1From John Adams to David Humphreys, 10 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for introducing to me Mr Francis Coffin and Mr Sumner, the Brother and Brother in law of that Lady who did me the honour to drink a Glass of Wine with me at your house. I have given the Gentlemen, all the Information I had, which in truth was very little. They gave me much more. Dearborne’s Enterprize against York and Niagara: but they had not the hand Bill and could not give...
2From James Madison to David Humphreys, 23 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 19th. ulto. Mr Perkins who was to have been the bearer, has not yet arrived; unless, as is possible, he may have done so, and had his communications with the Patent Office, without my knowing it. Altho’ it is neither usual, nor often eligible, to enter into political explanations on such an occasion as the present I am induced by the frank and friendly tenor...
3From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 20 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Dec. 12. and to return you my thanks for the cloth furnished me. it came in good time, & does honour to your manufactory, being as good as any one would wish to wear in any country. amidst the pressure of evils with which the belligerent edicts have afflicted us, some permanent good will arise. the spring given to manufactures will have durable...
4From James Madison to David Humphreys, 28 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 20th. inst. I have the honor to inform you, that the diamonds, which were the subjects of Mrs. Humphrey’s letter of the 20th. April last, were placed, several weeks ago, in the charge of Mr. Cathcart, who will arrive in Boston, about the time of your receiving this, and will deliver them to you with a letter. Mrs. H’s request was not received in time to admit of...
5From James Madison to David Humphreys, 1 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
The letter for Mr. Young enclosed in yours of the 20th. April was sent after him to Philadelphia, but as he had sailed for Spain before it reached him, it will be forwarded to him there. With the point contended by Mr. Young this Department has no official connection, and the general subject of your accounts belongs to the Treasury Department. The diamonds presented to Mrs. Humphreys remain...
6From James Madison to David Humphreys, 14 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letters of the 29th. Ult and 4th. Inst. and the letters and accounts of Messrs. John Bulkeley & Son, which it enclosed. The latter have been adjusted at the Treasury, and 37.841 Milrees found due which will be remitted thro’ London to those Gentlemen of which in due time, they may expect to hear from the Bankers of the Treasury Department at that place. From a change,...
7From James Madison to David Humphreys, 5 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
The President has received the letter you addressed to him on the 1st. Inst. As the constitution of the United States has left with Congress the exclusive authority to permit the acceptance of presents from foreign Governments by persons holding Offices under the United States, the President has thought it most proper that the ornaments addressed to Mrs. Humphreys by the Queen of Spain should...
8From John Adams to David Humphreys, 1 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 28 from Boston has remained through a multiplicity of agricultural occupations unacknowledged to this hour and notwithstanding the lively sensibility it excited both in Mrs. Adams & myself, we sincerely regretted that we were not to have the pleasure of receiving you and Mrs Humphreys at Quincy as we had hoped & expected. If in the course of your affairs you should again...
9From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 15 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of June 28. and sincerely congratulate you on your safe return to your native country. you will doubtless be sensible of an inconcievable change in manners and opinions since you left it; tho’ less perhaps in Connecticut than some other places. After eleven years absence I imagine you will find it more difficult to return from European to American...
10From James Madison to David Humphreys, 22 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
The letter of the day of March last from Mr. Lincoln, then acting Secretary of State will have made you acquainted with the grounds on which the President has permitted your return. A duplicate of that letter and a letter under a flying seal to His Catholic Majesty communicating the permission, are herewith forwarded. You will derive from them the sentiments which it will be proper for you to...
11From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, with Levi Lincoln, [17] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at this place, and a favorable apportunity of addressing you, offering itself by a government vessel going to France with our late convention with that country, I avail myself of it being authorized by the President of the United States to perform the duties of this department per interim. The Country in which you reside having as well...
12From George Washington to David Humphreys, 26 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the pleasure of writing to you by Captain OBrian, I have been favoured with your letters of the first of Jany and 18th of Feby. The last in date, was the first received; but neither came to hand until long after I had left the Chair of Government, & was seated in the shade of my own Vine & Fig-tree. The testimony of your politeness and friendship to Mrs Washington and...
13From George Washington to David Humphreys, 12 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Private) I could not suffer Capt: OBrian to return without carrying along with him, a testimony of my continued friendship and regard for you, in a few lines. In the diction of which, I must be concise: for a long and interesting Session of Congress, which only closed on the first instt, and many laws which require immediate attention & execution; added to a preparation for a journey to Mount...
14Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to David Humphreys, [28 … (Hamilton Papers)
In reply to your very esteemed favor of 20 Septbr:, which reached us only last Post, we beg your reference to the inclosed Copy of a Letter we addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States under date of 23 of said Month, as containing all the information in our Power to give on the subject of your Enquiry. Should the present Rumours of Peace, produce that desireable effect,...
15From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 11 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege yours of May 19. 29. and July 20. being Nos. 72. 73. and 76. It is long since I wrote to you, because I knew you must be where you could not receive my letters: and perhaps it may be sometime before I write to you again on account of a contagious and mortal fever which has arisen here, and is driving us all away. It is called a yellow fever, but is like nothing known or...
16From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and David Humphreys, 26 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The public papers giving us reason to believe that the War is becoming nearly general in Europe, and that it has already involved Nations, with which we are in daily habits of Commerce and friendship, the President has thought it proper to issue the Proclamation of which I enclose you a copy, in order to mark out to our Citizens the line of conduct they are to pursue. Uninformed whether the...
17From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 12 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
As your drawing for the whole sum of 123,750. florins placed in the hands of our bankers at Amsterdam for the purpose now committed to your care , would, if done at short notice, leave a void for the ordinary purposes of our foreign legations, I must beg the favor of you to draw your bills for the last half of that sum, at so many days sight as may give them time to provide themselves by...
18From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 30 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having very short notice of a vessel just sailing from this port for Lisbon, direct, I think it proper to inform you summarily that powers are made out for you to proceed and execute the Algerine business committed to Mr. Barclay. Capt. Cutting, who is to assist you in this special business as secretary, leaves this place three days hence, and will proceed in the British packet by the way of...
19From George Washington to David Humphreys, 23 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Closely engaged in the business incident to my office during the session of Congress, and as closely employed since, in making arrangements for carrying into effect the laws then passed—and in discharging other public duties, I have not ’till this moment found myself enough at leisure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d of July: and being now on the eve of setting out for...
20From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 22 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your letters from No. 60. to No. 67. inclusive. You cannot be too vigilant against any such treaty as that mentioned in No. 60. which by giving the exclusive supply of wheat to Naples, would altogether debar the US. from it. This would bear so hard on us, that not only an exclusion of their wines from the US. ought to be expected on their part, but every...
21From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 22 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you sincerely for your friendly letter of Jan. 8. Particular circumstances have forced me to protract awhile my departure from office, which however will take place in the course of the year. Continue therefore if you please the general address of your letters to ‘the Secretary of state &c’ as recommended. Be assured that I shall carry into retirement and retain the most affectionate...
22From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 21 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The deaths of Admiral Paul Jones first, and afterwards of Mr. Barclay, to whom the mission to Algiers explained in the enclosed papers was successively confided, have led the President to desire you to undertake the execution of it in person. These papers, being copies of what had been delivered to them will serve as your guide. But Mr. Barclay having been also charged with a mission to...
23From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 2 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 6th. of November, since which the papers have been duly forwarded to you by every opportunity from my office, as Mr. Taylor assures me, to whom I am obliged to confide that duty. Your last received was No. 59. as acknoleged in mine. With the present you will recieve newspapers for yourself, Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Short whom we expect by this time to be at Madrid: also...
24From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 8 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
You were not unapprised of the reluctance with which I came into my present office, and I came into it with a determination to quit it as soon as decency would permit. Nor was it long before I fixed on the termination of our first federal cycle of 4. years as the proper moment. That moment is now approaching, and is to me as land was to Columbus in his first American voyage. The object of this...
25From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 6 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
We have never known so long an interval during which there has not been a single vessel going to Lisbon. Hence it is that I am so late in acknoleging the receipt of your letters from No. 54. to 58. inclusive, and that I am obliged to do it by the way of London, and consequently cannot send you the newspapers as usual. The summer has been chiefly past in endeavoring to bring the North-Western...
26From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 12 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been very long indeed without any vessel going from this port to Lisbon. This is the reason why I have been so long without acknoleging the receipt of your letters. Your Nos. from 45. to 53. inclusive are received except No. 52. not yet come to hand. The President set out yesterday for Virginia, and I shall follow him tomorrow. During my absence the public papers will be forwarded to...
27From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 9 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you were of the 29th. of Nov. and 13th. of Dec. I have now to acknoledge the receipt of your Nos. 34. to 44. inclusive. The river here and at New York having remained longer blocked with ice than has been usual, has occasioned a longer interval than usual between my letters. I am particularly to acknolege that Mr. Barclay’s receipt of draughts from you on our bankers in Holland for...
28From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 13 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you the copy of a Letter received from Don Joseph de Viar one of his Catholic Majesty’s commissioners here, stating the claim of Don Joseph Torino for a sum of money paid by the Count de Espilles for our captives at Algiers, and on account of our Commissioner Mr. Lamb who was sent there. You will be pleased to consider this as a part of the debt, which in my letter of July 13th. of...
29From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 29 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Aug. 23. acknoleging the reciept of your Nos. 19. 21. and 22. Since that I have recieved from 23. to 33. inclusive. In mine I informed you I was about setting out for Virginia and consequently should not write to you till my return. This opportunity by Capt. Wicks is the first since my return. The party which had gone at the date of my last, against the Indians North of...
30From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 23 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favors of June 7. No. 21. and June 17. No. 22. Mr. Barclay will have delivered you my two letters of May 13. and July 13. Since his departure no remarkeable events have taken place. He would convey to you the official information of General Scott’s success against the Indians. A second party somewhat stronger is now gone against them. Nearly the whole of the states...
31From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 26 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Robert Morris this moment informs me that a person of the name of William Duncan, formerly of this state, sailed from hence about the year 1785, and has never been since heard of till lately that his mother has been informed by some one, who says he has been at Algiers, that this Wm. Duncan is there in captivity. I am therefore to ask the favour of you to take the first opportunity of...
32From George Washington to David Humphreys, 20 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 16 of February and 3 of may, and am much obliged by your observations on the situation, manners, customs and dispositions of the Spanish nation—In this age of free enquiry and enlightened reason it is to be hoped that the condition of the people in every Country will be bettered and the happiness of mankind promoted. Spain appears to be so much behind the...
33From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 13 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barclay having been detained longer than was expected, you will receive this, as well as my Letter of May 13th. from him. Since the date of that I have received your No. 15 March 31, No. 16 April 8, No. 17 April 30, No. 18 May 3, and No. 20. May 21. You are not unacquainted with the situation of our Captives at Algiers. Measures were taken, and were long depending, for their redemption....
34From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 23 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters to you have been of Apr. 11. and May 13 and I am now to acknowlege the receipt of yours of Mar. 6. No. 13. for 14. Mar. 31. No. 15. Apr. 8. No. 16. Apr. 30. No. 17. May 3. No. 18. As yet no native candidate, such altogether as we would wish, has offered for the Consulate of Lisbon, and as it is a distinguished place in our commerce, we are somewhat more difficult in that than...
35From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 13 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Thomas Barclay is appointed by the President of the United States to go to Morocco in the Character of Consul for the Purpose of obtaining from the new Emperor a Recognition of our Treaty with his Father. Ten thousand dollars are appropriated for Presents in such Form and to such Persons as Mr. Barclay in his Discretion shall think best; and he is to receive for himself at the rate of Two...
36From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 2 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. John Wilcocks junr. having in contemplation to visit different Countries of Europe, and perhaps that of your Residence, with a view to commercial arrangements, I take the liberty of informing you that he is a citizen of the United States, son of Mr. Wilcocks the Recorder of Pennsylvania, and of a respectable character. As such I beg leave to make him known to you, and to...
37From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 11 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you Mar. 15. with postscripts of the 18th. and 19th. Since that yours of Jan. 3. No. 10. Jan. 15. No. 11. from Madrid, and Feb. 6. No. 12. and Feb. 12. No. 13. from Lisbon are received. They covered a letter from Mr. Carmichael, the only one we have from him of a later date than May 1789. You know that my letter to him, of which you were the bearer, took notice of the intermission of...
38From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 11 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
There has been published at Madrid, by some bishop who had been to Mexico, and found there an original collection of the letters of Cortez, a book containing those letters. I do not know how it happened that I did not ask the favor of you to procure this book for me. I now supply the omission, and add a request to procure also la historia del Amirante D. Christoval Colomb by Fernando Colomb,...
39From George Washington to David Humphreys, 16 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
As this letter is wholly of a private nature I refer you to Mr Jefferson’s official communications for every thing relative to your appointment at the Court of Lisbon &ca—and shall confine myself to acknowledging your two letters—viz. one from London of October 31. and the other from Lisbon of November 30 1790—and to such general observations as may occur in the course of my writing. The...
40II. The Secretary of State to David Humphreys, 15 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters No. 1. to 6. from England, No. 7. 8. from Lisbon and No. 9. from Madrid are all recieved. The President has nominated you minister Resident for the U. S. of America at the court of Lisbon, which was approved by the Senate. You will consequently recieve herewith your Commission, a letter of credence to the Queen, sealed, and an open copy of it for your own information, and a letter...
41From Alexander Hamilton to David Humphreys, 14 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter to Messrs. Wilhem and Jan Willinck and Nicholas and J Van Staphorst and Hubbard Merchants Amsterdam, by which, as you will perceive I have directed them to honor your drafts upon them immediately for the sum of One thousand seven hundred and fifty Spanish Milled Dollars and annually for the sum of two thousand two hundred and fifty like dollars to be computed from the...
42VII. Secretary of State to David Humphreys, 11 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The President having thought proper to confide several special matters in Europe to your care, it will be expedient that you take your passage in the first convenient vessel bound to the port of London. When there you will be pleased to deliver to Mr. G. Morris and to Mr. Johnson the letters and papers you will have in charge for them, to communicate to us from thence any interesting public...
43William W. Morris to David Humphreys, 20 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Secretary of the Treasury, to request that you will inform him, whether any of the States, have transmitted to the President of the United States, Acts, ceding Territory for the erection of Light houses upon—If any, what particular States. I am Sir with Sentiments of the greatest respect your humble Servant LB , DLC:GW . For an identification of William Walton Morris, see...
44Bezaleel Howe to David Humphreys, 30 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
As Congress are making an Addition to their Military Establishment, I am induced to offer myself as a Candidate for an Appointment in the same—hopeing my past Services will claim Your influence with the President in my behalf I served in the late War almost Nine years which I hope will plead in my favor. I was a Captain in the Army, and since the Peace have been a Captain of Infantry in this...
45Egbert Benson to David Humphreys, 31 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
New York, 31 July 1789. Requests Humphreys to “mention to the President that all the Gentlemen from our State have agreed to suggest Mr John C. Ten Broeck as surveyor for Hudson and a majority of Us have agreed as to Jeremiah Lansing to be surveyor at Albany.” ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. John C. Ten Broeck (1755–1835) served in New York regiments during the Revolution and was a...
46From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 18 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 29. 1788. came to hand the last month. How it happened that mine of Aug. 1787. was fourteen months on it’s way is inconceivable. I do not recollect by what conveyance I sent it. I had concluded however either that it had miscarried or that you had become indolent as most of our countrymen are in matters of correspondence. The change in this country, since you left it, is...
47Remarks, 1787–1788 (Washington Papers)
It was rather the wish of my eldest brother (on whom the general concerns of the family devolved) that this shd take place & the matter was contemplated by him—My father died when I was only 10 years old. He was not appointed Adjutant General of the Militia of Virginia untill after his return from the expedition to Carthagena. Nor did he Command the Colonial troops on that occasion. these were...
48From George Washington to David Humphreys, 10 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 28th Ult. came duly to hand, as did the other of June. With great pleasure I received the intimation of your spending the Winter under this roof. The invitation was not less sincere than the reception will be cordial. The convention shall be, that in all things you shall do as you please—I will do the same—No ceremony shall be observed—nor any restraint be imposed on any one....
49From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I remember when you left us, it was with a promise to supply all the defects of correspondence in our friends, of which we complained, and which you had felt in common with us. Yet I have received but one letter from you which was dated June 5. 1786. and I answered it Aug. 14. 1786. Dropping that however and beginning a new account, I will observe to you that wonderful improvements are making...
50From George Washington to David Humphreys, 8 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Wadsworth, as I informed you in my last, presented me your obliging favor of the 30th of January and the Post since has handed me the subsequent one of the 11th Ulto. My sentiments, respecting the inexpediency of my attending the proposed Convention of the States in Philadelphia remain the same as when I wrote you last, tho’ Congress I am informed are about to remove one of the...