191From George Washington to Robert Cary & Co., 24 October 1763 (Washington Papers)
I came to this place a few days ago, and embrace this as the first oppertunity that has offered of Inclosing Invoices for such Goods as are wanting for Master Custis’s Plantations and mine on York River where I have the Satisfaction to find that our Crops are secured, and tolerably good, having escaped a Frost that has destroyed much Tobacco in many parts of the Country, and injured me a good...
192To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 31 May–10 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 22d and 24th Instant, I wrote you per Capt. Haight, inclosing you the 2d of a Bill for £100. Sterling and the first of a Bill from Mr. Hercules Courtenay, Post-Master of Baltimore, for £141 6 s. 11 d. Sterling drawn by Stevenson on Hervey of London, of which this has the 2d inclosed: Mr. Courtenay says it is the whole of the Ballance due from him. I...
193[March 1756] (Adams Papers)
Wrote out Bolingbrokes reflections on Exile. For JA ’s lifelong study of, and his extensive commentaries on, the writings of Henry St. John, first Viscount Bolingbroke, see Haraszti, JA and the Prophets of Progress Zoltán Haraszti, John Adams and the Prophets of Progress, Cambridge, 1952. , ch. 4. JA ’s own copies of Bolingbroke’s writings are now divided between the Boston Athenaeum and the...
19416 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived about 12, dined. Rode to Aldridges after Mr. Webb, and brought him with me to my Uncles. Spent the Evening there. Lodged with Webb. Presumably Nathan Webb (1734–1760), Harvard 1754 , nephew and namesake of JA ’s “Uncle Webb"; he is said to have practiced medicine, and it was to him that JA addressed his first letter that survives, 1 Sept. 1755 ( Adams Papers ; JA...
195[Diary entry: 26 January 1774] (Washington Papers)
26. Mr. Rutherford went away after Breakfast. I contd. at home all day.
196To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 13 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Things here in general are much in the same State as they were in my last, only Mr. Foxcroft being returned from Virginia to Philadelphia; you will doubtless hear from him. I think I told you, I had sent the Bond for the whole I have had of you to Mrs. Franklin. The first of the inclosed Bill I sent per last Packet, I send this lest any Accident attend it....
197[Diary entry: 25 June 1771] (Washington Papers)
25. Discoverd the Rust bad in the Wheat at the Mill. My Wheat every where being much Injurd by the Speck or Spot. Finished Cutting the Meadow at Doeg Run—6 Scythe men being employd each day.
198[Diary entry: 2 February 1769] (Washington Papers)
2. The Ground slightly froze, Wind fresh from the northwest. Cloudy and cold.
199[August 1764] (Washington Papers)
1 & 2. Sowed Turnips—behind Garden. 10. Sowed Spelts—behind Ditto. 14. Cut Timothy Seed at Doeg Run. 15. Onwards getting Apples for Cyder. 17 & 18. Brought Oats from Ashfords. Note they were good Oats & a bushl. of them when well cleand weighd 30 lbs. & a bushl. of Spelts—weighd 28. 22. Trimmed up 52 heads of Tobo. at Creek Quarter for Sweetscented Seed. Began to cut Meadow on Creek. 23....
200[Diary entry: 5 September 1771] (Washington Papers)
5. Warm and clear with but little Wind & that Southerly. The Afternoon Showery with some thunder.
201To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan and Anna Mordaunt Shipley, [before 9 February 1772]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Before February 9, in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. He and his wife invite Franklin to dinner next Sunday, February 9.> Feb. 9 fell on a Sunday during BF ’s second mission only in 1766 and 1772, and as far as we know he was not acquainted with the Shipleys until 1771.
202Capel & Osgood Hanbury to John Parke Custis, 6 April 1767 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd we send the Accot Sales of thy 12 Hhds Tobacco ⅌ the Hanbury we assure thee that no care or endeavou⟨r⟩s of ours have been wanting to make the most thereof It gives us a real Concern that we are not favourd wth a larger part of thy Consignments we flatter ourselves that we can make as much of thy Crops as Carys or any other House if thee will give us the opportunity we will endeavour...
203[Diary entry: 10 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. At home all day. Mr. Custis who came over on Sunday returnd again to Maryland.
204[Diary entry: 2 December 1771] (Washington Papers)
2. Wind variable with Clouds, and at the sametime cold.
205To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 1 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: “Dr. Templeman’s Transactions,” Royal Society of Arts, London I am order’d to acquaint you, that the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce have unanimously elected you a Corresponding Member; and it gives the Society a singular Pleasure to place upon their List a Gentleman whose publick Spirit and uncommon Abilities...
206To George Washington from William Fairfax, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Butler the Express was presented by the Governor & read in Council and immediately after Sent to the Ho. of Burgesses. A Vessel fraughted wth Gunpowder &c. has been already sent to Fredericksburg under Dr Walker’s Care for yr Direction, and another is Since orderd wth 500 Arms, half Barrls of Gun Powder of which I am to have for our County fifty small Arms & Powder &c. wanted. I...
207William Tudor to Abigail Adams, 3 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
You may depend on my giving your Letter to Capt. Marston who sets out for Philadelphia on Monday. A safer Hand it could not go by. Pray let your Fears subside about Tumults—there have been none. There was an Assembly of 4000 Patriots at Cambridge yesterday—where the utmost Regularity was observ’d, and after finishing their Business they all repair’d to their homes in Quiet. They procur’d a...
208From George Washington to Carter Burwell, 20 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
From the goodness kindness of your offer last Assembly, I flatter myself you will be kind enough so obliging as to acquaint the Gentlemen of the Committee (at th is eir next meeting) with the loss I sustaind during my Appointment as Paymaster to the Virginia Forces (either by Robery, or neglect of charging) and so far favour my Pretensions as to sollicit them in my behalf, which I am convinced...
209[Diary entry: 25 March 1771] (Washington Papers)
25. Clear, Warm, and pleasant with but little Wind and that Southwardly.
210A Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 20 October … (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia It is with much satisfaction we received Intelligence from our Friend David Barclay, by his Letter of the 27th Augst. That, “by Order of the Court of Chancery there is transferred to you, for the use of the Pennsylvania Hospital, Seven thousand, six hundred and thirty four pounds 11 s. 1 d. three per Cent reduced Bank Annuities, Also that...
211Orderly Book, 18 October 1758 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Muddy Run Wednesday Octr 18th Parole Dublin A Picquit to Consist of 1 Capt. 1 Sub. 2 Serjts & 50 Private to mount this Evening, those from the Virginia Regt to Sleep in their own Camp and those of the Pensylvanians in theirs. All the Troops to hold themselves in readiness to March with the Artillery to morrow at 10 OClock the whole to draw provisions early in the Morning for 2 Days. D...
212[Diary entry: 22 June 1771] (Washington Papers)
22. Clear and something Cooler—Wind getting Westwardly.
213[Diary entry: 8 January 1768] (Washington Papers)
8. Clear, frost, & still.
214To George Washington from Adam Stephen, 25 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
Nothing Remarkable has occurred in this neighbourhood since You left us. I think we omitted, My lord, at the beginning of Our Address, you will Please to Observe before you Send it off, and likewise Write to the governor and Some of the Council to charge Mr Ludwel to support & inforce it. I heard once from the Branch Since, but expect you have all the reports from that Quarter before this...
215[Diary entry: 5 April 1768] (Washington Papers)
5. At home with Mr. Crawford. Mr. Campbell came here & dined, Mrs. Washington, Miss B. Ramsey & Patcy Custis went to Belvoir & returnd. As an agent for the Alexandria partnership of Carlyle & Adam, Matthew Campbell (d. 1782) had come to Mount Vernon to pay GW £121 11s. 9½d. for wheat purchased from him during the past six months ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of...
216From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 3 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to you yesterday, I desired that the Indians might not be brought to this place if it cou’d possibly be avoided: Since which, the Honble Edmund Atkin, Esquire; superintendant of Indian Affairs, is arrived; and desires to hold a conference with them here. No bad consequences are likely to ensue by bringing them from the Frontiers (of which, however, you are to judge...
2176 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
A fair Day. Drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers, and fixt a Letter for Cushing, Wentworth, Dalton, Lock Locke , my Father, and Dr. Savel. Fix: to set down in writing ( OED The Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford, 1933; 12 vols. and supplement. , fix, vb., 5b). None of the six letters enumerated here, the first four of which were addressed to Harvard classmates, has been found.
218[Diary entry: 16 January 1774] (Washington Papers)
16th. Very Cold all day & not very Windy—but Northerly.
219April 5th. 1754. (Adams Papers)
The theory of the Ballance, scales, steel-yard &c. and all and the 3 species of lever’s continued to which (viz) the lever he referred allmost all the instruments in life, and universally. To make a aequilibrium, the product of the quantity of matter in the weight multiplyed into its distance from the Center of motion, must be equal to the quantity of matter in the power, multiplyed into it’s...
220From George Washington to John Didsbury, 15 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
Please to send the following Shoes & Boots and apply to Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. for Payment. For Geo: Washington 3 pair of strong but neat Shoes } By the last Meas[ur]e Sent 3 pr of neat & light Do 1 pr of Morrocco Leather Slippers For Mr Custis 2 pair of neat dble Chand Pumps } pr Meas[ur]e now sent 3 pr strong but neat Shoes 4 pr neat & thin Do 2 pr of neat dressd Pumps 1 pr neat red...
221[Diary entry: 13 May 1774] (Washington Papers)
13. Misting all day, with but little Wind and that Easterly.
222To George Washington from Thomas Hanson Marshall, 21 June 1760 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 20th Instant I Recd this Day; I have not the Least thought, (nor Ever had) of making Sale of any Part of my Land in Virga, unless I had an oppertunity of Purchasing, Immediately (Lands) Joining to me in Maryland, which there is not the Least Prospect off Just now, as the Lands are in the hands of Gen[tleme]n who have not the Least thought of making Sale thereoff. Captn Posey was...
223From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 May 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you pretty fully per the Packet, and shall write again by some of our Ships: But Capt. Cruikshanks kindly offering to carry a Letter to you, I write just to let you know I am well, as I hope you any [and] my dear Sally and all our Relations and Friends continue to be. Mrs. Stevenson is getting something to send you, and presents her Compliments....
224From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 29 July 1747 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Atlantic Monthly , LXI (1888), 26. Your Favours of March 18 and April 1 are come to Hand with all the Books, &c. mentioned in the invoice, in good Order, and am much obliged to you for your ready Compliance with all my Requests. I believe I could have got Subscriptions for 20 Sets of the Universal History, and perhaps more, but unluckily a Ship from Ireland...
225To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Humphreys: Bill and Receipt, 6 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Benjamin Franklen to Benja. Humphreys Dr. £ s d To Two steel spendels For the Harmonica 4: 0: 0 Humphreys was almost certainly a Philadelphia artisan, but nothing more is known about him. See Above, p. 426.
226[Diary entry: 22 January 1768] (Washington Papers)
22. Fox hunting with Captn. Posey, started but catchd nothing.
227Benjamin and Deborah Franklin and John and Frances Croker to Sarah Read: Lease, 11 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Morris Duane, Philadelphia, on deposit in Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1957) This Indenture made the Eleventh day of April in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Thirty Four Between Benjamin Franklyn of the City of...
228[Diary entry: 17 November 1768] (Washington Papers)
17. Went up to a Race by Mr. Beckwiths & lodgd at Mr. Edwd. Paynes. Mr. Beckwith is possibly the Marmaduke Beckwith who appears on the tax lists of Fairfax County for 1782 and 1785 ( heads of families Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Virginia; Records of the State Enumerations, 1782 to 1785 . 1908. Reprint. Baltimore, 1970. , 18, 85).
229June 25. 1770. Boston. (Adams Papers)
Blowers . In the Reign of Richard the 2d. or Henry 6th. you may find Precedents for any Thing. This Observation was echoed from some Tory, who applyed it to a late Quotation of the House of Representatives. It is true, Richard 2d. and H. 6. were weak and worthless Princes, and their Parliaments were bold and resolute, but weak Princes may arise hereafter, and then there will be need of daring...
230From George Washington to James Mercer, 9 August 1773 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Mercer, 9 Aug. 1773. On 11 Aug. Mercer wrote : “Your favour of the 9th Instant was received late last night.”
231[Diary entry: 28 December 1774] (Washington Papers)
28. They went away again after Dinner and Mr. Robt. Graham came and stayed all Night. This was probably Robert Graham (1751–1821), son of John Graham of Graham Park near Dumfries, Prince William County. Robert succeeded his father as Prince William County clerk in 1777 ( HAYDEN Horace Edwin Hayden. Virginia Genealogies. A Genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia, also of the...
232[Diary entry: 7 July 1769] (Washington Papers)
7. The above Company going away after Breakfast I went over into the Neck & returnd to Dinner.
233[Diary entry: 8 September 1762] (Washington Papers)
8. Carried the last of my Tobo. to H[untin]g C[ree]k W[arehouse]. Finished sowing Wheat at Muddy hole 15 .
234Committee Report on Lightning Rods for St. Paul’s Cathedral, 7 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LIX (1769), 162–9. As, in consequence of a letter addressed to the Royal Society from the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, the Society did us the honour to appoint us a Committee to examine that magnificent structure, and, as far as our experience would enable us, to prevent mischief thereto from lightning, by a properly disposed...
235Rules and Statutes of the College, Academy, and Charity School; Laws and Statutes of the Trustees, 11 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania The trustees of the College of Philadelphia on June 10 (see above, p. 29) appointed Franklin and five others to examine and report on a draft of rules and statutes, probably prepared by Franklin himself, which had been submitted to the board for adoption. On July 11 Franklin reported as president that the committee had considered the draft...
23620 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
After breakfast, rode to my Uncle Hunts, dined there, came Home, went to see my Aunt Owen, drank Tea at Deacon Webbs with Mrs. Nabby Webb . Came home. Spent the evening at the Drs. JA ’s aunt Hannah Adams had married Benjamin Owen of Braintree, 1725; his aunt Bethiah Adams had married Ebenezer Hunt of Weymouth, 1737 ( A. N. Adams, Geneal. Hist. of Henry Adams of Braintree Andrew N. Adams, A...
237[Diary entry: 30 January 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. At home all day. Mr. Bryan Fairfax came to dinner and stay’d all Night.
238[Diary entry: 4 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
4. Rid to Alexandria to see how my Carpenters went on with my Ho. Returnd to Dinr.
239From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 18 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library With this you will receive a Power of Attorney from Messrs. Brown and Sons, Bankers, to recover a Debt of one Mitchel, which I recommend to your Care. The Case is this, When I was in Philadelphia, this Mitchel came to England on a Scheme for Purchasing some Lands in Partnership with Mr. Hughes, who desired me to give him a Letter of Credit for any Sum he...
Blowers. Libel, claim, 15 Car. 2, c. 7, §.6. Hillman, and Cato. Certificates. Goods claimed, taken in at Tangier. Captn. Brace. Hides cured in the Hair with salt. Brooke and Guthrie. Fez, Morocco. Downes’s Manifest. Mr. Otis. Reads Libel, Claim, and Answer. 15 C ar. 2, c. 7, §. 6. 4. G. 3, c. 15. page 291. No Vessell shall be cleard out in England unless the whole Cargo was shipped in England...