101To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Stewart was an officer in our troops during the war and some time under my immediate command. He proposes returning to America in the French Packet of November. Permit me to introduce him to your Excellency and recommend him to your civilities during his stay at Paris. Any Letters you may commit to his care when he departs for America will be taken care of, and he will be able...
102To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 8 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 8 Oct. 1787 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 28 Sep. ; would be “much flattered if Congress would join you in opinion relative to the appointment you mention”; agrees “fully respecting the proper conduct which ought to be pursued relative to the Island ”; thinks “it would be fortunate for U.S. if we could see it once fairly entered upon.” Sends copy of John Adams’ letter of 25 Aug. which...
103To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce the Bearer Dr. Walker a young Gentleman from Virginia.—Nothing new has transpired since my last of the 8th. inst.—Amsterdam I have no doubt has surrendered, as letters from there of the 9th. say, that 2 deputies were sent to the Princess, to know what terms she finally required, and authorized to give assurances of the disposition in the people to comply with her wishes...
104To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 26 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By introducing the bearer Mr. Daniel Parker (who I think you encountered once at my lodgings in Leicester fields) I have the satisfaction of doing him a favour, and presenting to you a fund of Commercial and political knowledge, which you may draw freely upon during his stay at Paris, without being in the least apprehensive of failure or protest. I have been guilty of this, so frequently,...
105To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 3 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Letter of the 13th. ulto. and notice the alarm of your patriotic spirit, on the subject of the newly proposed project, of a fœdral Constitution. I have read it frequently and with great attention, and tho’ I am a great friend to fœdral Men and fœdral measures, and am decidedly of opinion, that some alterations were necessary, still on the plan...
106To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by Mr. Littlepage on the 4th. inst. That Letter contains an account of Cash recieved and disposed of on your account. I do not know whether I have made a just calculation of the Livrs. expended in Paris on my account, but this and every other article is submitted to your alteration. I enclose the reviews of the last Month as both your and Mr. Adams’s Names are mentioned, and have...
107To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 9 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
After sincerely wishing you many happy returns of the season, I take the liberty of introducing Mr. Thomas L. Shippen of Philadelphia. He has many interesting and not a few amiable lines of Character, and promises fair to make a shining and respectable Character. He has sometimes appeared to me rather exposed to step on slippery and dangerous ground and risk his usefulness in future life to...
108To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 16 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 31st. of Decr. ulto. and cannot express my astonishment sufficiently strong at the perusal of the first sentence relative to Mr. Littlepage’s not having delivered my Letter of the 3d. of Decr. I waited upon him with it, and when I gave it him, begged he would be particularly carefull of it as it contained our accounts. He promised, and put it into a small box of...
109To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Calculation and Business only I have received your favour of the 2d. inst. and will attempt to explain the two articles with which I credited you in my account Current of the 3d. of Decr. ulto. The first article ammounting to Liv. 113.₶ is stated by Mr. Short in his letter of the 21. of Novr. 1787 and is composed as follows, viz. 8 ells of double florence at 4.₶15. = 38.₶ 0 6 ditto of White...
110To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote by this evenings post and attempted to explain in a satisfactory manner our account. I shall be pleased to be informed that I have succeded, and that every article appears clear to you. You have never yet informed me whether the picture I send you was the one you saw at Bermingham or Brumigum, and whether the price I gave, was anything near what you could have obtained it for, previous...
111To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 29 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last fryday’s post and by Mr. Parker on Saturday. In the former, I find I left out, on the credit side, the 2 pr. of shoes which Mr. Short paid for, amounting to 13/4, which deducted from the £1.10.7 which I make the ballance between us, reduces it to seventeen and three pence. Mr. Adam , setts off this morning for the Hague to take leave in person of their High Mightinesses and...
112To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Stephens Smith, 1 Aug. 1788. GW wrote Smith on 30 Aug. : “I was favoured, a few days ago, with your letter, dated the first day of this Month.”
113William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 10 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your friendly Letter of July the 16 th . I supposed, that on your arrival, various matters would necessarily engage your attention; we sensibly feel for the indisposition of our good Mama, and wish she was near us, that we might each take care of a finger,— previous to our being informed of these reasons of silence, we concluded, that there was some...
114William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 10 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
It is with particular pleasure I communicate to you the joyfull news of M rs: Smiths safe delivery of a Son, which took place between seven & eight the last Evening, she was not the least indisposed untill six o’Clock & by ½ past seven all was well & tranquil, both continue composed and easy, but Nabby desires me to tell you that she is much disappointed, she had made the things, to adorn a...
115To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 15 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really ashamed of myself for the total silence I have observed since my arrival in America, and am at a loss to account for it, excepting that the affairs of our Country have been in such a situation as scarcely to admit of a Letter’s being sent across the Atlantic, which touched upon their present state or future prospects. But now we are advancing to greater regularity and the period...
116William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 6 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r: Bourne has this moment waited upon me and informs, that he has been honoured by the senate with the appointment of being the Bearer of their Dispatches to you, relative to your election as Vice President of the Western Empire, upon which please to accept of my affectionate congratulations and of my sincere prayers that Heaven may guide and protect you in this great Career— The Virtuous...
117To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your letter of the 10 th. ins t. the last evening, and should have done myself the Honour of meeting you at New Rochelle this day were I not kept in check by Mr: Jay’s proposing that if I would wait untill the morning he would accompany me to meet you at Kings-Bridge, where we suppose you will be at 12. o Clock— The arrangements for your accomodation and that of...
118To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself you will put a proper Construction upon my silence hitherto, and rather attribute it to a real diffidence which my mind is impressed with relative to the subject upon which I am now about to address you, than to any want of respect or the least disposition to attempt the attainment of an appointment under the present Government, thro any other medium than your influence &...
119William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have the happiness of informing you that M rs: Smith and the Boys are in high health and that your presence here as soon as you can possibly make it convenient will be very agreable and is in a great degree necessary— M r. A has taken a House about one mile from the City as he has informed you, and in his Letters has said something about the removal of furniture— on this subject permit me to...
120To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 3 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance M r. Blodget, tho’ I believe you may recollect seeing him in London—he will present himself to the President being charged with the prosecution of a plan relative to the building of the fœdral City, he is a young man of great property and supported in his project by most undoubted security, he will if you give him an opportunity communicate his...
121To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 6 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
It becomes my duty to state to the President, that when I visited England the last winter, I noticed a very great change in the Public opinion, relative to the situation of affairs of my country, since I had the honor of residing their in a Public capacity, and in every company found the subject dwelt on in a flattering manner, except in one or two cases—when Merchants who had experienced...
122William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 5 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I should have long before this answered your affectionate Letter of Congratulation on my return to my family and friends but since my arrival, I have really been so perfectly and fully engaged, that I could scarcly call an hour my own— I had hurried myself for this week past in expectation of attending M rs: Smith to Braintree, but the situation of my public and private business tho’ agreable...
123William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 21 October 1791 (Adams Papers)
The information I gave you relative to M r. Hammonds official Character at the moment of your departure for Philadelphia, you will probably have confirmed previous to the receipt of this— The various important stations I have filled and the particular agency I had in producing this conciliatory advance of the British Court to the Government of The United States, Justifies to my mind the offer...
124To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 21 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of Mr Hammond and the Objects of his Visit to America, will doubtless be made Known and explained to The President, previous to the receipt of this Letter. I cannot refrain from expressing my satisfaction on this Subject, as it fully proves the solidity of some points which I had the honor of stating in my Letter of the 6th of June last—If I can without presumption claim any merit...
125William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 5 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
M r. Bond delivered your Letter of the 20 th. of april I should have answered it sooner, but I really have been so much occupied in my private affairs, that I have scarcely had time to attend to any of my Correspondents out of the line of real business—but I now have a pretty clear prospect of getting well thro’ the great points I embraced— I shall however, I find, make more reputation than...
126To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of informing you of my arrival last night from England in the Portland Packett, which sailed from Falmouth on the 23d. of Decr., and shall take the earliest opportunity that my private affairs will allow, to present myself to you at Philadelphia, not doubting but it will be satisfactory, to have a detail of the present political State of Europe, from one who has been...
127To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 28, 1793. The account of a cabinet meeting on March 2, 1793, reads: “The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury.” Letter not found. ] Smith, who was John Adams’s...
128To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 2, 1793. According to an entry in JPP “Journal of the Proceedings of the President,” George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. for March 2, 1793, Hamilton submitted to the President “a letter from Colo. W. S. Smith of this date respecting the debt of the U.S. to France —with a Copy of a letter wh. he had written to Mr. Ternant on the subject —and an Extract of a...
129To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 11 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing a Letter to The President, last, it was dictated by the necessity I was then under of retiring from public employment—in which I took the liberty of observing, that I should not discover a disposition to return to it, under the then administration. without entering into a detail of the Circumstances which produced that decission, on my part, I shall observe,...
130To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 November 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 10, 1794. On November 12, 1794, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., wrote to Smith: “Your letter of the 10th. instant covering a Contract dated the 10th. day of Oct. 1794 has in the absence of the Secretary of the Treasury been read by me.” Letter not found. ] Smith, John Adams’s son-in-law, had been supervisor of the revenue for the District of New York from 1791 to 1793. When this letter was...
131William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 9 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
M rs: Smith has shewn me the Letter you wrote on the 2 d. ins t. with the Copies of those you presented to The Count D e Vergennes The extract from Brissots Journal I noticed, and really think there is a greater combination to deprive you of the tribute due to your services, than I ever noticed pointed against any Individual— I think it a duty you owe yourself and Country, to resist it, & this...
132To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 21 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance the Bearer of this, Mr. Wm: Langworthy, Author of a much approved work entitled "an Attempt to promote the Commercial interest of Great Britain,” a Copy of which, I believe he presented you with he is a Gent. of Science and abilities, who has been invited to this Country, as a proper theatre for the exercise of his talents and who lately...
133William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write under date of the 16 th. ins t. —and am content that the communication I thought it my duty to make, has been received—and am also satisfied that it is not new to The President— The report that on my visit to Detroit, I gave out, that I was sent by The President, for ends of Government of some sort or other— is utterly and totally false...
134William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 21 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
It would be singular indeed, were I to permit your friendly note of March 9 th. to pass unanswered, and not to thank you for forwarding the letter from the west-ward, which accompanied it, I should not have taken the liberty of desiring my correspondents to have addressed letters to me, to the care of the Presidents secretary, had I not experienced the basest treatment thro’ the line of the...
135To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have only this morning had the honor of receiving your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. its contents shall be immediately attended to— I take the liberty of observing that any communications you may hereafter honor me with, will meet with a prompt and safe conveyance, by being sent to the Quarters of the Adjutant of the Regt. Mr. Cocks No. 56. Water Street. I have the honor to be Sir, Your...
136To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your wishes expressed in your Letter of the 18th. Ulto. I have the honor of presenting a General return of the State of New York, with the Counties and Towns divided into two Grand-Divisions and Ten Sub-Divissions, specifying the beats of each Company recruiting for The Regiment . I shall be happy to find, that it meets with your approbation, and that the detention of your...
137To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 13, 1799. “I take the liberty of suggesting for your consideration, whether it would not be conducive to the good of the service, to authorize the officers to engage persons in the capacity of Servants particularly attached to their persons, with the pay and rations of a Soldier, exclusive of the established Rank & file of the Regiment, so that under no consideration the...
138To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to orders contained in your favours of the 31st. ulto. & 3d. Instant, received yesterday, at East Chester, I convened the officers of the 12th. Regiment, and they have unanimously nominated Lieutenat James Smith to be paymaster of the Regiment, I doubt not it will meet with your approbation and the approbation of The Secretary of War. Inclosed is his bond connected with his Brother...
139To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 23d Ulto. inclosing a list of the Officers of the 12th. Regiment distributed into Companies, that I would in concert with the Major suggest for consideration such alterations as from Circumstances may be deemed expedient with the reasons for those alterations, I take the liberty of enclosing a list of the Officers ranked as the...
140To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a Letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. inst. covering a copy of one of the 11th. from Mr. Simmons addressed to you, which states that a Warrant has issued for three thousand five Hundred and twenty Dollars—that the amount is forwarded to Mr. Fish, to be paid to the officers on account of the recruiting service, which he is directed to receive grant his receipts and disburse...
141To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last of the 17th. inst. I did myself the honor of acknowledging the receipt of a letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. enclosing a Copy of a letter of the 11th. inst. from the Accountants Office of the War department, addressed to you, wherein it is mentioned, that “A warrant has also issued for three thousand five hundred dollars, and the amount is this day forwarded to Mr. Fish to be...
142To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favours of the 23d. & 24th. inst. on Saturday night, I have this morning made the necessary arrangements to commence recruiting in the first Grand division the Drums will beat this afternoon— If the arms of the Regiment are in store at this place, and you will attain an order from the War-office for me to receive them, I will have them put in order, fit for...
143To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
East Chester [ New York ] May 3, 1799 . “I have been honoured with your Letter of the first of may; having always understood that Capt Church tho’ honoured by the appointment of being your Aid De Camp, intended, with your permission to recruit his Company; I mentioned to him, when in Town last, that the money & recruiting instructions, were ready for him, when it was convenient for you to...
144To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On the arrival of Capt. Fondy I have made the necessary arrangements, for recruiting in the second Grand Divission, he will of course call on you, for any additional orders which you may conceive necessary to give Considering the present situation of the interior of the Regiment, I should think the service would be benifitted, by the appointment of Capt. Fondy to the vacant majority, the...
145To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 25 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Letter of yesterday’s date, containing the enquiry from the Secretary of War, whether Capt. Justus B. Smith Lieuts. Thomas Thompson & Jacob C. Ten Eyck, mean to accept or decline their appointments, the question as it relates to my Brother Justus B. Smith would have been decided before this, had I received any communications on the subject of the...
146To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Circular of the 23d. ulto., its contents shall of course be particularly attended to, the substance of the two last paragraphs have been duly communicated—and when ever applications are made, I shall forward them to you for your consideration, where I am acquainted with the applicant, I will agreable to your request express my opinion,...
147To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
East Chester [ New York ] June 12, 1799 . “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 5th inst.… we have neither tents nor the necessary Camp utensils. I will however endeavour to help them over these inconveniences, untill by your communications to the War office, the necessary supplies may be forwarded—each Company will at present require 4 good axes & 4 spades, and...
148To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 18 [June] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving last evening by the Stage, your private letter of the 14th. inst. relative to the appointment of a 2d. major to the 12th. Regt. When I mententioned Mr. Fowler it was connected with this observation, that I knew no other Gentleman who was solicitous for the appointment—that tho’ Mr. Fowler was not a remarkably brilliant officer, still I supposed him capable of...
149To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. relative to a further supply of bounty money, and suggesting the propriety of accompanying the necessary application for the same, at the war-office, with some statement of the progress of recruiting, It is not in my power at present, to forward any regular returns, not having as yet received any, under the...
150To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 1 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to you, by the Adjutant of The 12th. Regt. the monthly return of Recruits to the 30th. ulto. inclusive, as far as they have come to hand—I have reason to believe further progress has been made by the officers in the interior—I enclose also the attestations of the enlistments of Capt. Bennets, Capt. Patterson & Capt. Courtlands Recruits, those of Capt. Landon...