2651To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have the satisfaction, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favors of the 5th of Decr and of the 5th instant for which I beg you to receive my warmest thanks. I regard these letters as fresh proofs of your unchanging friendship and kindness, which I shall ever esteem among the cheif blessings of my Life. The Indians being in a bad temper when you went to the Westward I felt...
265231. (Adams Papers)
Eve with Foster at Mr. Jackson’s, He was out.
2653From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Sr., 13 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been daily expecting to communicate to you a regulation on the subject of tobacco, and an arrêt concerning all other articles of our commerce. Still however they are unfinished, tho’ I think they cannot be so many days. In the mean time I am favored with your letter of the 4th. inst. and congratulate you on your happy meeting with the ladies of your family and your safe arrival at...
2654From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
After visiting the principal towns through Connecticut, Rhode-island, this state and N. Hampshire in order to acquire what knowlege I could of their commerce and other circumstances I am returned to this place and shall sail the day after tomorrow in the Ceres bound for London: but my purpose is to get on shore in some boat on the coast of France and proceed directly to Paris. My servant being...
2655From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 4 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your favour of the 28 th Nov r: and hope in future to hear often from you, although I dont expect to be informed of the Politicks of the Country, so particularly as heretofore, yet you may write freely under the Same Cover. I should be glad, however to know, truly what has happened upon the Frontiers; I hope the Comte de Linden will be appointed notwithstanding the...
2656From George Washington to Presley Nevill, 27 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Accept my thanks for the information given me in your letter of the 25th ulto from the Court House of Washington, respecting the decision of one of my Ejectments. I have, since, been informed by Mr Smith, of the favorable issue of the whole, and of the necessity there is of my paying immediate attention to the Tenements to prevent the waste & damage which otherwise will follow. Consequent of...
2657To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 12 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I should have blush’d to have met you, after having so long delay’d repaying the money you kindly advanc’d me, yet the sincere pleasure I felt in the expectation of again taking you by the hand effaced every other impression & my dissapointment was real when I learn’d that you had return’d to the South without my meeting you. After you left me in Congress—I was subjected to the...
2658To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Doradour, [18 May 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Mde. Doradour a l’honneur de souhaitter le bonjour à Monsieur jeffersson; elle est obligée de sortir ce matin et ce soir elle iras a hauteuil; elle suplie Monsieur jeffersson de voulloir bien se ressouvenir qu’il a eu la bonté de promettre qu’il parleres a Mr. grand. Sy il menés aujourd’hui Mademoiselle sa fille faire ses adieux à Md. adams, elle seres enchantee d’y trouver Monsieur jeffersson...
2659Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams, 21 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
J’espere que dans peu vous aurez la satisfaction de voir paraître l’ouvrage de Mr de Mably, ouvrage qui honore également l’Ecrivain & le héros. Un Régent de cette République a bien voulu se charger de le traduire; il est déjà connu par une traduction de l’Esprit des loix très estimée. Cette production est trop intéressante pour tarder à fixer l’attention des Anglais & des Allemands. J’aurais...
2660From George Washington to Elizabeth Powel, 6 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Gen. Washington presents respectful compliments to Mrs Powell, & prays her acceptance of the Vision of Columbus which he promised some days ago, the Copies thereof, for which he subscribed some years since, having just come to hand. AL , ViMtvL . GW had subscribed to twenty copies of Joel Barlow’s The Vision of Columbus , several of which he gave away in Philadelphia. See the entry for 18 May...
2661To George Washington from William Paca, 20 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the general Joy on the happy and honourable Termination of the War we beg Leave to welcome your Excellency’s return to this City with Hearts Full of Gratitude and Affection. As long Sir as Mankind shall retain a proper Sense of the Blessings of Peace Liberty and Safety, your Character in every Country and in every Age will be honor’d admir’d and rever’d: but to a Mind elevated as...
2662To George Washington from Charles Vancouver, 10 May 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Vancouver, 10 May. GW wrote Vancouver on 30 June : “Your favor of the 10th of last month came safely to hand.”
2663To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 9 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
After sincerely wishing you many happy returns of the season, I take the liberty of introducing Mr. Thomas L. Shippen of Philadelphia. He has many interesting and not a few amiable lines of Character, and promises fair to make a shining and respectable Character. He has sometimes appeared to me rather exposed to step on slippery and dangerous ground and risk his usefulness in future life to...
2664[Diary entry: 1 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 34 in the morning 38 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind at No. West all day, & sometimes pretty fresh; at others very moderate. In general clear with some flying clouds. Planted the remainder of the Poplars & part of the Ash Trees—also a circle of Dogwood with a red bud in the Middle close to the old Cherry tree near the South Garden Ho[use]. Began with my two Tumblers to...
2665From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
D r Gordon who is arrived with your Favour of the 13 of April, will probably be disappointed in his Wishes that mutual affection may be restored; as much as he is mistaken in his opinion; that this is the only means of the Prosperity of both Countries.— America will prosper whether Love or Hatred Subsists. It is indeed improbable that mutual affection will ever be restored, not indeed So much...
2666To Thomas Jefferson from G. K. van Hogendorp, 20 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Various circumstances made me receive your kind favour of the 20 Nov. 84. only the next month, and the Same are the cause of this late answer of mine, which if I had followed the impulsion of my heart would have been long ago in your hands. No my dear Sir, I am not in the Austrian Service, and a native of Holland I serve my own country and did so when I was happy enough to form an acquaintance...
2667To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favor of Jan. 25. Col o. Franks sailed in the packet of this month from Havre for New York. this arrangement of the packets opens a direct communication between Paris & America, and if we succeed as I expect we shall in getting Honfleur made a freeport, I hope to see that place become the deposit for our Whale oil, rice, tobacco & furs, & that from...
2668To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz: Dedication, 1 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Nouvelles Expériences et observations sur divers objects de physique (Paris, 1785), pp. iii-iv; ADS (draft): Teylers Museum A SON EXCELLENCE MONSIEUR BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Ministre Plénipotentiaire des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique auprès de la Cour de France, Membre de l’Académie royale des Sciences de Paris, de la Société royale de Londres, &c. &c. Président de la Société Philosophique de...
2669New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on Places at Which the Legislature Shall Meet, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill to establish the places at which the ordinary sessions of the Legislature shall be holden. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled An act to establish the places at which the ordinary sessions of the Legislature shall be holden , which was read the first time, and ordered a...
2670Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 24 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
The affliction under which you are now labouring has been protracted to a much longer period, than I feard when I first left America. It was then I Buried the Dear and amiable Youth, for whose loss your Maternal Bosom heaves the sad Sigh, and over whose urn, all who knew him must drop a tear of affectionate remembrance. Nor were the admonitions given in vain. The last visit which I made him, I...
2671[Diary entry: 19 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 19th. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Morning lowering, and very like for rain, but about noon it cleared after a very slight sprinkling, not enough to wet a man in his shirt. Doctr. Craik returned from John Alton’s, took breakfast, & proceeded home. Encouraged by the little rain which had fallen, and the hope that more would fall I sowed about half an Acre of...
2672Enclosure: Floridablanca to William Carmichael, 24 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The King has not only condescended with pleasure to permit the extraction of the Jack Ass which you sollicit on acct of General Washington But further his Majesty desirous that this Commission should be executed to the entire Satisfaction of so distinguished a personage, has ordered me to look out for & place at your orders two of the best of those Animals, in case that an accident should...
2673From George Washington to Simeon DeWitt, 3 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
By the interruptions of the post, your letter dated the 12th of Jany never got to my hands until Sunday last. I have urged, not only in public, but private conversations with individual members of Congress, the policy, indeed necessity of having accurate Maps of the United States—& they know full well my opinion of your worth, and ability to execute them. All seem sensible of these, but the...
267424th. (Adams Papers)
Pickman went to Salem this morning. In the evening, I took a long walk with Thompson, down towards Newbury Bridge, in hopes of meeting Mr. Andrews; we were however unsuccessful. When we returned, I stop’d and past an hour with Putnam. He told me they had received a letter at Mr. Bradbury’s from Andrews informing them, that his health, would necessarily prevent him, from coming to-morrow, but...
2675To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Sr., 6 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Marseilles, 6 Mch. 1788 . Introduces his friend, John Turnbull, to whom he is indebted for the “acquaintance and Friendship of Robt. Morris,” as well as most of his American friends, and without whom his son “had never spocke English”; Turnbull, who, with his wife, will be in Paris a short time, will deliver “the Seven years meteorological observations made by Mr. Bernard , of our observatory.”...
2676Appendix VI: From Du Bouchet, 17 May (Washington Papers)
Being of all the petitioners for Becoming Members of the association of the Cincinnati, the only officer Whose case stands so pecular as to advocate for an exception to the General Rules of the society, I ardently Beg your Excellency to Be pleased to Reccollect, that I have on no other purpose, that to Get admittance to the order, Cross’d the atlantick, and that Returning home disapointed in...
2677To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Antoine Roucher, [before 3 January 1785] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society L∴ R∴ L∴ des Neuf Sœurs, est convoquée pour le Lundy 3 du iieme. mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5784, en son local, Hotel du Musée, rue Dauphine, à Onze heures précises. La Séance Académique Sera remplie par les ff∴ Du Paty, Marnésia, Pastoret, Roucher, De Cubières, Lantier et Le Changeux, Et Sera Suivie d’un Banquet. Vous...
2678Import Duties, [14 April] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The Committee of the Whole proceeded to set the amount of duty on each of the enumerated articles, beginning with rum. Sherman proposed fifteen cents per gallon; Laurance preferred twelve cents. Mr. Madison . I would tax this article with as high a duty as can be collected, and I am sure if we judge from what we have heard and seen in the several parts of the union; that it is the sense of the...
2679To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 5 November 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, 5 Nov. 1788. On 17 Dec. GW wrote to Newton : “I have received your letter of the 5th Ulto.”
2680From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 13 June 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Fitzgerald, 13 June 1786. Fitzgerald wrote GW on 13 June : “I am honoured with your letter of this date.”
2681From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Unsolicited by, and unknown to Mr Paine, I take the liberty of hinting the Services, and distressed (for so I think it may be called) situation of that Gentleman. That his Common Sense, and many of his Crisis[e]s were well timed and had a happy effect upon the public mind, none I believe, who will recur to the epocha’s at which they were published, will deny. That his Services hitherto have...
2682To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 15 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
It is impossible to express my Surprize and Astonishment at the Receipt of your letter which came to hand this day, mentioning an unparalelled Imposture in a stranger by the assumption of my Name pretending a Connection of the tenderest kind with me which never existed. The only Son I have grown to eighteen is under the Tuition of Mr. Wythe in Williamsburg and has never been out of America...
2683To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of May 23. and the two of May 27. came safely to hand, the first being open. that of the 22 d. from Montreuil sur mer had been received and answered on the 25 th. The day before the receipt of the letters of the 27 th. we had had your cases brought to the barrier of Paris in order to get the proper officer to go that far to plumb them. From there they were put on board the boat...
2684From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the good & safe oppertunity afforded me by Colo. Grayson to send you Ten half Johan[ne]s—the application of which shall be the subject of a Letter by the Post, when I have more leizure to write—not being able to mention the purposes for which they are intended at this time —With much truth I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt Hble Servt ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. The letter was...
2685To George Washington from John Spotswood Moore, 25 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of addressing Yr Excellency in order to Sollicit Yr Interest in continuing me in a post which I have for some time enjoyed under the present Constitution of Government, but which, I am now informed, devolves on Yr honourable Body to conferr —namely the office of Searcher at the Port of West point—Tho’ the Sallary annexed thereto is but small being £50 per Annum, Yet to a...
2686From John Adams to the President of Congress, 5 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday the third day of this Month, the American Ministers met the British Minister at his Lodgings at the Hôtel de York, and signed, sealed and delivered the Definitive Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the King of Great Britain. Altho’ it is but a Confirmation or Repetition of the Provisional Articles, I have the honor to congratulate Congress upon it, as it is a...
268727th. (Adams Papers)
Judge Sargeant, went away this forenoon proceeding on his way to Cambridge. Tom went to Lincoln. In the afternoon, I went with Charles and Kirkland to see my uncle Quincy. Mr. Wibird was here in the evening.
2688[Diary entry: 9 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear and rather warm, with but little Wind. Rid up to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington, who wanted to get some cloathing for little Washington Custis; and for the purpose of seeing Colos. Fitzgerald & Colo. Gilpin on the business of the Potomack Company. Returned home to Dinner. GW and the directors, after discussing...
2689To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Zane, 2 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in hopes of meeting you at this session as we were informed of the adjournment of Congress but not of your embassy till I arrived at this place. Your letter of November did [not] reach my hands untill the 6th of Jany. after which it was almost impossible to travel till Spring or you should have what is now inclosed much sooner. Mr. de la Bord was in the Cave with me and I have procured...
2690From John Jay to William Bingham, 31 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 12 Feb y Containing a Copy of one of 16 Oct r . last, for which accept my cordial Thanks. Your The Observations res in France respecting my app t . ^ a certain Event ^ coincide exactly with what I expected on that Subject Indeed the many interesting Remarks spread thro’ your Letter appear to me to have Weight. Our last accounts give us Reason to suppose...
269114th. (Adams Papers)
Finished reading in Wood’s Institutes; a book which has been rendered almost useless by the publication of Blackstone’s commentaries. Dined with Mr. Parsons. Took a long walk in the afternoon, and pass’d the evening with Townsend at Mrs. Hooper’s. Pickman went to Salem this morning.
2692From John Adams to Stephen Higginson, 4 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your judicious Letter of August the Eighth I have received and read with Pleasure. it was a great sattisfaction to me to find, that the representation I had made from time to time to the British Ministry had been in general consistent with your sentiments, although I confess there are some Points in your Letter, which I have hitherto touched only, with reserve It is no doubt true that there is...
2693To George Washington from William Barton, 28 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency may probably recollect that I had the honor of waiting on You, at the Winter-quarters of the Army, early in the year 1779, with letters from Mr Laurens and the late Genl Reed. Altho’ barely known, however, to You, I take the liberty of inclosing, for your own perusal, a short treatise on a subject little understood, or attended to, in this Country—namely, Heraldry or Blazon....
2694[From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 20 May 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 20 May 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jno. Bonfield. Receipt of his of Apr. 19. and 25. and of wine in good order. Will answer his bill. Wine good.” TJ must have erred either in the present entry or in that of 5 May in which he recorded the receipt of “Bondfeild’s Bordeaux Apr. 28. 1785,” for if there had been two letters he doubtless would have acknowledged them in the present; at any...
2695From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 20 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have received and forwarded your letter and pamphlet to Mr. King. The latest information from Boston makes it probable that every aid to the fœderal cause will be wanted there. The antifederal party have found such reinfor⟨ce⟩ments in the Insurgents, and the province of Maine which is afraid of creating obstacles to her separation, that there is the most serious reason to apprehend the...
2696The American Commissioners to John Jay, 27 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
We had the honour of transmitting to Congress, Copies of the Commission and Instructions, which in pursuance of the Authority delegated to us, were given to Mr. Barclay, to conduct a negotiation with Morocco. Mr. Barclay has conducted that Business to a happy Conclusion, and has brought with him Testimonials of his prudent Conduct, from the Emperor of Morocco and his Minister, so clear and...
2697To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives I return you enclosed the Letter addressed to you by John Jackson Pilot of Hull, dated at Hull the 16th. of October 1780. The Certificate joined with that Letter is (at least in substance) a Copy of the one I gave him at the Texel after his Arm had been amputated and he had recovered. It does not however I observe take notice that a second Pilot Boat came...
2698Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 25 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
We do ourselves the honor to inclose to your Excellency a paper which was put into our hands a few days ago by the Minister of France at a conference he had with us at his own request upon the case of Capt. Ferrier, the subject of a late Resolution of Congress. Your Excellency must have observed from that Resolution that Congress was careful to avoid a decision as to the Authority to which...
2699To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have remained here since the adjournment of the Assembly chiefly with a view of gaining from the Office of the Attorney some insight into the juridical course of practice. This has given me an opportunity of forwarding you 6 copies of the revisal with a few of the late newspapers under the cover which incloses this. They will go in a vessel belonging to Mr. Alexander. The gentleman also...
2700To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 27 March 1787 (Jay Papers)
I am exceedingly obliged to you my dear Friend for the Horses which you sent me by Tincker: & am only afraid, from their answering my Purpose so well, that M rs : Jay has sustained much inconvenience in parting with them. When you assure me that such is not the Case, we will drive them with more Pleasure. That Circumstance alone is wanting to make them perfectly to my Mind. They arrived in...