501From John Jay to Robert Morris, 20 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
By Cap t . Barney I was favored with Yours of the 31 st . May. By this Time I hope you will have rec d . several Letters for from me w h . were then on the way. Want of Health here has long made much writing painful to me, so that my Letters in general are short. My Jaunt to Normandy did me some Service, but less than I expected— The pure air of this Place has been very useful to me— The pain...
502From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 20 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
The Delays which have unexpectedly postponed the Completion of the definitive Treaty, have hitherto prevented my trying the Effect of the Waters of Bath for a Pain in my Breast, which has continued in different Degrees for a Year past. Were I much longer to neglect that only probable Chance of restoring my Health, my little Family might have much Reason to complain. I fear that the fluctuating...
503Draft Definitive Peace Treaty between the United States and Great Britain, [ante 19 July 1783] (Adams Papers)
(Project for) the definitive Treaty of Peace and Friendship, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, concluded at the Day of 1783. In the name of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, & Holy Ghost. So be it. Be it known to all those, to whom it shall or may, in any Manner, belong. It has pleased the most high to diffuse the Spirit of Union & Concord among the...
504To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Give me leave respected Sir to introduce to you my Brother Mr Benjamin Austin jr. & Mr Oliver Brewster (a young Gentleman of this Town who accompanys him on a Tour to Europe) who wish to have an Opportunity of paying their Respects to your Excellency & see that Country which has so generously exerted herself in behalf of America; & permit me to congratulate...
505To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote you at large by the America that has lately sailed from Portsmouth, you will give me Leave to write this merely as an Introduction to my Friend Benjn. Austin junr. Brother to Mr Austin who carried to France the News of Burgoigne’s Surrender. He is a worthy Branch of a respectable Family; a young Gentleman of much good Sense, highly...
506To Benjamin Franklin from Sousa Coutinho, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Portugal a l’honneur de faire part a Monsieur Francklin que l’Assemblée que devoit etre chez lui sera tenue dorenavant chez l’Ambassadeur d’Espagne. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin / Ministre Plenre. des Etats unis / de l’Amerique Septentrionale / en son Hotel / a Passy. / de sousa./. Based on four similar notifications among BF ’s...
507To Benjamin Franklin from the Ulster Volunteer Corps Committee of Correspondence, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At a meeting of the Comittee of Correspondence appointed by the Delagates of Forty five Volunteer Corps, assembled at Lisburn on the 1st. July Inst., held at Belfast 19 July 1783— Present— Leiut. Col. Sharman, in the Chair Major Burden— Captain Cunningham Captain Prentice Captain Moore Captain Crawford Leiut. Tomb and Mr. Robert Thompson, Ordered, that the...
508John Jay: Account of Conversations with Franklin, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Columbia University Library On July 19, the day after the American peace commissioners finalized their letter to Livingston, John Adams left for Holland, and Franklin and Jay, to judge by the present document, indulged in some moments of relaxed conversation. The thirty-eight-year-old Jay had been living at the Hôtel Valentinois with his family for more than a month, and Franklin seemed...
509To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 19 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Excellency’s Favor of the 15th of June. When I wrote my last Letter we had not then received any certain Accounts of the conclusion of the Peace, tho’ we did a few days afterwards by hearing of the Arrival of the french Cutter at Philadelphia. Some months ago there was a Hint given me of an Intention of building a Mill on Difficult, but whether I was told that there would...
510To George Washington from Abraham Schuyler, 19 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Corporation of the City of Albany having been apprized of your Excellency’s being on your way to that Place, have deputed us as a Committee to meet your Excellency previous to your Arrival. we have come thus far for that Purpose and are at the House of Mr Gerrit Staats whom we would request your Excellency’s Presence for a few Moments. We have the Honour to be Your Excellency’s Most...
511From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
our Dispatches by Barney must be ready the Day after Tomorrow. The many Letters I have written, and have still to write, together with Conferences, Company &c a . keep me fully employed. You will therefore excuse my not descending so much to particulars, as both of us indeed might wish— As little that passes in Congress is kept entirely secret, we think it prudent at least to postpone giving...
512From John Jay to William Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
On the 1 st . Instant I had the Pleasure of seeing ^ rec g . ^ your Favor of the 21 May Ma last, but have neither seen nor heard any thing of Doctor Wearing whom you mention as the Bearer of it— Should he come this Way, I shall certainly pay him all the Attention w h . you or Presidt Boudinott could wish— I am happy to hear that the provisional Articles meet with general approbation— The...
513From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was a short Letter by M r John Penn, who I suppose is near america by this Time— When I consider that no Person in the World is so perfectly acquainted with the Rise, Conduct, and Conclusion of the american Revolution, as yourself, I cannot but wish that you would devote one hour in the four and twenty, to giving Posterity a true account of it. I think it might be comprized in a...
514To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM over the date line, “Livingston R. R,” and in the right margin at the close of the letter, “Rob. Livingston July 19. 1783.” The draft copy, among the Robert R. Livingston Papers in the New-York Historical Society, frequently varies in text from that received by JM. I have this moment been informed that the definitive treaty is concluded,...
515From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, [before 18 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress Mr. F. submits it to the Consideration of Mr. Jay, whether it may not be adviseable to forbear, at present, the Justification of ourselves, respecting the Signature of the Preliminaries; because That matter is, at present, quiet here; No Letter sent to the Congress is ever kept secret; The Justification contains some Charges of...
516Richard Cranch to John Adams, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Benjamin Austin is a Son of the Honble. Benjamin Austin Esqr. of this Town, and Brother to Mr. Jona. Loring Austin who was lately in Europe. He expects to see France and Holland before he returns, and wishes that he may have an Oportunity of being made personally known to your Excellency. I am not very particularly acquainted with this young Gentleman, but the great Esteem that...
517Richard Cranch to John Adams, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlets herewith inclosed, I send you by favour of Mr. Benjamin Austin, Merchant (Brother to Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin) by whome I have wrote you more at large. He proposes to sail tomorrow for London with Capt. Love. I wrote you also by Cousin William Smith who sailed for London the 7th. Instant with Capt. Callahan. Last Wednesday I attended at the old Seat of the Muses, having not...
518From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
There is cause to be solicitous about the State of things in England. The present Ministry swerve more & more from the true System for the prosperity of their Country & ours. M r: Hartley, whose Sentiments are at bottom just, is probably kept here, (if he was not sent at first) merely to amuse us, & to keep him out of the way of embarrassing the Coalition, in Parliament We need not fear that...
519The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25 th: of March and 21 st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have been approved & ratified by Congress, and we regret that the Manner in which that Business was conducted, does not coincide with your Ideas of Propriety. We are persuaded however that this is...
520To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
La mienne du 11 e. étoit partie, lorsque Mr. Fitch me fit remettre l’honorée vôtre du 12 Juin. Nous lui avons tout de suite fait les honneurs de l’Hôtel & de Lahaie à Lui, à ses Dames, à Mrs. Boilston & Grierson; & à leur départ nous les avons accompagnés dans leur Yacht jusqu’à Delft. Nous som̃es grandement obligés à V. E. de nous avoir introduits en si digne & aimable Compagnie. Ils...
521Continental Congress Motion that the States Settle the Accounts of Officers in the Mustering Department, 18 July 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
That it be recommended to the several states to liquidate & settle the accounts of the depreciation of the officers employed in the Mustering department on the same principles as have been observed in liquidating & settling those of other officers of the army. AD , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives; copy, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. The...
522The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Yale University Library; transcript: National Archives We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25th. of March & 21st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have...
523To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The time Draws near for my Leaveing this place I Expect whe Shall be at Graves End about the Second of august I find Capt Barney is arived in France and hope he has Brought Dispatchs for you Mr Bingham I understand has wrote you the Gazet I Sent you hope Got sauef to hand Mr Silas Dean is hear he paid me a viset and I find from him Self that he wrote Some...
524To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, National Archives J’ai recu M. la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 4 de ce mois ainsy que les pieces dont vous l’avez accompagnée, relativement au Secours extraordinaire que vous etes chargé par le Congrès de demander au Roi. Ma lettre du 5 de ce mois vous a deja instruit de l’impossibilité où etoit S.M. de deferer a...
525General Orders, 18 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Pierce Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Army having been invested by Congress with more ample powers, for the speedy completion of that interesting business—The pay Masters of regiments will as soon as possible make returns to him of the cloathing due to the respective regiments and corps in the army signed by themselves and certified by the Commanding or some Field officer of...
526From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 18 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency being just setting off on a tour to Albany & the upper posts, when your Letter by Majr L’Enfant arrived, he directs me to thank you for the Respects you are pleased to express for him, and for your tenders of Service—At the same time to inform you, that the object of the Barons Commission is not of such nature, as in his Opinion, required the Assistance of an Engineer; but that...
527To George Washington from William Jackson, 18 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a late resolve of Congress. I am, with the most respectful attachment, Your obedient, humble, Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
528From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency, in the Moment of his Departure, directs me to inform you, that being ignorant of the Encouragement Majr L’Enfant has a right to claim from you, it is difficult for him to determine the question you put—But was he to decide, he should have no other Mode of doing it than by Seniority. Most respectfully I am Dr Baron Your most Obedt Servt NHi : Steuben Papers.
B. Franklin’s Observations on Mr Jay’s Draft of a Letter to Mr Livingston, which occasioned the foregoing Part to be left out.— M r . F. aubmits it to the Consideration of M r . Jay whether it may not be adviseable to forbear, at present, the Justification of ourselves, respecting the Signature of the Preliminaries, because That matter is, at present, quiet here; No Letter sent to the Congress...
530American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 18 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25 th . of March & 21 st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have been approved & ratified by Congress, and we regret that the Manner in which that Business was conducted, does not coincide with your Ideas of Propriety. We are persuaded however that this is...
531To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison esqr Congress Princeton.” Docketed by JM, “July 18. 1783.” I have received by the last mail your two favors of June 30. & July 8. They satisfy me of what was before problematical, the propriety of the removal of congress to Princeton. But with what decency can you retreat from thence...
532From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry you have been at the trouble of sending an express to me for information as to the transactions between the Executive and Nathan as I am satisfied I do not recollect a single fact that you are not already possessed of. In the winter of 1779. 1780. Mr. Nathen presented us some bills drawn by Genl. Clarke, Colo. Todd and perhaps others, which he said he had taken up at New Orleans or...
533From Benjamin Franklin to the Farmers General: Memorandum, [before 17 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of AD and transcript: University of Pennsylvania Library Copy of [Note given] to the Farmers General Mr Robert Morris, Merchant, of Philadelphia, is Superintendant des Finances of the United States. It belongs to him to make Provision for the [Payment of the Debt due from the States to the Farmers General]. Mr Morris is a Man of S[kill] in Business, great Activity, great Exactness,...
534John Jay’s Draft of the American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston) … (Jay Papers)
We have had the honor of receiving by Capt. Barney your two letters of the 21 & 25 Ap. last, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the provisional Articles have been approved and ratified by Congress, and we regret that the manner, in which that business was conducted, does not coincide with your Ideas of Propriety. Your Doubts on that Head appear to have arisen from...
535Abigail Adams 2d to Elizabeth Cranch, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
For these Two days my Dear Eliza, I have been in expectation of hearing from you. Mr. Shaw tells me he brought letters but I have not yet been so happy as to receive any. You see by the date of my letter that the publick occasion brought me to this place to gratify that degree of curiosity that is so universally attributed to our sex, but I do not think that the other sex are deficient by any...
536John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
No Letter from you, yet. I believe I shall Set off Tomorrow or next day, for the Hague, and Shall bring John with me back to Paris in about 3 Weeks. There will be an Interval, before the Signature of the definitive Treaty, and Several publick Concerns oblige me to go to the Hague for a Short time. When I get my Son with me, I shall be ready to go to any Place, where I may embark for home, as...
537From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last evening M r. Hartley spent two hours with me, and appeared much chagrined at the Proclamation, which had never been communicated to him by his Principals. He has too much contempt of the commercial abilities of the French—and consequently said that the French could derive but little benefit from this step of his Court, but thought the Dutch would make a great advantage by it. I...
538The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30 th. of November 1782, and we are ready to exchange Ratifications with his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers as soon as may be. By the same Articles it is stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty shall with all convenient Speed, and without causing any...
539The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30th. of November 1782, and we are ready...
540To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In case our friend Williams shoud not provide for Some bills drawn by Mr Bache of Philadelphia will You not think it proper to do it? They can hardly exceed 1000— If you think this proper—You shoud Write Williams to address the holders to you— My meaning in this is that you woud probably Chuse to save Mr Bache the dishonor & loss which is very Considerable...
541To Benjamin Franklin from the Farmers General, [17 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Suivant le compte arrêté entre vous et nous, le 17. Novembre 1781, Il reste du à la Ferme Générale, sous le nom de David, une Somme de huit cent quarante Six mille Sept cent soixante dix livres quatorze Sols cinq deniers, et ce Debit, comme vous sçavés, est le restant d’un million que nous avons prêté aux Etats Unis, pour la valeur du quel ils...
542To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I have but this moment 1 o Clock PM been honored with your Letter of the 6th. Instant, it has been long in its Passage, I must endeavour to make more Expedition in complying with your wish to return as soon as possible to Paris. I had flattered myself with hopes of being free. As tis possible nay probable that I shall be with...
543To Benjamin Franklin from John Wheelock, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to your Excellency from the Hague, requesting a letter to Dr Price, & the favor to be informed, whether any thing had appeared in the circle of your acquaintance conducive to the furtherance of the Object of my attention. But likely my letter has not reached you, as I have heard nothing since. I beg, Sir, the honor to be informed whether or no, in...
544To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 17 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favour relative to the promotions in General Hazen’s Regiment, which was referred to the Secretary at War to report. The Assistant Secretary has accordingly reported, that there is no record of any such promotions in his Office. I informed Congress how the matter stood, but they chose to have an official report from the Secretary. The fact is that...
545From George Washington to Jean-Louis-Ambroise, chevalier de Villefranche de Genton, 17 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with and attend the Major Genl Baron Steuben on a Tour he is making into Canada—and pursue such Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from him for the Execution of your Duty—Given at Head Quarters in Newburgh this 17th of July 1783. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
546American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30 th : of November 1782, and we are ready to exchange Ratifications with his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers as soon as may be. By the same Articles it is stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty shall with all convenient Speed, and without causing any...
547From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 17 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your two Letters from you—one of the 29 Ap r . by Col. Ogden—the other of 30 May by Cap t . Barney— I am glad to see the Col. and shall readily do him any Service in my power, as well on acc t . of your Recommendation as his own Merit— By this Time I suppose there is much canvassing for foreign appointments— I thank you for thinking of me—but as I mean to return in the Spring,...
548From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. JM docketed the letter, upon recovering it many years later, “Madison, Jas. July 17. 1783.” Your two favors of the 1 & 17 of June, with the debates of Congress and the letter for Miss Floyd and the Cyphers inclosed in the former, and your amendments to the Constitution inclosed in the latter, have been duly recd. The latter came by yesterday’s mail. I...
549To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favors of the 1 and 17 of June, with the debates of Congress and the letter for Miss Floyd and the Cyphers inclosed in the former, and your amendments to the Constitution inclosed in the latter, have been duly received. The latter came by yesterdays mail. I feel too sensibly the value of these communications to omit my particular acknowledgments for them. The usual reserve of our...
550From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 16 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday we waited on the Comte de Vergennes at Versailles, and shew him the Project of a Letter to the Ministers of the two Imperial Courts, which he read and approved. We told him, that we were at a loss what might be the effect of the Mediation—possibly we might be involved in difficulties by it—possibly the British Ministers might persuade the Mediators to offer Us their Advice upon some...