Title: From George Washington to the Citizens of New York City, 9 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Citizens of New York City

Gentlemen,
[New York, 9 May 1789]

The affectionate address presented by the Magistrates and the general joy testified by the Citizens of New York, on my arrival in this Metropolis, have filled my mind with the mingled emotions of gratitude and satisfaction. In accepting the momentuous trust which has been spontaneously committed to me by a free people; it was not enough to have felt a consciousness of having acted in conformity to the dictates of patriotism; it was not enough to have known that I met the wishes of my fellow-citizens; but it seemed that these farther pledges of their confidence and support were wanting to overcome the diffidence I had in my own abilities, and the reluctance I experienced at engaging in such new and arduous affairs.
Unelated by your too favorable appreciation of my past services, I can only pour forth the effusions of a grateful heart to Heaven, if I have been made, in any degree an instrument of

good to my country—And, although I am far from claiming any merit for retiring in the manner I did from a military command to the shade of private life; yet I am pleased to find that your candor has done justice to the principles, by which I have been actuated on the present occasion. No circumstance, in my conception, can be more consolatory to a public Man, especially to one truly sensible that the purest intentions cannot always preserve him from error, than a knowledge that his countrymen are disposed to consider the motives of his conduct with that liberality, which is reciprocally necessary for all, who are subject to the frailties of human nature. In this place I cannot avoid expressing an apprehension that the partiality of my Countrymen in my favor has induced them to expect too much from the exertions of an individual. It is from their co-operation alone, I derive all my expectations of success—Indeed the unanimity which has prevailed in some instances is a happy presage that our national government will be firmly established in the hearts of the People, and receive their united and zealous support.
From the accommodating spirit which has been displayed in respect to the Constitution, I anticipate that the government will in its’ operation, be productive of the most extensive utility, by rendering the Union as respectable in peace as it was triumphant in war.
I feel a just sense of your fervent wishes for my personal happiness, and the success of my administration—I pray you, Gentlemen, to accept in return my cordial thanks for these demonstrations of your affection, as well as for the assurances you have given of the attachment of your fellow-citizens.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 9 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir,
New York May 9th 1789.

I yesterday had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 2d instt—and must beg you to accept of my most grateful acknowledgments for your good wishes and kind gratulations upon my entrance on a new and arduous task. It is only from the assurances of support which I have received from the respectable & worthy characters in every part of the Union, that I am enabled to overcome the diffidence which I have in my own abilities to execute my great and important trust to the best interest of our Country. An honest zeal and an unremitting attention to the interest of United America is all that I dare promise.
The good dispositions which seem, at present, to pervade every class of people afford reason for your observation that the clouds which have long darkned our political hemisphere are now dispersing, and that America will soon feel the affects

of her natural advantages. That invisible hand which has so often interposed to save our Country from impending destruction, seems in no instance to have been more remarkably exerted than in that of disposing the people of this extensive Continent to adopt, in a peaceable manner, a Constitution, which if well administered, bids fair to make America a happy nation. With very sincere regard & esteem I am, Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Adams, 10 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Adams, John

[New York, 10 May 1789]

The President of the United States wishes to avail himself of your sentiments on the following points.
1st Whether a line of conduct, equally distant from an association with all kinds of company on the one hand and from a total seclusion from Society on the other, ought to be adopted by him? and, in that case, how is it to be done?
2d What will be the least exceptionable method of bringing any system, which may be adopted on this subject, before the Public and into use?
3d Whether, after a little time, one day in every week will not be sufficient for receiving visits of Compliment?
4th Whether it would tend to prompt impertinent applications & involve disagreeable consequences to have it known, that the President will, every Morning at 8 Oclock, be at leisure to give Audiences to persons who may have business with him?
5th Whether, when it shall have been understood that the President is not to give general entertainment in the manner the Presidents of Congress have formerly done, it will be practicable to draw such a line of discrimination in regard to persons, as that Six, eight or ten official characters (including in the rotation the members of both Houses of Congress) may be invited informally or otherwise to dine with him on the days fixed for receiving Company, without exciting clamours in the rest of the Community?

6th Whether it would be satisfactory to the Public for the President to make about four great entertainmts in a year on such great occasions as—the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independ⟨ence,⟩ the Alliance with France—the Peace ⟨with Great⟩ Britain—the Organization of the gener⟨al govern⟩ment: and whether arrangements of ⟨these two⟩ last kinds could be in danger of divert⟨ing too⟩ much of the Presidents time from bus⟨iness, or⟩ of producing the evils which it was in⟨tended to⟩ avoid by his living more recluse than ⟨the Presidents⟩ of Congress have heretofore lived.
7th Whether there would be any impropriety in the Presidents making informal visits—that is to say, in his calling upon his Acquaintances or public Characters for the purposes of sociability or civility—and what (as to the form of doing it) might evince these visits to have been made in his private character, so as that they might not be construed into visits from the President of the United States? and in what light would his appearance rarely at Tea parties be considered?
8th Whether, during the recess of Congress, it would not be advantageous to the interests of the Union for the President to make the tour of the United States, in order to become better acquainted with their principal Characters & internal Circumstances, as well as to be more accessible to numbers of well-informed persons, who might give him useful informations and advices on political subjects?
9th If there is a probability that either of the arrangments may take place, which will eventually cause additional expenses, whether it would not be proper that these ideas should come into contemplation, at the time when Congress shall make a permanent provision for the support of the Executive.
Remarks
On the one side no augmentation can be effected in the pecuniary establishment which shall be made, in the first instance, for the support of the Executive—on the other, all monies destined to that purpose beyond the actual expenditures, will be left in the Treasury of the United States or sacredly applied to ⟨the prom⟩otion of some national objects.
Many things which appear of little imp⟨ortance in⟩ themselves and at the beginning, may have ⟨great and⟩ durable consequences

from their having be⟨en establis⟩hed at the commencement of a new general ⟨Govern⟩ment. It will be much easier to comme⟨nce the adm⟩inistration, upon a well adjusted system ⟨built on⟩ tenable grounds, than to correct errors or alter inconveniences after they shall have been confirmed by habit. The President in all matters of business & etiquette, can have no object but to demean himself in his public character, in such a manner as to maintain the dignity of Office, without subjecting himself to the imputation of superciliousness or unnecessary reserve. Under these impressions, he asks for your candid and undisguised opinions.


Title: To George Washington from Isaac All, 10 May 1789
From: All, Isaac
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 10th May 1789

By the advice of my friends, I came to this place to Solicit an appointment in the Customs for the Port of Philadelphia, and was honoured with Letters to Several members of the Senate and house of representatives through whome it was thought my application might have been made. I have Since understood that would be improper which obliges me tho’ an entire stranger to the President to throw myself on his goodness with only Refering

to Mr Langdon McLane Senators—Mr Fitzsimmons Mr Clymer Mr Speaker Muhlenberg Mr Hiester Mr Muhlenberg Representatives from Pennsylvania for my character. Being bred to the Sea, and having been entrusted with the Command of the most Valuable Ships and Cargos, I flatter myself I should be fully Competent to execute the duty of Such an Employment as my present Circumstances would entitle me to ask—that of Searcher or Surveyor, my State of health tho’ too precarious to admit of Returning to my former profession would be Equal to and my Misfortunes tho’ great, I trust have not rendered me unworthy of it—If I should be so fortunate to obtain it my study shall be to deserve the appointment by a strict and honourable exercise of the duty. I am Sir, Your obedient humble Servant

Isaac All


Title: To George Washington from John Berrien, 10 May 1789
From: Berrien, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York May 10th 1789

I take the liberty of informing you that I have come forward from Georgia to this place to Offer myself as a Candidate for the Office of Collector of the Customs for the State of Georgia.
Haveing formerly held the Office of Collector for the Port of Savannah, with reputation, I trust that on the score of experience, my pretensions to the appointment which I now Solicit from you Sir, will at least be plac’d upon an equality with those of my Opponents.
I must beg Sir, your indulgence, to permit me to mention the circumstances under wh I hold my former office & how I was deprivd of it, which I am indued more particularly to relate, from your haveing askd of me how I came to give it up—In february 1786 I was appointed Collector of the port of Savannah by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, at which time the utmost extent of the revenue arising from that Office was £2,250 Sterl. for the year 1787. I paid to the Treasury & orders of Goverment nearly £7,000, the Committee of Finance reported

favorably on my Account, after pointing out the different payments & the purposes to wh they were appropriated, concluded, That they observed with pleasure the encrease of the public revenue, wh. was more than double what it had before been, which they attributed to the vigilence of the officer in the execution of his duty—which was agreed to by the house, without a dissenting voice—And at a former Session of the General Assembly in 1786 the same Committee pointed out the Regularity of the Collecters accounts & returns, & the rapid encrease of the revenue, so favorably, That they recommended That as a reward to the Collector for his extraordinary services the following fees be allowed him, & then named a number of fees which were agreed to by the house, This was the first establishment of fees to the officer in the Customs, & they are on record as a reward for extraordinary services.
So far Sir, I have intruded upon your patience from a wish to evince, That tho’ a removal from office may be an implied censure, that in the present instance it was oweing to the whim of an instable Unorganiz’d Goverment, & not to any misconduct or Mal-practice of the Officer, I shall conclude Sir, with observeing—that Mr Wilkenson, who Superceded me obtaind the Office only by one Vote, that he reducd the revenue last year to about £4,000 sterl. & he has lately been suspended by the Governor & Council for Mal-conduct—for the Authenticity of the above, I beg leave to refer you Sir, to the Gentlemen of the Senate & Representatives of the State of Georgia in Congress—Genl Jackson, Col: Few & Mr Baldwin must be acquainted with the facts. I have the honor to be Sir, with profound respect your most Obt & very hume Servt

John Berrien


Title: To George Washington from Arthur Campbell, 10 May 1789
From: Campbell, Arthur
To: Washington, George

Sir
Washington-County V. May 10th 1789

Although I am not honored with a personal acquaintance; yet I can count myself among the number of your early and uniform admirers, and who can now rejoice in seeing the affairs of my Country administered successfully by your hand in preference to any other.
I was among the first that embraced the principles of the American revolution, and was not merely an inactive wellwisher; what was then endured to avert tyranny, I could willingly encounter again, if necessary, to promote and secure federalism. This disposition is not excited by sinister motives. The glory and prosperity of my Country is my first wish, and for myself an undisturbed retirement. My circumstances in life will procure me this, if we, at length experience a government of wise laws.
This preface, will be my apology for the freedom I have now taken, and hereafter may take, in addressing your Excellency: confiding at the same time, that my communications may remain

with yourself, and either notice or neglect them, as you judge them useful or otherwise. My information being chiefly confined to the South-Western parts of the United States A part of our Country that has hitherto been too much neglected.
It has no doubt been observed by you, Sir, that we ought to demean ourselves both watchfully and circumspectly towards our late enemies, & active rivals the British nation. A late visit of Col. Connolly to Kentucky, and what we learn from Alexr McGillvery, may evince the views of that Court, are something more, than a commercial monopoly. War will not be a popular measure in the youthful stage of our government, and important must be the considerations, for entering into it, at any time. A wise and judicious policy may yet be our cheapest, and most successful resource. The insolence of the Indian half-breed, ought to be checked, or rather that he may gradually be rendered a useless tool to the powers that flatter him, and in particular the Governor of the Bahamas. Georgia might make some concessions, and be more moderate in their speculations on Indian territory. South-Carolina might not be so anxious to monopolize the Indian trade at all hazards, and ought not to discover a disposition to prefer the interests of Savages, and those inimical ones too, to that of their brethren, and neighbours. A detachment of the American Regulars, posted on the Tenasee river, near the Muscle Shoals, may if under a faithful and intelligent Officer, awe our enemies, encourage our friends, conciliate all; or if that cannot be effected, foment divisions, and play off the interests, and views of one Tribe, against that of another, so as to render the machinations of a foreign power amongst them, of little avail against us. It is a desirable event to confirm the Chickasaws in their ancient friendship for the Anglo-Americans. A Clever Man for Agent of Indian Affairs may do great matters towards compleating so good a Work. The greatest part of the Choctaws, may easily be united in interests with the Chickasaws.
What I have yet learnt of Connollys visit, is too vague, to merit your attention; however this much we may be assured of, it was for no good to us. Garrisons established at Cayhoga and near the mouth of the Myamis of the Lake, will make it a matter of indifference on several accounts, whether we are soon possessed

of Fort-Detroit, or not. This would preclude emissaries, and Indian freebooters from Canada, visiting our new Settlements with success.
The inclosed Paper may be some information in the line of civil duties. It will at least shew a change of sentiment in some of the Members of the late Virginia Convention. If the hint is a good one, that the Inquest of the Country, may notice omissions of the legislatures and infractions of the Constitution, an Act of Congress may be necessary to define their powers.
It may be of little avail to have a fundamental law, if there is not a sett of Men, diffused over the Country and specially appointed to be Conservators and to make known violations. Impeachments is a harsh word, and ought but seldom to be resorted to. It may be said the people at large are the proper Guardians of the national Constitution. We admire the sentiment without attending to the practicability of execution: However Grand-Jurors seem to come the nearest to the vox populi of any regulation, that can be thought of that will prove efficient.
Arduous must be the task, and weighty the burthen of him, who desires conscientiously to administer the affairs of a great nation, rather as the father of the people, than the rigorous Magistrate: Them who may disinterestedly essay to lessen the task, and lighten his burthen, will have some claim to the character of patriot, and the esteem of the Man, who has been so often hailed the deliverer of his Country. I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of Esteem & Respect, Sir, your most obedient servant,

Arthur Campbell


Title: From George Washington to John Campbell, 10 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Campbell, John

Sir,
New-York, May 10th 1789.

If a white horse, which your Servant was on the day I travelled with you from Bladensburg to Baltimore, has recovered of his lameness, and you have no particular predilection for him, I should be glad, as he is so good a match for the one I had of Mr Prescott, if you would sell him to, or swap him with me.
Mrs Washington, with a nephew of mine (Mr Lewis) will, I expect be in Bladensburg on the morning of the 13th, on their way to this place, when the matter may be effected, if agreeable to you—If it is by way of exchange, which would be more convenient to me than to pay the cash, it will be for the horse on which Mr Lewis will ride, and which will be either one of his own of which I know nothing, and therefore can say nothing—or one of my chariot horses now 7 years old this spring—spirited and good—but by an accidental stroke of his hind foot against the cock of his foreshoe (in a mud hole) a day or two before I left home, was rendered unfit for the journey and left—but now is, I am informed, quite well.
If it is for cash only you would part with your horse I must give what you shall think a horse of his age (which I was told was 10 or 11) is worth, and will pay your draught upon me at this place for the amount.

I feel the necessity of making an apology for offering to buy without knowing you were disposed to sell, and shall rely on your goodness for an excuse. I am Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant.

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Frederick Jay, 10 May 1789
From: Jay, Frederick
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 10th May 1789

Several of my Friends have advised me to become a Candidate for the Office of Collector for this Port—I am persuaded that your Excellency is not unacquainted with the Part wch I took and the losses Sustained by me and the whole Family during the late War, which in Some measure (I do presume) recommends them to a Share of their Country’s favours—Should Your Exclcy think proper to Name me to this Office, it will be conferring upon me Such Obligations as will ever be Acknowledged with gratitude. I am with great respect Your Excellency’s Most Obt Humbe servant

Fredr.Jay


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 10 May 1789
From: Wayne, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond [County], State of Georgia 10th May 1789

I did myself the honor of addressing your Excellency in April, by Genl Jackson, & have since that period been extremely

gratified by hearing of your happy arrival at the seat of Government, & acceptance of the supreme Executive Authority of the United States—an event, that I am confident affords the sincerest pleasure to every true friend of America.
I also observe that the Impost Act was in great forwardness on the 29th Ultimo, which by this time must be matured for Operation—& as the appointment of proper persons to Collect the duties &ca is a power principally vested in your Excellency—may I take the liberty to mention my former Aid Colo. Benja. Fishbourn, to be continued Collector under Congress for the State of Georgia to which office he was lately appointed by the Executive in place of a Mr Ruben Wilkinson who was suspended for mal practice, & notwithstanding this fact, has the hardiness to appear in New York to solicit that Appointment under Congress—& will very probably be recommended by a Mr Gunn who now holds a seat in the Senate thro’ the intrigues&ca of Mr Wilkinson.
Permit me also to mention my very particular friend Colo. Sharp Delany, the present Collector of the port of Phila. who is an honest man, a good Citizen, & always one of your sincerest votary’s.
I shou’d not have presumed to take this liberty but from this Circumstance—that those Gentlemen are now in possession of those Offices—by their respective state Appointments!
I ought here to pause, & not attempt to intrude further upon the time & patience of Your Excellency, but as one freedom is often productive of more, permit me for once to verify the Observation, by wishing that your Excellency & Congress wou’d as soon as convenient turn your thoughts Southwardly—which will naturally be the case, from the present critical situation of this Country—as well as from an other Momentious consideration VIZ. the immense & valuable territory already Ceded & to be Ceded, by the States of Georgia & North Carolina, abounding with every possible advantage that a happy Climate—luxuriancy of soil, & Navigation can afford—which opens a field for National Speculation, vastly superior to that between the Ohio & Mississipi—& well worthy of the immediate & most serious attention of the Magnum Concilium of America.
I have lately been fortunate enough to procure an Accurate Map of the river Mississipi from Iberville to the river Yazous—

from actual survey—which I do myself the honor to send by this Opportunity—it is considered as the Garden spot of the American World, & was parceled out, by the Ministry to themselves & favourites—under the direction of the famous Govr Johnston & a Lieut. Govr Chester from 1763 to 1768; I expect to get possession of the pamphlet or book containing the Names of the persons to whom grants were made agreeably to the Numbers with the lines delieneated on the Map.
The 31º of North Latitude is about fourteen miles below Davion or Loftus Cliffs! the Confluence of the River Y⟨azoo⟩ with the Mississipi is about 32º 30’ N. Latitude.
Shou’d your Excellency & Congress at anytime turn your attent⟨ion⟩ that way, I will always be ready to serve you with my ⟨best⟩ services, either in the line of my profession as a soldier or an Appointment simular in the Southern Distr⟨ict⟩ to that which Genl St Clair holds to the Westward, & shou’d your Excellency be of Opinion, that my t⟨ried⟩ & past services—added to the knowledge I have of the Country, merits some Attention—may I hope for your voice upon the Occasion.
have the goodness to pardon this long intrus⟨ion⟩ & believe me to be with the profoundest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obt & very Hume Sert

Anty Wayne


Title: To George Washington from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, 11 May 1789
From: Anderson, —— (Mr. and Mrs.)
To: Washington, George

N: York May 11th 1789

Mr and Mrs Andersons most respectfull Compliments to his Excy and makes bold to present him with a Portrait of the Twins born in the year 1775, which was intended to have been sent to your Excy last Spring but no favorable oppertunity offered, whereby we Could have sent them.
They have the Honor of bearing the Names of your Excy & Lady, and are the Twins if it does not Slip your Excy memory, that you was so kind as to Call and see them when we was at Fort Lee; We now take the Liberty to present them to your Excy beging your Acceptance Pr Bearer.


Title: To George Washington from Nathaniel Barrett, 11 May 1789
From: Barrett, Nathaniel
To: Washington, George

sir
New York May 11. 1789

Being soon to embark for France, in which Kingdom I shall reside for several years; I have been advised by many of my Friends to offer myself as a Candidate for the Place of Consul to that Kingdom, or if the general system of Consulates shall not be presently arranged, to serve in the mean Time as Commercial Agent for the united states.
My residence in Paris with the Connections I have formed in that City, & in Rouen, the capital of Normandy, will enable me as effectually to serve the general Interest, I presume, as any one.
For my Character, and the exertions I have made for several years past in France in behalf of the Commerce of these states—I beg Leave to refer your Excellency to the Vice President, and the several Gentlemen of the Senate from the Eastern States, to whom I have been long personally known.
I can only add, sir, that if I should be thought worthy of this Appointment, my Time, and Abilities shall be dedicated to

render every Service in my Power to my Country. I have the honor to be with the utmost respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient, and most humble Servant,

Nat. Barrett


Title: To George Washington from Edward Church, 11 May 1789
From: Church, Edward
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency
New York 11th May 1789

I am one of that unfortunate number whom the late revolution has precipitated from a state of decent competence, and reduced to the necessity of joining the class of your most humble and needy petitioners; but it is not to be expected that the most fortunate revolutions can be favorable to the interest of every individual, I therefore presume not to complain, or to found any pretensions to favors on common, or unavoidable calamities; nor dare I presume to encroach upon that time which is devoted to more important purposes with a minute detail of my particular concerns, yet it may not be totally foreign to observe to your Excellency, that my Ancestors were among the first and not least respectable Emigrants to America, I was an wholesale Merchant in Boston before the late War, and since the peace have made various unsuccessful attempts in several foreign countries to repair a ruined fortune, but I find it too late for me to begin the world anew with any probable prospect of success. I have been much abroad before the late war, and since the peace, and have endeavoured to profit of the opportunities which offered of information—about two years since I embarked from Ostend in Austrian Flanders for Savannah in Georgia with a view to propagate the Culture of cotton upon a large scale in that state, but the gentleman who embarked with me in the scheme thought proper upon experiment to decline the undertaking. Since the meeting of the present Congress I have been induced from exigence to come forward to offer myself a candidate for the office of Collector of Imposts for the Port of Savannah. I have a Wife and five Children, and at present without means for their support, I have sustained some very heavy losses in that State; I was educated at Harvard University in Cambridge, cotemporary with his Excellency the vice

President, and the honble Jonathan Trumbull, Paine Wingate, and Elbridge Gerry Esquires, Members of Congress; Mr Wingate is more intimately acquainted with my former and present situation than the other Gentlemen, but for my Character, uniform sentiments, and attachment to my Country I dare appeal to either of those Gentlemen. The Honble Mr [William] Smith Delegate from Maryland has been informed of me; as also the Honble Charles Carrol, John Henry, Daniel Carrol and George Gale Esquires delegates from the same State. General [James] Jackson & Colonel [James] Gun from Georgia though in favor in other Candidates, will I have no doubt do justice to my Character and Conduct during my residence in that State. if notwithstanding there should be found one more eligible, I would then most humbly intreat your Excellency to nominate me to the appointment of Consul in Holland. I am not alone in the opinion that the appointment of a person competent to the office might be very beneficial to the commerce of America, as also to that defenceless class of men the american Seaman whom I have known frequently to suffer great injuries and impositions in foreign countries for want of a friend able and disposed to redress them: There are who think I might be useful in that department, no endeavours on my part should be wanting to render myself so to my Country at large and to the interest of every individual, by every possible exertion, and communication. I have the most perfect reliance on your Excellency’s sacred regard to equal impartial Justice, and am equally aware that it is not in your power to gratify every wish or expectation; if therefore it should be my lot to be rejected, I will never cease to venerate your name, and to rever your Justice; but if the consideration of my former eligible situation in life, my character, the sacrifices which I have made my experience in business foreign and domestic, a most sincere wish to serve my Country, the importance of my request not to myself alone, but to a most amiable wife and five young Children, and to two venerable aged relations whom the fortune of war has reduced from affluence to a state of needy dependence, if these Sir should claim a preference in your estimation, and either of the foregoing petitions should be granted it would restore happiness to a family threatened with speedy distress.

With the most profound veneration of your truly illustrious Character, signal services, approved justice, generosity, and benevolence—and with the most ardent wishes that you may long be preserved a constant blessing to this people, I beg Leave most humbly to subscribe Your Excellency’s most faithful, most devoted and most obedient Servant

Edward Church


Title: From George Washington to James Madison, 11 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir,
New York, May 11th 1789.

The enclosed were communicated to me, as you will perceive, to make a confidential use of—upon receipt of the first letter, I expressed a desire to be informed (if there was nothing improper in it) through what channel the report came, and what reliance could be placed in the authenticity of it—This gave rise to the second letter —As you are upon business which requires every information of the state of the union, and knowledge of

our relative situation with G.B. I give you the perusal of them—This you can do at your leisure as I am in no immediate want of them. I am always Your affectionate

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Remsen, 11 May 1789
From: Remsen, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 11th May 1789.

On the return of peace I found my situation so embarrassed by the calamitous events of the War, as rendered me incapable to recommence mercantile pursuits.
This embarrassment was occasioned principally by the receipt of large sums in Continental and State paper money during the first four and an half years of the War, at specie value, for debts owing to me prior to my removal from this City. And all commercial intercourse and correspondence between America and Great Britain having been inhibited, it was impossible for me to invest any part of the amount into remittances, in order to discharge the ballances which I remained indebted at the commencement of it.
My actual losses during the late contest, somewhat exceeds Twenty Two thousand Pounds specie—To this sum a large addition may be estimated, if the rents of my own real Estate and my proportion of a family Estate during the war are taken into consideration, and more particularly the great loss which I shall unavoidably sustain on the remaining outstanding debts due to me, the amount of which is very near Nine thousand Pounds, and of which I have but little hopes of ever being able to recover One thousand pounds.
My Creditors, the chief of whom are British, have been very friendly to me, and altho’ they have not pressed for, yet I deemed it my duty to propose, a settlement; by offering them real property and the choice of my oustanding debts, to effect it—In

treating on the subject I found that they declined the proposition, and preferred a compromise. This compromise will inevitably lead to a sale of the most valuable part of my real Estate within a short period, and subject the remainder to incumbrance: and indeed I have no expectation of being enabled to accomplish a final settlement, but by the aid of my family connections.
If a firm attachment to, and an uniform solicitude to promote the cause of our Country, during her late struggle with G. Britain—The sacrifice of a large Estate, the earnings of a life devoted to active Commerce since the year 1759—A long and tedious Exile and a numerous family, are circumstances that can have influence, May I hope that Your Excellency will be pleased to countenance my application for some appointment, the emoluments of which may enable me to maintain my family and educate my younger children—And in the discharge of which, commercial experience, a knowledge of accounts, and Integrity are considered as the leading requisite qualifications.
In making this application I beg leave to assure Your Excellency, that it is neither my wish nor desire to prejudice the just pretensions of others, or to supercede any Gentlemen, who may now hold an Employment under the late Congress; or any who is in the exercise of any Office under this State.
From the time of the Stamp-Act—during the period of the non-importation agreement, and the subsequent troubles: until the present moment, I can with pleasure appeal to my fellow Citizens for my Moral and political character, and, should Your Excellency be pleased to make enquiry, either of his Excellency Governor Clinton, The Honble John Jay—His Honor Chief Justice Morris, or his Honor James Duane, I entertain sanguine hopes that satisfactory information can be obtained respecting both. Permit me to add that I have no doubt of procuring proper guarantees, for the faithful discharge of any trust I may be honored with, should the same be required. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect and esteem Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Most Humb. Servt

Henry Remsen


Title: To George Washington from Richard Stevens, 11 May 1789
From: Stevens, Richard
To: Washington, George

Sir
Perth Amboy [N.J.] May 11—1789

Having learned many persons are applying for Offices in the several States & being satisfied that it will be impossible for your Excellency to obtain an accurate knowledge of those who may be qualified to fill inferior departments unless they bring themselves under your notice, so as to enable you to make the requisite enquiries, I take the liberty to solicit the office of collector of the customs for this State, resting my claims upon the following circumstances which it will be in your Excellency’s power to ascertain by the slightest enquiry from any of the principal people of this State—During the war I have been zealously & I hope usefully employed in promoting the cause of my country against the oppressions of Great Britain, in consequence of which I have suffer’d considerably by them from the destruction of my property—I was also by the appointment of the Governor invested with the office I now solicit & only relinquished it on my moveing into the interior part of the country—As I have now returned to this place which may be considered as the principal sea port of this state I conceive that I may without presumption solicit an appointment which I once held—and which tho it would be convenient to me in my present situation is of so little value as hardly to induce any man of respectability & property to remove to a sea port to enjoy it—I have the honor to be with sentiments of the greatest respect and esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant

Richd Stevens


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Vickers, 11 May 1789
From: Vickers, Joseph
To: Washington, George

New Brunswick [N.J.] May 11, 1789.

The Memorial of Joseph Vickers Humbly Sheweth,
That your Memorialist has been honored by the Legislature of the State of New-Jersey with the appointment of Naval-Officer for the Eastern District of said State, and that he still holds the Office of Naval-Officer And therefore prays that your Excellency will be pleased in the arrangement of officers to continue him in the Office aforesaid. And as in duty bound will ever pray.

Joseph Vickers


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Woodward, 11 May 1789
From: Woodward, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 11th May 1789

The system of Revenue now under the consideration of Congress requiring certain Officers to carry it into execution, and their appointment being to be vested in your Excellency with advice of the honorable Senate, I beg permission humbly to solicit an appointment to one of the Offices in the Boston Department.
Conscious that your Excellency will only nominate such as are fully competent to the Trust, permit me to refer you for testemonials in my favour to his Excellency the Vice President the honorable Senators from the State of Massachusetts and the Representative from the Boston District.
Should my application be honoured with the approbation of your Excellency, a faithful discharge of the Duties of the Office entrusted to me shall evince the zeal and sincerity with which I am Your Excellency’s Most obedient and Most humble Servant

Joseph Woodward


Title: To George Washington from William Young, 11 May 1789
From: Young, William
To: Washington, George

Sire,
New Brunswick, State New Jerseythe 11th of May 1789

Encouraged by the good Wishes and Persuasions of my fellow Citizens, I presume to address your Excellency, and to offer myself as a Candidate for the Collectorship of this State; my Conduct and Character as a Citizen is well known; and I trust will bear the most strict Investigation, for which, and with respect to the Abilities necessary for the Office, I humbly beg leave to refer your Excellency to my Friends, the Hon’ble Mr Paterson, senator from this state, General Stephen Moylan and any of the respectable Merchants of New York and this state, from whom I am offer’d written Testimonials if necessary, I forbear, however, troubling your Excellency with those at present, and if you should be pleased to appoint me, my utmost Abilities shall be exerted for the faithful Discharge of the Duties of the Office. I have the Honor to be with the most profound Respect sire Your Excellency’s most devoted and most obedient Servant

William Young


Title: To George Washington from David Salisbury Franks, 12 May 1789
From: Franks, David Salisbury
To: Washington, George

New York 12th May 1789.

Early in the Year 1774, I settled in Montreal with a small Capital and a considerable Credit as a Merchant & was successful in Business. In the Spring of 1775 I suffered a short tho rigorous

imprisonment on Account of my attachment to the Cause of America. As soon as the Troops under General Montgomery took Possession of Montreal I did everything in my Power to promote their Success, & at one time advanced nearly to the Amount of Five hundred half Johanes in Goods & Money, which was afterwards paid to me in depreciated Paper. In 1776 soon after the unfortunate Attack on Quebec, General Wooster appointed me to the office of Clerk of the Checque or Paymaster to the Artificers of the Garrison of Montreal, in which Capacity I was indefatigable in forwarding the public Works, & again advanced considerable Sums of Money, at times when there was not a farthing in the Military Chest to satisfy the demands of the Workmen. When the Northern Army retreated from Canada, I join’d it as a Volunteer & continued attached to that army with some little intermission until the reduction of General Burgoyne. In 1778, after the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British Army & on the arrival of Count D’Estaing I procured Letters of recommendation from the Board of War, from Mr Gerard & Mr Deane who came with the Count & join’d him off Sandy Hook, I continued with that Admiral until he arrived at Rhode Island, when on the failure of that Expedition I returned to Philadelphia where my military Duty called me.
In 1779 I went a Volunteer to Charles Town & was an Aid de Camp in General Lincoln’s Family ’till I was recalled to attend the Tryal of General Arnold. In 1780,1 was in Arnolds military Family at West Point until his Desertion to the Enemy, when a Court of Enquiry which I had solicited of the Commander in chief made the Report which accompanies this, and which His Excellency was pleased to accept and approve. In 1781 The Superintendant of Finance sent me with Dispatches to Mr Jay at Madrid & to Mr Franklin at Paris. I continued employed in Europe until the next Year when I returned home with the approbation of our Ministers, as well as of Mr Morris, for my Conduct while abroad. At my return I found myself deranged from the Line of the Army but on application to Congress I was reinstated for one Year only. When Mr Jefferson was going to Paris, one of the Commissioners for making a Treaty of Peace, he took me into his Family: we waited a considerable Time at Baltimore for an Opportunity to go to Sea (a British Squadron then guarding the Bay of Chesapeak) Congress in the mean while received

information that a Treaty was already signed & this precluded the necessity of Mr Jefferson’s embarking. I then solicited the Secretary for foreign Affairs for an appointment in the Consular Line, and procured a recommendation from some of the most eminent Merchants of my native Place. Mr Livingston mentioned me in a particular Manner to Congress, a Copy of his Letter and of that of the Merchants, are joined herewith.
In the Winter of the Year 1784 Congress dispatched me to Europe with a Copy of the ratification of the definitive Treaty, which I had the Honor of delivering to our Ministers in Paris, where I remained ill of a Fever, which prevented me Going to Holland in consequence of orders received from the Superintendant of Finance. In 1785 I went at a considerable Expence to Marseilles to which Place Mr Barclay had named me Vice Consul. I resided there ’till my little Stock of Money was nearly exhausted & in the Spring of 1786 I returned to Paris; for my first Voyage to Europe, as well as the second with the ratification of the definitive Treaty, and for my residence at Marseilles as Vice Consul, I never received any emolument whatever. In fall 1786 Mr Barclay was commissioned by our Ministers for making a Treaty of Peace And Commerce with the Emperor of Morocco & I was appointed his Secretary; previous to our departure for Africa it was judged necessary to send a Confidential Person to London to get the proper Instruments signed by Mr Adams & to fix the mode of drawing Bills of Exchange &c., with that Gentleman; I offered myself & executed what depended on me in the two journeys I made to London with Zeal & dispatch. After Mr Barclay’s return to Spain from Morocco where he had compleated a Treaty with the Emperor I was sent by him with it from Madrid to Paris & from thence by Mr Jefferson to London to get Mr Adams’s signature to it. In the month of March following I embarked by order of our Ministers for America, bearer of the Treaty of Morocco & had the Honor of delivering it to Mr Jay at New York in the Month of May; with me I also brought Testimonials of the approbation of our Ministers abroad as appears by their public Dispatches.
Thus I have devoted Eleven Years of the best Part of my Life to the Service of my Country, in all which time, I am bold to say that I have ever been actuated by a disenterested Zeal for her Honor & Prosperity.

Davd Franks.


Title: From George Washington to James Madison, 12 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir,
New York, May 12th 1789.

To draw such a line for the conduct of the President as will please every body, I know is impossible; but to mark out and follow one (which by being consonant with reason) will meet general approbation, may be as practicable as it is desireable. The true medium I conceive must lye in pursuing such a course as will allow him time for all the official duties of his station—This should be the primary object—The next, to avoid as much as may be, the charge of superciliousness, and seclusion from information by too much reserve and too great a withdraw of himself from company on the one hand, and the inconveniences as well as reduction of respectability by too free an intercourse, and too much familiarity on the other.
Under these impressions I have submitted the enclosed queries for your consideration, and would thank you for your sentiments thereon with the return of the paper—For the remarks which it contains, it is necessary that some plan should be adopted by the President for his mode of living; that the pecuniary estimates for the department may have an eye thereto; and though secondary, it is a motive for my bringing the matter before you at this time. I am your affectionate friend and obedient servant.

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Lucy Paradise, 12 May 1789
From: Paradise, Lucy
To: Washington, George

Sir,
London May the 12th 1789

Give me leave as a Fellow Citizen to congratulate you on the Honour you have done Us, in accepting to be our President for this, our New Federal Constitution—Long may your Excellency be Blessed with every happiness that this World can give, and that you may live, to see our Country flourish from your Wise and Good Councils. Is the Sincere Prayer of Sir Your Excellencies Most Obedient and Most Grateful Humble Servant

Lucy Paradise


Title: To George Washington from Nathaniel Pendleton, 12 May 1789
From: Pendleton, Nathaniel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Savannah Georgia. May 12th 1789

Notwithstanding the arduous, and important affairs in which your Excellency must be deeply Engaged at this time, I beg leave to intrude on a moment of your time while I add my feeble voice to the millions who celebrate their own good Fortune, in seeing Your Excellency at the head of our public Counsels; under a form of Government perfected and established by the influence of your wisdom & patronage.
I know not however whether I ought to congratulate your Excellency upon this event, which will deprive you of those domestic enjoyments to which you returned with so much satisfaction after the peace.
The Sacrifice you have made in yielding to the anxious wishes of your fellow Citizens, in this instance, they gratefully feel as the strongest proof your Excellency could have given, how much of your Ease and happiness you are willing to sacrifice to procure theirs.
That your Excellency may long live to enjoy the love and Veneration of your Country, is the fervent prayer of Your Excellency’s Most obedient & most humble servt

Nathl Pendleton


Title: To George Washington from William Denning, 13 May 1789
From: Denning, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 13th May 1789

Having been always engaged in the Service of my Country during the Late war, particularly in the Confidential and important offices of Commissioner of Accounts and a Commissioner of the Board of Treasury and having the fullest evidence of the Approbation of the Honble The Congress by being again Unanimously Elected to the important trust of Commissioner of the Treasury in 1784 (But Congress being then undetermined as to their place of residence my domestic Concerns induced me to decline the Honour intended me) and having also some Testimonials of your Excellencys approbations during my Administration at the Board of Treasury induces me now tho with a deffidence habitual to me to Offer my Services for such office in the department of Accounts for this State under the Authority of the United States as you may Judge from the above circumstances I may be equal to. I am informed a Comptroller of Accounts to each State and a Comptroller of the Customs will be thought necessary Appointments. There is also a vacancy of a Third Commissioner for Adjusting the claims of individual States against the United States.
At any event I am sure your Excellency will receive this Application with your usual indulgence. I am with the greatest Respect Sir your most Obedient & Most Hble Servant

Wm Denning


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 13 May 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

War Office May 13th 1789

The secretary for the department of war humbly submits to the President of the United States the following report and statement of the troops in public service.
That the enclosed resolve of Congress of the 3rd of October 1787 is the authority by which all the troops in the service of the United States were enlisted excepting two incomplete companies of artillery, which were returned in service out of the additional troops raised by virtue of the resolves of Congress of the 20th of October 1786. The rest of the said troops having been discharged by a resolve of Congress of the 9th of April 1787.
That the several states on which the troops were apportioned by the act of Congress of the 3rd of October 1787 passed laws conformably thereto excepting the Legislature of New York. In consequence of which the officers have not been reappointed by New York nor has any recruits been raised within the State—The officers however have been continued on the principle that all the soldiers engagements had not expired and being stationed on the frontiers they have reinlisted about 70, or 80 Non-commissioned and privates.
There were reengaged on the frontiers during the last year and the begining of the present, for the period of three years, about 280 Noncommissioned and privates, and there were recruited during the last year in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania 237 Non-Commissioned and privates, and marched to the frontiers. eighty Non-commissioned and privates are now recruiting in Pennsylvania, and will probably be completed and marched during the present month, to the frontiers.

The total number of troops, will appear in the enclosed return.

            The establishment agreably to the acts of Congress

            Is One regiment of Infantry of eight Companies, each 70 Non-Commissioned and privates
            560

            and

            One battallion of artillery of 4 Companies
            280

            840.

            Agreably to the present State of the troops.

            The deficiency will be
            158.

The engagements of the two incomplete companies of artillery at Springfield and West Point will expire about the begining of the ensuing year, the period they have to serve is too short to occasion the expence of filling them up and marching them to the frontiers at present. Besides they are wanted for the protection of the public property at the arsenals where they are stationed, although in the present state of affairs, an officer and fifteen non-commissioned and privates would be probably an adequate number for the arsenal at Springfield.
The posts occupied by the troops on the frontiers are here stated—Viz.
Fort Franklin—On french creek near to the post formerly called venango is a small strong fort with one cannon, was erected in 1787 and garrisoned with one company. The excellent construction and execution of this work reflects honor on the abilities and industry of Captain Hart who garrisons it with his company and who was his own engineer.
This post was established for the purpose of defending the frontiers of Pennsylvania, which are much exposed by the facility with which the Indians can cross from Lake Erie either to french creek or to the Jadaghque lake and the conneawango branch, and thence descend the rapid river allegheny.
Fort Pitt—Has only an officer and a few men to receive supplies and dispatches forwarded to the troops by the secretary of war.
Fort Mcintosh—Is demolished and a block house erected in lieu thereof a few miles up the Big Beaver creek, to protect the communication up the same and also to cover the country.

Fort Harmer. At the mouth of the Muskingum is a well constructed fort with five bastions, and three cannons mounted.
It is at present garrisoned with four companies and is considered as head quarters, being conveniently situated to reinforce any of the posts, either up or down the river Ohio.
Fort Steuben—At the rapids of the Ohio on the westside is a well constructed small fort with one cannon, and is garrisoned with a major and two companies This fort is established to cover the country from the incursions of the indians, and it also serves as a post of communication to Post Vincennes on the wabash.
Post-Vincennes—On the wabash is a work erected during the year 1787 and has four small brass cannon, it is garrisoned by a major and two companies. It is established to curb the incursions of the wabash Indians into the Kentucky country, and to prevent the usurpation of the federal lands, the fertility of which has two strong a temptation to lawless people of the frontiers who posted themselves there in force in the year 1786.
Brigadier General Harmer, by orders of Congress formed an expedition in august 1787 for the purpose of dispossessing them, but previously to his arrival most of the intruders had abandoned their settlement.
A post was reestablished during the last autumn after three years suspension, at the mouth of the miamé river, as well in order to protect the settlement establishing at that place, as to prevent the passage of the indians into the Kentucke country by that passage. It having been found by experience that the wabash indians had made their war path through the vicinity of that place.
Such are the posts occupied by the troops at present, but it has been in contemplation to make a material change—which in a considerable degree may depend on the issue of the treaties with the wabash Indians and other circumstances, which will hereafter be submitted to the President of the United States and his commands received thereon.
The establishment of the New Constitution will probably render it necessary for the Legislature to pass a law continuing the present establishment and confirming the officers in their several grades, and as the rank of the officers has hitherto been exceedingly precarious, they having been appointed by the

seperate states on which they were apportioned, it will be necessary that the future rise or promotion, be agreably to the mode which shall be directed.
It will also be necessary that the officers have new commissions issued to them conformably to the present state of things, and that they take an oath of the nature that shall be prescribed.
The troops are supplied with provisions by a contract formed with Messrs Elliot & Williams of Maryland which is to exist until the commencement of next year; This contract has been exceedingly satisfactorily executed although at the following prices which are low compared with the former contracts for the same places.

            Venango
            9/90ths

            Fort Pitt
            7/90ths of a dollar

            McIntosh or the Post at big beaver
            The same

            Harmer at the mouth of Muskingum
            The same

            Rapids of the ohio
            7½/90ths

            Post Vincennes
            16/90ths

The troops are well clothed at present, and have the prospect of continuing so, as a new contract is formed by the board of Treasury, for clothing to be delivered the 1st of September next so as to be transported to the frontiers in order to be delivered by the 1st of November next.
The public are greatly in arrears for pay to the troops, they having the amount of upwards of two years pay due them, a particular estimate of which will hereafter be submitted to the President. an arrangement for the payment of the arrearages by installments at certain periods, might be proper and convenient.
Both officers and soldiers have hitherto supported the defective and uncertain payments with great patience, but a provision for this subject is absolutely necessary on the part of the Treasury of the United States.

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from James McCubbin Lingan, 13 May 1789
From: Lingan, James McCubbin
To: Washington, George

Sir
George Town May 13th 1789

Being informed that your Excellency Receives none but written applications from candidates for office. I have only to Say that I was appointed to the naval office at this Port from its first Establishment. in the Execution of this duty I trust general Satisfaction has been given and I know it has been discharged with fidelity to the State. Should the office be continued under the present Government; I take the liberty of offering, my services. I have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir your Excellencys Most Obedt Servant

James McCubbin Lingan


Title: To George Washington from John Sharp, 13 May 1789
From: Sharp, John
To: Washington, George

Philada May 13th 1789

The petition of John Sharp of the City of Philadelphia humbly Sheweth
That your petitioner in the course of the late Revolution had the honor to serve as a Captain in the service of the United States, as the Certificate herewith produced will testify—That he has a Wife and family to maintain, and at this present time is in want of Employment for the Support of himself and family, and humbly prayeth that Your Excellency will be pleased to appoint him the Officer of the Customs or Revenue Boat for the State of Pennsylvania, or to such other Post or Office as in your Wisdom shall seem meet—And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c.

John Sharp


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789 [letter not found]
From: Anderson, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789. On 18 Nov. 1789 GW wrote to Anderson: “I have been favored with the receipt of your letter of the 14th of may last.”


Title: To George Washington from Stephen Hall, 14 May 1789
From: Hall, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Portland, Massachusetts [District of Maine],
Sir,14 May 1789.
Can you permit me to take up one moment of your precious time in asking a favor! I wish for the Collectorship of duties at the Port of Portland, the Metropolis of the eastern part of the State of Massachusetts. But this Request, I am sensible, must appear both indelicate & improper without some knowledge of me. But how shall I make my self known? It can be only by my friends; for surely the great Affairs You have managed, and are still managing must have obliterated any Remembrance of me, while at Cambridge, where I was some times honoured with your Commands, being the only Governor within the College walls, which for a season contained some part of your troops. I am happy in some acquaintance, & friendship with the Vice President, and most of the Members of the federal Court from Massachusetts, & Newhampshire. If Mr Custis be still living and with You, I dare say he remembers the time when I rode with

him to Concord to introduce him to the first scene of Action in the late War, where I was personally present; and perhaps may retain some remembrance of me. I rely Sir, upon your Goodness to excuse the freedom I have taken, & the trouble I have given You. I have omitted the address of Excellency, because it appears to me diminutive when applyed to the President of the United States of America. Wishing You the Presence & Blessing of Almighty God, who superintends the great Affairs of Nations, & determines the happiness of men, and earnestly praying that he would ever be nigh unto You by his special favors, to uphold, comfort, & support you in the management of the weighty Concerns, that lay upon You; permit me humbly to subscribe my self with feelings of Gratitude, Affection, Respect & Esteem, your most obedient & very humble Servant

Stephen Hall


Title: From George Washington to William Heth, 14 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Heth, William

Sir,
New York, May, 14th 1789.

I have duly received your favor of the 3 inst. dated at Mount Vernon.
I am much pleased with the arrangement you have made for Mrs Washington’s coming on here with stage horses—and must beg you to accept of my best thanks for your attention and trouble in this business. The previous settlement of the price with the proprietors of the horses was a very prudent and a very necessary step—and I think the rate at which you have fixed it with them is exceedingly reasonable.
You will please, Sir, to receive my best wishes for your health and happiness, and believe me to be with very great regard and esteem, your most obedient humble servant

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Jay, 14 May 1789
From: Jay, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York May 14 1789

I have the honor of transmitting, herewith enclosed, the copy of Mr V. Berckel’s credentials which I received from him together with a translation of them.
Be pleased to name the hour at which you may think proper to receive him, and I will give him notice of it and accompany him—if to-morrow permit me to observe that some hour previous

to the levee will be most proper. With perfect respect and esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servt

John Jay.


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Jones, 14 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Jones, Joseph

Dear Sir,
New York May 14th 1789

Your letter of the 21st Ulto came duly to hand, and should have received an earlier acknowledgement had not the new and busy scenes in which I have been engaged since my arrival in this place, rendered it impossible for me to pay that early attention to the favors of my friends which I should be pleased to do.
The numerous and friendly congratulations which I have received from respectable characters in every part of the Union are truly pleasing to me; not only on account of their discovering a warm attachment to my person, but because they convey the most flattering idea of the good dispositions of the people in the several States, and the strongest assurances of support to the Government. It affords me likewise no small satisfaction to find that my friends have done justice to the motives which again brought me into Public Life.
Under these circumstances I shall feel a degree of confidence in discharging the duties of my administration, which a consciousness alone of the purity and rectitude of my intentions could not have inspired me with.
Your observations upon the necessity there is for good dispositions to prevail among the Gentlemen of Congress, are extremely just; and, hitherto, everything seems to promise that

the good effects which are expected from an accommodating and conciliating spirit in that body, will not be frustrated.
That part of the President’s duty which obliges him to nominate persons for offices is the most delicate—and in many instances will be, to me, the most unpleasing; for it may frequently happen that there will be several applicants for the same office, whose merits and pretensions are so nearly equal that it will almost require the aid of supernatural intuition to fix upon the right. I shall, however, in all events, have the consolation of knowing that I entered upon my office unconfined by any engagements, and uninfluenced by any ties; and that no means in my power will be left untried to find out, and nominate those characters who will discharge the duties of their respective offices to the best interest and highest credit of the American Union.
I cannot close this letter, my dear Sir, without thanking you very sincerely for your friendly sentiments and good wishes; and beg you will be assured that I am, with very great regard & esteem, Your most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Plater, 14 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Plater, George

Dear Sir,
United States May 14th 1789

I have received your letter of the 29th of April, and must beg you to accept of my best thanks for your kind gratulations and good wishes.
I foresaw the numerous applications which would be made for nominations to offices—and readily conceived that amidst the variety of candidates, it would be one of the most delicate and difficult duties of the President, to discriminate those characters which, upon every account, were best fitted to fill the several offices. I have entered into Public life without the restraint of a single engagement—and I hope, & trust, unbiassed by any ties of blood or friendship; I shall, therefore, use my best endeavours

to find out such persons as are most suitable, on every acct, to fill the respective offices—and such only shall I nominate. With my Complimts to Mrs Plater and your family, and with very great regard & esteem I am Dr Sir


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 14 May 1789
From: Smith, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada May 14th 1789

I have been upwards of twelve years employed in the laborious business of a Comr of the Continental Loan Office for the State of Pennsylvania which I have endeavoured to discharge with the greatest care, industry & integrity—& I must now entreat of your Excellency some appointment under the new Constitution which is become necessary to me for the support of a large family—as my attention to the business of my Office has thrown me out of every other means of maintaining them. this I know will be the least inducement with you Sir, yet if you should think me qualified for an appointment, it may be considered as a situation I am involved in by the necessary attention to the business of my Office—my unwillingness to interfere with Gentlemen who have held Offices similar to those for which they are applying & the impossibility of yet forming any judgment what the new arrangements may be, prevents my pointing to any particular object—but if in the new arrangement, any Office should be established involving the duties of the one I now hold, I hope my service will induce your Excellency

to give me a preference to others, who have not been so well acquainted with the business in which I have been so long employed. I have the Honor to be Sir with the most perfect esteem Your Excellencys most Obedt & very hu. Servt

Thos Smith


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Lawrence, Jr., 15 May 1789
From: Lawrence, Jonathan Jr.
To: Washington, George

My Dear General
New York Greenwich Street May, 15. 1789

I have made several attempts to address you, and as often drop’d my pen almost in Dispair, my Situation almost distracts and destroys me, I was my Dear General born to fair prospects, and under those prospects enterd the Service of my Country where I served untill my health became the Sacrifice. I was obligated to leave the Service tho happily to my feelings, it was on the day that the preliminary Articles of peace took place, the Consequence has been that I am the Singular Instance of having Served thro the War from an Early period without any part of the Gratuity allowed to all the Officers of the Army, Your Excellency was pleased before you left this City after the peace to address me on the Subject and doubted not I came within the

Limits of the Resolution of Congress. I made Use of that letter through General Lincoln, whose Resignation causd its not being laid before Congress, and was mislaid with others of his papers so as never again to be had[.] I have since Petitioned the former Congress, who referrd my Case to Genl Knox who were pleasd to Report thereon, to my disadvantage, Your Excellency has also been Informd that my Aged parents All, to the Amount of Several thousands fell a Sacrifice to British Rapine, whereby my Prospects for future life has and still does remain Gloomy, General Lamb has Suggested to me to Solicit Your Excellency for the Appointment as principal in the Gaugeing Department for this port, or the Weighing Department, I do therefore take the liberty of placeing myself in View to Your Excellency, with a hope that I may be thought of. I hope any thing Your Excellency may see amiss in this my Incorrect Address, will not be Construed as disrespectfull to my General to whom I am bound by the most sincere regard, but rather attributed to that burden which hangs so heavily on my mind from being an Outcast of fortune, from the most pleasing prospects. I have the honor to Subscribe myself Your Excellencys Most Obedient Servant

Jonathan Lawrence Junr


Title: To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789 [letter not found]
From: Livingston, Robert R.
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789. On 31 May GW wrote to Livingston: “I . . . apologize for this late acknowledgment of your letter of the 15th instant.”


Title: To George Washington from William Livingston, Jr., 15 May 1789
From: Livingston, William Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Eliz: Town [N.J.] 15th May 1789

Having never studied the federal system with an Eye to preferment, I was ignorant until informed by Mr Patterson, of the mode of application on the subject in question.
The numbers, as well as the Characters, of the Gentlemen who compete for the Collectorship of this State, would have deterred me from handing up my name to your Excellency on this occasion: had not my friends (who may in their good wishes in this instance, have discovered more partiality to me, than their Country) urged me to it.
Altho there is no consideration of advancement that can encrease (what every citizen owes you) my gratitude, yet if the public good may be secured, & my name placed in nomination for this office, your Excellency, will at least, so far as those circumstances shall be deemed to meet, find some apology for this obtrusion of Sir your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Most devoted servt

Wm Livingston junr


Title: To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, 16 May 1789
From: Ellicott, Andrew
To: Washington, George

Sir
May 16th 1789

By the death of Mr Hutchins, the Office of Geographer to the United States has become vacant. In consequence of this event, I have by the advice of my Friends, thought proper to offer myself a Candidate to supply his place.
As the proper execution of this business, will involve with it, an extensive astronomical knowledge, in both Theory, and Practice, it is with the greatest diffidence that I now come forward; and was it not from the encouragement of some of our first scientific characters, I should never have made this application. That I am not a stranger to the business, will appear from my being employed for some years past, in running, and determining, the astronomical boundary lines, of the States of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. For these different employments, I never made any interest, and what is of more importance, they were procured at the instance of Gentlemen perfectly acquainted with the subject.
It may not be improper to observe, that Mr Rittenhouse, and myself, are the only practical surveyors, and astronomers, in the United States, who make our own Instruments; which appears to be a necessary qualification in this Country, where mechanics are few, and mathematical Instruments scarce.
Being perfectly satisfied, that your nominations to Office, will be directed with that uncommon judgment, and prudence, which has gained you the universal confidence of your Country, I have only to add, that I have the Honour to be, your Hbe Servt

Andrew Ellicott.


Title: To George Washington from William Hull, 16 May 1789
From: Hull, William
To: Washington, George

Sir—
Newton [Mass.] 16th May A.D. 1789

Amidst the general Joy and Congratulations of my fellow-Citizens on your Excellencys Appointment to the Presidency of the United States, permit me to express the mingled Emotions, which I feel, on the interesting occasion.

While on the one hand, I am animated with Joy, that my Country has been blessed with so happy an Event, on the other I cant but feel a degree of anxiety that after so many Labours and Toils, you should be again called, from a happy Retreat to the difficult and arduous Scenes of public Life.
May All-mighty God, whose agency is visible in the affairs of Men, still be your Protector and Friend—and may you acquire additional Glory, by conferring additional Happiness on your Country.
Permit me to observe, and let me assure myself, that you will not be displeased when I observe, that if in the administration of the general Goverment, there is any Employment, in which I could be usefull to my Country, I do now express my Willingness to devote myself to the Service of the public.
After having thus freely expressed my Wishes to your Excellency, after hoping that it may not be considered as an officious or troublesome Application, and desiring that nothing may take place on my Account that will be productive of the least Embarrassment or difficulty, I have the Honor to be with the most perfect Esteem & Respect your most Obedt Servt

William Hull


Title: To George Washington from the United States Senate, 16 May 1789
From: United States Senate
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Senate May 16. 1789

We, the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere Thanks for your excellent Speech delivered to both Houses of Congress; congratulate you on the complete Organization of the federal Government, and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-Citizens on your Elevation to the Office of President: an Office highly important by the Powers constitutionally annexed to it, and extremely honorable from the Manner in which the Appointment is made. The unanimous Suffrage of the elective Body in your favor is peculiarly expressive of the Gratitude, Confidence and Affection of the Citizens of America, and is the highest Testimonial at once of your Merit and of their Esteem. We are sensible, Sir, that nothing but the Voice of your Fellow-Citizens could have called you from a Retreat, chosen with the fondest Predilection, endeared by Habit, and consecrated to the Repose of declining Years. We rejoice, and with us all America, that, in Obedience to the Call of ⟨our⟩ common Country, you have returned once more to ⟨public life. In you all⟩ Parties confide, in you all Interests unite; and we h⟨ave no doubt that⟩ your past Services, great as they have been, will be ⟨equalled by your future⟩ Exertions; and that your Prudence and Sagacity as ⟨a statesman will⟩ tend to avert the Dangers to which we were expose⟨d, to give stability to⟩ the present Government, and Dignity and Splendor ⟨to that country, which⟩ your Skill and Valor as a Soldier, so eminently co⟨ntributed to raise to⟩ Independence and Empire.
When we contemplate the Coincidence ⟨of Circumstances, and⟩ wonderful Combination of Causes, which gradually ⟨prepared the people of⟩ this Country for Independence; when we contempla⟨te the rise, progress⟩ and Termination of the late War, which gave them ⟨a name among the⟩ Nations of the Earth, we are, with you, unavoida⟨bly led to acknowledge⟩ and adore the great Arbiter of the Universe, by wh⟨om the Empires rise

and fall.⟩ A Review of the many signal Instances of divine ⟨interposition in favour⟩ of this Country claims our most pious Gratitude: ⟨and permit us, Sir, to⟩ observe that among the great Events, which have led to the Formation and Establishment of a Federal Government, we esteem your acceptance of the Office of President as one of the most propitious and important.
In the Execution of the Trust reposed in us, we shall endeavour to pursue that enlarged and liberal Policy, to which your Speech so happily directs. We are conscious, that the Prosperity of each State is inseparably connected with the Welfare of all, and that in promoting the latter, we shall effectually advance the former. In full Persuasion of this Truth, it shall be our invariable Aim to divest ourselves of local Prejudices and Attachments, and to view the great Assemblage of Communities & Interests committed to our Charge with an equal Eye. We feel, Sir, the Force, and acknowledge the Justness of the Observation, that the Foundation of our National Policy should be laid in private Morality; if Individuals be not influenced by moral Principles, it is in vain to look for public Virtue, it is, therefore, the Duty of Legislators to enforce, both by Precept & Example, the Utility as well as the Necessity of a strict adherence to the Rules of distributive Justice. We beg you to be assured, that the Senate will at all Times cheerfully co-operate in every Measure, which may strengthen the Union, conduce to the Happiness, or secure and perpetuate the Liberties of this great confederated Republic.
We commend you, Sir, to the Protection of Almighty God, earnestly beseeching him long to preserve a Life so valuable and dear to the people of the United States, and that your Administration may be ⟨prospe⟩rous to the Nation, and glorious to yourself.

⟨b⟩y order President of the Senate of the United States
John Adams


Title: To George Washington from John Adams, 17 May 1789
From: Adams, John
To: Washington, George

[New York 17 May 1789]

The Vice President of the United States has the honour to present his humble opinion, on the Points proposed, for his consideration.
1. That an association with all kinds of company, and a total Seclusion from Society, are extreams, which, in the actual Circumstances of this Country, and under our form of Government, may be properly avoided.
2. The System of the President, will gradually devellope itself in practice, without any formal Communication to the Legislature, or publication from the Press. Paragraphs in the public Prints, may, however appear from time to time, without any formal Authority, that may lead and reconcile the Public Mind.
3. considering the number of Strangers from many Countries and of Citizens from various States, who will resort to the Seat of Government, it is doubted whether two days in a Week, will not be indispensable, for Visits of Compliment. a little experience however, will elucidate this point.
4. Under the fourth head, it is Submitted to Consideration whether all personal applications, ought not to be made, in the first Instance to a Minister of State? Yet an appeal Should be open by Petition to the President, who, if he judges the Subject worthy of it, may admit the Party to a personal Interview. Access to the Supream Magistrate, ought not to be rigorously denied, in any Case, that is worthy of his Consideration. Nevertheless, in every Case, the Name, Quality, and, when these are not Sufficient to raise a Presumption, in their favour, the business, ought to be communicated to a Chamberlain, or Gentleman in

waiting, who, should judge, whom to admit and whom to exclude. Some limitation of time, may be necessary too, as for example from eight to nine or ten, for without it, the whole forenoon, or the whole day may be taken up.
5. There is no doubt, that the President, may invite, what official Characters, Members of Congress, Strangers or Citizens of Distinction, he pleases, in Small Parties, without exciting Clamours: but this Should always be done, without formality.
6. The Entertainments mentioned, in this Article, would much more properly be made, by a Minister of State for foreign or domestic affairs, or some other Minister of State, or the Vice President, either of whom, upon Such occasions the President in his private Character might honour with his Presence. But in no Case whatever, can I conceive it proper, for the President to make any formal public Entertainment.
7. There can be no impropriety, in the Presidents, making or receiving informal Visits, among his Friends or Acquaintances at his Pleasure. Undress, and few Attendants will Sufficiently Shew, that Such Visits, are made as a Man and a Citizen, a Friend or Acquaintance: But in no case whatever Should a Visit be made or returned in form by the President; at least unless an Emperor of Germany or Some other Sovereign Should travel to this Country. The Presidents pleasure Should absolutely decide, concerning his Attendance at Tea Parties, in a private Character; and no Gentleman or Lady ought ever to complain, if he never, or rarely Attends. The Presidents private Life, Should be at his own discretion, and the World Should respectfully acquiesce: but, as the President he Should have no intercourse with society, but upon public Business, or at his Levees. This distinction it is with submission apprehended ought to govern the whole Conduct.
8. A Tour might, no doubt be made, with great advantage to the Public, if the time can be spared. but it will naturally be considered, as foreign affairs arrive every day, and the Business of the executive and judicial departments will require constant Attention, whether the Presidents Residence will not necessarily be confined to one Place.
Observation. The civil List ought to provide for the Presidents Household. What number of Chamberlains, Aids de

Camp, Secretaries, Masters of Ceremonies &c. will become necessary, it is difficult to foresee. but Should not all Such establishments be distinct from the allowance to the President for his Services which is mentioned in the Constitution? in all Events the Provision for the President and his Household, ought to be large and ample. The office, by its legal Authority, defined by the Constitution, has no equal in the World, excepting those only which are held by crowned Heads; nor is the Royal Authority, in all Cases, to be compared to it. The Royal Office, in Poland, is a mere Shadow, in comparison of it. The Dogeship of Venice, and the Statholdership in Holland, are not so much. neither Dignity, nor Authority, can be Supported in human Minds collected into nations or any great numbers without a Splendor and Majisty, in Some degree, proportioned to them. The Sending and receiving Ambassadors is one of the most Splendid and important Prerogatives of Sovereigns absolute or limited; and this, in our Constitution, is in the President—if the State and Pomp, essential to this great Department, are not in a good degree preserved, it will be in vain for America to hope for consideration, with foreign Powers. These observations are Submitted, after all, with diffidence; conscious that my long Residence abroad, may have impressed me with Views of Things, incompatible with the present Temper or Feelings of our Fellow Citizens: and with a perfect disposition to acquiese in whatever may be the Result of the Superior Wisdom of the President.


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
New York May 18th 1789

Mrs Washington proposing to leave Mount Vernon as this day, will, I expect, be in Philadelphia on Thursday; and as she proposes to lodge at Mr Morris’s I would be obliged to you for having the enclosed letter for her lodged there against her arrival as she may find it necessary to write to me by Fridays Post. I am Dr Sir Yr most obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Campbell, 18 May 1789 [letter not found]
From: Campbell, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Campbell, 18 May 1789. On 31 May GW wrote to Campbell: “I have received your very polite letter of the 18th.”


Title: To George Washington from Mathew Carey, 18 May 1789
From: Carey, Mathew
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia, May 18, 1789

About twelve months ago, I took the liberty to request of your excellency a little temporary assistance in the prosecution of a work which I am induced to believe of no small public

benefit. Circumstances at that time precluded a compliance with my request.
I have since carried on the publication with considerable success, improved the plan, and, at a great expense, by sending an agent through the country, extended far its circulation. However, the original source of all my difficulties still operates against me; and prevents me from deriving that advantage from the Museum, to which my industry & perseverance appear to intitle me.
The prosecution of such a work requires a pretty considerable capital, as the issues of it must, from the extent of its circulation, & the irregularity of payment, be very slow. But, unfortunately for me, my capital, at the commencement of it, was only £70, this currency.
The consequences of this must be obvious to every man of discernment. In every step—every plan—every pursuit I have been cramped and confined; difficulties and embarrassments have surrounded me; and several times have I been on the very verge of relinquishing the work as a hopeless attempt, although fully satisifed that nothing but a small pecuniary assistance was wanting to place me in a most comfortable situation, and enable me to realize a competent fortune.
I have repeatedly endeavoured to borrow money of brokers and money-dealers in this city. But they loan only on real property or certificates, neither of which I am possessed of.
Thus circumstanced, I am once more reluctan⟨tly⟩ impelled to obtrude this matter on your notice, and to inform you that the loan of two hundred or two hundred & fifty pd for twelve or eighteen months, wd confer on me a favour of the most important nature; it wd relieve me from galling chains which have long sorely distressed me—it wd place me in a happy & independent situation—it wd enable me considerably to increase the public advantages resulting from the Collection I publish, as, by freeing my mind from the weight with which it is oppressed, it wd give a spring to my future exertions.
After this statement, I wd fain hope, that if convenience allows, overlooking the informality and impropriety of this application, you will befriend a person whom you have it in your power so easily & so effectually to serve.

Whether you reject or comply with this application, I have two requests to make: one is, that you will not attribute to forward impudence an application resulting from distress alone, which affords men a just claim to call on each other for assistance. When you consider the inducements to this application, you will, I think, be easily inclined to excuse it. On the one hand, ease, competence, reputation, & public utility are before me; on the other, a near prospect of failure in business—distress—and a state of dependence for life. The small assistance I request from you, wd turn the scale, & give a bright complexion to my future prospects.
My other request is, that whatever may be your determination, it may be confined within your own breath & mine. There ⟨are⟩ few, indeed, who, on hearing of such a transaction, could make allowances for it, which we ought all to make for each other. I would take into consideration all the circumstances, which extenua⟨tes⟩ the presumption of trespassing twice on your patience, with an ap⟨pli⟩cation hardly pardonable.
An punctuality of repayment you may depend.
If convenience & inclination allow you to favour me in this instance, I should prefer giving a note to a bond; as the latter cannot be executed without witnesses, and for the reasons hinted at above, I should wish to decline having any. I remain, sir, with due regard & esteem, your excellency’s obedient hble servt

M. Carey


Title: To George Washington from Hannah Cockle, 18 May 1789
From: Cockle, Hannah
To: Washington, George

New York 18th May 1789

The Memorial & Petition of Hannah Cockle of the City of New York, Widow respectfully Sheweth
That in the month of October one Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy five her your Memoralist Husband departed this Life & left her with five Small children the Eldest of which not S⟨mutilated⟩ years—That in that disagreeable Situation She

your Memoralist was left destitute & at the Commencement of the late Unhappy War She being a lone woman & intimidated as w⟨ere⟩ others at the approach of an Enemy, She your Memoralist ⟨was⟩ advised to leave her Natural home & Seek for Shelter in an Unknown Country. That from thence your Memoralist moved to E[lizabeth] Town in New Jersey, where She your Memoralist resided but a Small time Owing to the British taken possession of Statin Island that rendered her your Memoralist Situation as well as others dangerous, That some short time after your Memoralist was again Subjected to move, That from thence She your Memoralist removed to Bounbrook & there your Memoralist Considered herself perfectly Safe, That Soon After your Memoralist Expectations were blasted Owing to the British taken possession of Brunswick, where, she your Memoralist was again disagreeably Situated Owing to the frequent depredations they Committed, That during her Stay there & while the soldiers called the Backwood boys lay there the whole Army came out to Brunswick Early on a Sunday morning & took the great⟨mutilated⟩ of the Troops, That the Soldiers Stripped her of all most every thing She your Memoralist had as well as the other familys.
That on this occasion the Inhabitants became Intimidated & Soon After moved away except one family who remained there with herself for Some time, That Some time after a Gentleman by the name of Col. Neilson belonging to the Virginia Troops, who She your Memoralist had render’d many Services as well as to the other officers of that Core kindly provided a place for her & assisted her in moving in return for the many acts of kindness they recd as well as the Soldiers whom your Memoralist was ever happy in Serving, That after Continuing out of the lines untill She lost allmost every thing She had, she your Memoralist made application to come to New York & at length obtained permission, That on your Memoralist arrival here she found her house in possession of the British & had been occupied as a store for provisions, but was then in possession of a tenant, the rent of which was paid to the Vestry, that She your Memoralist was obliged ⟨to⟩ hire a part & for which She paid him the rent, That after a Vessel ⟨mutilated⟩ aday for near Six months to the Commodant’s Office & ⟨mutilated⟩ objected to the

Insults of every low minded fellow she at last ⟨mutilated⟩tamed her house.
That Soon after the peace took place, every body being distress’d, persons to whom her your Memoralist Husbands Estate being Indebted to, presented their Accts for payment & her your Memoralist Estate having been much impaired by the war that some of the persons to whome the Executors had lent money to on bond soon after your Memoralist Husbands decease have become Insolvent, that the Estate being in this predicament the house was Obliged to be Sold for the discharge of these Debts.
That your Memoralist being thus Situated She has been advised by her friends to proceed in this way, hoping that your Excellency will be pleased to take into Consideration her your Memoralist Situation, the Object She has in View is, having been informed that there are a Number of Offices to be instituted & that it will lay in your Excellencys heart, to give Employment thereto & as She your Memoralist has a son that she would be very happy if he could obtain such Employment he having also been regularly bred to the Mercantile Profession & whom would be a Support to her & her three daughters if he could obtain it, with the Small moneys that are recd of the Estate, That She your Memoralist humbly begs he may be takin notice off, among the many Employments that are to take place, She your Memoralist further assures your Excelly that had it not been for the late Unhappy tumults in this Country & the many disasters She has met with, She would not at this time trouble his Excellency, but if there is a ⟨mutilated⟩ kind of Employment Whereby her Son may be of u⟨se⟩ to himself & his Country, She humbly begs that he ⟨mutilated⟩ be Entitled from his Excellency to have Some claim ⟨mutilated⟩ notice—And your Memoralist as in du⟨ty⟩ bound will ever pray

Hannah Cockle


Title: To George Washington from John G. Gebhard, 18 May 1789
From: Gebhard, John Gabriel
To: Washington, George

Sir!
Claverack [N.Y.] 18th May 1789.

Your Excellency must needs be weary of the incessant Acclamations from the public as well, as from private Characters, expressing their Joy and Heart-felt Satisfaction in a period,

when he, who next god procured once Freedom for them, steps forth for the second time, to rescue them from Anarchy, to stand between them and their utter Destruction, and to crown his former labour with prosperity in their behalf.
These exhibitions of universal Joy have hitherto prevented my joining the Chorus, lest I might become burthensome to your Excellency.
But no longer can Bashfulness refrain the pleasing duty; I readily unite with every american Patriot.
May your Excellency be pleased to accept of my hearty Congratulations on the present happy Event of our political Affairs; May the merciful God, who helped us hitherto, be with us for the future, may he be pleased to preserve your Excellency’s Health in a prolonged Life, and make him, who has been the Saviour of his Country, to be likewise the preserver thereof; This is my sincere wish, and daily prayer.
Your Excellency will pardon my extravagancy in saying, that this is the first time I address your Excellency with all Satisfaction imaginable, although it was not less satisfactory to me to pay my dutifull Respects to your Excellency at New york in Company with my Collegues when your Excellency was on his way from Philadelphia to Boston, to take the command of the American Army: But yet this was a time, which presaged all the Calamit⟨ies⟩ of a bloody war; Equally melancholy was the time 1783 when I took the Liberty to address your Excellency with a few Remarks upon your Excellency’s circular letter, insinuating to your Excellency the very Model of our present government, accompanied with the sincere wishes of my heart, that this plan might terminate in a speedy and permanent union: And although your Excellency intimated in his Kind Reply dated Rocky-Hill 5th Novem⟨r⟩ 1783 that your Excellency’s Sentiments did not agree altogether with my wishes, because they were, and have in Reality proved to be rather premature: But they, being now accomplished, must necessarily spread inexpressible Joy, and Heart-felt Satisfaction throughout the thirteen united States of America.
In the mean time, I have all Reason to apologize for my addressing your Excellency in a letter; Because sickness, and some ministerial duties incumbent upon my office have prevented me for the present from discharging my duty in person, and consequently

have deprived me in a great measure of giving your Excellency a satisfactory Intelligence of my intention of going to Europe in order to bring my three elder Sons, who are now in Washingtons Seminary in Claverack, to an European University.
I intend to go as far as the interior parts of germany and return as quick as possible: If your Excellency should ha⟨ve⟩ any Commands to Holland, or any Court of germany, or of whatsoever nature your Excellency’s Commands might be, I should endeavour to execute them to the utmost of my power, and I flatter myself, to your Excellency’s Satisfaction as some adventages attend me not only in having received my Aecademical Education in those parts of the world, but also in being educated with a number of gentlemen, some of whom have since become leading men at several Courts of germany. If I could be of any Service to your Excellency and my Country, I am ready either to madurate, or to postpone my voyage for a considerable time on that Account. I have the Honour to be with the utmost Deference, and Submission Sir Your Excellency’s most humble and devoted Servant and constant Intercessor

J: G: Gebhard V: D: ch:


Title: To George Washington from Christian Theodor Sigismund von Molitor and Georg Hermann Vulteius, 18 May 1789
From: Molitor, Christian Theodor Sigismund von,Vulteius, Georg Hermann
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York May 18th 1789.

We humbly hope your Excellency will pardon the Boldness of this Application to which our extreme Necessity’s alone has driven us. We are two unfortunate German Officers who were in His Brittannick Majestys’ Service in America during the late unhappy War, and having married American Lady’s Sisters to each other, resigned our Commissions, and pich’d upon Nova Scotia for the Place of our residence having already some Connections there, where we retired with a Smal Capital sufficient to have setled us in an easy Situation in a more fruitful Climate; But after the most indefategable Industry we were reduced to such extremity’s as oblig’d us to leave the Country and with our Wifes and Childern return to this place in hopes of Assistance from some of our more happy Countrymen who were setled here, but after frequent Applications we have been able to obtain only Momentary relief.
In this distrest Condition your Excellency’s Known Benevolence of Heart has emboldened us to make this Petition praying your Excellency to take into Consideration the Condition of Men born with happier prospects, whose present Misfortunes is not owing to Inadvertance or profuseness, having deserving Wifes and Small Childern and not longer able to procure them Necessary’s of Life.
There is several little Branches of Bussiness on which we might enter and probably procure a future Livelihood Could we obtain a small Sum of Money sufficient for the purpose. If your Excellency will be pleased to take our unfortunate Condition into Consideration, and allow us the Honor of waiting upon you, to Convince you there is no Deception in this, we shall ever retain the most grateful Sense of your Excellency’s Goodness and it will be for ever acknowledg’d by your Excellency’s Most obedient most devoted and very humble Servants

Christian de Molitor late Captain of the Anspacs Troops
George Vulteius late Captn in the Hessian Service

Your Excellency will be pleased to excuse any Impropriety in the above as it is written by Men not perfectly acquainted with

the Language and not willing the Contents should be made publick. Our present Abode is at Nr 76 Queen Street, Corner of Cherry Street.