1To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 28 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I think you will make no Impression upon the Court of Great Britain. And it is probable little Impression will be made on Algiers, while Britain on one hand may be inciting them to stand on too high Terms for us, & we on the other hand send Characters too trifling for so important a Negotiation. Was the Levant Trade open to America, the Profits to us would soon be very great, as we could...
2To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 10 March–25 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
In my Answer to the Letter I had the honor of receive g from you last Fall by D r Wales, I expressed my Apprehension that the Abbe Mably and some other of our European Friends entertained too gloomy despairing & desconsolate Ideas and Fears, least our Amer̃ Republic should tumble to pieces and come to nothing. Even our worthy & ever to be venerated Friend D r Price has his Fears for us; and so...
3To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 28 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
Last Sum̃er I wrote you acknowleding the Receipt of the Abbe Mably’s Pamphlet, and your Letter accompanying it. On the 19 th. Ins t. I received the two Volumes of your Letters in a most neat & elegant Edition, thro’ the Hands of M r Andrew Craige of New York. I am greatly honored by these repeated Testimonials of your Excellencys Friendship. These last Volumes shew a more thorough...
4To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 1 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
Upon receiving a third Book, but a Duplicate of the first Volume of you Work, I acknowledged it in the inclosed Letter, which I sent to New York to be forwarded to yourself in London. But it was returned because it was judged that you would be on your Voyage home, before the Letter could reach you. Be pleased to accept my repeated Thanks for the repeated Favors with which you have honored me....
5To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 13 September 1788 (Adams Papers)
Some Men by their Merits call upon themselves the Attention of the whole Republic of Letters; and amidst a Profusion of Honors from the most illustrious & respectable Bodies, they are often sollicited to accept the Tribute of Estimation & Respect from Societies of inferior Consideration. Will you be pleased, Sir, to gratify the humble College of Connecticutt, in accepting as a Mark of her...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Colo. Humphrys needs not as some others Letters of Recommendation, being himself his own Epistle to every one who would take Knowledge of real Worth & singular Merit. He was educated in this College, of which he was formerly elected a Tutor or Professor. He has distinguished himself in our Army through the War, and Gen. Washington has taken him into his...
7To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 9 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to ask your Acceptance of an Election Sermon, which the Reverend Mr Morse a Tutor in this College will have the Honor to present to you. I know you must feel sollicitous for the Tumults in Massachusetts. They are doubtless magnified at a Distance. I confide in it that there is Wisdom in the Legislature of that State sufficient to rectify the public Disorders and recover the public...
8To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 7 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
As I know by your Letters to Col. Humphreys, that you are sollicitous for the Events of the Tumults in the State of Massachusetts; and as I have authentic Intelligence by two of my Pupils this day arrived here from beyond Northampton, one of whom had been captivated at Petersham by the Insurgts and was there released Ldsdy 4th Instant; I thought it might not be unacceptable to communicate to...
9Extract from the Diary of Ezra Stiles, [8 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excelly. Govr. Jefferson of Virginia visited me with a Letter from Mr. Sherman at Congress. He is appointed by Congress Ambassador from the United States or Minister Plenipotentiary with Dr. Franklin and Dr. Adams, for settling Treaties of Commerce with G. Britain and other foreign Nations. He is on his way with Col. Humprys, Secretary to the Commissioners to Rh. Isld., Bo. and Piscataqua...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra Stiles, 21 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your Letter of the 10th. Inst. which I received by Col. Humphrys three days ago; in which you are pleased to ask some Communications, which may be wrought into an Illustration of your Theory in opposition to the Opinion of M. Buffon. Narratives of the marvellous in natural History, and Reasonings upon them, are apt to subject the Virtuosi to the Imputation of Credulity and...