1From George Washington to Robert Dick, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 28 ult. I pray you to be assured that no improper use shall be made of the important disclosure it contains, and of the sense I have of the confidence reposed in me by the communication. Your sentiments with respect to the policy which ought to be observed towards the Settlers of the Western Country appear to be exceeding just; and, as...
2From George Washington to William Hartshorne, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
As it seems that it will be my unavoidable lot to be again brought into publick life, however contrary to my inclinations, I must prepare myself to meet with many occurrences which will be painful and embarrassing; but I can truly say that few events would distress me more than the realizing of the apprehensions of so respectable a body of my fellow Citizens as the Quakers of Philadelphia; as...
3From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Mail of the 30th brought me your favor of the 23d—For which, & the regular information you have had the goodness to transmit of the state of things in New York, I feel myself very much obliged, and thank you accordingly. I feel for those Members of the new Congress, who, hitherto, have given an unavailing attendance at the theatre of business. For myself, the delay may be compared to a...
4From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
With a heart duly impressed with a sense of the kind invitation you have been pleased to give me to your House I receivd your favor of the 29th ult., and pray you to accept my thanks for this farther testimony of your polite attention to me; but at the same time I offer you this tribute of my gratitude, I must beg your excuse for not complying with the request. For, however pleasing it might...
5From George Washington to William Milnor, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with yr Letter of the 26th Ult. —and had before seen a letter from you to Mr Lund Washington on the same subject. In answer to them both I can say no more to you at present than what I have already invariably said to many—very many others—that if it should be my lot to administer the Government, I am resolved to enter upon my office totally free from every engagement...
6To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Earle of the Sloop Union who is sailed for Alexandria I shipped the Articles noted at foot and directed them to the Care of Messrs Porter & Ingraham, the Captn has the Certificate of their being american Manufactured, there was no Spanish to be had & I sent a Barrel refined at our Sugar Houses which is the nearest of that quality—I could get only sixty three & ½ Bushels of the...
7To George Washington from John Dandridge, 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 26th Ultmo, yesterday, with the inclosures—I assure you, that I am sensible of the indulgence you have continually afforded to my Father’s Estate and of your present offer to extend it: But so sensible, also, am I, of the great difficulty in raising cash at present, and so anxious am I to adjust the claims against the Estate, that I shall take the price fixed on...
8To George Washington from William Heath, 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
After receiving the congratulations of Public Bodies, and public Officers, permit an individual from the private walks of life to approa[c]h your Excellency, and from an heart warmed with esteem affection, and gratitude present his sincere congratulations on your advancment to the first seat of Government in the United States of America, no one more highly participates of the mark of the...
9To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the house of representatives completed their number, and chose Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania Speaker and Mr Beckley of Virginia Clerk. The senate are still deficient one member. Mr Read of Delaware has been expected daily but he has not yet arrived. Mr Thomson will sett off to announce to the President the unanimous choice of the people of the United states as soon as...
10To George Washington from Charles Love, Jr., 2 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed will serve to inform you that application has been made to me by Mr Fitzhugh for my Saddle Horse, that Gentleman haveing represented to me that you were somewhat distressed for such a horse, has induced me tho otherways contrary to my desire to offer him to you at the Price of Eighty pound C[urrent] M[oney]—a Sum I declare to you I have very lately refused—his age is 3 years this...
11To George Washington from Jacob Broom, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you upon the success of that inestimable Constitution, which I had the honor to witness your weighty and influential support and approbation of; and it is with singular pleasure I stand informed, that you have the unanimous suffrages of the Electors, to fill the Chair of first President. I take the liberty to solicit Your Excellency for an appointment as Collector or receiver of...
12To George Washington from James Dunlop, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by Mr Montgomerie of Dumfries to pay on Stewart[,] Wilson & Montgomeries Bond to the Heirs of Colville in your hands what money I have collected from the purchasers of the Merryland tract—I have about Six hundred Pounds Sterling in hand and expect shortly a further sum. If you will order the Bond into the hands of any person here or otherwise as may be most aggreeable to you...
13To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honour to forward to you a Package, enclosing some Cloth & Buttons, which was put under my care by Genl Knox. When I left N. York (which was this day week) there were wanting, to make a House, two Senators & four Delegates. Mr Ellmer & Mr Gale left Brunswick the same day I came from N. York. On Monday I was informed at Wilmington that Mr Read had set out that day, to go to...
14To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 9th ulto did not reach me till yesterday, the postmaster having by mistake, sent it to the Williamsburg office. The sentiments you express, and the motives you assign, for taking on you the administration of the American government, I am sure proceed from the heart; and indeed they are such as I knew could alone govern you. If we could always be in such hands, my fears would...
15To George Washington from Jesse Higgins, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The humble and respectful Application of Jesse Higgins of the Town and County of Newcastle in the State aforesaid, seteth forth. That your Applicant resigned a considerably valuable employ, to accept the appointment of the Legislature of said State, to the Office of Collector of the Revenue in said County, from the prospect of its affording constant employ and at least a competency for himself...
16To George Washington from William Lyles, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I will in the following terms Settle and discharge the debt due from Mr Robert Alexander to your Excellency, on which their is now a Suit depending, and in which, I am his special Bail. On Mr Wm Hunters return from New York, who is hourly expected, I will pay Three hundred pounds Specie, and the balance I will pay in Four equal anual payments, with Interest on each payment, from the date of...
17To George Washington from Rochambeau, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The king of England, my Dear general, has recovered his health, and the humour which Was in his head has retaken its ordinary Course—he has retaken his fonctions and works with all his ministers and gives his audiences—the marquis of La Luzerne our ambassador which has Seen him half an hour, did write me that he had found him perfectly well and not even lean’d as he was told—M. Pitt and his...
18To George Washington from Francis Willis, 3 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
With the utmost defference and respect I beg leave to inform your excellency, that I have notified by letter the members of senate from the state of Georgia that I offer for the appointment of collector of the port of Savannah, what may be the rule established by Congress for the appointment of officers in the different departments is yet uncertain, if the mode adopted should confine it to the...
19To George Washington from Daniel Brodhead, 4 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate you upon your election to the most dignified station in the nation, and I pray God to continue your services to your Country for many years. As you will soon be involved in a multiplicity of Business, I take the liberty to beg the favor of such Testimonial of my Services in the late army, as you may think me entitled to. I have with reluctance made this...
20From George Washington to James Mercer, 4 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 25th Ulto and likewise one from your Brother Colo. J.F. Mercer of the 29th As nothing can be more disagreeable to me than to put the securities which I have against the Estate of your deceased father John Mercer Esqr. in suit, I have provided he shall fulfill the terms of payment, which he has proposed himself—Namely £200 by the 20th of May—half the remainder...
21From George Washington to John Marshall, 5 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 26 Ulto and am sorry to inform you that it is not in my power to furnish the proof which you require of Mr Armsteads executors having had regular notice of the protest. The only person (Colo. Fielding Lewis) who could have been adduced to prove that fact, is dead. Upon my going to Congress in 1774 I left that among other debts, with him to collect for...
22From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 5 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you was pleased to favor me, dated the 29th Ulto came to hand. For proof of my unwillingness to put the securities I have for the debt due to me for your fathers estate, in suit, I need only appeal to the length of time the money has been due—to the frank and friendly manner in whh I have, from time to time, exposed my want of it; and to the returns which have been made...
23To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I do most sincerely & affectionately congratulate my Country, on the unanimous election of your Excellency to the Presidency of the united States. The importance of this transaction, is so great in my estimation that I consider it, under Providence, as the key-Stone to our political Fabrick. It is from this Consideration alone, that I can rejoyce with you Sir, as a private Friend, on your...
24From George Washington to John Brown, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I would thank you for informing me, when it is convenient to you, whether a Deed of Conveyance from George Muse to me for 3323 Acres part of a large tract of 7276 Acres lying on the Great Kanhawa is fully proved, and admitted to record. and if not, what steps are necessary for me to pursue to effectuate it. In the first case I should be glad to receive the Deed—In the Second your advice will...
25To George Washington from Levinus Clarkson, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Should your Excey find by a mature investigation of the subscriber character, during the late War, & Life past to merrit an office under the United States, for wc. information I refer your Excy to Govr Livingston Honr Wm Paterson, Ralph Izard, Pierce Butler, Robt Morris, Jno. Jay, Doctor Samuel Johnson, & Chancelor Livingston & other⟨s.⟩ It will afford relief to a numirous family who have...
26From George Washington to James Dunlop, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d has been duly received—The Bond of Messrs Montgomerie, Willson, Stewart &ca is in the possession of Mr Keith of Alexandria, along with other papers belonging to the Estate of the decd Colo. Colvil—and the £600 which you propose to pay, towards the discharge of it, may go into the hands of Colo. Robert T. Hoe (The attorney of Lord Tankerville and his brother Mr Bennett, to...
27From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ago Mr Muse informed me by letter—that he expected an order for the delivery to him of the Papers belonging to the Estate in my possession —I answered they were subject to, and ready for that order whenever presented but as a friend I would advise him to let them remain in your hands and draw out such only as he might want. To this he seems perfectly agreeable and I mention the matter...
28To George Washington from John Langdon, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency the information of your unanimous election to the Office of President of the United States of America. Suffer me, Sir, to indulge the hope, that so auspicious a mark of public confidence will meet your approbation, and be considered as a sure pledge of the affection and support you are to expect from a free and an enlightened people. I am, Sir,...
29To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On the Sunday sennight after leaving Mount Vernon I arrived here, where to my surprise I found that a quorum of the Senate was not assembled, and but a small majority of Representatives. On this day we went to business, and to my very great satisfaction I heard an unanimous vote of the electing States in favor of calling you to the honorable office of President of the United States. Before...
30To George Washington from James Madison, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of R.H. Lee yesterday has made up a Quorum of the Senate. a Quorum in the other House was made on Wednesday last. The ballots will be opened today unless an indisposition of Mr Basset should prevent, which was not probable yesterday afternoon. The notifications to the President & Vice President will be left to the Senate. Mr Charles Thomson will be the messenger to the former. The...