31From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 11 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will receive the Powers & Instructions with which Gouvr Morris Esqr. is invested and his communications consequent thereof. You will give them the consideration their importance merit, and refer your opinion of the measures proper to be taken thereupon. The following extract from one of my private letters to Mr Morris contains all the notice I have yet taken of his public...
32From George Washington to James Madison, 11 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Let me entreat you to finish the good Offices you have begun for me, by giving short answers (as can be with propriety) to the enclosed addresses—I must have them ready by Monday. AL , PWacD . The enclosures, which have not been found, were undoubtedly advance copies of the formal replies of the House and the Senate to GW’s address of 8 Dec. 1790 . For the text of these replies and GW’s brief...
33From George Washington to James Madison, 12 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are the last dispatches I have rec’d from Mr Gouvr Morris. As they unfold, pretty evidently I think, the disposition of the British Ministry, I wish you to see them—Pray return them to me in the course of this day. Sincerely & Affectly, I am Yrs ALS , anonymous donor. The enclosures almost certainly included Gouverneur Morris’s letters of 18 and 21 Sept. 1790 reporting the failure of...
34From George Washington to David Stuart, 12 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
On my return to this City, at Elkridge landing (eight miles beyond Baltimore) a Negroe fellow of the name of Paul, (brother to your Rose) came to, and informed me, that he was taken (more probably runaway from the White House Quarter) by the Troops under Lord Cornwallis. That he was put on board a British Vessel, was taken by an American one, and carried into Baltimore; where he was sold to a...
35To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 13 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit here with the copy of a report intended to be presented to the House of Representatives on the subject of a National Bank. This communication would have been earlier made if it had been in my power; but it has been impossible for me to prepare it sooner. With the most perfect respect I have the honor to be Sir, Your Most Obedient & Most humble Servant LB , DLC:GW ....
36From George Washington to the Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and Richmond, 13 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The liberality of sentiment toward each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this Country, stands unparalleled in the history of Nations. The affection of such people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation; and the repeated proofs which my fellow Citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings form the purest source of my...
37From George Washington to the United States House of Representatives, 13 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The sentiments expressed in your address are intitled to my particular acknowledgment. Having no object but the good of our Country, this testimony of approbation and confidence from it’s immediate Representatives, must be among my best rewards, as the support of your enlightened patriotism has been among my greatest encouragements. Being persuaded that you will continue to be actuated by the...
38From George Washington to the United States Senate, 13 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
These assurances of favorable attention to the subjects I have recommended, and of entire confidence in my views, make the Impression on me which I ought to feel. I thank you for them both. And shall continue to rely much for the success of all our measures for the public good, on the Aid they will receive from the wisdom and integrity of your Councils. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress,...
39To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under his consideration the journal of the proceedings of the Executive in the Northwestern territory, thinks it his duty to extract therefrom, for the notice of the President of the U.S. the articles of Apr. 25. June 6. 28. & 29. some of which are hereto annexed. Concieving that the regulations, purported in these articles, are beyond the competence of the...
40To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Denny arrived last evening from Fort Washington, on the Ohio, charged with letters from Governor St Clair, and Brigadier General Harmar copies of which I have the honour herewith to submit, and also extracts from the orders issued during the late expedition, also a return of the killed and wounded. Lieutenant Denny reports verbally that after he left Fort Washington, he saw in...
41Enclosure: Arthur St. Clair to Henry Knox, 6 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
On the 29th of last month I had the honor to inform you generally of the success that attended General Harmar. I could not then give you the particulars as the General’s letters had not reached me (the officer however who had them in charge got in a few days afterwards) it is not now necessary because he writes himself—One thing however is certain that the Savages have got a most terrible...
42Enclosure: Josiah Harmar to Henry Knox, 4 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, ⟨th⟩at on the 30th September I marched with 320 federal troops, and 1133 militia, total 1453. After encountering a few difficulties, we gained the Miami village. It was abandoned before we entered it, which I was very sorry for. The villainous traders would have been a principle object of attention. I beg leave to refer you to my orders which are enclosed—The...
43Enclosure: Extracts from Orders, 17 October–4 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Note The orders issued previously to the march of the troops and militia from Fort Washington and until they arrived at the Miami Village relate to the arrangement of the troops the order of march, of encampment, and of battle, and the discipline necessary to be observed, all of which are particularly detailed, General Orders Camp at the Miami Village, about 170 miles from Fort...
44From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 14 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having informed Congress of the expedition which had been directed against certain Indians North West of the Ohio, I embrace the earliest opportunity of laying before you, the official communications which have been received upon that subject. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislature Proceedings, President’s Messages; copy, DNA : RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791,...
45To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 14 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I received on Friday last Your favor of the 2d Inst. —I might, and am sorry that I did not write You sooner, but not concieving it material as You had left home so lately and expecting on Your arrival in Philadelphia You would be much engaged—and for some time after Your departure I was, in over hauling and preparing for the changes that were to take place—the Reports are prepared in time for...
46To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United States that a wish of the Collector of Boston to spend a part of the time of the Session of Congress at the Seat of Government has been intimated to him. An absence from his Office at this season of the year being the least likely to be inconvenient, and it being probable that much useful information...
47To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under consideration the two letters of Oct. 13. 1789. from the President of the U.S. to mr Gouverneur Morris, & those from mr Morris to the President of Jan. 22. Jan. 22. Apr. 7. 13. May. 1. 29. July 3. Aug. 16. & Sep. 18. referred to him by the President, makes the following Report thereon. The President’s letters of Jan. 22. authorized mr Morris to enter...
48From George Washington to Charles Pinckney, 15 December 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Charles Pinckney, c.15 Dec. 1791. In a letter to GW of 8 Mar. 1791 , Charles Pinckney wrote that he had received “your obliging letter of introduction which had been previously left by Colonel Trumbull at my house.” GW wrote a letter of introduction for Trumbull to Edward Rutledge on 15 Dec. 1791 and almost certainly wrote a similar letter to Pinckney (and perhaps others)...
49To George Washington from Robert Rutherford, 15 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your Condescending goodness of heart I trust will not rebuke this familiar address. I had indeed promised myself the honor of a short Conference during the recess of Congress, but a violent indisposition prevented me. An excursion of Ten months thro the South Western frontier, particularly over most parts of the Kentucky, has enabled me, to observe, the great fertility of the soil, with the...
50From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 15 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I will make no apology for introducing the bearer, Colo. John Trumbull to your friendship and Civilities—You will find him worthy of both. Yrs Affectionately ALS , PHi : Dreer Collection. After finishing his portrait of GW in military uniform (see Tobias Lear to Richard Varick, 19 July 1790 and notes ), Trumbull had made a brief trip to Massachusetts and New Hampshire to make portraits of...
51From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 15 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 15 Dec. 1790. In a letter to GW, dated 28 Dec. 1790 , George Augustine Washington refers to letters “of the 15th & 17th Inst.”
52To George Washington from Samuel Osgood, 16 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of enclosing a Schedule containing a General View of the Contracts for the Conveyance of the Mail in the Year 1791; & also a Paper with Remarks on the Contracts for the present Year, & for the Year 1791, by which it will appear, that considerable Improvements have been made in the Arrangements for the next Year. Between Baltimore & New York; Philadelphia & Easton in...
53From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 17 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
An official letter from the Secretary of State of this date—acknowledging the receipt of your public dispatches—will discover to you my sentiments on the views and intentions of the british Cabinet. If the exigencies of the national affairs of that Kingdom should excite dispositions in it favorable to a commercial treaty with the United States, and to the fulfilment of the treaty of peace, its...
54From George Washington to the United States Senate, 17 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since your last Session I have appointed Robert Morris Judge of the District of New Jersey, in place of David Brearly deceased; and John Heth of Virginia an Ensign in the Troops of the United States, in place of Richard Archer who has declined his appointment. As these appointments expire with your present Session, I nominate Robert Morris to be Judge of the District of New Jersey, in place of...
55From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 17 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 17 Dec. 1790. In a letter to GW, dated 28 Dec. 1790 , George Augustine Washington refers to letters of “the 15th & 17th Inst.”
56From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 19 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th instt came duly to hand, but the multiplicity of matters that pressed upon me at the time, prevented an earlier acknowledgment. I write to you now respecting an exchange of Lands because you wished to hear from me soon, on that subject—not because I think there is the least probability of such an exchange taking effect; I judge so from the ideas I have formed (from the...
57From George Washington to Charles Carter of Ludlow, 19 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the first instant came duly to hand; but it found me under such a pressure of business that I was unable to give it an immediate acknowledgement. I am sorry for the information you have given me, and wish sincerely it was in my power to relieve you from the disagreeable situation into which you are thrown—but it really is not. The particular object to which your views are...
58From George Washington to James Craik, 19 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
By a letter which I received on thursday last from my nephew George S. Washington, in answer to one which I had written to him on the 15th instant it does not appear that his Brother Lawrence is to come on with him to this place. As it is my intention that they should both enter the College together, I have written to George to bring his Brother with him, if he should get my letter before he...
59To George Washington from Rufus Putnam, 20 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
It was as late as the 5th of November before I arrived here with my family, since which I have been so busily engaged in preparing for the winter, that I have not been able to attend minutely to any other object, but in general I have observed that our crops have been very fine, that the spirit of industry and enterprise among the people is as great as ever, and the improvements and buildings...
60To George Washington from the Continental Army Veterans, 21 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
A Person who had the Satisfaction of Serving as a Soldier (during the last War) under yr Excellency’s Command—begs leave for himself and his late Soldiers to address yr Excellency on a Subject which nearly concerns us—(Viz.) The plan for the Regulation of the Militia which we understand is now before Congress. Our Humble request is that yr Excellency would be pleased to use your Influence that...
61From George Washington to John Eager Howard, 21 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 5th of November, enclosing a certificate of the late election of Representatives for the State of Maryland in the Congress of the United States, which certificate I have caused to be delivered to Mr Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives. With due consideration I have the honor to be, yr Excellency’s most Obedt Sert Copy,...
62To George Washington from John Nicholson, 21 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a Statement of the finances of one of those states over whom you have been unanimously called to preside⟨.⟩ It may be that at some moment of leisure from the duties of your elevated station you may incline to peruse it, inasmuch as the wealth and prosperity of the several parts contribute to that of the whole. I am with the highest respect And Greatest Esteem...
63To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that his letter to Gouverneur Morris is dated December 17th. he incloses him a letter from Mr James Brown just now received. LB , DLC:GW . GW had apparently asked Jefferson for the date of his letter, perhaps to give his own letter to Morris of the same date (see GW to Morris, 17 Dec. 1790 ). According to his Summary Journal of Public and...
64To George Washington from John Carlile, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I can be of use to you in the execution of the duties of Inspector to the Malitia of Maryland, If your Excellency thinks me worthy of the Appointment, I am confident that I can give Satisfaction to yourself and the State —I am very respectfully Yr Excellency’s Mo. Ob. servt If necessary any recommendation can easily be obtained. ALS , DLC:GW . John Carlile served as a captain in the...
65To George Washington from John Coulter, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
In the probability that Congress will enact a general Quarantine Law this session & that a Health Officer or Visiting Physician will be appointed for this Port; I beg leave to offer myself for your Excellency’s Approbation. I am one of the Oldest Practitionors in this Town, & my Residence being at the Point, is a Situation most suitable for exercising the Duties of such an Office. My public...
66To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States the propriety of appointing a Keeper for the Light-house at Portland in the District of Maine. The enclosed recommendations from that quarter were transmitted to the Superintendant of the Light-houses of Massachusetts under the idea that the appointment was to be made by him. An enquiry of...
67To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to inform the President that a gentleman leaves town early tomorrow morning for New-York from whence a vessel sails on Monday for Liverpool, on board which will go a passenger who may be trusted with any letters for London. Th: J. proposes to make up his packet to-night, can the President give him previously a half hour, for the communication of the letter to...
68To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your orders of the 4th of September last, I took the necessary steps for holding a conference with the Logstown Chiefs & warriors of the Seneca Nation of Indians; relative to the murders of two of their people at Pine Creek in Pennsylvania. I wrote to them by the express who at the same time carried a letter from the president of Pennsylvania. In my letter I informed them,...
69From George Washington to the United States Senate, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Woodbury Langdon of the State of New Hampshire to be one of the Commissioners for settling the Accounts between the United States and individual States, in place of John Taylor Gilman who has resigned his appointment—and William Gardner to be Commissioner of Loans in the State of New Hampshire, in place of Nathaniel Gilman who has declined his appointment. LS , DNA : RG 46, First...
70From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
It appearing by the Report of the Secretary of the Government North West of the Ohio, that there are certain cases respecting Grants of Land within that territory, which require the interference of the Legislature of the United States; I have directed a copy of said Report and the papers therein referred to, to be laid before you; together with a Copy of the Report of the Secretary of State...
71To George Washington from James Wynkoop, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Constitution of the united States having rendered it expedient to resort to the federal Government for such prudent regulations as may best tend to secure the different Ports of the United States from the Introduction of pestilential Diseases by Sea, and a law for this purpose having been already agitated in the House of Representatives in Consequence of a Petition, drawn up by my much...
72To George Washington from Gaetano Drago di Domenico, 24 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty respectfully to humiliate to your Excellency a Petition of mine. Having Conceived the Idea to apply to the Venerable Congress to which your Excellency is the Chief to Ask for the Consulship of the thirteen United Provinces of America in this place, Several friends of Mr Peter Buttler a Member of the Congress, who are also mine had made me hope that under his Auspices...
73To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 24 Dec. 1790. Tench Coxe wrote to Tobias Lear on 29 Dec. 1790: “I find on examining the current papers that the communications which the Secretary of the Treasury had the honor to make to the President of the United States on Friday, was transmitted by one of the Gentlemen in the office without enclosing the papers therein refered to. I do myself the...
74To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 24 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
A Duplicate of your favor of the fourteenth of August was handed to me Yesterday. The Delay has probably arisen from the Circumstance of my Absence when Colo. Humphreys arrived in this City. I have already informed you of what passed in Relation to the Ballance due to you by Mr Welch and also of the Mode proposed for Reimbursement of Monies applied according to your Orders in this City, which...
75To George Washington from Josef Ignacio de Viar, 25 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Being some time past indisposed with Rehumatic pains, which prevent me of the Honor of presenting my Respects to you personaly, I cannot less than benefit of the only means, that of writing, to wish you all happiness with the Compliments of the Season in Company of your Lady. I am with perfect Respect Sir Your most obt & humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . After the departure of Spanish ambassador...
76From George Washington to Elizabeth Haynie, 27 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19 of October never reached my hands until a few days ago —I am very sorry to hear of the distressed situation in which you are; and have written to Mr Muse, to whom the management of my Tenements of Berkeley, Frederick, Loudoun and Fauquier is committed to let you have any one of them, that may be unoccupied, rent free during your own and the life of your Daughter Sally...
77To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War, to whom the President of the United States was pleased to refer the Speech of the Corn-planter, Half-Town, and the Great Tree-Chiefs and Counsellors of the Seneka nation. Respectfully reports— That the objects stated in the said Speech are as follow— to wit— 1st—A Complaint respecting the hard terms imposed on the six Nations, in the Treaty made at Fort Stanwix October...
78To George Washington from M. Lory, 27 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
J’étois encore jeune Etudiant quand j’aimai une personne aimable à bien des égards; et aujourd’hui quoi que je Sois agé de 28 ans, j’ignore le moment où je pourrai sans imprudence me réunir à elle. Car ici quand on n’a pas un certain êtat une certaine fortune, on doit redouter la fecondité comme le plus grand des malheurs, on doit craindre d’aller mourir à l’hôpital, soi, sa femme et Ses...
79To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of presenting to the President a copy of the Report he read to him on the Mediterranean trade, the original of which he has made up for the Speaker of the house of representatives. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The enclosure was a copy of Jefferson’s report on American trade in the Mediterranean, which he had prepared in response to a request...
80To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State, having had under Consideration the Situation of the Citizens of the United States in Captivity at Algiers, makes the following Report thereupon to the President of the United States. When the House of Representatives, at their late Session, were pleased to refer to the Secretary of State, the Petition of our Citizens in Captivity at Algiers, there still existed some...