1To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The president being necessarily engaged with his family, I have the honour to inform you that your letter of the 10th was duly received & laid before Congress, and to transmit you a resolution of Congress passed this day. I am Sir Your obedient humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Thomson wrote and signed the enclosed copy of this resolution below his ALS on the same manuscript page. Dated “In...
2To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The president being still necessarily engaged with his family I have the honour to inform you that your letter of yesterday was recd & laid before Congress. I enclose you sundry resolutions passed this day and am Sr Your obedient humble Serv. ALS , DLC:GW . Included among the enclosed resolutions, which Thomson began writing below the ALS and continued writing on two following manuscript...
3George Washington to Charles Thomson, 24 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1777. Encloses copy of plan for establishing a cavalry force. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomson was secretary of Congress.
4George Washington to Charles Thomson, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. Encloses copy of a plan for the establishment of a cavalry force. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 21 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having lately met with an Ordinance of the king of France, passed last December, for establishing the corps of engineers I made a hasty translation of it, from which I apprehend some useful hints may be taken for establishing such a corps in this country. And as I know of no better hands into which it may be put for this purpose, I have taken the liberty to send you a copy. You are doubtless...
6From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Favor of the 21st on the Road, and thank you much for the Ordinance respecting the Royal Corps of French Engineers. I cannot give it a serious perusal at this time, but doubt not, I shall find in it several interesting and useful hints. I hope the Gentlemen you allude to, will be of great service, but I am totally unacquainted with the rank they held in France. We are...
7To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Hancock took leave of Congress on Wednesday and yesterday set out on his way home to Boston, I have the honour to forward to you Copies of two letters this day received from general Gates and most heartily to congratulate you on the signal success with which providence has been pleased to bless our Arms. Col. Wilkinson who brought the dispatches has not had time to sort and arrange his...
8Charles Thomson to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias … (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas Congress concur in opinion with General Washington that there are some Ambiguities characterizing the Measures taken by Genl. Howe respecting General Lee, which justify alarming surmises, notwithstanding all that has passed to the contrary. Resolved That General Washington be informed that it is the intention of Congress that it should be a preliminary in the proposed Cartel for a...
9To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 10 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Thomson, 10 Dec. 1778. On 18 Dec., GW wrote Thomson : “I had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th Instant.”
10From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 18 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday I had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th Instant, announcing the election of a new president; and that the choice had fallen on John Jay Esqre. I am happy in the appointment of a Gentleman—whose abilities & integrity qualify him so amply for this honorable and important trust. I am sir Your Most Obedt sert Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have the honor to inform you that Congress have this day elected his excellency Samuel Huntington esqr. their president. I am Sr Your humble Servant Endorsed: Cha Thompson Sept. 28. 1780 notifying the election of Mr Huntington as President of Congress.
12To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 28 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Charles Thomson, 28 Sept. 1779. On 7 Oct., GW wrote to Thomson: “I have been honored with yours of the 28th Ulto.”
13To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting you a duplicate of an Act of Congress passed the 16th of March 1779, the Utility of which is apparent: And as it may be proper and necessary that you should be informed of the several acts and proceedings of Congress I have herewith sent you a copy of their Journal from the 1st of January last and shall continue to send you from time to time their weekly...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 31 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 20. 1779. came safe, tho lately, to hand. The future acts of our assembly I shall take care regularly to transmit, as also such of those past since the institution of the commonwealth as can be procured: for they are become scarce. I have in my own collection of pamphlets some few duplicates which I will also forward to you as soon as I shall be able to examine them, for...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 1 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office, 1 Feb. 1780 . Encloses the journals of Congress to complete the state’s set to 1 Jan. 1780, hereafter to be printed in monthly pamphlets regularly sent, and requests a reply to his letter of 20 Nov. 1779, the request therein not being made “by idle curiosity but a desire of promoting public Utility and the cause of America.” RC ( MdAA : Red Books); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand,...
16Enclosure: Resolution of Congress of 31 May, 31 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Resolved That the Establishment of the Salaries of the Honorable John Adams and his Secretary Mr. Dana be transmitted to the Minister Plenipotentiary of these States at the Court of Versailles and that He be directed to pay their Draughts to the Amount of their respective Salaries till Congress shall take further Order for that Purpose. Extract from the minutes RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed:...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 20 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives quoting Congress’ resolutions of 2 May 1780 respecting the issuance of commissions to private vessels of war. Such commissions are hereafter to be obtained by application to the Board of Admiralty. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 18A); 2 p. For text of resolutions of 2 May, see JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 ,...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 28 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 28 July 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 27 July declaring that commissions for private armed vessels are hereafter to issue from the office of the secretary of Congress. Also enclosed are blank commissions to be filled out and substituted for those now in effect; bonds for them, as soon as executed, are to be transmitted to the...
19Instructions from Congress to John Jay, 4 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Instructions to the Honorable John Jay Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Madrid agreed to unanimously in Congress Oct r . 4 th . 1780 That the said Minister adhere to his former instructions respecting the right of the United States of America to the free navigation of the river Mississippi into and from the sea, which right if an express acknowledgment...
20Motion of Virginia Delegates in Congress, 7 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 78, IX, 503). In Charles Thomson’s hand. Resolved, That Charles Fleming and Forster Webb Esquires be and hereby are appointed Commissioners on the part of the United States either of them to indorse the bills that shall be emitted by the State of Virginia pursuant to the resolution of Congress of the 18th March last Preceding this word in the printed journal is the phrase,...
I have received your letter of the 27 May and the duplicate with the prints for which I am much obliged and will embrace the first opportunity of transmitting one set of the prints agreeably to your request to general Schuyler. I have been anxious with respect to your being regularly informed of what is passing here. Many things have happened of which you ought to be acquainted. I perceive the...
22Additional Instructions Respecting a Peace Treaty with Great Britain, 18 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letters of 23 and 24 March last from the honble. John Adams minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of Peace and a treaty of commerce with the king of G Britain and thereupon Resolved That the said minister be informed it is clearly the Opinion of Congress that a short truce would be highly dangerous to these United...
23John Adams’ Authorization to Accept Bills of Exchange Drawn on Henry Laurens, 28 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, That the Honble. John Adams be and hereby is authorised and instructed to accept the bills of Exchange drawn on the Honble. Henry Lawrens in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 6th. instant in the same manner as he is authorised and instructed to accept those heretofore drawn on Mr. Lawrens according to the resolution of November 23d. 1779, and in case of the absence of...
24Plan for a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 29 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Plan of a treaty of amity and commerce between the United States of America and the United Provinces of the low Countries. The parties being willing to fix in a permanent and equitable manner the rules to be observed in the commerce they desire to establish between their respective countries have judged that the said end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equality and...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office [ Philadelphia ], 19 Feb. 1781 . Encloses twenty-four blank commissions, with blank bonds and instructions, for private armed vessels. “You will please to give orders that the bonds when Executed be returned into this Office.” Others may be obtained upon application. RC ( Vi ); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Thomson; addressed and endorsed; printed in CVSP Calendar of...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Adopting the Articles of Confederation, 2 … (Jefferson Papers)
By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed, that the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the thirteen United States are formally and finally ratified by all the States. We are happy to congratulate our Constituents on this important Event, desired by our Friends but dreaded by our Enemies. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem &...
27From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 23 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
On the 30 th . January last I had the Pleasure of rec g . your very acceptable Letter of the 12 Octob. 1780. The able manner in which it treats the important Subject of american Finances, induced me to give that Part of it to the Minister, and to send a Copy of the same Extract to D r . Franklin, who in his Answer says, “I thank you for communicating to me the Letter of the Secretary of...
28To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose you an Act of the United States, appointing Thomas Hutchins Geographer to the southern Army with the same pay and emoluments as are allowed to the Geographer to the main army. Mr Hutchins is a native of New Jersey and was many years in the English service where he held the rank of Captain and Engineer; But having suffered considerably for his attachment to the...
29From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from Weathersfield, I found your favor of the 10th instant. There never has been any regular establishments of the department of Geographer to the Army; but the pay that has been heretofore, and is now allowed to the principal in this quarter is four Dollars pr day, and four Rations—with an allowance of incidental Charges, such as travelling from place to place—and for...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Appointing Peace Commissioners, 15 June … (Jefferson Papers)
Before this comes to Hand your Excellency will have received my Letter of the 2d Instant with it’s Enclosures, by which you will be informed that a Negotiation for Peace between the Belligerent Powers may probably take Place through the Mediation of the Empress of Russia and Emperor of Germany. In Consequence of which Congress have thought proper to add four other Plenipotentiaries to the...
31To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that the Honble Samuel Huntington having informed the United States in Congress assembled that the State of his health would not permit him to continue longer in the exercise of the duties of President and requested leave to absence, Congress have this day proceeded to the Choice of a president and have elected the Honble Thomas McKean. I am Sir Your obedient...
My last gave you some account of the situation of affairs in the Southern department. The total defeat of the army under gen l . Gates on the 16 th August left the enemy at liberty to over run S. Carolina without annoyance accept from the militia who being but thinly scattered over an extensive Country could not soon be collected in the face of a powerful and victorious enemy. However the...
33From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 10th instt info r mg, that Congress, upon the Retiring of the late Mr President Huntington, had elected The Hono. Thomas McKean Esqr. to preside in their respectable Body—I shall for the future conduct my Correspondence agreable to this Information. I am sir Your most Obedient & humble Servant DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington,...
34Instructions to Conclude a Tripartite Alliance with France and the Netherlands, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
By The United States in Congress Assembled. The report of the Committee on the communications of the honble. the Minister Plenipotentiary of France was taken into consideration, and thereupon— Resolved, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these United States at the Court of Versailles, be directed to inform his most Christian Majesty that the tender of his endeavours to accomplish a coalition...
35To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 5 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that this day pursuant to the articles of Confederation the United States in Congress Assembled Proceeded to the choice of a President and have elected for the ensuing year, his Excellency John Hanson. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedt humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
36From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 5th inst. announcing the Choice of a new President of Congress, upon the Principles of the Confederation—I shall in future conduct myself agreeable to this Information. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedt Servant DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington, PCC—Papers of the Continental Congress.
37To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 28 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your excellency that the United States in Congress assembled have resolved to give you an Audience this day at One o clock in Order to give you a further testimony of the high esteem they have for your person & services and to communicate their intentions respecting provisional measures for the next Campaign. I have the honor to be With respect Your most obedient &...
38From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the substance, if not the express words of my reply in Congress, to their obliging declaration. I am—with much esteem & respect—Sir Yr Most obt Ser. DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington, PCC—Papers of the Continental Congress.
39From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received notice from the secretary of the American Philosophical society some time ago that they had done me the honour of appointing me a counsellor of that body. The particular duties of that office I am quite a stranger to, and indeed know too little of the nature of their institution to judge what objects it comprehends. In framing answers to some queries which Monsr. de Marbois sent me,...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 9 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 20 of December last, and immediately waited on Mr. Marbois who informs me that he has not received the Answers you refer to. I am ashamed to acknowledge that I am as ignorant as you declare yourself to be of the particular duties of a counsellor of the American philosophical society, although I have been honored with that...
41Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [24 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy (Charles Thomson’s “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation, from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI [1878], pp. 64–65). This edition was made from a transcript rather than from Thomson’s manuscript ( ibid ., p. xi) and will be referred to hereafter as Thomson, “Debates.” Both the manuscript and the transcript are lost. As...
42Comments on John Temple, [1 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy (Charles Thomson’s “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation, from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI [1878], 81). This edition was made from a transcript rather than from Thomson’s manuscript ( ibid ., p. xi) and will be referred to hereafter as Thomson, “Debates.” Both the manuscript and the transcript are lost. John Temple...
43Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [2 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 82). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. After Congress had listened to the dispatch of 28 April 1782 from John Jay, minister plenipotentiary-designate at Madrid, telling of...
44Comments on Instructions to John Jay, [6 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 90). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. On 2 August 1782 John Rutledge had been appointed chairman of a committee, of which JM was also a member, to recommend “alterations...
45Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [8 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 96–99, 101). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. See Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 2 August 1782 , and ed. n., and nn. 3 and 4. Having failed on 24 July...
46Comments on Edmund Randolph’s “Facts and Observations,” [16 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 141–42). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. On 16 August 1782 Congress listened to a reading of most of Randolph’s “Facts and Observations in support of the several Claims...
47Comments on Petition of Kentuckians, [27 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 146–47). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. About two years had elapsed since discontented settlers in Kentucky addressed two memorials to Congress asking for statehood....
48Motion on Slaves Taken by the British, [10 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 379). In JM’s hand, except as mentioned in nn. 5, 9, and 10 ( qq.v. ). Docketed by Charles Thomson, “Motion of Mr. Madison seconded by Mr. Lee passed Septr 10th 1782.” That the Secy. of foreign affairs be Directed to obtain as speed[i]ly as possible authentic returns of the slaves & other property which have been carried off or distroyed in the course of the war by...
49Comments and Motion in re Henry Laurens, [19 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 155–57, 158). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. Mr Madison arose and informed the house that since the passing the resolutions of the 17th, he had come to the knowledge...
50Comments on Motion in re Henry Laurens, [20 September] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. pp. 160–63). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. … Mr Madison arose and called the attention of the house to the subject of his motion. The objections started yesterday he...