1To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 1 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do not write to you now as a Public Minister, tho’ I have a heartfelt pleasure in your being so, and at the very court where I long wished you to reside. The office of Chief Justice of this State now engages my principal attention; having quit the Congress in 1783. The affairs of our University, Philosophical & Agriculture Societies &c. employ my vacant time; and I enjoy a good state of...
2To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 30 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am much oblidged to you for the esteemed present of your Book, “in defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America.” It came to hand on the 27 th. instant, and I have read it through with great pleasure. The balance of the one, the few & the many, is not well poised in this State; the legislature is too powerful for the executive and judicial branches of...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas McKean, 2 December 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 2, 1788. On February 10, 1789, Hamilton wrote to McKean : “I duly received the letter which you did me the honor to write me of the 2d of Decr. last.” Letter not found. ] McKean was chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and a member of that state’s Ratifying Convention.
4To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas McKean, 26 December 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 26, 1786. Requests Hamilton to collect a debt of £50 owed McKean by Richard Dowdle. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. McKean was chief justice of Pennsylvania.
5From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 29 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Gen: Washington presents his Complts to The honbl. The Vice Presidt of the Pensa State Society of Cincinnati, and will do himself the honor of dining with the Society on the 4th of July agreeably to Invitation. AL , PHi : McKean Papers. GW wrote in his diary for 4 July: “. . . went to hear an Oration on the anniversary of Independance delivered by a Mr. Mitchell, a student of Law—After which I...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas McKean, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 10, 1789. “I duly received the letter which you did me the honor to write me of the 2d of Decr. last.… With regard to your Bond against Dowdle, when I first received it I made diligent inquiry after him, but I found that his situation and principles were equally desperate & that to make any attempt to recover the money would be to add fruitlessly to your loss.…” ALS ,...
7To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 27 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have an ambition to take a share in Your Excellency’s administration, and know of no line in which I can render so good service as in the judicial department. Having expressed this, it will, I trust, not be deemed indelicate in me to give a short account of myself & my studies. I was born in Chester county in this State, and having been instructed for seven years in the latin and greek...
8To George Washington from Thomas McKean, William Jackson, and Francis Mentges, 6 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to a resolve of the Standing-Committee of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati, we do ourselves the honor to inform your Excellency that your circular letter of the 31st of October last, addressed to the President of our State-Society, was laid before the Committee at their last meeting. They desire to communicate their respectful thanks for the early information which you...
9To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 20 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive Addresses from the Trustees and Faculty of the University of the State of Pennsylvania, The Judges of the Supreme court, and the standing Committee of the State Society of Cincinnati. These several Bodies request that you will be pleased to inform me when and where they may have the honor of waiting upon your Excellency with their respective Addresses aforesaid. I am,...