1Extract from the Diary of Ezra Stiles, [8 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excelly. Govr. Jefferson of Virginia visited me with a Letter from Mr. Sherman at Congress. He is appointed by Congress Ambassador from the United States or Minister Plenipotentiary with Dr. Franklin and Dr. Adams, for settling Treaties of Commerce with G. Britain and other foreign Nations. He is on his way with Col. Humprys, Secretary to the Commissioners to Rh. Isld., Bo. and Piscataqua...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra Stiles, 21 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your Letter of the 10th. Inst. which I received by Col. Humphrys three days ago; in which you are pleased to ask some Communications, which may be wrought into an Illustration of your Theory in opposition to the Opinion of M. Buffon. Narratives of the marvellous in natural History, and Reasonings upon them, are apt to subject the Virtuosi to the Imputation of Credulity and...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Colo. Humphrys needs not as some others Letters of Recommendation, being himself his own Epistle to every one who would take Knowledge of real Worth & singular Merit. He was educated in this College, of which he was formerly elected a Tutor or Professor. He has distinguished himself in our Army through the War, and Gen. Washington has taken him into his...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra Stiles, 7 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
You was so obliging, when here and in your Letter afterwards, as voluntarily to offer your kind offices in favor of this College. Your connexion with Wm. & Mary College led me at first to receive these expressions only as the civilities of Politeness. But your Repetition of the Offer of your Service, in a Letter, suggested that in your generous Wishes and Readiness to subserve the Emolument of...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra Stiles, with Enclosure, 8 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote a Letter last Winter acknowledging the Receipt of your Letter of last Sumer July 17, which I received latter End October, and afterwards the Packet of Books you was so obliging as to send me viz. Connoissance des Temps 5 Volumes and Bibliotheque Physico-Economique four Volumes, which at length came to my hand thro’ the hands of Dr. Johnson Member of Congress. They were a Feast to me,...
6To John Adams from Ezra Stiles, 28 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I think you will make no Impression upon the Court of Great Britain. And it is probable little Impression will be made on Algiers, while Britain on one hand may be inciting them to stand on too high Terms for us, & we on the other hand send Characters too trifling for so important a Negotiation. Was the Levant Trade open to America, the Profits to us would soon be very great, as we could...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra Stiles, 14 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the Liberty to inform you that, yesterday at the public anniversary Commencement in this University, the Senatus Academicus did themselves the Honor to confer upon you the Degree of Doctor in Laws. We ask your Acceptance of it as a Token of the high Estimation and Respect we have for your literary Character, as well as for your Patriotism and Fidelity to the united [States.] Our Enemies...
8To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 9 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to ask your Acceptance of an Election Sermon, which the Reverend Mr Morse a Tutor in this College will have the Honor to present to you. I know you must feel sollicitous for the Tumults in Massachusetts. They are doubtless magnified at a Distance. I confide in it that there is Wisdom in the Legislature of that State sufficient to rectify the public Disorders and recover the public...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra Stiles, 8 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
At our public Commencement 13th. Septr. last, the Reverend the Corporation of this College conferred upon yourself the Degree of Doctor in Laws. Immediately after, I journeyed to Albany, Ft. Edward, and Lake George, and was absent from home about six Weeks. Before my Departure I wrot a Letter to you advising this Transaction, and left it with my Family to forward by the first Opportunity. But...
10To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 7 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
As I know by your Letters to Col. Humphreys, that you are sollicitous for the Events of the Tumults in the State of Massachusetts; and as I have authentic Intelligence by two of my Pupils this day arrived here from beyond Northampton, one of whom had been captivated at Petersham by the Insurgts and was there released Ldsdy 4th Instant; I thought it might not be unacceptable to communicate to...