Washington tells his nephew that landowners in Washington, D.C. are being encouraged to build on their lots in order to provide enough accomodations that the members of Congress will arrive by the time they are legally required to be there, and adds that he has bought another lot for this purpose. Washington originally intended to send this letter by Gen. Henry Lee, but comments that since Lee's 'ways are not like the ways of other men' he will use another messenger who has called in the meantime.
Lee, Henry, 1756-1818. Washington, George, 1732-1799 -- Finance, Personal. Washington (D.C.) -- History -- 18th century. United States. Congress.
Washington explains to Madison that he may be unable to accept appointment as a Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention, because hehas already announced that he will not be attending the annual meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati which will be held in Philadelphia at the same time and it would be politically awkward for him to appear at another meeting. He also discusses some of the jealousies provoked by the Society that led to his decision not to attend. The last paragraph concerns Washington's opposition to taxes based on commutables.
Washington, George, 1732-1799. United States. Constitutional Convention (1787) Society of the Cincinnati. Taxation -- Virginia.
Washington contrasts the characters of Fauchet and Genet, the present and former ministers from France; expresses doubt about Britain's disclaimer of hostile intentions toward the United States; and reports that many matters are 'slumbering in Congress'.
Fauchet, Joseph, baron, 1761-1834. Genet, Edmond Charles, 1763-1834. United States -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain. Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- United States. United States -- Foreign relations -- 1789-1797. Diplomatic and consular service, French -- United States.
Washington asks Madison's advice on several matters, including candidates for judicial appointments and the propriety of his using the veto on a bill for Congressional salaries.
Washington and other veterans of the French and Indian War had been promised lands in the Ohio Valley by a gubernatorial proclamation in 1754. Washington, on behalf of himself and the others, here protests to the current governor the delay in surveying the land and the government's method of surveying it.
United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1755-1763 -- Claims. Virginia -- History -- French and Indian War, 1755-1763 -- Claims. Bounties, Military -- Virginia.
Tells Paine that he would like to meet with him but public business may prevent it; agrees with him about the likelihood of the evacuation of Charleston.
Charleston (S.C.) -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.
Reports that Lafayette has succeeded in obtaining military support from France; urges that in the interests of efficiency and secrecy Congress invest a small committee with full authority to requisition troops and supplies and conduct military relations with France.
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834, United States. Continental Congress. United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783. -- Participation, French. United States -- Military relations -- France. France -- Military relations -- United States.
Invites Mrs. Powel to visit Mount Vernon, expresses sympathy for those suffering from the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, and inquires after other friends, especially Robert and Mary Morris, who are beset by financial and family problems. The letter continues with a humorous message from George Washington, explaining that he and several friends have agreed to live until the year 1800, but if he should really go off in an apopleptic, or any other fit...he is glad to hear beforehand what will be said of him on that occasion.
In the first portion of the letter, replying to a request for an opinion on the promotion of a Virginia officer, Washington describes the customs which have governed the promotion of officers and the present organization of Virginia troops. In the second and longer part of the letter he defends himself against charges of defeatism, based on the misinterpretation of a letter from him to Benjamin Harrison. He includes the text of the letter (written in May), in which he weighed the chances for a successful campaign that year, emphasizing the effect of British and French fiscal policy on their military and naval strength, and urging that America's own financial situation requires that every effort be made to secure a quick victory.
Washington, George, 1732-1799. United States. Continental Army -- Officers. United States. Continental Army -- Promotions. United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Finance.
In the absence of intelligence about the British plans for the winter campaign, Washington must plan for the winter quartering of the Continental Army. He asks Clinton for his thoughts on the matter, especially on whether the troops should be collected or distributed and how they should be provisioned. Written in the hand of Tench Tilghman.
United States. Continental Army -- Barracks and quarters.
Expresses sympathy on the death of her husband, who was his nephew George Augustine Washington, and invites her and her family to live at Mount Vernon. (Frances, who was also Martha Washington's niece, later married Washington's secretary Tobias Lear.)
Directs his nephew not to follow his previous instructions about hiring a workman, as he has found someone for the position. He also writes that he is about to go to Carlisle, Pa., where he will decide whether or not to proceed with the army against the Whiskey Rebellion.
Criticizes the British peace commissioners' proposal and the attitude of commissioner George Johnstone toward the Continental Congress; sends his respects to the French minister Gérard.
United States. Continental Congress. United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783. Johnstone, George, 1730-1787. Gerard, Conrad Alexandre, 1729-1790.
Concerns the need for the Continental Congress to take a strong central role in order to keep the army manageable and reduce expenses.
United States. Continental Congress -- Powers and duties. United States -- Armed Forces -- History -- 18th century. United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783.
Concerns the meeting of the Virginia House of Burgesses at the Raleigh Tavern on 26 May after the governor had dissolved the Assembly in response to its adoption of resolutions opposing the Boston Port Act and the Townshend Acts. Reveals Washington's sympathy with the New England provinces and his opposition to the British policies. Also refers to a number of business transactions, mostly involving land.
Washington, George, 1732-1799 -- Finance, Personal. Virginia. General Assembly. House of Burgesses. United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783. Virginia -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Causes.
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