117th. (Adams Papers)
I have continued reading in Sullivan’s lectures. The book is entertaining, and the author so far as he goes appears to be master of his subject. In general he is perspicuous and intelligible, but the Treatise is rather historical than professional: it was a posthumous work, and therefore probably much more imperfect, than it would have been, had the author himself given it to the public. The...
2[Diary entry: 17 December 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at Night. But little wind all day, & that at No. Et. Weather much more moderate than it has been. In the morng. and alternately through the day, great appearances of Snow. At times a little fell, but not enough to whiten the ground. In the afternoon the Sun appeared. Rid to the Ferry, French’s, & Muddy hole Plantations. No Plowing...
3To George Washington from James Rumsey, 17 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Coppies of two Certificates of what the Boat performed at Sum tryals we have been making I have a number more but as they are the Same in Substance I thought it not nessasary to Coppy them, we Enhibeted under many disadvantages and Should not have Come forth publicly untill Spring if it had not been for Mr Fitches Stealing a march on me in Virgine I have Sent Down a number of...
Your Excellency’s ^ Letter ^ was delivered ^ to ^ me this morning. The interpretation of the Council appears to me to be right. I however regret that there was room for doubt; for in my opinion the command of American Vessels should be confined to American Citizens. I have the honor to be with great Respect & c . LbkC , DNA: Domestic Letters Domestic Letters of the Department of State,...
5From Thomas Jefferson to De Corny, 17 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It is time to give you an account of your copying machine, which, after repeated trial, I find very inadequate to it’s offices. Instead of having two rollers only, thus placed, where the pressure of the upper roller is resisted in the same points by the lower one, and so forces the copy extremely, it is made with one roller above and two below, thus so that at the point where the upper roller...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Parent, 17 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Votre lettre, Monsieur, du 20me. Juin m’apprit que M. Bachey avoit encore dans ce moment là quatre feuillettes de vin de Meursault goutte d’or, de la meme crue et qualité de celui que vous m’avez envoyé. Je l’ai trouvé si bon que j’en prendrai trois feuillettes, s’il lui en reste autant actuellement. S’il n’en a plus, faites moi la grace de me procurer une seule feuillette de la meme qualité...