171221From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The News of a general Peace, which your Excellency has been so good as to anounce to me, has filled my Mind with inexpressible satisfaction; and permit me to add, that the Joy I feel on this great Event, is doubly enhanced by the very obliging Manner in which you have been pleased to express your Congratulations to me & to the Army, on this very happy occasion. The part your Excellency has...
1712226th. (Adams Papers)
Finished the 4th. Book of the Cyropaedia; I shall have no more to do with this author while I remain here, and am heartily glad of it. It is not now, as in the first book. The Conquest of Empires is related, but in the same manner, that the trifles of the hero’s childhood were. Gobryas appears to me to tell his story, just as a crabberly boy complains to his mother, that he has been beat, not...
171223[Diary entry: 5 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
5. Clear & very pleasant with but little Wind—Mer. at 62. Mr. Basset & Mrs. Dunbar wt. away after breakfast.
171224To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 29 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
733. 1116. 140. 1509. 1490. 1116. 322. 1354. 972. 27. 1083. 1116. 623. 921. 1333. 632. 925. 1547. 1503. 417. 1078. 736. 1315. 1389. 972. 664. 1304. 430. 1116. 1165. 921. 716. 1065. 1268. 1090. 972. 857. 1562. 1354. 972. 1113. 31. 43. 1217. 1067. 1217. 211. 380. 1268. 1217. 805. 949. 582. 1090. 972. 1036. 1354. 31. 43. 1217. 1532. 1217. 126. 1354. 31. 43. 1217. 1134. 1484. 1116. 664. 1522....
171225To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 10 June 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have sent you 4 pss. Blankets wch contain 60 Blankets, as I have no receipt for them shall be Oblig’d to you to give one to Mr James Strawhan, or the Cash wch will be more acceptable as it often proves Troublesome gitting of it below. I am yr most Huml. Servant A Bale WW No. 2 R Colo. Washington for the Country Dr To 60 Blankets @ 11/6 £34.10.0 Package & Cord 2.6 34.12.6 Dotr Halkerston...
171226To James Madison from John Gavino, 16 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 December 1802, Gibraltar. No. 106. Forwards dispatches just received via a British frigate from Malta, “where Mr: Cathcart was with Comodor Morris, from whom I have Letters to the 1st: Inst.” Has learned “by a Vessel just arrived from Mahon” that a U.S. frigate was there for repairs to a damaged mast. “They do not know her Name or the Capns: it can be no other than the New York.” Adds in a...
171227[Diary entry: 16 March 1768] (Washington Papers)
16. Ground froze. Morning thick and threatening—but clear afterwards with the Wind Southwardly.
171228To James Madison from James Eaton, 2 December 1805 (Madison Papers)
¶ From James Eaton. Letter not found. 2 December 1805. Acknowledged in Daniel Brent to Eaton, 1[0?] Dec. 1805, as an inquiry about Eaton’s two impressed sons, in which Brent stated: “The Secy of State has duly received your letter of the 2d inst in relation to John & Wm Eaton, your two Impressed Sons, and enclosing sundry Documents concerning them, of the sufficiency of which you wish to be...
171229From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Tomorrow Evening will answer very well for the movement I mentiond to your Excellency Yesterday. and I will arrange matters accordingly—2000 French Troops besides Lauzuns Legien with the Troops I shall order from the American line will be sufficient to make the reconnoitre out hazarding an Insult from the my. I shall have the honor of sp ing more in detail to your Excellen on this subject...
171230To Thomas Jefferson from M. Amoureux, 13 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
L’Orient, 13 Mch. 1789 . As requested in TJ’s letter of 1 Mch., transmits a draft for 1900₶ payable to Admiral Paul Jones, “de Ve. Moullin et Kroux de Nantes, du 30. janvier dernier, à 3 usances, ordre J. Cormier,” forming, “à une bagatelle près, ce qui revient pour net produit des marchandises, compte du dit Sieur” ; Draft is drawn on a Nantes house because of lack of good paper on Paris. J....
171231The American Commissioners to Harmon Courter, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We Deliver you herewith our Letters and Dispatches for Congress which you will take Care of, and on no account Let them go out of your Possession until you deliver them up to the Hon’ble Committee of Foreign Affairs. On your embarking secure them in a Proper manner for being Sunk, in Case of being actually taken by the Enemy. We give you 100 Louis D’ors for...
171232From Thomas Jefferson to Beaver, 21 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to see you here & to take you by the hand. I am the friend of your nation & sincerely wish them well. I shall now speak to them as their friend & advise them for their good. I have read your Speech to the Secretary at War, & considered it maturely. You therein say that after the conclusion of the treaty of Greenville the Wapanakies and other tribes of Indians mutually agreed to...
171233To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Lieutenant General Washington having declined agreeably to the condition upon which he accepted of his appointment, any Command whatever of the Army of the United States u⟨ntil⟩ such time as his presence in the Field shall be required for actu⟨al ope⟩rations, or his Services demanded by peculiar and urgent circum⟨stances⟩ it is therefore proper to make such arrangements respecting the...
171234To George Washington from Charles Lee, 18 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Some time ago I received from mr Gill your letter with the papers accompanying it for the purpose of preparing an instrument according to your instructions, which I regret could not have been done before now on account of my absence with my family from town on account of the Small pox. Only last teusday we returned and I mention this to excuse mr Gill as well as myself for the delay which has...
171235Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Early Career (the so-called “Autobiography”), [6 January–29 July 1821], with editorial note … (Jefferson Papers)
1821. Jan. 6. at the age of 77. I begin to make some memoranda and state some recollections of dates & facts concerning myself, for my own more ready reference & for the informn of my family. The tradition in my father ’s family was that their ancestor came to this country from Wales , and from near the mountain of Snowden , the highest in Gr. Br. I noted once a case from Wales in the law...
171236To George Washington from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
inclosed is an Extract of a letter from Col. Blaine, in answer to my letter to him of the 17th Ultao enclosing a Copy of Your Letter of the 15th with an extract of General Sullivans requesting a further supply of Provisions. Your favour of the 29th Ultao came to me the first instant at Esopus, where I went to request the Aid of the Legislature of the State of New York in furnishing an imediate...
171237From George Washington to William Gordon, 19 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
As it has ever been a rule with me to make my private concerns give way to my public duties, when both cannot be accomplished, I now find myself under the necessity, from the weight of public business, which is at this time much encreased by an absence of more than three months, [(]on a tour thro’ the southern States) of refraining to enter so fully into my private correspondencies as my...
171238To James Madison from George Graham, 20 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th. instant. You will have observed that the list of applicants forwarded to you, embraced only such as had expressly applied to fill vacancies. If the selections are to be made from the disbanded Officers generally, it might materially effect the list proposed. I do not know that any partial appointments to fill the vacancies in the...
171239To John Adams from Joseph Gardoqui & Sons, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Last night arriv’d safe the Packett Active Capt. Corbin Barnes belonging to the Navy Board Eastern Department from Boston and New London, by whom have received the enclos’d letters for your good self and the rest of the Gentlemen to whom pray our complements. Capt. C. Barnes putt into Coruna about 10. days ago, and we hear he putt some letters in that post office, but as he is not come ashore...
171240From George Washington to John Thomas, 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Washington presents his Compliments to Doctr Thomas requests the favour of his Company at dinner to morrow 3 oClock. NNebgGW .
171241To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Intimacy of my Connection with Mr Duché renders all Assurances unnecessary that the Letter addressed by him to your Excely on the 8: of Octr last gives me the greatest Concern—I flatter myself some undue Means have been used to induce him to write such a Letter, so incompatable with the amiable Character he has ever maintained & so fatal to his Reputation. & I could not forbear...
171242To James Madison from George W. Erving, 17 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George W. Erving. 17 April 1806, London. No. 6. “I wrote to you last on the 24th of Feby from Madrid to inform you of the afflicting event which had made it necessary for me to visit this country on my private affairs; a measure which under the circumstances of my situation I persuaded myself that the President woud not disapprove. I arrived here on the 22d of last Month, & having...
171243Abigail Adams to William Smith Shaw, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your Letter of Jan’ry 6th, with the News papers to the 7th Clapole excepted; which usually has the first debates, so that I got no debate later than I received on saturday of the 5th However inaccurate the Printers may report the debates in Philadelphia: is best known to those who deliver, and those who hear them. when curtaild, and retaild by our Printers they are...
171244To George Washington from William Fairfax, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter to the Governor has been read in Council, but as no Shipping has arriv’d since your Departure the Genl Assembly is at some Loss what to propose, debate on and finish —Some Jealousies interrupt the good Agreement wisht for—Your Appointment of an Aid de Camp & Secretary is thought extraordinary and think the Committee will not allow Pay for —The Ho. of Burgesses adjourn to Monday next...
171245To James Madison from Aedanus Burke, 16 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 June 1801, Charleston. Supports Dominic Augustine Hall for federal judgeship. RC ( MiU-C ). 1 p.
171246To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 14 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of the 5 inst. The seal had no mark of violence on it. I shall attend to it for the future having no confidence in the admn., in any respect. The royalists are at a point wh. perplexes them & of course they will play a desperate game. Yet I hope the people will take alarm at their projects & forsake them, in wh. case their fall is inevitable, but this requires temper as well as...
171247Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
When I can be at Monticello I cannot yet determine. I attend to your movements. I write to say, that Columbia is situated on a Sand bank. One mile from the River, & 200 feet above it. I believe it to be as healthy, as any place in the Union, if I can judge from what I have seen of the place, & the uniform testimony of its most respectable Inhabitants. The situation impressed me with the common...
171248Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 15 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to Mr. S A—— the same day I received your Letter, but not a syllable of information have I yet collected from him. No Alliance yet arrived—it will afford me some releif to be scribling to somebody who will hear me, who will attend to me and answer my Queries, and tho Mr. L ovel l has heretofore wrote rather problematically with regard to the situation of my absent Friend I beg of him...
171249Circular to the Artillery Field Officers, 15 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you for your information the arrangement which has been adopted for the organisation and disposition of the Regt. of Artillerists. You will perceive that the batalion which you are to command is to be stationed in You will do well to apprise without delay the officers who are to compose this batalion of the arrangement—so that such of them who may not at present be with their companies...
171250New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (John McKesson’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
These Resolutions were introduced to shew that it was the settled opinion of the Legislature as well before as after the Confederation that the Powers of Congress were inadequate— Mentioning the Subject of a Dictator was not necessary— The Gent. says he is for an energetic fœderal Govt —what is it If what we Contend for by this System A Measure of Impost was once passed in this State—but...
171251To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 11 Oct. 1785 . Acknowledges TJ’s letters of the 8th . He had never begun legal action on Fortin’s claim; use of the vouchers furnished under the name of Joseph would surely have defeated it and prevented him thereafter from any right to the estate, since “none of the deceasd Fortin’s family who left the Estate were calld Joseph, but … there is one missing calld Jean Baptiste.”...
171252To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 17 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 17 May 1791 . He was presented to the Queen on the 13th, delivered his letter of credence, and, with the approval of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his discourse in English, a copy of which he encloses. The Queen, surrounded at the public audience by her ministers, the diplomatic corps, the nobility, the chief officers of the departments, and many ladies of the court,...
171253John Martin Baker to Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Honor to address you frequently from the Island of Majorca , where in June 1810 I had the Satisfaction to remit you, per the American Schooner Hellen of Salem Cap William Brown , to the particular care of the Collector of that port, One Box containing an Extensive Petrel collection , p natural productions of the
171254From Benjamin Franklin to Fleury, 29 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having as yet had no Medal struck here, I am not acquainted with any Artist of that sort. If you can find one, and bring him to me, I will endeavour to agree with him to get it done as soon as may be; but I cannot imagine it possible in so short a time as you mention. I cannot state any certain Sum till I have talked with the artist. I thought to enquire of Mr. Tillet...
171255To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully informs the President of the United States that Henry Abeel, the Cornplanter’s son, is going home, expecting to set off to-day. It has some time been evident that he could derive no advantage by continuing here: I therefore made no objection to his going home; and have fitted him out to his satisfaction. He will wait on the President within half an hour to...
171256To James Madison from Levett Harris, 25 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the mail of Saturday last, a Commission appointing me Consul to St. Petersburg, accompanied by Your circular Letter of the 9th inst., and transcript of Laws relative to Consuls &c., passed the last Session of Congress, came to hand. I consequently return You, herewith, the Commission which was first sent to me. I Shall now prepare myself, with all expedition, to proceed to Russia, and I...
171257[Diary entry: 13 June 1768] (Washington Papers)
13. Went to Belvoir where Mr. Seldon his Lady &ca. were. Mary Cary (1704–1775), an aunt of Sarah Cary Fairfax, married Joseph Selden (d. 1727) of Elizabeth City County and had three sons: Col. Cary Selden of Buckroe, Elizabeth City County; Col. Samuel Selden of Salvington, Stafford County; and Rev. Miles Selden (d. 1785) of Henrico County ( Va. Mag. , 9:109; meade [1] [William] Meade. Old...
171258From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Grotjan, 10 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Your affectionate mother requests that I would address to you, as a namesake something which might have a favorable influence on the course of life you have to run. few words are necessary. with good depositions on your part. Adore God. reverence and cherish your parents. love your neighbor as yourself; and your country more than life. be just. be true. murmur not at the ways of Providence....
171259From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 11 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the date of my last, which was of July 8. I have been honoured with the receipt of yours of June 16. I am to thank you on the part of the minister of Geneva for the intelligence it contained on the subject of Gallatin, whose relations will be relieved by the receipt of it. The inclosed intelligence relative to the instructions of the court of London to Sr. Guy Carleton come to me thro’...
171260To George Washington from William Pearce, 15 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Pearce, 15 April 1794. GW wrote Pearce on 20 April acknowledging receipt of “Your letter of the 15th, with the weekly reports.”
171261From Thomas Jefferson to the House of Representatives, 3 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters and affidavits exhibiting matter of complaint against John Pickering District judge of New Hampshire which is not within executive cognisance, I transmit them to the House of Representatives, to whom the constitution has confided a power of instituting proceedings of redress, if they shall be of opinion that the case calls for them. RC ( DNA : RG 233, PM , 7th Cong., 2d...
171262To John Adams from J. Loring Child, 18 December 1820 (Adams Papers)
In this town on the 1st of October 1819 an “Athenaeum” was established with a view to extend the means of useful knowledge in this section of our Country. It being the first of the kind in the new state, a laudable zeal has been manifested on the part of its friends and patrons, which encourages the belief that ere long it will hold a respectable rank with other similar institutions. The...
171263To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 27th of Jany and this morning sent for Mr McAlpin and gave him your orders. It appears to me, that the round cuff and the usual pockets will be neater and handsomer than if slashed and also more dignified. I prefer for the same reason a plain waistcoat. I shall however take the advice of General McPhierson on the different points and endeavour to have...
171264From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The day of adjournment walks before us like our shadow. We shall rise on the 3d. or 4th. of July. Consequently I shall be with you about the 8th. or 9th. The two houses have jointly given up the 9. small vessels. The Senate have rejected at the 3d reading their own bill authorizing the President to lay embargoes . They will probably reject a very unequal tax passed by the Repr. on the venders...
171265From James Madison to Albert Gallatin (Abstract), 19 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
19 March 1805, Department of State . “Be pleased to issue your Warrant on the appropriation for the Contingent expences of the Department of State for Five Hundred Dollars, in favor of Christopher S. Thom; he to be charged and held accountable for the same.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. On 18 May 1805 JM requested an additional $500 from Gallatin for departmental expenses...
171266From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Clark, 17 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be informed by a letter from the Secretary of state of the terms and the extent of the cession of Louisiana by France to the US. a cession which I hope will give as much satisfaction to the inhabitants of that province as it does to us. and the more as the title being lawfully acquired & with consent of the power conveying, can never be hereafter reclaimed under any pretence of force....
171267John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 22 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you, was from Dresden, and dated the 17 th: of last month, since which I have not had the pleasure to receive any thing from you. We spent a month at that place very agreably, & as long as the picture gallery remained open, I did not fail to visit it almost every day. We likewise went to Königstein, & saw also at Dresden the electoral jewels, the library, the old porcellain,...
171268From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 20 May 1808 (Adams Papers)
When confined to my Chamber as I am at present by indisposition, I get more leisure for writing than when occupied employd with my family occupations. tho for two day my Head has sufferd such severe pain that I could neither write or read. to day I feel much releived, and if neither chills or fever attack me to day, I shall hope to be below stairs in a day or two. I have enjoyd for a year past...
171269From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 14 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a petition on the 29th. of Jan. I know the extent of this trespass on your tranquility, and how indiscreet it would have been under any other circumstances. but the fate of this country, whether it shall be irretrievably plunged into a form of government rejected by the makers of the constitution or shall get back to the true principles of that instrument, depends on the turn which...
171270To George Washington from Timothy Edwards, 13 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Of the thousand barrells of salted provisions, which by contract we were to have purchased and deposited, three hundred are, or in a few days will be, at Poughkeepsey—We have the refusal of four hundred at Springfield on Connecticut river, the property of the Massachusetts—The State of Connecticut have a quantity at Hertford, which if not engaged to our Allies, may be purchased by us—The last...