Title: To George Washington from Matthew Flannery, 5 December 1792
From: Flannery, Matthew
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, 5 December 1792]

The Memorial of Matthew Flannery Humbly sheweth; that your Memorialist came to this Country in expectation to get employed as Clerk in a Compting House or in a Publick Office, and during three Months residence in the City of Philadelphia, he has not met with the least encouragement, his Money being now expended, and being no longer able to support himself out of Business, being destitute of Friends who may lend him the least Assistance, and having no other resource whatsoever, obliges him with the greatest submission, to take the liberty of soliciting your Excellency for some Employment suitable to his Abilities⟨.⟩ He hopes from your Benevolent disposition towards the Distressed, that your Excellency will take his Case into consideration, and extricate him out of his present distressed situation by puting him into some Employ, as he can provide the most unblemished Character. And your Excellency will confer an everlasting favor on your Memorialist who will be during life in duty bound to pray &c.


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 5 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 5 Dec. 1792. GW wrote Whitting on 9 Dec. that his letter “of the 5th came yesterday.”


Title: Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 6 December 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir.
[Philadelphia] Dec: 6th 1792

Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters, from Brigadier General Wilkinson and John Belli deputy quarter master—dated Oct: 4th and 8th 1792; which I have just received. Yours sincerely,

H. Knox secy of war


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 6 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
United States [Philadelphia] December the 6th 1792.

The several measures which have been pursued to induce the hostile Indian Tribes, North of the Ohio, to enter into a conference or treaty with the United States, at which all causes of difference might be fully understood, and justly and amicably arranged, have already been submitted to both Houses of Congress.
The Papers herewith sent will inform you of the result.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 7 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
United States [Philadelphia] December 7th 1792

I lay before you two letters with their enclosures, from the Governor of the south western territory, and an extract of a letter to him from the department of War.
These, and a letter of the ninth of October last, which has been already communicated to you from the same department, to the Governor, will shew, in what manner, the first section of the Act of the last Session, which provides for the calling out the militia, for the repelling of Indian invasions, has been executed. It remains to be considered by Congress, whether, in the present situation of the United States, it be adviseable, or not, to pursue any farther or other measures, than those which have already been adopted. The nature of the subject does, of itself, call for your immediate attention to it; and I must add, that, upon the result of your deliberations, the future conduct of the Executive will, on this occasion, materially depend.

Go: Washington


Title: George Washington and John Francis Mercer to Francis Deakins and Benjamin W. Jones, 8 December 1792
From: Washington, George,Mercer, John Francis
To: Deakins, Francis,Jones, Benjamin W.

Gentlemen,
Philada 8th Decembr 1792.

Since the Letter which we addressed to you, requesting your valuation of a certain tract of Land in Montgomery County, another arrangement has taken place with regard thereto. It is now

agreed that the price of seven dollars per acre shall be fixed & the whole tract divided into two equal parts, with respect to quantity, quality & value. In giving effect to this agreement, we must still rely on your good offices to make the necessary division, which when certified to us will enable us to determine by Lot the possession. Your attention to this request, as early as your conveniency will permit, will greatly oblige, Gentlemen, Your mo: obt hble Servts

G: Washington
John F: Mercer.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Dec. 8. 1792.

Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter from the Commissioners of Washington.
Also begs leave to add to the list of candidates for the light house of Cape Henry, the name of John Waller Johnson, who has hitherto served in the Customs under Colo. Heath. he is recommended as a person of worth by a mister Waller Lewis of Spotsylvania, who is himself a man of worth. he has been a voyage or two to sea coastwise, which is all the knowlege he has of the distresses of that element.


Title: Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 8 December 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Lear, Tobias

War-Office [Philadelphia] Dec: 8. 1792

General Knox presents his compliments to Mr Lear, and begs the favor that he will submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters just received from the Governor of Georgia and Major Gaither.


Title: From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 9 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Carroll, Charles (of Carrollton)

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia Decr 9th 1792

In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 1st inst. and expressing my sincere wishes that your personal happiness may be promoted by the election you have made to continue in your State Legislature, I cannot but regret the loss of your services to the United States in your Senatorial Capacity. I am persuaded, however, that your endeavours to serve your Country will be no less exercised in the station which you have chosen to hold, than they have been heretofore in that which you have relinquished.
It gives me pleasure to find that Mr Benj’n Harwood has accompanied his application for the appointment to the Loan Office with those respectable & strong recommendations which have been forwarded in his behalf—as I find a great relief in discharging this part of my duty (which is not the least embarrassing)

when the opinions of respectable & worthy Characters unite in testifying to the merits, integrity & ability of the Candidate.
Mrs Washington unites in best wishes for your health & happiness with Dear Sir Your most Obedt Sert.


Title: Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 11 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Knox, Henry

United States [Philadelphia] Decr 11th 1792

By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of War the Speeches to the Chiefs of the Six Nations

and to the hostile Indians which have been submitted to the President, and to inform the Secretary that their contents embrace the President’s ideas on that subject. The President observes that the Secretary will write to General Wayne respecting Corn Planter, and to Genl Chapin respecting Red Jacket as he intended.

Tobias Lear.Secretary to the president of the United States


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

	Letter not found: from Thomas Jefferson, 12 Dec. 1792. An ALS, sold by Anderson Galleries, Howard K. Sanderson Sale, lot 471, 1–3 May 1916. According to the catalog entry, this letter asks GW to call at Jefferson’s house, when riding out, to see Samuel Mulliken’s model of a machine for sawing stone.


Title: To George Washington from Warner Mifflin, 12 December 1792
From: Mifflin, Warner
To: Washington, George

Respected Friend,
Kent [County, Del.]the 12th Day of 12 mo. 1792

I trust it will not be accepted by thee as flattery, when I mention what may in some respect appear like a repetition tho with some addition to what I communicated to thee both Verbally and in writeing heretofore; when I say from my heart, That I have real sincear respect for thy person and station.
And that on serious reflection in my mind this day, I tryed the subject fully and found clearly I could in truth from the Heart say, I know of no man in the world, that I could wish to be put in thy place, And if it lay to me entirely to Elect a president, and I took such a matter on me thou art the Man I should Elect.
This revived many feelings, I have at diferent times had respecting thee, and such freedom would arise that I thought if I knew thee to do wrong and I found it my duty I could tell thee of it as soon as any other man, & this felt pleasant to me—Now I will just Venture to hint to thee what revived in my mind on my way from the City I thought of ahabs expression to Jehoshuphat when 400 Prophets had prophecied, King Jehoshuphat asked if

there was no other prophet of the Lord they might enquire of Ahab answer’d there is Micajah but I hate him for he doth not prophecy good concerning me but evil.
I wished no disposition like this might ever get possession of the Presidents mind against me nor my friends For our plainess of expression at any time, I thought it felt that evening we were with him as if he was a little hurt by somthing; I concluded it might be in part oweing to some anonimous publications respecting the Indian war that he might think our address to the general goverment might rather strengthen; and which I did endeavoure to do away in some measure then, I was at that time much hurt on account of our Not accompanying that address to thee, it was my mind At first we should, that would have given thee an oppertunity of opening thy mind to us, and our giving thee our reasons, divers of our Committee were sorry after, and I hope thou wilt accept it that we did not intend any blame on thee or reflection on thy Conduct, But I was much pleased with the freedom thou used with us, it gave me much satisfaction, and I believe has been of use to many since my return home, as it gave an oppertunity for me to satisfy divers respecting the intentions of goverment, who had mistaken Idies on this subject of the war, and the intentions of Goverment relative thereto—For altho I am fully satisfy’d the Natives have been greviously imposed on, and unjustly dealt by—Yet it affords great satisfaction to find our rulers so generally disposed to favour them—and I have all along had much expectation from thee in this business relying on thy certain Knowledge off them, and disposition toward them—which induces me to hope somthing permanent may be fixed on; can thou but devise means to keep in order the Lawless whites.
I hope thou will not view our proceedings as improper medling, I believe it proceeded from a real religious concern, and to manifest we were willing to do what we could consistant with our principles for the aid of our Country, and the promotion of peace and good will towards all men—And wherein I have no doubt this Country will find some day we are right let southern blasts storm as they may and insinuate what they will respecting the Affricans, I remain of the very same sentiment made known to thee hereto-fore.
And therefore have again to request which I think but a reasonable

one that if our proceedings in a society or Individual Capacity at any time give thee uneasiness that thou wilt be so kind as to communicate the same to us, that thou may understand fully the ground we move on, for I may tell thee truly as far as I know and that is pretty generally the Sentiments of our members are favourable toward thee, and that I consider it an Offence against our dicipline if any of our members should be guilty of publishing under Anonimous signatures tending to the prejudice of rulers, I believe it unbecoming the Christian—“Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people” Acts 23:3.
And yet I can say I wish with all my heart that thou wert not a slave holder this does hurt the feelings of some of thy best friends, even such as are so, without any desire for either post Or pension from goverment—This is certainly somthing of a spech.
However my craveings for thee are that the Almighty may be mercifully pleased to afford thee such a portion of his divine Grace as may enable thee to go in and out before this so great People, and Hear them amidst the adverse winds in such manner as may be pleasing to him who rules in the army of Heaven, and amongst the Nations of the Earth who can turn and overturn Kingdoms and empires at his pleasure, set up and put down whom he will—May the a[s]piration of thy soul be to him, day and Night, That thou may be thereby continu’d a bles⟨si⟩ng in his holy hand to this Nation to the latest period ⟨of⟩ thy life and at the final close with thee on this se⟨a of⟩ glass, thou might be fitted and prepared for a Cro⟨wn⟩ immortal in that State of existance that I believe unchangable and Eternal, in the Mansions of rest & peace, with the spirrits of Just men made perfect ⟨is⟩ the Unfeigned desire for thee, of thy sincear Friend

Warner Mifflin Kent 10th of 12 mo. 1793

P:S. since I wrote the Above I have been in Philadelphia and passing the street met an Acquaintance, who stopt me and qu⟨e⟩ried about the debates in Congress respecting my address respecting the Affricans—Ah said he you deserve no better, you were very fond of addressing the President, and shew’d so much being wrapt up in the President and goverment that you deserved no better, This was a person who had a right of membership, at the time we prepared an Address to thee or just before,

but he was one of the regimental kind of Quakers—finding his disposition I said little to him—and I now mention this to thee, that if any such information comes to thee through another chanel thou may understand he is none of us, he may say as much before some who may take him to be a Quaker.


Title: To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 12 December 1792
From: Vans Murray, William
To: Washington, George

Sir,
81 South 3d [Philadelphia] 12 Decr 1792.

As an Inspector of the Eastern Shore Survey of Maryland is, I am informed, speedily to take place I beg leave as the only representative of that Shore now in Congress to place the names of Colonel William Richardson of Caroline county & of Colonel John Eccleston of Dorchester county, before you—Either of these gentlemen whether considered in point of weight of character⟨,⟩ merit of past services, centrality of situation or official qualifications would probably be found superior to most who could be brought to view. They are both much respected—men of firmness & very decided character—& who could in any situation to which their the official duties might be Placed act with a very deciding influence. I have the honour to be Sir with great deference & respect Yr mo. obt sert

W. V. Murray.


Title: Proclamation on Recent Crimes against the Cherokees, 12 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To:

[Philadelphia, 12 December 1792]

WHEREAS I have received authentic information, that certain lawless and wicked persons, of the western frontier, in the state of Georgia, did lately invade, burn and destroy, a town belonging to the Cherokee nation, altho’ in amity with the United States, and put to death several Indians of that nation; and whereas such outrageous conduct, not only violates the rights of humanity, but also endangers the public peace; and it highly becomes the honor and good faith of the United States to pursue all legal means for the punishment of those atrocious offenders; I have therefore thought fit to issue this my proclamation, hereby exhorting

all the citizens of the United States, and requiring all officers thereof, according to their respective stations, to use their utmost endeavours, to apprehend and bring those offenders to justice. And I do moreover offer a reward of Five Hundred Dollars, for each and every of the above named persons, who shall be so apprehended and brought to justice, and shall be proved to have assumed and exercised any command or authority among the perpetrators of the crimes aforesaid, at the time of committing the same.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done at the city of Philadelphia, the twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-two, and of the Independence of the United States the seventeenth.

Go. Washington.
By the President,Th. Jefferson.


Title: To George Washington from James Seagrove, 12 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Seagrove, James
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from James Seagrove, 12 Dec. 1792. Seagrove wrote GW on 17 Mar. 1793: “When I had the honor of addressing you on the 12th of December from Savannah, I considred all matters between the United States, and the Creek people on a favourable footing.”


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 12 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 12 Dec. 1792. GW wrote Whitting on 16 Dec.: “Your letter of the 12th with its enclosures came duly to hand.”


Title: To George Washington from James Madison, 14 December 1792
From: Madison, James
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Decr 14. 92

Mr Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President, and informs him that Mr Johnson⟨,⟩ the candidate for the light-house appointment, having left the City yesterday morning, it cannot now be ascertained how far he is apprised of the limited provision annexed to the place.


Title: To George Washington from Ezekiel Scott, 14 December 1792
From: Scott, Ezekiel
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, 14 December 1792]

Proposition by Ezekiel Scott of Farmington Connecticut that for the purpose of obtaining and Commeunicating Intelligence from time to time to the Executive of the United States, of the temper & designs of the Indians and of the plans & measures of the British Connected with them, as they may respect the United States a seuitable person be stationed at Detroit a man in w[h]om the United States can place entier confidence in, and who at the Same time is well known to and respected by the British officers and Agents &C. and that to Conceal his real object, he assume the character of an Indian trader and take with him a proper assortment of goods, that he be a person who has heretofore acted in that capasity and formerly an Indian trader in Detroit, So as to have formed acquaintance & connections there & with the western Indians, it will better premote the design. that if found expedent, that he purchase a house lot thare, and in due time take his family with him. that he employ two Confidential persons as a Clark & Servant, by whom or by him-self, all important intelligance may be personally conveyed to Executive of the United States that these Stocks of goods be taken on his own accomst and from time to time the proceuring of goods and Supplies will furnish a reason for making jurnies to the United Stats or at least to Niagara from Whence the Communication would be easy to the Superintendant of Indian affairs at Canandarqua the amarican prisners that may be another object interesting to humanity and especially beneficeal to the United States, the preposer begs leve to add that he r[e]ceided in detroit as an Indian trader part of the time from 1767 to Septer 1774 and with the Indians west, and had oppertunity of contracting and Did Contract acquaintance & connections with both indians and white people, and if in ether respect he Shall be Judged a fit person to be employed in the preposed plan he would undertake it.


Title: Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 15 December 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lear, Tobias

Dr Sir,
[Philadelphia] 15th Decr 1792.

The Supervisor of Massachusetts is desirous of permission to come to Philadelphia on urgent private business. I believe the permission may be given him without injury to the service. Will you mention the matter to the President and inform me by a line whether permission may be notified to him or not. Your’s &ca

A: Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 December 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
December 15th 1792

I submit certain papers relative to a Capt. Scott. I have conversed with Colonel Wadsworth concerning him; the result of

which is that Scotts discretion for the object proposed cannot be depended upon—As he however has mentioned that he had an audience of you I have thought it my duty to submit the papers. I also submit Genl Waynes letter. I am with perfect respect Your humble servant

H. Knox


Title: Tobias Lear to Lovell and Urquhart, 16 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Lovell & Urquhart

Gentlemen,
Philada 16th Decr 1792.

In reply to your Letter of the 10th inst: to the President of the United States, I have to inform you, that upon receipt of your letter to him of the 8th of Novr, the sum of £25–10—Virginia Currency was paid to Messrs John Field & son agreeably to your desire expressed in said Letter—and their receipt therefor, dated the 16th of Novr is taken upon the Letter.
As it was presumed that Messrs Field & son would have advised you of this payment having been made, it was not thought necessary to do it on the part of The President. I am Gentlemen &c.

T. Lear.


Title: To George Washington from Debby Morris, 16 December 1792
From: Morris, Debby
To: Washington, George

Respected Sir
Garlick Hall Myomensing township [Pa.]Decbr 16th 1792

In the Memorable Contest between America and Great Britain—My Father—Anthony Cadwallader Morris—had the honor of serving as Volunteer in the Cause of the former—in the year 1777—he untill that time possessed an handsome independency in the township of Haverford where he resided—but which by a train of Misfortunes attendant on his great republican Spirit—he was obliged to part with—having previously lost a large Stock—and every house-hold article—Except tables and chairs—that he possessed by his inhuman Enemies—I was at that time an infant

in arms—and am therefore unable—from my own knowledge to Sketch our Misfortunes—but a repitition of the sad tale from my dear unfortunate parents enables me to perform the disagreable task—for Events so Strikingly wretched are too apt to dwell on Sensible Minds.
My father had the honor of being desired by yourself to attend a reconnoitreing party—to within a few miles of home—the Enemy approaching he desired his Companions to fly and leave him to his fate—for his horse, through fatigue or infirmities being unable to proceed fast—they did so. he was immediatly attacked by two of the Enemy—but dismounting and fixing his back against the horse—resolved to defend himself as became an American—but finding himself overpow[er]ed by numbers, he yielded himself a prisoner, and desired to be treated as a Gentleman—at that instant their inhuman Commander—a Major Carew—came up and with Many Excorations—My Soul recoils at the Idea—ordered him to be Split down—blows from his own hand—followed his words—and my Father fell under Eight and twenty wounds—a victim to british insatiate Cruelty—the cause of this Excessive inveteracy—was the resort of Numbers of our principal officers to our house—Some of whom had made it their head quarters—and which was by the British calld the rebel house—and my Father was particularly distinguished by the title of rebel—think my respected Sir—What Must have been the feelings—the Sufferings—of my poor Mother—who had been tenderly Educated under an indulgent Father—at the sight of her Husband in a small open house where he had crept after the barbarous treatment he received—four Small children crying for bread—and not even a bed to repose them on—Straw being the only Substitute for them and my wounded Father for Several Weeks in the coldest Season—indeed I believe few Suffered as much—Either in mind—person—or property—as my afflicted parents—I find my pen inadequate to the descriptive task—and will no longer trouble you with the recital of woes which perhaps never reached your ears—all I have further to Say is to solicit an office for a person who thinks the honor of Serving his country a sufficient recompence for all his sufferings—pardon me—my dear Father—your child cannot think So—or She would not without your knowledge address our beloved President in your behalf.

we are now on a farm—the property of my Mothers truly respectable Father—but I observe with regret—a State of dependency but ill agrees as with an independent Mind—and with due deference to the opinion of our honored president—and my dear Father—I think something ought to be done—remember my dear respected Sir—it is not the parent—it is the child—the daughter—that solicits for—without the knowledge of her Father—my Mother approves of my proceeding—nay pressd me to address you as my Heart Should dictate for an aged parent—it wounds her peace of Mind to See my Father uneasy in dependence—we appeal to the humanity we rely on the goodness of the President—for the object is deserving—it may appear strange that I should write thus—without the approbation of my Father—and indeed—I could not reconcile the undertaking to myself—if I did not think the happiness of Seeing him independent—would Compensate for his Momentary Displeasure—being a young petitioner and unhackneyed in the ways of the world—I Scarcely know the form of a petition—but have adhered to Simple truth in reciting our troubles—I can with propriety say—in the School of adversity was I Educated together with Six Sisters and one Brother—Without any of those advantages derived from a knowledge of the polit world—as a child would address her Father—I address the President—and beg that the imperfections of my Stile may be imputed to the want of proper knowledge—and not to the overforwardness of youth to age—I remain with respect your Sincere Well wisher

Debby Morris


Title: Tobias Lear to Alexander Robertson, 16 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Robertson, Alexander

Sir,
Philada 16th December 1792.

Your Letter to the President of the United States dated the 4th of November, did not get to his hands ‘till a few days ago; and in reply thereto the President commands me to inform you, that it is not at present in his power to give a decided answer to the request which you make for him to employ your brother in the management of one of his farms. Even if he was in immediate want of such a person as you describe your brother to be, it would be necessary to have certain points settled previous to his giving him encouragement to come over—such as, complete evidence of his being well qualified to manage the affairs of a farm in this Country, which is different from the management of a farm in England, & especially where the labour is performed by blacks: and a knowledge of the terms upon which your brother would be willing to engage in this business. But as the President has not immediate occasion for the services of such a person he can only observe, that the usual mode of engaging overseers of farms & plantations in Virginia where his Estate lays, is to give them a share of the Crop as a compensation for their services—for instance, if there should be on a plantation ten working hands—the crop is divided into eleven shares, one of which belongs to the Overseer: if a greater or less number of hands is employed, the Overseer’s share is in proportion thereto. But the President having deviated from the common mode of cultivation practiced in that part of the Country, has been under the necessity of paying his overseers annual wages instead of giving them a share of the Crop; and the wages given to those whom he employs, as well as by other gentlemen in his vicinity who give annual wages instead of a share to the Overseer, vary from 80 to 130 Dollar ⅌ year, according to the extent of the farm to be superintended, & the skill of the person in managing the business of it. to these wages are added, a comfortable dwelling House on the farm, and a stipulated quantity of provisions, adequate to the support of the Overseer. In mentioning these terms, it must be observed

that the President speaks only of his own Estate, & those in it’s neighbourhood where he has had an opportunity of knowing the terms upon which Overseers are engaged on them. What may be given in other parts of the Country he cannot tell; & as the skill which you say your brother possesses in gardening & surveying, would not be likely to be called into exercise in overlooking such farms as the President’s, they could not be taken into the account in making a compensation for his services as an Overseer; but if they were found useful to a person who might employ him, in conjunction with his duties as Overseer or Manager, an extra compensation wou’d undoubtedly be made for them. I am Sir &c.

Tobias Lear.


Title: To George Washington from Frederick A. Muhlenberg and Other Citizens of Pennsylvania, 17 December 1792
From: Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus Conrad,Citizens of Pennsylvania
To: Washington, George

Reading Berks County [Pa.] Decr 17th 1792

We the Subscribers being well acquainted with John Witman junior of the Borough of Reading in the State of Pennsylvania recommend him to your Excellency as a man of Integrity whose Capacity activity and Attention to Business point him out as a fit Person to execute the Office of an Inspector of the Revenue for this District—He was formerly the Excise Officer for Berks County and is at present the Collector of the Revenue—

therein under a Deputation from the Supervisor of Pennsylvania in which Trusts having supported the Character of an independent and upright Officer We have every Reason to conclude that shoud he be honored by your Excellency’s Appointment the Revenue Law as far as is within his Reach will be ably and faithfully executed.

            Fredk A Muhlenberg
            Jacob Rush.

            P: Muhlenberg
            Jos. Hiester

            Thos FitzSimons
            Dan. Clymer

            Tho. Scott
            Peter Filbert

            Thos Hartley
            Gabriel Hiester

            Charles Shoemaker

            Balser Geehr


Title: From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 18 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Commissioners for the District of Columbia

Gentlemen (Private)
Philadelphia Decembr 18th 1792.

Your letter to the Secretary of State, dated if I recollect rightly, the 5th instant, intimating among other things, that you had failed in an attempt which had been made to import workmen

from Scotland, equally with that for obtaining them from Holland, fills me with real concern: for I am very apprehensive if your next campaign in the Federal City is not marked with vigor, it will cast such a cloud over this business, and will so arm the enemies of the measure, as to enable them to give it (if not its death blow) a wound from which it will not easily recover. No means therefore, in my opinion, should be left unassayed to facilitate the operations of next year. Every thing, in a manner depends upon the celerity with which the public buildings are then carried on. Sale of Lots—private buildings—good or evil reports—all, all will be regulated thereby; nothing therefore short of the absolute want of money ought to retard the work.
The more I consider the subject the more I am convinced of the expediency of importing a number of workmen from Europe to be employed in the Federal City. The measure has not only œconomy to recommend it, but is important by placing the quantity of labour which may be performed by such persons upon a certainty for the term for which they shall be engaged.
Upon more minute enquiry, I am informed that neither the Merchan⟨ts⟩ here nor in Holland will undertake to procure Redemptioners from Germany; and that the most eligable & certain mode of obtaining from thence such Mechanic⟨s⟩ & labourers as may be thought advisable to procure from that quarter, will be to engage some person, a German, to go from hence into Germany where he is acquainted, to procure the requisite number of men and bring them to the Shipping port, which is generally Amsterdam or Rotterdam, and that any Merchant here (who is engaged in Shipping trading to Holland) will engage to have a Vessel ready to take them on board at a time which shall be fixed, and bring them to any Port of the United States that may be specified, and receive the amount of their passage on delivery of them. The person who may be employed to go over to Germany will expect, it is said, an advance of one guinea per head for the number wanted, to enable him to pay the expences of such as may not be able to bear their own from the place where he procures them to the Shipping Port, & this advance is accounted for and taken into consideration at the time of paying for their passage when they arrive here. The customary passage it seems, is eleven guineas per head—and the compensation of the person employed to procure them is either one guinea a head for as

many as he may deliver, part of which is paid by those who employ him to go over, & part by the Merchant who furnishes the Vessel to bring them, as he receives a benefit by the freight—or the person employed keeps an account of his necessary expences while on this business, which is paid by his employers, and a consideration for his services is made him according to a previous agreement.
The term of time for which these people are bound to serve, depends much, it is added, upon their age or ability as labourers, or their skill as Mechanics—the former generally serve three or four years, and the latter (if good workmen at their trades) two. But in this case, that it would be bes⟨t⟩ for the person employed to get them to have them indented at the time of engaging them, specifying the number of years they are to serve to commence at the time of their landing in the U.S.—and that he ought to be furnished with the necessary forms of Indentures and particular instructions on this head before he goes over—and if Mechanics of a particular description are most essential it would be well, in order to secure their services beyond the term for which they might be engaged for their passage, to stipulate at the time of engaging them, that they should serve one, two or three years over and above that time @ £  per year. And as it may happen, that some good Mechanics may be willing to come over who are able to pay their own passage, might it not be well to empower the person sent to engage them @  per year for (say) four years? In all cases to provide, that if those who engage as Mechanics should be found incompetent to the business for which they engage, from a want of skill or knowledge in it, and shall appear to have used imposition in engaging themselves as such, they shall be obliged to serve the time of common labourers.
Should you be of opinion that it would be expedient to import a number of workmen, and the mode here pointed out meet your ideas, no time should be lost in carrying it into effect; and if you have not contemplated a proper character for this business & will inform me thereof I will endeavour to obtain one in this City to go over to Germany, and a Merchant also to furnish the Vessel at the time & place which shall be agreed on between them.
It is not, however, my wish that the idea of importing workmen should be confined solely to Germany—I think it ought to be extended to other places, particularly Scotland from whe⟨nce⟩

many good & useful Mechanics may undoubtedly to be had. I have been more particular in respect to Germany because they may probably be obtained from thence on better terms than from other quarters and they are known to be a steady laborious people. It will be necessary, if you should determine upon an importation from Germany, to state the Number of Mechanics you would wish in each trade, to be brought from thence, as well as the number of labourers.
Mr George Walker who is in th⟨is⟩ City, informs me, that he shall Sail for Scotland about the first of January, & says, if he could render service in this business he would willingly do it. To get workmen is part of the business which carries him over but how far after the part he has acted with respect to yourselves you may chuse to confide in him, is fitter for you than it is for me to decide—especially as I know no more of his private character & circumstances than I do of the terms on which he would undertake to render the Service.
A thought has also occurred to me, and though crude & almost in embrio, I will nevertheless mention it. It is, if the character of Mr Hallet (from the knowledge you have acquired of it) is such as to have impr⟨es⟩sed you with confidence in his abilities & activity, whether in the unsettled state of things in France he might not be employed this winter in ingaging from that Country & bringing over in the Spring such workmen, and on such terms as might be agreed upon.
Boston too has been mentioned as a place from whence many, & good workmen might be had but the reasons which have been assigned for the failure here are not within my recollection if I ever heard them.
Upon the whole, it will readily be perceived in what a serious light I consider delay, in the progress of the public buildings; & how anxious I am to have them pushed forward—In a word the next is the year that will give the tone to the City—if marked with energy, Individuals will be inspirited—the Sales will be enhanced—confidence diffused—& emulation created—without it, I should not be surprized to find the lots unsaleable, & every thing at a stand. With great & sincere regard & esteem I am Gentn Your Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Jefferson, Thomas

United States [Philadelphia] 18th Decr 1792.

By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to request that the Secretary of State will have Commissions made out for the following persons;
Samuel Odiorne, third mate of the New-Hampshire Revenue Cutter; to be dated 18th December 1792.
Ebenezer Perkins, third mate of the Connecticut Cutter; to be dated 18th Decr 1792.
William Loring, first mate of the New York Cutter; to be dated Novemr 15th 1792.
Caleb Stacey, third mate of the New York Cutter, to be dated Novemr 6th 1792.

William Dunton, third mate of the Pennsylvania Cutter; to be dated 22d June 1792.
T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary twenty Commissions which have been returned to the Secretary of the Treasury from Officers of the Revenue Cutters and were yesterday sent to the President by the Secretary of the Treasury. Some of these Commissions have been resigned, & others returned on account of their tenure being limited to the end of the next Session of the Senate: those of the latter description have been replaced by others in the proper form.
T. Lear has the honor also to transmit two Commissions, from Jno. Baker, Surveyor of Bennett’s Creek in No. Carolina—one from Wm Wynn Surveyor of the port of Wynton—one from the Supervisor of the Georgia District (a Duplicate)—& one from the Inspector of Survey No. 1 in North Carolina.

Tobias Lear. S.P.U.S.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] Dec. 18. 92.

Th: Jefferson has the honor to send the President 2 Cents made on Voigt’s plan, by putting a silver plug worth ¾ of a cent into a copper worth ¼ of a cent. Mr Rittenhouse is about to make a few by mixing the same plug by fusion with the same

quantity of copper. he will then make of copper alone of the same size, and lastly he will make the real cent, as ordered by Congress, four times as big. specimens of these several ways of making the cent will be delivered to the Committee of Congress now having that subject before them.


Title: Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 18 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Knox, Henry

U.S. [Philadelphia] Decr 18th 1792

By the President’s commd T.L. has the honor to return to the Secy of War the letters from Genl Wilkinson wh. have been submitted to the Presidt—and to say that if there be any thing in these letters wh. in the Secy’s opinion should be communicated to Congress the President wishes it might be done.

T.L.S.P.U.S.


Title: To George Washington from the Ministers and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 19 December 1792
From: Ministers and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayette County, Pennsylvania
To: Washington, George

Pennsylvania, Fayatte County December 19. 1792
To the President and Rulers of the united states of America.

From the strongest impressions, and deepest sense of our obligations, and submission to our superior, so far as the act consistant to the law of God, and a good conscience, enacting laws to defend vertue and oppose vice.
We the Ministers and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church residing in the western country, think it our duty to give you a true transcript of our hearts and wishs respecting the excise law, which met with such unreasonable opposition, in these parts. We are informed it has been reported to the legislators, that all the people on this side the aleghany are opposed to the excise law, which report we unanimously declare to be without foundation, and can asure you there are at least above one thousand persons in connection with us, together with a large majority of the Quakers, who not only never consented to the opposition

that law met with, but earnestly wish it may be received immediately and without reluctance, and shall esteem it our duty to encourage Men to comply with it throughout our several spheres of action. Signed in behalf of our community

Thornton Fleming
Valentine Cooke
William McLenahan


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 December 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir.
War-department, December 19th 1792.

In consequence of your directions, I have the honor to submit the draft of a letter to Governor Martin. I have conversed with Mr Hawkins upon the subject, who is of opinion, that scouts are all that would be requisite. I have the honor to be, Sir, with profound respect, Your most obedt Servt

H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 19 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Mr Whiting
Philadelphia Decr 19th 1792

The bearer Mr James Butler is the person I mentioned to you in my last as an Overlooker of the home house concern; and enclosed is the agreement I have entered into with him for that purpose.
I am in great hopes, from the character given of him to me, that he may be found serviceable, keep him however to his duty, and whenever he is found difficient in it let both him & me know it. I am Your friend &ca

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 19 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 19 Dec. 1792. GW wrote Whitting on 23 Dec.: “Your letter of the 19th instant, enclosing the weekly reports, has been duly received.”


Title: To George Washington from Francis Deakins and Benjamin W. Jones, 20 December 1792
From: Deakins, Francis,Jones, Benjamin W.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Montgomery County [Md.] 20 Decr 1792

We now enclose you our Valuation of Mrs Sophia Mercers part of Woodstock Manor⟨,⟩ which we should have done before this had we not waited the time you Limited for a division to take place—the Sales & Quality of Other Lands in this Neighbourhood has been duly considered in our Valuation of this tract. We have the Honor to be Sir your Mt Obedt Servt

Francis Deakins
Benjn W. Jones


Title: Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia] Decr 20th 1792

By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of State the letter from the Treasurer of Virginia, which has been submitted to him—and to request that the Secretary would inform the President where he can obtain a copy of the New Impressions of the Federal City? The President wishes to know if it would not be adviseable, in the Secretary’s Opinion, to have a number of the plans of the City sent to our Ministers abroad, in order that the object may become more particularly know[n] abroad than it is at present.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 December 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt 21st Decr 1792

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States, two Contracts between the Superintendant of the Lighthouse at New London, and Daniel Harris & Nathaniel Richards, together with a letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue; from the date of which it will be seen that these papers have been overlooked for some time, a casualty from which however the service has received no injury.
The Contract with Danl Harris is for his compensation as Keeper of the Lighthouse, and that with Nathaniel Richards for supplying it with oil and other necessaries. The terms of both of the objects appear to the Secretary reasonable. All which is humbly submitted

Alex. HamiltonSecy of the Treasury.


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 21 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 21 Dec. 1792. GW wrote Whitting on 30 Dec.: “I have duly received your letters of the 21st & 26th instt.”


Title: From George Washington to Francis Deakins and Benjamin Jones, 22 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Deakins, Francis,Jones, Benjamin

 Letter not found: to Francis Deakins and Benjamin Jones, c.22 Dec. 1792. Tobias Lear wrote to William Deakins, Jr., on this date: “The President of the United States directs me to transmit the enclosed letter to you, and beg the favor of your forwarding it to your brother Colo. Frs Deakins and Mr Jones, by the first safe opportunity that may offer after it gets to your hands” (DLC:GW).


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 22 December 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] December 22d 1792.

The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President. The name of the person who was employed in superintending the erecting of the Lighthouse by mister Newton is Lemuel Cornick. The compensation to the Keeper of the Delaware Lighthouse is 266 Dollars and ⅔ of a Dollar.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 December 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
War department December 22d 1792

I have the honor to submit to you a letter from the Governor of Georgia dated the 5 instant with the deposition of Owen Bowen relatively to the murder of eight white persons. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your most obed. servant

H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 23 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia, Decr 23d 1792

I wish you would, as soon as the enclosed letter gets to your hand⟨s⟩, call upon Major Harrison and endeavor to purchase from him the land therein mentioned, & for the reason therein assigned.
If you can get it for a sum not exceeding forty shillings (virga curry) per Acre (wch is a great deal more than it is worth) close the bargain with him at once, provided, as is mentioned in the letter, the title is good, and it is not under the incumbrance of a lease—for in either of these cases I would not be concerned with the land unless I could obtain it on very low terms.
You might, after a short introduction of the subject to Major Harrison, shew him the enclosed letter—byway of bringing matters to a speedy explanation; but if you find his ideas of the value exceed 40/ pr Acre know what is the lowest terms he would sell on—the quantity of land he holds—and all the circumstances attending it, and give me notice thereof as early as you can, engaging him to wait a certain time for you to make the communication of them to me, & to receive my answer. Draw from him his lowest terms before you make any disclosure of what you would give, on my behalf.
When you was at Mount Vernon you expressed a wish to be possessed of the stud horse that was there. If he is not sold (for it was so intended when I left home) I make you a present of him. I am Your Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure: To Robert Lewis, 23 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia Decr 23d: 1792

I have been informed within these few days that Major Harrison of Loudoun County who owns a piece of land adjoining my tract in Fairfax, is disposed to sell it, and to convert the money to more useful purposes.
I am led from the rascally set of Tenants who occupy that land—& by no other consideration whatsoever to become the purchaser of it, that I may be relieved by that means from the villainies which the livers thereon are frequently committing on my property—in the practice of which, their art & cunning is too great for detection. I have said my only motive to this purchase is to get rid of this pest of society and in saying so I have declared the honest truth; for the land would not answer for a farm being without timber, and too poor for cultivation—nor would it be profitable in Tenements because men who intended a livelihood by honest industry would give little or no Rent for it. & my inducement to buy is to get rid of those of a ⟨contrary⟩ description.
Major Harrison must be sensible that no one can be better acquainted with the land than I am—It would be unnecessary therefore (if he has any inclination to sell it) to ask a price which it will not bear—but if he is disposed to take a reasonable price and will act the par⟨t⟩ of a frank & candid man in fixing it I would not have you higgle (which I dislike) in making a bargain—I will ⟨pay⟩ ready money if we can agree—but it must be on two conditions—first—that the title is good—and secondly that it is not

unde⟨r⟩ the incumbrance (any part of it) of a lease for that would defeat the sole end I should propose by the purchase—namely to purge the neighbourhood of these impure charac⟨ters.⟩
Under this view of my ideas, the knowledge you have of my sentimen⟨ts⟩ respecting the land any bargain you shall make in my behalf with Major Harrison shall be binding with me. Your Aunt unites with me in best regards for yourself and Mrs Lewis, and I am Your Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 23 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Mr Whiting,
Philadelphia Decr 23d 1792.

Your letter of the 19th instant, enclosing the weekly reports, has been duly received.
By Mr James Butler who left this City on friday last, I wrote you a few lines enclosing the agreement I had entered into with him. I request that the Smiths Book may be put into his hands, and a regular account taken every night of what they have done in the day; and that he will see they do as much as they ought. Let an Account be raised in that Book or some other, for each Plantation, and every thing done for it as regularly charged to it, as if it had been done for one of the neighbours who was to pay therefor. A practice of this sort answers too purposes—first, to see that the Smiths do their duty; and secondly, as a check upon the Plantations; who ought to account for what is received from thence, as well as for every thing else, that is furnished them in the course of the year, as soon as it shall have expired. It is my desire also that Mr Butler will pay some attention to the conduct of the Gardener & the hands who are at work with him; so far as to see that they are not idle; for, though I will not charge them with idleness, I cannot forbear saying, and I wish you to tell the Gardener so (provided you shall think there is cause for it) that the matters entrusted to him appear to me to progress amazingly slow. I had no conception that there were grubs enough in the Vineyard enclosure to have employed them as many days as are reported;

& sure I am that levelling the Bank ought to have taken a very little time. If it is found that the hands with the Gardener are not usefully (I mean industriously) employed, I shall withdraw them; as I did not give them to him for parade, to be idle, or to keep him in idleness.
Mr Butler says he has been much accustomed to Hedging. I have told him how extremely anxious I am on this head; and I request you will aid him all in your power to rear them speedily. He is very fond of the French furze—and has no doubt of succeeding with the thorn—if, therefore, the berries of these are still on the trees, let them be gathered; & with every thing else that can be thought of, tried without more loss of time than is required for the proper season.
Anthony’s Toe should be examined and if it requires it something should be done to it, otherwise, as usual, it will serve him as a pretence to be in the house half the Winter. I have no objection to Sinah’s remaining as part of the Mansion House gang; but I have strong ones for the reasons mentioned in a late letter, to her being employed in, or about the Dairy. The reason which you assign however for retaining her there, has no weight with me; for it is not my intention, hence forward, that any of the House gang shall be employed in Fencing at the Plantations—there is no more propriety in employing them in the Post and Rail fences at Dogue run or the Ferry, than there would be in any other Sort of Fencing: Let every Plantation do their own work—they are sufficiently strong for it—and have no right to look for more aid than is to be derived from the Ditchers in that article. It would seem to me as if the progress in getting & securing the Corn at the River Plantation was extremely slow. One would not judge from this circumstance that the Crop of this Grain would prove so very short.
If you could, by means of Mr [William] Hartshorn, or any of the Merchants in Alexandria who have dealings in Loudoun, procure the deficient quantity of BuckWheat at 3/ or even 3/6 delivered at Mount Vernon, I would have you do it. Otherwise you must apply what you have to the best purposes your own judgment shall direct, for I could send none from hence at the highest of those prices.
It certainly wd be to my advantage to buy Majr Harrisons Land adjoining mine if it could be had on reasonable terms; but for no

other reason than that which you have mentioned; but from the appearance of the new buildings which I saw on the land when I was last at home, I suspect that reason will not apply—that is—from this circumstance I apprehend he has given lease on the land, in wch case I should not be relieved from my present inconvenience by the purchase; as the riddance of bad neighbours would be the only object I could have in view. If you can, by indirect enquiries (so conducted as not to alarm the Pools) ascertain this fact & let me know the result, it would enable me to judge better of this matter.
The Peach stones which were sent to you are from Georgia—desire the Gardener to pay proper attention to them.
I do not regard the temporary fall in the prices of Wheat & flour; as there is no radical cause for it—but, on the other hand the calls which occasioned the rise are still existing the prices, I will engage, will be up again; and more than probable be higher than ever before March. All the flour therefore that you can get safely stored (before the Navigation is closed) in Alexandria, will be ready for the first exports in the Spring.
It is observed, by the weekly reports, that the Sowers make only Six shirts a week, and the last week Caroline (without being sick) made only five; Mrs Washington says their usual task was to make nine with Shoulder straps, & good sewing: tell them therefore from me, that what has been done, shall be done by fair or foul means; & they had better make choice of the first, for their own reputation, & for the sake of peace & quietness. otherwise they will be sent to the several Plantations, & be placed as common laborers under the Overseers thereat⟨.⟩ Their work ought to be well examined, or it will be most shamefully executed, whether little or much of it be done—And it is said, the same attention ought to be given to Peter (& I suppose to Sarah likewise) or the Stockings will be knit too small for those for whom they are intended; such being the idleness, & deceit of those people. I am your friend and well wisher

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 December 1792
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Philadelphia] 5 oClock 26 Decr 1792

I have the honor to submit two letters from Brigr Genl Wilkinson with their enclosures. These were received by express, who left Fort Washington the 1st of Decr. I have the honor to be respectfully Your obedient Servant

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 26 December 1792 [letter not found]
From: Whitting, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 26 Dec. 1792. GW wrote Whitting on 30 Dec.: “I have duly received your letters of the 21st & 26th instt.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Barclay, 27 December 1792
From: Barclay, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Cadiz [Spain] 27th Decr 1792

I received on the 24th of this Month, through Mr Pinckney, your Excellencys Commands of the 11th of June, to which all deference and attention possible will be shewn. Mr Jefferson will naturally inform you of what I have written to him by this opportunity, and therefore I shall take up no more of your time than to assure you of the respect wherewith I am, Sir, Your Most Obedient Most humble serv:

Thos Barclay


Title: Thomas Jefferson’s Conversation with Washington, 27 December 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To:

[Philadelphia, 27 December 1792]

Thursday Dec. 27. 92. I waited on the President on some current business. after this was over, he observed to me he thought it was time to endeavor to effect a stricter connection with France & that G. Morris should be written to on this subject. he went into the circumstances of dissatisfaction between Spain, Gr. Brit. & us, & observed there was no nation on whom we could rely at all times but France, and that if we did not prepare in time some support in the event of rupture with Spain & England we might be charged with a criminal negligence. (I was much pleased with the tone of these observations. it was the very doctrine which had

been my polar star, and I did not need the successes of the Republican arms in France lately announced to us, to bring me to these sentiments. for it is to be noted that on Saturday last (the 22d) I received mister Short’s letters of Oct. 9. & 12. with the Leyden gazettes to Oct. 13. giving us the first news of the retreat of the D. of Brunswic, and the capture of Spires & Worms by Custine, and that of Nice by Anselme.) I therefore expressed to the President my cordial approbation of these ideas: told him I had meant on that day (as an opportunity of writing by the British packet would occur immediately) to take his orders for removing the suspension of paiments to France which had been imposed by my last letter to G. Morris, but was meant as I supposed only for the interval between the abolition of the late constitution by the dethronement of the king and the meeting of some other body invested by the will of the nation with powers to transact their affairs. that I considered the national convention then assembled as such a body, and that therefore we ought to go on with the paiments to them or to any government they should establish. that however I had learned last night that some clause in the bill for providing reimbursement of the loan made by the bank to the U.S. had given rise to a question before the house of representatives yesterday which might affect these paiments; a clause in that bill proposing that the money formerly borrowed in Amsterdam to pay the French debt & appropriated by law (1790. Aug. 4. c.34.s.2.) to that purpose, lying dead as was suggested, should be taken to pay the bank, and the Presidt be authorized to borrow 2. millions of Dol. more out of which it should be replaced, and if this should be done the removal of our suspension of paiment as I had been about to propose, would be premature. he expressed his disapprobation of the clause abovementioned, thought it highly improper in the legislature to change an appropriation once made, and added that no one could tell in what that would end. I concurred, but observed that on a division of the house the ayes for striking out the clause were 27. the noes 26. whereon the Speaker gave his vote against striking out, which dividing the house, the clause for the disappropriation remained of course. I mentd suspicions that the whole of this was a trick to serve the bank under a great existing embarrasment. that the debt to the bank was to be repaid by instalments, that the 1st instalment was of 200,000 D. only, or rather 160,000 D. (because 40,000 of the 200,000 would be

the U. States’ own dividend of the instalment) yet here were 2,000,000 to be paid them at once, & to be taken from a purpose of gratitude & honor to which it had been appropriated.


Title: David Rittenhouse to Tobias Lear, 27 December 1792
From: Rittenhouse, David
To: Lear, Tobias

Sir
[Philadelphia] Thursday Decemr 27th 1792

We have begun to Assay some of the European Coins, and shall proceed tomorrow, at the Mint, if it will be convenient for the President to attend about 12 oClock. Should any accident happen before that time to occasion delay, I will give you notice. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble Servant

Davd Rittenhouse


Title: To George Washington from the United States House of Representatives, 27 December 1792
From: United States House of Representatives
To: Washington, George

Sir,
United States [Philadelphia]27th of Decr 1792.

In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, I have the honor to enclose you their Resolution of this date. With the most perfect respect, I am sir, Your mot Obedt & very hble Servant.

Jonathan Trumbull, speaker of the Ho: of Representatives.


Title: To George Washington from Henry B. Baker, 28 December 1792
From: Baker, Henry B.
To: Washington, George

Honord Sir,
Philada Decr 28th 1792

You will observe by the enclosd Papers the unhappy Situation that I now labour under, and a recommendation from Colo. Henry Hollingsworth Major Edward Oldham Major Thomas M. Forman & other reputable Characters of Cecil County—I hope your honour will pardon the liberty I take, being urgd by the

greatest necessity & a confidance of recieving a Small pecuniary assistance from your generous hand that was always ready to render relieve to a distressd Soldier—My inability Please your honor denies me the opportunity of doing any thing in an active way towards the support of my distressd family to whom I must return nearly disconsalate—Should it not be in my Power to Procure an under Clerks place in some of the Public Offices in Town—I flater myself if your honor would be so kind as to oblige me with a line or two to Genl Knox and Colo. Hamilton, I should succeed in the application this circumstance Honord Sir, (as it is my last effort to support my dear Wife & suffering little Ones) would be recorded by kind Providance, a⟨s⟩ a fresh instance of your unlimited humanity for unhappy mortals who sufferd in the service of thier Country. In Duty bound Honord Sir, With Humble Submission I shall ever remain your most Obedt most Humb. Servt

Henry b. Baker

P.S. I hope your honor will oblige me with an answer by the Bearer Mr Sanders. H.b.B.


Title: Tobias Lear to Daniel Bowen, 28 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Bowen, Daniel

[Philadelphia] Decr 28th [1]792

Mr Lear presents his Compliments to Mr Bowen & will thank him to send by the Bearer the six framed pictures which Mr B. bid off yesterday for the President—Whenever Mr Bowen has

leisure to draw off the Acct of the Prints &c. bo[ugh]t by him for the President Mr Lear will immediately pay it—and it would be pleasing to the President if he could know what would be a compensation to Mr Bowen for the trouble he has had & the politeness with which he has executed this business.


Title: Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 29 December 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Knox, Henry

U.S. [Philadelphia] Decr 29th 1792.

By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secy of War the Speechs of Hendricks wh. have been submittd—likewise a letter from Mr Hoge to the Secy of War & the Secy’s answer, wh. expresses in its conclusion the President’s idea on the subject.

T.L.S.P.U.S.


Title: To George Washington from the Provisional Executive Council of France, 30 December 1792
From: Provisional Executive Council of France
To: Washington, George

[Paris, 30 December 1792]

In the name of the French Republic
In virtue of the law of the 15th of Aug. last which attributes to the Provisory Executive council all the functions of the Executive

power & of the decree of the National convention of the 20. of Sep. following which maintains the public authorities which were in activity at this last epoch.
We the citizens forming the Provisory Executive council of the Republic to the US. of N. America.
Very dear, great friends & allies. The desire which the citizen Ternant has witnessed to us of returning into the military line, & of continuing to serve the Republic, has determine⟨d⟩ us to recall him, & to enjoin on him to take leave of you. We are persuaded that he will give to the Republic a new proof of his zeal in fulfilling his last functions of Minister Plenipotentiary near you by assurances the most expressive of sentiments of the most constant friendship & sincerest fraternity which it bears to the US. as of it’s prayers for their prosperity & for the most perfect union between the two people.
Written at Paris the 30th of Dec. 1792. the 1st year of the French republi⟨c⟩.
The citizens forming the Provisory Executive council of the republic

signed Le Brun. Claviere. Garat. Roland. Pache. Monge.By the Provisory Executive councilsigned Grouvelle.


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 30 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Mr Whiting,
Philadelphia Decr 30th 1792

I have duly received your letters of the 21st & 26th instt, and am a little surprized to find by the last that Mr James Butler had

not reached Mount Vernon before the date of it—He left this City on the 21st and according to the usual course, & time required for the Stages to run, he ought to have been in Alexandria on Monday last, the 24th of this month.
Notwithstanding the reduced number of hands at Mansion house, if Mr Butler answers the description which is given of him, he may be useful to me on many accounts; & may ease you a good deal of the particular attention which, otherwise, you would find it necessary to give to the various concerns about it. Amongst which, none I think call louder for it than the Smiths; who, from a variety of instances wch fell within my own observation whilst I was at home, I take to be two very idle fellows. A daily account (which ought regularly to be) taken of their work, would, alone, go a great way towards checking their idleness; but besides this, being always about the House (except at Haymaking & Harvest) & not far from them, he might have a pretty constant eye both to them, and to the people who are at work with the Gardener; some of whom I know to be as lazy and as deceitful as any in the world (Sam particularly)—My horses too (in the management of which he professes to have skill) might derive much benefit from a careful attention to them; not only to those which work, but to the young ones, and to the breeding mares: for I have long suspected that Peter, under pretence of riding about the Plantations to look after the Mares, Mules, &ca is in pursuit of other objects; either of traffic or amusement, more advancive of his own pleasures than my benefit. It is not, otherwise to be conceived, that with the number of mares I have, five & twenty of which were bought for the express purpose of breeding, though now considerably reduced from that purpose, alone; should produce not more than Six or eight Colts a year. This I say will hardly be believed by any person who has ever been in a similar practice. The evil stands much in need of a remedy, & I request, if Mr Butler should ever reach you, that he may be told it is my desire he would endeavour to apply one. I moreover conceive (being an experimental farmer) that he will be better able to carry your directions into effect, (especially in Hay-making, Hedging and the like, in his own way) than one of the common Overseers of the Country: and in addition to these, as he writes a tolerable good hand & has a tolerable knowledge of Accts, you

might derive aid from him in that way; when I was able to look after my own business it was a custom to keep as regular accounts with each of my Plantations as if the Articles delivered from the Store, from the Smiths Shop, done by the Carpenters, &ca, &ca, had gone to, or had been done for, Mr Peak or any other from whom the value was to be received. This under your general Superintendence (without aid) I know would not be in your power to render without neglecting other parts of your duty of more consequence; and therefore I never required it in the extent above mentioned; nor expected it. But if Butler comes to you, and merits the character given of him, an essay towards it may be made—My great fear respecting him, is, that he will be found difficient in point of activity. But as I have, in a former letter desired that admonition, or something else, may be administered to the first, and to every neglect, it is needless to repeat it in this place. He is to have his Victuals cooked for him; and as he is a man who (from the accounts given of him) has seen better days than his present appearance indicates, I should suppose, if you find his deportment & behaviour decent & proper, there can be no objection to his eating with you: but in this, do what is most agreeable to your own inclination, as it is not my intention to impose any one upon you, in this way contrary thereto.
All such work as you have enumerated, I think is the duty of every Overseer to render; and if he is a man of an industrious turn he will do it, whether he is compelled by articles, or not; On the other hand, if he is of an indolent cast—(such as Jones was—) all the Articles in the world would not enforce the measure longer than he, himself, was under the observation of an Overlooker, and probably, to avoid working himself, (the Negros knowing it to be his duty to do so by agreement) he would suffer them to be idle, to bribe them against a discovery of his own idleness. For these reasons I have always had doubts (where there is a large gang of hands to Overlook) of the propriety of attempting to compell by Articles an overseer to do more work than his own inclination would naturally prompt him to do, voluntarily. Indeed where there are a number of hands, his time, probably, wd be better employed in seeing them well engaged than in working himself, especially if all are not within his full view at the time.
I have not a proper recollection of the ground between the

Spring house and the Oozey ground about the place where the hound kennel stood, or, you still mistake my design; & I am led to the latter opinion, by your having begun to drain by, or from the Spring house. My intention was to have begun the drain from the lowest Spring at the foot of the Bank most westerly; that is—nearest the Wharf, & to have carried the water along that, on its level to the front of the Mansion house, as hath been described in former letters; and to let the higher ones into that drain, as may be seen by the rough sketch enclosed. I always expected, & you will find it so mentioned in one of my letters, that the Water so united, would be to be conveyed across the sunken spot (East of, &) by the Spring before you could get it to the avenue in front of the house; but I had no idea of there being other hollows west of the spring house as difficult as you represent them to be; for as to cutting through banks which are liable to Cave in, I had no idea. After this explanation of my meaning if the difficulties which you represent should still oppose themselves, I wd have the work suspended until I come home; which I presume to hope, will be in the Spring.
Ascertain as near as you can how much red led (ground in Oil) it will take to complete the painting the roofs of the Old Spinning house—Salt House, Smoke house, Wash house & Coach house (adjoining) together with the four Garden houses (if not already done)—also white led to finish what was begun, and not compleated; and Oil for the whole; informing me thereof; that I may be enabled to decide whether I shall send them or not. Let me know also whether the Roof of the Piaza leaks since the New shingling has been put on. You speak of the quantity of Lime which it has taken to repair the Overseers house in the Neck—It is occasioned in a great measure by the profuse use of it by [Tom] davis, & the unnecessary strength which he gives to the mortar; in which he ought to be corrected. Of Stone lime, & the lime made from Oyster shells, the quantity differs, but the proportions of each are well ascertained for different kinds of work; for here again, Morter is made stronger, or weaker, according to the Nature of it. Rules for all these might easily be obtained, and observed. Another bad practice which he is in ought to be corrected, and that is, laying his Mortar too thick in the joints. This hurts the look of a building—rather diminishes, than adds to the strength of it—and consumes much lime.

If, as you suppose is the case, the Miller spends more time than he ought to do in his dwelling house, it is justice due to me, to inform him of it; and to add, that if the practice is continued your duty will require that I should be informed of it. The slow progress made by him in Manufacturing my wheat in such an open & mild fall and Winter as we have had, is, if there was Water, the strongest evidence that can be given of his indolence, and the bad use that he has made of so favorable a Season.
This mild and open weather has been a great relief to the Corn & fodder—advantage I hope has been taken of it to Husband both. But the last Report speaks of an amazing consumption (in a short time) of soft Corn at the River Plantation. I wish to hear that all your Overseers are fixed, & well in their Giers.
I did not expect that the Plow which went from this place would be employed otherwise than in breaking up ground in the fall of the year; I am affraid this work is backward, if but now you are beginning to plow for the 1st time the old Clover lot at the Mansion house; When the Brick yard & Lucern lots are also to plow, & when the former of them ought to be sown in the early part of the Spring; as well for the advantage of the Clover, as for that of the Oats with which it is Sown.
Speaking of Sowing Clover, let me request that such a machine as is described in Mr Bordleys pamphlet, be prepared, and the clover Seed sown therewith. My Clover Seed has never been regularly, or well sown, notwithstanding it has been lavished upon the ground; some parts of which having none, and other parts Surcharged. Less, if distributed over the ground, will do; in some of my letters I have given you the quantities bestowed on an Acre in the vicinity of this City where it is as thick as the best Farmer would requir⟨e⟩ it to be.
Has Doll at the Ferry mixed her work with that of the out-hands? If not what does she employ herself in? I have no report on this head—If she knits or Sows, her work ought to be noticed in that line, & care taken that she renders a sufficiency of it. Let the stud horse be delivered to Mr Robt Lewis’s Order, as Mr Hartshorn did not comply with his agreement. I am Your friend and Well wisher

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] Monday 31st [December 1792]

If you have not closed your letter to Mr Pinckney I wish you would desire him to be very attentive to the embarkation of Troops for America—especially Quebec—& to give the earliest advice of the measure—& of the numbers—Yours &ca

G. W——n


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1792
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Private
Dear Sir[Philadelphia] Decr 31st 1792
I do not recollect perfectly what your sentiments were respecting the application of Mr De la Forest—and being to give an answer to the Secretary of the Treasury on this occasion I should be glad to receive them previously thereto.
The difficulty of the case you well know arises from the unauthorised request, and the hazard of advancing monies without it. I am Yours sincerely

Go: Washington


Title: Timothy Pickering to Tobias Lear, 31 December 1792
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir
General Post Office [Philadelphia] Decr 31. 1792.

Can you inform me of any of the facts or representations communicated to the president relative to news-papers, which led him to notice them in his speech, at the opening of the present session of Congress? It seemed generally to be understood to imply that obstructions to their transmission had arisen from the post office law. Were not the obstructions to the papers which

should have passed from Richmond to Staunton a principal subject of complaint?
The Committee of the House on that part of the President’s speech have desired me to furnish them with such observations as occurred to me generally relative to the post office law, & the parts in which it admitted of amendment. The article of newspapers is peculiarly interesting. As I am this evening or tomorrow morning to report to the Committee, an answer this forenoon will greatly oblige. Dear Sir Your most obedt servt

Timothy Pickering


Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1792 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

Letter not found: to Henry Knox, 1792. ALS, sold by Goodspeed’s, no. 129, item 2073, 1919. GW marked this letter “Private,” and according to the catalog entry, this letter is “on matters concerning the army organization.”


Title: To George Washington from Arthur Campbell, 1 January 1793 [letter not found]
From: Campbell, Arthur
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Arthur Campbell, 1 Jan. 1793. Tobias Lear wrote Henry Knox on 30 Jan. that he had “the honor to transmit . . . a letter from Arthur Campbell to the President, which was brought here this morning.” The entry for 30 Jan. 1793 in GW’s executive journal

recorded the receipt of a letter “from Arthur Campbell, dated Washington Jany. 1st. 1793” (JPP,Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797. Charlottesville, Va., 1981. 39).


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 1 January 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear Sir
Philadelphia Jany 1st 1793

After reading the enclosed letter return it to me. My sentiments on the general principle your are acquainted with—With the one handed, under this cover, do as shall seem best to you in the case before us, & let me know the result; or, if you chuse it, I am ready to confer further with you on the subject. I am always Your Sincere frd & sr.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia Jan. 1. 1793.

I have duly considered the translation of the letter of Dec. 27. from M. de la Forest stating that the French Consuls here have a right to recieve their salaries at Paris, that under the present circumstances they cannot dispose of their bills, and desiring that our government will take them as a remittance in part of the monies we have to pay to France. no doubt he proposes to let us have them on such terms as may ensure us against loss either from the course of exchange of cash for cash at Philadelphia, Amsterdam & Paris, or from the difference between cash and assignats at Paris, in which latter form they will probably be paid. I do not observe any objection from the treasury that this channel of remittance would be out of their ordinary line and inadmissible on that account. taking it therefore on the ground merely of an advance unauthorised by the French government, I think the bills may be taken. we have every reason to believe the money is due to them, and none to doubt it will be paid, every creditor being authorised to draw on his debtor. they will be paid indeed in assignats, at the nominal value only, but it is previously understood that these will procure cash on the spot of the real value we shall have paid for them. the risk, if any, is certainly very small, and such as it would be expedient in us to encounter in order to oblige these gentlemen. I think it of real value to produce favorable dispositions in the agents of foreign nations here. cordiality among nations depends very much on the representations of their agents mutually, and cordiality once established, is of immense value, even counted in money, from the favors it produces in commerce, and the good understanding it preserves in matters merely political. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the most perfect respect & attachment, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: Tobias Lear to George Meade, 1 January 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Meade, George

Dear Sir,
[Philadelphia] January 1st 1793.

The President wishes to get from Ireland about 30 lb. or 40 lb. of the seed of the French Furze, which he is told may be had in Cork. The person who procures it must be careful not to get the seed of the Irish Furze which is vastly inferior to the French.
Your politness in offering to have the above mentiond seed imported for the President will apologize for the trouble of this—The price of the seed the President understands is about 1/ sterling per pound & he had directed me to send the money therefor which you will find enclosed (one ten dollar bill). With great respect & esteem I am Dear Sir, Your most Obet st

T. Lear


Title: William White to Tobias Lear, 3 January 1793
From: White, William
To: Lear, Tobias

Sir,
[Philadelphia] Jany 3. 1793.

In Regard to the benevolent Design of the President, communicated to me by you the other Day, I have to inform you, that were I to attempt to furnish a List of the proper Objects, it would necessarily be a more contracted Application of the Bounty, than is intended: For altho, like other Citizens, I have Applications from Persons of different Communions, yet an annual Duty lying on me of paying special Attention to the poor of the Churches under my perochial Care, occasions my having a Knowlege of a much greater Number of one Denomination, than of all the others.

In consideration of this & of what I have occasionally learned of the Duties of the Overseers of the poor, I beg leave to suggest for your Consideration, whether it might not be best to deposit the Money with the Treasurer of that Body, giving Notice of it to the Board? The Mode of doing this I can communicate to you.
Every one of these Overseers has a certain District; the poor of which are committed to his Charge. The most of them have a weekly Allowance: But I am told, that besides these, the Overseers have always a Knowlege of Families, who are driven by present Distress to solicit Charity; but would be above becoming constant Dependents on it.
Any further Information you may desire I shall have an Opp[ortunit]y of giving you in Person; I am, in the mean Time, Your very humble Servt

Wm White


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 January 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt January 4th 1793.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the United States two Communications, one of the 13th & the other of the 21st of December last, suggesting certain alterations in the arrangement heretofore made, within the Revenue, District of North Carolina. These communications are accompanied with some supplementary documents, explanatory of them. The arrangement suggested in the last appears to me the most adviseable which present circumstances will permit—with this exception only, that the salaries proposed for the Inspectors of Surveys No. 2 and 5. be inverted; allowing to the former 100 Dollars, and to the latter 120 Dollars. The consideration that the Inspector of No. 2. is also a Collector of the Customs, dictates this suggestion.

Alexander HamiltonSecretary of the Treasury.


Title: To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 4 January 1793
From: Lewis, Robert
To: Washington, George

Hond Uncle,
The Exchange Fauquier County [Va.]January 4th 1793.

Your letter of the 23d ultimo with one inclosed of the same date, came duly to hand this day. The contents I have noted well, and shall sett off the day after tomorrow for the purpose of carrying into effect your instructions with respect to the purchasing of Major Harrisons tract of Land in Fairfax County adjoining your Mill tract. Should we bargain (as I expect we shall) no time shall be lost ere I inform you of it, and the particulars of our agreement.
I know nothing of your land individually, but was I to judge of its quality from the lands in that vincinity (which I am tolerably well acquainted with) I should not suppose that Major Harrison would have the conscience to ask more than 20/ or twenty six Shillings per acre at most. If he does, there must be improvments to enhance its value. I shall endeavor to get it upon the lowest terms I can without higgling.
The Horse which you have been so good as to give me, (I am convinced), will be very valuable in this part of the Country, and, I trust, no small addition to my little income. I have therefore to thank you for your kindness, and to assure you that I am gratefull. Mrs Lewis joins me in love to you and my Aunt. I remain your Affectionate Nephew

Robt Lewis


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel and the Members of the Pennsylvania Senate, 5 January 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel,Members of the Pennsylvania Senate

[Philadelphia] January 5th 1793

The President of the United States requests the pleasure of the company of the Speaker and members of the Senate of the State of Pennsylvania to dine with him on Saturday the 12th of January, at 4 O’clock.


Title: To George Washington from Harriot Washington, 5 January 1793
From: Washington, Harriot
To: Washington, George

Fredericksburg [Va.] January 5 [1793]

I hope my dear Uncle will excuse my troubleing him again, Aunt Lewis has desired me to ask you for a little money there is

a few thing’s I want, that I would be much obleiged to you for, she say’s if you will send me some she will keep it, & I shall not get any thing but what I really want, I hear the Birth night is to be kept, and as every one is a going here and as I should like to go I will thank my dear Uncle if he, will be so good as to send me enough money, to get me a ⟨s⟩lite Lutestring or something, of that kind, as there is some very pretty one’s here, Aunt Lewis will get it for me and I will take great care of it I had a violent pain and inflamation in my jaw last week I was obleiged to have my tooth drawn, and the Doctor charged two dollar for it, Colonel Ball was here yesterday he said he had heard, from the major lately, & that he was no better. If you please to give my love to Aunt Washington. I am my dear Uncle Your affectionate Neice

Harriot Washington

P.S. Aunt Lewis desirers me to give her love to you and say’s she would have wrote to you but she had not time.

H.W.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Green, 6 January 1793 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Green, Thomas

Letter not found: to Thomas Green, c.6 Jan. 1793. On 6 Jan., GW wrote Anthony Whitting: “You will See by the enclosed to Thomas Green (which Seal before you send it to him) on what footing I have placed his continuance, or discharge.”


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, 6 January 1793
From: Lee, Henry
To: Washington, George

Richmond January 6th 93

Permit me my dear president to offer my congratulations on the late unanimous renewal of affection & confidence on the part of your fellow-citizens, & to pray that the auspicious event may be attended with the happiest effects to you and to them.
Col. Basset died on the fourth instant in consequence of a fall from his horse—Your amiable nephew at Eltham continues to linger without the smallest chance of recovery, and Mrs Washington enjoys a tolerable state of health in the midst of calamity—this information I have from Doctor Mcclurg who attended Colo. Basset during his illness.
I beg leave to present my respects to Mrs Washington & to assure you of the entire respect & attachment with which I have the honor to be Your most ob: sert

Henry Lee


Title: From George Washington to Betty Washington Lewis, 6 January 1793 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Betty Washington

Letter not found: to Betty Washington Lewis, 6 Jan. 1793. On 29 Jan., Betty Lewis wrote GW: “Your letters of Januy the 6the and 14the of this Month came duly to hand.”


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 6 January 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia Jan⟨y⟩ 6th 1793

Enclosed are copies of letters written to you agreeably to their dates. They are sent on the possibility that the originals may have miscarried, although the probability, I hope is much against it.
In a late letter to Mr Whiting, at Mount Vernon, I have directed him not to sell the Stud horse, but to deliver him to your order. The sooner you send for him the better.
Your Aunt unites with me in best wishes for yourself and Mrs Lewis, and with sincere regard, I am—Your Affectionate Uncle,

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 6 January 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Whitting, Anthony

Mr Whiting,
Philadelphia Jany 6th 1793

Your letter of the 2d instant with its enclosures came to hand yesterday—and I am glad to find by it that Mr James Butler had arrived safe for I began to apprehend that he might have fallen sick on the Road, as he had not reached Mount Vernon at the date of your former letter of the 26th Ulto.
If this person performs all the duties I have Suggested to you as proper for him to be employed in, with intelligence & zeal, I shall excuse him readily from Manual labour. And as you will Soon discover of what turn of mind he is—whether inclined to industry, or to indulgence, Whether his knowledge of Farming is real or pretended only (from the clearness & precision with which he may discourse with you on topics relating to it), Whether his dispositions are good or bad; and whether he has a head capable of arrangements or not—I should be glad to be informed, when

you shall have formed a judgment of them yourself. His character as handed to me, stands exceedingly fair on the Score of Sobriety & honesty, by those with whom he has lived in this Country; and the enclosed certificate (which deposit along with his agreement) testifies to his conduct in Ireland. Mr Keating is a Clergyman of respectable character—& Major Butler (who appears on the Back of the certificate) is one of the Senators in Congress. My apprehensions of James Butlers fitness, proceed from a doubt that he may want activity; & my only reason for so doubting, is founded on his clumsy appearance, and age: and again, that he will be at a loss in the management of Negros—as their idleness & deceit, if he is not Sufficiently cautioned against them, will most assuredly impose upon him. I have told him that he must Stir early & late, as I expect my people will work from day-breaking until it is dusk in the evening; and, that the only way to keep them at work without Severity, or wrangling, is always to be with them.
You will See by the enclosed to Thomas Green (which Seal before you send it to him) on what footing I have placed his continuance, or discharge; and I do hereby authorize you to Act accordingly. I need not observe to you, however, that it is necessary before the latter takes place to consider how the business can be carried on without him, or some other White-man; and where, & on what terms, such an one can be had; for I am Sure, none of my Negro Carpenters are adequate to the framing, & executing such a Barn as I am about to build at D: Run.
Speaking of this Barn, Let me know when it is probable it will be set about—Whether the Scantling (Oak excepted) and Plank, is actually engaged—And when to be expected? Never having been fully possessed of the poor Major’s view (if he ever contemplated his disorder as fatal) in this building, I am absolutely at a loss what to say to you respecting the materials for it. My own judgment is decidedly against expending his money for this purpose, in the hopeless state of recovery in which he is represented by his Physicians, and all who have seen him to be. On the other hand, as he seems so sollicitous to have it carried on, he must either think differently of his disorder from others, or his object is unknown to me. Under this view of the Subject my advice to you is, to purchase such parts of the Scantling only as are most essential & which will be first wanting by the workmen in carrying on

the building, & this, without cutting it to waste; but by no means to hurry the work until matters are brought more to a crisis & certainty. I could not, before he left Mount Vernon, tell him that his case was (by every one) thought desperate; but advised him (except what could be done by his own people) to let the matter rest till the Spring—and then he should have the aid of all my people—As well Carpenters as Bricklayers, to hasten it on.
If there was an absolute necessity for refraining from Fishing with my own People, or Postponing my Hedging operations another year, I should not hesitate a moment in giving up the first; for I would make every thing yield to the latter; but I do not see the thing in this light. I expect the Hedging and every thing belonging thereto (except ditching where necessary) whether done this year, next year, or at any time thereafter, will be performed at each Plantation by the hands belonging to it. And that the proper time for this work is now, and in all weather, when the earth can be moved, between this and the budding of Spring. In a ride I took yesterday, I saw thousands of the cuttings of Willow setting out; and upon enquiry was told it was the best season to do it: if it suits one sort of cuttings, more than probable it will suit another; I therefore request this work may not be delayed a moment. It is not like fencing, grubbing, &ca that may be executed at all Seasons of the year. For this reason I should have derived more Satisfaction from reading the reports, to have found that the hands of the Ferry &ca, & the hands of Muddy hole had been employed in preparing the ground along their cross fences for the reception of Cuttings, and Seeds (if you have any to put in) than in grubbing places which could be done as well hereafter for the Crops which are to follow, or even to have omitted them if they could not as now. If under these ideas you can carry on Fishing (with my own people) and Hedging both, it will be most agreeable to me; but if one only can be done, I had rather Rent the Landing for what it will fetch, & stick to Hedging. In the first case—that is doing both—It is very probable Mr James Butler will be a proper person to Superintend the Fishery, as I presume all his hands must go to that business; with aid from other quarters.
I should be glad to know how far you have advanced in your clearing at the Mansion house? The point between the Road leading to the Wharf, & Hell-hole, ought to be well grubbed,

cleaned, smoothed, & well sprinkled with Timothy—I mean all that part which lyes with out the fence of the old clover lot, quite up to the Vineyard Inclosure: the same also on the other side of the Road, between that and the cross fence by the Vault & old hound kennel.
If the Wool is all spun up, in what manner do you mean to employ the Spinners? They must not be idle; nor ought the Sewers to have been so when they were out of thread: If they can find no other work, let them join the out door hands. Myrtilla & Delia had better, I conceive, do this altogether, as their will be enough without them for all the purposes of Spinning & Sewing.
More than an hundred bushels of Buck wheat will, I should Suppose, be nearly or quite adequate to all your wants. If it is sown in good season, and the ground is well prepared, three pecks to the Acre will be enough, of Seed that is fresh & good.
If you think the Wheat in No. 2, at Muddy hole, will not be too much injured by turning the young Mules on it, I do not object to the measure; and with respect to the young Jack, it is my earnest wish that he may be fed high—Winter & Summer—to see to what size he can be made to grow.
As I have promised the stud horse to Mr Robt Lewis, I would not have him disposed of otherwise. I shall write to him by this opportunity to send for the horse.
I Suppose Mr Hooe receives my flour upon the same terms he Stores other goods; No other I have a right to expect; but I conceive that he ought to insure it against embezzlement—or waste, occasioned by improper usage in tossing it about. However, if you Store up on the Same terms others do, I can expect no more.
When you are well informed of the conditions on which Majr Harrison lets his Land to Pool &ca I shall be better able to decide upon the propriety of becoming the purchaser of it. My opinion of its being under lease was occasioned by the New building I discovered on it, but this was no more than conjectural evidence of the fact. I remain Your friend & Welwisher

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from David Stuart, 7 January 1793
From: Stuart, David
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Ge: town 7th Jany 93

Agreeable to your request in your late letter to me, I now send you a list of all the sales both public & private, which have been made in the city of Washington. The persons whose names are opposite to the red crosses, bid at our desire: these lots of course remain with us—The square bought by Mr Blodget, was in the same situation, ‘till his last visit here, when he agreed to take it on himself, and gave us reasons to expect he would set about improving it immediately—It is yet doubtfull, whether he may not allso take those opposite to N:B: in red—It was my wish to have sent you the list at the first of our meeting; but our Clerks have been so much engaged, that I have not been able to get it made out sooner. I am with the greatest respect Your affecte Servt

Dd Stuart.