2451[Diary entry: 22 January 1768] (Washington Papers)
22. Warm, still, and clear again. Snow almost gone.
2452[Diary entry: 17 November 1768] (Washington Papers)
17. Lowering Morning, but clear & pleasant afterwards. Wind Southwardly.
2453July 2. 1770. (Adams Papers)
Monday morning, in my Sulky before 5 o clock, Mr. Winthrop, Farnum and D. Sewall, with me on Horse back. Rode thro the Woods the Tide being too high to go over the Beach and to cross Cape Nittick Neddick River. Came to Littlefields in Wells 1/4 before 8 o clock. Stopped there and breakfasted. Afterwards Sewall and I stopped at the Door of our Classmate Hemenway, whom we found well, and very...
2454Orders, 1 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
It has been told Colonel Washington; that the Soldiers continue still to sell their Clothes, &c. notwithstanding the several strict orders given to the contrary. He now for the last time, informs them, that the first Offender shall receive five hundred lashes, without benefit of a court-martial; and the Buyer, who is now to blame, by encouraging the Soldiers to such practice; shall directly be...
2455[Diary entry: 28 December 1774] (Washington Papers)
28. Lowering, and Snowing now and then throughout the day. Wind abt. No. West but not very Cold.
2456To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Burke, 19 August 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your Favours of June and July 20th the first dated from Albermale the last from Williamsburg. I wish I had the Pleasure of Conferring with you when you were down but my business so Interposed it was not in my Power. The case of Plume vs. Portlock was thus, A Warrent of the Peace was Obtained vs. Plume, upon hearing the Court Continued the Recognizance. Costs Consequently accrued. Plume...
2457From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, [27 November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Oh! my dear Friend! I never was more surpriz’d than on reading your Note. I grieve for you, for Mrs. Strahan, for Mr. Johnston, for the little ones, and your whole Family. The Loss is indeed a great one! She was every thing that one could wish, in every Relation. I do not offer you the common Topics of Consolation. I know by Experience how little they avail; that...
245819 [i.e. 20] Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
A lovely Day after the Storm. Drank Tea at Major Chandlers. Walked with the Coll. to his Saw-mill Farm.
2459[Diary entry: 30 January 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. A kind of a Sleet after the Morning continued all day with the Wind abt. No. Et.
2460[William Hall]: Account of Benjamin Franklin with the Estate of David Hall, [1 February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society After the partnership of Franklin and Hall had come to an end and James Parker had completed his examination of the books, as reported in the document immediately above, David Hall opened an account of his financial relations with his former partner. From time to time he sent Franklin a statement of the transactions shown in his records, but neither man...
2461[Diary entry: 15 April 1771] (Washington Papers)
15. Went to Alexandria to Court. Stayd all Night. Mr. Magowan w[en]t. The court met only on this day in April (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 205–8, Vi Microfilm).
2462Report of Viewers of a Road in the Northern Liberties, [April 1745] (Franklin Papers)
MS Appearance Docket, 1740–1751, Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Joseph Fox & al. vs Mary Ball } The Persons appointed to View and lay out a Road &ca. Report as followeth. To the Honourable the Judges of the Supream Court of the Province of Pennsylvania now Sitting Whereas by an Order of the Supream Court held at Philadelphia the Twenty fourth day of September...
2463[Diary entry: 4 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
4. Still & clear till Evening then Cloudy with drops of Rain.
2464From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 1 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office I duly received your Favour of the 26th of Augt. with the Letter enclos’d for Lord Dartmouth, which I immediately sent to him. As soon as he comes to Town I shall wait upon his Lordship, and discourse with him upon the Subject of it; and I shall immediately write to you what I can collect from the Conversation. In my Opinion the Letter of the two Houses of the 29th...
2465To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Franklin, [1763?] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society These Comes to Inform you that I got Home well In three Days after my Departure From you; I Have not met aney Good Opertunity to Send for that money, desire youd Imbrace the first Good One that you Have. I would Beg one Favour that youd go to the Post Office and Enqur whether there was a Letter for me, In the Time in that Time that I was In...
2466To George Washington from Amos Strettell, 4 August 1772 (Washington Papers)
By yesterdays post I recd a Letter from our mutual good Friend Coll Fielding Lewis—ordering £600 Pensilva. Currency Insurance For your acct on 273 Barls Supfine Burr Flour shippd on board the Brigt. Fairfax Samuel Brodie M[aste]r, but as I am not advisd where she is bound, nor cannot by any means discover, as the Ship Entrys are not printed in the late Virginia papers, I am obligd to wait his...
2467[Diary entry: 12 July 1771] (Washington Papers)
12. I set of for Williamsburg & crossing at Laidlers lodgd at Mr. Lawe. Washingtons. GW was going to attend the House of Burgesses, which had convened 11 July to deal with problems resulting from a great flood that had come down the James, Rappahannock, and Roanoke rivers in late May, causing about 150 deaths and much property damage. The calamity had not affected Mount Vernon or the Custis...
2468To George Washington from Robert McKenzie, 12 August 1760 (Washington Papers)
Though I have as small a Title as any Person whatever to the least Share of your Esteem, yet, by often observing with what Pleasure you seize all Opportunities of using your good Offices for the Assistance of others, I dare to address you and to sollicit your Interest in an Affair of the greatest Importance to me, which from your Benevolence alone I hope to obtain. My Relations in Europe have...
2469Adams’ Minutes of the Argument: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, June or July 1774 (Adams Papers)
Leonard. Port Bill, Lex Talionis. Punishment of Boston the main Object. There is an Exception where by the Act of God, there is an Impossibility of getting out. A Necessity. She had no Right to Stay to repair and refit for a Voyage. She might have gone out, if not in 6 Hours, yet in two or three days. She was not in a worse situation than she had been. She might have hired assistance. The Part...
2470From Benjamin Franklin to O[liver] N[eave, before 1769] (Franklin Papers)
Printed from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity … (4th edition, London, 1769), pp. 463–8 This letter was subsequently reprinted many times as a treatise on swimming. Nothing is known about the recipient, except that in 1762 Franklin acknowledged a paper from him on the transmission of sound. The present letter was either written at about the same time, or appeared...
2471From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 9 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Darlington, ed., Memorials of John Bartram and Humphry Marshall (Philadelphia, 1849), pp. 402–3. I received your kind letter of November 5, and the box directed to the King is since come to hand. I have written a line to our late dear friend’s son, (who must be best acquainted with the usual manner of transacting your affairs here,) to know whether he will take charge of...
2472[Diary entry: 6 February 1774] (Washington Papers)
6. Clear with the Wind pretty fresh from the No. West in the Forenoon, but calm, & not cold afterwards.
2473IV. Farell & Jones to Wayles & Randolph, 3 February 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Friends Messrs. John Powell & Co: being desirous of sending a Ship with Slaves to your Market, have apply’d to us to give Security, which we have promis’d to do on your behalf’s .—They have lodged orders at Dominica for Capt. Walter Robe in the Hungerford that if he does not arrive there before a certain day, to proceed to Virginia. In that case he may be with you in all May & they expect...
2474To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel] Potts, 19 December 1766 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Mr. Francklin and Dsires the favour of his Company to Dine on a Doe of the Postmaster Generals at the Kings Arms Tavern in Cornhill on Monday next at 3 OClock in Afternoon. Addressed: To / Benjamin Francklin Esqr / Craven Street / Strand For Samuel Potts, comptroller general of the General Post Office, see above, X , 149...
2475[Diary entry: 3 June 1774] (Washington Papers)
3. Clear & tolerably pleast. with but little Wind.
2476To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 8 June 1774 (Washington Papers)
Sence I wrote you this Moment we Recved an acount of Severell parteys of Indens Coming in to the Ihapoentences and yesterday Kild and sculped one Man in Sight of the Fort on the Mongala of one of the vanmates and there wase two Men Sworen that they yesterday saw 30 Indens and these two men Mett with about 30 Men of the Scouts about five Miles from the place where the Indens wase Seen and...
2477To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 1 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
In the winter 1771 I receivd a letter from a Mercht of my acquaintance in Galway, in Ireland, strongly recommending, some Irish families, who had embark’d for America: These poor people, finding they cou’d not live under the exactions of their Landlord, on their leases falling, resolv’d to venture into this part of the world, were able to pay their passages; & bring with them some family...
2478[Diary entry: 21 July 1769] (Washington Papers)
21. At home all day. Majr. Wagener & Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast.
2479From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library Thro’ Storms and Floods I arrived here on Saturday night, late, and was lodg’d miserably at an Inn: But that excellent Christian David Hume, agreable to the Precepts of the Gospel, has received the Stranger , and I now live with him at his House in the new Town most happily. I purpose staying about a Fortnight, and shall be glad to hear from you. I...
2480From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 28 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your two Letter’s last Night by Jenkins, and was greatly surpris’d to hear that Comy Walker was not arriv’d at Camp when he came away. He set out from Willmsburg abt the 12th Instant with Orders to proceed immediately up, but such disobedience of commands as I have generally met with is insufferable, and shall not go unpunished. The acct you inclosd of the method of receiving the...
2481From George Washington to Henry Lee and William Fairfax, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have just now received several Expresses who bring the most shocking accounts of the distressed condition, not only of the few poor families that yet remain back of this place; but of the Rangers that Garrison the small Forts: as nothing but a large and speedy reinforcement can save them from utter destruction! I must desire that you will not lose one moment in drawing together all the men...
2482John Adams to Abigail Smith, 7 May 1764 (Adams Papers)
I promised you, Sometime agone, a Catalogue of your Faults, Imperfections, Defects, or whatever you please to call them. I feel at present, pretty much at Leisure, and in a very suitable Frame of Mind to perform my Promise. But I must caution you, before I proceed to recollect yourself, and instead of being vexed or fretted or thrown into a Passion, to resolve upon a Reformation—for this is my...
2483IV-C. Martha Parke Custis’s Estate Account, c.November 1761 (Washington Papers)
Miss Martha Parke Custis Dr [Current] [Sterling] 1760 To Sundrys for her own use Vizt. Shipped by the Capt. El⟨zey⟩ £30.6 paid the mantuamaker 23/ ⟨ illegible ⟩ Cambrick 5/ Toys 3/ ⟨ illegible ⟩ 3 prs of Stocking 4/6 Callico for a G⟨own illegible ⟩ yds ⟨ illegible ⟩ bag holland 10/ 4 yds Irish Linnen 36/ ⟨ illegible ⟩ making a pair of Silk Do 3/9 ⟨ illegible ⟩ £ 7. 4.11 &
248410 Monday. (Adams Papers)
A pleasant Day.
2485[Diary entry: 20 February 1774] (Washington Papers)
20. At home all day. Mr. Willm. Brent & Mr. Notley Rozer came to Dinner & stayd all Night. At least two William Brents lived along the Potomac at this time. One was William Brent of Charles County, Md.; the other was William Brent (1733–1782), of Richland, near Aquia Creek in Stafford County, Va., who married Eleanor Carroll (d. 1804), daughter of Daniel Carroll of Upper Marlboro, Md. ( BRENT...
2486[Diary entry: 5 April 1771] (Washington Papers)
5. Wind in the same place all last Night & till 10 Oclock to day & as high. In the forenoon 2 or 3 hours close constt. Rain—then clear & pleast. Wind getting Westwardly.
2487From George Washington to John Forbes, 19 June 1758 (Washington Papers)
Pardon the liberty I am going to use—a liberty, that nothing but the most disinterested regard for the safety and welfare of these Colonies coud cause me to take. How far my Ideas on what I am going to observe is compatable with Reason, and how far they may corrispond with your Sentiments on the matter, I shall candidly submit to your Excellency to determine. The unfortunate arrival of the...
2488[Diary entry: 2 July 1771] (Washington Papers)
2. Cloudy all day with the Wind at East, and light Showers in the Afternoon. Cool & pleasant—in the Night a good deal of Rain.
2489To George Washington from Richard Washington, 9 September 1758 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Washington, 9 Sept. 1758. On 7 May 1759 GW wrote to Richard Washington : “Your Letter of the 9th of Septr . . . came to my hands.”
2490[Diary entry: 27 June 1768] (Washington Papers)
27. At home. Colo. Fairfax & his Lady dined here & returnd in the Aftern.
2491From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Ashburner, 21 January 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
I receivd yours Dated Decemr. 10th in due time & observe what you say. I am much obligd to you for your promise to pay Messrs. Grant & Baillie the small sum I owe them and must beg if it is not done before this reaches you, you’ll immediately do it as I wish to have the matter settled. Also please to let me know if I must Credit you or Mr. Thomas for whats paid. I am Sir Your very Hum Servt...
2492From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 19 June 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Stewart, 19 June 1756. On 20 June 1756 Stewart wrote to GW: “I last night had the pleasure of receiving your favours of Yesterday.”
2493To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been confin’d to my House great Part of this Winter by my valetudinary State, and been little able to see and converse with my Friends, and less to write to them. A Line from you would have greatly refresh’d me in this Confinement, as your Letters have ever been one of the greatest Entertainments of my Life: but I do not mean to complain, having been...
2494Saturday Decr. 21st. 1765. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Morning in sauntering about, and chatting with one and another—The Sherriff, Mr. Goldthw ai t, Brother Sewal &c—upon the Times. Dined with Brother Kent; after Dinner received a Hint from the Committee that as I was of Council for the Town I not only had a Right, but it was expected I should attend the Meeting. I went accordingly. The Committee reported the Answer of the Board to...
2495From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 14 June 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Atlantic Monthly , LXI (1888), 34. Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. Strahan, and out of pure Kindness to him offers him an Opportunity of exercising his Benevolence as a Man and his Charity as a Christian. One Spencer, formerly a Merchant of Figure and Credit in North America, being by various Misfortunes reduced to Poverty, is here in great Distress, and...
2496Monday May 26th 1760. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Evening at Mr. Edd. Quincy’s, with Mr. Wibird, and my Cozen Zab. Mr. Quincy told a remarkable Instance of Mr. Ben. Franklin’s Activity, and Resolution, to improve the Productions of his own Country, for from that source it must have sprang, or else from an unheard of Stretch of Benevolence to a stranger. Mr. Franklin, happening upon a Visit to his Germantown Friends, to be at Mr....
2497To George Washington from Samuel Gist, 17 June 1769 (Washington Papers)
I take this opportunity to acquaint you of the Death of Mr Capel Hanbury & as he chiefly Managed the Buiseness it will Probably be a means of some of their Friends changeing their Corrospondants here, I therefore beg leave to Offer you my best Services & to Assure you if it suits you to make Tryal of me that you shall be dealt with by the Strictest Rules of Justice & Honor. There is very...
2498[Diary entry: 21 November 1768] (Washington Papers)
21. Clear & cool. Wind at No. West—yet pleasant and agreeable—being clear.
2499To George Washington from Henry Bouquet, 30 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 28th and am very glad to have it in my Power to relieve you of that long inactivity which you so justly complain of. The Generals orders are that you march with the Virginia Troops actually under your Command, by Braddock’s Road and that you take Post at the Salt Li[c]ke, that Strong natural Encampment described us once by Sr John Our advanced Partys on this Way will...
2500Bond for Marriage License, 23 December 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Jefferson and Francis Eppes are held and firmly bound to our sovereign lord the king his heirs and successors in the sum of fifty pounds current money of Virginia, to the paiment of which, well and truly to be made we bind ourselves jointly and severally, our joint and several heirs executors and administrators in witness whereof we have hereto set...