1To George Washington from John Jay, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
My first Idea was to have made a Sketch of what, in my opinion would be proper on the occasion; but finding in the Progress of it, that my Information relative to the actual State of Affairs was not sufficiently particular, and in several Respects defective, it became necessary to confine myself to general Remarks. How far the fiscal arrangements require amendments or additions, can best be...
2From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
No. 28. Dear Sir, MOUNT VERNON, Septr. 23d. 1791. Your letter of the 18th. with the Gazettes came duly to hand, and I wish you to forward the latter (such as were sent last) by Wednesday’s and Friday’s Post; in which case they will arrive in Alexandria, on Mondays and Fridays when I shall have a messenger at the Post-Office in readiness to receive them. Accompany the papers with occurrencies...
3To George Washington from Thomas Hartley, 24 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I considered myself as highly honoured by your favour of the 25th ult. and have taken all the pains in my power to give you the satisfaction you wish for. Being soon oblidged to leave home for several weeks, I am somewhat pressed in time, but thought proper to write you the result of my Enquiries and Observations at this period, as I am sure you will be ready to make allowance for time and...
4To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that since my last I have received several Letters from Major General St Clair, up to the 29th of the last month. He complains heavily that neither General Butler or the Quarter master had joined him, and seems to be apprehensive that the state of the river would prevent their arrival altogether. Under this impression, he has called upon the County Lieutenants...
5From George Washington to Ternant, 24 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have not delayed a momt since the receipt of your communications of the 22d instant, in dispatching orders to the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish the money, and to the Secretary of War to deliver the arms and ammunition, which you have applied to me for. Sincerely regretting, as I do, the cause which has given rise to this application, I am happy in the opportunity of testifying how...
6To George Washington from Ternant, 24 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
since I had the honor of writing to you on the 22d inst. I have endeavored to obtain all the details I could, respecting the insurrection of hispaniola: but I found that the gentleman who was sent here to obtain assistance, had come away under the first impressions of fear and could not help magnifying every part of his narration—I shall however State the most essential details of his...
7To George Washington from Robert Brent, 25 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
It having been my lott to inherit nothing from the estate of my Ancestors; and finding the perils and uncertainties of the merchantile business, in which I was bred, enough to deter those from its persuit, who possessed ample capitals You will not be surprised at one, who did not possess that necessary advantage, declining its persuit. In order to secure a future independance I have been...
8To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 25 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dandridge’s letter of the 21st gave us the pleasing information of your safe arrival at Mount Vernon on Tuesday last. Mr Page assures me his carriage shall be at George town on the evening of the 17th, or early in the day of the 18th of next month. Mr Fisher called on me on thursday evening, and informed me, that it was determined your rent should be considered as commencing on the first...
9From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your two letters of the 21st instant—one dated in the morning, and the other in the evening of that day. What appeared to you to be the object of the formal enquiries of Mr Powell and the Mayor of the City, in their late interrogatories? Did they mean to convict Mr Gallatine of mis-representation—or me of an improper interference in the building of a House...
10To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 27 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of this day I have been honored with your letter of the 23d instant; and agreeably to the directions therein contained, I shall transmit the papers, and write by every Wednesday’s and friday’s post, as well as monday’s. In my last I mentioned Mr Page’s promise to have his carriage in George Town either on the evening of the 17th, or early in the day of the 18th of October. I have...
11To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday to receive your letter of the 26th instant. It appeared to me that Mr Powel made his late formal enquiries, with a hope to convict Mr Gallitin of fabrication, or at any rate of misreprentation; for the manner in which he put the interrogatories seemed to carry with it the expectation of a very different answer from that which he received. When I assured him that I had...
12To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 30 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Short has delivered to me within these few Days your favor of the twenty eighth of July. I cannot express to you what I felt on reading it. The View which it gives of our prosperity as a Nation swelled my Bosom with Emotions which none can know but those who have experienced them. The wonderful Change which has been effected in our Affairs by the Operation of the general Government has...
13To George Washington from Ségur, 30 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor to bear Arms under the orders of your Excellency, I often formed a wish to become a citizen of that Country where I found so much liberty, wisdom, courage and virtue. Friendship and liberty have united France & America, and a Frenchman may become an American by remaining faithful to the politics and principles of his own Country. The wish which I formed is about to be...
14To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received a Letter from Major General St Clair, dated at Lexington in Kentucky the 4th ultimo. He had repaired to that place in order to meet the County Lieutenants of the district, for the purpose of obtaining such a number of militia as he judged would be necessary to enable the Army to accomplish the objects which had been directed. He agreed with the County Lieutenants, that...
15To George Washington from Alexander Moultrie, 1 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Moultrie, 1 Oct. 1791. GW wrote Moultrie on 7 Nov. , acknowledging “Your letter of the 1st of October.”
16To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 1 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 1 Oct. 1791. On 10 Oct. GW informed Randolph : “I received your communications of the 1st instant.”
17From George Washington to John Dandridge, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th ultimo found me at this place—but not until it had travelled to Philadelphia and back again. As I never entertained a suspicion of your having any intention to impose upon me by a misrepresentation of the assets of your Father’s estate—So you and your good Mother may rest assured that I have no disposition to contribute to her distresses by withdrawing from her the use...
18From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th ulto, (enclosing a letter from Govr St Clair, and sundry papers relating to the subject of the settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes) I have duly received. The Secretary of State, as well as I recollect, has already written to both Govr. St Clair & Judge Symmes on this subject; but whether he has or has not, it can make no material...
19From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nothing at present occurs to me of which I have to inform you, except that since the rect of your letter of the 22d ulto respecting the situation of affairs in the French Island of Hispaniola—your other letter of the 22d & that of the 24th of the same month, one giving an Accot of the Expedition under Gl Wilkinson—the other enclosing a Statemt of the Troops now on our frontiers, having been...
20From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, which I think was written on this day week, I have received your letters of the 25th and 27th Ulto. I am not yet enabled to speak decisively with respect to the Blankets. Many have arrived, but are not yet opened, in Alexandria. Mr Wilson, who has imported of them largely, at from 56/. to 75/. Sterg pr piece of 15 blankets; has offered them to me at 70 prCt but as he...
21To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General of the United States having received from the Attorney of the District of New York, the necessary documents relative to Samuel Dodge’s case, he called upon me yesterday with the draft of a pardon for said Dodge, which I inserted on the paper which you left in my hands for that purpose; and after having the seal of the United States affixed thereto, I delivered the same...
22From George Washington to Ternant, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Sir, Mount Vernon October 2nd 1791. The details with which you have been pleased to favor me (under date of 24th ult.) of the unfortunate insurrection of the negroes in Hispaniola, came duly to hand; and I pray you to accept my best thanks for the trouble you have taken to give them. What the final issue of this affair may be is difficult at this distance, and with the imperfect...
23To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor, on the first instant, to submit to you, the general substance of the late communications from Major General St Clair. I now take the liberty to enclose, the copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, with the copy of a letter to him from Lieut: Colonel Beckwith, and the copy of speeches made by Lord Dorchester, to Brant, and the Western indians. I have the honor to...
24To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Chew having confirmed the character received by you, of Mr Barratt, I have written to Mr Vining requesting him to ascertain whether the appointment will be acceptable to him. Mr Houston of Georgia declines the offer made to him, on the score of want of a familiar acquaintance with figures, and its being inconsistent with the State of his affairs, to translate himself wholly to the seat of...
25To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honored with your letter of the 2nd Instant with its enclosures. In future I shall write only by the post of Wednesday & friday; unless something special should occur in which case I shall request the Post Master at Alexandria to forward it to Mount Vernon. I enclose the two french letters with their translations. Finding that the letter from Mess[r]s Triol Roux & Co. was...
26To George Washington from Charles Pinckney, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you lately on the subject of the unfortunate situation of St Domingo & the application they made to me with my answer, which with the inclosures I hope you have recieved —The object of this Line is merely to introduce to your acquaintance Mr Barnwell one of our newly elected members of the house of Representatives & who I think will do much credit to his appointment —He will deliver...
27To George Washington from Thomas Hartley, 7 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Sunbury, [Pa.,] 7 Oct. 1791. Recommends Maj. John Clark, whose military service you are familiar with, as “certainly a very good accountant” who “would be capable of filling an office where such Abilities were necessary—He has read Law with some Attention but has not been very successful in his Profession. Under present Circumstances any respectable Appointment would be convenient to him and...
28From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 7 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came duly to hand, with the enclosures. I have had Samples of the Alexandria Blankets sent me—the quality of them is not good; inferior to those I had from Watson—& far, very far indeed, inferior to those which I used to import myself. The prices, length & breadth of three kinds, are enclosed. Messrs Sitgreaves, give no length to their Blankets—and if Colo. Biddle...
29To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The French Minister informs me, that he shall set out this day to pay his respects to you at Mount Vernon, where he expects to arrive on the evening of the 14th instant. He further observed, that it was his intention to stay at Mount Vernon ’till the 16th or 17th, when he should accompany you or Mrs Washington to George Town, and after the sale of the lots in the Federal City, he should return...
30From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington. I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my...
31To George Washington from Samuel Henley, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
It is with reluctance that I trespass a moment on that time which is devoted to the most important national concerns, Nor would I now do it were I not urged by the most pressing necessity. This is my only Apology; (& may I not hope that your Excellency will deem it a sufficient one) for renewing my Application for some Appointment under the foederal Government. I am perswaded that the...
32From George Washington to Henry Knox, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st inst: I have duly recd—likewise one of the 4th, covering a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury together with some communications from Lt Colo. Beckwith. I herewith transmit you an Address & Memorial of the Officers, Civil & Military, of the District of Miro, which was sent to me by Govr Blount—I wish you to take the same into your consideration, & make a Report...
33From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 2d & 5th came to my hands on Saturday morning. Yesterday I allotted to acknowledge the rect of them & to write several letters; but company coming in before breakfast, and from thence till dinner, and an early succession again to day—I can do no more than say they came duly to hand, and approve of your getting the Rooms (mentioned in your letter of the 2d) Painted—The...
34From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Madison, 10 Oct. 1791. Sold by Stan V. Henkels, 1892, catalog 694, item 63.
35From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of Friday, I received your communications of the first instant; and from the character of Mr Campbell am glad to hear he is disposed to act as Attorney for the District of Virginia; & that you had forwarded the Commission to him for that purpose. Also, that a pardon had been sent to Saml Dodge as it appears that his errors were unintentional. It is my wish & desire that you would...
36To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 11 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been this day honored with your letter of the 7th instant. Upon examining the blankets in this place again, and comparing them with the prices & descriptions contained in the memorandum & your letter, I am of opinion it would be best to get them here; for the quality of these in this place is said, by several persons whom I have requested to examine them as Judges, to be good for the...
37To George Washington from Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 11 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The favorable attention I have formerly received from your Excellency, induces me to take the liberty of mentioning my present situation. Since the War in which I had the honor of serving under your Excellency, and for the most part under your personal inspection; a variety of misfortunes have reduced me in a strange Country to extreme distress. During this situation I have made repeated...
38To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
War Department [Philadelphia], 13 Oct. 1791. Submits copies of letters received from Arthur St. Clair and Richard Butler, both dated 18 Sept.: “I would not unnecessarily occupy your time at present—but, knowing your anxiety for the success of the operations, as they approach to a crisis, I have conceived it proper for your satisfaction to enclose these letters.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The...
39To George Washington from J. Poncignon, 13 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Nous ne vous repéterons point le recit des malheurs qui affligent cette brillante Portion de L’empire français, nos premiers dépêches vous ont Instruit, mais nous nous voyons a la Veille de ressentir violemment les Suites de cette Castastrophe, lorsque la tranquillité Sera Entiérement rétablie, la nécéssité ou nous sommes, par la Devastation et La Consommation des Vivres, de pourvoir, pour...
40From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791 When I addressed a private letter to you a few days ago I had no more idea that monday the 24th instt was the day appointed for the meetings of Congress, than I had of its being dooms-day until it was mentioned to me in a letter which I have just received from Mr Lear (who was under the like mistake). It had taken such deep root in my mind...
41To George Washington from Samuel Hanson (of Samuel), 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
It is with great reluctance I am induced to trouble you upon a disagreeable subject, which at the same time, I conceive you ought to have been made acquainted with long ago, tho’ I hoped the information would go from some other Quarter. It is the Conduct of Mr Lee, as Collector of this District. I beg leave to premise that, as soon as I had formed the resolution of exhibiting charges agt Mr...
42From George Washington to William Jackson, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
With pleasure I received your letter of the 9th, and am obliged by the communications therein contained. 1 have written regularly to Mr Lear once a week, some times oftener, on business; but can do little more than drop him or you a line by this Post, as the unexpected discovery that the 24th, instead of the 31st instt is the day appointed for the meeting of Congress, obliges me to bestow...
43To George Washington from William Jackson, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Archibald McCall of this city, who is, I believe, employed to procure a house for the british Minister, appointed to the United States, says that Mr Hammond may be expected to arrive here within a fortnight or three weeks. This information may be depended on—it was given privately to a Gentleman of this place, last evening, by Mr McCall himself. The news papers, which go by this post,...
44From George Washington to Henry Knox, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 14th 1791. I have been under a strange mistake with respect to the time appointed for the meeting of Congress, and a distressing one; inasmuch as I shall have but little time after my arrival in Philadelphia to receive, & digest the thoughts which may have occurred to the heads of Departments, with those of my own, into proper form for communication, or...
45From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th was forwarded to me yesterday morning by the Post-Master in Alexandria (having sent no person to that place the evening before). I am glad of the intimation given of the intentions of the Minister of France; and pleased, tho’ distressed at the same time, at the information that, the 24th instt is the day fixed on for the meeting of Congress. I had no more idea of this...
46To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of yesterday I had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th instant, in which was enclosed a letter for Major Jackson, to whom I delivered it. The enclosed papers will give the accounts which have been received by the late arrivals from Europe. Peace seems to be the predominant feature in these accts. And there do not appear any strong marks of a disposition to invade France,...
47From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 15 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a letter for Mr Muse, requesting him to put my papers into your hands, and to give you such information with respect to the business, as is necessary to bring you acquainted with the present state of it—After you have read the letter, and noticed the contents, seal and deliver it to him. Receive from Mr Muse all the blank leases with which I have furnished him, as well as those...
48To George Washington from James Vaughan, 15 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Distressing Circumstances of my Presant Situation, Induce me to take the Liberty of troubling your Excellency with this Address, and I am persuaded that your Generous mind will incline you to Look With a favourable Eye on the Petition of an Old man who has suffered Considerable Losses during the Late War and whose Activity in the Cause of his Country Was well known to many of the...
49To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 16 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 10th instant. Mine to you of the 6th, which was sent by duplicates, will have informed you of the then state of the business of the Supervisorship of the District of Delaware. I have, within two days, received a letter from Mr Vining stating that an absence from home had delayed the receipt of my letter, & the ascertaining of Mr Barratt’s inclination in...
50To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 16 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Considering the little time you would have after your arrival in this place before the meeting of Congress, I thought it could not be amiss to prepare this letter to meet you at Baltimore, enclosing the information which you directed me to obtain upon the points recommended in yours Speeches at the opening of the three last Sessions of Congress. I went carefully through the three speeches, and...