1Ratification of Third Dutch Loan, 11 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Be it Remembered that the within Contract or Engagement entered into by the hon ble: John Adams, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the Lords the States General of the United Netherlands in behalf of the said States with sundry Money Lenders for a Loan of One Million of Guilders dutch Current Money, dated at Amsterdam the first day of June 1787,...
2Additional Instructions Respecting a Peace Treaty with Great Britain, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letters of 23 and 24 March last from the honble. John Adams minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of Peace and a treaty of commerce with the king of G Britain and thereupon Resolved That the said minister be informed it is clearly the Opinion of Congress that a short truce would be highly dangerous to these United...
3Enclosure: Resolution of Congress of 31 May, 31 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Resolved That the Establishment of the Salaries of the Honorable John Adams and his Secretary Mr. Dana be transmitted to the Minister Plenipotentiary of these States at the Court of Versailles and that He be directed to pay their Draughts to the Amount of their respective Salaries till Congress shall take further Order for that Purpose. Extract from the minutes RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed:...
4Plan for a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 29 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Plan of a treaty of amity and commerce between the United States of America and the United Provinces of the low Countries. The parties being willing to fix in a permanent and equitable manner the rules to be observed in the commerce they desire to establish between their respective countries have judged that the said end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equality and...
5John Adams’ Authorization to Accept Bills of Exchange Drawn on Henry Laurens, 28 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, That the Honble. John Adams be and hereby is authorised and instructed to accept the bills of Exchange drawn on the Honble. Henry Lawrens in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 6th. instant in the same manner as he is authorised and instructed to accept those heretofore drawn on Mr. Lawrens according to the resolution of November 23d. 1779, and in case of the absence of...
6Ratification of the Fourth Dutch Loan, 4 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
Be it remembered that the within Contract or Engagement, entered into by the Honorable John Adams Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the Lords the States General of the United Netherlands, in Behalf of the said States, with sundry Money Lenders, for a Loan of one Million of Guilders dutch current Money, dated at Amsterdam the thirteenth Day of...
7Instructions from Congress to John Jay, 4 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Instructions to the Honorable John Jay Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Madrid agreed to unanimously in Congress Oct r . 4 th . 1780 That the said Minister adhere to his former instructions respecting the right of the United States of America to the free navigation of the river Mississippi into and from the sea, which right if an express acknowledgment...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Adopting the Articles of Confederation, 2 … (Jefferson Papers)
By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed, that the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the thirteen United States are formally and finally ratified by all the States. We are happy to congratulate our Constituents on this important Event, desired by our Friends but dreaded by our Enemies. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem &...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Appointing Peace Commissioners, 15 June … (Jefferson Papers)
Before this comes to Hand your Excellency will have received my Letter of the 2d Instant with it’s Enclosures, by which you will be informed that a Negotiation for Peace between the Belligerent Powers may probably take Place through the Mediation of the Empress of Russia and Emperor of Germany. In Consequence of which Congress have thought proper to add four other Plenipotentiaries to the...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, Enclosing a Resolution of Congress, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your favor of the 7th Instant until I could obtain the sense of Congress on the matter it contains. I conceive it hardly possible while the british Cruizers retain their present Station for you to elude their vigilance in either of the Ships offered to your choice. This concurring with the late advices from England, has induced Congress to pass the enclosed Resolution....
11To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, enclosing Jefferson’s Appointment as a Peace Commissioner, 13 November … (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit a resolution of Congress, appointing you one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negociating a peace. I rejoice in this fresh proof of their confidence in your Virtue and abilities. The sacrifices you have heretofore made to the interests of your Country, induce me to hope that you will suffer no personal consideration to prevent their being employed in its...
12Motion on Slaves Taken by the British, [10 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 379). In JM’s hand, except as mentioned in nn. 5, 9, and 10 ( qq.v. ). Docketed by Charles Thomson, “Motion of Mr. Madison seconded by Mr. Lee passed Septr 10th 1782.” That the Secy. of foreign affairs be Directed to obtain as speed[i]ly as possible authentic returns of the slaves & other property which have been carried off or distroyed in the course of the war by...
13Instructions to Conclude a Tripartite Alliance with France and the Netherlands, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
By The United States in Congress Assembled. The report of the Committee on the communications of the honble. the Minister Plenipotentiary of France was taken into consideration, and thereupon— Resolved, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these United States at the Court of Versailles, be directed to inform his most Christian Majesty that the tender of his endeavours to accomplish a coalition...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson and Thomas Mifflin, 3 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Minutes of the Library Company of Philadelphia Since we had the Pleasure of writing to you an Union has taken place between the principal Librarys in Town. In Consequence of which the Directors have ordered a Review of the Books. And as it is not yet fully known what we have or what we want, The Directors have ordered us to write and request the Favour of you, if you have not laid out...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson and Thomas Mifflin, 5 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Enclosed are two bills of exchange, which we have the pleasure of sending you by order and for account of the Directors of the Philadelphia library company. The one is for £50 Sterling drawn by James and Drinker on Neate and Pigou. The other is Willing & Morris’ draught on John Mayne for £100 Sterling; both at 30 days sight and both payable to yourself. Out...
On the intimation contained in your first letter of the 2 d . Congress have been pleased to pass an Act of which the enclosed is a copy, vesting you with the necessary powers. It is the desire of Congress that this be kept as secret as the nature of the case will admit; for which reason I have not entrusted it to the inspection of any of the young men in my Office. In consequence of a report...
17Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [24 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy (Charles Thomson’s “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation, from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI [1878], pp. 64–65). This edition was made from a transcript rather than from Thomson’s manuscript ( ibid ., p. xi) and will be referred to hereafter as Thomson, “Debates.” Both the manuscript and the transcript are lost. As...
18Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [2 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 82). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. After Congress had listened to the dispatch of 28 April 1782 from John Jay, minister plenipotentiary-designate at Madrid, telling of...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 4 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour of the 25 of December and sincerely congratulate with you on the close of your arduous administration and the meas sibi confeia reiti which you must needs carry with you into retirement. This is the sweet reward of the good man and the true patriot, and that of which neither envy, malice nor faction can ever rob him. I was going to say that from the insidious designs of...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 1 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have the honour to forward to you, the Address to the King and an Address to the people of Great Britain and these colonies. I was in hopes by this opportunity to have sent you the Journal of the proceedings of the congress which is in the press. I hope administration will see and be convinced that it is not a little faction, but the whole body of American...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania The renewal of our ancient correspondence and the receipt of your letters excited those sensations, which real friends feel on meeting unexpectedly after a long separation. As Mr Jefferson, who I hope is by this time safe arrived will explain matters to you and make you fully acquainted with the state of our...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 6 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th October as well as those of 21 June by Mr. Otto and the 14 July by Mr. Houdon. I read your notes with much pleasure and intended to have troubled you with some observations on them; but they have been so much out of my hands, though entrusted to such as you would approve, that I have not had an opportunity to revise them with that attention I wished and...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 10 December 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in [Charles Thomson], An Enquiry into the Causes of the Alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British Interest , … (London, 1759), pp. 172–82. Lawrence Wroth first identified Thomson as the author of this letter, Pemberton as the author of that which follows next, and Franklin as the recipient of both, on the strength of a statement in...
24Comments on Instructions to John Jay, [6 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 90). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. On 2 August 1782 John Rutledge had been appointed chairman of a committee, of which JM was also a member, to recommend “alterations...
25Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [8 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 96–99, 101). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. See Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 2 August 1782 , and ed. n., and nn. 3 and 4. Having failed on 24 July...
26To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The president being still necessarily engaged with his family I have the honour to inform you that your letter of yesterday was recd & laid before Congress. I enclose you sundry resolutions passed this day and am Sr Your obedient humble Serv. ALS , DLC:GW . Included among the enclosed resolutions, which Thomson began writing below the ALS and continued writing on two following manuscript...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received Your letter of 13 Septr. with the papers enclosed and have taken Steps to procure the Intelligence wanted. I have written to our old friend Reuben Haines who I take to be the person meant by Mr Heintz a brewer in Market Street with whom Marggrander is said to have lived to obtain the necessary certificates respecting him and have directed...
28To James Madison from Charles Thomson, 4 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I received your favour of the 22d. of Decr. and thank you for the copy of the documents which you were so kind as to send me I had such a share in the struggle for the independence of our country that I cannot be indifferent to its preservation. We have insidious, and dangerous enemies to guard against both foreign & domestic. However I hope the same kind over-ruling Providence which conducted...
29Comments on Edmund Randolph’s “Facts and Observations,” [16 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 141–42). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. On 16 August 1782 Congress listened to a reading of most of Randolph’s “Facts and Observations in support of the several Claims...
30Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the order of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to send you copies of the papers relating to the brig L’Amiable Elizabeth a french vessel that was deserted by her Crew at Sea and was boarded and taken up by Citizens of the United States and carried into St. Johns in Newfoundland, where she was seized by a public Officer and her cargo disposed of; that you may require...
31To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have done myself the honor of waiting on you this evening but the dampness of the weather prevents my going abroad I therefore take the liberty of enclosing my opinion on the paragraph in the constitution which you were pleased to mention; the result of my conference with Mr Jay on the subject of sea letters; and the lights I have received by examining the laws of Pensylvania and...
32Comments on Motion in re Henry Laurens, [20 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 160–63). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. … Mr Madison arose and called the attention of the house to the subject of his motion. The objections started yesterday he...
33To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your excellency that the United States in Congress assembled have resolved to give you an Audience this day at One o clock in Order to give you a further testimony of the high esteem they have for your person & services and to communicate their intentions respecting provisional measures for the next Campaign. I have the honor to be With respect Your most obedient &...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 20 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives quoting Congress’ resolutions of 2 May 1780 respecting the issuance of commissions to private vessels of war. Such commissions are hereafter to be obtained by application to the Board of Admiralty. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 18A); 2 p. For text of resolutions of 2 May, see JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 ,...
35To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 31 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honoured with the receipt of your favour of this day and rejoice to hear that the Western Indians have proposed a conference. I hope as well for their sakes as for that of our country that it will terminate in an honorable & lasting peace. Short as the time is I can be at no loss to return you a direct and possitive answer in regard to myself whom you have been pleased to...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday nine States being for the first time since October last represented, Congress immediately took up and ratified the definitive treaty with the unanimous consent not only of all the states represented but of every individual Member in Congress. And that it might reach you with the greatest dispatch they immediately sent off col J Harmar with the...
37Charles Thomson to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 9 of January last which did not reach me till the latter end of April was to me indeed a cordial. It recalled to mind the trying Scenes through which we passed with undessembled confidence, but in a particular manner rejoiced me as it informed me of the firm state of your health and the full enjoyment you have of your faculties both of body and mind and more especially of...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 26 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr Isaac Norris is the son of our ancient and worthy friend Mr Charles Norris. Though I am confident this would be a sufficient recommendation of him to you, yet as he thinks a letter from me will be of some advantage, I cannot refuse it, especially as he is a young man of an amiable disposition, sober, modest, of good...
39To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 21 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having lately met with an Ordinance of the king of France, passed last December, for establishing the corps of engineers I made a hasty translation of it, from which I apprehend some useful hints may be taken for establishing such a corps in this country. And as I know of no better hands into which it may be put for this purpose, I have taken the liberty to send you a copy. You are doubtless...
40To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 10 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Thomson, 10 Dec. 1778. On 18 Dec., GW wrote Thomson : “I had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th Instant.”
41To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 29 July 1784 (Jay Papers)
Being informed of your safe arrival at New York I embrace the earliest opportunity of Congratulating you on that event and hope M rs . Jay and your little family are all well. On the 18 of June I wrote to inform you that I had received your letter of 7 April and to thank you for the attention you paid to my letter in favour of M r I. Norris. As the post sets out sooner than I expected I shall...
42Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by Mr Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congress as far as printed and a news paper containing the Ordinance for putting the treasury into commission and an act...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 6 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Having come to this place on account of some private business, I have been waited on by Mr. J. Churchman, a native of this commonwealth, who flatters himself that he has made a discovery which will be of great public utility, in short nothing less than an easy and certain mode of ascertaining the longitude by what is commonly called the variation of the compass. He offered to explain to me the...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 1 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office, 1 Feb. 1780 . Encloses the journals of Congress to complete the state’s set to 1 Jan. 1780, hereafter to be printed in monthly pamphlets regularly sent, and requests a reply to his letter of 20 Nov. 1779, the request therein not being made “by idle curiosity but a desire of promoting public Utility and the cause of America.” RC ( MdAA : Red Books); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand,...
45Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In obedience to the order of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to send you copies of the papers relating to the brig L’Amiable Elizabeth a french vessel that was deserted by her Crew at Sea and was boarded and taken up by citizens of the United States and carried into St Johns in Newfoundland, where she was seized by...
46To James Madison from Charles Thomson, 1 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 December 1804. “Enclosed I send you an explanation of the Device for an armorial Atchievement and Reverse of a Great Seal for the United States in congress assembled.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); enclosures ( DNA : RG 360; reproduced in Papers of the Continental Congress , 179–80). RC 1 p.; damaged by removal of seal; docketed by Wagner as received 1 Dec. 1804. The enclosures (2 pp.) are a...
47Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by Mr. Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congr[ess] as far as printed and a news paper containing the ord[i]nance for putting the treasury into commission and an act defining the powers of the committee of the...
My last gave you some account of the situation of affairs in the Southern department. The total defeat of the army under gen l . Gates on the 16 th August left the enemy at liberty to over run S. Carolina without annoyance accept from the militia who being but thinly scattered over an extensive Country could not soon be collected in the face of a powerful and victorious enemy. However the...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 28 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 30 July 1786 I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 10 May, wherein you informed me that a botanical friend of yours had written to Charleston for a number of plants and seeds which were to be sent to me and forwarded to you by the packet. I heard no more of this matter till yesterday when Capt. Lathim delivered me the letter and invoice of which I enclose a copy and informed...
50To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 9 August 1784 (Jay Papers)
As M r Henry Remsen the bearer of this has obtained leave to visit his father and friends in New York, I could not suffer him to pass without a line to you. In April last Congress appointed him under Secretary in the Office of foreign Affairs that he might open & take charge of the papers which had till that time remained sealed up from M r Livingston’s quitting the Office. Before that...