1Philadelphia Linen Manufactory: Stock Certificate for Charles Thomson, 13 August 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society In July 1764 a group of Philadelphia citizens issued a two-page printed circular inviting subscriptions to the stock of a “Linen Manufactory” to be established in or near Philadelphia. According to this announcement, benevolence furnished the principal motive. “Whereas the number of poor in and around this City, is at...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 11 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; extract: printed in The London Chronicle , November 14–16, 1765. I am extreemly obliged by your kind Letters of Aprill 12th. and 14th. and thank you for the Intelligence they Contain. The Outrages continueally commited by those misguided people, will doubtless tend to Convince all the Considerate on your side of the Water of the Weakness of our present Government and...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson and Thomas Mifflin, 5 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I received yours with two Bills of Exchange enclos’d, for £150 Sterling, with a Catalogue of Books to be procur’d for the Library Company, which I have given Orders for Collecting immediately, and hope they will be ready to send by Budden or the next Ship. I am not acquainted with the Work intitled British Zoology, but shall enquire its Character of some knowing...
ALS : Amherst College Library Enclos’d is Bill of Lading and Invoice of the Books you order’d, which I wish safe to hand, and am, Gentlemen Yours and the Company’s most obedient Servant P.S. On looking over your Letter I see that I am desir’d to add other Books if the List does not amount to your Money. Now that I have receiv’d the Invoice and find it amounts to so little, I shall look out for...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson and Thomas Mifflin, 7 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy): Minutes of the Library Company of Philadelphia, November 29, 1769. I received your favour of the 3d. of May, and shall send you the Books you write for per Capt. Falconer. Seeing some Time since that other Libraries were about to be united with yours, I did for that Reason forbear buying any Books but Robinson’s History, till I should have further Orders, lest I should purchase...
6From Benjamin Franklin to [Charles Thomson], 18 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy): Schaffer Library, Union College This well-publicized letter arrived in America in May, at the height of the controversy over whether to relax or maintain the nonimportation agreements now that Parliament had repealed most, but not all, of the Townshend duties. An extract containing virtually the entire letter was sent to Boston and promptly printed and reprinted there, while...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 5 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your Favours of Nov. 1. by Capt. Falconer, and afterwards that of Oct. 26. both inclosing the Letter from the Congress, and the Petition to the King. Immediately on Receipt of the first I wrote to every one of the other Gentlemen nominated, and desired a Meeting to consult on the Mode of presenting the Petition committed to our Care. Three of them,...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives, Washington I have some Thoughts of going with Osborne; but as I may be disappointed in that, I write a few Lines, to acquaint you, that the Petition of the Congress has lain upon the Table of both Houses ever since it was sent down to them among the Papers that accompany’d it from above, and has had no particular Notice taken of it; our Petition to be heard in support...
9George Washington to Charles Thomson, 24 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1777. Encloses copy of plan for establishing a cavalry force. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomson was secretary of Congress.
10George Washington to Charles Thomson, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. Encloses copy of a plan for the establishment of a cavalry force. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Favor of the 21st on the Road, and thank you much for the Ordinance respecting the Royal Corps of French Engineers. I cannot give it a serious perusal at this time, but doubt not, I shall find in it several interesting and useful hints. I hope the Gentlemen you allude to, will be of great service, but I am totally unacquainted with the rank they held in France. We are...
12From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 18 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday I had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th Instant, announcing the election of a new president; and that the choice had fallen on John Jay Esqre. I am happy in the appointment of a Gentleman—whose abilities & integrity qualify him so amply for this honorable and important trust. I am sir Your Most Obedt sert Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 31 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 20. 1779. came safe, tho lately, to hand. The future acts of our assembly I shall take care regularly to transmit, as also such of those past since the institution of the commonwealth as can be procured: for they are become scarce. I have in my own collection of pamphlets some few duplicates which I will also forward to you as soon as I shall be able to examine them, for...
14From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 23 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
On the 30 th . January last I had the Pleasure of rec g . your very acceptable Letter of the 12 Octob. 1780. The able manner in which it treats the important Subject of american Finances, induced me to give that Part of it to the Minister, and to send a Copy of the same Extract to D r . Franklin, who in his Answer says, “I thank you for communicating to me the Letter of the Secretary of...
15From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from Weathersfield, I found your favor of the 10th instant. There never has been any regular establishments of the department of Geographer to the Army; but the pay that has been heretofore, and is now allowed to the principal in this quarter is four Dollars pr day, and four Rations—with an allowance of incidental Charges, such as travelling from place to place—and for...
16From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 10th instt info r mg, that Congress, upon the Retiring of the late Mr President Huntington, had elected The Hono. Thomas McKean Esqr. to preside in their respectable Body—I shall for the future conduct my Correspondence agreable to this Information. I am sir Your most Obedient & humble Servant DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington,...
17From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 5th inst. announcing the Choice of a new President of Congress, upon the Principles of the Confederation—I shall in future conduct myself agreeable to this Information. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedt Servant DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington, PCC—Papers of the Continental Congress.
18From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the substance, if not the express words of my reply in Congress, to their obliging declaration. I am—with much esteem & respect—Sir Yr Most obt Ser. DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington, PCC—Papers of the Continental Congress.
19From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received notice from the secretary of the American Philosophical society some time ago that they had done me the honour of appointing me a counsellor of that body. The particular duties of that office I am quite a stranger to, and indeed know too little of the nature of their institution to judge what objects it comprehends. In framing answers to some queries which Monsr. de Marbois sent me,...
20From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was a short Letter by M r John Penn, who I suppose is near america by this Time— When I consider that no Person in the World is so perfectly acquainted with the Rise, Conduct, and Conclusion of the american Revolution, as yourself, I cannot but wish that you would devote one hour in the four and twenty, to giving Posterity a true account of it. I think it might be comprized in a...
M r . Thaxter, who returns unspoiled, is the Bearer of the definitive Treaty, and will deliver you this. M r Hartley expects soon to confer with us about Commerce, & says he is persuaded that Britain will be liberal. I should not doubt it, if it was certain that the United States could and would act like one Nation— I think all our commercial Treaties should observe exact Reciprocity— M r...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Mr Livingston having resigned, I am obliged to trouble you with some Notes of Enquiry, and other Papers that have been put into my Hands from time to time. If you can procure any of the Informations desired, you will much oblige me and some of my Friends.— With great Esteem, I am ever, Yours most affectionately Endorsed: Letter from Doct Franklin Sept 13. 1783.— After...
23From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 14 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been here a month, & well only two Days—first a bloody flux, & now a sore throat— I came in Quest of health, but seek & you shall find does not it seems always extend to that of the Body. The Parliam t . is sitting. The Kings Speech & its Echos, you will see in the papers— in my opin I have not had any Conversation on politics with either of the ministers—in my opinion no plan or System...
24From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 22 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The original letter & other Papers from the Chevr de Heintz respecting the order of the Knights of Divine Providence, were transmitted to Congress without a Copy being taken; I am a little at a loss therefore in what manner to direct my letter to him, more especially as I have a feint recollection that their is a mode pointed out for the address by the Secretary himself—Let me pray you...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received a few Days since a Letter from Annapolis dated June 5th. in your handwriting, but not signed, acquainting the Commissioners with the Causes of Delay in sending the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. The Term was expired before that Letter came to hand, but I hope no Difficulty will arise from a Failure in a Point not essential, and which was...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I write this Line by the English Packet, just to inform you that Col. Harmar arriv’d here last Monday Evening with the Ratification, &c. and that Mr Jay & myself, (Messrs Adams & Laurens being absent) have written to Mr Hartley at London, that we are ready to exchange with him. I have not heard that the Delay is likely to occasion any Difficulty. I had before...
27From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 7 April 1784 (Jay Papers)
On the 5 th . Inst. M r Norris gave me your obliging letter of the 26 Sept r . last. I regret that he did not come here sooner, for it will always give me Pleasure to have opportunities of evincing my Esteem & Regard for you, by attentions to those who possess yours. M r Carmichael whom I had long expected with the public accounts did not arrive until the 27 th . ult—when M r Ridley had just...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I received your kind Letters by Colonel Harmar, & Lieut. Col. Franks; with the Dispatches in good Order; Triplicates of which are since come to hand. You will see by our Letter to the President, that we daily expect Mr Hartley from London with the British Ratification to exchange with us. There was no Difficulty occasion’d by the Lapse of the Term. I send you herewith...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : Library of Congress, Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday Evening Mr. Hartley met with Mr. Jay and myself, when the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty were exchanged. I send a Copy of the English Ratification to the President. Thus the great and hazardous Enterprize we have been engaged in, is, God be praised, happily compleated: An Event I hardly expected I should live to...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 16th. last night. I was out when it was delivered, so know not how it came; a circumstance no otherwise important than as I am at a loss how or where to enquire for the packet which should have accompanied it containing the commissions, instructions &c. I shall immediately however make the enquiry. I am obliged to you for the order for the journals. I shall make...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 14 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress I received yours of April 19 with the Information you obtained from our old Neighbour Reuben Haines respecting Marggrander, for which I thank you. I am much pester’d with Applications to make such Enquiries, and often obliged to promise that I will transmit them: but I would not wish you to take more Trouble than to ask Questions of the Members of Congress or others...
32From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 12 August 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 29 July reached me two Days ago —accept my thanks for your friendly Congratulations on my arrival, and those paid Mr s . the Terms of approbation in which you mention my appointment is among the number of the ^ make one of the ^ very few Compliments ^ on ^ which I value. The acceptance of it ^ that Place
33From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives It was intended by the Commissioners to write a joint Letter to Congress, but I am afraid the Opportunity may be missed. This may serve to inform that Propositions of treating have been made by us to all the Powers of Europe, according to our Instructions, and we are waiting for their Answers. There are Apprehensions here of a War between the Emperor and Holland:...
34From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 20 October 1784 (Jay Papers)
I cannot let M r . Remsen depart, without acknowledging the Rec t . of your friendly Letter of 18 Ult. a Fever has long kept one of my Children in a precarious Situation; and while Doubts of her Recovery remained, I could not prevail on myself to be far distant. She still lingers on, but if she holds out ’till frosty weather, I hope all will be well. The Time for the Meeting of Congress being...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Letter from Joseph Wharton, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall not trouble you at this time with any thoughts on our southern boundary or the views and disposition of our southern Neighbours, as I imagine Mr. Madison whose letter I enclose has written fully on that subject; but it is possible he may not have known what I am told is a fact that the Sp: are strongly fortifying at the Natches. I am informed by some of our merchants trading to Lisbon,...
36Outline of an Unsent Letter to Charles Thomson, [before 11 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society These notes for a letter that was never written display a sense of bitterness and disappointment rarely seen in Franklin’s papers. That he even contemplated sending such a letter, albeit a private one—admitting to Thomson that he felt unappreciated and was “sorry and asham’d” for having asked a personal favor of Congress (a favor not granted)—betrays...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 11 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received your kind Letter of August 13th: with the Papers annexed, relative to the Affair of Longchamps. I hope Satisfaction will be given to Mr: Marbois. The Commissioners have written a joint Letter to Congress. This serves to cover a few Papers relative to Matters with which I was particularly charged in the Instructions. I shall write to you fully by the...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of June 18. You will learn by the letters &c. which go in this packet that this world is all going to war. Thank god our’s is out of their vortex. Holland and the emperor are the only powers which appear as yet: but I have no doubt that the spring will lead France, Prussia and the Porte into the feild on one side and Russia on the other. England...
39[From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 8 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Chas. Thomson. Receipt his of Oct. 26.—send letters by Fr. packet. If secret, and not cyphered desire N. J[amieson] to confide to passenger. Span. incroachment not probable—peace and war doubtful—Bav. & Austr. neth.—consequence of repeated lies of Eng. papers towards lowering respect to us. Important to recover their respect—paiment of debts,...
40From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 5 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
In the latter part of last Spring, the Commissioners appointed to attend the embarkations at New York, previous to the evacuation of the city, made a report of their proceedings to me, accompanied by a voluminous list of the Slaves which had left that place. Soon after having the pleasure of Mr Reeds company here, he informed me in conversation, that the list I had received was a duplicate of...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Mar. 6. is come duly to hand. You therein acknowlege the receipt of mine of Nov. 11. At that time you could not have received my last of Feb. 8. At present there is so little new in politicks, literature, or the arts that I write rather to prove to you my desire of nourishing your correspondence, than of being able to give you any thing interesting at this time. The political...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 14 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Houdon I send you a copy of my notes. I also send 100 copies of the paper I left with you on our coinage. Printing is so cheap here (they cost me but a guinea) that I thought it worth while to print as many copies as would enable you to put one into the hands of every member of Congress when they should enter on the subject, and to do the same at any succeeding session when they should...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter received from you was of Mar. 6. Since that I have written one to you of June 21. by Mr. Otto, and another of July 14. by Mr. Houdon. In yours of Mar. you express a wish of an opportunity of getting the Cylinder lamp. Colo. Senf going to America furnishes me an opportunity of sending you one, which you must do me the favor to accept. There is but one critical circumstance in...
The Season when the Legislatures usually meet to do Business is at Hand. It is highly probable that Congress will find it expedient to call their Attention to certain Objects of general Concern and particularly to some which the present State of our foreign Affairs present. The late Advices I have received from Europe demand the attentive Consideration of Congress, and in my Opinion will give...
45From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 3 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
M r Gardoqui who views the Affair of the Horse, as a Spaniard, and as a politician, is uneasy, and ^ neither ^ You and nor I can easily ^ be ^ surprized that he sh d . be so They [ illegible ] in my opinion do not judge ill who think the article [
46From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In one of your former letters you expressed a wish to have one of the newly invented lamps. I find them made here much better than at Paris, and take the liberty of asking your acceptance of one which will accompany this letter. It is now found that any tolerable oil may be used in them. The Spermaceti oil is best of the cheap kinds. I could write you volumes on the improvements which I find...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having written to you on the 22nd. Ult. from London, I should not so soon have troubled you again but for a special case. A particular Botanical friend of mine at this place has written to Charlestown, to one Watson (the Bartram of that place) for a number of plants and seeds. The former will be sent next fall, the latter perhaps earlier. There being no direct conveiance between Charlestown...
I find in the Newspapers of this Day an Act of Congress of 27 th . Ult: respecting the Court of Appeals. As this Act is interesting to Foreigners as well as to Citizens, and particularly to M r . Van Berckel’s Case of the Sloop Chester, I expected to find it among the Acts of Congress entered in the Book daily sent from this Office to receive such as may affect the Business of it. It was not...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by a Gentleman of the Family of Lecoutoux who is going with his wife to Settle himself as a farmer in Someone of the middle States of America. As his Establishment will not be great, it is the more important that it be judiciously made. Being acquainted with his family, they have asked of me lettres of recommendations for him. Knowing no person better acquainted than...
50From James Madison to Charles Thomson, 25 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 15th. instant inclosing a copy of the proceeding of Congress relative to a Controversy between the States of South Carolina and Georgia, and notifying my appointment as a member of the Court which is to hear and determine it. As I foresee nothing which will render my attendance on the duties of this appointment impracticable, you will please Sir, to...