351To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson is sorry to present a long letter to the President to be read at so busy a moment: but the view which it presents of our commercial matters in France is too interesting to be unknown to the President. the circumstances presented to view in the 2d page of the letter induce Th: J. to think it may be well to commit to mister Short & the M. de la Fayette to press our settlement with...
352To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having arranged all the Papers referred to in the proposed instructions to me, I have the honor to submit them under one cover. A Map of the south-western frontier is preparing, which will not be finished until tomorrow, and which would be proper to accompany the book. The instructions for Major General St Clair, are copying, in order to be submitted to your consideration; and it may be proper...
353To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to submit to you the opinion of the Attorney General respecting the United States retaining Fort Pitt. Messrs Turnbull and Marmie the owners, are solicitous to have the premises yeilded to them—the place is in ruins, and for a long time past the public have had only a partial occupancy of it. The principal building which the public require is the magazine, which is public...
354From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Pay or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State Forty thousand Dollars to be applied to the purposes of the Act, entitled “An Act providing the means of Intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations” for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand at Philadelphia the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety one. LB , DLC:GW . Under the...
355From George Washington to Lafayette, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Renewing to you, my dear Sir, assurances of the most perfect esteem and affection, I desire to refer the interruptions which our correspondence has lately sustained, on my part, to causes which I am persuaded you will readily admit as excusable. To the fulfilment of public duties, too interesting to be neglected, and too multiplied to allow me much leisure, I am forced to sacrifice the wishes...
356To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
If I were to recount to your Excellency the various conflicts I have had with myself to avoid giving you the trouble of this address, I am confident the recital would plead strongly in extenuation, if not in excuse, for the liberty which a sense of duty at length prevails upon me to exercise. The desire of standing fair in the opinion of those we highly venerate and esteem, is irresistable;...
357To George Washington from Samuel Powel, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you the Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania which I mentioned Yesterday Evening. It is by no Means what I wished it to have been; yet that it is not worse required much Exertion. I am, with unfeigned Respect, dear Sir your most obedt humble Servt ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. Powel enclosed a printed copy of “An Act to provide for the temporary defence of the...
358Proclamation, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Whereas it hath been represented to me that James O’Fallon is levying an armed force in that part of the State of Virginia which is called Kentucky, disturbs the public peace, and sets at defiance the treaties of the United States with the Indian tribes, the act of Congress intituled “An act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes,” and my proclamations of the 14th and 26th...
359To George Washington from Rodolph Valltravers, 20 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having received, by my worthy Friend, Captn Bell, of the Union, the inclosed Letter from Mr Jn Churchman, with his Variation-Map & Book, dedicated to Your Excellency; I did not hesitate, both from the Importance of his Pursuit, and the Respectability of its Patronage, complying with his Request, and promoting his Views by every Means in my Power. May I be permitted, Sir, to lay before Your...
360To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 21 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been this moment honor’d by your favors of the 16th, & 2 of the 17th Instant, & shall proceed immediately to execute your directions. A Gentleman of Baltimore Town Mr Robert Walsh has applied to me to recommend him to You for an Inspector in Baltimore under the Excise Law —I Beleive he will execute this office, with diligence & integrity—I have some acquaintance with him, & he is...
361From George Washington to George Clendinen, 21 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 21st of February by Mr Moore, (in which letter I have some instructions respecting my lands in your neighbourhood) I have disposed of all my lands on the Ohio and great Kanawa to Mr de Barth a french Gentleman. I have therefore to request that you will stop all measures, which you may have taken, or may be about to take relative to the settling or otherwise...
362From 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)...
363Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
Under the terms of the Residence Act, GW was directed to select the site for the permanent seat of the federal government on the Potomac and to appoint commissioners to superintend the planning of the Federal City and the construction of the necessary federal buildings. Before he arrived in Philadelphia on 27 Nov. 1790, GW apparently had decided on the location of the federal district and...
364Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The bill to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States had not yet been presented to GW for his signature when he solicited and received the opinion of the attorney general on its constitutionality. After receiving Randolph’s opinion, GW solicited the views of the secretary of state. Both Randolph and Jefferson had prepared written opinions arguing that the bank bill was...
365Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
GW began considering the schedule and route of his intended Southern Tour at least as early as the fall of 1790. William Blount, governor of the Southwest Territory, who visited Mount Vernon in September 1790, reported to his brother John Gray Blount in a letter of 20 Sept. 1790 that GW planned to tour the South in March, April, and May 1791, adding that the president would “proceed by the...