251From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks. I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment...
25214th. (Adams Papers)
I walk’d with Thompson up to Mrs. Atkins’s. The old Lady is gone to Boston to spend a fortnight. Mr. and Mrs. Searle were there; and Mr. Atkins came home soon after. Atkins is a man of abilities; but of strong passions; and as he was cramped in his youth, by his penurious circumstances, his disposition was soured, and he is now excessively irritable, and his natural frankness has degenerated...
253To John Jay from John Adams, 30 November 1787 (Jay Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose the Kings speech at the Opening of Parliament as it has been transmitted to me from the Marquis of Carmarthen: and the Morning Chronicle of the 28, which contains, not the debates for there were none, but the Panegyricks upon it. I have long Seen Sir, in Silent astonishment and Grief the negligent and imprudent Conduct of a deceased French Minister of foreign...
254To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Moore, 24 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to Inform you the Printing Press I have sent to M. le Chevr Holker should have sent it sooner but could nod get a ship before this, which is the Adventure John Damon Master the Custom Huse expences &c are 7 s. which you are Indepted to your Most Humbl servant Addressed: Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique /...
255Import and Tonnage Duties, [8 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison . I take the liberty Mr. Chairman, at this early stage of the business to introduce to the committee a subject, which appears to me, to be of the greatest magnitude; a subject, Sir, that requires our first attention, and our united exertions. No gentleman here can be unacquainted with the numerous claims upon our justice; nor with the impotency which prevented the late Congress of...
256To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 1 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
If my waggone Comes to this Place Next Friday—or before, as I have directed—I Shall waite on you For Colo. Fairfaxes Desk and Papers—I have no order for them—the Executors said it was not Necessary—as my Power of attorney was Sufficient To Call for them —If you think it Necessary To List the Papers I Shall be Glad it Could be done before I Come down—Should any accident Prevent my going To...
257The Federalist No. 79, [28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. NEXT to permanency in office, nothing can contribute more to the independence of the judges than a fixed provision for their support. The remark made in relation to the president, is equally applicable here. In the general course of human nature, a power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will . And we can never hope to see realised in...
258[To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 10 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 10 Apr. 1784 . Noted in SJL as received 19 Apr. 1784. Not found.]
259[Diary entry: 23 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 23d. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Wind Westwardly in the forenoon, but quite calm afterwards; afternoon cool. Rid to Muddy hole and River Plantations. Finished my Hay Harvest in the Neck. Perceived a few Plants of the Pride of China (the Seed of which were Sowed on the 13th. of June) to be coming up. And also the Jien pien Cou fa—between the 8 & 9 pegs and...
260From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I found that either the Duke of Dorsetts Letter to the Premier, had produced an order at Dover or that his Graces Letter to the Custom House Office had as good an Effect, for I was allowed to pass without Molestation, and indeed received Marks of particular Respect. We arrived Yesterday 26. in the Afternoon, and as Fortune would have it Coll Smith arrived the Night before 25.— We Soon met.— I...
261From George Washington to Gardoqui, 20 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letter which your Excellency did me the favor to write to me on the first of this month does me great honor: the sentiments which you have been pleased to entertain of my conduct are very flattering; and the friendly manner in which they are expressed is highly pleasing. To meet the approbation of a gentleman whose good wishes were early engaged in the American cause, & who has attended to...
262From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Monsr Cottineau de Kerloquin requesting an admission into the Society of the Cincinnati—and one from the Chevalier D’Anmours setting forth the services of that Gentleman and his pretensions to admission. Both of which I must beg you to lay before the Society at their next General Meeting that they may take the necessary steps thereon; unless it shall...
263[Diary entry: 31 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday. 31st. Clear pleasand & warm in the forenoon. Towards Noon it grew cold. Wind hard at No. West. Rid to all the Plantns. In the Neck 6 plows were at work & 2 more were put at it this morning one of wch. broke immediately. The other hands were getting Irish Potatoes in the further cut (Tob. Ho.) in Timber landg. f[iel]d. At Muddy hole—finished Sowing Wheat 12½ bushls. in the cut right...
26417th. (Adams Papers)
This day a regiment of foot, and a troop of about 60 horse-men paraded, and were review’d by Genl. Titcomb. The weather was rather disagreeable, though not so windy as it was yesterday. One of the foot companies was drest in the rifle uniform. That of the horse was red faced with green: the horses in general were good, but the company has not been formed long, and are not yet perfect in their...
265To John Jay from Elias Boudinot, 1 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I was honored by your several private favours, recommending M r . Vaughan and some other Gentlemen, to whom I have endeavoured to pay every civility in my power— Also one enclosing my Nephew’s Letter from Madeira, for which I am much obliged to you. Congress has thought proper to appoint him their Commercial Agent at that Island. He is a deserving young American, who I doubt not will do honor...
266To John Jay from John Adams, 8 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
In executing the Instructions of Congress of the Seventh of March last, as well as all former Orders, which concern the Court of Great Britain, the Ministry will no doubt find my Commission and Letter of Credence Sufficient Authority. But you will See by a Letter from the Duke of Dorsett, which your Ministers here sometime since transmitted, that the British Cabinet have conceived doubts,...
2674th. (Adams Papers)
Walk’d into Newbury in the evening with Thompson; and we returned through Joppé, by a different route from that which I usually come. We past an hour at Mrs. Emery’s. Her daughter is very amiable, though not handsome. She entertained us sometime by playing upon the Harpsichord. Mr. J. Greenleaf was there; it is reported that he is paying his addresses there. The dispositions of the persons are...
268From John Adams to John Jebb, 25 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have read with pleasure your Letter of the 13 th and although I cannot entirely agree with you, I find the difference between us is very Small in comparison with that between me and some other of my friends, in M r Humes perfect commonwealth “no representative Magistrate or Senator as such has any salary. The Protector Secretaries, Councils and Ambassadors have salaries” your opinion...
269From George Washington to William Tudor, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your friendly letter of the 26th of July, together with the History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts; and cannot delay to return you my thanks for these tokens of your regard. Though I have not yet had time to look through the book, from the interesting nature of the subject, and the judicious manner in which it seems to be handled, I anticipate considerable amusement...
270From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 12 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that at length Messrs. Laval & Wilfelsheim have paid the bill of exchange remitted. It will enable me to furnish Monsr. Houdon for his voiage to Virginia when he shall be sufficiently reestablished in his health to undertake it. Dr Franklin proposing to return either the next month or the month following, I think it probable that Houdon will accompany him. I have...
271To James Madison from Lafayette, [8 February 1785] (Madison Papers)
… [France has ordered] two large Armies to get in readiness … in Flanders and … in Alsace.… I hope matters will be compromised and a War avoided…. Your Ministers will write you more than I can respecting their negotiations…. Our friend Mr. jefferson has been unwell but now feels better…. Remember me to the Governor and all friends in Virginia.… Printed extract (Charles Hamilton Catalogue No....
272[To Thomas Jefferson from Tarbé, 22 January 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 22 Jan. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 24 Jan. 1787. Not found; but it must have enclosed an undated statement (MoSHi; endorsed “Tarbé”) to the amount of £34.19.6 for the cost of handling a barrel of wine sent from Bordeaux by Le Veillard to TJ; see TJ to Tarbé, 11 Feb. 1787 .]
273To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre du Calvet, 14 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu l’honneur il y [ a ] Six Semaines d’envoyer á vôtre Excellence, par la voie de Mr. L’ambassadeur de france, un exemplaire imprimé de mon appel á la justice de l’êtat, (l’angleterre), c’est l’histoire lamentable de la tirannie la plus horrible, déployeé contre moi, par le général haldimand, parce qu’il me, Soupgonnoit un ami des americains....
274From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 16 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed papers will give you the latest intelligence from Poughkepsie. It seems by no means certain what the result there will be. Some of the most sanguine calculate on a ratification. The best informed apprehend some clog that will amount to a condition. The question is made peculiarly interesting in this place, by its connexion with the question relative to the place to be recommended...
275From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, [14 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Various conversations with Mr. Short on the situation of things in Richmd. seem to render it very evident that the improvement of ground in that place is of certain and great profit. I have been induced to reflect on the subject as it furnishes a resource for subsistence independent of the usual one which spreads our couch with thorns. A particular building lately erected here which has...
276To John Jay from Lafayette, 7 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
This Letter Goes in the first packet from the Havre, a Change Advantageous Both to Passengers and Correspondants, and through the Hands of C ol . Franks whose Good Conduct at Morocco Has Entitled Him to a share of that Respect which Has Been deservedly paid to the American Embassy. M r . Barklay’s Refusal of the patents, Has Been a Matter of wonder to Every Affrican, and I dare Say to Some...
277From George Washington to William Washington, 30 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
My nephew delivered me your letter of the 21st of April. For the kind attention shewn him by Mrs Washington & yourself he entertains a grateful sense, & I offer you my sincere thanks, which I should be glad to renew to you both, in person at this place. He enjoys a tolerable share of health, but is gone to (what are called in this Country) the Sweet Springs, to obtain a better stock to fit him...
278To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 30 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My avocat informed me that you have the Goodness for me, to imploy Mr Barclay to do what will be Nessesary to Render me justis. When I was arrested the inspecter of the Polize Put a gardien in to my house to garde my goods and gard de Robe, two days ago I was informed that the Person Stole all that was left in to his Care but Very fortunate we have got him...
279John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 21 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am now much more at my disposal, with respect to my Time, than I was at Haverhill, and can devote more of it to writing, though, it is said, this Quarter, that is, the last of the Junior Sophister year, is most important, and busy, than any other in the four years. Mr: Williams’s Lectures on natural Philosophy, render it so; his Course consists of 24 Lectures, 13 of which we have already...
280[Diary entry: 13 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 80 in the Morng.—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Rid to my Muddy hole and Neck Plantations, and beheld Corn in a melancholy situation, fired in most places to the Ear with little appearance of yielding if rain should soon come & a certainty of making nothing if it did not. Attempts had been made at both these Plantations to sow Wheat, but stirring the ground in the...
281To Thomas Jefferson from David Rittenhouse, 8 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
About two Months ago I received your very valuable present of Books, mentioned in the last letter I had the pleasure to receive from you, for which I am greatly obliged to you. M. Cassini has sent me a Copy of the Observations made at the Royal Observatory at Paris in the Year 1786. I am at a loss to direct to him, will it be convenient for you to return my sincere thanks to him for this...
282To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, 17 February 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 12th. Instant I have just reced & am glad to find your Sentiments coinside with mine respecting the deposit of Bank Stock. I will immediately subscribe two thousand dollars for Mr Church. By the very next oppo. I will send a Sketch of the Acct between us. I am with respect Sir Your most Obdt Servt LC , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Letter not found.
283From George Washington to Charles Washington, 28 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter dated the 15th of January (which I presume must be a mistake, as the bearer says he left your House the day before yesterday) came to my hands last Night. I thank you for your kind congratulation on my return to private life, which is highly pleasing to me. Your Son George went down with me the 11th of this Month to Fredericksburgh, where I left him. In a day or two after, he...
284II. Winthrop Sargent’s Journal, 4–18 May (Washington Papers)
Tuesday the 4th of May. 1784. ⟨Assembled at the City Tavern, & after choosing a committee of three to examine the credentials of gentlemen who should present themselves as delegates to the General Meeting, adjourned till 9 o’clock tomorrow morning:—⟩ [Wednesday, May 5th, 1784.] Convened at nine:—Reced the report of the committee, as follows; Properly elected for N. H. Henry Dearborn....
285To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, [ca. 28 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Oster, an agreable and amiable, but unfortunate French Lady will deliver this. And tho’ I have Nothing worth communicating, I could not refrain, on so favourable an opportunity, of once more testifying the sincere Wishes I always entertain for your Happiness whilst so remote from your native land, and also Acknowledgments which are due for past Favours. I sent, some Time past, a small...
286To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne de Bourdic, [1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Son excellence daignera telle Se rappeller dune femme qu’elle a Comble de bontes a passi et qui a eu lhonneur de La voir asses Souvent pour etre autant ladmiratrice de Ses vertus que de Ses talents; elle Conserve avec Soin La medaille qu’il lui donna Cest Le gage precieux d’un Sentiment dont elle Shonore et dont elle jouit; elle a porte avec elle Le petit...
287VIII. American Commissioners to William Carmichael, 12 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barclay will deliver you this letter in his way to Morocco. We have appointed him to this negotiation in hopes of obtaining the friendship of that State to our country, and of opening by that means the commerce of the Mediterranean, an object of sufficient importance to induce him to accept of the trust. We recommend him and Colo. Franks who goes with him to your attention and assistance,...
288From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dandridge for reasons which he can better explain to you than I, have requested that the enclosed Bonds may be put in Suit. I beg it may be done accordingly. Upon so great a change as has lately taken place in your career of life I ought, possibly to have begun this letter with compliments of congratulation but as they are not less sincere on account of there being made the second Paragraph...
289Remarks on the Situation at Great Falls, [post 14] January 1789 (Madison Papers)
The importance of the spott at the great Falls of Potowmack, and the value of the property including it appear from the following considerations— First: The singular fitness of the situation for every species of water works. Merchants Mills, Forges, Slitting & Plating Mills, Saw Mills &c. &c. may be erected here with greater advantages from nature than at any place perhaps within the whole...
290To George Washington from William Brown, 7 October 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Brown, 7 Oct. 1785. GW wrote Brown on 24 Nov. : “I am really ashamed, at this late hour to have the receipt of your favor of the 7th of Octor, to acknowledge.”
291[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 4 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “A. Cary. Proceedings of Congr. on Western cession—execution of deed—refused commit Indiana—Kentucky petition—further cession to meridian mouth Kanhaw.—paiments and arrears of states on requisition of Oct. 30. 1781. for 8. million—ratification sailed Feb. 17—Turks and Russians—Fox and North resigned—Pr. Wales against E. Ind. bill—Pitt-Adams and...
292To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 14 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Madrid, 14 Aug. 1788. After examining his accounts with Congress, he has taken liberty of drawing on Willink & Van Staphorst at Amsterdam for 4614ƒ. 3s. 6d. in accordance with TJ’s advice of 3 June. “I transmit you the first setts of Exchange in favor of Messrs. Etienne Drouilhet & Cy. who have constantly supplied me with Money for my necessary expences while they have refused credit to others...
293From George Washington to Thomas Bedwell, 7 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ulto with the patterns enclosed, I have received. I am sorry for the misfortunes which you have met with in the course of your business, & heartily wish that your future attempts to carry on any useful manufactory, may succeed; but I think Sir, that it would be presumption in me to recommend to any Gentleman in the State of South Carolina, a person from Philada with...
294To Thomas Jefferson from Dussaut, 16 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 16 Jan. 1789 . Desnes frères have just written him to ask what “ Les papiers de La Carolina Du Sud ” of 1779 are worth and whether any are to be had. He transmits the inquiry to TJ as the one best able to answer it. RC ( DLC ); in French; 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 16 Jan. 1789.
295From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, 23 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 23, 1786 . Plans to bring the cause of Benjamin Paine, et al. v. Peter Mesier, Jr. and Jacob Van Voorhees to trial at the next term of the Supreme Court. Copy, Mr. Otto Madlener, Hubbard Woods, Illinois.
296To George Washington from Benjamin Hawkins, 10 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency some acts passed the last Session of our Legislature—by which you will see in some measure the disposition of this State to comply with the views of Congress; as well as, to grant such further powers as may render the Confederation more competent to the purposes of the Union. The Act for levying our proportion of one million five hundred thousand...
297To Thomas Jefferson from Pierre Bon, 30 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Quoique je n’aye pas l’avantage d’etre connu de vous, je viens vous supplier de vouloir bien vous interesser dans l’affaire le plus juste qui parut jamais: Divers membres de la Regence du Canton de Berne en Suisse ont exercé envers moi des violences inouïes, je n’ai pu en avoir justice depuis audelà de cinq ans que je la sollicite, et ce qu’il y a d’etrange, c’est que plus j’ai de droit, plus...
298From Thomas Jefferson to Castries, 9 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
On receiving the honor of your Excellency’s letter of December 30 on the subject of the debts due by Robinson and Francfort to Françoise Rippert, I asked of Captain Jones those informations which his office had put him in possession of. I now trouble you with a copy of his letter on the subject. Your Excellency will find by that that Robinson having belonged to the Alliance, and the portions...
299From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 29 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Our Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties We are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter.— I know nothing of Capt Lambs...
300To George Washington from Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 15 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Being honoured with a recommendatory letter of the Marquis de La Fayette to your Excellency, in view to adsist my endeavours to Settle my in this commonwealth with my wife and two children, who followed their husband and father from the Unhappy Nethelands I thougth it my duty to Sent that letter to your Excellency, as soon Possible. Althoug I lost the greatest part of my fortune in the defence...