2601New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of July 2 (John McKesson’s Version), [2 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—I add to enforce the Ideas of the member who spoke last The Gent from Dutchess says it is less dangerous to grant power to restrain an Act than a power to do Here the Power to restrain is as dangerous as to do an Act—The Power to restrain here is to restrain you from your defence— The Gentleman contends that there may be corruption in a Majority or the whole— We contend that there...
2602New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of July 2 (Melancton Smith’s Version), [2 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Power of Restraint dangerous—we may have a War of defence—therefore dangerous. The reasoning restri[c]ting just or unjust. The object to carry on war for defence ill founded as applys. Contending for corruption of a majority. They say a Corrupt. to a small part—Improbable the whole, shall be corrupted, and corrupt ye whole. Republic less likely to go to Melancton Smith MS Notes, from the...
2603[Diary entry: 2 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 76 at Night. A little rain fell in the Night. Morning clear with the wind at No. Wt. but calm afterwards. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs, and Dogue run Plantations. At the Ferry—The Plows were going as usual and the Assembled force, after the business was accomplished at French’s, repaired hither and wed out the Carrots and Cabbages. At...
2604Extracts from John McKesson’s Notes of Debates, 2 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
[ JJ details his objections to John Lansing’s amendment placing a limit on Congress’s power to borrow money “without the assent of two thirds of the members of both houses present.” JJ differentiates between the powers of the lower house in money matters and that of the Senate in treaty making. In case of war, “will it be wise to put it in the power of five Men to disarm the Continent.” News...
2605Extracts from Melancton Smith’s Notes of Debates, 2 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay Factions may prevail—as in Holland— this 1/3 may prevent a benef l . Loan— will promote wars— has been attended, with bad effects—in G. Britain— more important, to form this check, than under the confed n — ^[ in margin ] M r . Jay. in republics^ In Rep. govt s . sentiments under three divis[ion] s — suppose two contend g
2606To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 2 July] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 20h. came to hand two days since. I regret that your prospects were not yet reduced to greater certainty. There is more and more reason to believe that our conduct will be influenced by yours. Our discussions have not yet travelled beyond the power of taxation. To day we shall probably quit this ground to pass to another. Our arguments confound, but do not convince. Some of...
2607From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 2 July [August] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Some of the letters herewith inclosed have been here for some time without my knowing it. The others came to hand yesterday. I have also in hand for you the Marquis Condorcet’s essai on the probability of decisions resulting from plurality of voices, which I understand from Mazzei is a gift from the Author. I shall forward it by the first conveyance. There are public letters just arrived from...
2608From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Jr., 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. l’Olive, having intended a voyage to Virginia the last year, I gave him a letter of introduction for Colo. Bannister your father. Having since understood that Colo. Bannister was gone to the West Indies, I now take the liberty of addressing Mr. L’Olive to your acquaintance. You will find him perfectly worthy of it in every respect, and your attentions will be more...
2609To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Gerrit Diriks, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, “ Audessus des Bains des Dames Palais Royal ,” 2 July 1788 . Since interview with TJ this morning, M. Tegelcan says he can furnish 4,000 to 5,000 guilders on the loan office certificate from Congress “If Your Excellency would be so kind as to testify, that the Bills are good and will be paid with the Interest … in one or two Years.” Is much in want of cash, and begs TJ to grant this...
2610From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Gerrit Diriks, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
As a private individual and citizen of America I can with propriety and truth deliver it to you as my firm belief that the loan office certificate you shewed me, and all others of the same kind will be paid, principal and interest, as soon as the circumstances of the United states will permit: that I do not consider this as a distant epoch, nor suppose there is a publick debt on earth less...
2611To Thomas Jefferson from Gallimard, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Trévoux en Dombes, 2 July 1788 . Asks TJ’s advice and protection in moving with his family to the United States; inquires “ si, avec votre secours, je pourrois obtenir dans l’un des états unis d’amérique, une Concession de terrein de bonne qualité et en un lieu où l’air soit sain? Dans lesquels des états unis j’aurais à choisir pour me fixer? et quelles seraient les conditions de la Concession...
2612From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur L’Olive, proposing [to] pass thro’ Virginia, I take the liberty of presenting him to your Excellency’s acquaintance, and notice. He is a very wealthy and worthy citizen of this country, and will justify by his merit the attentions you will be so good as to shew him. He has the disadvantage of not speaking our language, and I do not know whether your Excellency may...
2613From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the 29th. June by the last post I inclosed you Mr. Grand’s letter of credit for £80. on Mr. Teissier. By your favor of the 25th. handed me to-day by Mr. Parker I see there is a probability that the carriage you had in view will not have been disposed of before the letter of credit reaches you, so that the opportunity of making the purchase will not be lost. I consulted with Mr....
2614From John Jay to George Washington, [post 24 June 1788] (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 8 Inst. found me at this Place— I thank you for the interesting Circumstances mentioned in it. The complection of our Convention is such as was expected— They have hitherto proceeded with Temper & moderation, but there is no Reason to think that either Party has made much Impression on the other. The Leaders in opposition seem to have more extensive views than their...
2615Tuesday July 1st. 1788. (Adams Papers)
It was nine o’clock before I could get away from Braintree this morning, and I arrived at the Colleges just before the exhibition began. A Latin Oration was spoken by Kirkland and was very well. The Forensic between Palmer and Waterman was tolerable, but I forget the subject. The english Dialogue between Thacher and Gray was well spoken, but rather stiff. The greek Dialogue between the...
2616[Diary entry: 1 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
July first. Thermometer at 68 in the morning—74 at Night and 78 at Night. Wind at So. West in the forenoon but calm afterwards. Rid to the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. At the first, the Plows and harrows were at work, as usual. The other people having gathered up, and put the Rye in shocks, went this morning to assist in Weeding Corn & Planting Potatoes at French’s. At...
2617To George Washington from Arthur Young, 1 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I recd the honour of Your Excellency’s Letter of Nov. 1 some weeks past but I have been so engaged in opposing the progress of our Wool Bill through both Houses of Parliament, that it was utterly impossible for me to make the necessary enquiries for answering it. I am very glad to hear the things I sent arrived tolerably safe but I am not surprized at the sainfoine coming up but thinly; for it...
2618Extract from Francis Childs’s Debates, 1 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
The hon. Mr. Jay rose, and said that he would confine himself to a few remarks, as the question had been pretty fully debated. He begun with a description of the general characteristics of a government proper for the United States. It had, he said, been justly laid down, that a government, which was to accomplish national purposes, should command the national resources. Here a question had...
2619Extract from John McKesson’s Notes of Debates, 1 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
[ JJ resumes his analysis of the taxation amendment, avowing he can see “no possible impropriety in the general government having access to all the resources of the country.” ] M r . Jay So much said & so well said Shall add a few Hints The Mode Business is to consider the mode which will best secure their General Happiness & particular Happiness— These Gov ts . should be so constructed as not...
2620From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 1 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I send herewith 2 Copies of the Federalist, one for Mr. Leland—the other for Mr. Bledsoe. From Fredg. I may send probably a few more to be distributed as you may think best. I am just setting out Northwardly. John is so well as to be able to travel. I continue well myself. My affecte. regards to my mother & family. Your dutiful son RC ( DLC ). Docketed (by James Madison, Sr.?). The letter is...
2621To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, spring 1788(?) (Jefferson Papers)
After I got home, being alone and wanting amusement I sat down to explain to myself (for there is such a thing) my Ideas of natural and civil rights and the distinction between them. I send them to you to see how nearly we agree. Suppose 20 persons, strangers to each other, to meet in a Country not before inhabited. Each would be a sovereign in his own natural right. His will would be his Law,...
2622[June 1788] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Allen preached for us this day; and I attended to hear him. His Sermons are judicious and sensible; but his manner of delivering them is very disagreeable. In the evening I took a long walk with Doctor Kilham; and pass’d the remainder of it at home. Pickman returned this day from Salem, where he has been for ten days past. I began to read Wood’s Institutes; a book written upon a similar...
2623[June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday. June 1st. About Sun rise, we set out for the Great Falls, where having met Mr. Smith (the assistent Manager who resides at the works at the Seneca falls) we examined the Canal, banks and other operations at this place and were pleased to find them in such forwardness and so well executed. The upper part of the Canal, however, still requires to be widened—Stones &ca. removed out of it...
2624To George Washington from John Jay, June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 8 Inst. found me at this Place—I thank you for the interesting Circumstances mentioned in it. The Complection of our Convention is such as was expected. They have hitherto proceeded with Temper & moderation, but there is no Reason to think that either Party has made much Impression on the other. The Leaders in opposition seem to have more extensive views than their...
2625To Thomas Jefferson from John Paradise, [ca. June 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, ca. June 1788 .] In answer to TJ’s note , he states that the “true form of addressing a letter to his daughter is A Madame la Comtesse Barziza née Paradise a Bergame par Milan ”; Count Barziza and others “give her the title of excellency to which she has no right, until her name be enrolled in the golden book.” As to the marriage settlement, he refers TJ to Mrs. Paradise’s letter. RC...
262630th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Shaw return’d to Haverhill this morning: and this day I finished unpacking the books; which however must continue for some time in great disorder. At the bottom of JQA ’s line-a-day entries for June in D/JQA/13, he has written a phrase in shorthand, followed, on the line below, by the date “June 17.” The inscription is JQA ’s earliest recorded use of John Byrom’s shorthand system,...
2627To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the final result of our conventional deliberations. The intended address of the minority proved to be of a nature apprehended by me. It was rejected by the party themselves when proposed to them, and produced an auspicious conclusion to the business. As I shall set out in a few days for N. York, I postpone further explanations. I have this instant the communications from N....
2628New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Newspaper Account), [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
On Monday Mr. Yates was again called upon by Mr. Lansing for his evidence; to which Mr. Hamilton freely submitted. Mr. Yates made an apology for the possible mistakes of his minutes, and said that in the General Convention, Mr. Hamilton had urged strongly for giving the most compleat sovereignty to Congress, and that in order to prevent the encroachments which he feared the State governments...
2629New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lansing stated the differences between him & Mr. Hamilton on Saturday— Mr. Hamilton stated the sentimts. he had held forth— And denied that he ever was for Subverting the State Govts. or reducing them to the State of Corporations— Mr. Lansing—The Question is what were the Sentimts. the Honoble. Gent maintained. The Idea he held up was it necessary to reduce the State Govts. to the...
2630[Diary entry: 30 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 30th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—72 at Noon And 72 at Night. Morning clear & cool, the Wind being at No. W. but shifting afterwards to the So. Wt. it grew warm. Rid to the Ferry, French’s and Dogue run Plantations; and to the Brick yard. At the Ferry—three plows & two harrows were at work as mentioned yesterday & the other people were gathering up & Shocking the Rye which had been...
2631To George Washington from Vioménil, 30 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Brienne has been so good as to send me the Diploma of the Society of the Cincinnati which your Excely had the goodness to address to him. This title will be very dear to me & I shall always regard it as a distinguished honor—I beg your Excellency to be convinced of this; and to receive my best thanks for this mark of your kindness. I likewise desire permission, upon this occasion,...
2632Extracts from John McKesson’s Notes of Debates, 30 June 1788 (Jay Papers)
[ JJ participates in the debate on Art. I, sec. 8, par. 1, setting forth the taxing powers of the federal government. John Williams’s proposed amendment of 26 June would prohibit Congress from laying an excise on goods of American manufacture and bar direct taxes without first levying a requisition on the states. JJ also insists on further discussion of concurrent jurisdiction in response to...
2633From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, [30 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is the final result of our conventional deliberations. The intended address of the Minority proved to be of a nature apprehended by me. It was rejected by the party themselves when proposed to them, and produced an auspicious conclusion to the business. As I shall set out in a few days for N. York, I postpone further explanations. I have this instant the communications from N....
2634Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 30 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing for your consideration intelligence just received from Colo. Joseph Martin, formerly our Indian agent. I have the honor gentlemen to be with great respect Yr. mo. ob. serv. RC and enclosure ( PCC ); FC ( Vi ). FC in a clerk’s hand. RC docketed by a clerk. Martin had been discontinued as Virginia’s Indian agent after Congress appointed a superintendent of...
2635[To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 30 June 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Le Havre, 30 June 1788 . Recorded in SJL Index, but no letter of this date has been found. There is in MHi, however, a remnant of what may be this letter; it is unsigned, but is endorsed “Limozin” by T.J. It reads: “I was forgetting to mention to your Excellency that I have received Mr. Wm. Shorts Letter dated the 1rst instt. and that of his friend Mr. Fulwar Skipwith dated the 4th instt....
2636To Thomas Jefferson from Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 30 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Amsterdam, 30 June 1788 . Acknowledge TJ’s letters of 28 May and 22 June. Request in former concerning letter to Trumbull anticipated by N. Hubbard’s having transmitted it to Daniel Parker to be given to TJ. Enclose “ Second of our draft for £30 Stl.” On 21 Apr. account of United States charged ƒ426 for TJ’s draft to Turckheim and ƒ143.14 for that to Peuchen. Other items will be consolidated...
263729th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at meeting and heard Mr. Wibird. The weather was rather dull and somewhat sultry. I am still undetermined whether to return this week to Newbury-Port, or wait till after Commencement: I believe however I shall determine upon the latter.
2638[Diary entry: 29 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 29th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—68 at Noon And 68 at Night—Wind at No. Wt. with flying clouds & cool all day. Towards evening the appearances of rain encreased but none fell.
2639From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 29 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instant came duly to hand, and obliged me by its communications. On friday last, (by the Stage), advice of the decision of the long and warmly (with temper) contested question, in the Convention of this State, was received. 89 ayes—79 Noes, without previous amendments; and in the course of that night, Colo. Henley, Express from New York on his way to Richmond, arrived in...
2640From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
I beg you will accept my thanks for the communications handed to me in your letter of the 3d instant. And my congratulations on the encreasing good dispositions of the Citizens of your State—of which the late Elections are strongly indicative. No one can rejoice more than I do at every step taken by the People of this great Country to preserve the Union—establish good order & government—and to...
2641From Thomas Jefferson to Chamillard, 29 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 22d. instant with which you were pleased to honour me. I have written to the Count de Bernstorff, Minister for foreign affairs at the court of Denmark to propose his empowering some person here to arrange our demand against them. I presume they will authorise the Baron de Blome to do it. As soon as they shall have sent full powers to him or any other...
2642From Thomas Jefferson to Homberg & Homberg Frères, 29 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honour to return you the paper you were so kind as to inclose me on the subject of whale oil. Immediately on the receipt of it, I asked the opinion of the Redacte[ur] of the Arrêt of Dec. 29. whether the duty should be paid on the gross or nett weight. His answer was that it had [been] his intention, in wording the Arret, to have the duties [paid] on the weight of the oil only,...
2643From Thomas Jefferson to Amand Koenig, 29 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu en bon ordre les livres que vous avez eu la bonté de m’expedier, et aussi la lettre du 5. Courant que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire avec la catalogue. Je ne trouve sur cette catalogue que deux articles que je vous demand[erai] c’est à dire Demetrius Phalereus de elocutione. Gr.lat. Foulis. 1743. 3.₶ Menandri et Philemonis reliquiae. Gr.lat. Amstel. 1709. 7₶–10. Ayez la bonté...
2644From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 29 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
A delay of the post office put it out of my power to answer your’s of the 20th. by the first post. I now inclose you a letter of credit on Mr. Teissier for eighty pounds sterling. This will cover the cost of the Tea vase after paying for the carriage if it be not sold before your receipt of this. If it be, you may hereafter at your leisure perhaps find another. You judged rightly in supposing...
264528th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Welch and Betsey Smith came from Boston this morning; we all went to Weymouth and dined at Doctor Tufts’s. In the afternoon I went over to Mr. Norton’s house; where in my Infancy I have spent many days, which I scarcely remember even as a distant dream; but before this day I had not been in the house these nine years. As I returned from Weymouth I was overtaken by the rain, and stop’d at...
2646New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 28 (Francis Childs’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The hon. Mr. Hamilton . Mr. Chairman, in the course of these debates, it has been suggested, that the state of New-York has sustained peculiar misfortunes, from the mode of raising revenues by requisitions. I believe we shall now be able to prove, that this state, in the course of the late revolution, suffered the extremes of distress on account of this delusive system. To establish these...
2647New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 28 (John McKesson’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—Requests several Resolutions & reports from the Journal of the Senate be read— 7 Septr. 1780—part of the Governors message— 9 Septr. part of the Answer of the Senate 10 Octr. Resolution of assembly page 33 5th Feby 1781—and a Letter from Rivingtons Paper 19 March 29 March 1781 21 Novr 1781 20 July 1782 Resolutions John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City....
2648New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 28, [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . We shall make the same reservation. By the indisputable construction of these resolutions, we shall prove that this state was once on the verge of destruction, for want of an energetic government. To this point we shall confine ourselves. Childs, Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York The Debates and Proceedings of the State of New-York, Assembled at...
2649New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (Francis Childs’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . The honorable gentleman from Ulster has given a turn to the introduction of those papers, which was never in our contemplation. He seems to insinuate that they were brought forward, with a view of shewing an inconsistency in the conduct of some gentlemen—perhaps of himself. Sir, the exhibition of them had a very different object. It was to prove that this state once experienced...
2650New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (John McKesson’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
These Resolutions were introduced to shew that it was the settled opinion of the Legislature as well before as after the Confederation that the Powers of Congress were inadequate— Mentioning the Subject of a Dictator was not necessary— The Gent. says he is for an energetic fœderal Govt —what is it If what we Contend for by this System A Measure of Impost was once passed in this State—but...