1To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 24 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot suffer so good an Opportunity to pass without renewing my Assurances of the Love & Respect I have for you— mine & my Father’s steady Friend. It is indeed long since I have written to you, & much longer since I have received a Letter from you— Your more serious & important Avocations are doubtless the Occasion of both— I am unwilling to intrude upon...
2To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 19 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by the friendly Notice with which you have upon every Occasion been pleased to honour me, I take the Liberty of recommending to your kind Attention my Friend Mr Pine, an Artist of acknowledged Eminence, & who has given the World many pleasing & forcible Specimens of Genius. Zeal for the American Cause has brought him over from England, to secure, whilst it is yet possible, faithful...
3To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 1 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
There is all the Difference in the World between a Thing done, & a Thing to be done. A Thing to be done is exposed, like our new Constitution, to all Manner of Criticisms, Objections, Oppositions, Reasonings true & false, with Arguments & Apprehensions founded on future Consequences, possible and impossible. On the Contrary, a Thing done, unless it is a very bad thing indeed, is not only...
4To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 3 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I could, if the Subject was worth so much Attention, justify my Musick against your Complaints —for I insist that it is as good melting Musick as could be expected at that severe Season of the Year, and would have found its way to you by water if you had but allowed a reasonable Time. A Lover who is all over Flames will require two & sometimes three years to melt the frozen heart of his...
5Francis Hopkinson to Robert Bremner, 28 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 28 Nov. 1783 . “Mr. Jefferson of Virginia” having consulted Hopkinson “respecting the Importation of a Harpsichord for his Daughter,” the matter is referred to Bremner’s judgment and care. “He wishes to have an Instrument of the very best kind—a double Harpsichord with Merlin’s forte-piano Stop and such other modern Improvements as you may think advantageous … also all necessary...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, with “A Literary Christmas Gambol”, 4 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I heartily thank you for your favour of the 23d. Decr. last and for the Pains you have taken to abridge Monsr. Buffon’s System of Astronomy. However you may think your Time lost in reading his two whimsical volumes, the little Time you took to give me a summary of his Scheme was certainly not spent in vain. Your Letter found me very un-well and in a great deal of Pain; it drew my attention so,...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 23 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now received your favour pr. Mr. Marbois, have not Time to answer in kind, am sorry for your Illness. If your Fever was of the infectious kind you have performed Quarantine. I hope to see you in the Spring. I should not have wrote in such a Hurry, but to inform you that our Philosl. Society is in a promising Way. The Case of Mr. Maddison was this—the Candidates for Election were...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 12 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you have, e’er this, recovered from your Indisposition. For my Part I have been afflicted with a very severe Cold for these three Weeks past nor have I yet got rid of this troublesome Companion. This Complaint is very general here. I have amused myself during my Confinement in various Ways. I have read Burney on Music which is really a very learned Work, but as I cannot subscribe to all...
9[To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 14 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia , 14 Mch. 1784. Noted in SJL as received 25 Mch. 1784. Not found. This is probably the letter mentioned in the first paragraph of Hopkinson’s letter to TJ of 31 Mch. , q.v. It contained a request for certain papers needed in a lawsuit. On 27 Mch. TJ made the following entry in his Account Book: “pd Register of land office for Fras. Hopkinson Philada 22/6”; and on 30 Mch.: “pd...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 31 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you about a week ago requesting you to procure for me from the proper office in Annapolis certified Copies of certain Papers, which are wanted in a Law Suit. Am in daily Expectation of the Answer which hath not yet got to hand. A gentleman in Town is making an Air Balloon of 6 feet Diameter; it is now almost completed. What the Success will be Time must shew. Mr. Morris’s...