1831To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States respectfully submits the following Report upon the letter of the Secretary of War dated November 22d: 1797, and the papers accompanying the same. The principal question may be stated in either of the following modes. First—What are the powers and duties of the Accountant to the Department of War?...
1832[Diary entry: 13 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. Soft & moderate—Wind Southerly. Mer. 42. a 46. Mr. Lear dined here & Mr. Lawe. Lewis returned.
1833From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 13 December 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 13 Dec. 1797. On 22 Dec. Bassett wrote GW : “Yours of the 13th reached me to day.”
1834To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 13 December 1797 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday, in conversation with M r . FitzSimons (who, you will doubtless recollect, is one of the commissioners on the claims of British debts) he mentioned two questions of vast importance which were presented at the threshold of the business: one, ^on^ which side lay the onus probandi respecting the solvency or insolvency of the debtor—the other, whether interest should or should not be...
1835[Diary entry: 14 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
14. Just such a day as the preceeding one. Mer. 46 a 52.
1836To George Washington from George Gilpin, 14 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Peter has been with me to enquire my Opinion about the State of the navigation with respect to the Ice, one Ship and two brigs & Several other Vessells have waited for Some days for the River to Clear to morrow they intend to try, but I think it is not Safe for a Scow to Venture[.] two days hence if this weather hold I think She may Venture. I tryed for three days past to get a Craft to go to...
1837To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am just honoured with your letter of the 11th. The William Penn will, I am told, sail from this port directly for London, in two days, if the present soft weather continues. If I am disappointed in this conveyance, I will send the letters for Mr King & sir John Sinclair to New-York, to be forwarded by the first vessel for London. The letter for Mr Murray I shall forward in like manner by the...
1838To John Jay from Josiah Ogden Hoffman, 14 December 1797 (Jay Papers)
I concieve it my Duty to state to Your Excellency the Situation of and proceedings in the two Suits instituted against Mary Lindsley and others, and against Abraham Miller, by Samuel Fowler and Jonathan Lyman Citizens of the State of Massachusets for the Recovery of Lands situate within the Counties of Steuben and Tioga in this State, to which the Plaintiffs claim Title by Virtue of and under...
1839From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 8th. day of my journey from Belmont, having suffered much with the severity of the weather, and taken moreover a violent cold which still indisposes me. Not so much however as to prevent my attendance on business, and it is going off. The Senate had as yet only a single bill before them, so that I found myself in place in time for business. They have since received and...
1840[Diary entry: 15 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
15. Little or no Wind in the forenoon brisk So. Easterly & constant Rain afternoon. Mer. 38 a 50.
1841From George Washington to Richard Parkinson, 15 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 28th Ult., a copy of which you will find on the other side, I have received your letter of the 27th of Septr to which, I find little to add, further than to assure you, that it would be very pleasing to me to have my Farms in the hands of skilful Agriculturalists, who are able, & willing, to manage them properly. Such, if their capital be sufficient to afford me the...
1842To Thomas Jefferson from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to transmit herewith, a Report on the Petition of William Imlay Commissioner of Loans for the State of Connecticut, which was refered to me by order of the Senate on the 5th. instant. I have the honour to be very respectfully Sir Your obedient Servant RC ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records, 5th Cong., 2d. sess.); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Wolcott; at foot of text: “The Honble....
1843[Diary entry: 16 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
16. Wind at No. Wt. but not very hard or cold. Mer. 26 a 40.
1844To George Washington from William Strickland, 16 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
The object of the present letter is little more than to acknowledge the receipt of his of July 15. sorry to find the seeds I gave him have not grown—tho conveyed in a box in the Cabbin—have experienced the difficulty of conveying seeds across the Atlantic. Hope Mr Smith will find an opportunity to wait upon him—he will find him capable of communicating much that is valuable. Mr Parsons has...
1845From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Richardson, 16 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Within a day or two after my arrival here, I called on Mr. Traquair, the Stonecutter, to whom I meant to apply for you. I explained to him your character and motives for wishing to pass a winter in learning to cut stone. He approved much of your motives, and immediately entered cordially into the desire to serve and aid you. On the subject of giving you board for your work he said he did not...
1846Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 17 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I design’d to have written you last week but was prevented by company I have receiv’d your Letter of November 28th & thank you for it I always wish to receive one a week at least but I have no right to expect it constantly as I know your time must be taken up with more important matters. I cannot myself write so often as I wish but be assur’d you shall hear from me often— I rejoice in your...
1847[Diary entry: 17 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
17. Moderate with very little wind Mer. from 30 to 34. Gen. Huntingdon came to dinner. gen. huntingdon : Maj. Gen. Jedediah Huntington (see entry for 18 Oct. 1789 , n.3) had recently built a home in New London, Conn., which he called Mount Vernon ( CROFUT Florence S. Marcy Crofut. Guide to the History and the Historic Sites of Connecticut . 2 vols. New Haven, 1937. , 2:729).
1848Martha Washington to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 17 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is unnecessary, I persuade myself to assure you, that with whatsoever pleasure your letters may be received, the satisfaction to be derived from them, will fall far short of that which your company wd give: but as stern winter (which has commenced with uncommon severity) has closed all expectation of the latter, I can only offer my thanks for your kind remembrance of us in your letter of...
1849From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received; but one cause or another has prevented the acknowledgment until now, when I thank you for the Presidents Speech which it enclosed, and your obliging offer to render me any services I might need, in Phila. One reason why I did not sooner notice the offer of a Mr Barker—to pay you on my A/c $500 in behalf of Colonl Shreve, was my expectation...
1850From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 December 1797 (Madison Papers)
As I do not send expressly to the post Office on the return of the Mail from Charlottesville your favor of the 10th. did not get to hand in time to be answered on friday last. It is perfectly convenient for me to furnish a draft on Philada. having kept the little fund there as an appropriation to your use. The bill I offered you for 250 dollars was delivered to Mr. Jefferson with a view to go...
1851Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 18 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you from East Chester, but I believe I have not written to you from hence. I was dissapointed in not receiving a Letter by mr Bartlet from you, tho I was much pleased in learning that he brought Letters from you to mrs smith. Seperated as she is from all her connections except her little Girl, and living in a village where she has not any Society, communications by Letters are the...
1852To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, Jr., 18 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your directions, we have read and deliberately considered the correspondence between Mr. Wolcott, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Mr. Coxe, the Commissioner of the Revenue. This correspondence embraces the following complaints of Mr. Wolcott against Mr. Coxe. I. In the case of Leonard Jarvis’s delinquency as an Inspector of the Revenue in Massachusetts. Upon the first...
1853[Diary entry: 18 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Wind shifted to No. Wt. in the Night & grew cold. Mer. from 18 to 32. Went up to Alex. & finished my business w. Mr. Welch. GW and James Welch signed the papers drawn up by James Keith for the Kanawha lands ( PRUSSING Eugene E. Prussing. The Estate of George Washington, Deceased . Boston, 1927. , 471). See entry for 24 Nov. 1797 .
1854From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 18 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th Ulto came safe in the usual course of the Mail, and about a week ago Mrs Forbes arrived; and from her appearance, and conduct hitherto, gives satisfaction to your Aunt. Having, as she says, obtained ten dollars of you, to defray her expences to this place; I herein return them, with thanks for the aid it afforded to get her here. and as you may have paid for the copies...
1855Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
Least I should forget it, I acknowledge the receipt of ten Dollars you sent while I was at Haverhill, but in the multiplicity of my thoughts I for-got to mention it— you will please to excuse me— I have conversed with Mr Attwood about receiving pay for his expences he absolutely refuses taking anything for his trouble— The extra, charges I have seen payed, by mony Mr Attwood, & I found in his...
1856To John Adams from Paul Dudley Sargent, 19 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
In reading your Speach to the two Houses of Congress I could not but notice the emphatical manner in which you impressed Congress with the necessity of Defending our Commerce; which led me to consider of our present mode of building our Ships on stocks above high water mark. I think we have had a full trial of the inexpediency of that way of building, in the difficulty, risk, and danger in...
1857[Diary entry: 19 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
19. Wind got to the Southward again but was very cold not with standing. Mer. 26 to 34. Genl. Huntingdon went away after breakfast.
1858To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 20 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
To justify to our Country and to the world your protection of me at a moment when and powerful enemies were combined to destroy me by implications which dare not meet the light, I profess before God and Man is among the leading motives of all my acting— The death of General Wayne silenced an investigation which I had much at heart, because it would have unfolded Scenes and circumstances...
1859[Diary entry: 20 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. Wind Southerly in the Morng. with appearances of Snow No. Wt. in the afternn. & Cold Mer. 28 a 38. Doctr. Stuart came to Dinn.
1860Ann Thompson Gerry to Abigail Adams, 21 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I acknowledge the receipt of your very obliging favour of th’ 23 d of Nov br and should have done myself that pleasure before but was prevented by a severe indisposition (from which I am now pretty well recover’d) and the afflicting loss of my Father which has called my Sister from me I am extremely anxious to hear from M r. Gerry at Paris I find by my letters from him previous to his quitting...
1861From John Adams to United States Senate, 21 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate William Linton of Virginia, to be Collector and Inspector of the Customs for the District of Dumfries and Newport, in the place of David Wilson Scott resigned DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1862To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 21 December 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day been informed that an attachment has been laid by your order in the Name of Mr Church, in the hands of Messrs Le Roy Bayard & McEvers, what this is for or why it is done I cannot conceive; your agency in its astonishes me, if it is for the balance of the Money you lent me , I shall deem my self more unfortunate than ever (altho sufficiently so before) to have such measures...
1863[Diary entry: 21 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
21. Very cold—Wind at No. W. Mer. 9 a 28. Doctr. Stuart went away after breakfast.
1864From George Washington to James Anderson, 21 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
As the present year is about to close, it is my desire that all the accompts from the commencement of your Management, up to the first of January, may be fully stated and laid before me on, or about that day. In doing this, I shall expect to see, at one view, all the monies which you have received, and all that you have expended (on my a/c); together with the balances which may be due for...
1865To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 21 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will I have no doubt be surprized, to receive a letter from me dated from an English port, and I myself little expected to have wrote to you, from this place, we have had a very long and disagreable passage. In the Ocean we had a contrary wind, for twenty days together which at last carried us to the north of the scilly Islands. we had then to sail back again round them to enter the...
1866To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 21 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to have it in my power to inform you that by the casting vote of the Speaker of the house of Representatives We have succeeded in our Application for a Loan for the City: the Resolution has also past the other branch without Opposition. Interesting as this Measure is to the U.S. I can not deny myself the Pleasure of communicating it to you. I shall remain here untill a final...
1867From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 21 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that you get the newspapers I shall not repeat the public news which they detail. The great victory obtained by the English over the Dutch fleet is placed beyond doubt, they have taken 9 out of 16. As to the proceedings of Congress, they have passed a bill putting off the commencement of the Stamp act till July next. The land tax will not be taken up this session. It is suspected...
1868From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Walker, 21 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. William Davenport desired me to pay you for him, one hundred dollars which I engaged to do soon after my arrival at this place. Besides this there were two quarters of one of the beeves you sent him (I believe the first) which I took and was to answer to you. You will see below a statement of that, which after deducting the amount of some nails, leaves a balance of 23/6 due on my account....
1869From John Adams to Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton, 22 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night, while I was thinking it was time for me to retire to rest they Sent me from the Post Office, your elegant Present of Beacon Hill, for which I pray you, Madam to accept of my best Thanks. I had no further thoughts of Slumber to my Eyes, till I had read the whole Preface, Poem and Notes. I shall read it again and again; but the Pleasure I had in the first Perusal of it, has excited...
1870[Diary entry: 22 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
22. Very cold Wind fresh at No. Wt. Mer. 8 a .
1871To George Washington from Alexandria Masons, 22 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Members of Lodge No. 22 Solicit your Company, to Partake of a refreshment at Mr Gadsby’s Tavern, on the 27th Inst, at 6 OClock in the Evening in Celebration of the Anniversary of Saint John—on behalf of the Brethren. Henry Rose } Managers G. Deneale Wm. B. Page Robt Young W. Jones M. Flanery L , DLC:GW . The letter is dated “22 Decr 5797.” The Ancient Craft Masons commence their era with...
1872To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, Jr., 22 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 13th reached me to day you would not have been disappointed in your expectation of hearing the event of my application to Major Burwell but that I had not an answer myself untill meeting with him here a few days scince when he told me the supposed desire in him to part with his cook was a mistake. Colo: Finne shall have your answer. The time of the Legislature have been hitherto...
1873To George Washington from Thomas Law, 22 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your informn respectg my Pointer which I was afraid had been stolen—you will oblige me by ordering it when any one goes to Alexandria to be delivered to Guy Atkinson. Eliza joins me in expressing affe. regards & a grateful sense of your kindnesses—We unite in wishing you & Mrs Washington health & happiness for many Years to come, & that you may enjoy the pleasing prospect of...
1874[Diary entry: 23 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Wind in the same quarter but not so hard. Mer. 10 a 26.
1875From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 23 December 1797 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with yours of the 13 Inst:— Having no Reason to expect that I should have occasion for any papers respecting causes tried before me in the Sup[reme] Court of the U. S. I left them at New York. The written argument You allude to, did not comprehend the Question of Interest — it not being in Controversy among those on the Demurrer. On that Subject I made notes, but no formal...
1876From Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 23 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Novemb.—did not come to my hands till Dec. 13. It had awaited my arrival here: and the ordinary affairs of business and ceremony prevented my applying to the patent office till Dec. 21. I then paid at the treasury the 20. Doll. bill you inclosed adding 10. Dollars, the price of the drill, as you had mentioned. The petition and description are lodged in the patent office. But a...
1877Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 24 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have not been So shock’d for a long time as by the account of mr & mrs Halls death. Cousen Louisia mention’d it in her Letter to her sister which accompany’d yours to mrs Black. I sat down & wrote a Letter to her my Self to prepare her for what she was to find in yours & sent our Boy with it. the weather was So cold & I almost Sick with a cold that I could not go to carry the melancholy...
1878To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 24 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
At the particular desire of the Bearer, the Miamis Chief called the little Turtle, I give Him this Letter of Introduction to you; His consequence among the Nations, approximate to one North Western frontier, gave Him pretensions to this distinction, I have deemed it political to indulge Him, and hope the Step may not be displeasing to you.— To the details which I have given the Secretary of...
1879[Diary entry: 24 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
24. Calm but still cold. Mer. 8 a 28.
1880John Henry to Henry Tazewell, 24 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
In Mr. Jeffersons Notes on Virginia it is stated (I have not the Book by me) that the Family of Logan were murdered by one of the Cresops. Mr. Martin the Attorney General of Maryland married into that family. He has heretofore and also within the last two weeks addressed a letter or letters to Mr. Jefferson upon this subject. He has likewise stated to me in a conversation which I had with him...