January 21, 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Written by Washington as commander of the American army around Boston to Trumbull as Governor of Connecticut. Trumbull was the only colonial governor to join the patriot cause. References his hasty dispatch of January 19, 1776. Says he forgot to inform Trumbull that he will give troops heading north to Canada a month's pay in advance, on behalf of Congress. Trumbull had previously offered to send a regiment of Connecticut troops to Canada and Washington suggests they also be advanced a month's pay, to help them make the arduous journey, provide for families being left behind, and to avoid…

GLC01138

December 12, 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear

Washington expresses pleasure at the Virginia Assembly's passing a bill concerning internal navigation of the Potomac, and mentions the quantities of tobacco in his warehouses and price differentials. He also mentions navigation of the Potomac.

GLC01402

17 November 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Informs Sullivan that Greene has prepared winter quarters for those of his men commanded by Clinton and Hand. Written in McHenry's hand. Written from "Head Quarters."

GLC01830

5 August 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsed receipt for 100 lbs of gunpowder for the Potomac Company].

Cosigned by John Fitzgerald and George Gilpin. Receipt for payment made out from Richardson Stuart to Henry Bedinger and Jacob Bedinger. The Potomac Company was Washington's first business venture after the American Revolution.

GLC01831

27 October 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: To the Members of the Society of Cincinnati... [speech as president]

One manuscript speech dated 1789, signed by Washington and addressed to those members of the Society in Massachusetts.

GLC01972

4 August 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Endorsement signed

Title: [Certifying return of three runaway servant men from the Potomac Company]

Certificate signed by Samuel Love Jr. that John Dubell brought before him three "Runaway Servant men the property of the Potomack Company." Says they were brought from Anthony Baine's property, which he thinks is 28 or 30 miles away. Verso has note signed by James Smith that Dubell returned three of the company's servants that ran away on 24 July 1786. The names of the servants were Patrick Ready, James Bryan, and David Lyon. Says will pay the bearer the reward from the advertisement. Dubell also signed the certificate that he received 60 dollars or 18 pounds, plus six dollars for expenses…

GLC01976

9 June 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Recommends purchasing land and building a facility rather than leasing space for the United States Mint. So that "all the applications may be brought to view," letters and engravings are "to be shewn to the Director of the Mint" and brought to Jefferson by Mr. Lear. Written as President to the Secretary of State. Lear is possibly Washington's friend Tobias Lear.

GLC01996

20 October 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph document signed

Title: [Authorization for William Lee to return to Virginia].

Pass authorized by the Council Chamber of the State of Massachusetts Bay and attested to by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts John Avery releases Lee from Massachusetts on parole as of September 13, 1779. A note confirming Lee's right to passage home to Virginia was later written on the pass in Washington's hand. Written at Boston, Massachusetts and New York, New York

GLC02064

circa November 11, 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Describes his scheme to return a runaway slave to his master William Drayton of Charleston, S.C. After visiting Mount Vernon with his master, the enslaved person escaped and returned to Washington's home. Washington writes that "[t]he fellow pretends a willingness to return to his master, but I think it would be unsafe to trust to this, especially as he has discovered a great inclination to get back to Philadelphia..." Washington notes that he has sent the enslaved person to Baltimore "under the impression of assisting in bringing the Jack and mules home but the real design... is to have him…

GLC02065

January 24, 1780

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to James Clinton

Apologizes for not being able to extend Clinton's furlough any longer. There is a shortage of officers, so Clinton must return as soon as possible. Possibly written in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide-de-camp.

GLC02336

13 May 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

In reply to McHenry's letter of 2 May 1799. Written as commander of Provisional Army created during the fear of a French invasion to McHenry as Secretary of War in the Adams Administration. They are attempting to find the best candidates to fill openings in the officers' ranks. Washington claims he does not know the rising generation of Virginia as he did when the Revolution broke out since he does not leave home very often. Wants to know if McHenry believes it is proper for the War Department to send out a request for applications that can be reviewed, otherwise he does not know how they…

GLC02337

May 2, 1793

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: A Proclamation [printer's proof of neutrality proclamation]

Printer's broadside proof of Washington's neutrality proclamation printed at the Columbian Centinel (Boston). The date is inferred.

GLC02391

3 September 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall and and Henry Knox

Written jointly to General McDougall and General Henry Knox. Washington names them commissioners to meet with the commissioners of Sir Guy Carleton, the commander of British forces in America, to settle issues with prisoners of war. Mentions enclosed resolutions of Congress, which are not included here. Asks them to make their preparations early. Is waiting for letters from Congress before he gives them instructions and sets up a meeting place. Sends along report of previous commissioners to help them prepare, which are not included here. Partial tears in document where folds are. Folio pages…

GLC02380

September 25, 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Tallmadge

Letter signed as commander in chief and written in the hand of John Laurens, Washington's aide. Assures Tallmadge that his cavalry would receive enough supplies but warns that there will be no new horses. Complains about the dragoon's ill use of the horses, "It gives me pain but I cannot forbear attributing the ill state of the Cavalry, in a great measure to the unrestrained licence of the Dragoons in the use of their horses; their speed is equally immoderate on all occasions; when they are detached, nor are their horses less freely employed on their own private concerns." Letter addressed to…

GLC01746

January 6, 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Mary Katherine Goddard

Washington responds to a previous letter from Goddard, who requested his intervention in her replacement as postmaster of Baltimore, Maryland. Replies that "the Resolutions and Ordinances establishing the Post-Office under the former Congress, and which have been recognized by the present Government, giving power to the Post-Master General to appoint his own Deputies, and making him accountable for their conduct, is an insufferable objection to my taking any part in this matter." See GLC09756 for materials sent to George Washington by Mary Katherine Goddard.

GLC01747

September 9, 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Gen. David Forman

Letter written in the hand of Washington's aide-de-camp Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. Written two months before the signing of the first provisional peace treaty between Great Britain and the United States in Paris on November 30, during the uneasy lull that followed American victory at Yorktown in September 1781. As Brigadier General of New Jersey militia, Forman had acted as Washington's watchman since 1780 by keeping the Commander in Chief advised of enemy movements off the coast. Even after ratification of the peace treaty, it was not until November 1783 that British troops entirely evacuated…

GLC01783

November 7, 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Washington writes to Lincoln asking for a report on Shays's rebellion. He writes "Are your people getting mad?"

GLC01479

September 8, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter

Title: to Mrs. Elizabeth Powel

Washington thanks her for a reflecting lamp that was apparently a new and unusual European import. Comments, "The benefits which will flow from the general use of such Lamps, are too apparent for the light of them to be long hid from the American World."

GLC01646

July 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Franklin

A cryptic but important letter written in the same month as the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, as commander in chief, in response to Franklin's letters. Possibly a draft since Washington has left the day and a name blank, but soon or shortly after July 30, when Franklin's response to Howe was delivered. Letter discusses belated peace initiatives of the Howe brothers. This letter responds to two letters from Franklin, one commended Washington for his work with the inventor Joseph Belton to construct a submarine, while the other (now lost) was a copy of his response on behalf of…

GLC01588

April 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph manuscript

Title: Inaugural address [leaf from 1st draft of discarded first inaugural = pp.57-58]

Concerning trade and population growth, with allusion to the postal service, newspapers and manufactures. This was a first draft which Washington later discarded. The manuscript was disassembled by Jared Sparks (whose unsigned autograph note "handwriting of Washington" appears in the margin) and leaves or clippings were given away as samples of GW's handwriting. Sparks regarded the document as unimportant since Washington had not actually used this draft. See also GLC# 639.25 and 4443.01.

GLC01589

29 October 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas S. Lee

Asks Governor of Maryland Lee to intervene on the behalf of Captain Thomas Shilds, who Henry Knox ordered to gather supplies for the siege of Yorktown. Shilds was authorized to impress material and he confiscated wooden planks from a man named William Adams, who consequently brought a suit against Shilds. Clerical copy in the hand of Samuel Shaw and signed by him for Washington. See GLC02437.01200 for a related document.

GLC02437.01273

4 September 1783

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: Extract of a letter from General Washington to Timothy Pickering Quarter Master General, dated Rocky Hill, Sepr 4th 1783

Written in Timothy Pickering's hand. Signed in text by Pickering in the body of the document. Docket on verso is in Knox's hand. The extract says: "If it is well ascertained that the Chain can be preserved in perfect order for future use, I should advise it to be housed in the manner you mentioned, but if the fact is otherwise or even very doubtful, of which I wish General Knox to be consulted, I would recommend that it should be sold without delay."

GLC02437.02467

January 5, 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington complains of applications, letters of compliment, and enquiries which occupy his time and deprive him of exercise. He plans to hire someone to deal with the drudgery of this troublesome correspondence. Assures Knox that his letters are valued, as Washington enjoys corresponding with those he loves. Discusses the extended navigation of United States rivers, hoping that the legislatures will agree. Proposes to employ adventurers to first navigate the rivers, and later to impose tolls as river traffic increases, noting that the enterprise will not begin at the expense of the public.…

GLC02437.09406

18 June 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his appointment (on March 8, 1785) to the post of Secretary at War. Encloses a certificate of service for Major Sergeant (not included). Hopes to receive limestone for use in construction. Discusses the Virginia Assembly's appropriation of shares intended for him (Washington) in navigation of the Potomac and James Rivers. Referring to Knox's new position as Secretary at War, mentions the Western Territory, Great Britain, and military posts near Detroit. Suggests Fort Pitt or Fort McIntosh as posts of deposits from which other forts may draw supplies. Discusses…

GLC02437.09407

December 11, 1785

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses trade between Indians and the British stationed on the American side of the territorial line (in the Northwest Territory). Reports criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati, including a pamphlet, Considerations sur l'ordre de Cincinnatus, by Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau. Refers to limestone previously discussed with Knox in relation to Washington's construction projects. Sends his best wishes to Knox, his wife Lucy, and their family.

GLC02437.09408