1To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 12 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library Genl. Shirley being informed by Mr. Scott one of [the] Waggon-Masters, that he has brot with him to this place all your Original Contracts for Waggons and Horses for the Late Genl. Braddock’s Army, with the receipts of the Money advanced in part payment of them, has directed them to be sent to you, to enable you to settle that account. I now send them to Mr. P V B...
2To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not perhaps unknown to you that soon after my Arrival in this Country from England I was induced to make several large purchases of Lands with a Veiw of soon disposeing of some of them again to Advantage; you well know the Sudden Change that took place in the Sale of Lands, Vast Quantitys of new Lands Comeing into the Market and a great Scarceity of...
3From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 3 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress On my Return to Town I found your Favour, with the Schemes of your Lottery, to which I wish Success, and besides ordering some Tickets for my self, I have spoken well of it on every Occasion; but I find little Inclination among my Acquaintance to engage in Lotteries at such a Distance, and one cannot be very open in promoting them, it being contrary...
4From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 27 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I received your obliging Letter some Days since at Philada. but our Departure from thence being uncertain, I could not till now acquaint your Ldp. when we expected to be at New-York. We move but slowly, and think we shall scarce reach farther than Newark to-morrow, so that we cannot have the Pleasure of seeing you before Friday. Being myself from long Absence...
5To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 20 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I consider it as one of the great misfortunes of the times in which we live, that we are deprived of the pleasure of hearing from you. I need hardly say that you have the wishes of all Good Men for your welfare, and That you may be the happy Instrument of Restoring the public tranquility on a permanent basis for the General Good of Mankind, And for the...
6[William Alexander]: Two Memoranda, [before 24 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; (II) AD : University of Pennsylvania Library We have given both these documents titles supplied in the manuscripts in another hand, and date them on the assumption that they were written for the commissioners during Alexander’s visit to Paris in February, which probably ended on the 24th; for he reached Dijon on the 26th. While he was with the...
7To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 22 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can hardly express my surprise on first hearing of your arrival, And Altho’ motives are here assigned for your Journey which I will not beleive unless you Confirm them yourself, That safety is your object, and I will only believe you, because I think you one of the few Politicians, to whom Lying will be unnecessary. Be that as it will, my hypothesis is...
8William Alexander’s Draft of a Memorandum from the American Commissioners to the Farmers General, [before 24 February … (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society; copy with one short omission: American Philosophical Society; copy with major omissions: American Philosophical Society; final memorandum: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The history of this memorandum can be reconstructed from the four versions that survive. Alexander, during his visit to Paris, first drafted it for the commissioners as...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 1 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got Safe here Wednesday evening, after one of the Pleasantest Journeys I ever made, and made the Girls very happy with the prospect of a visit from you. If the Business of that Musty Town you reside in can admit of a few weeks interuption you will find travelling infinitely more comfortable than when the Warm weather Sets in, besides when I was a young...
10To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 7 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for returning me the letter that came to hand after my leaving Paris, and still more for letting me hear from you. That no news are Good News is an old proverb, very applicable to the present times. Your letter Coverd also a Blank Cover under which was an original of the Contract between Mons. Dubourg and the Farmers. I know not with what...
11To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I leave no letter from you unanswerd, but wait your orders about what is to be done with the tobacco Contract which Lyes still here. There is a story current here that the British Ministry have applied to have a Mr. Dean deliverd up on a pretext that He was Concernd in Burning Portsmouth, which Calls to a mind a story that happend a good many years since. A...
12To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 7 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 4th came to hand this morning and I immediatly Called at the post office, where I found Monr. Dubourgs letter which woud have remaind there untill Doomsday as I am neither known, as Marchand, nor Americquain. The post goes only Tuesday So I expect to save a day by sending you this by my Friend Monr. de Montarché formerly intendant de St....
13To Alexander Hamilton from Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Basking Ridge [ New Jersey ] April 12, 1777. “… the time of Capt. James Scotts Company will expire the 14th.… I believe it will be best that I be furnished with His Excellency’s dismission of them by the day. I wrote to his Excellency … about the Appointment of Wilcocks. If he is approved of, I wish you would get both McWilliams & him in orders.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress....
14From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your Lordship’s letter to his Excellency. He has desired me to send Capt Scott’s company their dismission, which you will therefore be pleased to give them, on the expiration of their time. General Green will bring you an answer to your letter respecting Mr. Willcox’s, by which you will perceive that his Excellency has approved, and that I have written to Mr. Willcox agreeable...
15To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot refuse to the earnest application of a very respectable friend here, to trouble you with this Line of Introduction of Monsr. Le Comte de Fontette Sommery Chevalier d’Honneur of the Parliament Here. His office implies a Gentleman of Distinction, and His Personal Character Corresponds to it. The nature of His business I can Say nothing about, and...
16To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 8th Instt. came duely to hand. I do not wonder that M. Du bourg thought my terms too high, and I doubt not but he will get many Cheaper Undertakers. May They prove good and Cheap for his Sake. His affairs have afforded me some hours amusement which I do not regret. I see you have a bad opinion of our ministerial news, but by letters I...
17To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 19 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I know it will give you pleasure to learn that by a letter received yesterday from Grenada My Brother has got two verdicts from Juries which I think reduced his and my adversaries to reason. I Expect Him here in a Couple of Months which will induce me to Continue, whereas I thought of giving the Girls a few Months of Italy for the Sake of the Language...
18To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you two letters last Summer in which I mentioned the feu Gregois and the Comte de Rostaing. I wish I had known by a single line That They came Safe to Hand. This goes by that Gentleman who is a Genl. officer of Artilery, and a Man of great Worth. If You will venture to take a friend of my recommending I recommend Him to you. He was sent out as...
19From Benjamin Franklin to [William Alexander], 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This letter is interesting both for its sidelight on past history, the Stamp Act, and because it was the prelude to one more British effort to negotiate through Franklin. He is commenting on a passage in a pamphlet, which Alexander had passed on to him, by William Johnstone Pulteney. The author, a wealthy member of Parliament and Alexander’s correspondent and business...
20William Alexander to [William Pulteney]: Extract, 26 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I wrote you a letter from Paris Immediately before I Set out for this place. On my arrival here I found one from our friend Williams which had been Addressed there. He seems to think there is little room for accommodating the Law Suit, from the obstinacy of one of the Brothers. I may be mistaken but am not of his opinion. Ben spoke indeed Cautiously and as a Man...
21To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 4 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244. Upon a night’s reflection it is thought right that you be possessed of the inclosed, to be afterwards returned without taking copy in case no business be done. Will you let me know by the bearer if we are to see you in town to day, and when, that I...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [14 July 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Since the giving my evidence at the Court Martial, I have been endeavouring to recollect more particularly the import of the conversation between General Lee and myself, that happened in the field the day of the action and which was the subject of discussion yesterday, before the Court. My memory will not serve me on the occasion, in so clear a manner, as I could wish; but I have been able to...
23To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Paper Contains a short sketch of Dr. Blacks Doctrine of Latent heat. It is there applied only to a few phenomena but the Dr. has experiments to shew that it is also the Cause of vapour, and He Explains How Evaporation Generates Cold, and the whole Theory of fluidity. After you have red this short paper, When you meet with my B[rothe]r He will...
24George Washington to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, or Officer Commanding His Division, 2 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1779 . Orders Stirling to Pompton. Asks Stirling to keep careful watch on Highland forts. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the spring of 1779, Franklin had taught Jonathan Williams, Jr., the principles of “moral algebra” to help him resolve one of his most troublesome dilemmas—whether or not to return to America. “By the Way,” Franklin added, “if you do not learn it, I apprehend you will never be married.” Williams protested that where marriage was concerned, his negative...
26To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, [19 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress, Pendleton Satterthwaite, East Orange, N.J. (1955) I send you adjoined the Certificate you desire, and am perfectly convinc’d from Conversations I have since had with Mr. Pultney that no body was authorised to hold the Language which has been imputed to him on that Subject; and I have a high...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [24 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellys. command I am to request you will be pleased to put General Hands brigade under marching orders to move by break of day tomorrow morning. He will see General Greene and take orders from him. An impress of waggons is the object. I have the honor to be with the truest attacht. Yr Lordships Most Obedt. serv. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Brigadier General Edward...
28To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 268–9. I told you last time I had the pleasure of seeing you at Passy, that I would make a trip to London, but had no notion it would be so soon. On coming to town last evening, I found such pressing letters that I propose setting off this evening or...
29From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I thank you for informing me of your intended Journey. You know so well the prevailing Sentiments here, and mine in particular, that it is unnecessary for me to express them; and having never been believ’d on that side the Water, it would be useless. I will say, however, that I think the Language you mention, very proper to be held, as it is the Truth; tho’ the...
30To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 3 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Altho’ I expect to see you in a Day or two after this comes to hand, I cannot let slip the Opportunity of M. Moore formerly with Mr. Williams to inform you that the addresses in Consequences of the Question carried on Wednesday, was carried to the King by the whole Opposition on Friday, That the answer after the common place phrazes and the repetition of...
31From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I am much oblig’d by the Confidence you place in me by communicating your Plan, & by your kind Intentions in it of serving America. Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements, and excuse my declining to engage in the Scheme, for Reasons that I will some time or other give you. If you think fit to propose it to this Court, I would advise your...
32To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for your Attention in returng my papers So early, and have no doubt but you have solid reasons for declining the Execution of the plan, without pretending even to Conjecture what they may be, It is obvious that a Commonwealth shoud be Governd by different Maxims from a Monarchy. I am exceedingly obliged to you for Suggesting to me the most...
33To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope my Dear Sir you will acquit me of Impertinent Curiosity, in wishing very anxiously to know, what is likely to be the fate of an Island, in which my family yet think, they have a stake because a little knowledge of this, will Affect my measures, & may Save some Expence. If there be any thing improper in the request, be So kind as let your Son tell...
34William Alexander to Franklin and William Temple Franklin, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Betsey wrote you last week to ask a day when you & your son Can dine wt Madme de la Marke any time before the 20th— We have no Answer— You will oblige me by desiring your son to write— On recolection I address this to Him & beg He will drop me a line to st Germains— I am most faithfully Your & His Most obt hble s Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin...
35To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In case our friend Williams shoud not provide for Some bills drawn by Mr Bache of Philadelphia will You not think it proper to do it? They can hardly exceed 1000— If you think this proper—You shoud Write Williams to address the holders to you— My meaning in this is that you woud probably Chuse to save Mr Bache the dishonor & loss which is very Considerable...
36To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our friend W ——, has taken his measures & has Already agreed wt most of his people at 6, 12, 18 Months & 2 Years by equal payments— He hopes he will meet no difficulty with the others but thinks that the Extension of his protection to a year (it Expires the 6 septr) woud secure his Object by preventing any troublesome Man from laying by to Catch undue...
37To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 6 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I left St Germains Sunday Morning & got here on Tuesday. The post since come in, brought me your most acceptable letter of the 2d which Cover’d a packet for the President of the Congress, to be forwarded immediatly on my arrival— You also hand me two letters from a Woman calling herself widow to Mr Sprowl of Norfolk— In fact she was widow to his nephew...
38To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot let my first ship go without dropg you a few lines—Jonn woud inform you of my arrival of the severity of the Winter, & of my Journey to Philadelphia which was necessary for setling a plan for conducting my money transactions which I did to my Satisfaction— I had the pleasure of Seeing your amiable Daughter Grand Children & Mr Bache, & received...
39To George Washington from William Alexander, 10 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by my friends, I take up my Pen to ask you for the appointment, of Naval Officer, for the District of Baltimore; which if conferred on me, I flatter myself, it will be executed with the Stricktest propriety. As Offices, flow through the channel of Favor, when candidates, are equally qualified to execute them—permit me, Sir, in that case, to offer an argument in my favor? that there...
40From Thomas Jefferson to William Alexander, 29 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire expressed in your note by Dr. Currie I have now lodged at Colo. Bell’s in Charlottesville 3. casks of nails to be forwarded to Staunton to the care of Gamble & Grattan by any waggon which may be passing, or to be delivered or otherwise disposed of at your order. The contents of the casks, and cost carried to your debet are noted below. As it is impossible to make casks...
41To George Washington from William Alexander, 15 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I find Congress have it in Contemplation to open a land office, for the Sale of the public lands North West of the river ohio, and that a Surveyor General or superintendant will be appointed. I take the liberty to offer myself for that office and should you think me worthy of it, I shall endeavour to do the duty faithfully. I was by warrant under the hand and seal of Mr Hutchins late...
42From Thomas Jefferson to William Alexander, 26 July 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The large and constant remittances of cash which I am obliged to make to Philadelphia for nailrod for the supply of my nailery, constrain me to expect short paiments for the nails I furnish. I have lately even found it necessary to require ready money instead of the three months credit I formerly gave. I have therefore taken the liberty of drawing on you for £16—10—3 the amount of the nails I...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William Alexander, 8 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Allow A Youth to Address you his Father was held in Carolina with esteem, his Son has met with Misfortunes to A Considerable Sum The Youth who now addresses you must observe my deceased parents (Alexr. Alexander & Wife ) have Left some small competency to me but having the family of Wife and Child Induces me to Supplicate you for an Appointement of Any Kind in Carolina My Adged Grand Mother...
44To Thomas Jefferson from William Alexander, 14 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This (my Again Intrusion) I hope you will Excuse & pardon, A Letter I Addressed you some time since stating My Father being the Friend of Bishop White & My Uncle Jas Anderson American Consul up the Medetiraneean, appointed by your self, occasions me once again to Solicitate your patronage, Should my Former Letter not have been Received I pray your Excuse for this, Would you Sir Confer upon me...