Title: Enclosure, 15 June 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

War-Office June 15th 1789

(Number 1)
By information from Brigadier General Harmar the commanding Officer of the troops on the frontiers, it appears that several murders have been lately committed on the inhabitants by small parties of Indians probably from the Wabash Country.
Some of the said murders have been perpetrated on the south side of the Ohio, the inhabitants on the waters of that river are exceedingly alarmed for the extent of six or seven hundred miles along the same.
It is to be observed that the United States have not formed any treaties with the Wabash Indians—On the contrary since the conclusion of the War with Great Britain hostilities have almost constantly existed between the people of Kentuckey and the said Indians—The injuries and murders have been so reciprocal, that it would be a point of critical investigation to know on which side they have been the greatest.
Some of the inhabitants of Kentuckey during the year past roused by recent injuries made an incursion into the Wabash country, and possessing an equal aversion to all bearing the name of indians—they destroyed a number of peaceable Piankeshaws who prided themselves in their attachment to the United States.
Things being thus circumstanced it is greatly to be apprehended that hostilities may be so far extended as to involve the indian tribes with whom the United States have recently made treaties. It is well known how strong the passion for war exists in the mind of a young savage and how easily it may be inflamed so as to disregard every precept of the older and wiser part of the tribes who may have a more just opinion of the force of a treaty.
Hence it results that unless some decisive measures are immediately adopted to terminate those mutual hostilities, they will probably become general among all the indians north-west of the Ohio.
In examining the question how the disturbances on the frontiers are to be quieted two modes present themselves, by which

the object may be effected—The first of which is by raising an Army and extirpating the refractory tribes entirely—or 2dly By forming treaties of peace with them, in which their rights and limits should be explicitly defined and the treaties observed on the part of the United States with the most rigid justice by punishing the whites, who should violate the same.
In considering the first mode, an enquiry would arise whether under the existing circumstances of affairs, the United States have a clear right, consistently with the principles of justice and the laws of nature to proceed to the destruction or expulsion of the savages on the Wabash, supposing the force for that object easily attainable.
It is presumable that a nation solicitous of establishing its character on the broad basis of justice, would not only hestitate at, but reject every proposition to benefit itself by the injury of any neighbouring community, however contemptible and weak it might be either with respect to its manners or power.
When it shall be considered that the Indians derive their subsistence chiefly by hunting, and that according to fixed principles their population is in proportion to the facility with which they procure their food, it would most probably be found that the expulsion or destruction of the Indian tribes have nearly the same effect—for if they are removed from their usual hunting ground they must necessarily encroach on the hunting of another tribe, who will not suffer the encroachment with impunity—hence they destroy each other.
The Indians being the prior occupants possess the right of the Soil—It cannot be taken from them unless by their free consent, or by the right of Conquest in case of a just War—To dispossess them on any other principle would be a gross violation of the fundamental Laws of Nature and of that destributive justice which is the glory of a nation.
But if it should be decided on an abstract view of the question to be just, to remove by force the Wabash indians from the territory they occupy, the finances of the United States would not admit at present of the operation.
By the best and latest information it appears that on the Wabash and its communications there are from 1500 to 2000 Warriors, an expedition against them with the view of extirpating

them or destroying their towns, could not be undertaken with a probability of success with less than [an] Army of 2500 Men. The regular troops of the United States on the frontiers, are less than six hundred—of that number not more than four hundred could be collected from the Posts for the purpose of the expedition—To raise, pay, feed[,] arm and equip 1900 additional men with their necessary Officers for six months, and to provide every thing in the Hospital, and Quarter Master’s line would require the sum of two hundred thousand Dollars—A sum far exceeding the ability of the United States to advance consistently with a due regard to other indispensable objects.
Were the representations of the people of the frontiers, (who have imbibed the strongest prejudices against the Indians, perhaps in consequence of the murders of their dearest friends and connections,) only to be regarded, the circumstances before stated would not appear conclusive—an expedition, however inadequate must be undertaken.
But when the impartial mind of the public sits in judgment, it is necessary that the cause of the ignorant Indians should be heard as well as those who are more fortunately circumstanced—It well becomes the public to enquire before it punishes—to be influenced by reasons and the nature of things and not by its resentments.
It would be found on examination that both policy and justice unite in dictating the attempt of treating with the Wabash indians—For it would be unjust in the present confused state of injuries to make War on those tribes without having previously invited them to a treaty, in order amicably to adjust all differences—If they should afterwards persist in their depredations, the United States may with propriety inflict such punishment as they shall think proper.
But at present were the measure just, the Union could not command an army for coercion but at the expence of some great national object.
In case no treaty should be held, the events which are rising in rapid succession on the frontiers must be suffered to take their own course. Their progress and issue will deeply injure if not utterly destroy the interests and government of the United States in the western territory.

The estimates of the Governor of the western Territory herewith submitted will shew that in addition to the property already in his possession, a treaty with the Wabash Indians may be effected for the sum of 16,150 Dollars—If additional territory should be the object, it would require the further sum of  Dollars.
It is however to be remarked that it is very possible that this sum may not effect the object intended—It can be considered only as an experiment dictated by a regard to public justice, which ought in all cases to govern the conduct of a nation.
The United States having come into possession of sovereignty and an extensive territory, must unavoidably be subject to the expences of such a condition.
The time has arrived when it is highly expedient, that a liberal system of justice should be adopted for the various indian tribes within the limits of the United States.
By having recourse to the several indian treaties made by the authority of Congress since the conclusion of the War with Great Britain, excepting those made January 1789 at Fort-Harmar it would appear, that Congress were of opinion that the treaty of peace of 1783 absolutely invested them with the fee of all the indian lands within the limits of the United States—That they had the right to assign or retain such portions as they should judge proper.
But it is manifest from the representations of the confederated indians at the Huron Village in December 1786 that they entertained a different opinion, and that they were the only rightful proprietors of the soil—and it appears by the resolve of the 2d of July 1788, that Congress so far conformed to the idea as to appropriate a sum of money solely to the purpose of extinguishing the indian claims to Lands they had ceded to the United States and for obtaining regular conveyances of the same—This object was accordingly accomplished at the treaty of Fort Harmar in January 1789.
The principle of the indian right to lands they possess being thus conceded, the dignity and interest of the nation will be advanced by making it the basis of the future administration of justice towards the indian tribes.
The whole number of indian warriors south of the Ohio, and

east of the Mississipi may be estimated at 14,000—Those to the northward of the Ohio and to the southwourd of the Lakes at about 5000—In addition to these the old men, women and children may be estimated at three for one Warrior, the whole amounting to 76,000 souls.
It is highly probable that by a conciliatory system, the expence of managing the said indians and attaching them to the United States for the next ensuing period of fifty years may on average cost 15,000 dollars annually.
A system of coercion and oppression, pursued from time to time for the same period as the convenience of the United States might dictate, would probably amount to a much greater sum of money—But the blood and injustice which would stain the character of the nation, would be beyond all pecuniary calculation.
As the settlements of the whites shall approach near to the indian boundaries established by treaties, the game will be diminished and the lands being valuable to the indians only as hunting grounds, they will be willing to sell further tracts for small considerations—By the expiration therefore of the above period, it is most probable that the indians will by the invariable operation of the causes which have hitherto existed in their intercourse with the whites, be reduced to a very small number.
These general reflections have arisen on considering the particular case of the Wabash indians, respecting whom one observation more may be added.
The United States must soon possess the posts within their limits on the Lakes—This circumstance will either awe the Wabash Indians, or in case of their continuing refractory, enable the Union to operate against them with a much greater prospect of success than at present.
All which is humbly submitted to the President of the United States.

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Mandrillon, 15 June 1789
From: Mandrillon, Joseph
To: Washington, George

My General,
Amsterdam 15th June 1789

The uncertainty which I am in whether my letters get safe to your hands or not, has determined me to embrace the opportunity which offers by Mr Theophilus Cazeneau a distinguished Citizen of this City, to confirm to you, my General, the transmission which I have had the honor to make to you of my Fragments of political literature in which I have presumed to place some of your virtues. I pray your Excellency to accept it as a mark of my respect.
After the praises with which the Americans have made their cities to re-echo—After the reiterated thanks which they have given to the Supreme Being for the benifits which have been heaped upon them by the virtues of your Excellency—After the Universal Sanction which has been given to your name & brilliant qualities, it only remains for me to put up vows for your preservation, and for the continued prosperity of America—to which it would have been a grateful thing for me to have been Allied to her by my birth: but since my connexions are only those of sentime⟨nt⟩ they shall be coeval with my existance.
In my last, I perhaps, committed an indescretion in signifying to your Excellency the ardent desire which I had to possess your portrait: But, my General, if you will deign to judge of me by the motive—you will pardon I hope, & grant my prayer. In

this flattering expectation I have the honor to be, with veneration, Yr very Hble & Obedt Sert

Jh Mandrillon


Title: To George Washington from Richard Marshall Scott, 15 June 1789
From: Scott, Richard Marshall
To: Washington, George

Alexandria 15th June 1789

It is with diffidence that I become one of the very many applicants which address your Excellency in your Official Character, but the assurances Communicated to me by my friends here that I shall be excused for this intrusion induces me to proceed.
I take the liberty of enclosing a recommendation from the most respectable merchants and Inhabitants of this Town expressive of their approbation of my Character and Capacity to fill any office in the Impost department, This paper with an appeal to the opinion of my friends Col. R. H. Lee & Mr R. B. Lee at New York I trust will evidence to your Excellency that my Capacity is not unworthy the notice of the Constitutional nomination in which you act Such a Considerable part.
The long & faithfull Service of my friend Mr Charles Lee under the State authority in the naval department when undivided, now that it becomes divided entitles him to the best office, his merit being paramount to mine I do not wish to Step forward in opposition to his views. I observe in the bill proposed for the Collection of the Duties on Goods imported, that naval officers Collectors and Controllers are to be appointed, And Should your Excellency in your wisdom See fit to appoint me to the charge of either of these offices on this River Pato[mac]k I shall ever greatfully acknowledge the bounty Confered on me, assuring your Excellency that I Shall be able to give very ample Security for the faithfull discharge of the duties or trust of any office which may be Committed to my Care. I have the Honor to Subscribe myself Your Excellencys Most Devoted & Most Hble Servant

Richd Marshall Scott


Title: To George Washington from John Hoskins Stone, 15 June 1789
From: Stone, John Hoskins
To: Washington, George

Sir
Port Tobacco [Md.] June 15th 1789.

I cannot help feeling a degree of pain when I reflect on the trouble I am about to give you by addressing this letter to you, at a period when you must have so many of a similar nature; presuming however that you will excuse me, I beg leave to say that if in making your arrangements in appointing officers to collect the Revenue of the United States in Maryland there shou’d be no person offer who will answer that purpose better and who has not better founded claims to public favor, I shall not only be very thankful for any Such appointment, but Shall have the business executed with honor, intergrity & exactness—with every Sentiment of respect and attachment, I have the honor to be Yr Excellency’s mo. Obt Sert

J.H. Stone


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Henshaw, 18 June 1789
From: Henshaw, Samuel
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency
Boston June 18 1789

I have just been informed, it is the expectation of your Excellency that each person who wishes to be honored with any office

under the federal Government, should make application for it in person, or in writing—I therefore, humbly beg leave to offer myself as a Candidate for an office in the Revenue Department for the Port of Boston.
I believe I may assure your Excellency, that no Person in Massachusetts, has a more perfect knowledge of the business of that Department than myself.
I have had the honor of being Collector of Impost & Excise for the Port of Boston & County of Suffolk, from the first establishment of those Duties in this State, untill I resigned my office in 1787.
Sure I am, that it is your Excellency’s wish to bring into public employment, those Persons, & those only, who have a competent knowledge of the business assigned them; and who have, by their patient industry, unsullied integrity, amiable manners & dignity of Character, merited & secured the esteem & confidence of their virtuous fellow citizens: Whether these qualifications, do, or do not, belong to the present applicant, the Gentlemen from this State in Congress, can easily inform your Excellency. I have the honour to be with highest Esteem, and warmest affection, your Excellency’s most obedient, and very humble Servant,

Samuel Henshaw


Title: To George Washington from Lotbinière, 18 June 1789
From: Chartier de Lotbinière, Michel, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York June 18th 1789

The Memorial of the Marquis de Chartier de Lotbiniere &ca makes known and represents to you most respectfully
That he is original Proprietor of two large manors and Seignories situated at the head of Lake Champlain and bordering on each bank of the head of said Lake.
The one on the west bank was granted to him under the denomination of Allainville in front about four Leagues (of 2,520 fathoms each) to begin at the lower end of the Lake St Sacrament or new Lake George, at the small Island at present denominated Mouton near the carrying place, extending towards the north along the river as far as the point aux Habitans (at about four miles to the southward of Crown Point) by five leagues deep to the west—without any other reservation of ground on

the whole of said Extent, than the place occupied by the fortifications of Carillon (or Ticonderoga) and of the additional fortifications afterwards judged necessary.
The other on the East bank of the head of the said lake, in front four leagues granted to Mr Hocquart (at that time Intendant in Canada) and sold by him to the Memorialist shortly after the treaty of Peace of 1763, the said front beginning at about half of a league to the southward of the Pointe aux Cheminées (Place for his seignorial Manor reserved in his Domain) extending from thence, northerly along the said lake to the End of the said four leagues by depth Easterly five leagues; which said two seignories in like manner as their other properties of whatever Nature and kind they might be, have been preserved and secured to the said two Proprietors by the general capitulation of Canada, and have been guaranteed to them by the two last subsequent treaties of Peace.
All that part of Lake Champlain from the 45th degree of north latitude having been reserved by Proclamation of his Britannic Majesty at the time of the Establishment of the new government of Quebec &ca and that reserve having been annexed to the Province of New York in July 1764, with express prohibition to the then Governor to make any grant of land throughout the whole Extent of those two seignories, not even in their vicinity until their situation should be perfectly known⟨;⟩ they must have been constantly considered, first in the said province, and afterwards in the State of New York as a sacred Deposit, belonging to the Memorialist⟨,⟩ which ought to be delivered up to him wholly, and the most faithfully as soon as it was possible for the Government of the United States to arrange every thing on the subject to their full satisfaction.
This is the basis on which it should stand, on which it is the most truly founded, and on which it is at present more firmly founded than ever, as the said Government is established for ever.
Therefore, Sir, what he expects, as soon as possible, from your extreme justness and exactness is to give to the treaties the natural and complete effect which they should have.
And he shall ever pray for the preservation of your life and the greatest prosperity of the United States.

Le Mis de Chartier De Lotbiniere.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Melvill, 18 June 1789
From: Melvill, Thomas
To: Washington, George

May it Please your Excellcy
Boston 18th June 1789

Without previous appoligy or introduction to your Excellcy, I have taken the liberty to request for a few moments your attention to a subject which nearly concerns the future welfare & happiness of my self and a large family—Wether such a step in any situation can for me be proper, I am at a loss to determine, but both my duty and my feelings towards them have outweighed every other consideration & I cannot but hope these motives will furnish my excuse if not my justification.
In the month of October 1787 by the decease of Nathl Barber Esqr. the Naval Office for the Port of Boston became vacant & by the joint ballot of both Houses I had the honour to be appointed his Successor—In June 1788 at the anual choice I was reappointed, and on the 10th of this present Month was again rechosen by the unanimous vote of both Houses, as will appear by the inclosed certificate—It may not be amiss to mention that I am a native of the Town of Boston, was in the service of this state during the war and have suffered a full share (to say the least) of property by means of the War—The Gentlemen in Congress from the Eastward will be able to furnish any necessary information respecting my character and conduct in Office, and I cannot but flatter myself on enquiry my reputation & integrity will be found unimpeached—My duty to Your Excelly and my duty to my family have made it incumbent on me to lay sir before you these state of facts—and if in your Excelly judgement it should be in all respects consistent with the dignity & publick good of the Union that I should be continued Naval Officer for the Port of Boston under the new constitution,

It is a favour I earnestly & respectfully request from your Excelly & by no means if Otherwise I have the honor to be Your Excelly Most Obet & Most Hu: Serv.

Thomas Melvill


Title: To George Washington from George Clymer, 19 June 1789
From: Clymer, George
To: Washington, George

Sir
Great Dock street [New York] June 19. 1789

I have just received from Philadelphia the inclosed petitions of Captain Robert French and his wife, both of them addressed to the President and Congress, but conceiving the case to come entirely within the province of the Executive I have thought it my duty to lay them before you; only observing that the persons who have recommended the petitioners case to the consideration of government are of the most respectable characters. I have the honour to be, Sir Your most obedt hum. servant

Geo. Clymer


Title: To George Washington from George Mason, 19 June 1789
From: Mason, George
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Virginia Gunston-Hall June 19th 1789.

I am informed that Mr Jefferson, in a Letter to Congress last November, pointed out the Impropriety of appointing a Consul General in France, and strongly recommended the Appointment of separate Consuls in such of the Principal Ports as America traded most considerably with. Indeed from any Idea I have been able to form of the Office & Duties of a Consul at a foreign Port (vizt to take Care of the due Performance of the Commercial Treaties between the two Countrys, to examine and certify, according to the Laws of the Country in which he resides, the Registers and other papers of the Ships of his own,

to represent and procure Redress for any Injurys done to the Citizens of his own Country, to prevent or decide Differences between them, and to relieve occasionally their distress’d Seamen) they must require his constant Attendance at the port in which he is placed, and consequently disqualify him from acting at any great Distance; and the Objections to acting by Deputies, besides the inevitable Delay of Business, are too obvious to mention; I think it therefore probable that Mr Jefferson’s Sentiments, with respect to the Necessity for separate Consuls, will meet Your Approbation; and Bourdeaux having as much, or more of the American Trade than any other Port in France, I beg Leave to recommend to the Appointment of Consul for the Province of Guienne or Bourdeaux, Mr Joseph Fenwick, my Son’s partner there; if upon Inquiry, You shall think him worthy of the Office. This Gentleman is a Native of Maryland, of an old and reputable Family there, and of the Roman Catholic Religion (a Circumstance which will add to his Respectability in a Roman Catholic Country). He has been bred in the Commercial Line, and having been setled in Business two or three Years in Bourdeaux, has acquired the Language, with considerable Knowledge in the Commercial Laws & Customs of the place; and tho’ I was not personally acquainted with him myself, I was induced, from the Character I had of his Integrity Diligence and good Sense, to agree, most chearfully to my Son John’s entering into partnership with him & his Brother Capt. James Fenwick, in the House of Fenwick Mason & Compy Merchants in Bourdeaux, which notwithstanding their fixed plan of giving no Credits in America, and never advancing more than the certain Value of the Effects in their Hands, I have the pleasure to inform You, now does more American Business, I believe, than any other House in France; having had, since June 1788, besides some partial Shipments, the Consignment of eleven Vessels and Cargoes from America; and has established a very respectable Character & Credit in Bourdeaux. Both the Mr Carrolls of Maryland, I believe, are well acquainted with Mr Fenwick, and can give You every necessary Information concerning him: what I have said of him is, to the best of my Knowledge, strictly just; and I flatter myself You have known me long enough, to believe me incapable of recommending any man to an Office, but from a firm opinion that he wou’d discharge

the Dutys of it with Honour to himself, and Advantage to the public. Shou’d the Appointment of a Consul General be still preferred, I think Mr Fenwick capable of filling the Office with as much propriety as any Man. The former Consul, Mr Barclay, I presume will hardly desire to return; as I am told he owes a great deal of Money in France, and escaped out of Jail in Bourdeaux—an Anecdote of their Consul not very honourable to the United States.I understand Mr Jefferson, in his beforementioned Letter to Congress, specified the ports at which Consuls wou’d be necessary; recommending the person, at each place, who had been a Sort of Deputy to Mr Barclay (tho’ I believe he never had Authority to appoint Deputies) in Consequence whereof, a Mr Bonfield was the person recommended for Bourdeaux; this, with Mr Bonfield’s Residence at the time in Bourdeaux, I have Reason to believe were Mr Jefferson’s sole Motives for such a Recommendation. Mr Bonfield, I am informed, is a Native of England, lived som⟨e⟩ Years in America, and during the late War went over to Bourdeaux, and entered into Trade there, in which he failed, is now totally out of Credit, acts as Clerk to a french House there, and has Suits against him to a large Amount. Had these Circumstances been known to Mr Jefferson, he wou’d hardly, I presume, have thought him a proper person for Consul; an Office which he cou’d not be expected to fill with Dignity, or keep above Contempt, and in whose Decisions Merchants wou’d not be very likely to acquiese. I don’t know how it has happened, but the American Appointments in Europe have too frequently produced neither Honour or Advantage to our Country. The Sallery (which probably will not be very considerable) is not the object for which Fenwick Mason & Compy are sollicitous to obtain the office of Consul; but it wou’d exempt them from some very troublesom Requisitions of the police there, entitle them to some particular Privileges, add to their Respectability as Merchants, and perhaps increase their Consignments; which is the only Business they are engaged in, and not in any Trade on their own Account. Both myself and my Son had much rather his partner, Mr Joseph Fenwick, shou’d have the Appointment than himself; for many Reasons. Mr Fenwick having been longer in Bourdeaux, is better acquainted with the Language and Customs. They expect soon to establish another House, either in

some different port in France, or in some other part of Europe; in which case my Son will be the moving partner, and will take upon him the management at the place where they settle another House, while Mr Fenwick will continue to conduct the Business in Bourdeaux—Mr Fenwick wrote to some of his Friends in America upon the Subject, before my Son’s Arrival in France; and my Son wou’d by all means avoid every thing, which cou’d possibly create the smallest Coolness or Disgust between him and his partners.
I wrote some time ago to Mr Jefferson, upon the Subject of increasing the Commercial Intercourse between France and America, and mentioned the French furnishing us with coarse Goods, as a Substitute for those we have heretofore had from Great Britain, as the most effectual Means of doing it; the want of this having carryed so large a portion of our Trade to Great Britain; I desired my Son also to wait upon Mr Jefferson in Paris, upon this Business, and see if it cou’d be made an object worthy the Attention of the french Ministry: John has accordingly waited upon Mr Jefferson, and writes me that he approves highly of the Idea, has presented an accurate Calculation to the Minister, demonstrating that if such a plan is carryed into Effect, it will annually employ 30,000 Hands in France; he has recommended a Bounty of five ⅌ Ct ad valorem upon the Exportation of certain coarse Goods, of french Manufacture, to the United States of America; he hopes to succeed in this proposal, and waits to push it, only for the Samples, which John is to bring him from London, where he went about the last of March, and proposed to return to Paris about the Middle of April, and then to go to some of the principal Manufactories in France.
My Son John desires me to present his most respectful Compliments, to make You a Tender of his best Services, and to assure You of his utmost Attention in executing any Commands You may be pleased to honour him with. His last Letter to me was dated in London, the 5th of April; in which is the following Paragraph. “The King’s Recovery is now incontestibly certain; and as he has gained his Senses, his Subjects seem to have lost theirs—Such rejoycings, Illuminations, &c., &c., never were known—The Opposition-Party brook it very illy. A Dissolution of Parliament is expected very soon, I dined two or three

Days ago, out of mere Curiosity, at a public Dinner given by Mr Fox’s Friends, for electioneering purposes, consisting of six or seven hundred of the Heads of that party; here not a little Rancour was thrown out against the Ministerial Party, as well in Songs, Sentiments, Toasts, &c., as in Mr Fox’s Address to them—and not a single Health to his Majesty; while the Prince of Wayles was drank in three Bumbers, and echoed, and reechoed, in three times three Huzzas, for half an Hour incessantly. Two Days ago the famous Shop-tax, which has so long been the Subject of Complaint of the City of London, was repealed.”
I hope to hear that You and Your Lady enjoy good Health in New York. and should any thing occur, in which I can render You any Service here, I beg You will command me, without Reserve; as I can truly say there is not a man in the World, who more sincerely wishes You every Felicity, than dear Sir, Your most obedient Servt

G. Mason

P.S. I have had the longest and most severe Fit of the Gout this Spring, I ever experienced; and have but very lately got the better of it.


Title: To George Washington from William Davis, 20 June 1789
From: Davis, William
To: Washington, George

Boston 20th June 1789

The petition of Wm Davis, of Boston, humbly sheweth that, whereas, since the Year 1776, yr Petitioner has met with a series of misfortunes, in his business, whereby he has sunk a considerable of his own property, and to a considerable amount, whereby he is reduced; he therefore sollicitts yr Excellency that, he may stand a Candidate, & be preferr’d to one of the Offices, either in the Customs, or Revenue, under the new Arrangemts of Congress, or in any other Line, that yr Excellency shall see fitt to place him, & as in Duty bound, shall ever pray

William Davis

Most Worthy sir.Boston 20th June 1789
With the greatest respect I now address you, and I do in confidence attempt to lay before you, my present seituation, at the same time most earnestly solliciting an employment, in a public line, and request that I may stand a Candidate for a place in Boston, in the new arrangement, to be made as an Officer of the Revenue. I have been in the Mercantile line, for near Forty years; and since the Year 1776 at which time, I was honor’d by being chosen Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence in this Town; since which I have met with a series of misfortunes in which, I have lost upwards of six Thousand Pounds of which I was then possess’d, and am now reduced, in so much that, I find it very difficult to maintain my family at this my advanced age, I therefore do most urgently request, that yr Excellency would be pleas’d to take my seituation into consideration, and afford me relief, by an appointment in the Revenue Office—and am, with the most profound respect, Hond sir your most obedient servt

William Davis

P.S. That your Excelly may have a competent knowledge of me; shod you indulge me with that satisfaction; the worthy the Vice President, is possess’d with my Character, and with humble

submission, I wish to be referr’d to him, or to the Hone J. Langdon, or the Hone Mr Dalton of the Senate.
I hope I shall not be thought to intrude upon your Excy in thus addressing you; & I wish that my present seituation will plead an excuse.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Hollis Condy, 21 June 1789
From: Condy, Thomas Hollis
To: Washington, George

Honor’d Sir,
Boston June 21. 1789

It is with diffidence that I address your Excellency, but having had the honor of serving in the late Army under your command I feel a confidence in support of my design.
Observing in the doings of the Federal Legislature that Kennebunk (the place of my residence) is made a port of delivery, I am induced to solicit the appointment which may be necessary for the prosecution of the business, shou’d I be so fortunate as to succeed in my wishes I flatter myself, that attention will be paid, and the security requisite for the performance of the duty obtain’d. I am Sir with all due respect your Excellencies most obedient humble servant

Thomas H. Condy


Title: To George Washington from John Christian Ehlers, 24 June 1789
From: Ehlers, John Christian
To: Washington, George

Bremen the 24th June 1789.

Be it known by these presents to all whom it may Concern, that betwext Henry Willmans Esqr. his danish Majestys Real Consol of Justice & Agent in the Name of his Excellency General

Washington Esqr. on one Side, and the Gardner John Christian Ehlers on the other Side, The following Contract is agreed upon and Concluded. The Said John Christian Ehlers engages himself to go from hence to New York by the Vessel called the Minerva Capt. David Kerr, and after his safe Arrival there immediatly to enter for the Space of four Years as Gardner into the Services of his Excellency General Washington Esqr.—to follow his Commands Strictly with Assiduity and Care, in the best maner he is able, in short to behave in such a Maner as to give Satisfaction to his Excellency and to do honour and Credid to himself.
In Consideration thereof Henry Willmans Esqr. Promisses in the name of his Excellency Vitz:
1st To give the afforesaid John Chris: Ehlers a free Passige as Cabbin Passinger from hence to New York, in the Ship called the Minerva Capt. David Kerr.
2d To have from the Time of entring into his Excell: Service Wittles, drink, and Lodging free.
3d To have his Wadges pay’d at the following Rate
12 guineas for the first Year
13 guineas for the Second Year
14 guineas for the Third Year &
15 guineas for the fourth Year
To be pay’d in hard Money of goold or Silver.
Lastly Agrees Henry Willman’s Esqr. in the Name of his Excellency to give the Whife of the aforesaid John Christ: Ehlers a free Passage to America in case she should resolve to follow her Husband.
To the Ratification hereof, and for the better Security of Both parties, they to a Double Copy of this Instrument put their own hands and zeal.


Title: To George Washington from St. Cosme, 24 June 1789
From: St. Cosme
To: Washington, George

Basse Terre [Guadeloupe] 24 June 1789. Requests GW’s aid in securing his admission into the Society of the Cincinnati: “j’ai ete Blessé au siege de Savannah d’un Coup de fusil au travers de La poitrine a Le tete du Det achement de quatre cens hommes du Regt D’armagnac.”


Title: To George Washington from Henrich Wilmans, 24 June 1789 [letter not found]
From: Wilmans, Henrich
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Henrich Wilmans, 24 June 1789. On 12 Oct. 1789 GW wrote to Wilmans: “I have now before me your several favors of the . . . 12th and 24th of June.”


Title: To George Washington from John Miller, 25 June 1789
From: Miller, John
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] June 25th 1789.

The Memorial of John Miller of the City of Philadelphia, Humbly Sheweth
That your Memorialist having many Years served his Country, is now out of any Employment, and finding that some persons will be appointed to carry into Execution Sundry Laws now under Consideration befor the honorable Congress, and having met of late with many heavy Losses by failures—
Your Memorialist therefore humbly Offers himself, as a Candidate to your Excellency for some place in any Department in this City that your Excellency may think him Worthy of: Your Memorialist has the honour to be Acquainted with their Honours the Senators of this State, and the Members of Congress from this City. Your Memorialist most humbly begs this favour for his Support in this time of Life, and as in duty bound Shall Pray

John Miller


Title: To George Washington from John Ross, 25 June 1789
From: Ross, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Burlington New Jersey June 25th 1789

I take the liberty of addressing a letter to your Excellency, and of offering myself as candidate for the appointment of Collector

of the customs or duties for the State of New Jersey. It is with reluctance that I interrupt, even for a moment, the more important business in which your Excellency must necessarily be engaged; but learning that it was proper for me to make known my pretentions to the President with whom originate all appointments to office, I have taken this method of doing it as the least troublesome to your Excellency and on many accounts the most unexceptionable. I p[r]esume not to detail Such of my pretentions as are immediately founded upon personal merit, these I leave to the enquiry of your Excellency and to the information of others more disinterested than myself. But it may not be amiss to mention that in 1781 a law was passed in New Jersey for the regulation of its trade and navigation—That the State was therein divided into three districts, the better to carry into effect the provisions contained in the law—That I was honored with the first appointment of Naval Officer for the middle district for three years, and have since twice successively been reelected to the same office by the votes of both houses of the legislature, in which I still continue and am to exercise the duties thereof untill superseded by the law about to be passed by Congress under the new Constitution. I have only to add, that if I shall be so happy as to be honored with your Excellency’s nomination and appointment to the place in question, I shall esteem it my greatest pride and ambition to discharge the duties thereof with punctuality and fidelity. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble Servant

Jno. Ross


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Marshall, 26 June 1789
From: Marshall, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Woodford County [District of Ky.]26th of June 1789

Your Excellencys letter dated the 27th of March last came safe to hand, and I have the honor to assure you that I will observe the contents of it with all the care & attention in my power. The part I took in the business I had the honor to inform you of, has deprived me of the confidence of all those gentlemen concernd; it is however scarcely possible that a matter of that extensive importance can be conducted to any dangerous crises without my discovering something of it time enough to give you the necessary information. In the mean time my vigilance shall not sleep.
Should your Excellency find it necessary to honor me with your commands, they will find a safe conveyance by being sent under cover to my son John Marshall in Richmond, to whome I shall write for that purpose.
Permit me Sir to express my extreme happiness on account of your Excellencys acceptance of the Presidency of the United States. An event the more to be rejoiced at as it bids fair at this

critical time for the reconcilement of all parties. It strongly impresses on my mind the truth of what was prophetically said from the Pulpit on the commencement of the former French war “That providence had sent you into the world to be the Salvation of America”.
May God bless & prosper you is the prayer of him who has the honor to be with the most respectful regard Your Excellencys most obedient humble servant

T. Marshall


Title: To George Washington from James Reynolds, 26 June 1789
From: Reynolds, James
To: Washington, George

The Petition of James Reynolds of New York Most Humbly Sheweth
New York June 26th 1789

That your Petitioner understanding that the Impost will soon be in the possession of the Congress of the United States, and that a regulation therefor will Shortly take place.
That your Petitioner humbly informs that he has been employed in the Service of the United States in the late War with his Sloop in the North River upwards of two years, that he afterwards was employ’d in the Commissarys Department to the close of the war, which duty he discharged to the entire approbation of his employers.
That your Petitioner humbly conceives himself qualified to discharge the Duty or Office of Tide or Land Waiter and will give Sufficient Security for the faithful discharge of such Trust if required.
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays to be appointed either Land or Tide Waiter as in your Wisdom shall seem meet. And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &C.

James Reynolds


Title: To George Washington from John Gunby, 27 June 1789
From: Gunby, John
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir,
Baltimore The 27th June 1789—

As there Will be under the New Goverment a number of Offices to dispose off, some of greator, and Others of less importance, I beg your Excellency would be pleased to consider me an applicant to fill one of them, (The Navel office for the port of Snow Hill,) For as Much as the business of that port have been small, and in all probability will continue so for a time to come, Could the business of Collector, and purvayor, be annexed to it, and Vested in the same person, it would make the office more agreable, and the business mought be transacted with ease—Should I be so fortunate as to meat your Excellencys approbation, to fill this office, or any other, that it may be your pleasure to appoint me to, you may be assured, that I will use all the honest Indevors in my power to Discharge the Trust reposed in me faithfully. That it may be the blessed will of God to direct a speedey recovery of your health, and to aide and assist you, from time, to time, in performing the grand business

you have before you, to your own Ease, and Satisfaction is the prayers of your Very humble Servant

John Gunby


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 June 1789
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir.
Baltimore 28 June 1789.

Your late indisposition which has alarmed me not a little makes me more desirous than ever that you should have some person near you who is well acquainted with your constitution and who has been accustomed to your confidence. This leads me to take the liberty to remind you of old Doctor Craik whom I well know, unless he is greatly changed cannot be very happy at a distance from you. I think you said when I suggested this subject that he had settled most of his children to his satisfaction, a circumstance which may enable him to follow his inclinations should you incline to indulge them. I have two reasons for mentioning this again to you. I know him to be an attached friend which nothing can alter, and one whom you might find useful on a variety of occasions. I know also that he is a man of skill in his profession and that from habit and opinion you would place more reliance on his advice than perhaps on any other persons. I may add also that there is no one amongst all those who are devoted to you from even the purest motives, that as far as I can judge of the human heart loves you with a

more fervent friendship or would serve you with more zeal—in whatever respect either your fame or internal tranquility.
I hope my dear General will forgive this second intrusion. I have been of late so conversant with sickness and distress in my family that it has given me perhaps more acute feelings for your situation. Do not I beseech you deny yourself any thing that may contribute to your happiness. I have a brother who ingrosses most of my time and yet though greatly alarmed on his account I was sensibly awakened by the public account of your illness. But I hope all danger is now over and that the next papers will make us easy on this head. In ten days I set out to the sweet Springs in Virginia with my brother where I shall not fail to pray for the preservation of your health as fervently as for the restoration of his. With the most sincere and affectionate regards I am Dr Sir Your devoted hble St

James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Winslow, 28 June 1789
From: Winslow, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Portland [District of Maine] June 28th 1789

The Impost Bill creating a Necessity of Appointments, for the Collection & various regulating of the Revenue throughout the United States, and the peculiar Convenience of my Situation to act in some Department, induces me now to beseech Your Indulgence while I address You soliciting the Favor of an Appointment to the Office of Collector, or Comptroller which may fall within the Port or District wherein I reside.
I intreat You to pardon my intruding upon You a solicitation of this nature, unaccompanied by any Testimonials respecting my Character; but humbly request the Liberty of referring You to General Knox who has a perfect knowledge of me.
Most fervently praying that every Blessing may attend Your Person & Administration. I subscribe myself with profound Veneration Your most obedient humble Servant

Saml Winslow


Title: From George Washington to Leonard de Neufville, 29 June 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Neufville, Leonard de

Sir,
New York June 29th 1789

Your letter of the present month and the papers accompanying it have been handed to me since my late indisposition. As all public accompts and matters of a pecuniary nature will come properly under the inspection of the Treasury Department

of the United States, I shall, when that department is organized & established, have those papers laid before the Secretary thereof—and so far as my official agency may be necessary in the business it will meet with no delay. I am, Sir, Yr Mos[t] Obdt Servt


Title: To George Washington from John Barry, 30 June 1789 [letter not found]
From: Barry, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Barry, 30 June 1789. On 6 July GW wrote Barry: “I have received a list of the Ships that were in Canton . . . which you were so good as to send me on the 30th of June.”


Title: To George Washington from David Cook, 30 June 1789
From: Cook, David
To: Washington, George

New York 30th June 1789.

The Memorial of David Cook late Captain of Artillery in the Armies of the United States. Most respectfully sheweth
That your Memorialist was early actuated from Principle of Patriotism to take an active part in the defence of these States, being determin’d to support them at the risk of life, and domestic ease, in which service he continued until the dangerours wound he received at the Memorable Action of Monmouth, obliged him to retire from a service he had the greatest predilection for.
Your Memorialist having made application to the Legislature of Massachusetts for half pay agreeable to the recommendation of Congress, and is sorry to add, without effect, he cannot forbear relating his distressing situation to the Illustrious General, whose orders was his greatest honor to obey.
Your Memorialist being deprived of any resource, obliges him (however painful) to Make application to your Excellency, with the assurance that his small abilities, will be exerted to meet the approbation of the great chief whose virtues are proclaimed by all. And your Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray.

David Cook


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Goodhue, 30 June 1789
From: Goodhue, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

New York June 30th 1789

Mr Goodhue, a member from Massachusetts, and resident in the Town of Salem would beg leave, in as much as the bill for collecting the revenue, now before Congress contemplates the formation of several districts, at which Officers are to be appointed, for the purpose of making such collection, humbly to recommend to the President of the United States, such persons, for filling those Offices within his neighbourhood, as by his personal knowledge of their abilities and integrity he may deem worthy of such a trust, and whose appointments, he has the fullest assurance will meet the general wishes of his Constituents.
For the district of Salem, William Pickman Esqe as a Collector, and Joseph Hiller as Naval Officer—the former he has known from Childhood, and is one of the best families in the Town, is now their Representative in the State legislature, and is strongly recommended to several members of Congress, by his Townsmen, as well as some of the first characters in the State, as being well qualified for this Office—the latter is an amiable and worthy man, who now irreproachably holds the same office, under the State government—for a Surveyor for Salem, Mr Goodhue is not yet prepared for a recommendation, but will endeavour to be in season.
For a Surveyor for Marblehead, Stephen Sewall, for Beverly, Josiah Batchelder Esqr., and for Ipswich, Jeremiah Staniford,

each of whom are now employed, in their respective ports as Naval Officers.
For the district of Newbury port, are Michael Hodge, Jonathan Titcomb and Stephen Cross, two of whom are now employed in the State revenue, and the other is well qualified for such business.


Title: To George Washington from Josiah Crane, June 1789
From: Crane, Josiah
To: Washington, George

[New York, June 1789]

The Memorial of Josiah Crane Respectfully Sheweth.
That your Memorialist previous to the Late war with Great Britain was a Citizen and Inhabitant of New York. That a few years before its Commencment, he went abroad to transact business in the mercantile Line. That at the commencement of it, he was a resident in the Island of St Thomas, in the Danish West Indies, where he Continued untill his return to America Sometime in the year 1778.
That your Memorialist, in a prosperous course of business, by honest industry and perseverance had amassed a fortune of about Twelve Thousand pounds. That being warmly attached to the American cause, and not having been in a situation to render other services, he conceived it to be his duty to contribute towards its support in the only way in which he had it in his power, which was, by dedicating his fortune to the public use. That under this impression he caused the whole of his property, except a Sufficiency for the purchase of a small vessell to

bring himself and his family to the Country as a flag of Truce to be shippd to different parts of the United States with Directions to place the proceeds in the Loan Offices of the respective places. This he considered as a Species of aid of which at the time the American cause stood most in need, and his directions were accordingly pursued.
That your Memorialist arrived at New London in the State of Connecticut whence he proceeded to Albany & from thence by Land to Charles Town in South Carolina for the adjustment of his Concerns at that and the Intermediate places to which his property had been sent. That having Received from his Agents the Certificates for the Sums Loaned on his Account & having collected the other monies not disposed of in that mode, he was returning to Albany to deposit those monies in the Loan Office of this State. That on his way to Albany at Paramus in New Jersey his quarters were surprised by a party of the British Army and narrowly escaping himself with his Life he was Stripped of all the property he had in the world except about Seven Hundred pounds of real value in Certificates which he happened to have in his pocket Book.
That your Memorialist with a numerous family to provide for is now reduced to Extreme distress even to the Necessity of Assigning the small remains of his property for the Satisfaction of his Creditors and knows not what course to pursue for a future Livelihood.
That being conscious he owes his ruin to his zeal for the Cause of America he has Allowed himself to indulge a hope, that the Deliverer and Father of his Country will be Disposed if the public Service permit it, to consider him in the Distribution of those numerous offices which the outset of the Government must render Necessary.
In which hope your Memorialist without presuming to point out any particular office respectfully Entreats the favourable attention of your Excellency to his unfortunate case. For which as in duty bound he will Ever pray

Josiah Crane


Title: To George Washington from Patrick Dennis, June 1789
From: Dennis, Patrick
To: Washington, George

Sir
[June 1789]

I should not at this time entrude on that indulgence which I presume you will extend to me, only that I rely on the goodness of your Excellency, to condesend so far as to take notice of my situation.
Early and throuout the war I was called to render my personal service to my contary, in different capacities, some of my best intentions for the good of my contry is partly known to your Excellency.
My property I advanc’d to the public at an early time and now Lays in Colonel Walker’s Office, having sustained many losses and being entirely out of business. I have no dependance but the Very small petance of being one of the Naval Officers of the State of New Jersey. And as under the New Government a Similar, Office, (Collector of the Imposts) may be erected. I hope it will not be improper to entreat the favor of your Excellency on that appointment, I flatter my self that my Expirence in the commershel line, my knowlage of the Coast and inlets, my sencer wish to serve my country, altho in the evening of my days, will, induce your Excellency to think favorably of Applycation. Governer Livingston has been pleas’d to honer me with the enclos’d certificate, The Honorable Senaters and Represen[ta]tives of New Jersey and New York, The Honorable R: Morris, & T: Fitsimonts of Pensylvania, Governer Clinton, the Honorable General Knox, Mr chanceler Livingston, and in particular General Lamb, who has had an Oppertunity of knowing my conduct in the Office or oppintment I am now in those Gentlemen, know me, and as I presume some of them will be near Your Excellency’s person, I hope Your Excellency will condesend

to favor me to ask their Oppinion of my abilites and intigerity which I hope will be favorable and meet the countinance of Your Excellency. With due Respect and Veneration I am Your Excellency’s Obliged & Devoted Servant

Patrick Dennis


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, June 1789
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Millmont June 1789

Perceiving that Congress in the Establishment of different Ports of Entry &c. in Maryland has in Contemplation to Establish an Office on St Marys River Potomack—Permit me among the numerous applicants for those offices to recommend in the warmest Terms Capt. Robert Chesley for that of Saint Marys residing on that river. He is a Gentleman well qualified to discharge the duties of the office—was a Brave officer Captain in the Maryland line of the American Army unfortunately captured at Staten Island and was a Prisoner upwards of three years[.] He is the Eldest son of my old Friend Robert Chesley Esqr. who Possibly may have been Known by you. I have the

honor to Be with Perfect respect and Esteem yr Ecys affet. & obligd ⟨Hble⟩ Sert

William Fitzhugh


Title: From George Washington to the German Reformed Congregations, June 1789
From: Washington, George
To: German Reformed Congregations

Gentlemen,
[New York, June 1789]

I am happy in concurring with you in the sentiments of gratitude and piety towards Almighty-God, which are expressed with such fervency of devotion in your address; and in believing, that I shall always find in you, and the German Reformed Congregations in the United States a conduct correspondent to such worthy and pious expressions.
At the same time, I return you my thanks for the manifestation of your firm purpose to support in your persons a government founded in justice and equity, and for the promise that it will be your constant study to impress the minds of the People entrusted to your care with a due sense of the necessity of uniting

reverence to such a government and obedience to its’ laws with the duties and exercises of Religion.
Be assured, Gentlemen, it is, by such conduct, very much in the power of the virtuous Members of the community to alleviate the burden of the important office which I have accepted; and to give me Occasion to rejoice, in this world, for having followed therein the dictates of my conscience.
Be pleased also to accept my acknowledgements for the interest you so kindly take in the prosperity of my person, family, and administration.
May your devotions before the Throne of Grace be prevalent in calling down the blessings of Heaven upon yourselves and your country.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Lovell, June–July 1789
From: Lovell, James
To: Washington, George

[Boston, June-July, 1789]

Though your Excellency be not a Pope nor I a Murderer, yet I write under the full Influence of an Idea expressed by Cicero, when soliciting for his Friend Fabius the Patronage of Marcus Cælius a Curule Odile; “novi ego vos magnos patronos: hominem occidat oportet qui vestra opera uti velit”—When I first addressed myself to your Excellency, thirteen years ago, my Life & Liberty were at Stake, now, the Comfort of all my latter Days is at Hazard. My Confidence then was founded in your Character known only by Report; I have, now, the superadded Props of personal Knowledge and a Series of Experience: But, even this Combination would not have Strength to induce my present Attempt, if I was conscious of one past moments Indifference to your Fame, or; if I suspected that your Patronage of my endeavours at this time could tend in the least Measure to detract from your Dignity. I have lived a Life of unremitted industry from the first Period of my manhood; yet I have aspired to no fortune greater than competence or more durable than my fidelity. I think I was predestinated a labouring ox; I have been commonly muzled in the Field, and sometimes also, lately, at the Manger. This went near to breaking my native Spirit, and has turned my Aims to an Employment under Those who will readily conceive that Food is essential to Strength and Hope to Perseverance. I am earnestly solicitous for a Service on the Tenure of Good-Behavior, and I am proud enough to conclude it would be a Tenure for Life provided the Service should lay within the Lines of my Capacity.
Without Metaphor—I will state some Facts to your Excellency, and will then further explain my Wishes. Upon my Return in 1782 from a constant Attendance 5 years in Congress I acted as Receiver under the Financier. While I was absent in New Hampshire on his Business, my Townsmen chose me Representative for Boston, which I declined, upon finding that an eminently jealous Republican had suggested my Inelegibility, because of my Receivorship; altho’ he immediately promoted the Choice of Mr Appleton, who was continental Loan Officer. I was chosen, some Time after, by the General Assembly Naval Officer of this Port, without any Solicitation on my Part, because

I openly avow myself determined never to seek a Place filled by another, even by an unworthy Man. Troubles arose in this State; my oldest Son was of the Horse which took Shattuck, my second was Adjutant with General Lincoln against Shays, and my own Sentiments and Endeavors were well known; so that, in the Elections of 1787, the Man who had been displaced (and whose Ill Conduct was on the Records of the Senate) was reelected into the Naval Office by the joint Balot of both Houses, altho a Committee appointed for Scrutiny had reported that “the naval officers had done their Duty faithfully.”
The Collector having resigned, I was in a few Days put into his Place by the seperate Balot of both Houses, some of the Majority of the lower House (which had before Swallowed up the Balot of the Senate) having been ashamed of their former Doings. Since which, the Check of the Senate has been my Protection, and has in some Measure restored me to my usual Confidence in Industry & Fidelity for continued Maintenance.
A new Scene is now opening. The fœderal Government will probably annihilate the State-Collectorships. I do not foresee exactly how it will operate. I have only formed some Conjectures. Espousing the New Constitution from the Beginning upon general Principles, I did not even turn my Thoughts to its Operation upon me individually. A prudent cautious Friend, of the Council, once my Colleague in Congress, consulted my Opinion early, with Assurances of Secresy and Freedom from Harm. Knowing we differed in Judgment, I told him I was for it “Knuckle & Thumb, Hip & Thigh, Tooth & Nail[”]; I might have added “Dagger & Pistol,” for I was persuaded, like your Excellency, very early, that if we did not take the proposed Constitution, Blood alone could procure a similar one. The Doctor thanked me for my Openess, and renewed his Promise that it should not harm me Thus do Men differ in Spirit! In the New Goverment the President is to nominate and by advice & Consent of the Senate is to appoint all Officers except such as the President alone or the Judge of the Supreme Court or the Heads of Departments may be empowered to appoint. The Arrangement is yet in Embrio. It is nearly to beat the Air to make any Application, or, to use a more decent Phrase, offer my Services. But as Mr Gorham and his nearest Friends avow his Solicitation for my present Office or the One in which it may be involved;

and, as they openly declare their Confidence of his being preferred before all other Candidates, it is a Sort of Self Murder in me to be silent. He is gone on to the Fountain Head, as is Mr Otis, and as perhaps are Twenty others with various Merits to me unknown. But, as Congress, after constituting its Officers, will confine its Views to Industry Fidelity and Capacity in it’s Choice of Officers, and, as None of the Candidates for the Collectorship of this Port will dare deny to me the two first Qualities, I will only here notice the last—“He was not (they will say of me) educated behind a Compter.” That is true. But, I have often instructed Others in Bookkeeping, and I have, in my Employment, Major Rice a Man compleat in that Branch and of consummate Integrity; and have also another Person who has been five years in the Revenue office, and whom I have, hitherto, retained in Preference to my own amiable Sons, because these latter were not yet innured to Habits of rigid Industry. Besides, your Excellency knows my Power of Calculation, by my brainrending Work of decyphering all the Papers intercepted from the British & lodged in Congress during the War, various as they were in Kind. Having noticed Capacity as relating only to Calculation & Method, permit me to be certain that your Excellency will not count as useless, in a Port Officer, the superadded Ability to interpret commercial Vouchers, and to explain to Foreigners the Propriety of our Public Acts and the comparitive Moderation of our Imposts. Could I know that the Nomination would lay with your Excellency I should here close, by referring to our first Interview when you kindly told me Congress had “forestalled your own strong Inclination by recommending me to you for an Office,” by Resolves to which I was then an intire Stranger—Jan. 5–1776 Journals.
But, Sir, the most difficult Part of this Business is yet to be attempted. If I am to be judged thus far not bashfull, I now risk being thought impudent. I shall be sorry, very sorry indeed for that; altho’ Cicero has said “Qui semal fiores modestiæ transient, hunc bene graviter impudentem a sic oportetr I must ask your Excellency’s Influence, if in the Course of Arrangements it should fall to the Heads of Departments to appoint for this Port or District. Whenever the Union can be as well or better served by taking up State Arrangements or Officers, than otherways, it

will be done I am sure, to prevent an Idea that Congress descend to the meer Point of diracinating all State-Consequence.
Some Men “cannot dig, and to beg are ashamed”. Having spent 30 Years altogether in a literary Course, Gardning & Mechanicks were practiced by me as amusements only; therefore, altho’ I can dig & hew also, yet an Apprentice Boy in either Branch would run away with my Income. To beg (in the gross Sense) I am verily ashamed: But, I can, with most cordial Devotion and upon every proper Call, supplicate Objects bearing proportionate Attributes of real Deity; while no one can more than I contemn an Image of Clay or a living Brute erected for Adoration either by Superstitious Bigotry or political Phrensy.
Now, I have reached the Place where I must be permitted to declare, with great Solemnity, that if I did not think my own Interest and the Public Service, in my present Pursuit perfectly coincident, I should not have dared to lift up my Eye to You for Patronage. I am, with Gratitude and habituated Esteem, Your Excellency’s most obedient Friend and Humble Servant

James Lovell


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, 1 July 1789
From: Lee, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear Genl
Stratford July 1st 1789

Altho the exalted station which your love of us and our love of you has placed you in, calls for change in mode of address, yet I cannot so quickly relinquish the old manner. Your military good holds its place in my mind notwithstanding your civic glory, & whenever I do abandon the title which used to distinguish you I shall do it with awkwardness.
The affectionate and decided regard demonstrated to your person & character on your tour to Newyork, has diffused pure & sincere joy among every class of people in the circle of my intelligence, nor has any individual more heartily enjoyed the testimonials exhibited by my fellow citizens than myself—because it manifests honor truth and gratitude in the body politic, & because such spontaneous and disinterested effusions of respect and attachment must convey a reward the most grateful of all others to your feelings.
Having gone thro your inaugaration & consequently in some degree shielded by the dutys of office from the display of affection and respect which your arival in Newyork must have produced, I venture to yield to the en treaty s of my heart often before resisted, of offering my congratulations on your auspicious acceptance of the administration of the national govt. My reluctance to trespass a moment on your time would have operated to a farther procrastination of my wishes, had not I been roused above every feeling of ceremony by the heart rending intelligence received yesterday that your life was despaired of—Had I have had wings, in the moment should I have wafted myself to your bedsid[e] only again to see the first of men—But alas despairing as I was from the account received, after the affliction of one day & night, was I made most

happy by receiving a let. now before me from N. York announcing the restoration of your health. May heaven preserve it!
Next to the felicity of the nation I confess I have no object more interesting to me than your health & happiness—I pray as I ever have done that your return to public life may be commensurate to your intentions and to our expectations. Greater good to the people of the U. States cannot be asked for. To give complete success to your administration, appears to me impracticable, unless national harmony is soon restored. The political schism which divides our countrymen is I fear deep planted in the minds of many leading characters, & however respect to a majority & affection to the president may quiet them now, yet on the first inviting occasion the spirit of opposition will shew itself strongly.
To deprive it of the means of operating with effect should be I conceive the leading object of the friends to govt—It is practicable to prevent your enemy from injuring you altho it may be impossible to render him your friend.
therefore instead of striving to court the good will of opposition by improper concessions, I would disarm them by complying with the rational views of the advocates for amendments spontaneously. The house of representatives to whom these remarks apply, if they follow the plan which seems to be contemplated by some of their members will I think accomplish this great good.
If it is not done under your auspices, it will never be effected, & if never effected, we shall be a divided distress’d people.
Among the difficultys which encompass you I presume those which flow from the nomination to office will be the most irksome. The public good being your guide all that you can want will be just information—Herein consists the danger of committing error, because you must unavoidably depend on the knowledge of others too often. When the commercial arrangement shall be settled & it may become necessary to make the appointment I beg leave to mention to you a young man of excellent private character & brought up in the naval office, Mr Richd Marshall Scott of Alexandria who wishes to continue in public employ. He is descended from poor tho honest parents & has no chance for success in his application but from his own merit. His character will bear the strictest scrutiny & his conduct

for seven years in the office of South potomac as deputy naval officer at the port of Alexandria meets with unanimous applause from the merchants, as well as from his superiors.
Having touched on this delicate subject, I cannot help naming to you another Gentleman, to whose character in war & in peace you are no stranger & whose situation & manner of life seems to fit him for public employment. I mean Col. Carrington—He dislikes to solicit for office but I am persuaded would be happy in being honored with an appointment whenever you should consider it proper to call him into service. I am sure you will consider these communications merely as information & therefore that they cannot be unacceptable to you. Will you be pleased to present Mrs Lee & me in the most respectful manner to your lady & to accept of a repetition of the unceasing respect & regard of your faithful & aft. friend & h. servt

Henry Lee


Title: To George Washington from Jeremiah Nicols, 1 July 1789
From: Nicols, Jeremiah
To: Washington, George

Sir
Chester Town Maryland July 1st 1789

I have taken the Liberty of addressing You, without the honor of a personal Acquaintance; If there is any Impropriety, the Information I have recieved of this being the usual Mode pursued by those who apply for Office, must make my Apology. I have ventured to flatter Myself, that if no better Person offered, I might hope for an Appointment to the Naval Office for the District of Chester Eastern Shore of Maryland. It would be unbecoming in Me to say any Thing of my own Character, I have only therefore after asking Pardon for the Trouble already given You, to add that I am not unknown to the Gentlemen sent by Maryland to the federal Legislature, and if You should think it worth while to make the Enquiry, I hope You will not meet with an unfavorable Report. I am with the greatest Respect Sir your most obt Servt

Jere. Nicols


Title: To George Washington from Josiah Parker, 1 July 1789
From: Parker, Josiah
To: Washington, George

Sire
New York July 1st 1789

Major Lindsay and Captain Bedinger his deputy has forwarded to me Letters with a request that I should inclose them to you The first is naval officer & Collector of Elizabeth River District resident at Norfolk or Portsmouth he succeeded me in office with my full approbation and employed Captain Bedinger as his deputy who I know by experience (he haveing lived with me when in office upwards of three years) to be fully equal to any duty in that department which may be assignd to him. he is a Native of Berkeley County. Served in the Army from his early youth—was captured at Fort Washington—and was noticed by General Green in the southern department as a valuable officer, when I was appointed naval officer he was recommended to me as a deputy by Colonel Carrington and I found him fully equal to my expectation—he would not wish to surplant Major Lindsay but as there are to be a Naval officer & Collector of the District he solicits the one which Major Lindsay may not obtain.
My Brother Copeland Parker allso served me as deputy untill my resignation but as he is a young man & never had the honor to serve his Country I would not recommend him in preference to either—but as a surveyor is to be appointed he will be happy to accept of the appointment, he is well acquainted with the duties of the Office & his fidelity can be relyed on.
Captain Thomas Bowne requests to be continued as officer at South Quay Mr Gibb at Follys landing & George Savage Esqr. at Cherrystons—they have been in office some time and have acquired the confidence of the Executive of Virginia.
Mr J. B. Nickolls who married a Sister to Mr Swanwick of Philadelphia a Merchant at Portsmouth & a man of business has solicited me to name him to you—as desirous of being employd as Naval Officer or Collector.
Colonel Willis Willson representative of Norfolk County who was a Captain in one of the state Ships allso desires to be named. As well as Colonel Thomas Mathews representative of the Borough & Speaker of the Assembly, they are ready to receive any appointment which you may think they deserve.

Mr Archibald Richardson Searcher at Suffolk wishes to be appointed Surveyor there & Colonel James Wells of the Militia of Isle of Wight requests to be appointed Surveyor at Smithfield.
Colonel Finnie has allso requested me to name him as willing to be employed in any manner you may direct.
Being sensible you will be troubled with a variety of applications and not willing to be troublesome to you have done myself the honor of nameing those persons who expect it from me—and leave the rest with great Submission to your better judgment. with the most Exalted sentiments of respect & regard sire I have the honor to be your most obedient and very humble servant.

J: Parker

Since writeing the above have received a letter from David Meade Randolph Esqr. which I do myself the honor to inclose.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Warren, 1 July 1789
From: Warren, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth July 1. 1789.

Permit me to offer myself to your Excellency as a candidate for the Naval Office, or as Collector of the Customs for this district of Plymouth & Duxborough.
Although I have not the honour of being personally known to your Excellency, yet you are well acquainted with my father’s merits in the late revolution, which may have some weight in granting to his family some of the honours to be derived from it: & should he have transmitted to his son (which I flatter myself may be the case) some of his patriotism & virtue, I am sure, with you, Sir, it would be an additional consideration.
I can only assure Your Excellency I should feel honoured by an appointment which would give me an opportunity more conspicuously to evince my Zeal for the support of the Constitution, my love for my country, & my assiduity in the service of it. I have the honour to be, Sir with the highest respect Your Excellency’s most obedient servant

Henry Warren


Title: To George Washington from John Davidson, 2 July 1789
From: Davidson, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Annapolis July 2 1789

As Naval Officer of the Port of Annapolis, being the third District in this State, I feel myself embarrassed in making this

Application to your Excellency, but if the experience gained in thirty odd years practice can qualify me for the Office I can truly vouch for it, and hope it will not be deemed Arrogance in me to superadd that amongst the first Acts of Governor Johnson’s Administration under our new Government I was upon the recommendation of our Legislature Commissioned by him in my absence and unsollicited, and that I prize as an honourable testimony of this joint confidence: Yet other qualifications may be deemed necessary by your Excellency in the Character you would choose to continue or appoint, and therefore permit me humbly to Sollicit the favour of your being referred to Mr Johnson for satisfaction on any head you may be pleased to require respecting me, and this I must intreat from an Opinion that your knowledge of that Gentleman’s Judgement Integrity and Candour will fully suffice any doubts you may entertain upon this Subject.
To the Members in Congress from this State I am personally known, but to Mr Johnson I have been so from my Youth upwards, and if it shall prove your Excellencys pleasure to continue me in the Office, my endeavours shall be with fidelity to execute it. I am bound in duty and gratitude to be with Respect & Affection Sir Your much devoted and most Obedient Servant

John Davidson


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 July 1789
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltimore 2 July 1789

Mr Eiclberger of this place informs me that he has petitioned for surveyor or other appointment in the customs, and begs that I would mention him to your Excellency. I think he served about three years in the late army, since which he has carried on a retail trade with a very fair character. He is a Dutch man and not without influence among his countrymen which he has always used like a good citizen. I have reason to beleive

that any office not the meanest would be very acceptable as it would be bringing him in more or less, while his present business could be managed by his wife. He writes a good hand is a ready accountant, and a very honest man. If anything can be done for him I am persuaded it would have a good effect upon his countrymen most of which in this place are highly antifederal.
Permit me to mention another applicant, a major Lynch. If your Excellency was going to war I could recommend him for his courage and obedience to orders; at the same time I cannot say a great deal in favor of his talents for an important seperate command. He is a good natured honest poor fellow whom a little would content. As far as I can learn he has executed the office of harbour master for this port diligently and faithfully. But that office is set aside by the new government. Perhaps your Excellency may recollect something of the poor fellow, and may through your goodness find some subordinate employment for him.
I set out to-morrow for the Sweet Springs and wish most devoutly a return of your health. With the most profound respect and attachment I have the honor to be your Excellency’s ob. st

James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from James Shaw, 2 July 1789
From: Shaw, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
July 2. 1789.

Altho I have not the honor of being personally known to your Excellency, yet I flatter myself from the benevolence of your disposition, that my present solicitation for an appointment under the new Government will not be considered as impertinent or improper.
The Clerkship of the district Court in Maryland, altho I apprehend the profits of it will be inconsiderable for some time to come, yet if a man more deserving than myself does not apply for it, I should be thankful for this appointment.
To the representatives from Maryland now in Congress, particularly to the honble Mr Henry, I am well known, to whom I refer for my Character and conduct during the revolution, and in the different trusts with which I have been honored.
The patronage of your Excellency will be sincerely felt and acknowledge by him who has the honor to be with every Sentiment of the most perfect respect and Esteem your obdt Servt

James Shaw


Title: From George Washington to Ebenezer Hazard, 3 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Hazard, Ebenezer

Sir,
New York July 3d 1789.

Your letter of the 27th of June, together with the amount of receipts and expenditures of the General Post-Office of the United States from 1782 to 1789, and the forms of bonds, accts &c. relating to the Post-Office Department, were duly handed to me; but my late indisposition has prevented my paying any attention to business ’till within a few days past. I have now inspected those papers; and altho’ I observe, upon the whole, that the Post-Office has been profitable to the United States since the year 1782, yet I should wish to know the causes of the decrease of the income from that source between the year 1785, when it produced a profit of 13373. [Dolls.] 54. [90th] 2 [8th]—and the year 1789 when it lost 3028. [Dolls.] 77. [90th] 2 [8th]—I must therefore request you to send me, in detail, the receipts and expenditures of the Post-Office for two years, viz., from Jany 1st 1784 to Jany 1st 1785, and from Jany 1st 1788 to Jany 1st 1789. The returns made from the several Post-Offices to the General Post-Office for the two Years just mentioned, agreeably to the form marked No. 9, will shew what offices have been productive; and the accts of the General Post-Office for the same years will point out the cause of the difference between the receipts & expenditures.

I have read the several resolves of Congress referred to in your letter; and if the productiveness of the Post-Office was diminished by them, I conceive it must have been either by the increase of expense attending the conveyance of the Mail by Stages instead of Riders; or by directing the Mail to be carried into parts of the Country where the expences of carrying it greatly exceeded the produce of it. However, I presume the documents with which I have now requested to be furnished will fully explain this matter. I am Sir, with due consideration, Your most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Charles Lee, 3 July 1789
From: Lee, Charles
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria 3 July 1789

Having long served as the custom house officer of South Patowmack and I trust with the approbation of my country, I have been induced to express my wishes to be reappointed in the same department least my silence should be misunderstood.
I pray leave at this time to mention Mr Richard Marshall Scott as a person from long experience in this line of business capable and deserving of any office in the customs upon this river as he has done a principal share of the business under me ever since the year 1783, and in all respects I think him fit for any appointment of this kind. With the sincerest esteem I remain most respectfully sir your most obed. humble servant

Charles Lee


Title: To George Washington from Richard Bland Lee, 3 July 1789
From: Lee, Richard Bland
To: Washington, George

Sir
N. York July 3 1789

The enclosed letter from R. M. Scott will explain to you his wishes. he has requested me to deliver it to you and informed me of his object. As to his qualifications to fill the office which he solicits I will not pretend to judge I can assure you that he has always given the fullest satisfaction to Mr Charles Lee his Principal and all persons having business at the Naval office since he has acted in it for almost seven years past. I know him to be a young man of honor and industry.
I am authorised to inform you that Mr Roger West would be pleased with an appointment under government, if any should occur in which he might be usefully employed for the public service. You are too well acquainted with Mr West and too good a Judge of his talents and merits for me to presume to add anything more than my wishes in his behalf.
I am also authorised to inform you, that Mr Charles Lee would be pleased with the office of Collector for the district of Alexandria, if you should deem him a proper person to administer it. Mr Scott solicits an appointment to the Naval office for the same district. If you wish for further information concerning him I can produce a most honorable testimonial from Mr C. Lee in his favor.
Permit me now to express the overflowing joy of my heart for your happy recovery from your late illness and to assure you of the indiscribeable veneration and esteem with which I am your devoted hum. sert

Richard Bland Lee


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir,
New York, July 3rd 1789.

I have received your very friendly letter of the 28th of June, and feel a grateful sense of the interest which you take in my welfare and happiness, and the kind solicitude which you express for the recovery of my health—I have now the pleasure to inform you that my health is restored, but a feebleness still hangs upon me, and I am yet much incommoded by the incision which was made in a very large and painful tumor on the protuberance of my thigh—this prevents me from walking or sitting; however the Physicians assure me that it has had a happy effect in removing my fever, and will tend very much to the establishment of my general health; it is in a fair way of healing, and time and patience only are wanting to remove this evil. I am able to take exercise in my coach, by having it so contrived, as to extend myself the full length of it.
I thank you, my dear Sir, for the anxiety which you express that I should have some person about me who is well acquainted with my constitution, and who has been accustomed to my confidence—The habits of intimacy and friendship, in which I have long lived with Dr Craik, and the opinion I have of his professional knowledge, would most certainly point him out as the man of my choice in all cases of sickness—I am convinced of his sincere attachment to me, and I should with cheerfulness trust my life in his hands—but how far circumstances at present would justify his quitting his practice in Alexandria, and its vicinity to gratify his inclinations and my wishes, I am not able to say; but could it be made consistent with his advantage to be near me, I am sure it would be highly pleasing to me—I must, however, injustice to Dr Bard, who has attended me during my late indisposition, declare that neither skill nor attention have been wanting on his part, and, as I could not have the assistance of my good friend Dr Craik, I think myself fortunate in having fallen into such good hands.
You have my sincere wishes that your intended journey to the sweet springs may be the means of restoring the health of your Brother, and that it may be pleasant and healthful to yourself. I

am, dear Sir, with very great esteem, Your affecte friend and obedt Servt

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander McCaskey, 4 July 1789
From: McCaskey, Alexander
To: Washington, George

May it Please your Excellency
Baltimore July 4th 1789

As under your Auspicious Administration the Government of the United States is fast approaching to consolidation and of course a Number of New Offices will arise in the various Ports of the Nation, I humbly beg leave to mention my Name among the list of Candidates for the surveyorship of Imposts for the Town of Baltimore. Having had the Honour of serving several years in the American Army as Deputy Comissary Genl of Forage under Genl Mifflin & Coll Biddle, has in some degree Emboldened me in the Application, and have the confidence to hope that my Pretention to the Appointment, will be Recommended by such future testimony as will meet with the Approbation of your Excellency. I have the Honour to be your Excellency’s most Obedient & very Humble Servt

Alexr McCaskey


Title: From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 4 July 1789 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: McKean, Thomas

Letter not found: to Thomas McKean, 4 July 1789. The endorsement on an envelope in PHi: McKean Papers reads: “Note from General G. Washington. July 4th 1789.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Proctor, 5 July 1789
From: Proctor, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Esteemed Sir
Philadelphia July 5th 1789

Be pleased to suffer the Intrussion of this address which perhaps may interfer with business of Importance, and I shall with brevity acquaint your Excellency that th[r]ough adverse and unforseen misfortunes while I continued Sheriff of the County of Philadelphia, I have been led to bear the losses of those, for whome I had once felt the utmost tenderness—even to the nonfulfilment of my duty; to save them from apparrent ruin & their turn been served, of course they neglected me, and through the consequent attendant, my Estate in a considerable degree is wasted by various suits to the adjusment of such demands. This catastrophy is the more hightned when I reflect that under providence I am the only one that a numerous and aged family have to look to for their comfort and suport. such being my lot and at a time when I have nearly passed the Zenith of usual activity Induces me to leave it upon the recollection of your Excellency; that if in the arrangement of the war, and Ordnance departments, their should happen a vacancy to which I might be deemed capabel, and worthy of filling; I would willingly accept it as your gift. And why I name the line of the Ordnance particularly is—That notwithstanding its extensive branches, I beg leave to say that I have an intimate and Mechanical knowledge, of the Equipments of that branch of the Army, it being the profession of my youth, upwards of Twenty one years; previous to the late war in America. I will not add farther at this time, only to asshure you that I am with wonted sincerity for your happyness your Excellency Obedient Servant

 Thomas Proctor


Title: From George Washington to John Barry, 6 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Barry, John

Sir,
New York July 6th 1789

I have received a list of the Ships that were in Canton in China the last year which you were so good as to send me on the 30th of June; and must beg your acceptance of my best thanks for this polite mark of attention. I am, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Stephen Gregory, 6 July 1789
From: Gregory, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Bordx [France] July 6th 1789

Mr fenwick is the Bearer of a Small two deck Ship which I Beg your Excellency to accept as a feable present this mignature will answer for a Chimney peace of Large Room Before a Looking Glass. Altho not Compleat in Every thing yet it is Neatly finish’d, I wish your Excellency health happiness & Success in Every of your Undertaking⟨s⟩ & in particular that of promoting the happiness of the people of america. I Remain Your Excellency’s most Devoted humble Sert

Stepn Gregory