17651Draft of the Federal Constitution: Report of Committee of Detail, 6 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
6 August 1787. On 6 Aug. John Rutledge delivered the report of the “Committee of detail” in the form of a printed draft of the proposed federal constitution and provided copies for the members. GW and the secretary of the Convention, William Jackson, entered on one printed copy those deletions and additions that were adopted by the Convention between 6 Aug. and 3 Sept. and were included in the...
1765225. (Adams Papers)
Charles came home from Cambridge.
17653Resolutions on Kentucky Statehood, 12 December 1785 (Madison Papers)
… Fifth ,—That the use and navigation of the river Ohio, so far as the territory of the proposed State, or the territory which shall remain within the limits of this Commonwealth, lies thereon, shall be free and common to the citizens of the United States, the respective jurisdictions of this Commonwealth, and of the proposed State over the river as aforesaid; shall be concurrent only with the...
17654[Diary entry: 13 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 13th. About Nine o’clock Mr. Corbin and I set out, and dined at Chester, where I was met by Genls. Mifflin, Knox & Varnum—Colonls. Humphreys and Minges and Majors Jackson and Nicholas. After dinner we proceeded for the City. At the Ferry (Grays) I was met by the Troop of City light horse by whom (and a large concourse, I was escorted to Mrs. Houses—after passing the Artillery officers...
1765518th. (Adams Papers)
A cold north east storm, confined us to the house all day. I read a few pages in one of Gilbert’s treatises and wrote a little, likewise. The time however was spent without much improvement; Doctor Tufts was over here Yesterday and this day. He was attending upon Miss Quincy, who has been very ill in consequence of making a mistake in taking medicine, by swallowing salt petre instead of salts.
1765615. (Adams Papers)
Attended the office. Read a little. Mr. Jackson’s.
17657[Diary entry: 27 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 27th. Mercury at 77 in the Morning—79 at Noon and 77 at Night. A little rain in the Morning—with Clouds and appearances of it in the Afternoon, but none fell here. In the Morning there was but little wind. The Clouds which appeared in the Afternoon produced a good deal of wind from the West & No. West wch. changed the Air & made it much Cooler. Mr. Lee went away before Breakfast.
17658New York Assembly. Report on a Letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, [16 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, from the Committee appointed to consider of and report on the letter from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to his Excellency the Governor, and the papers accompanying the same, together with the act of the Legislature, entitled, An act relative to Debts due to Persons within the Enemies Lines , reported, that it is the opinion of the Committee, that the said act ought to be...
176598th. (Adams Papers)
The town met this afternoon to make choice of representatives for the ensuing year. Jonan. Greenleaf Esqr. Theop Parsons Esq. Captn. W. Coombs, and Mr. Jonan. Marsh, were the persons elected. We met in the evening at Putnam’s lodgings. Stacey desired to join the Club, and was accordingly received. Little did not come; and as we began to be impatient we sent over to Dr. Swett’s for him. But...
17660[Diary entry: 17 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 17th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. Clear forenoon with the Wind pretty brisk from the Southwest—which continued all day with appearances of rain in the Afternoon but little or none fell here. Fanny Bassett and Nelly Custis went to Church at Alexandria. Dined at Mr. Ramsays & returned in the Evening. Mr. Ridout and Son called here between breakfast and Dinner...
1766122d. (Adams Papers)
I took a ride in the forenoon with W. Cranch. Mr. Cranch came home from Boston, and brought young Waters with him. Mr. Weld, with his wife and her Sister pass’d the afternoon here; and when I return’d from my father’s Library, where I went to take a list of his Law-Books; I found Mr. Norton here: he has some thoughts of going to Menotomy to-morrow, to Mr. Fiske’s ordination; and made this a...
17662[Diary entry: 25 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck Began with 4 plows to break up flush field No. 4 (in 6 feet ridges) for Indn. Corn & Potatoes next yr. and began also to get to a yard wed for the purpose the Buck Wheat—also to get up the Hogs for Porke. At Muddy hole began also to get in, and thresh out the Buck Wheat. That which grew on the experimental half acre yielded only 3¾ Bushls....
1766328th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Fiske supplied Mr. Hilliard this day: and gave satisfaction in general. His sentiments are very liberal, more than those of any preacher I have heard of late. It is perhaps to be feared lest some of our future divines may go too far in that respect, and assert that Christianity consists in morality alone. If this were the case, in what point would its excellence be shown, above the Systems...
17664Sarah Livingston Jay’s Invitation Lists, [nd–31 December 1786] (Jay Papers)
Dec br . Invited M r . Gardoqui, Master [Gardoqui]—, M r . Rendon, M rs . Cortlandt, Miss Cuyler, M rs . Bruce, M r . White x, M rs . [White]—x, M r . A. Cortlandt—, M rs . [Cortlandt]—x, Miss [Cortlandt]—x, M
17665[Diary entry: 28 December 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 40 at Night. Cloudy during the fore part of last with appearances of Snow or Rain but the Wind springing up fresh at No. Wt. it cleared. Very pleasant all day—morning calm & not hard. Abt. Noon the wind rose at No. Wt. but neither hard nor cold. In the afternoon it got to the Southward. Mr. Willm. Craik & his two Sisters, & Mr. Kelly...
17666[Diary entry: 7 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 76 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. About Sunrising, the Directors & myself rid up to Keeptrieste, where Canoes were provided, in which we crossed to the Maryland side of the river and examined a Gut, or swash through which it is supposed the Navigation must be conducted. This Swash is shallow at the entrance, but having sufficient fall, may easily (by...
1766712th. (Adams Papers)
I have been quite unwell, these two or three days past; a disorder recurs with which I have been troubled in the Spring, the two years back; and it is more inconvenient this time than it ever has been before. At Mr. Parsons’s recommendation, I have this day taken up Hawkins’s pleas of the Crown. I think I should not now have selected this book, had it been left at my option. This branch of the...
17668[Diary entry: 15 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Morning mild and very heavy with the wind fresh from So. Wt. Which produced sprinkling rain till abt. 10 Oclock and constant rain afterwards till about 2 Oclock when it moderated, but continued very cloudy with slight drippings all the afternoon. Went to Alexandria to an election of Senator for this district—Mr. Thos. West of Fairfax & Mr. Pope of Prince William being the...
17669Continental Congress. Amendment to Supplement to Land Ordinance, [28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
That the persons intitled to lands by virtue of such warrants shall be at liberty to locate them on any part of the two tracts or districts of land reserved and set apart for the purpose of satisfying the military bounties due to the late army provided that each location be made either in contact with some point or part of the external boundary of the said tracts respectively or of some prior...
17670[Diary entry: 21 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 21st. Thermometer at 76 in the Morng.—79 at Noon and 80 at Night. Cloudy morning, but clear Afternoon with a brisk Southerly Wind all day and warm. Mr. Thompson, a Presbaterian Minister (introduced by Mr. Robt. Adam) came here, dined and Stayed all Night.
17671John Adams’ Memorandum of a Meeting with the Marquis of Carmarthen, 27 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Agreable to appointment M r: Adams and M r: Smith waited on the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen at one o Clock at his House in Grosvenors Square, and were immediately received M r. Adams presented his original Commission which is as follows— The United States of America in Congress assembled.— To our trusty and well beloved John Adams Esquire send Greeting.— We reposing special...
1767218th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard preached to us in the forenoon, and the president in the afternoon, when we were improved by a very laborious encomium upon Moses. Whatever the president’s literary talents may, be, he is certainly not an elegant composuist, nor a graceful orator. His reasoning may be sound, but the charms of his stile, if any there be, are hidden from a vulgar audience. Dined at Mr. Dana’s....
1767315th. (Adams Papers)
Rather dissipated the whole day. Could not study with proper attention, and indeed gave the matter up in the afternoon. At about 7 o’clock we met at the dancing hall, and from that time till between 3 and 4 in the morning we were continually dancing. I was unacquainted with almost all the company, but I never saw a collection of ladies where there was comparatively so much beauty. Two or three...
17674New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 28, [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . We shall make the same reservation. By the indisputable construction of these resolutions, we shall prove that this state was once on the verge of destruction, for want of an energetic government. To this point we shall confine ourselves. Childs, Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York The Debates and Proceedings of the State of New-York, Assembled at...
176752d. (Adams Papers)
Pickman returned this day from Salem, where he has been for ten days past. I began to read Wood’s Institutes; a book written upon a similar plan, to that of Blackstone; but much inferior in the execution. I took a long walk this evening alone, musing and contemplating upon a subject which at this time engrosses all my attention. Thomas Wood, An Institute of the Laws of England; Or, The Laws of...
1767618th. (Adams Papers)
The severest day we have had this Season. Did not stir out of the house, all day. Nancy, perceiving, that the cold had very much abated went out, and dined: but when she return’d again in the Evening, discovered, that the Cold, had been rather increasing continually than otherwise. I could not write in the Evening, which was past in conversation with my Cousin and Brother.
17677Abigail Adams’ Diary of her Return Voyage to America, 30 March–1 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
Sunday London March 30. We took our departure from the Bath Hotell where I had been a Fortnight, and sat out for Portsmouth, which we reachd on Monday Evening. We put up at the Fountain Inn. Here we continued a week waiting for the Ship which was detaind by contrary winds in the River. The wind changing we past over to the Isle of Wight and landed at a place call’d Ryed, where we took post...
17678[Diary entry: 11 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 11th. Thermometer 77 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 84 at Night. The Drought, the effects of which were visible when I left home, had, by this (no rain having fallen in my absence) greatly affected vegetation. The grass was quite burnt & crisp under foot—Gardens parched and the young Trees in my Shrubberies, notwithstanding they had been watered (as it is said) according to my...
176798th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon, I went and paid a number of visits, to my old acquaintance in this place; Mr. Thaxter; I pass’d a couple of hours with. Was at Mr. Osgood’s, Mr. Duncan’s, and Mr. Bartlett, who has sacrificed to Hymen, since I saw him last. “Cupid by Hymen was crown’d,” but at 37 it is to be supposed a man of sense, would be able to repel the attacks of the young tyrant, whose empire is...
1768022d. (Adams Papers)
Very cold weather. We drank tea at Williams’s. Bridge, and I went and pass’d the evening at Judge Dana’s; he himself is attending the court at Boston. We found Mr. Read and Mr. Burr there, and endeavoured as much as possible to behave like gentlemen. After we returned to college, I got engaged in conversation with Bridge, so deeply, at his chamber, that it was near 1 in the morning, before I...
17681[Diary entry: 25 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 25th. Another Delegate coming in from the State of New Jersey gave it a representation and encreased the number to Seven which forming a quoram of the 13 the Members present resolved to organize the body; when, by a unanimous vote I was called up to the Chair as President of the body. Majr. William Jackson was appointed Secretary and a Comee. was chosen consisting of 3 Members to...
176828th. (Adams Papers)
At home all day. Mr. True, was here all the afternoon. There is something extraordinary about this man: he has formerly been in a Melancholy state of mind, and appears even now to retain it, to a certain degree. Finished the book of Luke in the afternoon.
17683New York Ratifying Convention. Fourth Speech of June 28 (Newspaper Account), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
A letter of the 1st inst. says, “That on Saturday the 28th ult. the Convention were still discussing the 1st clause of the 8th section of the 1st article, respecting the powers of Congress. Objections were at large stated, and amendments proposed by Mr. Williams, Mr. Smith and Mr. Lansing, who were answered by Mr. Hamilton in a most animated and powerful defence of the clause. Mr. Lansing in...
17684[Diary entry: 1 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday first. Mercury at 70 in the Morng.—69 at Noon and 68 at Night. Cloudy Morning—with the Wind at East. Between 9 & 10 Oclock it began to drip slow rain, in which I planted the remainder of the Wheat from the Cape of Good Hope leaving 230 grains to replant the missing seeds, & some that had been washed up by the late rains; the whole number of grains given me by Colo. Spaight amounting...
17685II. The American Commissioners’ Heads of Enquiry for Thomas Barclay in Negotiations with Morocco, 12 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Heads of enquiry for M r Barclay as to Morocco, Algiers, Tunis & c — 1 Commerce. What are the articles of their export & import? what articles of American produce might find a market in Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli & c. and at what prices? whether rice, flour, tobacco, furs, ready built ships, fish, oil, tar, turpintine, ship timber & c. and whether any of these articles would hereafter be...
1768622. (Adams Papers)
The Weather has softened so much, that, it thaw’d last Night, and has, all this day. We had nevertheless in the forenoon, a Sermon, from, Psalm CXLVII. 17. who can stand before his cold. And a cold Sermon it was. The Subject indeed was such, as that much, was not to be expected from it, nor indeed was much made of it. It was however short, which is a very good Quality at this Season of the...
1768712th. (Adams Papers)
This morning the parts for the ensuing exhibition were distributed. Foster has the English Oration, Waldo the Latin: Freeman, Little , and Adams , a conference in English, upon the comparative utility of Law, Physic , and Divinity , Eaton and Harris , a forensic dispute, upon the Question, whether the destruction of inferior animals by Man, be agreeable to the Laws of nature. Bridge, Cranch,...
17688[Diary entry: 15 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 15th. In Convention as usual. Dined at Mr. Powells & drank Tea there.
17689Relationship between Federal and State Governments, [21 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Having rejected the New Jersey Plan, the convention now was considering the amended Virginia Plan as reported out of the Committee of the Whole on 13 June. The resolution calling for a legislature with two branches was under debate. Johnson argued the small states’ view that it was necessary to give each state an equal vote in the legislature in order to preserve state sovereignty against the...
17690Jefferson’s Compromise Motion concerning Ratification of the Definitive Treaty, [2 January 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it is stipulated in the definitive treaty of peace between the United states and his Britannic majesty that the ratifications of the said treaty shall be exchanged on or before the 3d. day of March next and there now remains before that period little more time than is requisite for the passage of the said ratification across the Atlantic; And Congress consisting at present but of 7....
17691Account with the Commonwealth of Virginia, [20 April] 1787 (Madison Papers)
By an act of the October 1785 session of the Virginia assembly, delegates to Congress from Virginia were allowed a salary of “six dollars per day while attending on, travelling to, and returning from Congress,” to be paid quarterly ( Hening, Statutes William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in...
1769212th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Howe, preached us two Sermons from John III. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. The text did not please me at first, and the tenets held forth, were pretty much such as I should have expected from this beginning. In the morning he said he would have us suppose, that we all wish’d and desired our...
176932d. (Adams Papers)
Recite this week in Burlamaqui: This is the day on which the election of a governor is made throughout the Commonwealth: in this Town, there were only 37 votes for Mr. Bowdoin, and 154 for Mr. Hancock: this gentleman has likewise a majority of 50 votes in Boston; indeed it is supposed he will have a consider able majority throughout the State. Mr. Cushing has the majority of votes, as...
Whereas the military Talents of the Marq s . De la Fayette has during the late war discovered great Military talents, having on various occasions given high proofs of able management, [ illegible ] ^ skill ^ , activity & Bravery, particularly while [ illegible ] by keeping a superior Ene Force in C ^
17695[Diary entry: 5 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 5th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and drank Tea there. Spent the evening also.
1769622d. (Adams Papers)
At about 10 o’clock, Lucy and I, set out from Braintree. She came with me to Boston, to purchase, the remainder of the furniture that I shall want. We stopp’d at Milton, and saw Mrs. Warren; she was much affected at the news she lately received, of the Death of her Son Charles, in Spain a few Weeks after his arrival there. Nothing else was to be expected when he sailed from here, but however...
176972d. (Adams Papers)
Finished, the sixth book of Homer’s Iliad in the forenoon, and shall go no further in it here. I admire this Poem, more, and more, though it must be confess’d the author now and then nods. It has however more, and more confirmed me, in the opinion that the world has vastly improved, even as, to sentiments since that time. In the last book, an instance occurs where a young warrior entreats...
17698Salaries for Members of the First Branch of the Legislature, [22 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
The clause in the report of 13 June providing that the members of the first branch of the legislature “receive fixed stipends … to be paid out of the National-Treasury” was under debate ( Farrand, Records Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (4 vols.; New Haven, 1911–37). , I, 228). Mr. Madison concurred in the necessity of preserving the compensations for the Natl....
17699[September 1786] (Adams Papers)
Studied Algebra all the forenoon. Took books from the Library, Brydone’s Tour vol: 2d. Ossian’s Poems, and Boswell’s Corsica. The weather begins to grow quite cold. This morning I shivered, almost all prayer Time. It is however to be hoped it will not set in, so soon. Patrick Brydone, A Tour Through Sicily and Malta..., 2 vols., London, 1774; The Works of Ossian, The Son of Fingal, Transl....
17700[Diary entry: 25 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 25th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 64 at Night. The Morning and day through was very pleasant, turning warm—the wind getting to the Southward. Sent Mr. Tucker & his Lady to Colchester. Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart & family together with Nelly Custis went up to Abingdon. In the afternoon the Revd. Mr. Bryn. Fairfax came in and stayed all Night. Began to day with my Waggon...