1From John Adams to Unknown, 27 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I think it is Montesqueiu, who, Somewhere observes, that the English of Charles’s days were perpetually bewildered in their Pursuit of a Republic, for being themselves extreamly corrupt, they Sought, in vain for that pure and disinterested Principle upon which, alone, a Commonwealth can Stand. The Principle of Republican Government, is as little understood in America, as its Spirit is felt....
2From John Adams to Unknown, 28 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
We are now very near the Month of May, and the Enemy, are in the Midst of Us. They have an Army, in Canada, another in Rhode Island another in New York and the Jersies, which will enable them to take the Field, much earlier, than they did last Year. Where is our Army, to oppose them? General Washington, has but a Small one, with him. At Ticonderoga, by Letters received this day from General...
3From John Adams to Unknown, 9 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Governor Pownal, on the 24 of May in the House of Commons, made a Motion for Leave to bring in a Bill to enable his Majesty, to make a Convention, Truce, or Peace, with the thirteen States of America. He flattered himself, that Such a Bill, as he wished to bring in, would at this moment produce very happy Effects. He knew America well, and from the very best Information he could assure the...
4From John Adams to Unknown, 5 November 1776 (Adams Papers)
I find the People this Way, under very disagreable Apprehensions, about Paper Currency. The Depreciation of it, in all the States from Philadelphia to New hampshire is manifestly very great and rapid. And the ample Bounties which are offered to Soldiers and the Increase of Pay, which is made in this Commonwealth, will increase the depreciation, So swiftly, that unless Some Remedy can be found,...
5From John Adams to Unknown, 20 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I expect to return to Europe, very soon, and should be very happy to carry with me such Intelligence as may be of Use, to the common Cause, particularly, respecting the Numbers and real Force of our Enemies in this Country. I know not where to apply with so much Probability of success, as to you sir, who must have made this a constant Object of Attention and Enquiry and who have undoubtedly...
6From John Adams to Unknown, 31 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr John Adams, to whom the printed Paper herewith enclosed, is directed, certifies that he has the Honour to be a Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, of the Low Countries, and as a public Minister of a Sovereign State, intituled to an Exemption from the Payment of Such Duties. Certified at Amsterdam the...
7Board of War to ——, 25 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office, Williamsburg, 25 Mch. 1780 . Sell or immediately exchange the six horses reported totally unfit for service by Captain Charles Fearer and replace them with suitable mounts. Signed by James Innes and George Lyne. Countersigned by TJ. RC (Mrs. Earl McMillen, Atlanta, Georgia, 1963); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand except for signatures.
8From Thomas Jefferson to the Person Employed to Collect Workmen, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The destruction of the public Storehouses, Magazines, Laboratory, Shops and other Works at this place and Westham by the Enemy having left our Arms, Powder and other Stores exposed in open Houses to plunder and our Artificers unfurnished with Houses to proceed in the repair of Arms and other necessary Works, obliges me, as the only resource for a hasty collection of Sawyers, Carpenters and...
9From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 25 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The difficulties, which you proposed to me as to the commission of the peace I will endeavor to answer, as a private friend, for the satisfaction of your own judgement: the regular determination of them belongs to the judiciary department between whom and the executive should be a sacred barrier. Under the regal government, the office of a justice of the peace was held during the pleasure of...
10From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 22 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the Council Mr. Griffin’s letter recommending the annexation of the cavalry of this state proceeding to the South-ward to the regiment you are to command. But as our act of assembly has made them an independant corps we think we have no power to consolidate them with any other. Considering however the right of command which will result to yourself as a superior officer...
11From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben asks the favor of you to appoint some confidential officer or gentleman to go immediately to Chesterfeild court house to take charge of the waggons which are there loaded with arms, conduct them up into the country under such orders as the Baron will give him, for which reason he must call on the baron immediately. I think some such person necessary at Westham. I am, Sir, your...
12Form of Parole for Captive Officers, [1779?] (Jefferson Papers)
I promise on my parole of honour and on the faith of a gentleman that I will continue within such limits as shall be assigned to me by his excellency the Govr. of Virga. or such other person acting in that particular by authority from him; that I will not directly or indirectly deliver or cause to be delivered nor receive for the purpose of conveying to or from any person not being a citizen...
13[From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 27 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 27 Dec. 1780. Extract from Stan V. Henkels’ sale catalogue, 20 May 1913 (William C. Gibson sale), lot 12 (an A.L.S., 1 p.): “Congress have determined that their troops shall be paid off from the 1st day of August in their new money of Mar. 18, consequently if for want of that you pay off in depreciated money, they have a right to receive forty times as much, that is forty times...
14From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 15 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[Extract of?] a letter from A. Lee [to] Gov. Henry. Paris Dec. 14. 1778. [’I inclo]se the account of the paper which the Treasurer wrote for [… strike] the paper bills on which you will have the goodness to [… hi]m.’ [T]he inclosed paper and letter abovementioned came by […] Genl. Washington. We have hopes that the paper (which [we … s]uppose to be laded with some military stores) will come to...
15From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 26 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine (Mr. Henry Skipwith) is very desirous [of] locating 5000 acres of land in the country through which you will pass while running the line, and has desired me to engage some person to do it, to whom he will make a handsome compensation. I therefore take the liberty of recommending the business to you as I know you are as well able to do it as any body, and hope it will be made...
16From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 18 April 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Strother Jones, son to a friend of mine, is now setting out for the American army, to share in the defence of his country. He is from nature well-principled for war; bold, honorable and modest: but he is young also, and will need the fatherly hand of some one to lead him thro’ the mazes of military delicacy and duty on so large a scale. I feel myself therefore interested...
17From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 13 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Council having determined that Colo. Elligood should be permitted to go into the enemy’s line[s] or to any other part of the Continent in possession of the enemy, I am to ask the favour of you to furnish him with a parole. Colo. Curle will take charge of the parole and find a means of conveying it after signed to you. I am with great respect Sir Your most obedt. servt., RC (Carpenters’...
18Form of Commission to Militia Officers, [1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA. TO greeting : Know you, that from the special Trust and Confidence which is reposed in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, you are by these Presents, constituted and appointed of Militia in the County of . You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of of the Militia, by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto...
19From Thomas Jefferson to a County Lieutenant, 8 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Captain Patrick Lockhart being appointed to conduct the prisoners of war taken at Kings mountain in north Carolina to their place of destination, and your county lying in their route, he has received authority to call on you for such guard of your militia as he may find necessary for their safe custody and to continue with them such distance as he shall find expedient. The advanced season of...
20From Thomas Jefferson to the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force on the Coast of Virginia, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to forward to you the inclosed Letter which accompanied others from General Washington to the Marquis Fayette, to the honourable Major General Baron Steuben, and myself. That there may be no Disappointment in procuring the pilots required, I got the favor of Captain Maxwell Naval Commander to this State to proceed to Hampton to provide them. His Knowledge of the Service and of...
21[From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 30 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 30 Nov. 1780. Etienne Charavay, comp., Inventaire des autographes et documents historiques réunis par M. Benjamin Fillon , Paris, 1878, i , item 295, lists a letter signed by TJ of this date, 2 p. folio, and summarizes it as follows: “Il mande que le pouvoir exécutif a l’intention de placer, dans les principaux forts, quatre canons pour protéger les vaisseaux qui sont dans les...
22Enclosure: Extract of a Letter, 17 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Business still continues dull but am in Hopes of a Speedy Change as it seems by the last Accounts from Amsterdam that a War with France and England is inevitable. Lord Stormont, the English Ambassador has left the Court of France, upon meeting with an unsatisfactory Answer relative to the French’s supporting the Americans which they and the Spaniards are determined to do. And you may soon...
23From George Washington to an Unknown Person, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 20th decemr inclosing a letter from Colo. Marbury’s Freind to Majr Molleson. It was immediately forwarded and I hope will have the desired effect. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, PHi : Etting Papers. The letter may have been intended for Maryland governor Thomas Johnson. Luke Marbury of Prince Georges County, Md. served in 1776 as a captain of...
24From George Washington to Unknown, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I reached my quarters at New Windsor I desired Majr Gibbs to send for my Sleigh & some other articles which he told me you had been obliging enough to take charge of for me when the Campaign opened last Summer —having heard, nor seen nothing of them yet the presumption is that the letter either miscarried, or that there has been some inattention in the Q. Master at Morris Town. I...