251From George Washington to James Lovell, 4 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours inclosing a packet for the Honble Mr Morris, which I shall forward by the first safe conveyance. I have the honor to be Sir yr most obt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
252To George Washington from James Lovell, 9 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive so many Solicitations of the same Kind with This that I need not fear the Charge of Singularity while I beg your protection for the person and property of Mr George Joy in the city of New York which is Speedily to be evacuated say the people of Boston. Mr Joy is now barely of the age of 21 years, and has been uniformly as serviceable to many other prisoners as he...
253From George Washington to James Lovell, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 9th instant solliciting my favor for acertain Mr George Joy with the Enemy. Should I be so happy as to enter N. York, so early as you mention is the Expectation of the people of Boston—which Event, to me, I must Confess does, not appear so promising as they seem to imagine—It will not be for me to determine upon the Merits or Demerits of Individuals, who may...
254To George Washington from James Lovell, 10 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Probable as it is that the Admiral now gives you the most authentic European Intelligence I would not however omit by this good and early Conveyance to send to your Excellency Minutes of a Letter just received from Mr Adams and an open News Paper for Mr Morris tho’ I am too ill to examine it to find whether it is worth your Reading being under violent Symptoms of a Fever. Your Excellency’s...
255From George Washington to James Lovell, 16 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely obliged by the information contained in yours of the 10th —I immediately forwarded your letters and the papers to Mr Morris by Express. I am convinced we have nothing to expect from Great Britain but what her necessities shall oblige her to give up—She is somewhat like a person in desperate circumstances—She can scarcely be in a worse condition and by persevering, something...
256To John Adams from James Lovell, 30 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have not to this day Information that you comprehend the Cypher w ch. I have very often used in my Letters. You certainly can recollect the Name of that Family where you and I spent our last Evening with your Lady before we sat out on our Journey hither. Make regular Alphabets in Number equal to the first Sixth part of that Family Name, beginning and regularlarly placing your Alphabets...
257To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is long, since I took any Opportunity of repeating Assurances of my sincere and very great Esteem for you. Tired most heartily of the Jealousies & Animosities which are almost inseperable from governmental Emploies, and very hardly put to it to find Bread to eat or Rayment to cloathe myself and my numerous Family, I have rarely felt any proper Disposition of Mind for an Attempt to write...
258James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Suppose every proper Epithet to occupy these two upper Lines. Under them all I most cordially salute you. Once upon the Arrival of a Ship from France “you was too happy to find Time for answering Letters.” I do not now want any Answer. All I wish is that you may steal from yourself and one other a Minute for reading this short Scrawl. Your Benevolence and your Curiosity secure my Wish; and,...
259James Lovell to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I did not omit to write by the Conveyance of one of the most amiable Women I ever knew. I only omitted to send my written Congratulations to you upon that Felicity which her Presence must afford after so long a Seperation. Capital Sacrifice to your Country thus pleasingly in part rewarded! The Consul Gen l. of France, my Neighbour, then informed me that M rs. Adams had sailed while I slept,...
260John Adams to James Lovell, 12 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to confess that your Letter of the 5. of July is unanswered. But my dear Sir, I have been So roughly handled by various Climates, Voyages Journeys, Scurveys and Fevers, and So tossed about from Post to Pillar, by the Business assigned me from time to time, and amidst all this, So overloaded with Business, that I have for Sometime past, been constrained to prefer Indolence and Ease...
261James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 12 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r. Du err , as you pronounce it, and my Wife seem to think alike as to the Powers of an Ambassadress when placed as an Helpmate to the Ambassador. M r D. had an Idea of an handsome Face M rs. L thought only of the Good Sense of the Lady. If this is ambiguous , y r. best Friend can make it plain so far as relates to Du err . As to M rs. L I will show her to you in a Minute, just as She...
262To John Adams from James Lovell, 12 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
Advised and even pressed, by Friends near me and at a Distance, “ to go on to New York;—to be in the Way of soliciting, counteracting ” and such kind of Measures respecting the Collectorship here, I am sure I need only say to you that my Duty lays in this County; and that the very Circumstance of quitting & neglecting it for the Purposes mentioned would be a very ill Proof of that Degree of...
263Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 22 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I this evening received your letter of April 12 th. tho’ you love a labyrinth you always give a clue. M r & M rs L may be assured that an old friend so well qualified for the office he holds will not be forgotten, and that it would be of little consequence whether P: is at Braintree or N York. M r L is surely sufficiently acquainted with my friend to know that he may be sure of his interest. I...
264To George Washington from James Lovell, June–July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Though your Excellency be not a Pope nor I a Murderer, yet I write under the full Influence of an Idea expressed by Cicero, when soliciting for his Friend Fabius the Patronage of Marcus Cælius a Curule Odile; “novi ego vos magnos patronos: hominem occidat oportet qui vestra opera uti velit” —When I first addressed myself to your Excellency, thirteen years ago, my Life & Liberty were at Stake,...
265From John Adams to James Lovell, 4 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
By the last post I was favoured with yours of the twenty first of May: M r Duncan I presume has not come on—neither by his letter or your own am I made acquainted with his Views or the Object of his Wishes— I can only say to him as to all others, that his application must be made to the President and it ought to in writing Your testimony in his fav r will have weight— I thank you Sir for your...
266To John Adams from James Lovell, 9 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
altho’ this Letter is somewhat of a public Nature, yet I dare not address you in a consonant manner, ’till the Point is settled between his Excellency and John Adams. I apply to you, as I feel you in my Heart to be; satisfied that the Yeas & Nays of no public Body whatsoever concerning Epithets can in any measure alter Essences. Dear Sir, Sturgis Gorham of Barnstable is my Brother in Law,...
267From John Adams to James Lovell, 16 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
There is no such point in dispute, as that you mention in your favour of the 9 th. The only question is concerning the title of the first man. All the world sees the absurdity and feels the humiliation of giving the titled of excellency, which is only a provincial, or diplomatic title of the lowest order, to a great Prince vested with the whole executive authority of Government in a nation,...
268To John Adams from James Lovell, 26 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had often considered your Situation, before the Receipt of your Letter of the 16 th , and I had hoped you would “Possess yourself in Patience. ” If you already draw a Picture Teste di legno and talk of sharpening an Ax for Decapitation, what am I to look for in the Run of a Twelvemonth? I do not like your diminutive italien Idea. You who are said to be more than half british ought to have...
269From John Adams to James Lovell, 1 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet answered your letter of the 26 of July. You guess well—I find that I shall have all the unpopular questions to determine: and shall soon be pronounced Hostes Republicani generis— What they will do with me I know not, but must trust to providence. You insinuate that I am accused “of deciding in favor of the power of the prime: because I look up to that goal” That I look up to...
270To John Adams from James Lovell, 19 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
Though I know your extreme Delicacy as to any Interference in the executive Affairs of the U.S s. yet to you I must apply; for, Heaven & Secretary Jackson know I may be chagrined in an Attempt to address the President. I am in Dread least an Action should take Place which will renew the Vigour of the Opponents & damp the Spirit of the Friends of Government: And, it will be out of Time to await...
271To John Adams from James Lovell, 20 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
You will have a Visit from your old Friend Gen l. Warren who supposed I could certify some Intentions of the former Congress greatly to his Advantage— Your Namesake has done it; but I found it impossible for me upon a strict Review of the Case. As you were absent part of the Time I think it my Duty to save you the Toil of searching those Journals wherein this Business is scattered. The Sketch...
272From John Adams to James Lovell, 5 April 1790 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged by your favor of March 20 th and very apprehensive that this is not the only letter of yours unanswered. To leave your letters unanswered is in me very bad œconomy. The General is arrived here; but has as yet said nothing to me of his business. Doctor Craigie shall have all the aid in my power to give him, in his pursuit of justice in your affair: but I do not at present see...
273To John Adams from James Lovell, 22 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
From the Borders of the Grave, revived, and even established in Health, I once more present my Respects with my accustomed Fervency to You and Yours. But, with my Respects I must also send my Complaints and Supplications. In a Transaction where you was only, according to your own chosen Expression, Teste di Legno, I was fretted disgraced & beslaved; and have taken some Measures for...
274To Alexander Hamilton from James Lovell, October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to the directions of your circular letter of August 31st. covering an order of the Senate passed on the 7th. of may last, I now transmit the demanded account. I cannot, however, refrain from expressing an Hope that my statements may not prove injurious to such Officers as have had usual & necessary Assistance of Clerks, without being driven to devote their own Nights as well as days...
275To Alexander Hamilton from James Lovell, 22 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, August 22, 1793. On November 29, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Lovell : “Various circumstances have prevented an earlier answer to your letter of the 22d of August last.” Letter not found. ] Lovell was the naval officer for the port of Boston.
276From Alexander Hamilton to James Lovell, 29 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Various circumstances have prevented an earlier answer to your letter of the 22d of August last. The question referred to having been stated to the Attorney General, you will receive a copy of his opinion herewith enclosed, in which I concur. I am Sir Your obedient Servant L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives. Although...
277To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, James Lovell, and Thomas Melville, 31 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, January 31, 1794. On February 20, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln, Lovell, and Melville : “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo.” Letter not found. ] Lincoln was the collector, Lovell the naval officer, and Melville the surveyor of the port of Boston.
278From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, James Lovell, and Thomas Melville, 20 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 20, 1794. “I am to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, respecting the Petition of the Inspectors and to assure you that early and proper attention will be paid to the subject.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston,...
279To John Adams from James Lovell, July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Genl. Roberdeau & his Friends attributed his escape from Death, while in the flying Camp of 77 under a mortal Dysentery, intirely to the use of the arrow-Root, much famed in the W Indies. Though I abominate all quack Interferences, yet my affectionate Esteem for your Family will not let me omit to send Part of what I happen to possess of that rare Powder; having, or thinking I have,...
280From John Adams to James Lovell, 20 October 1802 (Adams Papers)
I return you "The Messenger" with many Thanks. The Politicks of Europe are written with a Splendid display of ancient and modern Information, and a Studied Elocution: but like almost all other political Writings of those Times betray an Insincerity, a Want of Candor and Integrity, which to me, I own, is extreamly disgusting. In France before the Revolution they had their "Ecrivains des...
281To Thomas Jefferson from James Lovell, 8 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Self Interest once forced me to intrude upon the busy moments of your Excellency, for the purpose of showing how much it was my own choice to hold a Commission “during the Pleasure of the President of the United-States for the time being.” A more generous motive leads me to intrude a second time, for the purpose of proving how much I am convinced that my watchful concern for my own...
282From James Madison to James Lovell, 20 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 20 March 1805 . Described in Lovell to JM, 29 Mar. 1805 , as dealing with financial matters.
283To James Madison from James Lovell (Abstract), 29 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
29 March 1805, Boston . “Your prompt communication to me of the 20th. of this month is in strict unison with your former Kindness. “Instantly upon reading it I recollected my rejecting three or four bills of 100 dollars, because they were patched; and inclosing one that was whole, without any more minute scrutiny. I am ashamed of the hasty manner in which I closed my letter that evening for...
284To Thomas Jefferson from James Lovell, 4 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
When in August 1802 I first “spread myself with sincerity”, before your official Chain, as we are taught to do, when we go for our daily bread, before an Altar; I hinted my odd yet serious intention of a public attempt to “rarify some of the clouds of our Religion and Polity”. That intention has been hiterto artfully frustrated; which has driven me to the necessity of letting loose (after a...
285To James Madison from James Lovell, 27 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Lovell. 27 January 1806, Boston. “I am honoured by your kind Close of the business which regarded my grand children. I will teach the young Things to esteem you and your agent from my own feelings: And I beg you to be assured that your Gravity and his Jocularity in the conveyance of your Sympathies for our disappointments greatly exceed in Value the Defalcation of my Bank-Bill. I...
286To John Adams from James Lovell, 10 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
Hoping to have, very speedily, an opportunity of testifying my Esteem of you, at your own house, in propria personâ; I now take the freedom of making a previous intreaty that you would find from Judge Cranch the origin of the Katascoptic Club; which met at the Chamber of Edmd. Quincy 3. times in a Chamber at in the Widow Salter’s House where Gl. Donnison now lives; – in 1756 or 57. I beg you...
287To Thomas Jefferson from James Lovell, 24 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Having upon the 17th: written to your political Secretary of the Treasury What was then proper to be communicated to the President of the United States; I chuse now to present myself to your Authority as to a Critic of Literature and Morals and, in consequence to offer some sketches from “a Bundle of facts and anecdotes.” A rich young-Man, in days of yore, was advised, by a meek & lowly Person...
288To John Adams from James Lovell, 2 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
Our Lincoln is wreathing in the Fox-trap of pretended-Friends. And the desendants of those Same Mice, who nibbled you when you sent good-Ellsworth to France, have been Striving to make holes in a Small Mole-hill here . I long to have in a proper “Hole,” Some of that “Sweet Converse” with you which the now-cautious Demos extorted into a rascally Public Gazette Chronicle. But, Sir, the Set-time...
289From John Adams to James Lovell, 7 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
If our friend as you say is writhing in a Fox trap those who as you say nibbled when I sent Elsworth to France have woven the meshes with great art. They have composed the snares of the cords of a man and the bands of Love. They have exerted themselves with success equal to thier zeal and activity to get his son Theodore elected, into the senate and his son in Law Bailies into the H——of R——of...
290To James Madison from James Lovell, 5 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
As the fiercest Tyrant and the mildest philosopher possess equally the power of self-examination, so the whole human race may be allowed to search after the source of Life & of Morals. Such search, conducted by Reason, and proceeding downwards from the branching-ends of both those Trees, will assuredly find only the single common tap-root to be Self-Love. As no President of these United States...