385To George Washington from Joseph Howell, Jr., 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of presenting myself to your Excellency to solicit a continuance in the office which I have been honored with by the late Congress, resting my application and your favor on the merits of my pretensions. In the line of the late army I had the honor to be in the number of the first who under the command of your Excellency stepped forth in the defence of liberty and the rights...
1386To George Washington from Thomas Rodney, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is with very great pleasure Indeed, that I address you as Chief Magistrate And Commander in Chief of the United States—As you have long Merited it; So may you long continue to possess the confidence of your fellow Citizens whose Unanimous voice raised you to the Exalted Station you now hold, and may the wisdom of your Conduct and counsels long preserve the Union of the States. Being content...
1387To George Washington from Steuben, 25 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to have the honor of submitting to Your perussal the copy of a Memorial, which I intend shortly to present to the Congress, accompanied by a statement of the facts and circumstances, on which I found a claim to a further compensation from the United States. As the first Magistrate of the Nation, You Sir cannot but have a peculiar sensibillity to whatever may in its consequences...
1388To George Washington from William Tate, 25 August 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Tate, 25 Aug. 1789. In a letter to Tate, 28 Aug., Tobias Lear acknowledged a letter from Tate to GW of 25 Aug. 1789 . Lear’s letter to Tate states that the president “has directed me to inform you, that it does not lay with him to accept your offer of attending the Commissioners who are shortly to negociate a treaty with the Southern Indians. It is left to the...
1389From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Provision having been made by the Act of Congress of the 20th of August 1789, that a sum not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, arising from the duties on imports & tonnage shall be appropriated for defraying the expence of Negotiating & treating with the Indian Tribes; I have therefore to request that you will use your best exertions to obtain the necessary means for carrying the intention of...
1390To George Washington from Matthew McAllister, 26 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Were I to solicit your attention to this application when business of greater importance only did not engage it, perhaps it would pass unnoticed, but I flatter my self otherwise from the circumstances attending it, Permit me Sir to congratulate you upon the organization of the General Government, & the happy progress made under it since the meeting of Congress Under which it is my wish to act...
1391To George Washington from George McCarmick, 26 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
after my Best Complyments to you, I then Beg your Excelence pardon for this liberty, I should be happy if there Should be Any Appointment to be made in the westran Cuntry Either in Survaying or Any Other thing that wood be advantages to me as I am a old Sufferar; that you wood think me wourtha off: if you wood do me the honour to think of me in Sutch Casses, which trust I Should Strictly...
1392To George Washington from the Oneida, 6 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Notre Frere, nous profitons de l’occasion de quelques uns de nos chefs, qui descendent à New York, pour nous rappeller a votre souvenir; Toute la nation à tressali de joie lorsque elle à appris que l’Amerique venoit de mettre à la tête de son gouvernment celui qui avoit toujours été si glorieusement à la tête de ses armés pendant la guerre: Nous felicitons l’Amerique de son choix, et desirons...
1393To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 26 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have now your favor of the 16th Inst. before me and shall do myself the pleasure of replying to such parts as require it in as full a manner as the short time I am allowed will admit, having been obliged this week to Alexandria on business—takg an acct of the Horses designed for sale and preparing a list of them in readiness for tomorrow, has so incroached on my time that I have just closed...
1394To George Washington from Mary Seymour Austin, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Necessity is my only apollogy for addressing a Gentleman of your dignified Merit—Having no alternative; you will excuse me—Family distress gives birth to these lines—While you suffer me to relate my misfortunes, your pity, rather than wonder may be excited—When I consider you as One whom Providence seems to have raised up, not only as a deliverer of your Country, but as a great helper of the...
1395To George Washington from William Graves, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to address you on the Subject of an Appointment, under the Government of the united States. Previous to it I wish to make you Acquainted in what Capacity I have Acted under the State Government. I had an Appointment of Searcher at the port of Norfolk the year 1786 in which capacity I was continued till August 1789 and I flatter myself, I have executed the duties of it with...
1396From George Washington to John Hurt, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 24th instant, and have to inform you on the subjects mentioned in it, that, according to the best of my recollection the Arrangements respecting the Commutation of the half-pay of the Officers in the late army were made between Congress & a Committee from the Army, without any agency of mine. Nor do I remember to have taken any measures with regard to...
1397To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
A few moments since I arrived here on my way to New York the packet sets off at 3 oClock perhaps I might arrive sooner should I take passage in her than by the stages but as that is attended with a degree of uncertainty I have determined to pursue my first intentions of coming on by land—I have thought it my duty to give your Excellency this information & that I shall, probably, be in the City...
1398From George Washington to the Commissioners to the Southern Indians, 29 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
To Benjamin Lincoln, Cyrus Griffin and David Humphreys Esqrs. Commissioners Plenipotentiary, for negotiating and concluding treaties of peace with the independant tribes or nations of Indians within the limits of the united States, south of the river Ohio. Gentlemen The united States consider it as an object of high national importance, not only to be at peace with the power full tribes or...
1399To George Washington from James Manning, 29 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Prevented, for some days, by necessary attentions to the College, from coming forwards, with the bearer, Benjamin Bourne Esquire with whom I am charged in a joint commission by the Town of Providence, I beg leave to introduce to your Excellencys notice & attention my colleague, and the business with which he is charged; to introduce to Congress the unanimous petition of the Town of Providence,...
1400Proclamation to the Southern Indians, 29 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I George Washington President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these presents, Greeting: Know Ye that to the end that Peace and Amity may be restored and established between the United States and the Creeks and all other Nations of Indians situated within the limits of the said States to the southward of the river Ohio on principles of mutual Justice and Convenience, I...