51To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 9 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I write merely to put you on your guard against any Falsehoods the Enemy may think it necessary to publish, about the time of opening their Budget. All is well here. There has been no action to the Southward. Many of the Tories in North Carolina, enraged at being deserted, have joined our army, and as is said, Executed some of their Leaders. The Enemy have drawn all their Troops into...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having written very largely to you by this conveyance, you are troubled with this merely to recommend (at the request of the Secretary at war) Capt De Segond to your notice & acquaintance. I have the honor to be sir with the highest Respect & esteem Your Excellencys Most Ob Hum: Servt Addressed: His Excellency / Benjn. Franklin Esq, / Versailles / favor of...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 23 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives An express just going to Chesapeake gives me an opportunity of sending by the Hermione a resolution passed Yesterday, my Letters by this conveyance are so lengthy that they leave me nothing to add unless it be that we have just received Letters from Mr. Deane (copies are inclosed) which confirm the authenticity of...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 26 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives I do myself the honor to enclose you a convention for the Establishment of Consuls, Which has just passed Congress— You will find that you are empowered either to sign it in France, or if any alterations are made, to send it here to be executed; nothing new since I wrote you; We are Still in the Dark with respect to European Intelligence, not having heard...
55To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 2 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
Having heard that a Vessel is soon to go to Cadiz from Baltimore, I embrace the opportunity to send quadruplicates of my last former Letters, & to add thereto the little information which this inactive Season affords— Nothing passes here between the armies—they are cantoned at a distance from each other, the Enemy is secure from attack by the nature of their situation, & we by our numbers, our...
56From Robert Morris to United States Congress, 10 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Subscribers, taking into Consideration the important Situation of Affairs in the present Moment, and the Propriety & even Necessity of informing the People and rousing them into Action; considering also the Abilities of Mr Thomas Paine as a Writer, and that he has been of considerable Utility to the common Cause by several of his Publications. They have agreed that it will be much for the...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 13 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives We have been extreamly alarmed at some communications which the Minister of france made me from his Last Letters— They look extreamly as if the Ct. De Vergennes imagined that neither Spain or Holland were anxious for our success— They discourage the Idea of a loan— from them or even from France. Our Letters from...
58To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 5 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 15th, 17th and 18th of October last. I am sorry to find that your Health has suffered by the climate, but hope that the setting in of the winter has e’er this reestablished it—I am not directed to return any answer to your request to come home, should I obtain the sense of Congress upon it before this is closed, it will be transmitted by this...
59To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 8 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I shall leave town to morrow and be absent a few weeks, I do not care to do it without letting you know that we have nothing worth telling you.— For want of positive you must be content with negative information which sometimes has its use, and failing of any other at least serves to provoke an Answer; and makes those to whom it is addressed ashamed of their silence, when they can collect any...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives The enclosed Letter from the Superintendant of finance was written in consequence of the resolutions of which I sent you a copy in my last— I then detailed so fully on the Subject that I can give you no further information on that head— than is contained in the enclosed,...
61To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 16 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit the enclosed letter which came under my cover from the Marquis de Lafayette. This to me contains nothing of consequence but what I presume he has given to you, nor is there much intelligence circulating in this place that merrits your attention. Cornwallis was recd in England with the strongest marks of applause, as he past thro’ Exeter he was presented with...
62To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 16 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
Returning from an excursion to the State of New York, I found your letter of October, which on account of my absence had been committed to a Committee of Congress. They have shewn me their report, it will try their sentiments on a very interesting point, if it goes thro’, but ^ as ^ they may not suddenly come to a Resolution, and I have just heard of a Vessel will sail in two hours for Cadiz,...
63To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 20 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
It gives me extreme pain not to have rec d a single line in answer to my public or private Letters to you tho’ no vessel has sailed from this or any of the nieghbouring ports for any part of Europe France or Spain ^ since Oct r . ^ without being charged with one or the other for you not because I infer therefrom the least neglect on your part I have too much confidence both in your punctuality...
64From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the 23d. of April I had the Honor of a Conference with Mr. Van Citters, President of their High Mightinesses, to whom I presented the following Memorial. Le Soussigné, Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis d’Amerique a l’honneur d’informer Vos Hautes Puissances, qu’il est chargé par les Instructions de son Souverain, de proposer aux Etats Généraux des Provinces Unies des Pays Bas, un...
65From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to omit to inform Congress, that on the 23d. of April the French Ambassador made an Entertainment for the whole Corps Diplomatick, in Honor of the United States, at which he introduced their Minister to all the foreign Ministers at this Court. There is nothing I suppose in the whole voluminous Ceremonial, nor in the idle Farce of Etiquette, which should hinder a Minister from...
66To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 27 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I informed you in my Letter of the 16 th . inst. that yours of the 3 d . of October had been received & submitted to Congress during my absence, and, (as I had then reason to think) that it would be answered by them, this I wished because I was persuaded it would express their approbation of your conduct, & afford you that intimate knowledge of their Sentiments, which the delicacy of your...
67To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 28 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
You will receive with this, a letter dated yesterday, reasons which need not be explained induce me to make this a separate Dispatch . I beleive with you, that the Court of Madrid does not wish to enter into engagements with us during the war—influenced, as I presumed not only by the reasons you suggest, which our late success must have weakened, but by another, that alarms me more. They...
68To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 30 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your favor of the 23d, & should think myself doubly happy in continuing this correspondence if in addition to the pleasure it affords me, it can be rendered useful to your Excellency. The contents of the Marquis De Lafayettes Letter to you, are so similar to what he writes me, that I can give you nothing new from that source. Tho’ I have the pleasure of assuring...
69To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 9 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
Your letter of the 6 th . of February, with a duplicate of that of August last, directed to the President has been received and read in Congress— I am extremely surprized to find from that and yours to me that so few of my letters have reached you, since no Vessel has sailed from this, or indeed from any of the neighbouring ports without carrying letters or duplicates of letters from me—the...
70To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 13 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that the Honorable the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, this day announced to the United States in Congress assembled at a public Audience the birth of a Dauphine--and that Congress received this enunciation of an event, in which the happiness of their Ally was so deeply engaged with the most lively marks of pleasure--It is their wish that your Excellency and...
71To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is so important to let you know that the late change in the British Ministry and the conciliating measures they propose have occasioned no alteration in the sentiments of people here, that tho’ I am too much hurried, (this conveyance going sooner than was intended,) to take particular notice of the letters we have received from you, and which remain unanswered, yet I cannot but avail myself...
72To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I had expected to have written you a long Letter, more particularly as it is some time since you have received any information from this Country, the enemy having effectually blocked up our ports for some...
73To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
The express who is to carry my public letter waits while I hastily write this. These express having private & public Letters for you have been carryed to New York tho’ as I beleive the Letters were destroyed I learned of this opportunity so late that I cannot send you a duplicate of the Letters.— I most sincerely condole with you on the death of your father an event which you must too long...
74To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 27 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your favours of the 22d instant, I have not seen the express that brought them, & know not whether he is yet returned, I shall commit this to the care of Genl Lincoln to see it safely forwarded. The British are at length sufficiently humbled to sue for peace tho not in the line we wish they seem to part with every thing more readily than with America. They have...
75To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 29 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is with equal Surprize and concern that I find not the least attention paid to the several Letters I have written you since I have had the honor to be in Office. I attributed this to their not having reached you, till I saw an extract of a letter which I had written to Mr Dumas, and which went by the Same conveyance with one to you published in the Courier de l’Europe, from which...
76To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
After I had wrote the letter of yesterday and sent it off, I recieved your favours of the 4th. 21. 27 of Feby, 10. &c. 11 of March; the three last I laid before Congress this morning, that of the 21st. I have kept by me for further consideration, tho’ I think upon the whole, as you have submitted them to my discretion, that I shall lay it also before Congress. I know they have been very...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives Since my last of the instant, I have been honoured with yours of the 30th. March together with a copy of Mr. Adam’s Letter to you & the English papers—for all of which I am extreamly obliged to you. I am not at all disappointed at the manner in which the British...
78To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Letter of the 5th inst. A disapointment which the printers have subjected me to has hitherto prevented my sending you a cypher my secretary is now prepared in compleating one if he can finish in time it will accompany this Letter. As one great object of Britain in carrying on only a defensive war in this country is evidently to enable them to turn more of their...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 23 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives This will be sent with duplicates of some of my former Letters to the Southward to embrace the first opportunity that shall offer from thence— By so uncertain a conveyance you can Expect nothing particular— Nor indeed does our present situation furnish any thing that...
80To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 23 June 1782 (Jay Papers)
The only letter, I have recieved from you, since that of the 6 th . of February last, was a few lines which covered an account of the surrender of Fort S t . Phillips, this success is important, as it not only weakens an Enemy, and operates against their future resources, but as, it gives reputation to the Arms of a Nation, that have our sincerest wishes for their prosperity, notwithstanding...
81To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 27 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a cypher which I have been compelled to retain some time for wanting a safe opportunity of transmiting. When more than one word is represented by the same cypher if it should be equivocal, it may be proper to shew which is designed by drawing two strokes under the second & three under the third as for differ 788—difficult 788. tho this will seldom be necessary...
82To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 4 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
By every late advice from Holland we learn their disposition to enter into a Treaty with us and tho’ we have no intelligence from you since the 11th: of March, we Still presume that you have ere this been received in your public Character—no wise governmt: constituted as that of the United Provinces is, will venture long to oppose the wishes of the people. I am very Solicitous to know how you...
83To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to transmit you a letter from the United States in Congress to his most Christian Majesty, together with a copy for your perusal, I also enclose a Resolution of Congress on the subject of Mr Lee’s demands, which you will see carried into effect—nothing of moment has...
84To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 6 July 1782 (Jay Papers)
Since my Letter of the 23 d . ult o . Congress have passed the enclosed resolution; my Letter had already anticipated it, so that it will only serve to shew that I was warranted in the observations I had made, & am sorry to add that my prediction that the Troops taken by Spain would be sent to serve against us seems to be confirmed by an account received from Charlestown of a number of...
85To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 6 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The furlough that you was so obliging as to give Mr Lewis Morris at my request being about to expire & the present prospects affording little probability so useful to the public in the field as in his present station I am induced to ask from your Excellency a continuance of it. The arrival of the fleet has set the invention of our politicians to work about the proper mode of employing it among...
86To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 8 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 28th April was received by Major Franks, when the Contents were communicated to Congress . The repeated Slights and Neglects you have experienced excited their warmest Resentment. Several Members feeling that our Obligations to Spain were extreamly Small; that our affairs here and in Europe gave us a Right to think as an independent People were for entering into Resolutions...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Having written to Mr Jay, who I presume is with you, I do not think it necessary to repeat what I have mentioned to him. We have not heard from you since March, a very long period, considering the interesting events that have taken place between that time and this—many vessels...
88To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Near five months have elapsed since I have been favoured with a line from you. Your letter of the 4th. of March is the last that has as yet found its way to America. Let me entreat you, Sir, to reflect on the disgrace and discredit it brings upon this department to be kept thus in the dark relative to matters of the utmost moment, and how impossible it is without better information to declare...
89To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 5 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Having written to you lately, I should not again trouble you so soon were it not necessary to remind you, that your last letter is dated in March, since which there have been frequent arrivals from France— and since which too we have reason to beleive, the most interesting...
90To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 11 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I delayed an s wering your last favor in the expectation that we should receive some inteligence from Europe that it would give me pleasure to comminicate A ship arrived Last night from Holland she brings letters from Mr Adams but nothing which looks like a speedy termination of the war the negotiations still continue, Mr Jay & Mr Genvile remain in France tho’ I am much inclined to think from...
91To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 12 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
We yesterday received Letters from M r Adams by Capt Smedley, who brought out the goods left by Commodore Gillon— these were the first advices that had reached us from Europe since your short note of the 14 th . of May— You will easily believe that this neglect is borne here with some degree of impatience, particularly at this interesting period when we learn that a negotiation for a peace has...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 13[–14] September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I have nothing to add to mine of the 5th instant, but to congratulate you on the safe arrival of two Vessels from Holland, having on board the goods left by Commodore Gillon, & to present you in the name of Mr Paine with three copies of a late work of his, addressed to...
93To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 15 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letters from the 19th: April to the 5th: July, by the Heer Adams. How impatiently they have been expected you will be able to judge by mine of the 29th: Ulto: which you will receive with this. The events they announce are considered as of the utmost importance here, and have been directed to be officially communicated to the different States. Your loan is...
94To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 17 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have at length been favored with a private Letter from you which gives me great pleasure not only because it assures me of your health & that of M rs . Jay but because it is expressive of that friendship which I should be sorrey to see lost in the ocean of politics in which we have both launched our barks. I am sorrey for the ill health of my little god daughter but as the disorders she...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 18 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Just after closing my dispatches, I was favoured with yours of April and the 25th. & 29th. of June— The ships that brought them were so unfortunate as to be chased into the Delaware by a superior force— The Eagle was driven a shore and sunk— The Papers and Money were...
96To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The scene of Action is so entirely transfered to your side of the Atlantick that scarce any occurance among us at present is sufficiently interesting to furnish matter for a publick Letter. The Resolutions which have from time to time evinced the steady Determination of Congress in no event to Relinquish the great Object of the War or to think of Peace but in Connection with their Allies have...
97To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; transcript: National Archives Mr Steward informing me that he shall set out to morrow for Paris— He will be the bearer of this, & duplicates of my last Letters— Want of time will prevent my sending Mr Jay duplicates of the resolutions formerly enclosed to him, which will be the more unnecessary, as you will communicate those you receive with this,...
98To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, enclosing Jefferson’s Appointment as a Peace Commissioner, 13 November … (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit a resolution of Congress, appointing you one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negociating a peace. I rejoice in this fresh proof of their confidence in your Virtue and abilities. The sacrifices you have heretofore made to the interests of your Country, induce me to hope that you will suffer no personal consideration to prevent their being employed in its...
99To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 18 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the 6 th , Congress have been pleased to appoint M r Jefferson, one of their Ministers plenipotentiary for negociating peace— I have not yet received an answer to my Letter informing him of this event, tho’ I have some reason to believe he will accept the appointment— I believe I mentioned to you that Congress had refused to accept M r Laurens’s resignation— Many members...
100To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 21 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; transcript: National Archives Congress a few days since passed the enclosed Resolution No. 1. by which they have added Mr Jefferson to the Commission for concluding a peace; the established character of this Gentleman gives me reason to hope, that his appointment will be very acceptable to you, and the other Gentlemen in the Commission, I have...