371To John Adams from Herman Heyman’s Sons, 31 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We are still greatly indebted to your Exelency for the Letters of Introduction your Exelency have been so Kind to favor us with for our Partner M r. Arnold Delius for Philadelphia & Boston Your Exelency will therefore permit to say you our most Humble thanks for this particular mark of attention for us, and we most Sincerly wish to have it in our power to Convince Your Exelency of our...
372To John Adams from John Thaxter, 31 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Laurens & Son arrived here last Evening from Paris— I waited upon them immediately, and learnt that they were going over to England as soon as M r. Barclay should arrive, which will be to day, in all probability, as he left Paris the 29 th. instant. Capt Barney, it seems, is directed to give M r. Laurens a Passage to Portsmouth, which is but a short run from hence— M r. Laurens will, upon...
373To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 31 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter for the Honourable R: Livingston Esq r. by want of Ships opportunity we recommanded this morning to the Care of M r. Brush, and having received with the french mail the inclosed, we forward it immediately. We have had a great deal of trouble with the Coachman, who made his acc t. that the hire agreed upon of 2ƒ a day till the return made already till now 290 days 2ƒ...
374To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman’s Sons, 31 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We beg leave to Refer us to our last Letter which we had the honour to write to your Exelency, by addressing you our most humble thanks for the Letters of Introduction with which you favored us, for our new established House in Nord America. Beeing convinced of the Patriotism which your Exelency bears for your Country, we hope you’ll permit us to trouble you...
375To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes: Two Letters, 31 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; (II) LS and transcript: National Archives; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai communîqué confidentiellement, M, à M. le Ct. de Mercy la notte que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me remettre; cet ambassadeur pense qu’il seroit convenable que vous la redigeassies d’après la notte que j’y ai mise: je me...
376To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 31 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
A moments’ time is only allowed me, to inform your Excellency that I have it in command from Congress to acquaint you, that it is their pleasure that you should, as soon as convenient, after your return from the Northward, attend Congress at this place, as they think your presence will be of special service at this important period; and the change of situation may be more agreable to your...
377To George Washington from Thomas Dawson, 31 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have information given me your Excellency has at different times advertized for a Person properly Skill’d in the Art of Agriculture in order to bring the lands in your Dominions to the same degree of perfection as in England &c. I now take the Liberty to Solicit your Excellency on the Business; I was Born in the Co. of Durham in the North of England where I was brot up in that line, I...
378To George Washington from James McHenry, 31 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will forgive me for not writing to you sooner and attribute it to its real cause, not want of the sincerest inclination, but of Censure. Perhaps before this reaches you the president will have transmitted our resolve for bringing you here and relieving you from that disagreable situation of which you have so justly complained in your letter to Congress. I was chairman of the committee on...
379[July 1783] (Adams Papers)
Je fus à Delft avec Monsr. Fitch et sa compagnie, qui partent pour L’Angleterre. Most likely Eliphalet Fitch, a native Bostonian, reputedly very rich, who may have held a crown office in Jamaica, and whom JA described to JQA as a grandson of Dr. Thomas Boylston “and consequently your Relation” ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and...
38030. (Adams Papers)
Nous retournames à la Haye.
381John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ I have already written you by Mr. Brush who will probably deliver this to you; yet I cannot help writing a few more Lines to justify myself with you, from a reproach; the Idea of which I cannot bear. If the Northern Regions have frozen up that Quick and Lively Imagination, which you are please to say, used to be agreeable to my Friends, they have most certainly not chilled my affection,...
382From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been the more particular in my letters to you, concerning that extensive Manufacture and Commerce of refined Sugars, in this Country because the Proximity of all the Sugar Colonies to us, renders a share in it naturally usefull and convenient both to us and them. Fifty Thousand Hogsheads of raw Sugars are annually wrought in this Republick and exported at a great Profit to Germany,...
383To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our friend W ——, has taken his measures & has Already agreed wt most of his people at 6, 12, 18 Months & 2 Years by equal payments— He hopes he will meet no difficulty with the others but thinks that the Extension of his protection to a year (it Expires the 6 septr) woud secure his Object by preventing any troublesome Man from laying by to Catch undue...
384To Benjamin Franklin from Cambray, 30 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Colo. Cambray’s most Respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin. As he is going in the Country he is deprived of the honor of waiting upon him. He takes the liberty to Send him Some letters for America in consequence of the leave he has been So good as to grant him. If any letters Should arrive from America directed to him he begs they may be Sent to his...
385To Benjamin Franklin from Staël von Holstein, 30 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Library of Congress Le Baron de Stael est passé chez Monsieur Francklin pour avoir l’honneur de lui faire part qu’il a eu le 29 du courant ses audiences comme Ministre plénipotentiaire du Roy de Suede chez leurs Majestés et la famille royale. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin / en son hotel / A Passy
386To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 30 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am this instant favoured with a lettre of the baron de Steuben a Copy of which I have the honor to inclose; as this is the first notice I have officially received relating to the society of Cincinnati , I have reason to be still at a loss to know whether the honor intended by the conference of that order on the americain’s officers extend to foreigners who have served in it with some...
38729. (Adams Papers)
Diné chés Mr. Ingraham.
388John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 29 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams having taken a Journey to Holland for three or four Weeks, and there being nothing of consequence to do in his Absence, Mr. Storer and myself thought it an exceeding good opportunity of executing our Project of a Voyage to this place, for the sake of the Sea Bath. We arrived here on the 27th. instant, after a delightfully fatiguing Journey. We passed thro’ the Province of Normandy,...
389To John Adams from Francis Dana, [29 July 1783] (Adams Papers)
’Tis done. The bolt of your Vulcan has hit its aim. The idea you mentioned to me some time since, relative to the use of the Credit I had asked for, and which in reply I told you was not new to me, that the same had been repeatedly thrown out here by persons, whom to suspect of sinister or interested views wou’d be deemed by some a most damnable political heresy, has crossed the Atlantic and...
390From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Blagden, 29 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : James M. Osborn, New Haven, Connecticut (1966) Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Dr Blagden, requests his Care of the enclos’d, and wishes him a good Journey with a happy Sight of his Friends & Country. Blagden had paid his final visit to BF on July 25. He was received in the “inner cabinet” where a “Great cover [was] laid out,” and the two men discussed the Montgolfiers’ “flying...
391From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 29 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Arthur Loeb, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1955) Whom I shall probably never have the Pleasure of seeing again: You some time since recommended Miss Beckwith to me; I in consequence recommended her to my Children in Philadelphia: the enclos’d will give you some Information of her present Situation. I hope you & yours continue well, as does Your affectionate Friend & humble Servant...
392To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 29 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je joins icy, Monsieur, La permission que vous désirez pour faire retirer de La Douanne un paquet de Livres venant de Strasbourg à votre adresse. J’ai L’honneur d’être avec un respectueux attachement, Monsieur, votre trés humble et trés Obeissant Serviteur Notation: Le Noir 29 Juillet 1783— Perhaps another book shipment from Hohlenfeld & Embser; see XXX-VIII...
393To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 29 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Vous vous rapellez, Monsieur, que sur votre demande le Roi a ordonné la Main-levée de la saisie faite à la requête des Srs forsters, freres, de tous les deniers qui pouvoient être dus à la frégate américaine l’Alliance. Ces négociants se sont conformés aux intentions de Sa Mte. à cet égard; mais vous...
394To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your kind Letter of the 18 Inst. and thank you for your Advice which I shall always follow. I have had a Consultation with my Creditors here which has terminated in the most favourable Manner possible. Instead of meeting men Angry from disappointment I found myself in the midst of compassionate Friends, & they unanimously offered me 2 Years...
395To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 29 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to represent to Your Excellency, that Mr William Clajon was my Secretary early in 1776—and that on the 9th of January 1777 Congress confirmed this Appointment, and added to it—that of Interpreter for the Northern Department. In this situation he has continued ’till now, without any military Rank. Like other public Officers he has claims upon the attention of the Public; and,...
396To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 29 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inform your Excellency that I have this morning arrived on board the Commodore’s Vessel off Crown point, the politeness and attention of this Gentleman induce me to believe that I shall meet with no difficulty or impediment in prosecuting the tour assigned me. In conversation with the Commodore I learn, that in conformity to his orders, he has landed the Prisoners...
397From John Jay to William Bingham, 29 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your obliging Letter of the 10 th . Instant, and sincerely congratulate You & M rs . Bingham on your safe arrival. A Tour thro’ ^ parts of ^ Europe cannot fail of being agreable to M rs . Bingham ^ her ^ and as
398From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Turpin, 29 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have considered the circumstances of your present situation as stated in the papers you have been pleased to communicate to me and will proceed to give you my thoughts on them as clearly as I am able. I shall take the following facts as the ground of my opinion. That previous to the present revolution you had gone to Gr. Britain to qualify yourself for the exercise of the medical profession...
39928. (Adams Papers)
Diné chés Mr. W. Willink. Wilhem Willink of Wilhem and Jan Willink, one of the three Amsterdam banking houses which raised the first Dutch loan for the United States in 1782 ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 3:125 ; 2:451 ).
400From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I find upon Inquiry, that there are in this Republick at Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Dort, near 130 Sugar Houses. The whole of the raw Sugars produced, in Surrinam, Berbice Essequibo & Demarary, were wrought in these houses. and besides, raw Sugars were purchased in Bourdeaux & Nantes, after being imported from the French Islands in French Bottoms: raw Sugars were also purchased in London, which...
401From John Adams to Robert Morris, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Upon Enquiry of those who best know, I see no probability of Success from any Application to Authority in this Country, for Reasons which I have explained to our Minister of foreign Affairs. Our only Resource is in the public Opinion, & the favor of the Nation. I know of nothing, which would operate so favorably upon the Publick, as the Arrival of a few Vessels with Cargoes of American...
402To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you a Letter received by yesterday’s Post from England— M Jay has already advised you of the arrival of M Laurens here. He returns tomorrow by the way of Havre— I do learn that anything is new is stirring— He thinks there will be a change in Ministry— If there is I imagine it will only be a change to strengthen the King’s Party.— They say little or nothing about the...
403From Benjamin Franklin to Nathaniel Falconer, 28 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of the 18th. Capt. Barney brought us the Dispatches we so long expected. Mr Deane as you observe is lost: Dr Bancroft is I believe steady to the Interest of his Country, and will make an agreable Passenger if you can take him. You desire to know something of the State of Affairs here....
404To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 28 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I received last post a Letter from Messrs. Schweighauser & Dobreé of Nantes under whose care the Arsnal belonging to the United States is placed, informing me that their Partner at L’Orient Messr. Puchelberg & Co., had some months ago laid an attachment on all the Arms and other Military supplies...
405To Benjamin Franklin from Gian Francesco Cigna, 28 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Les heureuses revolutions que Votre genie sublime, Monsieur, a apporté dans la politique et dans la philosophie, qui feront a jamais epoque dans l’histoire des Nations, et dans celle de l’esprit humain ont fait ambitionner a l’Academie des Sciences de cette Capitale d’illustrer son catalogue avec le nom du plus grand Philosophe du siecle, ce qui lui a...
406To Benjamin Franklin from Giuseppe Doria Pamphili: Letter and Note, 28 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) L : Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; (II) Copy and transcript: National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives of the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide The independence of the United States presented the Holy See with the problem of how to minister to the needs of American...
407To Benjamin Franklin from Isabella Strange, 28 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg once more leave to trouble you with a Letter to my Friend Mr Hunter. I do not yet know any other way of sending a Letter to Him and all I have hitherto are on Business. Mr Strange joins with me in presenting our respectful compliments. I have the honour to be Dear Sir Your very humble Sert Addressed: His excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / Paris...
408Motion in re Armed Vessels of Virginia, [28 July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, II, 195–96). In the hand of Arthur Lee, except that Hugh Williamson wrote the third paragraph and Elias Boudinot the words in the second paragraph between “Defence” and “Pounders,” both inclusive. These emendations may not have been made until 3 October or shortly before that date. Docketed: “Motion of Delegates of Virginia July 28 1783 for leave to fit out two Armed...
409Report on Maryland’s Payment to Troops, [28 July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, IV, 411–13). Docketed: “Report of Come. on Lettr. from Supt of Finance of June 20. 1783, with the papers inclosed relative to certain proceedings of the State of Maryland. Mr Madison Mr. Hawkins Mr. Duane Delivered July 28. 1783 read.” The first three paragraphs of the report are in JM’s hand, the last five in that of Benjamin Hawkins. The Committee to whom was referred...
410To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 28 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned and not docketed but in Jones’s hand. Spring Hill was his estate. Yours of the 7th. inst. came duly to hand. It is strange we have yet no satisfactory accounts of the definitive Treaty. the settlemt. of a British Ministry, I hoped, wod. have speedily brought that important matter to a close; but for any thing we are at present informed the time of its...
411From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, [28 July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed excerpts (William Cabell Rives, History of the Life and Times of James Madison [3 vols.; Boston, 1859–68], I, 490–91). These excerpts, except for differences in punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, and one minor instance of phraseology, are identical with the passage on the same topic in the manuscript of JM’s letter to Edmund Randolph on the same date ( q.v. ). If little weight...
412To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 28 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
Printed excerpt (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 694 [1892], p. 94). Below this excerpt the present editors have appended a notation, probably made about 1850 by Peter Force’s clerk, of two additional topics mentioned in the letter. The clerk described the manuscript as “1 page folio” ( LC : Madison Miscellany). I expect that the citizens of Philad’a whilst they are retailing their merit to...
413From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, [28 July] 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Cover franked “J. Madison Jr.,” and addressed by him to “Edmund [Rand]olph Esqr. Richmond.” The brackets enclose a syllable which has faded out except for the first stroke of the “R.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison July 28 1783.” Yesterday’s mail brought me no letter from you. The Address from the Citizens of Pa. came before Congs. on...
414To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 28 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
In acknowledging the rect. of yr. favr. of the 15th., I must as usual be very unentertaining in our total dearth of Interesting intelligence, whether foreign or domestic, all I can say of the latter kind is, that we have a very dry Season, wch., at this critical juncture, threatens a disappointment in the fair prospect we lately had of plentiful Crops of all kinds, which however bountiful...
415Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Demobilization of Troops, 26–27 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Docketed: “Resolution For advancing three Months pay to the Soldiers of the Virginia line, from the Southern Army 26th June 1783 Copied for Govr.” Whereas a body of troops of this States line in the continental service has lately arrived in the town of Richmond from the southward under the command of Captain Parker and other troops of the same line are daily...
416To John Adams from John Thaxter, 27 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Storer and myself arrived here this morning, after a very fatiguing Journey; tho’ I am apprehensive much less so than your’s, considering the extreme heats— Normandy is, I believe unequalled in the Riches of its Soil— Grains of all kinds in vast abundance cover an extensive Country— We saw also charming fields of Clover and Honey Suckle, such as would have delighted your Eyes— But...
417From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, [27 July 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
A few days since I was honored with Your Excellency’s letter of the ; and was glad to find your ideas on the subject corresponded with mine. As I shall in a day or two take leave of Congress, I think it my duty to give my opinion to the legislature on a matter of importance to the state, which has been long depending and is still without a prospect of termination in the train in which it has...
418The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...
419From Benjamin Franklin to Richard and Sarah Bache, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received lately several Letters from you, which gave me a great deal of Pleasure, as they inform’d me of your Welfare and that of the Children. Being inform’d that Benny had been ill of a Fever, and that he was dejected & pin’d at being so long absent from his Relations, I sent for him to come to me during...
420From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; copy: Library of Congress In this letter, prompted by Banks’s overture of May 28, Franklin rejoices in the peace, muses on the folly of war, and reclaims his place in the British scientific community, as he had long wished to do. Erasing eight years of estrangement, he notes with pleasure the recent discoveries made by “our” Society. By way of reciprocation, he adds a...