2581From George Washington to Robert Dick, 27 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 15th inst. and as I am desireous of giving every encouragement in my power to that useful class of men who understand agriculture, and wish to settle in this country, I am sorry that you was not sufficiently explicite in your letter to enable me to answer you more decidedly upon the subject of your enquieries. If you[r] view is to purchase a large tract of...
2582From George Washington to Robert Dick, 21 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the trouble you was so good as to take in forwarding to me the report of the Committee of Council at Quebec to Lord Dorchester. The paper contains many things of importance, and, although I do not doubt in the least its authenticity; yet, if there should not appear to be any thing indiscreet in the request, I should be glad to be more particularly ascertained of...
2583From George Washington to Robert Dick, 22 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th Inst. and shall answer your several quœries with as much precision as the nature of the subject will admit in giving a general idea of the matter. The great body of my lands in the western Country lay on the River called the Great Kanawa not far from its confluence with the Oh[i]o—I have also a tract of about 10,000 Acres laying on the Ohio between the...
2584From George Washington to Robert Dick, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 28 ult. I pray you to be assured that no improper use shall be made of the important disclosure it contains, and of the sense I have of the confidence reposed in me by the communication. Your sentiments with respect to the policy which ought to be observed towards the Settlers of the Western Country appear to be exceeding just; and, as...
2585From George Washington to George Digges, 28 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Will you permit me, to give you the trouble of enquiring among your friends of the Eastern Shore, now in Annapolis, if I could be furnished with one thousand feet of the best pine plank; precisely 24 feet long (when dressed)—To be without sap, or knots. It is for the floor of my new room. Many years since, I provided for this, & thought myself secure of that which was perfectly seasoned. It...
2586From George Washington to Thomas Digges, 5 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
If this letter should be put into your hands, it will be delivered by Mr Powell a Gentleman of character from Philadelphia; who with his Lady are returning from a visit to Mrs Byrd (Sister to Mrs Powell) in this State. As I am sure it will afford pleasure to Mrs Digges and yourself to shew them civility, I will make no apology for the liberty I take in introducing them to your acquaintance but...
2587From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Digges, 19 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of May 12. as well as that of the person who desires information on the state of Cotton manufactures in America, and for his interest and safety, I beg leave to address to you the answer to his queries, without naming him. In general it is impossible that manufactures should succeed in America from the high price of labour. This is occasioned by the great demand...
2588[From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Dilly, 26 January 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 26 Jan. 1786 . Entry in SJL under this date: “Chas. Dilly. Book seller of Lond. To send Dr. R’s books by Col. Humphreys.” Letter not found, but see David Ramsay to TJ, 10 Dec. 1785, and TJ’s reply, 26 Jan. 1786.]
2589From Thomas Jefferson to Diodati, 20 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a eté tres affligé de n’avoir pas eté rendre ses devoirs a Monsieur le comte et Madame la Comtesse Diodati: mais ç’a eté causé par une autre affliction qui a manqué d’etre bien grave. Son enfant, qui a eu la fievre depuis deux mois (avec une courte intermission seulement) l’a eu très dangereusement les dernieres semaines. Depuis trois ou quatre jours pourtant un mieux s’est...
2590From George Washington to Jacob Gerhard Diriks, 15 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th of January came duly to hand; but being written in French (a language I do not understand) some time elapsed before an opportunity presented to get it translated—This I hope will be received as an apology for the delay of my answer. However much your merits deserve recommendation—& however pleasing it might be to me to offer my testimony to such facts as have come to my...
2591From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Gerrit Diriks, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
As a private individual and citizen of America I can with propriety and truth deliver it to you as my firm belief that the loan office certificate you shewed me, and all others of the same kind will be paid, principal and interest, as soon as the circumstances of the United states will permit: that I do not consider this as a distant epoch, nor suppose there is a publick debt on earth less...
2592From Thomas Jefferson to Rigoley d’Ogny, 3 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir içi, Monsieur le Baron, à mon retour d’une petite voiage au-delà des Alpes la lettre, en date 6me. Avril, dont vous avez bien voulu m’honorer. Agreez, je vous en prie mes remercimens pour votre bonté en faisant remettre en franchise le paquet de gazettes qui m’avoit eté adressé de New York par la voye des paquebots français. Il y a longtems que j’ai vu avec regret les...
2593From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 18 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Often sollicited by persons on this side the water to enquire for their friends in America about whose fate they are incertain, I can only hand on their requests to my friends in America. The inclosed letter from the Chevalier de Sigougne desires some enquiry after his brother whom he supposes to have settled at Todd’s bridge. As this is within your reach, I must refer the request to your...
2594From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 17 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 28th. of July, when appearan[ces] rather threatened a war in Europe from the quarter of Holland. Since that the affairs of that country have continued to become more and more incapable of reconciliation. In the mean time a war has actually broken out between the Turks and Russians. It has been formally declared by the former against the latter, and...
2595From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 7 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I received duly your friendly letter of Nov. 12. By this time you will have seen published by Congress the new regulation obtained from this court in favor of our commerce. I should have made them known to you at the same time but that there is a sort of decency which requires that first communications should be made to government. You will observe that the arrangement relative to tobacco is a...
2596From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 28 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received with infinite satisfaction your letter of the 1st. of March. It was the first information I had of your being in America. There is no person whom I shall see again with more cordial joy whenever it shall be my lot to return to my native country; nor any one whose prosperity in the mean time will be more interesting to me. I find as I grow older that I set a higher value on the...
2597From George Washington to Alexander Donald, 2 June 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Alexander Donald, 2 June 1787. Donald wrote GW on 20 June : “I had the honour of receiveing your letter of the 2d Current.”
2598From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 15 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of Dec. 15. two days after I had written my letter of the 7th. inst. and at the same time with one from Callow Carmichael & co. informing me that your vessel would sail from Havre about the 19th. instant. The shortness of warning not admitting time to order claret for you from Bordeaux early enough to go either by the Bowman or by your next ship, I send you two hampers...
2599From George Washington to Arthur Donaldson, 16 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the first inst. did not reach my hands until last night, or I would have replied to it sooner. I am much obliged to you for the Model of your Hippopotamus, and the information which accompanied it,—I have a high expectation of its answering very valuable purposes, if the mud, in the beds of our Rivers, is of that fertilizing nature which the appearance indicate; of which I mean...
2600[From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Doradour, 11 February 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Feb. 1787 Recorded in SJL under this date. Not found.]
2601The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset: Résumé, 9 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives (Passy, December 9, 1784: We received your letter of November 24, and are greatly satisfied with your ministers’ assurances. As to the previous stipulation proposed by your Court, we can only say that if by this proposition it is intended that the United States should appoint a minister to reside at your court, we,...
2602The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
While M. hartley was here as Minister from the Court of Great Britain, we had the honour of mentioning to him that we were instructed by the Congress to treat on Some points distinct from any regulations of Commerce He Communicated this to his Court & the very Satisfactory answer which he received & made to us of its good disposition & willingness to receive & consider any propositions that...
2603American Commissioners to Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States of America in Congress assembled judging that an intercourse between the subjects of his Britannic Majesty and the citizens of the said States founded on the principles of equality reciprocity and friendship may be of mutual advantage to both nations, on the 12th day of May last, issued their commission under the seal of the said States to the Subscribers as their Ministers...
2604The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
The United States of america in Congress assembled judging that an intercourse between the Subjects of his Britannic Majesty & the Citizens of the Said States founded on the Principles of equality, reciprocity & friendship may be of mutual advantage to both nations, on the 12 th. day of may last, issued their Commission under the Seal of the Said States to the Subscribers as their Ministers...
2605American Commissioners to Dorset, 9 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received the letter which your Grace did us the honour of writing us on the 24th day of last Month, and we receive with much satisfaction the assurances on the part of His Britannic Majesty’s Ministers of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States of America that can tend to the establishing a system of mutual and permanent advantage to the...
2606American Commissioners to Dorset, 16 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We received in due time the letter which your Grace did us the honour to write us on the 26th. day of March last, and have delayed the acknowledgment of it in expectation of the arrival of the packets, by which we hoped for further Instructions from Congress. We have now the honor to inform your Grace that Congress on the 24th. day of Feby. last, appointed a Minister Plenipotentiary to reside...
2607American Commissioners to Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
While Mr. Hartley was here as Minister from the Court of Great Britain, we had the honour of mentioning to him, that we were instructed by the Congress to treat on some points distinct from any regulations of commerce. He communicated this to his Court and the very satisfactory answer which he received and made to us of its good disposition and willingness to receive and consider any...
2608The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 9 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which your grace did us the honour of writing us on the 24 th. day of Last month, and we received with much Satisfaction the assurances on the part of his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States of america that Can tend to the establishing a System of mutual & permanent advantage, to the...
2609The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 16 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
We received in due time the letter which your Grace did us the honour to write us on the 26 th day of March last, and have delayed the acknowledgment of it in expectation of the arrival of the packets, by which we hoped for further Instructions from Congress. We have now the honor to inform your Grace that Congress on the 24 th day of Feb y last, appointed a Minister Plenipotentiary to reside...
2610From Thomas Jefferson to Katherine Sprowle Douglas, 10 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of June 21. you asked ‘my opinion whether yourself or your son might venture to go to Virginia to claim your possessions there’? I had the honour of writing you on the 5th. of July that you might safely go there, that your person would be sacredly safe and free from insult. I expressed my hopes too that they would in the end adopt the just and useful measure of restoring...
2611From Thomas Jefferson to Katherine Sprowle Douglas, 5 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 21st. of June has come safely to hand. That which you had done me the honour of writing before has not yet been received. Having gone by Dr. Witherspoon to America, which I had left before his return to it, the delay is easily accounted for. I wish you may be rightly informed that the property of Mr. Sprowle is yet unsold. It was advertized for sale so long ago as to found a...
2612From Benjamin Franklin to Morellet and Drago, 13 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Notte en reponse à celle des Negociants Morellet et Drago. Dans tous et chacun des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique, Il y a des Tribunaux de Justice établis, qui sont également ouverts aux Citoyens des dits Etats, et aux Etrangers qui pourroient étre dans le Cas d’y avoir Recours. Les Affaires s’y decident, legalement et promptement. On conseille aux...
2613From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 6 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 6th. of May last by Mr. McQuin, and of sending you by the same gentleman some seed of the Sulla, or Spanish St. foin. I hope it has succeeded, as some seeds of the same parcel which I sowed in my garden have vegetated well and gave me an opportunity of seeing that it is a most luxuriant grass. It’s success in the climate of Malta seems to ensure it...
2614From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 13 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By capt. Shewell, who is sailing about this time from Marseilles for Charleston I directed to be forwarded to you one of two couffes of rough rice which I had had brought from Egypt. The other came on to me here, and will be carried from Havre to New York addressed to you, to the care of the delegates of S. Carolina in Congress. I wish both may arrive in time for the approaching seed time, and...
2615From George Washington to William Drayton, 25 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 23d of November last, came safely; tho’ not at so early a period as might have been expected from the date of it—I remark this by way of apology for my silence ’till now. I feel very sensibly, the honor conferred on me by the South Carolina Society for promoting & improving agriculture & other rural concerns, by unanimously electing...
2616From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 17 July 178[8] (Jefferson Papers)
My letters of Jan. 13. and Feb. 6. informed you that I had sent to your address 1. a couffe of Egyptian rough rice by Capt. Shewell bound from Marseilles to Charleston. 2. another do. by the Juno capt. Jenkins bound from Havre to N. York. 3. a box with cork acorns and Sulla seed by the Packet from Havre to N. York. A letter from the delegates of S. Carolina dated New York Apr. 25. announced to...
2617From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 30 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Having observed that the consumption of rice in this country, and particularly in this Capital was very great, I thought it my duty to inform myself from what markets they draw their supplies, in what proportion from ours, and whether it might not be practicable to increase that proportion. This city being little concerned in foreign commerce, it is difficult to obtain information on...
2618From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 6 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which I had the honor of addressing you on the 13th. of the last month informed you that I had forwarded to you a couffe of Egyptian rice by Capt. Shewell who was to sail from Marseilles directly to Charlestown, and another by the Juno, Capt. Jenkins sailing from Havre to New York. This last was addressed to the care of the S. Carolina delegates in Congress and bills of lading for...
2619From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 6 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 23. came duly to hand. A call to England soon after it’s receipt has prevented my acknoleging it so soon as I should have done. I am very sensible of the honour done me by the South Carolina society for promoting and improving agriculture and other rural concerns; when they were pleased to elect me to be of their body; and I beg leave through you, Sir, to convey to them my...
2620From George Washington to William Drayton, 20 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I wish it was in my power to give you a more favourable acct of your Servant Jack than what follows. After his absenting himself from you at Dumfries (as I believe my Nephew has already informed you) he came here, & remained quietly till the 12th; when being informed by some Gentlemen from Baltimore that a Packet from that place was on the point of Sailing for Charleston, I sent him under the...
2621From George Washington to Dolphin Drew, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday evening brought me your favor of the 13th. Two things induced me to Lease my Lands in small tenements; the first was to accommodate weak handed people who were not able to purchase, thereby inviting & encouraging a number of useful Husbandmen & mechanicks to settle among us: The other, that I might have them restored to me at the expiration of the term for wch they were granted, in...
2622From George Washington to William Drew, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
In the course of the last eight months, I have addressed two or three letters to you, praying an authenticated copy of the deceased Major Genl Lee’s Will: this I did consequent of a request from his Sister in England to me. Not having received the copy wrote for, nor any acknowledgment of my Letters, I presume the latter have never reached your hands. I therefore give you the trouble of this...
2623From George Washington to William Drew, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
My inducements to lease Land were, to encourage emigration & to improve my property by planting industrious settlers on it; who, while they were working the soil would, for their own convenience, add value to the Tenements by buildings &c.—with this view I restrained the sale of my leases without my consent. Having premised this, I wou’d next ask if you mean to build & reside on the Land, you...
2624From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [1786] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, 1786. ] Encloses draft of a certificate and asks Duane “to affix the seal of the Corporation” of the City of New York to the draft. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Duane was mayor of New York.
2625From John Jay to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York, [4 October 1784] (Jay Papers)
To the worshipful the Mayor Alderman & Commonalty of the City of NYork Gent accept my warmest Thanks for your affect e . Congratulation and ^ on ^ my Return to my native Country, and ^ for ^ the particular mark of approbation with w h . you have honored my Endeavours to do my Duty in promoting its Welfare. I consider the Day on w h . I again landed on these Shores, as one of
2626Baron von Steuben to James Duane, [11 October 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
The flattering token of their regard with which the Mayor Recorder & Alderman of the metropolis of a state distinguished for its exertions in the late revolution have honored me, derives additional value from the characters of the respectable individuals who compose that body and from the very obliging manner in which it is conferred. The degree of my zeal for the common cause of America will...
2627From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
It is in my opinion intirely necessary that the Common Council should be convened this day in order to pass an act for appropriating the City Hall to the use of Congress. This act should be published in the papers & notified by yourself, or if you are not well enough by a committee or member of your board to the senators & representatives as they arrive. The Philadelphians are endeavouring to...
2628From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [14 September 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed was delivered me by Doctr. Schuyler with a request to transmit it to one of the delegates of the state for patronage. He assures me that what he asks has been done in similar cases; particularly for some Hospital surgeons belonging to the State of Pensylvania. If so there will prob⟨ably⟩ be no difficulty in the case. I beg l⟨eave⟩ to recommend it to your attention. Doctor Schuyler...
2629From George Washington to James Duane, 10 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed you have my answer to the Acts of your Corporation, which I pray you to present. I thank you for the Arguments & judgment of the Mayor’s Court of the City of New York in the Cause betwn Elizabeth Rutgars & Joshua Waddington —I have read them with all the attention I could give the subject, and though I pretend not to be a competent judge of the Law of Nations, or the principle &...
2630From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, 26 September 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 8th. instant, accompanied by one from Mr. L’hommedieu and yourself to Mr. Floyd and myself. I shall in consequence write to the Governor on the subject; though if I recollect right, I did in an official letter to him mention all that I can now say though perhaps at greater length—to wit that the resolutions of the senate & Assembly were committed for...