1789 Letters

Orange, VA - 2 January 1789

Being informed that reports prevail not only that I am opposed to any amendments whatever to the new federal Constitution, but that I have ceased to be a friend to the rights of conscience...

New York, NY - 3 January 1789

It is as yet exceedingly uncertain who will be senators for this State, and consequently it cannot be even conjectured by what leading motives they will probably be influenced in their appointments.

Orange, VA - 14 January 1789

I fear, from the vague accounts which circulate, that the federal Candidates are likely to stand in the way of each other.

Fayette County, KY - 12 February 1789

It appears plain to me that the offers of Lord DorChester, as well as those of Spain, are founded on a supposition that it is a fact that we are about to separate from the Union ; else, why are those offers not made to Congress?

Paris, FRA - 23 February 1789

IF I should attempt, my dear Sir, to thank you for the kind introductions you have given me to your friends, I could not succeed in giving expression to my feelings.

Paris, FRA - 25 February 1789

From Holland I shall perhaps be obliged to go to England. But I contemplate, in all cases, a return to this capital, as speedily as possible ; and from hence I wish to go to Madrid.

Alexandria, VA - 1 March 1789

Your sanction to my remaining in New York during the crisis of the elections, conveyed through Col. Carrington, never came to hand till I had arrived in Orange.

Paris, FRA - 3 March 1789

Since that period, there are advices here, which announce the re-establishment of the King of Great Britain's health ; but from a letter I have just now received from the Marquis de la Luzerne, I am disposed to doubt the fact.

Paris, FRA - 4 March 1789

my present opinion is, that until some time after the States- General shall have assembled, this government will offer little or nothing for the contemplation of your department.

Baltimore, MD - 5 March 1789

On our Journey hither, we have fallen in with the bearer of the Electoral votes of Georgia. They are unanimous as to the President, and are all thrown away on Individuals of the State as to the Vice president.

Philadelphia, PA - 8 March 1789

I find that the communication made you from Kentucky corresponds with an official letter to Congress from Governor St. Clair, which speaks of the same emissary, and the same errand.

New York, NY - 19 March 1789

When a quorum will be made up in either House rests on vague conjecture rather than on any precise information. It is not improbable, I think, that the present week will supply the deficiency in one, if not in both of them.

New York, NY - 26 March 1789

It is the most authentic and precise evidence of the Spanish project that has come to my knowledge.

New York, NY - 29 March 1789

I was then on my way to Virginia. The elections for the new government commenced shortly after my arrival.

New York, NY - 6 April 1789

On this day we went to business ; and, to my very great satisfaction, I heard a unanimous vote of the electing States in favor of calling you to the honorable office of President of the United States.

New York, NY - 6 April 1789

The arrival of R. H. Lee yesterday has made up a quorum of the Senate. A quorum in the other house was made on Wednesday last.

New York, NY - 8 April 1789

The first and only joint step taken by the Congress was the examination of the ballots for President and vice president. The votes were found, as was expected, to be unanimously given to General Washington

New York, NY - 12 April 1789

I wish I could see an equal prospect of appeasing the disquietude on the two other points you mention British debts and taxes.

Paris, FRA - 18 April 1789

I am pretty well convinced that I am not fit for a traveller and yet I thought otherwise when I left America.

Rye, NY - 19 April 1789

We arrived at this house last night (Saturday), shall rest here to-day, and go into New York to-morrow.

New York, NY - 19 April 1789

We have not yet either the President or vice President on the ground. The former is expected in a few days. The latter, we are told, will certainly come in to-morrow evening.

Paris, FRA - 29 April 1789

Monsieur de Lafayette is since returned from his political campaign in Auvers-ne, crowned with success. He had to contend with prejudices, and the interests of his order

Albany, NY - 2 May 1789

Until the adoption of the present system of National Government, it was a constant and a painful reflection to every patriot, that the inefficacy of the late Confederation threatened to deprive America of those blessings, for which she was greatly in

New York, NY - 9 May 1789

The deliberations of the House of Representatives have been chiefly employed on the subject of an Impost. Opinions have been considerably divided on the quantum of duties that would be practicable

New York, NY - 10 May 1789

The plan of an immediate temporary impost was what first occurred on the subject. It is not yet abandoned, but the practicability is questionable.

New York, NY - 13 May 1789

The newspapers will have given you some idea of our proceedings, though in a state always mutilated, and often perverted. The impost is still the subject of deliberation.

New York, NY - 14 May 1789

If you think it best, leave Thomas at college, but I pray you to come on with Charles, as soon as possible.

New York, NY - 17 May 1789

The. progress of our revenue system continues to be slow. The bill rating the duties is still with the Senate.

Boston, MA - 23 May 1789

This letter will be honored by its being borne by the Honorable George Cabot. Feeling, as all others do, an esteem for and obligations to your Excellency, he intends to wait upon you and express them.

New York, NY - 23 May 1789

My last inclosed copies of the President's inaugural Speech, and the answer of the House of Representatives. I now add the answer of the Senate.

New York, NY - 27 May 1789

My former will have made known to you the obstacles to a licence for your visit to America. The new authority has not yet taken up your application.

New York, NY - 31 May 1789

Our business here goes on very slowly, though in a spirit of moderation and accommodation which is so far flattering. The bill for regulating the quantum of duties is not yet come back from the Senate.

New York, NY - 17 June 1789

A very interesting Question is started By whom officers appointed during pleasure by the President and Senate are to be displaced?

New York, NY - 21 June 1789

The Constitution has omitted to declare expressly by what authority removals from office are to be made. Out of this silence, four constructive doctrines have arisen:

New York, NY - 24 June 1789

My last stated a question relating to the power of removal from offices then on the anvil of the House of Representatives.

Woodford County, KY - 26 June 1789

Permit me. Sir, to express my extreme happiness on account of your Excellency's acceptance of the Presidency of the United States

Newburyport, MA - 28 June 1789

John Quincy Adams letter to father... My greatest apprehensions at present are with respect to the practical part of the profession.

New York, NY - 30 June 1789

By this conveyance you will receive permission, through Mr. Jay, to make your proposed visit to America. I fear it will not reach you in time for your arrival here before the commencement of the windy season

Paris, FRA - 1 July 1789

I am too much occupied to find time for the use of a cipher, and in effect, the government here is so much occupied with their own affairs, that in transmitting to you a letter under an envelope, there is no risk.

Stratford - 1 July 1789

Although the exalted station, which your love of us and our love of you has placed you in, calls for change in mode of address, yet I cannot so quickly relinquish the old manner.

Paris, FRA - 4 July 1789

A day now at length auspicious, since by the establishment of our new constitution we have the fair prospect of enjoying those good things, for which we have had so hard a contest.

New York, NY - 5 July 1789

The last letter from my brother A. left me in much anxiety for the state of my mother's health. I have ventured to hope, from the silence which has followed, that she has been on the recovery.

New York, NY - 14 July 1789

You know it is important that confidence and cordiality subsist between the heads of the departments, that they may, when necessary, unite their efforts to promote their respective operations for the public good.

New York, NY - 15 July 1789

It gives me much pleasure to find your approbation given to the decision of the House of Representatives on the power of removal. This appears to be the case with several of our friends in Virginia

New York, NY - 15 July 1789

I am glad to find you concurring in the decision as to the power of removal. It seems to meet with general approbation North of Virginia, and there, too, as far as I yet learn.

Dieppe, FRA - 31 July 1789

I will also communicate a matter, which Mr. Jefferson was not yet informed of, and which I could not tell him, because I was forbidden to mention it to any person here.

New York, NY - 9 August 1789

Your ideas on the proposed discrimination between foreign Nations coincide, I perceive, exactly with those which have governed me.

New York, NY - 21 August 1789

For a week past the subject of amendments has exclusively occupied the House of Representatives. Its progress has been exceedingly wearisome

New York, NY - 14 September 1789

The Judiciary is now under consideration. I view it as you do, as defective both in its general structure, and many of its particular regulations.

Rock Landing, CT - 21 September 1789

But, upon receiving information from Messrs. Pickens and Osborne, that the Indians were growing very impatient to return to their homes, and that they could not possibly be detained but a few days longer, we recommenced our journey that evening.

New York, NY - 23 September 1789

The pressure of unfinished business has suspended the adjournment of Congress till Saturday next.

Albany, NY - 25 September 1789

In case the office you were pleased to propose should be offered to me, I have, upon reflection, determined to accept it...

Rock Landing, CT - 26 September 1789

On Monday last (that is to say, the day after the arrival of General Lincoln and myself), a Deputation from all the Creeks of the Tuccasee, the Hallowing, and the Tallassee Kings, waited upon us, to congratulate us on our arrival

Richmond Hill, NY - 27 September 1789

I write to you, my dear sister, not from the disputed banks of the Potomac, the Susquehanna, or the Delaware, but from the peaceful borders of the Hudson ; a situation where the hand of nature has so lavishly displayed her beauties

Rock Landing, CT - 27 September 1789

McGillivray omitted to comply with his positive promise, to write to us, or come over the river, in order to explain the objections of the Chiefs to the project of the treaty which we had proposed to them

Bracknal, ENG - 0 October 1789

the Americans, in their judicious choice, have, I flatter myself, secured to themselves the full and permanent enjoyment of that liberty, for which they are indebted to your persevering valor, in the first instance.

New York, NY - 13 October 1789

It being important to both countries, that the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States should be observed and performed with perfect and mutual good faith, and that a treaty of commerce should be concluded by them

New York, NY - 13 October 1789

My letter to you, herewith enclosed, will give you the credence necessary to enable you to do the business, which it commits to your management, and which I am persuaded you will readily undertake.

New York, NY - 13 October 1789

To thank you for the interesting communications contained in those letters, and for the pains you have taken to procure me a watch, is all, or nearly all, I shall attempt in this letter

Paris, FRA - 16 October 1789

I am convinced, that the proposed Constitution cannot serve for the government of this country ; that the National Assembly, late the object of enthusiastic attachment, will soon be treated with disrespect

Albany, NY - 21 October 1789

I have this moment received your letter of Sunday evening, containing the account of your alarming accident and most fortunate rescue and escape.

Boston, MA - 21 October 1789

As Governor of the Commonwealth, I feel it to be my duty to receive your visit with such tokens of respect as may answer the expectations of my constituents, and may in some measure express the high sentiments of respect they feel towards you.

Boston, MA - 23 October 1789

I observe you had proposed taking an early dinner at Watertown, and proceeding to Cambridge, and from thence to Boston, on Saturday afternoon.

Albany, NY - 24 October 1789

Your misfortunes so engrossed me, that I forgot to inquire about Augustine's horses; and to give a caution, which I believe is needless, about the blank checks.

Albany, NY - 28 October 1789

The distressing circumstances respecting your face must certainly be owing to something more than the mere misfortune of your burn.

Paris, FRA - 8 November 1789

Mr Jefferson is, you know, departed, with intention to return next spring. All the accounts received from our country are flattering. Freedom, order, and justice are established.

Orange, VA - 20 November 1789

A day or two after I got to Philadelphia I fell in with Mr. Morris. He broke the subject of the residence of Congress, and made observ.ions which betrayed his dislike of the upshot of the business at N. York

New York, NY - 27 November 1789

Mr. Sedgwick has given me the same character of Mr. Tucker that you do. There are at present several candidates for the place in question

New York, NY - 30 November 1789

George Washington letter to Thomas Jefferson... I forward your commission to Virginia; with a request to be made acquainted with your sentiments as soon as you shall find it convenient

Orange, VA - 5 December 1789

Since my last I have been furnished with the inclosed copy of the letter from the Senators of this State to its Legislature. It is well calculated to keep alive the disaffection to the Government

Richmond, VA - 6 December 1789

When I had the honor of writing to you last, the amendments had, I believe, been under consideration in a Committee of the Whole, and ten were adopted, and the two last rejected.