MS not found. Printed from facsimile in WSS ’s hand in Magazine of American History, with Notes and Queries , [1879], 3:44–45; addressed: “His Excellency John Adams, &c., &c., &c., corner Brooks Street, Grosvenor Square.” The signatures were written in a circle and attached on a separate foldout page. The address was provided only in the Magazine article’s text. Published as “A Diplomatic...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 18 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have only time to enclose your Excellency a Copy of a Letter received yesterday from Mr. Barclay, and to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 9th. Ulto. by Mr. Bullfinch. The maps, occasioned by Mr. B’s excurtion in the country after his arrival, did not reach me untill the 6th. inst. Mr. Neele took them in hand on the 7th. and will finish the plate within the period mentioned and...
3To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 19 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving your letter of the 10 th. ins t. the last evening, and should have done myself the Honour of meeting you at New Rochelle this day were I not kept in check by Mr: Jay’s proposing that if I would wait untill the morning he would accompany me to meet you at Kings-Bridge, where we suppose you will be at 12. o Clock— The arrangements for your accomodation and that of...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 28 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 28 Nov. 1786. Requests that TJ obtain letters of introduction from his friends in Paris for James and Nathaniel Hayward, of Charleston, S.C., who expect to reside for some time in Dijon in order to acquire a knowledge of the language; has made the same request of Lafayette. They are “young Gentlemen of Character and Fortune” who will “do honour to your Introduction”; if they go to...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 11 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is Mr. Jones’s answer to your Question. I have given to Mr. Stockdale 4 Vols. of Pope’s Iliad and Odysey, which were not ready in time for the last parcel. They will accompany those last ordered from Stocke . The Compendio del Vocabolerio degli Accademici della Crusca for Mr. Short at 13/6 and Cicero on old age, I think for you, price ⅙.—I forward Lackingtons list of the books sent...
6William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 6 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
The three Letters which Mrs. Adams honoured me with were received at Paris, and should have been answered, had an oppertunity offered. Permit me to pass an encomium on that prudence which dictates silence on painful Subjects, and to assure her while honour guides my actions and is my ruling star thro’ Life—I shall alway’s endeavour to appear as if I had taken the deepest draught from the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote by this evenings post and attempted to explain in a satisfactory manner our account. I shall be pleased to be informed that I have succeded, and that every article appears clear to you. You have never yet informed me whether the picture I send you was the one you saw at Bermingham or Brumigum, and whether the price I gave, was anything near what you could have obtained it for, previous...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by Mr. Littlepage on the 4th. inst. That Letter contains an account of Cash recieved and disposed of on your account. I do not know whether I have made a just calculation of the Livrs. expended in Paris on my account, but this and every other article is submitted to your alteration. I enclose the reviews of the last Month as both your and Mr. Adams’s Names are mentioned, and have...
9To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honour of writing you from Harwich and Amsterdam— we have been very unfortunate as to roads & weather and were not able to reach Bresleau, time enough for the Review there— those of this place and at Potsdam will be finished about the 20 th. when I shall attempt a rapid passage to London by the way of Paris, I shudder at the Idea of tresspassing too far upon your indulgence—...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 18th. inst. in answer to your favor of the 9th. of August, since which I have received yours of the 13th. inst. Mr. A. returned here on the 7th. or 8th. He took up the subject on which you impatiently wait an answer on his arrival, a short letter on which, you must have received before this. However he is still thinking on it, and you will hear more...
11To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 9 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
After sincerely wishing you many happy returns of the season, I take the liberty of introducing Mr. Thomas L. Shippen of Philadelphia. He has many interesting and not a few amiable lines of Character, and promises fair to make a shining and respectable Character. He has sometimes appeared to me rather exposed to step on slippery and dangerous ground and risk his usefulness in future life to...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 21 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was much pleased by the receipt of yours of the 4th. inst. to find you had arrived safe at Paris, and that the rout you took proved so agreable, as to induce you to recommend it to me, when I visit Paris. If that should ever happen again, St. Omar’s and Arras shall be visited, not only on account of your recommendation, but to indulge my natural disposition which sometimes throws me out of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Stewart was an officer in our troops during the war and some time under my immediate command. He proposes returning to America in the French Packet of November. Permit me to introduce him to your Excellency and recommend him to your civilities during his stay at Paris. Any Letters you may commit to his care when he departs for America will be taken care of, and he will be able...
14An Interlude at Dolly’s Chop House, [21 March?] 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
MS unavailable. Text and reproduction of signatures from Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries , iii (1879), 44–5, where, under the title “A Diplomatic Round Robin,” the circumstances of the writing of this extempore verse are given as follows: “This amusing trifle, signed by men whom we are taught to revere as grave and reverend seniors, is in the possession of Charles Bruff, of...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 23 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I replyed fully to yours of the 9th. Ulto. on the 18th. of the same sinee which I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you. Mr. Dilley informs me the Books are shiped agreable to the inclosed Bill of Lading accompanied with the account ammounting to £25/14.0 sterg. I have also the honor of forwarding a Copy of a Letter received this morning from Mr. Barclay at Morocco of the 26th. of...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 5 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 16th. Ulto. When I sent the press I gave the Gentleman who carried it a Letter for you of the 21st. of May which you do not acknowledge the receipt of, or at least but one of that date. It contained the ammount of what I gave for the press, which was 5 Guineas and 5/ for the Box = £5.10. The press shall be sent agreable to your request. I am called off, and have...
17William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 6 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r: Bourne has this moment waited upon me and informs, that he has been honoured by the senate with the appointment of being the Bearer of their Dispatches to you, relative to your election as Vice President of the Western Empire, upon which please to accept of my affectionate congratulations and of my sincere prayers that Heaven may guide and protect you in this great Career— The Virtuous...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 15 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really ashamed of myself for the total silence I have observed since my arrival in America, and am at a loss to account for it, excepting that the affairs of our Country have been in such a situation as scarcely to admit of a Letter’s being sent across the Atlantic, which touched upon their present state or future prospects. But now we are advancing to greater regularity and the period...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 13 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Some day’s after my return, I did myself the honor of writing to your Excellency; and after attempting in a few Lines to express the obligation I felt myself under to you, while at Paris, I touched on the political stage, hinted at Mr. Eden, and left the papers which accompanied it, to satisfy you more fully on the subject. I also mentioned the application made by the ministry to a Committee...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 18 Sep. 1787 . Introduces Benjamin Parker, nephew of Daniel Parker, a student at “Cambridge Colledge in Massachusetts,” who will spend three months in Paris before returning to America; “being hard of hearing … prevents him from seeking society with that goùt which might be expected from his age and situation.” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 23 Sep. 1787.
21William Stephens Smith to John and Abigail Adams, 8 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
We were pleased by the receipt of yours of the 5th. inst. from Harwich, to find that your jaunt to that period and place had proved so agreable, you have our earnest wishes for its continuance. But we have been apprehensive since, that the fine Sun and fair Brieze which invited you on board in the morning, forsook you before, you had crossed the Channel. At this place, the after part of the...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 1 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 23d. ulto. The first printing press has been forwarded some time. Mr. Woodmason is disposed to consider himself free’d from every obligation respecting the safe conveyance of his machine to Paris. He looks upon himself acquitted on presenting the Bill of lading, and receipt of the Captain. Upon this principle, the one is forwarded and payed for. I hope no...
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 29 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last fryday’s post and by Mr. Parker on Saturday. In the former, I find I left out, on the credit side, the 2 pr. of shoes which Mr. Short paid for, amounting to 13/4, which deducted from the £1.10.7 which I make the ballance between us, reduces it to seventeen and three pence. Mr. Adam , setts off this morning for the Hague to take leave in person of their High Mightinesses and...
24To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 4 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The request I am going to make, will perhaps at the first blush appear singular—this you’ll excuse—If improper—I shall ever acknowledge myself obliged by being candidly told so—and in this, as well as in every other matter, I will chearfully give way to your superior judgement, and regulate my conduct by your advice, as far as you think proper to honour me with it. If there is a probability of...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 21 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your goodness will doubtless attribute my silence to a necessary attention to the duties of office, which since my arrival, have been neither few nor small . I was at a loss when I took my leave for Expressions to convey to you a proper Idea of the impression which your politeness and Hospitality had made on my mind, and now I can only thank and assure you, that while gratitude is considered a...
26William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 10 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your friendly Letter of July the 16 th . I supposed, that on your arrival, various matters would necessarily engage your attention; we sensibly feel for the indisposition of our good Mama, and wish she was near us, that we might each take care of a finger,— previous to our being informed of these reasons of silence, we concluded, that there was some...
27William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 4 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have recived your agreable Letter of the 5 th. of may and am much obliged for it, at the same time I had the happiness of getting one from my dear Abby I ask your pardon Nabby you like best and when I am acquainted with what will give my friends pleasure— I shall alway’s attend even to the minutest particle—therefore to you Nabby is the word—Amelia to herself—my daughter for Sir—& for myself...
28To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 3 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The detachment made from the british Camp mentioned in my last to Your Excellency for the purpose of suppressing certain riots and dis-orders near Huntington on Long Island, returned on the morning of the 29th Ulto, they have taken up a Number of the most respectable Inhabitants of that part of the Country—who are charged with robbery—confin’d in the Provost, and under tryal by General court...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 4 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams wrote you on the 11th. ulto. by post, accompanied with an Answer to Mr. Lamb signed, the receipt of which is not yet acknowledged. I immagine he is waiting for your answer to that before he decides on the subject.—The business of the Secretary has been long done, but whether it will be made use of I cannot yet discover. I am Sir your Excellency’s most obedt Humble servt., RC ( MHi );...
30To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 5 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st Ulto & am always rendered particularly happy, whenever my conduct meets your approbation. I must acknowledge myself obliged by the advice contain’d in the latter part of the Letter relative to granting Passports to Persons going into the Country—protections I never presumed to give and generally informed the persons that the passes were not given...
31To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 28 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
John left yours of yesterday’s date with the order for 8 Guineas at my house this morning. I have not seen him and it shall be paid in the morning. I am apprehensive your calculations may yet fall short, should this wind continue in its station. Supposing it to have been impossible for you to have passed this morning, I dispatch this, to request you will draw on me for what you want, and I...
32William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 10 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
It is with particular pleasure I communicate to you the joyfull news of M rs: Smiths safe delivery of a Son, which took place between seven & eight the last Evening, she was not the least indisposed untill six o’Clock & by ½ past seven all was well & tranquil, both continue composed and easy, but Nabby desires me to tell you that she is much disappointed, she had made the things, to adorn a...
33To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 23 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was so exceedingly hurried the few Days that I remained in London after the receipt of your polite Letter (preparing for this excurtion, to the Prussian Camp) that it was not in my power to assure you how much I thought myself honoured by your attention, and of my determination to avail myself of the opertunity of establishing a Corespondence where the returns would be so evidently in my...
34To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 1 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency a Copy of a Letter I received this day from Mr. Barclay at Morrocco dated the 16th. of July ulto. I have sent a Copy to Mr. Jay and shall forward a duplicate by the next Vessel. I am your Excellency’s most Obedt. Humble Servt., RC ( MHi ): postmarked; addressed. Noted in SJL as received 23 Sep. 1786. Enclosure: Barclay to Commissioners, 16 July...
35To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 20 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
By the Bearer Capt. Pinkney I return the Glass which your Excellency was so obliging as to lend me at the end of the last Campaign I should have forwarded it before had I not expected to have had an opportunity of presenting it in person—I have been confined for six day’s past to my Room with a severe ague & fever which paid me a visit every day—the Bark has at last broke it but left me very...
36To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 30 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
By my Several Letters to M rs: Smith since my departure your Excellency will have been regularly informed of my progress and the cause of my checks at Paris & Bourdeaux and the reason of the length of my stay here, which I doubt not will prove satisfactory— I shall proceed on Tuesday to compleat my Journey to Lisbon, from whence if an oppertunity offers I shall communicate to M r. Jay my...
37To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 6 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letters came by the last Packett I forwarded to your Excellency in the begining of the last Month several Letters which I took from the post office, I hope they met with a safe conveyance—By Capt. Pickering I on the 22d Ulto I forwarded the Glass Your Excellency was pleased to lend me about the close of the last Campaign—nothing material has taken place since Mr Parkers last...
38To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Calculation and Business only I have received your favour of the 2d. inst. and will attempt to explain the two articles with which I credited you in my account Current of the 3d. of Decr. ulto. The first article ammounting to Liv. 113.₶ is stated by Mr. Short in his letter of the 21. of Novr. 1787 and is composed as follows, viz. 8 ells of double florence at 4.₶15. = 38.₶ 0 6 ditto of White...
39William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams Smith, 26 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I dare say, my friend, when you receive this, you will think I have moved with great rapidity. There have but two things occurred on the road which are worth mentioning; the one is my having met Mr. Rucker; we stopped, jumped out of our carriages, I into the dust, and he out of it; he had a great coat on, and his beard he brought from Paris with him; I wonder how it passed the custom-house...
40To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 30 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must most pointedly express my obligation for the Letter of introduction which you forwarded for me to Mr. Carmichael. He has done every thing in his power to make my time pass agreable here. It is with pleasure I observe him perfectly well received in the first Circles of the Court, and think him fully accomplished for a political career. I have been detained here much longer than I...
41To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 21 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In a Letter which I wrote your Excellency this morning, I mention forwarding by Mr. Smith your press, but it is not in his power to take it. I shall send it by the first Gentleman who will not be much incommoded by it. Perhaps Mr. Trumbull or Dr. Bancroft will have the pleasure of presenting it. This delay will enable me to have a board made to fit it, in which tho’ no great ingenuity is...
42To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I propose embarking in the Packet for Falmouth the day after to-morrow. It is probable I shall be in London in about 18 or 20 day’s. My last Letters from Mrs. Smith inform me that she had received a Letter from General Sullivan addressed to me as follows: Dr. Sir I take the Liberty of enclosing a draught in your own favor upon Govr. Jefferson for 46£. 17. 10s. stgr. payable at 10 day’s sight,...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 26 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By introducing the bearer Mr. Daniel Parker (who I think you encountered once at my lodgings in Leicester fields) I have the satisfaction of doing him a favour, and presenting to you a fund of Commercial and political knowledge, which you may draw freely upon during his stay at Paris, without being in the least apprehensive of failure or protest. I have been guilty of this, so frequently,...
44To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the first place I must introduce my very particular friend Mr. J. B. Cutting as a Gentleman of genius and merit. There may one or two lines shew themselves, which at first will be rather apt to prejudice against him, at least I was sensible of it, and have not been able to obliterate them from his Countenance and motion, but they are really only superficials. I know you will put them aside....
45William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 29 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
An anxiety to preserve a consistancy of Character in the opinion of Mrs. Adams (in whose favourable sentiments I feel myself more and more interested) induces me to say, that I have some reason to believe, that the late Connection, which appeared an insurmountable Obstacle to the accomplishment of the Wish nearest my heart—exists no longer. And from the opinion I have of the Lady, I am...
46To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 12 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 4th. inst. and am glad you have found a horse that will suit you. I am pleased that the affairs of the Cardinal and Cagliostro are so well terminated. I suppose by this time the whole affair is sunk beneath the horizon of notice. May not something be soon expected to command the public attention in a more serious and important line? What is the News from Potsdam? I...
47William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams Smith, 22 August 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you, my love, the first thing I did after my landing here on the 20th; I then proposed setting off from this, yesterday or this morning; but I am in check . I was yesterday at 4 o’clock, visited by an ague and fever, which shook and warmed me alternately pretty tolerably; this day I am free from it, and with the advice of a very good doctor who attends me, I hope soon to be allowed to...
48To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce the Bearer Dr. Walker a young Gentleman from Virginia.—Nothing new has transpired since my last of the 8th. inst.—Amsterdam I have no doubt has surrendered, as letters from there of the 9th. say, that 2 deputies were sent to the Princess, to know what terms she finally required, and authorized to give assurances of the disposition in the people to comply with her wishes...
49William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams Smith, 6 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I was much pleased this morning by the receipt of yours of May 19th. Look at the dates—May 5th, Paris, and Blois, May 11th—the places are very distant, and it is impossible to write in a chariot going post. I have answered your mamma’s letter from this place; I have not gone through the necessary visits to the royal family, but they are nearly finished. I find everything here much more...
50To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 29 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
No my dear Sir it is not me. It is impossible that my heart would ever permit me to pen a line to you, charged with the reflection which that line single and alone seems formed to admit of. When in haste I said I had no more letters in my file unanswered and therefore should not trouble you farther, I intended to hold up this Idea, that I could only spare the time for the necessary business...