31From George Washington to William Duke Moore, 3 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Bingham has done me the honor to deliver me your Letter of the 15 March with the Seal you have been so polite as to present to me—and for which you will please to accept my thanks I could only wish the object had been more worthy the great talents shewn in the invention and execution of the Seal. You will however believe that I feel my self extremely flattered by this mark of attention and...
3217th. (Adams Papers)
This day, the Bridge over Charlestown Ferry was compleated, and as the same day 11 years agone, was mark’d at Charlestown, with dreadful Scenes, of Slaughter and Destruction, the managers, and directors of the Bridge, determined, that this day should be mark’d with Pleasure and festivity. I do not think however that the scheme, was good. A Dinner was provided for 600 People, on Bunker’s hill:...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Berenger de Beaufain, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir l’honneur de votre lettre du 7me courant, et j’ai celui de vous informer que pour expulser la personne qui a usurpé vos possessions en Caroline ou dans la Georgie il faudra ou envoyer quelqu’un la bas, muni de pleins pouvoirs de votre part pour intenter les procès necessaires pour cet effet, ou d’en munir quelqu’un sur le lieu. Mais dans le dernier cas il faudra etre sur...
34To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 22 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I Have Been Honoured with Your favour By Mr̃ Joy to Whom I Will Readily Render Every Service in My power, and am also to thank You for the Valuable Books You took the trouble to Collect for me—in the Cause of My Black Brethren I feel Myself Warmly interested, and Most decidedly Side, so far as Respects them, Against the White part of Mankind— Whatever Be the Complexion of the Enslaved, it does...
35[From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 11 November 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Nov. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “N. Lewis. Country along Seine—abjection of people—war in Europe—pears, goose berries, apricots better; cherries and grapes equal: peaches, nectarines, apples, strawberries, raspberries inferior to ours—Anthony to graft Balyal’s peaches, white, red, and yellow plumb and the fine soft and supply vacancies now and future. To take up such peach trees as...
36To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 25 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 13th Current did not come to hand till the day before Yesterday, I fear I shall fail in geting you the Poland Oat —some have been Offered, but they were so much degenerated that they Appeared no better than the Common Oat, & the price 25 ⅌ Ct higher I have procured 200 Bushels of the Common Oat of the best Quality & well Cleaned & You may send for them or any part you Want,...
37From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 7 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
This will accompany a joint letter inclosing the draught of a treaty, and my private letter of June 22, which has waited so long for a private conveiance. We daily expect from the Baron Thulemeyer the French column for our treaty with his sovereign. In the mean while two copies are preparing with the English column which Doctr. Franklin wishes to sign before his departure, which will be within...
3831st. (Adams Papers)
A cold north-east storm. Reading and writing all day. Wrote a letter to my mother, and one to my Sister. Read some pages in Bolingbroke’s philosophical works: the stile and matter both inferior to his political writings. JQA to AA , 1 Aug. ( Adams Papers ); his letter to AA2 has not been found.
39From George Washington to Heintz, 21 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
As soon as I had the honor of receiving your Letter containing a proposal of the order of the Knights of Divine Providence; I referred the subject of it to the decision of Congress, in my letter to that august Body dated the 28th of August last, a copy of which is enclosed. Whereupon the United States in Congress assembled, were pleased to pass their Act of the 5th Inst: which is properly...
40From Thomas Jefferson to La Vingtrie, 12 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Je ne connois personne ici, Monsieur, qui a des terres à vendre en Amérique, et meme s’il y en avoit, je ne vous conseillerois pas du tout d’en acheter ici. Si vous etes dans l’intention de vous établir en Amérique, il vaudroit mieux d’y passer, d’y voyager, et d’y rester quelque-tems avant de décider le centre de votre etablissement. Le climat, le sol, la société, influent beaucoup sur notre...
41To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee Perkins, 17 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I had the honor to deliver the paper upon the Influenza together with a letter (copies of both which are herewith inclosed) to a friend* in London, near a Year since, to be transmitted to your Excellency, which I afterwards was given to understand were delivered to——Barclay Esqr., who was so obliging as to undertake to be the bearer of to Your...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Coffyn, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed in the course of the last year that there was in the prison of Dunkirk a person of the name of Alexander Gross confined as hostage for the ransom of the sloop Charlotte taken by the privateer Countess d’Avaux, Capt. Carry, in Feb. 1782. I learn that his owners refused to release him, and that the owners of the privateer have since stopped paiment and become bankrupt. I will be...
43From John Adams to John Jay, 30 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the fourth of october, I have had the Honour to receive, and have dispatched the Resolution inclosed in it to Paris to go from thence to Spain: but I hope M r Lamb is already on his Passage for America. The Commotions in New England, will terminate in additional Strength to Government, and therefore they do not allarm me I have lately received from Lord Carmarthen officially the...
44[Diary entry: 8 November 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind high from the No. Wt. Went up to Alexandria, agreeably to a summons, to give testimony in the Suit depending between the Estate of Mr. Custis and Mr. Robt. Alexander. Returned by the New Barn which had got about half the Rafters up. Found Mrs. Stuart, Miss Stuart, and all Mrs. Stuarts...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Bariatinskii, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le Prince Bariatinskoy a l’honneur de remercier Monsieur franklein de la communication, qu’il a bien voulû Lui faire du Traite de Paix. Notation: Bariatinskoy 9. 7bre 1783— The next day, Bariatinskii sent Empress Catherine II two gifts from BF : a Libertas Americana medal with its explanation ( XXXIX , 549–55) and a copy of Constitutions des treize Etats-Unis...
46From John Jay to George Washington, 24 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay presents his Compliments to his Excellency General Washington, & sends him herewith inclosed the 1 vol. of the Fœderalist— AL , DLC : Washington ( EJ : 10394 ). Endorsed. Dft , NNC ( EJ : 8425 ). Dft
4731st. (Adams Papers)
Election day. This is a day of great festivity throughout the Country. The last Wednesday in May, is appointed, for declaring the choice, of the Governor, Lieutt. Governor &c. It is the only day in the year, in which the Student here is left at his Liberty to do whatever he pleases; and it is most frequently the Case, as it has been this day, that one Party is playing in the yard from 8 in the...
48To George Washington from Tench Tilghman, 25 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 17th. Altho’ the greater part of the Cargo of the Ship Pallas is advertised for public Sale on the 1st of October next, it is not a matter of certainty that it will be disposed of in that manner—at least the whole of it. At any rate—I expect it will fall in a great degree under my Management, as Mr O’Donnell the Owner, who is a perfect Stranger in this...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Bariatinskii, 22 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Around December 14, Major Pierre-Charles L’Enfant arrived in Paris from Philadelphia on a mission from the Society of the Cincinnati. The society was a fraternal organization of Continental Army officers that had formed the previous spring as the troops were disbanding. Its aims, as stated in its institution (charter), included promoting national unity,...
50The Federalist No. 17, [5 December 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. AN objection of a nature different from that which has been stated and answered, in my last address, may perhaps be likewise urged against the principle of legislation for the individual citizens of America. It may be said, that it would tend to render the government of the Union too powerful, and to enable it to absorb in itself those residuary...
51To George Washington from Joseph Eckley, 20 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
It was the desire of the Revd Dr Gordon who, a few days ago, embarked for Europe, that according to his own practice I would weekly send to you the Independent Chronicle printed in this Town. I have the honor of enclosing one of the Papers for your Excellency at this time; requesting you to permit me to assure you that it will afford me very great satisfaction to continue so to do in a regular...
5230th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A. met Mr. Jefferson, at Paris, in the forenoon. 31 The Marquis de la Fayette was here in the evening. He appears very well satisfied with his last voyage to America.
53Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 31 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
I reciev’d a few days since your Letter of Sepr. 12th and yesterday that of october the 12th and thank you most sincerly for them both. Your account of Holland entertaind me much. You must have improv’d your time well to have visited so many places and notic’d so much. The fatigue was too great for you. It was this that made you sick. I was rejoic’d to find your dissorder whatever it was for...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Necks, 18 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the honor of your letter of yesterday, and in consequence thereof send you eight guineas. I mentioned to you that the settlement of Mr. Wayles’s affairs remained entirely with Mr. Eppes and Mr. Skipwith the acting executors. They alone possess the evidences of his debts and paiments, and they also alone know what is due, and to whom. I think it possible, and even probable, that the...
55Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 10 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
Tho I have already acknowledged all your Letters, I will not let captain Scoet sail without a few lines from me, I had not time to write you by Barnard, but Cushing had Letters for you I write now to inform you, that the more quarrelsome and turbulent you grow, the more anxious I am to be with you, not that I think it pleasent fishing in troubled waters, but because immagination paints higher...
56To George Washington from John Allison, 26 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Officers of the Continental line in October last to appoint officers of the State Society of Cincinnati; It was there resolv’d, that no officer not holding a Continental Commission should be entitled to become a member —As I saw it in a different light from the Gentlemen that compos’d that Body; I beg leave to lay before your Excellency the State & progress, of the Regiment...
5714th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Lincoln, and immediately after dinner we again proceeded on our journey and by 5 o’clock, got to Cambridge, which is 12 miles: we came through Concord , and Lexington which 12 years ago were of no note, but which have been since rendered ever memorable, by being the place, where the first martyrs in the glorious cause of American Liberty, bled, (April 19th. 1775). Posterity will...
58[Diary entry: 17 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 17th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. A thick fog till 9 oclock A.M. when it dispelled; was clear and pleasant till towards Sunsetting when the western horison seemed to cloud & lower. Wind Southerly all day but the ground very wet—Snow all dissolved where the Sun had access. Rid to my Mill, and the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue Run & ferry. Sent for...
59To Thomas Jefferson from John Lamb, 20 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I Received your Excellency’s letter concerning the Cyphers . The Vessel that I am in here, and bound to America, Doth not take pradick and all papers are so Defaced with Vinager, that it will be Imposible to get the Cypher sound, to hand’s where it is ordered. Therefore must Deliver the Same to Congress, whom can Dispose of the Same at their pleasure . I am unhappy that it is so surcomstanced:...
60Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 3 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Since Mrs. Adams’s Departure I have revolved within myself, whether you would not have an Inclination to purchase the piece of Land on Pens Hill (belonging to the Estate of the Honle. James Verchild late of St. Kitts deceased) which you have for some years past improved. His Heirs, I am informed, are now in England, that the Estate in the West Indies is under Mortgage, But that part of it...