151To George Washington from Anonymous, March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I know you to be good—and you are great, independent of public opinion—I mean intrinsically great, if you were not possessed of that opinion. But you are possessed of it, and stand higher, beyond all comparison in the estimation of persons of every description than any man. The virtuous part of the community who have for years put everything to hazard to obtain a Government, likely to insure...
152To George Washington from Anonymous, 20 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your knowledge of the world makes it hardly necessary for me to remind you how difficult it is to dislodge a cunning bad man when he has once got possession of the heart of a great & good one. The strongest evidence of this fact is derived from the history of Princes. Be not offended at my mentioning Tiberius. There is no similitude between your characters. He, a brutal Tyrant. You possessed,...
153To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Beware. Be upon your guard. You have cherished in your Bosom a Serpent, and he is now endeavouring to sting you death. Under the Mark of a Democrat, he thinks he conceals his ambition which is unbounded. His vanity makes him believe that he will certainly be your Successor. But he can not wait with patience untill it shall please God to take you from this world. He wishes to precipitate his...
154To George Washington from Anonymous, 18 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although my name will not be, to this paper many where you preside know me personally, I have been under your command when you were surrounded with eminent Danger. I lost every thing by the American War, nor, did I ever join the enemies of America in thought, word, or deed. I am banished from my native country like many others; because I cannot pay my debts; If I had the gold which I exchanged...
155To George Washington from Anonymous, 9 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The first request of General Washington is that he will burn this line after reading it, as it comes from a man who on his own account (unconnected with those who have the strongest ties on him) would not trouble any mortal with the request of a favor: therefore in case your more important duties obliges you to spurn at my intrusion, let it become impossible for any person by my hand writing...
156To George Washington from Anonymous, 13 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should never have presumed to address a letter to your Excellency and least of all an anonymous one, were it not for the delicate and responsible situation in which your power of nominating and appointing to office places you and likewise for the necessity consequent thereupon of your being acquainted with the character and abilities of various candidates. A Collector we are told is shortly...
157From —— to Madame d’Enville, 8 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Ma belle soeur, madame la Duchesse, vient de me mander que son jardinier attendroit le moment où vous seriez à Chaillot pour vous montrer en detail tout ce qui est dans son jardin. La maîtresse de la maison croit vous faire sa cour en ne paroissant pas. Elle m’assure que toutes les personnes que vous voudrez envoyer chez elle seront reçeues à toutes les heures. Recevez avec bonté les...
158“Extempore! On hearing that the Honorable John Jay, Esq. had landed at New-York”, 2 October 1784 (Jay Papers)
* Earl of Sandwich . Printed: The Independent Gazetteer (Philadelphia), 2 October 1784; The Political Intelligencer and New-Jersey Advertiser (New Brunswick, N.J.), 12 Oct. 1784. On Deane’s defection, see “Silas Deane: A Worrisome Correspondent” (editorial note), JJSP , 2 Elizabeth M. Nuxoll et al., eds., The Selected Papers of John Jay, Volume 2, 1780–82 (Charlottesville, Va., 2012) : 243–46....
159To George Washington from Anonymous, 7 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
This letter, which begs of your Excellency the favour of a perusal begins with a confission of a fault, even while in the verry Commission of it; for indeed I confess, I do not think myself entitled to the freedom I now venture to take; but what will not a Man hazard when hope rouses him from despair! Alas how often has my honest avarice of the approbation of the good and worthy, been ready to...
160Instructions for Maneuvers at West Point, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The regiments will immediately recieve ten cartridges pr man. At 7 o’clock precisely the regiments will be on the grand parade formed in battalion according to the plan laid down in the regulations: the light Infantry companies at twenty paces distance on the right of each regiment. The first part of the manouvre will be performed by motion only without firing. 1st Four discharges by platoons...
161To George Washington from an Anonymous New Jersey Farmer, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have past your Quarters Several times Lately I saw With Concern A number of Peirsons Great Enemies to Your Excellency (as A general) and their Country Pleas therefore to take Great Care of the Name of Ogden, (Particularly that family) and their Connection Peter McKee &c. Depend on What I write here to be fact I know them Well. Abought 5 Days Ago one Wm Stewart an assistant of these fals...
162To George Washington from an Anonymous Citizen, 4 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
4 August 1776 . “My House is forcibly entered & posessed by officers and Soldiers without my Consent, to the number of 60 or 70. . . . From A barrack, my House is now become A mere Hospital Noise & Disturbance day and night, reign in every part—The two Halls below are occupied by the rude hand of Insolence the Doors nailed, & I am at last reduced to such narrow limits that the next...
163To George Washington from an Anonymous French Officer, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Fort-Dauphin [Saint-Domingue], 1 April 1776 . Offers his services to GW. He says that he served in Germany during the last war as a lieutenant in the Royal Grenadiers and was dismissed three years after the peace. He came to Saint-Domingue to advance himself but has not been able to obtain a company. He does not sign his name for fear that this letter might be intercepted and injure him at the...
164Anonymous: Musings near a Cool Spring, 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library Company of Philadelphia Unsigned and undated, these verses have been copied into a Scrap Volume compiled by Pierre Eugène du Simitière. The latest event specifically mentioned is the building of Fort Allen in January 1756 (above, VI, 362–7), and the absence of any direct mention of Franklin’s English mission implies a date earlier than the summer of 1757 and presumably even...