1William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 1 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Not to acknowledge the many favours I have recieved from you, and the obligations they have laid me under, would be ingratitude in the greatest Degree. The only method now in my power of Cancelling those obligations is to acknowledge them & perhaps prevent your being dissappointed, should Callahan arrive before Folgier. For upon the supposition that Folgier would sail first, all the Letters...
2William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 1 October 1789 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have written you before, I know you have no objection to recieving another letter before you answer my last— My greatest motive for writing now is to know the truth of a Report which has been industriously spread here within this week past, “that there is so great a Coolness between the P——t & V-P——t that they do not speak to each other.” I know that there are some people, (I hope but...
3To John Adams from William Cranch, 24 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some time ago, & desired Mr Lovell, who told me he should see Mr Ames before he left Dedham, to forward it by him. Your Son Tom writes me that you have not recieved it. I shall enquire of Lovell what he did with it. It contained several letters, one to Mrs Smith, one for Louisa, one or more for my Aunt, one for Tom & one for Charles. Our Legislature is now sitting. A question has...
4William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 10 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
Phillips has this moment handed me yours of the 5 th. and I now throw by a Qui tam in which I have been drudging this ½ hour, to thank you for your letter.— Whence comes this Listlessness—this depression of Spirits? What can relax the Elasticity of your Mind? I have often found myself in the same Situation. I felt it yesterday without being able to trace the least Cause. The Connection between...
5To John Adams from William Cranch, 11 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
Having neglected writing to you for so long a time, for which I can form no possible Apology, except a general aversion to writing, I feel a degree of diffidence, in again addressing you—and being destitute of political information, I am ignorant how I shall render a letter acceptable. I have yet to acknowledge the receipt of two favours from you, of the 14 th , & 31 st of last March , the...
6To John Adams from William Cranch, 11 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
I again take the liberty of troubling you to send to the Post Master Genll. the inclosed application in behalf of Mr. Benjamin More as successor to Mr. Richmond the late Postmaster in this City, who died yesterday morning.—Mr. More is a native of Boston and a worthy honest man whose interest I wish to promote as far as it lays in my power.— I will thank you to lose no time in sending my...
7William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1796 (Adams Papers)
The want of opportunity, and leisure, has a long time prevented me from writing you. The ship Mary Peggy, from Georgetown for Amsterdam has moved down & now lies in the stream opposite my house, waiting for the wind & tide. I have tried for a fortnight past to get a moment’s leisure to write you, but Mess rs. Morris & Nicholson are now here and their business together with the settlement &...
8William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have no doubt that you retain such an Interest in my happiness as to rejoice with me in the birth of another son. The boy appears strong and healthy and the mother seems very well.— The feelings of a Parent will easily account for such an Event being uppermost in my mind at this time.— When I wrote last to my friends at Quincy, it was my determination to have enter’d again into the...
9William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 12 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, my dear Madam, for your obliging fav r. of 5 th. instant, and for the interest you take in my happiness. Upon further deliberation, I had, before the receipt of your Letter, renounced all ideas of returning to Boston, and had determined immediately to apply for admission to the Bar in this state. I shall for this purpose go to Annapolis on Monday, and as soon after my return from...
10William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 5 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Cranch informs me that a kind letter arrived from you at Washington since my arrival here, requesting me to reside at your house while I remained in Philad a. — I need not repeat how much I am obliged by all your goodness & attention. The second day after my arrival here I met M r. Briesler, who mentioned to me your kind request & the orders he had received; & inforced the invitation...
11William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 21 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am not only highly gratified, but extremely grateful for your kind communication of 15 th. inst t , with it’s important inclosures.— The fraternal and affectionate friendship, which has so long existed between your sons and myself, has indeed been among the greatest Consolations of my life—and the consciousness that it still continues, brightens many of my passing days.— Having been so long...
12William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 5 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do not know what was the date of my last to you, nor of yours to me, nor is it material to decide on whose part the last omission happend. You may have learn’d from some of my former letters, that I was much engaged, that no opportunity presented itself, to determine me to write at one time rather than another, and that although I have always been extremely industrious, I have always found...
13William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 12 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
After a most fatigueing journey I arrived on friday Evening. I travel’d all the first night, & arrived in Baltimore the next night at 9 o Clock, & sat off again at 3 the next morning. The roads as far as Wilmington were extremely bad, the rest were much better, and in this City they are quite settled. I found M rs. Cranch well, altho’ fatigued & worried with watching and attending my little...
14William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
It has not been from want of the most affectionate Respect that I have suffer’d your kind letter by M r. White to remain so long unanswer’d. The sickness and death of a late worthy friend of mine, M r. James Cook of Georgetown, and the business which has fallen into my hands in Consequence of that Event, have occupied my whole attention and must be my apology. M r. Cook was about my Age, and...
15William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 4 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I should have answer’d your kind letter of 16 th. ult o. before this time, but I have only this morning return’d from the General Court at Annapolis. I thank you most sincerely for the interest you take in my affairs, and for the parental advice you have given. I have already suffer’d enough by becoming surety for others, to know how to prize that advice, but it requires a kind of hardness of...
16William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 14 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just closed a letter to the Pres t. on the subject of my Bro r. Greenleaf.— I do not know whether I have not said too much, but if I had not been restrained by a sense of Propriety I should have beg’d & pleaded that he might have some appointment or other. I consider him as a man of uncommon abilities and attention to Business, & he has no means of exercising his Talents at present,...
17William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter to my Mother under Cover to you, because it contains some things which perhaps might give pain to my father in his present weak state of health. You will be so kind therefore as to give it to my Mother in such a manner that she may have it in her power to communicate only such parts as she may think proper. I am rejoiced to hear of your recovery from the dangerous illness...
18William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I should have answer’d your valued Letter of 27 th. ult° . , by M r. Shaw, if his stay would have admited of it—but the whole day he was with us was spent in viewing the City and the public buildings &c— I hope he was pleased with them, although he saw them to the greatest disadvantage, on account of the wintry appearance of things, and the badness of the roads. It gave me extreme pain to...
19William Cranch to Thomas Boylston Adams, 30 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I suppose this session of the supreme Court will decide the point whether M r. Bayard will resign his office of Clerk, and whether I shall be appointed to succeed him. It is an object which has occupied my thoughts and absorbed my wishes, ever since you first suggested to me the Idea. Whenever I have felt the heartake, the hope of obtaining this little unenvied place, has cast a beam of light...
20William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 24 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
M r. Carroll has requested me to communicate the Contents of the inclosed letter, and I hasten to do it lest it you should have given an Answer to M r. Law, before this arrives. M r. Carroll’s description of his house is a very modest one— And I can say in addition to it, that it’s situation is delightful, being the whole of square N o. 736, which is delightf a large square, and has a good...
21William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have a thousand times wish’d to express to you my gratitude for the attentions I received from you during your residence here; and most particularly, for your kindness to my dear mother and family during her late severe illness; but a consciousness of the inadequacy insufficiency of language to give a faithful representation of my feelings, has hitherto imposed upon me a silence which I fear...
22To John Adams from William Cranch, 28 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Colo. Charles Semmes, of Alexandria. This gentleman I have never seen, to my knowledge. General report speaks of him as a man of talents in his profession, of a good moral Character, and friendly to the government. His practice is very extensive. Thomas Swann Esquire.—of Alexandria. I have seen this Gentleman. He appears to be about 36 years old—is very much esteem’d as a lawyer, and a man. He...
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Kilty, James Marshall, and William Cranch, 30 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The undersigned Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia are induced by the circumstances attending the cases of John Pedon and Samuel Morris , two soldiers in the sirvice of the United States to recommend them to your consideration They have been tried during the present June Term and have been found guilty by the Jury of stealing a Hog the property of Mr. Peter —. The...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Cranch, 19 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of a note at the bottom of a petition to you in behalf of Charles Houseman , I have the honour to state, that he was indicted at June term last for stealing plank, and Carpenter’s tools from three several persons. It appear’d in evidence that the articles were found in his possession, but were of little value. He was found guilty on each indictment, and sentenced to be burnt in...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Kilty, William Cranch, and John Thomson Mason, 9 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Case of the United States against Daniel McGinnis Daniel McGinnis having been much beat and abused by a certain James Carroll and others in the Month of July 1801 Gave information to the Grand Jury and a presentment was made by them at September Term 1801 Daniel McGinnis was recognised in the sum of fifty Dollars with John Barber and Alexander King his securities in the sum of twenty five...
26To John Adams from William Cranch, 13 April 1805 (Adams Papers)
I received by Mr. J. Q. Adams the volumes of the “defence of the Constitutions,” for which I presume I am indebted to you.—Although I have not since had much leisure, I have still had enough to read, with some attention, the 3d. volume; particularly your examination of Nedham’s wrong constitution of a Commonwealth.—I am more than ever satisfied that the animadversions it your work has received...
27To Thomas Jefferson from William Kilty, 10 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Case of Henry Fisher who was fined for an Assault and Battery on his Wife; the Court during the Sitting of the same Term, were induced by a representation of his Circumstances to Strike out this Judgement and to enter one for a less Sum—They have since been applied to by the Wife and the daughter of Fisher and have also reason to beleive from other information that He is unable to Pay...
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Cranch, 7 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
We the undersigned Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia respectfully represent to the President of the United States that we beleive it to be true that the petitioner Jacob Ray has a wife & five young Daughters, the eldest of whom is about fourteen Years of Age, but so infirm as not to be able to support herself, & that the imprisonment of the Father produces great distress...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Cranch, 26 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The undersigned Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia respectfully represent that Scipio Brown, a negro man, was at December term 1804 convicted of stealing a pair of Boots the property of Benjamin Burch, on the very night on which he was discharged upon a pardon granted by the President of the United States for a former offence— The sentence of the Court was that he should...
30To James Madison from William Cranch, 7 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Understanding that Mr. Alexander Moore is an applicant for the office of Register of Wills for the County of Alexandria, vacant by the resignation of his father, and that he has in fact discharged the duties of that office for some time past to general satisfaction, I take the liberty of suggesting the convenience and propriety of appointing him to fill this vacancy. As far as I am acquainted...
31To Thomas Jefferson from John Peter Van Ness, 9 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
We have given, to your rough draft of an affidavit, the form of answers to the interrogatories annexed to the Commission, and now inclose them together with the interrogatories, for your consideration. If you find any alterations necessary you will please to make them and return them to us. We will have them copied fairly and will wait on you to administer the oath at such time as you may...
32From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 15 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed you have a copy of the agreement in the case of Fletcher v. Peck, which has been this day signed by Mr. Martin & filed with the Clerk. The Court this morning, contrary to our expectations, decided the question of Jurisdiction as to corporations. A flood of light, it seems, burst upon the Judges, from a case cited yesterday, or the day before, by Mr. Swann, in arguing the case of...
33From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 7 July 1811 (Adams Papers)
Upon receipt of your kind letter of the 17th. ulto. I was too deeply afflicted by the information it contained even to thank you for it, as I aught to have done. I inferr’d from it that my dear mother had gone to join the departed spirits of her mother, her father and those other friends from whom she had been so long separated by death. It was A day or two pass’d before I was undeceived; so...
34From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you most sincerely for your excellent letter of 5th. ulto. which I should have answer’d before, but for the sickness & removal of my family. The precarious state of my dear mother’s health, for some time past, has, I trust, in some measure prepared me for an event, which is certainly inevitable and which we know can not be long procrastinated. Indeed our term of existence here is so...
35From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your kind letter of 17th. instant, informing me of the death of my dear and venerable father, and of the hopeless state of health of my dear Mother. I rejoice and am thankful that my father was not left to linger out a painful and solitary existence deprived of the dear partner of all his comforts. which It seems like a special interposition of the all–merciful hand. My...
36From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have not words, my dear Aunt, to express my gratitude for your kind and consoling letter of the 25th. ulto.—It was, as I wished, minute and particular respecting the last moments of my dear and venerable parents. Mr. Norton’s letters having been directed to George town remain’d there some days, so that your letter was contain’d the first information I received of the death of my mother,...
37To John Adams from William Cranch, 8 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Norton paid me five dollars for your subscription to the National Intelligencer. As I am entirely out of the secrets of all departments of the Government, and of every political party, I can give you no political news. For myself, I think the nation would disgrace itself if it did not now provide the means for carrying into effect the system it has adopted. I am therefore not sorry to find...
38To John Adams from William Cranch, 15 March 1812 (Adams Papers)
Upon the representations of Mr. Quincy, I made, through him, to Mr. Elwyn, the agent of Lewis Brotherson Verchild, an offer of 2000 Dollars for the title of the Verchilds to that part of the estate which was holden by my father. He has declined accepting it, and I am not sorry, because I am satisfied, that the claim of the Verchilds is good for nothing. I understand that Lewis B. Verchild...
39Enclosure: William Cranch to William Thornton, 9 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Greenleaf will sell the domestic roving & spinning machine which he purchased of Barret for the same he gave for it, which is 50 Dollars—it has 12 spindles—he will have it put in order—and it may be pack’d in the same case in which it came. He wishes you, when you send for it, to send a person to pack it—and to pay the money to me. It will be ready to some time next week. RC ( MHi );...
40To John Adams from William Cranch, 22 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
I received your very kind and flattering letter of 1st. ulto.—On the morning before I received it I settled an account with Mr. Gales who is my tenant, and in doing so ask’d him if anything was due from you to charge it to my account. He look’d at his books and told me that somebody had paid for you in advance and that nothing was due. However, after receiving your letter I wrote him a note...
41To John Adams from William Cranch, 3 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I beg you to be assured, my ever honourd & venerated Uncle, that we sympathize most sincerely with you in your late affliction. But while one friend after another drops around you, I know you have all the consolations which Philosophy and Religion can afford; and how inexhaustible are they !— My dear Aunt, I know, will rouse all the energies of her great and noble mind to sustain the shock....
42To John Adams from William Cranch, 23 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you on the news of Peace; and thank God that you and my most excellent Aunt have lived to see this happy day. Although we have suffer’d much we have gain’d wisdom; and, I hope, honour. Our Country has learnt the value of a navy, and the imbecility of commercial restrictions as a measure of coercion. The embarrassments of the Administration have taught them the inexpediency of...
43To James Madison from William Cranch, 16 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having understood that Mr. Thos. H. Blake, now a resident of Indiana, is an applicant for the office of District Attorney, I beg leave to state that he was for some time a practitioner at the bar of the Circuit Court for the district of Columbia, and as far as his general deportment and character came under my notice, they were correct, and his talents respectable. I have no doubt that he...
44From William Cranch to Abigail Smith Adams, 21 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
I know you will rejoice with me that Mrs. Cranch is again the mother of a daughter. This event happend last Evening. Mrs. Cranch requests you to permit us to name her with your name, not only as a testimony of our gratitude to you r for all your kindness to us and our connections, but as an incentive to the little stranger to in imitate the virtues which she will hear recounted when she shall...
45To John Adams from William Cranch, 29 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
Please to present my thanks to my aunt for her kind letter; and accept my congratulations on the prospect of your soon seeing your excellent son again after so long an absence; as well as upon the occasion which recalls him to his Country. I am rejoiced to see all parties approximating those orthodox political principles which you have so long advocated, and for the rigid adherence to which...
46From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 13 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a set of documents, and the second Volume of Wheaton’s reports stiched in boards, which have been sent to me by the department of State.— And to be with high respect / your most obedt. servt. DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
47From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 1 March 1819 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the sermon of Mr. Whitney which you was so kind as to lend me. My daughter Nancy has copied that part which speaks of the character of th at e venerable friend whose loss we deplore. I was in hopes that my elder daughters would have had an opportunity of being personally acquainted with her; but as that is now impossible, I shall endeavour to impress upon their hearts the virtues...
48To John Adams from William Cranch, 27 September 1819 (Adams Papers)
I intend that this shall be handed to you by my daughter Nancy, who accompanies her sister Mary; in a visit to our friends in New England. These my children are almost what I could wish them to be. I rejoice that they will have an opportunity of seeing you whose character they have been taught to revere. I had hoped that they might have become acquainted with her who was so deservedly dear to...
49From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 28 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to introduce Mr. John D. Herbert, a respectable gentleman of this place, who I understand wishes to see you upon business. I am, Dr Sir, / most respectfully / your obedt. servt. DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
50From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the 7th. Vol. of Wheaton’s Reports, the supplemental census of Alabama, and the commission of Tench Ringgold; as Marshall of the Dist. of Columbia, untill the end of the next session of the Senate. With great consideration / I have the honour to be / sir, yr. obed. servt, DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.