15051[Diary entry: 23 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. Heavy & thick—always misting & sometimes raining. A good deal of the latter fell in the night. Wind—tho’ not much of it at No. Et. At home alone all day.
1505222d. (Adams Papers)
I went to see Leonard White this forenoon. His father has been unwell for some days past. His complaints are of a lethargic nature, and his habit is such, that such disorders must probably prove in the end fatal to him. He now sleeps as much as half his time, and is consequently half dead. I went to see Mrs. Bartlett, and saw Mr. S. Blodget there: his brother Caleb, and young Mr. Breck I met...
15053Monday October 20th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Left Auteuil, with my Father, for London, at about 9 o’clock in the morning; rode 9 ½ posts as far as St. Just and stopp’d for the night. We dined at Chantilly. First entry in D/JQA/9, which covers the period 20 Oct.–6 Dec., but lacks entries for 27 Oct.; 5, 19, 22, 27–28 Nov.; and 3–4 Dec. This Diary booklet, measuring approximately 4½″ × 7¼″, consists of nine sheets of folded paper to create...
15054Enclosure I: Commission for Negotiating Treaties of Amity and Commerce, 16 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States in Congress assembled To all to whom these presents shall come or be made known send Greeting Whereas an intercourse between the Subjects of Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias and the Citizens of the United States of America founded on the principles of equality reciprocity and friendship may be of mutual advantage to both Nations Now therefore know ye that we reposing...
15055[Diary entry: 13 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 45 at Night. Moderate and pleasant with Sun and Clouds alternately—Wind Southerly. Rid to all the Plantations. Plows at Work—those of Muddy hole at work at Frenchs. Ferry people came to work in the New ground front of the Mansion house on Friday the 9th.
15056New York Ratifying Convention. Notes for Second Speech of July 17, [17 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I 1 not permitted to be out of union 2 Self preservation—West Point 3 Interest to consolidate II Discontented minorities 1 Examine story of expediency 2 history of minorities. Rhode Island N Carolina III Unequal contest 1 Government organized 2 Ruling parties in each state Fœderal 3
15057[Diary entry: 10 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—63 at Noon & 60 at Night. Clear with variable Winds. Mr. & Mrs. Powell, Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife, and Mr. Griffith going away after an early breakfast I rid to all the Plantations and found the same work at ea. going forward.
1505828th. (Adams Papers)
The Boston Scholars come up this evening, after entering their names at the buttery on Wednesday. I drew up the petition, this day, but it was little more than a repetition, of what has been said in those which were presented to the Corporation. Asa Johnson of Bolton, Worcester County, was 28 the 6th. of this month. He is the oldest person in the Class, and without possessing a superior...
1505925th. (Adams Papers)
I thought I was too unwell to pass two hours in a cold meeting house this forenoon, and staid at home. In the afternoon I ventured out, and went with Townsend to Dr. Tucker’s meetinghouse; but finding there was no service there, we went to church. Parson Bass, is not much of an orator, and was rather negligent in treating common place topics, in common place language. Drank tea at Mrs....
1506012th. (Adams Papers)
I called in the afternoon for about half an hour, at the office. Attended Miss Coombs’s funeral. It was very long. I walk’d with Putnam. As we were returning we accosted Miss Jones and Miss Fletcher; and waited on them home. After which we went to see Townsend Who came in town this forenoon; we past an hour or two there and afterwards walk’d till between nine and ten. Townsends cough, still...
15061[Diary entry: 3 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Very rainy Morning and till towards Noon—when it ceased, but no sun appeared all day. Wind, tho’ very little of it, was at No. Et. The Revd. Mr. Weems, and yg. Doctr. Craik who came here yesterday in the afternoon left this about Noon for Port Tobo. Doctr. Stuart came here in the evening. Mason Locke Weems (1759–1825), born...
15062Outline for Speech Opposing Paper Money, [ca. 1 November 1786] (Madison Papers)
JM had long anticipated that an emission of paper currency would be attempted in the October 1786 session of the Virginia legislature ( JM to Monroe, 4 June 1786 ). He made two sets of notes opposing paper money, one an expanded version of the other. Since the dating and order of preparation are matters of conjecture, the briefer of the two texts has been placed first and the date on which the...
1506318th. (Adams Papers)
Concluded my theses, and carried them to him for examination. Began my part for commencement, and wrote about one page. The good parts as they are called, are so much more numerous this year, than they ever have been before, that the president was obliged to limit the time, to be taken up by the different performances. Mine is restrained to ten minutes; so that I shall not be able to write...
1506415th. (Adams Papers)
A violent North-west wind, blew, the whole day, but we have no snow yet. Dined with Amory at Mr. Farnham’s. Mr. J. Greenleaf, and Mr. J. Carter were the Company besides the family. I saw Mrs. Hay, whom I had not before seen these three years. We did not pass the afternoon there, as Amory was called away soon after dinner. I went for about an hour to the office, and spent the evening with...
15065Method of Choosing the Judiciary, [21 July] 1787 (Madison Papers)
JM had moved on 18 July that the national judiciary should be nominated by the executive and “such nomination should become an appointment if not disagreed to … by ⅔ of the 2d. branch” ( Ms [ DLC ]). After being postponed, debate on this motion was now resumed. Mr. Madison stated as his reasons for the motion. 1 that it secured the responsibility of the Executive who would in general be more...
150662. (Adams Papers)
Finished Hume and Blackstone. Little &c.
150678th. (Adams Papers)
Took books from the library for the last time. I took Mason’s Poems and Abbadie, upon the truth of the Christian religion. This afternoon the president returned me, my part for Commencement! I feel quite low-spirited, at seeing my Class-mates falling off, one by one: we shall never meet again, all together; and these youthful scenes which now are so delightful, will soon be remembered, with...
1506828th (Adams Papers)
We left Axminster and proceeded to Exeter. Here we put up at the Hotell in the Church yard and opposite to the Cathedral Church. At this place lives Mr. Andrew Cranch the Eldest Brother of Mrs. Palmer and Mr. R. Cranch. We went to visit him. A Mr. Bowering a very Worthy Tradesman came to see us, and as he lives near to Mr. Cranch, he persuaded the old Gentleman to come and drink Tea with him....
1506922d. (Adams Papers)
Our lecture this day, was upon magnetism; but I think it was nearly or exactly the same with that which was delivered last year upon that subject: I concluded my piece this afternoon, and propose to lay it by for some time; and to make such alterations from time to time, as shall appear proper. This afternoon Mr. Wiggles worth gave us a lecture; but was scandalously interrupted. Hezekiah...
15070[Diary entry: 25 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 25th. In Convention. Dined with the Club at Springsbury & spent the afternoon at my lodgings.
15071Method of Appointing the Executive, [25 July] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Ellsworth moved that the executive be chosen by the national legislature, except when an incumbent had served a “‘whole term … in which case the choice shall be by Electors’” chosen by the state legislatures ( Farrand, Records Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (4 vols.; New Haven, 1911–37). , II, 108–9). Mr. Madison. There are objections agst. every mode that has...
1507228th. (Adams Papers)
The weather fine, but rather cool. Somewhat unwell, and had a bad head ache in the afternoon. My Cousin, and Leonard White, both came. We had been anxious for Leonard, as we heard he was sick: he was so in the beginning of the Week, but, has now pretty well recovered. About half the College, are now here. The bill at prayers, is not kept, till the Friday after the Vacation ends. That is, bills...
15073The Federalist Number 44, [25 January] 1788 (Madison Papers)
A Fifth class of provisions in favor of the federal authority, consists of the following restrictions on the authority of the several states. 1. “No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation, grant letters of marque and reprisal, coin money, emit bills of credit, make any thing but gold and silver a legal tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto...
1507425th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams gave us a lecture this forenoon, to explain several astronomical instruments. Nothing new however. There are many flying reports concerning the coming of the insurgents next week. They have even been expected to arrive this evening, but none as yet have appeared.
1507512th. (Adams Papers)
Went to Boston this morning with Bridge, Cranch, White and Whitney in the stage. I attended the debates in the house of representatives; they were debating upon the subject of the instructions to the different members. I dined at Mr. Jackson’s, with Mr. Lowell, and Mr. Brimmer. They conversed much upon gardening. At half past 6 in the evening we return’d to Cambridge, and past the evening at...
15076[Diary entry: 15 September 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 15th. Concluded the business of Convention, all to signing the proceedings; to effect which the House sat till 6 Oclock; and adjourned till Monday that the Constitution which it was proposed to offer to the People might be engrossed and a number of printed copies struck off. Dined at Mr. Morris’s & spent the evening there. Mr. Gardoqui set off for his return to New York this forenoon.
15077[Diary entry: 3 July 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 3d. After a very early breakfast (about Sun rise) we left Mr. Fairfax’s, and arriving at the head of the Seneca falls (where a vessel was to have met us) was detained till near ten o’clock before one arrived to put us over to our place of rendezvous at Mr. Goldsboroughs. Met Governor Johnson here; Govr. Lee was prevented by the situation of Mrs. Lee, from attending. A Colo. Francis...
15078Minutes of the New-York Manumission Society, 21 August 1788 (Jay Papers)
At a quarterly meeting of the Society for promoting the manumission of Slaves and protecting such of them as have been or may be Liberated, held at the Coffee House the 21 st Day of August 1788. Present. John Jay Esq r . President, Matthew Clarkson Esq r V. President, John Keese Secretary, Lawrence Embree, Robert Bowne, Nathaniel Lawrence, Thomas Burling C.M., Benjamin Walker, Elijah Cock,...
1507918th. (Adams Papers)
This morning I received two very long Letters from my Mamma, and Sister; at length the whole mystery is revealed, and explain’d. We had from Mr. Williams a Lecture of an hour and an half, with which he finished the Subject of air. One of these letters was AA to JQA , 16 Feb. ( Adams Papers ), in which he was informed of AA2 ’s engagement. AA2 ’s letter “No. 11,” which concluded on 15 Feb. and...
1508015th. (Adams Papers)
Many families in town are distressed for want of wood; the snow, is so deep, that, the people in the Country cannot get into the woods, and there have been but two or three loads in town, since, the first storm. We begin to be shortened for it; and, are therefore prevented from studying, with any application, for the present.
150812d. (Adams Papers)
Miss Betsey and her brother pass’d the afternoon at Mrs. Quincy’s. I was quite indolent and idle almost all day. I was walking alone in the church-yard, rambling through the grass which waves unmolested over the alternate hillock, and reading or endeavouring to read the inscriptions, which love and friendship have written on the simple monuments, which the indefatigable hand of Time, had...
15082[Diary entry: 9 October 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 9th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 63 at Night. Clear calm, warm and remarkably pleasant all day. Towards night a light breeze came up from the Eastward. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—the People having pulled up all the Pease that were planted in Hills had begun to dig the Irish Potatoes between the Corn rows in order to Sow Rye. The Carts and Waggon were...
15083[Memoranda on a Tour from London to Plymouth, July–August 1787.] (Adams Papers)
Michael Sawrey, at Plymouth Gillies St. Martins Lane. Garthshores Sastres Edgware Road. No. 20. Mad. La Marquise de Champsenets au Chateau de Thuilleries. To Epsom, Guilford, Farnham, Alton, Winchester, Salisbury. Blandford, Dorchester, Bridport, Axminster, Honniton (Valley), Exeter. Niccolaides. Chambourgs Rhodes. Gentlemans Pocket Farrier. Truslers practical Husbandry. Baldwins P ater N...
1508415th. (Adams Papers)
Rose at about 6 o’clock in the morning; and tried my horse in the Chaise before one of Mr. Chaumont’s: but we could not make him go at all, so we were obliged to go on as we first set out. Before we got to Kingsbridge, which was 6 miles from Mr. Hall’s, we took a wrong road and proceeded more than two miles out of our way: this delay’d us so much that we did not get to East Chester, which is...
15085[Diary entry: 18 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 18th. Thermometer at 20 in the Morning—22 at Noon and 26 at Night. Day very cold—no thawing and the afternoon threatning of Snow. A fine mist of it falling—Wind Northerly. Colo. Fitzgerald called here on his way from Dumfries & dined and then proceeded. Fixed with him, and requested that he would give the Board of Directors of the Potomack Company notice of the meeting intended to be...
150868th. (Adams Papers)
A very warm day again. I was in the morning with Mr. Williams, at the Philosophy Chamber. I made tea for the Club this afternoon. We were at Beale’s chamber in the afternoon.
15087[Diary entry: 26 January 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 26th. Thermometer at 26 in the Morning—26 at Noon And 26 at Night. But little Wind—morning cloudy with appearances of Snow but about Noon it cleared. The wind got to the Southward and grew pleasant. Rid to the Ferry & French’s. The hands at the first employed as before. At French’s part of them were in the New ground at the Mansion House where they began to Work on Thursday and the...
1508822d. (Adams Papers)
We recite this week to our own Tutor Mr. Reed, in Gravesande’s experimental Philosophy. This gentleman, is not much more Popular, than the rest of the Tutors; he is said to be prejudiced, and very vindictive. He is liked in general by the Class, however; and this may be a Reason why I have not heard, as much said against him, as against the others. We had a Class meeting, this evening about...
15089The Federalist No. 9, [21 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. A Firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection. It is impossible to read the history of the petty Republics of Greece and Italy, without feeling sensations of horror and disgust at the distractions with which they were continually agitated, and at the rapid...
15090[Diary entry: 25 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 25th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 36 at Night. Clear and pleasant with the Wind at South. River froze across in the Morning but open afterwards. At home all day. Miss Allan—Betcy, Patcy and Nelly Custis came here to dinner.
1509118th. (Adams Papers)
Ambassador’s day at Versailles, every Tuesday. Mr. A. went. Alexis et Justine , succeeded very well last night at the Italians. Words, Monvel , music, de Zede , celebrated authors. Dr. Jemm dined with us. A singular Character. Possibly Guillaume Jaume , of Lyons, a friend of the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, who advised Franklin and Col. Gabriel Johonnot on the education of their grandson and son,...
150925th. (Adams Papers)
The weather look’d so much like rain in the morning, that we concluded to defer our journey to Haverhill, till to-morrow. Mr. Cranch went to Boston in the morning. I was employ’d, a great part of the day in putting my things in order. I find, that the largest of all my trunks is missing, and I know not where it is. I wrote to my uncle Smith, for Information on the subject. In the afternoon I...
15093[Diary entry: 8 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 8th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng.—52 at Noon and 44 at Night. Day rather variable, but upon the whole pleasant; In the morning there were flying clouds with the wind pretty fresh from the No. West—after which it was clear and still, till the evening, when the Wind came out at So. East. After Breakfast Mr. Griffith went away, and before dinner Mr. Wm. Craik came in and stayed all...
15094[Diary entry: 16 February 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 16th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 34 at Night. The Wind remained at No. Et. till near night when it came out fresh from No. Wt. and cleared till when it rained and sleeted so as to surcharge the Trees and every thing else with Ice. At home all day.
15095[Diary entry: 13 October 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 13th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear and very pleasant all day with the wind Southerly. Rid to all the Plantations and to Majr. Geo. Washingtons to give him, at his request, my opinion respecting the spot on which to place his Houses. In the Neck—The Plows began to put in Rye in the Corn ground—the Pease in Broad cast not being removed from the...
15096[April 1786] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jefferson and myself, went in a Post Chaise to Woburn Farm, Caversham, Wotton, Stowe, Edghill, Stratford upon Avon, Birmingham, the Leasowes, Hagley, Stourbridge, Worcester, Woodstock, Blenheim, Oxford, High Wycomb, and back to Grosvenor Square. Edgehill and Worcester were curious and interesting to us, as Scaenes where Freemen had fought for their Rights. The People in the Neighbourhood,...
15097[Diary entry: 22 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 22d. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 48 at Night. Raining more or less all day, and a close thick fog the whole day proceeding from the dissolution of the Snow which by Night was almost gone. Wind tho’ not much of it Southerly and warm—the damps in the house being also very great the damps upon the walls being to be swept of.
1509812th. (Adams Papers)
Recite this week to Hale, who was absent this afternoon. Je n’ai rien fait de toute la journée, qu’ecrire pour nôtre Societé, voici une piece, que je finis hier. A. B. N. 1. “Nil tarn difficile, quod non Solertia vincat.” I must inform those of my hearers, that have never studied, the Latin Language, that the meaning of this is “nothing is so difficult, but it may be overcome by Industry.” In...
15099[Diary entry: 30 January 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 30th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night. The wind having got to No. Wt. in the Night it froze hard again. It continued at this point all day and was very raw and cold, with great appearances often of Snow till towards evening when it became clear. Rid into the Neck—To Majr. Washingtons Plantation—to Muddy hole and the Carpenters. The fence between the Majr....
15100[Diary entry: 6 March 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 6th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—43 at Noon and 38 at Night. Early in the Morning the Wind made some feeble efforts to blow from the So. Wt. but shifting to No. Wt. Before 8 Oclock it was fresh, but not very cold, all day. Rid to the Plantations in the Neck Muddy hole, Dogue run and Frenchs. At the first some of the Women were grubbing, & some fencing—the Men getting rails. At...