Title: To George Washington from William Stoy, 19 February 1792
From: Stoy, William
To: Washington, George

Please your Excellency,
Libanon [Lebanon, Pa.] febr 19th 1792.

If your Excellency will condescend to read the following it will do you no harm: if not I can’t be hurt by it. Congress have miscarried in an expedition against the Indians, the original, the absolutely rightful and under god the primitive owners of the land. their territories have been ceded to North America: by whom? by great Brittain. What right and title had Great Brittain to their land? the right of conquest. none else what ever may be Said to the contrary. Serpens nisi devoret Serpentem non fit draco. upon this principle all power is established. Now please to let me ask your Excellency: upon what title or grant do you rightfully hold the extensive tracts of land in your State? Your titles and grants under what derivation Soever, are from the obsolete and now amongst us annihilated and abdicated power of great Brittain the first usurpers and conquerors of these extensive American territories, which are now rightfully and I will Say providentially ⟨w⟩rested from them. But what would your Excellency think if I or Some body else was powerful enough to rob you of your estate? the law here interferes. but what is the law against power? inter arma Silent leges. It could certainly be held by conquest. but whether justly or with injustice that might be

the question. what we have bought or buy from the Indians makes a different case. what they have ceded is ceded, & they have been hitherto more faithful in holding their bargains then oftentimes the white people. It is a natural truth if you confine a cat in a close place and whip her from corner to corner, if She can not find her escape, She at last will fly into your face. please to make a Suitable application. Here Something comes in my mind, which I have thought of these thirty Seven years. I remember our former war with the French & Indians which came upon us in 1754 and Some Subsequent years. at that time the Indians killed and took prisoners but could do no more then what they were permitted. for I was Sure that otherwise they might have done much more mischief. and this leads me to communicate to your Excellency a far different Step which the Indians may pursue, if they Should happen to fall upon copying our own conduct, and which I very carefully Shall keep from the public Eye. We go out against the Indians and destroy their Cornfields and harvest etc. Now Suppose five hundred Indians (and I am confident that they can Spare a much greater number for the business) would come upon us in Small parties of five only especially in the fall of the year, when the farmer hath put up his all in his barn for his future Sustainance, and Set that on fire. In this manner they need not kill us with their arms but Starve us to death. and who will pursue ’em? Our armies can not. let them pursue a Single Wolf. The poor farmer is rendered incapable by different motives, when at the Same time the Indian finds cattle enough for his Support. Is not our conduct absolutely inconsistent with the declaration we have made in our constitution that every one is to be protected in his property? or do the Indians not belong to them every one? or hath not even an Indian the Same right with an alien from Europe to receive the American CitizenShip if he desires it. I will not Speak from principles of Christianity, which by most people are laughed at now a days, but from principles of nature of reason & morality. God is the common father of the Indian as well as of the white man. It is now about forty years ago, Since the old and long timed Secretary, to the then proprietaries of Pennsilvania, Richard Peters, was out in the woods to make a Survey of land that had been bought from the Indians, and a heavy thunder gust came on. All the white people fled to a place among low and little Shrubs. the Indians

remained under high trees to Shelter themselves. the White men returning found an old and grave Indian lying flat on the ground under a large oak tree, and told him that it was dangerous in a gust to lay under Such a tree. He Simply replied: the Lord knows where the poor Indian lays. with great Submission & deference I am your Excellency’s most obedient & most hble Servt

W. Stoy.


Title: To George Washington from James Mercer, 20 February 1792
From: Mercer, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Fredericksburg] Virginia Feby 20th 1792.

The Necessity of the Case will I hope be a sufficient appollogy for my addressing your Excellency on the following Subject.
You Sir may recollect that Ld Dunmore in Novr 1774 purchased of you & Colo. Tayloe Trustees for the Creditors of George Mercer, under a decretal order of the General Court, certain Slaves to the value of 436£ Va. Currency on twelve months Credit—for which (circumstanced as his Lordship then was) you & myself concurred in opinion he might be allowed to give Bond & Secy at a future Day when he shou’d be returned to his acquaintances.

Perhaps tho’, I must ask your Excellency to take my word, that no steps have yet been taken to endeavour to recover this Debt and that now it is but a desperate one.
as I conceive Mr Gravett & Miss wroughton who were allowed the just payments are paid off and as I am sure my Brother John is fully paid all his Demand, it follows that myself only either as a Creditor of my Bror George or as his Admr am only interested in this Little Surplus of an immense Fortune which when it was his, he divised to me—But now the only Legacy I have, is his Dau[ghte]r whom I must provide for.
Under these impressions I have lately been examining after Lord Dunmores Effects in this State & upon enquiry am not witht hopes I may yet undue the depredations that have been committed by ex parte actings & decisions.
I need not say, that this can only be done in a Ct of Chancery—but I must add that it can not be done in any Court but in your Excellency’s Name in whom the whole Right at Law is vested as Surviving Trustee.
It is for this reason I must request leave to use your Excellencys Name for recovery of the debt—and I mention it at this time because Dispatch is important and a completion of it during my Life is more so; for I have no friend to leave behind that will be willing to hazard this chance at their expence. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect and all due deference Yr Excellency’s most obedt & very humble Servant

Jas Mercer

P.S. the following is subjoined solely as an endeavour to shorten yr answer as much I can—It will suffice at Law! but is wholly left to yr approbation, amendment or rejection.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] Wednesday 7 Oclock A.M. [22 February 1792]

The enclosed meets my approbation. Did Walker accord willingly, or reluctantly?
The Plan I think, ought to appear as the Work of L’Enfont. The one prepared for engraving not doing so, is, I presume, one cause of his dissatisfaction. If he consents to act upon the conditions proposed, and can point out any radical defects, or others to amend which will be a gratification to him—not improper in themselves, or productive of unnecessary, or too much delay, had he not better be gratified in the alterations? This, yourself & Mr Walker can think of. The Plans of the buildings ought to come forward immediately for consideration. I think Mr Walker said yesterday he (L’Enfont) had been shewing the different views of them to Mr Trumbul. Yrs sincerely

Go: Washington


Title: Edmund Randolph to Tobias Lear, 22 February 1792
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Lear, Tobias

  Philadelphia, 22 Feb. 1792. “The visit of respect, which is due to-day, it was my most earnest intention to have paid. For I connect with it a personal attachment, not dependent on any official relation. But I am unfortunately deprived of this gratification by the continuance of the disorder, which I mentioned to you in my note of yesterday. Permit me, therefore, to request you to communicate this circumstance to the President and Mrs Washington, when an easy opportunity shall offer itself. As I am confident, that I need not express to either of them the genuine sensations, which the occasion calls forth in my breast, I have only to hope, that I may long be able to render them both my affectionate congratulations on the return of this day. . . . P.S. You will readily perceive, that this note is designed to be destitute of form, and not to produce a single word in reply.”


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

  Treasury Department, Philadelphia, 23 Feb. 1792. Submits a contract made by the superintendent of the New Castle Island lighthouse in New Hampshire with Titus Salter for supplying, keeping, lighting, and superintending the occasional repairs of that building and humbly

opines that it is not disadvantageous to the United States, as its terms are the same as those in the last agreement for the same supplies and services.


Title: To George Washington from George Clinton, 24 February 1792
From: Clinton, George
To: Washington, George

Confidential
SirNew York, 24th February 1792
It is reported here that Colo. Smith either has or intends to resign the Office of Supervisor of the Excise for this District; Under this Impression and a Conviction that from the Nature of

that Office there is none that it is more necessary should be filled with a Man of Discretion, Integrity and weight in the Community I begg leave to mention for your Excellencys Consideration Doctor Tillotson whom I am induced to believe fully answers the above Description—I need not remind your Excellency that he served with Reputation in our Hospital, is connected with one of the most respectable Famillies in this State and is now a Member of our Senate—Your Excellency I flatter myself will pardon this Liberty which be assured proceeds from no other Motive than a Regard for the public Wellfare. I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect & Attachment Your Excellencys Most Obedient Servant

Geo. Clinton


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia] Friday ’2 Oclock [24 February 1792]

The President desires Mr Jefferson will give the enclosed Papers an attentive perusal, & return them to him as soon as he has done it; that Colo. Hamilton may have an opportunity of doing it also. At 10 ’oclock tomorrow the P——will speak with the heads of departments upon the subject of them and requests their attendance accordingly.


Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 25 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

Sir,
Saturday Afternn 25th Feby 1792

I have given the enclosed draught of a letter to Captn Brandt a careful perusal. Such additions as are made with a pencil may be advisable—but, after you have given them an attentive consideration, they may stand or fall as you shall think best. Yours &ca

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James McCallmont, 25 February 1792
From: McCallmont, James
To: Washington, George

sr
Philadelphia Febry 25th 1792

Disappointed in my first application for Office, I hope your Excellency will excuse a second direction of my wishes to it, tho’ they are not pointed to any one in particular; and as there are some claims, Individuals may have ’on Government, which may be considered operating as secondary motives in the disposal of them, I would beg leave, in order to state mine, to be indulged in giving a few of the out-lines of my life during the War.
In the Year 1776 having finish’d my studies, I came up to Philadelphia fill’d with the Ardor & Enthusiasm peculiar to Americans at that Period, with a view of entering into the Service of my Country; by the advice of my friends, I was directed to that Line, in which, while I was accomplishing my wishes, I might derive benefits to myself by an increase of practical knowledge in a Profession, which was to be the principal Source of my future Subsistence—Understanding there were no Vacancies, in the Army, I obtain’d an appointment in the Navy, as Surgeon of the Brigantine Lexington of sixteen Guns, Capt. Hallock Commander, who after sometime was ordered to Cape Francois for Arms, Ammunition and Clothing for the Troops—The twentieth of December, upon our return, we were captur’d by the Pearl Frigate early in the morning—a beginning Storm prevented them taking out more than the supposed navigating Officers, and a few of the principal Seamen, replacing them with an Officer and Crew of their own, with orders to lay by the Frigate, ’till the Abatement of the Gale—The succeeding night, we broke open the Hatches and with little contest got possession of the Vessel—After getting her under way, and scudding about four hours, we were again necessitated, from the severity of the Storm, to heave her too—The loss of our Sea-Officers united to the Idea of liberating themselves from Captivity were considered

as removing all Ties of subordination and distinction—Therefore in a general Consultation for future measures to be pursued, it appear’d to be the almost unanimous Voice to run her on shore upon the first land we should make, and save themselves, principally urged to it from their ignorance of Navigation and the dread of punishments if recaptured—Conscious of the difficulties to be encountered in a Procedure of this Nature, the deprivation of every merit acquired, as well as the possibility of saving the Vessel and Cargo, from some Knowledge I had obtained in the Theory of Navigation, previous to my Study of Medicine—I opposed it by pointing out the Obstacles attendant upon their Proposition, the honor and probable Reward accruing from saving the Vessel and Cargo with the advantages arising from it to their Country; at the same time, I endeavour’d to infuse in them, a Confidence in my Knowledge, which I possess’d not myself—I succeeded, and as happily succeeded in making the Capes of Virginia in five days, and Baltimore in twelve—Upon our Arrival, the Sailors went in a body to the Honble Congress then sitting in Baltimore requesting a Salvage in the Vessel and Cargo recaptured—from the Sailors, I understood, that Congress promised, as soon as an Estimate of the Vessel and Cargo could be made, they should receive as a Gratuity one half, and as an immediate recompence two months wages—I made no application myself; diffidence, as well as conceiving the adopted one best, prevented me—Relying upon these Promises the Vessel and Cargo was not libel’d—The Death of my Father, at this time, necessitating me to go to Delaware, I obtain’d a Furlough, but was puntual in my return—Upon my Arrival in Baltimore I found the Crew dispersed, no more recompence intended, the Brigantine fitted out for a Cruise, and a new Surgeon appointed, upon a Supposition, I should not return within the limits of my Furlough—I made no application for a reinstatement, but set off for Philadelphia and was appointed Surgeon of the Ship Xebeck then laying in the River, on board of which, I continued ’till the Capture of Mud-Island-fort, burning the Vessels &c. then with others retreated up to Borden-town—I remain’d there about a Month without a Prospect of Employment—tired of a life so inactive, I resigned, made application in the Army and received the appointment of Surgeon in the Second Maryland Regiment, with which I continued a Year and a

half, at the Expiration of which, some circumstances inducing me to resign—I went to Sea, which I continued to follow either as Surgeon or Capt. of Marines on board of Lettre Marques or Privateers, ’till the conclusion of the War, during which time I was at the capturing of forty Sail of Vessels and a thousand Prisoners (and pardon me for saying, that I never received from the first, more than I was entitled to from a general Division nor never unnecessarily wounded the feelings of the last)—I was twice captured myself, being part owner of each Vessel, I was taken in; so that at the Close of the War, I found myself a Prisoner, and in the same pecuniary Situation, I was in at its Commencement; and tho’ near three Years in the Service cut off, by an Act of the Legislature from every Prospect of Depreciation; but in the Eye of Justice it lessens not the claim nor has it removed the stipulated Debt—I have since pursued a Profession never consonant to my feelings, & was it not for a small Property, I possess independent of it, hardly adequate to the support of my Family—In the Recapture of the Brigantine, which I have mention’d, I claim not more than a share in the mingled merit with others, but I conceive I can stand forward, as a principal and leading Cause in saving the recaptur’d property to my Country, a Property not less than forty thousand Pounds, and that at a time when it’s Nominal was it’s least Value—Seeing every other Road bar’d to restitution or Recompence, I have taken this; if I have mistaken it now, I hope your Excellency will excuse me nor consider this Sketch as intrusive—Prompted by Self in this application (an application known only to myself) yet would I rather sacrafice it, than attempt a Trust, I was inadequate to; nor have I the most distant Idea, they would weigh one moment with your Excellency, were the Essentials for the proper execution of Office were defective, of these others can best judge—a Stranger to your Excellency to Mssrs Read and Vining myself and Connexions are well known, from them I could probably obtain the necessary requisite Recommendation. I am sr with the highest Respect Your Excellency’s very humbl. Servt

James McCallmont


Title: From George Washington to David Shepherd, 25 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Shepherd, David

Sir,
Philadelphia February 25th 1792.

I thank you for the information which you have given me in your letter of the 30th of Decr respecting the intention of the Tomlinsons and others to dispute my title to a tract of land called the Round Bottom.
I wish these persons, and any others who may be disposed to dispute my title to that land, to be informed in the most explicit and pointed manner, that it is my fixed determination to defend, at all events, every inch of that land which is within the lines of my patent.
If, therefore, any encroachments are made thereon, the person or persons by whom they are made may depend upon being prosecuted as long as there shall be a shadow of right or justice in so doing.
I have nothing to say respecting any surveys which may be made without the lines of my patent; but let them beware of the consequences of coming within them. I am Sir, with very great esteem, Your most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Ruben Slaughter, 25 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Slaughter, Ruben

Sir,
Philadelphia, Feb. 25th 1792.

I thank you for the information given me in your letter of the 21st of November last, of your claiming 200 Acres of the land within the limits of my Survey on the Great Kanhawa; as it gives me an opportunity of letting you know my fixed determination

to defend my title to all that land within the lines of my patent, and to warn you in the most pointed manner not to make any Settlements thereon, or to exercise any other right of proprietorship within the limits of my patent.
It may be proper to inform you that in the year 1769 or 1770, there was a special order of the Governor and Council of Virginia, for reserving all the lands on the Great Kanhawa to satisfy the military claims of myself and others of the first Virginia Regiment—That in 1770 I was myself on the Great Kanhawa with the Surveyor to look out the land for the military claims—and that my Patent for the tract you speak of has been in my possession many years. I can not therefore entertain the smallest doubt of the legality and validity of my title to every acre of land within the lines of that patent; and from a conviction of this I am resolved to defend it at all events—and to prosecute to the extremity of the law every encroachment that may be made upon the boundaries of it. I therefore desire you will consider this letter as a solemn warning, not to make any Settlement, or exercise any other right of proprietorship on any part of the land within the lines of my patent: assuring you that if you should, after this warning persevere in your intention of settling or otherwise encroaching upon my land, you must expect to be prosecuted as far as right and justice will admit. I am Sir your very hble Servant,

Go: Washington.


Title: To George Washington from William Hunter, Jr., 26 February 1792
From: Hunter, William Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria [Va.] 26th feby 1792

Sensible, that the pressure of public business, you have to attend to, leaves little or no time for private, which makes me sorry to intrude, but hope on this occasion it will be forgiven, As it is only once more to mention Capt. Nicholas Hannah, whom you was so kind as name to Colo. Dark in Appointing the Officers of the Levies; He is now in Phila., and wishes to enter into the regular Service—If his conduct has been such, as invites patronage, (of which I hope, you have had a satisfactory Acct) will take it as a very particular favour, added to many I have received, If he can be again named, so as to obtain his Wish. And Am with every Sentiment of respect, and Sincere Esteem—Sir Your very hble & obedt Servt

Will. Hunter Jr


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 26 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia] Sunday Morning 26th Feb. 1792

The P—— returns the enclosed Report to Mr J—— Boundary, and the Navigation of the Missisipi are clearly defined—The propositions respecting Commerce he presumes is equally so, but having little knowledge of this subject he trusts to the guards provided by Mr J——.
The P—— has put one or two queries in the Margin of the Report merely for consideration.


Title: To George Washington from David Stuart, 26 February 1792
From: Stuart, David
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Hope Park [Va.]—26th—February 1792.

It was my expectation at the last meeting of the Commissioners, that Mr Johnson would have seen you long ago, and laid before you many particulars which could not be done so satisfactorily by letter—As he was well prepared to have given you a comprehensive knowledge of the many untoward circumstances which have befallen us, I considered it as unnecessary in me to occupy your time. I am just informed by Mr Carrol, that he has been disappointed by an indisposition, caught by his great exposure in riding down twice to G[eorg]etown, in the midst of the severe weather. Could I have foreseen this a month ago, I believe, as inconvenient as it would have been to me, I would have set forward myself—I must hope however, that he has written fully to you.
Major L’Enfant’s conduct, and his Deputy’s has (as you have been informed) embarrassed us much—On a review of ours towards him, I cannot concieve, he could have found any three men more disposed to cooperate harmoniously with him—We were induced to this, not only by our zeal for the work, in which we were engaged, but our high respect to your good opinion of him—But, it appears to me at present, that our efforts in this

way, have only tended to heighten his ideas of his own importance, and to increase his natural perversity—Indeed, as he has the nack of impressing all concerned with him, with great awe of him, I have sometimes thought, he flattered himself, he should succeed equally with us. It is certain, that our conduct has recieved this construction from many; while others have regarded it as a full proof, that the Major was not subject to the orders of the Commrs—We were not only pained by insinuations of this sort, but even impudent suggestions that you must have written differently to him from what you had done to us: as it was not concieved he would have persevered in his obstinacy, if it had met with your disapprobation—As we considered the Major not only as a man of talents, but of character too, we hoped his conduct would have evinced the contrary—But this continued to be the belief of his Partizans to the last, and was the foundation of the trouble given us, by his Deputy, Mr Roberdeau, in which we are well assured, he was countenanced by Peters Walker and Davidson—For without it he certainly on his own credit, would not have been able to have kept fifty one men at work a single day, much less a week—I was indeed at one time so provoked by their deafness to every thing we could urge against the folly of the supposition, that you could be capable of such conduct, that I was allmost tempted to produce the copies of your letters to L’Enfant—I believe now, it would have been happy if I had, and that it would have saved us much of the trouble which has since happened—As Mr Roberdeau has been some time in Philadelphia, it is probable, he has given you an account of his impertinent conduct towards us, when we felt ourselves compelled by his refusal to attend to our directions, to discharge him—As he made us many apologies for it, and was sincerely forgiven, and at my intercession again employed, I shall trust to his candour, in having given you a true statement—I really believe, the young man would have acted properly after his first misconduct, but for his croud of bad Counsellors—During the short continuance of our again employing him, he favored us with the sight of his instructions from L’Enfant—This Gentleman directs him after employing 25 hands at the quarries, and 50 in the City, to apply to the Commissioners for the means of supplying them, but if they should be out of the way, or any thing else happened, no impediment was to obstruct him—It is probable, he had given

him a verbal explanation of this mysterious sentence—It certainly appears, that he had some conjecture that the Commissioners might disapprove of them, and the clear inference is, that he was to proceed in opposition to their sentiments—This is further confirmed, by some certificates which Mr Carrol informs me, he and Mr Johnson have from some respectable characters, setting forth, that they heard L’Enfant and Roberdeau long ago declare, they would not attend to directions from men so ignorant and unfit as the Commissioners—This language has been held too by some others, who wish to worry us out of our appointments, no doubt from the very laudable motive of becoming our successors—We treated this pitifull stuff with the contempt it deserved—But we were lately attacked by reports of a more serious, and infamous cast—Our conduct in discharging the hands, was said to be connected with Mr Benson’s intended attack, and the appointment of Mr Cabot greatly censured; the true object of which, it was asserted, was to negociate a bribe of 5000£ apiece, to each Commissioner, for his services in throwing every obstacle in the way of the buildings. After tracing this infamous story from two or three, it rested on Mr Walker, who if not the Fabricator himself, declined giving up his authority—As I had allways before entertained a good opinion of this Gentleman, I was much astonished on the present occasion—The fact is, he and Davidson had espoused the side of L’Enfant, in not giving us up the plan, during the sales, and began to think, from thence, that we were ignorant and unfit.
You have no doubt heard of the malicious calumny raised against Mr Carroll by the Major, about giving Mr Brent, previous notice of the sum which the Commissioners had authorized him to give for the quarry. It has given Mr Carroll greater uneasiness than I think it ought; particularly, as he has had the satisfaction of proving every thing relative to the base charge false: and I must do him the justice to declare, that his conduct in that business was delicate in the extreme—The inclosed extract of a letter from the Major to Mr Brent on the subject of the above calumny, will shew you what a fine opinion he entertains of us. I confess, I cannot concieve what foundation he has for saying we attempted to raise a mob at the tavern door or representing him to have run away—These things may have been represented to him in this light, but they can be easily proved to be untrue—

The spirit of party has been so prevalent, that it is not to be wondered at, that a man of L’Enfant’s turn, should give implicit credit to every idle suggestion—Mr Peters, who I informed you had been of L’Enfant’s party, in a fit of penitence, lately confessed to us, he had been led away by many idle reports respecting us, for which he was sorry as he found they were all lies; and that Forrest was at the bottom of most of the confusion—This Gentleman had tried much to induce us to discharge the Major, by many representations of the mere cypher some men become, and such like observations—Finding some men not to be made his dupes, he suddenly, and to the astonishment of all his friends, became very intimate with the Major, with whom he had not been for some time before on speaking terms—He now ⟨set⟩ on foot the memorial, of which you have a copy, bestowing high commendations on L’Enfant’s conduct—Some of his friends were so incredulous with respect to his conduct in this affair, that they could not be persuaded of it, ’till they had called on us for a sight of his signature. I really believe, if we had been greater fools, than I hope we are, and suffered ourselves to have been influenced by this Gentleman and a few more, we should have had the pleasure, of hearing ourselves celebrated as Solomons. We are indebted to this person too, for the dispute we shall be involved in with the Executive of Maryland—By the law passed agreeable to our petition, the Commrs are vested with the power of appointing their Clerk—They have done so—Not content with giving this clause all the opposition he could by means of his friends in the Assembly, but without success, he got into the Council with the avowed design of frustrating it, by getting a Majority of the Council, to appoint another—In this he has succeeded; so that we have now two Clerks—Tho’ this incident is not much connected with my object in writing, I have thought it not amiss to notice it, as it will give you a full view of the many causes of vexation we have to encounter, even from those whose interests should dictate to them a different line of conduct. It may allso serve, as a small elucidation of Mr Forrest’s talents for intrigue, and great fitness for any of our much envied places.
I should now give you some account of the loose and extravagant manner in which the work has been carried on—But, as I cannot do it with that accuracy, I would allways wish to observe,

I must hope Mr Johnson has, or will do it; as he was provided with many copies and extracts of the accounts—If he has, I fear you will think we have interfered too little in every thing. You will find that chocolate molasses and sugar, are the cheapest articles, with which labourers can be furnished for breakfast—As our own characters must compell us to interfere much more in future, you may expect to hear multiplied complaints against us.
I must observe with respect to all the Gentlemen who have been in our employ, that it has been sometimes mentioned to us by themselves, and frequently insinuated by others, that they have had great offers to quit our business, and go to the Northward—The effect of this tampering, must certainly be, that they will be more ready to complain, and to seek a pretext for quitting us—It has allways appeared to me, since I have known L’Enfant’s temper, that his chief reason for not coming to terms with us was, that if he could not have his own way in every thing, he might quit our service without giving up any part of the work—This was my reason, when Mr Ellicot left us, for desiring him to leave with us a plan—He promised us, but did not comply; which I attribute entirely to L’Enfant’s influence over him, as I really believe him to be a man, with whom we could have pleasure in doing business, if left to himself—I mention this as a hint to you even now, to guard against, if Mr L’Enfant cannot succeed in his proposed demarkation of powers. It is what I apprehend the more, as I can hear nothing of the progress of the engraved plans.
I beg leave to suggest that the intended appropriation of ground about the President’s house, appears to me to be much too extensive—I think it is what the proprietors may complain of with some propriety. It may suit the genius of a Despotic government, to create an immense and gloomy wilderness in the midst of a thriving City, and I fear the Major has borrowed from thence; but I cannot think it suitable in our situation—But besides this objection, it appears to me, that on the score of expence alone, in our present situation as to funds, it ought to be curtailed—The Major’s ideas are perhaps on too large a scale even with respect to many others. At least I have heard complaints on this head from several.
You will see from many parts of the above narrative, that our situation has been in many instances very unpleasing—so much so, as to induce us at our last meeting, to come to an unanimous

resolution, to resign our very enviable offices, rather than be any longer subject to the caprices and malicious suggestions of Major L’Enfant—We felt much in doing this, as it might furnish the enemies to the permanent residence, with some cause of triumph, whilst it would give sensible pain to those who are friends to it; and who consider it as connected with our national prosperity—In this light our zeal has ever prompted us to view it—But it appeared to be a measure dictated by that regard to our characters, which we hope, was the chief motive of our being honored with the appointment. As Mr Johnson has no doubt made you acquainted with this determination, I shall willingly rest it on the communications which may pass between you on the subject—And, whatever may be the event, I beg you to be assured, that I shall ever preserve the highest sense of the obligation I have been under to you, for the honor of the appointment. As it was unsollicited, and perhaps unmerited on my part, I can truly say, I felt the greater anxiety to acquit myself of it with credit. My anxiety for the success of the City is such, that I shall feel much pleasure in seeing him harmonize more happily, with another set of Commissioners—But, judging from his conduct after the reciept of the letters, (of which you sent us copies) I give it as my opinion, that unless you think yourself justifyed under the law, of making him entirely independant of them, this can never be the case—and if he is independant, it will then be my opinion, that the treasury of the Union will not be adequate to the expences incurred.
I must now beg your indulgence for the tedious length of this letter, and for the many disagreeable particulars to which I have been under the necessity of calling your attention; as well as my freedom in mentioning them. With my best regards to Mrs Washington, and love to the children—I am Dr Sir, with the greatest respect Your affectionate Servant

Dd Stuart


Title: To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 27 February 1792
From: L’Enfant, Pierre Charles
To: Washington, George

sir.
Philadelphia febuary 27 1792.

having in my last letter to Mr Jefferson so fully Explained the Reasons, which urge me to decline all concern in the federal City under the present System as these reasons were the result of serious, impartial Consideration upon so important a Subject, I wish it understood that it still is my resolution—By the letter of Mr Jefferson to me in answer, I perceive that all my services are at an End—seeing things are so—let me now earnestly request you to believe it is with regret the most Sincere I see the termination of all pursuits, in which so lately I engaged, and that my Every view throughout was incited by the warmest wishes for the advancement of your favorite object, and that all my abilities were united to Insure its success.
from a full Conviction of the impossibility to effect the Intended Establishement, while struggling through the various difficulties that continually must occur, and which would as certainly prove insurmountable, too late to remedy thier ill consequences⟨,⟩ at the same time fearing that by my Continuance, you might indulge a fallacious hope of success, by which in the end you must have been deceived, under these Impressions do I renounce all concern in it.
permit me also to assure in the Most faithfull manner that the same Reasons which have driven me from the Establishement will prevent any man of capacity, impressed with the same disinterested views, by which in Every Stage of it, I have been actuated, and who may be sufficiently well convinced of the importance of the undertaking, from engaging in a work that must defeat his Sanguin hopes and baffle Every Exertions—Should this business fall into the Hands of one devoid of these Impressions, and of course insensible to the real benefit of the public, how great SoEver his power may be, Self interest immediately becomes his only views, and diception & dishonour are the issue.
as I am now totally disengaged, and


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia, c.28 February 1792]

Would it be advisable to let L’Enfont alter the Plan if he will do it in a certn given time—and provided also we retain the means if any thing unfair is intended that we may not suff[er].
Ought any thing to be said in my letter to him respecting payment for his past Services.
Should Mr Ellicot be again asked in strong & explicit terms if the Plan exhibited by him is conformable to the actual state of things on the ground and agreeable to the designs of Majr L’E.
Also whether he will undertake and execute with all possible dispatch the laying off the Lots agreeably to the Plan—under the Authority & orders of the Comrs.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 February 1792 [letter not found]
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

	Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 28 Feb. 1792. On 2 Mar. Tobias Lear wrote Randolph “that the President received the Attorney General’s letter of the 28th of february.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Feb. 29. 1792.

The Secretary of state has had under examination the Records of Proceedings in the Executive department of the Northwestern government from the 1st of Aug. to the 31st of December 1791—transmitted by the Secretary, and Reports to the

President of the United States That finding nothing therein which calls for the attention or interference of the President, he has deposited them among the Records in the office of the Secretary of state.

Th: Jefferson


Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 29 February 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

Dear Sir,
Wednesday 29th Feb. 1792

That General St Clair may not think his letters (enclosed) to me, have been unattended to, or slighted, I wish such an answer as will do for publication may be prepared—conformably—to the Sentimts which seemed to be entertained of the matter when the subject was before us the other day. I am always Yrs

Go: Washington

P.S. To say neither too much, nor too little, in the answer will be a matter of some difficulty under the existing circumstances of Genl St Clairs case.


Title: To George Washington from Nicolas Pike, 29 February 1792
From: Pike, Nicolas
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Newbury Port [Mass.] February 29th 1792

I have the honor to request your Acceptance of a Medal struck in my presence by an ingenious & reputable Gentleman, who also made the Die, which branch he can execute with great facility & dispatch, & which he will warrant to stand until defaced by usage.
He, at present, declines having his name made public; but should this Specimen of Ingenuity intitle him to the Notice of Congress, he would be happy, on suitable Terms, to serve the Public in this line.

He is sufficiently acquainted with the Principles of Drawing to take a good Impression from the Life—With the most cordial Gratitude & Esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, your obliged & very humble Servant

Nicolas Pike

P.S. The Gentleman wishes, Sir, that this Medal may not get into the hands of an Engraver.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Wilson, 29 February 1792
From: Wilson, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Sir
Virginia Harrison County February 29th 1792

Yesterday a general council of the militia Officers of this county was held in order to take into view the State of our frontiers most exposed to the incursions of the hostile indians. The protection granted by your state government, and what additional protection might be necessary in order to secure the inhabitants from the impendent danger of the savages who consequently is much elate with their late success over the Federal Army.
“By the council unanimously ordered That the presiding officer of this council make immediate Application to the President of the United States for an additional number of Eight scouts and as many of the militia to be called into actual service as will in addition to those already directed to be raised by our state goverment, complete one Captains company and the same is ordered accordingly.[”]
Sir It would be intruding on you for me to call to your attention the disposition of the indians when fired with conquest or their dastardly way of war particularly their laying in wait about houses to take the advantage of helpless and defenceless women and Children their ambuscading Roads Robberies &c.
It may suffice only to mention the situation of the exposed frontier and the present fears of the people, Ohio County covers apart of Monongalia county and Harrison a part of Randolph county and in my observations since the year 1774 Ohio and Harrison has stood on a simular footing in point of danger.

The lamentable catastrophy that befel the Federal Army last fall has with fear so impressed the minds of the exposed people that it is pitiable to hear their complaints, and sure I am many of them would move from the exterior settlements was not their consolation a full confidence in your granting extensive tempory releif as well as to pursue the reduction of the indians upon a more extensive scale than has been heretofore done.
I wish not to tresspass on your time or patience but conceives it my duty to mention my adjoining counties, Vizt, That Randolph may be favour with an addition of four scouts and Monongalia four. Ohio I learn is by your Excellency provided for with an additional number to those allowed by this State. Sir I am Your humble & devoted servant

Benja. Wilson, Colo.

Sir If you condesend to answer the above, the way by Winchester is the Swiftest & surest conveyance.

B.W.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 1 March 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department March 1st 1792.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the United States the draft of a report on the subject of the Act concerning distilled Spirits. There are one or two blanks in the draft, to the filling of which some additional examination & enquiry are requisite. The suggestions however to which they relate are true, as they stand, and the sense will be apparent. The Secretary sends the draft before they are filled to save time. He will wait upon the President on Monday for his commands respecting it.


Title: To George Washington from Reuben Harvey, 1 March 1792
From: Harvey, Reuben
To: Washington, George

Respected Friend
Cork [Ireland] March 1st 1792

Tho’ I have often wish’d for an opportunity of communicating To The President of The United States my heart felt satisfaction

that it has pleased our gracious Father to grant thee life & health for the great purposes entrusted to thy Care, yet I found an unwillingness to intrude or break in upon the important & numerous Concerns that daily attend thy time, Nor should I now take the liberty of adressing these few lines for thy perusal, was I not sorely distress’d at the unexpected & shocking disaster which befel your Army in the Miamis Country, the relation of which given by Genl St Clair to Secy Knox exceeds all relations of the kind that I have yet met, And seems as if written by a broken hearted dying Commander, Indeed it’s Contents seem to imply an impracticability for him, with an increas’d Force to stand against Indians, which I think is the first instance I’ve heard of where this savage Foe was so much to be dreaded in open ground, against Troops well provided with small Arms & Artillery; Till now I apprehended that Indians were only formidable in bushy woody Ground, in places of Ambush, or when vastly superior in Number, but alas, in the late Slaughter, they attack’d an Army under Arms in the open Field, & as far as we know suffer’d little or no loss themselves, which is altogether beyond my capacity to account for, And is very different from Braddock’s defeat in 1755, he having incautiously march’d through woods & defiles, gave the Indians every advantage they could desire, notwthstanding (as I have heard) thy advice to him strongly enforced the necessity of having Partys on his Flanks. I hope thee’l forgive this freedom of expression, as it realy proceeds from my unabated affection for America, which has received a very painful Shock by the late Calamity. Before I conclude my letter, bear with me a little longer, just to let me say, that I have long lamented your not having the frontier Forts deliver’d up to you, according to Treaty; Is there not cause to suppose that The Possessors are not inimicable to your savage Enemys? I hope the Kentucky People have not acted improperly or unjustly, by taking any Land from the Indians, contrary to their inclination. With sincere good wishes for a continuance of thy Health I remain very respectf. Thy real Friend

Reuben Harvey

P.S. The 27th Ulto at 5 in the Evening a Fire broke out in our Parly House of Commons, & entirely consumed it—The Members were sitting.


Title: Thomas Jefferson’s Memorandum of Conversations with Washington, 1 March 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To:

Conversations with the President.
[Philadelphia]March 1. 1792.

1792. Feb. 28. I was to have been with him long enough before 3. aclock (which was the hour & day he received visits) to have opened to him a proposition for doubling the velocity of the post riders, who now travel about 50. miles a day, & might without difficulty go 100. and for taking measures (by way-bills) to know where the delay is, when there is any. I was delayed by business, so as to have scarcely time to give him the outlines. I run over them rapidly, & observed afterwards that I had hitherto never spoke to him on the subject of the post office, not knowing whether it was considered as a revenue law, or a law for the general accomodation of the citizens; that the law just passed seemed to have removed the doubt, by declaring that the whole profits of the office should be applied to extending the posts &

that even the past profits should be refunded by the treasury for the same purpose: that I therefore conceived it was now in the department of the Secretary of state: that I thought it would be advantageous so to declare it for another reason, to wit, that the department of the treasury possessed already such an influence as to swallow up the whole Executive powers, and that even the future Presidents (not supported by the weight of character which himself possessed) would not be able to make head against this department. that in urging this measure I had certainly no personal interest, since, if I was supposed to have any appetite for power, yet as my career would certainly be exactly as short as his own, the intervening time was too short to be an object. my real wish was to avail the public of every occasion during the residue of the President’s period, to place things on a safe footing. he was now called on to attend his company & he desired me to come and breakfast with him the next morning.
Feb. 29. I did so, & after breakfast we retired to his room, & I unfolded my plan for the post-office, and after such an approbation of it as he usually permitted himself on the first presentment of any idea, and desiring me to commit it to writing, he, during that pause of conversation which follows a business closed, said in an affectionate tone, that he had felt much concern at an expression which dropt from me yesterday, & which marked my intention of retiring when he should. that as to himself, many motives obliged him to it. he had through the whole course of the war, and most particularly at the close of it uniformly declared his resolution to retire from public affairs, & never to act in any public office; that he had retired under that firm resolution, that the government however which had been formed being found evidently too inefficacious, and it being supposed that his aid was of some consequence towards bringing the people to consent to one of sufficient efficacy for their own good, he consented to come into the convention, & on the same motive, after much pressing, to take a part in the new government and get it under way. that were he to continue longer, it might give room to say, that having tasted the sweets of office he could not do without them: that he really felt himself growing old, his bodily health less firm, his memory, always bad, becoming worse, and perhaps the other faculties of his mind shewing a decay to others of which he was insensible himself, that this apprehension particularly

oppressed him, that he found moreover his activity lessened, business therefore more irksome, and tranquillity & retirement become an irresistable passion. that however he felt himself obliged for these reasons to retire from the government, yet he should consider it as unfortunate if that should bring on the retirement of the great officers of the government, and that this might produce a shock on the public mind of dangerous consequence. I told him that no man had ever had less desire of entering into public offices than my self: that the circumstance of a perilous war, which brought every thing into danger, & called for all the services which every citizen could render, had induced me to undertake the administration of the government of Virginia, that I had both before & after refused repeated appointments of Congress to go abroad in that sort of office, which if I had consulted my own gratification, would always have been the most agreeable to me, that at the end of two years, I resigned the government of Virginia, & retired with a firm resolution never more to appear in public life, that a domestic loss however happened, and made me fancy that absence, & a change of scene for a time might be expedient for me, that I therefore accepted a foreign appointment limited to two years, that at the close of that, Dr Franklin having left France, I was appointed to supply his place, which I had accepted, & tho’ I continued in it three or four years, it was under the constant idea of remaining only a year or two longer; that the revolution in France coming on, I had so interested myself in the event of that, that when obliged to bring my family home, I had still an idea of returning & awaiting the close of that, to fix the aera of my final retirement; that on my arrival here I found he had appointed me to my present office, that he knew I had not come into it without some reluctance, that it was on my part a sacrifice of inclination to the opinion that I might be more serviceable here than in France, & with a firm resolution in my mind to indulge my constant wish for retirement at no very distant day: that when therefore I received his letter written from Mount Vernon, on his way to Carolina & Georgia (Apr. 1. 1791.) and discovered from an expression in that that he meant to retire from the government ere long, & as to the precise epoch there could be no doubt, my mind was immediately made up to make that the epoch of my own retirement from those labors, of

which I was heartily tired. that however I did not beleive there was any idea in either of my brethren in the administration of retiring, that on the contrary I had perceived at a late meeting of the trustees of the sinking fund that the Secretary of the Treasury had developed the plan he intended to pursue, & that it embraced years in it’s view. he said that he considered the Treasury department as a much more limited one going only to the single object of revenue, while that of the Secretary of state embracing nearly all the objects of administration, was much more important, & the retirement of the officer therefore would be more noticed: that tho’ the government had set out with a pretty general good will of the public, yet that symptoms of dissatisfaction had lately shewn themselves far beyond what he could have expected, and to what height these might arise in case of too great a change in the administration, could not be foreseen. I told him that in my opinion there was only a single source of these discontents. tho’ they had indeed appear to spread themselves over the war department also, yet I considered that as an overflowing only from their real channel which would never have taken place if they had not first been generated in another department—to wit that of the treasury. that a system had there been contrived, for deluging the states with papermoney instead of gold & silver, for withdrawing our citizens from the pursuits of commerce, manufactures, buildings, & other branches of useful industry, to occupy themselves & their capitals in a species of gambling, destructive of morality, & which had introduced it’s poison into the government itself. that it was a fact, as certainly known as that he & I were then conversing, that particular members of the legislature, while those laws were on the carpet, had feathered their nests with paper, had then voted for the laws, and constantly since lent all the energy of their talents, & instrumentality of their offices to the establishment & enlargement of this system: that they had chained it about our necks for a great length of time; & in order to keep the game in their hands had from time to time aided in making such legislative constructions of the constitution as made it a very different thing from what the people thought they had submitted to: that they had now brought forward a proposition, far beyond every one ever yet advanced, & to which the eyes of many were turned, as the decision which was to let us know whether we live under a limited

or an unlimited government. he asked me to what proposition I alluded? I answered to that—the Report on manufactures which, under colour of giving bounties for the encouragement of particular manufactures, meant to establish the doctrine that the power given by the Constitution to collect taxes to provide for the general welfare of the U.S. permitted Congress to take every thing under their management which they should deem for the public welfare, & which is susceptible of the application of money: consequently that the subsequent enumeration of their powers was not the description to which resort must be had, & did not at all constitute the limits of their authority: that this was a very different question from that of the bank, which was thought an incident to an enumerated power: that therefore this decision was expected with great anxiety: that indeed I hoped the proposition would be rejected, believing there was a majority in both houses against it, and that if it should be, it would be considered as a proof that things were returning into their true channel; & that at any rate I looked forward to the broad representation which would shortly take place for keeping the general constitution on it’s true ground, & that this would remove a great deal of the discontent which had shewn itself. the conversation ended with this last topic. it is here stated nearly as much at length as it really was, the expressions preserved where I could recollect them, and their substance always faithfully stated.

Th: J.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 2 March 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir.
War-department, March 2d 1792.

I have the honor respectfully to submit to your view the following facts and circumstances relative to the promotion shortly to take place in the first and second regiments, in order to enable you to make such determination as may best promote the public interests.

The idea is submitted that the Lieutenant Colonel Commandant will be promoted to a brigadier.
If this promotion should take place, the office of lieutenant colonel commandant of the first and second regiments will both be vacant.
Major Hamtramck, the senior major, has been considered as an excellent disciplinarian—The only circumstances which appear to impair his right to promotion are—
First—His expedition against the Vermilion Towns in the fall of 1790, which did not appear to have such a result as to mark the commandant with any eclat, or as possessing uncommon talents. It has been alledged that the militia were disorderly, which is probably well founded.
Secondly. His retreat on the 4th of November last, when advanced seven miles from Fort Jefferson towards the army. It appears, on hearing of the defeat he had a council with a few of his officers—detached an officer and forty men to meet the flying troops—and then returned, with the regiment under his command, to Fort Jefferson.
It is to be understood, that the first regiment had not any provisions, and that there were none at the fort, and this is given as one of the execuses for this retreat.
It is to be considered, how far these two circumstances, in which Major Hamtramck is placed, indicate him as a proper person to be promoted to the command of the first regiment.
others will consist of nearly one thousand non commissioned and privates.
Major Zeigler is the second major—While the major’s fitness as a captain, and even a major, is conceded, it is very questionable whether he has talents sufficient to command a regiment of the magnitude proposed—He has lately had some disagreement with Mr Hodgdon, the quarter master general, relatively to a payment which he ordered, and which Mr Hodgdon refused—The major has offered to resign.
The major seems to have mistaken his situation greatly—By being in the accidental command of Fort Washington, he fancies himself the commanding general. An officer is arrested and a court martial is ordered, and sentences the officer to be cashiered—The officer fears the sentence of the court, and offers to resign, and the major accepts the commission. This he had no

right to do, as the articles of war are explicit on the point, and which articles were in the major’s possession.
Were the service to be bettered by the major’s resignation, it might be well to accept it—But, the next in command is, major Call, who it is presumed cannot be promoted with the imputations against him.
Hamtramck, Zeigler and Call, are all the majors in service, the majorities of the second regiment are all vacant.
If Hamtramck should be promoted, then there would be four vacant majorities to be filled in the first and second regiments.
The four oldest captains of the first regiment are—
Strong—a plain, brave, man, but without any considerable abilities.
Smith—brother to Col. William S. Smith—brave, but not very attentive.
Asheton—a plain, brave, man.
Beatty—a plain, modest, brave, man—brother to Col: Beatty.
It is to be observed, that these officers are entitled to promotion, by the right of seniority, according to the principles fixed in 1786, and re-established since the present government.
The captains of the second regiment are older officers of the late war—But, having come into service under the Act of March 3d, 1791 are to be considered as junior in the present arrangement—while the captains of the second acted seperately from the captains of the first, the disagreeable sensations occasioned by reversing the former rank, would not be so lively, as when those, who were formerly junior, shall be promoted over their heads in the same regiment—It is therefore submitted, that as many of the captains be promoted to majorities, in the new regiments, as may be consistently with the other general principles which will govern in the appointments.
While this arrangement will be a sort of accommodation, soothing to the captains of the second regiment, it is presumed that they will make as suitable majors as may elsewhere be found.
But, a difficulty will still remain, by major Zeigler not being promoted—All the officers who are retained by that circumstance will consider themselves as injured, and they will probably resign, and perhaps the captains of the second regiment, if, a

new person should be brought in, over their heads—It will be perceived that this measure will affect every officer in both regiments, and in some sort, be a breach of an implied contract on the part of the public.
This circumstance is to be weighed and balanced against a commander being placed at the head of the regiment, whose heart should be sound and brave, but whose head and talents would not promise much.


Title: Deed to the Erie Triangle, 3 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To:

[Philadelphia, 3 March 1792]
In the name of the United States!To all, to whom these presents shall come.

Whereas by an act of congress, intituled an act “for carrying into effect a contract between the United States and the state of Pennsylvania,” it was provided, that for duly conveying to the said state a certain tract of land, the right to the government and jurisdiction whereof was relinquished to the said state by a resolution of congress of the fourth day of September in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight, and, whereof the right of soil has been sold by virtue of a previous resolution of congress of the sixth day of June in the said year, the President of the United States be authorized, on fulfilment of the terms, stipulated on the part of the said state, to issue letters patent, in the name and under the seal of the United States, granting and conveying to the said state for ever the said tract of land, as the same was ascertained by a survey, made in pursuance of the resolution of congress, of the 6th of June 1788; Now Know Ye, that inasmuch as it appears by a certificate from the comptroller of the treasury, that the terms, stipulated On the part of the said state concerning the tract of land aforesaid, have been fulfilled, according to the true intent and meaning of the said contract; I do by these presents, in pursuance of the above-recited act of congress, grant and convey to the said state of Pennsylvania for ever the said tract of land, as the same was ascertained by the survey aforesaid, a copy whereof is herewith annexed.
In testimony whereof I have caused these letters to be made patent; and have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed, at Philadelphia, this 3rd day of March in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two, and of the Independence of the United States of America sixteenth.

George Washington
By the PresidentThomas Jefferson


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

United States [Philadelphia] March 3d 1792.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.

I lay before you a copy of the return of the number of Inhabitants in the District of South Carolina, as made to me by the Marshal thereof; and the copy of a letter which accompanied said return.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia] 11 Oclock—A.M. March 4th 1792.

The enclosed came by the Post yesterday. I send it for your perusal.
Have you had any conversation with Mr Ellicot respecting the completion of the Survey, & lots of the Federal City?—If so, what was the result?—He ought, if he undertakes it, to proceed to that place immediately—so as to be there at the proposed meeting of the Commissionrs.
The Engravers say eight weeks is the shortest time in which the Plan can be engraved—(probably they may keep it eight months). Is not this misteriously strange!—Ellicot talked of getting you to walk with him to these People. The current in this City sets so strongly against the Federal City, that I believe nothing that can be avoided will ever be accomplished in it.

Are there any good Engravers in Boston? If so, would it not be well to obtain a copy (under some other pretext) and send it there, or even to London with out any one (even Ellicot’s) being appris’d of it? Yrs sincerely

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Beale Gaither, 5 March 1792
From: Gaither, Beale
To: Washington, George

Baltimore 5th March 1792.

The memorial of Beale Gaither To the President of the united States Humbly Sheweth that in November last he the Said Beale Gaither being a Subject of the unitd States presentd an Order petition together with a manuscript Containg nearly Or about an hundred & eighty pages at the door of the House of Representatives directd to the Congress which was by the doorkeeper immeadiately Conveyd to the Speaker whom you⟨r⟩ Humble memoralist Observd from the gallery to break the Seals & hand Or present the Sam⟨e⟩ to the Clerk which the Speaker Shortly receiv⟨ed⟩ from the Clerk & Rolling the Same in the Cover put the whole into his Table drawer your hum⟨ble⟩ memoralist having awaitd a fortnight without Seeing any Prospect of his petition Or manuscri⟨pt⟩ being brought forward notwithstanding your Humble memoralist Realy Conceivd he hea[r]d a member of the House of Representatives Call for his proceedings & the Clerk to apply for them which did not appear to your Humble memoralist to be attendd to by the Speaker but as your memoralist was in the gallery he humbly begs leave to refer your excellency to the clerk of the House of Representatives in this Case at the expiration of a fortnight your Humble memoralist presentd a memorial also directd to the Congress Humbly praying that if his petition Could not be Complyd with that it together with his manuscript might be returd in the Same manner Such had been presentd which was done two days after your humble memoralist had presentd the aforementiond memorial now wherein your humble memoralist Conceives the Speaker of the house of representatives has errd is as appears to your humble memoralist in assuming the full power of the whole Congress which your humble memoralist Conceives the governmt has neither inten’d

nor given to any individual your humble memoralist as a Subject of the unitd States has Since been much dissattisfied and would Sooner have made his Case known to your excellency had not a Variety of Circumstances intervend which preventd him and your humble memoralist further begs leave to represent to your excellency that he Conceives from particular Circumstances that there are those who even deserve Banishment that are yet Continued in office Contrary to your excellencies wish Or desire and who as your Humble memoralist really Conceives are Subverting the laws & the Constituti⟨on⟩ and arbitraly Oppressing the Subjects Contrary to the Rights of men & Contrary to your excellencies Intention and as you⟨r⟩ Humble memoralist although a Subject of the unitd States and whose fore fathers have been Subjects of the State of maryland y⟨et⟩ as your memoralist is not at this period par⟨illegible⟩ Settled in any part of the unitd States therefore you⟨r⟩ memoralist humbly begs leave to Request that your excellencies determination may be publis⟨hed⟩ in the Baltimore advertiser from whence your Humble memoralist Conceives he ma⟨y⟩ have an Oppertunity of Observing the Sam⟨e⟩ And your humble memoralist Conceives it to be his indispensable duty ever to Conduct himself truly as a peaceable Subject and really as a well disposd & usefull Member of Society & is in duty bound to Pray.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5–6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia, c.5–6 March 1792]

The catalogue of complaints, enclosed, is long.
May not our loss of the Indian trade—the participation of it I mean—and the expence & losses sustain’d by the Indian War be set against Mr H——list of grievances, in behalf of the B——Merchants—as well as, by taking our Slaves away depriving us of the means of paying debts.


Title: Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] Monday Evening 5th March 92

Upon submitting the enclosed note from Mr Bache to the President, he desired I would send it to you, that if you thought it right for him to be furnished with the letter wh. he requests it might be done. Should you determine in the affirmative & not have a copy of the translation at hand—I will have a copy of the note left with the President—sent to Mr B.
The President has been informed that upon receiving the translation of the letter today in the Ho. of Representatives, a motion was made for a committee to be appointed to draft an Answer; but was dropped at that time, upon a suggestion that it might be improper for the Ho. to take it up, as it wd undoubtedly be answered by the President—This motion was founded upon the letters being directed To the United States of N.A.—The President wishes you would look at the cover of the letter & see what the direction is there.
The Person who brot Mr B.’s note to me is the bearer of this to you—thus if you should judge it proper to furnish him with a copy of the letter he might take it with him—With true respect & perfect esteem I am Dear Sir, Yr mos. Ob. ser.

Tobias Lear.


Title: From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Commissioners for the District of Columbia

Gentlemen,
Philadelphia March 6th 1792.

Mr Jefferson, in a letter which he writes to you this day, will enter fully into the points touched upon in your letters to me of the 21st of December, and of the 7th 9th 10 & 21st of January and Mr Johnson’s letter of the 3d of february. I shall therefore, do little more at present (being much pressed with other important public matters) than acknowledge the receipt of these letters, and state the reasons which caused me to delay writing to you ’till this time.
Until I received Mr Johnson’s letter, the expectation of seeing him here, and conferring with him fully upon the several points mentioned in your letters, kept me from writing; and since that time the unsettled state of matters with respect to Major L’Enfant has put it out of my power to write to you in a manner that would be decisive or satisfactory.
Matters are at length brought to a close with Majr L’Enfant. As I had a strong desire to retain his services in this business, provided it could have been done upon a proper footing I gave him every opportunity of coming forward and stating the mode in which he would wish to be employed, always, however, assuring him that he must be under the controul of the Commissioners. But after keeping open the communication with him as long as any reasonable means could be found of doing it, he chose to close it by declaring, that he could only act in a certain way—which way was inadmissable. His services, therefore, must be no longer calculated upon. Altho’ his talents in designing, and the skill which he is said to possess in the execution of this kind of business, may occasion the loss of his services to be regretted; Yet I doubt upon the whole, whether it will be found in the end that his dereliction will be of real disservice to the undertaking; for so unaccommodating is his disposition that he would never suffer any interference in his plans, much less would he have been contented under the direction of the Commissioners.

I am convinced, Gentlemen, that in your transactions with Majr L’Enfant, you must have suffered much from his temper; & if my approbatn of yr conduct in this business can afford you pleasure, you may be assured you have it. Even if I had no corrobaration of the fact, I should be persuaded, from what I have known of his disposition on the recent occasion, that there would scarcely be a possibility of acting harmoniously in concert with him.
As Mr Jefferson has, in his letter, mentioned the particular objects to which your attention will probably be turned—I shall only observe here, that I am impressed in, the strongest manner, with the necessity there is of carrying on this business with as much vigour as the nature of the thing will admit. It has been observed by intelligent & well informed men, (not however of the class most friendly to the measures) that the whole success of the Federal City, depends upon the exertions which may be made in the ensuing season towards completing the object; for such is now the state of the public mind on this subject that it appears as it were in an equilibrium, and will preponderate either for or against the measure, as the progress of the thing may be: And there are not wanting those who, being interested in arresting the business, will leave no means unessayed to injure it. By the proposition for a loan which Mr Jefferson transmits to you, you will see what prospect you have of funds in addition to those to be depended upon from the two states. And in your exertions, Gentlemen, to make the best of these, I have the fullest confidence.
It is impossible to say with any certainty when the plan of the City will be engraved. Upon Major L’Enfant’s arrival in this place, in the latter part of december, I pressed him in the most earnest manner to get the plan ready for engraving as soon as possible. Finding there was no prospect of obtaining it thro’ him (at least not in any definite time) the matter was put into Mr Ellicott’s hands to prepare about 3 weeks ago: He has prepared it; but the engravers who have undertaken to execute it, say it cannot certainly be done in less than 2—perhaps not under three months. There shall, however, be every effort made to have the thing effected with all possible dispatch. with great esteem I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: W——n


Title: To George Washington from John Hurd, 6 March 1792
From: Hurd, John
To: Washington, George

Boston March 6th 1792

Presuming on the Candor with which Your Excellency receives Applications from persons of all Denominations—I take the Liberty with modest diffidence, to address you, & request the favor, that among the Number of Candidates for Official Business by Appointmts from Congress, I may have liberty to offer myself and beg your Indulgence to make Mention of the Circumstances & Situation I was in, previous to, & during great part of the late War.
A few years before the Commencemt of Hostilities I had officiated

as private Secretary to Governor Wentworth in New Hampshire and Deputy Surveyor of His Majestys Woods—and after several years Services under him By his recommendation remov’d into the Coho’os Country on Connecticut River, where in a then new establishd County, I was honord wth several public Employments, pardon my mentioning the particulars—viz.
Receiver General of His Majesty’s Quit Rents for the province of N:H.—Register of Deeds in the County, County Treasurer, first Justice of the Court of Common pleas, with a Commission of Colonel in the Militia—The Emoluments of all which were as good as £200 Sterling p. an[nu]m. But as I took the side of my Country from principle early in the Contest, notwithstanding a near Connection & Friendship with Governor Wentworth, I freely resignd all Employmt under the British Governmt, & was chosen by the people of Haverhill (Coho’os) to attend the first Convention at Exeter; from whence I was deputed one of the Committee to go down to Portsmouth being known to be well acquainted there, and demand of all the public Officers, the public Money they had on hand; and did actually receive out of the Treasury upwards of sixteen hundred pounds in Gold & silver, which I deliver’d into the hands of Treasurer Gilman at Exeter, and it was of eminent Service at that Juncture to send abroad for a supply of Gunpowder—this was effected while one of the British Frigates lay in the River, and Governor Wentworth at Fort William & Mary, who having Intelligence of what the Committee was doing sent two of his most intimate Friends to the Treasury, Doctor Rogers of the Council & Mr McDonough his private Secretary, the same Gentleman who now resides in Boston as British Consul, to be Evidences of the Fact—and the Barge Men of the Frigate with an Officer were also at hand to watch our Motions, offering his Services to the Treasurer, who however declin’d making any Stir, and sufferd us to carry off the money—From this time I must of Course have bid Adieu to all Expectations from the British Government.
I was often employd in the public Service, and among several Others residing on that Frontier pointed at by the Enemy, and frequently in danger of being carried off into Canada by scouting parties; was also assisting to General Bayley, Colonel Bedel and General Hazen when by Yr Excellency’s Orders he was cutting a Road towds Canada & making a Diversion in that Country.

The Circumstances of my Family oblig’d me to remove from thence to Boston my native place in 1779 where I have since resided in the Employment of an Assurance Broker—my two only Sons that I then had, I sent into the Army, one of sixteen years old was at Sarataga at the Capture of General Burgoine, and afterwards out in a privateer Captain of Marines, the other was in the Service an Ensign in Colonel Henry Jackson’s Regimt the last three years of the War, & died soon after the Close in a Consumption hasten’d on by the fatigues of the Service, being of a slender Constitution.
In the year 1783 I married the Widow of Doctor Isaac Foster who was Director General of the Hospitals for the Northern Department, a Gentleman, I presume well known to your Excellency from the time of your being at Cambridge in this State, and the greatest part of the War—he was suppos’d to have left a Sufficiency for the support of his Widow & Children by the Security he had to receive from the public—But the Necessities of the family were such as obligd us to part with the most of them at a time when they were at the lowest Ebb of Depreciation—I had the Misfortune to loose my Wife in the year 1786 who left on my hands three of the Doctor’s Children with three young ones we had together—their little Fortune being cheifly in public Securities almost exhausted, and my own property lying principally in the back Lands in N: Hampsh: where I before resided and necessarily expended very considerable Sums, but to little purpose as the Value of those Lands have turnd since the War, & having sufferd much by the Depreciation of public Securities before the new federal Government was establishd, reduces me to the Necessity of making this late application to Your Excellency for some public Employmt in an Official way—I do not look for, nor expect any great Things, a decent support being pretty far advancd in Life, woud be quite satisfactory—my Character while in New Hampshire was well known to several Gentlemn now in Congress, Mr Langdon of the Senate & Judge Livermore, also to several from this state Mr Goodhue, Mr Gerry & Mr Ames—and in particular the Vice President, to whom I had the honor of writing on the subject, last year and if your Excellency thinks proper, beg to be refer’d to him—I am sensible, Sir, you may be troubled with many solicitations in this way, & it hurts my feelings to take up so much of your time at this interesting Juneture

—If from the relation of my particular Circumstances, & the Sacrifice I made of my several Offices under the former Government by adhering to the Interest of my Country, You think I merit any Claim, whatever Commands you may honor me with shall be executed with the strictest Integrity & punctuality, and I will with the utmost gratitude acknowledge the favor, being most respectfully your Excellency’s very obedient humble Servt

John Hurd


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

My dear Sir,
Philadelphia Mar. 6th 1792.

Your favor of the 27th of Jany came safely to hand (but not by Judge Cushing) as did your letter of the 23d of September for which I thank you.
It is with pleasure I congratulate you on the increase of your family and the restoration of health to Mrs Jay—both of wch events we have heard.
Mr B——’s motion, alluded to in your letter of the 27th of Jany, is only the prelude, I conceive to what is intended to follow as occasions shall present themselves.

I am persuaded your goodness will excuse my not having acknowledged the receipt of your letters of the above dates at an earlier period. Many matters of a public nature have pressed upon me—some of them not very pleasant ones.
My best wishes, in which Mrs Washington cordially unite, are presented to Mrs Jay and yourself—and with affectionate esteem & regard I am always Your Obedient Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Mirbeck, 6 March 1792
From: Mirbeck
To: Washington, George

Monsieur Le Président
Cap français [Saint Domingue]le 6 mars 1792.

J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer, à Votre Excellence, quelques imprimés, qui vous instruiront de l’etat actuel de la partie française dela Colonie de st Domingue.
Je la prie d’en agréer l’hommage; c’est un tribut que Je Suis enchanté

de Rendre aux talents et aux Vertus d’un grand homme qui fait, depuis longtems, mon admiration et celle du Monde. Je suis avec les Sentimens que Votre Excellence a inspirés à l’univers entier Monsieur le Président Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur.

de MirbeckCommissaire national-civil, déléguépar le Roi aux Iles françaisesde l’Amérique Sous le Vent.


Title: To George Washington from Josiah Parker, 6 March 1792
From: Parker, Josiah
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 6th March 1792

No applicants for commissions in the Army have been made to me from the District of Virginia I represent or should have presumed to have made them known to you. to day I have received letters requesting I would take the liberty to Name Henry Beverly Towles, son of Colo. Olliver Towles of Spotsilvania as a candidate for a Lieutenancy. I know nothing of the young gentleman but he is warmly recommended to me as a sensible good young man. his being a Lieutenant in the late expedition in the Livies under Colo. Darke may be some recommendation to him.
Mr Isaac Younghusband Son of Mr Younghusband of Richmond is allso recommended. I know him to be a Young Man of talents and have no doubt but will make a good Officer, he Solicits an ensigncy.

Captn Saml Tinsley of Richmond has again written me he appears Solicituous to obtain a commission, his being an officer in the late war may be a recommendation to him.
Lemuel Riddick who I formerly recommended and lately appointed Surveyor at Suffolk, was very desirous of a Commission & I still think [if] he had an appointment in the Army he would accept of it & I am flattered into a belief if he was he would do honor to it.
Perhaps this ought properly to be directed to the Secretary of War but as I have an objection to troubling that Officer You will please excuse this trouble, and believe me with every respect & esteem Your most Obedient servant

J. Parker


Title: To George Washington from Two Frenchmen, 6 March 1792
From: Two Frenchmen
To: Washington, George

[6 March 1792]

Two frenchmen who came to America to establish themselves upon the lands which they purchased of the Scioto Company, and who have remained there one year, not being able to obtain

possession of their purchase, and having consumed their funds, implore the bounty of your Excellency to put them in a situation to return to their own Country.
One of the Supplicants is he whom M. Le Marquis de lafayette has deigned to recommend to his Excellency. He hopes that such a respectable recommendation will be serviceable to him, and he will retain in his heart a grateful recollection of his Excellency who will releive him from the distress in which he is now involved.


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States [Philadelphia]March 6th 1792.

I lay before you the following Report which has been submitted to me by the Secretary of State.
“The Secretary of State having received information that the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States are subject in Copenhagen and other ports of Denmark to considerable extra duties, from which they might probably be relieved by the presence of a Consul there;
“Reports to the President of the United States; That it would be expedient to name a Consul, to be resident in the port of Copenhagen: That he has not been able to find that there is any citizen of the United States residing there: That there is a certain Hans Rudolph Saaby, a Danish subject and merchant of that place, of good character, of wealth and distinction, and well qualified and disposed to act there for the United States, who would probably accept the commission of Consul; but that that of Vice-Consul, hitherto given by the President to foreigners in ports where there was no proper American citizen, would probably not be accepted, because in this, as in some other ports of Europe, usage has established it as a subordinate grade.
“And that he is therefore of opinion, that the said Hans Rudolph Saaby should be nominated Consul of the United States of America for the port of Copenhagen, and such other places within the allegiance of his Danish Majesty as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United States within the same allegiance.
Th: JeffersonJanuary 10th 1792.”

Gentlemen of the Senate,

With a view to relieve the Merchants and Merchandize of the United States from the extra duties to which they are or may be

subjected in the Ports of Denmark, I have thought it for the interest of the United States that a Consul be appointed to reside at Copenhagen—I therefore nominate Hans Rudolph Saaby, a Danish subject and merchant of Copenhagen, to be Consul for the United States of America at the port of Copenhagen, and for such other places within the allegiance of his Danish Majesty as shall be nearer to the said port than to the Residence of any other Consul or Vice Consul of the United States within the same allegiance.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States [Philadelphia]6th March 1792

As it will require time to ascertain suitable characters, for the commissioned Officers of the Troops about to be raised, I shall occasionally make such nominations as shall appear to be proper.
I now nominate the persons named in the list accompanying this Message, for the commissioned Officers of twelve Companies, intended to be raised upon the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure: Nominations of Commissioned Officers, 6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To:

[Philadelphia, 6 March 1792]

Pennsylvania.

Captains

✻Edward Butler
Allegany County

✻John Guthrie
Westmorland

✻Richard Sparks
Allegany.

✻William Faulkner
Washington.

Uriah Springer
Fayette

John Cook
Northumberland.

Lieutenants

✻William Smith
Washington.

✻John Cummings
Westmorland.

✻Samuel Vance
Fayette.

✻Nathaniel Huston
Washington.

William Steedman
Northumberland.

✻Daniel T. Jennifer
Allegany.

Ensigns

Robert Purdy
Mifflin

John Kelso
Dauphin.

Robert Lee
Northumberland.

John Steele
Cumberland.

David Hall
Westmorland.

Reason Beall
Washington.

Virginia.

Captains

Benjamin Biggs
Ohio County.

✻John Crawford
Ohio

Thomas Lewis
Bottetourt.

William Lewis
Wythe.

Hugh Caperton
Green-briar

✻James Stephenson
Berkley.

Lieutenants

✻James Glenn
Berkley.

Robert Craig
Russell.

William Clark
Louisville, Kentucky.

John Boyer
Bottetourt.

✻Benjamin Lockwood
Ohio.

Benjamin Strother
Culpepper.

Ensigns

Patrick Shirkey
Bottetourt.

Archibald Gray
Green-briar

Stephen Trigg
Kentucky.

James Hawkins
Bottetourt.

Baker Davidson
Bath.

Hugh Brady
Ohio.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 6 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States [Philadelphia]March the 6th 1792.

Appointments were made during the recess of the Senate, to carry into effect the act passed at the last Session of Congress, for repealing the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits, and laying others in their stead. And as these appointments must expire at the end of your present session, I nominate the following persons to be Inspectors of the Surveys and Ports annexed to their names respectively.

Inspectors of Surveys.

Districts.
Names of Inspectors.
No. of Survey.

Massachusetts.
Jonathan Jackson
2.

Leonard Jarvis
3.

Pennsylvania
James Collins
2.

Edward Hand
3.

John Neville
4.

Maryland
Philip Thomas
2.

Virginia
Drury Ragsdale
1.

Edward Stevens
2.

Mayo Carrington
3.

Thomas Newton Jr
4.

Edward Smith
5.

James Brackenridge
6.

Thomas Marshall
7.

North Carolina
James Read
1.

John Daves
2.

Thomas Benbury
3.

John Whitaker
4.

Joseph McDowell the younger of Pleasant Garden
5.

South Carolina.
Benjamin Cudworth
2.

Silvanus Walker
3.

Inspectors of Ports.

Districts.
Ports.
Names of Inspectors.

New Hampshire.
Portsmouth
Thomas Martin.

Massachusetts.
Newbury Port
Michael Hodge

Gloucester
Samuel Whittemore

Salem
Bartm Putnam.

Beverly
Josiah Bachelor

Ipswich
Jeremiah Staineford

Marblehead
Samuel R. Gerry

Boston
Thomas Melvile.

Plymouth
William Watson.

Barnstable
Joseph Otis.

Nantucket & Sherburne
Stephen Hussey

Edgartown
John Pease.

New Bedford
Edward Pope

Dighton
Hodijah Baylies

York
Richard Trevett

Biddeford & Peperelborough
Jeremiah Hill

Portland & Falmouth
James Lunt

Bath
William Webb

Wiscasset
Francis Cook

Penobscott
John Lee

Frenchman’s Bay
Melatiah Jordan

Machias
Stephen Smith

Passamaquody
Lewis Fredk Delesdenier

Rhode Island.
Newport
Daniel Lyman

Providence
William Barton

North Kingston
Daniel E. Updike

East Greenwich
Thomas Arnold

Warren & Barrington
Nathaniel Phillips

Bristol
Samuel Bosworth

Pawcatuck River
George Stillman

Patuxet
Zachariah Rhodes.

Connecticut.
New London
Nathaniel Richards

Stonington
Jonathan Palmer Jr

Middletown
Comfort Sage

Newhaven
Jonathan Fitch

Fairfield
Samuel Smedley.

Vermont
Allburgh
Stephen Keyes.

New York
New York
John Lasher

Hudson
John C. Tenbrock

Albany
 Henry I. Bogert

Sagg Harbour
Henry P. Deering.

New Jersey.
Perth Amboy.
John Halsted

Burlington
John Ross

Bridgetown
Eli Elmer

Little Egg Harbour
Ebenezar Tucker

Great Egg Harbour
Daniel Benezet Junr

Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia
William McPherson

Delaware
Wilmington
George Bush

New Castle
[″]

Port Penn
[″]

Maryland.
Baltimore
Robert Ballard

Chester
Jeremiah Nichols

Oxford
Jeremiah Banning

Vienna
John Muir

Snow Hill
John Gunby

Annapolis
John Davidson

Nottingham
George Biscoe

Town Creek
Charles Chelton

Cedar Point
John C. Jones

St Mary’s
Robert Chesley

Lewellengsburg
Jeremiah Jordan

George Town
James M. Lingan.

Virginia.
Hampton
George Wray

Norfolk & Portsmouth
Daniel Bedinger

Suffolk
Lemuel Reddick

Smithfield
James Wells

Bermuda Hundred
Christopher Roan

Petersburgh
James Gibbon

Richmond
Zachariah Rowland

Yorktown
Abraham Archer

West Point
Alexander Moore

Tappahannock
Hudson Muse

Urbanna
Peter Kemp

Port Royal
George Catlett

Fredericksburg
William Lewis

Yeocomico River
Vincent Redman

Dumfries
Richard M. Scott

Alexandria
Samuel Hanson

Folly Landing
William Gibb

Cherrystone
Nathaniel Wilkins

South Quay
Thomas Bowne

North Carolina.
Wilmington
Thomas Callender

Newburn
John Daves

Beaufort
John Easton

Swansborough
John McCullough

Washington
Nathan Keais

Edenton
Thomas Benbury.

Hartford
James Murdaugh

Bennett’s Creek
John Baker

Plymouth
Thomas Davis Freeman

Windsor
William Benson

Skewarky
Henry Hunter

Murfreesborough
Hardy Murfree

Plankbridge
Isaac Gregory

Nixonton
Hugh Knox

Indian Town
Thomas Williams

Currituck Inlet
Samuel Jasper

Pasquetank River-bridge
Edmund Sawyer

Newbiggen Creek
Elias Albertson.

South Carolina.
Charleston
Edward Weyman

Beaufort
Andrew Agnew

Georgetown
Charles Brown.

Georgia
Savannah
John Berrian

Sunbury
John Lawson, the Younger,

Brunswick
Christopher Hillary

St Mary’s
James Seagrove.

I likewise nominate Richard Morris to be Supervisor of the District of New York; vice William S. Smith, resigned; And John Lawson the younger, to be Collector of the Port of Sunbury, in the State of Georgia; vice Cornelius Collins, deceased.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brown & Francis, 7 March 1792
From: Brown & Francis
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Providence March 7th 1792.

We are exceeding sorry to be under the Necessity of a moment of your Attention on a subject which we think there was no Occasion, that the Judge of the Federal Court Living at Newburn in North Carolina should have compell’d us to apply to you upon, but the Fact is that the said Judge is the Cause of withholding from Capt. Low (the Bearer) & as a Considerable Sum of Money & other property which was run away with according to the enclosed advertisement, we being the Sole Owners of the Sloop & Cargo, & Capt. Low had a handsome adventure on board, the Money is now in the hands of the Collector at Newburn & the

sugar &c. in the hands of a Mr Benjamin Cheney both of North Carolina who have utterly refused delivering the property, either to our power of Attorney, or to Capt. Lows, without special orders from the said Judge, and he would not deliver it without special directions from your Excellency, altho we see no reason why he should give you or us this unnecessary trouble, we must entreat you Dr Sir to give Capt. Low (the bearer) such Directions to the said Judge as you may think proper. And you’ll much Oblige, Sr, Your Most Obedient & Most Humble servts

Brown & Francis

P.S. We understand by Capt. Low that the Judge declined giving Orders for the delivery of our Property till the Pirate had his Tryal, suppose they Choose to defer it as they have done, he may never come to Tryal & of course we are deprived of the Cargo, as well as of the Vessell & all her stores, which they have already wasted in pretended expences. We believe the name of the Judge at Newburn is Sitgreaves.
Your much Esteemed Favor of the 7th January came duly to hand and are perfectly satisfied with the Contents thereof.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia. March 7th 1792.

Immediately on the passage of the Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations, I desired the bankers of the United States in Amsterdam, to raise an account with the Secretary of State of the United States, to be confined to the objects of that Act, and requested them and our Ministers abroad to make up their accounts from July to July annually, and furnish me with them, that I might enable you to lay before Congress, regularly, the account of those expenditures which the law requires. It was not till yesterday that I received the General Account of the bankers for the first year, by a vessel from Amsterdam, which seems to have had four or five months passage: nor have I yet been able to get all the particular accounts, which would be necessary to give a satisfactory view of this branch of expenditure. I therefore, for the present, enclose the General Account only, expressing this caution that the balance therein stated, is only that which had not yet been drawn out of their hands, though, at that moment, there were existing demands for a great part of it. I have reason to be tolerably confident that the measures for having the particular, as well as the General Account kept and forwarded to me regularly, will, in the course of this second year, get so far into effect, as that I may be sure of enabling you, at the next session of Congress to lay before them a complete statement of the application of this fund, general and special, to the 1st of July next ensuing, and, when once under regular way, the annual communication to the legislature may be afterwards constantly made. I have the honor to be, with the most profound respect and attachment, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant

Th: Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Phillips, Sr., 7 March 1792
From: Phillips, Joseph Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Maidenhead New-Jersey 7th March 1792.

I beg leave to offer my services as an Engineer, tolerably well versed in that business; and would go in that character [(]if wanted) to the Westward the ensuing Campaign. I would not at this time have attempted to divert the attention of the illustrious President of the United States, from contemplation on the more important interests of the Union; to such a very small object as myself; had I had any the least personal acquaintance with the Secretary of War: And I beg that this unfavorable circumstance alone, may be admitted as an apology for the obtrusion.
I have written notwithstanding, to General Knox more fully on this subject, and could not repress my vanity, which I am afraid will appear too conspicuous, by an inclosure to him, of a very polite note of approbation, signified to me by order of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, in the year 1776 by Rob. H. Harrison Secretary in regard to some Works proposed to be erected.
I shall be happy in an appointment, as above; It is the first I ever sollicited, and if I succeed, it will (I believe) be the last effort, I shall ever make in a Military Character, and must suffice, my lack of service. I have a son, now with the Army in that Country. I have the honour to be Your most devoted, faithful humble & most obedt servt.

Jos. Phillips.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] Thursday Morning [8 March 1792]

I do not recollect whether any notice has ever been taken in your letter to the Commrs of Mr Johnsons suggestion of bringing the Canal navigation to the City—The ascertainment of the practicability ought by all means to be encouraged. Yours

G.W.