181From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with yours of April . The newspapers will have given you some idea of our proceedings, though in a state always mutilated, and often perverted. The Impost is still the subject of deliberation. The general quantum of duties has at some periods been a source of discussion. At others, the ratio of particular duties, have produced still more of it. The proper one between rum &...
182Import Duty on Slaves, [13 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Parker moved to fix a duty of ten dollars on each slave imported into the United States. Some congressmen who were sympathetic with Parker’s object preferred a separate bill on slave imports. Mr. Madison . I cannot concur with gentlemen who think the present an improper time or place to enter into a discussion of the proposed motion; if it is taken up in a seperate view, we shall do the same...
183To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 13 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I received Just now the Inclosed Letter for your Excellency from England. It has been unsealed I don’t know where. I inclose you the Cover , which was also unsealed, Just as I received it. I have only taken out the paper unnecessary . This Letter has been unsealed Just as all those comming from Levant or Turkey are by the Mails via of austria. I hope you will have received in time my last...
184To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Vernes, 13 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Depuis la lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire, Il n’est point arrivé de nouveau bâtiment d’Amerique. Mais je viens d’apprendre que L’Abigaïl, Capne Bela Bacchus , lequel se trouve actuellement au Havre, doit ou en repartir directement pour Boston ou venir à Lorient prendre un chargement de Sel. Je sais que c’est un grand bâtiment, très solide, très commode, sur lequel vôtre Excellence...
185John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of the 5 th. — If you think it best, leave Thomas at Colledge: but I pray you to come on with Charles, as soon as possible.— as to the Place let my Brother plough and plant if he will, as much as he will. He may Send me, my half of the Butter Cheese &c here.— As to Money to bear your Expences you must if you can borrow of some Friend enough to bring you here. if you cannot...
186William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have the happiness of informing you that M rs: Smith and the Boys are in high health and that your presence here as soon as you can possibly make it convenient will be very agreable and is in a great degree necessary— M r. A has taken a House about one mile from the City as he has informed you, and in his Letters has said something about the removal of furniture— on this subject permit me to...
187From John Adams to Roger Sherman, 14 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter of Thanks to our fellow Citizens of New Haven and to M r Edwards, for the most endearing Compliment I ever received. I suppose myself chiefly indebted to your Friendship for the favourable Representation of my Character among your Neighbours which has produced this obliging Result. I hope it will not be long before We shall have an opportunity to renew our former...
188To George Washington from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Anderson, 14 May 1789. On 18 Nov. 1789 GW wrote to Anderson: “I have been favored with the receipt of your letter of the 14th of may last.”
189From George Washington to William Fitzhugh, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th of April was handed to me but a few days ago. Your congratulations and the good wishes of yourself, Mrs Fitzhugh & your family deserve, & receive my warmest acknowledgments. Amidst the numerous applications which are made for offices I shall leave no means in my power untried to gain such information & knowledge of Character & pretensions as will enable me to nominate...
190To George Washington from Stephen Hall, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Portland, Massachusetts [District of Maine], Sir, 14 May 1789. Can you permit me to take up one moment of your precious time in asking a favor! I wish for the Collectorship of duties at the Port of Portland, the Metropolis of the eastern part of the State of Massachusetts. But this Request, I am sensible, must appear both indelicate & improper without some knowledge of me. But how shall I make...
191From George Washington to William Heth, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 3 inst. dated at Mount Vernon. I am much pleased with the arrangement you have made for Mrs Washington’s coming on here with stage horses—and must beg you to accept of my best thanks for your attention and trouble in this business. The previous settlement of the price with the proprietors of the horses was a very prudent and a very necessary step—and I...
192To George Washington from John Jay, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting, herewith enclosed, the copy of Mr V. Berckel’s credentials which I received from him together with a translation of them. Be pleased to name the hour at which you may think proper to receive him, and I will give him notice of it and accompany him—if to-morrow permit me to observe that some hour previous to the levee will be most proper. With perfect respect...
193From George Washington to Joseph Jones, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Ulto came duly to hand, and should have received an earlier acknowledgement had not the new and busy scenes in which I have been engaged since my arrival in this place, rendered it impossible for me to pay that early attention to the favors of my friends which I should be pleased to do. The numerous and friendly congratulations which I have received from respectable...
194From George Washington to George Plater, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 29th of April, and must beg you to accept of my best thanks for your kind gratulations and good wishes. I foresaw the numerous applications which would be made for nominations to offices—and readily conceived that amidst the variety of candidates, it would be one of the most delicate and difficult duties of the President, to discriminate those characters...
195To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been upwards of twelve years employed in the laborious business of a Comr of the Continental Loan Office for the State of Pennsylvania which I have endeavoured to discharge with the greatest care, industry & integrity—& I must now entreat of your Excellency some appointment under the new Constitution which is become necessary to me for the support of a large family—as my attention to...
196Memorandum from Richard Henry Lee, 14 May 1789 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 May 1789. “The Committee of the Senate appointed to confer with a Committee of the House of representatives upon the Subject of Title have agreed to give it as their opinion to the Senate—That for preserving harmony with the H. of Representatives it will be proper for the present to follow the practise of that House in presenting their Address to the President of the United States without...
197To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Fitz-Gerald, 14 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 14 May 1789 . Had called to announce his audience last Tuesday with their majesties and the royal family as minister plenipotentiary of his Britannic majesty. RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; in French. Not recorded in SJL .
198From John Adams to James Searle, 15 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I received your friendly Letter last Evening, and thank you for your kind Remembrance, of your Old Friend. To hear of your Success and Prosperity in Business; the Independence of your Circumstances, and the Contentment of your heart, gives me a Pleasure, the more exquisite, as it is so rare.— It is almost the Single Instance, that I have received Since my Return to America. My Correspondence...
199To John Adams from John Bondfield, 15 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
Permit me join in the United Voice of America. Accept my sincere Congratulation on the Nomination to the High Office Confer’d on you by the Choice of a free People An Honor superior to any in the Gift of Europe I hope in a few days to receive the Journals of the Opening and proceedings of Congress much more interesting than the Mock scheens of present Assembled States General of many of the...
200To George Washington from Jonathan Lawrence, Jr., 15 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have made several attempts to address you, and as often drop’d my pen almost in Dispair, my Situation almost distracts and destroys me, I was my Dear General born to fair prospects, and under those prospects enterd the Service of my Country where I served untill my health became the Sacrifice. I was obligated to leave the Service tho happily to my feelings, it was on the day that the...
201To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert R. Livingston, 15 May 1789. On 31 May GW wrote to Livingston : “I . . . apologize for this late acknowledgment of your letter of the 15th instant.”
202To George Washington from William Livingston, Jr., 15 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having never studied the federal system with an Eye to preferment, I was ignorant until informed by Mr Patterson, of the mode of application on the subject in question. The numbers, as well as the Characters, of the Gentlemen who compete for the Collectorship of this State, would have deterred me from handing up my name to your Excellency on this occasion: had not my friends (who may in their...
203Import Duties, [15 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
JM moved to add a clause to the impost bill limiting its duration. Mr. Madison . When he offered this amendment to the bill, he thought its propriety was so obvious and striking, that it would meet no opposition. To pass a bill, not limited in duration, which was to draw revenue from the pockets of the people, appeared to be dangerous in the administration of any government; he hoped therefore...
204To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, 15 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 May 1789. Acknowledged in JM to Eliza House Trist, 21 May 1789 . Reports illness of her son, Hore Browse Trist.
205To Thomas Jefferson from John Churchman, 15 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy favour of the 8th. of August 1787 came safe to hand, in which I am informed that the Royal Academy of Sciences had received my memorial concerning the magnetic variation, and that they had made an entry on their Journals to preserve my claim to the original idea; I shall take it as a particular favour if I could obtain by the first opportunity a Copy of the minute on this Business properly...
206To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 15 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since, I had the honour of writing to your Excellency, I have heard a piece of News which is that Paul Jones has been disgraced by the Empress of Russia for a Crime he Committed upon a Young Girl of Nine years of age. It is true, As a very particular Friend of Mine received a Letter from Russia acquainting him of it. The next is that Baretti died on Tuesday last after only two days Illness. I...
207Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received yours of May the 3 d by Captain Beal’s in which you request that I would come on imediatly Yours of May the first mentions several articles which you suppose it will be necessary for me to send forward, but add all is as yet uncertain, so that I am in doubt what to do, particularly as I have laid before you Since, a state of my difficulties to which I could have wish’t...
208Address from the Senate to George Washington, 16 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
We the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere thanks for your excellent speech delivered to both Houses of Congress; congratulate you on the compleat organization of the federal Government, and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-citizens on your elevation to the Office of President: an Office highly important by the Powers constitutionally annexed to it and extremely honorable...
209To George Washington from Philip Burr Bradley, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The day is not far distant when a ⟨ mutilated ⟩ Connecticutt will be appointed by your Excellency; I hope therefore that my present application will at least escape the censure of being premature. Having conversed with the Senators and Representatives of this State on the Subject of procuring that office; and being assured of their support, I venture to request that your Excellency would be...
210To George Washington from Andrew Ellicott, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
By the death of Mr Hutchins, the Office of Geographer to the United States has become vacant. In consequence of this event, I have by the advice of my Friends, thought proper to offer myself a Candidate to supply his place. As the proper execution of this business, will involve with it, an extensive astronomical knowledge, in both Theory, and Practice, it is with the greatest diffidence that I...