2531To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 18 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The Courier by whom I did myself the Honor to address your Excellency the 16th. inst. having been detained a Day longer than I expected, I avail myself of this Circumstance to advise you of Mr. Lamb’s Arrival at Madrid last night. This morning I received a Letter from him by one of my Servants whom he dispatched for that purpose. He therein requests me to send him “any Orders or Letters on...
2532To Thomas Jefferson from Mademoiselle de Lausanne, 2 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 2 Feb. 1787. As a token of appreciation of services “your lordship has rendered us,” she sends TJ a letter from Eliza Livingston which she received in reply to the letter TJ forwarded for her; asks to have it returned. In executing a work she has undertaken at the suggestion of her friends, she needs a “collection of journals and strange gazettes”; has no way to procure those from...
2533[Diary entry: 21 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 21st. Thermometer at in the morning—60 at Noon, and 58 at Night. Wind brisk from the No. West all day (drying the ground finely)—in the morning it was a little cloudy but clear afterwards. The Count de Cheiza D’Artingnon (so calling himself) was sent, with my horses, to day, at his own request, to Alexanda. Mr. Shaw went to town to day on my business. In the So. West square of my fruit...
2534To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 13 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Fearing my Letters by this Conveyance might be long in reaching you, I wrote by last Nights Post. With this you will receive several Pamphlets, some of which have been given, the others purchas’d. I likewise forward you a Letter which was left here Yesterday, I know not by whom.— In the Packet from Dr. Price, is likewise a Letter from that worthy—but at...
2535From George Washington to Robert Morris, 28 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I heard to day, with great pleasure, that Mrs Morris & you intended to Princeton; and would be here at the time of the Public Audience which is to be given to the Dutch Minister. I pray you to be assured, that you could make no Family more happy, than you would do mine, by lodging under their roof—and that nothing in my power shall be wanting, to make Mrs Morris’s time pass as agreeably as...
2536To George Washington from Benjamin Walker, 11 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to write to your Excellency in Decr last and at the same time to send you (Via Norfolk) some Trees and other things which must I think have got to hand as I heard of their safe arrival at Norfolk from whence they were to be immediately forwarded. Mr John Blagge who went supercargo of the Ship Hope for Alexandria which Sailed yesterday was so good as to take Charge of a Case...
253711th. (Adams Papers)
We did not recite this day. As the quarter draws near to a close, the Students are falling off quite fast. A third of our Class are absent now. This day completes my 19th. year. I finished studying for this Quarter.
2538To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Previous to my setting off to Mt Vernon and Alexandria the last time I was up, a great Coat of yours that you had been kind enough to lend my son Corbin when he was last at your House, and a book that my Wifes maid the time before the last that she was there had put up supposing it to be her Mistreses, as she had one in the Chariott to read on the road, was carefully sowed up in a bundle and...
2539Charles Storer to Abigail Adams, 21 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
And a good story you shall have, Madam, as you desire. Know then that your friends both at Haverhill and Braintree are well. But I had forgot. One sad stroke has caused us much trouble, Aunt Smith is dead . She died about a month since. She was first seized with a lethargic fit, was lost to every thing, but apparently had recovered from her disorder and was preparing to take a journey as far...
2540To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 12 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having sent to take out the clearances at the Custom house for the arms that I proposed to ship to Day on board the Ship Marquis de lafayette bound to Norfolk, The Receiver with whom lays the duty to expedidite the proper papers refused to grant the clearance alledging that the signature of the Controleur General on the face of the Passport was indispensable to enjoy the privaledges granted. I...
2541To James Madison from George Lee Turberville, 13 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of November 2d. is just come to hand and I will endeavour to write a few lines in detail of our present politics— that is of the majority . My letter of the 10th. instant will have reached you e’er this—from it you will observe the sway that bears heavy on our heads—& no doubt you will be well prepared for any miserable measures that may follow. The Committee of the whole have been...
2542John Adams to Samuel Adams, 4 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your advice “to reconcile myself to the Thought that Justice may not be done me, till I am dead” is friendly. I am not however apprehensive of Injustice living or dead. I am not ambitious of a Reputation for great Talents or Splendid Actions, with the present Age or with Posterity. The great Anxiety of my Life, has been to do my Duty and avoid just Reproach. and I know very well, that my Life...
2543To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Influenced by motives of delicacy I have hitherto forborne the pleasure my dear Sir of writing to you since my return from Philadelphia. I have been apprehensive that the stages of the business of the convention might leak out, and be made an ill use of, by some people. I have therefore been anxious that you should escape the possibility of imputation. But as the objects seem now to be brought...
2544Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 9 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
It is an age since I have had the honor of a letter from you, and an age and a half since I presumed to address one to you. I think my last was dated in the reign of king Amri, but under which of his successors you wrote, I cannot recollect. Ochosias, Joachaz, Manahem or some such hard name. At length it is resumed: I am honoured with your favor of July 23. and I am at this moment writing an...
2545To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honoured by the receipt of your favor of the 31st Ulto. Your feelings and wishes which have been called up by the distresses of my family are such as fully evince your concern for our happiness and welfare are additional proofs of your affection and demand our most grateful acknowledgments. A Gentleman of this town who attended the New Hampshire convention the last week...
2546To Thomas Jefferson from Jarnac, 30 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Jefferson’s Commands have been regularly executed, and the Bishop of Adran who is gone Last thursday with the young prince of Cochinchina will Send at Least one pound of Dry rice. Le Comte de Jarnac for more attention has given the Same Commission for to be register’d in the Navy’s office, he begs M. Jefferson to be So good as to be convinc’d that Le Comte de Jarnac will be allways ready...
2547[Diary entry: 5 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—75 at Noon And 73 at Night. Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning but at No. Wt. afterwards & fresh, but not cold. Flying clouds, but upon the whole clear. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—except the plow that was laying off, the rest were cross plowing the rough parts of No. 9 for Buck Wheat 5 in number—2 teams in the Waggon, drawing Rails to...
2548From Alexander Hamilton to Stephen J. Schuyler, 5 August 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 5, 1785 . “… some time since … Hannah Brewer or rather her assignee John J. Skidmore … paid the £200 part of the purchase money of the farm in the possession of Doctor Perry. The deed is now wanting. If you will send that to me I will have the mortgage to you executed here.” ALS , Lloyd W. Smith Collection, Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, New Jersey.
2549Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson with a Memorandum of Purchases, 11 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on monday. It is with regret I assure you Sir that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becomeing more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honour to their Country placed in more distinguishd stations. Yet these...
2550To George Washington from Thomas Ridout, 4 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive a few days ago Your Excellency’s letter of the 20 August, inclosing others for the Marquis de la Fayette, Mr Humphreys & the Baron de Secondat the two first I forwarded immediately—the other I directed & delivered. I have not yet had the pleasure to see the Baron de Montesquieu. As he passed thro’ this place not many days ago, on his way to a Seat in the...
2551From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 1 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of August, and the papers therewith transmitted, did not reach me till very lately. If the fear of deceiving me, by not being able immediately, to procure tenants for my Lands, was the only cause that prevented your accepting the agency which I requested you take upon yourself, I am very sorry that you declined it, for the same reason would operate, with equal force,...
2552To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai appris avec grand plaisir, que la Gazette de Leide a été rétablie en France. Ayez la bonté, Monsieur, de m’apprendre, si Votre Excellence et Mr. Diodati avez recommencé à recevoir vos Exemplaires du Bureau et de la maniere ordinaire, afin que je puisse mander à Mr. Luzac de discontinuer l’expédition qu’il vous en fait par la poste, et lui offrir en même temps le paiement de ce qu’il en a...
2553[Diary entry: 2 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 34 at Night. Wind at No. Et.—Drizzling & raining more or less all day.
2554To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 13 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from my Friend General Warren of Milton Hill near Boston, acquainting me, that Congress have it in Contemplation to appoint their Ministers Consuls General, or rather to give them Authority to appoint Consuls, and that you are to have the nomination of that officer for Lisbon, that his son Winslow Warren, went sometime ago and settled at Lisbon, partly upon Some...
2555To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th. 19. & 30 April and 1 st: May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make known...
2556[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 4 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. E. State of Congr.—Rise of tobo. in Engld.—Martin.” Not found.]
2557Tristram Dalton to John Adams, 21 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favors of the 4 th Septem r. and partake in the happiness of your being “at length settled in a regular Train, both of public & private Life”— While the Nation, of which I am a Citizen, will receive the greatest benefit from your labors in the former line—permit me to hope that the remembrance of an old friend may, now & then, afford...
2558To George Washington from Charles Carter (of Ludlow), 21 December 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Carter (of Ludlow), 21 Dec. 1787. On 20 Jan. 1788 GW wrote Carter that his “favor of the 21st of last month” had come to hand.
255916th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. West, came out, and brought to Mr. Adams, two letters from Mr. Jackson. Jonathan Jackson to JA , 25 Feb. ( Adams Papers ); the other letter has not been found and is not mentioned in JA ’s reply of 18 March ( LbC , Adams Papers ).
2560Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 26 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
We are sorry to inform you, that we have inquired at the board of treasury respecting the indents of interest necessary for the State under the requisition of the last year, & that the Commrs. have informed us that from the uncertainty of the productiveness of the funds appropriated by the legislature as a compliance, they were doubtful whether they could with propriety issue them at all, but...
2561From John Adams to John Jay, 26 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
By the Ninth Article of the Confederation, the United States in Congress assembled have the sole and exclusive right and Power of entering into Treaties and Alliances, Provided, that no Treaty of Commerce Shall be made, whereby the Legislative Power of the respective States Shall be restrained from imposing such Imposts and Duties on Foreigners, as their own People are Subjected to or from...
2562[Diary entry: 11 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 11th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day, and at times pretty fresh—raw and disagreeable. Towards evening it lowered a good deal, & the Sun set in a bank. Sowing the Siberian Wheat to day, as yesterday, at the ferry. And sowed 26 rows of Barley (except a little at each end wch. was too wet for the ground to be worked) at Muddy hole;...
2563Tuesday August 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
There was a meeting of an association of ministers here this day; but there were only three present. Mr. Adams preach’d the Lecture, and was a whole hour in Sermon, endeavouring to prove, the Trinity, and the existence of hell. After all I believe he left all his hearers where he found them, and he was certainly much too long. After dinner I went with Mrs. White, Miss P. M’Kinstry, and Leonard...
2564To Thomas Jefferson from Dumoulin de Seille & Son, 24 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honour to present you our most humble Respects, and Beseech you to take in Consideration that we take the Liberty to Inform you. Being Corespondents of the Consuls of different foreign nations which trade in the harbours of Bordeaux, Rochefort, and other Neighbouring Places Exporting of it the Provisions and Marchandises fit for their Maintenance, and our advantageous Situation to...
2565To Thomas Jefferson from John van Heukelom & Son, 1 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
When your Excellency reads the following details of an affair between us and Thos. Barclay, Esqr:, a man certainly known enough, we hope you will excuse our freedom to apply to your Excellency on this Subject. We think Mr: Barclay Himself must approve of this Step as we tried in vain these three years every possible means of Persuasion, always carefully avoiding every thing which could offend...
2566To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you on the 2 d. of Aug. and of adding a P.S. of Aug. 6. you will have known since that that the interposition of Denmark, as auxiliary to Russia against Sweden, has been suppressed magisterially by England and Prussia. this seemed to prove that these two powers did not mean to enter into the war; that on the contrary they wished seriously to quiet things on the...
2567To James Madison from Daniel Carroll, 28 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Yr. favor of the 17th Instant came to hand Yesterday. Since my return I have been so engag’d, particularly by attending on an aged sick parent, that I have not been in the way of obtaining any intelligence to be depended on, untill last monday when I saw General Washington at a meeting of the Potomack Compy. The information from him was pleasing; Docr. Stuart, Representative for Fairfax,...
M r . Carm. was 9 days going from Madrid to Bayonne, from whence he wrote to me on 12 March & arrived at Paris 27 March 1784 — Mr Barclay arr d ^ Sunday ^ 11 Ap. 1784— I gave Notice of it same Day to M r Carmich l .— — Monday 12 ap— M r Carm. call d on me in his Way to passy where he dines—is to see Barclay, & call in the Ev
2569Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 18 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Captain Lyde is to Sail this week. I will not let him go without a few lines to you, tho Captain Callihan has arrived without a Single Letter from my Friends. Mr. Adams received 3 by Monssieur Le Tomb, from his Boston Friend’s. If my son had been lucky enough to have had such a passage as I hoped he would, I should have heard of his arrival by Captain Callihan or the New York packet which...
2570To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 7 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Je prends la liberté de vous demander vos bontés pour Le Cte Wengiersky, Gentilhomme Polonois, qui voyage uniquement pour son instruction. Le respect universel de ses Concitoyens pour votre Excellence et plus encore le desir de connoitre l’homme qui a réuni par ses grandes qualités le suffrage de tous les Pays et de toutes les Nations, l’engageront à rester quelques jours à Princeton. j’ose...
2571To Thomas Jefferson from Johann Ludwig de Unger, 10 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Salzliebenhalle, 10 May 1788 . Thanks TJ for his letter of 16 Feb. 1788 and for granting the favor asked of him; says he is deeply affected by TJ’s remarks “sur le Bonheur et les Avantages propres à l’Amerique.” “Un tel Eloge de la Part de Votre Excellence est garant de la Prosperité de ces Contrees si interessantes a tant d’egard, et inspire en meme Tems des Voeux ardens pour la Durée de...
2572To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 22 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 18th. inst. in answer to your favor of the 9th. of August, since which I have received yours of the 13th. inst. Mr. A. returned here on the 7th. or 8th. He took up the subject on which you impatiently wait an answer on his arrival, a short letter on which, you must have received before this. However he is still thinking on it, and you will hear more...
2573To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I embrace the opportunity, by Mr: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from Mr: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As Mr: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and...
2574John Lamb to the American Commissioners, 20 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
After maney little Disapointments, I arrived at Algiers the 25th March and within the term of three or four Days I found that the whole amount of the money in my hands belonging to the publick would not purchas the people who are the unfortunate in consequence of which I Dispatchd Mr. Randall so that your Excellencyes might have the earlyest notice of our matter in that Quarter: in a short...
2575From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Frederick Michaelis and Others, 4 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophical Society having heretofore done themselves the honour of naming you one of their members, the President has been pleased to transmit to me the Diploma made out in the forms used by the society, and authenticated by their seal. I do myself the honour of forwarding it to you and at the same time of assuring you of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the...
2576[Diary entry: 17 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon & 46 at Night. Day fine & pleasant—wind at South. Went to and returned from Alexandria to day. At my return found dispatches from the assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation. On 22 Jan. 1785 GW wrote to William Grayson , a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Fairfax County, acknowledging receipt of “your letter, with the Books,...
2577To George Washington from James Madison, 18 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Recollecting to have heard you mention a plan formed by the Empress of Russia for a comparative view of the aborigines of the New Continent, and of the N.E. parts of the old, through the medium of their respective tongues, and that her wishes had been conveyed to you for your aid in obtaining the American vocabularies, I have availed myself of an opportunity offered by the Kindness of Mr...
2578From 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:...
2579From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 15 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I purposed, so soon as I understood you intended to become the Publisher of a News Paper in Philadelphia to request that a copy of your weekly production might be sent to me. I was the more pleased with this determination, when, by a letter from my friend the Marquis de la Fayette, I found he had interested himself in your behalf. It has so happened, that my Gazettes from Philadelphia, whether...
2580To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 19 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you some Time ago respecting the Debt due you by Mr Henry Whiting[.] Least the Letters Fail’d I have to inform you that I expect to receive the money from the Sheriff in this County the Last week in Septr. When received I shall waite on you Immediatly I shall endeavour to Collect the money and be at Mount Vernon before the middle of October next. I am Sir your Obedient Humble...