1Additional 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...
2Instructions 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...
3Plan 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...
4To John Adams from Charles Thomson, 9 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
“I did not till yesterday receive your letter of the 4 of Feby with the enclosed letter to you from Doctr. Belknap dated Jany 2d 1795” The Doctr. with an anxious regard for the reputation of his country states, “That Doctr Kippis has published a life of capt. Cook the famous navigator & in vol 2. p268 has given at large the directions issued in March 1779 by Doct Franklin then in France to all...
5To John Adams from Charles Thomson, 17 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
The day after receiving your favour of the 20 Feby I wrote the enclosed answer. But as my mind has been so long withdrawn from the occurrences in Congress and so wholly bent on a different object, I was not in haste to send it until I refreshed my mind by looking over the journals. After all the search I have made and the recollection I am master of I see no reason to alter it. I have now the...
6John 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...
7Charles 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...
8Charles 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...
9Charles 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...
10Charles 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...
11Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of the orders of the Com ee of the States I have the honor to transmit to you the Copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan dated London the 19 feb y 1784 with the copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at Anchor near Staten Island on the 30 Nov r 1783. to be made use of in any negotiations you may have with the Court of Great Britain agreeably to the...
12Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In pursuance of the Orders of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan, dated London the 19 feby 1784 with a copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at anchor near Staten Island on the 30 of November 1783, to be made use...
13Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by M r 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 Ordinance for putting the treasury into commission and an Act defining the powers of the committee of the...
14Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of the orders of the Committee of the States I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan dated London the 19 feby 1784 with the copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at Anchor near Staten Island on the 30 Novr. 1783. to be made use of in any negotiations you may have with the Court of Great Britain agreeably to the...
15Charles Thomson to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias … (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas Congress concur in opinion with General Washington that there are some Ambiguities characterizing the Measures taken by Genl. Howe respecting General Lee, which justify alarming surmises, notwithstanding all that has passed to the contrary. Resolved That General Washington be informed that it is the intention of Congress that it should be a preliminary in the proposed Cartel for a...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 14 May 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society This is the third Letter I have lately wrote you. With the two last, one dated the 5th: the other the 16th: of April I sent you a Copy of two Conferences between Teedyuscung and this Government. Whether they are gone in the Man of War in which Lord Loudon went, or whether they are kept to go in the Packet I cant say. We are told here that his Lordship is much...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson: Résumé, 26 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania ⟨October 26, 1784: Mr. Joseph Norris, the second son of our friend Charles Norris, will wait on you with this letter. He goes to Europe with the intention of establishing commercial connections. He is anxious to see Paris, and wants it to be known that you are an old friend of his family. I hope you will point out to him the paths of virtue and...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 26 October 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress This day the congress broke up, the papers are not all got ready, but will be sent to you by the next opportunity. As a vessel sails to Morrow Morning early I am ordered to forward to you the petition to the King. I have the pleasure to inform you that at the last session of Assembly you are continued Agent for this province, of which you will no doubt receive a...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 26 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , March 1–3, 1770 As Capt. Sparks sails sooner than was expected, the Committee of Merchants here have not time to write to you, they have therefore desired me to enclose you a copy of their letter to the Committee of Merchants in London. As the Parliament will no doubt at their meeting take under consideration the affairs of America, it is necessary you should...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have the honor to inform you that Congress have this day elected his excellency Samuel Huntington esqr. their president. I am Sr Your humble Servant Endorsed: Cha Thompson Sept. 28. 1780 notifying the election of Mr Huntington as President of Congress.
28To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 24 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in London Chronicle , November 14–16, 1765. Yes, my friend, I grant that “Idleness and Pride tax with a heavier hand than Kings and Parliaments,” “and that frugality and industry will go a great way towards endemnifying us.” But the misfortune is, the very thing that renders industry necessary cuts the sinews of it. With industry and frugality the subjects...
29To Benjamin Franklin from “A Merchant in Philadelphia” [Charles Thomson], 19 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The London Chronicle , August 17–20, 1765; AL (fragment): American Philosophical Society That this letter was addressed to Franklin and that he was responsible for its printing in London seem virtually certain: the surviving leaf of the manuscript is found among his papers, and two editorial emendations, now almost indecipherable, appear to be in his hand. Identification of the...
30To 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...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 18 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Urgency of my business which called me another way deprived me of the pleasure of waiting on you to Chester. However my best Prayers and wishes attend you, and I hope e’er now you are safe in London. The first Day of my Journey I travelled about 32 Miles up the Lancaster Road and lodged at the 19th. Tavern. This Road tis true is much frequented and on...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 19 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my last I informed you that I had taken measures to gain information respecting Mr Marggrander and the other persons enquired after. The enclosed is a copy of letter I have received from our old neighbour Reuben Haines in answer to my enquiries touching Marggrander. With respect to the others I have yet heard nothing— Give me leave my dear Sir to...
33To Benjamin Franklin from [Charles Thomson], 6 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The rebirth of the American Philosophical Society, more than two decades after its death in infancy, was a complicated process. Charles Thomson’s letter may have been Franklin’s first notification that the process was under way, and is certainly the first that is extant. Although Thompson deals with a quite different organization, it was one of the two that a...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On the third of this month Congress adjourned to meet at Trenton on the 30 of Octr. next, having first appointed a comee. [committee] of the states to sit in the recess, agreeable to the Articles of Confederation. Previous to the adjournment I had the honor to receive your letter dated, if I recollect right, on the 8 March, which I immediately laid...
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...
36Instructions 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...
37To 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...
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...
39To 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...
40To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 15 January 1784 (Jay Papers)
Though I am sensible that lieut Col D. S. Franks, who is the bearer of this needs no introduction or recommendation to you, yet I cannot suffer him to go without a line from me. He is intrusted with a triplicate Ratification of the definitive treaty, which passed yesterday, the first time we have had nine States represented since Oct r . last, and which was done with the unanimous consent not...
41To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 18 September 1784 (Jay Papers)
I should have answered your letter ^ of 12 Aug. ^ much sooner, had I not from the tenor of it flattered myself with the hopes of seeing you here in a very short time. I wish exceedingly to see and converse with you not only on the subject of your acceptance but on the general State of our Affairs. There is at present no person whose business or whose duty it is to attend to matters of national...
I have received your letter of the 27 May and the duplicate with the prints for which I am much obliged and will embrace the first opportunity of transmitting one set of the prints agreeably to your request to general Schuyler. I have been anxious with respect to your being regularly informed of what is passing here. Many things have happened of which you ought to be acquainted. I perceive the...
43To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784 (Jay Papers)
On the 16 I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of 7 April and am extremely obliged by the attention you have paid to my letter in favour of M r I. Norris. I am sensible on what slight grounds such recommendations are too often given and how much trouble they often occasion to men in public character. But I had a long and intimate acquaintance with his family, which held a very...
44To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 14 January 1784 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . your favour by M r Thaxter with the prints enclosed. We are at a loss what to think of this new invention, or what the curious will make of it if real. Time must determine whether it is only for the amusement of Children or may be improved to useful purposes. I sincerely congratulate you on the return of peace, and it is my most ardent prayer that the US may improve the opportunity...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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 &...
48To 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....
49To 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...
50To 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 ,...