29451To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 16 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Packet I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you: I am sorry I am so displeasing to you: As I never knew the Gentleman’s Name before, to whom I owe the Place in the Custom House, I could not return him Thanks by Name: therefore only did it to you. Will you be pleased to make my Humble Complements to him, and sincere Thanks for the Favour, which is...
29452[Diary entry: 22 November 1773] (Washington Papers)
22. Clear warm and pleast. with but little Wind.
29453To Thomas Jefferson from J. Phillipe Reibelt, 22 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eû le plaisir, de recevoir ce Matin Vos ordres du 20 relat. aux Livres que Vous desirès pour le Moment—ils seront strictement executès. Vous avez eû la Grace, de m’honorer tout a la tete de cette Lettre d’un adjectif, qui me porte au Comble du bonheur— Apprendre, que je suis cher a l’homme, pour le quel je me suis—depuis tres longtems, et d’un moment a l’autre plus intimement (a tous...
29454From George Washington to Major Samuel Jordan Cabell, 26 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Harrison has laid before me Two Letters, which he had received from you, and also a Certificate signed by Colo. Davies and Generals Muhlenburg and Woodford respecting your right to promotion to a Lieutenant colonelcy. I have considered the matter, and, from the high opinion I have of your merit and services, I am sorry to find there are difficulties in your case; and that the principles &...
29455[Diary entry: 18 April 1770] (Washington Papers)
18. Ball and his Apprentice set abt. the shaft for the Mill &ca. Jowler lined Singer & Ringwood Truelove again. The shaft was the large wooden axle on which the waterwheel was to turn.
29456[Diary entry: 2 March 1763] (Washington Papers)
2. Seven young Pigs at R[iver] Side Qr.
29457From George Washington to Charles Fenton Mercer, 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter with its enclosures have been received; whether in the ordinary course of the Mail I am unable to inform you, as you have omitted to give it a date. From the copies of yours to Doctr Smith, and his to the President, which are dated the 9th & 10th of June, It is to be feared that there has been much delay in the case. From the very sincere regard I entertained for your deceased...
29458[Diary entry: 1 July 1768] (Washington Papers)
July 1st. Went over to Stafford Court House to a meeting of the Missisipi. Dined and lodged there. With another change of ministers in England, and because of the new Indian treaties in progress which opened large parts of trans-Appalachian land to white settlement, the Mississippi Company’s hopes were quickening. Dr. Arthur Lee, brother of the company’s treasurer, William Lee, was taken into...
29459From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, [7 February 1796] (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favors of Jan. 24. and Feb. 3. are both recieved. We have had a very fine winter a few days only excepted about the middle of January. This day sennight was the coldest morning ever known in this country as far as my observations have gone. The mercury was at 1¾°. I never before saw it lower than 6°. in Virginia.—From what I hear of the state of the three notched road I am sorry I...
29460From James Madison to David Gelston, 5 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 November 1804, Department of State. “I have recd. your private letter of the 12th. Octr. [not found] and beg leave to inform you that the 3d. instalment of your claim will not be received from the British Government until the 15th. July next; and that if drawn for upon Mr. Erving before the 1st. of Sepr. next, it will not be transferred to the United States.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59,...
29461From Thomas Jefferson to William, Benjamin, and W. L. Bakewell, 15 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 8. came to my hands only a few days ago and yesterday the barrel of ale therein mentioned was delivered here. I am to return you thanks in the first place for the indulgence with which you view my character & administration, and the dispositions you express in favor of those political principles which have made this country what it is, & the abandonment of which, whenever...
29462From John Adams to James Sullivan, 2 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
I received; last Evening the Letter you did me the honour to write me, the 30th of July, and am ready to give you all the Information in my power Mitchel’s Map s was the only one, which the Ministers Plenipotentiary of The United States and The Minister Plenipotentiary of great Britain made use of in their Conferences and Discussions relative to the Boundaries of the United States, in their...
29463[July 1784] (Adams Papers)
May not the Ascent of Vapours be explained, or rather accounted for upon the Principle of the Air Balloon? Is not every Bubble of Vapour, that rises, an Air Balloon? Bubbles are formed at the Bottoms of Canals, Rivers, Ponds, rise to the Top, and mount up. These Bubbles are particles, or small quantities of inflammable Air, surrounded with a thin film of Water. Champaign Wine, Bottled Porter...
29464To James Madison from John George Jackson, 27 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your last letter & the accompanying papers were well calculated to support the opinion which I have long entertained that the British pretensions would be supported at the risque of a War; & that like an angry infuriated Lioness when robbed of her Whelps, her Ministry would attack indiscriminately all the Neutral rights in the way of her contemplated greatness- wound & destroy her friends, her...
29465To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 23 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M De sarsfield Envoie Savoir des Nouvelles de Monsieur franklin et le prier de lui faire Lhonneur de diner demain chez lui avec Made la duchesse d’Enville. Elle n’est a paris que pour fort peu de Jours et Monsieur franklin aura peu d’occasions de la voir parce qu’elle y est Sans Sa maison. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Ministre / plenipotentiaire...
29466From Thomas Jefferson to Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 23 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to the Chevalier d’Yrujo, and asks the favor of a passport for Thomas Kanberg , a friend of his who is going to Europe on private business. he is a native of the North of Europe (perhaps of Germany) has been known to Th:J. these twenty years, is a most excellent character, and entirely out of the political line. whether he will take his passage from...
29467Edmund Bacon to Thomas Jefferson, [before 1 August 1820] (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a list of my own family. Mr Meeks ’s & Carden s with the age opposite each name age Edmund Bacon 35 . years old Edmund Meeks 28 years old Ann Bacon
29468Analysis of Loyalists, [1783?] (Franklin Papers)
D : Library of Congress Two hundred & eighty eight persons called Loyalists, & specified by Name in the Morning Post, classed in the following Manner.— Persons residing in Great Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32. Deceased Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34. Apostates , that is to say, persons who had conformed to the American Government, &...
29469To James Madison from Jonathan Thompson, 30 June 1821 (Madison Papers)
I rec’d your letter of the 21st. inst. in relation to the Box of Seeds—there being no opportunity to Fredericksburg, have forwarded it as per enclosed Bill of Lading to Norfolk to be forwarded from thence to the care of Messrs. Mackay & Campbell, Fredericksburg Va. No charge has been made to me for it. I am sir with respect Your Obt. Servt. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC in a clerk’s hand,...
29470From Thomas Jefferson to Frederick Winslow Hatch, 12 February 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson sends to mr Hatch the inclosed order more tardily than he wished, but as soon as he could. he hopes mr Hatch experiences no ill from the storm to which he was exposed yesterday. a night’s rest has restored Th: J. from the exhaustion produced on him by the violence & continuance of the efforts of strength he was obliged to exert. he presents to mr Hatch his friendly and respectful...
29471From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks has occasion for money to carry him to London. As we propose that all the money for this business shall be procured by draughts on Mr. Adams, will it not be better for you to draw on him at present for enough to cover the last journey of Colo. Franks, to defray the present one, to pay for the articles to be purchased here, the expences of the future journey Southwardly &c.? All...
29472From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Skipwith, 6 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of April 7. on the subject of Mr. Wayles’s responsibility for his joint-consignee in the case of the Guineaman. I have never considered this subject methodically, and therefore have not absolute confidence in the opinion I have formed on a superficial view of it. My ideas however I will hazard to you, however informal. It is a principle in law that...
29473William DuVal to Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 20 th of April last in which you express a desire to obtain from the Henderson Family a conveyance for the Land you bought of them under a Contract made by their mother and Guardian wh ; that you want some Friend in that Kentucky to act for you & obtain a Title—My Son William P. DuVal
29474From Benjamin Franklin to James Woodmason, [10 January 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I have lately receiv’d yours, without Date, acquainting me that the Paper I ordered is at length finished, & will be sent by the first Ship to Amsterdam, which I am glad to hear. If not already gone, please to insure it, and send me your Account. Present my affectionate Respects to your good Father, and believe me to be Sir, Your assured Friend &...
29475Thomas Jefferson to Harrison Hall, 3 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Hall , acknoleges the reciept of his letter of Mar. 24. & assures him he has never had an idea of publishing a new edition of the Notes on Virginia . he has occasionally made some little memorandums and perhaps may continue to do so, which he may leave to be added should it be thought worthy of a posthumous edition . He prays mr Hall to remind him...
29476To Thomas Jefferson from John Stokely, 15 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Seeing the British nation Grasping at every thing like Wealth or Power regardless of Justice Honor or Humanity, is it not feasible to Suppose the expedition now Going on from England is aim’d at N. Orleans They are not cerimonous these days as appears about matters of this kind. They must know that the Possession of New Orleans would Possess them of all our Sugar Plantations as well as many...
29477From John Jay to the Public, 4 April 1792 (Jay Papers)
It having been deemed expedient to consider me as the author of certain political papers lately published, I think it proper to declare upon my honour that I am not the author of any political paper that has been published this year— that I have neither written, dictated, nor seen the manuscripts of any of those which have appeared against Governor CLINTON, or any person whatsoever— and that I...
29478To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, [December 1774?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress D. Barclay’s respects, and desires to see Dr. Franklin this Evening on particular Business. Addressed: Doctor Franklin Endorsed: recd at 7. The only clue to the date is the “particular Business,” which might have been connected with either the peace negotiations or the projected meeting of merchants to petition Parliament (see Barclay to BF above, Dec. 22). The first...
29479From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Berkeley and Frederick, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have with exceeding distress of mind received information that the service to which the Militia of the Counties of Frederick and Berkely have been called Westwardly is so disagreeable as to render it probable that that call will be very imperfectly obeyed. A knowledge that an extensive combination of Indians had been formed to come on our frontier early in the spring induced us to prevent...
29480From George Washington to William Pearce, 6 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter & Reports of the 1st instant I have received, and am glad to find by the first that you have got your family safe to Mount Vernon; as, unquestionably, it will be a satisfaction to you to have them along with you. Change of Air may, and I hope will, restore your eldest daughter to health again. I had no doubt but that the late capture of our Vessels by the British Cruisers, followed...
29481[Diary entry: 19 February 1780] (Washington Papers)
19th. In the Morning it was a little Cool. In the afternoon somewht. raw, but upon the whole pleasant. Wind at West & No. Wt. but not fresh.
29482Acct. of the Weather in Mar. [1773] (Washington Papers)
March 1st. Snowing all the forenoon—Wind being at No. East, which shifting to the No. West blew hard and dispeld the Clouds. 2. Ground a little froze. Day clear & pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly. 3. A little Raw in the morning, & Cool, tho’ the Wind continued in the same place. Afternoon Muddy & like for falling weather. 4. Wind fresh from the Northward & Snowing till about 10...
29483To James Madison from William Spencer (Abstract), 3 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
3 March 1805, Georgetown, Eastern Shore, Maryland . “Some years ago a cargo of a Brig of which one third belonged to Mr. Abraham Falconar formerly a Merchant of the city of Baltimore was seized and taken for the use of the French Government by their Agent at the Island of St. Domingo; and either a certificate, Government Bill, or some other Document was received from the Agent as evidence of...
29484To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 November 1807 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days since your very kind letter which I am ashamed of answering by a few lines; but by some accident I have fallen from a state of almost total idleness into an overwhelming flood of business, which leaves me scarcely a quarter of an hour of the day or of the Night—I sent you last week a copy of a volume in the form of a bill which I reported upon the Aggression business and...
29485To Thomas Jefferson from Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 8 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
le départ de Mr. Skipwith me donnant une occasion sure pour écrire à Votre Excellence, je prends la liberté de joindre à cette Lettre les duplicata de celles que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous adresser le 21 May et le 27 aoust. Le premiere de ces Lettres ouvre une idée, que je crois qui peut mériter votre approbation, pour finir les procés qui existent au Kentucky et dans d’autres Etats,...
29486To George Washington from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 24 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
In a letter I received from Col. Fitzhugh dated the 17th Instant, He expresses a desire that my Answer to the Report of a Committee of the H. of Delegates against the late Intend[ant] should be transmitted to your Excelly & to Col. Mason. I do not know that it is worth your reading; but such as it is I send it to you. I shall only add to it, That the Chairman is a great Speculator, & was the...
29487To George Washington from Thomas Paine, 7 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of presenting you with fifty copies of my last publication, for the amusement of the Army—and to repeat to you my acknowlegements of your friendship. I fully believe we have seen our worst days over. The Spirit of the war, on the part of the enemy, is certainly on the decline full as much as we think for; I draw this opinion not only from the difficulties we know they are in,...
29488From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have received your Favours of March 28. and April 7.— I am glad that Mr Hartley’s being luckily at Bath, sav’d you the Fatigue of a Journey to London. His Letter to you, of which you sent us a Copy, was very satisfactory. By one he has written to us, of the 9th Instant, we find that he expects to be here in a few Days.— I have not yet had the Pleasure of seeing...
29489To James Madison from Cary F. Dunn Jr., 31 October 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 October 1812 , “ State of New York Queens County Jamaica .” Was introduced to JM by Mr. Vining when JM was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives meeting in New York. Holds a commission as a judge of the New York Court of Common Pleas for the county of Queens and was a magistrate for the city and county of New York for seven years. Seeking to support his family, requests from JM “a...
29490To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 September 1803, Gibraltar . No. 14. “On the 23rd. inst. I arrived in this bay & immediately went onboard the Constitution to pay my respects to Comodore Prebble & Coll. Lear. In obedience to your instructions of the 16th. of July I presented them with a copy of my communication of the 9th. inst. & since has given the latter every information in my power, the bustle naturally attending so...
29491To James Madison from Henry Wheaton, 29 September 1823 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of writing you for the purpose of stating that I have undertaken to give the public some Account of the professional and political Character of the late Mr. Pinkney. With this view, I have endeavoured to collect as much of his private Correspondence as might be useful to my purpose. It is probable that whilst he was minister in England he might have written you, Sir, some...
29492To James Madison from DeWitt Clinton, 3 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
It is mentioned to me that a person of the name of James Main now of this City is an applicant for a Consular Appointment and that he has obtained by surprise some respectable names to his recommendation. To prevent the administration from being deceived into an improper appointment, I have been solicited to transmit the enclosed documents. Samuel Barclay of the City of New York being duly...
29493Peter J. Zeltner to Thomas Jefferson, [received 30 October 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
Ayant eu l’avantage de jouir pendant plus de vingt ann ées de l’amitie toute particuliere de l’Illustre défunt , qui à passé plûs de qui n ze dans ma maison je n’ai pu ignorer les relations amicales qu’il a cultivées avec vous: une amitie fondée sur l’éstime réciproque, ne pourrait qu être durable: aussi suis que bien persuade des regrets que Vous causera la nouvelle de son décès Si peu...
29494To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that a Statemt. of the Case of James Smith master and owner of the Schooner Fox of and from Halifax in Nova Scotia burthen about 18 tons will by direction of the District Judge be transmitted to you by this Post. The Schooner Fox arrived at Bristol in this District on the 9th. day of the last month about eight or nine o’clock in the morng. without any Cargo. On the same day the...
29495To Thomas Jefferson from John Syme, 20 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
New Castle, 20 Apr. 1781 . Has received TJ’s orders “Directing A Court Martial, on the Delinquents, for My County. I understand by it, those that Have fail’d in any Tour of Duty, whatever, Say for 12 Months Back, Or thereabouts.” No returns were made by Syme’s officers while he was “at the Springs,” but has “now c[all]’d for them, as thinking it, both just and suitable from your Orders, and...
29496Robert Wash to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of enclosing you, a rude Map of the surrounding Country. The number & relative positions of the principal Rivers, Villages &C. of the settled parts of this Territory , have been sketched I believe, with tolerable accuracy. This recommendation may possibly obtain procure it an occasional reference, until the appearance of some well executed Map. If this rude draught,...
29497To Thomas Jefferson from Perrault, 9 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 9 Jan. 1789 . On 6 Jan. he came to demand the 24₶ owed him by TJ’s chef de cuisine for teaching him French grammar during the past 20 months; this sum had previously been refused with the harshest insults. He had then gone to Petit’s quarters to ask his aid. “ Gimme y a Eté aussitot qui m’accablé De coup de pied Et De coup de poing, Dont je tiens le lit depuis Ce temps, Et m’a dechiré...
29498From George Washington to Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 4th Instant, with a Return of the Officers belonging to the Virginia line, who are in the State. With the aid of the latter, and in consequence of a Letter from His Excellency the Governor upon the subject, I have made an Arrangement of the Officers for the 5000 Levies drafted or intended to be drafted by the Legislature. This I have inclosed in a Letter of...
29499[November 1791] (Adams Papers)
Williamson. Great Numbers emigrate to the back parts of North and S.C. and G. for the Sake of living without Trouble. The Woods, such is the mildness of the Climate, produce grass to support horses and Cattle, and Chesnuts, Acorns and other Things for the food of hogs. So that they have only a little corn to raise which is done without much Labour. They call this kind of Life following the...
29500To James Madison from William Savage, 24 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
The preceeding is a Copy of my last respects, si nce which I am without any of your favors. Lord Hugh Seymour in his letters to me of the & 8th. February assures me that the persons whose n ames have been represented to him as American Subjects s hall be liberated if their persons answer the description given. H e further assures me upon enquiry no person by the name of James Hughes is on...