1From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Favour of 25. Ult. I can only say that I have no Information of the United States having acceeded to the armed Neutrality, on the Contrary I have Reasons to doubt it. My Son, I hope behaves to your Satisfaction and that of Madame Dumas, follows his Studies with Ardour and writes to me, every Post, takes a Walk in the Wood every day &c. Does he Speak the German? has he lost...
2[May 1783] (Adams Papers)
Dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, with the other American Ministers and others. Visited the Duke and Dutchesse de la Vauguion at the petite Luxembourg. The Duke is to stay here some time. I told him he and I were in the same Case, and explained to him my Situation and gave him my frank Sentiments of a certain Minister. He said he was veritablement touché. Mr. Hartley came in to introduce...
3From John Adams to Francis Dana, 1 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favour of the 16 of March, and in answer to it, I do assure you that I do not intend to decline taking a Seat in Congress, if any State in the Confederation shall think it worth while to offer me one. I am grown very ambitious of being a Limb of that Sovereign. I had rather be Master than Servant, upon the Same Principle that Men Swear at High Gate never to kiss the Maid,...
41783 May 1. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, with the other American Ministers and others. Visited the Duke and Dutchesse de la Vauguion at the petite Luxembourg. The Duke is to stay here some time. I told him he and I were in the same Case, and explained to him my Situation and gave him my frank Sentiments of a certain Minister. He said he was veritablement touché.
5To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [before 14 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have done myself the honor to call to inform you of my intention of setting out on the Journey which has been explained to you, on Sunday Evening— I had intended to have Left this sooner, but as I could not possibly be ready to day , it would be to no purpose— If you should think of any thing in which I can be useful to you, I shall be happy to be...
6Continental Congress Report on a Treaty of Commerce between the United States and Great Britain, 1 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Commitee to whom was referred the letter from Mr. Adams of the report: That they have examined the different instructions given to our Commissioners and Ministers abroad and find that the Commissioners for making peace have an implied power to comprehend commercial stipulations in a Treaty of peace; but that there is no direct subsisting power of entering into a treaty of commerce with...
7Continental Congress Report on the Corps of Invalids, 1 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved that the corps of Invalids be reduced; such officers as have lost a limb or been equally disabled in service to retire on full pay for life, such officers as may not be included in this description to retire on the same principles with other officers of the army; such non commissioned officers and soldiers as being strangers in the country and having been disabled in service are...
8From Benjamin Franklin to the Loge des Commandeurs du Temple, 1 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque de Carcassonne I received your fraternal Letter dated the 21st. past, and am extremely sensible of your kind Congratulations, and of the Honour you propose to do me by an Act of Affiliation into your most respectable Lodge. I accept the Offer with great Satisfaction. And wishing you every kind of Felicity, particularly that your Power of doing Good may always be equal to...
9From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [1 May 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Col Hamilton’s compliments to Mr. Chaloner, incloses him a note which he promised Col Wadsworth to leave with Mr Chaloner. The date is blank which Mr Chaloner will be so good as to fill up from the time Col Wadsworth left this city. AL , Mr. James H. Welch, Canton, Ohio. Chaloner, a Philadelphia merchant, was assistant commissary of purchases for the Continental Army during the American...
10III. Jefferson’s Draft of a Constitution for Virginia, [May–June 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
To the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and all others whom it may concern, the Delegates of the said Commonwealth send greeting. It is known to you and to the world that the government of Great Britain, with which the American states were not long since connected, assumed over them an authority which to some of them appeared unwarrantable and oppressive; that they endeavoured to...
11To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de La Houssaye, 1 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme tresorier principal de la Guerre En la province de Bretagne, jay Ete chargé de vous faire passer a Boston plusieurs millions, je me Suis acquitté de Cette Commission avec autant d’exactitude que de zele, Comme Bon Citoyen Et amy des americains; j’ose vous suplier de vouloir Bien me faire Le Cadot d’une medaille qui me Servira de Reconnoissance Et de...
12To George Washington from Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron, duc de Lauzun, 1 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
J’ai L’honeur de vous rendre compte qu’en conséquence des Instructions qui m’ont eté envoiées de France, les trouppes que je comande pourront être embarquées le neuf de ce mois, si Votre Excellence le juge convenable. Le Roi mon maitre m’ordonne particulierement de soumettre entierement le départ de Ses trouppes a la decision de Votre Excellence. Je vous suplie, Mon Général, de permettre que...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 9th. ultimo in which you request that I would communicate to you my thoughts on a military Peace establishment for the United-States. As the detail of the System, which I am about to recommend, will more properly rest with the executive Officers of the Engineer and Inspector General’s departments—I will confine my information to the following general...
14To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 1 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
Your public & private Letters have remained long unanswered, owing to the stagnation of commerce here on the prospect of peace, & the delay occasioned by M r . Jeffersons disappointment who was charged with both for you. I have now before me your Letters of the 13 th . Aug t (which M r Wright did ^ not ^ deliver till about a fortnight ago) & the 7 th . & 14 th Dec r . I immediatly wrote to...
15Madison’s List of Bills Drawn, [ca. 1 May 1783] (Madison Papers)
Time discounted Discounters Drawers in whose favor payers date of acceptance days sight Sum Disct. 1783 Feby. 13. Jos: Jones Callendar & Henderson John Dawson Jno. Leary Jr
16To George Washington from Enos J. Prindle, 1 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Serjeants of the Connecticut Line of Infantry (including the Artillery of the same) have requested us to address your excellency, on a matter which we conceive of importance, and which sensibly affects us. Sensible of the attachment and tenderness, your Excellency has ever shown for us, we view you at once as our General , Friend , Guardian , and Father . Inspired by this pleasing...
17From George Washington to Elijah Churchill, 1 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
George Washington Esquire General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America &c. &c. &c. To All to whom these presents shall come, sendeth Greeting. Whereas it hath ever been an established maxim in the American Service, that the Road to Glory was open to All, that Honorary Rewards and Distinctions were the greatest Stimuli to virtuous Actions, and that distinguished...
18General Orders, 1 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
For duty tomorrow Brigr Genl Patterson B. Qr Mr Hampshire Brigde The Jersey regt gives the Guards, and the Jersey battalion the Fatigues tomorrow. The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to pass the following Resolve. By the United States in Congress assembled the 23d April 1783. Resolved That in the opinion of Congress the time of the men engaged to serve during the war does not expire...
19From George Washington to Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron, duc de Lauzun, 1 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
It was with pain I received information from the Chevr De la Luzerne that the French Corps under your orders was recalled—This event, I fear will take you from this Country contrary to my wishes, and what you were polite enough to say—your own inclination before you had visited the southern states. No circumstance would contribute more to my satisfaction than to have the pleasure of your...
20Washington’s Sentiments on a Peace Establishment, 1 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Peace Establishment for the United States of America may in my opinion be classed under four different heads Vizt. First. A regular and standing force, for Garrisoning West Point & such other Posts upon our Northern, Western, and Southern Frontiers, as shall be deemed necessary to awe the Indians, protect our Trade, prevent the encroachment of our Neighbours of Canada and the Florida’s, and...