118th. (Adams Papers)
I went to the Office in the forenoon; but found myself incapacitated to do any thing, and therefore lost the morning in conversation. Just before two I went with trembling hope to the post office: and as I went into the door my heart almost failed me: but I was soon made happy by a letter from my brother Tom, which confirms the arrival of my Parents. In the afternoon I did nothing more than...
2To John Adams from the Massachusetts General Court, 18 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
Ordered that Caleb Strong, Joseph Bradley Varnum, and Thomas Dawes esq rs , with such as the honorable House may join be a committee, to present to the honorable John Adams esq r the following address— sent down for concurrence Read & concurred & M r Russell, of Boston, M r Jones, M r Heath, & M r Ames are joined The return of yourself and family to the United States, and to this your native...
3From John Adams to the Massachusetts General Court, 18 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
To the Honourable the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts The kind and condescending Congratulations of So illustrious a Body as the Legislature of the Massachusetts, on my arrival with my Family, in this my native Country, does me great honour and demands my most gratefull Acknowledgments If the Dangers and Fatigues which have fallen to my Share in the Course of a memorable...
4To John Adams from John Thaxter Jr., 18 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
If amidst the vast Concourse of Friends who have eagerly pressed to welcome your safe Arrival to your native Country, you have not found your former Pupil and Secretary personally testifying his pleasing Sensations upon this happy Event, you will do him the Justice to believe that no one has experienced a more heart-felt Satisfaction than himself upon this Occasion. I feel myself very unhappy...
5[Diary entry: 18 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 18th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—75 at Noon And 72 at Night. Clear in the Morning; at Noon & Night Cloudy with rains about 10 Oclock for an hour. Wind at South. Rid into the Neck and to all the Plantations. Examined the grain in the Neck which appears as follow—viz.—The Wheat in field No. 7 which I expected would have been very fine scarcely merits the epithet—Middling the...
6From George Washington to Lafayette, 18 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
I cannot account for your not having received some of my letters, my dear Marquis, before you wrote yours of the 18th of March; as I have been writing to you, at short intervals, constantly since last autumn. To demonstrate the satisfaction I enjoy on the receipt of your favours; I always answer them almost as soon as they arrive—Although, on account of my retirement from the busy scenes of...
7To George Washington from James Madison, 18 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
No question direct or indirect has yet been taken, by which the state of parties could be determined. of course each is left to enjoy the hopes resulting from its own partial calculations. It is probable the majority on either side will not exceed more than 3, 4, 5 or 6. I indulge a belief that at this time the friends of the Constitution have the advantage in point of number. Great moderation...
8From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
No question has been yet taken by which the strength of parties can be ascertained. Each hopes for victory. There will not probably be half a dozen for a majority on either side. I hope & think that if no accident happens the Constitution will carry the point. But when the balance is so extremely nice, it is improper not to mingle doubts with our expectations. A few days will probably decide...
9From James Madison to Rufus King, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
No question has yet been taken by which real strength of parties in our Convention can be measured. There is not a majority of more than three or four on either side. Both sides claim it. I think however it rather lies as yet in favor of the Constitution. But it is so small as to justify apprehensions from accidents as well as change of opinion. An unwillingness to risk a positive decision on...
10From James Madison to George Washington, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
No question direct or indirect has yet been taken, by which the state of parties could be determined. Of course each is left to enjoy the hopes resulting from its own partial calculations. It is probable the majority on either side will not exceed more than 3, 4, or 5 or 6. I indulge a belief that at this time the friends of the Constitution have the advantage in point of number. Great...
11To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
We are all extremely uneasy at your Indisposition—how much to be regretted indeed! And particularly when such important matters are under deliberation—but I hope that kind Heaven has restored you before this day, to be a farther blessing and honor to your Country! We are not very sanguine upon the event of the proposed constitution in Virginia—’tho your kind letters give us some degree of...
12Method of Electing the President, [18 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Antifederalists maintained that the electoral college created by Article II, Section 1, would result in the choice of a president by less than a majority of those eligible to vote. Mr. Madison . Mr. Chairman—I will take the liberty of making a few observations which may place this in such a light as may obviate objections. It is observable, that none of the honorable members objecting to...
13Powers of the President, [18 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison , adverting to Mr. Mason’s objection to the president’s power of pardoning, said, it would be extremely improper to vest it in the house of representatives, and not much less so to place it in the senate; because numerous bodies were actuated more or less by passion, and might in the moment of vengeance forget humanity. It was an established practice in Massachusetts for the...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Louis Joseph de Beaulieu, 18 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Beaucaire, 18 June 1788 . Wrote to TJ two years ago about his situation as an officer who had fought the whole war, had shed his blood for the common cause, and had expended his small resources. “Mes blessures doivent etre un juste titre d’en recevoir la recompense.” To this TJ responded. Beaulieu appealed to Marbois, but he was ordered to Cap Français and he has received no response from him....
15From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 18 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 17. Ult. since which I have been honored with yours of May 22. and June 5. By a letter I have received from Messieurs Van Staphorsts at Amsterdam, I find they have shipt my two stoves on board the same vessel with the boxes of ‘Meubles &c.’ of which I am glad as it will give you trouble once only instead of twice. I find that you have been so kind as to call on Mrs....
16From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Montgomery, 18 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. inst. came to hand the night before last. I am sorry to find you have missed your passage. Mr. De Bert had written to me on the subject on the 5th. inst. but by some means or other the letter did not get to my hands till the night of the 9th. which was the day you arrived at Havre. Not knowing your address at Havre I have taken the liberty of putting the present under...