31From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 23 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desired by a friend to procure him a copying press I take the liberty of putting the inclosed under cover to you and of requesting you to pay for it and have it sent as therein desired. I wish it may be in time to come with the other articles that it may not multiply my applications for passports. Be so good as to let me know whether Mr. Tessier has any hesitations about going beyond the...
32From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 21 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your private letter of the 16th I can promise no more than a disposition to promote your wishes—& this if it is in my power and circumstances are not opposed to it will carry me to the extent of your desire; but no Peace establishment is yet adopted nor do I know upon what terms it will—whether Continental—State—or any at all. Whether the present Troops (who have part of their...
33From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 7 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I, a few days ago, reced your favor of the 28th of Augt from Pompton—You certainly cannot be deemed reprehensible for making use of this time of leisure to pay a visit to your family and friends—after so long an absence. When I mentioned you to the Commander of the combined Forces in the West Indies, in the terms to which you allude, I confess I did not imagine you had any intention of...
34From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 23 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not impute my not writing to you by your son to want of attention to you, or a proper Sensibility to your request containd in your Letter to me. The extreem Heat of the weather, and my joy at the arrival of a dear and only Daughter after an absence of three years and a half, realley disqualified me for my pen, and Johns Stay was so limited that I could not Say by him What I...
I yesterday received your Letter, and at the Same time, the President received the one inclosed from dr Rush which I think it my duty, altho a distressing and painfull one, to me, to communicate the contents to you by the earliest opportnty you will See by the Letter, that Mrs Smith wrote her case to dr Rush, which her Father inclosed with a request that he would give his candid opinion. Mrs...
36From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I was sorry to learn from your letter of the 7th instant, that you propose to resign the Office which you hold under the United States. Presuming that this determination is the result of a due reflection upon the subject, and a conviction that the measure is for your best interest, I acquiesce in it, altho’ I regret the loss of your services to the public. And, while I express my approbation...
37From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 3 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letters give us information as well as entertainment. Your reception at head Quarters & at the war office, augur well for the public. It is impossible that your ideas, your conversation, can be wholly lost to either Dearborne is really to be pitied. He is worn down and tormented by the disease that humbled the great spirit of Louis 14th; not to mention the misfortunes of the first year of...
38From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 16 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th Instant was deliverd me yesterday with its several inclosures, and I am to thank you for the intelligence it contains. I have myself seen the Work at Dobbs ferry, but cannot agree with you as to its indefensible State; it never was calculated to withstand a serious attack, but has always been supposed equal to any small party that might attempt it by a Coup de Main; and...
39From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 22 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of March the 12th in replie to mine, of the 2d ult. the method you took to inform yourself respecting the Character and circumstances of the person in Question was highly judicious and the return you received, very Satisfactory and pleasing. the terms you have exa c ted met my cordial approbation. I should perhaps, had it been left to me have prolonged the time of...
40From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 23 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Cobbets Letter to Niles, inclosed in yours of the 17th, with some of his usual fooleries, contains many important facts and ingenious reflections, Sometimes lear I love Clergimen because they are often Sociable and Sensible Men, and sometimes learned: but the Priesthood Seems to have Something militant and belligerent in its nature. The high ones are always gladiators. Their Controversies are...
41From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 6 September 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of Decbr 30 1811 has Slept in my in my Beaurous untill your prophesys have become dreadfull realities—in which I rejoice that you have no lot or portion, if your experience and counsel had been held in requisition the fate of poor Hull might not have been a disgrace to the Nation—Gasconade ought always to be the exclusive Majesty of the Nation Said to be famous for it—just as I was...
42From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 3 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your private letter of the 24th Ulto & thank you for the information contained in it. It is much to be regretted that while I am using every means in my power to comply with the orders of Congress (founded in my opinion on our true interest & policy) that there should be such a counteraction as we daily experience from individuals. But more lamentable is our...
43Abigail Adams to William Stephens Smith, 3 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of the raspberry bushes, and the pot of strawberry vines, for which accept my thanks. I have had them placed in a good part of the garden, and shall pay particular attention to them. I hope I shall be able to treat you with a plate of them, when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you at Quincy. Whatever strange events occur in the political world, I think...
44From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 20 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
‘Not having any letters on my file unanswered, I shall not trouble you further.’—Is this you?— Did you count 10 . distinctly between the origin of that thought, and the committing it to paper? How could you, my dear Sir, add reproach to misfortune with a poor cripple who but now begins to use his pen, a little, and that with so much pain that it is real martyrdom? However I believe I am even...
45From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 2 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you on two interesting circumstances, your safe arrival in your own country, and your having got rid of me; for I think you will not find there so troublesome a neighbor as I was here. I hope Mrs. Smith has well weathered the voyage, the little one also, and the half a one, for I presume he was begun. You arrive just in time to see the commencement of a new order of things. Our...
46From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 1 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favors of the 27th and 29th Ulto—I am very well satisfied with the account contained in the former; and approve of your conduct respecting the detention of the Flag as reported in the latter, but it will be best under our present circumstances, for you to send back Mr Gardener with his Flag Vessel, at the same time making a representation of his conduct to the...
47From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 13 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 9th. of August and since that have received yours of Aug. 23. I have not yet heard of Mr. Adams’s return to London, nor when that may be expected if it has not already taken place. I have nothing public and proper for the post. A letter from Mr. Barclay dated at Mogadore in July shews he was on his return. I impatiently wait an answer from Mr. Adams as...
48From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 19 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favours from Harwich, Amsterdam and Berlin, and congratulate you on your Reception by the King of Prussia. I Shall have much Occasion for your Assistance but Still I would not advise you, to leave Paris without Spending a Week or Ten Days there and being presented by M r Jefferson to the King, provided there is a Court day at Versailles. I have been much pressed with Business...
49From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Cutts, upon the recommendation of General Sullivan, has permission to endeavour to get admittance into New York to relieve a Mr Lord a prisoner there—You will be pleased to send his letter by a Flag and permit him to go in should he obtain liberty to do so, or to have an interview with any Gentleman, should that mode be proposed. You will at the same time forward the letters...
50From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 1 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
It is already three weeks since you left us; I have not any knowledge of your progress farther than New-Haven, where General Humphreys informed me that he had the pleasure of meeting you. I wish to hear form you, although I cannot expect that you have anything agreeable of a public nature to communicate, from the desolate walls of Washington. I will, however, turn my face from that forlorn...
51From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 23 July 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 15th is alarming. Remember the fate of Cassandra. The prophet of ill ’tho’ as true as a goose’s bow is always detested. I also have been now and then reckoned among the minor prophets. Not a bone of any Goose ever picked by Jo Green, Nick Boylston, & Master Lovel on a Christmas eve, tho’ they had Nat Gardner for a guest, and exhausted all their wit, Gibes, & Jokes upon it, ever...
52From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 12 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
We were happy to find by your Letter 22d of May that you had arrived safe at Baltimore on your way to the great city of Washington—We have not pursued the jocular hints or menaces on promisses of advice to you in your legislative Capacity as yet—for reasons too many to enumerate. We do not however give up the right of Instructing you—when we please—We claim this priviledge—not as Friends—Not...
53From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Stephens Smith, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Commandr in Chief has recied A Letter from a Mr Richd Corbin of Laneville in Virginia— desiring him to cause Enquiry to be made for his Son Dicky , who left his Father in the Year 1775—and went to England to secure family Claim to an Estate in England & in Jamaica—The Father is informed that his Son is now in N. York, & wishes to get a Certainty of the Fact—His Excellency desires you to...
54From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 4 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having found an opportunity of furnishing myself with a horse here, I notify it to you according to what we had agreed on, to prevent you the trouble of getting me one in England. No news to give you but of the decision of the celebrated cause. La Villette banished. Madame la Motte condemned to be branded and whipped and to remain in a hospital all her life. But it is said the branding and...
55Abigail Adams to William Stephens Smith, 25 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Last evening col Forrest sent a servant with a Letter addrest to me, but upon opening it, I found I was honourd only with the cover. The inclosed I deliverd the Lady who sat next me but as I could not prevail with her to communicate a word more than “that the cake was good” I threatned her with opening the next unless I should find something in the cover to appease me. But I did not keep my...
56From John Quincy Adams to William Stephens Smith, 26 March 1806 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening your favour of the 23d:—The appointment of Mr. Schenck had been two or three days before confirmed by the Senate—I most sincerely lament your removal from the Office of Surveyor; but this act is exclusively within the power of the President, and the only notice he usually gives to the Senate of a removal is by a new Nomination to the Office—Such was the case in the...
57John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 19 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Before you receive this you will probably receive a letter from the Secy at war informing you that the general officers have proposed either you or Mr Hammond to be a Lt Col commandant. This event has embarassed me. I know not what to do. I know not whether the senate will not negative the nomination if I make it; nor whether you will accept the appointment if they should advise and consent to...
58From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 19 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of Jan. 29. and Dr. Burney’s which was inclosed in it. If the harpsichord be not sent off, perhaps it may as well await the last of March or beginning of April when it may be less exposed to rains. But it is not material. I shall be absent till the 1st. of May. Franks was unlucky with the instrument made by Jones. It was stolen out of his carriage in the...
59From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 16 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the receipt of your favor of May 21. I have been in daily expectation of receiving from you a particular state of the cost of my press &c. Mr. Paradise wrote me that it was about five guineas, but I knew there would still be some additions. The moment you will be so good as to favor me with this information I will remit you a bill for that and the eight guineas I formerly took the...
60John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 11 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
I was much obliged to you for a letter by Mr. Nesbit of Philadelphia, and am very sorry I could not have more of his company. He was much esteemed, I find, in Boston. I wished for you, when he was here, because you could never have a better opportunity of seeing your old military friends. We had a review of the militia, upon my farm; and a battle that threw down all my fences. I wish, however,...