15101Enclosure (Adams Papers)
The following is a True State of the Treatment of John Dudley—to Shew how Illegual he was sent from his native country—how he came to fall into the hands of the British and where his station was at that time— J— D, is a native of N Carolina Late belonging to the 2nd. Reg t. of said State—which Reg t. he Left on thier March from west point to Joyn the Southeron Army—in order to Join Colonel...
15102[Diary entry: 3 November 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 3d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—70 at Noon And 70 at Night. A thick fog untill 8 or 9 Oclock—Clear, calm & exceedingly pleasant afterwards. Remained at home all day. Colo. Fitzgerald & Doctr. Craik came down to dinner—& with the copy of an address (which the Citizens of Alexandria meant to present to the Minister) waited on him to know when he would receive it. Mr. Lear went to...
15103Draft of The Federalist 64 [II] [before 5 March 1788] (Jay Papers)
Altho the People at large may sometimes by Negligence or [ that Im ?] other Causes be led to into imp indiscreet appointments yet Experience tells us that the State Legislatures very seldom lose Sight of their ^ obvious ^ Interests, and or commit their management to men in whom they have ^ little or ^ no Confidence—It is natural therefore to presume that in chusing their Senators they will...
1510425th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Short. The Marquis de la Fayette is not arrived. Mrs. Barclay. William Short , private secretary to Jefferson in Paris from 1785 to 1789 (George Green Shackelford, “William Short, Diplomat in Revolutionary France,” Amer. Philos. Soc., Procs. American Philosophical Society, Proceedings. , 102:596–612 [Dec. 1958]).
15105[Diary entry: 12 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 12th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morng.—32 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snow about half an inch deep in the Morning but soon disappeared afterwards—cloudy for the most part and but a feeble Sun at any time of the day—not much Wind and that about So. Et. Messrs. Wilson, Murray, and Mease went away before breakfast—Mr. Wooldridge and Mr. Waddell after it and Miss Ramsay & Kitty Washington some...
15106[Titlepage] (Adams Papers)
Ephemeris. Titlepage for D/JQA/11, covering the inclusive dates inscribed. The top line on this page is written in an earlier hand, presumably the date on which he purchased the blank Diary book. This same inscription appears on the top of titlepages of D/JQA/10 and 12, which are identical 380-page leather-bound books, all measuring 4¼″ × 6¾″. “Time slips away, and we grow old with silent...
15107[Diary entry: 20 February 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 20th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at Night. The Wind was at No. Wt. and the frost severe. River close this Morning but opened with the tide & by the wind. Rid to the Plantations in the Neck and at Muddy hole. In the Neck the Women were putting up (as far as rails were in place) the fence between fields No. 7 & 8. At Muddy hole they were sprouting the stumps &...
151084th. (Adams Papers)
Snowy, stormy weather all the morning, but clear in the afternoon. Mrs. and Miss A. went to Paris, and at length got, the long expected Books.
15109[Diary entry: 2 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 2d. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. A little Snow fell in the Night. About Sun rise there were some appearances of fair weather but about 8 Oclock it began to Snow fast. By 10 it was intermixed with hail & Rain—which, about Noon, became wholly Rain and towards Sun down all Snow, and storming; indeed the day through it blew hard from the No. East quarter....
15110[Diary entry: 10 March 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 10th. Thermometer at 39 in the Morning— at Noon And 46 at Night. Morning calm and pleasant, but the Wind rising at No. Wt. & blowing hard it became disagreeable. Mr. Hunter went away after breakfast. I rid to all the Plantations. Began the Meadow fence in the Neck with some of the Women, while others were grubbing. At Muddy hole finished grubbing in field No. 4. At Dogue run grubbing...
15111[Diary entry: 28 August 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 28th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning clear and calm. Visited the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run and Muddy hole—accompanied by Doctr. Stuart. At the first—Ten plows and a Harrow were at Work—preparing for and putting in Wheat. The other hands with the Waggon and two Carts were getting in and stacking the grain from the fields. At...
15112Monday [16th.] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Hartleys.
15113Madison in Congress, February–May 1787 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
JM presented his credentials to Congress on 12 February 1787, marking his return to the federal council after an absence of more than three years. The interval had seen a continuing decline in the prestige and influence of Congress—a trend that had begun with the coming of peace in 1783. Indicative of this trend was the spotty attendance of the delegates, for between 3 November 1786 and 17...
1511428. (Adams Papers)
Company gone. Went to Mr. Cranch’s.
15115I. Queries concerning Government, Labor, Commerce, &c., [ca. 1 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. This query was originally framed by Hogendorp, but was employed by TJ only in New York and Connecticut; none of the replies for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire contains an answer to it.
15116[Diary entry: 18 September 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 18th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. in the morning and Southerly afterwards—perfectly clear. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run Plantations. At the first—began with the Plows belonging to it and those of Frenchs to break up field No. 3 for Corn next year, but the ground had got so hard as to oblige them to go twice in the same furrow....
15117Enclosure: Observations sur le Tableau en deux parties, 9 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
On voit par ce tableau que les 3,400,000₶ de rentes viagères sur des Têtes choisies, emploïées à payer annuellement pendant seize années, la Dette des Etats-unis, laisseroient des la huitième année, un capital excédant la dette et les interets de 26,272,507.₶ desquelles separant l’escompte pendant huit ans, il resteroit 16,432,087,₶ qui peuvent être considérées comme le bénéfice net de...
15118Memorandum Books, 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave the following etrennes at court ₶ Valet de chambre de M. de Vergennes 96 Livery servants of do.
1511918. (Adams Papers)
Rode as usual. Read a variety at home.
15120Saturday. [21st]. (Adams Papers)
Went to Paris. Gave Gregson a watch to repair. Am to have it again, Wednesday next.
15121[Diary entry: 22 September 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 22d. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 63 at Night. Morning cloudy with the Wind about North a little Et. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run and French’s. At the first the People began to get fodder—aided by the hands from the latter. Six plows were at work, breaking up field No. 3 twice in a Furrow. The Carts (Frenchs joined) were drawing Rails to enclose the...
151228. (Adams Papers)
Left Braintree. Went as far as Wilmington. Rain.
15123[2d.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday morning went into Paris.
15124[Diary entry: 2 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 2d. Doctr. Craik came here to Dinner & stayed all Night. Drizzly Morning which first turned to rain, & then to snow.
15125Opinion in Controversy between Joseph Jones and William Lee, 26 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
A dispute between Mr. Joseph Jones of King George and Mr. William Lee being mutually referred to us: We are of opinion that Mr. Jones never was an enemy to the payment of British or other debts: We are also of opinion that Mr. Lee’s inference respecting the opposition of Mr. Jones to the payment of debts, was founded on Mr. Jones’ support to the prohibitory laws revived last session of...
1512625th. (Adams Papers)
Copies of all the actions which are to be entered at the next Court of Common Pleas were this day sent to Salem, to be filed in the clerk’s office; seven days before the sitting of the court, as the law directs: And as we have now got through the hurry of business, we have this day been very idle: Mr. Parsons has been talking all day with some one or other who came to the office: much of our...
15127[Diary entry: 28 September 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Rid to the Plantns. at the Ferry—French’s, Dogue run & Muddy hole—work as usual. Mrs. Jenifer came here to dinner.
1512822. (Adams Papers)
Went to Boston. Return’d with W. Cranch.
15129The Federalist No. 77, [2 April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. IT has been mentioned as one of the advantages to be expected from the co-operation of the senate, in the business of appointments, that it would contribute to the stability of the administration. The consent of that body would be necessary to displace as well as to appoint. A change of the chief magistrate therefore would not occasion so violent or so...
1513015th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was quite disagreeable, for exhibition; in consequence of which there was but little company. Phillips began the performances, with a Latin Oration. His subject was General Washington; a subject which must be inexhaustible or it would long since have been exhausted. He spoke well. Treadwell and Gardner , next came upon the stage, in a forensic disputation. Their question was...
15131[Diary entry: 18 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 18th. Rid into the Neck, to Muddy hole, and French’s. At the first dbled. the small heaps of buck Wheat in the Morning whilst the dew was on. Finished sowing & plowing the 6 Bls. of Winter vetches and harrowing in half a bushel of red clover seed between the branch by the Orchard, and the Road leading to and from the Negro quarters. At Muddy hole finished late in the Afternoon the...
1513212. (Adams Papers)
Company chiefly gone. Russell. Rode with Thompson. Dancing again.
15133Extract from the Diary of Ezra Stiles, [8 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excelly. Govr. Jefferson of Virginia visited me with a Letter from Mr. Sherman at Congress. He is appointed by Congress Ambassador from the United States or Minister Plenipotentiary with Dr. Franklin and Dr. Adams, for settling Treaties of Commerce with G. Britain and other foreign Nations. He is on his way with Col. Humprys, Secretary to the Commissioners to Rh. Isld., Bo. and Piscataqua...
15134[Diary entry: 24 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 24th. Mercury at 77 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. A good deal of rain fell at and before day break—continued cloudy all day with the Wind at East. Finished cutting all the grass within the inclosures on both Sides the House.
15135New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on the Independence of Vermont, [14 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, to authorise the delegates of this State in Congress, to accede to, ratify and confirm, the independence and Sovereignty of the people inhabiting the district of country, commonly called Vermont. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave, brought in the said bill entitled, An act to authorise the Delegates of [ t...
151365th. (Adams Papers)
I began this morning at the Office upon Foster’s Crown Law, a book admirably written I am told, and notwithstanding the barrenness of the subject as entertaining as it is instructive. I pass’d an hour in the beginning of the evening at Mrs. Hooper’s and then went with Thompson to Mr. S. Hooper’s. Miss Roberts was there; I think I have already mentioned this Lady; she is uncommonly sensible,...
15137The Federalist 2, Independent Journal (New York), 31 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. WHEN the people of America reflect that they are now called upon to decide a question, which, in its consequences, must prove one of the most important, that ever engaged their attention, the propriety of their taking a very comprehensive, as well as a very serious view of it, will be evident. Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of...
15138[Diary entry: 8 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday—8th. Wind Southerly and Morning soft. Between 9 and 10 Oclock it began to rain moderately & contd. to do so (very slowly) for about two hours—continuing warm and damp afterwards. Went up to Alexandria to meet the Directors of the Potomack Company. Dined at Mr. Leighs Tavern and returned in the aftern. The Ferry part of the New grd. Corn (in front of the Mansn. House) being all...
15139[Diary entry: 14 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 14th. Mercury at 72 in the Morng.—77 at Noon and 79 at Night. Day clear—with a little Wind from the Southward. Went through my Harvest field at Muddy hole to Alexandria, to a Meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Company. Agreed with Mr. James Rumsey to undertake the Management of our works and a Mr. Stuart from Baltimore as an Assistant. Gave them directions—passed some...
15140[Diary entry: 22 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday. 22d. Went up to a meeting of the Potomack Company at George Town. Called at Muddy hole Plantation to see how a barrel, which I had designed to drop 5 or 6 grains of Wheat in clusters at 6 Inches equidistant from each other performed. Found instead of doing this that it scattered the grains and having no time to alter, I directed it to proceed in that manner till I returned. After...
151418th. (Adams Papers)
Attended at the office; and wrote diligently, all day. Cold weather coming on apace. Thomson and I had some conversation, before we left the office at night. He is in low spirits, and sees gloomy prospects. I hope he will realize more happy ones, for he is an amiable worthy youth, with a clear head and a sound heart. From the office we went to Putnam’s lodgings. There Sam, and I, play’d,...
1514225th. (Adams Papers)
The weather has been all along quite unsettled. Yesterday was very cold, but to day, it thaws fast again. Mr. Andrews past the evening with us at the professor’s. Miss Jones, rather more agreeable, than I have sometimes seen her, but not perfectly sociable. Mr. Andrews and she appear to go on as easily, and with as little rubbing as any person: less indeed than I should expect from the...
15143[Diary entry: 28 April 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 28th. Dined at Mrs. Lewis’s and Drank Tea at Judge Mercers; Genl. Weedon, Colo. Chs. Carter, Judge Mercer, and Mr. Jno. Lewis and his wife dined with me at my Sisters. Of John Lewis’s five wives, this wife is probably his third, Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Gabriel Jones of the Shenandoah Valley.
15144[Diary entry: 25 December 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday the 25th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—46 at Noon And 42 at Night. Wind at No. West but not much of it.
15145[Diary entry: 4 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 4th. In order to be more certain of the advantages and disadvantages of the Navigation proposed by Mr. Ballendine, through the Gut; we took a more particular view of it—walking down one side & returning on the other and were more fully convinced of the impropriety of its adoption first because it would be more expensive in the first instance and secondly because it would be subject to...
15146Sunday July 18th. (Adams Papers)
This Day about 2 oclock made land. It is almost a Calm, so that we shall gain but little. We hope to land at Portsmouth a tuesday; this is doing very well; I have great reason to be thankfull for so favourable a passage. The mate caught a shark this morning but he got away, after receiving several wounds with a harpoon. I believe I could continue on Board this Ship 8 or ten days more, and find...
15147[Diary entry: 12 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday. 12th. Wind Southerly—Weather mild but lowering all day. Towards Noon & from thence till 4 Oclock it looked much like Snow—after which the Clouds thinned and it seemed inclind. to be fair. Colo. Lee went away after breakfast & the 2 young men after dinner. I did not ride as usual to day. Finished digging the Irish Potatoes at Dogue run in the cut of Corn which is on the right hand of...
1514815th. (Adams Papers)
I went down in the morning to Mr. Pearson’s, with an intention of inviting Miss Bromfield to dance with us this evening but she was out of town. There are several young ladies in this place, who have not attractions to charm the gentlemen, but in the case of a dance, there is no choice, we must either take up with those ladies or have none. We drew lots therefore, to determine, who should go...
15149[Diary entry: 18 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 18th. The representation from New York appeared on the floor to day. Dined at Greys ferry, and drank Tea at Mr. Morris’s—after which accompanied Mrs. [Morris] and some other Ladies to hear a Mrs. O’Connell read (a charity affair). The lady being reduced in circumstances had had recourse to this expedient to obtain a little money. Her performe. was tolerable—at the College-Hall. greys...
1515012th. (Adams Papers)
The day pass’d as usual, except, that I had some political chat with Mr. Parsons. He favours very much the federal constitution, which has lately been proposed by the Convention of the States. Nor do I wonder at all that he should approve of it, as it is calculated to increase the influence, power and wealth of those who have any already. If the Constitution be adopted it will be a grand point...