1To Benjamin Franklin from William Davies, 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am truly sorry that an unhappy occasion compels me to intrude at this time upon your more important concerns, and beg the circumstance may have sufficient weight to apologize therefor. My son William Davies, was lately taken in the ship General Washington, from this Port on a Cruize, by the British ship of War, Chatham and he with other Officers of the...
2To George Washington from Colonel William Davies, 20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the board of arrangement to lay the inclosed representation before your Excellency. They are not actuated by any other motives than a regard to their own rights as officers, and the general interest of the service. Upon similar pretensions General Scott might have retired when General Weedon was irregularly placed over his head; and General Muhlenberg, who was in the same...
3To George Washington from William Davies, 21 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the vacancy at the board of three, occasioned by the resignation of Mr Baldwin, I have been advised to offer myself as his successor. Having come hither on public business in behalf of Virginia, and without any views towards obtaining an appointment, I have no other recommendation or testimonial in my favor, than my past conduct and present situation can give me. Perhaps it...
4Enclosure: William Davies to Beverley Randolph, 21 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of an Order of the House of Representatives, that the Commissioners of the General Board should report the amount of the Claims of the several States, mr Gilman and mr Kean, Genl Irvine being absent, thought proper to report no. 1, which mr Madison calls a libel on the State. North Carolina and Georgia are also Stigmatized, but their Vengeance seems more particularly directed at...
5To George Washington from William Davies, 19 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had this day the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 16th and enclose for your information the whole stock of cloathing on hand at this place, much the greater part of which came in this morning. I have been using every endeavor for some time past to bring to a point all the cloathing required by law from the various counties, but the confusions which the incursions of the enemy...
6To James Madison from William Davies, 8 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
As the Virginia commissioner charged with settling the state’s accounts with the Union, William Davies had been in New York since early 1789 arranging and presenting vouchers and other evidence of the Virginia expenditures during the war. In conducting this business the commissioner worked closely with the Virginia delegation in Congress, particularly with JM, who was “zealous on this subject”...
7To James Madison from William Davies, 24 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I am often applied to by seamen belonging to Coasting vessels for protections, alledging that the British Ships of War impress them within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. I have never been able to ascertain that such practice actually exists; but the transaction stated in the enclosed deposition seems to be so irregular, that I think it proper to be communicated. I have...
8To James Madison from William Davies, 29 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 29 October 1803 . Acknowledged in Daniel Brent to Davies, 7 Nov. 1803 (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14). Encloses the protest of Joseph Seward, William Randell Mitchell, and James Chew, officers and crew of the brig Drake , complaining of the impressment of two members of the crew, James Ferniol and Neil Long. Also enclosed was a certificate from the U.S. consul at Liverpool stating...
9To James Madison from William Davies, 4 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1804, Norfolk. “The enclosed papers, exhibit an irregularity of Conduct on the part of two American Captains, which it may be proper to lay before you, I have only to add that the Sailor, Burnes, by the records in this Office appears to be a native American Seaman.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p. Enclosures not found.
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Davies, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed a considerable number of public papers, brimstone and other articles are lying round the works at Westham, many of them very little damaged. I cannot well spare any body from this side to collect them, but think it my duty to give your Excellency the information. The number of Hanover militia on the other side the river, is so considerable as to take the whole of the good arms. I...