151To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 16 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
It has been impossible for me, owing to an Ague and fever, to write to you as I intended a very long Letter. This will I expect be delivered to you by Mr Livingston my late Secretary while in France who will be able to give you much useful Intelligence respecting that Country. I regret his Absence from London just now as I would otherwise give him some matter which must not be written. I am in...
152To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 23 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
private Just before I left Town I receiv’d a Letter from Mr Mountflorence informing that Mr Skipwith whom Mr Munroe had appointed to the Consulate at Paris intended to resign and that Mr Munroe had promised to recommend him to that Place. He at the same Time desir’d me (if I thought him fit for the Place) to mention it to my friends in America. After this Introduction I take the Liberty to...
153To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 19 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have had it several Times in my Mind to write to you since my Arrival in this City but Something or other has always happened to prevent it. I might have told you near a Month ago that Mr Liston the British Minister at Constantinople is appointed to represent this Court in America. Speaking with Ld Grenville on the Subject the other Day he said “Your Friend Woranzow is very angry that I have...
154To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 1 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
In wishing you many & happy years I beg Leave to transmit an Extract from a Letter of Madame de Chattellux lately receiv’d. It is as follows “—This being a safe opportunity I shall acquaint you with those Steps I have taken to sollicit your Country’s Protection, and if possible something more, in favour of my little Alfred whose Situation you are no Stranger to. I have applied to that Purpose...
155To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 5 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to you on the 19th of last month, of which Letter I now transmit a Copy. I exprest an Idea in the Close of it which may perhaps require an explanatory Observation. Suppose it should be admitted, in general, that the neutral who, by Virtue of special Permission granted during the War, exercises a Commerce with the belligerent Power’s Dominion, from which he was...
156To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 11 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you on the fifth Instant; of which Letter a Copy is enclos’d, I had not Time to notice a Subject about which different Ideas are entertain’d here. I mean the late Measures taken in France to establish their Finances. These may perhaps be announced in America not only as the Perfection of human Wisdom, but also as inevitably productive of the best Effects: in which Respect they...
157To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 4 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The last Letter which I had the Honor to write was of the 11 Jany. On the Subjects there mention’d I will only say that the french Finances are quite as bad as I suppos’d they would be. That another Campaign seems now unavoidable. And that it is so much the Interest of some among the allied Powers to restore royal Authority in France that I think it will now form a real Object. If you ask my...
158Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to Alexander Hamilton, 4 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have just now written to the President to communicate some Intelligence lately received from Paris. This I have done in abstract but my correspondent has written to me as follows “The Government here are highly displeased with ours. You may easily guess the Reason. It is come to a very serious pitch. A fleet is to be sent to our shore with a new minister. A definitive answer must be given in...
159To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 5 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private It is now some Time since I received your kind Letter of the 4 March accompanying a Copy of that which you did me the Honor to write on the 22d Decr. The Original of this last has never yet reached my Hands. On that to which it is principally a Reply I must give you a Clue which for sundry Reasons I could not send in due Season. It was written to bear the Inspection of Ld G—— &ca &ca—I...
160To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty to enclose a Letter long since transmitted to me for Monsieur de la fayette. It was in London with my Papers when I saw him last at Altona but (if in my Possession) I should perhaps have withheld it as having no probable Relation to any Matter within his present Competency—I should have delivered it into your own Hands at Mount Vernon if Business which demands my Attendance...
161To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
During a late Visit to New York, I learnt that the leading federal Characters (even in Massachusetts) consider Mr Adams as unfit for the Office he now holds. Without pretending to decide on the Merits of that Opinion, which will operate alike whether well or illfounded, it appeared necessary to name some other Person. You will easily conceive that his Predecessor was wished for and regretted,...
162To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here yesterday a few Minutes after twelve. The british Commissioners have not yet appeared. We learn that Letters have gone forward to your Excellency from the british General and Admiral. We shall set off from home this Day, and wait your farther orders in the Vicinity. Colo. Skinner will forward them. We have the Honor to enclose an English Paper of the third of January, by which...
163To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We received your Excellency’s Letter of the fourteenth this Morning, previous to the Receipt of which we had written to you by Lieutenant Blair of the Jersey Line. We have written to Sir Henry Clinton, of which the enclosed is a Copy, and sent it with another to the Officer commanding on Staten Island requesting him to facilitate Mr Skinner’s Passage to New York, whom we have instructed to...
164To George Washington from Henry Knox, 22 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
We did ourselves the honor to write to your Excellency from Elizabeth-Town on the 16th instant, after which, we concluded it necessary to retire from thence, as some people might have been induced, from a suppos’d neutrality, to have had improper communications with the Enemy. Mr Skinner proceeded to New-York on that day, but from bad weather was not able to return untill the 20th. We have...
165To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 29 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Smith delivered your Excellency’s Letter of the twenty eighth, between four and five Yesterday Afternoon. You mention having had Intimations, that under the Idea of the Cessation of Hostilities a Number of People intend to come over from New York to our Lines, and express your particular Desire that no Persons coming from the Enemy may be permitted to Land, except the Commissioners and...
166To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Forman (who is now on his way to you with a Representation on the Hanging of Captain Hoddy by the Refugees) will have the Honor of delivering your Excellency this Letter. Previous to the Generals Arrival we had heard of this Matter altho not so particularly. We mentioned it to General Dalrymple and Mr Elliott. They seemed to be surprised and wounded at the Information & assured us of...
167To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
As it is probable that our report of this date may after having been transmitted to Congress come before the public eye, we have thought it best to give in a distinct letter the information which it may be unnecessary or improper to publish. Your Excellency will perceive that we had no proper oppo rt unity of bringing forward distinctly the affair of Mr Laurens. By pushing it abruptly into...
168To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 1 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a Packett containing two Weeks News Papers for Genl Dalrymple—They are sent in Consequence of an Agreement we made at Elizabeth town being a cartel of Gazettes—We were to send out the New York Papers—these we want for the Use of the Office and had in Vain attempted to get them thro the Commissary of Prisoners. He promised very fairly—Should Genl Dalrymple send out the News Papers...
169To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 26 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Favor of the eighteenth Instant last Evening. I pray you to accept my most grateful Acknowledgements for this mark of Approbation and Confidence. As the Enemy appear to be desirous of doing Justice the Meeting about to take Place will I trust be under better Auspices than the former. It may perhaps be successful. Nothing would give me greater Pleasure than to...
170To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of a very interesting Conversation which has passed between Mr Ogden and myself, I have advised him to wait upon you. He will deliver this Letter. How far what he has to communicate may merit Attention you can best determine. I confess that I think it very important. Believe me always very sincerely yours PHi : Etting Collection.
171To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 21 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of introducing to your Acquaintance Mr Darby a young Gentleman of family from England—He comes hither with warm Recommendations from our Ministers abroad and as far as may be determined from a very short Acquaintance is a Man of fashion who has kept the best Company—His Object is to see America and his first Excursion is to see you. Believe me very truly yours DLC : Papers...
172To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 30 June 1775 (Jay Papers)
Our House are about to send you their Plan of Accomodation and I think myself bound to say Something on the Subject for Reasons you will presently see the second third fourth sixth and seventh ^ & eighth ^ Articles form a short Plan which I drew in the Committee excepting that in the eighth the word Assemblies in the third Line was altered to Colonies. The first Article was moved debated...
173To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 28 July 1775 (Jay Papers)
What shall we do with our West Chester Causes I have not hitherto given you any Notices of Trial because the Uncertainty and Inquietude of the Times in some measure prohibited me the Hope of trying them. Besides this I daily expected you in Town and wished for the Certainty of your Presence inasmuch as it would have been an improper Advantage over you while attending upon the public...
174To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 3 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
If you play Truant thus, Le tout est perdue . How do you expect that your unruly Horses can be kept in Order by a Whip and a Spur. They want the Reins. On Tuesday next it is to be determined as to the Seat of our General. Unless &c a . &c a . I would not give a Fig for your Resolution. This is not the worst of it make haste, Yours ALS , NNC ( EJ : 6959 ). Address mutilated. Endorsed....
We were much surprized at your Letter to M r . Hobart as we could not perceive the Danger which would result from permitting the several Courts to appoint their own Clerks while on the other Hand great Inconveniences must arise from suffering them to be independent of such Courts and of Consequence frequently ignorant always inattentive. Neither had we the most distant Idea that a Clause of...
176To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 1 February 1778 (Jay Papers)
Congress have sent me here in Conjunction with some other Gentlemen to regulate their Army and in Truth not a little Regulation hath become necessary. Our Quarter Master and Commissary Departments are in the most lamentable Situation. Opportunities have been neglected last Campaign which were truly Golden ones but omnipotent Fatality had it seems determined that the american Capital should...
177To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 28 April 1778 (Jay Papers)
This Letter is to be handed to you by Gen l . Gates. Let me recommend him to your particular Attention. Vermont you will say prevents this. Policy may have induced him to flatter those People when he wanted their Assistance. Let us take it up on that Ground. In his present Command he will want the Assistance of our State the cordial Assistance of its Rulers. I have promised this. I write to...
178To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 29 April 1778 (Jay Papers)
I won’t dispute who has written most. I have written more than twice what you acknowlege to have received but this is of no Consequence. I am sorry for your Session but I wish you had marked out what Taxes have been laid what Salaries given & a few more striking outlines of Legislation These with what I know of your Men would have enabled me to imagine proper Lights & Shades. My arithmetical...
179To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 3 May 1778 (Jay Papers)
I shall plague you with very few Words. I congratulate you on our Alliance with France for Particulars I refer you to our Friend Robert. I enclose you a News Paper containing a Report I drew on North’s Bills which were sent us by the Gen l . I have marked in the Margin two Clauses inserted by the House you may find perhaps some Difficulty to discover how they shew the Wickedness or Insincerity...
180To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 23 July 1778 (Jay Papers)
I received yours of the 4 th some Days ago but I was in so unsettled a Situation that I could not answer it. At present I must be short for I have Company waiting. I have no Apprehension that these Money Matters can affect me . I have not taken nor would I on any Consideration have taken the Agency of the Business. Duer I trust will do what is right.— Your Caution however is useful and proper...
181To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 16 August 1778 (Jay Papers)
We are at Length fairly setting about our Finances and our foreign Affairs. For the latter particularly I much wish you were here. Many Persons whom you know are very liberal of Illiberality— Your Friend Deane who hath rendered the most essential Services stands as one accused. The Storm increases and I think some one of the tall Trees must be torn up by the Roots. I have not heard from you in...
182To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 3 January 1780 (Jay Papers)
You will doubtless be glad to hear News from this Quarter. Your Friends are all well. Our Army are hutted in the Vicinity of Morris Town except a Detachment consist. of the North Carolina & Virginia Troops who are on their March to the Southward three thousand — The Don on the Part of the Governor of havannah did lately propose to Congress to assist in the Reduction of Florida .— They have...
183To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 20 March 1780 (Jay Papers)
The Disaster you met with and the Delay occasioned by it will make all my Letters old before you see them— Your Note from Martinique the Day after your arrival shuts my Mouth as to any Thing worth your knowing. This Letter will go by a circuitous Rout but I trust a safe one. I shall therefore mention that Congress have anvilled out another new System of Finance the Plain English of which is a...
184To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 2 January 1781 (Jay Papers)
A Packet offers for France and I seize the Opportunity to present you the Wishes usual on ^ at ^ the present Season with that true Sincerity which you who know me cannot doubt of however you may have found Reason in your Converse with Mankind to be on the sceptic Side as to all Professions. Gratulate for me your Lady your Brother and my Friend Carmichael. If I do not write to him by this...
185To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 31 March–1 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
I will enclose you the Copy of a Letter from Green to Congress if I get it in Time, which I expect. Should the Returns be omitted (which I am led to suspect) I will subjoin to this Letter so much of them as I have heard. Green’s Reasons for fighting will not appear nor the relative Numbers & Force. For the latter take this Sketch. Cornwallis about from 3000 to 3500 well disciplined and...
186To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 7[–9] May 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have received yours of the 5 th Nov r & a Duplicate of it. I sincerely thank you for this only Favor I have received. Your Laconick Style has not forsaken you. Congress have by the same Opportunity which brought this Letter of the 5 th Nov r . received some of a much later Date. I suppose it was Deane who wrote to you from France about the Loss of my Leg. This Acc t is facetious. Let it...
187To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 17 June[–13 July] 1781 (Jay Papers)
Although I beleive myself thoroughly acquainted with you yet I cannot tell whether I ought to congratulate or condole with you on your late appointment . Ere this reaches you you will have learnt that you are on the part of this country one of five to negociate for Peace — So far you are something but when you come to find by your instructions that you must ultimately obey the dictates of the...
188To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 20 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
It is so long since I have received a Letter from you that I will not pretend to account for thi I have received but one Letter from you in a very long time and by an Inattention I can only describe and not date it. It was ^ chiefly in Cypher ^ in answer to mine announcing a certain Appointment & Part of it was copied by your private Secretary. The Cypher I shall use in this if I have Occasion...
189To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 10 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have received and now acknowlege your Letter of the tenth of November which arrived by Captain Jackson a few Days since. The Enclosure of that Letter shall be properly made Use of. The Letter you mention to have written to me in September I never received. To explain what appears misterious in one of my Letters as to a Gentleman who wondered you did not write to him I say only that from his...
190To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 21 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
I write these Lines to acknowlege yours from S t . Ildefonso of the twenty eighth of September. To enclose you a short Resolution of Congress. To tell you that Col o . Livingston and your Brother James met in the Provost at New York. Livingston is with us. James is at large in New York. Your Family except one are alive and well. I am sorry to add that your Father is no more. I know how much...
191To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 6 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
I received your Letter of the twenty eighth of April by Major Franks. It came too late for I had already applied the Copy of a certain Correspondence in the Manner you intended when you sent it. I decyphered and read your Letter to the Minister of foreign Affairs. If I were with you or had Time to use my Cypher, I would say somewhat on it. I think that Congress will not be silent— Should you...
192To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 1 January 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have recieved your Letter of the thirteenth of October from Paris. I am daily convinced of the Necessity of writing principally in Cypher because It will among other Things tend eventually to give one’s Letters a safe Passage when it shall have been found that impertinent or designing Curiosity exercises her Talents in vain. That Part of your Letter to me in Cypher I have communicated only...
193To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 30 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
My Time will not permit any Thing more at this Time than to assure you of my Affection and to pray you will present me most warmly to M rs . Jay and your little ones— Beleive me I take a sincere Interest in all which may concern them— I could not if I would say any Thing on Politics worthy of Attention— All you friends here are well myself among the Number— Adieu always beleive me very...
194To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 25 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Letter of the twelfth of March by M r . Penn, sixth of April by M r . Redford, & twenty ninth of July by M r . Hunt, for all which I am to thank you. Let me also thank you for your Letter of the seventeenth of July. Personally, I shall be very happy to see you in the Spring, but I confess that I do not very clearly see how it can prove advantageous either to yourself or to...
195To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 10 January 1784 (Jay Papers)
I write to acknowledge your Letter of the twenty fourth of September— Being uncertain where you are, and consequently what Course this Letter may take, and thro what Hands it will pass, I shall not ^ say ^ so much as I other wise might. I will direct to the Care of Doctor Franklin. Your Attachment to America, when removed from it, is the old Story of Travellers; but when it comes from one in...
196To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 1 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
I am too much occupied to find Time for the Use of a Cypher and in Effect the Government here is so occupied with its own Affairs that in transmitting to you a Letter under an Envelope there is no Risque. This however I am pretty certain will go safe. The States general have now been a long Time in Session and have done nothing. Hitherto they have been engaged in a Dispute whether they shall...
197To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 11 September 1812 (Jay Papers)
You will have learnt that, on my Nomination, you was chosen one of the Delegates from WestChester County. If you should attend the first Day you would I doubt not be chosen President, but I think this would not suit you: Neither would it coincide with my Project which is that you should be one of the Delegates to the general Convention. Tell me frankly your View of the Subject, and who is in...
198To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 15 February 1813 (Jay Papers)
Last Tuesday Evening my Wife was delivered of a Boy. I communicate that Event because I believe it will give you Pleasure— Moreover I wish you to be one of his Godfathers. True it is that, according to the usual Course, you may not be able to perform the Duties of that Office; but, my Friend, should you be mingled with the Dust, he shall learn from the History of your Life that a Man must be...
199II. Gouverneur Morris to William Helmsley, 30 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with your request I will now throw together a few ideas on the subject of a new coinage. For the greater clearness they shall be classed under five heads. 1. Reasons why a coin should be struck. 2. The denomination of such coin. 3. The quantity of fine silver in such denomination. 4. The expence of a coinage. 5. The different peices of coin proposed. First then I take the liberty...
200[To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 29 April 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Apr. 1789 . Recorded in SJL as received 30 Apr. 1789, but not found. This letter may have been concerned with the matters discussed in Henry Lee to TJ, 6 Mch. 1789, and George Washington to TJ, 13 Feb. 1789, both of which arrived on the 29th Apr. The next day TJ called on Morris, who made the following entry in his journal: “Mr. Jefferson comes in to communicate a Letter from Colo....