51From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 23 July 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
It happens My Dear Sir that both Mr. Maddison and myself are here. We have talked over the subject of your letter to him, and need not assure you how happy we should both be to promote your wish; but the representation continues so thin, that we should have little hope that any thing which is out of the ordinary course and has somewhat of novelty in it could go through. We therefore have...
52From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 19 March 1782. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, IV, f. 25–60). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:246–265. LbC in both JA ’s and John Thaxter’s hands ( Adams Papers ). The Letterbook text is divided between two Letterbooks, Lb/JA/16 and Lb/JA/18...
53From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 13 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
Maj Franks has delivered the my Dispatches to Cap t . Manly who I hope will deliver them together with this Letter to You These Dispatches were directed to Congress because at that Time I was ignorant of your Appointment. They properly belong to your Department, and I not only authorize but desire you to treat them exactly as if they had been directed to you and not to the President of...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I apprised you in my former letter of the causes which had so long delayed my departure. These still continue. I have this moment received a printed copy of his Britannic majesty’s speech to his parliament by which we learn that preliminaries between America and Great Britain, among which is one for the acknolegement of our independance, have been provisionally agreed on to his part, that the...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 4 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives We detain the Washington a little longer expecting an English Passport for her in a few Days; and as possibly some Vessel bound for North America may sail before her, I write this Line to inform you that the French Preliminaries with England are not yet signed, tho’ we hope they may be very soon. Of ours, I enclose a Copy. The Dutch &...
56From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 16 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
No Letters by the Marquis de la Fayette have as yet reached me. I had the Honor of writing to you on the 6 th . and 13 th . Instant. We were Yesterday informed, and so the Fact is, that the Castle of S t . Philip surrendered by Capitulation to the Duke De Crillon on the 4 th . Instant. There was no Breach made, nor any of the out Works taken. The Garrison are to go to England, and remain...
57From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 14 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
M r . Sands delivered me your Fav r . of the 4 th . Inst. Yesterday. It gave me much Pleasure. The Length, the Subjects and the Spirit of it pleased ^ me ^ . Dont apologize for Egotisms, for I would much rather recieve them than not. Unless the Pain my last occasioned was severe, I dont regret it. That You have deserved well of your Country is agreed, and that you became latterly a little...
58From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 19 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
How it came to pass I know not, but so the Fact is, that neither of your Letters to me came to Hand till the Day before Yesterday, when they were delivered to the President by Gen. Schuylers last Express. Mr. Duane just now accidentally told me that your Brother was about to leave this Town, and I am now retired to the Lobby, in a Hurry to say a Word or two to you. I confess I was a little...
59From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 11th—The political intelligence which we have lately had from Europe is so contradictory that little dependence can be put upon it, more especially as we have it principally thro’ the channel of an enemy’s Paper, wch I take it for granted is calculated to answer, as much as possible their own views. Why we have nothing from our own...
60From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 22 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors—dated the 12th & 15th of instant. In Consequence of the Resolutions of Congress of the 15th and the express declarations of the Secretary at War, respecting the Sense & Expectations of Congress, Arrangements have been agreed upon between him & me, for an immediate Liberation of all land prisoners; and I have Yesterday given this Information to Sir Guy...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 26 November 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the letter with which you have been pleased to honour me, inclosing the resolution of Congress of the 12th. inst. renewing my appointment as one of their ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace; and beg leave through you to return my sincere thanks to that august body for the confidence they are pleased to repose in me and to tender the same to yourself for the...
62From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 27th Ulto by the last Post. The extract from the Marqs La Fayette’s Letter--which you were so obliging to send me--is, in substance, the same as the one he has written to me himself.—On some points he is more particular in his letter to you—on others, mine is more full; A copy of which, if I had a Cypher established with you, I would have sent; but am...
63From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 14 June 1782 (Jay Papers)
My Letter of the 11 May mentioned my being called to Paris by a Letter from D r Franklin—our Journey thus far afforded much variety, and excepting some bad Roads, Fleas, & Bugs, was not unpleasant—both Spanish and French Biscay contain a number of romantic pretty Scenes, and I assure you we found ourselves perfectly disposed to enjoy the Beauties of this charming Season— Our Health has been...
64From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 12th and for the enclosures—The early communication of such important occurrances rendered the favor double acceptable—Would to God the Articles for a general pacification were as well advanced as those between America and Great Britain but I am not with out fears that that event is at a greater distance than the sanguine one I imagine. The...
65From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 24 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the 24th. day of April I had the Honor to be introduced to the Princess, from whom I met a very gracious Reception. As it is necessary to say something upon these Occasions, I could think of nothing better than what follows: Je suis ravi d’avoir l’honneur de presenter une Republique Vierge, un Monde Enfant à la Bienveillance et à la Protection de votre Altesse Royale; d’une Princesse aussi...
66From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 10 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The honor of your favor dated the 26th Ulto, inclosing the resolves of Congress of the 20th preceeding; and a state of the Negociations for a general pacification (when your last advices were dated) came duly to hand; and I thank you for the information, and your observations thereon. The state of suspence in which we are held at present, with respect to Peace or War, is not more irksome than...
67From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 19 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 12th I was honoured with last Night, and not chusing to trust my Sentiments on the Subject of it to Paper, I communicated them freely to General Lincoln (who set off at 4 o’clock this Morning on his return to Philadelphia) with a request that he would convey them to you. When I am favoured with the Cypher which you have promised me, I will convey my opinion upon your...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 13 March 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing the dispatches received by the Washington may have enabled Congress to decide on the expediency of continuing or of countermanding my mission to Europe, I take the liberty of expressing to you the satisfaction it will give me to receive their ultimate will so soon as other business will permit them to advert to this subject. I have the honour to be with very great respect & esteem...
69From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 12 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have already written a long Letter to you by this Vessel, and should have continued the Details of our subsequent Proceedings, had my Health admitted of the necessary application. You will receive from us a joint Letter, with a Copy of the Preliminaries. I shall therefore omit making any Remarks on them. Before I left Spain, and by Letters since my arrival here, I desired M r . Carmichael to...
70From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 24th was delivered me the day before yesterday, & accompanied the acct of a general Peace having been concluded in Europe on the 20th of Jany last. most sincerely do I accept your congratulations on this happy event, which has already diffused a general joy through every class of People; & to none more than to the Army. It now will be our own fault if we do not...
71From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 7 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
On the 18 July last D r . Franklin paid me nine months Salary due on that Day— I have not taken up any money on the Bills sent by you on that account, because until the 18 Oct r . another quarter did not become due. I mentioned this more at large in a former Letter, and desired you to pay a Sum of money to M r Benson for the use of my Family at Poghkeepsie— I fear their Situation is not easy,...
72From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 15 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
This Morning, I made a Visit to the Grand Pensionary Mr Van Bleiswick, and had a long Conference with him concerning the Plan of a Treaty of Commerce, which is now under Consideration, and endeavoured to remove some of his objections, and to explain to him the Grounds and Reasons of certain Articles which have been objected to by others—particularly the Article which respects France and that...
73James Duane to Robert R. Livingston, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, and Robert Yates, 19 April 1777 (Jay Papers)
We arrived in this City on Wednesday afternoon. If you talk seriously to its Inhabitants you’l find them full of the Expectation of ^ a Visit from ^ Gen l Howe’s but examine their Conduct and the Appearance of everything about you, & you cannot but conclude that they are in a State of the most perfect Tranquility and Security. Talk to them about the scandalous depreciation of the continental...
74From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I most sincerely and heartily sympathise with you in the distresses and dangers under which your state is labouring at this critical period. I lament its misfortunes, as they are wounds to the common cause, as they more nearly interest those for whom I feel the warmest regard, and as they are suffered by a state, which I consider, in a great measure, as my political parent. I wish any thing in...
75From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 22 April 1783 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you so lately by M r Mason and there is such a Dearth of news that I now write less to give you Information, than as a mark of Attention. There are several of your Letters which on acc t . of their Length, the Importance of their Subjects, and the Manner in which those Subjects were treated, demanded of me more minute answers than my Situation admitted of. M r Hartley is not yet...
76From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 31 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The disagreeable events which have taken place in the Pensyla and Jersey lines—the general discontent of the Army for want of pay, cloathing & Provisions—added to the usual course of business (which increases with our perplexities) will, I am perswaded, be admitted as a sufficient apology for my not acknowledging the receipt of your confidential, and obliging letter of the 8th, till now. To...
77From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Almost ever since my arrival here I have had and still have a sick Family. The epidemic Disorder which has spread throughout the northern parts of Europe, has been severe upon us. I am free from it at present, but it has taken from me some Flesh & much Strength. M rs Jay has frequent attacks of an intermitting Fever, and our little Girl is not yet quite wholly out of Danger. Your Letter of the...
I am just arived at this place from N. York where I have conversed with Gen. l Washington on the purport of the Letter from the secret Committee— Gen s Putnam and Mifflin have made an exact survey of the River opposite Mount Washington and find that the depths in no part exceeds 7 fathoms—the width however of the Channel (which is from 3 to 7 F. s ) is not much less than 1000 Yd s . the...
79From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
The letters you did me the honor to write me on the 6 th. & 18 th. of November, are come to hands— You do me honor, Sir, in applauding the Judgement I have formed, from time to time, of the Court of Britain, and future Ages will give me Credit for the Judgement I have formed of some other Courts. The true designs of a Minister of State are not difficult to be penetrated, by an honest man of...
80From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 24 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Copies to be laid before Congress of several Papers— 1. M r. Hartley’s full Powers of May 14.— 2. The Order of the King of Great Britain in Council, for regulating the American Trade, of the 14 th. May. 3. Articles proposed by the American Ministers to M r. Hartley, 29 th. April— 4. M r. Hartley’s Observations left with us the 21 st. of May. And 5. M r. Hartley’s...
81From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives Since I wrote the two short Letters of which I herewith send you Copies, I have been honoured with yours No. 5 dated the 16th Decr. Enclosed I send Copies of two Letters from M. le Comte de Vergennes, relating to certain Complaints from Ostend and Copenhagen against our Cruisers. I...
82From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I find upon Inquiry, that there are in this Republick at Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Dort, near 130 Sugar Houses. The whole of the raw Sugars produced, in Surrinam, Berbice Essequibo & Demarary, were wrought in these houses. and besides, raw Sugars were purchased in Bourdeaux & Nantes, after being imported from the French Islands in French Bottoms: raw Sugars were also purchased in London, which...
83From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been the more particular in my letters to you, concerning that extensive Manufacture and Commerce of refined Sugars, in this Country because the Proximity of all the Sugar Colonies to us, renders a share in it naturally usefull and convenient both to us and them. Fifty Thousand Hogsheads of raw Sugars are annually wrought in this Republick and exported at a great Profit to Germany,...
84From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose, for the information of Congress a Copy of Mr: Fitzherbert’s Commission. Georgius Rex Georgious tertius, Dei gratiâ, magnae Britanniae, Franciae, et Hiberniae Rex, Fidei defensor, Dux Brunsvicensis et Luneburgensis, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi Thesaurarius et Princeps Elector &ca Omnibus et Singulis, ad quos praesentes hae literae, pervenerint, salutem. Cum belli...
85From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your letters demanding my Accots. I have the honor to enclose the three Numbers: 1. 2. 3. No. 1 is an Account of my Salary for two years and an half, and the payment of it by Dr: Franklin, in obedience to the orders of Congress, the whole amounting to £ 6250 . sterling. No. 2 is the account for the purchase of the Hotel des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique, wh. amounts to 15207 . florins,...
86From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 6 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the Minister of State sent me Yesterday Morning your Favor of the 13 th . December last marked N o . 3. accompanied by a Duplicate of your Letter of 28 th . November marked N o . 2. Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 30 th . Oct r . & 2 d . November, . . . stating Quotas of Money. . . . of 23
87From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 12 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress Being at Court on Tuesday, I learnt from the Dutch Minister, that the new English Ministry have offer’d thro’ the Ministers of Russia, a Cessation of Arms to Holland, and a renewal of the Treaty of 1674. M. de Berkenrood seem’d to be of Opinion, that the Offer was intended to gain Time, to obstruct the Concert of...
88From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 20 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wish I had leizure to write you fully on the subject of yr last Letter —the moving state of the Army, and the extreame hurry in which I have been Involved for these Eight days, will only allow me time to acknowledge the receipt of yr favour, and to thank you (as I shall always do) for Any hints you may please to communicate, as I have great reliance upon your judgment; & knowledge of the...
89From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 11 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
As there are certain particulars, in which it has appeared to me that the friendship of a French Minister has been problematical at least, or rather not to exist at all, I have freely mentioned them to Congress; because I hold it to be the first duty of a public Minister in my Situation, to conceal no important Truth of this kind from his Masters. But Ingratitude is an odious Vice, & ought to...
90From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 2 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r: Berenger the Secretary of the French Legation has this Moment left me He came in to inform me of the News. The Empress of Russia has communicated, to the King of Prussia, a Treaty of Alliance between the Emperor of Germany and her, defensive against the Christian Powers and offensive against the Turk. The King of Prussia has answered her “That he is very sensible, upon this Communication...
91From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the twenty second day of April I was introduced by the Chamberlain to his most Serene Highness the Prince of Orange. Knowing that his Highness spoke English, I asked his Permission to speak to him in that Language, to which he answered smiling, “if You please Sir.” Altho’ French is the Language of the Court, he seemed to be pleased and to recieve as a Compliment my Request to speak to him...
92From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 10 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
In the present violent heat of the Weather, and feverish state of my own health, I cannot pretend to sit long at my Pen, and must pray you to accept of a few short hints only. To talk, in a general stile, of Confidence in the French Court & ca. is to use a general language, which may mean almost any thing, or almost nothing.— To a certain degree, and as far as the Treaties and Engagements...
93From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete LS with complete press copy, LS with incomplete press copy, copy, and transcript: National Archives I have just received your No. 13 dated the 23d June. The Accounts of the general Sentiments of our People, respecting Propositions from England, and the Rejoicings on the Birth of the Dauphin, give Pleasure here; and it affords me much Satisfaction to find the Conduct of Congress,...
94From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Instruction from Congress, which directs Us to pay So Strict an Attention to the French Ministry, and to follow their Advice is conceived in Terms So universall and unlimited, as to give a great deal of Anxiety to My Mind. There is no Man more impressed with the Obligation of Obedience to Instructions. But in ordinary Cases, the Principal is so near the Deputy, as to be able to attend to...
95From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 3 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Fiscal Systems of the Powers of Europe, have such an ill Influence on Commerce, that they deserve the Serious attention of Congress and their Ministers whenever they have under Consideration a Treaty with any foreign Power. In Conversation yesterday with M r: D’Asp the Chargé des affaires of Sweeden, I enquired of him what Imposts were payable in their Ports upon the Importation and...
96From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 16 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday afternoon, the duplicate of your Letter of the 14 th. of April N o. 16. was brought in to me, with the Post-Mark “Brest” upon it. As soon as I had read it, I went out to Passy, in hopes that other Dispatches had arrived there, but I found none. While I was there, a Packet of News-Papers, addressed to us all, was brought in with the Post Mark of Brest on it. I still hope & believe...
97From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 29 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: National Archives In mine of the 25th. Inst. I omitted mentioning, that, at the repeated earnest Instances of Mr Lawrens, who had given such Expectations to the Ministry in England, when his Parole or Securities were discharged, as that he could not think himself at Liberty to act in Publick Affairs ’till the Parole of Lord Cornwallis was absolved by me in Exchange,...
98From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 31 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Having executed the Treaty of Commerce, at the Hague and dispatched four Copies of it, by four different Vessells bound to America from the Texel, and having Signed a Sufficient Number of Obligations to leave in the Hands of Messrs Willinks, Vanstaphorst and De La Lande and Fynje, and having received Information from Mr Jay, that Mr Oswald had rec d a Commission from the King his Master under...
99From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 12 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Reports have been spread, that the Regency of Algiers has been employed in fitting Ships to cruise for American Vessels. There are reports too, that Spain has an Armament prepared to attack their Town. How much truth there may be in either, I cannot pretend to say. Whether Congress will take any Measures for treating with these piratical States must be submitted to them. The Custom of these...
100From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 9 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Admiralty have reported to their High Mightinesses their Remarks upon the Plan of a Treaty of Commerce, which I had the Honour to lay before them; together with Such Additions and Alterations as they propose. This Report has been taken ad Referendum by all the Provinces, except Overyssel, which has determined to vote as Holland Shall vote, this being the principal maritime Province, and...