183151To George Washington from John Gibson, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Just as I was closing the packet to your Excellency I Reced two letters from the Revd Mr ZeisBerger at the Moravian Towns on Muskingum, a Copy of which I now inclose, the intelligence therein contained is very alarming. I have sent to alarm the Country and hope they will turn out. I am apt to Believe that part relative to Johnson is without foundation as the French Creek is so low that they...
183152To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Fulton, 9 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
As I leave this for New York, On wednesday the 15th Inst. I have invited some members of the senate and house of representatives, to call at Kalorama on Sunday next At One Oclock to see the experiment of harpooning, and investigate the principles of Torpedo attack; As this will probably be the Only good opportunity which I Shall have of exhibiting to you my system, by model and experiment, by...
183153To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you last post and am still without anything from Mr. C[haumont] relative to the Prizes, but as I find the Courier has been stopped I expect to hear per next post. Mr. C. you say has obtained an order for the payment to the owners in America. If Government absolutely stipulate that the money should be paid in America I should be extreemly Glad to...
183154Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 31 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I say nothing about the affairs of Europe , for they are so clouded that no reasonable conjecture can be afforded by present facts. I am most willing to believe that the progress of knowledge cannot be stopt, and the dark ages renewed, even should the Bourbons again ascend the throne, but there is nothing to be expressed but hope and good wishes. Yet from the beginning of history, it appears...
183155To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, 4 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 April 1801, Berlin. No. 188. Reports Danish occupation of Hamburg on 20 Mar. and Prussian plans to seize territories belonging to Hamburg. Conveys news, just received, of Czar Paul’s sudden death. “What its effect will be upon the politics of Europe it would for the present moment be presumptuous to conjecture.” Notes that Prussians have received British reply to Count von Haugwitz’s message...
183156To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secretary of the Treasury the Contract made with Abijah Woodward to superintend the building of the Light-House on Bald Head, which is approved of by the President. T. L. has likewise enclosed a memorandum of such letters &c. as are in the possession of the President relative to loans &c agreeably to the wish of the Secretary. AL , Hamilton Papers,...
183157To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Étienne Bertier, 27 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous m’avéz fait grand plaisir de m’adresser M. le Capitaine Houry. Vous m’avéz donné l’occasion de vous marquer ma reconnoissance, mon attachement, et mon estime, et de rendre les services dont je suis capable à un homme de merite, et bien aimable. Pour couroner l’oeuvre, il faudroit faire encore un voyage en france. C’est votre pays autant que...
183158To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 15 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paine not setting off to Day, as I expected, gives me an Opportunity of sending another Phial of Essence L’Orient which has had the Advantage of standing all Night to depurate and is richer than that I gave Mr. Paine yesterday. Besides this, I put some Spirit of Wine in the Phial of yesterday, which I observe curdles and discolours the Essence. In this there is nothing but a little Volat....
183159The Federalist No. 54, [12 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE next view which I shall take of the House of Representatives, relates to the apportionment of its members to the several States, which is to be determined by the same rule with that of direct taxes. It is not contended that the number of people in each State ought not to be the standard for regulating the proportion of those who are to represent the...
183160From George Washington to the Justices of Morris County, N.J., 27 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this morning the honor to receive Your Letter of the 25 Instant. You will permit me to assure You Gentlemen, that I entertain the highest sense of the exertions which have been made by the Justices and the Inhabitants of this County to relieve the distresses of the Army in the article of provision; and I think it but right to add, that from these exertions and those of the Justices &...
183161[Diary entry: 1 February 1798] (Washington Papers)
1. Clear wind about So. Wt. & Mer. 28 in the Morning. Pretty brisk from No. Wt, about Noon & calm towards night & clear all day. Mer. 40 at Night & 45 when highest. A Mr. Lad & a Mr. Gibbes from Rhode Island dined here & returned to Alexandria. John G. Ladd was a merchant in Alexandria. GW was possibly referring to George Gibbs (1776-1833) of Newport, R.I., a well-known mineralogist ( Brady,...
183162To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Dunbar, 13 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 13, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter is printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (below, p. 208). Thomas Dunbar (d. 1767),...
183163From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of a Resolve of Congress of the 13th inst: a Copy of which is inclosed —I am to desire that you will without loss of time return to Camp, to resume the command of a division of this Army; and that you will communicate a similar order to Major General de Kalb. By the 2d Resolve of the same date you will see that I am impowered to remove Hazens or any other Regiment from the...
183164From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson, 21 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Dec. 3. answering yours which offered the service of a Corps of Volunteers, I informed you that the Legislature had then under consideration in what way they would authorize the Executive to accept those patriotic tenders. they accordingly passed the Act of which I now enclose you a Copy. Altho’ the present state of things on the western side of the Missisipi does not threaten...
183165To George Washington from the Board of War, 27 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board have recieved the Order of Congress, on the Subject of Baylor’s Regt, enclosed. We have no other Objection to the directing the Horses to be purchased but the excessive Price. It will cost near sixty thousand Pounds Currency to purchase the Numbers of Horses required. Yet on the Consideration, that the Men are provided with every other Article necessary to enable them to take the...
183166To Thomas Jefferson from John Coles of Boston, 18 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
For a Citizen in the low walks of life to attempt to address the first Magistrate of the Nation, must be considered, as the undersigned conceives, great presumption, did not a paliating motive plead in some degree as his excuse,—Namely, the Union of his, and our common Country. Enclosed Sir, is the description of an “Emblem of the United States,” which has receiv’d general patronage in Boston,...
183167From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this day favor’d with your letter of 7th Instant—I am happy to hear that you are so far recover’d as to be able to Join your Division, & expect the Regimen you propose to follow will effectually remove all your Complaints. I have repeatedly wrote to the Clothier Genl respecting the Articles of his Department, particularly shoes, & have order’d him to search the Continent rather than let...
183168Proportional Representation, [19 December] 1791 (Madison Papers)
On 9 December 1791 the Senate approved the apportionment bill but amended the ratio of representation from 1:30,000 to 1:33,000. When the House considered the Senate amendments on 12 December, “Mr. Madison observed, that the idea of diminishing the fractional parts appears to be the only reason for the alteration proposed by the Senate. The aggregate of these fractions only has been taken into...
183169To Benjamin Franklin from Madame ——— Düeil, 6 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les bonté dont Madame adelaide honnore ma familles mayant atire a versalles pour luy faire des remercimant jesperé profitté de Ce momant pour avoir lhonneur de vous faire ma Cours et vous demandé vos hordre [ordres] pour du vin de chanpangne ayant lieux desperé que vous avés esttes Contans de Celuy que jay heut lhonneur de vous fournir au moy daout quatre...
183170From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 26 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 23d., and percieve by it that the Error I mentioned was not of the Press but of the Copy. I am very much obliged to Mr. Vr. for the proposition, which I have since read with vast pleasure in the French Translation. It breathes the true Batavian Spirit and must have great effects. I think it was right not to mention America, whatever the venerable Magistrates...
183171Motion on Instructions to Francis Dana, [27 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, II, 137). In JM’s hand. Docketed by him: “Motion of Mr. Madison seconded by Mr. Rutledge[.] Passed May 27 1782.” When Robert R. Livingston, secretary for foreign affairs, asked Congress to approve his proposed letter of 10 May to Francis Dana, he suggested the advisability of recommissioning Dana as minister resident rather than as minister plenipotentiary at the court...
183172Charles Clay to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting on an expression of yours Relative to an Idea Sometimes entertained by you of Compresing the Moral doctrines taught by Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospels, divested of all other Matters into a small and Regular system of the purest morality ever taught to Mankind, & meritting the highest praise, & most worthy the Strictest attention &c &c. however laudable may be your Views View &...
183173To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 25 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May it please your Excellency, That as some new draufts have apeared lately on Mr Laurence, we have continued to give our Acceptance to the Same as usuall; we specifie them in the List here inclosed; for which we begg for your Excellencys approbation; and to lett us know in time if there might become any alteration in her dispositions on the Subject....
183174To John Jay from Richard Peters, 19 January 1815 (Jay Papers)
Your very welcome Letter of the 9 th . inst I have recieved, at the Moment I was contemplating sending to you our 3 d Vol. of Agricultural Memoirs, as a small Token of Remembrance. I shall, by the first Opportunity, have it conveyed to New York, with a Request that it may be forwarded. A few of us endeavour to keep this Subject alive, amidst the Din of Arms; which are ever hostile to the Arts...
183175To Thomas Jefferson from Le Mesurier & Cie., 14 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor to acquaint you that the Brig Jenny Captn. David Peoples arrived here with a Cargo of Two Hundred and Thirty five Hogsheads of Tobacco belonging to Messrs. Willing Morris & Swanwick of Philadelphia, which those gentlemen trusted would be sold to the Farmers General at the price which they had fixed for Tobaccos of the same quality; but after getting the quality ascertained by...
183176Georges Grand to the American Commissioners, 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society J’arrivai avant hier soir en bonne santé, avec mon Compagnon de Voyage, malgré les mauvais chemins et la difficulté des passages. Nous avons commençé à visiter les Chantiers, et nous allons tout de suite, entrer en conférences avec les meilleurs Constructeurs, pour traitter et faire metre la main à l’ouvrage; il ne manque ni de matériaux ni de bons...
183177Thomas Jefferson to John A. Morton, 9 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Gen l Kosciuzko , now established at Paris , or rather at or near Fontainebleau , depends for his subsistence chiefly on the produce of stock which he has in our funds and banks. we have occasion to remit him, about this season annually, somewhere about 1000.D. the superintendence of this he left with me, and I have committed to mr John Barnes of George town the immediate care of...
183178To Alexander Hamilton from Abishai Thomas, 12 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
As Agent of the State of North Carolina I subscribed on Account of the loan to the United States proposed by Act of Congress of the 4th of August 1790 a Certificate or Receipt of James Green junr. late Treasurer of Loans in said State, for 96,300 dollars of the emissions of May 20, 1777, and April 11th. 1778. which had been deposited in his hands to be exchanged, which Certificate the Auditor...
183179From Thomas Jefferson to Gabriel Jones, 29 April 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mrs. Harvey I enclose to you the principal and interest of the money you were so kind as to lend me some years ago. It furnishes me also with an occasion of acknowledging, with this, the many other obligations under which you have laid me, of which I shall always be proud to shew a due sense, whenever opportunity shall offer. I am, Dear Sir, with much esteem, Your friend and servt., MS not...
183180George Washington to Sir William Howe, 22 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] March 22, 1778 . Demands exchange of Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Allen for Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell and release of Captains Isaiah Robinson and Nathaniel Galt. Informs Howe that Elias Boudinot, Colonel William Grayson, and Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and Robert Hanson Harrison have been appointed as commissioners for negotiating an exchange of prisoners. Df...
183181From George Washington to John Page, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honoured with your favor of the 19th Ulto and am much obliged by your kind wishes for my success and happiness. It has not been in my power, on account of our situation and the various—important concerns of the Army, to transmit more frequent intelligence, than I have, to my Southern Friends, and I should be happy, if Things are in such a Train at this time, as would give...
183182[Diary entry: 8 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 42 at Night. Grey Morning with some appearances of falling Weather—the wind however at No. West; about 9 Oclock it shifted to the No. East and blew raw and cold; before Noon it died away, and was very pleasant but towards evening it sprung up again at No. Et. and looked threatning again. Colo. Ball went away immediately after breakfast....
183183To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to remind you of an Application I made to your Excelly before I left Morris Town in Behalf of Mr Odell a Gentleman of this Place who acts in the double Capacity of a Clergyman & Physician. He was drove from his Home by the Violence of the Gondola Men who hunted him in such a Manner as in my Opinion made it necessary for him to retire to preserve his Life. At that time the Enemy...
183184To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 22 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of writing your Excellency the 19th. July last whereof the above is a fourth Copy. T,F, I have now that of inclosing your Excellency Bill Lading of One Butt of Sherry Wine which I have Shipped on board the American Ship Eliza Capt. N. C. Bissel bound to Philadelphia and Consigned to the Collector of said Port subject to your Excelly. orders—I also remit the Invoice from the...
183185From James Madison to Congress, 31 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
Taking into view the mutual interest which the United States and the foreign nations in amity with them, have in a liberal commercial intercourse, and the extensive changes favorable thereto which have recently taken place; Taking into view also, the important advantages which may otherwise result, from adapting the state of our commercial laws to the circumstances now existing: I recommend to...
183186[Diary entry: 30 June 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. Again warm with little or no Wind & that in the same Quarter. A little Rain in the Night.
183187From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 9 August 1774 (Washington Papers)
If this Letter should (though I do not See any probable chance of it) reach your hands in time, it is to ask, if you do not think it necessary that the Deputies from this Colony should be provided with authentick Lists of our Exports, & Imports generally, but more especially to Great Britain? and, in that case, to beg of you to obtain such from the Custom House Offices on Potomack & Rappa.; as...
183188From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Norborne Nicholas, 7 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 2. came to hand Feb. 11. and I put off the acknoleging it, till I could forward to you some pamphlets on a subject very interesting to all the states, and containing views which I am anxious should be generally exhibited. in a former collection of tracts published by mr Cooper were two papers on Political arithmetic. he was printing a 2d edition of the whole, & was prevailed...
183189From John Adams to John Taylor, 18 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
“Knowledge” you Say invented Alienation, and became the natural Enemy of Aristocracy. This “Invention” of “Knowledge” was not very profound or ingenious. There are hundreds in the Patent office more brilliant. The Right, Power and Authority of Alienation is essential to Property. If I own a snuff box, I can burn it in the Fire, cast it into a Salt pond crush it to attoms under a Wagon Wheel,...
183190To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to inform you in my letter of the 16th of March ulto. that I had issued orders, to draw five companies of the regular army to the, scene of insurrection, and for the volunteer companies of Pennsylvania, to be in readiness to march at the shortest notice. I flattered myself, at the time of issuing this order, that the two volunteer companies of horse, of Philadelphia (if...
183191To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Les affaires de notre Escadre vont très-bien à Lahaie. Voici ce que l’on m’en apprend de très-bonne part, le 23. “Les Etats d’Hollde. ont adopté unanimement l’Avis des Amirautés, qui est parfaitement conforme à celui du College particulier d’Amsterdam, dont vous avez eu connoissance. Vraisemblablement la Résolution de la...
183192From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the case proposed to me in your letter of the 11th. July, and do not find myself authorised to instruct you to set off the drawback against the bond of the importer Mr. Telles. The legislature had not seen fit to make any provision of this nature in the first collection law, and in the existing act they have only extended it to the importer , and not to the purchasers from...
183193To George Washington from Colonel Peter Gansevoort, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit Your Excellency Copies of Letters received from General Powel Capt. Monsell and Major Carleton by Flaggs of Truce from the Enemy, as also of my Letters written in Answer to them, together with Sundry Accounts of our Prisoners in Canada which were inclosed in General Powels Letter. Your Excellency will observe in the former part of my Letter to Genl Powell and...
183194To George Washington from Robert Rutherford, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is with Singular pleasure I congratulate Your Excellency on this Short relaxation from the utmost exertions in the field, where you have rendered your Country most Essential Services & gained lasting honor to yourself. I have not Ventured to trouble you with letters truly Sensible how many & great were the important matters that must necessarily engage your unceasing attention, but your...
183195From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Price, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 4th instant inclosing a Return of your Regt which I am sorry to find, so far below my expectation. I have wrote to Governor Johnson, entreating him to endeavour to settle the unhappy dispute that has hitherto subsisted in your State respecting Rank; and I hope it may be effected. I desire you will immediately upon the Receipt of this order your Lieut. Colonel to march to...
183196To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 24 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Mr Randolph has the honor of returning to the President Colo. Smith’s letter. Mr R. begs leave to suggest, whether it may not be proper to add to the instruction, to be given to Mr Jefferson concerning Mr Genet’s conduct, that he should state the verbal conversations with him, which respected the granting of commissions within the U.S., and the order, that the privateers, so commissioned,...
183197From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Eddins, 8 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the first instant, and you have liberty of absence, reporting to me frequently your the state of your health— I rely upon it that you will set out to join your company as soon as possible. It has been suggested to me that you have it in view to resign speedily—I have not credited this. respo as you must see, in that case the propriety of asking immediately If it...
183198To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Minute honoured with your Favour of the 8th and 9th inst: per Post. Having sent off an Express this Morning, at which Time, I forwarded Commissions for the General officers appointed yesterday by Congress, I shall not detain the Post to send the Commissions ordered by the enclosed Resolve. In the mean Time, you will please to direct the Persons to do such Duty as you shall think...
183199To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 24–27 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to join my prayers, with those of your discerning and Virtuous Fellow-Citizens, that Providence may give you health & Length of Days to enable you to compleat the Glorious Fabrick of American Happiness; Great, Ardous & Complicated as the Undertaking is, no doubt remains on my mind on perusing the papers, just received from my most worthy & respectable Friend Doctor Franklin, but it...
183200To James Madison from Mordecai Barbour, 28 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 June 1812, Petersburg. “In the present crisis … it becomes the duty of every citizen to tender to his Country such services as he is capable to render. Under the influence of such a conviction and believing from the experience I acquired in the revolutionary war that I can render essential services to my Country, I have caused it to be communicated at the War office my willingness to accept...