1To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 4 August 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 August 1809, Alexandria. The former Massachusetts senator recommends Edmund Jennings Lee for the vacant District of Columbia judgeship. “I am not capable of forming a correct opinion of his Legal Abilities,” but is certain satisfactory recommendations will be forthcoming “from Gentlemen who are Judges.” Hopes JM “will pardon this freedom.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, Letters of Application, 1809–17). 1 p.
2To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 11 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Prevented by a severe cold from paying You my Congratulations, personally, on the 4th of March, I requested our mutual Friend Mr Deblois to present them, hoping, ere’ this day, to have had the pleasure of renewing them myself. As the weather & roads still keep me from that satisfaction, I cannot longer delay begging You to accept my sincere professions of Joy on Your being placed at the Head...
3To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have really occasion to make an Apology for troubling you so often with my personal concerns—perhaps I presume too much on the Score of private Friendship—That, and Your Candor, I will hope, may plead my excuse— On the 21st of the last month I did myself the Honor of writing to You–when I took the liberty to mention the probability of a dissolution of my Copartnership with Mr Lear— It is...
4To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 19 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Under the 25th May last I did myself the honor of addressing you in behalfe of a Capt William Armstrong, late Comander of a vessel belonging to me—who, by the then last accounts, was suffering a severe confinement on board a Ship at Portsmo. I felt much on this account, both as he was a worthy young fellow—and as it appeared to me an insult upon a subject of these States—therefore on a public...
5To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 25 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Tristram Dalton. 25 January 1806, Alexandria. “I am informed that Mr Ridgley, Who was left at Tripoli, in charge of the Affairs of the United States, has asked leave to return to America, and that a Consul to that Power will, probably , be soon appointed. “Should this be correct intelligence, I hope you will excuse my taking the liberty of naming, as a Candidate for this Office,...
6Tristram Dalton to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge & thank you for your favour of the 2 nd Inst: which I communicated to my friend Aaron Dexter Esq r President of the Mass as Agricultural Society . He and his friends are highly gratified by your account of Co l Randolph ’s success in ploughing hill sides horizontally—a desideratum long sought for, in vain, in this quarter. Several Gentlemen are anxious to begin the...
7To George Washington from Tristram Dalton, 25 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having already taken the liberty of expressing to You the desire I entertain to continue in the service of the foederal Government—and of requesting the Honor of an Appointment therein, if consistent with Your Arrangements, Permit me, Sir, once more to address You on the Subject, so far as to mention a report that Mr Osgood has thoughts of resigning the place of Post Master General. Should...
8To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 1 December 1814 (Madison Papers)
Having received a Commission of Surveyor of the Port of Boston & Charlestown, and another as Inspector of said Port, I beg leave to offer my sincere thanks for this renewed mark of your favour & confidence. Every attention, within my Power and abilities, shall be paid in the execution of the duties of these Offices, by which I will hope to merit the approbation of Government. With the warmest...
9To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Among the many Congratulations that will be presented to You, on your being elected to the high & important Office of President of the United States, permit me to present mine—I pray You not to accept them as offered to the Shrine of Power only, but as proceeding from the Heart of Friendship& the Soul of unfeigned regards— While our Country shall thus express their Gratitude to, and Confidence...
10To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 1 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
For several month’s past, I have been prevented from writing by a violent inflammation in my Eyes, which was probably, rendered more lasting and serious, for want of a little prudence at an early stage of the complaint. This is my first attempt to use a Pen since the second attack—I cannot do it, with more Propriety, or with more Satisfaction to myself, than in paying to You, Sir, my most...
11To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 13 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Colonel Fitzgerald, Collector at Alexandria, Virginia, has mentioned his intention to resign that Office, this Spring— Among the names of the Candidates, who may offer to fill this Vacancy, whenever it may happen, You will, probably, see that of Thomas Porter, whose recommendations will bring him into View— He is a Native of Danvers in Massachusetts—has resided more than...
12To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 5 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
On the first of the present Month I did myself the Honor of addressing You; since when I have been informed that Mr. Stoddert has written to his Friends in George Town, that the Executive Offices of the US, would, undoubtedly, be removed from Philadelphia, in April. And, if the Members of Congress could be assured of accomodations in George Town, and this City, it was not improbable that their...
13To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 20 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I lately did myself the Honour of addressing You, relative to a certain Character—whose Conduct, since, I hope had justified my intruding upon your important Moments, on such an occasion. The large Majority in the House of Representatives for granting pecuniary Aid to this City, is pleasing to those particularly interested in it—It did me good to hear of any tolerable Union in that Body, on...
14To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 3 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
The accounts received of the votes given for Vice President of the federal Senate render your Election to that high Office undoubted— will you permit me to congratulate you on the occasion, tho’ premature? not only because I wish to express my earliest Joy, which is sincere—but that I may, in season , propose accompanying you to New York—if your arrangements should make it convenient to you— A...
15To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 28 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Under the 26th of March last I did myself the Honor and Pleasure to address You—and to present my sincere Congratulations—and respectful Regards— At that time I took the Liberty of mentioning some circumstances relative to this City—and to the competition excited between the Proprietors of the different parts of it, and of the Lands around—and the baneful Effects of their various movements— In...
16To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 6 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Dalton desirous to pay the Compliments of the Season to her much respected Friend Mrs. Adams, I take the Liberty of putting under Cover, with this, a Letter to that Purpose—adding Mrs. D’s request that you will be so good as to pardon the Freedom. It affords me an Apology for troubling yourself with my best Wishes, on the same Occasion—I should have highly enjoyed the Opportunity of...
17To George Washington from Tristram Dalton, 24 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The arrangements of my private Affairs demand my attention, and will call me from this City —I am, thereby, constrained to request Your permission to resign my Office, as Treasurer of the Mint of the United States—from the performance of the duties of which place I ask the favor to be released, as soon as You may find it convenient to nominate a Sucessor. My very grateful Acknowledgments are...
18To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 23 April 1814 (Madison Papers)
It is with great reluctance that I ask for a moment of your all importa⟨nt⟩ time. I hope this liberty will be excused as it may materially affect the future comfort of myself and my family. This day I have written to the Comm⟨is⟩sioner of the Revenue, to inform him of th⟨e⟩ great, perhaps insuperable, difficulty in my procuring proper sureties for the sum requir⟨ed⟩ in the Bond to be given by...
19To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 26 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Under date of the 23d Ult. I took the liberty of trespassing on your time, respecting my personal concerns. Since that day I have exerted myself to procure Bondsmen as Collector of the Revenue—but in vain. I have informed the Commissioner of the Revenue that I despair finding sureties. In consequence of a Successor’s being appointed, it is my sincere wish that it may not be done under the idea...
20To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 5 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Inhabitants of the City of Washington rejoice in the opportunity which Your Presence this day affords them of paying to You their unfeigned respect, and of giving You a welcome to the City, which, by the Acts of the Union, has become the Metropolis of the United States.— We have long anticipated this day—We consider this, Your first, visit to Columbia as a high gratification, and look...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Tristram Dalton, 11 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Although triplicates of the enclosed have been forwarded to France, yet, dubious if either Set have reached your Hands, I beg Leave, by so good an Opportunity as the French Frigate, to trouble you with opening these—and, if nothing respecting the withinmentioned Loss is already done, to renew my Request in Behalf of the Owners—again asking your Excuse for...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Tristram Dalton, 19 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Last evening I had the pleasure to receive from my long valued Friend E Gerry Esqr, a Letter, accompanied by One for Yourself, which he requests me to enclose and forward to Monticello under my own Cover. This I now have the Honor to do, and embrace the opportunity to pray You to be assured that I am, with the highest Respect, Sir, Your obliged, and most obed. hble. Servt RC ( MHi ); at foot...
23To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I again intrude upon Your Goodness, by inclosing to Your kind Care a Letter for Mrs. Adams, from Mrs. Dalton, who begs Your excuse for thus often troubling You. I avail myself of the opportunity to renew my assurances of the most respectful regards and purest Friendship— Be pleased to accept, and present, my warmest wishes for Your and Mrs. Adams’ Health—and for every blessing that can tend to...
24To James Madison from Tristram Dalton, 18 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
J Simpson Esqr. who is now the Agent for British Prisoners of War, has some reason to think he may be nominated for the British Vice Consulate of this District: in the Event of Peace. He hopes that his Conduct as Agent, has met with approbation: of which Mr Mason, Our Agent for Prisoners, may probably have sufficient knowledge. The little time I have been in this Town has not afforded me...
25To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 16 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
At Mrs Dalton’s Request, I take the liberty to inclose a Letter to Mrs Adams, on a Subject that has most sensibly affected her—and myself. This letter, I hope, will be perfectly satisfactory,—as it contains a statement of Facts, and a denial of a most gross falsehood, handed to Mrs Adams—and intended to injure us in her and your good Opinions, than which nothing would be so much regretted by...
26To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 21 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I should have acknowledged the Honor of your much esteemed Favor of the 30th—March last, immediately on the receit of it, but for an unwillingness to intrude so often upon your all-important Moments, with the mention of my personal Atffairs— and Feelings,—being, however, clear that You do rest assured that the latter, toward Yourself, are most respectful, as well as most friendly— Your...
27To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 21 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of receiving, in course of Mail, your much esteemed favor of the 1st Ult. and pray You to accept my sincere Thanks for this renewed Mark of Friendship— As it did not require an immediate answer—and as nothing of a publick Nature had occurred in this Quarter, worthy particular Notice, I deferred interrupting your much more important avocations by a repetition of my Let ters ....
28To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 28 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
When I reflect how often I have lately taken the freedom to address You especially relative to my private concerns, it is with much regret that I so soon again trouble You respecting them. A Circumstance, unexpected by me, occasions my present intrusion— Mr Lear has been appointed Secretary to General Washington—and has accepted the Office— This has caused a dissolution of our Copartnership,...
29To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 25 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to intrude upon a few of your important moments, in behalfe of William Armstrong, late commander of a letter of marque Brig, belonging to me, and called, the little Porga ; which vessel was captur’d the 3d Nov. last by a Cutter Privateer, belonging to the Island of Guernsey—whither Capt Armstrong and his company were carried, after being stripped almost naked, according to the...
30To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 21 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your esteemed Letter of the 5 th March last, and congratulate You on your appointment to that Court, where it was so much for the interest of these States to have a Minister— In my last letters of the 11 th & 19 th April, I attempted to give You some account of the Spirit of the People in this part of the Continent, on account of the unequal trade between the U States and G...