1From George Washington to John Adams, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Friday the 4th Instant, I have desired their Attendance, as I do yours by these Presents, at the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on that day, then and there to receive and deliberate on such Communications as shall be made to you on my part. LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 46, Second Congress, 1791–1793, Senate...
2From George Washington to John Armstrong, 6 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 29th of December, and offering you my best thanks for the interest it expresses in my behalf, I beg you to be persuaded that neither my late silence nor my present brevity are in any degree the consequence of diminished regard. Your friendship receives from me the same grateful & affectionate return which I have ever made to it—but the multiplied...
3From 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...
4From George Washington to Martha Dangerfield Bland, 18 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
With every disposition, my dear Madam, to serve you either in my public or private capacity, I have to regret that such is the nature of the request contained in your letter of the 23 ultimo as to preclude the possibility of my being useful to you in the matter to which it relates —This will more fully appear from an opinion on the subject given by the Attorney General, to whom as a legal...
5From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter was written to go by the post of yesterday, but was omitted to be sent to the Office in season. I have thought best, upon every consideration, to fix on monday next for the day of my departure from this city. In which case, I expect to be four days in travelling to Baltimore; and as I shall be under the necessity of going by the way of Annapolis, I must calculate upon three...
6Commission, 22 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Skill, and Diligence of Thomas Johnson and Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and David Stuart of Virginia, I do . . ., in Pursuance of the Powers vested in me by the Act intituled “An Act for establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States,” hereby appoint them the said Thomas Johnson, Daniel...
7From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I am estremely anxious to have a full meeting of the Commissioners--I wish you to send an express to Governor Johnson and let him know my earnestness on this head--I have directed the post master at Geo. Town to send this Letter to you (and another which has been written for this post) by express, in case you should have left Baltimore. With very great regard, I am Dear Sir your mo. obedt...
8From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 11 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I write to you by this post in conformity with my promise so to do. But it is not yet in my power to determine whether I can set out on Monday or not. If I find the roads do not mend much between this time and that, I shall not be anxious about beginning my journey on that day, even if business would permit. As my fixing the day for meeting the Commissioners at George Town must depend upon my...
9From 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...
10From George Washington to the Chickasaw Chiefs, 30 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
You have been informed that last Spring, I sent Major Doughty, one of the warriors of the United States, to brighten the Chain of friendship with the Chickasaw nation, and to assure them of the firm adherence of the United States to the treaty of Hopewell—You know the dis-aster which befell him by the Attack of some bad Indians on the Tenassee, who violated the white flag of peace. Brothers! I...
11From George Washington to Angelica Schuyler Church, 6 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the letter, which you were pleased to address to me on the 27th of November, relates to an event of public import, yet to be determined, and on which the decision may be governed by circumstances not yet considered, I can only do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of it—and to express the respectful consideration with which I am Madam Your most Obedt Servt ALS , CSmH ; LB , DLC:GW...
12From 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...
13From George Washington to George Clendinen, 21 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st of December, and thank you as well for the readiness with which you have complied with my request to undertake the letting of my lands in your neighbourhood, as for the disposition which you express to render your best services in this way. In my letter to you of the 25 of June last (a duplicate of which was committed to the care of Mr Moore in August) I...
14From 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...
15From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved your favors of the 9th & 11th ⟨instant,⟩ & shall be glad if the purchase from ⟨Burns⟩ should be concluded before you receive this at £15 or £⟨17⟩ as you ⟨illegible.⟩ but as you mention that should he ask as far as £20 or £25 you will await further instructions before you accept such an offer: I have thought it better, in order to prevent delays, to inform you, that I could wish...
16From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you several proclamations expressing the lines which are to bound the District of ten miles square for the permanent Seat of the general government, which I wish you to have made public with all expedition. And in the most general and extensive manner that you can to prevent any kind of speculation. Let them be published in the News Papers—put up in public places and otherwise so...
17From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
In order to avail the public of the willingness expressed by the inhabitants of Washington county, as mentioned in your letter of the 11th to sign a paper ceding their lots in Hamburg, on being requested by any person under my direction, I have written the inclosed letter, which, if you think it will answer the desired end, you will be so good as to dispatch to them, with the necessary...
18From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 2 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Majr L’enfant comes on to make such a survey of the grounds in your vicinity as may aid in fixing the site of the federal town and buildings: his present instructions express those alone which are within the Eastern branch, the Potowmac, the Tyber, and the road leading from George-town to the Ferry on the eastern branch. He is directed to begin at the lower end, and work upwards, and nothing...
19From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 3 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
In asking your aid in the following case permit me at the same time to ask the most perfect secrecy. The federal territory being located, the competition for the location of the town now rests between the mouth of the Eastern branch, and the lands on the river, below and adjacent to George town. In favour of the former, Nature has furnished powerful advantages. In favour of the latter is it’s...
20From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 28 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
If you have concluded nothing yet with Mr Burn’s; nor made him any offer for his land that is obligatory; I pray you to suspend your negotiations with him, until you hear further from me. With much Esteem I am, Gentlemen, Your &c. LB , DLC:GW ; ADfS , DLC:GW . David Burnes (1739–1799) owned a tract of some two hundred and twenty-five acres in the federal district, centered around the mouth of...
21From George Washington to George Gilpin, 4 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
A pressure of public business just at the moment Mr Roberdeau was about to leave this, allowed me no time to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th Ulto—and now I have little more than to thank you for the communication which was given by it. As the exactitude of the District called for a Scientific character I have engaged Mr Ellicot to make the Survey, and hope that every aid...
22From George Washington to William Gordon, 25 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
However highly I might be gratified by attending to my private correspondencies, as I used to do, yet so numerous and important are the public duties which my situation calls upon me to discharge, that to do justice to one I must, in some measure, give up the other—In this case it requires not the consideration of a moment to decide. I presume, therefore, it will hardly be necessary to offer...
23From George Washington to William Gordon, 9 March 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Gordon, 9 Mar. 1791. GW wrote to Gordon, 19 July 1791: "I am . . . able to . . . refer you to a letter which I wrote on the 9 of March."
24From George Washington to Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 10 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
At the sametime that I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June last, with which I have been honored, I must beg you to accept my best thanks for your treatise on Education which accompanied it. The anxiety which you express for the welfare of this Country demands a proper acknowledgment; and the political sentiments which are contained in your letter merit a more particular reply than...
25From George Washington to John Greenwood, 16 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th and the box which accompanied it came safe to hand. The contents of the latter were perfectly agreeable to me, and will, I am persuaded, answer the end proposed very well. Enclosed I send you Twenty dollars in payment for them and the repairs of the old ones, and, etc. P.S. That I may be certain that this letter and its contents has got safe to hand, be so good as to say...
26From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of the several Acts, the one entitled “An Act for raising and adding another regiment to the military establishment of the United States and for making further provision for the protection of the frontiers,” and the other entitled “An Act making an appropriation for the Purpose therein mentioned,” I do hereby authorise and empower you by yourself or any other person or persons to...
27From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 16 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
“An act to incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States” is now before me for consideration. The constitutionality of it is objected to. It therefore becomes more particularly my duty to examine the ground on wc. the objection is built. As a mean of investigation I have called upon the Attorney General of the United States, in whose line it seemed more particularly to be, for...
28From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your sentiments with respect to the constitutionality of the Bill—“to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States.” This bill was presented to me by the joint Commee of Congress at 12 oClock on Monday the 14th instant. To what precise period, by legal interpretation of the constitution, can the President retain it in his possession, before it...
29From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having thought fit, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from abroad and laying others in their stead & also upon spirits distilled within the United States and for appropriating the same” to divide the United States into the following fourteen districts namely one to...
30From 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...
31From 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...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From George Washington to John Hoomes, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The state of the roads has been such as to have occasioned some delay in the passage of your letter to me, and some matters of importance which have pressed upon me since the receipt of it has retarded my acknowledgement thereof until now. It was not because I had any doubt of the collection for the services of Royal Gift for I allow no credit—nor that I inclined to receive a specific sum for...
35From 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,...
36From George Washington to David Humphreys, 16 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
As this letter is wholly of a private nature I refer you to Mr Jefferson’s official communications for every thing relative to your appointment at the Court of Lisbon &ca—and shall confine myself to acknowledging your two letters—viz. one from London of October 31. and the other from Lisbon of November 30 1790—and to such general observations as may occur in the course of my writing. The...
37From 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...
38From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Notes are sufficiently descriptive to comprehend the two objects fully; but it is necessary to remark, that if the first line begins at a point on Hunting Creek, the fourth line cannot, in any part touch (Though it will include) the Town of Alexandria; because Huntg Creek is below the boundaries of the Town. And, if it could be so ordered as for the first line to avoid touching...
39From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. would thank Mr Jefferson for placing all, or such of the enclosed Papers (after he has perused them) in the hands of the Attorney General, as he shall deem necessary for the purpose of drawing the several conveyances of the ceded Lands, or, the form of one. For the former, it is conceived farther information than the enclosures contain, is wanting. For the latter, the agreement, and...
40From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. has given the enclosed letters an attentive reading & consideration, and has found nothing in them but what is just, and in the hands of a prudent user proper; but at the end of the words of the letter to Mr C. “this wrong” 2d page 10th line may it not be well to add—“yet with that prudence & circumspection which will not commit the Government to the necessity of proceeding to...
41From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. begs to see Mr Jefferson before he proceeds further in the Proclamation. From a more attentive examination of some Papers, in his possession, he finds that it is in his power to ascertain the course & distance from the Court House in Alexandria to the upper & lower end of the Canal at the little Falls with as much accuracy as can be known from Common Surveying if not to mathematical...
42From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nothing in the enclosed letter superceding the necessity of Mr Ellicots proceeding to the work in hand—I would thank you, for requesting him, to set out on thursday; or as soon after as he can make it convenient: also for preparing such instructions as you may conceive it necessary for me to give him for ascertaining the points we wish to know; first, for the general view of things—& next for...
43From 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...
44From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the last letter I have received from Messrs Deakins & Stoddart. What step had I best take to bring matters to a close with Burn’s, and by declaring at once the Site of the public buildings, prevent some inconvenience which I see may arise from the opinions promulgated by Mr L’Enfont? as much probably from complaisance as judgment. Yrs ALS , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. The...
45From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The P. has just recd the enclosed. He prays Mr Jefferson to write by tomorrows Post to Majr L’Enfant agreeably to what was mentioned this morning. AL , DLC : Thomas Jefferson Papers. For the background to this letter, see GW to Jefferson, 16 Mar. 1791 . The enclosure has not been found. GW and Jefferson conferred about the Federal City on the morning of 17 Mar. 1791, discussing the appropriate...
46From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The messages to the two Houses, as altered are quite agreeable to. Whether, as it is equally known to both houses, that we have no person in a public character at the Ct of London it is best that the word “informal” should remain in the message to the Ho. of Representatives, or not, Mr J. may decide by the fair copy he shall send to ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. For the background to this...
47From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Jefferson, 10 Mar. 1791. In his Summary Journal of Public Letters ( DLC : Jefferson Papers) of 10 Mar. 1791, Jefferson recorded that GW returned Jefferson’s draft instructions to Thomas Barclay regarding his mission to Morocco and Jefferson’s draft letter to the new emperor of Morocco with a covering note, which has not been found.
48From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
On as full a consideration of the last speech made to me by Cornplanter, Half Town, and the Great-tree, Chiefs of the Seneka Nation, as my comprehension of their meaning enables me to give, I am led to the following conclusions, which, if there is any propriety in discussing their request, or yielding the land asked for, I wish you to consider as the basis of the communications to be made to...
49From 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...
50From George Washington to Louis XVI, 2 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter wherein you inform me that you have thought proper to give a new Mission to the Sieur de Moustier, and thereby to put an end to his Functions as Minister plenipotentiary here. His conduct during the Time of his residence in this Country, has been such as to meet my entire approbation and esteem, and it is with great pleasure I render him the Justice of this...