2551From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 1 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of August, and the papers therewith transmitted, did not reach me till very lately. If the fear of deceiving me, by not being able immediately, to procure tenants for my Lands, was the only cause that prevented your accepting the agency which I requested you take upon yourself, I am very sorry that you declined it, for the same reason would operate, with equal force,...
2552To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai appris avec grand plaisir, que la Gazette de Leide a été rétablie en France. Ayez la bonté, Monsieur, de m’apprendre, si Votre Excellence et Mr. Diodati avez recommencé à recevoir vos Exemplaires du Bureau et de la maniere ordinaire, afin que je puisse mander à Mr. Luzac de discontinuer l’expédition qu’il vous en fait par la poste, et lui offrir en même temps le paiement de ce qu’il en a...
2553[Diary entry: 2 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 34 at Night. Wind at No. Et.—Drizzling & raining more or less all day.
2554To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 13 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from my Friend General Warren of Milton Hill near Boston, acquainting me, that Congress have it in Contemplation to appoint their Ministers Consuls General, or rather to give them Authority to appoint Consuls, and that you are to have the nomination of that officer for Lisbon, that his son Winslow Warren, went sometime ago and settled at Lisbon, partly upon Some...
2555To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th. 19. & 30 April and 1 st: May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make known...
2556[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 4 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. E. State of Congr.—Rise of tobo. in Engld.—Martin.” Not found.]
2557Tristram Dalton to John Adams, 21 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favors of the 4 th Septem r. and partake in the happiness of your being “at length settled in a regular Train, both of public & private Life”— While the Nation, of which I am a Citizen, will receive the greatest benefit from your labors in the former line—permit me to hope that the remembrance of an old friend may, now & then, afford...
2558To George Washington from Charles Carter (of Ludlow), 21 December 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Carter (of Ludlow), 21 Dec. 1787. On 20 Jan. 1788 GW wrote Carter that his “favor of the 21st of last month” had come to hand.
255916th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. West, came out, and brought to Mr. Adams, two letters from Mr. Jackson. Jonathan Jackson to JA , 25 Feb. ( Adams Papers ); the other letter has not been found and is not mentioned in JA ’s reply of 18 March ( LbC , Adams Papers ).
2560Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 26 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are sorry to inform you, that we have inquired at the board of treasury respecting the indents of interest necessary for the State under the requisition of the last year, & that the Commrs. have informed us that from the uncertainty of the productiveness of the funds appropriated by the legislature as a compliance, they were doubtful whether they could with propriety issue them at all, but...
2561From John Adams to John Jay, 26 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
By the Ninth Article of the Confederation, the United States in Congress assembled have the sole and exclusive right and Power of entering into Treaties and Alliances, Provided, that no Treaty of Commerce Shall be made, whereby the Legislative Power of the respective States Shall be restrained from imposing such Imposts and Duties on Foreigners, as their own People are Subjected to or from...
2562[Diary entry: 11 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 11th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day, and at times pretty fresh—raw and disagreeable. Towards evening it lowered a good deal, & the Sun set in a bank. Sowing the Siberian Wheat to day, as yesterday, at the ferry. And sowed 26 rows of Barley (except a little at each end wch. was too wet for the ground to be worked) at Muddy hole;...
2563Tuesday August 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
There was a meeting of an association of ministers here this day; but there were only three present. Mr. Adams preach’d the Lecture, and was a whole hour in Sermon, endeavouring to prove, the Trinity, and the existence of hell. After all I believe he left all his hearers where he found them, and he was certainly much too long. After dinner I went with Mrs. White, Miss P. M’Kinstry, and Leonard...
2564To Thomas Jefferson from Dumoulin de Seille & Son, 24 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honour to present you our most humble Respects, and Beseech you to take in Consideration that we take the Liberty to Inform you. Being Corespondents of the Consuls of different foreign nations which trade in the harbours of Bordeaux, Rochefort, and other Neighbouring Places Exporting of it the Provisions and Marchandises fit for their Maintenance, and our advantageous Situation to...
2565To Thomas Jefferson from John van Heukelom & Son, 1 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
When your Excellency reads the following details of an affair between us and Thos. Barclay, Esqr:, a man certainly known enough, we hope you will excuse our freedom to apply to your Excellency on this Subject. We think Mr: Barclay Himself must approve of this Step as we tried in vain these three years every possible means of Persuasion, always carefully avoiding every thing which could offend...
2566To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you on the 2 d. of Aug. and of adding a P.S. of Aug. 6. you will have known since that that the interposition of Denmark, as auxiliary to Russia against Sweden, has been suppressed magisterially by England and Prussia. this seemed to prove that these two powers did not mean to enter into the war; that on the contrary they wished seriously to quiet things on the...
2567To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 28 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor of the 17th Instant came to hand Yesterday. Since my return I have been so engag’d, particularly by attending on an aged sick parent, that I have not been in the way of obtaining any intelligence to be depended on, untill last monday when I saw General Washington at a meeting of the Potomack Compy. The information from him was pleasing; Docr. Stuart, Representative for Fairfax,...
M r . Carm. was 9 days going from Madrid to Bayonne, from whence he wrote to me on 12 March & arrived at Paris 27 March 1784 — Mr Barclay arr d ^ Sunday ^ 11 Ap. 1784— I gave Notice of it same Day to M r Carmich l .— — Monday 12 ap— M r Carm. call d on me in his Way to passy where he dines—is to see Barclay, & call in the Ev
2569Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 18 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Captain Lyde is to Sail this week. I will not let him go without a few lines to you, tho Captain Callihan has arrived without a Single Letter from my Friends. Mr. Adams received 3 by Monssieur Le Tomb, from his Boston Friend’s. If my son had been lucky enough to have had such a passage as I hoped he would, I should have heard of his arrival by Captain Callihan or the New York packet which...
2570To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 7 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Je prends la liberté de vous demander vos bontés pour Le Cte Wengiersky, Gentilhomme Polonois, qui voyage uniquement pour son instruction. Le respect universel de ses Concitoyens pour votre Excellence et plus encore le desir de connoitre l’homme qui a réuni par ses grandes qualités le suffrage de tous les Pays et de toutes les Nations, l’engageront à rester quelques jours à Princeton. j’ose...
2571To Thomas Jefferson from Johann Ludwig de Unger, 10 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Salzliebenhalle, 10 May 1788 . Thanks TJ for his letter of 16 Feb. 1788 and for granting the favor asked of him; says he is deeply affected by TJ’s remarks “sur le Bonheur et les Avantages propres à l’Amerique.” “Un tel Eloge de la Part de Votre Excellence est garant de la Prosperité de ces Contrees si interessantes a tant d’egard, et inspire en meme Tems des Voeux ardens pour la Durée de...
2572To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 18th. inst. in answer to your favor of the 9th. of August, since which I have received yours of the 13th. inst. Mr. A. returned here on the 7th. or 8th. He took up the subject on which you impatiently wait an answer on his arrival, a short letter on which, you must have received before this. However he is still thinking on it, and you will hear more...
2573To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I embrace the opportunity, by Mr: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from Mr: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As Mr: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and...
2574John Lamb to the American Commissioners, 20 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
After maney little Disapointments, I arrived at Algiers the 25th March and within the term of three or four Days I found that the whole amount of the money in my hands belonging to the publick would not purchas the people who are the unfortunate in consequence of which I Dispatchd Mr. Randall so that your Excellencyes might have the earlyest notice of our matter in that Quarter: in a short...
2575From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Frederick Michaelis and Others, 4 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophical Society having heretofore done themselves the honour of naming you one of their members, the President has been pleased to transmit to me the Diploma made out in the forms used by the society, and authenticated by their seal. I do myself the honour of forwarding it to you and at the same time of assuring you of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the...
2576[Diary entry: 17 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon & 46 at Night. Day fine & pleasant—wind at South. Went to and returned from Alexandria to day. At my return found dispatches from the assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation. On 22 Jan. 1785 GW wrote to William Grayson , a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Fairfax County, acknowledging receipt of “your letter, with the Books,...
2577To George Washington from James Madison, 18 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Recollecting to have heard you mention a plan formed by the Empress of Russia for a comparative view of the aborigines of the New Continent, and of the N.E. parts of the old, through the medium of their respective tongues, and that her wishes had been conveyed to you for your aid in obtaining the American vocabularies, I have availed myself of an opportunity offered by the Kindness of Mr...
2578From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives It was intended by the Commissioners to write a joint Letter to Congress, but I am afraid the Opportunity may be missed. This may serve to inform that Propositions of treating have been made by us to all the Powers of Europe, according to our Instructions, and we are waiting for their Answers. There are Apprehensions here of a War between the Emperor and Holland:...
2579From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 15 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I purposed, so soon as I understood you intended to become the Publisher of a News Paper in Philadelphia to request that a copy of your weekly production might be sent to me. I was the more pleased with this determination, when, by a letter from my friend the Marquis de la Fayette, I found he had interested himself in your behalf. It has so happened, that my Gazettes from Philadelphia, whether...
2580To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 19 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you some Time ago respecting the Debt due you by Mr Henry Whiting[.] Least the Letters Fail’d I have to inform you that I expect to receive the money from the Sheriff in this County the Last week in Septr. When received I shall waite on you Immediatly I shall endeavour to Collect the money and be at Mount Vernon before the middle of October next. I am Sir your Obedient Humble...
2581From Thomas Jefferson to Anna Jefferson Marks, 12 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters from Virginia inform me of your marriage with Mr. Hastings Marks. I sincerely wish you joy and happiness in the new state into which you have entered. Tho Mr. Marks was long my neighbor, eternal occupations in business prevented my having a particular acquaintance with him as it prevented me from knowing more of my other neighbors as I would have wished to have done. I saw...
2582Friday April 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
The Marchioness appointed two o’clock for us to be at her Hôtel. We dined at half after twelve, and were in the Rue de Bourbon at two, but it was too early. Mrs. Rucker, Mr. Jefferson, Coll. Humphreys, Mr. Williamos, Mr. West, went all with us. At about half past three we went from the Marquis’s hôtel and by the time we got to the Pont Royal, both sides of the quay were so amazingly crowded...
2583To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 13 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the letter, which i lately received from you, i find myself indebted further for that kind attention to me, to prove which you never suffer an opportunity to pass unheeded. I am endeavouring to satisfy the inquiry of the Tagliaferris, near Florence, about their emigrant kinsman, according to Mr. Fabbroni’s desire. At present i incline to think that this person was he whom Buchanan, rerum...
2584[Diary entry: 1 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday first. Rid to the Fishing landing and to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole; perceived the Siberian Wheat at the two first had come up thinly which I attributed partly to bad seed and partly to too thin sowing as the Oats and Barley at all three were also too thin and where the ground had been wet, and hard baked none appeared. Set them to drilling the common Corn...
2585From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Jones, 19 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you a state of the case of one Polson, and of begging your enquiries and information whether the lands therein mentioned have been escheated and sold, and if they have what would be the proper method of application to obtain a compensation for them. The negociations between Holland and the emperor are slow, but will probably end in peace. It is believed the...
2586From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this City, if I recollect rightly, you asked me if I now had, or could put up, a quantity of Herrings next season, for Sale. Having revolved the matter in my mind, I wish in turn to be informed, if there is any responsible character who would enter into a contract for a number, to be delivered next Season? What number of Barrls he would contract for?—and at what price; to be...
2587To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel and Theodorick Fitzhugh, 7 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 7 Nov. 1785 . Though they were informed that Limozin’s vessel would sail 15 Oct., her departure was scheduled from the beginning for 30 Oct. The delay has consumed all their funds, and they cannot pay their hotel bill. Barclay has already helped them to some extent, but they must again reluctantly apply to him and to TJ for additional loans. RC ( MHi ); 4 p.; endorsed: “Danl. &...
2588From George Washington to Rufus King, 29 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter with which you were pleased to honor me from Boston, and pray you to accept my thanks for, & congratulations on, the important information it contains. Happy, am I, to see the favorable decision of your Convention upon the proposed Government; not only on acct of its adding an important State to the number of those which have already accepted it, but because it must...
2589From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of Dec. 12. which Mr. Remsen did me the favor to write me during your indisposition has been duly received; and I shall be happy to hear that the cause is removed which deprived me at that moment of the pleasure of hearing from you. My last were of the 21st. and 31st. of December. I am afraid that my intelligence may have appeared sometimes to come late to hand. My letters by the...
2590To George Washington from William Gordon, 7 November 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Gordon, 7 Nov. 1785. GW wrote Gordon on 6 Dec. : “I come now, my good Doctor, to acknowledge . . . the receipt of your obliging favor of the 7th ulto.”
2591From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 30 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carmichael informs me that he has drawn on you for 4614₶–3–6 for salary due to him. I have only to observe on this occasion that in the Estimate which Mr. Adams and myself left with you, the article of 4000₶ monthly for the diplomatic establishment was meant to include the demands for salary and incidental expences of Mr. Carmichael, Mr. Dumas and myself, and that these demands, including...
2592To John Adams from Thomas Pinckney, 10 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity of acknowledging your Excellency’s favors of the 21 st. of April by M r Miller and the 22 nd of the same month by M r. Heyward which were yesterday handed to me.— The intelligence they contain of attempts to counterfiet our paper Currency in Great Britain will I hope by putting Us on our Guard enable us to repell the threatened mischief. At the same time that...
2593II. Notes on Cost of Shipping Rice, &c., 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Riz vaut dans ce moment £14. à £14.5s. de Nice Le cantare qui est composé de 150. lb soit de 6 Rubs de 25. ℔ chaque. Le Rapport du poidt de Nice à celui de Marc doit etre calculé sur le pied de 25.℔ de Nice pour 16 ℔. de Marc de manière que le cantare soit quintal de Nice de 150 ℔. est equivalent à 96 ℔. de Marc. Le louis d’or de france de £24. vaut £25 de Nice en marchandise. Estimate of...
2594To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Girault de Kéroudou, 12 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans Le recueil de M. Le President Rolland, que J’ay eû L’honneur d’envoyer à votre Excellence, il Se trouve une dissertation sur L’emplois de La Langue française dans Les inscriptions, Les traités, &c. L’autheur desirant y faire Les Changements et Les additions Convenables, me Charge de recourrir à vos Lumieres pour Sçavoir si Les delibérations de votre...
2595To Thomas Jefferson from Vergennes, 31 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 15. de ce mois; Le développement quelle renferme des idées que vous aviez bien voulu me communiquer de bouche, m’a paru très interressant, et je n’ai pas différé à la transmettre à Mr. le Controleur Général, au département de qui la matiere ressortit. J’ai l’honneur d’être très sincèrement, Monsieur, votre très humble...
2596To Thomas Jefferson from Pierre Castaing, 30 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Lorsque Je partis de L’amerique, Il y a pres de deux ans, Monsieur le general Gates M’honnora d’une lettre pour votre Excellence, laquelle J’ai differé de vous faire parvenir par le desir que J’avois d’avoir l’honneur de vous la presenter Moy-Même; Mes esperances Sont vaines, et Je suis a present sur mon depart pour Saint Domingue. Monsieur Du Portail, et Monsieur le Chr. de la Luzerne,...
2597Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 25 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
As I passed through Nantes in my way to Bordeaux I received a letter from M rs. Barclay wherin she mentions your Intention of going to England Next Month, and that you wish’d to see me before you set out. I have three public accounts of Consequence to settle at Bordeaux, and shall the Moment they are finish’d proceed home. you will oblige me by letting me Know by a line, addressed to the Care...
2598To George Washington from William McWhir, 24 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Patronage and Bounty has so very essentially contributed to the growth and respectability of our school, that it would be highly blamable and imprudent in me, who am supported by it, to think of undertaking any thing which might have the smallest probability of injuring it, without taking the liberty of consulting you. Especially as your approbation or disapprobation of the measure, would...
2599To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Milet l’aîné, with Franklin’s Draft of a Reply, and Other Applicants for Emigration … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Beginning in March, 1784, Franklin was able to send would-be emigrants copies of his “Information to Those Who Would Remove to America,” which he had printed in English and French versions. The draft reply to Milet l’aîné, which he wrote at the top of Milet’s letter and presumably gave to L’Air de Lamotte to translate, is our earliest evidence of his having...
2600[Diary entry: 7 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 7th. Mercury at 39 this morning—44 at Noon and 48 at Night. Day clear, perfectly calm, Warm & pleasant. The Snow began to dissolve fast.