1Samuel Chandler to James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Peters, Benjamin Franklin, Conrad Weiser, and William Smith … (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Horace W. Smith, Life and Correspondence of the Rev. William Smith, D.D. (Philadelphia, 1880), I , 40–2. William Smith delivered this letter to Governor Hamilton a few days after he returned from England on May 22. Hamilton communicated it at once to the others named in it. Franklin, Peters, and Weiser were about to set out to Albany, so no meeting could be held...
2George Washington to William Smith, 8 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with much satisfaction from your letter of April 28. that you propose to undertake a history of the American revolution, and shall with pleasure procure you any aids I can towards the faithful execution of the work. I will therefore desire the heads of the Executive departments to communicate to you such papers of useful information in their respective offices as they, in their...
3From Alexander Hamilton to William Smith, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 30, 1789. “I duly received your letter of the 18th. instant.… I send you herewith a letter in answer to that for myself from your Society which I request may be presented.” LS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. The Boston Marine Society. The letter to the society has not been found.
4George Washington to William Smith, [15 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Passaic Falls, New Jersey, November 15, 1780. ] Thanks Smith for the notice of Washington’s election to American Philosophical Society. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Smith was secretary of the American Philosophical Society.
5From John Adams to William Smith, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Pleasure of Mr. Smith’s Company to Dine, on thursday next, at ½ past 2 o’clock. An answer is requested. MHi : Adams Papers.
6From George Washington to William Smith, 8 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Captn Barney has just arrived here in the miniature Ship called the Federalist; and has done me the honour to offer that beautiful curiosity as a Present to me, on your part. I pray you, Gentlemen, to accept the warmest expressions of my sensibility for this specimen of American ingenuity : in which the exactitude of the proportions, the neatness of the workmanship, and the elegance of the...
7From John Adams to William Smith, 27 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Letter of the 19 th . a drawback on Rum exported is admitted by the House, and I believe will not be taken off by the Senate. The duty on Molasses will be reduced to 4 Cents and I hope to three. Your Reasoning appears to be very just and I think will prevail. The jealousies Distilleries and Breweries are natural and cannot be wholly prevented: but I hope they will...
8From George Washington to William Smith, 18 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 8th ulto by Colo. Tilghman, who arrived here abt ten days ago, & to whom I have committed the charge of forwarding this answer. To the Gentlemen who moved the matter, & to the assembly for adopting it, I am much indebted for the honor conferred on me by giving my name to the College at Chester. at the same time that I acknowledge the honor I...
9From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received yours of May 16. with the Box of Books, and have already delivered and forwarded most of them as directed. I supply’d Dr. Fothergill with the wanting Sheet. I approve much of the Letter’s being in English. I forwarded your Letter to Mr. White, Son of Taylor White, Esqr late Treasurer of the Foundling Hospital (now deceas’d)...
10Abigail Adams to William Smith, 23 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
As you was absent when I left home I was unable to pay you for some articles which you had purchased for me, as well as some which mrs smith had procured for me. if you will be so good as to forward me the amount, I will transmit it to you— When I pay’d mr Fothingham for the Carriage, there were the quarter Lights and some other matters which made the carriage amount to more than our first...
11Abigail Adams to William Smith, 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Death of my Mother which took place this afternoon very suddenly, will prevent my Sitting out on my journey as I had intended on twesday. we propose to burry her on Monday. I do not think I can get away untill thursday. I shall therefore omit sending Beckey untill fryday. I would wish two places engaged in the Stage as I have an other Girl to go with her, and should like to have them under...
12From George Washington to William Smith, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 15th Inst. by Lieut. Colonel Burr. It gives me pleasure to find that the conduct of the flag was such as contributed to your ease; and I am much obliged to you for the attention shewn to the convenience of my officers. It was really altogether out of my power to take any concern, (without interfering with the civil authority) in the matter of your request, but I...
13From James Madison to William Smith, [31 March 1822] (Madison Papers)
I have just recd yours of this date. I am sorry Mr. R Smith who probably remembers with much certainty & accuracy the original course of the river as the true boundary between us, finds a difficulty in giveg us his aid. The question is not where the river ran before it left the S. Side of what is called the Island and got into its present bed. It doubtless had successive temporary channels...
14From George Washington to William Smith, March–April 1757 (Washington Papers)
[ March-April 1757 ]. The text of this letter is printed as Document III of “The Capitulation of Fort Necessity.” There William Smith is tentatively identified as the addressee. On 3 Mar. 1757, while GW was in Philadelphia to attend Loudoun’s meeting with the southern governors, the printer James Chattin announced in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia) his intention to publish within two...
15From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 4 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I received the Box containing eleven Copies of the Transactions sent me by order of the Society, and have already delivered most of them as directed. There should be more care taken by the Binder in collating the Sheets, particularly of Books sent so far. The Book for the Society of Arts had one Sheet twice over, and the Duplicate was return’d to me on a Supposition...
16From John Quincy Adams to William Smith, 24 August 1815 (Adams Papers)
On my arrival in this Country, I received your favour of 3. April last, enclosing a copy of the Sermon, and other religious performances, at the Ordination of Mr Frothingham, for which I beg you to accept my thanks—I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with that Gentleman; but he fills the place of two of the most valued and respected friends that it has been my lot to meet in...
17From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith, 16 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States desiring to avail the public of your services as Auditor of the Treasury of the U. S. I have now the honor of enclosing you the Commission. You will readily concieve from the nature of this office that every day’s suspension of its functions adds new instances of inconvenience to the public, and to individuals. While I indulge myself therefore in expressing...
18Abigail Adams to William Smith, 28 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you the Letter which gave me every reason to expect that Thomas was on Board Capt Jenkins. as he is not mentiond, and I have not heard any thing, I am fearfull he did not come. perhaps capt Jenkins may know in what vessel he took his passage it is very painfull to be daily expecting a Friend, at this Season of the year. one cannot help having much anxiety The conduct of Dr W h is...
19From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 18 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have had but one Line from you since your Arrival in England, which was a short one, via Boston, dated October 18. acquainting me you had wrote largely by Davis. Davis was lost, and with him your Letters, to my great Disappointment. Mesnard and Gibbon are since arriv’d here, and I hear nothing from you; which I should tell you chagrins me not a...
20From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith, 12 September 1811 (Adams Papers)
Altho I cannot personally be with you, oweing to the Sickness in my own Family, to pay the last tribute of respect to the remains of your Dear Departed Son, be assured my dear afflicted Friends, that my Heart, my Thoughts, and my affections are with you, and that I do most tenderly Sympathize with you in this day of your visitation May that all Mercifull Being, whose ways are not as our ways,...
21From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith, 28 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As the time allotted for Mr. Eppes’s stay here is short in proportion to the objects of it, I am desirous of husbanding every hour of it possible. Lest I should not have explained myself sufficiently as to his objects at the college, I take the liberty of doing it now. In Mathematics he possesses already the first 6. and the 11th. and 12th. books of Euclid (having been four times over them in...
22From George Washington to William Smith, 6 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Moustier—Minister from the Court of France—and the Marchioness de Brehan &ca—being on their return to New York, and proposing to pass through Baltimore I have the honor of introducing them to your personal acquaintance; being persuaded that you will have pleasure in paying them those attentions which are not only due to their Rank but to their great Merit. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt &...
23John Adams to William Smith, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your’s of the 13 th and 16 th: the last contains the most agreeable News I have heard a long time.— If M rs: Adams should arrive, I believe it will be the most prudent thing she can do, to purchase as strong and decent a Coach of four Places, as can be had for 150 Guineas, in this she may come to the Hague, and go in it with me to Paris if I should have occasion to go there—I...
24Abigail Adams to William Smith, 5 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
Several of Your favours have come safe to hand for which I thank You. in Your last You Mention it probable that mr Strong will be Voted for as Govenour—a very good Man, who will be acceptable to every good Man, not devoted to Party, but to enable a Man who has not a fortune to spend in the public Service, and who has a large and increasing family to provide for, it will be necessary to enlarge...
25From George Washington to William Smith, 25 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th from Vienna, was more than ten days on its passage to me. It found me with company, & busily preparing for a journey which I am about to commence in a few days to the westward. I did not fail however to mention the purport of your wishes to Mr Arell who was the bearer of your packet to me. He offering his services to dispose of your lottery tickets—I do not know where...
26Abigail Adams Smith to William Smith, 22 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
we were made very happy this morning by the receipt of your Letter, informing us of the arrival of my Parents— be pleased to accept our sincere thanks for this early Proof of your attention— I am anxious to hear particularly respecting their Healths— I hope the Lameness of my Mammas Hand which you mention, is not to be of long continueance— I hope you will excuse the Liberty I have taken of...
27From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith, 18 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to proceed into the Country and engage eight good Gun-smiths and one good Blacksmith (a white man) to come immediately to work with Mr. Anderson in the repairs of Arms. Should you be able to find any good and faithful hands, who tho’ unwilling to come here would undertake to repair such Arms as should be sent to them, you will be pleased to engage them and to know what...
28Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
We are thus far on our Way to N England if no accident happens to prevent us. I hope on thursday of next week to sleep at williams at Malbourough, and to dine at Watertown on fryday. We escaped from N york with less parade than was intended, tho we were not less sensible to the politeness and civility of the inhabitants who were disposed to do us every honour both civil and Military. the first...
29Abigail Adams to William Smith, 10 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to congratulate you & mrs Smith upon the Birth of a Daughter. I hope both the Mamma and Infant are in good Health, as well as master William my Grandchildren are much afflicted with the Hooping cough we have had a succession of extreem Hot weather, and tho we have one of the most airy situations near the city, I have sufferd much from the Heat. It would make us very happy to see...
30From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 27 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote you fully via Bristol, I have now little to add. Matters relating to the Academy remain in Statu quo. A Majority of the Trustees, I find, would be glad to see a Rector establish’d there, but they dread entring into new Engagements ’till they are got out of Debt; and I have not yet been able to bring them over to my Opinion, that a good...