1981From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th Ulto was received in the usual course of the Post. That the City of Phila. should again be visited by that dreadful malignant fever which has made such impressions upon it heretofore, is matter of sore regret and that it should baffle more & more the skill of the Physicians adds poignancy to the misfortune. The only intention of giving you the trouble to receive a...
1982Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 27 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have written to you— My mind has been so agitated that I was not fit to write—or in other words, when I sat for a moment, & attempted to write my paper became so blotted, that I was asshamed to send it— Now do not attempt to reason; for I should feel so conscious that its dictates ought to be obeyed, & so little able to comply, that this would prove another source of...
1983To John Adams from John Cosens Ogden, 9 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The health of David Austin Esqr. the present Collector of the customs in New Haven, is declining so fast, that it is generally supposed that death, will put a period to his valuable life within a short period time. As that office will then be vacant, I thought it to be my duty, in as early a season, and in as respectful a manner as possible, to ask it of Your Excellency for myself. Perhaps an...
1984From Thomas Jefferson to James Lewis, Jr., 9 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your friendly letter of the 4th. inst. as soon as I saw the first of mr Martin’s letters, I turned to the newspapers of the day & found Logan’s speech as translated by a common Indian interpreter. the version I had used had been made by Genl. Gibson. finding from mr Martin’s article that his object was not merely truth, but to gratify party passions, I never read another...
1985From George Washington to John Adams, 3 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favour of the 19th Ulto, mentioning the nomination of Mr Murray to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Republic. With the writer of the letter, which I did myself the honour to enclose in my last to you, I truly observed that I had never held any correspondence; and I only knew him in his public mission from this Country to the Barbary States, the...
1986From Thomas Jefferson to John F. Mercer, 5 September 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved safely your favor of Aug. 9. with the two packets of Smyrna and Sicilian wheat. The latter I shall value as well because it lengthens our fall sowing, as because it may be sown in the spring. And in a soil which does not suit oats (as is the case of ours) we want a good spring grain. The May wheat has been sufficiently tried to prove that it will not answer for general culture in...
1987[Diary entry: 26 June 1799] (Washington Papers)
26. Morning clear—wind fresh from the So. W. Mer. at 82. Fresh from the same quarter all day, with a good deal of rain to the Eastward but a sprinkle only fell here. Mer. 91 at highest & 79 at Night.
1988To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hichborn, 1 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer of this Mr: Israel Hatch of this town has discovered, as he thinks, a new method to give effect to chaind Shot when directed against Ships of War in defence of forts Towns &c—in this view, it appears to me important & induced me to yeald a ready complyance with his request, to recommend it to your patronage, shoud it be found upon examination to deserve attention—I have a Stronger...
1989From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 2d. I have considered the petition of Warrall and return you his pardon signed.—The copies of the Instructions and dispatches I have received. I will thank you to send me a Copy or two of the Laws of the last Session compleat.— I have the Honor to be Sir / yr mo Obt. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1990From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 1 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Monticello the 18th. of Dec. and arrived here to breakfast on the 25th. having experienced no accident or inconvenience except a slight cold, which brought back the inflammation of my eyes and still continues it, though so far mended as to give hopes of it’s going off soon. I took my place in Senate before a single bill was brought in or other act of business done, except the Address...