1To Thomas Jefferson from John Browne Cutting, 20 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The elevation of their fellow citizen to preside among millions of intelligent freemen—over a cluster of genuine republics, obedient, members of one great, durable, and growing Empire—is doubtless a dignified and dignifying Spectacle. The philosophic contemplate it with hope, and it is an object that fills a wide space in the eye of mankind But to the Individual (like myself) an equal lover of...
2From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown Cutting, 25 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Robert Leslie, a watchmaker of this city goes to establish himself in London. I consider him and the late Mr. Rumsey as two of the most ingenious mechanics I have ever known. Having been a witness to your patronage of Mr. Rumsey I have thought I could not more befriend Mr. Leslie than to make him also known to you. Your knowlege of London may enable you to give very...
3To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 24 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
On friday evening last died Mr. Rumsay of Maryland. On the evening before while sitting with some members of the Society for encouraging british arts sciences and manufactures (who from the high opinion they entertain’d of his genius had frequently consulted him at their meetings) he complain’d of a sudden pain in his head, and resting it on his hand on the table in an instant became...
4To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 22 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose to You a few stanzas which several persons, eminent in polite literature—and who have moreover the honor of a more intimate acquaintance with you than myself—affirm to be neither inelegant unjust nor unworthy of the subject on the occasion. I rejoice in this opportunity of testifying the fervency of that attachment and patriotic homage with which I am, your very...
5II. Secretary of State to John Browne Cutting, 17 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 11th. came to hand August 28th. Those of July 16. August 7. 11. October 4. and 6. at subsequent periods.—They should not have thus long have remained unacknowledged but for the idea, which has been constantly kept up, that you were on the verge of your departure for this country. Even so late as the date of your last, Mr. Barrett says in a letter to me that “Mr. Cutting will...
6Enclosure IX: John Browne Cutting to Philip Stephens, [22 September 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Cutting’s compliments to Mr. Stephens, on whom he waits agreeably to appointment, to ask if any reply from the commander of the Crescent (concerning Hugh Purdie) has yet been given to the letter which Mr. Stephens was pleased to say he had written, and the purport of the answer to which, should be communicated to Mr. Cutting on tuesday morning. Mr. Cutting would also wish to be informed if...
7Enclosure VIII: John Browne Cutting to Hugh Purdie, [17 September 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
This moment your two letters of the 15th. inst. are put into my hands. The proper steps for efectuating your immediate release are taken. I send you this line merely from the possibility that the Post may arrive an hour or two sooner than the order for your discharge. Say nothing, fear nothing. In less than twenty four hours a positive order for your liberation will arrive. Meanwhile I am...
8Enclosure VII: Hugh Purdie to John Browne Cutting, [16 September 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
These lines will inform you that at four o’clock on the 15th. September 1790 I was released from my irons and brought to the quarter deck, where by the advice of some who were my friends, I plead hard for a Court Martial where evidence might be taken on both sides. Contrary to their expectation it was denied me: and the Captain ordered me one dozen lashes with a rogues cat o’ nine tails, with...
9Enclosure V: Hugh Purdie to John Browne Cutting, 15 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The fleet under the command of Earl Howe arrived last night, and I am sorry to acquaint you that the Captain of the Crescent does not seem disposed to order me on shore so soon as I could wish, therefore must intreat of you to forward my discharge by the earliest opportunity. The cruize has been extremely tedious which makes me more desirous than ever of my freedom. With hearty wishes for your...
10Enclosure VI: Hugh Purdie to John Browne Cutting, 15 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
My situation at this instant makes me shed tears plentifully. I must proceed to inform you that in delivering my letter to you dated this day, to one of the bargemen, I inadvertently handed it through one of the ports not knowing it was a crime. The Gunner, who is not a commissioned Officer, immediately ordered me to be whipped. I said on coming on the ships forecastle that shortly I expected...
11Enclosure IV: Philip Stephens to John Browne Cutting, [19 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Memorial of the 10th instant requesting the discharge of the four men named in the margin, natives of America and subjects of the United States of America, who have been impressed and put on board his Majesty’s Ships the Edgar and Crescent, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you that they have given orders for the...
12Enclosure III: John Browne Cutting to J. Hunt, [18 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
I entreat the favor of you to return by the bearer that memorial and those papers, which, on behalf of Purdie and other impressed American mariners, I put into your hand on the 10th instant. I vainly flattered myself so far as to expect the indulgence of being heard five minutes by the Earl of Chatham himself in their behalf; especially as one of them is a young man well known to persons of...
13To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 11 August 1790 (Adams Papers)
If ever there was a time when the volunteer exertions of a citizen of America became a duty incumbent upon him in a foreign realm—that period has existed here. For many weeks past I have not been absent a single day from the Admiralty—sundays only excepted. It is not for me to say how efficacious in resisting individual oppression or national mischief this un-intermitting attention has proved....
14Enclosure II: William Short to John Browne Cutting, 11 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy to be able to add to the testimony of Purdie’s being a Citizen of the United States. I remember perfectly being at College at Williamsburg with a person of that name, and that he was son of the Postmaster General at that place. I not only recollect the name and knew the family while at College, but I recollect also the person of Purdie so as to be able to swear to his identity if I...
15Enclosure I: John Browne Cutting to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 10 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
To the Right Honble. the Lords Commissioners of the British Admiralty. The Memorial of John Brown Cutting respectfully sheweth. That your memorialist is a native and Citizen of the United States of America, and has been intreated by four of his fellow Citizens to represent that they are truly such, and to ask your orders for their discharge from onbound his Britannic Majesty’s ships the Edgar...
16To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 17 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the opportunity afforded me by a vessel that sails to day for Philadelphia to send you some newspapers and to tell You that the condition of the american seamen here claims the immediate attention of the Government of the United States. In the absence of any person invested with consular or ministerial authority from Congress—I cou’d not endure to see my fellow citizens first...
17I. John Browne Cutting to the Secretary of State, [17? July 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The moment I had sealed the letter which I wrote you in such haste yesterday, I proceeded to the Admiralty with my pocket full of affidavits and memorials and smoothing my passage through the offices of the clerks by putting my hand into a smaller pocket (as all who are anxious for speedy success in any Admiralty-suit ought to do or they will repent the omission) I soon reached the upper...
18To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 5 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
There are so many rumours concerning the present state of the dispute between Spain and Britain and so many individuals interested to misrepresent it that it is with much diffidence that I venture to offer you any opinion on that subject. The british parliament the members of which are now chiefly elected will not be assembled before the middle of august. Till then very little that can be...
19To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 16 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I write this note just to inclose you a couple of newspapers. Such is the variable & distracted state of affairs at present here and all over Europe that it is impossible to form an opinion one day that events of the next will not overturn. The cabinet of St Jame’s having involved this nation in the fortunes of Prussia—it is next to impossible that a general war shou’d not ensue. France has...
20To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 14 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
By a vessel that sails for Boston tomorrow I inclose You the british king’s speech on the adjournment prior to the late dissolution of parliament—for which dissolution the next day a royal proclamation issued. From the tenor of this speech a general european war is expected. Meanwhile the most extensive naval armaments are preparing in the ports adjacent to all the great dockyards of this...
21To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 3 June 1790 (Adams Papers)
I inclosed You a few days ago a parcel of printed papers some of which I conceived might contain interesting intelligence especially if the dispute between Britain & Spain shoud terminate in hostilities, as in such an event the government of the United States woud at least be involved in discussions of considerable importance to our country with one or both of those nations. Among the rest you...
22To George Washington from John Brown Cutting, 1 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you an english newspaper wherein is inserted the copy of a treaty between the king of Prussia and the sublime Porte. This copy I am informed by a foreigner of veracity who perused the original at the house of the imperial minister, is a genuine translation. The terms of it are such that a war between the respective parties to it in conjunction with the kings of...
23II. John Brown Cutting to Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A relapse soon after I took leave of You at Cowes has compel’d me to waste the whole winter in Europe: the greater part of it I have pass’d at Bath. It is now probable that I shall not embark for New York before June, when Mr. Rutledge and myself will be companions of the voyage, so that I may receive any commands that you may wish me to execute here for You by the May Packet. Mr. Rutledge has...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 20 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just spoken with a gentleman who promises to put a line for me in the letter bag of Capt. Woolsey when he arrives at Gravesend. I embrace the opportunity of inclosing a newspaper or two, additional to those I have already inclosed. The accounts from Brussels of the riot do seem likely to be true from the intemperate violence of the priests and other agents of the aristocracy, who with...
25Enclosure: William Short to John Brown Cutting, 17 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you most sincerely for your two kind and faithful letters, the first of the 5th. inst. the second without date recieved this morning. You see I do not delay shewing you how ready I am to draw from you your agreeable American information by exciting it with an immediate answer. I was particularly pleased to see the address to Mr. Jefferson and was in hopes his answer would have given...
26III. Extract from the Speech of Edmund Burke, [9 February 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The french have proved themselves the ablest architects of ruin that ever existed in the world. In one summer they have done their business for us as rivals in a way more destructive than twenty Ramillies or Blenheims. In this very short space of time they have completely pulled down to the ground their monarchy: their church; their nobility; their law; their revenue; their army; their navy;...
27From George Washington to John Brown Cutting, 23 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 25th of July enclosing sundry papers respecting the state of public affairs in France, for which mark of attention I request you to accept my best acknowledgements. I am, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt. Df , in the writing of Tobias Lear, DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . On this day GW also wrote similar brief letters of acknowledgment to John...
28John Brown Cutting to William Short, 3 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just returned from Bath where I have been ever since I parted with Mr. Jefferson at Cowes. Perhaps it may not have been notified to you that the Claremont Capt. Colley and the vessel in which Mr. Trumbull sailed for New York proceeded down the channel on the morning of the 23d with a fine wind. This I learn by a letter from our Friend Trumbull who wrote to me by the pilot, when he quitted...
29From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown Cutting, 17 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Our ship arrived here this evening, and if the wind permits we shall sail tomorrow. I cannot do this without bidding you Adieu, and, thro you, to your brother, Messrs. Paine, Parker, and Rumsay. I hope you are perfectly reestablished after your indisposition. When you are perfectly so, I must ask you to perform for me the friendly office of calling on Mr. McKenzie in my name, and returning him...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 30 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 24th. with the inclosures has just reach’d me. The letter shall be forwarded to Charlestown immediately. Mr. Trumbull who had the goodness to communicate your letter to him of a prior date on the subject of taking your passage in some vessel bound from hence to the Chesapeak, having accorded with me in opinion that from the aspect of that letter there was very little probability...