1To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 9 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1801, New York. In accordance with his letter of “yesterday & this day,” has drawn on JM for $9,000 in favor of David Gelston, who advanced the money for his outfit. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 8). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 13 Oct.
2To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 3 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 3 Mch. 1788 . Introducing Adrian Kissam “a young gentleman of the profession of the law” who has very respectable connections. RC ( NNP ); 2 p.; endorsed.
3To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ July 25, 1777. On July 29, 1777, Hamilton wrote to Livingston: “I have the pleasure of your favour of the 25th.” Letter not found. ]
4To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, [25 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Kingston, New York, June 25, 1777. On June 28, 1777, Hamilton wrote to Robert R. Livingston: “Yours of the 25th came to hand last night.” Letter not found. ]
5To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 9 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 9 September 1803 . Calendared as a three-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
6To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 13 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I last night did myself the honor to write to your Excellency—This is only designed to cover the inclosed to Genl Carleton Congress having referred it generally to you. I have the honor to be with great esteem & respect Dr Sir Your Excellencys Most Obt Hum: Servt CSmH .
7New York Ratifying Convention. Resolution by Robert R. Livingston, [19 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved That no question general or particular shall be [put] in this [Committee] upon the proposed constitution of Government for the United States or upon any clause or article thereof nor upon any amendment which may be proposed thereto until after the said constitution [& Amendments] shall have been [considered Clause by Clause]. D , in the writings of Robert R. Livingston and H, John...
8To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 October 1801, New York. Reports Boston “got off the rocks last night” undamaged and will be ready to sail by Tuesday [13 Oct.]. In postscript, states that accounts from France confirm British capture of Cairo; believes Alexandria will follow. Notes that yellow fever in city has ceased. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 8). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. The Boston finally sailed on 15 Oct....
9To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789. On 31 May GW wrote to Livingston : “I . . . apologize for this late acknowledgment of your letter of the 15th instant.”
10To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 5 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Not knowing where to direct the enclosed I submit to your care. The bearer of this to Nantes waits so that I can write you nothing but that the Loussiana [ sic ] armament is still ice bound. The floridas not yet ceded owing I believe to some difficulty about parma & the solicitude of the Emperor of Russia to provide for the King of Sardinia. Spain is however prepared to make the cession & I...
11Enclosure: Extract of Robert R. Livingston to Andrew Ellicott, 19 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
“The fact of the fall of stones from the sky, having been put, by some late inquiries almost beyond a doubt the philosophers are now disputing whether they are generated in the atmosphere or whether we owe them to volcanic eruptions in the moon, as much remains to be said on both sides; prudent men have not yet thought proper to pronounce judgment.—But it may be new to you to learn that while...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 29 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
We received your favor of the [22] Instant and am obliged to you not only for your Acceptance of a very troublesome Challenge, but for the Alacrity with which you meet us in the field. We wish it would Afford you as many Laurels, as you are like to reap elsewhere! You have heard of the Enemy’s little Excursion to Peeks ⟨Kill⟩; we wish it may not encourage them, to make a more serious Attempt,...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 20 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing that you find leasure amidst the bustle of politicks to amuse yourself with less important, but more pleasing studies, I have taken the liberty to send you the 3d Vol: of the proceedings of the society for agriculture & useful arts in this State. The first parts, I beleive I have had the honor to send you some years ago, if not, be so obliging as to let me know, & they shall be...
14To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have just now heard that you are upon the point of leaving us. I might have expected to have rec d . this intelligence from yourself rather than from loose report since there is scarse a transaction in the world in which I feel myself more interested. I rejoice at it as it advances your fortune & reputation. I lament it, as it adds to the Loses I have already felt in the course of this war...
15To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 6 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The furlough that you was so obliging as to give Mr Lewis Morris at my request being about to expire & the present prospects affording little probability so useful to the public in the field as in his present station I am induced to ask from your Excellency a continuance of it. The arrival of the fleet has set the invention of our politicians to work about the proper mode of employing it among...
16To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I write in haste in hopes that this may overtake Mr. Lyle and correct an error in my last. Notwithstanding the appointment of Genl Victor & several other officers for Louisiana, among others a Compt[r]oller of the forests, no Prefet is yet appointed—nor is the difference relative to the Floridas settled. Spain insists that they are not ceded and I have certain information that two days ago the...
17To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I take the Liberty to enclose a letter to Genl. Armstrong, containing letters to my sister, & my children, which I pray you to have the goodness to forward. My extreme anxiety to let my Children hear from me, & to have them home again, must be my appology for the trouble I give you since I find that none of my letters by the Ossage reached their destination, except that which you had the...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 2 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives It is with peculiar pleasure that I obey the directions of Congress in making Communications, which shew their Sense of the Exertions of their Ally, & the merit of the Officers She Employs. The Confidence inspired by the first, & the Esteem Excited by the last, form new bonds of Union between Nations whom reciprocal Interests had before Connected. In this View I flatter...
19To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
I received on the fifth Inst your favor of the ⟨2⟩;8th. Septr. I began immediately to unpack my papers and have been since employed in examining them, this took ⟨s⟩;ome time, as they were all unsorted & put into a trunk for the convenience of transportation. I can find none of the papers you refer to. It was my practice in all ship cases t⟨o⟩; put the papers into the hands of Mr. Skipwith for...
20To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorrey for the occasion which induces me to renew a correspondence, which my fear of trespassing upon your Excellencys time led me to forego, notwithstanding the pleasure it afforded me. I shall now only intrude so far upon your Leisure as to submit a single Idea to your Excellencys consideration, which may possibly be of use in our present critical situation. I greatly fear that our...
21To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 1 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday made several propositions to the Minister on the subject of Louisiana. He told me frankly that every offer was premature, that the French Government had determined to take possession first—so that you must consider the business as absolutely determined on. The armament is what I have already mentioned and will be ready in about six weeks. I have every reason to believe the Floridas...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 28 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My Brother is this moment departing for Philadelphia and has requested a letter of introduction to you. I find a pleasure in complying with his request not only on his account, but because it affords me an opportunity of intimating that I am not ignorant of, or ungratful for, your late acts of friendship & of assuring you of the sincere esteem & respect with which Dr Sir I have the honor to be...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 25 December 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
December 25, 1785. “I recd your notes with Mr. Hoffmans Letter. I have no objections to waving any formalities with respect to the return of the writ of error. I should be extremly sorry if any part of my letter strikes you disagreeably. The passage you allude to was inserted as well to contradict an assertion that I had treated Mr. Hoffmans memory with severity, as to express my resentment at...
24To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Next to the pleasure of paying my respects to the President, & seeing my friends, my object in Visiting this place was to receive your instructions, & any information you may think it proper to afford me on the subject of my mission, as well as to assertain the time & manner of my departure, that I may make my domestic arrangments accord with them. I will do myself the honor to wait upon you...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself extremely obliged by your favor of Sepr. not only on account of the friendly wishes it contains but because of the elucidation that it affords to your former communications on that very interesting subject the rights of commerce. Your arguments leave no doubt of the principles you endeavour to establish, it is however much to be lamented that the favourable moment for...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 11 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
After my return home I made search among my papers for the catalogue of Pougens that you expressed a wish to have, & I was so fortunate as to find it. I send it with this. I mentioned to Mr Madison, in some of my letters, that there was a ballance in the hands of the bankers on the book account, which stood to my credit. I find by looking over their letters, that this ballance is fr. 1236.7....
27To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 16 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit the enclosed letter which came under my cover from the Marquis de Lafayette. This to me contains nothing of consequence but what I presume he has given to you, nor is there much intelligence circulating in this place that merrits your attention. Cornwallis was recd in England with the strongest marks of applause, as he past thro’ Exeter he was presented with...
28To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 4 September 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd the enclosed from Mr Pinkney with directions to forward them to you after having read them, which I have but just had the leisure to do as the gent who is to carry them sets off directly. They contain the only direct intelligence on the subject of our affairs in Spain that I have recd. Mr. Pinkneys letters to me having never reached me. Tho the conveyance by which you will...
29To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 14 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
In addition to my last (duplicates enclosed) I have obtained accurate information of the offer to Spain. It is either to sell them Parma for 48 millions of Livres or to exchange it for Florida. You see by this the value they put on Florida. I fear Spain will accede to their proposition. Lord Witworth is arrived. The affairs of Switzerland are in a train to be settled as France thinks proper...
30To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
After closing my packet I recd the note of which the within is a copy. It amounts to nothing, but it must serve to keep me quiet a few days longer—till they see what turn the business takes at Amiens which becomes more & more doubtful. The bad news from St Domingo also renders it necessary to keep us in suspence. I have already expressed my fear that American property in the Islands will not...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copies: New-York Historical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives Majr Genl Du Portail will have the honor to present this. Congress in consideration of their Long & faithful services in this country have grantd permission to him & Colls. De Laumoy & Gouvion to revisit their friends in Europe for the winter. As the merit of these...
32To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just sent my Letters by a private hand to Havre. This may overtake them & inform you that Bonaparte is chosen president of the Cisalpine republic, & has accepted for as long a time as his services may be necessary. The constitution is not yet known. The presidentcy is either for life or for 20 years, I believe the latter. However disagreeable this may be to the great powers, they will...
33To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, [11 May 1794] (Jay Papers)
The Chancellor presents his comp[liment] s . to the Chief Justice of the US:— Tho’ political differences have excited a Coolness ^between them^ perhaps inconsistant with the liberality of both— The Chancellor is not so unmindful of past friendship as not to be sincere in wishing the Chief Justice a safe passage a happy return to his friends & a successfull issue to his mission. — AL , NHi :...
34To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I mention[ed] in my last the existence of an assassination plot it has at present assumed a very [im]portant aspect I have thro a lady intimately connected with the family of the first consul who has the means of information and upon whom I can depend [as] well as thro another channel of great respecta[b]ility the following facts not yet known in Paris tho they must soon be Joly the aid de...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; ALS (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have just now recd the certificates required by Mr. Vallier, the vessel which carries my dispatches having been detained I embrace the opportunity to forward them— Nothing new since my last, except that by a Gent who left Charles town the 4th. Ult. we learn that the...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 26 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives I do myself the honor to enclose you a convention for the Establishment of Consuls, Which has just passed Congress— You will find that you are empowered either to sign it in France, or if any alterations are made, to send it here to be executed; nothing new since I wrote you; We are Still in the Dark with respect to European Intelligence, not having heard...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, Enclosing a Resolution of Congress, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your favor of the 7th Instant until I could obtain the sense of Congress on the matter it contains. I conceive it hardly possible while the british Cruizers retain their present Station for you to elude their vigilance in either of the Ships offered to your choice. This concurring with the late advices from England, has induced Congress to pass the enclosed Resolution....
38Robert R. Livingston to Virginia Delegates, 15 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of a clerk, except for Livingston’s signature. Addressed to “The Honorable The Delegates for the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Docketed, “Ro. Livingston enclosing Aubrey Memorial.” The file copy of the letter is in NA : PCC , No. 119, III, 241. I have the honor to enclose a translation of a Memorial from Lewis Auby transmitted to me by Dr. Franklin with a...
39To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, ca. 20 February 1791 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. Ca. 20 February 1791, New York. A cover addressed to JM, with Livingston’s article, “Thoughts on Coinage,” clipped from the 19 Feb. 1791 N.Y. Daily Advertiser and pasted on the verso. “Robert R. Livingston” written across top of clipping. Livingston sent the same article to Jefferson on 20 Feb. 1791 and enclosed a letter which, among other matters, deplored “a territorial division of...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, enclosing Jefferson’s Appointment as a Peace Commissioner, 13 November … (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit a resolution of Congress, appointing you one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negociating a peace. I rejoice in this fresh proof of their confidence in your Virtue and abilities. The sacrifices you have heretofore made to the interests of your Country, induce me to hope that you will suffer no personal consideration to prevent their being employed in its...
41To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
We have the honor to inclose the account which Should be annexed to the Convention transmitted you. The Bordeaux embargo is in Assignats, and two thirds will be deducted from many of the others. We have reason to think from a particular account now in our hands there will be Such considerable deductions as will reduce the whole charge to less than 20 millions of livres including the interest....
42To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
Some fatality seems to attend my geting away. After waiting impatiently for my dispatches in this place (where both my family & ships crew incur some risk of the yellow fever) & having just recd them, I prepared to embark on saturday, when the ship in coming round the battery, with a pilot on board of 20 years standing, in fine weather, struck upon a bank that was well known to every body...
43To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 20 October 1793 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Adair the bearer of this having done me the favor to spend a few days here I found so much pleasure in his society that I am persuaded that I shall do you a mutual favor in bringing you acquainted with each other. He proposes to pass some months in Virginia. You will find him extremely well informed on most subjects & particularly so in every branch of natural history & chymistry. He will...
44To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
In addition to what I wrote you yesterday I have only to mention that I am more & more confirmed notwithstanding what I there say of the minister’s assurances that Louisiana is a favorite object and that they will be unwilling to part with it on the conditions I mentioned. Speaking of the means of paying their debts to one of their Ministers yesterday I hinted at this. His reply was “none but...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 30 August 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I felt a resentment at hearing that you had passed without stoping at Clermont that your friendly letter of the 13th. has hardly yet calmed. Abstracted from the pleasure of seeing you I had a thousand political inquiries to make for I have not yet been able to philosophize myself into that tranquil indifference which is perhaps necessary to ones happiness. I am much obliged to you for the...
46To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 27 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a cypher which I have been compelled to retain some time for wanting a safe opportunity of transmiting. When more than one word is represented by the same cypher if it should be equivocal, it may be proper to shew which is designed by drawing two strokes under the second & three under the third as for differ 788—difficult 788. tho this will seldom be necessary...
47To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with the directions of Congress contained in the inclosed resolution I have the honor to inform your Excellency that our last dispatches dated in October announce a disposition in the belligerent powers to terminate the war by a general peace the Court of London whose sincerity was most suspected because it was to make the greatest sacrifices appears to have smoothed the way by...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 6 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society The College of Dartmouth in New Hampshire having suffered materialy in its funds since the war by the loss of those contributions which it till then recd. from England—Docr. Wheelock son of the worthy first founder proposes to solicit a subscription in France & Holland for its support— He flatters himself that the charity of an institution whose chief...
49To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 2 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored by the receipt of your Letter of the 22d April—I am happy to find that you have determined on a personal interview with General Carleton, which I am satisfied is the most probable means of bringing him to a prompt explanation of his intentions, if, (which I much doubt) he has yet been sufficiently authorized to have formed any. My doubts arise from the debates of the 3d...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 16 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The delay that your favor of the 24th feby had met with induced me to write an hasty answer on the 12th. instant (the moment it came to hand) as the post was then going out. It appearing by the way bill that some free letters directed to Clermont had miscarried in their passage from New York least mine to you should have met the same fate I think it proper to repeat my grateful acknowledgments...