171From John Adams to the President of Congress, 5 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 5 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 254–261. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:540–543. This is the first of a series of letters to Congress that John Thaxter composed in John Adams’ name during Adams’ absence at...
It is necessary that I should inform Congress, in what manner I have been able to procure Money to defray my Expenses, in my long Journey through the greatest Parts of Spain and France, to this City. On my Arrival at Ferrol, I was offered the Loan of Money by the French Consul Mr. De Tournelle, but at the same Time told me there was a Gentleman at Corunna Mr. Michael Lagoanere, who had...
173From John Adams to the President of Congress, 6 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
This Day the Skipper of a Trech Schuit, brought me, your Excellencys important Dispatches by Coll. Laurens. The Coll. delivered them to Mr. Dana at Paris, with perfect Propriety. Mr. Dana with equal Propriety delivered them to a Gentleman of Character, who undertook to deliver them at Amsterdam, but unfortunately forgot them at Valenciennes. From Valenciennes they travelled partly by Post,...
174From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 38, 7 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 7 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 425–431) printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:599–602. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, Adams provided accounts of the arrival of Russian couriers at The Hague on 30 March with...
175From John Adams to Samuel Huntington, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of 12 July, I have received and thank you, sir, for recommending this Gentleman to me. And shall on all future occasions be obliged to you for recommending to me such Persons as you shall think proper coming to Europe. The Current of popular Hopes and Fears in Europe has been lately much turned by the favourable News from America. But the public opinion is of no...
176From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 7 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 262–263. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:550. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an English translation of an article that appeared...
177From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 99, 23 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have been amused sometime with dark and unintelligible hints in Letters from London of some Messenger sent from Lord North to Madrid. Three weeks ago, I waited on the Comte de Vergennes at Versailles to acquaint him that I had an intention of making a Journey to Amsterdam for a few weeks, as I flattered myself I might form some Acquaintances or Correspondences there and collect some...
178From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 58, 3 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 May 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 15–17). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “N.B. Nos. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58 were delivered the 7th of May by Mr. Adams to Dr. Franklin, who was to send them with his own Dispatches to Captain John Paul Jones.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary...
179From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Having but just been acquainted with this Opportunity which goes directly, I have only time to write a few Lines; and only leave to send a Letter without any Pacquets of News Papers. Count d’Estaing is gone to Spain to take the Command of the United Fleet. The important Alliance of the Neutral Powers for the Protection of Trade, is nearly compleated It...
180From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 10 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I am requested by Madame la Marquise de la Fayette, whom no body can refuse, to give the Bearer, M. le Baron d’Arros, a Letter to your Excellency. I have acquainted him that our Armies are fully officer’d, that there was no Probability of his being employed, that it was contrary to my Orders to recommend any foreign Officer for...
181From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy and transcript: National Archives; incomplete copy: Library of Congress I duly received the two Letters your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me both dated the 19th. of June, together with the Letter address’d to the King, & the three Commissions with the Instructions relative to the Negociations for Peace. I immediately went to Versailles, and...
182From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 4 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and AL (draft): National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives M. Gerard, under whose Care I understand the Dispatches from Congress to me, were forward’d, is not yet arrived here, and I have not received them. I cannot therefore at present answer any thing that may be contained in them. He is however expected next Week, and I may afterwards have time to write...
183From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 12 March[–12 April 1781] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives (two); copies: Library of Congress, Columbia University Library; press copy: National Archives; transcript: National Archives I had the honour of receiving on the 13th. of last Month, Your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st. January, together with the Instructions of Nov. 28. and Decr. 27. a Copy of those to Col. Laurens, and the Letter to the King. I immediately drew a...
184From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 14 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy, and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honour of writing to your Excellency pretty fully on the 12th. March, to which I beg leave to refer. Col. Lawrens arriving soon after, we renew’d the Application for more Money. His indefatigable Endeavours have brought the good Dispositions of this Court to a more speedy Determination...
185From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 11 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, New York Public Library; press copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives The Number of Congress Bills that have been drawn on the Ministers in Spain and Holland, which I am by my Acceptances obliged to pay, as well as those drawn upon myself, the extreme Importance of...
186From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress The Bearer of this Capt. Hutchins, a Native of New Jersey, but many Years in the English Service, has lately escaped from England, where he suffer’d considerably for his Attachment to the American Cause. He is esteem’d a good Officer and excellent Engineer, and is desirous of being serviceable to his Country. I inclose his...
187From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 22 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress The Baron d’Arendt, Colonel in the Armies of the United States, having express’d to me his Desire of returning to the Service in America, tho’ not entirely cur’d of the Wound which occasioned his Voyage to Europe, I endeavour’d to dissuade him from the Undertaking. But he having procured a Letter to me from M. De Vergennes, of...
188From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 1 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress Commodore Jones, who by his Bravery and Conduct has done great Honour to the American Flag, desires to have that also of presenting a Line to the Hands of your Excellency. I chearfully comply with his Request, in recommending him to the Notice of Congress and to your Excellency’s Protection, tho’ his Actions are a more effectual...
189From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 9 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives With this your Excellency will receive a Copy of my last dated May 31. the Original of which, with Copies of preceding Letters, went by the Alliance, Capt. Landais who sailed the Beginning of last Month; & who I wish may arrive safe in America; being apprehensive that by her long Delay in Port from...
190From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 11 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS , transcript, and press copy: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copy: New York Public Library I have lately done myself the honour of writing largely to your Excellency by divers Conveyances, to which I beg leave to refer. This is chiefly to cover the Copy of a Letter I have just received from the Minister, relative to the Disposition of the late Loans; by which...
191From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Once Ferdinand Grand received Vergennes’ acceptance of the proposal to repay French loans by supplying Rochambeau’s troops in America, he drafted, in French, a “Projet de lettre” for Franklin to send Congress. Grand forwarded the...
192From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 3 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives, American Philosophical Society; transcript: National Archives Enclos’d are Copies of a Number of Publick Letters taken from the English in a late New York Pacquet, of which I have already sent Duplicates by several Conveyances. I have the honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant Notation: Letter May 3. 1781 Doctr. Franklin Recd....
193From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 3 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 12th. of July past, by Mr. Searle: and have paid the Bills drawn on me by Order of Congress in favour of the President and Council of Pensilvania for 1000£ Sterling, which were presented by him.— He is at present in Holland. The...
194From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 31 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : National Archives; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I wrote to your Excellency the 4th. of March past, to go by this Ship, the Alliance, then expected to sail immediately. But the Men refusing to go ’till paid their Shares of Prize Money, and sundry Difficulties arising with regard to the Sale and Division, she has been...
195From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Huntington, [19 October 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, October 19, 1779. On October 27, 1779, Huntington wrote to Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Hamilton acknowledging the receipt of a “letter … from Colo Hamilton of the 19th instant.” Letter not found. ] Huntington, a resident of Connecticut and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1784 and President of...
196To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 27 April 1781, enclosing a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, 7 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency the enclosed Copy of a Letter from Ebenezer Hazard. You will observe by the Journals of Congress under the 20th of July 1778, Encouragement given to this Gentleman to collect Materials for a History, and a Recommendation to the several States to aid and assist him in such Collection. If any of the Manuscripts &c. to which his Letter...
Is it possible that my Letter of September requesting Congress to forbear drawing should not have arrived? Many Copies were sent by various Vessels from different Ports, and yet Bills daily arrive I have been promised 150 Thousand Dollars when it will be paid is uncertain It is hard to make brick without Straw Col. Livingston left this the Beginning of last Month with long Letters he is with...
I ought & wish to write your Excellency a long Letter, but not by the Post. The french Fleet is not yet sailed—it will in my opinion be late in the Summer before the Fleet at Rh. Island will be reinforced. This Court has promised me one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars. Some Cloathing is now shipping on Acc t . of Congress from Cadiz. Russia has offered her mediation to England & the States...
Agreeable to my Promise to the Marquis De la flotte, I must inform your Excellency that a Monsieur Jean Guy Gautier, Merchant at Barcelona, recommended to the Marquis by Monsieur Aubere, the french Consul there, is desirous of becoming the Consul of the United States at that Port. He had been encouraged, as M r . Aubere says, to expect this appointment by Doctor Franklin, but as he supposed my...
On our arrival here M. Gerard told me that he was about to write to the governor and admiral at Port Royal, and asked me whether I also chose to write, or would leave to him the necessary communication, offering to mention to them whatever I might desire. As I was well satisfied that he should take the lead in the business I replied that I was obliged to him, but did not think it necessary for...
201From John Jay to Samuel Huntington, 29 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
The Duplicate Origin Your Letter of the 5 Nov r . last never reached me. The Duplicate of it together with your Favor of the 12 July were delivered to me this Day ^ are now before me ^ — I thank you for them both I am happy to hear that none of my Transactions mentioned in the Letters you allude to ^ to ^ “met with the least Disapprobation from
The last particular Letter I had the honor of writing to your Excellency was dated the 26 th May, and with a Duplicate was carried to Cadis by M r . Harrison, who sent one by the Peacock, Captain Davis to Boston, and the other by the General Arnold, Captain Jenkins to Alexandria in Virginia. They both sailed in June last, and the former, I hear, arrived safe after a short Passage. I have since...
It w d . give me great pleasure if it to have an opportunity of writing as a [ illegible ] to converse with you ^ to Congress ^ without Reserve—but Prudence ^ too often ^ Forbids it— Every Letter I receive from abroad bears Marks of Inspection, and I have too much
204From John Jay to Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your Favor of the 18 Dec r . which was delivered to me on the 13 th . of March last— I am happy to hear that your Health permits you ^ still ^ to continue in your import in the Chair and to sustain the Weight of Business which the Duties of that office impose upon you. We have within these five Days The ^ interesting ^ news of Gen Morgans ^ glorious
I have had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letters of the ^ 6 th & ^ 17 October last with the Inclosures. They arrived the 30 Day of Jan y last— There is more than reason to suspect that the French Court were apprized of their Contents before they arrived and to beleive that the Construction of the Treaty by which the navigation of the Mississippi is supposed to be comprehended in...
It gives me very sensible pleasure to find, from the Act of Congress inclosed in your Excellency’s polite Favour of the 1 st . inst. that my Conduct in the chair and the execution of public Business, has been honoured by the approbation of Congress. The testimony given of it by this act demands my warmest acknowledgements. Be pleased, sir, to assure the Congress, that my happiness is...
Your Ex y s Fav r . of the 28 May & the Duplicate of it , have been come to my Hands thro those of the minister by whose Courier they were brought from Cadiz to this City. Every thing ^ w h ^ that Letter rendered proper for me to do has been done. The Issue is as yet uncertain. The Court are gone to S t . Ildefonso— I follow Tomorrow—for the Captors of the Dover Cutter I have as yet only been...
My last to Your Excellency was of the 25 th ult o . and was the more particular as M r : Toscan, who is appointed Vice Consul of France at Boston was the Bearer of it— He sailed from Bilboa On the 18 th Inst: I received from the Honorable M r . Lovell Three Letters written on one sheet, viz t : 20 Feb y . 9 & 31 March last— No other Copies of these Letters ever reached me— They arrived at...
Since my Departure from America I have had the Honor of writing the following Letters to your Excellency Vizt. 20′ 22′ 24′ 25′ 25′ 26′ and 27 th . December 1779 from Martinique, and 27 th . January, 20′ 28′ 29th. February 3 3′ 3′ 3 d . March 1780 from Cadis. I am still uncertain whether any and which of them, have come to your Hands; and request the favor of particular Information on this...
I have done what, perhaps, I shall be blamed for—but my pride as an American, and my feelings as a Man, were not on this Occasion to be resisted. The Officers of the Confederacy were here without Money, or the Means of getting any. The Idea of our Officers being obliged to sneak, as they phrase it, from the Company of French Officers for Fear of running in Debt with them for a Bottle of Wine,...
Captain Morgan’s being still here, waiting for a fair wind gives me an opportunity of transmitting to your Excellency a copy of a Letter just come to hand from the Count De Florida Blanca in answer to mine to M r . Galvez. Being apprehensive that if present I should probably be amused with verbal answers capable of being explained away if necessary until the two Courts could have time to...
My former Letters to your Excellency of the 20 th . and 22d. Instant (a triplicate of the former and a duplicate of the latter are herewith enclosed) have already informed Congress of the disaster which imposed upon us the necessity of coming hither. But as that necessity has been and it seems still continues the subject of much Inquiry and investigation, it is proper that the facts from which...
This letter and several copies of it are to be sent by the next Post to Bilboa, Cadiz, Nantes &c. The Object of it is to inform you that it is necessary immediately to cease drawing bills upon me—for the Present. Your Excellency may soon expect a full detail of Particulars from me, you will then receive an answer to every question that may be raised upon this letter. His Catholic Majesty has...
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed certain Papers from Morocco viz t : N o . 1. containing a Letter of 21 Ap: last to me from Audibert Caille who stiles himself the Consul appointed by the Emperor for such foreign Nations as have none of their own in his Dominions, to protect the Strangers who may come to traffic in his Ports, pursuant to two Proclamations published last Year— N o...
As a late and particular Letter from me to your Ex y is now on the way to America, and as I purpose to write again very fully by ^ the Successor of ^ M r . Millalle’s [Miralles], I decline saying much in this Letter which I shall send in ^ by ^ a circuitous and hazardous Route I have been permitted to accpt d Bills to the amount of
216From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 30 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Foster Webb you will receive in part of the requisition of Congress of 1,953,200 Dollars, the following sums, to wit 650,000 Dollars in money, and bills for 780,239 8/9 Dollars, making in the whole 1,430,239 8/9 Dollars. There remains a deficiency of 522,960 1/9 dollars which I hope to be able to send on within four weeks from this time. I should have been very happy to have been...
217From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 27 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire of Congress expressed in their resolutions of the 17th Ult. I shall endeavor to inform them what has been done by this state in consequence of the several resolutions there referred to. 1779. Mar. 9. Recommendation to the states to compleat their respective quotas of 80 battalions. 1780. Feb. 9. United states to furnish their respective deficiencies of 35,211 men on or...
218From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 28 May 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with the first part of TJ’s letter to George Washington, same date, q.v. for variations in the two texts. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 71, ii ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ; endorsed in part: “Read June 4. Referred to the board of War.” FC ( Vi ). Tr ( DLC : TJ Papers).
219From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 2 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received and shall duly comply with the recommendations of Congress for corresponding with their committee at Headquarters. It having been necessary to lay their and your requisitions before the General assembly, it has not been within my power to give any effectual answer till within these few days; and now only on the article of provisions. I beg leave to refer you to my letter to...
220[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 27 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[Richmond, 27 Sep. 1780. JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xviii , 912 (9 Oct. 1780): “A letter, of 27 September, from Governor Jefferson was read, accompanied with copies of the acts of the Virginia assembly, from the beginning of the year, 1779.” Letter not located, but the Journals record two days later that, on a motion...