To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 March 1793
From George Washington
Philadelphia 13th. Mar. 1793
Dear Sir
The returned draught of a letter to Mr. Gouvr. Morris accords with my sentiments.—Taking it for granted, that the words “We suppose this will rather overpay the instalments and interest due on the loans of 18. 6 and 10 Millions”—means all that could be demanded by1 the French Government to the close of last year.—This being the idea I have entertained of the payments, and engagements2 to pay.
If it has not been done in a former letter, it would be very3 agreeable to me, that Mr. Morris should be instructed to neglect no favorable opportunity of expressing informally the sentiments and wishes4 of this Country respecting M. de la Fayette.—And I pray you to commit to paper—in answer to the enclosed letter from Madame de la Fayette to me—all the consolation I can with propriety5 give her6 consistent with my public character and the7 National policy;8 circumstanced as things are.—My last, and only9 letter to her is herewith sent, that you may see what has been written heretofore.10 I am—always Yours
Go: Washington
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mch. 1793. Dft (DNA: RG 59, MLR); the most significant emendations are noted below; endorsed by Washington. FC (Lb in same, SDC); wording follows Dft. Recorded in SJPL. Enclosures: (1) TJ to Gouverneur Morris, 12 Mch. 1793. (2) Madame de Lafayette to Washington, Chavaniac, 8 Oct. 1792, asking the United States to send an envoy empowered to make the necessary engagements to liberate her husband from Prussian captivity, so that the reunited family could move to the United States (Trs, in French and English, in DLC: Washington Papers). (3) Washington to Madame de Lafayette, 31 Jan. 1793, expressing concern for Lafayette’s plight, sending her 200 guineas for services he had rendered but “of which I never yet have received the account,” stating that the uncertainty of her situation had delayed his letter, and declaring that he wrote now more in the hope of finding “where you are, than from any knowledge I have obtained of your residence” (, xxxii, 322).
1. In Dft preceding six words interlined in place of what appears to be “what was demanded.”
2. In Dft preceding two words interlined and next two words lacking.
3. Word not in Dft.
4. Preceding two words interlined in Dft.
5. Preceding three words interlined in Dft in place of what appears to be “expect to.”
6. Word interlined. Word not in Dft.
7. In Dft preceding five words interlined in place of “policy.”
8. In Dft Washington first completed the sentence with “under existing circumstances […]” and then altered the passage to read as above.
9. Word not underscored in Dft.
10. Preceding sentence interlined in Dft in place of an estimated four canceled and illegible words.