183451John Adams’ Service in the Continental Congress (Adams Papers)
The first session of the Second Continental Congress began on 10 May 1775 and ended officially on 1 August. What went on at the congress, apart from the actions recorded in the printed journal, remains a matter for some conjecture. For the First Congress, one of the best sources is Adams’ Diary, but from April to September 1775 the burden of business apparently kept Adams from getting down his...
183452Notes on the Movements of the Mediterranean Squadron, on or before 16 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
1802, Nov. 3. sailed from Leghorn. took under convoy vessel bd. to Palermo 11. entered Palermo. 15. sailed for Malta. 20. arrived there. had to repair Bowsprit. Dec. 7. bowsprit got in. but crew sickly with Influenza. 25. left Malta. 26. went into Syracuse to see if provns cheapr than Malta. dearer. 1803. Jan. 1. sailed for Malta. 4.
183453To Benjamin Franklin from George Read, 14 April 1766 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William T. Read, Life and Correspondence of George Read (Philadelphia, 1870), p. 23. From your known goodness, and the knowledge you have of me and my family, I have presumed to beg the favor of you to apply to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury on my behalf, for the appointment of Collector of the Port of New Castle, made vacant by the death of Mr. William...
183454Memorandum from an Unidentified Correspondent, [post 1 July] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Can the President call forth the militia of the Union, or any part of that militia, without the aid of the State Executives? This question must be decided by the constitution, and by the three acts of May 8, 1792—Feby 28, 1795, and April 10, 1812. The constitution authorizes the calling forth of the Militia on three occasions only. 1. To execute the laws of the union. 2. To suppress...
183455Minutes of the New-York Manumission Society, 10 February 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Society met according to Adjournment and proceeded to Elect, by Ballot, their Officers and standing Committee, and on counting the Ballots: John Jay Esq r : appeared to be elected President, Samuel Franklin Vice President, John Murray Jun r . Treasurer; and John Keese Esq r . Secretary and the following Persons were Elected to be of the Standing Committee Viz t . Melancton Smith Esq r .,...
183456To Benjamin Franklin from James Johnson, [28 April 1766] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from George Everett Hastings, The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson (Chicago, [1926]), p. 122. The Bishop of Worcester presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin and begs the favour of Him to let the Inclos’d to Mr. Hopkinson go in his Packet when He has an opportunity of sending to Philadelphia. For James Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, whose kinship to the Hopkinson family...
183457To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 20 July 1821 (Madison Papers)
Excuse me of taking the liberty to send you one of the papers inclosed within concerning the African Abolition of Slave Trade. RC ( DLC ). Addressed to JM at Washington, and franked. Docketed by JM: “Africans in Boston, Celebration by.” JM’s copy of this broadside, entitled Celebration of Freedom (Boston, 1821; Shoemaker 4931), with text that begins: “Monday the Africans and descendants of...
183458Deed of Trust for the Loganian Library, 25 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Commissioner of Records, City of Philadelphia; abstract: American Philosophical Society On Aug. 28, 1754, William Logan and James Logan, sons of James Logan, deceased (above, I , 191 n), his son-in-law John Smith, and Hannah Smith, his surviving daughter, together with Israel Pemberton, William Allen, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, executed a deed of trust establishing the...
183459The Moot Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
An elite group of New York lawyers systematically continued their legal education by organizing the Moot, a law society that met between 1770 and 1775 to debate points of law. Of the approximately seventy lawyers practicing in New York City at this time, twenty belonged to the Moot, and its members included William Livingston, John Tabor Kempe, and William Smith. The Moot was modeled on The...
183460Editorial Note: The Great Collaborators (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of that day’s dinner conversation—the French protest against the tonnage acts of 1789 and 1790 and its impact on the political contests that were dividing the government —was indeed important. But not a word exchanged between the Virginia Congressman and the Secretary of State on that winter day has been preserved. What Madison—and of course Jefferson—gained then and later in their...
183461“F.B.”: On the Paving of Chancery Lane, 4 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 4, 1766 While there is no certainty that Franklin wrote this squib, the editors agree with Verner W. Crane ( Letters to the Press , pp. 44–5) that “the probability . . . is strong enough to justify its inclusion” among his writings. The style and lightness of touch are characteristic; his interest in street paving appears several...
183462Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Seventeen escaped prisoners made their way to Passy and received financial assistance from Franklin during the period covered by this volume. Benjamin Ramsdell of Massachusetts, captured aboard the ship Three Sisters , received 96 l.t. on February 10. Thomas Moore was given 48 l.t. on February 23. Four men applied for assistance on March 9, each of whom received 24 l.t. They were Richard...
183463Editorial Note on Franklin’s Purported Address to the Irish People, 4 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
The Hibernian Journal: or, Chronicle of Liberty published in its issue of November 2–4, 1778, an open letter “To the Good People of Ireland,” signed by Franklin and dated Versailles, October 4, 1778. It was a long and uninspired diatribe against British policy, and ended with a promise that all restraints on Irish trade and manufacture would be removed. Publication in Dublin disturbed the Lord...
183464Lafayette, John Jay’s Self-Appointed “Political Aide-de-Camp” Takes on the Spanish Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Several months after the victory at Yorktown Congress gave Lafayette permission to return to France where, it hoped, he would press the French to continue to support the United States with money and military forces. The Marquis, however, did not confine himself to this assignment. He frequently attended the conferences of the American Commissioners with Oswald during the fall of 1782 and...
183465Editorial Note on the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety’s Regulations for Associators and Nonassociators, 26 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
The drafting subcommittee appointed on August 3, to implement Congress’ plan for the militia, completed its work on the 25th. The next day the full committee debated, revised, and adopted its report, which endorsed the Congressional plan, encouraged nonassociators to enlist, requested from the county committee lists of those who had and had not joined, established rules for appointing officers...
183466To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 12 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
I see with pain by the public papers that the British have burnt several places of no Importance but this Shews they mean to carry on the War to distroy & burn all they can of course we must relatiate, there are 500 Towns in Cornwal, Scotland, & Ireland where the Cheasepeak frigate, might go & burn with as much ease as the British ships now burn our little Towns in Virginia & Maryland, as a...
183467Enclosure No. II: [Willink, van Staphorst, and Hubbard, Amsterdam], [18 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Dr. 1793. Jan: 1st. To balance in their hands 1.744.750. “ Residue of the last 3/m loan, to be recd: 360.000. “ balance for which the Commissioners will be in advance on the 1st March 1793. 72.265. Flo. 2,177,015. 1793. Contra—Cr.—. By premium on the residue of the 3/m loan at 5 ⅌ Cent 18,000.
183468Minutes of the Provincial Commissioners, 20 July 1764 (Franklin Papers)
MS : Massachusetts Historical Society The provincial commissioners named in the Supply Act of May 30, 1764, assumed their duties almost at once. Their activities in directing the recruitment, maintenance, and disposition of the troops authorized by the provincial government are reflected in part by the pay orders they approved (above, pp. 221–4) and by the commissions and orders Governor Penn...
183469Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
In August 1768, William Dix, a pauper, was removed from Boston to Chelsea by virtue of the warrant of John Hill, a Boston justice of the peace. The selectmen of Chelsea petitioned the Suffolk General Sessions in April 1769 for his return to Boston and for reimbursement of their expenses in his behalf. The petition, which was drafted by John Adams and is printed below, urged that Dix was not an...
183470Receipt of Payment for Carriage Equipment, [3 February 1810] (Madison Papers)
1810 Coll. Robert Patten for the President of the United States, Dr, to Robert Fielding febr. 3. 1810 To 3 new full plated Globes for the Chariot 30,— six ℔ of the best wax canoles for do 4,80 a Case for do. & Porterage 2,— $36,80 Recd payment from Coll Patten Ms ( DLC ). Canole: a variant spelling of cannel, a hard bituminous coal that burns very brightly; also sometimes written channel
183471Minutes of the New-York Manumission Society, 21 May 1789 (Jay Papers)
At a quarterly Meeting of the Society for promoting the manumission of Slaves and protecting such of them as have been or may be Liberated, held at the House of John Simmons in the City of New York on Thursday the 21 st Day of May 1789. Present John Jay President, Matthew Clarkson Vice President, John Murray Jun r . Treasurer, John Keese Secretary, Jacob Watson, D r . James Cogswell, Robert...
183472To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, [ca. 9 September 1814] (Madison Papers)
The present Circumstances of our Country looks very alarming, & for want of resources makes it so much the worse, would it not be well for the proper Authoritys of every State Government to Borrow Money on its own Acct. and receive no less of any Individual or Co. then one Hundred dollars, the State to Pledge itself in 6 or 7 years for the Payment of it this will effect a willingness for...
183473Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Two leading natural resources of the North Shore, clams and salt-marsh hay, provided the stakes in this unusual trespass action. The land in question lay largely under water in what was then Chebacco Parish, Ipswich, and is now a part of the town of Essex, apparently in the area known today as Cross Island, near the mouth of the Essex River. Ipswich people, and those from neighboring...
183474To Benjamin Franklin from Ann Penn, 16 September 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you are Recoverd. from your late fatigue and indisposition, my dear Springett has been very Ill of a fever I had 2 the most Eminent Physicians to attend him. He is better, but is very weak. I have him in the Country for the air, he would write to you himself but it would fatigue him to much, but joyns with me in in our best wishes for your self and...
183475Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
At twenty-four Adams could ask, “But Quere, if Dissonance of Dispositions is a sufficient Reason for allowing a divorce ? This may be known, if sufficient Caution is taken beforehand.” Some twelve years later as counsel for Abigail Broadstreet in a divorce case involving domestic discord of the type dear to the readers of women’s magazines today, he may well have had cause to ponder this...
183476Editorial Note: Coinage and the Unit of Money (Jefferson Papers)
In late November Jefferson received newspapers from William Short that seemed to provide a means for opening up the subject of coinage with the Secretary of the Treasury, then engaged in preparing his report on the establishment of a mint. In the Gazette Nationale of 3 Aug. 1790 that Short had sent, he observed a report by Naurissat on billon which so impressed him that he made detailed notes...
183477From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [27 September 1766] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 277–9. I have mentioned the Ilinois affair to Lord Shelburne. His Lordship had read your plan for establishing a colony there, recommended by Sir William Johnson, and said it appeared to him a reasonable scheme, but he found it did not...
183478Memorandum: Preliminary Conference with the Indians, 26 September 1753 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Peters, Norris, and Franklin were commissioned on September 22 to meet the Indians at Carlisle and they proceeded to the westward immediately. They reached the house of Conrad Weiser, the province interpreter, on the Tulpehocken on September 24 and, setting out next morning and making all speed, they covered sixty miles and rode into Carlisle on the...
183479Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The American dispositions on the east side of Brandywine Creek probably were complete by the evening of 10 Sept. (map 2). Maj. Gen. John Armstrong’s two brigades of Pennsylvania militia were stationed at Gibson’s or Pyle’s Ford, a short distance south of Chadds Ford. Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene’s division held the ground immediately east of Chadds Ford, straddling the road leading to...
183480Editorial Note: Jefferson, the Aurora, and Delamotte’s Letter from France (Jefferson Papers)
When the Philadelphia Aurora of 3 Apr. 1798 printed a translation of “a letter from a well informed merchant in France to his friend in this city,” the newspaper gave no hint that the “friend” was Jefferson, or that the “merchant” was the U. S. vice-consul at Le Havre, F. C. A. Delamotte. The date of the letter had also been altered, from 23 Jan. to 1 Feb. 1798. Jefferson himself did not...
183481Enclosure I: Rule Prescribed to Hostile Vessels, 20 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
When any vessel, whether of war or merchandize, public or private, belonging to any belligerent nation, shall depart from the United States, beyond the jurisdictional line of the United States, on the Ocean; and a vessel of war whether public or private, belonging to another of the belligerent nations, being adverse, shall at the time of the departure of the first mentioned vessel, be within...
183482Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
Using the French manuscript that he received from the author in 1809, Jefferson undertook to see into print an English edition of Destutt de Tracy’s commentary on Montesquieu’s Esprit des Lois . He recruited Philadelphia printer and journalist William Duane for the task with the letter and sample translations printed below. Duane engaged his own translator, even for the portions Jefferson had...
183483Editorial Note: To the Senate: Interim Appointments, 6 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson wrote his son-in-law, John Wayles Eppes, on 1 Jan. 1802 that although Republicans held an 18 to 14 majority in the Senate, through absences “hitherto we have been so nearly equal there, that I have not ventured to send in my nominations, lest they should be able to dismast the administration.” Meanwhile, the president was giving thought to the arrangement of the list of more than 120...
183484From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 22 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am excessively hurried, being every Hour that I am awake either abroad to speak with Members of Parliament or taken up with People coming to me at home, concerning our American Affairs, so that I am much behind-hand in answering my Friends Letters. But tho’ I cannot by this Opportunity write to others, I must not omit a Line to you who kindly write me so many. I...
183485Passages for Priestley’s History of Electricity, [1766] (Franklin Papers)
Drafts: American Philosophical Society As other documents in this volume show, Franklin was one of several friends who read sections of Joseph Priestley’s History of Electricity while it was in preparation during 1766, offered information and suggestions, and on occasion submitted revised or expanded phraseology at various points. Among Franklin’s surviving papers are two sheets containing...
183486Editorial Note: Conference with Little Turtle (Jefferson Papers)
In the spring of 1801, the Miami Indian leader Little Turtle expressed an intention to travel from his home on the Wabash River to see the new president of the United States in Washington. Little Turtle’s interpreter and son-in-law, William Wells, apparently knew Meriwether Lewis, who had served with the army on the frontier, and Wells informed Lewis of the intended visit. “Our friend the...
183487To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 25 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I did myself the Honour of writing to you, on the 12th. of December and inclosed you, a Copy of my Journal and Transactions, with the several Western Nations of Indians, that I met with, in my Tour to and from the Ilinois Country; Since which I have had the Pleasure of hearing, that his Majesty’s Troops have obtained,...
183488To Benjamin Franklin from George Maddison, [1766–1773]6 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society G. Maddison called to acquaint Dr. Franklin that the Packets for America do not go from the Gen. Post Office till Saturday night. George Maddison (1747–1783) had been brought into the Foreign Office of the Post Office by 1765 by his uncle, Anthony Todd, secretary of the Post Office. In 1773 Maddison entered the diplomatic service and was posted to the Hague,...
183489Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
While drafting his 10 Jan. 1816 response to Horatio G. Spafford’s letter of 25 Dec. 1815 , Jefferson digressed from comments on Spafford ’s enclosed manuscript to what he here describes to Thomas Ritchie as a “tirade” on a religious publication sent to him by Benjamin Waterhouse on 14 Dec. 1815 . The work in question, Lyman Beecher ’s pamphlet On the Importance of Assisting Young Men of Piety...
183490Editorial Note: The Judicial Appointment of Joseph Anderson (Jefferson Papers)
Joseph Inslee Anderson’s first appointment to civil office initiated a long career on the bench, in the Senate, and in the federal administration. But it brought anxiety and embarrassment to the candidate, disturbed his political sponsors, and, for the first time, obliged the President to confront the question whether he should withhold a commission even after the Senate had confirmed his...
183491Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
While the affair of John Hancock’s Liberty (No. 46 ) drew public attention, a steady flow of other cases of illicit importation kept merchants, customs officers, and lawyers busy. On 6 September 1768, Joseph Dowse, surveyor and searcher of the customs for the port of Salem and Marblehead, seized thirty-three hogsheads and four tierces of molasses which had allegedly been landed in Gloucester...
183492Deed to Penn’s Hill and "Atherton’s Pasture", 23 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
KNOW all Men by these Presents, That I John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk Esquire in Consideration of The natural Love and affection I bear to my Son John paid by Quincy Adams of Quincy aforesaid Esquire the Receipt whereof do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said John Quincy Adams of Tract of Land Situated on the Rise of Penns hill in Said Quincy...
183493Editorial Note: Jefferson’s Questions and Observations on the Application of France (Jefferson Papers)
The four documents printed below illuminate an obscure episode in the Secretary of State’s continuing political contest with his great antagonist in the Treasury Department. As Republican critics in the National Gazette and the House of Representatives mounted their assault on Alexander Hamilton’s management of public finances, this chapter in Jefferson’s conflict with the Treasury Secretary...
183494Jefferson’s Letters to David Williams: Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
Joel Barlow introduced David Williams to James Monroe “as an old friend of Dr. Franklin.” On 20 Sep., Monroe informed the president that he was forwarding Williams’s 1802 London publication, Claims of Literature: The Origin, Motives, Objects, and Transactions of the Society for the Establishment of A Literary Fund . Monroe agreed to present any response Jefferson wished to make to the author....
183495John Jay Wins Reelection as Governor in 1798: Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
By late 1797 the Republicans were mobilizing to build on their rising electoral strength in New York City and the opposition to the Jay Treaty to challenge Jay’s reelection for governor and replace him with his former longtime friend turned Republican opponent, Robert R. Livingston. As Federalist physician and author Elihu Hubbard Smith reported to Senator Uriah Tracy of Connecticut on 29 Nov....
183496To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Give me leave to Congratulate you on the success of your Administration, and to accept of my best wishes for your present & futer Happiness, being well persuaded you retire from the cares of State with the full approbation of your own consience. Presumeing you may have some moments of lieusure, let me draw your attention to a class of men who have supported the measures of Goverment dureing 10...
183497II. Extract and Commentary Printed in the Paris Moniteur, [25 January 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
Notre état politique a prodigieusement changé depuis que vous nous avez quitté. Au lieu de ce noble amour de la liberté et de ce gouvernement républicain, qui nous ont fait passer triomphans à travers les dangers de la guerre, un parti anglicain-monarchico-aristocratique s’est élevé. Son objet avoué est de nous imposer la substance, comme il nous a déjà donné les formes du gouvernement...
183498Petition from Henry Roberts, 22 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Henry Roberts Humbly Sheweth. that your Petitioner was formerly a Soldier in the Virginia, line, in the third regment of Dragoons Commanded by Colonels George Baylor and William Washington, which the muster roles of the fourth troop of said Regment will testify. your Petitioner further Sheweth that at the Close of the late war he went to the City of Philadelphia where he...
183499Joint Commission to Negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Great Britain, 12 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
To all to whom these presents shall come or be made known—Send Greeting— Whereas an intercourse between the Subjects of His Britannic Majesty and the Citizens of the United States of America founded on the principles of equality, reciprocity and friendship may be of mutual advantage to both Nations— Now therefore Know Ye that we reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence...
183500To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 13 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Mr. Sherwood was not removed for any offence he had given, but by the Management of the East Jersey Proprietors in the Council, who have long wanted to have the Agent they employ appointed Provincial Agent. They took Advantage of Sherwood’s Letters about the Stamp Act, which were very short and trivial, and produced some of Mr. Wilmot’s which...