Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 January 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Treasury Dept. January 21. 1795.

        In answer to an enquiry which you were pleased to make—I have the honor to transmit a Communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue of the 25th of December.
        It is true that there have been some defects of execution, but they are by no means such as in my opinion warrant the strong declaration of Mr Butler—and I think it probable that they are to be attributed more to that Agent whom he exempts from blame than to any other person.
        The great difficulty has been from the begining to obtain a man to be on the spot every way competent to the different parts of the business. Men qualified, whose situations afforded adequate security against any inconvenient bias; & who were willing to act for compensations which would not have been deemed outrageously extravagant, were a long time sought without satisfactory success.
        Mr Morgan was strongly recommended by some good judges; but a doubt of his competency, in every respect, led to the giving a check over him to Messrs Habersham & Clay. Subsequent experience has proved that he ought not to have been left alone.

        Mr Copperthwait, the person mention’d in the communication of the Commissioner of the Revenue, is gone upon the business with more extensive powers. If I may rely on the accounts given of him by several of the most intelligent men of business of this City, he will answer every reasonable expectation. With perfect respect &c.

          Alexandr Hamilton.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Goodhue, 22 January 1795
From: Goodhue, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

          January 22d, 1795

        Mr Goodhue, begs leave in the most respectfull manner, to recommend to the notice of the President of the United States, Jonathan Jackson of Newburyport, as a person of those qualifications, particularly adapted for the Office of Post Master General—in him is united, ability with great industry, fidelity and Œconomy, and who would unquestionably discharge its duties, so as its present state of respectability, by the exertions of the late Officer of that department, should not, to say the least be impair’d by his appointment.


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Pendleton, 22 January 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Pendleton, Edmund

          Dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Jany 22d 1795.

        From a long acquaintance with, and a sincere regard for you, I always feel pleasure in hearing from you—and of you—consequently, your letter of the 30th ult. was an acceptable annuity.
        Notwithstanding you have passed your 73 year, whilst you enjoy tolerable health, and retain your faculties in the vigor they are, I wish as well on public, as on private account, that length of days may be added to those which you have already numbered. A month from this day, if I live to see the completion of it, will place me on the wrong (perhaps it would be better to say, on the advanced) side of my grand climacteric; and altho’ I have no cause to complain of the want of health, I can religiously aver

that no man was ever more tired of public life, or more devoutly wished for retirement, than I do.
        I hope, and believe, that the spirit of anarchy in the western counties of this State (to quell which the force of the Union was called for) is entirely subdued; and altho’ to effect it, the community has been saddled with a considerable expence, yet I trust no money could have been more advantageously expended; both as it respects the internal peace & welfare of this country, and the impression it will make on others. The spirit with which the Militia turned out, in support of the Constitution, and the laws of our country—at the sametime that it does them immortal honor—is the most conclusive refutation that could have been given to the assertions of Lord Sheffield, and the predictions of others of his cast—that without the protection of G. Britain, we should be unable to govern ourselves; and would soon be involved in anarchy & confusion. They will see that republicanism is not the phantom of a deluded imagination: on the contrary, that under no form of government, will laws be better supported—liberty and property better secured—or happiness be more effectually dispensed to mankind.
        The successes of our Army to the westward has, already, been productive of good consequences. They have dispelled a cloud which lowered very heavily in the northern hemisphere (six nations)—and tho’ we have received no direct advices from General Wayne since November, there is reason to believe that the Indians with whom we are, or were, at war in that quarter—together with their abetters—begin to see things in a different point of view; but what effect these favorable changes may have on the Southern Indians, is not easy, at this moment, to decide.
        I accord fully in opinion with you, that the plan of annual presents in an abstract view, unaccompanied with other measures, is not the best mode of treating ignorant Savages, from whose hostile conduct we experience much distress; but it is not to be overlooked, that they, in turn, are not without serious causes of complaint, from the encroachments which are made on their lands by our people; who are not to be restrained by any law now in being, or likely to be enacted. They, poor wretches, have no Press thro’ which their grievances are related; and it is well known, that when one side only of a Story is heard, and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it, insensibly—The

annual presents however, which you allude to, are not given so much with a view to purchase peace, as by way of retribution for injuries, not otherwise to be redressed. These people are very much irritated by the continual pressure of land Speculators & settlers on one hand; & by the impositions of unauthorised, & unprincipled traders (who rob them in a manner of their hunting) on the other. Nothing but the strong arm of the Union—or in other words—energetic laws, can correct these abuses—but here! jealousies, & prejudices (from which I apprehend more fatal consequences to this government than from any other source) aided by local situations—& perhaps by interested considerations, always oppose themselves to efficient measures.
        My communications to Congress at the last and present Session, have proceeded upon similar ideas with those expressed in your letter—namely—to make fair treaties with the Savage tribes—(by this I mean that they shall perfectly understand every article & clause of them from correct & repeated interpretations)—that these treaties shall be held sacred, & the infractors on either side punished exemplarily; and to furnish them plentifully with goods under wholesome regulations, without aiming at higher prices than is adequate to cover the cost, & charges. If measures like these were adopted, we might hope to live in peace & amity with these borderers; but not whilst our citizens, in violation of law and justice, are guilty of the offences I have mentioned, & are carrying on unauthorised expeditions against them—and when, for the most attrocious murders, even of those of whom we have the least cause of complaint, a Jury on the frontiers, can hardly be got to listen to a charge, much less to convict a culprit.
        The madness of European powers, and the calamitous situation into which all of them are thrown by the present ruinous War, ought to be a serious warning to us, to avoid a similar catastrophe as long as we can with honor & justice to our national character. What will be the result of Mr Jay’s mission, is more than I am able, at this moment, to disclose. Charged as he has been with all matters in dispute between the two countries (not, as has been insinuated in some of the Gazettes, merely to that of spoliation) it may easily be conceived that there would be a large field of discussion; but upon what principle (except that of

piracy) to account for the conduct of the Bermudian privateers, at this stage of the negotiation, is beyond my comprehension on any fair ground of conjecture; as it must swell the bill. With very great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your affecte Hble Servt

          Go: Washington


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 22 January 1795
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Pickering, Timothy

          22d Jany 1795

        By The President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor of transmitting to the Secy of War the copy of a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st Inst: & to desire the Secretary to furnish the statement therein requested by the House.


Title: Timothy Pickering to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 22 January 1795
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.

          Sir,
          War Office Jany 22. 1795.

        Be pleased to hand the inclosed papers for the perusal of the President. I will do myself the honour to wait on him respecting them to-day—at any hour the President shall direct, if one will be more convenient to him than another. I am sir, your most obt servt

          T. Pickering

          I send the map which you said the President requested with the boundaries of the lands of the Six Nations marked on it.


Title: To George Washington from John Jones, 23 January 1795
From: Jones, John
To: Washington, George

          Grafton Street Dublin [Ireland] Jany 23d 1795

        John Jones, Sole Proprietor of the Sentimental and Masonic Magazine, impressed with that Respect and Veneration Justly incited by so great and estimable a Charecter as his Excellency President George Washington; Solicits his acceptance of the Five Volumes now published of that work; (which is much approved, of particularly by the Brethren of this Kingdom,) fondly

flattering himself a Perusal of them at some Period, may be a Relaxation from weighty and momentious Business.
        The Sixth Volume, to which will be prefixed a Portrait of the President, executed by an Irish Artist, in an elegant manner; the Proprietor intends dedicating to his Excellency; and humbly hopes that that Liberty will not be deemed too presumptuous.


Title: To George Washington from George Mathews, 23 January 1795
From: Mathews, George
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          State House Augusta [Ga.] 23d Jany 1795

        I do myself the honor to transmit you an Act of the state Georgia entitled “An Act to ratify the resolution of Congress explanatory of the judicial power of the United States” passed at Augusta the 29th day of November 1794. I am Sir With much esteem Your Ob: serv:

          Geo: Mathews


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 January 1795
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

          My dear Sir,
          George Town [D.C.] January 24th 1795.

        I have now the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your respected favors of the 9th & 12th current; the latter having reached my hands a few moments before I sat off on a trip to

Fredericksburgh, from which place I have just returned, having had the pleasure to see Mrs F. Washington so far on her way to Eltham, without any unlucky accident, and with a fair prospect of reaching the end of her intended journey with ease and safety.
        It gives me great pleasure to learn that Mr Weston may be expected to visit the Great Falls, and other parts of the River, early next month. The Directors will accompany him up the River; and it is intended, if his time will admit of it, to get him to view the Shanandoah, and give an opinion on the best mode of rendering that branch navigable.
        At the last meeting of the Directors I suggested the idea of obtaining the opinion of Mr Claiborn’s Engineer respecting the Lock-seats &c. at the Great Falls, before Mr Weston should view the spot, in case we should be so fortunate as to get him here; but it seemed to be a prevailing sentiment that Mr Weston’s would be sufficient, and no measures were taken to obtain the other.
        The idea which you suggest of continuing the advances on the present shares, until the work shall be completed, appears to be an excellent one on every account; but as the original act for opening the navigation of the River points out a special mode of extending the means, in case the original subscription should be found insufficient for completing the object, it will probably be thought best to pursue it. But before that, or any other steps are taken in the business, there must be a general meeting of the Stock-holders, which will be called by the directors early in the Spring. In the meantime, the fund arising from the payments and sale of delinquent shares will enable the Company to commence their operations as soon as the season will admit.
        Lest you should not have at hand a Copy of the Original Act for opening the navigation of the Potomack, I take the liberty to transcribe that clause which authorises an additional number of shares to be subscribed—vizt “And be it enacted, that if the said Capital and other Aids already granted by this Act, shall prove insufficient, it shall and may be lawful for the said Company, from time to time, to increase the said Capital by the addition of so many more whole shares as shall be judged necessary by the said proprietors, or a majority of them, holding at least

three hundred shares, present at any general meeting of the said Company.” And “the said President & Directors, or a Majority of them, are hereby empowered & required, after giving at least one month’s notice thereof in the Maryld & Virga Gazetts, to open books, for receiving & entering such additional subscriptions, in which the proprietors of the said Company, for the time being, shall and are hereby declared to have the preference of all others for the first 30 days after the said Books shall be opened as aforesaid, of taking & subscribing for so many whole shares as any of them shall choose.” &c.
        I do not beleive that the number of delinquent Shares which will be exposed to sale, agreeably to advertisement, will exceed thirty. Most which are at present in arrears will probably be paid up, when the determination to sell them is found to be fixed: and I presume that those which may be sold will go off at a handsome advance. Colo. Fitzgerald has shewn me a letter from Mr Cazeneau of Phila. on this subject, wishing to know how many shares would probably be sold. Others I am told have also an eye to this event with an intention of becoming purchasers.
        It will give me the greatest pleasure to be able to render you any service in the sale of your Tobacco in this and the Alexandria Warehouses—as well as in anything else in which my best services can be made acceptable. At present there is no demand for that article, the sales in Europe having been dull on account of the difficulty of sending it into the interior parts of Germany &c. through Holland, which heretofore was the usual Channel. If peace should take place this Winter, in Europe (an event which seems not unlikely from the complexion of accounts in the public papers) the demand for Tobacco is expected to increase, and the price will, of course, be higher than at present; it may, therefore, not be amiss for your’s to lay at least until it will command more than four dollars; and as you have had the goodness to leave the disposal of it to me, I shall not fail to do the best with it that my judgement will suggest. Begging that my best respects may be made acceptable to Mrs Washington—and my good wishes to the family—I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect & affectionate attachment your grateful & sincere friend

          Tobias Lear.


Title: Hamilton Cooper’s Bond, 25 January 1795
From: Washington, George
To:

          [25 Jan. 1795]

        I Hamilton Cooper of the County of Berkley & State of Virginia do promise to pay or cause to be paid unto George Washington President of the United States the just and full sum of thirty one pounds ten shillings on or before the 25th day of April next—it being due for rent by the said Hamilton Cooper on lott No. 2 and whereon distress hath been made and goods replevied in consequence of this obligation—As Witness my hand & seal this 25th day of January 1795.

          Test. Robt Lewis. Hamilton Cooper


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 January 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Treasury Department Jany 25. 1795.

        An instalment of principal of 1,000000 of Florins of the Dutch Debt is to be paid on the first of June next. Measures are in train to remit from hence; but there is a possibility, that the events of War may interfere with the execution of the arrangement and render it desirable to be able to attempt a postponement by a new Loan.

        I ask the permission of The President to give an eventual instruction to this effect. With perfect respect, I have the honor to be Sir, &c.

          Alexander Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 25 January 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

          Mr Pearce,
          Philadelphia Jany 25th 1795

        Since my last of this day week, I have received your letters of the 11th & 18th instt, with the weekly reports—and an acct of sundry payments and the rects therefor. The latter (that is the vouchers) I did not wish to have had sent—it would have been time enough to exhibit these when I come home, and settled the accts regularly. All I wanted for the present, or rather for the past year—was a genl Acct of all the monies you had received, & paid, from the time of your taking charge of the business, up to the close of the year 1794. comprehending therein the Overseers Wages—and whatever belonged properly to that year, that I might have a view of the receipts & expenditures thereof, & might see how I was going on.
        In looking over your acct currt, & comparing it with the Millers receipt, I find an error of £9.4.6 to your disadvantage—that is, you have only charged me with £22.18.0 cash paid him, whereas by his receipt, it appears that he had got from you £32.2.6 cash, & acknowledges to have received the first named sum in other articles.
        I am sorry to find that flour has fallen so considerably before the little I made was ready for market, and was disposed of; but as there is no reason that I can perceive for this great fall (knowing, that the Wheat crop last year was extreamly short, in all the States of the Union which raise this grain for exportation) I have no doubt of the price being up again (possibly not so high)

before the warm weather; when it must be sold at any rate, for fear of its spoiling.
        How does, or did whilst the ground was uncovered, your early Wheat look? I was unlucky in my growth of it last year. Doctr Stuart had a good return for what he sowed; & Colo. Ball a very great one. I wish there might not have been some imposition on me, the year before last in the seed; of this I entertained some suspicion when you informed me last harvest that it appeared to be very little forwarder in ripening than the common wheat—Does, or did your crops of Wheat continue to look well before the Snow fell? and your grass lots, & meadows also?
        How does the treading floor in the new barn at Dogue run answer? Having tried it now in both Wheat and Oats, you must be enabled to decide, whether it is a more expeditious mode than to tread on the ground, or not. That it is more clean & safe if the lower door is always kept locked (wch it ought to be, except when the fan is at work) can admit of no doubt.
        I approve of your idea of putting the little old field at the ferry into Corn, and laying it down with Wheat & clover. From the length of time it has lain out, it ought to produce well. If there is any part to clear, do not deprive it of all the wood—either leave single trees, or clumps; indeed I would, without always giving particular directions, have this attended to as a general rule. It is always in one’s power to cut a tree down, but time only can place them where one would have them, after the grd is stripped of them.
        The Gardener may go on with his nursery—and be told that he shall be allowed the fifth of what are sold—or raised.
        Altho’ Bishop should never have wanted victuals or cloaths whilst he lived, yet his death cannot be cause of regret, even to his daughter; to whom, from the imbecility of age, if not when he died, he soon must have become, very troublesome to her, & a burthen to all around him.
        I never saw Donaldson’s son, but from what you have said respecting him, I am very willing to allow him his victuals, & course cloathing: but ascertain the quantum, and sort of both, in writing, to prevent mistakes & grumbling hereafter. I am always ready, & willing, to fulfil every engagement I enter into; & hating disputes, I wish always that contracts may be clearly

understood; for this reason also, it is necessary he should know that the boy must work duly, & truely. And whilst I am on this subject—I would repeat my expectation that he will take pains to teach those who work with him (especially Isaac & the boy Jem) in the principles of the several kinds of work they are employed in; particular in Carts, wheels, Plows, Harrows, wheel barrows, and such kinds of impliments as are used about a farm, or dwelling house. I would also have him cautioned against an error which I have felt no small inconvenience from; and that is—that rather than persevere in doing things right themselves, & being at the trouble of making others do the like, they will fall into the slovenly mode of executing work which is practiced by those, among whom they are. I have experienced this not only from European tradesmen, but from farmers also, who have come from England; and from none in a greater degree, than from Mr Whiting, & one Bloxham, who preceeded him; and who, tho’ perfectly acquainted with every part of a farmers business; and peculiarly so (the latter I mean) in the management & use of Oxen for the Cart or plow, double or single, with yokes or with harness; yet, finding it a little troublesome to instruct the Negros, & to compel them to the practice of his modes; he slided into theirs; and at length (which I adduce as a proof) instead of using proper flails for threshing the grain, I have found my people at this work with hoop poles. and other things similar thereto.
        I am glad to find you are engaged in so useful; & desireable a work as that of filling up gullies in the fields that are coming into cultivation. nothing can be more benificial on the farms than this; but where they are deep, use old trees, stumps, stones, broken rails, & such things for the bottom; otherwise the quantity of litter & leaves which wd be required, would be immense. I served No. 5. at Union farm in this manner, where a gully was, almost across the whole field, in which a horse might have been hid; and where, at this day, I believe there is scarcely any trace of it.
        I think it not unlikely that French’s Will is in Maryland: when he was guilty of these tricks formerly (before I had him) his walks, & harbouring place was, as I have been informed, somewhere within the circle of Broad Creek, Bladensburgh & upper Marlborough: the precise spot I do not know, nor is it worth

while (except for the sake of example, nor for that, if it stops with him) to be at much trouble, or at any expence over a trifle, to hunt him up.
        Let the Gardener know that I will endeavor to procure the Seeds he has wrote for, but tell him at the sametime that he must endeavor to save seeds for himself: Besides the high prices of Seeds in the Shops in this City, he knows from the experience of those I have heretofore sent him from hence, that they are not to be relied on. Get from him, all the Seed of the St foin which he saved last year, and plant it to the best advantage you can the ensuing spring, for the purpose of raising Seed. I am extremely anxious to raise all the seed I can from this plant: It must not be planted where hares can get to it; they are so fond of it as not to let it rise to seed.
        With the Trees which were sent by Mr Lear last spring, or from hence (I am not sure which) was sent you furze seed—as also Cale, or Cole seed: Let these also be made the most of, as well as the other grass seeds which were saved from the plants in the Vineyard—& from those in the little garden by the Salt house &ca—The books you have will tell when to sow. Fifty or Sixty bushels of Oats, indeed less, will be more than enough to save for my horses, the first trip I shall make to Mount Vernon, after the rising of Congress; and by the time the second trip is made, the new crop will be harvested, or on the point of it; yet, to make the matter sure (as the second trip will consume two or three hundd bushels, in all probability) put by 100 bushels for my use; after which sell all you can spare, reserving enough of the best for seed & for such other uses as you know they will be wanted for. I do not know what ground except No. 7 at Dogue run you mean to sow with Oats next Spring; but have no doubt you will take care to put in enough.
        This induces me to ask, whether, as the ferry people will have the field at Mansion house to tend in Corn, as well as No. 1 at home, it would not be as well to put the little old field at that farm, if it could be fenced and well prepared in time, into Oats & clover this Spring, as to let it go into Corn; & then into Wheat & clover in the fall? The Oats would answer for the horses as well as the Corn, whilst the clover would be sooner fit for use—But in this do as you like best.
        If Mr L. Washington is indebted for fish, the charge, I

presume, is on the fish acct & where that is I know not at present. I wish you well—and am your friend

          G. Washington.

          P.S. What things were sent to Mount Vernon when the Mare and Colt which Austin rode was carried there? And among them was there a bundle for Mr Ehler?


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 January 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia January 26 1795

        Mr Wolcott has just informed me That the Secretary of State had called upon him, as by your direction, to confer on the subject of a person to be appointed Comptroller, in the event of his appointment as Secretary of the Treasury—and intimated that you had concluded to take some Gentleman from the South—that Mr Habersham, brother of the Collector of Savannah, was more particularly in your eye, and that if he or I had any different view of the subject, it was your wish that it might be speedily communicated as you were desirous of coming to a conclusion.
        This I accordingly feel it my duty to do.
        It is of the greatest importance to the proper conducting of the business of the Treasury Department, that the Comptroller should be a man of the following description, of strong sense, clear discernment, sound judgment, indefatigable industry,

firmness and prompt decision of Temper—possessing a comprehensive knowlege of accounts; and, of course, good principles.
        As well from the nature of the office as from the particular situation of the department, as it will stand at the moment of my resignation, it is of peculiar consequence that there should be no mistake in the selection of the proper character for Comptroller. It will be easy for the Department to run into disorder, if such a mistake should happen.
        From all the light I have been able to obtain on the subject, though it results in a favourable impression of Mr Habersham generally, yet it leaves a considerable doubt on my mind that he would be an eligible appointment as Comptroller of the Treasury—I cannot therefore add my opinion to the list of opinions which may favour it.
        There is one Gentleman South, whom I have before mentioned, of whose fitness in every respect, from trial of him in different public situations, it appears to me impossible to entertain a doubt—I mean Colonel Edward Carrington—I will pledge my reputation to The President for his proving, if appointed, an excellent Comptroller, and a valuable acquisition to the Department.
        I have fully reflected on the objection which from the distributive Geographical rule is supposed to lie against him—and I beg leave to submit it as my opinion that it ought not to be conclusive. This rule is doubtless a good one, but if carried so far as to hazard the appointment of unqualified persons to offices of material importance to the general administration of the Government, it will become a bad one, sacrificing primary to secondary considerations.
        I have offered my opinion with the less reserve, because I thought I ought to be explicit in a case not only of much moment to the public service but where the arrangements which may be made will naturally, from situation, be presumed to have had the concurrence of my opinion, and where therefore my reputation is more particularly concerned. With perfect respect I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedient servant

          Alexander Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Anne-Louis de Tousard, 26 January 1795
From: Tousard, Anne-Louis de
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Philadelphia January 26th 1795

        I understand that a Corps of Artillery and Engeneers is raising, of which the Field officers and Commander in chief have not been yet appointed.
        Please, Sir, to remember my Services in the American Army, the loss of my right arm; that I have been brought up as an Artillery officer and Served fourteen years in that Corps where lessons and instructions Constituting a good Engeneer were also taught.
        I do believe, Sir, that were you to intrust me with the Command of that Corps, I Could exert myself with the greatest Zeal to bring it to perfection, and that young officers would Serve willingly with an old american Soldier and a brother of arms of their Fathers. I am with the greatest respect Sir your most humble & obedient Servant

          L. Tousard


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Alexander Hamilton, January 1795
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          27. January 1795.

        Bw Dandridge, by the President’s order, respectfully returns to The Secretary of the Treasury, the Letters respecting Mr McFarland &c. He also returns the intended Act making provision for the Compensation of the Officers of the Revenue; a fair copy of which the President desires may be prepared for his signature, after which he wishes the one now sent to be returned to him.
        The President will thank the Secretary to call as he goes to his office, in order to have some conversation relative to filling the vacancies in the Revenue Department.


Title: To George Washington from William Aylett Lee, 28 January 1795
From: Lee, William Aylett
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          frederixbg [Va.] January 28th 95

        to My great Mortification & surprise I find by a letter from the S. of W. of the 14th Inst. that the senate have refused to ratify your late appointment of Me.
        Cruel as I consider their decision and greatly as it affects My happiness I must submit & have two consolations only left—both of which are truely solacing—My consciousness that I merit a better fate and the honor of your approbation.
        I shall try to releive My distress by retirement & shall never cease to pray for your health happiness & glory. I am your much Obliged and faithful

          W. A. Lee


Title: To George Washington from John Didsbury, 29 January 1795
From: Didsbury, John
To: Washington, George

          Worthy Sir
          Plymouth Dock [England] Janry 29th 1795

        On my acquainting Mr Jay Envoy &c. from the United States of America with the great disapointments I have met with relating to a quota of Land which depended on Mr Thos Pleasants & Judge Mercers kindly offering five years ago to secure for me, Mr Jay after great attention to my Statement of the affair kindly answered thus—[“]There being nothing in this case wch brings it within the authority & instructions given me by the United States, I can neither do nor say any thing Officially—as a private Gentleman I would readily attend to your request & with great pleasure give you Information & advice, but Sir the fact is, that I have no other knowledge of the Lands in question nor of any transactions ralative to the subject, but what I derive from your

Statement, nor am I acquainted with any person mention’d in it except President Washington. Under these circumstances, the only Advice I can give you, as it is possible the Gentn you mention may be Dead is, to employ some person either living there or going from hence, in whom you have confidence to manage this business. Considering the circumstances which have attended that affair, & how interesting it is to you, I will with pleasure give your letters a place among my dispatches &c.”—In this dilemma not knowing who now to confide in out of so many Friends I formerly had in Virginia, I find myself under the necessity of venturing to take this Liberty to trouble you and solicit the Favor of your attention & assistance—not for myself only, but on account of the Widow of Major Van Braam, who, from what I have heard, I think you had some esteem for him. Presuming this prolonged affair may prove worthy your consideration—it is briefly this—Major Van Braam when at Rouville near Malsherbies, in a letter to you by the Marquis de la Fayette, requested some information concerning his quota of 9000 acres of Land in the 2d survey, near yours in the 1st survey in the same Grant of 200000 acres. On Judge Mercers knowing from this letter Major V:B.’s address, he drew a bill of Exchange on him dated (as we afterwards found) May the 12. 1786 for £67.17.6 with your certificate under it that Judge Mercer had paid you on Capt. V: Braams account Fees for obtaining Patents Surveying & Dividing this Grant of Land. This Bill, without any letter of advice, directed to Rouville when the Major had removed to Vannes en Bretagne occasion’d its being return’d Protested. At last coming to my knowledge I fortunately had preserved a letter from you, requiring 4£ pr 1000 Acres for obtaining &c. &c., and Capt. V.B.’s share amounting to 36£ for 9000 Acres, I also have Coll Geo: Mercers Reciept for my paying him 36£ to your order A Copy of this reciept I sent to Mr Pleasants that he might convince Judge Mercer of the mistake, who was so thoroughly satisfied & reconciled to it that He offered, if Mr Pleasants would allow him the expence of his Bills being return’d, He would then, on my sending Mr P. & him a power of Attorney & other attested copies of writings relating the business they would act for me—(Capt. V.B: having in 1775 for £100 I paid him convey’d these 9000 acres to me on my giving security to acct for 3000 of them) and secure this property—to which He added that, “notwithstanding the

change of Government & lapse of time Major Van Braams right could not be Invalidated, that it is good Land & as the Country becomes settled will prove valuable wch is not very distant, as the late settlements on the opposite side of the Ohio, will afford security on this side, where our land lays.[”]
        This agrees with the opinion you were pleased to give Mr P.’s of it, in Janry 1788. “The natural sittuation of it is exceedingly advantageous, for it is not only a part of the highest survey on the Ohio, (made under the proclamation of 1754) but it lays on the communication which is opened or opening under the authority & at the expence of this State, from Morgan Town (Harrison courthouse) to the Ohio.” Mr Pleasants having money due to me in hand, paid out of it some expences in this business, and wrote me that, “He would answer the payment of any other expence to secure this Land for me, and in Janry 91 wrote me that, He had agreed to pay Judge Mercer the expence of his Bills returned, tho’ not in strict Justice due to him, yet thought it better to allow it; especially as I by so doing have made him your Friend.” Relying on these friendly assurances & payments, I sent in June 1791, the powers of attorney & other attested copies of necessary writings they might want, but have not since had the expected satisfaction to hear thing more from either of them. On such suspension of interesting business to me, Mr Jay thinks it is not unlikely they are both Dead, which I sincerely hope will not prove the case. These unaccountable disapointments, when there was the utmost reason to think I was depending on firm and Eligible Friends to act for me, occasions this earnest & Respectful Application to you, and permit me, Worthy Sir to observe, as you have Thousends of Acres in the same Grant I presume to think it is more likely in your power to yeild me satisfaction in this affair, than if I could apply to any other person, so that in case of Mr Pleasants & Judge Mercers declining or Demise, if you will please to favor me with your Advice or appointment of a fit Person to manage this dormant business for me, it will Infinitely oblige me. The writings I sent to Mr Pleasants & Judge Mercer, was a joint power of Atty from V.B: & I, a copy of V.B.’s Lease & conveyance to me, & a power of Atty from me only, in case they thought it best to proceed in my name alone, all this was done by a respectable Attorney & witnessed by him & one of his Clerks, He also made two affidavits, one of their being

true Copies of my Deeds, the other confirming the powers of Attorney, before the Mayor of South Molton, Devon, who signed & set the Corporation seal to them.
        These writings in a parcel were sent in July 1791. directed to Mr Thos Pleasants junr Raleigh Jas River Virginia by the Friends Capt. Purcell, and a letter concerning them, by the Clermont Capt. Colly, and others since by the Packets. Should this minute Statement induce you to engage any to settle it, that may not recollect Capt. V.B:, it may be necessary to mention, least an objection should be made against him, as an Alien, or a British Officer. He suffered so much as an Hostage in Canada that ⟨mutilated⟩ in Virginia recommended him to Mr Pitt, who gave him a Cap⟨mutilated⟩ the 60th Regt, so that the Americans were the means of his be⟨mutilated⟩itish army, & tho’ he was so, he never was engaged against America for on succeeding to a Majority at St Augustine, he sold out and came to England before the engagement at the Savannah, since that time, he did not permanently settle any where, but might be deem’d a Sojourner in England & France, no other Country could claim him as a naturalized subject but America, where the only Landed property he had acquired by hard service lays, and had not the troubles then in the Country & unsettled state of it, prevented him, he might have lived there and enjoyed this now dormant property. for which I earnestly entreat the Favor of your Excellency, to promote any means you may judge necessary, to expedite and secure this property for the Widow Van Braam and I, which will infinitely Obligate Worthy Sir with all due Respect Your most Obedient Humble Servant

          Jno. Didsbury


Title: To George Washington from John Lathrop, Jr., 29 January 1795
From: Lathrop, John Jr.
To: Washington, George

          Boston Jany 29 1795

        Will the illustrious Washington pardon the ambition of a young citizen, who ventures to lay the enclosed performance at his feet? Much as I have to expect from his candor and his goodness, yet much I have to fear from my own imperfection and presumtion. To intrude one tedious moment into the scanty portion of leisure which the Father of his country enjoys, would be most unpardonably criminal; but to give him one moment’s entertainment, is an object worthy of the most ardent desire—Should I effect this, I know not which would be most unbounded, my own felicity or my gratitude to heaven.
        At a time when the American Militia are deserving of the highest Eulogy, the oration, which I have the honor to present you, may perhaps claim a perusal on account of it’s subject. May the demons of Anarchy and the furies of contention ever tremble at the name of a nation’s best defence—it’s citizen Soldiery!
        Long, Sir, may you continue the laurelled Bulwark of America—the guardian of virtue and the patron of the arts! Heavens best blessings be your portion here, and its most sublime delights

your reward hereafter! With the most profound respect and the most lively gratitude I am Sir your humble servant

          Jno. Lathrop junr


Title: To George Washington from Dwight Foster, 30 January 1795
From: Foster, Dwight
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Philadelphia January 30th 1795.

        Mr Asa Ellis Junr of Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, a Native of that State, has requested Me on his Behalf to present to You the Piece of Cloth herewith transmitted as a Specimen of American Manufacture.
        The art of dying scarlet has not been generally known in this Country—he apprehends he has discovered it and says the Colour is as durable as that made in Europe—This Cloth is altogether of his Manufacture and he will be obliged by Your

acceptance of it—I am, with the highest respect, Sir, Your obedt & very humble Servt

          Dwight Foster.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 30 January 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Sir,
          Philada Jany 30th 1795.

        The eventual power which you applied for, is herewith sent. Let the day of your resignation be made perfectly convenient to yourself. There is no necessity that your successor should be named on Monday next.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 30 January 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Philada 30th Jany 1795.

        Presuming the legality of the propositions contained in your Letters of the 24th & 25th Instant, I consent that you give an

eventual instruction to our Minister at the Hague to postpone the instalment of a Million of Florins, to become due on the first of June next on account of the Dutch Debt; and I also consent, that you cause to be allowed for charges upon the last Loan of 3,000,000. of florins obtained at Amsterdam, four and an half per Cent.

          Go. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 January 1795
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

          My dear Sir,
          George Town [D.C.] January 30th 1795.

        Your letter of the 14th of december, which was directed to me in Richmond, did not find its way to this place till yesterday, which I trust, will account for what must have appeared neglectful on my part, my not having before acknowledged the receipt of it.
        Upon reflection, I am strongly impressed with the propriety of your declining to write, on the subject of extending the time for opening the navigation of the Potomac, either to the Assembly, or to individual members of it; but at the time when I mentioned the subject to you I was so earnest for bringing forward every aid which might operate to ward off the direful evil which would have resulted from a lapse of the Company’s Charter, that I was not sufficiently aware of the impropriety there might be in a personal application from you in that matter, and I pray that this may excuse the liberty which I took in requesting it.
        Mr Randolph’s letter, on the same subject, enclosing several to Members of the Assembly, came to my hands with your’s, and I shall by this post acknowledge the receipt of it, and return the inclosures.
        Our River has been closed since the 12th instant. This day there seems to be a prospect of its breaking up. It has been open at the Eastern Branch and at Alexandria since the 24th. We have had but a slight covering of snow this season, and its continuance

was but for a few days. In the Country 40 or 50 miles back of this place I am informed that the Snow now is and has been for some time past from 6 to 8 inches deep. Tobacco is beginning to be in demand, several sales have taken place here for that article at 4 dollars ⟨⅌⟩ Cwt on a Credit of 60 days—and I think it probable that when the spring opens it will bear a good price.
        Praying that my best respects may be made acceptable to Mrs Washington, and my good wishes to the family—I have the honor to be, my dear Sir, with the purest respect & warmest gratitude Your affectionate & obliged friend

          Tobias Lear.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 30 January 1795
From: Pinckney, Thomas
To: Washington, George

          Dear Sir
          London 30th January 1795

        In a letter which I have lately received from the Secretary of State I am desired to make such arrangements as may be necessary previous to a Mission which you have prepared for me as Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Spain. Although from a knowledge of the extent of your unavoidable correspondence, and of the value of your moments, I have generally avoided addressing you directly, yet while I officially express my readiness to undertake a business in which you think I may be of utility, I can not refrain from thus assuring you that I trust I feel the full import of the kindness and delicacy of this proceeding, as it personally concerns myself, and I beg leave to add the expression of the true respect and gratefu⟨l⟩ attachment with which I am Dear Sir Your faithful & affectionate Ser⟨vant⟩

          Thomas Pinckney


Title: To George Washington from Tench Coxe, 31 January 1795
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Walnut Street [Philadelphia] Jany 31. 1795

        I trust you will believe my solemn assurance of you, that a very powerful sense of duty has impelled me to the Communication, which I have now the honor to make to you. As it will be

perceived, that it is one of those cases in which an obedience to that sense may produce inconveniencies, I address you, Sir, as much in confidence as you may conceive the nature of the case to admit.
        The enclosed Authorization, by the Secretary of the Treasury, of the Comptroller, to execute in virtue thereof, the duties of the former, is the subject of my representation. The Authorization by the first and the acquiescence by the last are in my Judgment contraventions and infractions of the 8th Section of “the act” (of the 8th day of May 1792) “making Alterations in the Treasury & War Departments” They also operate a suspension of the Check upon the first Officer of the Treasury provided by “the act” (of the 2d day of September 1789) “to establish the Treasury department.”
        It is proper, that you should be informed, Sir, that a report was made by a Committee of the Representatives to that House in 1792, calculated to give that duty and that occasional standing in the department to the Comptroller, in the Event of the Absence &ca of the Secretary of the Treasury. That report, which was framed with the Secretary’s co-operation, was not adopted in that and another particular by the House of Representatives. The same parts in reference to the proposed powers &ca to the Comptroller, were copiously discussed, and formally rejected by the Senate. The ample provision in the 8th Section, as it now stands, was adopted by the Senate and confirmed by the House.
        Substitutions for a variety of officers, commissioned by you, have been only admitted after regular provision by Law. It appears by the 6th Section of the altering act refered to, that the Legislature duly adverted to the Necessity of explicitly granting to the Secretary the power of transferring the Business of the Customs before he could do it, and of such other transfers of portions of the Secretary’s duties as the public Service might require or admit the Commissioner of the Revenue to perform. It also appears, that the Legislature judged, that even the President of the United States could not commit the powers and duties of the Secretary of the Treasury to any other person without the formal investment of him with Authority so to do.
        I sincerely wish my Ideas may be inaccurate, but entertaining them as I really do, it appears to be my duty to submit them to

you. With the highest respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedt & most humble Servant

          Tench Coxe


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Jany 31. 1795.

        Mister Hamilton presents his respects to the President—sends him some memorandums of recommendations of officers of Inspection.
        With regard to the Supervisor of the So. Western Territory, he is of opinion that still further information is necessary.
        He believes Mister William Nichols who is the brother of Colo. Nichols to be a fit person for Inspector of the Revenue for the first survey of Pennsylvania.
        He also entertains a favorable opinion of Colo. Dearborne for the like office in the province of Maine. But doubts the legality of his nomination as he was a member of Congress last Session when provision was made for an increase of the Compensations of these officers among others.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Treasury Department January 31st 1795

        Previous to the leaving my present Office there are a few points which I think it my duty to bring under the consideration of the President.
        The first regards the present state and arrangement of the Mint.
        It is certain that this establishment is capable of producing

very important benefits to the community. At this moment when an unusually large and a sudden exportation of silver has produced a very inconvenient Scarcity of that Species of money, the full activity of the Mint would be of primary utility. Large quantities of Silver lie in the Banks and other places in Ingots, which if turned into coin would be of the greatest advantage to Trade and to all pecuniary operations public and private.
        Hitherto the Mint has comparitively done nothing. This is a matter both of surprise and complaint with all that part of the community, whose dissatisfactions are the less known, because they are not lightly promulgated.
        The institution itself by not fulfilling the public expectation grows into discredit and those who have had the principal Agency in its establis[h]ment are wounded by a growing disrepute which is attributable truly to an insufficient execution. The President probably knows better than I do, what have been the causes of the deficiency. They may afford a justification; but uninformed as I am I cannot help thinking that with due exertion the business of the Mint might have been far more matured, and its present powers of Action far greater than they are: And I am led to fear that as long as it continues under its present Management the public expectation will be disappointed; The Director, though a most respectable & excellent man, can hardly be expected on several accounts to give that close and undivided attention to it which in its first stages is indispensable.
        There is another point in relation to the same subject on which I should have been silent as long as I could be supposed to have any personal motive to influence my opinion—But now that this is at an End, I yield without hesitation to my co[n]victions of the public interest, in presenting with the greatest deference those convictions to the Consideration of the President. They amount to this, that the Mint Establishment will be, most advantageously for the Service of the United States, placed under the superintendence of the Department of the Treasury.
        It is Obvious, that that establishment forms a most material link in the money-system of the Country—This system, as it regards public operations, is in the management of the department of the Treasury—It follows, that in the theory of the case there is an intimate relation between this Department and that establishment.

        The Law constituting the Mint also establishes some relations between them.
        The fifth Section refers to the Judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, the competency of the Sureties to be given by the officers of the Mint.
        The fourteenth Section, providing for the exchange of bullion for money with a deduction of ½ pr Ct towards defraying the expences of the Mint, makes it the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish the Mint from time to time whenever the State of the Treasury will admit of it, with such sums as may be necessary for effecting those exchanges—To engage the Secretary to dispossess the Treasury with confidence of large Sums for such exchanges, it is necessary that he should be very certain of their regular and punctual return. The assurance of this would be not a little Strengthened by that intimate knowledge of situation which would result from the duty of Superintending—The efficient operation of this provision is of no Small consequence to the œconomy of the establishment—Hitherto its Situation has been such as to preclude absolutely the effect of it.
        Moreover the Secretary of the Treasury, called daily & habitually to observe the progress of money transactions, awake to every thing which Can affect them well or ill, because the Credit of his Department depends upon it, must be more likely than any other officer to feel a due sensibility to the efficient & proper Course of the Mint, and Consequently to exert himself to give it such a Course.
        The post Office on the other hand, if the idea which has repeatedly appeared in Congress be adhered to, that of rendering it an instrument of the improvement of public roads, instead of a mean of Revenue, may without inconvenience be placed under the Department of State—while the Mint establishment is transferred to the Treasury.
        These Observations proceed on the Supposition that the President has adopted in principle & practice the plan of distributing all the particular branches of the public service, except that of the Law, among the three great Departments, a plan which is believed to be founded on Good reasons.
        Another point to which I would invite the attention of the President, is the Scheme of Mounted volunteers—as established in the Laws, and as it has Operated in practice.

        The expence of it is enormous; & from the nature of the thing has a tendency to continue so. Though the compensation of a dollar per man is not fixed absolutely, but as a limit not to be exceeded the effect is that extent of the sum is expected, and that from this expectation the men could not probably be Obtained for less. The executive too in an emergent service will never be willing to, incur the responsibility of failing by a restriction of the sum; And thus the ultimatum becomes the ordinary rule.
        It will be happy if a revision of the measures for defensive protection should issue in a conviction, that the number of volunteer horse can be reduced by a Substitution of Infantry. It is imagined that on calculation it would appear, that a more than proportional increase of infantry would cost less.
        In the last place I beg leave to Submit an impression, that advantages would accru⟨e⟩ in the view of œconomy at least, if the Agents for Indi⟨an⟩ affairs in the So. Western and No. Western Territories wer⟨e⟩ distinct from the Governors—These might still retain the political direction of affairs. and there would result a check in the business of Supplies. With the highest respect I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant

          Alexandr Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Treasury Department January 31. 1795.

        I have the honor to send you the copy of a Letter of the 27 instant from the Collector of Philadelphia—of another letter of the 30 ultimo from that officer to the Atty of the District of Pennsylvania, and of a deposition of Charles Hemes taken before Judge Peters.
        These documents establish an improper attempt of Mr Petri the French Consul to evade a Law of the United States, and allow a suspicion of the privity of a higher official character. It is impossible to avoid the reflection that there is too much connexion between the affair of the Powder, and the unlawful equipment of the privateer Les Jumeaux.
        I fear that Agents of France have not ceased to countenance proceedings which not only contravene our neutrallity but may prove a source of very serious expense to the United States. With perfect respect, I have the honor to be &c.

          Alexandr Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Holten, [January 1795–February 1795]
From: Holten, Samuel
To: Washington, George

          [January–February 1795] Tuesday morng

        Mr. Holten presents his most respectful compliments to the President, and will do himself the honor of dining with him on Thursday next.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 1 February 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Dear Sir,
          Sunday 1st Feby 1795

        I received the enclosed letter with the document therein, last night.
        For reasons which will appear obvious, I make you acquainted with the contents of them—being Yours

          Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 1 February 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

          Mr Pearce,
          Philadelphia Feby 1st 1795

        I write to you this week, more for the sake of letting you know that your l⟨e⟩tter of the 25th Ulto with the reports, came safe,

than because I have any thing to communicate that is in any degree material.
        I have no doubt of Ceder making a good hedge—but I have very great ones of your getting them to live, when transplanted; and if they should not, your labour as well as the plants will be lost. Were there not Cedar berries sewn in the Vineyard last year? or the year before? & whether did they come up or not? There are various opinions as to the proper season for removing these trees: Some say spring; some say autumn; and others insist upon it that mid summer is the proper season. I never succeeded even tolerably, until I removed them in deep frosts; with a block of frozen earth hard bound (by the frost) to their roots. In this manner few or none will be lost; but in all probability the winter is too far spent for the adoption of this mode of transplanting them. My opinion is, that any trees or shrubs that will bear to stand close together without injuring each other, will do for partition fences against horses, cattle, & even sheep; but that nothing short of a close rail fence, or stone wall, is secure against hogs. This, among other reasons has made me anxious to try (as an experiment at least) to ⟨r⟩aise these a⟨n⟩imals in sties from pigs. It has succeeded well where tried.
        It is happy for old Betty, & her children & friends, that she is taken of[f] the stage; her life must have been miserable to herself, & troublesome to all those around her. I am—Your friend &ca

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 1 February 1795
From: Pinckney, Thomas
To: Washington, George

          Dear Sir,
          London 1st February 1795.

        I should long ago have given you some account of the Progress of my Enquiries concerning a Box supposed to be lodged for you at a Bankers here, had I not had the almost daily Expectation of being able to give a more satisfactory account of it. The same reason would induce me still to postpone writing on this Subject, but as I have occasion to address you on another Business, I avail myself of the opportunity of informing you, that, after having in vain endeavoured to find out the persons mentioned in Mr Wray’s Letter, and having nearly relinquished the hope of gaining any Intelligence concerning the Box, I accidentally found out Mr Wray himself, who is a Wharfinger in this Port, and by him I was informed of the person who originally gave him the Information concerning the Box. This person is a Custom House Officer, by name Wolfe, who when applied to spoke mysteriously of the Transaction, but still asserted that such a Box was lodged for you at the House of Messrs Hoare’s Bankers in Fleet Street; I immediately wrote to those Gentlemen and received for Answer that they had no such Box in their possession. Mr Wolfe, upon being again applied to persisted in his former Assertion but declined appearing to give any Testimony on the Subject; at length, about a month ago he said that having got over some pecuniary Embarrassments he was prepared to prove what he had before asserted and in an Interview I had with him, though he still continued an Air of Mystery (saying that he had placed the Box with Messrs Hoare by desire of a deceased Nobleman whose name he was not at liberty to disclose) yet he said he would go to Messrs Hoare’s and find out the Box, which probably those Gentlemen might not recollect, as it was a Transaction of Seven or Eight years standing. He accordingly shortly after sent me word that he had discovered the Box and directed it to be delivered to my Order. I immediately desired my Secretary to call at the Bankers for the Box, by whom he was informed that Mr Wolfe had been there and had pointed out a Box, which did not however by any Inscription appear to be addressed to you but had on it a Card partly obliterated but on which there remained inscribed “with Mrs Langman’s Executors things” and in the Bankers Books this Box was entered in the Name of Mrs Catharine Blundell without whose Order they said

the Box could not be delivered. In consequence of this Information I wrote to Mrs Blundell, who lives at Bath, but receiving no Answer I requested my Secretary who was going to that City to call on Mrs B. and make the necessary Enquiries. He could not obtain an Interview with this Lady but in answer to his written Application requesting a reply to my Letter he obtained the inclosed. I do not intend however wholly to relinquish this pursuit and will take the liberty of informing you of the result as soon as obtained.
        I beg my respectful Compliments to be made acceptable to Mrs Washington and remain with sincere Respect, Dear Sir, Your faithful and obedt Servant

          Thomas Pinckney


Title: To George Washington from John Taylor Gilman, 2 February 1795
From: Gilman, John Taylor
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          State of New Hampshire—February 2nd 1795.

        I have the honor to inclose herewith, an Attested Copy of an Act of the legislature of this State Entitled, “An Act to ratify an Article proposed in amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” and of being, with great respect, Sir, Your most obedient servant.

          John Taylor Gilman.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2 February 1795
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Feby 2d 1795

        After so long an experience of your public services, I am naturally led, at this moment of your departure from office—which it has always been my wish to prevent—to review them.
        In every relation, which you have borne to me, I have found that my confidence in your talents, exertions and integrity, has been well placed. I the more freely render this testimony of my approbation, because I speak from opportunities of information wch cannot deceive me, and which furnish satisfactory proof of your title to public regard.
        My most earnest wishes for your happiness will attend you in your retirement, and you may assure yourself of the sincere esteem, regard and friendship of Dear Sir Your affectionate

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 February 1795
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia February 2. 1795

        I forbear to make any comments on that violent sense of duty which at this late and critical hour has compelled the virtuous mind of Mr Coxe to make to you the communication contained in his letter of yesterday.
        I shall proceed to submit to The President with candour and truth my view of the case. Towards this it will be useful to cite the expressions of the Act referred to.
        They are these “In case of the death absence from the seat of Government or sickness of the Secretary &c. it shall be lawful for the President of the U. States, in case he shall think it necessary, to authorise any person or persons at his discretion to perform the duties of the said respective Offices &c.”
        It is evident that these words do not contemplate that in every case of absence &c. The President is absolutely to make the substitution authorised, for he is only to do it in case he shall think it necessary. Cases therefore are supposed in which it may not be

necessary. And yet it is evident that in every absence whether long or short there must be some person to act for the Secretary of the Treasury—for the nature of the department is such that the business of it must proceed.
        I understand the Act then as merely enabling The President to constitute a temporary substitute for the head of the Department in cases when he may think the public service requires this extraordinary interposition.
        It does not oblige to the substitution in any case—It is left matter of discretion whether the duties of the officer shall be performed by his Agent empowered by himself and acting for him—or by a substitute for him appointed by the President and acting as The Officer.
        This I take to be the distinction. In the first case the business must be done in the name of the principal and upon his responsibility—In the second it would be done in the name of the substitute and upon his own responsibility. The head of the Department would be exonerated.
        In the case in question—the first mode was pursued. Mr Woolcot did not sign a single warrant in my stead. Blanks were left with my own Clerks with my signature who were to fill up the warrants as became necessary to enter them on the proper record and in the proper Account and then hand them over to be countersigned by the Comptroller and registered by the Register. In other respects in formal Acts which were to be avoided as far as practicable and when blanks could not have been properly or safely left my name was to be used—These things appear from the paper transmitted to you.
        It is therefore (as I conceive not true) that a breach of the Section of the Act cited has been committed. This could only have been true if you had exercised your power in appointing one person and I had committed the business to another.
        As little true is it that it operated a suspension of the Check established by the Act of the 2d of September 1789. That check essentially consists in the responsibility of two officers—This responsibility existed. My name was to all the Acts to which the check is applicable—Mr Wolcott during my absence acted in constant communication with me and under my special direction in all important points. On my return I thought myself

bound at my peril to reexamine all that had been done and did reexamine it.
        Having stated what I suppose to be the true view of the subject, I will go on to state frankly what was really done in reference to The President—what was further intended and why it was not executed.
        In conversation with you concerning my going upon the expedition, I mentioned that the business of the Department could without injury be conducted in my absence by The Comptroller—I do not remember that you made any direct reply; but I inferred your concurrence either from what you said or from your having made no observation by way of objection.
        But on ultimate reflection, I had concluded to ask you more explicit sanction for two reasons 1 Because I thought from the nature and probable length of the absence this mode of proceeding would be upon the whole the most unexceptionable, and—2 Because I thought it would better shelter me from imputations of the ill-intentioned.
        It was my fortune however in this as in some other instances to be more anxious for the advancement of the public service than for my personal exemption from censure or inconvenience.
        I suffered the hurry of the period incumbered as I was by the weight both of the Treasury & War Departments, under circumstances that required great exertions in both, to press out of sight a measure which motives of caution had recommended.
        If I may trust my present recollection I kept back the letter to Mr Wolcott to the moment of my leaving the War Office to come to your house—with intention previously to ask a substitution by you; but I unavoidably overstaid the appointed time by incidents that occurred to occupy me to the last instant, and which being of primary urgency diverted my attention from what I only considered as of secondary importance.
        After having departed leaving the matter upon the footing of my letter, I did not think it essential to resort to a different plan.
        But whatever cause of blame may have ensued falls upon me exclusively. It was natural for Mr Woolcott to presume me to be in order—If he had deemed your formal sanction necessary it was natural for him to suppose that I had obtained it—The

law does not designate the mode by which you shall authorise whether verbally or in writing whether to the substituted person immediately or by instruction to the head of the Department. And If a doubt had rested on Mr Wolcott’s mind; with the President and the head of the Department both absent, it would have been a blameable scrupulousness to have suffered the business of the department to stagnate or run into disorder for want of his Agency. I assure you upon my honor that to this moment there never has been an explanation with Mr Woolcot of the ground on which I committed the business to him.
        In the absence of General Knox, I at his request acted for him with your privity & under your direction; but there was no formal substitution.
        I think, I remember too, that in a case which occurred in the Auditor’s Office I proposed to you to substitute the first clerk under the act, but upon your seeming rather to prefer to avoid any formal arrangement on the subject it was left to a course of expedients to receive form afterwards.
        I mention these things to shew that Mr Coxes idea of a formal direct authorisation by you, as indispensable in cases of absence, has not been that pursued in practice in other instances.
        His statement respecting the Report of a Committee, the discussions in the two houses of Congress & in regard to the provisions of the Act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments weighs little in my mind—My memory does not serve me to establish or reject the particulars he suggests—I remember however that some points in the report of the Committee, which Mr Coxe did not like, were introduced without my concurrence, and that I told him so at the time; that his intrigues which have been incessant, in an incessant struggle for preeminence over Mr Wolcott, had marshalled some personal friends of his with the usual opposers of the department to embarrass the progress of the Bill and give it a complexion favourable to his ambition—that there was a diversity of opinions & that finally the Bill was shaped in conformity with suggestions from me to Individuals.
        But I have always viewed Mr Coxe’s pretensions to make the opinions of his friends the standard for the execution of the law as neither modest nor correct.
        In fine, I should have thought what Mr Coxe would have

deemed most consistent with the principles of the Department very wrong—I considered him as having already more business confided to him than his talents for execution were equal to a large part of which has since been with drawn from him at his own pressing request—I considered him as an inferior officer in the department to Mr Woolcott and after the disposition he had shewn I should have regarded it as treating Mr Wollcott ill to have invested him even with a temporary superiority—In the last place I had much greater confidence in the proper and efficient execution of the business by Mr Wolcott than by him. With perfect respect I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedient serv.

          A. Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 2 February 1795
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

          Gentlemen of the Senate,
          United States, Feby 2d 1795.

        I nominate Oliver Wolcott Junr to be Secretary for the Treasury Department of the United States, vice Alexander Hamilton, who has resigned that office.

          Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 2 February 1795
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

          Gentlemen of the Senate,
          United States Feby 2d 1795.

        I nominate the following persons to fill the offices annexed to their respective names.
        Matthew Clarkson, to be Commissioner of Loans for the State of New York; vice John Cochran, resigned.
        John Burnham, to be Collector for the port of Gloucester in Massachusetts; vice Eppes Sargent, resigned.
        Enoch Sawyer, to be Collector of Camden in North Carolina; vice Isaac Gregory, resigned.
        Thomas Collier, to be Collector for the port of Hardwick in Georgia; vice William Thompson, deceased.
        John James, to be Collector for the port of Sunbury in Georgia; vice John Lawson, resigned.
        Laurence Mooney, to be Surveyor for the port of Winnton in North Carolina; vice William Winn, resigned.
        Frederick B. Sawyer, to be Surveyor for the port of New-biggen Creek, in North Carolina; vice Elias Albertson, removed from the District.
        Levy Blount, to be Surveyor for the port of Plymouth in North Carolina; vice John Armistead, resigned.
        Ebenezer Graham, to be Surveyor for the port of Bennett’s-Creek in North Carolina; vice John Baker, resigned.
        Richard Jordan, to be Surveyor for the port of Lewellensburgh in Maryland; vice Jeremiah Jordan, resigned.
        Robert Banning to be Collector for the port of Oxford in Maryland; and Inspector of the revenue for the same; vice Jeremiah Banning, resigned. and
        William Nicholls, of Philadelphia, to be Inspector of the Revenue for Survey No. 1 in the District of Pennsylvania.

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Williams, 2 February 1795
From: Williams, William
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Connecticut, Lebanon. 2d Feby 1795

        It is not without concern & anxiety That I dare undertake to do an act which I fear may be considered a transgression of the rules of propriety. Your Excellency will be surprized but I hope not deeply & durably offended, that so small an Individual as I am sho’d presume to address a Letter to such a Personage as yourself. Your Excellency’s very great & all important Services to your Country, together with the assemblage of excellent virtues which compose & adorn your private Character, have long since, so deeply impressed & warmed my Heart, that I have done violence to my feelings so long to restrain (what I now fear to express, tho faintly) the sensations of Love, gratitude & veneration to You, which fill my Soul.
        When America first began her late bold important Contest, destitute of Officers or Soldiers of experience, destitute of Arms & every Military Requisite, destitute of essential Resources &c.—among a thousand perplexities, it was not an inconsiderable one, to find a Commander in Chief, possessed of more then tenfold the qualifications, which wo’d have been sufficient in a great & well provided Nation, & one who wo’d also meet the perfect approbation of so many then unconnected, alienated & to each other unfriendly Republics—but the wisdom of Congress, under the guidance of Heaven, rekon’d upon a Washington & instantly murmur was hush’d & the Colonies vied with each other in expressing their Hearty & loudest, Amen. A Commission so

arduous in the execution, & to be attended with ten thousand, not unforeseen, dangers, hardships fatigues & distresses; wo’d never have been accepted by a Gentleman abounding with Ease, Affluence, Honor & Felicity, but from motives of the purest Benevolence & Patriotism.
        Your Excellency soon found an Army or Banditti of inexperienced officers & Soldiers or Men, at Cambredge, unacquainted with service or hardship, Strangers to the Duties & Discipline of Soldiers, almost totally unprovided with proper Arms & the most important Military Requisites, fired indeed with a temporary Enthusiasm, almost expiring with the Season, & by their ardent attatchment to Home, with these to combat a large & well appointed Army of experienced officers & veteran Soldiers of one of the most potent Monarch’s & warlike Nations on Earth. it requird consummate wisdom, Courage & Fortitude only to save our army from utter ruin, and she experienced not only that, but very great & important advantages over such an Enemy in that Campaign.
        far from me to attempt the Detail of all your Excellency’s military Glory & Heroic Virtues, it wod be improper, & besides wo’d fill volumes. wo’d beg leave only to say Your Excellency found the virtue of the People, in reality much below their high sounding Professions, the Colonies very ill provided; & too little disposed to furnish their Quota’s of Men & means, for so arduous & unequal a Contest, & some of them almost expostulating, & of consequence such, delays, impediments & deficiencies from every Quarter, that Your Excellency faild of more than half the Support You was promised, & which doub[t]less conspir’d to induce You to undertake the glorious Struggle; ⟨while⟩ the Enemy were pouring in by thousands their home borne, & foreign mercenary Veterans, Sons of Plunder, Rapine & Murder perfectly equipd & furnished to execute their sanguinary purpose; & absolute Masters of the Sea so that with a small precarious, hungry & half naked Army at times, You had to encounter such mighty & superior Force & such & so many difficulties & hardships, as wo’d have damp’d the Courage of an Alexander & exhausted the Patience of the Princes of the Land of Ur. at Times the Heavens gathered blackness & our political Hemisphere was darker than midnight. in the midst of such a season, a dark & gloomy Picture of our condition but drawn to the Life, was exhibited to your

enlightened View by the Confidence of a Mr Duche, but with what Firmness and dignified Indignation, did Your Excellency spurn at the proposal of aggrandizing Your Self by forfeiting the Cause of your Country. the Letter instantly transmitted to Congress, (I am a witness) raised, if possible the exalted opinion They had of Your Merit & immoveable Fidelity. Treason in Embryo, & Treason born into Life, your Wisdom & Vigilence detected & suppres’d & in every trying Scene your Prudence, Courage & Fortitude rose superior & triumphed in proportion to the exigence of the occasion. Your Heroic Deeds at Trenton Princetown & many other Places, exhibited the Intrepidity of Achilles & the Sagacity of Ulysses.
        twice was You created Dictator & never a Tongue complain’d of the use you mad[e] of that unlimited Power.
        In a word your Skill & Wisdom, your Courage, Fortitude & perseverence so defeated the Plans, so broke the strength & blasted the mighty Efforts of Britain’s King & convinced Him of the impossibility of conquering Columbia, led & commanded by a Washington, that his humbled Pride submitted to Terms of Peace & accomodation more advantageous & honorable than co’d possibly have been, at first, expected.
        Thus, great Sir, under the Auspices & Blessing of almighty God, have You been the Saviour of Your Country, & as Such will be gratefully recognized to the last Period of Time. and having finished the great Work, with a Dignity becoming your Self you Resigned the high & honorable Betrustment & with Heartfelt Satisfaction, retired & wishd to retire like the great Dictator of Rome to the calm, peaceful & ⟨sweeter⟩ walks of private & domestic Life.
        but, Illustrious Sir, Your Country co’d not spare You yet & no sooner had the Heads of our Tribes formed our present wise & happy Constitution, calculated for a People of less virtue, than was contemplated by the old Confederation, than the sincere voice of Your fellow Citizens called & placed you at its Head, & in the highest & first Seat of Civil Government. which your Excellency accepted (as We verily believe) not from lucrative or ambitious Motives, but only to obey the Voice of Heaven, meet the ardent Wishes of your Country & teach them how to render the Independance you had gain’d a Blessing & not a Curse.
        it rarely happens that a Person possessing the greatest military

talents is best calculated for the Office of supreme Magistrate in Civil society; but your Excellency is one of the few exceptions wherein also your Character shines with distinguish’d Lustre.
        The administration of the wisest & best Angel of Heaven, wo’d not give satisfaction to all the heterogenious mixture of Nations, Tongues & Languages which compose the great whole of this People, & to self created Jacobinical Clubs & Societies form’d & uphel’d in Life, only by principles of opposition, & to wrest the Strength & Energy of government out of the proper Hands. and Yours Sir, has had the full approbation (I trust) of every wise, honest & good Man.
        Your Proclamation of Neutrality dictated by consummate Wisdom, Prudence & Benevolence has, probably, saved the United States from the summit of human Calamities, many millions of Treasure, ten thousands of Lives, & not improbably the ruin of the Constitution & the introduction of Anarchy.
        great was the Wisdom & equal the Success of your endeavors to remove the Incendiary, Genet, who with the assistance of some disaffected & some avaricious Spirits had made progress in disturbing the Peace of our Country.
        every patriot applauds the happy measure you adopted to compose the differences which existed with the haughty King & Nation of Britain, who compel’d by Your Prowess, yet indignant & with tardy steps, relinquish their Claim to Dominion over Us; the success of which, we hope & trust, will soon give us, an occasion to render you universal & ardent thanks.
        When lately not an inconsiderable number of rash & turbulent Men, mostly born in slavery & nurture’d in Ignorance were Fools & hardy enough to resist the Laws & defie the Constitution, from which They derive all their peace & safety, the kind & lenient measures you adopted to bring them to reason, became, the benevolence of your Heart, & when they faild, the strong & potent Arm of Justice & Terror, you lifted, the Dignity of your Station, your Fatigueing Personal Command watch & attendance gave Life to every motion & proceeded the happy Effect, to Awe those factious & deluded wretches to a sense of & return to their Duty, without inflicting the deserved punishment. it ⟨mutilated⟩ an Event alarming & disastrous in its appearance & pro⟨mutilated⟩ in the final Issue, ⟨thrice⟩ happy, as crushing ⟨mutilated⟩ Egg & exterminating the seeds of future Insu⟨rrectio⟩n.

        But to recount all the worthy deeds, done to this Nation by Your P[r]ovidence wo’d be, to detail all your public Acts.
        You have Led us by the Integrity of your Heart, & guided us by the Skilfulness of your Hands, & like the great Patriot of old, You are accepted of the Mul[t]itude of your Bretheren seeking the wealth of Your People, & speaking peace to all their Seed.
        Under God, We are very principally indebted to You Sir, for all the Peace, Happiness & unexampled prosperity of the United States. Yet Your Excellency assumes none of the Glory to your Self, but in your late Proclamation (to which we are soon, with Pleasure, to attend) “deeply penetrated with Sentiments of devout Reverence & affectionate Gratitude to Almighty God, you piously acknowledge Him as the great Ruler of Nations & the Author of all the manifold & signal Mercies which distinguish our Lot as a Nation.”
        We rejoyce to see the pious Emotions of Your Soul towards the most High who liveth forever & whose dominion is everlasting & Who doeth according to His Will in the Army of Heaven & among the Inhabitants of the Earth, & They that walk in Pride & the “arrogance of Prosperity,” He is able to abase.
        May your Excellency be ever under His blessed & holy protection & Care, Your important Life be, yet long, precious in his Sight & (as mortal must put on Immortality) at a distant period, exchange the Summit of Human Glory, for the far greater Glories of Heaven, which alone, is able to reward your incomparable Services to Your Country & to Mankind, which God, of his infinite mercy, Grant, thro the merits of Jesus Christ, the only Saviour.
        so ardently wishes & prays one, who is Unworthy your notice, & wants words to express the dutifull Affection, Gratitude & veneration he bears to Your Excellency’s Person and Character.

          Wm Williams

          If it is possible for your Excellency to do any thing for the relief of your & America’s great & good Friend, the worthy, brave & noble, Fayette, I know it has been, & will be done.


Title: To George Washington from Leighton Wood, 2 February 1795
From: Wood, Leighton
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia 2nd Feby 1795

        In consideration of my having spent many Years in the service of Virginia (eleven of them as Auditor & Solicitor) and of the present low Salaries to Clerks, I am most reluctantly compelled by necessity to intrude on your Goodness; soliciting your appointment to some office that you may suppose me capable of conducting without manifest disadvantage to the Interest of the United States. I have not Sir the vanity to expect that either my Abilities or Merit are solely sufficient to recommend me to your notice, was it not aided by the circumstance that my prime of Life has been spent in the service of one of the most respectable American States to the disapprobation I fear of affluent tho’ far distant Friends & the total loss of every resource whatever for support, publick business alone excepted. This representation with the necessity of providing for a numerous Family, unfortunately habituated from the generosity of Virginia to a much more liberal state of Living than at present I can permit, will I hope Sir in your opinion apologize for my presumption in addressing you. Ever since the dissolution of the Solicitors office in Virginia (1791) I have been engaged in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, by which means having the honour to be known to him, as well as otherwise to the Secretaries of State and of War, I rest on the recommendation of those Gentlemen should you

think proper to condescend to an enquiry of my past conduct, and for the future I can only say, that in case you think proper to gratifie my request (whenever a suitable opportunity offers) no attention or assiduity of mine shall be wanting to give every satisfaction in my power—with the utmost respect I remain Sir Your most obedient & very hble Servt

          Leighton Wood


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 3 February 1795
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

          My dear and respected Sir.
          New Port (Rhode Island)Feby 3d 1795.

        I seize the earliest moment to inform you of my safe arrival here (after a most disagreeable passage of sixty one days) on the very urgent & important business, stated in my three last letters from Lisbon (Nrs 149, 150 & 151) to the Secretary of State. I hope the Originals will have reached him; or, if they should have miscarried, that the Copies (which I forwarded at Sea, on the 28th of Janry, by a vessel bound to New York) will have come to hand. As I am, at this instant, hastening my departure for Philadelphia, I have it not in my power to make other Copies. I can therefore only repeat in brief (what I have explained in detail in the before-mentioned letters) that the annunciation on the part of the Dey of Algiers of his readiness to treat with us, and the embarrassment for the immediate want of funds, together with the critical state of Affairs in Morocco and the want of funds for that business (the Bills for that purpose having been protested) are the occasion of my hastening thus to state verbally the real situation of things with regard to the Barbary States; and to receive your ultimate orders thereon.
        I feel such a consciousness of having acted from motives of duty alone, and in the manner which I believed in the sincerity of my Soul most likely to promote the public interests, that I cannot but hope my conduct will meet with your approbation. That approbation, in conjunction with that consciousness of the purity of my intentions, will be an ample compensation for all the fatigues & hazards which I have encountered.
        With hopes of soon being able to explain myself more fully, and with the purest sentiments of affection, esteem & gratitude, I have the honour to remain My dear & respected Sir, Your most affe friend & Most humble Servt

          D. Humphreys.


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 February 1795
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Department of War Feby 3. 1795.

        I beg leave to inclose for your perusal a letter of the first instant from Captain Bruff of the corps of artillerists and engineers, at Baltimore, respecting the arrest and character of William B. Smith of the same corps; and a letter of the 27th ulto from

Lieutenant Smith, asking to be removed to Norfolk, under pretence that Baltimore disagrees with his health, and declaring, “if he is not removed, he resigns his commission.”
        Permit me to suggest the expediency of taking him at his word, and accepting his resignation. Lieutenant Geddes of the same corps confirms the representation of Capt. Bruff. I am with the greatest respect sir yr most obt servt

          Timothy Pickering