The Personal side of the Presidency: 120 letters and documents [decimalized]

to Jonathan Trumbull re: American prisoners in Algiers

Written as President to Trumbull, Speaker of the House of Representatives, concerning the petition of American prisoners in Algiers which Trumbull forwarded.

GLC02793.001

to Henry Lee re: his reluctance in accepting a second term

Written as President to Lee, Governor of Virginia, who has congratulated Washington for his re-election. The president writes "to say I feel pleasure from the prospect of commencing another tour of duty, would be a departure from truth" and...

GLC02793.002

to James Jameson re: the Dismal Swamp Land Co. and profits from slave labor

Responding to Jameson's call for $80 (on behalf of his deceased uncle), Washington writes that he had hoped to see profits from the company since the elder Jameson had the money in his own hands. He notes in passing that the profits would have been...

GLC02793.003

to John Adams re: career prospects of John Q. Adams, the Jay Treaty

Written as President to his Vice President. Washington writes that young Adams should not think of retiring because his fair prospects may bring him to the head of the diplomatic corps. Washington also mentions the protests in Boston and elsewhere...

GLC02793.004

to Harriot Washington Parks, his niece, re: congratulations on her marriage

Written as President, offering his congratulations and suggestions for "a prudent deportment" towards her husband, including "the accomodation of your views to his circumstances." Also advocating frugality, he adds "always keep the old adage in...

GLC02793.005

to James Anderson re: instructions for management of Mount Vernon

Written as President. Washington goes into considerable detail regarding farming, especially innovations (a new red clover). He also mentions building a new road and the drought of the previous fall.

GLC02793.006

to inhabitants...of Bedford, Pa re: speech on unity, with William Bingham letter

Signed as President, acknowledging receipt of their call for unity & noting that "Unanimity in all things is never to be expected."

GLC02793.007

to James McHenry re: War Department's fiscal needs

Written as President to his Secretary of War. Numbered at top 173.

GLC02793.008

to the Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pittsburgh

Written as President in response to the Society's "friendly address" concerning religious freedom and mentioning the "time of trouble" in which they live.

GLC02793.010

to Samuel Harrison Smith re: costs of moving Jefferson's library to Congress

Written as President. Jefferson sold his library to the nation (for what became the institution known as the Library of Congress) after the British burned the capitol. "Jos: D." is Jefferson's coachman, Joseph Dougherty. The Madison papers...

GLC02793.011

to his mother Nelly Conway Madison re: money for her and Dolley's health

Sending $400. Written as President. Signed "Yr affe. son." The Madison Papers reports that this letter is one of three surviving letters of Madison to his mother. Normally Dolley Madison would write to his mother, but apparently she had been quite...

GLC02793.012

to Col. Samuel Lane re: a proposal to sell his own furniture to the White House

Written as President, noting "a considerable deficiency, in the sum appropriated" to furnish the White House and proposing that he leave some personal furniture "at a fair price".

GLC02793.013

to [William Benton] re: sending supplies and slaves "the business of the slaves"

Written as President. Recipient inferred from content.

GLC02793.014

to an unidentified recipient re: business affairs & profitability of his estate

Written as President

GLC02793.015

to Dr. Charles Worthington re: arranging for Mrs. Monroe to have blood drawn

Written as President. he remarks that his wife's "head and nervous system have been very much affected since the last drawing room."

GLC02793.016

to John Vaughan re: purchase of books at a Philadelphia auction

Written as President

GLC02793.017

to Ward N. Boyston re: history of the Boylston family and letter to his father

Written as President, shortly after the death of his father.

GLC02793.018

to Mary E. Polk re: his health, Major Donelson, presenting a miniature to Polk

Written as President. Presenting a miniature of his wife, her Aunt. Donelson's wife, Emily, was dying. Major Donelson is Andrew Jackson Donelson, the president's nephew.

GLC02793.019

Pendant miniature of Andrew Jackson's wife Rachel, attributed to Mary C. Strobel

Oval watercolor miniature on ivory, accompanying letter, preserved by the descendants of Mary Eastin Polk, said to have painted by Mary Catherine Strobel. Published in Jackson papers, vol. 4

GLC02793.019.02

to Emily Ward re: lock of hair and thanks for wishes (with hair)

Written as President. Emily Ward was the daughter of General Ward.

GLC02793.020