691From Thomas Jefferson to Jacques Le Maire, 29 October 1784 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
You need entertain no doubts as to the grant of the two thousand acres of land to you from the State of Virginia: but in order that it may be chosen of the best you should be on the spot yourself. no other person will act for you so zealously as yourself. the General assembly of Virginia meets early in November & will rise before Christmas. on that occasion mr Page, mr Henry, and mr Madison,...
692To George Washington from William Minor, 14 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 27th May was Duly recd am perfectly Satisfied with your Generous offer of Leaving this Affair to any Disinterested person whom I may Choose. I have Laid my Papers before Several But Cannot get any Gentl[ema]n to give an Opinion in Writing about the Matter. they Say ware your Excellency to ask it of them they wou’d Gladly do what they thought wright but not Otherwise. but it...
693New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Granting to Congress Certain Imposts and Duties, [15 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
There appears to me to have been some confusion in the manner of voting on the two preceding clauses of this bill; the first, for granting the impost to the United States, having been carried by a majority of one, and the last, for making the officers employed in the collection accountable to them, having been lost by a much larger majority. I was induced to hope, from the success of the first...
694Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Hay call’d upon me a sunday whilst I was gone to meeting to let me know that She expected to Sail in a few days for Newyork. When I saw her before she determined to go out in captain Lyde who will not go till the middle of April, but Captain Cooper is a British Bottom, and on board of him they will not have algerines to fear. I cannot but think She is right. I freely own I should be loth...
695To Thomas Jefferson from John and Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 10 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bergamo, 10 Oct. 1788. Is grateful for TJ’s favors to himself and his family; their trip was “prosperous” and they found their “friends in perfect health and completely happy.” Awaits the arrival of William Short. Was “under a necessity of using Mr. Grand’s letter to the banker at Lyons,” and is thus accountable on demand to TJ for thirty Louis d’or. [ Beneath Paradise’s signature, in the hand...
69623d. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Thompson’s, with Mr. Andrews and Townsend. In the afternoon I took a ride with Little to Haverhill. I endeavoured to persuade him to go with me the week after next to Cambridge; but my labour was in vain. We had a very smart thunder shower, while we were on the road, but it was very soon over.
697From James Madison to George Washington, 24 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of the 17th. 18th. under the same cover with the papers from Mr. Pleasants. The Circular letter from this State is certainly a matter of as much regret, as the unanimity with which it passed is matter of surprize. I find it is every where, and particularly in Virginia, laid hold of as the signal for united exertions in pursuit of early amendments. In...
698To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 16 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4th. Ult. I have been honored with yours of the 2d. January and 5th. and 12th. of March last. I have also received a joint Letter from You and Mr. Adams of 28th. March; all of them have been laid before Congress, who as yet have not given me any Orders respecting the Contents of either. The first of these Letters vizt. that of 2d. January strikes me as very...
699To Thomas Jefferson from Lavoisier, 3 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai été pénétré de reconnoissance en recevant avec la lettre dont vous m’avés honoré Le Diplôme qui me donne le titre de Membre de la Société Philosophique de Philadelphie. Un Zèle ardent pour tout ce qui peut contribuer à la destruction des Erreurs et aux progrès des connoissances humaines; Une grande vénération pour Les grands hommes qui ont rendu La Liberté aux habitans d’une des plus...
700To Benjamin Franklin from Bailly, 7 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Bailly présente ses respects à Monsieur Franklin. Il a l’honneur de lui envoyer le regître auquel les Commissaires ont apposé leur derniere Signature. Monsieur Franklin voudra bien y joindre la sienne. Il peut relire depuis la page 87 où est sa derniere Signature; mais à l’exception des deux ou trois derniers articles, M. Franklin a deja pris lecture du...
701To James Madison from Thomas Thompson, 8 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
My Friend Mr. Thomas Pleasants read to me a Paragraph in a letter he wrote you, recommending me, shoud the New Government be adopted & consequent commercial arrangements take place, as a Candidate for the Consulship to the Kingdom of Portugal, at same time solliciting your interest wth. General Washington in my behalf; he also shewd me your answer. A Severe & tedious indisposition prevented me...
702From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gouverneur, Junior, [March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Bremar last evening delivered me your Letter inclosing a Copy of your Correspondence with Mr Lewis. In a personal Altercation between two Gentlemen where their passions have evidently become pritty warmly engaged, and for both whom I always had Esteem, I should not be willing to give my Opinion on the conduct of one of them, especially when the appeal was not made to me by both. On this...
703From George Washington to Charles Carter, 12 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I find that an extract of my letter to you, is running through all the news papers; and published in that of Baltimore with the addition of my name. Altho’ I have no dis-inclination to the promulgation of my Sentiments on the proposed Constitution (not having concealed them on any occasion) yet I must nevertheless confess, that it gives me pain to see the hasty, and indigested production of a...
704To George Washington from Thomas Bibby, 4 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter and a parcell which accompanies it was entrusted to my care by Sr Edward Newenham, to be delivered to Your Excellency; I regret much the not having it in my power to present them myself, an honor which the situation of my affairs in this state deprives me of. I have hopes however before my return to Europe, to be enabled to receive in person any Commands Your Excellency may...
705Monday Novr. 3. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went in the Evening to the theatre, Drury Lane where Measure for Measure, with the Apprentice were represented. Mrs. Siddons play’d the part of Isabella in measure for measure, because it had been said, she could not speak Shakespeare’s lines; and that she could not play in Comedy; for the first part she prov’d the contrary; as she play’d extremely well, but the critics say she has not yet...
706From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [28–31 July 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here My beloved Betsey the fifth day after we set out, the three first days with every favourable circumstance but the two last through very bad weather. I am however as well as I can be absent from you and my darling boy —nor was I ever more impatient to be at home. I can have little pleasure elsewhere. I hope and persuade myself My Betsey is not less desirous for my return....
707From George Washington to William Hartshorne, 14 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Wm Fitzhugh of Maryland has this day requested me, to enter his name for one share of the Potomac navigation; of which I give you this information: he has also deposited in my hands ten pounds for the first & second advances thereon; which I will pay you when I come next to town, or to your order at any time. I should take it very kind of you to forward the enclosed letter by the first...
708To George Washington from Robert Adams, 13 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am dericted by Sir Edwd Newenham and Coll Wm Persse to forwd you the two Inclosd letters, with a Box of plants; which I have given Capn Dwyer of the Sarah of this port, wh I hope may goe safe. If yr Excelency may have any Commds for this part of the Country; I shou’d feel my self highly Honour’d in Executeing them; or If yr Excellency wd wish to have any thing sent out I wd with pleasure...
709[Diary entry: 14 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Remarkably fine and pleasant all day with little or no wind. Rid to all the Plantations—began to sow Oats as usual. The first sowed ones in the Neck were beginning to come up. At that place Nat finished on Monday last laying off field No. 3 for Corn. At Dogue run finished filling gullies & grubbing before the Plows in the...
710John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had a tedious Passage of two Days from Helvoet and was at last obliged to Land at Leostoff a dozen Leagues from Harwich, and ride from thence twenty four miles in a Cart before I could find a Post Chaise; but on Saturday noon, I had the Satisfaction of meeting my friends in perfect Health at the Adelphi Buildings in London, I never set my Foot in any other House, till next Morning at ten,...
711To George Washington from Archibald Johnston, 30 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
Some time past I saw your Advertisement forbidding all persons from hunting on your lands without leave first being obtain’d from you —Should esteem it a singular favour if you wou’d grant me the indulgence of hunting from the Tumbling Dam to your Mill, some Ponds in the White Oak Swamp and a small part of your River Shores such as you shall think proper, the strictest attention shall be paid...
712To James Madison from Henry Lee, 11 November 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 November 1786. Mentioned in JM’s letter to Lee of 23 November 1786 . Concerned Lee’s sense of injury at being dropped by the Virginia legislature from the state delegation to Congress, and the “deriliction of the friendship” between JM and Lee because of JM’s being elected, so Lee thought, in his place ( Lee to JM, 20 Dec. 1786 ).
713[Diary entry: 11 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Morning clear & pleasant with the Wind westerly but not hard nor cold. After breakfast Mrs. Graham & her daughter went away and to dinner came my Nephew Geo. Steptoe Washington and young Mr. McCrae. In the Evening Colo. Richd. Henry Lee came in. mccrae : probably John McCrea (McCrae), a son of Robert McCrea of Alexandria...
714To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 24 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. came to my hands the 22d. at the moment the Governor and some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the receipt of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs. de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to...
715From John Adams to John Trumbull, 28 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
It was with much Pleasure that I received your Letter by M r Humphreys, in whom I have found all those valuable qualities, you led me to expect. from him too I received a Copy of M c Fingal, a Poem which will live as long as Hudibras. if I Speak freely of this Piece I can truely Say, that altho it is not equal to itself throughout and where is the Poem that is so? yet there are many Parts of...
716From George Washington to James McHenry, 27 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Not having sent to the Post office for several days your favor of the 20th inst. did not get to my hand till last night. I mention this circumstance as an apology for my not giving it an earlier acknowledgment. As you are pleased to ask my opinion of the consequences of an adjournment of your Convention until the meeting of ours, I shall [(]tho’ I have meddled very little in this political...
71729th. (Adams Papers)
The junior’s, this forenoon read a forensic in the chapel, upon the question, whether the soul be material: I pass’d the whole day, in indolence, and amusement. Pass’d the evening with Fiske at Mr. Hilliard’s. Mr. Reed and Mr. Ware were there. Isaac Rand , of Cambridge, was 18 the 8th. of this month. He has been if common fame may be believed very idle and dissipated. As he lives not in...
718From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Hazard, 1 September 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 1, 1786. Answers questions concerning a government contract for carrying the mail which Hazard had sent to Hamilton on August 1, 1786. Copy, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Hazard enclosed H’s answers in a letter to Nathaniel Gorham, September 25, 1786.
719From George Washington to Lund Washington, 20 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
Having come to a fixed determination (whatever else may be left undone) to attend to the business of my plantations; and having enquired of Geo: Washington how far it would be agreeable to him & his wife to make this place a permanent residence, (for before it was only considered as their temporary abode, until some plan could be settled for them) & finding it to comport with their...
720To George Washington from Henry Lee, 6 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am willing to guarantee the land as you may choose, provided you will agreable to the spirit of our bargain secure my payment for the horse in Kentucky lands, should those sold to you prove insecure or doubtful in title. You have alone or in conjunction with Mr Lewis a tract of land near Suffolk, which if you incline to sell I shall be glad to negotiate for. I must trouble you to forward to...