1From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Mr Livingston having resigned, I am obliged to trouble you with some Notes of Enquiry, and other Papers that have been put into my Hands from time to time. If you can procure any of the Informations desired, you will much oblige me and some of my Friends.— With great Esteem, I am ever, Yours most affectionately Endorsed: Letter from Doct Franklin Sept 13. 1783.— After...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received a few Days since a Letter from Annapolis dated June 5th. in your handwriting, but not signed, acquainting the Commissioners with the Causes of Delay in sending the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. The Term was expired before that Letter came to hand, but I hope no Difficulty will arise from a Failure in a Point not essential, and which was...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I write this Line by the English Packet, just to inform you that Col. Harmar arriv’d here last Monday Evening with the Ratification, &c. and that Mr Jay & myself, (Messrs Adams & Laurens being absent) have written to Mr Hartley at London, that we are ready to exchange with him. I have not heard that the Delay is likely to occasion any Difficulty. I had before...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I received your kind Letters by Colonel Harmar, & Lieut. Col. Franks; with the Dispatches in good Order; Triplicates of which are since come to hand. You will see by our Letter to the President, that we daily expect Mr Hartley from London with the British Ratification to exchange with us. There was no Difficulty occasion’d by the Lapse of the Term. I send you herewith...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : Library of Congress, Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday Evening Mr. Hartley met with Mr. Jay and myself, when the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty were exchanged. I send a Copy of the English Ratification to the President. Thus the great and hazardous Enterprize we have been engaged in, is, God be praised, happily compleated: An Event I hardly expected I should live to...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 14 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress I received yours of April 19 with the Information you obtained from our old Neighbour Reuben Haines respecting Marggrander, for which I thank you. I am much pester’d with Applications to make such Enquiries, and often obliged to promise that I will transmit them: but I would not wish you to take more Trouble than to ask Questions of the Members of Congress or others...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives It was intended by the Commissioners to write a joint Letter to Congress, but I am afraid the Opportunity may be missed. This may serve to inform that Propositions of treating have been made by us to all the Powers of Europe, according to our Instructions, and we are waiting for their Answers. There are Apprehensions here of a War between the Emperor and Holland:...
8Outline of an Unsent Letter to Charles Thomson, [before 11 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society These notes for a letter that was never written display a sense of bitterness and disappointment rarely seen in Franklin’s papers. That he even contemplated sending such a letter, albeit a private one—admitting to Thomson that he felt unappreciated and was “sorry and asham’d” for having asked a personal favor of Congress (a favor not granted)—betrays...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 11 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received your kind Letter of August 13th: with the Papers annexed, relative to the Affair of Longchamps. I hope Satisfaction will be given to Mr: Marbois. The Commissioners have written a joint Letter to Congress. This serves to cover a few Papers relative to Matters with which I was particularly charged in the Instructions. I shall write to you fully by the...
10From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 22 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The original letter & other Papers from the Chevr de Heintz respecting the order of the Knights of Divine Providence, were transmitted to Congress without a Copy being taken; I am a little at a loss therefore in what manner to direct my letter to him, more especially as I have a feint recollection that their is a mode pointed out for the address by the Secretary himself—Let me pray you...
11From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 5 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
In the latter part of last Spring, the Commissioners appointed to attend the embarkations at New York, previous to the evacuation of the city, made a report of their proceedings to me, accompanied by a voluminous list of the Slaves which had left that place. Soon after having the pleasure of Mr Reeds company here, he informed me in conversation, that the list I had received was a duplicate of...
12From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 10 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with the resolve of Congress—contained in your letter of the 25th Ult.—I have the honor of sending you a copy of the paper enclosed in Mr Presidt Laurenss letter to me, of the 19th of Febry 1778, endorsed “Committees report.” It would, I confess, give me great pleasure to hear that the importt Services of the Baron de Steuben could meet with a reward adequate to his merits &...
13Address to Charles Thomson, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sir, I have been long accustomed to entertain so great a respect for the opinion of my fellow citizens, that the knowledge of their unanimous suffrages having been given in my favour scarcely leaves me the alternative for an Option. Whatever may have been my private feelings and sentiments, I believe I cannot give a greater evidence of my sensibility for the honor they have done me than by...
M r . Thaxter, who returns unspoiled, is the Bearer of the definitive Treaty, and will deliver you this. M r Hartley expects soon to confer with us about Commerce, & says he is persuaded that Britain will be liberal. I should not doubt it, if it was certain that the United States could and would act like one Nation— I think all our commercial Treaties should observe exact Reciprocity— M r...
15From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 14 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been here a month, & well only two Days—first a bloody flux, & now a sore throat— I came in Quest of health, but seek & you shall find does not it seems always extend to that of the Body. The Parliam t . is sitting. The Kings Speech & its Echos, you will see in the papers— in my opin I have not had any Conversation on politics with either of the ministers—in my opinion no plan or System...
16From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 7 April 1784 (Jay Papers)
On the 5 th . Inst. M r Norris gave me your obliging letter of the 26 Sept r . last. I regret that he did not come here sooner, for it will always give me Pleasure to have opportunities of evincing my Esteem & Regard for you, by attentions to those who possess yours. M r Carmichael whom I had long expected with the public accounts did not arrive until the 27 th . ult—when M r Ridley had just...
17From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 12 August 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 29 July reached me two Days ago —accept my thanks for your friendly Congratulations on my arrival, and those paid Mr s . the Terms of approbation in which you mention my appointment is among the number of the ^ make one of the ^ very few Compliments ^ on ^ which I value. The acceptance of it ^ that Place
18From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 20 October 1784 (Jay Papers)
I cannot let M r . Remsen depart, without acknowledging the Rec t . of your friendly Letter of 18 Ult. a Fever has long kept one of my Children in a precarious Situation; and while Doubts of her Recovery remained, I could not prevail on myself to be far distant. She still lingers on, but if she holds out ’till frosty weather, I hope all will be well. The Time for the Meeting of Congress being...
The Season when the Legislatures usually meet to do Business is at Hand. It is highly probable that Congress will find it expedient to call their Attention to certain Objects of general Concern and particularly to some which the present State of our foreign Affairs present. The late Advices I have received from Europe demand the attentive Consideration of Congress, and in my Opinion will give...
20From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 3 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
M r Gardoqui who views the Affair of the Horse, as a Spaniard, and as a politician, is uneasy, and ^ neither ^ You and nor I can easily ^ be ^ surprized that he sh d . be so They [ illegible ] in my opinion do not judge ill who think the article [
I find in the Newspapers of this Day an Act of Congress of 27 th . Ult: respecting the Court of Appeals. As this Act is interesting to Foreigners as well as to Citizens, and particularly to M r . Van Berckel’s Case of the Sloop Chester, I expected to find it among the Acts of Congress entered in the Book daily sent from this Office to receive such as may affect the Business of it. It was not...
22From James Madison to Charles Thomson, 25 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 15th. instant inclosing a copy of the proceeding of Congress relative to a Controversy between the States of South Carolina and Georgia, and notifying my appointment as a member of the Court which is to hear and determine it. As I foresee nothing which will render my attendance on the duties of this appointment impracticable, you will please Sir, to...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 16th. last night. I was out when it was delivered, so know not how it came; a circumstance no otherwise important than as I am at a loss how or where to enquire for the packet which should have accompanied it containing the commissions, instructions &c. I shall immediately however make the enquiry. I am obliged to you for the order for the journals. I shall make...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Letter from Joseph Wharton, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall not trouble you at this time with any thoughts on our southern boundary or the views and disposition of our southern Neighbours, as I imagine Mr. Madison whose letter I enclose has written fully on that subject; but it is possible he may not have known what I am told is a fact that the Sp: are strongly fortifying at the Natches. I am informed by some of our merchants trading to Lisbon,...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of June 18. You will learn by the letters &c. which go in this packet that this world is all going to war. Thank god our’s is out of their vortex. Holland and the emperor are the only powers which appear as yet: but I have no doubt that the spring will lead France, Prussia and the Porte into the feild on one side and Russia on the other. England...
26[From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 8 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Chas. Thomson. Receipt his of Oct. 26.—send letters by Fr. packet. If secret, and not cyphered desire N. J[amieson] to confide to passenger. Span. incroachment not probable—peace and war doubtful—Bav. & Austr. neth.—consequence of repeated lies of Eng. papers towards lowering respect to us. Important to recover their respect—paiment of debts,...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Mar. 6. is come duly to hand. You therein acknowlege the receipt of mine of Nov. 11. At that time you could not have received my last of Feb. 8. At present there is so little new in politicks, literature, or the arts that I write rather to prove to you my desire of nourishing your correspondence, than of being able to give you any thing interesting at this time. The political...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 14 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Houdon I send you a copy of my notes. I also send 100 copies of the paper I left with you on our coinage. Printing is so cheap here (they cost me but a guinea) that I thought it worth while to print as many copies as would enable you to put one into the hands of every member of Congress when they should enter on the subject, and to do the same at any succeeding session when they should...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter received from you was of Mar. 6. Since that I have written one to you of June 21. by Mr. Otto, and another of July 14. by Mr. Houdon. In yours of Mar. you express a wish of an opportunity of getting the Cylinder lamp. Colo. Senf going to America furnishes me an opportunity of sending you one, which you must do me the favor to accept. There is but one critical circumstance in...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In one of your former letters you expressed a wish to have one of the newly invented lamps. I find them made here much better than at Paris, and take the liberty of asking your acceptance of one which will accompany this letter. It is now found that any tolerable oil may be used in them. The Spermaceti oil is best of the cheap kinds. I could write you volumes on the improvements which I find...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having written to you on the 22nd. Ult. from London, I should not so soon have troubled you again but for a special case. A particular Botanical friend of mine at this place has written to Charlestown, to one Watson (the Bartram of that place) for a number of plants and seeds. The former will be sent next fall, the latter perhaps earlier. There being no direct conveiance between Charlestown...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by a Gentleman of the Family of Lecoutoux who is going with his wife to Settle himself as a farmer in Someone of the middle States of America. As his Establishment will not be great, it is the more important that it be judiciously made. Being acquainted with his family, they have asked of me lettres of recommendations for him. Knowing no person better acquainted than...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 17 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
A dislocation of my right wrist has for three months past disabled me from writing except with my left hand, which was too slow and awkward to be employed but in cases of necessity. I begin to have so much use of my wrist as to be able to write, but it is slowly and in pain. I take the first moment I can however to acknowlege the receipt of your letters of Apr. 6. July 8. and 30. In one of...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 28. did not come to my hands till the 1st. inst. Unfortunately the boxes of plants, which were a day too late to come by the April packet, missed the packet of June 10. also, and only came by that of July 25. They are not yet arrived at Paris, but I expect them daily. I am sensible of your kind attention to them, and that as you were leaving New York you took the course...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is Mr. Warville who is already probably known to you by his writings, and particularly that on France and the United states. He is moreover a person of great worth, politically and morally speaking, and his acquaintance will give you great satisfaction. Permit me therefore to introduce him to the honour of your acquaintance, and to ask for him those attentions and civilities...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Monsieur le Chevalier de Saint-Trys is strongly recommended to me by Monsieur de Meusnier author of the part of the new Encyclopedie which relates to Economie—politique et diplomatique, of which I sent a copy to Congress. I am sufficiently assured of his worth to take the liberty of recommending him to your notice, and civilities, which will be greatly gratifying to him, as...