1To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 23 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
More trouble hangs over the Camp The President last night, indulged The Secretary of War, by consenting to the arrest of Major General Wilkinson—The Court martial is detailed, and dispatches with an official arrest were this morning, sent off from the War office, to the Army of the North—somebody must be sacrificed to cover the blunders of the War— Yours respectfully, MHi : Adams Papers.
2To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches of the 10th Inst. and propose going to New York in the morning, Inclosed is the paper of the 8th, and four Letters directed to New York. I am Your Excellency’s most obedt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
3To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 28 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the course of seven Years Service, I am only conscious of neglecting my public Duty two Days viz. Wednesday & Thursday last—My feelings as a soldier are wounded—But my future Happiness and Prospects in Life greatly depended upon their being spent as they were & under those circumstances I flatter myself Your Excellency will excuse me. I am with my usual Respect Your Excellency’s most obed....
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 28 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 28 Nov. 1786. Requests that TJ obtain letters of introduction from his friends in Paris for James and Nathaniel Hayward, of Charleston, S.C., who expect to reside for some time in Dijon in order to acquire a knowledge of the language; has made the same request of Lafayette. They are “young Gentlemen of Character and Fortune” who will “do honour to your Introduction”; if they go to...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 18 Sep. 1787 . Introduces Benjamin Parker, nephew of Daniel Parker, a student at “Cambridge Colledge in Massachusetts,” who will spend three months in Paris before returning to America; “being hard of hearing … prevents him from seeking society with that goùt which might be expected from his age and situation.” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 23 Sep. 1787.
6From William Stephens Smith to Timothy Pickering, 1 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General requests you will immediately take the necessary steps to alter the route of the Express riders, instead of its being continued thro’ Richmond, they must pass from the Boling Greene to Todds Bridge & cross at Ruffins ferry. I am Sir Yours &c. DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
7To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 23 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I left the City of New York this day at 12. I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency the last Papers and shall forward a report of my proceedings as soon as they can be made out. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
8From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1807 (Adams Papers)
The post from Philadelphia this morning, brings Letters, stating that, after Colo. Burr, was dismissed by the Court, he was arrested by a Troop of Horse, and was actually under guard at fort Stoddard on the 22d. ulto. on his way to the seat of Government, with a military Escort— Yours, My Son William was well on the 27th. of February at Trinadad MHi : Adams Papers.
9From William Stephens Smith to Samuel Blachley Webb, 14 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The General requests the favor of your Company at dinner on Saturday next & that you will bring the field officers of your Regt & six others with you. I am Your Friend CtY : Samuel B. Webb Papers.
10From William Stephens Smith to Ebenezer Hazard, 27 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The General has rece’d yours of 22d Instant requesting his opinion of Kakiat as a Place of Safety for the Mails to remain at one night. He desires me to inform you that it will by no means answer, the risk being evidently too great as it is considerably advanced of any post that we occupy in that Part of the Country. I am Sir Your most obedt Humble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
11To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 8 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency the papers of the 3d 4th &5th instant The Enemy are anxiously expecting the arrival of a Cutter from Europe, said to be on her way—on the 6th 60 Guineas were laid to 30, at the Coffee House in favour of a peace upon her arrival. I am Your Excellency most Obedt Ser. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
12To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 28 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the President sent the nomination to the senate yesterday of John Quincy Adams as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Great Britain— I am Well thank God— Yours Sincerely, MHi : Adams Papers.
13From William Stephens Smith to Timothy Pickering, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General understands that it was your intention to move the waggons of the Army with the Baggage of the General & Staff Officers destined for the northward in the morning. As Matters are not in that forwardness that he expected to find them in at this period, he desires that it may be postponed untill further orders upon the Subject. I am Sir Your &c. DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
14To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of informing your Excellency, that I inspected yesterday morning, the following british Regiments bound for Halifax Viz. 17th 33d 37th 42d 54th & 57th. The fleet sailed in the afternoon. I am still of opinion that the evacuation will be compleat within the time mentioned in my last—I am Your Excellency’s Most Obliged Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
15To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton, received late this Evening by flag of Truce, with the others which accompany it also the London Papers rece’d from a Corespondent of the 8th, & 9th of Novr the 2d & 7th of Decr 82 and the New York Paper of this date.I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s most Obedt Humble Servt DLC : Papers of George...
16To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Stephens Smith, 1 Aug. 1788. GW wrote Smith on 30 Aug. : “I was favoured, a few days ago, with your letter, dated the first day of this Month.”
17From William Stephens Smith to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have your letter of the 1st. inst. and yesterday visited Mr. Hellen & his family, they are all well and received no injury from the late invasion, they all however retired into the Country for a few day’s under great terror, the enemy however did not approach their house nearer than the Palace, distant about one mile—I enclose the report of the naval Committee expressive of the gallant...
18From William Stephens Smith to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have your letter of the 16th I hasten to ansr. it as I have by the same post receivd a Letter from our dear Caroline from Schnectady giving an account of the safe arrival of the Party there in improved health they go on to Ballstown to try the Springs & from thence proceed to Quincy; where I now have no doubt but they will arrive safe—I have addressd the paper of the day to Caroline by which...
19To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 2 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday’s date I have this instant received it affords me singular Satisfaction, that my Conduct meets with your approbation, Mr Gardner in adition to the improprieties mentioned in my last, rec’d five pounds when at New York to take on board his flagg two trunks of goods belonging to Mrs Horseford (who had Govr Clintons pass to go to the City) & land them at this place but have...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 18 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have only time to enclose your Excellency a Copy of a Letter received yesterday from Mr. Barclay, and to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 9th. Ulto. by Mr. Bullfinch. The maps, occasioned by Mr. B’s excurtion in the country after his arrival, did not reach me untill the 6th. inst. Mr. Neele took them in hand on the 7th. and will finish the plate within the period mentioned and...
21To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 28 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday a Letter from my dear Caroline of the 20th. inst. informing me of the better health of yourself and M rs. Adams, of which, of course I was happy to be informed Heaven grant you both a perfect restoration, and that you may continue a blessing to society and a comfort to your family and friends—The removal of Mr. Granger produces a considerable sensation—and the proposed...
22To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 3 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance M r. Blodget, tho’ I believe you may recollect seeing him in London—he will present himself to the President being charged with the prosecution of a plan relative to the building of the fœdral City, he is a young man of great property and supported in his project by most undoubted security, he will if you give him an opportunity communicate his...
23To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your letter of the 10 th. ins t. the last evening, and should have done myself the Honour of meeting you at New Rochelle this day were I not kept in check by Mr: Jay’s proposing that if I would wait untill the morning he would accompany me to meet you at Kings-Bridge, where we suppose you will be at 12. o Clock— The arrangements for your accomodation and that of...
24To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 8 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from New York directed to me your Excellency will observe it contains permission for me to enter the City by way of Paulus Hook. It appears to me necessary that the Flag orders should come from Head Quarters as it may not be proper for an officer commanding to issue Flag orders for his own conveyance. Mr Merrit has finished his business and returned—so that the flag orders...
25To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 28 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have your letter of the 15th. inst., the aspect of public affairs become every day more gloomy The slap which I predicted before I left you has been realized, I expected it from the dividing of our force, and knowing that Govr. Provost as an officer, would try a battle of manævre, previous to our troops taking too imposing a position, he tried it and it put a period to the Campaign—The enemy...
26To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 11 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is Mr. Jones’s answer to your Question. I have given to Mr. Stockdale 4 Vols. of Pope’s Iliad and Odysey, which were not ready in time for the last parcel. They will accompany those last ordered from Stocke . The Compendio del Vocabolerio degli Accademici della Crusca for Mr. Short at 13/6 and Cicero on old age, I think for you, price ⅙.—I forward Lackingtons list of the books sent...
27To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d Inst. and have communicated to Capt. Douglass the contents as far as they respected him. By intelligence from New York this instant deliverd, I am informed, that a private Express arrived there at one o’Clock last night from Philadelphia, conveying an account of the arrival of a french Sloop of War on sunday afternoon from Cadiz in...
28William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 6 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
The three Letters which Mrs. Adams honoured me with were received at Paris, and should have been answered, had an oppertunity offered. Permit me to pass an encomium on that prudence which dictates silence on painful Subjects, and to assure her while honour guides my actions and is my ruling star thro’ Life—I shall alway’s endeavour to appear as if I had taken the deepest draught from the...
29To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 16 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Boundaries of the United States as settled by the Treaty of Peace, are I immagine more extensive than what we originally claimd. That grant of additional Territory, must consequently be considerd and guarded as the property of the United States independant of any particular Claim—As the Fortress of Detroit is comprehended in the Limits referred to and I suppose will be possessed and...
30To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by Mr. Littlepage on the 4th. inst. That Letter contains an account of Cash recieved and disposed of on your account. I do not know whether I have made a just calculation of the Livrs. expended in Paris on my account, but this and every other article is submitted to your alteration. I enclose the reviews of the last Month as both your and Mr. Adams’s Names are mentioned, and have...