1To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 31 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Paper has been annonymously communicated to our Society.—I have had it transcribed expressly to lay it before you, beleiving that if the Ideas it contains can be of use to our Country, this is the proper moment to communicate them where they are most likely to produce a good effect. I trust that my motive in so doing will be at once apparent & excuseable. I have the honour to be...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before you a proof Impression of the Diploma of the Society under your Patronage, which I hope will be considered as a favourable test for the estimation of American skill in the fine arts. The one belonging to you as a Member will be forwarded when the signatures of the proper Officers, who are at a distance from each other, can be obtained I have the honor to be with the...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your circular letter of Nov. 2. with the copy of the Constitution of the United States military Philosophical society & the amendments proposed to it. and in conformity with your request to say in answer whether I assent or dissent, I hereby declare my assent to them. Accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. NHi : United States Military Philosophical...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 26 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly indebted to your goodness in procuring for me so essential an improvement of my device, and I beg you to take a convenient opportunity of making my thanks acceptable to Mr. Barlow.— I have the honour to be with the most perfect Respect Your Faithfull & obed Servant DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
5From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes Colo. Williams with respect and incloses him a 10. D. bill for his arrearages for 1806. & 1807. according to notification of July 31. 07. NHi : United States Military Philosophical Society Papers.
6To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received under the cover of the Letter you did me the honour to write this morning twenty five dollars, which in conformity to your desire I shall convey to the Treasurer of the US Military Philosophical Society in discharge of your contribution, according to the terms of the circular from the Treasurer to which you refer.— I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your...
7To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 3 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
To the Copy of my translation of the Manoeuvres of Horse Artillery by Genl. Kosciusko, which should be deposited in your office according to Law, permit to add one for your own use in the name of the U S M P Society. I have the honour to be with the highest respect & esteem Sir Your obedient Servant DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
8From George Washington to Jonathan Williams, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favor of the 6th of June, and to thank you for a very handsome pair of Epaulets, presented in your behalf, by Major Franks. I receive them Sir as a testimony of the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express of me, and am particularly indebted to you for the polite manner in which they are offered. I have the honor to be Sir Yr most obedt Ser vt DLC :...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 19 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and is obliged to excuse himself from attending the meeting proposed in his note of yesterday, the constant pressure of his business having obliged him to decline meeting other societies here of which he is a member, and the observance of this as a rule being a matter of real necessity PPAmP .
10To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 22 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Williams will have the honour of dining with The President of the United States on Saturday next in conformity to his obliging invitation Col. W begs leave to lay before The President three Specimens of the Art of Mr Thiebout of Philadelphia a native american whom he intends to employ to engrave the Plate for the proposed diploma for the Mily Philo. Society.— MHi : Coolidge Collection.
11From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Williams, [12 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, September 12, 1792. The catalogue description of this letter reads: “On a financial matter.” Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., May 24, 1943, Lot 118. Williams, a native of Boston and a great-nephew of Benjamin Franklin, had been prize agent and commercial agent for Congress at Nantes during the American Revolution. After the adoption of the...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 28 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Williams most respectfully Sollicits The President of the United States to permit him to deposit in his hands Six Copies of his thermometrical navigation requesting him to distribute them according to his pleasure among the Persons he may think proper to employ to Survey the Coast. Col. W would not trouble The President, if he knew of any other way of contributing this mite, towards so...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In behalf of the U.S. Military Philosophical Society, I beg leave to present to you a Copy of the Translation of General Kosciusko’s manoeuvres for Horse Artillery.— I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your faithfull & obedient Servant DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
14To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 5 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the obliging opinion you have been pleased to give relative to Selection of Characters proper for members of the U.S. military philosophical Society and it will be closely observed.— The inclosed Circular has been delayed only on accot. of the dormant State of the Society: I hope another year will not pass away without producing some fruit.— I have the honour to be with the...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Williams, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 20, 1799. “I have to thank you for your obliging attention to my request in transmitting the translations mentioned in your letter of the 17th. I shall peruse them with an eye to the claim of indulgence, which you prefer, though I am persuaded that you might safely have left them to pursue their fortune upon their intrinsic capital. The army is certainly indebted to you for...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and his thanks for the peice on the subject of Militia which he was so kind as to send him. it presented the general subject in so concise and perspicuous a view, that he thought it would have a considerable effect if communicated in some way to the members of the legislature. this could not be done formally. he therefore took the...
17Enclosure I: Extract from Jonathan Williams’s Meteorological Journal, 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Places Dates Therr: Barometer Fall Rise Assent in Feet Descent in feet Height above Richmond. Richmond June 26. 70. 29.80 Woods 29. 65. 29.70. 0.10 100 100
18To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 2 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the other side is a copy of the Constitution of the United States Military Philosophical Society, which has undergone some amendments, found essential in practice: you will discover them by comparing this copy with that sent to you with the notice of your election. William Popham, Esq. Treasurer of the Society, will receive all communications during the winter, (there being then no stated...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 25 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. George S. Maywood, Garden City, N.Y. (1955) I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival and the Promotion of my Son. I am in hopes I shall be able to see Boston the next Spring, and to have the Pleasure of finding you and my other Friends well. I congratulate you on your having such a Number of Sons. You remember the Blessing on him that has his Quiver full of them. My...
20To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 9 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
The object of this is to complain to the Chief magistrate of my Country, of the many outrageous sceenes of robery which are committing upon the high seas by American Citizens and in some measure under the cognizance of the American Government. Seven vessels have already been fitted out in the port of Baltimore, manned & commanded almost entirely by American Citizens and owned by American...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 24 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
When I was last at West Point, the Gentlemen of the Corps of Engineers and military academy met together, and unanimously requested me to prepare a memorial and petition to be signed by them, and presented to Congress at their next Session, praying that a Chaplain may be added to that Institution. The Secretary of War has not been able to comply with a request made to him some time since, the...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid. Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that. My Love to...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Beverley Randolph a Cadet, who goes on to take his place under you. he is the son of a friend of mine in Virginia, born to independant expectations, but by the entire reduction of his father’s circumstances, left without any resource but in himself. my concern for the family induces me to sollicit on his behalf your friendly counsel & tutelage on all occasions;...
24To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, April 1798 (Adams Papers)
Understanding a marine Department is about to be created, and reflecting, that my former appointment under the Commissioner of the United States in France was principally of that discription, I am emboldened to offer a renewal of my Services. Maritime concerns have been with me objects of particular attention from early life, and so far as they are connected with Commerce may be considered as...
25From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 8 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Favour of the 27 of October, and am very much obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken, in sending me the Rum. I have not yet received it, but as soon as it comes, I will send a Dozen to Dr. Bancroft and a Dozen to Mr. Alexander as you desire: But I must decline accepting the Remainder as a Present, for obvious Reasons, one among others is that there is no...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 14 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A press of business has prevented me from sooner acknoleging the reciept of your favor of June 18. altho’ I do not feel myself entitled to give an opinion on questions to which the members of the new military institution are solely competent, yet being requested by you, I shall frankly express it as my opinion that if you appoint all the members of the legislature to be members of the...
27Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 23 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of writing you December 12 1778 inclosing a Letter from Messrs. Horneca Fitzeau & Co. relative to 13 Bales cases and Barrells marked No. 1 to 13 which are the property of Mr. Simeon Dean and which were delivered to Mr. Schweighauser on a supposition that they belonged to the commissioners as mentioned in my said Letter. I have not had the honour of an answer on this Subject. I...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you last Week per Capt. Dole 92 Reams of Demi Printing Paper, best, in two Cases, and 98 Ream of brown; which I hope will come safe to hand, and to a good Market. The Printing Paper to be sold at 15 s . and the Brown at 6 s . this Currency, the lowest. My Love to your Wife and Children. I am Your loving Uncle [ Crossed out: ] P.S. I shall order...
29To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 24 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Jonathan Williams. 24 February 1806, Elizabethtown. “Although I am not conscious of having any personal claim to your preference, yet actuated by a disinterested friendship for a meritorious young man, and a sense of public propriety, I venture to submit to your consideration for the office of Consul at Cadiz, Mr Richard Meade a native of Philadelphia, now a settled merchant in that...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 18 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly gratified by your approbation of the amendments to the Constitution of the U.S. Mily Philo: Society expressed in the note you honoured me with a few days since. As there are more Members at present in this City than at any other place, I think it my duty to call a meeting as well to obtain their assent to the amendments, as to explain to them the origin, progress, & present State...
31To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 10 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since my Letter to you of the 21 June, Brigre General Bloomfield communicated to me an order from the Secretary of War, which in substance agreed with the request, I had the honour to make to you, and of which you have a Copy inclosed. After compleating some official duties at Philadelphia I returned to New-York and reported myself ready to take such command as might “comport with my rank.”...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Williams, 11 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As your favour of the 20th June did not require an immediate reply, I have defered it till I could send the enclosed sheets of my translation: The tables are not yet all printed, but if the plates could be ready, the whole might appear in a fortnight. The Essay on military fireworks, which does not require plates, will soon be published in a separate Pamphlet. Nothing could be more gratifying...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 20 June 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time since I conveyed to you , through the medium of Mr. Maddison, a transcript of my barometrical Journal over some of the mountains in Virginia. As the philosophical Society are about publishing another Volume, and as the Committee of selection have put my paper on the list for publication, I am extreemly desirous of receiving your answer to my last, that I may avail myself of your...
34From Benjamin Franklin to [Jonathan Williams], 26 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Inclos’d is a Receipt for some things of mine sent to your Care. I am thus far on my Journey to Boston, and hope now to have soon the Pleasure of seeing you. My Love to your Wife and Children. Tell my Cousin to have his Harpsichord in good Order, for I love Music and shall be pleas’d to hear him. My Daughter too, that comes with me, plays a little, and will be...
35To James Madison from Jonathan Williams, 23 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
There being now in this City a considerable number of the Members of the United States Military Philosophical Society, I think it my duty in conformity to the 3d Section of the 4th Chapter of the Constitution, to call an occasional meeting to be held at the first apartment on the right hand in the War Office, on Saturday Evening 30 Inst for the purpose of stating to the members, who have not...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Charles Russel the Bearer hereof applies to me for a few Lines to Make him known to you. He is Son of the Honourable James Russel Esquire of Charlestown. Comes home to perfect His practice as a Physican, in one of the Hospotals, and being a Gentleman of good Character here I Beg Leave to recommend Him to your Civilities as a Stranger in the City of...
37To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last informed you of my Intention to send you by the Messagerie a Case of old W. India Spirit, and at the same time I requested you to send a dozen to Mr. Alexander and a dozen to Dr. Bancroft. I have now to inform you that it left Nantes last Saturday accompanied with an acquit a Caution which I request you to return to me properly indorsed at the Bureau at Paris. I must beg your...
38From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 11 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have, just now received your favour of the 6th. Who, pray, has injured the Character of Commodore John Paul Jones? and in what manner? It would give me Pleasure to furnish any Evidence in my Power in vindication of his Character against any Injury: but I have no recollection of any Acknowledgement of Jones himself, that his Surname was Paul, though I remember that the English Publications...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am again to return the tribute of my thanks for the continued proofs of favor from the American Philosophical society; and I ever do it with sincere gratitude, sensible it is the effect of their good will, and not of any services I have it in my power to render them. I pray you to convey to them these expressions of my dutiful acknolegements; and to accept yourselves thanks for the favorable...
40Samuel Magaw, James Hutchinson, Jonathan Williams, and John Vaughan to Abigail Adams, 26 February 1791 (Adams Papers)
Having been honored with the Vice Presidents consent to attend the Eulogium in Memory of D r Benjamin Franklin. We in the name of the Philosophical Society, presume to hope you will do them the honor of your presence on the Same important occasion We have the honor to be / with the greatest respect / Madam / Your obedient Servants RC ( Adams Papers ); internal address: “M rs Adams.—” Benjamin...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 4 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before I went abroad this last Summer, I left Orders with my Banker to purchase two Tickets for you, and send you the Numbers. Since my Return I understand the Orders were executed. I hope you receiv’d the Banker’s Letter; if not, this will inform you that the Numbers are 33m799 and 33m800. with which I wish you the best Success. I think I mention’d in a...
42Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am highly sensible of the Confidence you honour me with by your Approbation of my Drafts on Mr. Grand, and am ready to account for the expenditure of them up to the 30th May. The Charges since my Departure from Nantes, to go to new Account. As your Time is too constantly and too importantly employed to attend to the Details of commercial Concerns, would it not be well to appoint some...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 26 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on seeing the military Constitutions of Nations in the Intelligencer, I thought it my duty as President of the Society to give it currency in the form of a Communication to it; for I consider the dissemination of correct military Ideas as the primary object of its Institution. I am this morning highly gratified by your favour of the 23d. and in imitation of your example, I shall...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Williams, 21 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
After a Silence of many years, I lately received from Gov: Franklin, by the return of Mr N Biddle, several Letters on family subjects, one of which I inclose because I believe we have like sensations as to the blameable delay, if not infamous sacrifice of Doctor Franklins Fame to paltry pecuniary motives. There has been for a very long time an irreconcileable dissention between Governor...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 21 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Richard B. Duane, Locust, N.J. (1955) I have received yours of the 12th Inst. As to the Mistake I mention’d, I find on Revisal that it was not in your Account but in my Eyes, which mistook one Figure for another. I wrote to you from Burlington that I should pay your Order in favour of Robinson as soon as I return’d to Town, which I accordingly did. The Sum £47 15 s. 4 d. I should be glad...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 80–1. You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in...
47To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 1 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I heartily congratulate you on your safe Return to Europe and thank you for your obliging Care of my Letters from my Friends, which I received last Post from Bilboa. I shall be greatly obliged to you if you will employ a leisure half Hour in giving me a little Sketch of our public Affairs in America, so far only as is prudent for you to communicate, and proper for me to know. Please to let me...
48From James Madison to Jonathan Williams, 15 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Feby. 23. has remained so long unanswered that I ought to state, in apology, that as I foresaw the Summer Session, would be inattentive to objects not within its particular purview, I did not enter into your idea, of presenting to it, the subject of the Military Academy. To the influence of this consideration at the time, and afterwards to the occupations of a busy period, I must...
49To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the Tenor of your Favour of the 8th Instant I apprehend I have committed an Indiscretion. The Satisfaction I feel in contributing to your Pleasure was my only motive and I beg that may be considered as my excuse. The Rum cost me nothing, I cannot therefore fix a price, but Billy Franklin is my Banker in small affairs and you may settle it with him as you think proper. I am with great...
50From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 21 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 12 and yesterday, the Rum was brought here consisting of forty Eight Bottles. Two I Suppose had been used to wet the Whistle of the Porters. I paid Seventy five Livres and the Man was or pretended to be wroth that I gave him no more. Mr. Alexander Shall have his Dozen and his Packet and Dr. Bancroft, his. I beg of you to draw upon me for the Cost of the Rum...