Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 6 July 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

War Office July 6th 1789

Indian Department, Southern District
The Creeks. This nation of indians is divided into two districts the upper and the lower Creeks.
The former reside chiefly on the waters of the Albama River in about 60 towns or villages. The latter on the waters of the Apalachicola river in about 40 towns. The Creeks are principally within the limits of the United States, but some of the most southern towns of the lower Creeks or Semanolies are within the territory of Spain stretching towards the point of

Florida—The Gun-Men or Warriors of the whole nation are estimated at 6000.
Besides the Chiefs of the respective towns the Creeks appear at present to be much under the influence and direction of Alexander McGillivray.
The Father of this person was an inhabitant of Georgia, and adhereing to Great Britain in the late war, his property was confiscated by that State—His mother was a principal woman of the upper Creeks.
He had an english Education—his abilities and ambition appear to be great—his resentments are probably unbounded against the State of Georgia, for confiscating his Father’s estate, and the estates of his other friends, refugees from Georgia, several of whom reside with him among the Creeks. He is said to be a partner of a trading house, which has the monopoly of the trade of the Creeks—The communications to the Indian Country are through the Floridas under the protection of the Spanish Colonies. The profits of this Commerce center in Great Britain, and one of the Bahama Islands is the intermediate place of deposit.
The State of Georgia is engaged in a serious war with the Creeks—and as the same may be so extended and combined as to require the interference of the United States, it will be highly proper that the causes thereof should be stated and examined.
The first treaty between the State of Georgia and the Creeks after the conclusion of the War with Great Britain was held at Augusta in November 1783—at this treaty certain Lands on the Oconee were ceded by the Creeks to the State of Georgia. A copy of this treaty is not among the papers of Congress—but the purport as it respects the boundaries then established is recited by the Legislature of the State of Georgia in their report on Indian affairs hereunto annexed.
The second treaty was held at Galphinton on the 12th of Noember 1785—By which the boundary lines defined by the treaty of Augusta in November 1783 were confirmed, and a new boundary line obtained to extend from the forks of the Oconee and Oakmulgee to the source of the St Mary’s. A copy of this treaty is hereunto annexed in the papers marked A—also a letter from the Commissioners of the United States—and

a report of a Committee accepted by the Legislature of Georgia on the 11th of February 1786.
A third treaty was held by the Commissioners of Georgia and the Creeks at Shoulder-bone on the 3d of November 1786. At this treaty it would appear that the Creeks acknowledged the violation of the two former treaties recognized and ratified the former boundaries and gave six hostages for the faithful execution of the conditions.
On the one side—The Creeks object entirely to the validity of the said treaties stating that the cessions to the State of Georgia were made by the chiefs of two towns only, whereas the Lands ceded were the property of the whole nation as will more fully appear by the Letters of Alexander McGillivrary marked B, and numbered 1, 2, 3 & 4.
The letter of Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens, Joseph Martin, and Lach. McIntosh Esquires Commissioners of the United States dated at the Keowee the 17th of November 1785, marked A states that as there were only two towns properly represented at Galphintown instead of about one hundred, the number in the whole nation, they could not treat with them on behalf of the United States. But that “the day after they left Galphinton, the Agents of Georgia held a treaty with the few Indians then present, and obtained a cession of all the Lands south of the Altamaha and eastward of the line to be run south west from the junction of the Oakmulgee, and Oconee rivers ’till it shall strike St Marys with a confirmation of the Lands ceded to the state by the same towns north-east of the Oconee river in 1783.”
The letter of James White Esqr. Superintendant of the United States for the Southern district, and the proceedings held by him with the lower Creeks at Cusetahs will further show the sentiments of the said lower Creeks of the said treaties marked C.
On the other side the Legislature of Georgia by their Committee 23d of October 1787—marked D—states that the Cherokees by a treaty made at Augusta on the 3d of May 1783 and the Creeks by the treaty of Augusta in the succeeding November, both nations made the same relinquishment of the lands on the Oconee on account of mutual claims which had not before been settled between them.

That it was not untill a few months after the treaty of Galphinton that uneasinesses began to be fermented in the nation and some murders were committed.
That this conduct of the Creeks was considered by the Government of Georgia as an infraction of the treaties, and they demanded reparation accordingly.
That Commissioners were appointed with full powers to enquire into the causes and restore peace, but with powers also if unavoidable to take eventual measures of defence.
That this proceeding of Georgia produced a treaty at Shoulder bone, whereby the violence was acknowledged, the boundaries confirmed, and hostages given.
“That the Committee can not forbear to observe that during the course of all these transactions, the communications were made in solemn, open and ancient form, and the articles of the treaties were mutually respected untill the aggression posterior to that of Galphinton.
“And that whilst it is admitted on the one hand, that there was no principal of representation of the parts of the nation known in civilized governments, it can not be denied on the other that it was such as had been common, and the Indians acknowledged without doubt, and regret their forming a part, and being members of the State.[”]
The Committee after stating some circumstances relative to the proceedings of James White Esquire the Superintendant—“Report it as their opinion that the ultimate causes of the War, were the too sudden interferences with the treaties of the State, by which the minds of the Indians were perplexed—and the impression induced, that in a war they should not have the strength of the Union to fear, and that another disposition would be made of the territory, than that which considers it as a part of the State. That representations to this effect should be immediately transmitted to Congress, and the support of the Union demanded.[”]
That the papers whereon this statement is founded, and the general subject of the said dispute between the State of Georgia and the Creeks have several times been discussed and considered in the late Congress.
That the report of the Committee of Congress as stated on

the Journals of the 3d of August 1787 will shew the perplexities of this case.
That the subject was further debated in Congress on June 27th and decided on July 15th 1788 will appear by their Journals.
That in obedience to the order of Congress of the 15th of July 1788, the Secretary at War made the report marked E.
That in consequence of the resolve of Congress of the 26th of October 1787 Commissioners were appointed by the States of South Carolina and Georgia. That the time for which the Superintendant was elected expired on the 29th of November 1788.
That the proceedings of the said Commissioners and Superintendant as communicated by the latter are hereunto attached marked F.
That in addition to the information of the Superintendant it appears from the public newspaper marked G, that the two Commissioners from Georgia and South-Carolina have given a further invitation to a treaty to be held at Oconee during the present month.
But it also appears from the public newspapers that instead of the proposed treaty, parties of Indians have been making inroads into Georgia and that the outrages committed by them have excited an alarm which has extended itself to Savannah the Capital of the State.
Hence it will appear from this general statement of facts—
1st—That hostilities still rage between the State of Georgia and the Creek Indians.
2dly—That the Cause of the War is an utter denial on the part of the Creeks of the validity of the three treaties stated to have been made by them with the State of Georgia.
3dly—That the United States in Congress assembled by their resolve of the 15th of July 1788 have caused it to be notified to the Creeks, that should they persist in refusing to enter into a treaty upon reasonable terms, the arms of the United States shall be called forth for the protection of that frontier.
From this result the following questions arise.
1st—Whether the circumstance of the Commissioners not having received an answer from Alexander McGillivray to their

letter of November 28th 1788 and his letter to Andrew Moor Esqr. of the 4th of January and to his Excellency the Governor of South-Carolina of the 26th of February 1789—(letter B) together with the recent irruption of parties of Creeks into the State of Georgia, amount to a refusal to treat on reasonable terms and of consequence from that crisis of affairs in which the Arms of the Union are to be called forth agreeably to the resolve of Congress of the 15th of July 1788?
2dly—Whether the final report of the Commissioners is necessary to be received before decision can be made on the case?
or 3dly—Whether in the present state of public affairs any proper expedients could be devised for effectually quieting the existing hostilities between the State of Georgia and the Creek Nation other than by raising an Army?
All which is humbly submitted to the President of the United States.

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from James Nicholson, 6 July 1789
From: Nicholson, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York July 6th 1789

I beg leave to offer myself as A Candidate for the Office of Naval Officer or Surveyor of the Customs for the Port of New York and to briefly mention the reasons that may operate in favor of my application.
I was at an early period of Life taught the art of Navigation and Seafaring business, and have for many Years commanded Ships of merchandize from America to most of the Nations of Europe, and been conversant in the Mode of entering and Clearing Vessels and all the various duties of the officers of the Customs of this Country as well as of other Nations, and from the opportunity of observation and experience in that business I flatter myself that I should without difficulty be enabled to discharge the duties of such office in such manner as would gain your approbation and promote the Interest of my Country.
My peculiar situation also impells me tho with reluctance, to trespass upon your time with the relation.
At the commencement of the late War I was called by my Country to the command of the Marine of the United States, which obliged me to relinquish all other business that was necessary for the support of myself and family and submit my fortune and Interest to the fate of War and the Justice of my Country having, I believe with the general approbation of my fellow Citizens passed through the many vicissitudes incident to such a Command, I found myself at the close of the War divested

of property and employment and left with the consolation only that I had faithfully discharged my duty and that the United States would again have occasion for my services, either in the Navy or such other way as would be usefull to the Public and myself.
Enclosed are some Testimonials in my behalf and for further information I beg leave to refer Mr R. Izard, Mr R.H. Lee, Colo. Greyson, Mr Carrol of Carlton, Mr J. Henry, Mr Read, Mr Basset, Mr Robt Morris & Mr Egbert Benson. I am Sir with much respect your most Obedt Humbe Servt &ca

James Nicholson


Title: From George Washington to Uzal Ogden, 6 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Ogden, Uzal

Sir,
New-York, July 6th 1789.

Your letter of the 12th of June, which was duly received should have had an earlier acknowledgment and my best thanks have been rendered to you for your politeness in sending me the first number of a new periodical publication which accompanied it, had not my late indisposition prevented.
I must now beg your acceptance of my thanks for this mark of attention, and assure you that it always gives me peculiar pleasure to afford every proper encouragement to useful publications; but as I have not been able (from the multiplicity of business which has crowded upon me since my recovery) to peruse the work which you sent me, I cannot, with propriety

give it that testimony of my approbation, which you desire, and which I daresay it deserves. I am Sir, Your most obedient Servant

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Beverley Randolph, 6 July 1789
From: Randolph, Beverley
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Richmond July 6th 1789

I do myself the honour to inclose you a letter from the County Lieutenant of Greenbriar County on the subject of Indian affairs. I have the honour &c.

Beverley Randolph


Title: To George Washington from John Brooks, 7 July 1789
From: Brooks, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Medford [Mass.] July 7th 1789.

I have sustained a conflict in my own mind for some time past relative to the present address. At length, however, considerations of a private, tho’ I would hope not of an unjustifiable, nature have gained the ascendancy, & I have determined to venture myself upon your candour.
It would be useless, as well as improper, for me to enter into a particular detail of events which have occurred to me since I took leave of the army. Suffer me however to observe that too great a confidence in the promises of the government, together with my having entered into the commercial line at so inauspicious a period as the close of the war, have proved to me fruitful sources of embarrassment & distress: From which, however, by the attention & assistance of my friends, & by having again resorted to the business of my profession, I am happily relieved. Having for two years past renounced the idea of civil life, as it respects the state government, (which, I flatter myself, has ever been at my own election) I have been, as I now am, devoted to the practice of medicine. But I am ready to confess that I do not feel myself so perfectly wedded to this line of life as to determine at all events to pursue it.
The federal government opens upon us a scene new & variegated, & presents objects to which the most virtuous, may, with propriety aspire. For my own part I must acknowledge that I do not possess such a degree of apathy as to wish to remain an unaffected spectator of the important drama now commencing. The enthusiasm of patriotism, of which the late war furnished so many instances, cannot be supposed to operate in the calm season of a settled government. Considerations of private interest will intermingle themselves with a concern for the public. It is for you alone, sir, to exhibit to an admiring world an instance of the splendid triumph of the sublime principles of patriotism over those of private interest & personal emolument. While

therefore I venture to make a tender of my services to you, sir, as the supreme magistrate of this nation, I do not profess myself to be governed solely by a regard to the public. Having a family, I feel it my first duty to endeavour to make them happy. But if, consistently with this view, I can be useful to the public, duty & inclination would conspire to call forth my best services. Mrs Brooks, gratefully recognizing the numerous instances of Mrs Washington’s kind & condescending attention, unites with me in presenting to her most respectful & affectionate compliments. It only remains for me to express my most sincere & ardent wishes for your personal & relative happiness, & to assure you that with the highest veneration & attachment. I have the honour to be Sir, your most obedt & devoted servt

J. Brooks.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 7 July 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

War Office July 7th 1789.

The Cherokees.
This Nation of Indians consisting of separate Towns or villages are seated principally on the head waters of the Tennessee which runs into the Ohio. Their hunting grounds extend from Cumberland River along the frontiers of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and part of Georgia.
The frequent Wars they have had with the frontier people of the said States have greatly diminished their numbers. The Commissioners estimated them in November 1785 at 2,000 Warriors; but they were estimated in 1787 by Colonel Joseph Martin who was well acquainted with them at 2650; but it is probable they may be lessened since by the depredations committed on them.
The United States concluded a Treaty with the Cherokees at Hopewell on the Keowee the 28th of November 1785, which is entered on the printed Journals of Congress April 17th 1786.

The negociations of the Commissioners on the part of the United States are hereunto annexed marked A.
It will appear by the papers marked B, that the State of North Carolina by their Agent protested against the said Treaty as infringing and violating the legislative rights of that State.
By a variety of evidence which has been submitted to the late Congress, it has been proved that the said Treaty has been entirely disregarded by the white people inhabiting the frontiers, styling themselves the State of Franklin.
The proceedings of Congress on the first of September 1788, and the Proclamation they then issued on this subject, will show their sense of the many unprovoked outrages committed against the Cherokees.
The information contained in the papers marked C, from Colonel Joseph Martin the late Agent to the Cherokees, and Richard Winn Esqr. will further evince the deplorable situation of the Cherokees, and the indispensible obligation of the United States to vindicate their faith, justice, and national dignity.
The letter of Mr Winn the late superintendant of the 1st of March informs, that a Treaty will be held with the Cherokees on the 3d Monday of May at the Upper War-ford on French Broad river.
But it is to be observed that the time for which both he and Colonel Joseph Martin, the Agent to the Cherokees and Chickasaws were elected, has expired, and therefore they are not authorized to act on the part of the Union. If the Commissioners appointed by North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia by virtue of the resolve of Congress of the 26th of October 1787 should attend the said Treaty their proceedings thereon may soon be expected.
But as part of the Cherokees have taken refuge within the limits of the Creeks, it is highly probable, they will be under the same direction and therefore as the fact of the violation of the Treaty cannot be disputed, and as the Commissioners have not power to replace the Cherokees within the limits established in 1785 it is not probable even if a treaty should be held as stated by Mr Winn that the result would be satisfactory.
All which is humbly submitted to the President of the United States.

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 7 July 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

War Office 7th day of July 1789.

The Chickasaws.
This Nation of Indians were estimated by the Commissioners in 1785 at 800 Warriors, other opinions make them amount to 1200.
The lines of their territory between the Cherokees and Choctaws do not appear precisely fixed. Their limits established by the Treaty hereafter mentioned are bounded on the North by the ridge which divides the waters running into the Cumberland, from those running into the Tennessee. The Mississippi on the West—the Choctaws and the Creeks on the South, and the Cherokees on the East.
The United States formed a treaty with the Chickasaw Nation at Hopewell the 10th of January 1786, which was entered on the Journals of Congress, April 17th 1786.

By this treaty they acknowledge themselves to be under the protection of the United States, and of no other Sovereign whosoever. A tract of land is reserved for a trading post to the use and under the government of the United States of a circle of five miles diameter, at the lower post of the Muscle Shoals at the mouth or junction of the Ocochappo with the Tennessee. The land transportation from the head of the Ocochappo, to the head of the most northerly part of the Mobile river is said not to exceed thirty five miles.
The distance of this Nation from the frontier settlements being so great is the principal reason that no complaints have been made of the encroachments of the Whites.
In the year 1787 they sent one of the Warriors of their nation to Congress to represent the distressed situation of the Cherokees, and that unless the encroachments of the Whites were restrained they should be obliged to join the Cherokees; and also to enforce the establishment of trade agreeably to the Treaty.
The Choctaws.
This nation of Indians were estimated by the Commissioners of the United States at 6000 Warriors—other opinions state them at 4,500 or 5000.
Their principal towns or villages are on the head waters of the Passagoula and Pearl rivers. They are mostly to the northward of the 31st degree of latitude, but some of them are to the Southward of it within the territory of Spain.
Both the Chickasaws and Choctaws are represented as candid, generous, brave, and honest, and understanding each other’s language.
The Commissioners of the United States, concluded a treaty with the Choctaws at Hopewell, on the 3d of January 1786, and the same is entered on the Journals of Congress the 16th of April 1786.
By this treaty the Choctaws acknowledged themselves to be under the protection of the United States and of no other Sovereign whosoever. And three tracts or parcels of land, each of six miles square for the establishment of trading posts, are reserved to the use of the government of the United States at such places as they shall think proper.
The distance of the Choctaws has also prevented hitherto,

those encroachments which have been complained of by the Cherokees.
In the year 1787 they sent Tobocah, one of their great medal Chiefs to Congress, principally in order to solicit the establishment of trade.
All of which is humbly submitted to the President of the United States.

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Michael Hodge, 8 July 1789
From: Hodge, Michael
To: Washington, George

Sir
Newburyport [Mass.] 8th July 1789.

having been informed that your Excellency was making arrangements for the appointment of the officers in the revenue department, and being desirous to fill one of them, I would beg your Excellencys patience, while I state a few facts, That in an early period of the revolution I was chosen the naval officer for this port, and was continued in that office for more than seven years, and during that period no complaint of any kind was made against me, But the present occupant Mr Titcomb, being desirous of the office, and at the same time being a representative got himself chosen, he continued but two years, and I was again placed in the office, but was deprived of it in the same manner, by his procuring a seat in the General Court, and then vacating it on his Choice—an office on such a tenure did not appear to me worth contending for, but under the new Government, it would sir give me great satisfaction to be appointed to that office or to that of a collector, my character is known by some Gentlemen in Congress, and if upon enquiry, your Excellency

should be pleased to honour me with your approbation—Be assured Sir that every endeavour of mine will be exerted to conduct myself in office with propriety faithfulness and integrity. I am your Excellencys most Obedient, and dutiful Humbe servant

Michael Hodge


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Langdon, 8 July 1789
From: Langdon, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Hamptonfalls, in the State of New-Hampshire,
SrJuly 8 1789
While you fill the highest Seat in the united States, & are fatigued with the honorary addresses of grateful multitudes, & the business & correspondence now multiplied from every quarter, I am ready to charge myself with an unwelcome intrusion in putting into your hands a Sermon preached a Year ago. My excuse is, that it was composed & published when our american affairs were at a remarkable Crisis, & was designed not only as a seasonable admonition to the inhabitants of this State, but to all the Citizens of the united States as far as the publication might reach; & I am persuaded the principal Sentiments will meet your approbation.
I realize with pleasing astonishment & religious gratitude that the american States have been favored with such signal interpositions of Providence as fall little short of real miracles, & that the King of Heaven hath given them a great Charter of Liberty. But I view what God hath done, not as if he had a partial regard for us, Who, like Israel, have shewed ourselves an unworthy people, by growing more regardless of his gospel in the enjoyment of the multitude of his mercies; but as tending to bring forward some grand revolutions in the civil & ecclesiastical polity of the nations, agreable to the Prophecies of the new Testament, which now approach to their fulfilment.
Your name claimd a place in my Sermon; it is introduced among the instances of divine favor; but I avoided all additional encomiums, that there might be no appearance of adulation, because the glory was to be given to God, not to man. But I will

now take the liberty in this private way to express the grateful & respectful sentiments of my heart. As soon as I was honored with an acquaintance with you at Cambridge, upon your arrival at my house with your Suite, I was ready to look up to heaven, & say, “Blessed be God; who hath given us a General who will not rashly throw away the lives of his Soldiers, or hazard the fate of his Country unnecessarily upon a single Battle, but will proceed with all wisdom & caution”! I plainly saw, even the very first day, that General Lee was disappointed, & affected to turn the eyes of the army upon himself. But how happy was it for the country, that a man void of all principles, both religious & moral, notwithstanding all his military accomplishments, was not entrusted with the chief command.
When you removed from my house, your goodness allowed me to be conversant in your family as a domestic for some months, before the College was removed to Concord; & I can never forget the high satisfaction I then enjoyed, in observing your religious as well as military character. You have from the beginning directed your eye to the great Lord of the Universe, implored his help, acted as his servant, & found him present to support you under, & carry you through the most pressing & discouraging difficulties. He has made good his word in your great Success & universal fame, “Them that honour me I will honour.” Your Country loves you, & has confer’d the greatest honors it can bestow. The nations of Europe admire the man who defended America against the formidable forces of a nation that had made the World tremble, & yet kept his character free from all imputations of covetousness, Ambition, & despotic views, & annexed to the glory of a great General the whole assemblage of public & private virtues. But all good men love & honour you most of all, because you so constantly ascribe the glory of the great Events in America to him that rules over the kingdoms of the world, & orders all things for the accomplishment of his wise & holy purposes.
I doubt not your retirement from the fatigues & dangers of the War, & the noise & parade of the world to your own beloved Seat was most agreable to your wishes, for I taste some degree of the same pleasure in the little Parish where I have retired in my advancing Age from my former public station. But you have once more made a sacrifice of your own ease & domestic

happiness in compliance with the united call of your Country to direct & settle it’s government, as you have fought it’s battles. May God still grant you his presence & blessing, prolong your Life, confirm your health, & enable you to manage the important business of government with wisdom, fidelity, & increasing reputation.
You have taken every opportunity, in your public addresses, to pay your acknowledgements to the supreme Lord of heaven & earth for the great things he hath done for us; be not discouraged by the prevailing infidelity of the present degenerate times from continuing to give glory to the most High. As your conversation and Example may have great influence in your high Station, let all men know that you are not ashamed to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, & are seeking the honors of that kingdom which he has prepared for his faithful Servants. This will complete the satisfaction of your mind, to have the sure hope that when this World & all it’s glory disappears, you shall receive an heavenly inheritance, & the crown of eternal Life.
Will you, Sr, condescend to accept this Letter as an unaffected testimony not only of the most honorable esteem, but likewise of the characteristic christian Love of your most obedient Servant

Samuel Langdon


Title: To George Washington from John Noble Cumming, 9 July 1789
From: Cumming, John Noble
To: Washington, George

Sir.
New Ark, New Jersey July 9th 1789

Being persuaded by my Friends and many of the Citizens of this State, to offer myself as a Candidate for the Marshals Office of the District of New Jersey the establishment of which seems to be in Contemplation by the Judiciary Bill now before the Honourable the Congress of the United States.
I take the liberty of addressing you Sir on this Occasion. Having spent my Youth after leaving College, in the Service of my Country, I have been prevented from pursuing my first Design of entering into an important Profession in Life, and therefore am under a necessity of seeking more uncertain means, of supporting a rising Family.
The Representatives and Senators from New Jersey, are well acquainted with my Character & Conduct in private Life and my Abilities to fill that Office. If I should be so happy as to

meet with your Approbation I can with certainty engage for the utmost Integrity in & application to the Duty of the office. I have the Honor to be Your most Obdt Servt

J.N. Cumming


Title: To George Washington from Constant Freeman, 9 July 1789 [letter not found]
From: Freeman, Constant Jr.
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Constant Freeman, 9 July 1789. On 24 Sept. GW wrote to Freeman: “Your letter of the 9th of July has been received.”


Title: To George Washington from Sturgis Gorham, 9 July 1789
From: Gorham, Sturgis
To: Washington, George

Boston July 9th 1789

Exalted to rule over an extensive People, and to put in motion numerous executive Instruments in parts of your Government which are not minutely known to you, the Citizens of such can never expect to be employed in any Branch of Office but as they come forward to present Themselves or are made known by Informations of those to whom you must unavoidably in some Cases apply for Light.
By my hereditary Situation in Barnstable, my Education my mercantile & marine Experience my Time of Life and desire to

be more stationary than in former Days, I am induced to invite your Notice and promote your Enquiries respecting me when you are about to appoint a Collector for the Port of Barnstable. The Vice President, our Senators, in some degree, The Representatives of our District, in a much greater, and the respectable Bearer of this my Address, are capable of speaking of my Character & Responsibility upon your condesending so far to notice my Desires as to proceed to Enquiry. I am With the highest Devotion Your Humble Servant

Sturgis Gorham


Title: To George Washington from Mathew Irwin, 9 July 1789
From: Irwin, Mathew
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada 9th July 1789

Knowing the multiplicity of important matters which claim your Excellency’s attention, I should not presume to intrude upon your time with any thing relative to my private affairs—The purport of the inclosed, will (I hope) plead my excuse for troubleing you herewith—Capn Obrien having fully described his situation, makes it unnecessary for me to say much, I shall only add, that your Excellency may be assured he is a Man of the strictest veracity and honor, and in the worst of times was a staunch Friend to his Country, in the year 1780 he was first Leiutenant of the Ship Congress (of which Vessell I was a principal owner) when she Captured the Savage Sloop of War after a very obstinate engagement, in which the Congress lost 33 men, and I have reason to beleive that the owners were indebted to the Intrepidity and good conduct of Obrien for takeing the British Ship, which Vessell was Maned with 120 Britons.
By the Capture of the Ship Dauphin, by the Algerines, (of which Vessell and Cargoe I owned ⅚th and my Brother ⅙th) I lost as much of my Fortune as the British Cruizers in the last 18 Months of the War could not deprive me of, however I have my Liberty, but poor Obrien & his Crew are Slaves.

however desirous I am of the redemption of those men, I shall not take the liberty of urgeing your Excellency thereon, your humanity and goodness of heart being too well known to me to think that necessary. I will only take the liberty of suggesting, that if Congress can not at present redeem those unfortunate people, I am of opinion a suffitient sum might be raised by subscription, if a Paper was forwarded to each Sea Port, accompanied with a recommendation from your Excellency, or The Honorable The Congress—I sincerely congratulate your Excellency on your recovery from your late indisposition, that you may enjoy long Life and happiness is the ardent wish of Sir Your Excellencys Most Obdt humble Servt

Mathw Irwin


Title: To George Washington from Ebenezer Sproat, 9 July 1789
From: Sproat, Ebenezer
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 9th July 1789

I wish to Obtain the appointment of Receiver of the Land office of the Western Teritory I have been honourd by an appointment formaly under Mr Hutchins late Geographer to the United states in that Country. and am on my way with my Family,

to Muskingum where I expect to Take up my Residence Should Your Excellency think me Worthy of the appointment of Receiver and Confer it on me it will be Greatfully acknoledged. I am with sentiments of The Highest Respect & Esteem Your Excellencies Most Obt Humble servant

Ebr Sproat


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Hartley, 10 July 1789
From: Hartley, Thomas
To: Washington, George

May it please the President
SirNew York the 10th [July] 1789
Sensible of the Trouble you must have had for some weeks past in the Numerous Applications for offices—and distressed for your late Indisposition I did not think proper to write to you concerning two Men until this Time.
Capt. George Bush of Willmington—formerly an officer in my Regiment—Brother of Majr Lewis Bush killed at Brandiwine—whom I can recommend as a Man of worth—applies for the Collector ship of Wilmington—He is well-acquainted

with Business and Accounts & seems in every respect well qualified for the office.
I also beg Leave to mention Mr Martin Eichelberger of Baltimore as a fit and proper Person for the office of Surveyor of that Port and tho’ I do not live in Baltimore—yet from my Knowledge of Mr Eichelberger and the Inhabitants of that Town I am convinced the Appointment would be very acceptable in general.
I need not repeat that I would be sorry to give you Trouble—but as I have understood that you wished to be informed as fully as possible of the Characters and Qualifications of the different Gentlemen who apply for offices I have used the Freedom to write the above Lines—And am with the Greatest Respect Your Most Obedt humble Servt

Thos Hartley


Title: To George Washington from John Marshall, 10 July 1789 [letter not found]
From: Marshall, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Marshall, 10 July 1789. The dealer’s catalog describes this document as “a receipt given to George Washington for 140 fruit trees which he had sold to the General July 10, 1789.”


Title: To George Washington from William Moultrie, 10 July 1789
From: Moultrie, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Charleston So. Carolina July 10th 1789

Captain Tate who will do me the Honor of delivering this, was an Officer in the late Continental Army in the line of Artillery of this State in which he served during the whole of the War with honor to himself & Credit to the United States: His Military ardor has lead him on to a further improvement in the Art of War; he therefore means to proceed to join the Armies

of the Turkish Empire, and waits upon your Excellency for any commands which you may have in that part of the World. Captain Tate holds himself bound to return to America on the earliest Notice of her being at War with any Power. I must beg your Excellency’s pardon for intruding on ⟨you⟩ at a time when you are so much engaged in forming a New System of Government. I have the Honor to be, Dear Sir, with the greatest regard & esteem your Excellency’s most obedt & very humble Servant

Willm Moultrielate Majr General in the American Army

Capt. Tate’s Excursion is not entirely Military but with a view to such discoveries as may tend to open the Commerce of the Mediterranean to the United States, & which he means to communicate from time to time: could your Excellency spare him a few Moments conversation he will communicate his Ideas to you, & if you condescend to give him a letter to some of the French Officers who served in America, it may be the means of facilitating his plan.

Willm Moultrie


Title: To George Washington from Lewis Pintard, 10 July 1789
From: Pintard, Lewis
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York July 10th 1789

The embarrassed State of Trade & the reduction of my Finances from various Causes, some of them of a public Nature, have led me to decline all mercantile Business, since which I have been persuaded by my Friends to offer myself a Candidate for the Naval Office for the Port of New York. a Life almost spent in the laborious Employment of Trade to all Parts of the World with unsullied reputation added to the assurance of Integrity & industry which I can with confidence make, are the

only recommendations that I would wish to urge in my behalf—If in your Opinion Sir my appointment could advance the public Interest and be consistant with Your general plans of Government I shall with gratitude & thankfulness acknowledge the favour. I have the honor to be with the most respectful attention Sir Your most obedient Humble Servant

Lewis Pintard


Title: To George Washington from Nathaniel Smith, 10 July 1789
From: Smith, Nathaniel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltimore July 10th 1789

I am informed there will be a Gauger of all Spiritous Liquors & Melasses Appointed in Each State. as I am acquainted with this Bussiness and was the first Appointed, by the Assembly of this State, to execute it, Shall be thankfull for the office at this time—If an appointment has taken place before this goes to you, and the Surveyor of this port Should be Vacant, Shall be Verry Thankfull to Accept it.
As to my Charecter, in private, or Publick Capacity, must beg your Excellence to enquire of William Smith Esquire, or Mr Robert Purviance, who have known me in booth, for Twenty five years past. If your Excellence (on enquire,) thinks me worthy of either of these offices, hope one of them will be given me. I am your Excellence’s mo. obediant Huble Servant

Nathl Smith


Title: From George Washington to the Officials of Washington College, 11 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Officials of Washington College

Gentlemen,
[New York, 11 July 1789]

Your very affectionate address and the honorary testimony of your regard which accompanied it call forth my grateful acknowledgements. A recollection of past events and the happy termination of our glorious struggle for the establishment of the rights of man cannot fail to inspire every feeling heart with veneration and gratitude towards the great Ruler of events, who has so manifestly interposed in our behalf.
Among the numerous blessings which are attendant on Peace—and as One whose consequences are of the most important and extensive kind, may be reckoned the prosperity of Colleges and Seminaries of learning.
As in civilized Societies the welfare of the State and happiness of the People are advanced or retarded in proportion as the morals and good education of the youth are attended to, I cannot forbear, on this occasion, to express the satisfaction which I feel in seeing the encrease of our Seminaries of Learning through this extensive country—And the general wish which seems to prevail for establishing and maintaining these valuable institutions.
It affords me peculiar pleasure to know that the seat of learning under your direction hath attained to such proficiency in

the sciences since the peace—and I sincerely pray the great Author of the Universe may smile upon the Institution and make it an extensive blessing to this country.

G. Washington.


Title: To George Washington from Edward Pemberton, 11 July 1789
From: Pemberton, Edward
To: Washington, George

No. 100—Fleet Street—London
May it please Your Excellency11th July 1789
I beg leave to acknowledge tho late, the Honour of Your Excellencys Letter, of so distant a date as June 88, which came to my hands in Feby last: so that I must confess I have been much wanting to myself for not taking an earlier Opportunity to return Your Excellency my best thanks for the favour which Your Excellency was pleasd to confer upon me, and for the politeness You express’d towards me in return for the letter which I address’d to Your Excellency, with a short Copy of Verses annexed—I must say they were not worthy Your Perusal, and the

kind reception, they met with—this I must own was very flattering to the Author; no less than Your Excellencys communicative manner on some interesting, and important subjects, which You was pleasd to touch upon in Your letter to me. That I have receivd so great a Mark of Favour from so great a Character, will cause me much to Value myself upon it.
My delay in writing to Your Excellency, however remiss it may appear, furnishes me with the opportunity, which with much pleasure I lay hold of, to Congratulate Your Excellency upon having crown’d Your Labours with Success—I cannot Contemplate but with the highest Complacency, Your Elevation to the Dignity of being the first Citizen in the World. A choice so unanimous from so many flourishing States, great and powerful cannot fail to place Your Excellency in a point of View the most exaulted, which a generous mind can aspire to—It is not to be wonder’d that a People so Benefited should turn their Eyes towards their great Benefactor, with an earnest desire, that He should long continue their Protector, and Guide. My Wish, and my Prayer is that in this high, and eminent Station Your days may be many in Prosperity, and Peace.
Was I equal to the Task, I would again endeavour to raise the Voice of the Muse in celebration of Your Triumphs. for the present at least that work, I must relinquish for some abler hand—but will request leave herewith to subjoin in a few Verses a slender Encomium upon the tuneful Art, and its powers to render Immortal those who have distinguish’d themselves in the defence of their Country. All the Works of manual Art have been Subject to decay—most of them sooner or later have Moulderd away without scarce a Vestige of their having been. Therefore is it, that we hold in such Estimation, that which can defy the Ravages of time and transmit to Posterity the Names of Illustrious Statesmen and Heroes.
If Two Hundred Thousand Romans rose up, as is related on the Entrance of their great and favoured Poet ⟨of⟩ the Public Theatre—there need be no greater Testimony to the Merit of that Excellence which in all Ages has met with the Countenance, and Protection of the Great.
I am confident, that whatever is praise worthy will in a just proportion, and a due degree be Cherish’d by Your Excellency; and that You will rejoice to see the Arts, and Sciences together

with ornamental Litterature Flourish in the Rising States—no less than the Knowledge of Polity, and Arms. I have the Honour to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient and most Devoted Servant

Edwd Pemberton

P.S. as Your Excellencys Engagements, are so many and so great, I would not infringe upon Your time—tho the favour may be a Singular One to see Your Signature[.] Yet—I shall esteem it a Sufficient Honour if Your Secretary will acknowledge any Letter from me who have enough upon Yr hands in so important a Trust as is Rested in the President, or Dictator of the United States—of America—I have taken the Liberty to send a Duplicate to Yr Excellency.


Title: To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 11 July 1789
From: Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth
To: Washington, George

Dear General,
Charleston [S.C.] July 11. 1789

Capn Tate who served with great reputation in the Continental Regiment of Artillery attached to the line of this State, does not find his Military ardour abated either by the seven years war or the seven years of peace which have succeeded the War; but he is still anxious to enlarge his fund of military experience by serving in the armies of the Porte—Altho’ he could have sailed to France in his way to Turkey immediately from this State, he thought it would be improper to leave the Continent with a view of entering into a foreign Service without requesting your permission so to do, & receiving any commands you may think proper to give him. I knew him well during the whole time of his being in the army & can vouch for his bravery, intelligence & honour.
It was an idea of old Mr Lynch with whom you served in Congress in the Year 1774 that the Interest of this State would be much promoted if we could send our Rice to Turkey. Some

Cargoes were sent there with profit, notwithstanding the enormous premium paid to the English Turkey Company for liberty to trade there—Dr Turnbull of this City resided there for a number of years & speaks very highly of the advantages that would accrue to us from such a trade; as all the Turks eat Rice, and the continual commotions in Egypt render the supply from thence very precarious. I should apprehend the Eastern States would also be glad of such a Markett for their oil & fish, & all the States for their lumber & various other Articles—and as the Turks are not a very commercial people, such a trade would greatly encrease our shipping. Capn Tate does not seek any office or place, but I apprehend that while he is pursuing his military plans, the information he may transmitt to America relative to the situation of Turkey & the practicability of having a commerce with that Country notwithstanding the Algerines may be very useful, if you will permit him to write on those Subjects—With every sentiment of gratitude & esteem—I remain Your most obliged & obedt hble Sert

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Smedley, 11 July 1789
From: Smedley, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York July 11th 1789

I beg leave to Request you will be pleas’d to Nominate me to the senate & with them Appoint me to the Office of Collector at the Port of Fairfield—I trust sir the Testimonials I have the Honor to present you will shew that the Interest of the Nation may be well served by such Appointment and that it will be Agreable to the People in General as well as Afford some Means of support to one who has Faithfully served his Country while passing thro’ the distressing Scenes of War and on Account of many Unfortunate Circumstances Concurring Received but little Compensation for All those services and who has sufferd the Loss of the greater part of his Paternal Inheritance by the Ravages of A Cruel Enemy. I am sir A Native of the Town Where the Office is established and am Acquainted with All the shore Creeks and Harbours, have been Concern’d in Navigation both as an Owner And Master of A Vessel and trust my experience in that line of Life will be of Special service in the Discharge of the duties of the Office. If sir Any further Evidence relative to my Character should be Necessary I beg leave to refer you to the senators and Representatives from Connecticut who I presume are All Acquainted with my General Character and some of them Perticulerly Acquainted with me. I have the Honor to be sir with greate Respect & Esteem your most Obet Humbe servt

Saml Smedley


Title: To George Washington from Francis Mennis, 12 July 1789
From: Mennis, Francis
To: Washington, George

Hond Sir
York Virginia July 12 1789.

It is with utmost pleasure I congratulate you on being called to the important station & most sincerely congratulate on the recovery of your Health. I am sorry it is not in my power to express myself to you on this occasion as I coud wish for want of an education but be assured my most sincere wishes will ever attend you & your family.
I have a claim against the United state[s] as Captain in the Continental army from the death of Colo. Richd Parker of the first Virginia Regiment till the expiration of the War. I have received the Commutation by the hands of Ed. Carrington esqr. I have address’d several Members of Congress, & when

you have any leisure & can render this service it will be ever acknowledged I have a Wife & three small Infants & this will be of infinite service.
I conclude with wishing you & your Lady every Happiness this World can afford & in the next everlasting bliss. I am Yr most devoted & very humble servt

Francis Mennis


Title: To George Washington from Anonymous, 13 July 1789
From: Anonymous
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New Jersey July 13th 1789

I should never have presumed to address a letter to your Excellency and least of all an anonymous one, were it not for the delicate and responsible situation in which your power of nominating and appointing to office places you and likewise for the necessity consequent thereupon of your being acquainted with the character and abilities of various candidates. A Collector we are told is shortly to be appointed to each of three districts in this state. The general satisfaction which Mr Elmer of the Cumberland or Western district and Mr John Ross of the middle or Burlington district, have given both to the people at large and to the Legislature & the upright character of both will in all probability be a powerful and sufficient inducement with your

Excellency to continue them—In the Eastern district there seems to have been less permancy & less satisfaction. Mr Jona: Deare held the Office several years untill the Legislature about twelve months since refusing to reappoint him, put in his place Mr Vickars of New Brunswick, Application was made to the Legislature by Captn Patrick Dennis at their last and preceding sitting for the appointment which was refused to him nor has he ever been a naval officer in the State, altho’ I am told he calls himself one & even his certificates of recommendation speak of him in that character. Knowing as I do with certainty that he not only does not now hold, but has never held & was refused that office under the State & that in consequence of being employed to act as Assistant he has imposed himself upon many Gentlemen within the state as the principal, I thought it my duty to State this matter in its true light to your Excellency, The three gentlemen just mentioned together with Mr John Halsted, Mr Dayton & Doctr Beaty are, I hear, candidates for the appointment in the Eastern or Amboy district. Mr Deare is too infirm and too inactive to discharge it well—Mr Vickars & Mr Dayton are engaged in trade the one in New Brunswick the other in Elizabeth, & so well situated that I am assured neither of them would consent to leave their business and their towns and settle at Amboy with such slender prospects of profit as the Collection of duties in the district holds out—Captn Dennis’s situation & circumstances render him a very unfit person. On the brink of insolvency as he has been for a long time, he has not dared untill very lately to go to New York thro’ fear of prosecution—He now stands under the licence and indulgence of his Creditors some of whom are Merchants in New York—His continual obligations to, and consequent fear of, that description of men whom it would be chiefly his business, as Naval Officer or Collector to watch, check & detect in their attempts to defraud the revenue by means of a port so neighbouring and convenient to New York lead me to beleive him not well qualified for the task[.] He speaks largely of his services in the war. I was a witness to part of his Conduct & did not view it as servicable but injurious—Colo: Wadsworth was in the staff department at the time & will I dare say remember more than I can on this head, if consulted. Doctr Beaty is a man without doubt capable of performing the duties of the office as well as any that

can be mentioned & his removal to amboy would probably be no Injury in the line of his profession—Mr Halsted is I conceive equally well qualified—He lives at Amboy has a large family and is a man whose sufferings in favor of the late revolution have been equalled by very few, nay they are continuing to exercise him still, for his property in Canada (which in consequence of the decided part he took in our favor, he was obliged to abandon) is with held from him to this day by the British Government—So unimpeachable and remarkable is his character for Integrity, that I beleive it has never been questioned or even suspected by any who know him.
Your Excellency will be pleased to pardon the liberty which one unknown has taken on this occasion—Neither of the Candidates will ever know from the writer what is here written—An amnity for the proper administration of the Government and the revenue, not personal attachments have moved him to this measure—An anonymous paper deserves no Credit from the writer and can therefore only have weight as the remarks stated therein, appear to have their foundation in fact. He wishes them to have no more, but will be fully gratified, if they lead to enquiry, and as the result thereof, to truth. I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect & esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedt hum. servt.


Title: To George Washington from Clement Skerrett, 13 July 1789
From: Skerrett, Clement
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York July 13th 1789

Haveing served my Country in the hour of distress, and done my duty with reputation, I beg leave to Offer myself a Candidate, for any of those Appointments, which your Excellency may please to Confer.
As an Aid to Genl Clinton, and haveing served as an Officer in the Maryland Artillery, I conceive I am not altogether unknown to your Excellency, and hope the above Circumstances may have weight in the decision of Appointments.
The Honble Mesrs Carroll’s of Senate, & house of Representatives from Maryland and Collo. Grayson of Virginia, I have the honour to Offer as vouchers for my capacity & Integrity to discharge with reputation any Appointment, which I may be favor’d with—I beg leave to offer my sincere wishes for the prosperity & happiness of your Government, and to subscribe myself—Your Excellency’s Most Obedt and very Hble Servant

Clement Skerrett


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Whipple, 13 July 1789
From: Whipple, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
Portsmouth New Hampshire 13th July 1789

With great respect I beg permission to address your Excellency and to Congratulate you on your election to the Chair of Government. The happy event of your accepting the appointment diffuses the utmost Satisfaction to every Friend of his Country.
Without the foundation of any claim to the freedom of writing to you from being known to your Excellency, I take the liberty to inform you that I am now in the Office of Collector of Impost Duties for the State of New Hampshire which I have held Several Years & having given attention to the duties of this office I am desirous of continuing in it under the federal Government, wishing for the Satisfaction of contributing my part of assistance in the Support of a Government so greatly promoted by your Excellency & which presages to our Country Peace and Happiness. I have the Honour to be with the most profound respect Sir Your Excellencys Most Obedient and Most Hume Servt

Joseph Whipple


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Deare, 14 July 1789
From: Deare, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

New Brunswick [N.J.] July 14th 1789
May it please your Excellency.

It having been suggested that doubts had arisen respecting the propriety of appointing a person to the Office of Collector for this State whose residence is not in Amboy, where the Office will probably be established, I take the liberty to inform your Excellency that if I am honored with the appointment and find it necessary I intend to remove to that place.
I have the honour to be with profound respect and attachment Your Excellencys Most Obdt Hble Sert

Jona. Deare


Title: To George Washington from Richard Harris, 14 July 1789
From: Harris, Richard
To: Washington, George

Marblehead [Mass.] July 14 1789

May it please your Excellency Being informed that the Officers of the Customs will be soon appointed, I am in Duty bound to inform your Excellency that I now hold the Office of Collector & have for several Years held it under this Commonwealth—the County of Essex is divided into two Districts the Northern and Southern and the latter for which I am Collector contains the following Seaports vizt Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, Danvers, Beverly, Manchester & Gloucester & I flatter myself that this honorable Testimony ⟨mutilated⟩ State in appointing me to the Office, and the Information which Several of the Gentlemen from this State in Congress can give you respecting my Character will [be] sufficient to secure my reelection. Sir the Consideration which I shall mention would have no weight if I was unqualified for the Office, but otherwise it must have a due Effect on a mind always alive to the Feelings of humanity. I have now in my family a Wife & Nine Children from fifteen Months to fifteen Years old, depending altogether on my Earnings in this Office, and should I be supplanted by the Craft or Subtitty of any other applicant your Excellency can better conceive than I can describe the misfortunes that will ensue to them, I shall however cheerfully submit my Case to your Excellencies Wisdom & Justice, and, am sir with ⟨perfect⟩ Respect & veneration, Your Excellencys most Obt & most hble Sert

Richard Harris


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 14 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

Dear Sir,
New York July 14th 1789

I find myself incompetent to form any decided opinion upon the paper I received from you the other day without having a view of the transactions which have been had with the Spanish Minister.
I wish also to know whether, if the negociations are renewed, it can be made to appear from anything that that Gentln has said, as the result of an advance towards it from him, in his official character? Unless this is the case, and prima facia the reverse, will it not convey to him & his Court an idea that a change of sentiment has taken place in the governing powers of

this Country? Will it be expedient & proper (at this moment) for the President to encourage such an idea?—at any rate without previously advising with the Senate? With very sincere esteem & regard I am Dr Sir, Yr Affectionate

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Page, 14 July 1789
From: Page, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York July 14th 1789

As the Time is now almost arrived when you will proceed to appoint the Officers of Government, I can no longer refrain from mentioning such Persons to you as have requested me to do so on this Occasion. That I might not be troublesome I have contented myself with stating with their Names the Offices they wished for & the Person recommending them. I have taken the Liberty of inclosing a few Letters as explanatory of some of their Claims to Appointm⟨ent⟩ but ⟨p⟩resume not to trouble you with any Recommendations of my own—I have the Honor to be your most obedient humble Servant

John Page


Title: To George Washington from John Stake, 14 July 1789
From: Stake, John
To: Washington, George

The Memorial of John Stake of the City of New York
Most respectfully ShewethJuly 14th 1789
That your Memorialist being actuated by Motives of Patriotism for the Liberty’s of his Country; entred at an early period during the late War into her Service, in which he continued untill the Gracious Governor of the Universe crown’d the Contest with Fame and Independence.
Impell’d by similar Motives which led your Memorialist to the Field at the risque of his Life and from the Bosom of his affectionate Parents, who for their Political Principles for Freedom experienced a total loss of Property from a Cruel and Relentless Britis[h] Army and their adherents by which your Memorialist is deprived of the Prospects and means that flaterr’d him in his early years and obliges him to have recourse to a Character whose virtues are unparall’d in History He forbears mentioning his Services and present Situation and apply’s in Silence to the Benevolence of your Excellency’s breast.
In the various offices to be establish’d under the new Government and particular the Customs your Memorialist should be deem’d meritted too, your Excellency may be assured of the utmost Integrity in its Discharge And your Memorialist as in duty bound &c.

Jno. Stake


Title: To George Washington from David Stuart, 14 July 1789
From: Stuart, David
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Abingdon 14th July—1789

Being just returned from a journey to the lower parts of the State, I am much distressed, to find your indisposition has been

much more severe than appeared from the Public papers—I hope I may now congratulate you on your perfect recovery.
Tho’ you were pleased at your departure, to desire to hear from me occasionally, yet knowing how much you are oppressed in this way, it was not my intention to increase your list of Correspondents, unless business required it; or, I had some information of the Public opinion respecting the operations of the government to communicate, which, if not usefull, or important, might be satisfactory—Both these motives concur in dictating the present address—Nothing could equal the ferment and disquietude, occasioned by the proposition respecting titles—As it is believed to have originated from Mr Adams & Lee, they are not only unpopular to an extreme, but highly odious—Neither I am convinced, will ever get a vote from this State again. As I consider it very unfortunate for the Government, that a person in the second office should be so unpopular, I have been much concerned at the clamor and abuse against him—Perhaps I feel it more sensibly, from being reminded of my insignificant exertions for him, as an Elector—The Opponents to the government affect to smile at it, and consider it as a verification of their prophecies about the tendency of the government. Mr Henry’s description of it, that it squinted towards monarchy, is in every mouth, and has established him in the general opinion, as a true Prophet—It has given me much pleasure to hear every part of your conduct spoke of, with high approbation, and particularly your dispensing with ceremony occasionally, and walking the streets; while Adams is never seen but in his carryage & six—As trivial as this may appear, it appears to be more captivating to the generality, than matters of more importance—Indeed, I believe the great herd of mankind, form their judegments of characters, more from such slight occurrences, than those of greater magnitude; and perhaps they are right, as the heart is more immediately consulted with respect to the former, than the latter, and an error of judgement, is more easily pardoned, than one of the heart—I find the Senate in general, to be unpopular, and much censured for keeping their doors shut—Nor do they appear more fortunate for their disagreement with the lower House, on the subject of a discrimination—I can only say that I think,

from what I have been able to learn, it would be a measure highly gratefull to every part of the State, but with the British Merchants—But it may possibly be founded more in prejudice & resentment, than sound policy; and if experience should prove it so, know it would be readily forgot, that it was a measure of their own and censure in abundance would follow—But without it, it is asked, what inducement can the British Court have to enter into any treaty at all with America, when her commerce is as much favored without one, as that of any nation which has a treaty?
In passing through Yorck to the Eastern Shore, I was much concerned to unde[r]stand, that the family of so virtuous and Patriotic a man, as Genl Nelson was left in so destitute a condition. His numerous Creditors had just presented their claims, which it seems amount to the enormous sum of 35000£—At the low rates at which property sells, it is thought little will be left for his family, after the debts are paid—As I know you are better acquainted with the Father’s virtues, than myself, I hope, you will think these a sufficient justification for my mentioning his son Thomas to you for some office. He has been well educated, and bred to the law, and been two or three years attending as a practitioner at the Genl Court—From the number of old Competitors there, his profits from his profession are but small and insufficient—I expect, that some place in your family would be agreeable—If you have no occasion for more, I should suppose that the office of Clerk to the Secretary of foreign affairs would be one, to which he is well fitted from his profession—It is a piece of justice due to the family, that I should observe, that I have mentioned the subject, without any application or suggestion on their part; prompted alone by my feelings for the distress of the family and my high respect for the virtues of the Father—Mr Page will be able to give you more information respecting the qualifications of the young man than I am, if you should think the reasons I have given deserve any attention. I must now confess my awkardness on this subject, and appeal to the motives which influenced me, for venturing to harrass you on a subject, on which, I know you were tired out, months before you left home.
Mr Claiborne informed me sometime ago, by Mr Basset, and

lately himself, that he concieved he had a right to the land in King William purchased by Mr Custis’s Father, from his Uncle, and containing about twenty five hundred acres. He concieves the lands to have been entailed, and wishes to know, if you have any information respecting it’s being docked—I can discover no instrument of that sort among the papers—In the deed of conveyance to Mr Custis, I observe that it was sold by a decree in Chancery of the Court of King-William, to pay Mr Claybornes debts. This is a very encouraging circumstance to me, as I cannot suppose the Court would have taken such a step, without the best opinions, that it was not entailed. I likewise find, that Mr Powers an able lawyer of that time, as an Executor, joins in the conveyance, as also Philip W: Claiborne Father of the present claimant—I can hardly think the former would have made himself liable and the latter conveyed away his right, without the fullest conviction of their being some defect in the entail—I have informed Mr Claiborne of these circumstances, but he does not appear to think them of any weight—He tells me, the lawyers he has consulted, think it a good entail—I have consulted no one yet but Coll Innes, who is of the same opinion with Mr Powers—Tho’ it is not probable, you have any information, which the papers do not furnish, yet, I could wish to know it certainly—I am told by Mr Moor, that Claiborne’s Father used to talk much of his right, and of suing for it—You may have heard of this, and the reasons which prevented him.
I shall have little to do the remainder of the year but attend the different Courts—The weighty suit in chancery with Robert Alexander, will be determined in August, and with Coll Basset in September, at Williamsburg—Mr W: Dandridge informs me, it is necessary there should be a deed of conveyance from you to Mr Custis’s heir, for the lands you purchased in King William—You will determine whether it be so, or not, to prevent any claim from your heirs—Mr J: Dandridge has informed me of an order for a considerable sum, due from his Father’s estate, to Mr Custis’s, which he has sent to you—When informed, of it’s being complied with, I shall give him credit for it.
I must now desire my best Compts to Mrs Washington. Mrs Stuart and the girls are well, and desire their love to each of

you, and beg to congratulate you on your recovery. I am Dr Sir, with great respect Your Affecte Servt

David Stuart

P:S: Our prospect for crops is very bad—We have had no good rain for some weeks—the corn at this advanced season, is scarce knee high. D:S:


Title: To George Washington from James Dunlop, 15 July 1789
From: Dunlop, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Georgetown [Md.] 15th July 1789

Aggreeable to the directions contained in your letter to me dated Mount Vernon 6th April 1789 I have paid to Colo. Hooe of Alexandria the sum of Seven hundred Pounds Sterling in part of the debt due to the heirs of Colo. Colville by Thos Montgomerie Adam Stewart & Cumberland Wilson.
I am now prepared to make a further payment of £500 Ster. on the same account and have hopes of making it £250 Ster. more before I can hear from you—whatever may be in my hands belonging to these Gentlemen shall be paid on a few days notice in the manner that may be most convenient and aggreeable to you.
The Laws both of Maryland & Virginia authorize me to pay current money at the par of exchange in discharge of Sterling Debts and in this manner Colo. Hooe received his money. I am with the most perfect respect Sir Your most obt hue Sert

James Dunlop


Title: To George Washington from Ebenezer Hazard, 15 July 1789 [letter not found]
From: Hazard, Ebenezer
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Ebenezer Hazard, 15 July 1789. On 17 July GW wrote to Hazard: “I have received your letter of the 15th Instant.”


Title: To George Washington from William Imlay, 15 July 1789 [letter not found]
From: Imlay, William
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Imlay, 15 July 1789. On 1 Aug. Imlay wrote to GW: “I did myself the honor of writing to your Excellency the 15th Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Leffingwell, 15 July 1789
From: Leffingwell, Christopher
To: Washington, George

Norwich [Conn.] July 15 1789.

The Petition of Christopher Leffingwell humbly sheweth—That your Petitioner took a decided part at the commencement

of the late War; a circumstance in evidence. He was one of Six Gentlemen who furnished Money, planned & gave Orders to the Officers who went from Hartford the 25th of May 1775 to raise Men at Pittsfield Bennington &C. to take possession of Ticonderoga & Crown Point & secure the military Stores there—Your Petitioner was in the mercantile line before the War, & was in easy circumstances; was appointed a purchaser for the State of Connecticut; and served under Colo. Trumbull Commissary General during his continuance—also served in the quarter master department under General Mifflin during his continuance in that department. In which time he advanced large Sums of his own money for Provisions &C. for which he now has Loan office Certificates for several thousand Pounds, the Interest of which for many years has been of little use for support of a large family—He has been the Officer for the Port of Norwich ever since it was first established; which since he quitted merchantile business has given him considerable towards support. Your Petitioner is the senior Naval Officer in Connecticut east of New Haven; had, and presumes still has the confidence of his fellow citizens, is known by all the Gentlemen in Congress from this State—Mr Huntington from this Town Colo. Wadsworth, Colo. Trumbull, & Mr Sturges he is intimately acquainted with—The Honourable members in Senate know him & can give his character—He therefore humbly prays for the appointment of Collecter for the District of New London—being advised by some of the members to solicit; presuming he has no competitor who has a better right to solicit with hope; & your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray

Chrisr Leffingwell


Title: To George Washington from Rufus Putnam, 15 July 1789
From: Putnam, Rufus
To: Washington, George

Sir
New york July 15th 1789

It is now almost two years Sence the object which I have ben So long in pursuit of has ben obtaind I mean the purchase of lands between the ohio and Lake Erie, and it is eighteen months Sence I led the first Settlers into that quarter. I am now on my way to Massachusetts in order to dispose of my property there, and remove my family to Muskingum.
By the death of General Varnum, there is a vacancy of one of the Judges in the Teritory; and I have to request that if consistent with the public good I may recive an appointment to that office.
it may be an objection with Some that I never Studied law as a Science; but when it is considered that the right of property in that country is very Simple, that the business at present is more of a Legislative than of an executive kind, and that during my day the number of Great Law qustions if any, will be very few, perhaps the objection will bear little weight: however I Shall rest perfectly Satisfied in your decision—but Should it be against Such appointment I have one more request to make, which is the office of Surveyor for the United States—Sence the peace took place untill I Set out for Muskingum as before Stated I had the office of Surveyor in Massachusetts in respect to their land in the Province of Main and in what maner I executed that business for Several years, I beg leve to refer your Exceleny (if you please to enquire) to Mr Strong, Mr Dalton and other Gentalmen now in Congress from that state.
I have only to add my earnest wish for your better health, that I leave town to morrow for Rutland in Massachusetts, and expect to be in Town again in a few weeks: that the first mentioned appointment would be my choise, but either of them will

be recived with gratitude by your Excellencys most obedient humble Servant

Rufus Putnam


Title: From George Washington to Beverley Randolph, 15 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Beverley

Sir,
New York July 15th 1789.

I had the honor, last evening, to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 6th inst. enclosing one from the County Leiutenant of Green Briar on the subject of Indian affairs.
When Congress have finished the necessary and important business which has occupied them since their first meeting, and in which they are now engaged, I shall seize the earliest moment to lay before them such information as I have received relative to the disputes with, and depredations of the Indians on the several parts of our Western Frontier; and doubt not but the subject will meet that immediate attention which it seems to deserve. With due consideration, I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Adams, 16 July 1789
From: Adams, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Richmond hill [New York City] July 16 1789

The inclosed letters are from two as respectable characters as any in Massachusetts, containing information which I hope has been transmitted to you, through other channels. But as it is possible, it may be otherwise, it is my duty to lay them before

you, which I beg leave to do by the bearer Colo: Smith. With all possible defference and respect I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient hum.

John Adams.


Title: To George Washington from Hodge, Allen, & Campbell, 16 July 1789
From: Hodge, Allen, & Campbell
To: Washington, George

Sir
[New York] Thursday 12 OClock [16 July 1789]

Having almost finished a neat American Edition of the Rise Progress & Termination of the late revolution, by Dr Gordon; We humbly beg the privilidge to dignify our list of Subscribers, which is very numerous, by adding Your respectable Name thereto.
Our knowledge of Your desire to encourage the rising manufactures of our Country, emboldens us to sollicit this favour, which we hope your Excelly will freely grant, & Oblige Sir Your most Obdt & very hble Servts

Hodge, Allen & Campbell


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 July 1789
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Boston, 16 July 1789. “When I had the honour of addressing your Excellency on the subject of returning to public life I did not suggest a wish to hold one office in preference to an other—Indeed at that

time it was not ascertained what offices would be established under the new constitution. It was however the general idea that the union would be formed into different districts and that there would be an officer appointed in each to fill up the large space between the treasury board and the several collectors & naval officers—As the partiality of my friends here has excited a public expectation that I might be called to an office of more respectibility than either of the two last mentioned it may possibly be supposed that I would decline accepting either should your Excellency think me quallified to fill one of them—but this is so far from being the case that I should feel well satisfied to hold that, in which I might be thought by your Excellency to be most useful.”


Title: To George Washington from John Marsden Pintard, 16 July 1789
From: Pintard, John Marsden
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 16th July 1789

Haveing been Honor’d with the appointment of commercial Agent for the United States in the Island of Madeira where I resided for some Years; it was by the permission of the Honble Congress that I returned to this city, in order to render a true State of the American Trade in the Kingdom of Portugale, which might be advantageous to the general Interests of my Countrymen. It is now a Considerable time since my arrival, but have remained here with the Publick approbation to settle some private Business and wait the event of the New Constitution. The happy Issue, has now taken Place & I think it my duty to address you Sir on this occasion.
I presume the public service requires my return to that Kingdom but I am informd that it will be necessary that a New appointment by the President of the United States should warrant my future services.
In order to save you time as much as possible, I beg leave to refer you Sir to a Letter I had the honor of sending to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in February 1787 a copy whereof is here enclosed; That Honorable Gentleman is well acquainted with the comercial Situation & circumstances of Portugale and

of the proceedings of the late Congress relative to my application for the Consul ship of that Kingdom & can give more information on that head than I dare presume to take up your time in listening to. all I can further say, is that if You should think proper to carry the designs of the former Congress into execution by appointing me Consul or Commercial agent for the Kingdom of Portugale I am very confident that I can render essential services to the Commercial Interests of the United States.
As Lisbon is but the distance of three or four days Sail from Madeira I propose to reside at that City & attend the Port of Madeira occasionally where the House to which I belong is established.
I also take the Liberty of referring to a letter from the Governor of Madeira to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & now in his Office as it will shew that I was not unacceptable to that Nobleman, if the President of the United States should wish for any particular information relative to the commercial regulations of Portugale my long residence in that Kingdome will enable me to give it.
No pecuniary recompence is asked from the United States for this service as the Honor & Advantage of the Public confidence especially in a Commercial Line is a Competent reward. I have the Honor to be with profound Respect Sir Your Mo. Obt & very Hume Servant

John Marsden Pintard


Title: To George Washington from Charles Shnabell, 16 July 1789
From: Shnabell, Charles
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York 16th July 1789.

You have been chosen by the unanimous Voice of Millions, as the first Magistrate, Guardian, and Protector of this young rising Empire. I could not have the satisfaction to include myself in the number of them Millions—I did go with a intention to Vote, but was not permitted. But this shall not discourage me, since I was not permitted to vote in that number, I shall do it now singly and chuse you Sir, as my Guardian and Protector. Your Excells. known humanity will leave me in no doubt but that my humble Vote and Petition will be granted. My Father had the following Seal on Arms. I as the oldest and only Son would be entitled to carry them Arms, (the Name belonging to it is de Shoenstein) The natural question might be, why I did not make use of that name? I can not answer that question without leading you some generation back. If you could look there, you would see one of my Ancestors first Minister of State, at a certain court—you would see the ⟨illegible⟩ with the Ministers fall under the greatest displeasure of the Emperor. You would see Laws made against them which did infect their posterity. That very time my great-greatest Grandfather had seven Sons, the oldest stay’d in Germany to keep up the Family, under the name of Shnabell, and the rest went to England and some to America. Now I am the oldest of the line, and see no propability of keeping up the Family in this country, because in my present Situation I wont marry. In this very reason I’ll have to go to Germany, where I am sure some Princes will asist me for

the sake of my Birth. My Father and Mother died when I was a small boy, and my relations led me never in the secret of what right I had in the Roman-Empire. Since I did not like their treatment, I went away from them and came to America. But there is a certain Gentleman who told me in a whisper that I had money eneough, where shall this come from? By some other means I found out that I had a sort of a heir to my unkown fortune, and where shall this heir come from? To my notions I can have no heir except some distant relations, that did come of the Sons that left the Roman-Empire, and did go to England or America, and took an other name instead of Shnabell. I conjecture some credetible Family which lives in Talbot-County to be their distant relations. And that, that heir of mine must be a female, which rites of late in a Coach and four—By havens I’ll have no such Heirs! Fortune has smild eneough on her allready. I shall make a better use of it, if I ever get a Fortune. If I never experienced the smiles of Fortune, I have experienced the frowns of Poverty and Misfortune. And the poor and Fatherless are pointed out to me by Providence to be my Heirs.
Now if I should have a fortune, I beg your Excelly to asist me, and put me in a way to get it.
But if your Excelly could to nothing for me in this matter, I beg you to Send me to Europe since I am not in the Situation to pay for my Pasage.
Your Excelly will please to consider that I am without real Friends, and prosecuted by my Enemies—that I am to a certain degree lost, and in a deplorable Situation, that my circumstances are poor, unhappy, and critical, and to who could I apply with more propriety, in my wretched situation, but to the Father of this Country. I am Sir, Your most obd. and humble Sert

Charles Shnabell


Title: To George Washington from William Hardy, 17 July 1789
From: Hardy, William
To: Washington, George

sir
New York 17th July 1789

Having been informed that a number of appointments will Soon take place under the present goverment of the United states, I hereby beg leave to offer my services.
During the late war: I was, together with my Family exceedingly harrased and distressed in my Circumstances, which Obliged me to quit a trading profession and seek for Employment in one of the Publick offices: accordingly I obtained the appointment of Commissioner for Examining, Counting and destroying the Old Continental Bills of Credit, which Employment is now at a stand.
Thus circumstanced. I am urged to the necessity of applying for some appointment under the New Establishment, The office of Collector, Naval Officer or survey of any Port in the states of New York Connecticut or Massachussetts would be most agreeable as at my advanced time of Life, a more southern latitude would not so well agree with my Constitution. But any station to which you may be pleased to appoint me, will be acceptable and Acknowledgd with gratitude—With the highest respect I am sir your Most Obt Humble servant

Wm Hardy


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Harris, 17 July 1789
From: Harris, Joseph
To: Washington, George

King’s District County of Albany State of New York
SirJuly 17th 1789
Permit me to trouble you with a matter respecting individuality and draw your attention a minute from the important national Affairs.
In the Year 1775 in the Battle at Bunkerhill I received a Wound by which I have ben reduced from a handsome freehold Interest to a state of Distress with the Care of an expensive

family—Have received a Pension of 60 Dol. ⅌r Annum from the Year 1782 to 88 inclusive but for the Years from 1775 to 1782 I have receiv’d nothing.
The Auditor of this State pretends that a scruple is in his mind respecting the payment of the last Years mentioned, that is whether they shall be payed in money or Certificates—several respectable Attornies have examined the Resolves of Congress and find that the whole is to be paid in Money.
I have petitioned to the Legislature now sitting and they have refered the Matter to the Auditor which not only prolongs the Business and still leaves me in Distress without help but renders it uncertain whether I obtain any thing or not.
I therefore beg Your patronange and Assistance with Capt. Increase Bennett in solliciting and treating with the Auditor for a just and expeditious Conclusion of the Business in the favour of your Distressed yet respectful and very humble servant

Joseph Harris


Title: From George Washington to Ebenezer Hazard, 17 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Hazard, Ebenezer

Sir,
New York July 17th 1789

I have received your letter of the 15th Instant enclosing the Post Office Ac[coun]ts in detail for the years 1784 & 1788. But there still remains one point on which I would wish to have further information. By the statement of the Produce and Expences

of the Post office which accompanied your letter of the 27th of June, there appears to have been an annual Profit arising from that Department, amounting in the whole to 39.985 Dollars. As it is not shewn, by any documents which you have sent me, whether this ballance has been lodged in the Treasury of the United States, or appropriated to the use of the Post Office Department, I shall therefore thank you for early and satisfactory information on this head. I am, Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant

George Washington


Title: From George Washington to Hodge, Allen, & Campbell, 17 July 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Hodge, Allen, & Campbell

Sirs,
[New York] Friday July 17. 1789.

I received your letter of yesterday requesting permission to add my name to your list of subscribers for an american edition of Dr Gordon’s history of the late revolution.
As I have already several sets of that work I would wish to decline adding my name as a subscriber for more. I am Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Langdon, 17 July 1789
From: Langdon, John
To: Washington, George

Sr
New York July 17th 1789

I have Recd several letters from Eleazar Russell Esqr. who now is, and has been for upwards of Twenty years past, Naval Officer for the port of Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire, and likewise from, Colonal Joseph Whipple Brother of the late General Whipple who is now Collector or Impost Master for the Same port, in which they express their desire of being Continued in those Respective Offices, under the General Government, and have desired me to Mention their Names and Characters to the President of the United States, for a Nomination if he should think proper.
I therefore Sr would beg leave to Recommend these Gentlemen as very Suitable for these Offices; of undoubted integrity,

and who would be very Agreable to the people of that District. I have the Honor to be with the Highest Regard and Respect Sr your most obt Servt

John Langdon


Title: To George Washington from William Reily, 17 July 1789
From: Reily, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Newyork 17th July 1789

Being one of those who served my Country from the earliest to the latest period of the war, in a Military Capacity in the line of Maryland, and flatter myself with some reputation, for the evidence of which I beg leave to refer you to William Smith Esqr. Delegate for the State in whose line I Serv’d, who I trust will give a Satisfactory relation of my Conduct from the time of my entering Service to the present time.
I do not Claim any Merit from my military Services, in this I Conceive I have done no more than a good Citizen ought, therefore have nothing to regret, but the loss of a number of Years the prime of life which in Some Measure prevented me from the opportunity of accumulating Some Small Support for my more declining Years.
thus Circumstanced I am induced to become an applicant for an office under the Goverment now forming, finding by a bill before the Honorable the representatives of the United States that three persons are Necessary for the Collecting of the revenues in each Seaport Vez.—a Collector. Naval Officer and Surveyor for either of which I take the liberty to Offer myself for the Town of Baltimore the place of my residence.
Should your Excellency think fit to Honor me with an Appointment it will lay the highest Obligations on Sir Your most Obt & Very Hume Servt

Wm Reily


Title: To George Washington from Ebenezer Stevens, 17 July 1789
From: Stevens, Ebenezer
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 17th July 1789

Should my character and abilities be thought Suitable for the office of surveyor and searcher Of this port it would be accepted with gratitude By Your most obedient Humble Servant

Ebenr Stevens


Title: To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 18 July 1789
From: Boudinot, Elias
To: Washington, George

New York, 18 July 1789. Recommends John N. Cumming for the post of marshal of New Jersey and Ezekiel Forman as marshal of Pennsylvania. “Nothing could have prevailed upon me to have taken this liberty (and thereby acted contrary to my uniform determination) but an anxiety that the officers under the Judicial Department should be filled with Men of integrity & decorum—I hope it will not be disagreeable to the President of the United States, who I am confident will be pleased with every information, tending to bring forward Characters proper for his consideration in filling public Offices of Trust & Confidence.”


Title: To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 18 July 1789
From: Chiappe, Giuseppe
To: Washington, George

Your Excellency
Mogador [Morocco] 18th July 1789

I had the honor to write to Your Excellency the 25th of April by the way of Madrid, & I make no doubt but that Yr Excelly was Kind enough to explain to the Honorable Congress every thing which I had communicated for the welfare of the UStates of America, & as Capt. Joseph Proctor of the Schooner Polly belonging to Salem, is about to sail immediately for that place, I take the liberty to add a copy of my aforesaid Letter by this favorable opportunity & as least subject to delay. I must moreover inform Your Excelly of what beset the aforesaid Capt. Proctor, who in the Latitude of the Canary Islands & about 50 degrees Longitude, on his way to his place of destination returning from Cadiz with a load of Salt, being met by two of His Imperial Majestys Frigates, was visited by them Who would not acknowledge them for Americans because they had not Meditteranean passes as other Nations, & being suspected for a Muscovite, he was brought into this port of Mogador the 11th instant, that His Imperial Majestys intentions might be Known as to his fate. I immediately took every measure in his favor, & after having well informed myself that his passport & all his papers were regular & in good form I dispatched a Courrier to the Court with my Letter for the Emperor, which was immediately presented by my brother Francisco who supported this representation with the utmost zeal. His Imperial Majesty was very much displeased with his privateers & sent to examine the Ray, Sub Rays & Pilots in order the better to understand from them the cause of so unexpected an inconvenience, & at the same time dispatched two of his Alcaydes who arrived yesterday with letters for me & for the government, in which he has ordered that the aforesaid Captain his Vessel & Crew shall be immediately set at liberty to go wherever he shall please; to furnish him gratis with every refreshment & to take from him a formal certificate of the treatment whether good or bad which he received from his Rays to chastise them, & a note of what they might have taken or extorted from him, & to restore the same immediately & he annexed thereto a Letter patent with this Royal seal, by which it is declared that His Imperial Majesty

ratifys the Treaties concluded with the American nation under the auspices of Spain & in every thing & every where accedes to the peace subsisting between him & the other European nations; His Imperial Majesty confirms me in his letter to me, as also to my brother Geronimo at Tangiers & to my brother Francisco at Morocco as agents for the UStates of America, & orders me particularly to assist the aforesaid Captain & to inform myself from him of the Situation of the maritime cities, of the anchorage, Ports & courses to be held for North America, & the several distances, for the purpose of more express intelligence, which I acquaint Your Excellency with, as His Imperial Majestys intentions may be known, being very impatient to cultivate a more assiduous correspondence, which has been so long expected. Capt. Joseph Proctor has very highly praised the good treatment of the Privateers Rays, declaring the same in writing & he has given such information as His Majesty could wish all which I shall take care to send to His Imperial Majesty accompanied with all such explanations as may tend to maintain good harmony, while Your Excellency disposes the Honore Congress to show those formalities which the Emperor of Morocco seems to expect. As to myself I am always devoted to the service of the Honble Congress & ready to correspond at all times with the superior views of the whole nation by the assiduity of my employment in the post of Agent to which I have been appointed, & I impatiently look for those favorable arrangements which may enable me to support the same with dignity. I beg leave to implore the continuation of Your Excellencys respectable protection, & have the honor to be very profoundly Your Excellencys &ca.


Title: To George Washington from Israel Keith, 18 July 1789
From: Keith, Israel
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Boston July 18th 1789.

I suppose that some of my friends have written to Your Excellency in my behalf respecting the Office of Marshal for the District of Massachusetts—My wish is (in as few words as possible) to assure your Excellency that I should receive the above appointment, or any other of which I may be thought capable, with gratitude.
Applications of this kind I am very sensible must be numerous & burdensome: but they are unavoidable.
I offer for you the common prayer of Millions; that your happiness & renown may encrease. I am Sir Your Excellency’s Most Humble Servant

Israel Keith


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 July 1789
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Boston July 18th 1789

I consider, my dear General, that not only the happiness of the people under the new government but that the very existance of it depends in a great measure upon the characters

and abilities of those who may be employed in the judiciary and executive branches of government. Under this government I hope yet to live and to leave in its arms a large and an extensive family I cannot therefore be an inattentive spectator while the important business of organization is before your Excellency nor be silent where there is but a possibility of my doing the least good As your Excellency cannot be personally acquainted with all who ought to come forward and aid in the administration but must rely, in some degree, on the information of Gentlemen in the different States for the character of those who may be commissioned to fill the several departments which may be erected in perfecting the general system I therefore beg leave to mention to your Excellency that the common voice of the people here points out Mr Lowell as a Gentleman well qualified to fill one of the seats upon the bench of the supream court. The purity of his mind, the strength and promptitude of his judgement, and his knowledge of the law united with his having held a similar office under the old confederation have directed their views to this gentleman.
I am very apprehensive that he has not by any way communicated his wishes to your Excellency. If he has not the omission must originate in the extreem delicacy of the measure It is an office which to fill with honour and dignity requires an honest heart, a clear head, and a perfect knowledge of law in its extencive relations the truth of which he so fully realises that he is restrained from making a tender of his services as it would evince his belief that he enjoys the great and necessary quallifications to fill the office—To this a gentleman of Mr Lowells nice feelings would be brought with great reluctance.
I hope the above hints will be acceptable—If they do good my intentions will be perfectly answered—If they do not my apology for making them is the rectitude of my intentions. I have the honour of being with the highest esteem My dear General your Excellen⟨cy’s⟩ most obedient and humble servant

B. Lincoln