1From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received yours of the 19 of October. Sometime Since I received the other of the 19th. of August. Both went to Paris and I being here, Mr. Dana and Mr. Thaxter forwarded, their Inclosures, according to my desire, but I am not able to say in what Vessel. In Consequence of Mr. Laurens’s Misfortune, I am ordered to reside in Holland for the present, and should be glad to be informed by...
2From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 3 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which you did me the Honour to write me the 21. May, and thank you for your Congratulations, on the Tryumph the American Cause has gained, in this Country. I call it a Tryumph because, it prevailed over great obstacles, long Habits of Friendship, vast Interests of Capitalists in the Stocks, intimate ancient and modern Connections of ruling Families, and multifarious...
3From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 12 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of 28 of June and 30 July, I have recd. I have not transmitted to Congress, the first, because I would not give an allarm unnecessarily. The Intelligence contained in it is wholly groundless, according to the best Information I can obtain and the best Judgment I can form. I am well assured that neither of the Imperial Courts have ever made any declaration, or expressed any Opinion...
4From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 28 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your Letter of the 23 of December. I have rec d but one Letter for you, Since my Arrival in Paris, and that was inclosed with mine to you of the 26. Ult. I am not able to Say why the Letters were delivered to you at the Hague unsealed. I never unsealed any of your Letters, most certainly, and if you have rec d any in that State, which had passed through my hands,...
5From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 23 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favours of the 8. &. 10, and although I am Sorry you did not find every Thing to your Satisfaction in America, I congratulate You on your Safe Arrival in Europe and wish you Success in your Views. If by giving a proper Consistency to our Confederation you mean, the making of Congress Souvereign and Supream in the Negotiation of Treaties of Commerce, and in Regulating the...
6From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 15 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
In your favour of Oct r. 29, You inform me that The Marquis has observed in Germany, that the Lies which are Spread to our disadvantage, must be injurious to our national honour, if We neglect to contradict them.— When I came first to Europe now approaching to Eight Years ago, my Indignation was roused, at the Shameless Falshoods which were continually propagated, and I took a great deal of...
7From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 29 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have found in the Remembrancer of the Year 1775, page 309, that a Petition was presented to his Majesty on Wednesday the 11 th. of September, from the City of Bristol by M r Burke, one of the Representatives of that City, in which are the following Words. “We owe a Testimony of Justice to your Colonies, which is, that in the midst of the present distractions, We have received many...
8From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 20 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
It is impossible for me to assist you in your Refutation of the Abbe Raynal.— My time is all taken up, and there is not enough of it.— The Quakers changed the Names of Days and Months, first day second day &c first Month, Second Month &c—but the other New England People never did that I know any Thing of.— if they did you will find it in Hutchinson, as well as what relates to the 2250 Livres...
9From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 26 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
The insinuation of the Abby Raynal, mentioned in your Letter of the 17 th. —that “the Savages were to be dispossessed of Lands, which they would not cultivate,” is injurious. The first Settlers of New England, as well as of the other Parts of America, were Scrupulous to purchase the Title of the Indians, wherever they planted. In a Course of many Years practice in the Courts of Law, I have had...
10From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 1 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of Feb. 24. I rec d. but this Moment.— The Mass. Law in question obliged Masters of Vessells, before they landed a Passenger to give Bonds, to maintain him, in Case he came to want. it was intended to indemnify Parishes, or rather Towns, against the Maintenance of Paupers.— This Law turned the Tide of Emigration from Ireland to Philadelphia.— it was early in this Century I believe,...
11From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 12 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 24. May is before me. To presume defend the Seperation of the Legislative Executive and Judicial Powers, from each other, and the Division of the Legislature into three branches, from the attacks of County Committees, riotous assemblies, and uninformed Philosophers and Statesmen, will be the Burthen of my Song and I am very glad to find that the Attempt, has met with your...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, 27 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library It was with great Pleasure I learnt from Mr. Jefferson, that you were settled in America; and from the Letter you favour’d me with, that you like the Country, and have reason to expect Success in your laudable and meritorious Endeavours to introduce new Products. I heartily wish you all the Success you can desire, in that, and in every other Undertaking that may...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you have done me the honour of writing to me desiring an Advance of 200. Louis. The Reasons you offer to shew the Safety with which I might trust you with that Sum are good; but some unexpected Drafts on me, lately received, and the Engagements of various kinds that I am under, disable me from complying with such...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, [2 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Mazzei and acquaints him that some unforeseen Business will prevent his being at Versailles on Tuesday; He thinks too that there will be no Court, it being Mardi-gras. Who arrived in Paris around the beginning of February and spent most of the year in France. He returned to Virginia at the beginning of December:...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, [11] March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society According to Mr Mazzei’s Request, Dr. Franklin has the honour to inform him that there is no Court at Versailles on Tuesday next, consequently that he shall not be there.— Dr. Franklin desires the honour of Mr & Mrs Mazzei’s Company at Dinner on Wednesday the 12th Inst.—at ½ pst 2 Made in 1952 from a private collection in Geneva. Mazzei wrote in his...
16From George Washington to Philip Mazzei, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two or three Months ago I had the honor to receive your favor of the 27th of Jany. about the same time I was informed, that you either had Imbarked, or was upon the point of imbarking, for Europe; this induced me to suspend my acknowledgment of your polite Lettr till a more favourable juncture; but being lately told that you were in Virginia I address you accordingly. I thank you for your...
17From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 7 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
Draft ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Mazzei, Philip July 7. 1780.” The year should have been 1781. Years later William C. Rives wrote below this note, “Description of military operations, & cruelties of the enemy.” I have received 2 copies of your favor of the 7th. of Decr. last and 3 of that of the 30th. of Novr. preceding Having neglected to bring with me from Virginia the cypher...
18From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 5 November 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 5 November 1787. Acknowledged in Mazzei to JM, 21 Dec. 1787 . Reports on the Dohrman affair and comments on Mazzei’s book.
19From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 8 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 December 1787. Acknowledged in Mazzei to JM, 4 Feb. 1788 . Encourages Mazzei’s hopes for some immediate remittance in his complicated financial dealings with Dohrman.
20From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 20 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 20 December 1787. Acknowledged in Mazzei to JM, 4 Feb. 1788 . Leads Mazzei to conclude that he has no hope of relief in the Dohrman business until a federal government is established in America.
21From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 8 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been favored with several letters from you since the date of my last; but some of them having been recd. in Virginia I am not able now to acknowledge all of them by their respective dates. The date of the last was in May. You ask me why I agreed to the Constitution proposed by the Convention at Philada.? I answer, because I thought it safe to the liberties of the people, and the best...
22From James Madison to Philip Mazzei, 10 December 1788 (Madison Papers)
Since my last Mr. Dorhman has given me further hopes that his measures in hand would place soon a relief for you in the hands of Mr. Jefferson or some friend in Paris, and that he should ere long be in condition to acquit himself of his debt to you which he always acknowledges to involve gratitude along with justice. He has at my request concurred in an instrument which pledges his western...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 4 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Fier Rodrique being to sail within about three weeks, I think it a safe opportunity of writing to you, and of sending you according to your desire the two bundles of papers indorsed ‘fogli da estrarne principj di governo libero’ &c. and ‘pamphlets, newspapers, fogli stampati,’ which with this letter will be addressed to the care of Penet & co. of Nantz. I have heard nothing certain of you...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 31 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Fier Rodrique has waited till now, and therefore gives me an opportunity of acknowleging the receipt of your letters No. 2. 3. 4. 7 . The intermediate ones 5. and 6. have not come to hand. An express now setting out to carry letters to the ship supposed to be on her departure leaves me leisure to say but little in answer to yours. I am sorry an idea should prevail in France that if they...
25[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 11 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 11 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. Account of my transactions for him—how my own time filled up in his absence.” Not found.]
26[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 28 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. My proceedings in his affairs—adjournment Congr.—will bear testimony if he can fix particular point—correspond.—communicated de Rieux’s arrival at Chas. T. and letter to me.” Not found. Derieux’s letter is that of 22 Feb. 1784, q.v.]
27[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 8 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 8 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. Valedict.” Not found.]
28[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. That Bowdoin’s conversion of a sterlg. into currency debt was illegal—that Jefferson’s bond for £146–4–6 and Gillespy’s & Henderson’s for £100 having been so long kept by Bowdoin would be considered as a money paiment—that the former was my brother’s affair—referred to N. Lewis and Key for papers and Garth for information.” Not found.]
29[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 12 May 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 12 May 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. Receipt of his of Dec. 1. Peace. Likely to form rational connection with Tuscany, but barren unless Tuscans carry on in own bottoms. Barbary states. Query if ask peace with sword or money. Ill health. Begin now to go out. My appointment. Send for Polly next spring. Patsy well. Mr. Short also, and at St. Germ.’s. Mr. Ad. goes to Lond. His...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You desire me to give you an idea of the Origin and Object of our court of Chancery, the Limits of it’s jurisdiction, and it’s Tendency to render property and liberty more or less secure in a country where that security is infinitely valued. The purpose for which you require this obliges me to be concise, as indeed does my situation here, where, as you know, I am without books which might...