1To John Adams from Joel Barlow, 12 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
My friend M r Trumbull has done me the honour to mention my name to you in a letter which is herewith enclosed. The Poem which he mentions is likewise forwarded thro’ the hands of Col—Humphrey to Doct Price with an assgnment of the Copy Right. I have requested the Doctor to use his discretion in procuring an impression & disposing of the copy-Right. Out of the first impression I wish to have...
2To John Adams from Joel Barlow, 14 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
Some months have elapsed since I recieved your very obliging favour of May 1786. I have followed the advice of you & your friend Doct Price in bringing forward a publication of my Poem in America. The Edition is nearly disposed of. I take the liberty of addressing to your care a bundle of the Books, one of which be pleased to accept, & the others I wish to have conveyed to the persons to whom...
3To George Washington from Joel Barlow, 24 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de Marnasia, who will do me the honor to wait on your Excellency with this, is a gentleman of great respectability, a member of the national Assembly, & enjoys considerable fortune. He & many others are transfering their property to the United States, and are going to settle themselves on the Ohio near the Scioto. He requests me to take the liberty to announce to your Excellency...
4To George Washington from Joel Barlow, 2 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
On hearing of your late nomination as commander in chief of the American Armies I rejoice at it, not because I believe the war which that nomination contemplates is yet inevitable and that it will furnish an occasion for a farther display of your military talents, but because it may enable you to exert your influence to a greater effect in preventing the war. By becoming more the centre of...
5To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 10 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Joel Barlow. 10 February 1806. “Permit me to ask you to read the enclosed Prospectus, & if its principle meets your approbation, to encourage it among your friends in the legislature. “I may mistake the true interests of the country. But it appears to me that this subject embraces one of the most essential of them.” RC ( InU-Li : Lafayette Mss). 1 p. Yale graduate, lawyer, and “Hartford...
6To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 13 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
I think you will pardon my solicitude if I offer a few words more on Barbary affairs before I leave this place. There are several reasons which would induce me to advise freighting a private ship rather than sending a public one to Tunis with the presents & the Ambassador. 1. It is cheaper by many thousand dollars. 2. She might be fitted away much sooner; as I understand that it is impossible,...
7To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 26 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Lee, supposing me at Washington, has addressed to me the enclosed papers, to lay before you. They will explain the demand of two French Merchants of Bordeaux for a certain sum said to have been deposited for them under the control of our government, and the documents in your office may decide whether their claim is well founded or not. I would thank you for an answer at your convenience,...
8To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 18 September 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Joel Barlow. 18 September 1806, Ballston Springs. “The enclosed letter from William Lee is to ask leave of absence to come to the U. S. for a few months. It has been a long time arriving. If his request should be granted I know it would oblige him very much to have the answer dispatched as soon as convenient, & if not too much trouble, by duplicate, as many letters miscarry.” RC ( DNA :...
9To James Madison from Joel Barlow, April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
April 1809. Sends on letter “from Mr. Lee” recommending William Bass for the consulate at Antwerp and mentions that Walter Livingston, Jr., may deserve consideration for the secretary’s post at the Paris legation, if a vacancy occurs. “I dont know but I ought to make an apology once for all for consenting sometimes to be the organ of such applications. It is a business I very much dislike but...
10To James Madison from Joel Barlow, 9 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I observed with pleasure in your inaugural speech that you still keep in view the immense importance of public improvements, the advancement of science, & the general diffusion of information, as essential to the happiness of our country. And I cannot but hope that the time is now approaching when some portion of the attention of Congress may be fixt on these objects. The ample scope of your...