17761From Thomas Jefferson to John Paradise, with Enclosure, 6 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sketched a power of attorney for you, which is almost the exact copy of the one I executed in my own case when I left America. Be so good as to make in it what alterations you would chuse. With respect to the money in the funds, you know best to whom you should give the order for paying 130£ of it to the order of Mrs. Paradise, and the remaining £35. to yourself. You should I think...
17762[Diary entry: 8 July 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 77 at Night. Clear & warm, with very little Wind till about 2 oclock, when a black & extensive cloud arose to the westward out of which much wind issued with considerable thunder & lightning and a smart shower of Rain. Rid to the Ferry, Muddy hole & Neck Plantations. Finished cutting the Rye about noon at the latter, and set into the...
17763To Thomas Jefferson from James Currie, 5 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Novr. the 11th. 84. by Coll. Le Maire came safe to hand, with the 2 Pamphletts on the Animal Magnetism, and the one giving an account of the then last Aerial Voyage of Mssrs. Roberts, for both of which I thank you kindly, as an instance that I had the honor to be remembred by you, at so great a distance. I would have given a great deal to have seen their ascension, with the...
17764To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 1 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 14th ult. by Post some Time before that of the 3d by Capt. Elwood. The latter arrived but just in Time to get the Patterns on board a Vessel going round to the Iron Works. The Castings ordered in these two Letters cannot be expected to be in this Town in less than two or three weeks & shall be forwarded by the first Opportunity afterwards. The four...
17765To Thomas Jefferson from Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 26 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Nous avons L’honneur de vous informer que Les malheureux prisonniers ont perdu Leur procés et ont été condamnés par défaut, Leur procureur n’ayant eu aucuns moyens de deffenses à produire. La Loi d’ailleurs est Contr’eux. Notre avocat que nous avons consulté, persuadé que vous obtiendrés L’addoucissement de Leur Sort, Nous a conseillé d’apeler cette affaire; nous avons en conséquence aprés...
1776631st. (Adams Papers)
The Sophimores are very fearful that their yesterday’s conduct has brought them into difficulties. Mr. Reed, who found his door broken through, when he return’d from Boston, is very much incensed and will probably, take measures to discover the persons who offered the insult. Mr. Williams gave us a lecture upon a number of optical instruments. I trifled away this day. John Sever of Kingston,...
17767[From Thomas Jefferson to Speaker of the House of Delegates, 18 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 18 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Sp. H. Del. European intelligence.—extract from letter of Ministers.” Letter and enclosure not found, but see preceding document and note.]
17768From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin and Others, 3 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Being called to Holland at a very few hours warning I have only time to notify you that I shall be absent from this place three or four weeks to come. In the mean time should any thing pressing occur, Mr. Short, my secretary will attend to it. I have the honour to be with great esteem Sir Your most obedt. humble servt., PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “M. Limozin M. Carnes M. Bondfeild.”
17769To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 2 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment arrived here, and the first thing I do is to announce it to you. I left this morning the Chateau de Laye and came by water diligence to this place. It is my first navigation in France and I am much pleased with it. We were from 10. o’clock to five en route of which one hour was spent in dining, the rest in passing through such a variety of pleasing and rich prospect as...
17770From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 12 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour of transmitting to your Lordship, for the Information of his Majestys Ministers, a Collection of Papers relative to certain Demands upon the British Government, of bonâ fide debts contracted before the Peace. The Names of these Creditors, My lord, are Thomas Bulfinch, Samuel Austin, Samul Partridge, John Rowe, and Samul Dashwood. The States of the Several Claims, and the...
17771To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Hopkins and James Manning, 9 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): Brown University Library Influenced by your Promptitude in promoting the great Interests of Society, and especially by your predilection of Your native Country, discovered by that early and decided Part which you took in its Favour, and which has been Continued by Such unparalleled Success through a Life protracted far beyond the Common Bounds...
17772To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 August 1787 (Madison Papers)
Two days before I left Frdksburg I did myself the pleasure of addressing a letter to you, and have not receivd one since my arrival at this place. By directing to the care of Majr. Magill, Winchester, there would be a certainty of my receiving any communications you will honour me with. Yesterday I visited “a flowing spring” abt. thirteen miles from this place, in the state of Pennsylvania and...
17773From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 9th. instant and am glad to learn that you think the chance is in your favour. I hope no disagreeable change may happen. Yet I own I fear something from your indisposition. Our debate here began on the clause respecting the proportion of representation &c. which has taken up two days. Tomorrow I imagine we shall talk about the power over elections. The only...
17774To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 3 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You have undoubtedly hit upon, the true Word of the Riddle. Yet there was no riddle, nor any clear meaning. It is impossible for any Country to give to another, more decided Proofs of Preference, than our thoughtless Merchants have since the Peace given to this, in matters of Commerce. He had seen this Preference sufficiently prevail. This alone then could not be his Meaning. If he meant a...
17775To Thomas Jefferson from G. K. van Hogendorp, 2 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
As I am informed of your returning from London to Paris I venture to send you this letter, whose content any one at the Post house might know, for I care not the whole world’s knowing how much I do esteem and belove you. Your Friend, Mr. William Short, has a right to expect from me a letter respecting our Constitution, which on my word is ready, and that up in my writing-box these six months...
177767th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch and Miss Betsey return’d from Boston this evening. Presumably this was written by JQA and is the piece to which he refers in his entry for 24 Jan. 1788 (below). Rev. Timothy Hilliard, minister of the First Church in Cambridge. John Foxcroft, a justice of the peace and county registrar of deeds, whose suspected sympathy for the British lost him his positions. Foxcroft continued to...
17777To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 6 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I was honor’d by the receipt of your letter this morning, I had an opportunity of seeing Colo. Gilpin & we have concluded to go up to George Town tomorrow[.] Colo. Deakins promises, in a letter received to day, that he will not part with any of them untill the Company, if they want any, have a choice. From the mention made of the Blacksmith by Mr Dillon & others, I expect he will be...
17778To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 28 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opportunity Via Amsterdam with pleasure to acquaint you, of Sally’s safe delivery of a fine boy, whom we intend calling Richard; and that she is well down Stairs again, and the Child perfectly hearty— We have no Letters from you since Barney’s arrival, we are however flattering ourselves with the pleasure of seeing you this approaching Summer;...
17779To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Turnbull, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Petersburg, Virginia, February 10, 1789. “I am possessed of a Bill on you … dated the 10th May 1788 for £57 Virga. money, being endorsed … to me.… You will be so obliging as to give me Information, how this matter stands and what probability there is, of any recovery being made.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Turnbull was a merchant of Petersburg, Virginia.
17780Abigail Adams to Lucy Cranch, 3 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I thank you my dear Lucy, for writing by mr Jenks tho only a few Lines, but that was very excusible considering how much she was engaged, both your mamma and you must have had your hand full. I hope the fatigue was not too much for her, the applause which all agree, your Brothers obtaind, must be to so benevolent a mind as my dear Neices, be some compensation for the fatigue an anxiety which...
17781To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 10 June 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 10 June 1784. On 30 June GW wrote to Biddle : “Your favor of the 10th Instt . . . is come safe to hand.”
17782From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 19 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
The letter from General Duportail of which the enclosure No. 1 is a copy, was presented to me yesterday. I beg leave, agreeably to the wishes of these Gentlemen, to recommend their case to the immediate & serious consideration of Congress. I take the liberty also, of laying before Congress an extract of a Letter No. 2 from Majr Genl Knox, on the subject of Clothing for the Troops on the North...
17783To George Washington from John Filson, 4 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Permit me by these lines to express the sentiments of a grateful heart, in testifying the happiness I sensibly feel in addressing your Excelly. I am not So happy as to have a personal acquaintance with you Sir, and hope you will excuse the freedom of my pen. I inform You Sir, that I have the pleasure to be the author of a late publication in Substance a Narrative and Map of Kentucke; I made...
17784To Thomas Jefferson from Ralph Izard, 20 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of 1st. August, enclosing Messrs. Berard’s Proposals on the subject of Rice, which I have shewn to several Merchants, and am happy to find a general disposition among them to enter into Commercial Connexions with France. You know how they have been hitherto hampered by their engagements with the British Merchants, and their Trammels are not yet broken. Messieurs...
17785Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 11 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have enjoyed very good Health ever since I came to London, untill ten days past. I had about a week since a small attack of the Fall disorder which I hoped I had got the better of. The next seizure was such a swiming in my Head when I laid down in the Bed, as to throw me almost into convulsions. It finally produced a violent puking which relieved me of that, tho I cannot say I feel well. You...
17786From James Madison to George Washington, 28 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
The information which I have by the Eastern mail rather increases than removes the anxiety produced by the last. I give it to you as I have recd. it in the words of Mr. King. “Our Convention proceeds slowly. An apprehension that the liberties of the people are in danger, and a distrust of men of property or education have a more powerful effect upon the minds of our opponents than any specific...
17787To George Washington from Presley Nevill, 25 October 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Presley Nevill, 25 Oct. 1786. On 27 Nov. GW wrote Nevill thanking him for “your letter of the 25th ulto from the Court House of Washington.”
17788Report of the Royal Commission to Investigate Animal Magnetism: Résumé with Extracts, [11 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Rapport des commissaires chargés par le Roi, de l’examen du magnétisme animal (Paris, 1784) The commissioners of the Faculté de médecine and the Académie des sciences—with the exception of Franklin—met in Paris on Wednesday, August 11, to sign the report of their four-month investigation. Franklin, unable to travel, had signed in advance, having received the pristine manuscript in a locked box...
17789To George Washington from Robert Leslie, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but a knowledge of you goodness, Could Create in me a presumption to trouble your Excellency with the folowing nerrative, and as no apology can be Sufficient to excuse me, I need not atempt any, but leave it to your Excellency, to pardon or condemn as it best deserves. I was at the age of Eighteen, by the death of my parents, left without Either money friends or a trade, the Clock and...
17790To George Washington from John Lawson, 2 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I am this day favor’d with yours of the 26th Ulto & I am inform’d by the Overseer with whom my Negro Fellow lives that his leg is now nearly well—I have therefore directed him to send Neptune (who will deliver this) to Mount Vernon the moment he thinks him able to travel without injuring himself. I shall esteem it a favor if you will let me be inform’d when he arrives, & should you keep him...