51To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose you an Act of the United States, appointing Thomas Hutchins Geographer to the southern Army with the same pay and emoluments as are allowed to the Geographer to the main army. Mr Hutchins is a native of New Jersey and was many years in the English service where he held the rank of Captain and Engineer; But having suffered considerably for his attachment to the...
52To 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...
53To 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.
54To 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 &...
55To 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.
56To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 28 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosing an Act of Congress for erecting an equestrian Statue in honor of your Excellency. The Bearer Mr Wright is recommended to me as an Artist skilled in taking Busts, & As I am anxious to execute in the best manner the part assigned to me in this agreeable business, I take the liberty of introducing him to you and requesting the favour of your Excellency to admit...
57To 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...
58Instructions 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...
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...
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...
61To 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...
62To 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...
63To 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...
64To 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...
65To 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...
66To 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...
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...
68Motion of Virginia Delegates in Congress, 7 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 78, IX, 503). In Charles Thomson’s hand. Resolved, That Charles Fleming and Forster Webb Esquires be and hereby are appointed Commissioners on the part of the United States either of them to indorse the bills that shall be emitted by the State of Virginia pursuant to the resolution of Congress of the 18th March last Preceding this word in the printed journal is the phrase,...
69Comments 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...
70Comments on John Temple, [1 August] 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], 81). 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. John Temple...
71Comments 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...
72Comments 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...
73Comments 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...
74Comments 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...
75Comments on Petition of Kentuckians, [27 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. 146–47). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. About two years had elapsed since discontented settlers in Kentucky addressed two memorials to Congress asking for statehood....
76Motion 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...
77Comments and Motion in re Henry Laurens, [19 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. 155–57, 158). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. Mr Madison arose and informed the house that since the passing the resolutions of the 17th, he had come to the knowledge...
78Comments 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...
79To 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...
80To 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...
81To 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...
82To 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...
83To 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...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting you a duplicate of an Act of Congress passed the 16th of March 1779, the Utility of which is apparent: And as it may be proper and necessary that you should be informed of the several acts and proceedings of Congress I have herewith sent you a copy of their Journal from the 1st of January last and shall continue to send you from time to time their weekly...
85To 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 ,...
86To 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...
87To 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...
88To 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 &...
89To 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...
90To 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...
91To 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...
92To 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....
93To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Instructions and Commissions, 16 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect you will receive by this Conveyance all the necessary papers with the twenty Commissions. You will find by these that my simple draught did not suit the taste of our sovereign body. With much ado the additions were confined to two, and so far did the Gerrian taste prevail that contrary to the practice of every other nation the prefix of Honble. was inserted. Should you or any of your...
94To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers are found about which I wrote you in my last. I wish there had been found at the same time a concillating temper and a disposition to do the business of the continent and promote the general interests of the U.S. Unless a different spirit prevail from what has of late appeared there is reason to apprehend a dissolution of the Confederacy. The claim of the Massachusetts on the state...
95To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I flattered myself with the hopes of seeing you on my return to Philadelphia, but found you had set out for Boston with a view to embark at that place. I have therefore sent by a conveyance directly for France three Commissions for negotiating, if necessary, additional treaties of Commerce with France, the United Netherlands and Sweden, and a duplicate of the Instructions. The affair of...
96Charles 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...
97Charles 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...
98Charles 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...
99To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 1 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Though I have nothing agreeable to write, yet I cannot suffer Mr. Short to go without a line to give you some information of the present situation of Affairs. Agreeably to your advice, when Congress adjourned, I met the Committee of the States and having opened a book for their journals and made the necessary arrangements, I applied for leave of absence which was readily and unanimously...
100To 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...