1To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, [17 January 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 17, 1795. On January 28, 1795, Hamilton wrote to Tench Coxe : “I send you copy of a letter from the Attorney General of the 17 instant.” Letter not found. ]
2From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, 10 May 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, May 10, 1795. On May 21, 1795, Bradford wrote to Hamilton : “I thank you very sincerely for your letter of the 10th. inst.” Letter not found. ]
3From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, 10 April 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, April 10, 1795. On April 10, 1795, Hamilton wrote to Oliver Wolcott, Jr. : “I send a letter to The Attorney General which you will read seal & deliver.” Letter not found. ]
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 22 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Pittsburgh, August 22, 1794. On August 23, 1794, Bradford wrote to Hamilton : “Yesterday I wrote to you.” Letter not found. ]
5From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, 25 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 25, 1794. On May 1, 1794, Bradford wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your Letter of the 25th ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
6Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 11 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of conveying to the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War, and the Attorney General the wish of the President, that instead of a meeting at his house at 12 oClock on Monday next the opinions upon the two points suggested in a note of this morning should be committed to writing, and sent to the President by that time. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the...
7From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, 5 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 5, 1794. On March 14, 1794, Bradford wrote to Hamilton : “I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letters of the 5th instant.” Letters not found. ]
8[From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, Timothy Pickering, Edmund Randolph, and Oliver Wolcott, Junior], [28 July … (Hamilton Papers)
Hamilton, History John C. Hamilton, Life of Alexander Hamilton, a History of the Republic of the United States of America (Boston, 1879). , VI, 243. John Church Hamilton states that H wrote to members of George Washington’s cabinet on this date. No further evidence of this correspondence, however, has been found.
9To James Madison from William Bradford, 4 April 1775 (Madison Papers)
Though the business that at present surrounds me on every side, makes writing inconvenient, yet I cannot let Mr. Hoops return without a few Lines to one I value so much. [Mr Dunlap’s paper &c] I send with this Furguson which I could not get for less than 12/ tho’ you will perceive it is somewhat soil’d. I also send the friendly address &c. & The other side of the Question. I dare not add more...
10To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 7 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the letter from the Collector of Newport inclosed in yours which I received yesterday, and the questions which he states as arising upon the proviso to the 66§. of the Collection Act passed on the 4th August, 1790, and I am of opinion. That a capias or attachment issued within three years after the penalty of forfeiture was incurred, and returned by the proper officer, is a...
11Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 9 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State begs the favor of the opinion of the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War, and of the Attorney General upon the inclosed Letter of Mr. Hammond, of the 9th. ultimo. The point on which your advice will be particularly interesting is, whether the government of the United States is bound to urge the payment requested? LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of...
12From Benjamin Franklin to [William?] Bradford, 16 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; draft: American Philosophical Society I have just now been urged to apply to you in behalf of a Stranger who is suppos’d to have spoken some disrespectful Words of you, and who is apprehensive of the Resentment of your Company, as he is told they are exceedingly exasperated against him. He declares that the Words ascrib’d to him, are much...
13From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, 8 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter by express duly came to hand. The separate power has I understand been dispatched. General Nevil suggests that if a disposition to comply should appear, the best proof of it would be a request from the parties to Mr. Johnson to resume the exercise of his Office with assurances of support from them. This idea is well worth your attention; though I do not expect you will approach...
14Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 15 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has it in charge from the President of the United States, to request the attendance of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General, at his Room on Monday next 11. o’Clock. The following, among other subjects, will be submitted. 1. Whether it be expedient to send, to England with the complaints of spoliation, some agent to manage them,...
15To James Madison from William Bradford, 20 May 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
20 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book and Register, for the months of May & June 1776,” now in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, William Bradford wrote on 20 May: “… went to the town meeting where notwithstanding the badness of the day ther was a great number of inhabitants & it was resolved 1. That the present Government was inefficient 2. That the Assembly could not legally form a new...
16To George Washington from William Bradford, January 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General has the honour to report, That having considered the Resolve of the Senate of the 24th instant whereby the President of the United States is requested to lay before that body the correspondence which has been had between the minister of the United States at the French Republic and the said Republic and between said Minister and the office of Secretary of State — He is of...
17Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, [30 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General of the United States, that he has this day received a Convention bearing date the 27th. of March 1794 between Denmark and Sweden for the maintenance of the rights of neutral navigation. It is proper to notify the Gentlemen, that Mr. Jay is instructed, if he should...
18To James Madison from William Bradford, 24 September 1773 (Madison Papers)
I was on the point of expostulating with you for you[r] long silence when I receiv’d your[s] of Sept 6 by the hands of our worthy friend mr Ervin. I am surprized & chagrined to find you have not received a letter I wrote about six weeks ago. You may remember you promised to give me you[r] sentiments about my employing my talents provided I explained myself more fully upon that head. Eager to...
19From Thomas Jefferson to William Bradford, 26 April 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
I am constrained by the subscribers to your paper in this neighborhood to trouble you with information of the uncertainty with which they seem likely to come. The first mail came about ten days ago open and loose, and containing not more than one paper for any subscriber, and none for several. The papers which came were of three several dates. The last mail, which would have been the second,...
20Edmund Randolph to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and William Bradford, 14 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The President wishes your opinion, as to the step, proper to be taken, upon the inclosed address. To send to congress, what the President thinks unfit for himself, will be unkindly received; being uncivil in itself. To acknowledge the body, as such, is in every view inadmissible. So that the question seems to turn upon this; whether it be better to treat the paper with unqualiffied and silent...
21To George Washington from William Bradford, 16 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General has the honor of submitting to the president of the United States his opinion on the petition of George Hoffner and others, prisoners now confined in the gaol of Washington County in Maryland. The Attorney General is of opinion that the acquital therein stated cannot be legally pleaded in bar of an indictment for Treason against the United States; the state Courts not...
22From James Madison to William Bradford, 17 March 1775 (Madison Papers)
This I expect will be delivered to you by the Revd. Mr Samuel Smith who will inform you of every thing respecting our affairs that I could let you know by Letter. I wrote to you very lately by Mr David Hoops in answer to yours contain[in]g a few lines from Mr Irvin. If it should fail of coming to you it will be proper I should know of it because I there mentioned what I desired as to Dunlap &...
23Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 5 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of inclosing for the consideration of the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War and the Attorney General of the United States, the papers in the case of the British Ship William, a prize to a French vessel of war. The Secretary of State is of opinion, that it is not proved, that she was taken within the protection of our Coasts, and therefore that she...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 27 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 27, 1794. The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “Concerning expenses of ‘The Commissioners appointed by the President of the United States.’ Bradford … had apparently advanced the money needed to buy horses, etc., and he inquires if the sums advanced were to be repaid him by the Quartermaster or charged in his account against the U.S.” Letter...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 14 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letters of the 5th instant and have considered the question therein stated for my opinion. It is, at what time does the credit upon the duties imposed on a cargo first entered for exportation and afterwards for landing, begin to run. Although this case does not appear to have been distinctly foreseen or provided for in any of the Impost...
26From Thomas Jefferson to William Bradford, 6 November 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
To be present at the meeting of Congress would have required me to set out on this day. But circumstances of necessity oblige me to ask of the Senate the indulgence of some time, probably of about a fortnight. Whether it be more or less I shall repair to my station the first moment it is possible for me to do so. A knolege that in the mean time it is so worthily filled, leaves me nothing to...
27From James Madison to William Bradford, [ca. 21 May] 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
Ca. 21 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book,” Bradford noted on 28 May 1776: “This morning I recieved a Letter from Mr Maddison who is a member of the Virginia Convention, informing me of the declaration of Independency made by that body.” Since the resolution calling upon the delegates of Virginia in the Second Continental Congress to propose that “the United Colonies” be declared “free and...
28From James Madison to William Bradford, 5–6 September 1773 (Madison Papers)
If I did not love you too well to scold at you I should begin this with upbraiding your long silence contrary to your express promise and my earnest Solicitations. The Bundle of Pamplets you sent by the Post has miscarried[.] I would not trouble you with sending them again but perhaps if you would enquire of the Post they might still be discovered. I expect this will be handed to you by Mr....
29To James Madison from William Bradford, 3 June 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
3 June 1776 . In his “Memorandum Book” (see 20 May 1776) Bradford wrote: “As my friend Maddison had desired me in his last to give him a sketch of the Constitution of this province and of that of Connecticut which might be useful to him as a member of Convention, I determined to return an early answer & wrote a rough draught of a Letter for that purpose. The constitution of Connecticut I...
30Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, [17 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretaries of the Treasury and of war and the Attorney General, that subscriptions have been carried on in Boston and Norfolk, and the monies, arising therefrom have been tendered to the President for the relief of the Unhappy Citizens of the United States now in captivity in Algiers. Sometime ago the Citizens of Philadelphia were in...
31To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 4 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The record of the proceedings in the cause relating to the Carriage Tax is not yet returned —but I expect it this week. I learn however that Taylor, who has published his speech, has advised the defendant to make no further argument & to let the Supreme Court do as they please & that in consequence of this advice no counsel will appear in support of the writ of Error. I have denied that the...
32To George Washington from William Bradford, 9 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General having made the necessary inquiries respecting the case of John Mitchell, one of the insurgents, recommended by General Morgan as a proper object for a pardon —has now the honor to report to the president of the United States, That it appears by the voluntary Confession of the said John Mitchell, that he was present at and concerned in the Attack upon & destruction of...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 15 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have attentively considered the question which you have stated for my consideration & I am clearly of opinion “that the stock of the United States standing in the names of individuals on the books of the Treasury are not liable to attachment by the Laws of Pennsylvania.” Independent of the strong considerations which arise from the nature of the debt and the manner in which transfers are...
34From James Madison to William Bradford, 20 January 1775 (Madison Papers)
Your very acceptable favours by Mr. Rutherford arrived safe but I perceived by the date, had a very tedious passage which perhaps may be attributed to the craziness of the Vessel in which you embarked them. I ought to mention in particular that I did not receive them till after I wrote my last as an apology for my not then acknowledging it I entirely acquiesce in your Opinion of our friend...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 23 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday I wrote to you pretty fully —to day I have little to add beyond what is contained in the official communication. Whatever may be the declarations of a determination to submit, or exertions on the part of those whose indemnity depends upon a general acquiescence in the execution of the acts of Congress—there seems to be a necessity for some force being stationed here, to overawe the...
36Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 13 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I had a personal interview with Mr. Fauchet yesterday; and endeavoured to satisfy him of the difficulty, and, as I conceived, the impracticability of advancing the million of Dollars, which he requested. He described his distress, produced by the various draughts of the French Consuls, with great force, and in strong colours; and begged, that he might be permitted to state it on paper. This of...
37From James Madison to William Bradford, 19 June 1775 (Madison Papers)
I received another acceptable pledge of your friendship two days ago in a letter dated June 2d. and, as usual, must begin this by discharging a debt of Gratitude to which the further accounts I have of your friendly services and intentions intitle you. I hope I have an inexhaustible fund of that however destitute I may be of other virtues. But I assure you I am often grieved at reflecting that...
38To George Washington from William Bradford, 17 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ a pretty full narrative of the situation of this County is prepared to be transmitted to the Secretary of State I take the liberty of adding a few observations on this interesting subject, which may not be so proper in an official communication. It will appear to you, Sir, from that letter to be our joint opinion that the people cannot be induced by conciliatory offers to relinquish...
39To George Washington from William Bradford, 17 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Foreign Intelligence is conveyed to you so quickly and domestic occurrences have been so unimportant, that I have been unwilling to trouble you with a letter which could give you no material information: but I perceive, that if I indulge these scruples longer, I shall not have the honor of writing to you at all. I spent part of last week in New Jersey & had an opportunity of conversing with a...
40To James Madison from William Bradford, [13] October 1772 (Madison Papers)
FC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). The RC is not known to exist. Given below is the text of the first letter copied by William Bradford in his commonplace book. On page 1 of this notebook he wrote, “Letters to and From Mr. James Maddison jr. From October the seventh 1772 to July 28th … 1775 inclusive.” Unaccountably, Bradford misdated the present letter “October 7th 1773.” JM’s reply of...
41To George Washington from William Bradford, 5 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General has the honor of stating, as required to the president of the United States his opinion upon the late combinations in the Western Counties of Pennsylvania and on the measures requise to suppress them. The offence which has already been committed and which the Insurgents beyond the Alleghany Mountain still persist in, appears to the Attorney General so far as respects the...
42To James Madison from William Bradford, [18] July 1775 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you last week by the post. Mr Smith gives me an opportunity of sending you a few more lines which friendship will not allow me to neglect. I have seen the address to the six confederate indian Nations. It sets forth that our fathers left britain on the faith of Contracts which have been faithfully observed on our part, that the king’s ministers grew jealous of us, that they sent...
43Edmund Randolph to William Bradford, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox, 11 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretaries of the Treasury and of war and the attorney general, that the President is desirous, that they would take into consideration the Resolutions lately passed by the Inhabitants of Kentucky, and the intelligence lately received from Mr. Seagrove relative to the affairs in Georgia. The President wishes to see the Gentlemen at his...
44From James Madison to William Bradford, 10 June 1773 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of Mr Wallace’s Company & your letter on Tuesday last. He left me to Day but not without requesting me to make mention of his kind remembrance of you when I should write to you. He professes a warm affection for you and you know the sincerity of his professions. I am much obliged to you for your information concerning my friends. I received a Line or two with yours from Mrss...
45From James Madison to William Bradford, 28 April 1773 (Madison Papers)
I received your Letter dated March the 1st. about a Week ago and It is not more to obey your demands, than to fulfill my own desires that I give you this early answer. I am glad you disclaim all punctiliousness in our correspondence. For my own part I confess I have not the face to perform ceremony in person and I equally detest it on paper though as Tully says It cannot blush. Friendship like...
46To James Madison from William Bradford, 12 August 1773 (Madison Papers)
I have just returned here from Philada where I have been this week past in a constant hurry occasioned by the marriage of a Sister. I now sit down to answer your agreeable Letter which I could not do sooner altho I greatly desired it; but I hope you will not follow a bad example but reprove my long delay by an early answer; for as I expect soon to determine what profession I shall engage in...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 21 May 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your letter of the 10th. inst. which I received a few days ago. The conduct of Fauchet which you so justly reprobate could not escape the notice of the president tho’ it does not seem to have excited so much public attention as I expected. A little before this took place, that minister had intimated to Mr Randolph his expectation of returning soon to France; and...
48To James Madison from William Bradford, 5 November 1773 (Madison Papers)
Your last reached me in a very happy time as I was on the point of determining what profession I would choose & absolutely fixing my choice which had long been wavering between law & trade! As your sentiments coincided with those of my [other] friends I have begun the study of the law
49To James Madison from William Bradford, 4 March 1774 (Madison Papers)
I purposely delayed answering yours of January 24th to this time that I might be better able to give you the Intelligence you wanted. I hope however it will reach you before you set out and perhaps time enough to be answered. I agree with you that a Student of Law should not to[o] much indulge his taste for polite-Learning as it has a tendency to make the mind averse to severer Studies. Yet...
50To James Madison from William Bradford, 25 December 1773 (Madison Papers)
The gratefull manner in which you mention the few trifles I sent you gives me a most sensible pleasure as it [is] a new proof of you[r] friendship. Beleive me my freind I esteem it [a] favor that you put it in my power to oblige; & therefore the best way of showing your gratitude will be to command me freely when I have it in my power to serve you. I am glad to hear you intend to cultivate an...