1To George Washington from Alexander White, 18 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your letter of 13th instant, and a copy of your letter of 26th Ulo in course of Post —I rather expected a Family residence would be required—I need not say, for indeed I scarcely know, what I wished on the occasion; but so far I had made up my mind that I would not remain in Office under circumstances which did not meet your cordial approbation; this I conceive Your letter...
2To George Washington from Alexander White, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Previous to Mr Scotts setting out for Annapolis, it was mentioned by him and not controverted by Doctor Thornton, that a full Board would not be necessary till about the tenth of this month, and that I might with propriety remain in Virginia till that period, unless something should occur to render my presence sooner necessary, in which case they would give me notice. By a letter put in the...
3To George Washington from Alexander White, 15 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Mrs White remained three weeks in Washington without coming to a determination respecting her future residence; the business of the City pressing I did not accompany her home. And altho’ I expected to be informed of the result of her reflections by letter after her arrival at her own House, she declined giving an opinion till we should meet again—Last thursday I arrived at this place, and...
4To George Washington from Alexander White, 29 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Board having agreed to adjourn for a Week I shall set out for Virginia Tomorrow Morning—I shall return as soon as I see my Wheat safe—or sooner if anything occurs of sufficient importance to induce my Colleagues to give me notice —I am with the highest Respect and most sincere Regard Sir your most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . White again wrote GW from Washington on Wednesday, 20 July: “I...
5To George Washington from Alexander White, 25 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to my expectation I left Philada on Monday the 9th instant and arrived at Washington the ensuing Wednesday; the measures adopted to avail ourselves of the guarantee of Congress have been communicated by the Board, but my Colleagues seemed in a state of suspense respecting the commencement of the Works, having no assurance on which they could rely of obtaining the means of carrying...
6To George Washington from Alexander White, 31 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
I purpose to set out for Virginia tomorrow and to return about the end of November—You would no doubt observe that I neither signed the letter lately addressed to you by my Colleagues on the subject of an application to the Assembly of Maryland for a Loan, nor transmitted my reasons for with holding my signature—I will now explain the motives of my conduct in both instances—I did not sign the...
7To George Washington from Alexander White, 17 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
I returned from Frederick yesterday—Visiting the Works this morning an alteration of part of the Plan of the Capital agreed to by the President was brought into view —I should at all times (and more especially, after some late declarations) with great diffidence offer an opinion on a subject of this kind, but without a scientific knowledge of Architecture I confess the alteration proposed...
8To George Washington from Alexander White, 22 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of 15th instant. I sensibly feel the impropriety of giving you so much trouble, but flatter myself that the sensations excited by being placed in a situation entirely new will in some measure apologize—I shall not enlarge on that subject, but only observe that the apprehension of finding myself inadequate to the Task, and that alone occasioned my reluctance—A...
9To George Washington from Alexander White, 8 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday evening I received from the Department of State the Commission with which you have been pleased to honor me as a Commissioner of the Federal City, accompanied by a letter from yourself expressed in terms so friendly and confidential as to induce me to explain fully to you Sir, my sentiments respecting this Appointment —When I received your letter of 28th April I was on the point of...
10To George Washington from Alexander White, 11 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the first opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of 28th Ulo—which did not come to hand till yesterday—The preference given me on this occasion is extremely flattering and although I feel a diffidence in my capacity to discharge the duties of so important a trust, in the execution of which I doubt not many things may occur which my line of life has not led to an...