511From John Jay to Matthew Clarkson, Richard Varick, and the Commissioners for Fortifying the Port and City of New York, 4 … (Jay Papers)
I received Yesterday a letter from General Van Cortlandt of the 26 ult with a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16 ult. appointing a Committee relative to Fortifications of which the enclosed are Copies—. You will perceive from these Papers the Importance of conveying to the Committee accurate Information respecting the State of our Fortifications and the Expediency of...
512To James Madison from Lawrence Taliaferro, 4 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Neither Mr. Robert nor Frances Brooke will offer to represent our Destrict in Congress, they both plead that it would ruin them in their prafesion which is their principal support, or they would feel themselves much gratified in the confidence repos’d in them by their fellow Citizens. There is three Gentlemen who offer, Mr John Dawson is one who we fear is not popular enough to succeed, the...
513To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you a humble tribute to the memory of our great republican and philosophical friend Mr. Rittenhouse. It is a feeble expression of respect for his Character compared with yours, in your defence of the genius of the Americans. Few such men have ever lived, or died in any Country. Accept of my Congratulations upon your election to the Vice President’s Chair of the United States, and...
514From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 4 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor of Dec. 31. and to the question whether adviseable to address the President on the subject of war against France, I shall speak explicitly, because I know I may do it safely to you. Such is the popularity of the President that the people will support him in whatever he will do, or will not do, without appealing to their own reason or to any thing but their feelings...
515John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I rec d Yesterday your favour of 23. of Dec r. from Boston. The old Patrioch, has got a Name of Old Scrathum, or old Scratch or Some Such Oddity that will amuse the Blackguards for a time. M rs Storers Verses are very shrewd The Story of my Muteness, or Incapacity to talk, I almost wish were true.— On Some Occasions. D r Walters Politeness to be Sure is conspicuous. It is enough at present to...
516To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Carrington, 3 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Richmond, January 3, 1797. “I have just now seen Mr Wade Mosby of my Neighbourhood in the Country, whose Agent … has just returned from N. York where he has employed you in a Suit to which Mr Mosby is a party. He wishes me to say to you what his Character & circumstances are. I have known him from his Childhood to this day, and can with confidence say he is a man who has supported the...
517[Diary entry: 3 January 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. Snowing from 10 oclock until 4—Wind westerly. Went to see Davenports Duck Manufy. [18] After the Revolution there was a continuing demand in the United States for canvas, or duck, for sails. James Davenport (d. 1797) installed in 1794 at the old Globe Mills on the Germantown Road water-powered machinery of his own invention for “spinning and weaving flax, hemp and tow” ( NEEDLES Samuel H....
518To George Washington from James Anderson, 3 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Anderson, 3 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote Anderson on 8 Jan. : “Your letter of the 3d instant” was “received by me yesterday.”
519To George Washington from William Pearce, 3 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Pearce, 3 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote James Anderson on 8 Jan. , acknowledging his letter “of the 3d instant, & Mr Pearce’s of the same date.”
520To James Madison from John Hopkins, 3 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
By direction of General Jonathan Clarke I enclose you a draft for Two Hundred Dollars, the receipt of which you will be pleased to acknowledge to him to me. I am with great respect Sir Your Most Obt Servant RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. Jonathan Clark (1750–1811), brother of George Rogers Clark, attended Donald Robertson’s school in King and Queen County and served as lieutenant colonel in the...
521[Diary entry: 2 January 1797] (Washington Papers)
2. Cloudy forenoon—wind westerly. Much company to complement the Season. [18] New Year’s Day having fallen on Sunday this year, the New Year’s celebration was postponed until today.
522To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We have your favor of the 26th Ulto, covering the opinion of the Attorney General —It is by no means, our wish that any alterations should be made in the published plan of the City —It may, with great truth, be asserted, that every change occasions infinite trouble to the Commissioners, and creates confusion with the proprietors—We are yet without a full board, and are therefore prevented from...
523From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Robert Morris, 2 Jan. 1797 . The ALS of this letter was offered for sale on 13 July 1976 by Sotheby Parke-Bernet, item 418.
524To James Madison from James Madison, Sr., 2 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 January 1797. Acknowledged in JM to James Madison, Sr., 15 Jan. 1797 . Discusses purchases for Montpelier.
525Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The new year opens upon us with new Scenes of Life before us. what are to be the trials the troubles and vexations of it, are wisely with held from our view. To him who sits Supreem let us commit the hour the Day the Year, and fearless view the whole. there needs but thinking right, and meaning well, and may this ensure to you, the Souls calm sun shine, and the Heart felt Joy. I seldom think...
526John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wish the new Year may be the happiest of your Life. Last Night I had a Visit from D r Rush, whose Tongue ran for an hour.— So many Compliments, so many old Anecdotes. To be Sure, My Election he Said, he had vast pleasure in assuring me Since it had been made certain had given vast Satisfaction in this City and State. Even those who had voted for another had a great Affection for me. M r...
527To Alexander Hamilton from Wade Mosby, 1 January 179[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Richmond, January 1, 179 [ 7 ]. Acknowledges message that Hamilton will serve as his attorney in the suit brought against him in New York by Leeds and Mumford. States: “I am sure that when you are fully possessed of all the circumstances relative thereto you will find [it] to be one of the most Rascally proceedings you ever were witness to.… I wait your answer hoping that you will quickly put...
528To Alexander Hamilton from James Ricketts, 1 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Elizabethtown, New Jersey ] January 1, 1797 . “I feel you will think that I have not paid proper attention to your letter. Immediately on the receipt of it I wrote to Mr. Livingston to send me an account of the Dividends which he had made, and the proportions which he had paid me on acct. of his Sisters Legacy, his answer I recd. the day before yesterday which is as follows: ‘I have recd....
529[Diary entry: 1 January 1797] (Washington Papers)
1. Clear—Wind Westerly. Went to church. [23] The information in brackets (indicating morning temperatures for the days in January) appears as marginal notes on one diary page and one almanac page.
530To George Washington from David Humphreys, 1 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I would not trouble you with an acknowledgment of your friendly letter which I received by the hand of Captn O’Brien, because I could only repeat my sensibility of your kindness & my unalterable attachment to you. I wished not therefore to consume your time in reading a letter which contained only what you knew before. At present, the season of annual festivity seems to encourage me in...
531From George Washington to William Pearce, 1 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to William Pearce, 1 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote James Anderson on 8 Jan. : “My last letter (this day week) to Mr Pearce.”
532To George Washington from W. S. Webb, 1 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
As the voice of your Country proclaims you the Friend and Defender of the liberties & Happiness of your fellow-creatures—A defenceless Stranger, persecuted, bowed down by misfortune , and on the very brink of misery — this to you for refuge. Nothing but the necessity of his Case, & the peculiar circumstances attending it—could have induced Him to take this liberty; but, apparently neglected by...
533To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. has come safely. The event of the election has never been a matter of doubt in my mind. I knew that the Eastern states were disciplined in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice differences of opinion to the great object of operating in phalanx, and that the more free & moral agency practised in the other states would always make up the supplement of their weight....
534To James Madison from James Monroe, 1 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you since the adjourmt. of the last Congress or rather since you left Phila. after the adjourment. In my last I informed you that Adet was suspended & orders issued to seize British property in our bottoms & that the aspect here was a very menacing one, and in consequence my situation as the minister of our country a very disagreeable one, & wh. was made more so, after...
535I. To James Madison, 1 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. has come safely. The event of the election has never been a matter of doubt in my mind. I knew that the Eastern states were disciplined in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice differences of opinion to the great object of operating in phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency practised in the other states would always make up the supplement of their weight....
536II. Copy from Memory, 1 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. is safely recieved. I never entertained a doubt of the event of the election. I knew that the Eastern troops were trained in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice little differences of opinion to the solid advantages of operating in Phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency of the other states would fully supply their deficiency. I had no expectation indeed...
537American Jacobins, [1795–1796] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Minerva It is remarkable how uniform our Jacobins have been in blaming and vilifying our own Government and in excusing and justifying the conduct of the French towards us. Before there was ever the pretence of any subject of complaint against this Country France violated that article of her Treaty with us which stipulates that free ships shall make free goods. —This breach of Treaty...
538Relations with France, [1795–1796] (Hamilton Papers)
There are circumstances, which render it too probable that a very delicate state of things is approaching between the United States and France. When threatened with foreign danger, from whatever quarter, it is highly necessary that we should be united at home; and considering our partiality hitherto for France, it is necessary towards this Union, that we should understand what has really been...
539John Adams, Deposition regarding Mitchell’s Map, 1796 (Adams Papers)
Deposition of President Adams—In answer to Interrogatories by the Agent on the part of the United States he deposed, “that Mitchell’s Map was the only Map or Plan which was used by the Commissioners at their public Conferences, tho’ other Maps were occasionally consulted by the American Commissioners at their Lodgings; the British Commissioners at first claimed to Piscataqua River, then to...
540From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Poor Duer has now had a long & severe confinement—Such as would be adequate for no trifling crime. I am well aware of all the blame to which he is liable and do not mean to be his apologist—though I believe he has been as much the dupe of his own imagination as others have been the victims of his projects. But what then? He is a man—he is a man with whom we have both been in habits of friendly...
541To Alexander Hamilton from Ann Mitchell, [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
My Father—James Lytton Senr. deceased—Planter of the Island of St Croix in the year 1769—In his Will confirmed by his Majesty—he bequeathed ¹⁄₇ of his Estate to my Brother James Lytton Junr.— ²/₇ths to his Children to be divided when the youngest was of age—²/₇th to my deceased Sisters Son John Hallwood—and in consequence of my being married to a man unfortunate in his conduct—he nominated my...
542To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 1796? (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1796? . Described as a one-page letter about private matters in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
543Memorandum on Farming Operations, [1796 or later] (Jefferson Papers)
Preliminary observation. My farms are divided into 7 fields of 40. acres [each?]. In the center of each field is a granary of 2. rooms of 12 1/2 f. sq. each [1000. […] contents] and an open passage between them of 12 sf. When there is wheat in the field, it is brought as fast as it is cut to this granary and stacked round it. The threshing machine is fixed in the passage, and as the wheat is...
544Notes on a Copying Process, [1796] (Jefferson Papers)
Un particulier de Hambourg dit avoir trouvé un procedé, pour prendre sur-le-champ à peu de frais, et en quelque endroit qu’on se trouve, copie de toute espece de manuscrit. Mais desirant tirer quelque profit de sa decouverte, il ne la communiquera qu’aux personnes qui voudront payer cette communication 24. francs. On peut dès à present deposer ou faire parvenir cette somme, franc de port, chez...
545Memorandum Books, 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave my bond to Lucy Wood for £16. payable this day twelve month for the hire of James. Gave do. to Mrs. Wood guardian of Jane Wood for £15. for the hire of Dick. 4. Gave do. to Wm. Wood for 45.£ for Reuben, Bob & Patrick. Note these 3. bonds are to bear int. from the date if not paid at the day. 5. Mr. Buck begins to work. 11. Paid small exp. 2.8.
546The War in Europe, [September–December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Every step of the progress of the present war in Europe has been marked with horrors. If the perpetration of them was confined to those who are the acknowleged instruments of despotic Power, it would excite less surprize—but when they are acted by those who profess themselves to be the Champions of the rights of man, they naturally occasion both wonder and regret. Passing by the extreme...
547Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last post, Your Letters of the 14 th. 16 th 18 th & 19 th . The frequent and repeated fires in the various capitals of Savanna Baltimore and N york are really shocking, but renderd vastly more allarming from the opinion that they are the effect of design, and not accident. I fear America will be the harbour and assilum of the Dissolute and abandoned of the Nations of Europe,...
548Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 31 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favour of December 28 th , I received by the Hand of Dr. Welch. I thank you Sir, for your Congratulations, which receive their value from the Sincerity with which I believe them fraught. The elevated station in which the Suffrages of our Country have placed our Friend, is encompassed with so Many Dangers and difficulties, that it appears to Me a slipery Precipice, surrounded on...
549John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 31 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the 20 th: I have not enjoyed the pleasure of receiving any from my friend, but I do not forget the mutual engagement of writing every week, and I cannot close the year in a better or more agreeable manner than in conversing with her— There are some particulars in your Letters of Nov r: 29. and Dec r: 6. which require a reply from me, which time did not allow me to give in...
550To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 31 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find annexed hereto the Copy of a letter just received from Charles Bridgen Esqr. and enclosed my Answer, which after reading You will be kind enough to send to him. I suppose myself to be founded in saying that the suit contemplated, cannot be brought against me, otherwise no Man whose Name is on another Mans paper, can be safe, At any rate I request your Aid as a professional Man...
551To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States, a letter from Colo. Humphreys dated Octr 6. just received, with inclosures from Mr Barlow. There is but too much reason to fear for the fate of Capt. O’Brien. He sailed from Lisbon the 4th or 5th of August for Algiers, with 225,000 dollars on board. The Secretary has also received to-day another letter from Colo....
552To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Stuart, 31 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering the attempts which will probably be made by some of the friends of Great Britain to widen our breach with France I feel an Inclination to forward a memorial to Congress from this quarter declaring our friendly disposition towards that Nation and that If we should be compelled to take part in the European War we prefer a union with France to that of Any Other power. Lest however...
553John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Prospect that opens upon me presents Troubles enough of every kind.— I have made Some Inquiry concerning Horses and Carriages, and find that a common Chariot of the plainest Sort cannot be had under Twelve hundred Dollars, and if you go to a little more ornament and Elegance you must give fifteen hundred. The President has a Pair of Horses to sell, one 9 the other 10 Years old for which he...
554John Adams to Charles Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have received with great Pleasure your kind Letter of 28 th. I think M r Sands’s Plan for the Education of his Nephew is judicious. But I Should not advise him to Send him to Europe, So very early. If he remains in America two or three Years, undergoes his Examination and is admitted to the Bar it will be early enough to go to Europe. By your Representation M r Joshua Sands has been your...
555Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your letters which afforded me infinite pleasure as they assured me you were well and in good spirits— You tell me you are to remain at the Hague, and that you hope a greater distance, and longer time of seperation than we had contemplated, will have no effect upon my affection— I am almost angry when I read that part of your letter, as it implies a sort of doubt which I am...
556To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed extract of a Letter from Paris, which has been communicated to me, contains certain paragraphs from the Rédacteur a newspaper used by the French Directory for their official and non-official publications. It explicitly denies as you will observe that the Directory have determined to suspend their intercourse with the Government of the United States. It is among those paragraphs...
557From George Washington to John Carey, 30 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 8th and 9th of September and first of October. I am much indebted to you for the interest you feel, to have the imposition that has been attempted upon the public, detected. With great truth you pronounced it such. I shall leave something on this subject, to be used when I shall be permitted to enjoy peace & repose. In the mean while I pray you to accept of...
558From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Dec. 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Dec. 1796 . The commissioners’ minutes for 4 Jan. 1797 read: “Letter of the 30th Ulto received from the Prest of the U. S. enclosing his approbation endorsed on the Resolutions approving the Loan made of the State of Maryland” ( DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Proceedings, 1791–1802).
559From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 30 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
I nominate Charles Marsh, of Vermont, to be Attorney for the United States in the District of Vermont; vice Amos Marsh, resigned. and Joseph Cloud, of the State of Delaware, to be Melter & Refiner at the Mint of the United States. LS , DNA : RG 46, entry 52; LB , DLC:GW . Secretary of State Timothy Pickering had written GW on 28 Dec.: “The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the...
560Petition of Hugh Lawson White, [30 December] 1796 (Madison Papers)
Hugh Lawson White had petitioned the House on 11 February 1795 seeking compensation for services as a private of mounted infantry during John Sevier’s campaign against the Cherokee Indians in September 1793. The petition was referred to the War Department until Secretary James McHenry reported against the claim on 24 December 1796. The House took up the matter again in a Committee of the Whole...