2221To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 8 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 8 Apr. 1791 . The conferences at Reichenbach, The Hague, and Svishtov have placed the English and Prussians in a dilemma. He does not see how England can avoid bankruptcy or sustain Pitt, who is dominated by Grenville. He has just learned that the proposals by Denmark have been rejected. The Amsterdam regency is in bad humor. Some support it; others, their numbers growing, hope that...
2222Benjamin Smith Barton to Thomas Jefferson, 23 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I find there is to be a “physician” general of the arm. of the U. States —I have the vanity to think, that I am not entirely unqualified for that important place, by my age, my experience in practise, & my long experience as a teacher of a “practical” branch of medicine. Perhaps, I have some claim upon the government, as a steady supporter, so far as I can go, of the measures of the executive....
2223To Benjamin Franklin from Beccaria: résumé, 16 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; four drafts: American Philosophical Society <Turin, December 16, 1779, in Italian: Mr. Chantel gave me your very gracious letter and told me about the audience— most gratifying to me—with which you honored him. I am sorry that for the present time I do not have the energy I could wish to thank you properly in writing. To make up for it, I shall try...
2224From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Crowninshield, 13 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I was able to get from Washington a few days ago, and am here for about three weeks to unbend, as much as the current business will permit, with the aid of the country recreations. a little before my departure the incident took place at New York, on the subject of which I saw letters from yourself & General Varnum who were witnesses of the effect produced. altho’ the scenes which were acted on...
2225Enclosure: Thomas Gimbrede’s Engraving of the First Four American Presidents, [30 January 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
Engraving ( ViCMRL ). On 3 Mar. 1812 Gimbrede sent copies of this engraving to James Madison from New York , stating that he “conceived that a print representing the four Presidents; would be very desirable and pleasing to the dispassionate and true Americans” and asking that Madison “forward two of them to the honourable Thos Jeffersson —ex-president of the United States ” ( RC in DLC
2226From John Jay to John Dumont, 27 February 1790 (Jay Papers)
I was favored with yours of the 28 th . Ult. just as I was preparing to go out of Town— it was not untill last Evening that I returned, or I should have taken an earlier opportunity of answering your Letter— Accept my Thanks for your friendly Congratulations. I am convinced of ^believe^ them Sincere ity and value them accordingly— It would give me great Pleasure to have opportunities of...
2227From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 27 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honour of seeing you the other evening a letter from the board of treasury is come to hand,1 instructing me to receive the monies which you have collected here for the prizes, with an order justifying your paiment of them to me. There is a paragraph in the letter which looks as if they meant I should settle with you your proportion of these monies. It is not quite explicit, and...
2228To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 August 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum This letter brought Franklin his earliest first-hand news, as far as we know, that the crown was losing control of Massachusetts. The arrival on May 13 of the commander in chief and new governor, Thomas Gage, did not slow the process. The General Court that had just been elected clashed with him immediately on the choice of Council members, and on the transfer of the...
2229James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d your two letters of the 25. & 30. Ult . I have not yet seen any of the Secretaries to whom you have written on the subject of the papers relating to the Batture . I take for granted they will readily comply with your request. M r Gallatin is absent on a visit to his Farm in the Western parts of Penns a . But his chief Clk will I presume be able to furnish the papers, if any, lying...
2230To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At the pressing request of Brigadier General Hamilton, I have given permission to Captain Masters of the 24th Regiment, British, attended by Captain Bliss to proceed to your Excellency to receive your further orders, with respect to a packet with which he is intrusted, addressed to General Sir Henry Clinton. As Major General Phillips intends writing to your Excellency, prehaps respecting his...
2231To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Major Ellicott’s, Briggs’s and Benjamin Ellicott’s Letters of the 29th of June, and 28th of February which you inclosed to Us assert so many untruths, artfully combined that an unusual lengthiness is required to draw the Circumstances into view which have happened for two or three years past. We certainly best know the real State of our own minds with regard to this Corps and Dermott, and of...
2232Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 28 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have written to Ostend for the two gazettes in question. In the meantime, I will continue, always as soon as possible, to lend you mine. I am very happy to hear that your son has returned in good health to Passy. Some day this spring you should send me him, together with Mr. Cooper’s grand child and your other son. I will show them Versailles and ensure they return satisfied. My son will be...
2233From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 14 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
As the Anecdote of Mr Paine seemes to be have given you some amusement, I will give you another which affords me no Satisfaction upon reflection I was the first person who brought that Wild Man into Notice public notice—his Pamphlet called Common Sense, I thought proved him to be a Smart fellow—and I was informed he was totally distitute of the means of support—and as he had the pen of a ready...
2234Power of Attorney to James Parker, 5 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Bureau of Land Records, Department of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg Know ALL Men by these presents That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia Printer being now about to depart for England and the Time of my Return uncertain and there being long Accounts of Partnership unsettled between David Hall of the same place Printer and myself which partnership is now near expiring and the...
2235To George Washington from the Rhode Island Ratifying Convention, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had on the 29th Ulto the Satisfaction of addressing you after the Ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Convention of this State. I have now the Honor of Inclosing the Ratification as then agreed upon by the Convention of the People of this State; the Legislature is now in Session in this Town, an appointment of Senators will undoubtedly take place in the...
2236[Diary entry: 18 January 1768] (Washington Papers)
18. Went to Court & sold Colo. Colvils Ld. Returnd again at Night. As an executor for Thomas Colvill’s estate, GW signed an advertisement in Rind’s Virginia Gazette (24 Dec. 1767) announcing that “upwards of six hundred acres of valuable land . . . will be sold to the highest bidder, at the court-house of Fairfax county, on the 3d Monday in next month (being court day).” The high bidder was...
2237To James Madison from William Walton Jr. (Abstract), 6 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
6 February 1805, Santo Domingo . “Considering it the duty of every citizen of the U.S. to assist another in distress I have made it my pleasure during my Stay is [ sic ] this place; & the opportunities have not been wanting. The capture of so many vessels in this part of the world, succeeded by the distresses of many of their crews; call aloud for the interference of one charged with the...
2238Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
In the fall of 1775 Adams worked in the congress to the point of exhaustion; by December he asked permission to leave to restore his energies. He served on thirteen committees, and judging from the fragmentary evidence that has been found, he gave full measure. He was not exaggerating when he told Mercy Warren he was “engaged in constant Business. . . . Every Body is engaged all Day in...
2239From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 December 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have received only one letter from you—that of 25. Novr: since I left you—And none from any of my other friends—Though I accustom myself to Patience in the expectation of Letters I begin to feel extremely anxious; lest some of you should be ill—The Mails have been interrupted by the obstructions in the Roads, and I have imputed the delay of your letters to this as long as I could—But we have...
2240Poor Richard, 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1734. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1734 … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market (Yale University Library). Your kind and charitable Assistance last Year, in purchasing so large an Impression of my Almanacks, has made my Circumstances much more easy in the World, and requires my grateful...
2241To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 19 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
David Parmelee, who is recommended, [and] applies for the appointt. of agent, will make an excellent Commissioner vice Thrimble. He was E. Kirby’s friend, taken with him to Mobile, where he acted as clerk to the board and since Mr. Kirby’s death has been the efficient man of the board. His experience added to previous acquirements seem to qualify him in a particular manner. DNA : RG...
2242General Orders, 1 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Regiments and corps which have lately Joined are to make themselves acquainted with all standing and other orders issued in their absence that may be interesting to them. The General is desirous the troops should make themselves as comfortable as possible while in the field. the encampment itself is very pleasant and healthy, straw will be issued at the rate of two bundles ⅌ tent of this with...
2243From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received a few Days since a Letter from Annapolis dated June 5th. in your handwriting, but not signed, acquainting the Commissioners with the Causes of Delay in sending the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. The Term was expired before that Letter came to hand, but I hope no Difficulty will arise from a Failure in a Point not essential, and which was...
2244To James Madison from Samuel Turner, 20 September 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 September 1812, Hormuz , “ His Majesty’s Ship Salvador del Mundo .” “Presumeing that you are already acquainted with the particulars of my capture, I feel it a duty incumberent on me most respectfully, to acquaint you that I have been kept a close prisoner on board His Majestys Britannic Ship Salvador del Mundo laying as a guard Ship at this Port, since the 29 of June last, never been once...
2245To James Madison from Robert C. Gardiner, 29 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 August 1803, Gothenburg . Wrote last on 6 Apr. and 2 Aug. Encloses “extracts of a tryal held before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of this City” in which Gardiner acted as defendant on behalf of Captain Wadsworth, in support of “a Contract signed by two Swedish Seamen to perform a Voyage in the Brig Neutrality of Boston, where it was particularly specified that no Wages should be demanded or...
2246From James Madison to William C. Somerville, 22 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Somerv⟨ille⟩ with thanks for the volume on the past & present S⟨tate⟩ of France, recieved with his letter of the 9th. instant. Oth⟨er⟩ engagements have not permitted him to give it more than desultory glances. From these he thinks himself warranted in inferring a diligence of research, and a spirit of observation in the Author, from which a valuable work...
2247[Diary entry: 21 December 1769] (Washington Papers)
21. Very pleasant, being clear & wind Southwardly.
2248To James Madison from William Lyman, 11 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour at this time herewith to transmit by the Osage No. 1 of the Account Current of myself with the United States for the four last quarters, viz: from the 1st. of April 1807. to the 31st. of March last inclusively; also No. 1 of the Return or List of American Ships or Vessels entered at the ports of this District from 1st. of July to the 31st. of December 1807; together with No....
2249Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Now that Franklin was distributing printed promissory note forms to prisoners receiving assistance, we will no longer publish individual promissory notes as sample documents. Instead, in this and subsequent editorial notes, we will take notice of each person, the date on which he received a loan, and the sum. Printed forms survive from thirteen escaped prisoners for the months covered by this...
2250Peter Poinsot to Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
D’aprés la lettre de recommandation de mon digne ami feu General Kosciuzsko de Soleure du 3 Juin 1817 que j’eus lhonneur de vous addresser le 25 suivant , avec le plan & Copie de mes terres par duplicata: N’ayant pas eu l’honneur d’être favorisé de vos nouvelles Je me permis de vous écrire le 18 mai d er sur le même Sujet, en me référant à leur contenu. Je me permets de joindre inclus une...