1To 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 &...
2To 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 ,...
3To 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.”
4To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office [ Philadelphia ], 19 Feb. 1781 . Encloses twenty-four blank commissions, with blank bonds and instructions, for private armed vessels. “You will please to give orders that the bonds when Executed be returned into this Office.” Others may be obtained upon application. RC ( Vi ); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Thomson; addressed and endorsed; printed in CVSP Calendar of...
5To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 4 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that this day pursuant to the articles of Confederation the United States in Congress Assembled proceeded to the choice of a President and have elected for the ensuing year His Excellency Elias Boudinot. I have the honor to be Sir, Your most obt hum: Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
6To 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.
7To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that the Honble Samuel Huntington having informed the United States in Congress assembled that the State of his health would not permit him to continue longer in the exercise of the duties of President and requested leave to absence, Congress have this day proceeded to the Choice of a president and have elected the Honble Thomas McKean. I am Sir Your obedient...
8To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 28 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Charles Thomson, 28 Sept. 1779. On 7 Oct., GW wrote to Thomson: “I have been honored with yours of the 28th Ulto.”
9To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 5 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that this day pursuant to the articles of Confederation the United States in Congress Assembled Proceeded to the choice of a President and have elected for the ensuing year, his Excellency John Hanson. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedt humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
10To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 13 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that on the first monday in this month the United States in Congress Assembled proceeded by ballot to the election of a PresidentWhen—The Honorable Thomas Mifflin, was elected. Next day they adjourned Congress to meet at Annapolis in the State of Maryland on the 26th of the present Month. I am with perfect Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient And...
11To 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...
12To 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...
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...
14To 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...
15Address by Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
The president of the Senate, chosen for the special occasion having opened and counted the votes of the Electors in the presence of the senate & the house of Representatives I am honored with the commands of the Senate to wait upon your Excellency with the information of your being elected to the office of President of the United States of America. This commission was entrusted to me on...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18Charles 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...
19To 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...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Letter from Joseph Wharton, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall not trouble you at this time with any thoughts on our southern boundary or the views and disposition of our southern Neighbours, as I imagine Mr. Madison whose letter I enclose has written fully on that subject; but it is possible he may not have known what I am told is a fact that the Sp: are strongly fortifying at the Natches. I am informed by some of our merchants trading to Lisbon,...
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 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...
24To 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...
25Charles 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...
26To 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...
27To 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,...
28Charles 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...
29To 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...
30Charles 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...
31To 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...
32To James Madison from Charles Thomson, 13 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
Thomas Amies the bearer of this is the son of one of our capital manufacturers of paper. His father has within about a mile of me three paper mills at work. One of them is under the Superintendance of this young man, who by his prudent conduct close attention to his business & discreet management in discharging the trust reposed in him bids fair to be an eminently useful member of society. By...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35Charles 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...
36To James Madison from Charles Thomson, 1 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
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. It was drawn up when I made report & contains the Sentiments which I had in my mind when I was considering the subject, and which I wished to express covertly by the device. It has never been published nor have I ever given a copy of it. If you...
37To 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...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your several favours of Feby 8 June 21 and July 14 and also a copy of your Notes by Mr. Houdon, for which I am much obliged. It grieves me to the soul that there should be such just grounds for your apprehensions respecting the irritation that will be produced in the southern states by what you have said of slavery. However I would not have you discouraged. This is a cancer...
39Charles 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...
40To James Madison from Charles Thomson, 15 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to You herewith enclosed a copy of the proceeding of Congress in the appointment of a court for hearing and determining a matter in question between the States of South-Carolina and Georgia, by which You will be duly informed and notified that You are a Member of the court, and that it is summoned to meet at the city of New York on the third Monday in June next. As...
41Charles 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...
42To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 25 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I cannot find words to express the feelings of my heart, on the receipt of your favour of yesterday, at this repeated instance of your goodness. I shall ever retain a grateful remembrance of this and of your condescension to me on a former occasion when your presence administered a balm to my wounded spirit. From the love and veneration I bear and have continually felt for you, and the light...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 28 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 28 July 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 27 July declaring that commissions for private armed vessels are hereafter to issue from the office of the secretary of Congress. Also enclosed are blank commissions to be filled out and substituted for those now in effect; bonds for them, as soon as executed, are to be transmitted to the...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 24 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favour of the 11 January, and not only hold myself honoured by it but am exceedingly gratified by your sweet address and kind remembrance of me. Your letter lay many days in the post office, because the post master as he informs me did not know where I lived nor by what route to forward it to me. On receiving it I went to Philadelphia and altered the size proposed for my...
45Charles 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...
46To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 22 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your letter of the 5. And as the subject therein referred to belongs to the department of foreign affairs, I have transmitted it to Mr Jay. I have no doubt but the Minister who is to negotiate with the court of London will have occasion for the list; but as it would not be safe to trust a paper of such importance to the common conveyance by the post, and as it is proper...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of 18 June last I recommended Mr. Isaiah Norris to your friendly notice. I now take the liberty of doing the same for his brother Joseph, first because I know the benevolence of your disposition and next because he is so desirous of being introduced to your acquaintance that I am persuaded the notice you will take of him will excite his utmost endeavour by a proper deportment to...
48To 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...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 9 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 20 of December last, and immediately waited on Mr. Marbois who informs me that he has not received the Answers you refer to. I am ashamed to acknowledge that I am as ignorant as you declare yourself to be of the particular duties of a counsellor of the American philosophical society, although I have been honored with that...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 13 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am ashamed after so long a delay to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 3 July; more especially when I reflect on the pleasure which it gave me to find that I was still remembered by him whom I ardently love and esteem. I read over cursorily but with great satisfaction the correspondence you sent me. It perfectly coincided with what I expected and on which I relied. I resolved...