1Obituary of Elizabeth Quincy Smith, 6 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Last Sabbath departed this Life universally lamented Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, the amiable and virtuous Consort of the Revd. Mr. William Smith of this town; Aged 53 years. She has left a disconsolate Husband and four Children to mourn her Loss. No external motives to virtue with which mankind are favoured are more powerfully operative than living Examples of Piety and goodness: But next to these,...
2Enclosure: Extract of a Letter, 17 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Business still continues dull but am in Hopes of a Speedy Change as it seems by the last Accounts from Amsterdam that a War with France and England is inevitable. Lord Stormont, the English Ambassador has left the Court of France, upon meeting with an unsatisfactory Answer relative to the French’s supporting the Americans which they and the Spaniards are determined to do. And you may soon...
3—— —— to Abigail Adams, 23 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams for a long time has been engaged by the Kennebeck Company in a cause in which Colo. Tyng is a Party, which was reduced in one or more points to a special Verdict and was to have been argued this Court, but unfortunately being deprived of Mr. Adams to conduct the cause, by his sudden departure for France, the matter is suspended untill April, to give us time to provide for the debate....
1. Louis to the Suisse. 1. 2. Do. to each of the Coffee-Men 2. 2. At the Oeuil de Boeuf 1. Louis to each of the Suisse’s 2. At M: de Vergennes’s 1. Louis to the Porter 1. Do. to the Livery 2. 2. Louis to each of the Valet de Chambre’s, 4. M: de Rayneval’s Porter 1. Louis 1. Mr. Secqueville’s Servant 1. Louis 1.
5Record: Suffolk Court of General Sessions, Boston, November 1768 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Brookline in the county of Suffolk, setting forth that on the thirtieth day of January 1767 the worshipful Joseph Williams Eqr. issued a warrant in these words, vizt., Suffolk Ss. Complaint being made to me the Subscriber, one of his Majestys Justices of the peace for said county, by Mesrs. John Child, Aaron Davis, and Eleazer Weld, Gentlemen and...
6Writ of Certiorari: Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, July 1769 (Adams Papers)
To our trusty and well beloved Samuel Welles Esqr. first Justice of our Court of General Sessions of the peace for the said county, Greeting. Willing for certain causes to be certified of the Record of the process Order and Sentence of a Court of general Sessions of the peace held at Boston in and for said county by adjournment on the seventh day of November last, upon a petition of the...
Plymouth Ss. At his Majesty’s court of general sessions of the peace, began and held at Plymouth within and for the county of Plym outh on the second tuesday of december being the eighth day of said month, in the eighth year of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. annoque Domini 1767. Jane Doten Dotey a...
8Reasons for the Judgement: Plymouth Superior Court, May 1768 (Adams Papers)
Order’d that the aforesaid Judgment and proceedings of the Court of General Sessions of the peace be quash’d—1st. Because it doth not appear in the Record aforesaid where the Child aforesaid was born. 2. It appears by the Record aforesaid that the aforesaid Judgment was founded on the Oath of the said Jane and on that only. 3. The said Manuel is ordered to recognize in £40 with Sureties to...
At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace begun and Held at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the Second Tuesday of September being the twelfth Day of said Month Annoque Domini 1769. John Harrington of Marlborough in the County of Middlesex Husbandman being bound by Recognizance for his Appearance at this Time to answer to the Complaint of Anna Josslin of Marlborough...
10“A Journal of the Times”: 24 October 1768 (Adams Papers)
This day the brig Tryton, owned by Mr. D——s, a merchant of this town, was seized by order of the Board of Customs, on supposition it is said, that she had some time ago been employed in an illicit trade; and that they may oblige the owner to prove where and how she has been employed.— This seizure exhibits another instance of the generosity of the Commissioners, and their friendly disposition...
11Minutes of the Customs Commissioners’ Proceedings: 27 October 1768 (Adams Papers)
Read a Letter of the 25 Instant from the Collector and Comptroller of Boston. Ordered that the Solicitor do attend the Advocate General, and give him Instructions for prosecuting the Brigantine Tryton formerly called The Popet for Breach of the Acts of Trade. 7 Bowdoin-Temple MSS 169, MHi .
12Vice Admiralty Court Minute Book Entry: 29 October 1768 (Adams Papers)
Wm. Sheaffe, Esqr., Dy. Collector &c. vs. Brigt. Triton. Sewal His Honor the Judge gave his Decree as on file. Vice Adm. Min. Bk. , 29 Oct. 1768. As to Sheaffe, see No. 45, note 6 . That is, Jonathan Sewall, who filed the information as Advocate General.
13Questions Presented: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, March 1773 (Adams Papers)
1. Whether King James’s Letters patent to Lodowick Duke Lenox and others, are allowed to be good and sufficient to vest the lands thereby granted in the Grantees in Fee simple? 2. Whether their grant to Bradford is also good, and sufficient to vest the lands thereby granted either in him and his heirs in fee simple, or in the Colony of New Plymouth so called, by virtue of the said grant and...
14Anonymous Summary of Crown Evidence: 24–25 October 1770 (Adams Papers)
Edward Gerrish. I heard a noise about 8 Clock and went down to Royal Exchange lane. Saw some Persons with Sticks coming up Quaker lane. I said Capt. Goldsmith owed my fellow Prentice. He said he was a Gentleman and would pay every body. I said there was none in the Army Regiment. He asked for me. I went to him, was not ashamed of my face. He struck me. A Sergeant chased me into Davis’s shop...
15Anonymous Summary of Defense Evidence: 25–27 October 1770 (Adams Papers)
William Jackson. On the 5 of March I went to Capt. Preston’s lodging. Heard the bell. Ran out. Came down to my shop. Met a man who told me the People and Soldiers were fighting at my corner and he hoped in God would see it out. I returnd to Capt. Preston and told him. A Corporal and private came to Preston’s lodgings and told him the Town’s People were abusing them. Capt. Preston took his...
16Anonymous Minutes of Paine’s Argument for the Crown (Adams Papers)
Mr. Pain, for the Crown. It remains for me to close this Cause on the part of the Crown. It’s importance Gentlemen is not confined to the small Circle of a few Individuals, but concerns the very foundation of Civil Goverment. In their Defence, every Source of Eloquence and Art has been exhausted; which I don’t mention as a fault in them, but to guard you against mistaking, the Flowers of...
17Charges to The Jury as Printed In the Annual Register, October 1770 (Adams Papers)
About Monday noon the judges began their charge. Judge Trowbridge, who spoke first, entered largely into the contradictory accounts given by the witnesses, and declared, that it did not appear to him that the prisoner gave orders to fire; but if the Jury should think otherwise, and find it proved that he did give such orders, the question then would naturally be, What crime is he guilty of?...
18Arraignment, Impaneling, Crown’s Opening and Evidence: 7 September, 27 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday i.e. Tuesday , the 27th November, 1770, the Court being met, the prisoners were brought into Court and set to the bar, when the Court proceeded thus. . . . Clerk. How sayest thou, William Wemms , art thou guilty of the felony and murder whereof thou standest indicted, or not guilty? William Wemms . Not guilty. Clerk . How wilt thou be tried? William Wemms . By God and my country....
19Adjournment: 27–28 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
N.B . The Court being unable to go through this trial in one day, the King’s Attorney and the prisoners consented to the Court’s adjourning over night during the Trial, the Jury being kept together in the mean time, by proper officers, appointed and sworn by the Court for that purpose. FIVE o’clock p.m. the Court adjourned to next morning, Wednesday 28 November . NINE o’clock. Wednesday,...
20Adjournment: 28–29 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
SIX o’clock, p.m. the Court adjourned to Thursday morning 29 November Nine o’clock. Thursday NINE o’clock the Court met according to adjournment, and proceeded. Wemms Trial The Trial of William Wemms, James Hartegan, William M’Cauley , [and others] ... for the Murder of Crispus Attucks, [and others], ... Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery ... taken in...
21Adjournment: 29–30 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
FIVE o’clock p.m. the Court adjourned till next morning, Friday, 30 November nine o’clock. Friday, NINE o’clock, the Court met according to adjournment, and proceeded. Wemms Trial The Trial of William Wemms, James Hartegan, William M’Cauley , [and others] ... for the Murder of Crispus Attucks, [and others], ... Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery ......
On the evening of the 5th of March I was at my lodgings, I heard a noise, and went out towards Union-street, and saw people coming from the North-end, with sticks and clubs in their hands; it was about nine o’clock. I followed them to Dock-square, somebody asked what was the matter, he was answered, that a boy and soldier had been foul of one another; they hallowed King-street; I went up to...
23Adjournment: 4–5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
TUESDAY 4 December , half past FIVE o’Clock, p.m. (Mr. Paine not having gone through his argument) the Court adjourned to Wednesday morning, Eight o’Clock. WEDNESDAY morning 5 December , Eight o’Clock, the court met according to Adjournment, when Mr. Paine finished closing, and the Court proceeded to sum up the cause to the Jury. Wemms Trial The Trial of William Wemms, James Hartegan, William...
24Verdicts: 5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
After the Court had summed up the Cause, the Jury withdrew for about two hours and an half, and then returned to the Court. Clerk of the Court . Gentlemen of the Jury, are you all agreed in your verdict? Jury . Yes. Clerk . Who shall speak for you? Jury . Our Foreman. Clerk. William Wemms, hold up your hand. ( which he did ) Gentlemen of the Jury, look upon the prisoner: How say you, is...
25To John Adams from Unknown, 9 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
The great Character he hath heard of you, induces a private Man to offer to your Consideration the following Hints, with an Assurance, that your Regard for your Country, will improve upon them for the general Good of all America. When one Colony is declared to be in actual Rebellion, when all the others are anounced to be accessary to, and Favourers of that Rebellion, when the Sword is drawn,...
26Enclosure: An Anonymous Letter to Edward Bridgen, 3 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
You have a friend who has suffer’d too much from the particular situation he was in lately, not to interest every honest man in his behalf to prevent his being the dupe of artifice, he has already been ill treated from a quarter unlookd for, and the same game is Continued to answr the end first proposed—Amcan. ministers in Europe have various politicks to pursue, and some of them understand...
27Orderly Book, 19 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
Camp Near Turtle Creek Novemr 19th 1758. Parole King George A Detachment for Fatigue consisting of 2 Capts. 4 Subs. 4 Serjts and 120 Rank and file to parade at 2 OClock in the Morning. D , DLC:GW . See “ Orderly Book, 21 September–24 November 1758. ” Whether GW and his forces were able to reach on the night of 19 Nov. the site on Turtle Creek where they built Washington’s Camp on 20 Nov. or...
28III-A-1. Combined County Inventory of Slaves and Personal Property in the Estate, 1757–58 (Washington Papers)
The Appraisements of the Estate of Danl Parke Custis According to the Returns made to the County ⟨Cour⟩t of New Kent by Sworn appraisers whose Names are herunto annex’d A Negro Man named Anthony £20; Ditto Shomberg 45.; Ditto Squire 50.; Ditto Morris 60.; Ditto Jack Palmer 50.; Ditto Jemmy 12.; Ditto Ned 50.; Ditto Brunswick 40.; Ditto Michael 60.; Ditto Joe 60.; Ditto Sampson 1[s.]; A Negroe...
29III-A-2. Account of Items in the Estate Used by Martha Custis, 1759 (Washington Papers)
An Account of Sundrys taken and usd by Mrs Custis out of the Inventories No. £. s. d. ⟨19.⟩ A Chariot and Harness 80. 0. 0 30. 2 Sorrel horses 50. ditto 2 bay ditto 32. 32. 1 young Stallion 25. 244. 1 young bay horse (York) 20. ⟨3⟩4. 1 young Sorrel horse
30Appendix A. Account of Items Reserved for the Estate, 1759 (Washington Papers)
Things reserved for the Use of the Estate & not sold No. 1. An Anchor £ 1. 2. 5. An Applemill 1. 8. 4. 4 Pots & Pothooks 2. . 6. Augers Coopers & other Axes Millpecks &c. 5. . 7. 1 Do & a Collar & hames . 1. 6 8. 76 Awlblades . 1. 8
31Cash Accounts, May 1768 (Washington Papers)
Cash May 4— To Ditto [cash] of Wm Dandridge Int. of his Bond £ 22. 0.5 6— To Ditto of Dr [James] Carter Int. of Mrs [Joanna] McKenzies Bd 10.16.0 10— To Mr Jos[ep]h Valentine 15. 0.0 12— To Cash recd of Mr Frans Foster for Intt 25. 0.0 14— To Ditto of Mr B[artholomew] Dandridge in settling for the Int. of his Bonds 6.13.9 To Ditto of Colo. [Burwell] Bassett in settling for Do 0. 6.8 Contra May 1—
32Permit for Clark & Nightingale, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the Necessities of the Army under my Command for Amunition are so great as to require all Possible Supplies, and Messrs Clark and Nightingale Merchants of Providence, having represented to me, that they will at their own Risque, undertake to procure from the West-Indies or elsewhere, such Quantities as may be purchased, provided they obtain my Permission for this Purpose, I do...
33Instructions to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 7 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Orders for Brigadier General Sullivan Given at Head Quarters November 7th 1775 You are to proceed Immediately to Portsmouth in New Hampshire and Compleat the works already began to Secure that and the other Towns at the Entrance of Piscataway River from any Attacks by Ships of War —for this purpose you are to fix Ships and fire Rafts in such places as you find most Convenient to prevent the...
34Enclosure: Inventory of British Stores Left in Boston, 20 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inventory of Stores belonging to the King & left in Boston, taken the 18 & 19 March 1776 by Order of Thomas Mifflin Esqr. Quarter Master Genl of the Continental Army. A Brigantine about 120 Tons burthen loaded with Oyl & pearl; A Schooner abt 80 Tons, scutled with 200 Hogsheads of Salt on board; 150 Do in a Store; 100 Bundles of Iron Hoops. Long Wharf: 157 Pack Saddles; 123 Water Casks; A...
35To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 18 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your recommendation of Yesterday we took into consideration immediately on receipt of it. And thereupon framed the enclosed Resolves and Orders. We cannot sufficiently thank Your Excellency for Your most delicate Attention to the civil Government of this Colony; and beg leave to give You the strongest Assurances that we most eagerly embrace this as we shall every other oppertunity of...
36From George Washington to the New York Committee of Safety, 30 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I perceive by the tener of your favour of yesterday that my Letter of the 25th has given Umbrage, which I am sorry for as it was not most distantly, in my Ideas to give any. Three things led me to suspect that the New York Battalions were not upon the same establishment of the other Continental Troops—Current report—an implied exception in the order for detaching Six more Battalions to...
37To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 10 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
We received from Mr Tilghman an Account of the enemies Ships having gone up the River—and have dispatched Expresses to General Schuyler and General Clinton agreable to your Excellency’s request. Nothing can be more alarming than the present situation of our State; We are daily getting, the most authentic Intelligence of bodies of Men enlisted and armed in order to assist the Enemy⟨.⟩ We much...
38To George Washington from an Unknown Person, 20 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from an Unknown Person, 20 Dec. 1777. In his letter to an Unknown Person of 6 Jan. 1778, GW writes that “I recd yours of the 20th decemr.”
39IV. Unknown to Francis Van Dyke, c. 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Eight or teen Ships of war the Largist twenty four guns. a Rainforce ment of three thousand men gon to Cannada to keepe the inhabbatance undur. Very few trups in the City and adjasint placis not more then Six & Sevin thousand[,] betwise three & four thousand fit for Duty. The Channal in the E[a]st rivur Block up[.] 15 Ships gon downe the Narrows redy for Sinkkng[.] 15 more Redy for the Same...
40From Unknown to George Washington, 19 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from unknown, 19 Feb. 1781. GW wrote this unknown person on 10 March: “Your letter of the 19th Ulto … came safe to hand” ( NN : Washington Collection).
41To George Washington from Unknown Author, 15 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
[The author, who was a planter, probably in Virginia but possibly in Maryland, and a man with some knowledge of the classics, rings all the changes on the declension of the American Revolution from its early days of glory to its present sorry state in 1784. His jeremiad on the corruption of American society and its institutions repeats things often said before and to be said again in the...
42To George Washington from ——, 7 November 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from ——, 7 Nov. 1785. On 30 Nov. GW writes: “I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 7th.”
43To George Washington from Unknown Frenchman, 1786 (Washington Papers)
Mr Houdon Delivered me the Letter that Your Excellency Honoured me with, of the 5th Novr And I have learnt with very Great Satisfaction that you have Enjoyed very Good Health, & that you[r] Promise, to your Acquaintances a long life, that has been Glorious, & Usefull to your Country. I return Your Excelly my most Sincere Thanks for the Distinct Account you have given me Of the Affairs of the...
44To George Washington from ——, 24 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
One who has long known and venerated your character and who is anxiously solicitous for your fame and happiness, takes this method to suggest a few thoughts which he hopes will not be useless. Among the first duties to which you will be called in your high station, will be the appointments to office through out the country. There is a silent looking on from every part of the union to see what...
45To George Washington from ——, 25 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is not on my own account that I address you, no! it concerns the Wellfare the internal strength liberty so dearly and so bravely fought for, things which are hastening to their ruin in particular in the parts about Albany & Schonactady. Cast an eye upon them, great man, do not give credit to my pen, neither take your information from the wealthy, but listen to the well founded observations...
46To George Washington from Ts G—ts, 27 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
from the Small acquaintance I had with you in 1755 & 1756 &c. while in north amaraca and in Regard to my near Relations I have in your Cuntry[.] I take this freedom of Acquainting you of Some Lucrative Scheames now Laying against your innocent Cuntry it seems as if devine providance orderd it and hope he will provide for this Reaching your Honerable House[.] about ten days past I had some...
47III: Washington’s Preface to Henry Knox’s Statement on the Causes of the Indian War, c.25 Jan. 1792 (Washington Papers)
As the circumstances which have engaged the U. S. in the present Indian war, may, some of them, be out of the public recollection, and others, perhaps unknown, it appears adviseable that you prepare & publish, from authentic documents, a statement of those circumstances, as well as of the measures which have been taken from time to time for the re-establishment of peace & friendship. When the...
48Court Judgment, 22 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
At a Court held at Dumfries the 22d day of May 1792. George Washington Esqr. Pl[ainti]ff } In Debt against Adam Stuart, Thomas Montgomerie, Cumberland Wilson & George Mason; Dfts Judgment for 1576 Sterling, with interest from the 4 January 1772. ’till paid—& the Costs. Cr. for £3.3.0, Maryland Currency & 25:4—Sterling pd 2d July 1774—& all payments to be allowed the Dofts which shall be made...
49Conversation with a Joint Committee of Congress, 9 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Mr King & Mr Smith, members of a joint committee of Congress appointed to report a mode of examining the votes for President & Vice-President, and of notifying the persons who shall be elected, of their election—and for regulating the time, place & manner of administering the Oath of Office to the President, called to advise, informally, with the President on the occasion, as some of the...
50Enclosure: Extract of a letter to Mr. Close, 1 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have this day shipped the above on Board the William Penn, James Josiah, Comr for Philadelphia, by this post I have enclosed in a letter to Clement Biddle Esqr. the Bill of Loading, and have said to him that through the direction of Col. Humphrey’s, I have consigned it to his Care, and from whom I apprehended that his Excellency or himself woud hear farther on the Business—I have done this...