15051To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Tessé, 29 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
La Reconnoissance présente mille hommages très sensibles à Monsieur Jefferson qui comble à la fois Me. de Tesse des dons les plus précieux. Le nouvel acte d’indépendence médité dans des jardins embellis par les productions de l’heureuse Virginie eut rempli tous les voeux du sage epicure. La prose francoise de Mr. Short se perfectionne chaque jour. On le Remercie très sensiblement de celle...
15052[Diary entry: 8 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 8th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 69 at Night. A very heavy Shower of rain for an hour fell after dark last night with continual lightning and loud thunder. Wind at No. Et. all day with very clouds but no rain.
15053From George Washington to Richard Varick, 1 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
From the moment I left the City of New York until my arrival at this place, I have been so much occupied by a variety of concerns that I could not find a moment’s leizure to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 4th & 7th Ultimo. The public and other Papers which were committed to your charge, and the Books in which they have been recorded under your inspection, having come safe to...
15054From Benjamin Franklin to Sears & Smith, 4 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon Receipt of yours relating to your Cargo of Slaves at Martinico, I endeavour’d to inform myself what was the Law in such Cases, and I found that by an Arrét du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, of the 28th of June 1783, there is a Duty laid of 100 Livres per head on all Negroes imported in foreign Ships, and this Duty is granted and is to be paid as...
15055Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 23 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my arrival here, the ninth, nothing has occur’d worth your attention. I am waiting for a vessel that is Bound to Mogadore and expect to sail in a few days. You have probably as late accounts from Mr. Lamb as I Can give you, yet it may not be Improper to Inform you of his arrival at Alicant the 24th. of last month, where doubtless his Quarrantein has delay’d his proceeding to Madrid. The...
15056From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I leave the inclosed open for your perusal and that of your Collegues and others to whom you may chuse to shew it; only taking care that neither copies nor extracts be taken. Be so good, when you are done with it, as to stick a wafer in it and forward it to the Governor. I am with sincere esteem Dr. Sir your friend & servt., P.S. I do not know whether you are acquainted with young Bannister...
15057To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 25 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The invitation you gave me was so very alluring that I had once resolved to pass the winter with you; in consequence of which resolve I made several preparations, and caused your amiable Grandson to postpone his return, but being a little out of health my spirits failed me, and I relinquished the pleasure I had promised myself in your society. I hope you...
15058To George Washington from Alexander White, 26 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of your Excellencys letter 16th instant enclosing Mr Frauncis’s which I have answered by this Post —As your Excellency has no knowledge of Mr Frauncis’s demand it would be impertement in me to trouble you with my opinion of it—I can only say, that I am anxious to discharge every just debt, and that your Excellencys Countenance afforded to Mr Frauncis will induce me to pay...
15059From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 16 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 13th. and am obliged to you for the search made in the post office for the Nuncio’s packet. With respect to the subject of your private note, I think I had the honor, in some former letter, of informing you that no Consular convention was as yet settled with this country, and that till there should be one it was not probable any appointment of Consuls...
1506019th. (Adams Papers)
Went all to dine with Mr. Jefferson. The two abbés Dr. McMahon and Dr. Ruston, were there. After dinner I walk’d to the Hôtel de Bretagne, and found Mr. West better, though his hand is still very much swelled. Dr. Ruston appears to be a man of learning; very well versed in English reading. Dr. I. MacMahon was apparently an Irish physician living in France whom Franklin met in Paris shortly...
15061Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 15 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yours of August the 7th. and Col. Smith’s of the 8th. reached us on the 14th. at this place. We left the Hague on Monday, I wrote you an account of our excursion, till Thursday Evening, when I was going to the play. The house is small and ordinary, the Actors as good as one commonly finds them in England. It was the birth day of the Princess of Orange, it was not distinguished that I know of...
15062To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Parker, [ca. November 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry that it is not in my power to send you the amount of the outfit seperate from the ship. My information on this subject is from Mr. Pugh who knows only the aggregate cost. I should have sent the seperate cost before, had I been able to obtain it. I should suppose that ⅖ths of the cost of the Ship when she sails on the voiage might be calculated for outfits but this is...
15063From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 19 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors of March 14. and July 16. My last to you was of Apr. 22. from London. I am obliged to you for the particular account you give me of my affairs, and the state of the cash account made out by the steward. His articles however were generally so shortly expressed as to be quite unintelligible to me. Of this kind are the following. To James Foster and Benjamin...
1506411th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Shaw went over to Bradford, in the morning, to preach for Mr. Allen, and Mr. Smith supplied his place here. The forenoon discourse, was from CXIX Psalm. 165. Great Peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them. In the after noon, it was from Genesis VIII. 22. While the earth remaineth, seed time, and harvest, and cold, and heat, and summer and Winter, and day, and...
15065[Diary entry: 14 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 71 at Night. Clear all day, with very little Wind and that from So. West. G. A. Washington and his Wife, and Mr. Shaw went to Pohick Church—dined at Mr. L. Washingtons and returned in the Evening. Colo. Gilpin, The Revd. Mr. McQuir; Mr. Hunter, & Mr. Sanderson came here to dinner and returned afterwards. Began yesterday afternoon to...
15066To Thomas Jefferson from John Sullivan, with Account of Expenses for Obtaining Moose Skeleton, 26 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter comes by my good friend Captain Samuel Pierce on board of whose vessel I send a Large Box containing the Articles mentioned in the Inclosed Account, which will show you the amount of Expences. A copy of my directions to him which I also inclose will show the means used by me to forward those expensive Curiosities to you. Capt. Pierce from motives of friendship for me has engaged to...
15067To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 2 September 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Augustine Washington, 2 Sept. 1787. On 9 Sept. GW acknowledged George Augustine’s “letter of the 2d of this month.”
15068From Benjamin Franklin to Windisch-Grätz, 22 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Státní oblastní archiv v Plzni, pracoviště Klášter; L (draft): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre infiniment honnête dont vous m’avez honoré le 9 de ce Mois, et Je ne puis qu’approuver l’Ecrit qui y etoit joint: il ne pourra manquer d’être utile. Je m’empresserai de faire passer en Amérique suivant votre Desir les Exemplaires que vous m’annoncez dès qu’ils me...
150694th. (Adams Papers)
We were to have had a Class meeting, by Rights: but no one thought to obtain Leave. As we have no metaphysical Tutor, here at present, we supposed, that, for the ensuing fortnight we should have no reciting. But the government have determined that we should continue to attend Mr. Reed in S’Gravesande’s. This is not an agreeable Circumstance; a Person who does not belong to the University, and...
15070To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowledged from Philada. your favor of the 11 of May. On my return to Orange I found the copy of your notes brought along with it by Mr. Doradour. I have looked them over carefully myself and consulted several judicious friends in confidence. We are all sensible that the freedom of your strictures on some particular measures and opinions will displease their respective abettors . But we...
15071From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 5 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th Ulto came duly to hand—The sum of £50 which you and Mr Ross have received for bringing and prosecuting my Ejectments is perfectly satisfactory to me, I only wish it may be so to you—if it is not I must repeat my request that you will satisfy yourself. I find that the greatest part of the money which you have received on my acct has been paid without suits being brought...
15072[Diary entry: 22 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 22d. Thermometer at 65 in the Morning—66 at Noon And 62 at Night. A great deal of rain fell in the Course of last Night. Drizling all the Morning and cloudy the remainder of the day, with showers around us, but little rain fell here. Wind at No. West, & towards evening fresh & cool. Mrs. Morris having (by the Stage of yesterday) received a request from Mr. Morris to proceed to...
15073To George Washington from John Rawlins, 15 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry I have Dissopinted you so Long, of the Drawing and Estemate for your Room—its bein sickness and other Circumstances in my family that’s prevented it—to Ornaments in Ceiling, Cove, Cornice, & moulding at top of cove, with pannels on the walls plaine—my Lowest termes I can posibley, finish it for his £168 pounds this Currency, you finding my people and paying Travleing...
15074To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 2 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your letter of the 24th. August and having seen no secondhand Carriage to my mind, have given orders for the new one: which I trust will be both substantial and elegant:—There are three articles however in your description which being extraordinary will add to the price:—the Venetian blinds are not much us’d here, tho they are much better for a hot Climate than the common ones, and they...
15075To John Adams from the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 28 August 1787 (Adams Papers)
Nous aurions desiré, Monsieur, lire dans votre langue l’exemplaire de votre ouvrage, nous avons prié un de nos amis qui sçait l’anglois de nous en faire l’extrait et de nous en dire son sentiment— nous avons vou avec satisfaction que vous prouvez jusqu’à l’evidence tout ce que vous y avancez et nous avons sçu par notre ami que cet ouvrage estimable étoit digne de vous et de votre philosophie....
15076Luigi Pio to the American Commissioners, 22 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
Ayant eu lhonneur de mettre sous les yeux du Roi mon maître Votre lettre du 27 7 bre. 1784 et Sa Majesté ayant fait mûrement éxaminer les propositions et les offres qu’elle contient, à l effet de l’engager à conclure avec les Etats unis un traité d’amitié et de commerce, m’a chargé de Vous assurer que rien ne peut lui faire un plus grand plaisir, puisqu’elle donne tous ses soins à...
15077Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 19 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Your Excellency’s two favors of the 1st. and 4th. of March, with the papers referred to have been duly received. Of the latter a discretionary use will be made as you are pleased to recommend. A copy of the Note from Mr. Vanberkle complaining of Certain late acts of Virginia has been already transmitted. I now add the Report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs on the subject, which has not...
15078To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 28 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 12, but yesterday, and wish it were in my Power to order the Interest due to the French Officers to be paid; but it is not. They must remain unpaid, be the Consequence what it may untill Congress or the Board of Treasury order it. Indeed, I dont know how your Subsistence and mine is to be paid after next month. Mr. Grand will be likely to advance yours, but from...
15079To Thomas Jefferson from James McClurg, 12 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been absent from town about a fortnight, I did not immediately recieve your letter , nor have had an oportunity of acknowledging the pleasure it gave me, until this post. You have dispell’d my doubts concerning the ballons, the accounts of which I supposed to be monstrous exaggerations, tho founded probably on some small Experiment of the kind. It is some Years since Mr. Cavendish...
15080To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 12 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your favour of the 2 d: of this Month, we are Sorry to Confirm your Idea that the Misfortune of Mess rs: de La Lande & fynje is most probably irretrivable, and it proves Still more to be so in proportion, we get more acquainted with the nature of their Engagements with M r: Geyer and the Gentlemen in America: we Shall endeavour to give you a General Idea of those Connexions, and...
15081To George Washington from Mathew Carey, 19 June 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Mathew Carey, 19 June 1788. On 25 June GW wrote Carey about his “favor of the 19th.”
15082Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates, 20 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 23d. of last month yesterday with Mr. Pollocks letter which I shall lay before the next assembly. Some part of his complaint may be just tho’ the last assembly thought more money had been already paid and assumed than he was justly entitled to, and I am of opinion there can be but little more due, tho’ they in their hurry at the close of a session had agreed to pay...
15083To George Washington from William Hartshorne, 6 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of this day I recd and shall forward your Letter to Mr Mercer tomorrow & if he will pay the money my assistant will bring it, or should Mr Mercer be returned to Virginia, bring back the Letter. I have a Letter from Capt. Pearce of the 26th Janry wherein he says he has wrote you respecting his acct for Freight of the Jack Ass and that you might Settle with me as you pleased and that...
15084John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 6 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last Wednesday Mr. W. Vaughan, got me introduced into the house of Commons, and I was there, from about 2. in the afternoon till 1. the next morning. The Subject, was a very dry, uninteresting one to me, it was the Westminster election, and the time, till 10 at night was taken up in hearing the Council counsel , on one side for Mr. Fox, and the electors of Westminster who petitioned, and on...
15085[Diary entry: 17 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Foggy & lowering morning, with but little wind. Clear afterwards, and Wind at No. West & cool. Set out to meet the Directors of the Potomack Navigation at George Town. Where, having all assembled, we proceeded towards the Great Falls, and dispersing for the convenience of obtaining Quarters, Govr. Johnson and I went to Mr....
15086Abigail Adams to John Thaxter, 20 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
To what cause shall I attribute your silence, that not a line has reachd me since I arrived in Europe? Altho I have not written to you since my arrival, yet as a Friend and former correspondent I feel myself entitled to your remembrance. I have heard from others of your welfare and pleasing prospects, in which be assured no one more sincerely rejoices than your Friend. My son too complains...
15087From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from The Hon. Stephen Higginson Esq r , is upon a Subject of so much Importance, and contains so much Information that I cannot withold it from you. The little Jealousy, Envy or Caprice, that shall deprive our Merchants of the Benefit of Trading to the Isles of France & Bourbon, will only compell them to seek the Ultimate Marketts upon the Continent, directly. In four days,...
150884th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris alone: went to the Griffon, Rue de Bussy and bought some Stationary. To the Hôtel de Nassau Rue de la Harpe, to see Mm. la Comtesse d’Ouradou, but she was not within. Bought me a Couple of Trunks. Went to Mr. Jefferson’s: he tells me, that the Count, thinks of not going in the next Packet. I fear Mr. Williamos, after failing me, himself, has been endeavouring...
15089To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 22 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
I have your letter of the 26th. of October and have this day obtained from Mr. Thompson the survey of the upper part of James River, and shall Tomorow morning have an answer from Mr. Lambert to whom I was advised as a proper person to copy it whether he will undertake to do it. If he does, the work will perhaps be well executed. Should he decline doing it my endeavours shall not be wanting to...
15090To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1784 (Jay Papers)
Permit me my dear friend to congratulate you on your return to your native shore, & to the friendly embraces of those who love you in every situation, in which you have been, or can be placed. My impatience to see you led me to New York about three weeks since, where from the time you had set for sailing I thought it probable that you must have arrived before this An unfortunate accident which...
15091To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On the third of this month Congress adjourned to meet at Trenton on the 30 of Octr. next, having first appointed a comee. [committee] of the states to sit in the recess, agreeable to the Articles of Confederation. Previous to the adjournment I had the honor to receive your letter dated, if I recollect right, on the 8 March, which I immediately laid...
15092To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 8 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
Having an opportunity by Mr. Burnley I embrace it to acknowledge the Rect. of your favor of the 3d. Ult. from N. York, and also to congratulate you upon the success which attended your efforts to turn the Sinners of Orange from their wicked ways. The Rage in Powhatan was, a few days before the election, as high as where, but by the day of trial, the Town was so changed that Mr. Turpin who had...
15093[Diary entry: 4 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning 72 at Noon and 75 at Night. An exceeding heavy fog in the Morning, and quite calm all day and clear. Received from on board the Brig Ann, from Ireland, two Servant Men for whom I had agreed yesterday—viz.—Thomas Ryan a Shoemaker, and Caven Bowe a Tayler redemptioners for 3 years Service by Indenture if they could not pay, each, the Sum of £12 Sterg....
15094To John Adams from Cotton Tufts, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have repeatedly forgot to mention to You That in Sep r. 1783. D r. Holyoke then President of our Mass tts. Med l Society rec d. Your Letter dated in June, enclosing Copies of the Votes & C of the Royall Society of Medicine at Paris. In Octob r. following the Med l Society met and voted their Unanimous Thanks to You for Your friendly Attention to the Interests of the Soc y. and directed an...
15095Abigail Adams to Sarah Livingston Jay, 20 February 1789 (Adams Papers)
When I left your Hospitable mansion, I did not design so many days should have elapsed, before I had express’d to you the pleasing sense I entertaind of your kindness and Friendship. they have left a durable impression upon my mind, and an ardent desire to cultivate them in future. I reachd Home Ten days after I left Newyork. we had an agreeable journey, good Roads fine weather and tolerable...
15096From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 10 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have to reply to your several Letters of the 20 September and 3 & 6 of this Month. The Glass was safely delivered me by Captain Pinkney. I am obliged to you for your information respecting the oppression of some of the Inhabitants of Long Island by the British but as the offence is against the subjects of the State it belongs more properly to the Executive Authority to take cognizance of it,...
15097From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 17 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Amsterdam, I found here your favours of March 7. and April 19. of which I have now the honor to acknolege the receipt. The vin de Sauterne was also safely arrived. I had left directions for paiment of the bill for it, expecting you would have been so kind as to draw on me immediately for the amount. Whenever you shall do this, it shall be duly honoured; only be so good as to...
15098Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Bearer Colonel Franks I do myself the honor to send you in a small Box the following Articles. These matters have been detained a considerable time from you by various Accidents, among which contrary Winds and stormy Weather were a Part. But I hope as all such impediments are removed you will receive them with the utmost Expedition. The Original of the Declaration made by Mr. Fennish...
15099[Diary entry: 12 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 12th. Thermometer 70 in the Morning. 78 at Noon. and 77 at Night. Wind at So. & So. W. A hard rain in the evening with some Hail. At the Mansion Ho. New ground 6 Plows were at Work—viz.—4 from D. Run 1 from Frenchs, & 1 from M. Hole which would by Noon have finished breaking up the balks on the So. Side of the Road. At Muddy hole, the hands belonging there, were hoeing up balks in the...
15100To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 26 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I received your agreeable letter the day after mine of the 28th. instant had been dispatched. I thank you Sir for the very particular and satisfactory information that you have favord me with. It is certainly comfortable to know that the Legislature of our country is engaged in beneficial pursuits—for I conceive that the Gen. Assessment, and a wise digest of our militia laws are very important...