1To George Washington from Henry Bedinger and William Good, 1 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Unavoidable Accidents have prevented us from Transmitting to you Such a Plat of the Lands between Sharpsburgh and the Patowmack River as we wished to make out for your information. Agreeable to your request to Colo. William Dark & Captain Joseph Chapline —If you can with propriety postpone the Decission of fixing the permanent Residence of Congress a few days, it will enable us to compleat...
2To George Washington from George Clendinen, 1 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Clendinen, 1 Dec. 1790. In a letter to Clendinen dated 21 Feb. 1791 , GW refers to Clendinen’s letter of “the 1st of December.”
3From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1–7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The P. requests that Mr J. would give the letter & statement herewith sent from the S. of War a perusal, & return it to him in the course of the day with his opinion as to the propriety of the manner of ⟨making⟩ the communication to Congress; and whether it ought not, at any rate, to be introduced in some such way, as this (if it is to pass thro him to Congress) “Pursuant to direction” “I...
4To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 1 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address to you a Letter on the 22d of last Month in the Close of which I mentioned the Intention of saying at a future Period some few Words of the People who are now on the Stage. To begin then with our friend La fayette who has hitherto acted a splendid Part. Unfortunately both for himself and his Country he has not the Talents which his Situation requires. This important...
5To George Washington from the Seneca Chiefs, 1 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
To the great Councillor of the thirteen fires. The Speech of the Corn-planter, Half-town and the Great-Tree chiefs of the Senecca Nation. Father The voice of the Senecca Nation speaks to you the great Councillor, in whose heart, the wise men of the thirteen fires, have placed their wisdom. It may be very small in your ears, & we therefore entreat you to hearken with attention. For we are about...
6To George Washington from Robert Collings, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to solicit your Excellency for an appointment onboard of one of the Cutters that are to be fitted out for the Protection of the Revenue. My Character is well known to the officers of the Customs of this Port, as well as to the Gentlemen who have honord me with their Recommendation. with the Highest respect I am Sir, your most humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Robert Collings (Collins;...
7From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2–6 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your indisposition has prevented me from giving you as much trouble in making my communications to Congress as otherwise, I might have done. The article of your Notes which respect the loan in Holland, I am somewhat at a loss to frame into a paragraph for the Speech, and therefore pray your assistance. I had got it as pr the enclosed, but upon a revision, it does not appear right. Be so good...
8To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I received a letter from Mr Woodbury Langdon declining the appointment offered him. there was a letter with it for you which I immediately forwarded. Since that time I have conversed with Mr Langdon I have heared from Mr Gilman; the former is warm in his recommendation of Mr Keith Spence; he states that his insolvency was owing to the loss of a valuable ship & Cargo,...
9From George Washington to James Madison, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
If Mr Madison is at leisure the P. would be glad to see him. AL , NjP : George Washington Collection. GW’s purpose in requesting this meeting is not known. It may have been to discuss his upcoming address to Congress (see GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 8 Dec. 1790 ).
10To George Washington from Marguerite Le Manquin, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Je me vois forcée de recueillir des renseignemens sur une affaire qui a pris naissance dans vos contrées et à laquelle mes intérêts Se trouvent étroitement liés. N’y connoissant absolument personne, permettés que je réclame votre protection et vos bontés à ce Sujet. Il y a environ 18, ans, mon frére, m. francois le marquis de Malmédy officier au Service de France passa en Amérique dans le...
11To George Washington from Simeon Thayer, 2 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will pardon my Addressing you again on the Subject of my Application to be placed in the Invalid Establishment. I have forwarded a Petition to Congress on the Subject, and as your Excellency is already Possessed of a Narrative of the Facts on which my Claim is founded; I have only to add that your Excellencys Justice and benevolence will on this occasion prompt you to...
12From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 2 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 2 Dec. 1790. In his letter to GW of 14 Dec. 1790 , George Augustine refers to GW’s letter of “the 2d Inst.”
13To George Washington from Joseph Chapline and William Good, 4–5 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the platts as promised by our last favd by Genl Mathews, as far Perfected as the shortness of the time would Permit, no alteration in the Subscription has come to hand. Some small alteration respecting donation of the lands has taken Place. Capt. Shepherd ⟨has⟩ withdrawn his Subscription of forty acres of land and has given in the whole Tract called Pell Mell containing one...
14To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your orders I held a Conference with the Chiefs &c. of the Seneca nation of Indians at Tioga in this state. About 220 of all ages attended. The day of meeting proposed was the 25th of October: but they did not arrive until the 15th of November. Such delays, I am informed, are common with them; but in the present instance I believe are greatly to be attributed to the...
15To George Washington from Charles Scott, 4 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Scott, 4 Dec. 1790. In a report to GW, dated 5 Jan. 1791 , Henry Knox wrote that “The Secretary of War, to whom the President of the United States was pleased to refer the address of the representatives of the Counties of Kentucky, and the other counties of Virginia bordering upon and contiguous to the Ohio, as transmitted by General Charles Scott⟨,⟩ in his...
16To George Washington from Joseph Clark, 5 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of an interview with you at Mount Vernon your obliging attention in permitting me to lay before you a Scheme for a new City, has induced me to take the liberty of transmitting my Ideas on that Subject somewhat more at Large, and on a scale of calculation less extensive respecting the profile to be raised. I have lately rode over part of the Land on the banks of the...
17From George Washington to George Steptoe Washington, 5 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the promise which I gave to you in Virginia, I have made the necessary enquiries respecting the course of studies and expences, which would enable you and your Brother Lawrence to finish your education at the college in this place, provided you are Masters of those books and studies, which you informed me you had passed through. The enclosed account of studies and expences, which...
18Edmund Randolph to Tobias Lear, 6 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I wished to have said a word to you in private; but being prevented this morning, I must beg your excuse for hinting a subject, which it may not be amiss to inquire into. President Mifflin stopped me to-day, to inform me, that the Coachman of the President of the U.S. was very insolent in the use of his whip among the people yesterday at the church door. He added, that it was near being...
19To George Washington from T. H. O’Neill, 7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Corner of Pen & South Streets at Mr Beaghlys [Philadelphia]. General Washington 7th Decr 1790 With every deference I take the liberty to accost Your Excellency. If you are the man the world Considers you to be, you’ll redress my Grievance. I am an Irish man, that has met with disapointments in trade. come to this Country without property or friends, in the utmost distress, myself & my family...
20To George Washington from Samuel Shaw, 7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The commerce of a nation being one of the principal objects of the attention of it’s rulers, I hope it will not be deemed inconsistent with the duties of the office with which you have been pleased to honor me, that I submit to your consideration some particulars relative to the trade of the Citizens of the United States with those of the United Netherlands at Batavia, the capital of their...
21From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
As I find the duties of your office can be executed by a deputy during your absence, and the business which calls you to Europe appearing to be important to your private interest; I feel a pleasure in complying with the request for leave of absence made in your letter of the 1st Inst., and sincerely wish you a pleasant voyage—a prosperous completion of your business & a happy return to your...
22To George Washington from Henry Warren, 7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Plymouth, Mass., 7 December 1790. Warren solicits GW for an appointment in the excise service. ALS , DLC:GW . Warren had unsuccessfully applied to GW for a federal appointment on 1 July 1789 (see James Warren to GW, 10 June 1790 ). He received no appointment from GW.
23To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 7 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I hoped before this to have heard of Your safe arrival at Philadelphia but if the weather on Friday & Saturday after You left us, was with You as disagreeable as with us I fear You were detain’d on the road, and by it Your journey renderd very disagreeable after. Immediately on my return set about the necessary arrangements for Whiting to take the place of Fairfax; and on Tuesday, Wednesday &...
24From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
In meeting you again I feel much satisfaction in being able to repeat my congratulations on the favorable prospects which continue to distinguish our public affairs. The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our Country with plenty, and with the means of a flourishing commerce. The progress of public credit is witnessed by a considerable rise of American Stock abroad as well as at home....
25To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 9 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after we had the honor of seeing you on your way to Philadelphia, we sent up to Jacob Funk in Washington County for a particular state of the situation of the Lotts in Hamburg, and never ’till yesterday received his answer. We find there are 287 Lotts laid out upon 130 Acres of Land; and as far as we can Judge from the Book of Sales kept by Funk which he sent us, the whole of the...
26To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have now the honour to return you the letter from the President of the Assembly of representatives for the community of Paris to the President and members of Congress, which you had recieved from the President of the Senate with the opinion of that house that it should be opened by you, and their request that you would communicate to Congress such parts of it as in your opinion might be...
27To George Washington from John Hudson, 10 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
To hear this petition of one of your soldiers I am a native of Virginia I was bread and born up Rappahanook River in Essex County and was unfortunately taken with the Ruhmactick Pains and have no friend to help me hear I have Rote to my friends but cant git no answer and am naked for Cloths I have not a shift to help my self I am in the Pensilvany Hospital and may it Please your Honnour the...
28To George Washington from Beverley Randolph, 10 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose a copy of a Memorial of the Delegates of the counties of Ohio, Monongalia, Harrison, Randolph, Kanawha, Greenbriar, Montgomery and Russell together with an extract of a letter from Colonel Arthur Campbell on the subject of Indian affairs. The Inhabitants of the Frontiers are greatly alarmed for the safety of their country, in consequence of accounts lately...
29To George Washington from David Stuart, 10 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have just time to inform you, that the business of the rents between Mr Alexander & the estate of Mr Custis for the twelve years possession of it, was adjudged two days ago—I am sorry to inform you that it has exceeded every idea I had formed on the subject, and I believe that of every reasonable man—The two men nominated by me were Mr Pollard & Mr Moss those nominated by Alexander Mr Thomas...
30To George Washington from George Steptoe Washington, 10 December 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Steptoe Washington, 10 Dec. 1790. In his letter to George Steptoe Washington of 19 Dec. 1790, GW wrote “From the tenor of your letter of the 10th inst. which came to my hands on thursday last, it does not appear that Lawrence is to come on to this place with you, for he is not mentioned in any part of the letter.”
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...