6961From John Adams to Francis Dana, 30 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of 19. I have your Form of the Constitution and Some News Papers, none later than those you have. These I shall send by the first private opportunity. I forwarded your Letters by the last Post or two. The Constitution will probably be accepted, at least that is the opinion of all the Americans here. Last night I had an Account of Mr. Stephens’s Letter to Lloyds Coffee...
6962From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Dana, 10 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 25th of July, which I transmitted to Colonel Brooks, accompanied by some inquiries that appeared to me necessary. A copy of my letter to him, and of his answer, are enclosed. You will see that he insists positively on your having made the offensive observation before imputed to you; adds several aggravating particulars to his first relation; and...
6963From George Washington to Francis Dana, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with a resolution of Congress of the 4th Inst., by which you are appointed to assist in the arranging of the army. As so important a matter ought not to be delayed I would be glad to see you at camp as soon as possible; and to know when I can have that pleasure. I am &c. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The resolution is printed in JCC...
6964From John Adams to Francis Dana, 12 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
In the Lists of the House and Board, I was as much pleased to find your Name among the latter as I was chagrined to find it omitted in the former. This is one among numberless Advantages of a Middle Branch of the Legislature, that a Place may be found in it, for such distinguished Friends of their Country, as are omitted by the People in the Choice of their Representatives. This is an...
6965From John Adams to Francis Dana, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of 26th. Augst: OS. with Duplicates and Triplicates of a former letter and one original. These shall be sent by different vessells, as you desire. I agree to your Condition to make a minute of the postage, but you may inclose your letters to any one of the six following Gentlemen at Amsterdam and direct them to charge the postage to the U. S. viz Wilhem or Jan...
6966The American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain Shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the honour to inclose you a Copy, were compleated, on the thirtieth of last Month. To Us, at this...
6967From John Adams to Francis Dana, 17 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1. of this month and the Packetts you Sent with it, by Mr. Appleton. The arrival of the Convoy, at Bourdeaux is a fortunate Circumstance for Commerce: but I want to know the News and whether any of those Vessells were upon public Account, and whether any thing is sent to Us. I have taken a cursory View of Brussells, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Delft, the Hague,...
6968From John Adams to Francis Dana, 13 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 12/23 is just come to hand: Last night, for the first time, I Slept in this House, and I hope that the Air of the Hague will have a good Effect upon my Health, otherwise I must embark for the blue Hills. The Independance of America, has been acknowledged by this Republick, with a Solemnity and Unanimity, which has made it, in a peculiar Sense the National Act. The Publication of...
6969From John Jay to Francis Dana, 19 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 5 th . Inst was delivered to me Yesterday Morning. I am happy to hear M r Adams is gone to Holland. He will I am persuaded be very useful there. Accept my thanks for the Intelligence communicated in your Letter, and be so obliging as to continue the Correspondence you have begun. The Character I heard of you at Congress induced me to wish for an Occasion of commencing it, and...
6970From John Adams to Francis Dana, 18 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am at no Loss, what Advice to give you, in answer to the Questions in your letter of this day, because they relate to a Subject, on which I have long reflected, and have formed an opinion, as fully as my Understanding is capable of. I think then that it is necessary for you to prepare for a Journey to Petersbourg without Loss of Time, that you travel in the Character of a Gentleman, without...
6971From John Adams to Francis Dana, 12 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered you by Mr. Samuel Hartley, who is recommended to me by Mr. Digges and Mr. David Hartley. I should be obliged to you for any Civilities you may shew him. Mr. Digges recommends him as an open Friend to the American Cause. There is no News here but what you will see in the Leyden Gazette which is my Vehicle for conveying the News. Pray write me if you have any. I shall not...
6972From John Adams to Francis Dana, 5 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Decr. 31st/Jany. 11th 1781.2 I recieved Yesterday, and in an hour or two after the Letters inclosed were sent in to me. As I have not recieved any of my Letters by the Viscount de Noailles or the Marquiss, I was very anxious to know the News and took Advantage of your Permission to open the Letters. That from Mrs. gave me vast pleasure—it put me in Spirits for the whole day. The...
6973From John Adams to Francis Dana, 17 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
It grieves me when I think how long it is since I wrote you. But my head and hands and heart have been all full. I sent, to the Care of the Dutch Ambassador, General Washington’s miniature, for you. Should be glad to know whether you have recd. it. I have also sent along several Dispatches from our Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Have you received them? Fitzherbert’s Commission is to treat with...
6974From John Adams to Francis Dana, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Favour of Sept. 5/16. if my Son can find a good oppertunity to come, I should be glad to see him. But should not be willing to trust him with every Companion. He is too young for such a Journey, unless in Company with a prudent Man. Mr John Adams has a Letter from Mr John Jay of 28. Ult. informing him, that Yesterday, Mr Oswald recd a Commission to treat of Peace with the...
6975From John Adams to Francis Dana, 7 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. the two halves of your letter to Congress, and they have been sent on. I sent you a few days since a packett fm. our Minister of foreign Affairs. Sometime ago, I sent unto you the miniature of Genl. Washington, wh. Mr. Searle gave me, and I am anxious to learn that you have recd. it. I can give you no news fm. America, France, Spain or Holland, but what you will have previously...
6976From John Adams to Francis Dana, 18 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Favour of March 12. O.S.— It has for Sometime been my Intention to embark for the Blue Hills as soon as the definitive Treaty should be Signed, or even Sooner if the Acceptance of my Resignation, which I transmitted on the 8 th day of last December, Should arrive before that Event. M r Vanberckel will Sail from the Texel in June, and it would be agreable to me to go...
6977From John Adams to Francis Dana, 5 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your’s of December 30 th. , I recieved last Night. Orders are long since gone from M r. Grand to his Correspondent at S t. Petersbourg, to furnish You the Money You want.— You will find our Treaty inaccurate and blundering, but You will pardon all our Bulls, when You know the Haste and the Danger We were in, and think that We have done very well. I should advise You not to hesitate a Moment...
6978From John Adams to Francis Dana, 16 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of July 28. I duely received. Am glad to hear that your third Freshmanship is a busy one. I think you commence a fourth, at Philadelphia, very Soon. I have presumed to lay before the General Court a Proposal, to choose Nine Delegates. That their Duty may be discharged here in Rotation. The Service here is too hard, for any one, to be continued So long; at least for me. Who...
6979From John Adams to Francis Dana, 22 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of Nov r. 14/25 I recieved the night before last, & went out with it yesterday to Passy. D r. Franklin & I agreed to desire M r. Grand to give Orders to the Banker his Correspondent at S t. Petersbourg to furnish You with the Sum of Money You may have occasion for, so that your Treaty may be made as soon as You please. I should not be surprized, if the English Minister to the...
6980From John Adams to Francis Dana, 14 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
This day was brought me, your kind favour of August 28th. the first Line I have received from you, Since We parted. A Line from my dear Son, aug. 21. O.S. which I recd 3 days ago, was the first from him. The publick News from America, you have before now. It is grand and I congratulate you upon it, with a gratefull Heart. Our allies have this year adopted a System, which you and I have long...
6981American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the honour to inclose you a Copy, were compleated on the thirtieth of last Month. To Us, at this...
6982From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Dana, 11 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Colonel Brooks, of which the enclosed is a copy. In my reply to him, I pronounced the whole affair to be absolutely false and groundless, and pledged myself to make it appear so. The intention of this letter is to inquire, whether you avow or disavow the conversation he relates; and if the former, to demand, in explicit and direct terms, your authority. You must...
6983From John Adams to Francis Dana, 15 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Feb 10/21. arrived last night, and I thank you for the Copy inclosed. I think that if the Ct. of St. James’s is capable of taking a hint, she may see herself advised to acknowledge the Sovereignty of the U.S. and admit their Ministers to the Congress. There Seems to be a Change of System in England, but the Change is too late: the Kingdom is undone past Redemption. Minorca, St...
6984From John Adams to Francis Dana, 2 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 27 Ultimo came to hand last night. Mr. Bradford informs me that he Sent to Paris by Post a Packet from Dr. Cooper to me. Have you heard nothing of it? Upon my first Arrival I told Mr. De Neufville, that I had orders to pay him 60£ st. for you and offered to do it then; but he has put it off. There are no Vessells here going to Massachusetts—but there is one going to Rhode Island, and...
6985From John Adams to Francis Dana, 28 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 28 March is this day recd —the other Paper you mentioned I also recd, but after my Letter was written. Your other Letters are also recd. You will have Seen by the Papers, that the great Point is gained here with much Unanimity, and many indifferent People think it a great Point. I may think more highly of it, than it deserves, but it has ever appeared to me, the turning Point. Be this...
6986From John Adams to Francis Dana, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Pleasure of yours of the 7th. both the Packetts came Safe and in good order. As to a secret Address, you may direct under Cover, A Madame La Veuve du Mr. Henry Schorn, op de Agterburg wall by de Hoogstraat Amsterdam. It is not possible to suppress all suspicions after the Conversation you heard: but your own Coolness and Judgment, will be Sufficient without any hint from...
6987From John Adams to Francis Dana, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The King of G. Britain, by Patent under the Great Seal of his Kingdom has created Richard Oswald Esq, to be his Minister Plenipotentiary to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America. Thus G. B. is the 3 d Power in Europe, to acknowledge our Independence, She can no longer therefore contend that it is a Breach of the armed Neutrality or an Hostility against her to acknowledge...
6988Motion of Instruction to Francis Dana, [22 May] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, II, 121). That Mr. Dana be informed that the Treaties lately entered into for restoring peace, have caused such an alteration in the affairs of these States, as to have removed the primary object of his mission to the Court of Russia, the acquisition of new supports to their Independence That he be instructed, in case he shall have made no propositions to the Court of...
6989From John Adams to Francis Dana, 25 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
In Some of the latest Letters from England, We are told, that they grow more and more out of humour with the Americans every day, and that it is the Fashion now of the Minority, as well as the Friends of Administration to abuse them, both in and out of Parliament. In a Particular Mr. Powis Mr. Fox &c. express their Abhorrence of Congress—call them the worst of Tyrants and Say they deserve to...
6990From John Adams to Francis Dana, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Pleasure of receiving two Letters from you, one dated Feb. 1. and one without a date, but I suppose written the day before. With these I received the Packetts, but there are in them no Letters from my Wife. The Resolution of Congress of the 12 of December, gives me great Pleasure, as it proves that We had the good Fortune to be possessed of the true Principles of Congress...
6991From John Adams to Francis Dana, 6 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
You may easily guess from your own Feelings, what mine may be in communicating to you, the Intelligence that the Preliminary Treaty, to be inserted in the diffinitive Treaty was Signed on the 30 Decr. by the Plenipotentiaries on each Side.— We have tolerable Satisfaction in the Missisippi the Boundaries, & the Fisheries and I hope not much to regret with regard to the Tories or any Thing else....
6992From John Adams to Francis Dana, 8 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wish you Joy of your new, Scaene and Stage: You will act your Part well I doubt not, and I hope you will have much Pleasure and Reputation in it. I should be much obliged to you for a Letter, now and then. Let me know if you please, the Principal Things done in Congress, and in Camp: but especially, I should be very anxious to know, every Intimation you may have in your Intelligence from...
6993From John Adams to Francis Dana, 22 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved several Letters from You, but have been so busy signing my Name, that I could not answer. I give You Joy of Laurens’s Arrival—it is a great Event. I hope he brought You an important Paper, which Lovel mentions in his Letter to You, and Gerry in an excellent one to me. I rejoice Sir in your Honour, and in the public Good, but I feel myself weakened and grieved at the present...
6994From John Adams to Francis Dana, 1 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favour of the 16 of March, and in answer to it, I do assure you that I do not intend to decline taking a Seat in Congress, if any State in the Confederation shall think it worth while to offer me one. I am grown very ambitious of being a Limb of that Sovereign. I had rather be Master than Servant, upon the Same Principle that Men Swear at High Gate never to kiss the Maid,...
6995From John Adams to Francis Dana, 22 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured Yesterday with yours of 15 Jany. O.S. You must have learnt, sometime that the Peace is made, and the Armistice. You can no longer hesitate to make known your Errand. Whether the Advice of the Marquis de Verac is for it or against it, I should think you would now go to the Minister.— Your Instructions are Chains Strong Chains.— Whether you shall break them or no as We have been...
6996From John Adams to Francis Dana, 12 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I dont know whether I have acknowledged yours of the 12th. Feby.: that of the 25th. came to me yesterday. The Letter inclosed was from Mr. I. Smith of 18 Decr. He says they were busily employed in raising their Quota for the Army during the War or for three Years, and that the other Provinces were doing the same. He says Mrs. Dana was well a few days before: that Davis had arrived after having...
6997From John Adams to Francis Dana, 24 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of 14 th. February —and am not without hopes of receiving from Congress, in a few days, directions for advancing the money to you: But five thousand Pounds sterling is an enormous sum, and, in the opinion of some, more than the Treaty, in the present Circumstances will be worth. D r: Franklin started to me a doubt, whether you had not been imposed upon, and told of a...
6998From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Dana, 7 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft); Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I received the Letter you yesterday did me the honour of writing to me, requesting my Opinion in Writing relative to the Conference you had with his Excellency the Comte de...
6999The American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, AL (draft), and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: Library of Congress We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain Shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the...
7000From Benjamin Franklin to Francis M. Dana, 11 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 1st. Instant; and immediately apply’d to Mr. Grand our Banker to furnish you with the Credit you desir’d at Amsterdam. He acquainted me that having a Correspondent at Petersburgh, he could give you a direct Credit there; and that the Chancellor Count Osterman being an old Friend of his, he...
7001From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Dana, 2 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Inclos’d I send you M. Lovell’s Cypher which you desir’d. The following is a Copy of a Paragraph of his Letter in which he has made Use of it. If you can find the Key & decypher it, I shall be glad, having myself try’d in vain. “Our Affairs at the Southward are to be judged of by the Gazettes. We 11.14.8. 12.1.3....
7002From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 25 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lund Washington having furnished me with copies of the Accts with Mr Custis, I have drawn the whole into one view and sent it herewith, I could not Balle the Acct because of the blank Articles in it; and because there may be, on Mr Custis’s books, some charges against me of which I have no knowledge—with regard to the first, I leave it to you to extend the Sums in any manner you shall think...
7003From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 15 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Bartholomew Dandridge, 15 Feb. 1778. In his letter to GW of 12 April 1778, Dandridge referred to “Your favor of the 15th of Feby.”
7004From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 29 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Bartholomew Dandridge, 29 Mar. 1778. On 12 April, Dandridge wrote GW , “your kind, tho’ short, note in my Sisters Letter of the 29th ult. I have received.”
7005From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 20 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you from Philadelphia I have been favoured with your Letter of the 20th Ulto from New Kent. How far it is proper—or improper to delay the appointment of a Guardian or Guardians to Mr Custis’s Children I shall not take upon me to decide but this I am clear in, & beg leave again to urge it, that whenever the necessity for it arrives you shou’d take upon yourself the trust. I...
7006From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 19 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Custis, to whom I have spoken on the subject very much approves of your administring upon Mr Custis’s Estate and thinks, as I do, that you had better undertake it alone, than jointly with her—If it is necessary to have a Guardian appointed to the Children before the Administration is compleated, & the Estate divided It is much my wish that you (as the Natural friend and nearest relation...
7007From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 18 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 5th of last Month came safe to my hands—at this place; in the vicinity of which the Army is cortored. I am fully perswaded, from all Accts, that in Posey you have to deal with a most consummate villain; and from your own that you have pursuaded the most prudent method of managing him, and for obtaining that justice wch is due to Mr Custis’s Estate. I am clear in Sentiment...
7008From George Washington to —— d’Anieres, 30 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
By His Excy—&c. Permission is hereby granted to Lieut. D’anier an Officer of the Brunswick Troops from Canada, to proceed by Land to N. York, on Business from General Reedesel—and to return by the same Route, & proceed again to Canada. And all Officers civil & Military are requested to grant him such Assistance as may be found necessary. Given &c. 30th June 1783. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7009George Washington to Major Samuel Darby, 22 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 22, 1780 . Sends instructions for the “march” of the boats to Acquackanonck. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Darby was a major of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment.
7010I. George Washington to Major Samuel Darby, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will take charge of the Boats with the Army, and see that they are provided with Oars & held in the most perfect readiness for instant use. You will try them in the Water to see if they are quite tight, when full loaded; and you will ascertain the number of Men that each Boat will carry with tolerable convenience, & make report thereof to me. You will number the Boats, & put them into...