George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 November 1792

From George Washington

Philadelphia Novr. 3d. 1792.

Dear Sir

Your letter to Messrs. Carmichael and Short (now returned) is full and proper. I have added a word or two with A pencil, which may be inserted or not as you shall think best. The intention of them is to do away the charge of1 Sovereignty over more2 than are within our own territory.

The erazures from the Speech—as you advise—are made, except exchange the word “high” for “just.” If facts will justify the former (as I think they indubitably do)3 policy, I conceive, is much in its favor: For while so many unpleasant things are announced as the Speech contains, it cannot be amiss to accompany them with communications of a more agreeable Nature. I am always—Yours

Go: Washington

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Jefferson.” Dft (DNA: RG 59, MLR). FC (Lb in DLC: Washington Papers); follows variations in Dft.

  1. Here in the Dft Washington interlined “assumed.”
  2. At this point in the Dft Washington interlined “of the Creeks.”
  3. Parenthetical phrase interlined in Dft.