1From George Washington to William Short, 1 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
If this letter should reach your hands, it will be presented by Mr Lear, a Gentleman who has lived with me more than Seven years—The last four of which as my Secretary. He is now withdrawing himself from this Office; having engaged in a mercantile scheme; which, for a short stay, takes him to Europe—His conduct during the period he has resided in my family, has been so uniformly good as to...
2Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short to be in cypher, 23 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
It is intimated to us, in such a way as to attract our attention, that France means to send a strong force early this spring to offer independance to the Spanish American colonies, beginning with those on the Missisipi: & that she will not object to the receiving those on the East side into our confederation, interesting considerations require that we should keep ourselves free to act in this...