101From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
The articles which you shipped on my Acct on board of the Charming Polly have arrived safe & in good order. As I am under the necessity of purchasing, every year, a quantity of coarse Linen, Blanketings &ca for the clothing of my negroes, and sundry other articles for various purposes, and Goods of every kind being sold in Alexandria at a high advance, I am desireous of knowing if I could not...
102From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 18 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th . came to hand yesterday and relieved us from the fear that sickness or some other accident had detained you. I am very particularly obliged to you for the attention you have been so good as to pay to my accomodation; several circumstances had prevented my taking measures for this purpose so early as I wished. I had ultimately relied on Mr. Carrol, who left this place two...
103From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 6 December 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Tench Tilghman, 6 Dec. 1785. Tilghman wrote on 13 Dec : “I have been honored with both your letters of the 30h and 6h instant.”
104[From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 22 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 22 Apr. 1784. For note on entry in SJL , see TJ to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes , this date. Not found.]
105[From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Louis Lacretelle, 20 September 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[[ Paris, 20 Sep. 1788 . Recorded in SJL Index. Not found.]]
106To George Washington from William Jackson, 20 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
It was not till last evening I discovered that a packet, which I had done myself the honor to address to you by a private conveyance, had been forgotten by the person to whom it was entrusted. To prevent a similar accident, and to avoid any farther delay, I take the liberty to forward the enclosed pamphlets (which are transmitted at the request of our State Society) by post. Unable to decline,...
107To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Brionne, 20 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Madame la comtesse de brionne fait mille complimens à monsieur de jefferson, il a eté si obligeant pour elle, qu’il voudra bien encore l’aider dans tous les renseignemens dont elle a besoin pour son affaire d’amerique. Monsieur le Comte de bethisy aura l’honeur de l’aller chercher et de lui mener la personne qui se destine a aller suivre nos interets. M. de bethisy espere que Monsieur de...
108From Thomas Jefferson to William Macarty, 21 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 8th. instant. I had applied to the Marquis de la Fayette to sollicit the Sauf conduit for you. A desire of avoiding every possible occasion myself of asking what may be refused, or of giving ground to make a reciprocal demand on any occasion, induced me to do this; and the Marquis’s zeal in every business respecting us, his weight and his access to every...
109To Benjamin Franklin from Uriah Forrest, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed came to my hands this day and as it appears to have met with rough treatment on it’s Passage I have done myself the Honor to put it under Cover. Shou’d there be any thing at this place which your Excellency can Charge me with that will be usefull to yourself or Our Country It will afford me real pleasure Being with all possible Respect Yr....
110To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 21 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison having given you before he left Richmond a history of the proceedings of the assembly during their late session I have only to add to what he has done some particular acts passed by them the perusal of which may prove more satisfactory than a partial account of them. With these you receive a small pamphlet entitled Reflections &c. ascribed to Mr. St. G. Tucker together with the...
111[Diary entry: 5 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Thermometer at 51 in the Morning—64 at Noon And 63 at Night. Clear and warm all day, but little wind and that at Easterly. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the same work as yesterday was going forward. At Muddy hole the same also. At Dogue run the same. The two plows at this place finished breaking up the turnip ground in No. 1 about dinner time yesterday & went...
112To John Adams from William Gordon, 13 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yours by your son was a very agreeable letter. I rec d it last wednesday while at the President’s, where I had the pleasure of viewing your living picture. You have confirmed me in my suspicion, that tho’ there were many pictures abroad there was little likeness. I shall do my best, & it may be well for one who is not a writer of the first talents, nor been employed thirty years in making my...
113From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 26th of May, 13th of June and 7th instt are before me; and I believe unacknowledged—The several Articles sent by the Packet came safe, except one of the Wheels belonging to the harrows which was not landed by Captn Ellwood who dropped them at my landing as he passed by in the Night returning. Whether the omission was in him or in putting them on board in Philadelphia I know...
114To George Washington from William Irvine, 6 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
My letter of the 18th of July to the Honorable the Secretary at War, (which he promises to shew your Excellency) will I hope explain to your satisfaction my reason for not writing you frequently: Since that time the Virginia Troops at this Post by order of General Lincoln have been discharged & paid four months agreeable to a Resolution of Congress of the 26th of May, without the most distant...
115V. Replies to Queries: Massachusetts, July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Massachusets. Mr. Tracy. July. 1784 I. 1. About 30,000£ lawful 4. About 1,500,000£ lawful. 5. The interest is punctually paid. The principal stands on the public faith. There is an impost and excise appropriated to the paimt of the interest, but no tax is yet laid for paiment of the principal, except for a particular 30,000£ of it. 6. About 8/ in the pound. 7. They have been since 1782 about...
116[Diary entry: 2 December 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 37 in the morning—47 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear, with the Wind at No. Wt. but not strong. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the People were gathering Beans, corn, and drawing them in. Only 5 plows were at Work—the Waggon being employed in drawing in Corn. That part of the Corn which was intermixed with Carrots, would be gathered (tho’ not measured) to...
117Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 19 July – 7 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have been waiting till I am out of all patience to hear that you are returnd to England. One or two vessels have sail’d for London without taking Letters for you. I did not know they were going till it was too late to write. I sent you a hasty line by Mr. Charles Bulfinch which I hope you receiv’d and to tell you the truth I have written you two letters Since, which I thought proper to...
118To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-Augustin Thouret, [c. 17 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez que jaye L’honneur de vous adresser un exemplaire de mes recherches Sur Le magnètisme animal. Je desire que vous Le receviez comme une foible marque du respect et de la profonde Venération avec Lesquels je Suis, Monsieur et trés illustre confrere, Votre trés humble et trés obéissant Serviteur Though Thouret is here writing as the author of a work...
119General Defense of the Constitution, [6 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
On 5 June, Patrick Henry leveled a lengthy attack on the Constitution. This evoked a Federalist rebuttal in general terms by Governor Randolph and JM’s point-by-point refutation. Mr. Madison then arose—(but he spoke so low that his exordium could not be heard distinctly). I shall not attempt to make impressions by any ardent professions of zeal for the public welfare: we know the principles of...
120To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 16 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed copy of a Letter which I lately received from the Ct. D’Expilly contains the best information that I have it in my power to Afford your Excellency with respect to the Situation of our Affairs at Algiers. Mr. Lamb arrived at Alicant the 24th Ulto. and undoubtedly will have advised you of his proceedings after Mr. Randalls departure. That Gentleman is now with me and avails himself...
121[Diary entry: 11 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 40 at Night. Weather clear and cool, Wind at No. West, and ground hard froze in the Morning. Rode to all my Plantns. and to the Mill. On my Return found a Mr. James Hains, the Manager of the James River Canal here—sent by the Directors to me—and to proceed with Letters from me to the Potomack and Susquehanna Works which being...
122To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, [9 October 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives, London This day I had real pleasure and Satisfaction in recieving your Excellency’s of the 24th of last month, by an Enclosure from a Mr: Graydon in London to his Brother in the County of Kildare in this Kingdom, who informs me, that as unexpected buisiness delayed his Brother in London, he took that (as the most Speedy) mode of...
123From George Washington to Richard Humpton, 24 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having by their Proclamation of the 18th Inst. thought proper to discharge their Army I am to desire that immediately on the receipt of this you proceed to discharge the Troops under your Command at Philada. You will please to call at the War Office for Blank discharges—and Report to me your proceedings in this business. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant NHi .
124To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 7 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I must appologise for not answering your esteemed favours of 1st & 2d Ulto (which reached me about a fourtnight ago) before this Time but hope you will excuse me when I enform you of the Occasion. A number of losses in Trade during & since the war had so much involved my Affairs that altho’ I had property in value equal to what I owed it was so much scatterd that I found myself under a...
125Saturday July 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
The military company, having obtained a promise of 60 stand of arms, met immediately after Dinner, and chose their officers, and agreed to a Code of Laws. They were upon the business more than two hours. Vose, was chosen Captain, Fiske, and Packard lieutenants, and Chandler 1st. Ensign. This was the college military company, founded in 1770, and named the Marti-Mercurian Band because of its...
126From George Washington to Alexander White, 14 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fraunces’s letters to you & to me, the last of which I also enclose for your perusal, are so expressive of his wants as to render it unnecessary for me to add ought, on the occasion of them. He has been considered (tho’ confined within the british lines) as a friend to our cause: It is said he was remarkably attentive to our prisoners in the City of New York; supporting them, as far as his...
127To Thomas Jefferson from Michel Capitaine, 8 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mézieres en Champagne, 8 Dec. 1786. Inquires about a power of attorney forwarded to Peters in June, about which he has had no news; gives his address and asks to have anything received for him forwarded. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; endorsed. Noted in SJL as received 11 Dec. 1786. See Richard Peters to TJ, 1 Oct. 1786 .
128To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 1 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
Being cut off from the occurrences in the Assembly I have nothing to write you upon, but the prospect as to my reelection. The Apostacy of one of our Delegates in the Convention, and the wavering conduct of the other, have re-animated the Spirit of Anti-federalism in the County to such a degree that much work is to be done before my object will be secured —the issue of the ten days for which...
129John Adams to the president of Congress, 22 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received Sometime Since a Letter from an American Gentleman now in London, a Candidate for Orders, desiring to know, if American Candidates might have Orders from Prostestant Bishops on the Continent, and complaining that he had been refused by the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canturbury, unless he would take the Oaths of Allegiance &c. Meeting Soon afterwards, the Danish Minister...
130To George Washington from Lafayette, 3 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I Have Received Your first favour from Philadelphia with the Greater Satisfaction, as it promises me the pleasure to Hear Again from you Before long —a pleasure, My Beloved General, which Your friend’s filial Heart wants to Anticipate, and Enjoys most Affectionately—I Have not Been surprised to Hear of Your Attendance at the Convention, and would indeed Have wondered at a denial—on the success...
131[27th.] (Adams Papers)
Friday dined with the Abbés at Passi.
132From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Jones, [9 June 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
The above is a copy of a paper transmitted me this day by Mr. Duane. You will perceive much is expected from us; and unfortunately in the situation of my business little is in my power. I wish to see you in Town as soon AL , The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. The letter is undated. It was written, as the first line states, on the date on which H received his commission from James...
133From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 16th & 26th of October and 16th of November. The articles sent by Captn Ellwood arrived in good order and agreeable to the Invoice. Captn Ingraham has not yet arrived but is hourly expected. I think the Irish Linen @ 8/2 is very high, and as there has been a late importation of Linens into Alexandria I will endeavour to supply myself at that place; if I...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Jacques Peuchen, 22 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai retardé, Monsieur, de vous accuser la reception de votre lettre du 25me. Avril, afin que je pourrois en meme tems vous annoncer l’arrivée des poëles que vous avez eu la bonté de m’expedier. Elles viennent d’arriver chez moi il y a trois jours en bon etat. Permettez donc, Monsieur, que je vous fasse mes remerciments pour vos attentions dans cette occasion-ci, aussi bien que pour les...
135To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Pecquet, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 9 Dec. 1785 . He was introduced to TJ by Benjamin Franklin and is grateful to them both for the recompense he received from the U.S. for his services to American citizens during the war. He would be even more indebted if they would recommend him to Congress for the post of United States agent in Lisbon, which post he would discharge with “Le Zèle le plus ardent, la fidelité la plus...
136From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 12 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 24. May is before me. To presume defend the Seperation of the Legislative Executive and Judicial Powers, from each other, and the Division of the Legislature into three branches, from the attacks of County Committees, riotous assemblies, and uninformed Philosophers and Statesmen, will be the Burthen of my Song and I am very glad to find that the Attempt, has met with your...
137[From Thomas Jefferson to Jacquelin Ambler, 27 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jaquel. Ambler. Mad’s bill—impost—cession—meeting and separation of Congr.” Not found.]
138John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 13 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of 18 August with its Accompaniments. We are all well and very happy. I should have been very glad to have received M rs: Macaulay. if I had been in Braintree and am much surprized to learn that 60 to 25 makes a greater odds in lawful Wedlock than out of it. This celebrated literary Character professes political Principles so nearly like those which we profess that I...
139From George Washington to Peterson & Taylor, 11 December 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Peterson & Taylor, 11 Dec. 1787. Peterson & Taylor wrote GW on this date : “yours ⅌ the boy came safe to hand.”
140Tuesday March 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
Coldest weather we have had this year. Reaumur’s thermometer at 8 degrees below the freezing point. Abbé de Chalût told me last evening, that neither he nor his brother, (and they are both turned of seventy,) remember ever to have experienced so cold weather in the beginning of March.
141Notes on Debates, 20 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
Nothing of consequence done Ms ( DLC ). Most of this session was spent considering a report on instructions to the superintendent of Indian affairs. The report came from a committee, headed by William Irvine, on which JM served ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XXXII, 66–69).
142To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 17 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
V. E. Verra par les copies ci-jointes, qu’il ne s’est agi que de rendre à ces Messieurs d’Amsterdam un service, qu’ils me demandoient instam̃ent, & auquel j’ai cru, & devois croire, ne pouvoir honnêtement me soustraire, quand même vous ne m’auriez pas recom̃andé le soin de vos Livres: ce qu’ils ignoroient quand ils m’écrivirent la premiere de ces Lettres. Je viens de recevoir l’honorée vôtre du...
143[Diary entry: 1 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. A very disagreeable mixture of Rain and fine hail fell all day, with a fresh and cold No. easterly wind. Towards night and in the Night it snowed. Few days or Nights this year have been more inclemt. and disagreeable than this.
144To Thomas Jefferson from Maupin, 20 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je ne voudrois pas moins que faire le bien de toutes les nations, et quelque grande que soit cette entreprise, je n’en desespere point a l’egard des Etats unis de l’Amerique, si, après la lecture de mes differens ouvrages, Votre Excellence juge a propos de les faire passer a sa nation. J’ai deja eu l’honneur d’offrir a Votre Excellence tous les éclaircissemens qui dépendoient de moi, et je lui...
145To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je continue d’adresser à V.E. [Votre Excellence] la Lre. cijointe pour le Congrè’s, vous priant, M, après l’avoir lue de vouloir bien la fermer & lui donner cours par premier Navire qui fera voile pour le Continent. J’ai tiré le 5 de ce mois sur V.E. le semestre de mon salaire échu le 30 Juin prochain, savoir come à l’ordinaire £2700 tournois à une usance à...
146From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 26 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 21st. inst. on the subject of Mr. Paradise, which I hope you have received. By the death of Mr. Williamos a copy of my Notes on Virginia got into the hands of a bookseller, who was about publishing a very abominable translation of them when the Abbé Morellet heard of it, and diverted him from it by undertaking to translate it for him. They will thus appear in French in spite...
147From John Adams to John Jay, 11 October 1788 (Adams Papers)
The multiplied Cares attending the Removal of a Family, from one Country to another; and beginning a new Course of Life or resuming an old one, after an interruption of fourteen years; must be my apology, if any apology is neccessary, for having omitted, till this time, to Solicit the final Settlement of my Accounts, with the United States.— As M r Barclay has, for many years, had the...
148To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 21 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your letter acknowleging the rect. of the three papers in the Gazetteer. At the request of Mr. Wilson, Dr. Rush and another friend or two I added a 4th. paper, calculated to shew the general advantages & obviate some of the Objections to the System. It was desired by these Gentlemen for the purpose of inserting in one of several handbills, which it was proposed to circulate thro our...
149To John Jay from John Adams, 13 February 1784 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d a Letter from M r . Gerry, at Phil a 23 Nov. Thaxter arrived there the night before, I presume he has written by M r Reed, and that his Letter is gone to You, as he probably addressed the Letter to Us all. M r Morris has drawn afresh by this Vessell. Let me beg of you and the D r , to advise him to Stop his Hand. If I can possibly, save those already drawn, which however I still...
150IX. Abstracts of Gouverneur Morris’ Letters on Commerce, [May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[May 1784] G. Morris to Genl. Chastellux. Oct. 7. 1783. France fought for the American commerce. Has she got it and will she hold it? That contest is only beginning. Her success in it will depend on her prudent management. The marine of a country depends on it’s commerce. Commerce depends on 2. pillars. 1. Navigation, which forms seamen. 2. Wealth, which supplies taxes. To pursue a marine at...