1To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Osbornes, 5 Feb. 1781. Agreeable to TJ’s instructions Lewis has “made Every Captain Acquainted what they have to do.” There are now two vessels here that could take in military stores, and if required at Richmond they will be ordered up. Since contrary winds may keep Lewis and his force from getting to Hood’s as soon as expected, provisions will be needed. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and...
2From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 4 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been found necessary to engage voluntarily or to impress all the armed vessels of private property which can be had immediately, together with their crews, arms &c., and the crews of other vessels as far as necessary to man these, you will be pleased to take such of them as are lying at Ozbornes; and fall down immediately to Hood’s, taking with you such other of the said vessels as...
3Commission to William Lewis, [4 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Know you that from the special trust and confidence which is reposed in your fidelity, courage, activity and good conduct, our Governour with the advice of the Council of state doth hereby constitute and appoint you the said William Lewis a captain of an armed vessel in the service of this Commonwealth so long as you shall remain within the bays, rivers or other waters of this Commonwealth. In...
4From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed that the several persons whose Services we desire to avail ourselves of on this occasion, wish an authentic assurance of what before I had communicated to you verbally. You are therefore authorized to inform them that their vessels and their Loading shall be ensured by the State, that a reasonable hire shall be paid for their vessels and men, and the usual share of prize and...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 11 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Marsenburg [Massenberg] came here last evening and Informs Me that all the Vesels below have taken the advantage of Hampton roads being clear and have gone out. I am sorry that no step has been taken below to stop those Vessels, as they would have certainly been servicable and I think that no one Individual ought to take the benefit of an opening Espetialy those belonging to the State...
6From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 11 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot certainly say that any Vessels which may have gone down will not get out, but I hope they will not. The Dispatches which I sent to the French Commodore were by Capt. Maxwell. The Commodore having gone to cruize out of the Capes, the British had ventured out of Elizabeth river and were near taking Capt. Maxwell, which prevented my letter being conveyed to the Commodore at that time. I...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Mitchell or William Lewis, 14 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of the Marquis De La Fayette at York. Whether a Naval Force is come yet or not, I have not heard. I hope this will find you at Hoods with your little Fleet. Should it not I must request you to fall down there immediately with all the vessels. A vessel with some provisions for the Army and other articles goes from hence this evening. Be pleased...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 15 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been here two days With the Briggs Willing Lass and Wilkes with two Empty sloops and the flatt And Sloop With Military Stores and have Just received an order from the Baron to deliver all the Musket Carteriges Which shall comply with. As the Vessels are lyable to be calld down Every moment I think that the private Property ought to be Valued so that all parties may be satisfy’d and...
9From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 18 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written to Capt. Mitchell about having the Vessels and property valued. I hope you will be able to find judicious persons convenient, to do it. Being unacquainted in the neighborhood of Hoods, I am unable to point them out. I have also inclosed him an order for a hogshead of Spirits out of a vessel which left this place yesterday. I took for granted Mr. Brown had provided in the most...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 18 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben by order this Morning Received has orderd all the Vessels up to turkey Island, which order shall Imediately put in Execution. I wrote your Excellency will please order some provisions, as we shall be without after tomorrow. I am Sir your Most Obedt RC ( Vi ); addressed and endorsed. On 17 Mch. Steuben had written Lewis to order the vessels at Hood’s to Turkey Island because...
11George Twyman to Nicholas Lewis and Isaac Davis, with Jefferson’s Instructions to William Davies, 20–28 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Sixth of October last I Delivered to Mr. Joseph Hawkins Comasery at the Barracks 139 ℔ of mutten at 4. Dollars pr. pound, which I agree’d with him for a few Days before, for which I took a receit of Mr. John Tomas his assistant, Mr. Hawkins being some-where about The Store. I wated with patience as no money was to be had, and between the 5th. and 10th. March notis was given For Every body...
12From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 29 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Arrival of a British fleet and reinforcement having occasioned a discontinuance of those purposes for which the armed vessels were impressed, I have asked the favor of Capt. Mitchell to proceed to their discharge, excepting only the vessels having military stores on board and provisions. You will be so good as to see that the Ammunition &c. and other things of public property which have...
13William Lewis to James Maxwell, 22 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of 20th I got yesterday after the boat past, and shoud have Answered it by the boat. The vessels are all in want of Powder Match Rope and Carterage paper and Grape shot (Except my own Vessel). There is a Waggon here with those Articles but I have not a line concerning them nither do I know what is to be done with them after to day we shall have no provisions. I wish the Governor would...
14[William Lewis to Thomas Lee Shippen, 11 October 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I have given < your father > two or three papers which contain the substance of what has passed here respecting the federal convention. The connecting thread is all I shall send, except a few minutes of the proceedings of the convention. After four months session the house broke up. The represented states, eleven and a half, having unanimously agreed to the act handed to you , there were only...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 25 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Whether you will charge me with neglect or not, in not having Compleated the business respecting which you sometime since wrote me, I cannot say, but be that as it may, I cannot in my own mind entirely acquit myself, although I might offer some apology if I did not think it better to let you know what has realy been done and what is to be expected. Most of the Laws which you desired to have...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 1 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of your Letter of the 12th. of August last, I am about to lay before you the Information which it calls for, so far as I have been able to collect it. As I do not take your meaning to be, that I should confine myself to such matters as I might think exceptionable, I shall mention all such as have fallen within my knowledge, that “May be considered by the British Nation as an...
17From Alexander Hamilton to William Lewis, 12 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The following case occours in the transactions of the Treasury. The husband of a deceased Administratrix after her death applies at the Treasury for the settlement of an account which was relative to the administration of the wife. The Officers of the Treasury, without notice of her decease, make settlement and grant a Certificate for a balance due, in the name of the husband. Other parties...
18To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I am of opinion, that by the death of the Administratrix, the power which the husband had by his intermarriage acquired in her right, to intermeddle with the effects of the Intestate, immediately and without notice ceased; and that as the power was only in consequence of the marriage, and of but equal duration in point of time with it, it was incumbent on all Persons indebted to the Intestate...
19To George Washington from William Lewis, 7 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The interesting nature of the following business will I hope apologize for my troubling you respecting it. On Saturday last, I received Information that several Persons were on some account or other, confined in the Jail of this City, and that one of them, of the name of Henry Smith, had informed the Attorney General of this State, that he, with two or three of his Fellow Prisoners, and...
20From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress permits me now to resume the subject of my letter of Aug. 12. and to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Sept. 14. Nov. 25. and Jan. 1. with respect to British debts and property. It was thought possible then that they might come forward and discuss the interests and questions existing between the two nations; and as we knew they would assail us on the subject of...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 1 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 1 Apr. 1791 . Acknowledges his of yesterday. Getting laws required by that of 12 Aug. last borders on the impossible, otherwise TJ would have had no further trouble. He sent to TJ at New York by Timothy Hurst a folio volume of all laws enacted in Pennsylvania before Revolution, except those repealed or expired, together with 14 pamphlets containing all between 1 Oct. 1781 and 30...
22From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 5 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with some degree of shame that I accept the kind offer in your letter of the 1st. inst. However one may sometimes do for the public what they would not do for themselves. I therefore send you our whole collection of loose laws, to be filled up as you propose. I would beg that the copying of your index or any other writing in the business may be sent to be done at my office so as to take...
23To George Washington from William Lewis, 12 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Fredericksburg, Va., 12 Nov. 1791. Solicits the position of the keeper of the lighthouse on Cape Henry and refers to John Fitzhugh of Chatham, Stafford County, Va., Luther Page of Mannsfield, Spotsylvania County, Va., John Lewis of Fredericksburg, and Thomas Newton of Norfolk, Va.; “Mr Jefferson if he has Not forgot me will I expect Vouch for me I wrote by Mr Munroe—to him on that Account.”...
24To George Washington from William Lewis, 12 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I must beg that you will excuse the liberty which I take, in troubling you with the following representation in behalf of William Jones now Confined in the Jail of the County of Philadelphia. He was a Mariner belonging to the Brigantine Andrew, and was at the last District Court for the Pennsylvania District, Convicted of an assault and Battery on his Commander Captain William Young. His...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Lewis, 1 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I sometime since sent you all the Acts of the Legislature of Pennsylvania up to the Revolution, and I understood that you were in possession of those from that time till the Month of November 1784. I undertook to procure such as have been since passed, and to have them bound and sent to you. This Promise I have not Complied with, nor is it in my Power, for after breaking my own sett, which was...
26To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, 21 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Answers given by me to the several Questions proposed for my opinion relative to the late Election of Governor of the State of New York were as follow: 1 “That RS was on the last Tuesday of April 1792 and at the time he Sealed and Signed the Box Sheriff of the County of Otsego.” 2 “That if he was not Sheriff, yet the Canvassers can, According to the terms of the Law & their Oath canvass...
27From Alexander Hamilton to William Lewis, [July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you all the Books you sent me. There appears to me a passage important to Mr Rawle Questiones Juris Pub Lib 1 Chap VIII Page 178 . I mean what relates to the People of Munster who made out of the territories of Spain incursions into those of Holland. It shews by an example that military expeditions out of the territory of a neutral Power cannot rightfully be made by a Power at War &...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, [June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
It being a very desirable object with all Parties concerned that Mr Pigott should without further delay be paid the Sum Acknowledged to be due to him I take the Liberty of proposing 1. That a transfer be made to Mr. Piggott of 30,000 Dolls. and that a Certeficate be issued to him for that Amot. 2. That a Transfer be made by Major Haskill to himself of 10,000 Dolls. & a Certife. be issued to...
29To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, 27 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 27, 1796. On April 27, 1796, Robert Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Mr. Lewis … says he has written you two letters, the last of them this morning.” Letter of April 27 not found. ]
30To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, 4 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 4, 1796. “When I wrote you a few lines some days since I intended writing you more fully before this time, & this I should have done had I not soon after been informed by Mr. Morris that finding you to be very desirous to have security within the State of New York he had written to you offering you a security of lands within that state which he had no doubt but you would most...
31To John Adams from William Lewis, 19 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your request, we shall now proceed briefly to communicate the points and Authorities, which we intended to urge in the case of the U.S. vs. Fries, if the Conduct of the Court had not unexpectedly deprived us of every hope of Success from these Means of defence. It may be proper to premise, that on the Morning appointed for the Trial, the Presiding Judge in the Presence of...
32From Alexander Hamilton to William Lewis, 10 October 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 10, 1800. On October 11, 1800, Lewis wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of yesterday I received this morning.” Letter not found. ]
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, 11 October 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of yesterday I recieved this morning, requesting to “know with exactness, what passed between the President and the Counsel of Fries &c.” and as nothing that I deem improper ever passed between them, I shall without hesitation furnish all the information in my power. It seems proper however to accompany it with some additional information, as I do not wish a part of the transaction...
34From James Madison to William Lewis, 25 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 October 1803, Department of State . In answer to his letter of 20 Oct., informs Lewis that his “losses in the case of the Schooner Maria having happened since the 30th. Sept. 1800, they are not covered by the Treaties with France respecting the acquisition of Louisiana.” The papers Lewis submitted to the State Department respecting his claim will be forwarded to Livingston at Paris “with a...
35To James Madison from William Lewis, 15 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 October 1804 , “ Cambridge in Dorchester County Estren [ sic ] Shore Maryland .” “I take the liberty of add[r]essing You on a Subject of the greatest importance to myself and familey, the losses I sustaind in consequence of the unlawfull and unprecedented Seizure of the Schooner ⟨Maria⟩ by the Captn. of the french National frigate La ⟨Bidane?⟩ injures me so much I am in hopes it will plead...
36To James Madison from William Lewis, 27 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
¶ From William Lewis. Letter not found. 27 September 1805 . Described in Jacob Wagner to Lewis, 4 Oct. 1805, as dealing with Lewis’s claim against France ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 15). For Lewis’s claim, see JM to John Armstrong, 26 Mar. 1805 , PJM-SS Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (10 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). 9:178 ,...
37To James Madison from William Lewis, 3 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Lewis. 3 June 1806, Philadelphia. “It is believed by the Merchants of this City, the mercantile Interest of our Country would be promoted by the appointment of a public Agent to reside at St. Iago in Cuba, and if such an appointment should be concluded on, I have no doubt of Mr. Maurice Rogers, the Gentleman whom they propose naming to you, being well qualified and highly proper...
38To James Madison from William Lewis, 30 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
Understanding that Complaints have been made, or are likely to be made, of the official Conduct of Mr. Smith the Marshall of the Pennsylvania District, I avail myself of your friendship, so far as is necessary, for a Communication of my Sentiments Respecting him. His political Opinions and Attachments and mine are quite different, and as we have no other intercourse than that of Common...
39To James Madison from William Lewis, 28 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Although I would not on any Account trouble you on improper Subjects, yet such is my knowledge of your that when proper ones Occur, I feel no hesitation in asking a few minutes of your attention, and I do it the more readily, as I take espetial Care, that it is not on behalf of unworthy objects. I am led to these remarks from learning, that my valuable young friend, Mr. Nicholas Biddle, after...
40From James Madison to William Lewis, 20 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
You will hasten to New York and embark at that place in the ship Osage. This vessel being employed in the service of the Government, is placed under your direction, and the Master will of course follow such instructions as you may give him, and as are consistent with the Charter party of which a Copy is inclosed. You will proceed with all practicable dispatch to the port of L’Orient, and there...
41To James Madison from William Lewis, 6 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
Understanding that a Messenger is a bout to be dispatched by our Government to France on publick business, and supposing Nicholas B i ddle esquire, a proper person to be trusted on su ch an Occasion, I have Conversed on the Subject with his father Charles Biddle esquire, and find, that it would be very agreeable to him as well as to his Son, for the latter to have the appointmen t if it is of...
42To James Madison from William Lewis, 20 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
To form a rough coating or casting, for the out-side of a wall, or even for pillars that will bear all weather--harden by time and last forever, you have only to take sharp gritty sand free from earth, and that it may be perfectly so, put into Tubs or troughs of water, & after stirring it, let the water be bailed off till no particles of earth remain. This done, add no more lime to the sand...
43To James Madison from William Lewis, 30 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am about to take a liberty with you which in an ordinary Case I should hardly think myself warranted in doing, but trust you will have the goodness to excuse it when the occasion is known. The friendship which subsisted between the late General Hamilton and myself during his life was great, and his memory is very dear to me. It affords me much pleasure, as well as some others to find, that...
44Thomas Jefferson’s Extract of William Lewis to Charles W. Goldsborough, 7 September 1811, and Jefferson’s Notes, [ca. 27 … (Jefferson Papers)
Extract of a lre from L t W. Lewis of the navy to Cha s W. Gouldsborough . dated Pernambuco Sep. 7. 1811. ‘I think it is proper to communicate to you for the information of the Sec y