1From 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...
2From 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...
3From 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 ).
4From 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.”
5From 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...
6From 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...
7From 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....
8From 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...
9From 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13From 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...
14From 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,...
15From 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,...
16From 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)...
17From 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...
18From 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.”
19From 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...
20From 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...
21From 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.”
22From 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...
23From 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...
24From 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...
25From 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,...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From George Washington to the Seneca Chiefs, 29 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I, the President of the United States, by my own mouth, and by a written speech signed with my own hand, and sealed with the seal of the United States, speak to the Seneka Nation, and desire their Attention, and that they would keep this speech in remembrance of the friendship of the United States. I have received your Speech with satisfaction, as a proof of your confidence in the justice of...
30From 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...
31From George Washington to United States Senate and House of Representatives, 30 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a Report of the Secretary of State on the subject of the Citizens of the United States in captivity at Algiers, that you may provide on their behalf what to you shall seem most expedient. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Foreign Relations; copy, DNA : RG 233, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Legislative...
32From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 31 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose for you the Report of the Secretary at War upon the papers which were referred to him, relative your transactions with the Seneka Indians in November last. To this satisfactory Report I am happy to add my entire Approbation of your conduct in this business—and am, With very great esteem & regard, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt LS , MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers;...
33List of Persons, 1790 (Washington Papers)
A List of persons who have applied for diplomatic appointments—or who appear to be qualified for them. New York { Robt R. Livingston Esqr. Colo. William Smith ap. Paul R. Randall Esqr. ap. Colo. Jo. Franks ap. Pennsya { William Barton Esqr. ap. Wm Temple Franklin Esqr. ap. Tench Coxe Esqr. Solomon Bush Esqr. ap. Virga { Cyrus Griffin Esqr. ap. Arthur Lee Esqr. So. Carolina { Govr Pinckney ap.
34From 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...
35From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 2 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Jany 2d 1791. In the Journals of the Proceedings of the Executive in the North Western Territory, there appears to be certain regulations made by the Executive under the Articles of the 25th of April—6th 28th & 29th of June last, which can, with propriety, only be established by Laws. In noticing these, my mind naturally recurred to your letter to me dated at...
36From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Abraham Ogden to be Attorney for the United States in the District of New Jersey, in place of Richard Stockton who has resigned. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB , DLC:GW . Abraham Ogden (1743–1798), an attorney, served as an officer in the New Jersey militia from 1776 to 1779 and as a...
37From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a copy of an exemplified Copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, for vesting in the United States of America the jurisdiction of a Lot of Land at Sandy Hook in the County of Monmouth; and a Copy of the letter which accompanied said Act, from the Governor of the State of New Jersey to the President of the United States. LB , DLC:GW . The beacon on...
38From 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...
39From George Washington to William Washington, 8 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 7th of November, and I beg you will be assured that I have a proper sense of your polite invitation to reside with you while in Charleston, if I should pay a visit to the southern States in the ensuing year. It is my intention to visit the southern States next spring; provided the new Congress should not meet immediately on the rising of...
40From George Washington to Beverley Randolph, 13 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The various and important business which required my particular attention in the beginning of the present session of Congress will, I presume, sufficiently apologize to your Excellency for this late acknowledgment of your letter of November last. I have attentively considered the request which your Excellency has made, by desire of the Legislature, that I would again open the business of...
41From 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...
42From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 16 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I can but love & thank you, and I do it sincerely, for your polite & friendly letter of the 11th of November, which came to my hands only the day before yesterday. The sentiments contained in it are such as have uniformly flowed from your pen and are not more pleasing than they are flattering to me. The present Congress can sit no longer than the 3d of March; and should it not be found...
43From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 17 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you an official statement of the appropriation of ten thousand dollars, granted to defray the contingent expences of government by an act of the 26th of March 1790. a copy of two resolutions of the Legislature of Virginia, and of a petition of sundry Officers and assignees of Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia line on continental establishment, on the subject of bounty-lands...
44From George Washington to the United States Senate, 17 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a letter from His most Christian Majesty, addressed to the President and Members of Congress of the United States of America. LS , DNA : RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Foreign Relations; LB , DLC:GW . For the enclosure, see Louis XVI to GW, 11 Sept. 1790 . This letter praised Jefferson’s service in France. It was...
45From George Washington to the Seneca Chiefs, 19 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have maturely considered your second written speech. You say your nation complain that at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, you were compelled to give up too much of your lands. That you confess your nation is bound by what was there done, and acknowledging the power of the United States, that you have now appealed to ourselves against that treaty, as made while we were angry against you, and that...
46From George Washington to the United States Senate, 19 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I lay before you a representation of the Chargé des Affaires of France, made by order of his Court, on the Acts of Congress of the 20th of July 1789, and 1790 imposing an extra tonnage on foreign Vessels, not excepting those of that Country; together with the Report of the Secretary of State thereon: and I recommend the same to your consideration, that I may be enabled to give to it such...
47From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letters of the 8th and 15th of this month. I feel myself much obliged by the trouble you have taken, in the former, to detail your ideas with respect to introducing the art of husbandary and civilization among the Indians. I confess, that your plan, or something like it, strikes me as the most probable means of effecting this desirable end, and I am...
48Commission, 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...
49From 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...
50From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
In execution of the powers with which Congress were pleased to invest me by their Act intitled “An Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States” and on mature consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the several positions, within the limits prescribed by the said Act, I have, by Proclamation, bearing date this day, a copy of which is...