1[Parents and Boyhood] (Adams Papers)
My Father married Susanna Boylston in October 1734, and on the 19th of October 1735 I was born. As my Parents were both fond of reading, and my father had destined his first born, long before his birth to a public Education I was very early taught to read at home and at a School of Mrs. Belcher the Mother of Deacon Moses Belcher, who lived in the next house on the opposite side of the Road. I...
2[Harvard College, 1751–1755] (Adams Papers)
Continued November 30. 1804. In my own class at Collidge, there were several others, for whom I had a strong affection—Wentworth, Brown, Livingston, Sewall and Dalton all of whom have been eminent in Life, excepting Livingston an amiable and ingenious Youth who died within a Year or two after his first degree. In the Class before me I had several Friends, Treadwell the greatest Schollar, of my...
All that part of Creation that lies within our observation is liable to Change. Even mighty States and kingdoms, are not exempted. If we look into History we shall find some nations rising from contemp tible beginnings, and spreading their influence, ’till the whole Globe is subjected to their sway. When they have reach’d the summit of Grandeur, some minute and unsuspected Cause commonly...
4Travels, and Negotiations. (Adams Papers)
Quincy December 1. 1806. When I asked Leave of Congress to make a Visit to my Constituents and my Family in November 1777, it was my intention to decline the next Election, and return to my practice at the Bar. I had been four Years in Congress, left my Accounts in a very loose condition, my Debtors were failing, the paper Money was depreciating, I was daily loosing the fruits of seventeen...
5To John Adams from James Chambers, 1797 to 1801 (Adams Papers)
At a Crisses so Alarming as the present—when our Independance is threatened by a haughty foreign power—I think it a duty I ow my Native Country to offer Your Excelency my Services—And I now take the liberty to inform you Sir —that I had the honour to Command the first Company in the first Regiment Ever raised by Congress in the Year 1775—Commanded by Colonel William Thompson—and was at the...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Michael Welsh, [1798–1804] (Hamilton Papers)
New York [ 1798–1804 ]. “A Series of misfortunes which have pursued me from infancy … make me apply to you for a Small Sum to relieve me from present embarrassment. The portrait that accompanies this letter is not offered to you in barter for the sum required. No Sir, it is my request that you would honor it with some corner in your house.… It is Sir the portrait of the Countess of Serang,...
7Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Cooper, and David A. Ogden to Thomas FitzSimons, Joseph Higbee, and Robert Morris, Junior … (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November, 1800. The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “deals with legal matters.” Letter not found. ] LS , sold by Goodspeed’s Bookstore, Boston, February, 1942. For background to this letter, see H, Cooper, and Ogden to FitzSimons, Herman LeRoy, William Tilghman, and Matthew Pearce, October 17, 1800, note 1 ; November 17, 1800 . FitzSimons, Higbee, and...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Madame Caradeux Lecaye, November [1800–1803] (Hamilton Papers)
This is the fifth letter, Madam, that ⟨I shall⟩ have written to you, without yet having had ⟨the pleasure⟩ of knowing that one has reached your hands. This ⟨situation⟩ is matter of no small regret to us, and it would be still more perplexing and painful did we not understand th⟨at⟩ others of your friends are in a like situation. Being a common misfortune, we cannot impute it to any...
9To John Adams from John Marshall, 1801 (Adams Papers)
Inclosd is the answer of the secretary of the Senate to a request that he woud furnish the department of state with the names of the Senators. There being no official certainty of the Senators newly elected to serve after the 3d. of March may produce some doubt respecting the propriety of a summons addressd to them individually. There is not to be found on the files of this department any copy...
10To John Adams from Department of the Treasury, 1801 (Adams Papers)
March 8 drew an order, Warrant issued & I signed it the 9th for 2000: 0: 0 Dollars April 4. Recd on a Warrant of my Salary 2000: 0: 0 May 18. Signed a Warrant for 2250: 0: 0
11To John Adams from Latour Longnevoué, Marquise de Fleury, 1801 (Adams Papers)
Le Colonel fleury mon mari que vous avés honoré de votre estime & de Votre bienveillance a cessé de Vivre. le Délabrement de Sa Santé, la mélancolie, & les souffrances qui étoient la Suite de Son état lui rendoient depuis quelque tems la vie insupportable; & le même Courage qui lui fit si Souvent braver la mort dans les Combats l’a malheureusement porté a abréger ses jours. il me laisse dans...
12From Abigail Smith Adams to Elias Boudinot, 1801 (Adams Papers)
My Son having Sent me a coppy of your valuable Book, the President has read it with great Satisfaction and pleasure; I have not as yet been able to go through the whole of it, myself having resignd it into the hands of miss Hannah Adams the Authoriss of a Work entitled “a veiw of Religious opinions”—She is about republishing the third Edition of that work with considerable additions, and Some...
13From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 1801 (Adams Papers)
I need not put up the petition of Popes “teach me to feel an others woe” for I have mostSsincerely enterd into your affliction during your long residence at Washington, and thank heaven for your cause of rejoicing—I dared not write to you and feared the arrival of every mail might bring me the melancholy tidings we all so much dreaded, but through the interposition of a bountifull providence,...
14From Abigail Smith Adams to Anonymous, 1801 (Adams Papers)
it would be if made. we must be convinced, as well as the people of in general, that the convention taken all together is highly advantageous to the Country; Let then a thinking and impartial Man Compare the Situation of the united States on the 4 of March 1797 when the President assumed the office of their first executive magistrate with their Situation on the Same day 1801, when those...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I am just arrived here after a very comfortable journey. Our intention is to reach Albany on Wednesday morning, from which place I shall immediately write to you. I am less and less pleased with the prospect of so long a separation from my beloved family & you may depend shall shorten it as much as possible. Dumphey had planted the Tulip Trees in a row along the outer fence of the Garden in...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, [1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton called at Major L’Enfant’s this Afternoon, with intent to communicate something interesting. He will be glad to see the Major, at his house, this Evening or tomorrow Morning. AL , Digges-L’Enfant-Morgan Collection, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see H to L’Enfant, July 27, 1801, note 2 ; L’Enfant to H, September 4, 1801 .
17From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Troup, 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, 1801. The dealer’s catalogue description of this letter reads: “in regard to the case of the Ringwood Iron Co.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Goodspeed’s Book Store, Boston, Catalogue 101, Item 1643. Troup was the attorney for the trustees of the American Iron Company. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Philip Schuyler to H, August 31, 1795 . See also H...
18A Bill for the Relief of Sufferers under Certain Illegal Prosecutions, [1801] (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill for the relief of sufferers under certain illegal prosecutions Whereas the constitution of the US. has provided that ‘Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press,’ and that ‘the powers not delegated to the US. by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively or to the people;’ and Congress did nevertheless on...
19Memorandum Books, 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave Conrad & McMun ord. on J. Barnes for 218.90. Jan. 1. Inclosed to D. Higginbotham for Reuben Perry 65.D. 2. Pd. ferrge. &c. at Geo. T. .5. 3. Pd. at Gadsby’s Alexandria lodgg. dinner &c. 5.5 servts. .75. Pd. ferrge. &c. Geo. T. .5.
20Notes on South Carolina Patronage, [March–November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
7. Thos. Lehré recommended by C. Pinckney and Goodwyn by P. Butler & by Ephraim Ramsay Parker . fed. & able, but good & unmedling. Attorney of district. brother in law of Drayton the Govr. who is a violent republican. therefore let him stand till further enquiry. MS ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , file of James Symonds [i.e., Simons], 10:0777); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand, written in several sittings,...
21Jacob Wagner’s Memorandum on State Department Clerks, [March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Kimball keeps the accounts of the Department; and, when not so engaged, does such other current business as is assigned to him. Mr. Thom fills up patents for Virginia Military lands and for useful discoveries and inventions, and does such other copying and recording as is assigned to him. Mr. Miller records the foreign and domestic letters written by the Secretary of State, and does such...
22To John Adams from Matthew Lyon, 4 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Four years ago this day you became President of the United States, and I a Representative of the People in Congress; this day has brought us once more on a level, the acquaintance we have had together entitles me to the Liberty I take, when you are about to depart for Quincey, (by and with the concent and advice of the good people of the United States) to bid you a hearty farewell; this...
23Abigail Adams’ Memorandum on Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address, 4 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr Jefferson in his Speech; preaches observes, that, He may “ I Shall often go wrong through defect of Judgment, when right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground. I also ask Support against the Errors of others, who may condemn what they would not if Seen in all its parts;” If the Same measure was to be meeted to the new...
24I. First Draft, [before 4 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Called by the voice of our country to undertake the duties of it’s first executive magistrate I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look towards me, to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious...
25II. Revised Draft, [before 4 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Called upon to undertake the duties of the first Executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow citizens which is here assembled, to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look towards me, to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, & that I approach it with those anxious & awful...
26III. First Inaugural Address, 4 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Called upon to undertake the duties of the first Executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look towards me, to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious and awful...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 4 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Of all your old Friends, none can more sincerely rejoice than I, on your elevation to preside in the Councils of the American People. Not so much from personal feelings, or a local attachment; but from a confidence, that you will restore the administration of their government, to the original principles of the Revolution: to the dignity of the Rights of Man. Minute Philosophers, and...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Claxton, 4 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have thought it my duty to inform you, that at four oClock this morning the late president left this house, which, by order of the Secretary of the Treasury , I took possession of immediately— I have the honor to be with the most sincere Respect & esteem, Your most obt. Hble. Svt. RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL . Thomas Claxton (d. 1821), the doorkeeper...
29To Thomas Jefferson from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 4 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Writing sufficiently explains it’s object, and we presume, the utility of the Measure proposed, must be apparent, especially to those who have seen the number of wooden Houses lately erected by the Description of people whose accommodation is more immediately contemplated. We however, respectfully submit the Subject to Your Consideration; and if the Measure be approved, we request...
30To Thomas Jefferson from William Falkener, 4 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
As Secretary to the Committee, appointed by the Inhabitants of Warren County, to prepare an Address to the President of the United States , I have the Honour to forward the enclosed— Accept my Sincere Wishes for your personal Happiness and beleive me to be With great Respect Your mot. obt. Servt. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. and so recorded in SJL . William Falkener (d. 1819)...