2601To George Washington from Jean Le Mayeur, 14 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
among the many civilities I had the honor of reciving in your Excellencys family there was one which little master George frequently showed in lending me his blue horse when I had occasion to ride—I have been so fortunate since my return to this City as to meet with a little red horse which I beg to have the pleasure of presenting to him as a token of my regard. this little horse is just big...
2602Elbridge Gerry to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am this day, Madam, favoured with your Letter of the 19th. of March, and embrace the earliest Oppertunity of informing You, that it is highly probable, Congress will make their Arrangements, for negotiating commercial Treaties this Week. The Subject has several Months been prepared, for Deliberation, but this has been prevented by the Want of a full Representation; untill of late, there...
2603[Diary entry: 4 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 4th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind at So. West, veering more Westerly. Morning wet, and till Noon dripping; Clear afterwards, and wind fresh.
2604[Diary entry: 25 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 25th. Another delegate coming in from the State of New Jersey made a quoram; and Seven States being now represented, the body was Organized and I was called to the Chair by a unanim. vote. Major Jackson was appointed Secretary—and a Com[mitt]ee consisting of Mr. Wythe, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Chs. Pinkney chosen to prepare rules & regulations by which the Convention was to be governed. To...
2605To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
I now do myself the pleasure to inclose to you a copy of the Arret explanatory of that of Sep. 28. on the subject of our whale oils. mr̃ Necker in a letter to me has renewed the promise of taking off the 10. sous per livre at the end of the next year. but at the same time he observes that whenever the national fishery shall be able to supply their demand for whale oil we must expect a repeal...
2606To Benjamin Franklin from Saint-Olympe, 15 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. de Lestrade medecin du Roi à la martinique a fait depuis nombre d’années L’utile découverte d’un remede Contre la pierre. Après avoir multiplié ses expériences sur un grand nombre de sujets atteints de Ce mal, & arrivé à Ce dégré de Conviction qui peut seule authoriser un médecin à qualifier un remede de spécifique. M. de Lestrade a employé divers moyens...
2607To James Madison from James McClurg, 31 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am to thank you for the favor you did me in inclosing a copy of the new constitution; which has ever since been the principal topic of political conversation in every company. It was at first reciev’d with a prepossession in it’s favor almost enthusiastic, in our towns especially. The circumstances, however, which in this state partic[ularl]y tended to excite Suspicion & jealousy, have...
2608To Thomas Jefferson from Vergennes, 30 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 21. de ce mois, ainsi que celle qui m’étoit adressée de la part du Sr. Samuel Shaw. Je me suis fait un devoir, Monsieur, de rendre compte au Roi des prévenances que Ses Officiers ont faites à ceux qui commandoient le navire américain qui a été à la Chine; Sa Majesté a apris avec une véritable satisfaction que les...
2609To Benjamin Franklin from the Regents of the University of the State of New York, 12 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Lieutenant Colonel Clarkson will have the honor of delivering your Excellency this Letter. His business in Europe is to solicit donations for the University of the State of New York. We have instructed him to consult with your Excellency on the most proper mode of effecting the Objects of his Mission And we flatter ourselves that notwithstanding the...
2610To George Washington from David Humphreys, 11 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive, last evening by the Post, your letter of the 23d of Jany, and am happy to relieve you from your apprehension, by informing that your confidential favor of the 26th of Decr with its enclosures had long since been safely received; & duly acknowledged in a private letter which was forwarded more than a fortnight since, by Colo. Wadsworth. But as he has business at New...
2611Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
I do not know whether you have heard a word from me since I left you, if you have not, I presume it will afford you some pleasure to be assured that I got home well, though we had an uncommon cold time— We found our own Family in good Health— But Miss Lydia Marsh was very sick with the scarlet fever, & good Mrs Marsh was taken the day we got home with a very voilent fever, which threatened...
2612From George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Count Wengiersky, a Polish Gentleman travelling the Continent for his amusement, will have the pleasure to deliver you this; he comes recommended to me by the Marquis de la Fayette and by the Minister of France and as he proposes to take West-point in his tour I take the liberty to Request your civilities to him during his stay there. Mr Vernon, an English Gentleman lately from Europe travels...
2613From George Washington to Joseph Wright, 30 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened that your card of Septr 1st, with the Bust which accompanied it, did not get to my hands until some time in the course of last month: & that a letter from your good mother dated Decr 8th 1783, only reached me the 12th of last December. For the first you will please to receive the united acknowledgements & thanks of Mrs Washington & myself. The large one she prays may give...
261427. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Judge Greenleaf’s. Foster came home.
2615III. Some Thoughts on a Coinage, [ca. March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Some Thoughts on a Coinage, and the Money Unit for the U.S. Transition from money to weights. Transition from weights to measures. Transition from measures to time. I find new dollars of 1774,80,81 (qu. Mexico Pillar) weigh 18 dwt. 9 grs.=441 grs. If of this there be but 365 grs. pure silver, the alloy would be of 2.1 oz. in the ℔. instead of 19 dwt. the common Spanish alloy, which is 1 dwt....
2616[Diary entry: 21 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 21st. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—54 at Noon & 55 at Night. More or less rain all night and variable wind—which, at times, blew exceedingly hard. In the Morning the wind was at No. Et. attended with rain. Before Noon it shifted to the Southward—blowing pretty fresh. The weather then cleared. This day a large Ship went up—on Tuesday last 4 square rigged vessels also went past wch. was...
2617From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 28 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been So taken up with Royal Societies and Royal Accademies, with British Musæums and Sir Ashton Levers Musæum with Wedgwoods Manufactory of Earthen Ware and Parkers of Glass, &c that I have not had time to write you a Line. You Observe I say nothing of Politicks for although I have been introduced to the great Politicians at their Desire I have not found them Sufficiently well disposed...
2618From George Washington to Robert Townsend Hooe, 27 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The plank I want is to floor a room 24 by 32 feet. It must be 24 feet long & 1½ inches thick—all of a colour, and entirely free from Knots & sap. More than the nett quantity is requisite, for allowances. If it were seasoned, so much the better; but this is hardly to be expected in plank of this particular kind. If Mr Swift can supply me, it will be better than to send to the Eastern shore; if...
2619Resolutions on Western Law Enforcement and Mississippi Navigation, 3 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Indian unrest and rumors of Spanish intrigue on the western frontier cast a shadow over the General Assembly sessions late in 1784. Virginians were moving into areas roamed by peaceable tribes and committing depredations that could only lead to retaliation, while word drifted eastward of provocative moves in the Ohio Valley that might bring an open clash between Virginians and Spaniards. JM...
2620Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 16 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received with pleasure your Excelly’s favour this morning and hope you are satisfyed with our endeavours to safe the honour of Congress drafts, the more as on the Reduced sheme is agreed for the million, so the inclosed explication will manifest to your Excellency, that in the final redeeming it is more profitable ƒ 1.89.946:17— than negotiated at 6 per C: a principal House the Broker,...
2621From Thomas Jefferson to Quesnay de Beaurepaire, 6 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never expressed an objection to the part of your plan relative to the theatre. The utility of this in America is a great question on which I may be allowed to have an opinion, but it is not for me to decide on it, nor to object to the proposal of establishing one at Richmond. The only objection to your plan which I have ever made, is that contained in my letter to you. I feared it was...
2622To Thomas Jefferson from Jean François Briet, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur d’écrire à Son Excellençe le 15 Court. relativement à Mr. Peter Dischong, et elle apprendra directement de Nantes par mon ami à qui j’ai écris le même jour, de quel païs il est natif. Mais comme j’apprends aujourd’hui que Mgr. de Calonne vient d’ordonner la restitution de la Marchandise suivant et Conformément à l’ordonnançe qu’avait rendu Mr. L’Intendant de la provinçe, mais...
2623From John Adams to John Jay, 28 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
An Agent from South America, was not long Since arrested, at Rouen in France, and has not Since been heard of.— another Agent, who was his Associate, as I have been told is here, and has applied to Government, for Aid. Government, not in a condition to go to War with Spain declines having any Thing to do with the Business. but if Application Should be made to rich Individuals, and profitable...
2624To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 11 November [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
11 Nov . [ 1785 ]. Extend dinner invitation to TJ and David Humphreys for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the farmers-general; they are to be at the Place Vendôme at two o’clock. D’Estaing will also attend. The Abbés are grateful to TJ for forwarding the letter from Adams. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated “Vendredi lle. 9bre.”; addressed.
2625To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Letters are this moment receivid from Gen l. Lincoln giving the pleasing intillegence that he dispersed the Party under Shays on the morning of the 5 th. instant— the Insurgents had marched on the 4 th. from Pelham to Pitersham distant 30 miles, with about 1500 Men— Gen l. Lincoln moved after them at Eight OClock on the same Evening and came on them by Surprize at 9. OClock the next Morning,...
2626Resolution for Printing and Distributing Session Laws, [18 January] 1786 (Madison Papers)
Resolved , That so soon as the copies of the laws allotted to the several counties, other than the counties in Kentucky, shall be printed, the same be distributed under the order of the Executive, by expresses, who shall be paid out of the contingent fund. Printed Copy ( JHDV Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of...
2627[Diary entry: 5 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday. 5th. Dined at Mr. Morris’s with a large Company and spent the evening there.
2628To Alexander Hamilton from Daniel Coxe, 4 April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
London, April 4, 1787. “… Interested as I am in a large landed Property in the State of New Yorke; under former Grants of the Crown, and which not having been confiscated, is considered to be secure to me in virtue of the Treaty, I am anxious to be informed, from a Gentleman of your high Professional merit, whether or not, and how far, the Principle of Alienism , is adopted seriously by your...
2629John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 8 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your friendly Letter of the 19. June, by my dear M rs Adams, with great Pleasure and Shall ever be obliged to you for a Line when you have Leisure.— I am very glad our University has so able a Professor of Physick, and I doubt not you will soon Silence all Opposition. I should be obliged to you for your two orations. All Paris, and indeed all Europe, is at present amused with a Kind...
2630To John Jay from Pieter J. van Berckel, 18 December 1787 (Jay Papers)
Je me trouve indispensablement obligé de Vous informer, que ce matin un certain John Wessel Se qualifiant huissier de Justice (Constable) a taché de Saisir, enlever, et emprisonner un de mes domestiques; ce qu’il disoit faire en vertu de une prise de Corps donnée et Signée contre lui par John Wiley Alderman de New York. Cet Attentat sur les droits et prerogatives des Ministres Etrangeres a eté...
2631To James Madison from Elias Langham, 11 April 1789 (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty some days ago to address a letter to you, relative to an Appointmt. that I wish to Solicit under the Federal Government. I then Observed that I shoud forward the best recommendations that I coud procure, for that Purpose. I now inclose such recommendations as I have procured & beg leave to request your Attention thereto. As I am unacquainted with the nature of making such...
2632From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 14 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to your Excellency the Bearer Mr Nesbitt a very respectable American Merchant settled at L’Orient. He will himself have the honor of communicating to you the Business he is come to Paris upon, and I request your Excellency will give him a favourable Audience & that support which the nature of his Case seems to merit. With great Respect...
2633To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 2 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received on the 30th. ulto. the Letter you did me the honor to address me the 18th. and I am happy to find that your Sentiments with respect to the generous interposition of this Court in our Affair with Morrocco correspond with mine. The reception of Mr. Gardoqui by Congress and the People of America at Large coincides with the opinions contained in your Letter. I am persuaded that the Ct....
2634To Thomas Jefferson from Lefévre, Roussac & Cie., 1 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Sr. Jn. Bapte. Pecquet qui se trouve un peu indisposé vient de nous remettre la lettre dont vous l’avés honoré le 5. May qui a rapport à une commission de vin dont vous le chargeâtes pendant son Séjour à Paris; il attendoit vos nouveaux ordres pour sçavoir la quantité que vous en désiriés de chaque qualité. Afin de ne pas en retarder d’avantage l’expedition, nous allons vous en envoyer un...
2635To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé André Morellet, 16 [March] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society On January 26, Franklin wrote a critique of hereditary nobility in general and of the Society of the Cincinnati in particular, couched as a private letter to his daughter, Sarah Bache. After keeping that essay secret for “some Months,” he asked Morellet to make a translation, which the abbé returned with the present letter. In response to the concern that...
2636[Diary entry: 11 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Mercury at 46 this Morning—51 at Noon and the same at Night. The first part of the Morning was hazy & rather cool. Before Noon it grew clear, warm, and pleasant and towards the Evening it lowered & the Sun set in a bank. The Wind in the Morning was Northwardly. Afterwards it got round to the Southward but there was very little of it. Employed all day in marking the ground for the...
2637The Federalist No. 85, [28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. ACCORDING to the formal division of the subject of these papers, announced in my first number, there would appear still to remain for discussion, two points, “the analogy of the proposed government to your own state constitution,” and “the additional security, which its adoption will afford to republican government, to liberty and to property.” But these...
2638To George Washington from Tench Tilghman, 18 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Excellency’s letters of the 4th and 11th. The first inclosing Bank Bills for 90 dollars which I beleive is more than sufficient—but Mr Peters has been so ill, that I have not been able to procure the Cost of the wheat Fan. My Clerk remembers shipping the Handle from hence. I am glad your Carpenter is like to please you—Having not met with a Bricklayer, I shall desist looking...
2639John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have only time to write a few lines for the present as the Post is about to depart. On Saturday the 15th. instant I sailed in the Packet Boat from Hellevoetsluys, and had another, long tedious voyage, tho’ the weather was so fine as to compensate for it in some measure. I arrived yesterday in the afternoon at Harwich, from which place I came in the Stage Coach here. The Adelphi Hotel, being...
2640To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 23 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my former of the 20th instant, I have received this day the Letter your Excellency hath honored me with the 21st. instant, inclosing me one for M. Charles Thomson Secretary of Congress which I shall deliver into the hands of Mr. Burgoin, if I can find out his Lodgings. The Carters left this Town the 4th. inst. with the Boxes, and was bound to deliver them unto your Excellency the 15th....
2641Notes of a Tour through Holland and the Rhine Valley, 3 March–23 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandums on a tour from Paris to Amsterdam, Strasburg and back to Paris. 1788. March. 3. Post Face of country Soil Produce Animals Inclosures Wood Bourget Louvres Chapelle } broad low hills reddish loam, some sand corn none none none Senlis
2642To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 18 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu Mon Illustre Docteur le pacquet Sur les ballons que vous avez eûe la bonté de m’envoyer je les examinerai et en ferai l’usage que vous désirez. Je vous envoye un pacquet que Je comptois vous porter depuis Long-tems mais que la rigueur de la Saison m’a empêché de vous aller remettre Mais bien malgré moi Je vous assurre. Je compte m’en dédommager au...
2643To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Robertson, 21 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the freedom to beg your Excellency’s assistance. I had the misfortune to Loose my father commander of a very Large ship call’d LeCouteulx upon her passage from Norfolk to Havre de Grace. My father was one of the oldest Captains out of Philadelphia. If you have made any stay in that place, his name, his Caracter and fortune, will be wellknown to Your Excellency. I am turnd out of the...
2644To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Curson, 13 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Favor of the 3rd. Current was handed me by your friend, Col. Mercer, enclosing Thirty Two Dollars, Amount of Sundry Articles which had reached you, and all that cou’d be procured here. As you did not mention particular[ly] the packet by Major Gamble, enclosing letters from Philadelphia for you, Mr. Monroe and Mr. Mercer have made me a little uneasy, as yours contained Cash &c. &c. Young...
2645[Diary entry: 29 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 29th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. A Squall of Wind and a little fine Rain came on about 6 oclock in the Morning; both of which were soon over: but the former continued pretty fresh from No. West until the Evening, when it became Calm. Cut the Weeds, wild grass &ca. which had intermixed with the Clover that I sowed at the home house and at Muddy hole—this...
2646From George Washington to Wakelin Welch, 5 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
On the other side is a copy of my letter to you of this date under cover to Arthur Young Esqr. of Bradford Hall, near Bury in Suffolk. The articles which I have written to him for are, 2 ploughs, with spare shares & coulters; & a mould to form others on. A little of the best kind of cabbage seeds for field culture. 20 lb. of best Turnip seeds. 10 bushels of Sainfoin seeds. 8 Do of the winter...
2647To Benjamin Franklin from Vicq d’Azyr, 15 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer le Rapport de Mrs. Andry & Thouret Sur les Aimans de M. L’abbé Le Noble, conformément a la Demande que vous avez bienvoulu m’en faire le 24 du mois dernier.— La Société R. de Médecine, à laquelle j’ai présentéce Billet que Vous m’avez adressé à ce Sujet, a été on-ne-peut-pas-plus flattée du Désir que Vous témoignez avoir de...
2648From George Washington to David Stuart, 12 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
At length I have received the sheriffs acct against me for Taxes—a copy of which I enclose you. Mr Ratcliff supposes I am well acquainted with the manner of discharging it, but in truth I am not—nor whether his charges are right, or not; I shall thank you therefore for your Inspection, & comparison of it with the revenue Acts; and then, for providing me with the means for discharging it to the...
2649Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I hope every post to hear from you, but every post has hithertoo dissapointed me. a month is a long time to be absent from Home without learning any thing from you. you have often left me and always was very punctual in writing to me. this is but the second time I have left you, and the first that I have been so long without hearing from you. I have written three times before, but have very...
2650From George Washington to François Barbé de Marbois, 7 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Frondeville President of the Parliament of Normandy has transmitted me the enclosed Letter, with a desire that I would convey it to Mr Lambert—I have some reason to suppose that Gentleman to be at Philadelphia, and shall be much obliged to you to inform me whether I may assure Mr frondeville of the letter being delivered to its address. With much Regard I am Sir Your very Obedt Servt AAE :...