Title: To George Washington from James Seagrove, 17 March 1793
From: Seagrove, James
To: Washington, George

Duplicate
SirSt Mary’s [Ga.] 17th March 1793
When I had the honor of addressing you on the 12th of December from Savannah, I considred all matters between the United States, and the Creek people on a favourable footing; and until the 11th Inst: had not the least reason to alter that opinion. You will be informed by my Letter of this date to the Secretary of War, the unfavourable change in matters, which I am fully persuaided is in consequence of the scandalous interferrence of the Spaniards. For whatever may be the declarations of that Nation to that of the United States; it is beyond a shadow of doubt, that the Governors of the Floridas, and those under them; have left no stone unturned to set the Savages upon us. The late murders I am convinced was at the immediate instigation of their trusty Agent Mr Panton—as the whole of the Indians composing the party that did the mischief, are belonging to a Town where Panton has his chief influence; and where their matters are directed by a white Man in his employ, of the name of Burges—who’s Brotherinlaw (an Indian) and Burgeses Son commanded the party that committed the murder & robbery.
It appears to me, that the Spaniards finding matters going favourable between us and the Creeks, were determined to have bloodshed at all events; and for this reason employed those fellows—I doubt not they have others employ’d on different parts

of our frontier, but cannot believe that the Nation know’s of it, or that it is a general business. The declarations of the Chiefs who met me at Colerain, and which I forwarded you on the 30th of November last, I doubt not has satisfy’d you as to the ill designs of the Spaniards. I now enclose you a positive proof from David Cornell on that head. It is not with me, to know the policy of my Country in hitherto observing so friendly a conduct toward those perfideous people—be assured they have all along been using every base unwarrantable means to injure the United States in the opinion of the different Indian tribes. The Spanish Government have of late gon to an imense expence to engage the Savages in their favour; and there is reason to fear that they may succeed.
I suggested to you in a former Letter my fears that the Spaniards would make use of Bowles against us—I fear this will be verifyed—The Indians are now in high expectation of his dayly return with large Cargo’s of goods; and several hundreds of them are now down at the mouth of the Ockaluckney to receive him. The Spanish Governors of the Floridas endeavour to make all the Indians believe that we have cheated and robbed them of their Lands, by the runing of the boundary line from the Alatamaha to St Mary’s—this tho’ not believed by the diserning part of the Nation, has the desired effect on the less informed of them.
On the day that the mischief was done at Traders Hill, upwards of Fifty Indians (men women & ch[i]ldren) were encamped at Colerain, and receiving Supply’s of Corn—This leads me to think that it is not a business of the Nation, or they would have been called in before hand. On[c]e the mischief being done they fled for fear of the resentment of the white people—but declaring their total ignorance of it. Some of the Northern Tribes have lately been among the Creeks—no doubt to stir them up to join them. In a few days I shall forward you copy’s of Letters received from, and those sent by me to the Nation, which will further explain those matters.
I hope some assistance will be given to this young defenceless frontier, it wants it much.
I shall dispatch a trusty Indian into the Nation in a day or two for information. I was all ready to set off by the 10th of next month for the Nation, but shall now decline it until I hear further.

McGillivray is again with the Spaniards—Time will not allow my adding at present more then that I am with the most profound respect Your Most Obedient Devoted Very Humble Sert

Js: Seagrove Agt


Title: From George Washington to Frances Bassett Washington, 17 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Frances Bassett

My dear Fanny,
Philadelphia Mar: 17th 1793.

I have duly received your letter—dated Hanover March 5th—and was happy to hear that yourself and the Children were well.
It is not by any means a wish of mine that, you should come to Mount Vernon next Month on account of my short visit to that place. It was merely on your own account, and that of the Estate, that I suggested the measure; more indeed for consideration than by way of advice, for either of your brothers, or Mr Jno. Dandridge can speak to the latter with more propriety than I am able to do; as they know in what time, & in what manner the Will of our departed friend ought to be proved and the execution of the trust entered upon.
My last to you, enclosing the copy of a letter which I had previously written to your brother Burwell, would have convey⟨ed⟩ to you fully, my ideas on this subject; & to that communication I now beg leave to refer you.
The offer of a Residence at Mount Vernon, was made you with my whole heart; but it is with you to consider nevertheless whether any other plan will comport better with the views which my Nephew had, or with such as you may have entertained for your own ease, for the education of your Children—or for the interest of the Estate. and your decision thereon will be perfectly agreeable to me; for I can assure you with much truth that

I have no wish in the case beyond that of seeing you settled to your intire Satisfaction. The means for doing which either in Alexandria or elsewhere you have no doubt considered & calculated; for with the best œconomy I conceive it must be expensive to purchase furniture & keep a house.
The Carriage which I sent to Mount Vernon for your use, I never intended to reclaim; and therefore, now making you a more formal present of it, it may be sent for whenever it suits your convenience & be considered as your own—and I shall, when I see you, request that Fayette may be given up to me; either at that time, or as soon after as he is old enough to go to s⟨c⟩hool; This will relieve you of that portion of attention which his education would otherwise call for.
It is to be feared that your Overseer in Fairfax is neither the best of that descriptn—nor the honestest of men. A month, or more ago, Mr Whiting informed me that this said Overseer had one, if not two horses of his own on the Plantation. (fed no doubt, [(]whatever his declarations to the contrary might be) at your expence.) I immediately directed Mr Whiting to go to him & in my name to order the horse or Horses (if more than one), to be sent away instantly; unless he could shew a written permission for their being kept on the place—and to inform him moreover that if they were to be found on it when I came home I would not only send the horses off but himself along with them. Since then, some suspicions have also been entertained of his not dealing fairly by the Wheat, which, was under his care for Market. Such is the villainy of these sort of people when they have it in their power, as they conceive, to cheat with impunity. What has been done in either of these cases I remain unadvised; as poor Whiting, by a letter which I received from Doctr Craik—dated the 6th inst. was then confined to his bed by a more violent return of his old disorder (Spitting blood) than ever. Since that date I have heard nothing from thence, which is presumptive evidence that he is not able to write himself; & Of this there is the evidence also of the Doctrs letter, pronouncing his case critical & dangerous. The effect of these—to be avoided by extreme care only.
From what Mr Bassett said to Mr Whiting, respecting the materials for the building which had been begun at your place, I directed him to have them put away securely—& to let your Carpenters

work along with mine; keeping an Account of the time, that I might allow you the usual hire. There they may remain, unless you have other employment for them; as I have work on hand that requires dispatch, & I would, to facilitate the execution thereof hire others if I do not retain these. Your Aunt joins me in every affectionate regard for you & the Childn—and in best wishes for the friends among whom you are. At all times, & under all circumstances I shall always remain Yr sincere frd

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 17 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Letter not found: to Anthony Whitting, 17 Mar. 1793. In his letter of 27 Mar., Whitting acknowledged receipt of GW’s “Letter of the 17th.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Mar. 18. 93.

Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the copies of the Algerine papers which have been made out to form the basis of instructions for the Commissioner to be appointed. the President will be pleased to consider whether he would chuse to have them altered in any particular.


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 18 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

 Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 18 Mar. 1793. On 24 Mar., GW wrote Whitting, “I have received your letters of the 18th & 20th instant.”


Title: To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 19 March 1793
From: Fairfax, Bryan
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mt Eagle [Va.] March the 19th 1793.

I have received the Letter which You have done me the Kindness to write, tho’ unexpected; and received it as another Instance of your long Friendship; and was also pleased at Your entire submission to the will of Heaven in Your late afflictive Loss, tho’ it was no more than I expected. For having encountered & surmounted many & various Difficulties & disappointments, and believing in a superintending Providence, You will also bear with Patience those Afflictions which his Wisdom shall direct.
With respect to Mrs Savage’s Affair, there has been another delay when least expected. When Mr Potts called on me last Summer on his way from Philadelphia to Georgia, it was agreed on between us, upon a Consultation which we had at Mr L. Lee’s, that as Mr Mason’s Executors or Admrs had pled, fully administered, and that there was no Prospect of getting any thing in Virginia, Mr Potts should institute a Suit in our Names in Carolina as he passed along, it being a fine Opportunity for the Purpose—And I made no doubt but that the Suit was depending, till lately I received a Letter from Mr Potts informing me that he was returned again, or arrived again in America & desired to know whether I had received any thing upon the Accot of Mrs Savage.
I have been preparing to get such a Suit commenced in Carolina, and intend to have it done as soon as I can.
Mrs Fairfax joins me in our Respects to You & Mrs Washington. I am Your obliged & Obedt Servt

Bryan Fairfax.

The Hope of being able to inform You what I had done towards the commencemt of a Suit has been the Cause of a few day’s delay in writing this.


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Williamson, 19 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Williamson, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Hugh Williamson, 19 Mar. 1793. In his letter to GW of 20 Mar., Henry Knox mentioned Williamson’s “letter to you of the 19th instant.”


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 20 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir,
United States [Philadelphia] March 20th 1793.

It appears from your Report to me of the 18th instant, and the Statements accompanying it, that it will be proper to take measures for securing a Loan of Eight hundred thousand Dollars; as

authorised by the Act, entitled “an Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1793.” I have therefore to request that you will cause such a Power to be prepared for my signature as will be necessary for your authorization to effect said Loan in the time & manner stated in your Report.

Geo: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Mar. 20. 1793.

Th: Jefferson, with his respect to the President incloses him the draught of a letter to mister Pinckney: also some Canada gazettes, with the letter from Colo. Fay accompanying them. he perceives from this letter that Colo. Fay had not awaited his approbation to make use of the name of Th: J. in the land-job. he thinks it possible the government of Canada may get hold of this, & perhaps make some use of it, if they should suppose any purpose may be answered by it. he is the more happy therefore in having made the first communication to the President, which, at that time had others only in view, and not all Th: J. himself.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Sir,
United States [Philadelphia] March 20th 1793

I have to request that it may be given in charge to the director of the mint, to take measures for collecting samples of foreign coins issued in the Year 1792, of the species which usually circulate within the United States, to examine by assays at the mint whether the same are conformable to the respective standards required, and to report the result, that the same may be made known by proclamation—agreeably to the Act entitled “An Act regulating foreign Coins, and for other purposes.”

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 20 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Washington, William Augustine
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Augustine Washington, 20 Mar. 1793. Writing from Philadelphia on 29 April, GW informed his nephew that

“Whilst I was at Mount Vernon in the early part of this month, I recd your letter of the 20th of March.”


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 20 March 1793
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Honrd Sir
Mount Vernon March 20th 1793

Have enclosed the last week report drawn of by Mr Butler. As I have not been able to answer your Excels. two last Letters shall now endeavor to make some reply to them—It has not been in my power to Go to Alexa. to engage a Vessell to Go for Shells but shall as soon as I am able to ride there. Shells must be had for the price to us is so very different as to make it impossble to buy Stone Lime[.] Mrs F. Washingtons two Men are now with Green & I have had all there work put in the Spining house & Lockt up—They began work with Green the 11th of March—We shall fix the Gates at the different farms as soon as the weather will permit but the Ground must be dry or they will never be fast—I have not Opened the Second Visto so as to se what Ground it will run over but could do it in a very few Days—The Bill of Hampsons I will pay as soon as possible[.] The Wheat has as yet receivd no hurt from the winter and we may now suppose it out of Danger[.] Dogue run are two fine fields of Wheat. The River fields & indeed all the Wheat looks better now then it did in Novemr—I will enquire of Mr Hartshorne if any thing is due on the Potowmac Compy & Get the Account forwarded[.] Ellwood is arrived in Alexa. Shall endeavor to Get the Honey Locus Seed home this Day—I am just now able to walk a little am very much reduced & very weak—I think the Gardener seems very backward in his work[.] I am fearfull he is not very industrious[.] Such a Spring as this he certainly ought to have had all his Ground dry & his Garden every way in forwardness but I see but very little done—If I had been well I would have had the Ground in readiness for Sowing Grass seeds tho it is only just now in Good order having been rather wet[.] we shall Get them sown next week if the Weather permit which will be a very Good time—I dont know the price of flour in Alexa. nor have I been able to find the worth of the Tobacco but as soon as I can ride to Town will inform myself & immediately let you know[.] I think it might be well to sell the Tobo this Summer for there may be a large Crop Growing

next year—with respect to Ice no Oppertunity has ever offerd to Get any, Snow might have been put in but When the first Snow came I thought we should had a severe frost after it, & the putting Snow in a dissolving state is but of very little use as it would be all Gone by the last of June Which would have been before the family had come home[.] I hope Your Excelly will Give me Notice When you expect to be down at Mount Vernon for having no Oats there must be a Stock of Shorts & homony Laid in in readiness. I am Honrd Sir Your Obdt & Hble Servt

A. Whitting


Title: From George Washington to Arthur Young, 20 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Young, Arthur

Sir,
Philadelphia Mar: 20th 1793.

Having had occasion in some late communications to you, to speak of the District which has been decided on (under a law of Congress) for the permanent seat of the government of the United States; I do myself the pleasure of sending you a plan of the intended City, which is now laying out in the centre thereof.
It will serve to shew you, and such as may have the curiosity to look at it, that whatever our present condition is, we have vanity enough to look forward to a better. With great esteem & regard I am—Sir Your Obedient Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the Cabinet, 21 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Cabinet

(Circular)
Gentlemen,United States [Philadelphia] March 21st 1793
The Treaty which is agreed to be held on or about the first of June next at the Lower Sandusky of Lake Erie, being of great moment to the interests and peace of this Country; and likely to be attended with difficulties arising from circumstances (not unknown to you) of a peculiar and embarrassing nature; it is indispensably necessary that our rights under the Treaties which have been entered into with the Six Nations—the several tribes of Indians now in hostility with us—and the claims of others, should be carefully investigated and well ascertained, that the Commissioners who are appointed to hold it may be well informed and clearly instructed on all the points that are likely to be discussed: thereby knowing what they are to insist upon (with or without compensation, and the amount of the Compensation, if any)—and what, for the sake of peace, they may yield.
You are not to learn from me, the different views which our Citizens entertain of the War we are engaged in with the Indians, and how much these different opinions add to the delicacy and embarrassments alluded to above—nor the criticisms which, more than probable, will be made on the subject, if the proposed Treaty should be unsuccessful.
Induced by these motives, and desireous that time may be allowed for a full and deliberate consideration of the subject before the departure of the Commissioners, it is my desire that you will, on the 25th of this month, meet together at the War Office

(or at such other time and place as you may agree upon) where the principal documents are, with whatever papers you may respectively be possessed of on the subject, and such others as I shall cause to be laid before you, and then and there decide on all the points which you shall conceive necessary for the information and instruction of the Commissioners—And, having drawn them into form, to revise the same and have them ready, in a finished State, for my perusal and consideration when I return—together with a digest of such references as shall be adjudged necessary for the Commissioners to take with them.
And, as it has been suggested to me, that the Society of Quakers are desireous of sending a deputation from their Body, to be present at the aforesaid Treaty (which, if done with pure motives, and a disposition accordant with those sentiments entertained by Government respecting boundary, may be a mean of facilitating the good work of peace) you will consider how far, if they are approved Characters, they ought to be recognized in the Instructions to the Commissioners—and how proper it may be for them to participate therein or to be made acquainted therewith.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the Dey of Algiers, 21 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Algiers, dey of

[Philadelphia, 21 March 1793]

Being desirous of establishing and cultivating Peace and Harmony between our Nation and the Dey, Regency, and People of Algiers, I have appointed David Humphreys, one of our distinguished Citizens, a Commissioner Plenipotentiary, giving him full Power to negotiate and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with you. And I pray you to give full credit to whatever shall be delivered to you on the part of the United States, by him, and particularly when he shall assure you of our sincere desire to be in Peace and Friendship with you, and your People. And I pray God to give you Health and Happiness. Done at Philadelphia this Twenty first day of March 1793, and in the seventeenth Year of the Independence of these United States.

Go: Washington
By the PresidentTh: Jefferson


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, 21 March 1793]

For carrying into execution the provisions in that behalf made by the Act, entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety three.”
I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to agree and contract with the President, Directors and Company

of the Bank of the United States for a loan or loans to the United States, of any sum or sums, not exceeding in the whole Eight hundred thousand dollars; to be advanced and paid in such proportions and at such periods as you shall judge necessary for fulfilling the purposes of the said Act. Provided that the rate of Interest of such loan or loans shall not exceed five per centum per annum, and that the principal thereof may be reimbursed at the pleasure of the United States; And I do hereby promise to ratify what you shall lawfully do in the premises.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand at the City of Philadelphia the twenty first day of March in the year One thousand seven hundred & ninety three.

George Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Mar. 21. 93.

Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President incloses him draughts of letters in the Algerine business. in that to Colo. Humphreys he proposes a modification of the former instructions in one point, on a presumption that the President will be disposed to approve it. he will wait on him to-day to know his pleasure, as also to submit to his consideration the question of Mr Genet’s reception in case of his arrival during the absence of the President.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Cromwell, et al., 22 March 1793
From: Cromwell, Richard,Bentley, John,Kiuckel, Jacob,Zellers, Jacob,Hebb, Richard,Berry, John G.,Dellahunt, William
To: Washington, George

Maryland Washington County march the 22th 1793

the honourable to the president of the United states George Washington.
Whereas a Certain Matthias Dych of the County and state aforesaid hath on the 6th of this instant Enlisted under Capt: Wm Lewis having a wife An four Small Children and Nothing to leave to maintain them; And being Desirious to be Releast: we therefore the hereunder mentioned subscribers do humbly petition to thee honourable president to shew mercy and have Compassion on the distressed family and Release the said Matthias Dych. from your Humble Petitioners

Richard Cromwell


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 22 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasy Departmt 22nd March 1793

The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to The President of the U. States a Communication from the Commissioner

of the Revenue, of the 18th instant; concerning certain proposals for the maintenance and repairs of Buoys moored at & near the entrance of Charlestown Bay in South Carolina.
The most favourable of the two offers, that of William Beedom, appears to the Secretary high; yet as a different conclusion is the result of the best lights at present to be had, it is submitted as adviseable to accept the offer. The contract being made only for one year, a more careful examination can be had in the mean time for future government. It seems expedient, as suggested by the Commissioner, to confine the agreement to the buoys already moored.
Another Communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue respecting a Clerical mistake in a late Act of the President concerning the revenue district of North Carolina is submitted; in order to his signature, if he shall see no impropriety in it.

A. Hamilton.Secy of the Treasy


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

Sir
United States [Philadelphia] 22d March 93.

I send you a letter of the 26th Ulto from William Bingham Esquire to the Secretary of the Treasu[r]y together with the documents accompanying it.
I desire your opinion on the following points arising upon these papers.
I. Whether the proceedings heretofore by the U. States in Congress assembled have transferred from Mr Bingham to the public the consequences of the transaction in question so as to make the suit now depending properly an affair of the Government.
II. Whether the Executive is competent to the requisite measures of defence and security against any unfounded pretensions of the claimants Plaintiffs or Prosecutors, or whether further Special provision by law is necessary.
III. If the Executive be so competent—What is the proper course under the existing circumstances to be pursued.

G. W.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 23 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States [Philadelphia] March 23d 1793.

Pay, or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State or to his order, the sum of Thirty nine thousand five hundred Dollars, which, in addition to five hundred Dollars furnished to Colo. Humphreys on the 14th of Augt 1790, will complete the sum of forty thousand Dollars for the third year’s allowance under the Act concerning intercourse with foreign Nations.

Geo: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt March 23d 1793.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to The President of the United States the enclosed communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue.
From the nature of the circumstances represented it appears to the Secretary advisable to embrace the offer which is made by Joseph Anthony & son.

Alexandr Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to David Humphreys, 23 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Humphreys, David

My dear Sir,
Philadelphia March 23d 1793

Closely engaged in the business incident to my office during the session of Congress, and as closely employed since, in making arrangements for carrying into effect the laws then passed—and in discharging other public duties, I have not ’till this moment found myself enough at leisure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d of July: and being now on the eve of setting out for Mount Vernon I shall be able to do but little more than barely acknowledge the rect of it—and of your favors of the 23d of Jany, & 8th of feby, both of which have reached my hands within these few days.
Even if I had time, it might not be proper for me to reply particularly to the several parts of your letters, especially that of the 23d of July; I shall therefore content myself at present, my dear Sir, with making a few general observations on the existing state of things, and rely upon your being assured, that however concise my letter may be, it does not become so from any diminution of my regard for you.
If it can be esteemed a happiness to live in an age productive of great & interesting events, we of the present age are very highly favoured. The rapidity of National Revolutions appear no less astonishing than their magnitude; and the consequences of them seem to baffle every calculation. In what they will terminate, is known only to the great Ruler of events; and confiding in his wisdom & goodness, we may safely trust the issue to him, without perplexing ourselves to seek for that which is beyond the human ken, only taking care to perform the parts assigned us, in a way that reason & our own consciences approve of.
All our late accounts from Europe hold up the expectation of a general War in that quarter. For the sake of humanity I hope such an event will not take place: But if it should, I trust that we

shall have too just a sense of our own interest to originate any cause that may involve us in it—and I ardently wish we may not be forced into it by the conduct of other Nations. If we are permitted to improve, without interruption, the great advantages which nature & circumstances have placed within our reach—many years will not revolve before we may be ranked not only among the most respectable, but among the happiest people on this globe. Our advances to those points are more rapid than the most sanguine among us ever predicted. A spirit of improvement displays itself in every quarter—and principally in objects of the greatest public utility—such as, opening the inland Navigation, which is extensive & various beyond conception, improving the old roads & opening new Ones—building bridges & houses—and in short, pursuing those things which seem eminently calculated to promote the advantage & accommodation of the people at large. Besides these, the enterprizes of individuals shew at once what are the happy effects of personal exertions in a Country where equal laws & equal rights prevail.
For myself—you see me again, entering upon the arduous duties of an important office, to which the unanimous voice of my Country has once more called me. To you, who know my love of retirement & domestic life, it is unnecessary to say, that in accepting this re-appointment, I relinquish those personal enjoyments to which I am peculiarly attached. The motives which induced my acceptance are the same which have ever ruled my decision when the public desire (or as my Country men are pleasd to denominate it good) was placed in the scale against my personal enjoyment, or private interest—the latter I have ever considered as subservient to the former, and perhaps in no instance of my life have I ever been more sensible of the sacrifice than in the present; for at my age, the love of retirement grows every day more & more powerful—and the death of my Nephew, the poor Major, will, I apprehend, cause my private concerns to suffer very much. This melancholly event took place on the 5th of last month at Colo. Bassett’s, where he had gone hoping to benefit from a change of air & situation—Altho’ it had been long expected—and indeed, to me, of late, appeard inevitable; yet I have felt it very keenly.
You will receive from Mr Jefferson every official communication necessary for your conduct—together with the laws—

public papers &c. He will also inform you that the Steps which you took in consequence of Mr Barclay’s death met my entire approbation.
I set out with intimating that my letter would be very short; but upon looking back I find it can hardly be said to have that fault; but lest it should partake of another at least as bad, I shall close it with assuring you that you have the best wishes for your health & happiness of Your Sincere frd & Affecte Servt

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia Mar. 23. 1793.

Before your departure, it becomes necessary for me to sollicit your orders on the Treasury for the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations. this act commenced July 1. 1790. two years allowance have been furnished and a sum of 500. Dollars over. nine months of the 3d year are now nearly elapsed, and according to an estimate I had the honor of giving in to you the 5 th of Nov. last, the expences to the 3d of Mar. last probably amounted to about 90,785.09 D. from which deducting the sums received, to wit 80.500. D. the bankers would be in advance at that day upwards of 10,000. D. and near 20,000. D. by the time this remittance can reach them. they could feel no inconvenience from this, because they had in their hands the Algerine fund. but now that

that is to be drawn for by Colo. Humphreys, it becomes necessary to pay up the arrearages of the foreign fund, & to put them moreover in cash to answer the current calls of our ministers abroad, in order to prevent any risque to the honor of Colo. Humphreys’s bills. I must therefore sollicit your orders for 39.500. D. which will compleat the allowance for the 3d year, ending June 30. a summary view of the account is stated below. I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect & esteem, Sir your most obedt humble servt

Th: Jefferson

            D.
            D.

            Actual expences incurred from 1790. July 1. to 1792. July 1.
            64,485.09

            Probable do as by acct given in to 1793. Mar. 3.
            26,300.
            90,785.09

            1790. Aug. 14. Cash to Colo. Humphreys.
            500.

            1791. Mar. 19. bill on the bankers in favr of Secy of state
            99,000f. =

            40,000.

          f
           D.

          do on do in favr of G. Morris
           2475 =
         1000

         do on do in favr of J.B. Cutting
         577.10 =
         233⅓
         40,000
         80,500.

         1792 Jan. 23. do on do in favr of Secy of state.
         95,947 =
         38,766⅔

        99,000


Title: To George Washington from Robert Leslie, 23 March 1793
From: Leslie, Robert
To: Washington, George

Philad. 23d Mch 1793

Sir when you resided at New York, I had the honour of reciving your subscription to the inclosed, but as my gowin to London, will provent me from compleating the design, and as I mean to return all the money that I have recived on that acount, I here send yours, with my sincearest thank, for the honou⟨r⟩ you have done me by subscribing to my undertaking, I am Sir with respect and gratitude, you humble Servent

Robert Leslie


Title: To George Washington from Oliver Pollock and John Nicholson, 23 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Pollock, Oliver,Nicholson, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Oliver Pollock and John Nicholson, 23 Mar. 1793. On 25 Mar., at GW’s request, Tobias Lear sent to Henry Knox the draft of a letter for Knox to write to Pollock and Nicholson in answer to their letter to GW “of the 23d inst.”


Title: John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 23 March 1793
From: Stagg, John Jr.
To: Lear, Tobias

Sir.
War department March 23d 1793.

The Secretary of War has directed me to transmit to you, for the President’s perusal, the enclosed dispatches, just received from Brigadier Wilkinson and Governor Blount, dated the 12th ulto. I am Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt

John Stagg JunrChf Clk


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 24 March 1793
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

(Secret & confidential)
My dear Sir.Lisbon March 24th 1793.
I took the liberty of addressing a letter to you from Gibralter on the 8th of last month, which I hope will have come safe to your hand. I mentioned therein that my design in writing was only to suggest two hints, the first whether you would wish to make use of Mr Church in the Morocco business, as he was soon expected at Lisbon? The second, that (if you could not conveniently find any person but myself to undertake the affair which was first committed to Adral Jones, & eventually to Mr Barclay) I would attempt the execution of the temporary Commission: upon condition of having all the expences merely borne by the public, and of having some person sent by you, or employed by me to assist in doing the writing and keeping the Accts. I farther added, that although I thus proposed myself, it was not from a desire of having my services accepted under an idea of its being a gratification to me, but solely as a dernier resort in case no other or better expedient should occur.
Since the date of that letter, the commencement of hostilities between France & England has rendered the process of the business considerably more difficult than before. And as most of the other maritime powers seem likely to be involved in the war, in that case the difficulty of transporting to the place of destination the necessary money, without hazarding its loss (that is to say, by chartering a neutral vessel) will become almost insuperable. I mention this, not for the sake of wishing to decline any service you may think proper to order, but with a view that, by

being apprised of the circumstances, you may be able to take your measures & cause instructions to be given accordingly to the person who shall ultimately be employed on that business, whosoever he may be.
It was, my most beloved & most esteemed Sir, with a degree of satisfaction, easier conceived than expressed, that I heard of your unanimous re-election to the office of President. The same event having twice happened almost induces me to think that miracles have not yet ceased. The concentered Suffrage of four Millions of People in your favour, without a dissentient, is, at least, a novelty in the history of mankind. I will not, however, make use of the ordinary way of congratulating you, because you know sufficiently my heart, and the sincerity of my wishes & prayers for your long life & perfect happiness. But you will permit me to congratulate the Public & myself on an event which certainly gives more pleasure to every other individual in the Republic, than to yourself. Whatever at any former period I may have thought, whatever good you may have since done in a public character, I am now more than ever convinced that your services are still necessary for your Country. You know I am incapable of flattering, and therefore will believe me when I say, that although I am sensible the Government is very firmly established & the different parts of the Union better cemented than could possibly have been expected; yet I fully believe your influence, example & prudence are still requisite to place the national felicity on a basis so permanent as not to be shaken for ages to come. This idea ought to animate you through all your toils & sacrifices. And the certain knowledge you have that no human character ever enjoyed so much untarnished fame in his life time should more than compensate for any little perplexities, troubles & vexations you may encounter, & to which human nature in every situation is inevitably exposed. Nor can the unequivocal proof you have so lately had of the real sentiments of your Countrymen respecting your conduct be unacceptable to you. For you must be sensible that many of the most distinguished characters which have ever adorned the world, have in retaliation for the greatest services met with the blackest ingratitude. And indeed the instances have been innumerable in which the benefactors of mankind, after lives worn out in public services, have been obliged to appeal to Posterity for the posthumous fame they now enjoy. But Heaven be thanked! how different

is your case? No person in existence, ought perhaps to be better acquainted with your real character than I am: and whatever merit I may be disposed to allow you (nor must you imagine me very niggardly in the allowance) for having acquired all this good will of Mankind at home & abroad, I cannot forbear believing you are, taking the circumstances together, the most fortunate man that ever existed: or in other, & more reasonable words, that you have, during your whole life, been under the peculiar favour & protection of a good Providence.
It is exceedingly pleasant to me, & ought to be infinitely more so to you, to look back upon the dark scenes of a military & political kind, through which our Country has passed to its present distinguished state of tranquility & happiness: and then to extend our views to the still brighter prospects of its improvements & greatness. No reasonable man could have been so sanguine as to have anticipated the one half of what has happend in our own times. And yet I am persuaded you will do me the justice to recollect, in the long & frequent conversations we had at Mount Vernon, respecting your accepting the Presidency, my opinions & anticipations came much nearer to the truth than your own. I even then believed entirely in the wonderfully happy effects of a free & energetic Government. Your Modesty led you to think too humbly of yourself & of the services you were capable of rendering your Country on that critical occasion. Had you persisted in that full determination you had positively adopted, of not accepting the Presidency, how unfortunately different might have been at this moment your Country’s reputation & your own? Yet I know you were actuated by the best possible motives, & I am well assured the first conversation you ever had with any man living on that subject, would do you more real credit in the judgment of the impartial world & of Posterity, than any one of the most splendid actions of your whole life. For where a man unbosoms his inmost thought & sentiment to his friend, he is certainly displaying without ostentation the dictates of his heart: & if then he, as it were inadvertently, brings forth to light traits of character that tend to dignify the very race to which we belong, it is because those hidden qualities are really his own, & not because he wishes them to be seen or known of men.
If as a Member of the Community, & from public motives I have a right to rejoice in your continuing with the universal wishes of your Countrymen at the head of the Government; I

ought not perhaps to be less pleased on a personal & private account. While I may happen to remain in a public character abroad, it is certainly one of the most pleasant & useful circumstances possible for me to find a Person in that Station to whom I may, as an honest man, communicate every sentiment & feeling of the Soul without reserve. It may also be highly beneficial for the Public for me to be able on certain occasions to be able to disclose facts or projects with more freedom & in greater detail to you as Chief Magistrate, than it would be proper for me to do in an official letter to the Secretary of State, which letter must remain on the files of his office.
Apropos—I have been most zealously exerting myself, for some weeks past to find out what to do, to induce this Government to act with liberality or even common justice in respect to our wheat trade. The measures they adopt in detaining our vessels are certainly highly impolitic, & the reasons they give are of a very singular, & (to me) unsatisfactory nature. If necessity obliges them to detain a supply of grain, they ought to pay for it at the highest price which could be obtained in the market to which it might have been carried. This, I believe, is practiced in every other Country under similar circumstances.
The refusal to admit our flour you will perceive is owing wholly to the prevalence of the aristocratic influence over the real interests of the People at large. These impolitic regulations they have a right to persist in, if they find it their interest so to do: but how far it may be in the power or policy of our Government to give greater facilities to the exportation of flour, than to the exportation of wheat, I know not. And whether, in that case, any exemption of duties on tonnage, or other measures operating in the nature of an encouragement or bounty to vessels employed in the exportation of flour should be able to give such an advantage over the exportation of grain in its unmanufactured state, as in a manner to compel it to be admitted here from motives of interest, I only barely suggest to your superiour information & discretion.
I beg you will have the goodness to pardon this long letter, to offer my most affecte regards to Mrs Washington & the family, and to believe me to be, with the greatest truth & affection Your most grateful Serv. & faithful friend

D. Humphreys


Title: Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short to be in cypher, 23 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Carmichael, William,Short, William

Gendemen
[Philadelphia] Mar. 23. 1793.

It is intimated to us, in such a way as to attract our attention, that France means to send a strong force early this spring to offer independance to the Spanish American colonies, beginning

with those on the Missisipi: & that she will not object to the receiving those on the East side into our confederation, interesting considerations require that we should keep ourselves free to act in this case according to circumstances, & consequently that you should not, by any clause of treaty, bind us to guarantee any of the Spanish colonies against their own independance, nor indeed against any other nation. for when we thought we might guarantee Louisiana on their ceding the Floridas to us, we apprehended it would be seised by Great Britain who would thus completely encircle us with her colonies & fleets. this danger is now removed by the concert between Great Britain & Spain: and the times will soon enough give independance, & consequently free commerce to our neighbors, without our risking the involving ourselves in a war for them.


Title: Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 March 1793
From: Knox, Henry
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir
[Philadelphia] Sunday Morng [24 March 1793]

Please to submit the enclosed letter, from Major Hamtramck previously to the Presidents departure. excuse my not endorsing them.

H. Knox


Title: John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 24 March 1793
From: Stagg, John Jr.
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir.
[Philadelphia] Sunday—March 24 [1793]

Please to submit to the President, the enclosed letter from general Wayne, received last evening. Your’s respectfully

John Stagg Junr


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 24 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Mr Whiting
Philadelphia March 24th 1793

I have received your letters of the 18th & 20th instant, and am very glad to find by them that you have got about again. Be careful not to do any thing that may occasion your disorder to return. It is not my wish that exertions in my business should bring on a relapse. Pursue the Doctors advice with respect to the quantum of exercise proper for you; and avoid night rides, which are very pernicious, even to a man in health.
I shall leave this on Wednesday next, so as to be at George town on the monday following (the first of April); and if not detained there on business, shall be at Mount Vernon the day after. I shall take Osborne & the two Postilions with me; and eight horses; the last of which you will provide for in the best manner you can under the want of Oats. One bed will be sufficient for

the two Postilions; but they will make use of two, if two are in the room; for which reason let one of them be taken away and deposited in the Garret of the Great-House.
The Maltese Jack should be advertised for Covering—On the same terms as last year—the other, if his performances last year are approved, I shall keep for my own Mares. The Advertisements ought, by good right, to be in the Baltimore, Annapolis, Alexandria, Fredericksburgh & Winchester Gazettes. If I should, on my way down, meet with a stud horse that I think would answer the purpose you want, I will buy him. In that case he ought to be advertised for Covering also, & not to remain a dead charge upon me.
If you sow Clover Seed on no other field than No. 7 at Dogue run, it was unnecessary, & wrong to run me to the expence of purchasing as much as I did: as it will grow worse, if not get spoiled, before another Season. It is high time that the Spg Sowing was over.
You say Mrs Washington’s Carpenters have been at Work with Green since the 11th of the Month, but in his Report of the 17th he takes no notice at all of them. and Mr Butlers Plantation Reports are such as I can neither make head or tale of. In some, no acct at all is given of the Stock; and in none is there any mention of the increase, or decrease. I return them—wishing, if they can be made more intelligable & correct, that it may be done: for my reason for calling for these reports is not for the mere curiosity, or gratification of the moment; but that I may see into, and be informed of the State of things at any past period, by having recourse to them hereafter; as they are all preserved.
I wish you would employ a few hands in opening the Visto, before I reach home; that I may be able to form an opinion thereof, immediately upon my arrival. I would not have the Gate Posts put in, until the ground is in perfect order for it. Nothing I presume is done towards removing the Houses at Union Farm, as nothing is said about them.
As I shall be at home So soon I shall add nothing more in this letter than my best wishes for the perfect restoration of your health—and that I am Your friend

Go: Washington


Title: Certificate for Tobias Lear, 25 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

[Philadelphia, 25 March 1793]

I do hereby certify that I have examined the Accounts which have been kept by Mr Tobias Lear, on my behalf, from the commencement of my Administration of the Government of the United States down to the 31st day of December One thousand seven hundred and ninety two—as will appear by the Journal & Ledger which contain them—and that I am perfectly well satisfied with the clearness and justness of them.
Given under my hand in the City of Philadelphia this 25th day of March 1793.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Mar. 25. 1793.

The Director of the mint having given in to the Secretary of state a general statement of the monies hitherto received for the mint, to wit 15,000 Dollars from the Treasury, and 170.25 D. the proceeds of certain articles sold, as also of the expenditures of the mint amounting to 16,233.46 D. with an application for a further sum of 5000. Dollars the same are respectfully laid before the President.

Th: Jefferson


Title: Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia] March 25th 1793

The President encloses a draft for the Director of the Mint to receive five thousand dollars for the purposes of that establishment—likewise a letter for Mr G. Morris, which he requests the Secretary of State will be so good as to forward with the public dispatches he may send to that Gentleman.


Title: Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 25 March 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Knox, Henry

U.S. [Philadelphia] Marh 25. 1793

By the Presdent’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of War a lettr from O. Pollock & Jno. Nicholson Esqs. requesting to be furnished with copies of certain parts of the treaty lately made by Genl Putnam with the Illonois & Wabash Indians—to wh. the President requests the Secretary will give an Answer to the effect of the enclosed sketch, wh. was intended to have been written by the Presidt; but upon reflection, he thot it wd be most proper that the Answr shd go from the Secy of War.

T. L.S.P.U.S.


Title: To George Washington from Elihu Marshall, 25 March 1793
From: Marshall, Elihu
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York March 25th 1793

Understanding by Capt. Dennis that the Office of first-mate of the revenue cutter of this district was vacant—I beg leave to solicit you for an appointment to fill the vacancy—A few years past, I would not have accepted of such an Office—I was in good circumstances—but I have been unfortunate—not long ago I was Shipwrecked on the Coast of Ireland which nearly ruined me—and recently was upset at sea—was four Days on the bottom of the wreck—I lost my all except, a shirt & trowsers which I had on—Since which I have plyed between this & Boston as a pilot—the Business is small—I have a large family—we are reduced—The Office I solicit will afford us a subsistance—If nautical quallifications (for I was brought up to the sea) and a thorough knowledge of the coast—If my former services in the army—and my present necessities are sufficient recommendations I am confident I do not solicit in vain—knowing your heart must ever dilate with infinite pleasure whenever you have it in your power to aleviate the sufferings of an old Soldier I am Sir with the greatest Esteem your most Obt Sert

Elihu Marshall

P.S. Least you should not recognize me by my name I Just mention that I had a Company in Courtland 4 Regt & that in 78 & 79 I was Brigd. Majr to Genl Poor.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 25 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 25 Mar. 1793. GW wrote Randolph on 27 Mar., acknowledging “your letter to me of the 25t[h] inst.”


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt March 26th—1793.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the consideration of the President of the United States, a communication from the commissioner of the Revenue, relating to a Contract for the building of a Beacon-boat for the use of the River and Bay of Delaware. He can add nothing to what is suggested by the Commissioner; in whose view of the subject he concurs.

Alexandr Hamilton.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Mar. 26. 93.

Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President, incloses a description of a new plan of a Capitol in which mister Hallet is engaged,

who has expressed very earnest wishes that the ultimate decision may not be pronounced till he can bring it forward.


Title: To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 26 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Lewis, Robert
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Robert Lewis, 26 Mar. 1793. An ALS of this letter was abstracted and offered for sale in 1906 in George H. Richmond, Autograph Letters, Manuscripts . . . , item 237. According to the catalog entry, which provides the date of 26 Mar. 1793, Lewis wrote: “I have had uncommon good success among the tenants of this County the last fall in the collection way. They have one & all (with a few exceptions only) paid up.” This is probably the same letter that sold in The Collector, vol. 33, item 6831, in February 1939. The catalog entry describes the contents of a

3–page ALS written in 1793 and docketed by GW: “Lewis was evidently looking after Mount Vernon during Washington’s absence . . . [and] gives Washington an accounting and describes his success at collecting rents and settling various land claims. He speaks of joining Washington at Mt. Vernon, the latter being there on one of his brief visits.” In GW’s letter to Tobias Lear of 8 April 1793 from Mount Vernon, he wrote that Lewis had written him “that he shall be here with some Rents, & to settle other business with me.”


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 26 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Philadelphia, 26 Mar. 1793. Writes that “Since writing to you yesterday I have bought a handsome . . . Enclosed you have the draught of an Advertisment which you may put into the Alexandria & Wincester. I have sent one to Fredericksburg—& shall lodge others as I go, at Baltimore, Annapolis, & George Town.”


Title: Tobias Lear to the Postmasters of Baltimore, Georgetown, and Alexandria, 27 March 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Postmasters of Baltimore, Georgetown, and Alexandria

Sir,
Philadelphia March 27th 1793

The President of the U. S. intending to set off for Mount Vernon this day, has directd me to request that you will retain any letters that may come to your office for him after you receive this and will take from the Mails going to Philada that may pass thro[u]gh your Office, such letters as are addressed to the President—and cause them to be sent to him when he arrives in Baltimore. I am Sir &c.

T. LearS. P. U. S.


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

Sir,
United States [Philadelphia] March 27t[h] 1793

In consequence of your letter to me of the 25t[h] inst. stating the opinion of the Secretarry of State, the Secretary of the Treasury and yourself, on the subject of a suit instituted against Mr Bingham—and suggesting the propriety of giving instructions to the Attorney for the United S. in the Massachusetts Dist. to appear in behalf of Mr Bingham—provided that Mr Bingham will execute certain engagements as mentiond in your letter aforesaid—I do hereby direct you to take such steps in this affair as may be proper & for the Intere[s]t of the U. S. to pursue.

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 27 March 1793
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Honrd Sir
Mount Vernon March 27th 1793

Your Letter of the 17th I had the Honor to receive, with respect to the Lucerne Lot (bottom part of) I have not yet had it Cleand up fit for Sowing Grass Seeds On—Your Excelly will remember that it was your particular Orders that none of the Evergreens should be taken up, till you came home in consequence they are all still remaining & are at places very thick So that nothing can be sown, till they are Clumpd & left in single trees as you may think proper—However it is as well to sow the Grass Seeds abt July or Augst as at this time & I dont know but better And While you are down they may be Laid of as may best please you The Potatoes shall be planted agreable to your request as far as the seed will admit of. But we Shall be Obliged to plant all Sizes but they may be kept Seperate to try the difference—We began to Clean & Get ready the fishing Landing on Monday We haul the Shad Sein but as yet catch very few. They Catch Great plenty of Shad below & bring them up to Town in

Vessels they now sell at a half bit each—My Herring Sein is not quite finish’d but will be this Week we shall begin haul for herrings on Monday next. McGinnis disapointed me in knitting the Sein.
Mr Stuart has Got out all the Wheat at River farm & Crow will I believe finish thrashing this week there is now plenty of Wheat in the mill We had a fine Seasonable rain yesterday & this a very fine Day after it Yesterdays rain suits both farms & mill & will enable the miller to Carry on his manufacturing with out delay—We are Listing every Where but Dogue run they are Sowing Oats & Grass seeds I have endeavor’d to Get as much fencing done as possible a Great deal still remains to do before the fences will be in such order as I wish to see them There was not three Good fences on the Whole Estate.
Lynna (Boatswains Daughter) has had a remarkable bad breast after her Lying in[.] Docr Craik has attended her—Blacksmith George has been sick this week past which is a Great Loss at this busy season I was forc’d to take Gardener George into the Shop Yesterday morning this will be an excuse for the Gardr as I think he will require some I am Going to Town to morrow for the first time when I hope to receive Your Excelly Letter of the 24th I have a Great deal to do in Town Some Articles to prepare for fishing and some Bills to pay which have been contracted during my Sickness & some money I expect to receive of Jamieson for ShipStuff sold on 60 Days if so I intend paying Hampsons bill. I Get Strength very fast & on days past I could not walk without Assistance But I now Ride out every fine Day.
We have a report here and at Alexa. that Mrs Frances Washington is at Frederickburgh on her Road to mount Vernon. I am Honrd Sir Your Obdt Servt

A. Whitting

P.S. Greens Report is not come to hand he has been Sick several Days perhaps that Occasioned it.


Title: To George Washington from Frances Bassett Washington, 28 March 1793
From: Washington, Frances Bassett
To: Washington, George

Dear & honord Sir
Studly [Va.] March 28th 1793

I have had the happiness to receive your favors of the 7th & 11th instants—the first did not come to my hands, for near a week after the usual time—Mr Dandridge was unacquainted with my short visit to Eltham, & sent my letters to this place, where I found them on my return—I shoud be very much concernd

for this detention, if I had not reason to beleive that my last letters to my Aunt, woud leave you without a doubt of my intending to meet you at Mount Vernon, early in next month[.] My Brothers have told me, that they did not conceive, the situation of the estate required my immediate interferance & attention—there is no debt against it, except a small one to Mr John Hopkins; but the property in Berkely has been left so long to the conduct of an ignorant Overseer, it may be supposed to have sufferd in some degree—Mr Washington expected his crops up there, if well sold, woud amount to four hundred pounds, & Mr Packett was authorised & requested to dispose of them four months ago—but in all this time I have never heard a sentence from him, or of the situation of the crops—the Overseer in Fairfax, has I fear taken many unjustifiable liberties—I have I beleive been too backward in not requesting your directions, with regard to the fishery on the place he lives; he is provided with a seine & boat, but I shoud conceive a man of his character, woud not conduct a business of that sort with much advantage to the proprietor—I must now request the decision of your better judgement, if you have not already given him any orders respecting it—Doctor Craik has I imagine disposed of the wheat & corn Taylor had for sale, which I hope has discharged his account against us—The inclination I have indulged for living in Alexandria, has arisen cheifly from the desire I have to place my children (particularly Maria) in a situation that woud afford greater advantages of education, than I can possibly bestow—whether this circumstance is sufficent to overbalance many, that woud urge me to accept your kind offer of a residence at Mount Vernon, I confess my judgement is not adaquate to determine—I wait on this subject, my dear Sir, for yours, & my good Aunts guidance, which in many circumstances of my life has been a blessing to me—I shoud not have hesitated to ask your leave; to continue in my service the Chariot at Mount Vernon, had you not been so kindly considerate, as to make it unnecessary—My dear little Fayette shall be given up to your kind patronage, whenever you think proper; & I trust & hope Providence will reward your generous care of him, by bestowing on him every virtuous disposition—I am concernd to hear of poor Mr Whitings situation, but hope he has been induced to take care of himself, & will again recover—Never hearing particularly whether you woud be at Mount Vernon, the last of this, or the first week in

next month, I have declined setting out from this place untill monday. (the 1st of April)—if I hear at Fredericksburg that you have arrived in Virginia, I shall endeavour to get up on wednesday—in a letter some time past to my Aunt, I requested your permission to leave Harriot Washington with my Aunt Lewis, untill I made a visit to Berkely, which I wish to do immediately after you leave Mount Vernon, I mentiond this because I coud not carry her with me to Berkely, & knew not where to leave her when I went up—my Brother Burwell is on a visit to Mr McCarty, & my Brother John so much engaged in business that he cannot leave home, I therefore accept the offer of Mr Joe Foster to go up with me to Mount Vernon—The family here desire to be particularly rememberd to you, & I beg to be beleived my dear Sir, with every sentiment of gratitude, respect, & affection, ever sincerely yours

Frances Washington


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 29 March 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia March 29th 1793

I have the honor to enclose a paper containing some seeds and a note from Mr Powel, which were sent here the evening after your departure.
I called upon General Knox yesterday in order to communicate to him your observations and wishes respecting several matters mentioned in Genl Wilkinson’s letters. I found the General much better than he had been for some days past; but he said he was not yet well enough to attend to business. With respect to commuting the smaller articles of the Rations for an increase of bread & meat, he observed, that he should take the earliest opportunity his health would admit of to confer with the Secretary of the Treasury (in whose department all the Contracts lay) on that subject—and would inform you of the result: And in a day or two he would converse with me on the other points.
There has been no arrival here from Europe since you left us; but the merchants who have vessels ready to sail are under great apprehensions on account of the information brought by the Ship from Lisbon.
I have the pleasure to inform you that Ms Washington and the family are all in good health—and that you may enjoy the same with its best blessings—is the sincere prayer of Your respectful & obliged Servt

Tobias Lear.


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 March 1793 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Letter not found: to Tobias Lear, c.30 Mar. 1793. In a letter to Lear of 30 Mar., GW wrote that because “the trifling incidents wch happened to occur on the road being related in the enclosed letter, I shall conclude.”


Title: Broadside from William Hartshorne & Company, 1 April 1793
From: William Hartshorne & Company
To: Washington, George

George Washington Esqr.
Alexandria. [Va.] April 1, 1793

we request your attention to the foregoing circular from the late firm of HARTSHORNE and DONALDSON, and to assure you our best endeavours shall be exerted to merit the recommendation there given.—Our Exports consist of Flour, Bread, Wheat and Indian Corn, these are the principal; besides these we have some Tobacco, Pine Plank, Shingles, Staves and Hemp. Flour and Bread may be had at all seasons; the time for shipping Wheat is generally from November till April; Indian Corn from January till December, when the new Crop is gathered, but not fit to ship.—The articles imported here, that may be conveniently sold on Commission, are Sugar, Teas, Rum, Molasses, Coffee, Wines, Salt, Raw Hides, Tanned Leather, Sail Cloth and coarse Linens.
At foot are our different signatures to which only be pleased to attend.
The Signature of Thy respectful friend, Wm Hartshorne
Wm Hartshorne & Co.

The Signature of your most obedient servant, James Cavan
Wm Hartshorne & Co[mpan]y
The Signature of your most obedient servant, John Muir
Wm Hartshorne & Co.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia Apr. 1. 1793.

The Report brought by a captain of a ship from Lisbon just in the moment of your departure that France had declared war against several nations, involved in that declaration almost every power of Europe. I therefore suspect that it has arisen from Kersaint’s proposition to declare war against every nation, which a pilot may not have distinguished from a declaration. still I have thought it adviseable that Capt. Cutting should prefer going in an American ship. he therefore has written to know the precise day of sailing of two or three vessels bound from New York to London, & will go in the first. I am told that private letters from Gr. Britain render civil war a more probable thing there than would be concluded from the papers. I received from mister Sargent a letter complaining of the absence of the judges from the N. Western territory; and inclosed a copy of it in a letter from myself on the subject to Judge Turner. I have not yet any answer.

General Knox continues still too unwell to meet us on the subject of your circular letter. I have the honour to be with the most perfect respect & attachment Dear Sir Your most obedt & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 1 April 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia April 1st 1793

I know of nothing relative to public affairs that has transpired since your departure. In our domestic concerns we go on as usual.

General Knox is mending; but he has not yet been out of his room. I saw him yesterday, when he told me he had just received a letter from General Lincoln, and that he might be expected here about the middle of the present week. As General Knox observed that he was not yet well enough to attend to business, nothing was said on the points mentioned to him the day after you left the City.
I shall this day inform Mr De Barth that I have his bond and am authorized to receive payment thereof; but I do not think there is any probability of his being as ready to produce the money; for there was hardly ever a more general complaint of the want of specie than at present. whether the scarcity is real or artificial is left to conjecture; but there are not a few who consider it as altogether of the latter complexion.
The Vessel on board of which the porter was shipped sailed on friday, and since that time the wind has been generally favourable for her.
If Mrs F. Washington should be at Mount Vernon I must beg the favor of having my best respects presented to her with the sincerest condolence for the loss of her dear friend—and my best wishes for the happiness of herself & children.
Mrs Lear unites with me in sentiments of respect for yourself & in wishing that health & happiness may attend you. I have the honor to be, with the truest Attachment Sir Your obliged, faithful & Affecte Servt

Tobias Lear.


Title: To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, Jr., 2 April 1793
From: Bassett, Burwell Jr.
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Popescreek [Va.] April 2d 1793

I am gretefully sensible of the friendly sentiments communicated in your favor of the 4th of March[.] The death of my dear father was rendered the more distressing as from the apparent strength of his constitution he had a right to expect to enjoy life for many years had not that fatal accident have happened. But humane expectations seems almost to be formed only for disappointment it is therefore wise to submit. Your communications respecting the will of our friend I made known to my sister she was extremely anxious to have her appearance in publick on such an occation postponed to a further day than the fifteenth of this month. I can myself see no objection to gratifying her in that respect as the regularity of the Majors affairs will I hope prevent any dispute at any time paticularly at an early period, and s[h]ould necessety require it an executrix can do almost any act before qualification. These considerations prevent Mr Dandridge and myself from being at the Fairfax april court agreable to the suggestion in your letter. Be pleased to give my love to my sister. With every sentitiment of regard and esteem I subscribe myself Your Obt Huml. Sert

Burwell Bassett


Title: From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 April 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Commissioners for the District of Columbia

Gentlemen.
Mount Vernon April 3d 1793.

On my way to, and at the landing of George Town yesterday, I had a good deal of conversation with Major Ellicott—who says, if you will give him an opportunity, he will make it appear to your satisfaction that there are not those errors in his work that have been reported; and that the work reported to have been done, and not actually executed he is persuaded he can expln to your entire satisfaction if you will afford him a candid & patient hearing as above. This I assured him you would do, as truth was the object you were in pursuit of.

I took this occasion to repeat to him again in stronger terms than ever that I would not interfere between the Commissioners & the characters Subortinate to them; and that it was to them, and them only he was accountable for his conduct; because it was with them & them only I could or would communicate in future. He acknowledged the propriety thereof, but observed at the sametime, that he could not be responsible for any that he did not himself employ; adding that the whole of this uneasiness arises from one Dermot (I think he called him) whom he did not employ.
I informed him moreover, in unequivocal language, that his conduct, as far as it had appeared to me from the corrispondance between you & him, was not respectful to you, when it ought to have been so & was always expected by the Employer from the employed—He assured me he meant no disrespect; and declared in the most solemn terms, that he had endeavored to the utmost of his abilities to execute the work well—& with all the dispatch the accuracy of it would admit—adding, as his firm belief, that no work of the same kind & magnitude was ever performed with so few errors. he seemed as far as I could discover, to be inclined not only to stay until the first of May, but ’till the whole plan was compleated. I advised him to go to you, and in a proper manner, to make the above communications, & propose something agreeably thereto—If he does, I submit, without giving an opinion, or wishing to interfere in your business, whether an accomodation under all circumstances is not to be preferred to an open breach; and a news paper justification which will inevitably follow.
I ought also to mention (but this I do for your information, only) that I also had a conversation with Mr Stoddart after any I had with either of you Gentlemen on this Subject, in which he expressed an earnest desire that means could be devised to prevent the dismission of Mr Ellicot as he thot the event—at this time—would be attended with disagreeable consequences especially as Mr Ellicot wd be able he thought to prove the chargs unf[ounde]d—My reply was that I would support the Commissioners. that it was painful to me, to see such interference of the Proprietors who, in my opinion, had no more to do with the conduct of them (farther than to receive their dues according to contract) than a Citizen of the State of New Hampshire or Georgia;

& moreover, that they appeared to me to be acting the parts of suicides to their own interests, as far as their conduct could effect it. To all of wch he acquiesced.
I thought it but right to make the Foregoing communication, that you might give it the consideration it deserved, and to add, that you may be assured, I am Gentlemen—Yr Most Obedt & Very Hble Servt

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 April 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia April 3d 1793

I have been honored with your letter of the 30th ultimo, from Baltimore—and was happy to learn that you had proceeded that far on your journey without any material accident.
I have seen Mr De Barth, who informs me that he is not able to discharge his bond—and that it is impossible for him to say, with any precision, when he shall be able to do it. The reasons which he offers for his want of punctuality—and expectation of inability to comply with his engagement, at least for some time to come, are—the numerous disappointments he has met with in his private affairs—and the unsettled state of public matters in France, from whence he expected to draw the means of fulfiling his bonds. He appears to be much mortified at the circumstance—and says he is ready, at any moment, to give up the contract on his part, if you should wish it, or should have an opportunity of disposing of the lands to any other person; he says likewise, that he has made no engagement whatso[e]ver respecting the land since his bargain with you, so that his giving it up, if desired, would not involve any third person in an inconvenience. I am informed that Mr Cazeneau is at present in New York on some business respecting lands. If he should return to this city before your arrival here, and a proper occasion shd occur, I will mention your lands on the Kanawa, in order to see if he has any inclination to purchase, should you be disposed to sell them to him.

Colo. Canon called here yesterday, and left with me the enclosed statement of the rents recd from your lands under his care. This Statement, you will observe, comes no lower than the end of the year 1789. On the first of April 1790, he says all the lands were leased anew for five years—Since which time the rent which he has actually received is so trifling that it was hardly worth mentioning; but he says he has settled with all the tenants up to the first day of April last (two years from the commencement of their leases) and has taken their bonds with good security for the rent to that time, which he observes, he was obliged to do or drive the tenants off the land; for to have distressed them for the rent would have had that effect, as they were all poor—and most of them had been at considerable expense in making improvements during the first year of their leases—he shall however, as soon as he gets home, set about collecting the bonds—as well as the rents due to the first of this month. The reason which he assigns for not having paid more than £50—of the £266 12s. 9d. which he acknowledges has come to his hands, is, that it was received in Produce, which he could not dispose of in the part of the Country where he lives—and he had therefore sent it, with other produce, to New Orleans, and that he had not yet received the returns therefor, but expected to find them when he got home. He has stated the price of wheat @ 3/6, which he says will be found to be the average price of the three years in which the rents were received. I argued the justice of your receiving a share of the profits of sending the wheat to New Orleans—or at least that you should receive Interest on the amount of it, from the close of each year to the present time of settling those accounts; but he observed, that if the first was attempted great difficulties would arise in the settlement of the Accts with respect to the expenses of carrying it to market—risque—& average loss. And that as he had received no benefit himself from having kept the rents in his hands, he could not see the justice of allowing interest; for altho’ he has Stated the price of wheat @ 3/6—yet that sum could not have been obtained for it in cash at any time—it was the nominal price of the Country in the way of barter or upon long credit; he therefore thought he had acted most for your interest by managing it as he had done.
Finding there was no probability of making things better by disputing—and beleiving that you were desireous of having the

business settled in the best way that circumstances would allow—I thought it would be placing the matter upon the best ground, to take his bond for the Balance of £266 12s. 9d. which I accordingly did, payable in six months from the date (apl 2d) for £266 12s. 9d. which I shall deliver into your hands on your arrival here. This settles the business up to the first of April 1790—when the new leases commenced. He says he shall certainly pay the bond before the expiration of the six months—and he hopes a good part of what has become due upon the new leases. I observed that there was no acct of any rent received from the lands in Fayette County for the year 1787. This Colo. Cannon says was occasioned by their having been leased by Majr Freeman on such terms as released the tenants from rents for that year—for they were put on merely to take care of the tenements. Colo. Shreve appears to be three years in arrears as well as the others; the reason of which Colo. Canon says is that he has expended so much money in improvements on the land & in putting the mill in order that he has been unable to make his payment of Rent; but that he has his obligation among the others—and is very certain he shall receive full payment as soon as he returns to that part of the Country.
Colo. Canon desired me to repeat to you the particular reasons which he assigned to me for not having come to any settlement before—as well as his deep regret at having, as he has understood, incurred your displeasure in the management of the business, or rather in having so long neglected to come to a settlement. I assured him I would do it; but I must defer doing it until I am able to do it personally; for it would be too teadious to detail in a letter. He observes, upon the whole, that Shreve has made very great improvements on the land which he has taken—by planting fruit trees—building stables & barns—and repairing the mill, which is now in as complet order as when she was first set agoing and is considered as one of the first mills in that part of the Country. He is confident the property is more valuable by £500 than it was before Shreve took it—owing to his improvements. The property in Washington County, he says is likewise much enhaunced in its value by the improvements made by the tenants—and that the whole property at the end of the five years for which it is leased, will be worth at least one thousand pounds more (owing entirely to the manner in which it has

been managed) than it was when it came into his hands (exclusive of what may be the rise in the value of the land in common with others lands). He says he is extremely desireous that you should send some person out there to see the situation of the land & examine minutely into his conduct with respect to it.
General Lincoln arrived in this place on Monday—and is closely engaged in examining the documents relative to the proposed mission.
I met Governor St Clair yesterday, who told me he should set out for the Western Country in the course of a week from that time.
The public anxiety is great to hear from Europe and it cannot be long before it is gratified, as a large number of Vessels are expected every hour from thence.
Mrs Washington, Mrs Lear & the family are in good health—and earnestly wish you may enjoy the same with every other blessing. With the truest & most respectful attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obliged, faithful & affectionate Servant

Tobias Lear.


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 4 April 1793
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

(Secret & confidential)
My dear Sir.Lisbon April 4th 1793.
Since I had the honour of addressing you on the 24th Ultimo, I have seen two letters from Captn Obrian (the last of the 12th of February) to the Messrs Bulkeleys of this Town. In these he

mentions, “that a Peace had been made by the instrumentality of Spain, between Prussia & Algiers for One hundred & forty thousand Mexico Dollars: Prussia to pay a Tribute every two years, & to send an Ambassador directly to Algiers.” If this be a fact, the U.S. can hardly expect to obtain a Peace on lower terms.
Captn O’Brian also says, “we received a remittance of Money last November in order to prolong life.” From what quarter this should have come, I cannot conjecture, unless from the part of Mr Carmichael. But of this I am as uninformed as you can be (perhaps more so) since Mr Carmichael has never written a syllable to me in answer to the numerous letters I have written to him on the subject; as you will have found particularly mentioned in my Correspondence with the Secretary of State. Nor has Mr Carmichael ever drawn Bills upon me for that purpose, as he was often desired to do—as my letters to the office of foreign affairs will abundantly shew. But I will not enlarge, the whole subject being before you. With every possible sentiment of affecn & respect, I have the honour to remain My dear Sir Your sincere friend & Most obliged, humble Servt

D. Humphreys

P.S. I will again ask the favour, of having my most affectionate regards presented to Mrs Washington & the family.


Title: To George Washington from Charles Lee, 4 April 1793
From: Lee, Charles
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria [Va.] 4th april 1793

The objects which I have in veiw at this time will not permit me conveniently to continue in the Office of Collector at Alexandria which you were pleased to entrust to me. About the 12th of this month I shall have occasion to leave town and previously it is my wish to deliver up all my official books documents & papers to my successor and I am therefore to request that you will be pleased to make the appointment whenever it shall be found convenient, and until it be done the businss shall be transacted as usual.
It would make me happy to be succeeded by Col. Fitzgerald whose worth is well known to you and who is desirous of the appointment or by Mr Vincent Gray who has filled the office of deputy collector from the commencement of the new government, & has acquired a thorough knowledge of its functions, and who not only has conducted himself in a manner satisfactory to all that have had to do with the office, but has been exemplary in a diligent obedient and faithful discharge of the duties required of him.
I return you my thanks for the trust you confided to me, and I remain with the most respectful consideration sir your most obet & hbl. servant

Charles Lee


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 April 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Aprl 5th 1793.

From Baltimore I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 29th Ulto; as I am now about to do that of the first instant from hence.
I had no idea of your obtaining money from Mr de Barth, if it was even more abundant than you represent it to be—nor do I believe he had any expectation at the time we bargained to make the payments stipulated—It was, I am satisfied, a Speculation on his part—depending upon the chapter of accidents to comply with. Such was the opinion of others at the time—and Such has his conduct evinced since. The disappointment to me is great, as I wanted to apply the money to particular uses. Public securities, (but of these I dare say he is as scarce, as he is of Cash) would do.
Let me know in your next, after the receipt of this, what are the real selling prices of Flour in Philadelphia—and the opinion of the knowing ones whether the probability is, that it will rise, fall,

or remain where it is for any time. In this State it has fallen—but the scarcity of Cash, and War, or the probability of one between France & G: Britain, are assigned as the causes—together with the want of Vessels to export the produce of the Country.
Offer my best wishes to Mrs Lear and our little friend Lincoln and believe me to be as I really am Your sincere friend and Affectionate Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Hanson (of Samuel), 7 April 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hanson, Samuel (of Samuel)

Sir,
Mount Vernon Aprl 7th 1793.

A few days only before I left Philadelphia, your letter of the 22d of February came to my hands. Why it was so long on its passage I am unable to inform you.
I have put my name to the Subscription paper therein enclosed, although as a common centre, I am applied to for aids beyond my means—for in truth I escape few contributions to any thing of this sort—or to public buildings—such as Colleges Churches &ca &ca that are undertaken by Subscription within a circle of considerable extent around me. Were it not for these I wd have given a larger sum than is affixed to my name, as the measure is entirely approved by Sir, Your Most Obedt & very Hble Servant.

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 April 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadephia Apr. 7. 1793.

The accounts of the last week from Lisbon, announcing an actual declaration of war by France against England & Holland, when applied to the preceding note of the British court ordering the French minister to leave London (which is generally considered as preliminary to a declaration of war), now render it extremely probable that those powers are at actual war, and necessary in my opinion that we take every justifiable measure for preserving our neutrality, and at the same time provide those necessaries for war which must be brought across the Atlantic. the British packet is arrived, but as yet we hear nothing further of the news she brings than that war is declared, & this is only a rumour here as yet. if any letters are come by her for me, they are not yet received. you will learn by this post that our intelligence from the South as to the Indians is discouraging. we met on Tuesday last on the subject of your circular letter, and agreed in all points, except as to the power of ceding territory, on which point there remained the same difference of opinion as when the subject was discussed in your presence. we have no further news of mister Genest. Mr Dupont leaves town for France on Wednesday next. by him I shall send my dispatches for mister Morris. stocks are down @ 17/10. we determined yesterday to

lay out the interest fund (about 25,000. Dollars) the only money at our disposel. I have the honour to be with sincere attachment & respect, Dear Sir, your most obedt & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: From George Washington to James Keith, 7 April 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Keith, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 7th April 1793.

On my way to this place, at George town on tuesday the 2. inst:, Messrs Wilson and Dunlap applied to me respecting the Judgments which had been obtained against the assignees of John Semple, in favr of Colvile’s Estate.
The one for £748.17. currt money & costs, with the deduction of £65.2.2 by consent, they are willing they say to pay immediately; and offered to discharge the balance on the other Judgment for £1576 (Is this the amount of the Bond?) Sterling—leaving the interest during the war to the decision of a Court of Chancery. My reply to them was, that I could receive nothing short of the whole balance, with interest complete; and that an injunction in my opinion would only effect delay, without affording them relief. in ten days they promised to give me a decided answer, whether they would pay the balance with interest, or enjoin; & requested execution might be stayed that time.
As they professed a readiness to pay the balance due on the Judgment for £1576—leaving the interest to be paid or not according to the decision of the Court of Chancery (in case of an injunction), I desired mister Dandridge on Saturday last, to ask you if it would be adviseable to receive it—or to let the whole of that judgment remain until a final determination—if the matter must go into Chancery. The latter he understood to be your opinion.
Whatever may be the determination of those against whom judgment is obtained, my earnest request to you is, that no measure may be left unessayed on my behalf, to bring the matter to as speedy a close as possible; & the money (after paying the charges as mentioned in a former letter to you) paid to Colo. Hooe on accot of the claim of mr Bennett &c. I am Dr Sir. &c.

Geo. Washington.


Title: To George Washington from the Oneida Indians, 7 April 1793
From: Oneida Indians
To: Washington, George

Father
Schenectady [N.Y.] the 7 of April 1793.

We do not like to disturb You, unless we are forced to it, by our wants, or to obtain that Justice which by our services and sufferings we have a right to claim, and cannot in any other manner obtain, in such case we turn our eys to You for that which we cannot procure from any other—We believe you will do Justice, and wish none of our Indian Nations to be wronged, nor that any individual among them should complain of not having been rewarded equally with others for services done to the United States.
The Oneyda’s were the only Nation of Indians, who held fast the Covenant chain which was made between the five Nations and the people of the United States, all the others deserted or fought against You, in the late War—You gave Coll Lewis Cook of the Caughnawags Tribe in Cannada, and a Number of our Oneyda Nation, Commissions to be Officers in the Army and service of Your people, of these last We are the remains, all the others are taken away by death.
We have suffered hardship, undergone fateagues, and have fought with and for You—Because we held fast the covenant Chain with our Brethren of the United States our aged Fathers, our Wives and little ones, were oblidged for a time to remove from our lands, and frequently to suffer for want of necessarys—

When peace was restored we returned with them and waited for the reward of our services.
We acknowledge the goodness of our Brethren for what We have received, but have been informed that Coll Lewis Cook has also received commutation for half pay &c. This We have not received—We know not the reason—We impowered our trusty and good friend Cornelius A Van Slyke of Schenectady to transact our business for us, who informs us, that he has not yet been able to succeed—We fear that evil disposed persons, have imposed upon You and us, or our calls would have been heard before now and Justice done to us as well as Coll Lewis Cook—You know our willingness to serve our brethren of the United States—We have but lately given a new proof of this and will do much more if required.
Father  We have by this opened our hearts to You, We have strengthened the request of our friend Cornelius A Van Slyke made in our behalf—And We now wish to open our ears to hear, and our eyes to read what Answer You shall give us on this subject. Your Children

Capten X Hanjyrrie Thowaweh Thasogweh
Capten X John Otaawiton
Leutenant X Nicholas Kanatjogh
Leutenant X Cornelius Kakeghdotxa


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 April 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia April 8[t]h 1793

The papers of to day, which I take it for granted are forwarded to you will inform you of a confirmation of the War between France England & Holland & of such other leading particulars, as are contained in the English Papers brought by the Packet.
The object of this Letter is merely to apprize you—that the whole current of Commercial Intelligence, which comes down to the 11th of Februay, indicates, thus far, an unexceptionable conduct on the part of the British Government towards the Vessels of the U. States.
This information is received here with very great satisfaction—as favourable to a continuance of peace—the desire of which may be said to be both universal & ardent. With the highest respect & the truest attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obedt & humb. servant

A. Hamilton

P.S. Lest the papers may not be regularly transmitted I inclose the two of this morning.


Title: To George Washington from James Keith, 8 April 1793
From: Keith, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria [Va.] April 8th 1793

When Mr Dandridge mentioned the propositions of Mr Wilson to me on Saturday, I understood that the proposition was to cancel absolutely the Interest during the War. This I was clearly of the Opinion that your Excellency coud not by any means accede to. The proposition as really made by Mr Wilson only tends to keep the Business in a State of Suspence. When the Judgments were obtained in May last, I then, in the most earnest manner, requested Messrs Montgomerie & Wilson, if they proposed to contest the Interest during the War, to take the proper Measures to bring that point immediately before the Chancellor. This they both promised to do. In October, finding that no Steps had then been taken, I again applyed to Mr Wilson and renewed the Request I had formerly made. he assured me that he woud not defer it any longer. As no Measures have yet been taken I am strongly inclined to beleive that they have not any serious Intention of applying to the Chancellor—I applyed to Colo. Simms to order the Executions some time ago. I called upon him this Morning to know whether he had received them, and find that the Clerk has neglected to send them up, he promised me to write by Stage tomorrow for them—as soon as they come to hand I will give the Credits and send them to the Sherif—I find upon taking a Reveiw of the different Accounts that the smaller Judgment is for two hundred and odd pounds more than due I am at a loss to account for the Error. Colo. Hooe is at present out of Town, before any further payments are made to him, I think it will be necessary for your Excellency to have some Conversation with him relative to a Claim of a Mr Giles against the Estate of Colo. John Colvill. This Claim, it appears by Letters from Lord Tankerville, has been discharged by him but no Voucher has been transmitted to support the payment. As soon as Colo. Hooe returns to Town, I will mention this to him, and we will wait upon your Excellency to have that part of the Business put upon a proper footing. I am with Respect your Excellency’s Most Obedt hble Servt

Ja. Keith

the Judgment is I find for the amount of the Bond. I mentioned on Saturday to Mr Dandridge, that the Claim was for a thousand

pounds more—Speaking at that time from memory only, it was the Ballance, as struck by the Gent. who settled the Accounts, which at that time occurred to me, a thousand pounds of which was paid by the Trustees, and their Bond taken for the Ballance.

J.K.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 April 1793
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir,
War department, April 8. 1793

I have the honor to submit a Copy of a letter from Major General Wayne dated the 30th of March and of my answer thereto of the 6th instant.
The great demand for subalterns seems to render it almost indispensible that some of the new Ensigns should be called into service—I would therefore submit that the persons acting with the Army as Volunteers and who have been appointed should act as Ensigns—The power is certainly vested in the President for this purpose and the good of the service demands it—the further views relatively to the Indians both North and South may be deemed to be such as to justify the measure.

It is with pain I submit the enclosed from Mr Seagrove But from his letter to the Inhabitants which is enclosed he seems to exonerate the Creeks from the depredations. I imagine and hope that this will be found only a plundering party instigated probably by a rivalship in trade and that it will have no extensive consequences.
Mr Shaw, who was sent to the Cherokees is here. He has made some lengthy Reports relative to the dispositions of the Cherokees which will be reserved for your return. He thinks they may be quieted by some variation of the boundary but he says they certainly do not comprehend the Cumberland boundary as the treaty defines it.
My health is much mended—and I consider myself as almost well. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your most obed. servant

H. Knoxsecy of war