1William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 16 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Pierre, Martinique, June 16, 1778: The General has been informed of the Franco-American treaty of alliance and commerce. If it changes the political or commercial system or relations with foreign powers, or binds the contracting parties to act in concert, I should know its terms so that in my small way I can co-operate as the American agent in the West...
2To John Adams from William Bingham, 22 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the receipt of the Address of the Inhabitants of the Borough & County of Bedford, to the President Senate & House of Representatives, I presented in compliance with your request, one Copy thereof to the President & another to the Senate of the United States— The Sentiments conveyed therein made a very favorable Impression, & I have the Honor of inclosing to you the Reply, on the Part of the...
3Enclosure: William Bingham to James McHenry, [18 November 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
It Surely must have escaped Genl Hamilton’s Recollection, that the Papers he alludes to, never were deposited with me. After reading the publication, in which he mentioned this deposit being thus made, I was Surprized at the omission of which, in Case I had been applied to for a View of them, I Should certainly have reminded him—under any other Circumstances, it would not have been delicate to...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, 9 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee of the Board, (on the subject of the Loan) were unfortunate in not finding you at your Office or House, when they had the Honor of waiting on you this Morning. They were instructed to confer with you on a Point, which is the Object of the inclosed Letter, & to which I request your early Reply, as the Board are desirous of terminating this Business, at an adjourned Meeting to...
5To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, 21 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Having a Packet of Papers which by your Desire were deposited with me, & which have long laid dormant in my Possession, & being about embarking in a Short time for Europe, permit me to return them to you. You will gratify me exceedingly, by furnishing me with an opportunity of rendering you any services during my Stay in Europe. I request you to make my respectfull Complements acceptable to...
6William Bingham to the Commissioners, 16 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time Since I have had the honor of receiving any of your Commands, and am the more surprized at it, as a Packet Boat has arrived with Dispatches for the General, informing him of a Treaty of Alliance and Commerce being concluded on betwixt the Court of Versailles and the United states of America. Should this Treaty cause any material Change in the political or commercial System of...
7To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, [5 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I herewith return you the Subscription Book of the Manufacturing society, & must apologize (from hurry of Business) for having detained it So long. I approve exceedingly of the Plan, both as indicative of public Spirit, & as affording a well grounded hope of private Emolument. I will therefore give it every support in my power, & influenced by these Considerations, do Subscribe 5000 Dollars. I...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Bingham, 30 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Intending to remain some Time at Beuvelles on my Return from Spa, I shall pay my Respects to the french Minister at that Court, and shall be much indebted to you for a Letter of Introduction to him, which you will please to address under Cover to me, to the Care of Monsieur J. C. de Bay at Beuvelles. I hope you will excuse the Trouble I shall occasion you, and that you will be assured of my...
9To John Jay from William Bingham, 29 January 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have seen various detached Numbers of a periodical Publication under the Title of the Fœderalist, which have much pleased me, as the Author has treated the Subject in a Strong masterly Manner—I have heard that it is about to be republished in the Form of a Pamphlet, in which Case I shall be much indebted to you for a Copy— The Opposition to the new Government in this State, which was...
10To John Jay from William Bingham, 12 February 1785 (Jay Papers)
I Send you the Copy of a Letter of antient Date, as I have some Reason to believe that the Original miscarried— Accounts have recently been received of the capture of another American Vessel, by a piratical Cruizer from the Coast of Barbary; this has occasioned Such an Alarm, that the Premium of Insurance, even from the Ports of Britain, is advanced 100 p% on American Vessels—& from the Ports...
11To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, 24 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Adams had 70 & Mr Jefferson 68 Votes at the last Election. In Pennsylvania, Virginia, N Carolina, he had a Vote in each State. From the result of the Enquiries I have made, & the best Calculation I can form, Mr J cannot procure more than 58 Votes, on a presumption that this State will have no agency in the Election, & that he obtains half of those of No Carolina. Great Efforts are making in...
12William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 3 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society The arrival at this place of the Continental Frigate the Deane, & the armed Brigantine the General Gates, in order to be careened & refitted, & to procure a fresh Supply of Provisions, has greatly embarrassed me, not having sufficient Funds to answer their Demands. I am therefore under the Necessity of refusing them the necessary Supplies, or of...
13To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 8 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatter myself that you will excuse the Liberty I take in recommending to your Notice & Protection during his Stay at Paris the Bearer Richard Harrison Esqr—a Gentleman who was employed in this Place in the public Character of Agent for the States of Virginia & Maryland & who has rendered his Country some essential services by his Exertions in that Line—...
14William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 19 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Above is Copy of my last Respects, since which have received none of your esteemed favors. The Subject which I alluded to in my last, is in regard to the Sale of our Produce, which the French Merchants at present absolutely refuse to purchase for the European Market; as many of their Vessels have been already visited, and American Produce which has been...
15To George Washington from William Bingham, 15 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive by this Conveyance, two Boxes of Liqueurs, one of which Mr Jay on his Departure from Martinico, requested I would take under my Care & forward to your Excellency, the other, I take the liberty of Soliciting your Acceptance of, as a Small Token of the respectfull Esteem, with which I have the honor to be, Sir your Excellency’s, most obedient & very humble servt ALS...
16To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 28 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society No Event of material Importance to merit your Notice or Attention, has happened in this Quarter since the Date of my last— I have not been honoured with any of your Favors since your Residence in France, not withstanding the many official Letters that in the Course of public Business I have had occasion to address you— I am entirely ignorant of the...
17To John Jay from William Bingham, 19 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
From the period of July 1776, when I first arrived in the French west Indies untill the month of February 1778, I found all their Ports open for the admission of Lumber, Salted Fish & Live Stock, & indeed for all the Productions of America, (even those that entered into Competition with the Articles that France could furnish her Colonies with) but this was only a temporary Indulgence, arising...
18To John Adams from William Bingham, 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Committee who were appointed to carry into Effect, the Views of the Legislature, relative to their appropriation of $5000, for the purchase of Books suitable for the executive and legislative departments of the Government, wish to avail themselves of your Superior Judgment, and enlightened Experience in making the proper Selection—& for this purpose, I have the Honor of addressing you. The...
19To James Madison from William Bingham, 25 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I will make no Apology to you for the small Portion of Time that the Perusal of this letter may claim from more valuable Avocations. By Letters I have received from Europe, I am induced to think that Strong Impressions on the public Mind, will be made by the first legislative Acts of Congress, which will display in Some Measure, the Character of our new Government. I am afraid we Shall be...
20William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 29 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL : American Philosophical Society <St. Pierre, Martinique, May 29, 1778: I have written Congress for permission to draw on you; if I do not hear I shall have to draw for 100,000 livres to honor my commitments. Congress owes me much more, but if I receive payment in goods I shall be hard put to it to dispose of them; the likelihood of war has virtually stopped trade here. I must...
21William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the eleventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce entered into betwixt His Most Christian Majesty & the United States of America, the Americans are exempted from the Payment of all Duties on the Article of Molasses, notwithstanding which the Duties have, until now, been constantly exacted & paid. This has occasioned great Clamours on the Part of the...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Bingham, 14 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I will use every Exertion to procure Copies of the Laws that you are desirous of obtaining in order to compleat your Sett of the Pennsylvania Code. Fully concurring in opinion with you on the Necessity of the general Government being possessed of the respective Laws of the Several States and aware of the difficulty of procuring them I introduced into a Bill during the last Session of the...
23Extract of a Letter from William Bingham, 15 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Officers of the first Distinction have embarked at Havre De Grace for America, and a large supply of Field Pieces, military stores &c were sent by the Same Vessells. I have seen a confidential Letter, wrote by a Gentleman at Paris to a Person of Distinction here, wherein he mentions, that there is the greatest Appearance of a Treaty, being concluded betwixt France and America, by which our...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Bingham, 25 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Being about to embark for Europe, (induced to change the Scenes which Surround me, from a recent melancholy Event having rendered them peculiarly distressing) I shall be extremely gratified at having an opportunity of executing any of your Commissions, or in any other Manner of being Serviceable to you during my Residence abroad— Permit me to express my cordial good Wishes for the Success of...
25To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Gentleman who will have the Honor of delivering you this Letter is Monsr. de Karsaint, who commands one of his Majesty’s Armed Vessels that has been Some time past Stationed in these Seas. He is a particular Friend of the General’s and of mine and has Strongly importuned me for a Letter of Introduction to you. Particular Circumstances would not permit...
26To George Washington from William Bingham, 9 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you herewith, a Letter from a very respectable Character, recommendatory of Mr Mathieu, as a fit Person to discharge the Duties of Consul of the United States at the Port of Naples —His opinions are confirmed by the concurring Testimony of several Gentlemen, who were personally acquainted with Mr Mathieu during his Residence at St Domingo, & who are well worthy of...
27William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society Suivant Les Intentions Du Congrès j’ay L’honneur De Vous Donner avis que j’ay faits Traitte ce jour sur vous ordre De Monsieur aubin Bellevue Pour la somme De Mil Livres Tournois Payable a Trois Mois De Vue que je vous Prie D’avoir La bonté D’accueillir favorablement et en passer le Montant a L’acompte Des Etats unis De L’amerique. J’ay L’honneur D’etre...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, 6 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your Letter of yesterday with your Remarks on what I wrote to you. If any Person has offered the sum that you mention to be the price of the Lot, & will make the Same Payment, I certainly will not hesitate a Moment in giving it to you. At any Rate, we will Settle the Matter whenever you come to Town. I am Dear sir Yours Sincerely ALS , letterpress copy, Historical Society of...
29William Bingham to John Adams, 26–27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I had last the pleasure of Seeing you, I was not altogether determined what Route I Should take— I rather inclined to the Idea of returning by the Hague— From a Desire of introducing more Variety & Novelty in my Excursion thro this Country, I have now resolved on passing thro’ Utrecht, for which place I Shall take my Departure in a few Days— If you Should have no further occasion for the...
30William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Above is Copy of what I had the honor of writing you the 11th Ulto. Want of Opportunities has been the Cause of my not forwarding to you some important News which I received some Time ago from St. Eustatia. You will please to find inclosed Copy of a Letter from a French Gentleman in that Place, with the Translation of some Extracts from American Gazettes,...
31To George Washington from William Bingham, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the Number that experience the Hospitalities of Mount Vernon, there are none whose personal Merit (independent of their Education, their Rank & Pretensions) more deservedly entitle them to this attention, than my Friends Mons’ d’Orleans, Mons’ de Montpensier & Mons’ de Beaujolois. Your previous Acquaintance with these Gentlemen, renders it unnecessary to recommend them more pointedly...
32William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 6 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Singular Omission on the part of the Minister has been the Cause that several Articles of the Treaty of Commerce entered into betwixt his most Christian Majesty & the United States of America, & operating to the Advantage of the American Commerce, have not been enforced here—the General not having as yet received a Copy of the Treaty with Orders for the...
33William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 12 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society Above is Copy of my last Respects, and am still without any of your esteemed Favors. The last Accounts from America were of the 26 April, by which I find the Operations of the Army had not as yet commenced; but it was expected every Day that the Campaign would open. By an Extract of a Letter from Genl. Washington to the Congress, there is reason to believe...
34William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 14 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL : American Philosophical Society I have been prevented from having the honor of writing to you for some considerable time past, as an Embargo has been laid upon all Shipping bound to Europe, in Consequence of some Dispatches, which the General received from France. I vainly hoped that it would be a Forerunner to a Commencement of Hostilities, but it is now taken off; and there seems...
35To John Jay from William Bingham, 14[–15] August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Major Franks, on his Arrival here, the 1 st Instant, delivered me your Letter of the 8 th Septem r ., in which I find You do not acknowledge the Receipt of several that I had wrote You, which renders your Precaution very necessary— It is the prevailing Opinion in America that Negociations are on the Tapis for a general peace & y r . Departure from Madrid, to hold a conference (as is said) with...
36To John Jay from William Bingham, 17 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
Above is Copy of my last Respects, since writing of which the Continental Frigate the Deane, & the armed Brigantine the General Gates have arrived here, in order to careen & refit. I am sensible I shall expose myself to innumerable Difficulties in undertaking to supply these Vessels with what they stand in need of. Nothing but the Pain I must feel at seeing the Service suffer, could induce me...
37To John Jay from William Bingham, 10 March 1784 (Jay Papers)
I received your agreable Letter of the 22 d . Novem r & exceedingly regret your Speedy Intention of Speedily departing for America, more especially as it will deprive M rs Bingham & myself of the pleasure of personally assuring M rs Jay & you of our own affectionate Regards— We shall leave England in the Beginning of May, & Shall take Holland in our Route to Spa, where we intend to remain...
38To John Jay from William Bingham, 6 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Favor of the 24th Nov r is the only one that has reached me since your Departure from Martenico— I the more regret it, as the Value I set upon your Friendship, makes me anxious oftentimes to receive the same flattering Marks of it— The object of my Wishes, concerning which I requested you to sound a particular Gentleman was, soon after I mentioned it to you, unsolicited for, in...
39To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, 26 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Whilst resident in Martinico, as agent of the United States, I had committed to my Trust, in my official character, by the Government of that Island, the 1st Proceeds of one thousand Barrels of Flour, being the Cargo of the Danish Brig Hope, loaded at Cork on Account & Risk of Portuguese Merchants at Lisbon, which Vessel was captured by an american Privateer & carried into Martinico. The...
40To John Jay from William Bingham, 16 October 1784 (Jay Papers)
I have just heard that a French Packet is on the Point of departure for New York— I cannot permit it to Sail, without forwarding a few Lines, expressive of the Pleasure I received, on hearing of your Safe Arrival The Services you have been enabled to render your Country, will naturally Secure you a very welcome Reception;—the only Circumstance that can be productive of disagreable Sensations,...
41William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform You that the Count D’Estaing arrived here with the Fleet under his Command the Beginning of last Month. Admiral Byron, with 14 Ships of the Line, had been cruizing off Boston Harbor, watching the Motions of the French Fleet; but, the Day previous to its Departure, a violent Storm arose, which cast the Somerset ashore on Cape Cod,...
42William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society; AL : American Philosophical Society By a Sloop of War Sailing this Evening for Brest, I have only Time to communicate to you the important News that has been received to Day by a Vessel which Sailed from Salem the beginning of July and brings a Gazette of the 3d of that Month which mentions, that Gen. Howe after having made a Junction of Some of his Troops...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William Bingham, 16 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
It will give you pleasure to hear that a very commendable Spirit of Industry and Enterprize, has Succeeded to a Period of Languor and Inattention to our best Interests, and that the Citizens of Philadelphia have at length discovered that their own Efforts, properly directed, will furnish them with a Variety of Manufactures that they have been in the Practice of procuring from Europe. Many...
44William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 26 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society Herewith is Copy of my last Respects; Since which have received very little News from America. A Letter from Mr. Morris of March 1st mentions, “that on Sunday last, there was a smart Skirmish between a considerable Body of the Enemy, and a Party of our Troops near Brunswic; Our Loss was inconsiderable, but not so with them; they lost a great many Men, both...
45To James Madison from William Bingham, 17 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I observe by the public Prints, that the Bill for the Establishment of the Impost has returned from the Senate, with considerable Reduction of the Duties on Several Specified Articles. I will not undertake to Scrutinize the Reasons that have urged the Amendments. But, as the Bill is now before the House of Representatives, I will take the Liberty of commenting on that part of it, which limits...
46To John Jay from William Bingham, 27 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
Under Date of August 4th I had the honor of addressing you, Since which we have the fullest Prospect of an approaching Peace, as it appears that the Negotiations in europe will most certainly terminate in that desirable Event There is a Point of the greatest Consequence for the Interests of the merchant states which is not consulted in the treaty of commerce with France , & which if unattended...
47To John Jay from William Bingham, 1 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
With great Difficulty & repeated Solicitations I procured permission from Congress to return here & arrived in the Frigate the Confederacy the beginning of May— Previous to my Departure, I addressed you several Letters from Martinico which I hope you have received— It has given me peculiar pleasure to hear of your late Arrival at Cadiz, & of the favorable reception you are like to meet with at...
48William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 28 November 1777[–4 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society I have herewith the honor to convey to you Copy of my last Respects. You have doubtless heard of the glorious Success of the Army under General Gates, upon which I sincerely congratulate you and all the Friends of America. Betwixt the Date of the Gazettes which I had the honor to enclose you, and the 15 October, there were four Engagements, by the last...
49To John Jay from William Bingham, 3 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
I did myself the honor of writing to you on my arrival here, Since which have not had the pleasure of hearing from you— I imagine my Letter must have miscarried, or perhaps found you so busily engaged in public affairs as to prevent your paying any Attention to private Correspondence— Various Revolutions & Changes have happened since I last Saw you— Your being chosen President of the Hon ble...
50To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 20 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As the recent Events that have arisen from the operation of the two fleets & Armies in these Seas, are of the most interesting & important Nature, I shall enter into a regular Detail of those that have taken place Since the Date of my last Letter. The French Forces that sailed in the Expedition to Grenada arrived there the 2d Inst, when 1300 Troops were...