1From James Madison to William Bentley, 28 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Crowninshield having made me acquainted with the passage in your letter to him, which speaks with so much personal kindness towards me, and so favorably of my discharge of the public trust which is about to close, I can not forego an expression of the value I put on such sentiments from such a source. The approbation of the wise and the worthy is the recompence which ought to be next to...
2Thomas Jefferson to William Bentley, 28 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
At the date of your letter of Oct. 30. I had just left home on a journey from which I am recently returned. I had many years ago understood that Professor Ebeling was engaged in a geographical work which would comprehend the US. and indeed I expected it was finished and published. I am glad to learn that his candor and discrimination have been sufficient to guard him against trusting the libel...
3From John Adams to William Bentley, 24 September 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of the 19th. and the important Box. I pray you to express to my Brother Octogenarian Mr Endicott my particular Obligation to him for his kind and obliging attention which has a greater Charm in it for me than a thousand panegyrical Puffs in Newspapers or the costly Presents of Emperors Kings or Princes would have if they had ever fallen to my Lott, which they never...
4Thomas Jefferson to William Bentley, 16 March 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the sermon on the death of Gen l Fiske , which I have read with pleasure. he appears to have been truly an a model of merit. and the more deserving of praise inasmuch as his good works being performed in the still walks of private life, were not to be blazoned on the great theater of the world. what a contrast does a character of so much benevolence hold up to view with that of...
5From John Adams to William Bentley, 30 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Well knowing your love of your Country, and your judicious discrimination in the choice of measures to promote its interest; I presume you will not be displeased, with the enclosed volume. Be so good as to accept it as a very small expression of gratitude for the many civilities I have received from you. At the same time your situation may afford, opportunities of improving the work and...
6From John Adams to William Bentley, 13 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
Mr Knox, a Son of General Knox, the Bearer of this Letter, was appointed a Midshipman on Board the Constitution fourteen years fifteen years ago, and afterwards a Lieutenant on Board the Chesapeake. He Served in the Navy about three years, and afterwards made a Voyage to the East Indies. He has lately Studied Medicine and Surgery under Dr Smith at Hanover. The War has revived his inclination...
7Thomas Jefferson to William Bentley, 9 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of your two letters to mr Eppes of Jan. 9 . & Dec. 23 1809 . I examined the state of my claims against the late mr Ronald and found, on a settlement of the accounts, the balance of £8–16–6 due to me with interest from 1799. Apr. 5. till paid. I inclosed my statement with yours to mr James Pleasants the surviving Comm r under the decree in Chancery, authorising him to fix the...
8From James Madison to William Bentley, 8 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d. inst: accompanied by a likeness of General Stark. I thank you for both. The latter, in its execution, seems to do so much credit to the talent of your pupil, that I, the more readily, confide in its likeness; and shall place it by the side of others, whose originals are known to have inspired the General with that esteem of which they are worthy. The...
9From John Adams to William Bentley, May 1810 (Adams Papers)
I received from our Quincy Stage under the direction of Mr Thayer a Box of Scions from The Endicott Pear Tree, carefully preserved and in admirable order for which I pray you accept my best Thanks. I have engrafted a number of Stocks which have taken very well according to their present appearance, and have distributed others to several Gentlemen in this and the Neighbouring, Towns. Mr Norton...
10From James Madison to William Bentley, 27 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of your favor of the 11th. instant, I have addressed the few lines inclosed, to General Stark. If the possession of this sincere testimony of my esteem be entirely satisfactory, it may perhaps be as well, that it should not be followed by a publication; the sole object being, to contribute in that form, whatever gratification may be afforded him, by learning the sentiments of...