1From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 10 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 1 st instant, and am happy to learn that we are likely to have a good biography of the late judge M c Kean. altho’ we served together in revolutionary scenes, and after these in others equally trying, yet length of time and the wane of memory have left me no recollections which would be worth noting. the general remembrance can never be obliterated that...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 9 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Beckley informs me he has proposed himself to your notice in the disposal of offices in this state. his long residence here has given you such opportunities of personal knolege of him that it is unnecessary to supply that: otherwise I should add with pleasure & truth my testimony of the talents, diligence & integrity with which he has conducted himself in office, and of his zealous...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 20 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of receiving a letter from your excellency desiring that application might be made to Colo. Arthur Campbell of Washington for certain papers taken on his expedition against the Cherokees, and described, in his relation of that, as the Archives of the nation. The application was immediately made, and he has transmitted to me the packet which accompanies this , with a promise of...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 21st. and thank you for the communication it contained. I value it as a historical fact, as well as a strong evidence of the obligations I am under for the partiality of my country men to me: but rejoice with you that the views of the constitution were otherwise fulfilled. satisfied that the departure of the Chevr. d’Yrujo & his family must be a...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 19 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 14th. and have this morning sent it on to Genl. Dearborne as I had before done several applications for the same office, leaving to him to chuse among them. the office calls for a good deal of mercantile qualification: if Colo. Miles possesses this also it will add to the advantages of his competition. Neither the subject of the application which you...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 9 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Feb. 20. and to thank you for your congratulations on the event of the election. had it terminated in the elevation of mr Burr, every republican would I am sure have acquiesced in a moment; because, however it might have been variant from the intentions of the voters, yet it would have been agreeable to the constitution. no man would more...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 3 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknolege the reciept of your last favor , and I assure you with truth that the rumors set about by designing persons, & which are the subject of your letter, were perfectly understood by me, & made not the least impression. a long life spent in the service of the public & going always directly and openly to it’s object, is better evidence to me of your conduct than...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 30 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Mr. William Short purposing to Philadelphia for the prosecution of his studies, I do myself the honor under authority of the acquaintance I had the pleasure of forming with you in Philadelphia, of introducing him to your notice, persuaded that should you give him an opportunity of being known to you, you will think it a circumstance not merely indifferent to add to the number of...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 17 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 8th. but the act of ratification which it announces, is not yet come to hand. no doubt it is on it’s way. that great opposition is and will be made by federalists to this amendment is certain. they know that if it prevails, neither a Presidt. or Vice President can ever be made but by the fair vote of the majority of the nation, of which they are not. that...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 24 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The National legislature, by an Act, at their last session, for laying out & making a road from Cumberland, in Maryland to the State of Ohio, Authorised the President to appoint Commissioners for laying it out in such direction as they should judge proper, & he should approve: & the President, after obtaining the consent of the States through which it should be laid out, was authorised to take...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 7 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20’th Ult. inclosing a duplicate of the resolution of Congress which honoured me with an appointment is just come to hand. I received the Original on the 9th. of July, and was prevented answering it till the 4th. of Aug. by accidents which I therein endeavored to explain. This answer I took the liberty of putting under cover to the honble. Majr. Genl. Marquis la...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 2 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long waited for an opportunity to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Dec. 15. as well as of that by Doctr. Mendenhall . none occurring I shall either deliver the present to Genl. Muhlenburg or put it under cover to Doctr. Wistar to whom I happen to be writing, to be sent to your house in Philadelphia or forwarded confidentially to Lancaster. The event of the election is still in...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 14 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. came to hand last night. while making out the commissions of bankruptcy the newspapers informed me of the death of your son, on which event I sincerely condole with you. his name was therefore omitted and another inserted so as to compleat the number before the reciept of your letter recommending mr Pettit. Though I take for granted that the colonisation of Louisiana by...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 24 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. is duly recieved. it is on a subject the most difficult of all we have to act on. my idea is that the mass of our countrymen, even of those who call themselves Federalists, are republican. they differ from us but in a shade of more or less power to be given to the Executive or Legislative organ. they were decoyed into the net of the Monarchists by the XYZ contrivance....
15From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 23 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have been so friendly as to transmit to the President of the U.S. the papers of Philip Wilson, I take the liberty of availing myself of the same channel to convey to him the opinion of the Attorney general in answer to his application. I do this the rather as not knowing how to address to him. I have the honour to be with real marks of the highest respect & esteem Sir Your most obedt. &...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 4 August 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of June the 15th . with which your Excellency was pleased to honor me came unfortunately when I was absent on a journey to the county of Bedford an hundred miles Southward of this. I there received it on the 9th. of July, and a return to this place was necessary to furnish me certain informations on which depended materially my powers to obey the wishes of Congress. This return was...
17From James Madison to Thomas McKean, 7 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to an Act of Congress, entitled An Act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the U. States I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Philadelphia 1026 copies of the laws of the United States 2d Session 9th Congress being the proportion for the State of Pennsylvania with a request that he would forward them to your Excellency. I have the honor to be with great...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas McKean, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 10, 1789. “I duly received the letter which you did me the honor to write me of the 2d of Decr. last.… With regard to your Bond against Dowdle, when I first received it I made diligent inquiry after him, but I found that his situation and principles were equally desperate & that to make any attempt to recover the money would be to add fruitlessly to your loss.…” ALS ,...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 19 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 7th. inst. has been duly recieved. the late election in Pensylvania has to be sure been a triumphant proof of the progress of the republican spirit: and must afford great consolation to yourself personally, as a mark of the public approbation of your administration. I believe we may consider the mass of the states South & West of Connecticut & Massachusets as now a consolidated...
20From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 9 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents his compliments to Chief Justice McKean; thanks him for the kind enquiry respecting his health. The President will be at home tomorrow at twelve o’Clock, at which time he will be happy to see The Chief Justice & Doct. Priestly. L , PHi : McKean Papers. Joseph Priestley, the distinguished English scientist and educator, had recently emigrated to the...
21From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 4 July 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas McKean, 4 July 1789. The endorsement on an envelope in PHi : McKean Papers reads: “Note from General G. Washington. July 4th 1789.”
22From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 27 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty to inclose to your Excellency an Extract from a Letter lately received from Major General Heath—I beg you will be pleased to submit it to Congress & if any further Determinations are made respecting the Subject, that they may be transmitted to that Genl. I have the Honor to be DLC : Papers of George Washington.
23From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 1 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with your letter of the 13th March. I should be ready to afford every probable means of procuring honest testimony, to the two persons now under confinement for passing counterfeit Continental Money. But it cannot be supposed that General Howe would permit persons to come out of philadelphia to give evidence in a matter, which by being traced fairly back would fix the...
24From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 11 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I wish to recommend to your Benediction, the Gentleman who will have the honour to present to you, this Letter. Mr Francis C. Gray, a Son of our late Lt. Governor, who after an Education at our University, two Years travels in Europe and three Years Studies at the Bar, has Wisdom enough to wish to See more of his native Country. And Who, or what can he more rationally wish to See, than the...
25From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor done me in the Receipt of your Excellencys Favor of the 3d instant—covering the Resolutions of Congress of the 2d—The Corps of Rifle Men, requested from the State of Pensylvania, I am anxious to obtain, as I am more & more sensible of the important Benefit we may derive from their Services in our approach to New York. Your Excellency’s agreable Favor of the 6th...
26From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received, and do sincerely thank you, for the several articles of important intelligence contained in your private letter of the 12th—the continuation of such confidential communications will be highly pleasing to me and may be exceedingly beneficial, considered in a public point of view, as circumstances (well authenticated) should influence measures as certainly as causes produce...
27From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The character and circumstances of Capt. McLean, which appear to have interested your Excellency, are such as incline me to favour his views of reentering the Service. The vacancy in Armand’s Corps has been mentioned as the best opening for him—but the pretentions of the Officers in it, who claim succession were opposed as insurmountable difficulties; To obviate these it has been proposed that...
28From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
If I am committing an indiscretion, I hope you will pardon it. The Reverend Mr Henry Colman of Hingham, a Clergyman established in the Affections and Esteem of this Neighbourhood is on a Journey to Philadelphia. He has an Ardent desire to See the Old Patriots of the Revolution, and where can I look for an older one, than to Governor M. Kean? In addition to his professional Virtues of Piety and...
29From George Washington to Colonel Thomas McKean, 6 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The French Gentleman whom you may recollect was at Philadelphia when I was there, in the character of the Baron de Calbiact, & who was waiting on Congress for some promotion in the Military line, is now here, and Complains of the hardship he labours under in being refused an appointment and also in having his papers & Credentials kept from him. he informs me they are in your hands, and as he...
30From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress having, in their late Regulations respecting promotion, pointed out certain districts in which Battalion Officers are to be promoted to the rank of Brigadrs by seniority—the senior Colonels in those Districts who suppose themselves, in consequence of that Resolution, entitled to succeed as Brigadiers to the command of the Brigades which are now Vacant, are anxious respecting their...
31From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 29 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Revd. Mr Edward Everett, though in early youth is desirous of Seeing the oldest Patriot and Statesman in America; and to gratify him I give him a Letter to you. As I cannot Say enough of him, I have a great mind to Say nothing at all; but I will Say, he has given to the World proofs of Genius Learning and Industry, which might be compared to a Pascal at his Age. Mr Colman has a Letter,...
32From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s three Letters of the 14th & 17th of this month—with the several Resolutions of Congress, & the Extracts from intercepted Letters, inclosed. I am much obliged by your attention in the Communication of the Extracts, altho I had been favored with them thro’ another Channel, previous to the Receipt of your Favor—the Intelligence to be collected from them,...
33From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor of the 26th inst. covering a Correspondence between the Marqu i ss Lefayette & Earl Cornwallis—I am obliged by this early Transmission of the Papers—& have the Honor to concur in sentiment with your Excellency in the probable future Movement of the Enemy under Comand of His Lordship—This Conjecture is indeed already verefied...
34From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 30 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th, which I very highly esteem, now received last night, after I have given a line of introduction to Mr Everett, a very distinguished young Schollar, Preacher and Author. The Brittish Nation and their Government has sufficiently and uniformly manifested that disposition towards this Countrey for two hundred years. As they prefer the Roman Catholic Religion to Ours; So...
35From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing a letter from Baron de frey, in which after giving me a State of his services, he requests either that he may be employed suitably to his rank—or have a recommendation to Congress to facilitate his retiring to Europe. The former being impracticable in the present circumstances of the Army—the alternative cannot be refused him—I therefore do myself the honor...
36From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform Congress, that my Expectation of the Arrival of the Fleet of Monser DeGrasse, in the Chesapeak Bay—with some other Circumstances, of which Congress were informed in my Letter of the 2d of Augst & in which very little alterations have since taken place—have induced me to make an Alteration in the concerted Operations of this Campaign. I am now on my March with a very...
37From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 1 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I was honored with your Excellencys Favor of the 21st ulto with its Inclosure—The Intelligence it contains respectg the British Fleet, is very agreable, & will be imediately transmitted to the Count de Grasse. In my last, which bore Date the 23d ulto I informed, that our Preparations for a near Investment of the Enemy at York, were fast ripening to a Point—I have now to acquaint...
38From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 2 June 1812 (Adams Papers)
Our ancient and venerable Friend Clinton is gone before us. It had long been my intention to write to him: but while I was busied about many things perhaps of less importance, he has Slipped out of my reach. I am determined no longer to neglect a moment to write to you lest I Should glide away where there is no pen and ink. Nearly thirty eight years ago our friendship commenced. It has never...
39From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 12 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last dispatch to your Excellency was of the 6th I then informed you that we should open Trenches on that night—we did so, and established our first parallel within 600 Yards of the enemy’s Works with the loss of only one Officer of the French Artillery wounded and 16 privates killed and wounded, the greater part of which were of the French line. The 7th and 8th we were employed in...
40From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 30 July 1815 (Adams Papers)
Who Shall write the History of the American Revoluion? Who can write it? Who will ever be able to write it? The most essential Documents; the debates and deliberations in Congress from 1774 to 1783 were all in secret, and are now lost forever. Mr Dickinson printed a Speech which he aid he made in Congress against the declaration of Independence: but it appeared to me very different from that...
41From George Washington to Colonel Thomas McKean, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to that part of your Letter of the 10th Instt “whether, when a Brigade is drawn up, and the oldest Colonel takes the Right, his Battalion is to be on the right with him; that is, whether the Colonel gives rank to the Battalion” I shall inform you, that to the best of my Military knowledge a Regiment never looses its Rank, consequently can derive none from its Colonel, nor loose any...
42From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 29 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Gen: Washington presents his Complts to The honbl. The Vice Presidt of the Pensa State Society of Cincinnati, and will do himself the honor of dining with the Society on the 4th of July agreeably to Invitation. AL , PHi : McKean Papers. GW wrote in his diary for 4 July: “. . . went to hear an Oration on the anniversary of Independance delivered by a Mr. Mitchell, a student of Law—After which I...
43From James Madison to Thomas McKean, 23 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to an Act of Congress, entitled An act for the more general promulgation of the Laws of the United States, passed 3d. March 1795, and the acts in addition thereto passed on the 2d. March 1799 and on the 27th March 1804, I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Philada 1026 copies of the Laws of the United States 1st. Session 9th. Congress, being the proportion for the...
44From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 12 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Meeting the enclosed Packet at this Place—I have taken the liberty to open it, expecting to find a Letter for myself which proves to be the Case—I now enclose the Packet, which goes on with my Apology for the Liberty taken. I am pursuing my March from this—& expect to join the Marquis in two Days from this Time. With highest Respect & Esteem I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedt...
45From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 23 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my Arrival at this Place, I found it would be attended with good Consequences for me to see Admiral DeGrasse in Person—this right I have performed & met the Count on Board the Ville de Paris at Cape Henry, from whence I am just returned— I am happy to inform Congress, that I found the French Admiral disposed in the best Manner, to give us all the Assistance in his Power, & perfectly to...
46From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 9 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Aug. 28th has been duly received and highly esteemed. I say with you, the Will of eternal Wisdom and Benevolence, be done.— I wish to know, where the Anecdote of Sir William Keith is to be found. I have my doubts whether any History of America would “sell well.” Gordons, Ramsays, Warrens, even Marshalls I believe have not been very lucrative. No Party has been quite satisfied...
47From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 8 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor in inform Congress, thro’ your Excellency, that a late meeting between the American & British Commissaries of Prisoners, it has been propos’d by the latter to go into a full exchange of Lt Genll Burgoyne and all the remaining Officers of Convention (by composition where Rank will not apply) for the remainder of our Officers in this Quarter, and after them for those taken...
48From James Madison to Thomas McKean, 11 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Minister of his Catholic Majesty, has complained to this Department of an indignity offered to his sovereign during a late riot in Philadelphia, in which besides certain violences committed on a number of Spanish sailors, the flag of a Spanish ship was torn down and destroyed with the most aggravating insults. A copy of his representation on the subject, is herewith enclosed. As the...
49From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself peculiarly obliged and honored by your Excellency’s interesting communication of the 26th Ulto. That America must place her principal dependence upon her own exertions I have always foreseen and have ever endeavoured to inculcate; and I flatter myself that from the wise system of policy which has been of late adopted and which Congress seem determined to pursue our internal means...
Major Franks delivered me the Despatches committed to his Care, on the 30 th . of August. He set out for France the 5 th Inst. My Letters by him to your Excellency will account for his remaining here so long. I also beg Leave to refer to them for other more interesting particulars. Congress will doubtless be informed that I have refused to accept some of their Bills. As the Enemies of America...