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...
51To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 17 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
The state of my son in law, Col. Livingstons, health compels him to make a voyage. He accordingly proposes to sail for France in the course of a fortnight at furthest, & will afford you a convenient opportunity of writing. He is very desirous of being the bearer of dispatches from you, & of obtaining your passport, as he thinks it will afford him protection against british & French privateers,...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 18 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your favor of the 14th which I shall lay before Congress this morning. As you have by this time received their resolution, which I had the honor to send you by the last Post, and again enclosed, you will be releived in some measure from your embarrassments, tho’ not entirely from your suspence with respect to their final determination. But that cannot be long...
53To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
The express who is to carry my public letter waits while I hastily write this. These express having private & public Letters for you have been carryed to New York tho’ as I beleive the Letters were destroyed I learned of this opportunity so late that I cannot send you a duplicate of the Letters.— I most sincerely condole with you on the death of your father an event which you must too long...
54To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 9 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
I should not thus long have delayed to acknowledge your favor of the 16th Feby & to return my thanks for your obliging communication of Mr Maunsels treatise had I not found it necessary in order to enable the Society to avail themselves of your permission to make such extracts from it as they might think useful—this they have done. The merrit of the discovery will I think depend rather upon...
55To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 9 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with peculiar pleasure that I acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencys favour of yesterday, since I cannot but consider it as an additional mark of that confidence with which your Excellency has hitherto honoured me. I have made the proper use of it, & imparted it in confidence to those members of the Convention on whose secresy I thought I could most safely rely, & from whose...
56To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 4 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
This accompanies a letter from Mr Morris tendering his resignation & offering an appology for not having joined his regiment—I must take upon myself the blame he may incur by the last—My absense detained him in the first instance, & my advise to him to be at Philadelphia when a Gent. shall be appointed to the place I have resigned as the most likely means to continue him in the line he at...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to transmit you a letter from the United States in Congress to his most Christian Majesty, together with a copy for your perusal, I also enclose a Resolution of Congress on the subject of Mr Lee’s demands, which you will see carried into effect—nothing of moment has...
58To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 13 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that the Honorable the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, this day announced to the United States in Congress assembled at a public Audience the birth of a Dauphine--and that Congress received this enunciation of an event, in which the happiness of their Ally was so deeply engaged with the most lively marks of pleasure--It is their wish that your Excellency and...
59To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the directions of the Committee of Safety of this state, I do myself the honor to transmit the enclosed resolutions, & to request if your Excellency should concur with them in thinking that every means should be persued to obstruct the navigation of Hudsons river, & to secure the passes thereon, that you would be pleased by uniting in, to add weight to their applications to the...
60To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 28 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the rect of your favor of the 4th. I broke up my family & came to this place where I am arranging every thing for my departure. I have not however yet recd my despatches commission &c. Within five days after their arrival I shall be on board. I find from all the inquiries I can make here, that there will be little or no saving in point of time between sending the ship to Havre or Bourdeux....