Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 8 January 1792 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Letter not found: to Anthony Whitting, 8 Jan. 1792. GW wrote Bushrod Washington on 8 Jan. 1792: “Mr Whiting . . . is directed in a letter of this date, to wait upon Colo. Little.” Whitting himself alluded to the missing letter in his letters to GW of 15 and 22 January.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 January 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Philadelphia] 9th January 179[2]

I submit to your consideration, instructions for Capt. Pond. A suitable character by the name of Steedman, presenting I submit the propriety of his joining Pond. I will wait upon you this evening to explain the idea further. I have the honor with perfect respect to be sir Your obedient Servant

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 January 1792
From: Commissioners for the District of Columbia
To: Washington, George

Sir
George-Town [Md.] January 10th 1792

Several Incidents have occurred since Yesterday Evening—We had a conversation with Mr Roberdeau, which at first ⟨intimated⟩ no disposition to accomodate but afterwards on being renewed opened a prospect of our being able to retain him consistant with our own Views—This morning received a Letter from him and had another Conversation with him, which induced us to point out by Letter to him certain Objects to which we desired his Attention, But this Afternoon he wrote us again cutting off all further Connection with him—We have placed the little we can, order in other hands—Mr Johnson will be in Philadelphia early next Month, and if from Facts being observed, it should be necessary, any will be able to correct any mistake of them—We are &c.

Thos Johnson
Dd Stuart
Danl Carroll


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Jan. 10. 1792.

The Secretary of State having received information that the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States are subject in Copenhagen and other ports of Denmark to considerable extra duties, from which they might probably be relieved by the presence of a Consul there, Reports to the President of the United States: That it would be expedient to name a Consul, to be resident in the port of Copenhagen: That he has not been able to find that there is any citizen of the United States residing there: That there is a certain Hans Rodolph Saabye, a Danish subject and merchant of that place of good character, of wealth and distinction, and well qualified and disposed to act there for the United States, who would probably accept of the commission of Consul, but that that of Vice-Consul, hitherto given by the President to foreigners in ports where there was no proper American citizen, would probably not be accepted, because in this as in some other parts of Europe, usage has established it as a subordinate grade.
And that he is therefore of opinion, that the said Hans Rodolph Saabye should be nominated Consul of the United States of America for the port of Copenhagen, and such other places within the allegiance of his Danish Majesty as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United States within the same allegiance.

Th: Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from Galbreath Patterson, 10 January 1792
From: Patterson, Galbreath
To: Washington, George

Sir
Harrisburgh [Pa.] Jany 10th 1792.

In the Papers of my Father Wm Patterson I find Instructions signed by your Excellency March 1779 relative to Indian affairs under which he acted—I also find an account rendered of what monies came into his Hands for the prosecution your Order but presume be never received any compensation for his Services—The result of his enquiries or whether the Public was served is a matter I know nothing of, being too young at that time to have a knowledge of the transactions.
What they were or whether we are entitled to any thing is a matter known only to your Excellency which has given rise to my address at this time & which has hitherto prevented my Application to Government.
I know my Father was a disappointed Man and lost the Oppertunity of raising his Family in the late Revolution which I am sorry for and which had made me remiss in this Business more particularly as I had not so good an Oppertunity of Addressing yourself untill you came to Philadelphia—Am married to a Daughter of General Thompson & settled at Harrisburgh in the practice of Law if you woud deign to write me an Answer or give it verbally to my Friend Mr Gregg it will be conclusive with me. I am with great respect Your Excellencys Obt Servt

Galbreath Patterson


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 11 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States, January the 11th 1792.

I lay before you the following Report which has been made to me by the Secretary of State.

“The Secretary of State Reports to the President of the United States, that one of the Commissioners of Spain, in the name of both, has lately communicated to him verbally, by order of his Court, that his Catholic Majesty, apprized of our solicitude to have some arrangements made respecting our free navigation of the River Missisippi, and the use of a port thereon, is ready to enter into treaty thereon at Madrid.
The Secretary of State is of opinion that this overture should be attended to without delay, and that the proposal of treating at Madrid, tho’ not what might have been desired, should yet be accepted; and a commission plenipotentiary made out for the purpose.
That Mr Carmichael, the present Chargé des affaires of the United States at Madrid, from the local acquaintance which he must have acquired with persons and circumstances, would be an useful and proper member of the commission: but that it would be useful also to join with him some person more particularly acquainted with the circumstances of the navigation to be treated of.
That the fund appropriated by the Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations, will insufficiently furnish the ordinary and regular demands on it, and is consequently inadequate to the mission of an additional Commissioner express from hence.
That therefore it will be adviseable on this account, as well as for the sake of dispatch, to constitute some one of the Ministers of the United

States in Europe, jointly with Mr Carmichael, Commissioners plenipotentiary for the special purpose of negotiating and concluding, with any person or persons duly authorized by his Catholic Majesty, a convention or treaty for the free navigation of the River Missisippi by the citizens of the United States, under such accommodations with respect to a port and other circumstances, as may render the said navigation practicable, useful, and free from dispute; saving to the President and Senate their respective rights as to the ratification of the same; and that the said negotiation be at Madrid or such other place in Spain as shall be desired by his Catholic Majesty.

Th: Jefferson
Decr 22d 1791.”

Gentlemen of the Senate,

In consequence of the communication from the Court of Spain, as stated in the preceding report, I nominate William Carmichael present Chargé des Affairs of the United States at Madrid, and William Short present Chargé des Affaires of the United States at Paris, to be Commissioners Plenipotentiary for negotiating and concluding with any person or persons who shall be duly authorized by his Catholic Majesty a convention or treaty concerning the navigation of the River Missisippi by the Citizens of the United States; saving to the President and Senate their respective rights as to the ratification of the same.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 11 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

United States, [Philadelphia] January the 11th 1792.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.

I lay before you, in confidence, two Reports made to me by the Secretary for the department of War, relatively to the present state of affairs on the western frontiers of the United States.
In these Reports the causes of the present war with the Indians; the measures taken by the Executive to terminate it amicably; and the military preparations for the late Campaign are stated and explained; and also a plan suggested of such further measures on the occasion as appear just and expedient.
I am pursuaded, Gentlemen, that you will take this important subject into your immediate & serious consideration, and that the result of your deliberations will be the adoption of such wise and efficient measures as will reflect honor on our national Councils, and promote the welfare of our Country.

Go: Washington


Title: John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 13 January 1792
From: Stagg, John Jr.
To: Lear, Tobias

  Philadelphia, 13 Jan. 1792. As directed by the secretary of war transmits the enclosed letter, dated 31 Dec. 1791, of Lieutenant Jeffers, commanding officer at Fort Franklin, for submission to the president.


Title: To George Washington from Pierre-Charles Georgest, 14 January 1792
From: Georgest, Pierre-Charles
To: Washington, George

General,
Ango[u]lême, Department de La Charente [France]the 14th Jany 1792.

Not being willing to act against my Country—in the impossibility of rende[r]ing my services exactly under a new administration, which is yet far from having the Knowledge necessary to guard it from committing errors prejudicial to public affairs—and finally, foreseeing the misfortunes without number, which are on the point of afflicting this Kingdom, to which the nature

of my services cannot be made useful under these sad circumstances, I took the resolution of writing to M. de la fayette about the 20th of August last year, to beg him to give me a letter of recommendation for your Excellency, my General; I had not the honor of being Known to him; but that he might labour under no mistake, and to make known to him who it was that sollicited his good offices with the Liberator of America, I addressed to him only two authentic certificates which had been given to me by men of the first rank in the sciences, and who are my principals. I received news from him on the 6th of this month with a letter addressed to Your Excellency. All my wishes at this moment are accomplished, and I am now only at my departure; however, before I embark it seems to me proper that I should have the honor of communicating to you some observations.
Since November 1767 I have been in the Corps of Engineers of Bridges & Roads: I received different prizes at our school during the time of my education, I learned to draw correctly plans—charts & Architecture civil & military.
From the 1st of Jany 1777 being nominated to the place of Engineer in ordinary, I have been successively employed in the mountanious & level country and particularly in the Ports, such as Cherbourg & Havre de Grace. In works relative to Roads, Causeys & moles, and in works about the sea, I have made efforts to distinguish myself; I have had the good fortune to succeed, as I have ostensible proofs of the satisfaction which was expressed at my services. In the Interval of my occupations, I have composed & addressed many memorials upon different objects of public utility to several learned societies, even to that at Boston, by the hands of Capt. Lee. Some of these memorials have met with success, at Lyons, at Flessingue in Zeeland & at Rochelle, and have brought me, besides a medal of Gold of 300 livres, the honor of being admitted into the two first of these societies.
Such is the man for whom M. de la fayette has had the goodness to interest himself, and who himself presumes to address Genl Washington. Why should he not presume!—the Fabius, the Legislator of America cannot have any other wish than the happiness of his fellow men; I have, therefore, full & entire confidence in my proceedings, and altho 42 years of age I beleive I could yet consecrate 19 or 20 years of my life to the service of a free State, where peace, order, justice and humanity have such respectable establishments.

I foresee it will be easy for me to carry with me some experienced, able and well instructed men both in topography and the construction of all those things relative to my profession, as well as agriculture and commerce.
I foresee also that many pesants, young, robust, orderly and well versed in cultivation, would follow me. From this would result an expense which I could not support alone without sacrificing my small fortune, which consists at this time of about 12,000 livres.
I therefore pray you, my General, to be so good as to let me Know if there would be a possibility of my obtaining an indemnity proportionate to the expense of transportation, or if this transportation could be made at the expence of the United States—on another point. Altho furnished with a port folio precious for its printed ⟨&⟩ manuscript memorials—altho furnished with a reasonable quantity of books on Physics, mathematicks, architecture and hydraulics, yet I am desireous of procuring such others as may be necessary for me in any new service that I may be employed.
I am desireous also of carrying over with me many trees, shrubs & Vines of an excellent quality, & all Kinds of choice grains; A particular instruction to me therefore on this head would be very useful; I dare not ask it of you, my general, the important and numerous occupations which employ your time, will not permit you to grant me this favor; But it will be possible for you to direct some one to give me this information.
Always active in my corps, and in expectation of being nominated Engineer in Chief with an allowance of 4000ll, according to the decrees, I should perhaps be blamed to expatriate myself without having a certainty of being employed in a manner more advantageous, and which would conveniently assure me not only my own subsistance & that of my family consisting of one woman of 31 years of age and a child of 7, but likewise that of those men who might chuse to associate themselves with my fortune. As for myself similar considerations are not necessary to draw me—I alone, the bearer of a letter from M. de la fayette, destined for you, General, (and which I will only risque with my self) certain of my zeal and desire of being useful, and furnished with numerous & authentic certificates attesting my conduct & my services, I have reason to beleive that you will not refuse me your protection. But the men who abandon their homes merely upon my

assurance to provide for their wants, will be in continual inquietude until they see my promises realized. It is therefore for them more particularly that I venture to solicit protection & assistance—These are not decaying men, or improper for the purpose; they are good & brave citizens, directed by motives no less strong than mine, and who fear shortly being forced to imbrace their hands in the blood of their compatriots: For such is this day the state of affairs in France, General, that before two months pass they will determine to massacre brothers who differ in opinion & with whom they have lived in terms of intimacy. We are not disposed to participate in such atrocious deeds.
I will here finish the observations already too long, and for which I pray your indulgence, the distance between us & the difficulty of a nearer correspondence has appeared to me to make them necessary. I beleive them sufficient to determine your Excellency to give me an answer addressed as below. Whatever it may be, General, altho it even deprives me of a satisfaction so precious, I shall be no less penetrated to the end of my life, with respect & admiration of your virtues.

Pierre Charles Georgest—Engineer of Bridges & Roads, at the House of M. Rivaud, Merchant, opposite the Chateau Angoulême

P.S. This letter will be addressed by Duplicate to your Excellency; In the other will be found the original of the letter which M. de la fayette has had the goodness to write, and of which I subjoin a Copy.
M. De Rochambeau who had the honor to serve with you, and defend the cause of liberty in America, has just been named Marshal of France, & likewise General Luckner. I thought, my general, it would give you pleasure to hear this news. M. de lafayette commands one of the three armies of about 60,000 men each, destined for the defence of the frontiers, which the emigrants, having at their head the two brothers of our King, are upon the point of attacking. The Empress of Russia—the King of Sweden—the King of Spain and the Germanic confederation are at this moment our common Enemies.


Title: To George Washington from George Skene Keith, 14 January 1792
From: Keith, George Skene
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Keith-hall by Aberdeen Jany 14th 1792

I take the Liberty of writing your Excellency, which I hope you will excuse, and of sending you a few Copies of a Pamphlet on Weights, Measures and Coins of which I beg your acceptance.
I write to you as a man of Mind, not as a man of Rank. But I should not have troubled you with this Letter, if the Treatise which accompanies it were not the work of much labour, and considered as the best which has hitherto been published on the subject.
In June 1790 I addressed a Copy of the first of the Tracts to Dr [Charles] Nisbet of Carlisle College, to be forwarded to your Excellency. And about five months ago a Copy of the Treatise when printed was sent to London to be forwarded to the President of the United States. But as the conveyance between Britain and America is very irregular, I have given you the trouble of this Letter, which comes by a channel in which I can depend. And as I propose nothing by this correspondence but to be useful to America I hope to be forgiven for addressing you at this time.
If my uncle, John Barclay Rector of St Lukes Parish, Maryland, (who was honoured with your Friendship or at least in early life indebted to your patronage) had lived a few years longer than he did, I should have seen in Major Washington at Mount Vernon that strength and vigour of mind which despises pomp

and is independent of rank or power, and which would have marked your character as a private Gentleman, though your Destiny had never called you forth to be the Deliverer of America. The Death of my relative, who made me a very generous offer to go out to Maryland, prevented me from leaving Britain, and determind me to enter into the Church of Scotland, where I have a very tolerable Benefice—As I originally intended to spend my Life in America, I have always been interested in the fate of that Country—And during the late war with Britain, I was one of the few Scotch Clergymen, who did not pray for the Destruction of the American Rebels, as they were too commonly termed—Now that American Liberty is secured, & that your Excellency as President of the United States has called their attention to the subject of the inclosed papers, I wish to give you what aid I can on a matter of great importance, whether it be received in a commercial, a philosophical, or a political light.
As Mr Jefferson had lately published a plan for Equalization of Weights & Measures, And as the National Assembly of France has proposed two different devices on this subject, I found it necessary to add a few pages in Writing—the last three of which I request your Excellency will peruse with attention—The first part of it is most proper for your Secretary Mr Jefferson—to whom in June last I sent a Copy of the pamphlet via London—along with that addressed to your Excellency—and one to Dr Nisbet, Principal of Carlisle College—to Mr Joseph Haskins Merchant in Easton, Eastern shore Maryland—and to Mr James Kemp a native of my parish, whom I found a young man of real genius, and got him taken from keeping cattle to be fitted for his present office—our Rector of Great Choptank Parish near Cambridge, Maryland.
As your Excellency’s politeness is equal to the manliness of your character, I beg you will have the goodness to cause Copies be sent to them, if what I sent formerly has not reached you.
If any Gentleman wishes to correspond with me on this subject, my address is the Revd G. S. K. of Keith-hall by Aberdeen N.B. I have the honor to be with the greatest Regard Sir Your most obedt huble Servant

Geo: Skene Keith

P.S. As I can only get Room (from the friend who forwards this) for 8 Copies, You need only forward—that is cause one of your

secretaries forward, one Copy to Mr Haskins who is married to my Cousin Miss Barclay—I beg your Excellencys pardon for this Liberty. But I cannot get them conveyed by a sure channel—I shall send to your Order in London 100 Copies to be given to the members of your Legislature, if you think them worth the Carri⟨age⟩ to America—I send a letter to Mrs Barclay which ⟨mutilated⟩y will cause be forwarded with Mr Haskins Cop⟨y⟩.

G.S.K.


Title: Tobias Lear to Joseph Williams, 14 January 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Williams, Joseph

Sir,
Philada Jany 14th 1792.

I take the earliest opportunity, after receiving your letter of the 11th instant, to inform you of the President’s sentiments on the subject of it.
I think I mentioned to you when I had the pleasure of seeing you in this place, that the President had, when on his tour to the southward, been prevailed upon by the strong sollicitations of Colonel Washington and several other Gentlemen of South Carolina, to promise that he would let his Spanish Jack be carried to that State for a time, if they should think proper to send for him. When I mentioned your application for one of the Jacks, the President informed me, that Colo. Washington had sent for the Spanish Jack, and that he was now on his way to South-Carolina. and added, that as one of the Jacks was already gone, he cou’d not by any means think of parting with the

Knight of Malta for a season, as his dependance for Mules must now be placed on him; and that, as the young Jack had never yet been tried, it would be out of the question to rely upon him for the Services which might be expected—I therefore did not incline to let either of them go from Mount-Vernon, at least not for the ensuing season. The President more over observed, that he had no inclination to part with either of his Jacks, unless a very considerable price should be offered: conceiving that the benefits which might result from them to the Country at large could be diffused, without his dispossessing himself of their property.
Had it been convenient for the President to have let you had one of his Jacks, he would only have done it for a stipulated sum for the season, to be paid in cash, as that would have been more agreeable to him (and perhaps equally as well for you) than to have received a certain proportion of what he might bring in. I am Sir, with great regard, your most obedt Servant,

Tobias Lear.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia] Sunday Morng [15 January 1792]

The enclosed came to my hands yesterday afternoon. The documents respecting the dispute between Majr L’Enfant an Dan. Carroll of D. have been sent for the Attorney Genl to form his opinion upon the case. The whole are sent for Mr J.s perusal previous to the conversation he proposed to have with Majr L’E. The President has not read the Papers—nor is he in any hurry to do it.


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 15 January 1792 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

 Letter not found: to Anthony Whitting, 15 Jan. 1792. In a letter to Whitting of 16 Jan. 1792 GW referred to “My letter, of yesterdays date.”


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 15–16 January 1792
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Honrd Sir
Mount Vernon [and Alexandria, Va.] Jany 15th [–16] 1792

In a Letter wrote on Friday last I informed your Excellency of the Loss of your letter by Dogue run Will. I sent him to Town on friday with a Letter to a friend of mine begging he would Give every assistance in his power in endeavoring to find it which he I believe did but without Success—Not knowing its Contents I can make no reply. However there are a few things I Could wish to Mention in order to Get your information. The first is respecting a fence around the ferry new Barn. no directions have ever yet been Given me but it will not look finishd untill a post & rail fence is put around it likewise a Stack & Straw yard should be made with a Good post & rail fence and as we are now hauling rails for the Lane fence it will be proper to know in what form or Manner you Sir will Chuse it Laid of. Whether the Lane will Go any farther than the begining of the Barn Yard or will be Continued into N. 3 Ferry field Where the Brick yard was—The Size of the Yard will likewise be proper to be pointed out as well as its form. There Should be I think two Good Corn Houses built near the Barn the floor being a Good place to Get out Corn with expedition.
I have Grubbd the Visto through to the White Gate Only yet forty feet wide as there is now a better Oppertunity of Staking it properly. I Could wish if You Sir have no Objection to plant Ever Greens & some Other trees in a Line with the Outsides that is at fifty feet each side from the Centre as at present the trees are so thin no regular line will be seen, from this appearance now to be seen it will look very well when 100 feet wide, and I think will be improved by trees planted as above. A farther improvement might be made by continuing the Visto as far as a prospect can be Obtaind. that may be to the extremity of the hill leading to Muddy hole Branch any farther attempt I believe would be fruitless this however would be then better seen if the fall there should be so Great as not to admit of the tops of the trees being seen it might bring to View some of the Grounds over by Pools,

if not there might be a Large Clump of Ever Greens planted on each side and Something like an Obelisk fixd in the Centre where it terminates. this I have seen done when no farther prospect could be Obtaind and it has lookd very well[.] A few trees planted in the Lane leading to the ferry Barn in a line with each Fence would I think have a very Good appearance. We have been Getting Ice since Thursday but the Snow in places is very deep and it has been Very Cold we Got but little till yesterday⟨.⟩ Many of the Carts have been employd hauling wood. Shall fill the house as soon as possible it being a fine Oppertunity but the Carts will again be hauling wood to Morrow Morning which will hinder some time—This is a severe Spell of Weather but there being plenty of Snow on the Ground will I hope keep the Wheat from injury—I am Surprizd at not hearing from Major Washington since he left Mount Vernon as he promisd to write me as soon as he Got to Coln. Bassets I hope he is not sick or any thing happend that has prevented him. I am Honrd Sir Your Obdt Servt

A. Whitting
Alexandria January 16/ 1792

I have just found the Letter Will dropt in the snow it was pickd up by a Negro boy & Carried to the post Office where I have just now receivd it. I have seen Mr Bushrod Washington who informd me your request in seeing Coln. Little before I had your Excellency Letter, he farther informed me Coln. Little was in Town at Wards Tavern I have been there and find he is Gone to Dr Browns Funeral shall endeavor to see him before he leaves Town & Get fuller information respecting the Trespass on your Excellencys Lands. The Spring Mules have been some time on the Wheat N. 2 Ferry & last week had a Shelter Made the six Mules you desired to be Got up was so done before Major Washington Left Mount Vernon. I advised the taking of the Mule from River Plantn & that from Dogue run which was done & the best Other four which could be pickt out. they are all halter broke & well taken Care off But the finest mules will be the present Spring Mules these if taken Care of will do Credit to the Jacks as well as the proprieter I should think they will be as large at 2 years Old as these we have now up are at 3 years—The Overseers have all been Charged by me to Count there stock of all sorts every week but such is there Stupidity that I Cannot Confide in there

Counting them which is the reason of the late reports being somewhat Confusd my time has been very much taken up with the Sick people in preparing medi⟨c⟩ine & attending them I have applyd to Dr Craik & he has been down & I have frequently his directions we have several now very sick Beck at ferry I think will not recover Isaacs two Girls Mima & Ally are both very poorly & young Boatswain is very sick Some of the Others Sall at Dogue run Betty Davis[,] Delia at frenchs Charlotte Caroline &c. are now better.

A.W.


Title: To George Washington from Ernst Frederick Gayer, 16 January 1792
From: Gayer, Ernst Frederick
To: Washington, George

Philadelphia January 16th 1792.

The Memorial of Ernst Frederick Gayer Most respectfully sheweth That the Subscriber was born in Germany at Stuttgard, the Capital of the Dukedom of Wirtemberg and educated in the University of the same Place under the Direction of Mr Rappolt (Librarian and Professor of Natural Philosophy thereof) at the Expence of His Serene Highness Charles Eugen Duke of Wirtemberg Stuttgard his then Sovereign and great Patron; At the same Place he learned afterwards the Art of making and constructing all Kinds of Geometrical, Optical, Philosophical and Astronomical Instruments, under the Direction of a Mr Tiedeman Mathematical and Optical Instrument-Maker of the said Place, who was generally allowed to be one of the first Masters of that Art in all Europe.
His Desire to perfect himself in his Business and to enlarge the Knowledge he had acquired at the University and during his Apprenticeship, brought him to the Resolution to travel for that Purpose into foreign Parts; his first Excursion was into different Parts of Germany, where he looked for Work and found it, but never so as to satisfy that Wish for improvement, which induced him first thereto. In order therefore, to raise himself to the highest Perfection in his Art, which the Talents, Nature had granted him, would permit; and that, in case Fortune should lead him back to his native Country, and he should see his great Patron the Duke of Wirtenberg again, he might be able to show, that the Favor and Expence bestowed on him, had not been thrown away; he resolved to visit England.
In Consequence of this Resolution he left Germany and passing

thro’ Holland, he got acquainted by Accident at Rotterdam with a Member of the Philosophical Society at that Place (a great Friend and Patron of Arts and Sciences) this Gentleman honor’d him with a particular Regard, so as to shew him at last his Cabinet of Curiosities and mathematical Instruments; amongst the Rest he produced a curious one and complicated in its kind, and desired him to explain the principles thereof without opening it, which he did (he saw an Engraving of the same Instrument since at Dr Franklin’s in a Book entitled Philosophical Recreations) and after several other Trials he proposed to him to go to America, and offered him at the same time a Recommendation to that truly great Man Doctor Benjamin Franklin, then President of the State of Pennsylvania, and supported this ⟨pro⟩posal with so many reasons, that the Subscriber dropped his Design to go to England; and encouraged, by the Recommendation to Dr Franklin that famous Patron of Science and urged on by a Desire to render himself useful to the World as well as to himself, he resolved to embark for america by the first Opportunity; which he did and arrived in Philadelphia in the Month of October 1787—On his Arrival he sent his Recommendation on shore to its Direction; the two Grandsons of Doctr Franklin Mr B. F. Bache and Mr W. T. Franklin repaired on Board and desired to see him: These informed him, that there was then but very little Prospect of doing any Thing in his Line of Business, but proposed to him, to learn under the Direction of their Grandfather and Mr B. F. Bache the Art of Making and constructing, Puncheon⟨s⟩, Matrices and Moulds and other Tools for the Purpose of founding Types, which Proposal he accepted and engaged with Mr B. F. Bache for t⟨hat⟩ Purpose—In this Art he perfected himself to such a Degree, that Mr B. F. Bache as well as other Gentlemen proposed to him, some time after to erect a Type-foundary and to take him into Partnership (as it requires a very large Stock to carry on that Business to any Degree of Perfection, and takes at least 15 Years to complete the different Tools and Instruments, requisite thereto) but the Terms offered unto him were in every instance such, that he could not accept of them: His own Inclination drawing him besides back to the Art he had at first learned, and there being already several Type-foundaries in America, he concluded, that he might be more useful to the public as well as to himself in the first Branch, than in the latter, and therefore tried several Ways to set himself

up in that Line. But the frequent Disappointments in this as well as in the beforementioned Business had almost disheartened him, so as to induce him to return to his own Country, where at least he would be always able to procure a competent living; if it had not been, that the Idea of that glorious Liberty in civil as well as in religious Matters, whereof Your Excellency hath been and is the great Support, and the Prospect of Success in his Line of Business, if he only could make a Beginning, had made such an Impression on his Mind, that he would look on it as his greatest Happiness, if he could settle here for ever, and properly become a Citizen of the United States. But he is unable to do this in his present Circumstances, as he hath nothing else in the World, but what he earned here in America, consisting chiefly in Clothing and a few Tools and the Name of being a good Workman, and therefore cannot purchase the Tools, that are requisite to make good Work. In order therefore to get to be known to those Men of Genius and Talents; who are the most likely to encourage the Arts, he applied to the ⟨Honor⟩able Frederick A. Muhlenberg Esquire, who promised to recommend him to several Gentlemen in high public Offices, as well as to private Gentlemen, and through whose means he actually got Access to the Honorable Thomas Jefferson and Tench Cox Esquires, to whom he produced Specimens of his Workmanship, as likewise to David Rittenhouse Esquire; these Gentlemen seemed highly pleased therewith and promised to recommend him wherever Occasion served; and Mr Jefferson even bespoke some Work in order to give him some Encouragement. There are likewise some other Gentlemen, who wish to have some Mathematical Instruments made; but, for Want of the necessary means to purchase the requisite Tools and Materials, he cannot even supply these Gentlemen to his Wishes. He is a Foreigner and it is well known, how difficult it is for such to get any Advances, particularly when they are single; which is the Case with the Subscriber, who never in his present Situation durst venture to offer his hand to a reputable Person, but who if only somewhat encouraged, would wish to tie himself to America by this tender Tie for ever.
Under these Circumstances the Subscriber ventures to appear before Your Excellency, as the great Protector of the Arts of Peace, humbly hoping, that You perhaps will be pleased to add to Your great and good Actions yet this, to assist a young Artist whom kind Nature seems to have endowed with some Talent⟨s⟩

so as to enable him to begin Business for himself, and to employ those Talents, for the Benefit of the Public as well as his own. The Glow of Gratitude for his great Benefactor would then only cease with his Breath, and all the Application of his Abilities would center in the Endeavour to shew the World, that your Beneficence had not been bestowed on an Object unworthy thereof. Your Excellency’s Devoted humble Servant

Ernst Frederick Gayer


Title: To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 16 January 1792
From: Hazen, Moses
To: Washington, George

January 16. 1792

To His Excellency the President, the Honorable the Senate, and the Honorable the House of Representatives, Composing the Legislature of the United States of America.
The Memorial of Moses Hazen Esqr., late Brigadier General in the Army of the United States, most Respectfully Sheweth—That your Memorialist did himself the Honour to direct Memorials to the Legislature of America; the former was dated on the

25 October 1791 which Appears to have been read in the House on the 14th November following, and by them Ordered to lay on the table. The latter dated on the 15th December which has not yet been heard of.
Your Memorialist humbly prays that the prayer of his Memorials may be complied with and your Memorialist as in duty bound shall ever pray.

Moses Hazen


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 16 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir
[Philadelphia] Monday Evening [16 January 1792]

Colo. Hamilton came so late that I could only broach the subject to him—He will breakfast with me at 8 Oclock—at which time If you can make it convenient I should be glad of your company—after which we will talk the matter over fully. Yrs

G.W.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Pinckney, 16 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Pinckney, Thomas

(Private)
Dear Sir,Philadelphia Jany 16th 1792
I do myself the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th of November, and to express the satisfaction which I feel in finding you are disposed to go abroad in the public character which was suggested to you.
The Secretary of State will give you the official information of your appointment to the Court of London; and I am pleased that the public service will allow you such time as may be necessary for you to make arrangements for your passage in a pleasant & safe season of the year.
To a sincere desire that your exertions for the public good may be crowned with the fullest success, permit me to add my best wishes for the welfare & happiness of yourself & family, and to assure that I am—with sincere regard Dear Sir Your Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 16 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Mr Whiting,
Philadelphia Jany 16th 1792

My letter, of yesterdays date, was closed, and sent to the Post Office, before it occurred to me, to enquire, whether you have taken advantage of the present frost, to store the House with

Ice. Do not neglect to have it well filled, and well pounded, as it is filling. Ice, put in whilst the weather is intensely cold, keeps better than that which is taken up in more moderate weather—and still more so, than that, which is in a state of dissolution—But, if you have not already embraced the present spell, you must take such as you can get, or you will probably get none; as it is not likely, that there will be a hard freezing spell, after the middle of this month. I am—Yr friend &ca

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 17 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Commissioners for the District of Columbia

Gentlemen,
Philadelphia January 17th 1792.

I have duly received your favors of January 7th & 9th—am sensible of the expediency of the act of authority you have found it necessary to exercise over all the persons employed in the public works under your care, and fully approve of what you did. It has appeared, I think, that nothing less would draw their attention to a single source of authority and confine their operations to specified objects. It is certainly wise to take a view of the work to be done, the funds for carrying it on, and to employ the best instruments. Major L’Enfant might be an useful one if he could be brought to reduce himself within those limits which your own responsibility obliges you to prescribe to him. At present he does not appear to be in that temper: perhaps when Mr Johnson shall arrive here, he may be able to let him see that nothing will be required but what is perfectly reconcileable to reason and to a due degree of liberty on his part.
I will endeavour to procure the information you desire as to Mr Ellicot. With great regard & esteem I am Gentlemen Your most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 17 January 1792
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mill Mont [Calvert County, Md.] Jany 17th 1792

As the late unhappy miscarriage to the westward gives occasion to Expect that some troops will be speedily raised for the Continental Service permit me to recommend to you Mr David Thompson a Gentleman from Ireland—He was of the Whig volunteers there & came to this Country about five years ago as a preceptor to a Gentleman’s children near me & conducted Himself with prudence & propriety in that situation—He has since been one of the Tutors of the College or Accademy in Alexandria where I believe He has conducted Himself with Equal reputation—He now wishes to enter into a military life for which He appears to me to have a natural propensity & I believe will make a brave Soldier He is a man of Spirit & Integrity & should your Excellency think proper to Honor Him with a Commission I entertain no doubt of his distinguishing himself in that character—You will I expect receive from Col. Fitzgerald & others of your acquaintance in Virginia Letters in favor of this Gentln corresponding with what I have said of him—I have the Honor to Be with perfect Respect & Esteem Dear Sir Yr affecte & Oblig. Huml. Servt

Willm Fitzhugh


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 17 January 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] January 17th 1792.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a letter of the 7th of January 1792 from the Collector of Alexandria, in answer to one written at the direction of the President; and also the Answer of the Collector of Boston to an enquiry in relation to the Keeper of the Lighthouse at Portland.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 January 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir,
War department [Philadelphia] 17th January 1792.

I have the honor to submit to you the communications of the Cherokee chiefs and my report thereon, and also a draft of a message, which appears necessary, to the Senate on the occasion. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir Your most obedient and humble servant

H. Knoxsecy of War


Title: To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 17 January 1792
From: L’Enfant, Pierre Charles
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia January 17—1792

the approching season for renewing the work at the federal city and the Importance of progressing it so as to determine the ballance of opinion on the undertaking, to that side to which it already favorably incline, require, that Exertions should be made to Engage in it from the begining with such a degree of vigor and activity, as will disappoint the hopes of those who wish

ill to the business, and encourage the confidence of the well disposed. it become therefore necessary to call your attention on measure of most immediate moment to determine.
Knowing you wished never to be aply’d to on the subject of a business intrusted to the management of commissionares, I would decline troubling you at this moment, when other affairs must engross your time; were it not that I considere the commencement of the work next season, will be but the begining of the grand Operations of the plan & conceive a permanent organisation of sisteme for continuing all future operations to b⟨e⟩ of absolut necessity and wish it may come from you in the first instance to prevent defficulties, which (without such organisation) Will arise in the prosecution of the work, & must by interfering with the progress prove constant sources of new importunites to you.
wishing then that matters should be determined in such manner, as may insure harmony amongst the parties concerned, and being convinced it would not be safe to rely wholy on the Exertions of the managers of the business, I Feel a diffidince from the actual state of thing to venture further in the work, unless adequate provisions are made.
I adress to you the Inclosed Statement of work Intended with a sumary of the Expencs it will incur, from which you will easily conceive the motives of my Inquietude particularly when you will observe, at an hour so near when the work must be renewed, & from the forgoing considerations it is of the greatest importance not to Engage in it but with powerful means, Every thing yet remains to be done for Establishing aregular mode of proceeding—no adequate means of supply provided—no materials engaged proportional to the work to be effected, no measures taken to procure the necessary number of men to employ, the neigbourhood of the city offering no kind of resources at least none to be depended on.
assistance wanted must therefore come from a distance the season already far advanced, the demand for such hands as might be procured, will increase in proportion as the winter passing will afford them Employement at home, materials will be dearer when an Indispensable necessity for them is Known, & provisions more difficult to obtain—no time then being to be

lost and a necessity of seeking aditional funds to those at disposal—these are the considerations which lead me to demand your particular attention to the enclosed statement of work and Estimates of expences, and I solicite your concurance to the Expedient of a loan, which is offered from holland—provided one or more states at the Commission or any competent individuals or compagny, will be sponsors this would at once secure a sufficient supply to engage with vigor, in the work intended for the year, & continue the plan of operations with security to the end of the year 1796.
from the first moment I engaged in the business of the city I have considered this as the only mode of supplying the demand for so great an undertaking which could give certainty to ⟨the⟩ plan when (submiting my opinion to you on the subject) I Endeavoured to Extend the limits of the city beyond what had first been contemplated thereby to enlarge the publick property therein, my object was not to procure an adequate suply from a Sale of lots, which I ever viewed & remain confident will prove insufficient—but to obtain greater means of facilitating a loan or mortgage of part of the property. lots may be mortgaged in such situations as will never interfere with the settlement of the city but rather determine it where most essential.
the difficulty now is how to bring the states of Virginia & mariland (or either of them) into the measure and to obviate the doubts of procuring other security to the satisfaction of the loaner of the gross sum required—other Expedient⟨s⟩ may be devised such as is proposed in the estimates, to procure at least a sufficient supply for the years operations—until ameeting of the assembly of those states shall afford the means of Effecting the loan & if assurance can be given that such loan will take place, on such assurance money may be obtained in advance—it is scarcely to be feared that difficulties should arise on the part of the States as the progress of the work will then afford them a stronger security, I cannot even imagine those States would have rejected the proposition at thier last session had some pains been taken to demonstrate the benefit which must result—at any rate I am fully persuaded much good would have resulted from the attempt—would not even a competition for the advantages which may be made to lender have insured them a benefit without disbursment or any momentary inconvenience to the

treasury by opening the adventurous spirit of the frinds to the establishment and existing associations to be formed on speculations tending to advance the object.
I must acknowlege that from the Conviction of the propriety of ad[e]quate funds being established to secure a regular supply I rested satisfied that some exertions would have been made that way in the course of last season, your opinion having agreed with the foregoing idea—I hoped the Commissionaires would have been active in devising some mode at least to effect a momentary loan, thier in attention to this doubtless proceeded from a misconception of the magnitude of the Objects to pursue or as I observed on a former occasion from a depreciation of the importance of the improvements being caried on the grand scale I propose—thier Ideas that the means afforded by a sale of lots would be more than adequate to the object prevented them from considering that any expedient for procuring money on loan is preferable to a sale under the present inconveniency, considering the differents interest which may lead to depreciate them, this being too Evident to need any Further observation I only add that the greater progress is made in improvement the more will be enhanced the value of the publick property greatly beyond the sum expended—a longer time being given to difuse proper Knowlege of the undertaking and improvements in this and other Countrys, much good will result from Evincing to the world that t⟨he⟩ means of effecting the plan depend not on the mere uncertainty of temporary supply from a Sale of lots.
an inexhaustible resourse will be secured by postponing any large sales untill the value is so enhanced as to render them adequate to supply new demands & gradually disengage the mortgaged property [.] this will not hinder the Speculations of frindly Individuals, or prevent purchases being made, an anuel sale of few lots (how Ever limited in number) taking place will fully answer the purpose of Speculators in the success of the Establishment as in adition of publick lots Sold may be admitted some of the proprietors lots, to increase the Sale to such a number as the purchasser may desire.
this mode of proceeding by mutual sale would be doubly Expedient and advantageous, by more effectually interesting the proprietors to raise the value of publick property there by fixing a standart for the value of thiers, and by offering an opportunity

of selling to advantage would induce those having large tracts to dispose of part of thier property and Enable them to improve such as they chose to reserve.
far from being injurious, a small sale of publick lots and the deareness of them will prove the most effectual means of defeating speculation unfrindly to the object, all sales at publick auction ought to be heigh as from this price Estimations will be made of the remaining property, and a limited sale is the surest mode to raise the value, by creating a competition, the Object of a sale must be not so much to Engage in the Interest a greater number of individuals as to prompt and insure the settlement of those parts of the city which from the combination of the plan are best calculated to reflect a reciprocity & Equality of advantage over the whole Extent—therefore the propriety of determining a place of sale should be first duly considered.
the best mode of engaging the Interest of Speculators to a speedy improuvement will be a partial Sale Specially bending the purchaser to improve in a limited time on part of the purchase—& as an Inducement offering the lots on the fellowing terms—viz.
on a stipulated number of lots purchassed give one to be built upon in a certain time to be commenced in a time specified, for the price of the remainder let it be at the lowest price of the latest publick sale in the nearest place of such purchase, leaving any further advantages that may be required to be determined by the Importance of the Establish⟨ment⟩.
in case of a foreign nation agreeing to build a Hotel for their minister—it would be proper to determine the situation and Extant by the magnitude of the plan of construction intended—since in consequence of some overtures I ventured to make to the ministers & residents here on that Subject, the Idea has been pleasing and some of them have already engaged to solicit the concurrence of thier courts—and I conceive that ground being given to them free would prove so advantageous to the enterprise that I cannot but wish you will soon determine on the mode most proper for Enabling those Gentlemen to apply Officially to thier respectives Courts, as an early acquiescance on thier part would most powerfully give confidence to foreigner desirous of purchasing and this together with a loan to be effected as proposed would most certainly decide a pursuit of those grand ⟨engage⟩ments I have Exerted Every means in my

power to Encourag⟨e⟩—but none of which will be commenced by Foreigner or Even american associations, unless some Shining progress is made in the grand work which the publick has to Effect—the Continuance of that progress Evidently provided for, and the whole machine put in such motion, as will convince the frinds as well as Enemies to its success that it will be accomplished in all parts proper to Secure that superiority of advantage which the various local combinations & novelty of distribution is Intended to procure to the new City over all other now Existing.
full confident I am that your wish is to see the whole business conducted with that Economy which in great work consist more in a judicious Employments of time & application of objects than in the little saving—where procuring a plintifulness of means may accelerate the motion & being not less sensible that your wish is not confined barely to provide accomodations for gouvernement, but Extends to effect the Establishement in a manner that Shall reflect same to the american Empire—sir.
I shall close this letter recaling your attention to the Inclosed papers requesting you will determine ⟨mutilated⟩ permanent establishement for conducting the business & that you will direct the measures most Expedient to insure a proper suply.
in contemplating this object it will be necessary to comprehend the magnitude of the work intended to reflect that it is not merely this or that object which are most necessary or ought to be undertaken first, but to considere that the objects intended have such relation with each other that they cannot be singly effected without great inconveniency and loss by a double handling of objects which a contraction of operation would make necessary. the reducing a Street being necessary to fill up other places warping or walling here or there to contribut to the advancement of the next, & so on.
to organise a machine so complicated & insure regular action in all the parts demand coolness & Resolution—& as the means provided are so wholy inadequate, it becomes more interesting to preserve those resources the publick property will afford, ⟨thus⟩ I am with respectfull submission your most humble & most obeident servant

P. C. L’Enfant


Title: Enclosure, 17 January 1792
From: L’Enfant, Pierre Charles
To: Washington, George

Philad⟨elphia⟩ J⟨anuar⟩y 17 1792

Operations Intended for the ensuing season in the Federal City to which is added an Estimate of the Expenditure of one year proces & number of hands necessary.

            Number of men

            {
            1st to continue clearing the Cellars & begin laying the foundation of the two principal buildings & bring these forward to such a stage as they will be safe from injury the next winter. the digers to continue afterward Employed in shaping the adjacent grounds.

          150

         2d planting the wall of the terrace supporting each of these building & forming the gradual assent to the Federal Square, iether of these most be rised in the mean time as the foundation of the building with which they are connected.

            300

            3d wharfing the bank of the potomac to form the end of the canal & from thence to dig & warf the canal up to the Federal Square. to effect this in proper season three hundred men will be required four mounths. the men to be afterwards employed at the other end of that canal on the Eastern Branche.

            20
            no.teams10

            4th to Reduce the two streets on the side of the president park & gardens to a proper gradation, the Excavation of which will be wanted to fill up the warfing & bank of the Canal. two objects which must be carried in concert, for this object 10 teams will be wanted and 20 labourers.

            200
            ⟨1⟩0

            5th to reduce some of the principal streets in such parts as may difuse the advantage thro the various property and bring them to the state of good turnpike Roads. two hundred men and ⟨1⟩0 teams will be wanted.

            50

            6th to build three good stone bridges one over rock creek and two over the canal that over Rock creek being immediately necessary to engage in to effect a communication with the post Road & for Establishing a necessary Intercourse will Employ fifty men. Filling up the abutment & adjoigning warfs will be effected by reducing the post Road. a warf next to that bridge one near the end of the canal on the potomac & another on the East branch at the nearest communication

with the Federal & president Squares most be established for landing materials & for an Equal encouragement of Improvements in those parts. streets leading to these most be reduced & will serve to the warfing.

            60

            7th Aqueducts already begun must be continued in various places to convey the water to such places and in such quantity as will be of general use to the City. an object to be done early so as to be compleated before any material Improvement are began for which sixty men will be required.

            25
            No ofteams 15

            8th the transporting material from the three landing places to various parts were they are to be used will employ 15 Strong teams and 10 labourers.

            52
            2

            9th the quantity of brick wanted in the first Instance will Employ twenty five men & as many labourers with two teams & drivers—but considering the quantity of bricks that will be necessary in prosecuting the building an Increasing number of brickmakers will be wanted after the first year.

            16
            2
            {
            10th two mills must be erected to grind & pound plaister of paris cement & clay, four horses & six men must attend these mills.

            11th a water mill for sawing various kind of plank will be of great advantage if possible to be obtained in the vicinity but a number of sawers—ten—must be employed for this purpose.

            50

            {
            12th tow large Scow of a particular construction for the purpose of transporting stone, of large dimentions & tow other for smaller stones most be constantly employed & will require twenty boat men.

            13th the Exploring the stone and assisting to load the boats will require thirty labourers.

            30

            14th twenty stone cutters will be indispensable to work the stone for the building ten labourers must attend them and the Increasing demand of this wrought stone will require aditional number of hands the succeeding years.

            80

            15th as soon as the materials are collected in sufficient quantity round the buildings, which will not be before the 4th of jully, the twenty massons must be Increased to 40 with the adition of 60 labourers. that number to be Increased in proportion to the progress of the buildings.

            5

            16th the various kind of Iron which must be readily supplyed require that tow shops must be erected with tow fires for a master & 4 smiths with proper tools & stock.

                  1048

                  Total

                  17
                  overseers

                  2
                  wagon men

                  3
                  commissarys

                  1070
                  men

            17th a Weel Wright shop must also be Establish’d to accomodate a proper number of hands—this and the carpenters are Included in the return of number at the canal—for which there will be immediate & constant Employement.

proper s[h]ades for mixing & tempering mortar storing lime &ca being immediately wanted at each place were building is Intended.
there will also be wanted shades for brick making & to protect the bricks from Injury of weather shops also will be necessary for carpenters & stone cutters employed in particular work & for other various purpose which must be spedely erected & will require a vast quantity of scantling plank & boards. a yard of which must be establish to supply the constant demand for those articles.
The quantity of lumber that will be wanted is not possible to be stated at this early stage of the business but the magnitude of the objects that will employ that article & the immediate occasion there will be for it, in primary operations, require that contract should be formed to procure an Immediate supply of any quantity as can be obtained.
to purchase as much of the wood as remain now standing within the limits of the City on the best terms the proprietors will agree to part with is very necessary—for tho’ very little of that wood is proper for construction yet most of the strait trees will answer various purposes & being properly explored—firewood for burning brick for cooking & other purposes will be secured, with every facility of preserving shades here & there were usefull or ornamental (should the proprietors be willing to part with the whole it would be Economic to purchase it—as it must be noticed that unless this is done, in all parts were work is carried there will be constant occasion for logs—poles—levers &ca—and as often as this happens the impossibility of restraining from cutting down the nearest trees answerable to immediate object

will give occasion for captious proprietors to complain without possibility of gaving them redress[)].
the experience of a few months in a work so extensive which will become more and more complicated too powerfully evincing an impossibility of effecting it in strugling thro such difficulties as will constantly disapoint the best purposes while perseverance in the pursuit disregarding the little vexations of unjudicious will expose the undertaker.
it is necessary to place under the authority of one single director all those employed in the execution, to leave him the appointment or removal of them as he being answerable for the propriety of execution must be juge of their capacity and is the only one to whom they can with any propriety be subordinate—the exercise of any prepondering authority being in this respect to be restrained by the consideration that the good of the object to accomplish is only to be procured by trusting to the attention of one head who having a constant contemplation of the business will best understand the objects of primary pursuit and the connection of those objects with the whole of the plan to effect.
P. C. L’Enfant

Estimate of the expence for Men provisions & Materials necessary for conducting the Operations in the federal City for the year 1792

{	36 Carpenters &	4	}	Foremen
36 Mason	4	pr. mo.
130	23 Brickmakers	2	13 @	24	3744
18 Stone cutters	2
4 Smiths	1
117 Mecanicks	12	16848	20592
10 teams of 4 Oxen each	}	39 teams @	30	14040
29 do of 3 horses
{	39 drivers at 10 Dolls. 2 Masters at	20	5160	19200
10 pit sawers	10	1200
91	19 boatmen at 8 dolls. 1 Master at	15	2004
17 Overseers of the Labourers at	20	4080
1 Commissary at 30 2 assistants at	20	840	8124
849	Labourers	7	71316
Total of work	119232
Subsistence for 1070 men @ 45 dolls. yr	48150
forage for 39 teams	30	14040
Total of Subsistce	62190

            Materials

            30,000 perch rough stones part contractd 60 cents
            18000

            6000 pine logs for canal & warves @ 3 dolls.
            18000

            2000 hhds Lime each 10 bushells 5
            10000
            46000

            purchase of wood for various purposes
            3000

            boards, plank scantlings &c.
            10000

            for 4 large boats
            1000
            14000

            for bellows anvils vices tools for Smiths and Iron steel grindstones nails Spikes &c.
            1000

            Cranes Gins screws capsins takles blocks cordage tools & instruments to be used at the Quarries and at the bridges wharfs & buildings
            1200

            for the quarry rentd 10 yrs
            66⅔

            for the Quarry purchased of Mr. Brent
            6000

            for cabins & houses erecting & to be erected
            1000
            9266⅔
            69266⅔

            for transportg the workmen oxen horses from the place they are engaged
            2000

            for 1 years provision for 50 families of mecanicks @ 50 Dolls
            2500

            to which families lots are to be given on condition of building in certain time furniture & utensils of cooking for people
            1000

            provision for further suply of tools & implts
            2000

            provision for do. materials
            5000
            12500

            General provision for contingencies

            36811⅓

            Dolls.
            300000

In the above estimates no provision is made for the compensation & subsistance of the following persons who ought to be placed on a permanent and fixed establishment—viz.
1 Director General
2 Assistant directors or Intendants, 1 Draftsman

1 Surveyor of the City—1 assistant surveyor
1 head Carpenter—1 head Mason. as these 2 last must be men of eminence in their profession & the persons contemplated are in full employment in a large City a sufficient inducement must be presented them—The Commissioners being apointed in virtue of a law of Congress no reference is made to any provision for their compensation or immediate Officers, and the permanent lines being on the same principle that expense may also with propriety be charged to the United States.
Amount of funds established for erecting the federal City

            a Grant of Virginia in 4 instalmts
            130000

            a Grant of Maryland  do
            70000
            200,000

            to this fund a Loan must be sought for
            1000000

            1200000

this provision will be sufficient for 4 Years Operations and the effect of this Expenditure will enhance the Value of Lots to such degree that a more considerable Sale may commence for paying the interest and providing for future expence securing a sufficiency for commencing instalments to redeem the principal—No account is made of any proceeds of Sales prior to that period as the claims of individuals for their land taken for publick use will much exceed any probable amo. of Such Sales.
The preceeding Estimate of men provision & Materials is calculated from the nearest statement which can be made from the Magnitude of the various important objects to engage in & pursue with activity and equal degree of dispatch and the price is founded on the best data I could attain—this estimate cannot properly be reduced consistent with the importance of the work as it may here be noted that there is a necessity as well as an advantage in commencing each of the Objects at once[.] however as method & Sistem are absolutely necessary to be established in every branch of Employmt—considering that the whole number of men wanted cannot be collected so soon as could be desired, in adition a wish to diminish as much as possible the necessary demand for other funds than those Obtained—these considerations have induced to confine the Requisitions for the present Year to the smallest possible numbers as in the followg Estimates leaving the increase of Numbers to be regulated by the state of funds as no inconveniency will result from increasing gradually a smaler to a greater number.

            Reduced Estimate

            {
            27 Carpenters including
            3
            }
            foremen

            18 Masons
            2

            100
            18 Stonecutters
            2
            10 foremen
            @ 24
            2880

            23 Brickmakers
            2

             4 Smiths
            1

            90 Mecanicks

            @ 12
            12960
            15840

            {
            20 Boatmen includg 1 Master @ 8—& 15—

            2004

             51
            20 team Drivers at 10—& 1 Master 20

            2640

            1 Commissary @ 30—2 deputies @ 20 each

            840

            7 Overseers of the Labourers @ 20

            1680
            7164

            360

            Labourers

            at @7

            30240

            53244

            10 teams Oxen 4 each

            }
            20 teams
            @ 30
            7200

            10 teams horses 3 each

            forage & provender for 20 teams @ 30 ms.

            7200

            Subsistence for 511 Men @ 121 m pr year 4433

            22549
            29749

            36949

N.B. this is calculated from beef at 7 Dolls. Pork @ 12—flour at 4—corn at 2½—spirit at 50 cents galln & proportd by the followg alowance 1 lb. beef or pork 1 lb. flour ½ lb. corn meal ½ pint spirit pr day & 2 oz. ea. chocolate sugar Butter 4 oz. Soap 1 lb. Rice pr week.

            Materials

            24000 perch Rough Stone for bridges & buildings @ 60 cents
            14400

                        2000 pine Logs for canal & wharves
                        3 dolls.

                        1000 hhds Lime 10 bushels ea.
                        5

                  6000

            5000

            Wood for various purposes
            2000

            for boards plank scantlings
            4000

            for 3 large Boats for transportg stone with sail mast &c.
            600

            for Bellow anvils &c. tools for Smiths Iron & steel Nails spikes Grindstones irons for carts &c.
            810

            Cranes Gins screws blocks tackles cordage &c.
            300

            the purchase of Brents Quarry
            6000

            the other quarry rented for 10 years @
            67

            the Cabins erecting
            400
            39577

            for transporting the men & teams from the place they are obtained
            1000

            for furniture & utensils of cooking for people
            500

            for provisions for 20 Mecanicks families 1 yr @ 50
            1000

            to which families, lots may be given on condition of buildg

            for additional teams drivers & forage
            6660
            9160

            for contingencies that no Obstruction or delay may be occasioned in the Operations

            21070

            Dolls.
            160,000

No provision for the principal Conductors of the Operations is included in the above.
P. C. L.

            Amount of Resources which may be apply’d to this Requisition

            2 first paymts of Lots sold last Octr. abo.
            4000

            2 first installments of Virga grant due Jany 93
            65000

            2 first installments of Maryld do
            35000
            104000

            expences paid last year to be deducted (say)

            19000

            provision for the Requisition

            85000

            remains unprovided

            75000
            160000

            1793 Requisition for 1000 Men &c.
            255323

            75000

            at 5 pr Ct one Years interest of the 75000
            3750
            259073

            provided by 3d paymt Grants & Sale

            52000

            Ballance unprovided

            207073

            282073

            1794 Yearly requisition
            255323

            1 yrs interest 282073
            14103.65
            269426.65

            provided by last paymt grants &c.

            52000
            217426.65

            Unprovided

            499499.65

            1795 Yearly Requisition
            255323

            1 years interest 499499.65

            ⟨mutilated⟩
            ⟨mutilated⟩

            Amo. unprovided

            779797.65

            1796 Yearly Requisition
            255323

            1 yrs intt 779797.63

            38989.88
            294312.88

            Total of funds to be provided for continuing the Operations to the close of the year 1796—

            1074110.51

after which sales of Lots may be made on a larger scale sufficient for the future Requisitions and to admit of an anual deduction

to repay the Loan—in the interim a Sale to be made yearly by publick auction not to exceed 100 Lots a year in different parts of the City to be appropriated for the payment of the ground taken from several proprietors for the publick use (and beyond that number the proprietors might be admitted to increase the Sales from their property if their should be demand for greater sales)—liberty being given for private Sales to any purchasers who will be under bonds to build in a given time and Manner, to whom advantageous terms may be offered.
To obtain the Loan required, to any State which will become Sponsors for the Loan let 3 fourths of the publick lots be Mortgaged in such parts of the city as shall not check the sales in those parts more necessary to be speedily settled.
A Loan of one Million dollars may be obtained for 20 Years at 5 pr Cent to be reimbursed by 10 installments the 1st to begin in 10 years or the reimbursement may begin after 5 Years provided notice of such intention be given 6 months previous and not less than 100000 Dolls. reimbursd at one time—but as this loan must be made in gross it is necessary to know what may be done with the money to save the interest of such parts as will not be immediately wanted for the City and so that it may be immediately commanded from time to time when the Object shall require it. one Object presents which is the funded paper of the United States this property can at any time be sold and if there is a probability of considerable rise of that property it may perhaps afford some profit so as to reduce the interest—another and perhaps a better expedient would be to place the money with the Secretary of the Treasury for publick use at the same rate as the loan is Obtained, to be drawn from that department in certain sums at stated periods—this perhaps may be a mutual convenience, and it will establish the provision for the city from the risque of a possible depreciation of paper—by this arangement the interest of the City will be best secured and the States of Virginia & Maryland to which the loan will be—should provide each for the payment of 25000 Dolls. annually for the interest of the loan, and if no other means of indemnification can be found a cession of Lots must be made to them—this being most disadvantageous to the City it is even ⟨mutilated⟩ to pay the interest out of the Capital—but as the ⟨mutilated⟩rest will gradually diminish ⟨a⟩fter the 1st ten y⟨mutilated⟩d perhaps after 6 years) the Sponsors may have the apropriation of one Quarter the proceeds of

all publick Sales the remaining 3 quarters being appropriated to reduce the Capital and for continuing the work the sales to be proportionally augmented It is to be remarked tht the expenditure of only one half the loan required will give such a decided establishment to the City that the appropriations will be ample security for sums to a much greater extent than what is now required, after the Government shall take possession of the City it will become interested to provide a Sufficient supply for disengaging the publick property and forwarding the compleat acomplishment of all important Objects which may be in good train.
No prospect of settlement is to be expected from the public sales therefore results the propriety of limiting them, and the last sale is a proof there being no prospect of any building but the intention of two handsome squares frustrated which ⟨mutilated⟩ an important diagonal subverted from that improvement which would have been a great aid to the City, this is the result of the first attempt at publick sale.
Should difficulties arise of effecting the proposed loan previous to the next meeting of the Assemblys of Virginia and Maryland and reduce the expectation to a state of uncertainty till that period (which it is to be hope’d will not be the case even if a cession of some lots or other reasonable compensation is made to a state—company or contractor for negotiating the business) stil a loan might be effected for the deficient sum of next Years estimate, by pledging the residue of the grants of the two states; or by some operation with the bank of the United States, and this Anticipation would be better than to suffer a confinement of Operations in the Aproaching season as on the activity of the process then (by giving a ⟨mutilated⟩ first impression) will depend in a great measure the ⟨mutilated⟩ of the Establish⟨ment⟩, it is of importance to progress the work with decided vigor, to give confidence to those who are disposed to adventure in purchase, to prompt the well disposed to exert their means in improvement, & defeat the hopes of the ill intentioned in evincing, that the means of effecting the undertaking depend not merely on the uncertainty of suply from a temporary sale of property—and it is to be observed that a prodigal disposal of the property at an early stage of the business would undoubtedly work a disipation of the means very detrimental to the attainment of the Grand Object.

P. C. L’Enfant


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Maxwell, 17 January 1792
From: Maxwell, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Newton [England] Jany 17th 1792

I am in great Straits to know what is Becom’d of a Brother of mine that came to America And Settled their before the Commotion of the war I was inform’d that he was an Officer in the American Service under your Honours Command His Name is William Maxwell, I have bean Inform’d by one Thos Hodgon that he died in new Providence and left a Daughter the rest of the Famley was all Dead and she has a Property In North Carolina, but where it was he could Not inform me Sir If your Honour Pleas to Inform me of what is b[e]com’d of him and the Famley I would ever wish for your Honour Your Humble & most Obedient Servent

Thos Maxwell

Sir if you Pleas to Direct to Thos Maxwell at Newton nigh Hexham Northumberland in England.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 18 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] Wednesday 18th Jany 1792

The conduct of Majr L’Enfant and those employed under him, astonishes me beyond measure! and something more than even appears, must be meant by them! When you are at leisure I should be glad to have a further conversation with you on this subject. Yrs sincerely & Affectionately

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 18 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate.
United States [Philadelphia], January the 18th 1792.

I lay before you the communications of a deputation from the Cherokee Nation of Indians now in this City.
And I request your advice, whether an additional Article shall be made to the Cherokee treaty, to the following effect—to wit.
That the sum to be paid annually by the United States to the Cherokee nation of Indians, in consideration of the relinquishment of lands, as stated in the treaty made with them on the second day of July 1791, shall be one thousand five hundred dollars, instead of one thousand dollars, mentioned in the said Treaty.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 January 1792
From: Anonymous
To: Washington, George

Sir
[c.20 January 1792]

Your knowledge of the world makes it hardly necessary for me to remind you how difficult it is to dislodge a cunning bad man when he has once got possession of the heart of a great & good one. The strongest evidence of this fact is derived from the history of Princes. Be not offended at my mentioning Tiberius. There is no similitude between your characters. He, a brutal Tyrant. You possessed, & most deservedly so, of the affections of a grateful people. There is however a strong resemblance between his favorite Sejanus, & your Secretary of State. Examine the page of the Historian, & do not imagine the comparison because odious, is untrue. Your political death is all that is desired by the latter, & nothing in his power to accomplish it is left unattempted. If he succeeds in inspiring you with disgust against the Senate, the business will be more than half finished. The Public in spite of his endeavours to establish a contrary opinion, revere that body & consider it as the bulwark of the Constitution. The affections of the Senate towards you, as I mentioned in my last letter approach almost to adoration. This is founded on a conviction of your patriotism & other virtues. Should they find that notwithstanding what has been done to intimate to you their dissatisfaction in the politest manner in their power, you should persist in treating them as Cyphers intended only to be burthened

with responsibility without a right of requiring information for the purpose of exercising their judgment, they will be offended & their affections will be alienated from you Disgust will produce disgust. Your feelings will likewise be wounded & possibly you may retire at the expiration of your four years. Consider what the consequences may be, should what I have stated really happen. There is not a man of honor or knowledge in the united states who would not consider your retirement in disgust as one of the greatest misfortunes that could befall this Country—& I believe the very existence of the Govt would be in the most imminent danger. That beautiful fabrick, purchased with so much blood, the possession of wch you have so eminently contributed to obtain for us would probably be crumbled to dust. In such a public calamity the annihilation of all hopes of realizing our wishes respecting the federal City must be considered among the least of our disappointments. These misfortunes you have the power of preventing. Treat the Senate with that consideration wch is contemplated by the Constitution, & wch is due to their Station. It is of very great importance to the Country that they should be selected from among the first characters & much depends upon you whether such will accept of the appointmts.
Your hungry Cassius, wth his cunning little friend are endeavoring to prevent it. Forgive me ancient Cassius for comparing you with this Man! It is true you carried a dagger under your cloak to be Employed against your benefactor in whose favor you were accustomed to smile, & whose confidence by your hypocricy you had obtained. But while you were Governor of a Province you were not the first man to betake yourself to flight at the approach of an Enemy. I consider it as essential to the tranquillity & happiness of this Country, not only that each part of the Govt should possess the right assigned to it by the Constitution, but also that the people should believe that such rights are wisely placed for the public good. Your S. of S. never loses an opportunity of promulgating doctrines of a different tendency. In his opinion the Senate ought to be deprived, by what he calls an amendment of the Constitution, of every thing except their legislative vote—and even that he says appears doubtful to him & to his little friend, since the French in their new Constitution have proved that the dangers to be apprehended from a single branch of the Legislature are unfounded & chimerical.
Such doctrines will create disquietude among the people & to

propagate them is highly criminal in the S. of S., & highly dangerous in the confidential Counsellor of the chief Magistrate of this Country. Do you require evidence of this? Recollect yourself. You know, & I believe I know that you stand in need of none. Perhaps however you may think the disclosure of his sentiments to you has been confidential & that his prudence & discretion in wch he affects to imitate you restrain him from chattering on the subject abroad. Should you think so I wish you to learn from Mr Gerry & Mr FitzSimons what the opinions were respecting the Senate that the Secretary of State delivered at his own table wth his usual gravity & solemnity on Tuesday the 3d of this month. Those gentlemen to my knowledge have declared that Mr Jeffersons conversation had a direct tendency to make the Senate odious to the Public. They say that they pretended to agree in opinion wth him to find how far he would go. Nobody can form a better judgmt than yourself what mischief to our new Govt such proceedg may produce. The coldness wch now subsists between the Senate & the Minister of France affords an excellt opportunity to the Secretary of State to shew his hatred of the Senate. Mr Ternant certainly acts by the advice of Mr Jefferson. Do you think it will produce any advantage to the Government if the Senate should be humbled, as the Secrety of State has been pleased to express himself? One word from you wd set that matter to rights. The Senate, I am told, have requested it of you. Do not refuse them your assistance.
You think that a regular, disciplined, military force is proper for the defence of this Country. Every man who understands the interest of this Country, thinks so too. When you ask the opinion of the S. of S., he affects great humility, & says he is not a judge of military matters. Behind your back he reviles with the greatest asperity your military measures, & ridicules the idea of employing any regular Troops. Militia he says ought alone to be depended on. By such artifices he renders your proceedings odious to a considerable number of the ignorant part of the community. His doctrines are strongly supported by his cunning little friend Madison, & by the Atty General, who has received a long Letter from his brother in law Colonel Nicholas in Kentucky, containing the severest strictures upon the military arrangemts & laying down a plan for committing the defence of the Country entirely to the militia of Kentucky. This plan the Atty General has communicated to all companies, & praised wherever he expected

his praise could produce the desired effect. These are melancholy truths, & such as you ought to be acquainted wth And yet from yr situation, you perhaps are the last man likely to possess the knowledge of facts wch materially affect yr own private happiness, as well as that of the Public. It was a very unfortunate day for you, & also for the Public, when you determined to remove Mr Jefferson from France, & place him in the Office he now fills. Your late appointment to that Kingdom has given general dissatisfaction, & disgust. All men are liable to commit mistakes: few only have magnanimity enough to correct them when they are discovered. I know you to be virtuous & magnanimous. Hasten therefore to correct the errors wch you have committed. Displace the impudent, obscene, unworthy character on whom you have lately drawn the public attention, & let Mr Jefferson return to France. There he can do but little harm. Here, by his Absurd democractical opinions, wch are dangerous to the very existence of all Government, by his pride, ambition, & jealousy of the superior abilities of the Secretary of the Treasury, he is sapping the foundations of that of the United States. It is true that one Atheist will thus displace another. You now have two in Offi⟨ce.⟩ One of them has every vice except that of hypocricy, & in all societies where any regard is had to morality, or even decency of manners, is truly intolerable. The Senate have hurt themselves in the public opinion by carrying their delicacy towards you so far as not to reject that nomination. It is improper for you to know at present who I am. Whether I am a Member of the Legislature, an Officer of the Governmt, or a private Citizen is of no importance. The time may come, I hope it will come, when I may wth confidence speak to you on the subject of this Letter, & obtain from you an acknowledgmt of that regard wch my affection for you entitles me to. May God, in whom I believe, & whom ⟨I⟩ adore bless & preserve you. And may he dispose yr heart to receive favourably what I have written, that yr own happiness, & that of the Country whose chief Magistrate you are may be promoted by it. Amen.


Title: To George Washington from Shearjashub Bourne, 20 January 1792
From: Bourne, Shearjashub
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada jany 20th 1792

Understanding that it is acceptable to you, to receive information upon the merits of Candidates to Office, through the Medium of the Representatives in Congress; And as the Bill for the Establishment of a Mint, will render necessary some Appointments; I beg leave to present to your Notice Mr Silvanus Bourne late Consul for St Domingo as a Candidate for the place of Treasurer in that Department, whose peculiar situation hath impressed me with a Desire of rendering him my friendship as far as Comports with my publick duty: In my acquaintance with Mr Bourne for many years, I have found him to be a Gentleman of Strict integrity & prudence, and by the exercise of those Virtues to have conciliated the Esteem & confidence of his Fellow Citizens, his Abilities add to the conclusion, that he has not misimproved the Advantages of a liberal Education: He was drawn from his pursuit of the Study of the Laws (for which he was designed) by the Decease of his Father, in Order (if possible) to Save his Estate from the Ruin in which the late War had involved it, but this was not retrievable by his Utmost prudence & assiduity from a loss of £⟨1⟩0,000 ariseing from those incidents which a Civil War ever produces.
In regard to his Specific Abilities for Exerciseing the Duties of the Office above-mentioned, I would Observe, that he was for some time after he Graduated at Cambridge, in the Compting House of a Respectable Merchant, and has in conducting his own Mercantile affairs been found attentive, methodical & correct, & his knowledge of Accounts has been approved of by frequent Calls to Arbitrate & decide important Cases in that line.
Mr Bournes connections by his Fathers marriage are among the most respectable in the State of Massachusetts, and his Patrimonial expectations (tho’ once very flattering) were destroyed by the Causes before alluded to, an Event Also enhancing his relative Obligations his regard to which, are among the favourable traits of his Character. In perfect Respect I have the honor to be Sir Your Most hble Servant,

Shearjashub Bourne


Title: To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 January 1792
From: Commissioners for the District of Columbia
To: Washington, George

Sir
George Town [Md.] 21st Jany 1792

After seeing things settled here as we thought the 10th of this Month, we left this place the Eleventh, we were again summoned by express and brought together last Tuesday. for Mr Roberdeau had the day after we left George Town collected hands, resumed digging of the Foundation of the Capitol—The severity of the season has prevented our visiting the spot more than once: when Mr Roberdeau avoued, as he has done in other conversations, his determination, to execute Majr L’Enfant’s orders in opposition to ours—we had great Patience with this Young man who is probably led by orders and a weak head and forbore measures for punishment till after the arrival of last nights Post, by which we received your Letter of the 17th thinking it likely, Letters from his principal, might induce him to desist—He has received Letters as he tells Mr Gantt, from Majr LEnfant, and since his receipt of them he holds it necessary for his Justification to submit to an Arrest, which has taken place—He also mentioned his being directed to desire the Commissrs not to have any Clay turned up for Bricks at the Palace—Passing by the designed manner of intercourse, it is strange that the work was proper, and as such, ordered by Majr LEnfant, but as soon as desired by the Commissioners in the same spot where the surface was cleared for the purpose it becomes improper and ought to be relinquished—It affords little prospect of being able, by sacrifices

of our feelings to conduct business with him—and we wish the Plate finished—The Difficulty of having to do with such a Temper is enough, it is increased by Addition of Volunteers and what is no uncommon effect of such a Spirit the circulation of infamous Falshoods, to the prejudice of our Characters, we have not, nor shall have the satisfaction of tracing them to their Authors—We intended to have written to the Majr respecting the extraordinary conduct of his Deputy, and the Strange Impressions, he is under of his being independant of the Commissioners but have thought proper since the receipt of your Letter to leave it to Mr Johnson to converse with you on the subject when he arrives in Philadelphia. We are &c.

Tho. Johnson
Dd Stewart
Danl Carroll


Title: Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 21 January 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Lear, Tobias

  Philadelphia, Saturday Evening, 21 Jan. 1792. Please submit the enclosed to the president; “I suspect the letter signed by the Cornplanter to have been written by the Mr Baldwin therein named.”


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 January 1792
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia January 21. 1792

By the papers, which I have now the honor of returning to you, a wish seems to be expressed, that the President should recommend to congress a digest of federal law, the appointment of one person only to such a service, and the selection of the author of those papers for that work.
Whether at a future day, when congress shall appear to have neglected or slumbered over, the subject, it may be expedient to rekindle their attention by a special recommendation, I pretend not to foresee. But at present it may be affirmed, that the house of representatives possess, in the four last paragraphs of the notes to the report on the judicial system, an unequivocal suggestion of this very point. I therefore take the liberty of referring you to them.
The suggestion indeed, having come from a quarter, which affects no title to the deference of that body, would undoubtedly be enforced by the solicitude of the executive. But I have greatly erred, if I do not discover one characteristic of its conduct to be, not to throw any weight of personal or official character into measures, when no crisis demands it. If then the judicial system shall ever be revised, a fœderal code will stand prominent to view. If the judicial system shall not be revised, the fœderal code itself, as speaking more feebly to the particular interests and feelings of the house, can hardly expect to be more kindly treated. In the midst of the agitations, which have been or will be produced by deliverations on the war, the excise, the fisheries, manufactures, the trade with Great Britain, the regulations of a mint, the militia, and many other topics of an animating cast, it will probably be asked, what peculiar and immediate urgency has the President remarked, for inviting congress to this abstract inquiry? Is there any danger of the two branches of the legislature, forgetting it, if it be important especially as it is their direct duty to originate proposals for establishing or amending any system of laws?

If with a recommendation to this affect, another should be united, that a single person should execute the work, some uncommon sensations of surprize may be created. To qualify that single person, he ought to be accurately versed in the legislation and jurisprudence of every state. Nay I am not certain, that he ought not to know the very prejudices of each state. For it will not be enough to draw a line of partition between the fœderal and state governments, without having some regard to the temper of the latter. The necessary information can be contributed only by a number of able men, differently situated in the United States. These men can be found and perhaps their reluctance may be overcome, and they may be induced to divide the Herculean task among them. But even with a division of the responsibility they ought to be diffident.
Should it, however, be thought adviseable, that the project should be now favored by a special communication from the President and that a single person should be preferred, I certainly shall add nothing concerning any gentleman, who may be so happy, as to enjoy the highly valuable endowments, requisite for the fulfilment of the trust. But may it not be seriously apprehended, that the employment of a judge in such a business, will excite a jealousy among those of his associates, who will not acknowledge their inferiority? Will it not warp him in all his decisions to those interpretations, which he may have given of the constitution? May he not rather lean, in his judgments, more to what he recollects to have been his intention in drawing a law, than obey the settled rules of construction?
And who can say, let him be a judge, or what he will, that the glossary or comment which he alone shall furnish, may not, insensibly and contrary to his own honest mind, be tinctured with party views?
Upon the whole, altho’ I believe, that the digest will sooner or later be attempted; yet am I sure that the legislature will not cordially patronize it, until its necessity shall be more obvious.
I intended to have waited on you personally with this letter. But having been detained in court during the whole week, I was unable to do so. I have the honor, sir, to be with a sincere and affectionate attachment and respect yr mo. ob. serv.

Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 January 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

My dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] Sunday morning 22d Jany [17]92

Upon reflection, I think it best that no mention should be made of the probability that the characters we run over yesterday will be nominated as General Officers (in case the Bill shall pass)—and, if you have disclosed the matter to Mr M——or any one else, that secrecy may be enjoined as to the Men, not the numr.
In the embryo state of this business it might (especially as it respects the first in command) and more than probably wd, excite jealousy & discontent; and possibly opposition from quarters that, at present, give it support. In truth, there are so many combinations necessary, and so many circumstances to be attended to, that it will be better, I conceive, to hear the opinion of others

than to disclose our own, until the Bill shall pass & the hour for it is come. Yours sincerely

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 January 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Philadelphia] Sunday Morning 22 Jany 1792

I have not, and shall not lisp the characters mentioned yesterday to any mortal but observe the usual discrtn. Genl St Clair has arrived, I have not seen him but shall this morng. I am sir with perfect respet Your most obedt Sert

H. Knox