Washington’s Response to a Congressional Request for Documents, 30 March 1796

This document, which will be published in a forthcoming volume, is considered an important precedent for presidential claims of executive privilege. The 1794 treaty with Great Britain negotiated by John Jay was one of the most controversial events of GW’s presidency. Opponents claimed that the treaty conceded too much to […]

George Washington to Henry Lee, 22 Sept. 1788

This letter is part of a series; more information can be found on the “George Washington and the Making of the Constitution” page. Please also see related documents below. Original manuscript images of Washington’s letter to Lee at the Library of Congress: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 […]

Washington’s Eighth Annual Address to Congress

Washington delivered his eighth State of the Union address on 7 December 1796. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: In recurring to the internal situation of our country since I had last the pleasure to address you, I find ample reason for a renewed expression of […]

Washington’s Seventh Annual Message to Congress

Washington delivered his seventh State of the Union address on 8 December 1795. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: I trust I do not deceive myself when I indulge the persuasion that I have never met you at any period when more than at the present […]

Washington’s Sixth Annual Message to Congress

Washington delivered his sixth State of the Union address on 19 November 1794. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of Heaven by which the American people became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our country, […]

Draft of the Federal Constitution, Report of Committee of Detail

On 23 July the Convention voted that “the proceedings of the Convention for the establishing of a Natl. Govt. (except the part relating to the Executive), be referred to a Committee to prepare & report a Constitution conformable thereto” (Madison’s Notes in Farrand, Records of the Federal Convention, 2:95). Not […]

George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 31 Aug. 1788

This letter is part of a series; more information can be found on the “George Washington and the Making of the Constitution” page. Please also see related documents below. Original manuscript images of Washington’s letter to Stockton at the Library of Congress: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3

George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 Aug. 1788

This letter is part of a series; more information can be found on the “George Washington and the Making of the Constitution” page. Please also see related documents below. Original manuscript images of Washington’s letter to Jefferson at the Library of Congress: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | […]

George Washington to Edmund Newenham, 29 Aug. 1788

This letter is part of a series; more information can be found on the “George Washington and the Making of the Constitution” page. Please also see related documents below. Original manuscript images of Washington’s letter to Newenham at the Library of Congress: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | […]

George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 Aug. 1788

This letter is part of a series; more information can be found on the “George Washington and the Making of the Constitution” page. Please also see related documents below. Original manuscript images of Washington’s letter to Lincoln at the Library of Congress: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3