10151To James Madison from Joseph Barnes, 8 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
When I had the pleasure o f writing you from Leghorn Decemr. 20th. 1802 I expected Long since to have been in Sicily at my Post. However tho’ a variety of unforeseen occurrent circumstances in closing my business, especially in Leghorn, have caused my detention, yet as it has given me the opportunity of proceeding here from Marseilles and having interviews with o ur Ministers Mr. Monroe & Mr....
10152To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Till it is decided whether Cornwallis will cross the Roanoke or not we ought at all events to be prepared for the worst for which purpose we may have occasion for the troops under the command of Colo. Innes to cross the James River and I shall send orders for him to hold him self in readiness to move at a moments notice. But previous to such a movement (if it should take place) it will be...
10153To John Jay from David Hartley, 2 March 1784 (Jay Papers)
I return you my best thanks for your much esteemed favour of the 22 d of february last and particularly for those very friendly sentiments w h you are so good as to express towards me. I assure you that similar sentiments are most sincerely reciprocal on my part. Your public & private conduct has impressed me with unalterable Esteem for you as a public and private friend.— I shall be very...
10154From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed came under cover to me in a packet from Mr Lear, accompanied with the following extract of a letter, dated—London February 12th 1794. “A Mr Bartraud, a famous Agriculturalist belonging to Flanders, put into my hands a few days ago several papers for Mr Jefferson on the subject of manuring & vegitation, requesting that I would forward them to him by some vessel...
10155From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I encl You will see from the extract which is enclosed that the Paymaster of the second regiment is, in all probability, dead. I would thank you, immediately to cause some person to be — nominated by such of the officers of that Regiment as can be easily and readily consulted on the subject—You will send the name of the person nominated as Soon as possible to me. In the mean time you will give...
10156To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 10 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
From the want of time your last letter received a few days before I left Richmond was not acknowledged. Maria arrived here just one week before the Legislature finally adjourned . She was in good health herself but was very near loosing our little Francis on the road between Edge hill and this place. From cold or cholick or some other cause he became lifeless in an instant in the carriage and...
10157From Thomas Jefferson to Willem H. van Hasselt, 27 August 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favor of June 30. and feel myself indebted to the partiality which at so great a distance, has drawn your attention to me. It is with great sincerity I assure you that there are traits in your letter which interest me strongly in your favor, and increase the regret that my particular position does not permit me to avail myself of talents so well entitled...
10158To James Madison from François Peyre-Ferry, 26 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
Si je considerais la distance que vos vertus ont mises entre vous et moi, je craindrais de Commettre une offense, ou au moins une indiscrétion, par la démarche hardie que je fais aujourd’hui: mais votre caractère, gènéralement connu & revéré de la plus saine partie de l’heureuse Nation dont vous êtes l’organe & l’Egide, non seulement me rassure & m’encourage, mais me fait même espérer de...
10159From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 16th: brought me consolation and hope in the information that you were all getting well—My anxiety on account of my mother has been extreme; having heard through Mr: Cranch & Mr: Quincy, that she had been very dangerously ill—I learn also that George is at Mr. Cranch’s I am still waiting for my Cause to be called in Court—It was called again the day before yesterday; but Mr:...
10160From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 9 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt Cormac’s departure is deferred, and Capt Elwood not yet arrived. of course I cannot yet announce to you the departure of any of the objects destined for you. by the former will go the Marmotte & a bag of skins: by the latter a large box of skins, skeletons & horns for you, a small box of minerals for the P. Society, a cage with a magpie & a box with the Polygraph. when I wrote you on the...
10161Instructions for Maneuvers at West Point, 17 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The regiments will immediately recieve ten cartridges pr man. At 7 o’clock precisely the regiments will be on the grand parade formed in battalion according to the plan laid down in the regulations: the light Infantry companies at twenty paces distance on the right of each regiment. The first part of the manouvre will be performed by motion only without firing. 1st Four discharges by platoons...
10162To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 20 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
The House of Representatives having made an Order that the part of the President’s Message which relates “to the regulations to be observed by foreign vessels within the jurisdiction of the U. S., to the restraining of our citizens from entering into the service of any of the belligerent powers of Europe; and to the exacting from all nations the observance towards our Vessels and citizens of...
10163To James Madison from the Merchants of Hartford, 20 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
The Memorial of the subscribers would respectfully represent, that, They are deputed, in behalf of their fellow citizens, who are merchants in trade in the City of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, respectfully to present to the view of the President, the peculiar hardships, and embarrassments of their situation, arising from the severe operation of the “Non Intercourse Law” of March 2....
10164From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
To leave the Pettifogger of Funivals Inn, or Cliffords Inn, his Archbishop Laud, and his Chevalier of St. Iago of Compostella Sir Christopher Gardiner, for the present; Paulo Multo majora canamus. There has been put into my hands, within a few days a gross Volume in octavo, of 544 Pages with the Title of “Memoirs of the late reverend Theophilus Lindsey. M. A.” including a brief “Analysis of...
10165From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [9 March 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, My beloved Eliza, I wrote you by water to the care of a Capt Boyed. I in that letter informed you of my painful detention here by the slow progress of the Court and of my extreme anxiety to be with you. Your Sister Peggy had a better night last night than for three weeks past and is much easier this morning. Yet her situation is such as only to authorise a glimmering of hope. Adieu...
10166John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of Nov. 13 gave me great delight not only by the divine Consolation it afforded me under my great Affliction: but as it gave me full Proof of your restoration to Health. While you live, I Seem to have a Bank at Montecello on which I can draw for a Letter of Friendship and entertainment when I please. I know not how to prove physically that We Shall meet and know each other in a...
10167George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 15 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 15, 1781 . Makes proposal for a joint land and sea venture to capture Benedict Arnold. Asks Rochambeau’s opinion. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
10168From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, 4 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You shall receive the money necessary for the purchase of the horses as fast as it can be prepared and as shall be practicable in concurrence with other pressing claimants. You know how difficult it is to fix on precise days for the treasury. Therefore all I can say with precision is that it shall be paid out of the present emission. Dft ( Vi ); written by TJ on address leaf of Claiborne’s...
10169John Randolph to James Madison, 15 December 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have been requested by a particular friend of the gentleman who writes the letter accompanying this, to enclose it to the Rector of our University. This occasions an intrusion on your time and leisure, which I trust you will pardon. The applicant I have every reason to beleive to be in the highest degree deserving. In case that there shall be no vacancy in the University of Virginia, it...
10170From George Washington to James Lovell, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have taken in forwarding the intelligence which was enclosed in your Letter of the 11th of March—It is by comparing a variety of information, we are frequently enable to investigate facts, which were so intricate or hidden, that no single clue could have led to the knowledge of them in this point of view, intelligence becomes interesting, which from but its...
10171From Alexander Hamilton to Arthur Lee, Walter Livingston, and Samuel Osgood, [14 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Having in consequence of my appointment as Secretary of the Treasury determined on William Duer Esquire as my Assistant, I have concluded from his situation with the late board that a delivery of the books papers and seal belonging to the department should be made to him. If this mode is agreeable to you I need only add that he is authorised on my part to carry it into execution. I have the...
10172From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 30 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your kind congratulations on the close of the War, & the glorious Peace which is held out to us, but not yet made definitive; I return them with great cordiallity & heartfelt pleasure; & only wish that the business was so far wound up as that I might return to the walks of private life & in retirement enjoy that relaxation & repose which is absolutely necessary...
10173From George Washington to Brigadier General Mordecai Gist, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Under the present situation of things it appears necessary to place the Maryland division under your command in the most perfect state of readiness to move at the shortest notice. It will be indispensible that all guards at a distance should be drawn in—All soldiers that may be servants with officers not belonging or attatched to the troops recalled, and every other previous arrangement in...
10174To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Sheaff, 27 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
You will Readily pardon me addressing this letter to you on so disagreeable Subject: being no Stranger to your Friendship for me, and mankind in General—my application originates being Security at the Custom House for Peter Kuhn; near Ten Thousand dollars; for which Judgement will be had against us both the 19 day of Augt. the officers in that department ever so lenient are not Cloathed with...
10175Jean Luzac to John Adams: A Translation, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose two more copies of the Pensées . I am not including more because you can get them more easily in Amsterdam from the booksellers listed in the advertisement appearing in today’s Gazette . I am very glad that you approve of the preface which is, however, far beneath the encomium that you bestow upon it. I agree with you regarding the intentions of the people whom you...
10176To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter from Thomas Smith Esqr. will inform you of the distressed condition of the frontiers of this state. The counties of Westmoreland & Northumberland are equally exposed with Bedford. Other accounts correspond with that of Mr Smith, & shew that a general stroke is greatly to be apprehended; and that in addition to the barbarous savages, the disaffected inhabitants are...
10177Francis Adrian Van der Kemp to Thomas Jefferson, 9 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I was highly gratified with your favour of the 1 of maÿ —as I am now convinced—that no doubt remains with you, if I could abuse the confidence, with which I was honoured—It is with me a Sacred principle—never to make use—in any manner—of a trust—as upon an explicit permission—under no pretext whatever—not even to oblige the friend of my bosom—not even to hurt a rancourous enemÿ—And now I...
10178[Diary entry: 18 June 1799] (Washington Papers)
18. Morning calm & clear. Mer. at 74. So. Wt. wind afterwards. Mer. 91 at Noon & 84 at Night. Mrs. Washington came to dinner.
10179To James Madison from Louis-Marie Turreau de Garambouville, 9 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous renvoyer l’Exequatur que Monsieur Le Président a bien voulu accorder à M. de Vermonnet, parceque Le Sceau des Etats Unis a été oublié. Je vous prie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien me faire parvenir a ussi la Commission que j’y avais jointe. Je Saisis cette occasion de vous renouveler l’assurance de ma haute Considération. DNA : RG 59-NFL-Notes from Foreign Legations, France.
10180Advertisement for Williamsburg Area Plantations, 2 April 1767 (Washington Papers)
T he subscriber would R ent , for a term of years, two P lantations , which he holds in right of his wife, within a mile or two of the city of Williamsburg , and adjoining the Capitol bridge, whereon are all convenient houses, and from 15 to 20 hands have usually been worked. There is 1000 acres of land belonging to these places, 100 or more of which is firm hard marsh, supporting a numerous...
10181To George Washington from Colonel Adam Stephen, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Colonel Adam Stephen, 4 July 1776. On 20 July GW wrote to Stephen : “Your Letter of the 4th Instt came duly to hand.”
10182From Thomas Jefferson to John Cleves Symmes, 11 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Governor Sinclair has inclosed me a Proclamation dated July 24. and summoning the legislature of the North-Western territory to meet at Cincinnati on the 1st. day of September, of which he desired me to notify yourself and Judge Turner. It is out of my power to do it as to the latter, as I do not know where he is. I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir Your most obedt. humble servt PrC...
10183To James Madison from Gabriel Barbour, 19 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
On my return to Washington I found that the merits of the several applicants for Commissions in the new military establishment had been submited to the delegation from each state. I do not expect however that the Executive will consider itself bound by their recommendations where there is manifest impropriety in them. In several instances that have come under my observation the representative...
10184Abigail Adams Smith to John Quincy Adams, 28 September 1788 (Adams Papers)
this morning my Dear Brother—M r Storer Came out from New York—to spend the day with us and was the Bearer from thence of your kind letter dated Sep tr 11 th from Braintree, I am very much surprized that you had not at that time received a letter from me, I wrote you in August and M r Dane took my letter to Frank—and I had expected that you had received it long ere this,— Several of my...
10185From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 25 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
Having procured at this place a substitute for Daman I shall send back Sam, after going a few miles just to try the new arrangement. He will be in Fredg. tonight and will thence make the best of his way home. A letter red. at Fredg. from Mr. Jefferson says that the fever has entirely vanished. Another of the 20th. from a gentleman in Philada confirms it in the most decided terms. And I...
10186To John Adams from Ward Nicholas Boylston, 31 October 1821 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ you have not indulged me with the pleasure of hearing from you, since your return to Quincy, I have been comforted with the assurances of others, who have seen you, that you thought you were benefited by your excursion and sustaind the fatigues of your journey much better than you expected—every thing that contributes to exhilarate your comforts, or pleasures, adds to mine in a decuple...
10187To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 5 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “Octr. 5. 1782.” Cover missing. The Sheriffs having supplied us with a little more Money I was enabled to make a dividend among the Officers of Government— £120.. —.. for each of the Gentlemen of the Delegation. one half of this I just had time in the hurry of business to send you Mr. Harrison’s drft on Mr. Holker for last week; and should have sent...
10188To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 1 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received your Excellencies very kind and friendly Letter, and return you our grateful thanks for the Interest you are so good as to take in our affairs, we beg you only to Continue your good offices, as we stand in greater need of them now, More than ever. We thank you for the advice you give Us concerning the Thousand Pound Sterling we have in the Funds of Virginia, and shall...
10189Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 20 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Our late letters have happened to cross one another by the way, the messenger which carried mine of the 17 th to the Post office having brought on his return yours of the 10 th . I regret much the accident which prevented my note for the bank being in time for the term of renewal, and am very thankful for your having supplied it with your own. this shall not happen again. the object of the...
10190To Alexander Hamilton from William Bradford, 7 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the letter from the Collector of Newport inclosed in yours which I received yesterday, and the questions which he states as arising upon the proviso to the 66§. of the Collection Act passed on the 4th August, 1790, and I am of opinion. That a capias or attachment issued within three years after the penalty of forfeiture was incurred, and returned by the proper officer, is a...
10191[Diary entry: 8 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
8th. The above Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. Docter Craik came to Dinner & wt. away afterwards.
10192To George Washington from Lewis Pintard, 6 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to find by your favor of 14th Ulto which I received this day that Capt. Paul has landed Your two pipes of Wine at Baltimore instead of delivering them at your House agreable to his bill Lading and cannot account for his conduct. from the respect that all America have for Your Excellency I flatter myself that these Wines will receive no injury in their passage to your...
10193[Diary entry: 5 January 1771] (Washington Papers)
5. My Brother & Mr. Lawe. Washington set of for Frederick. I went a hunting with the two Mr. Triplets and Mr. Peake but killd nothing.
10194To Thomas Jefferson from Willink & Van Staphorst, 8 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Amsterdam, 8 May 1788 . Have succeeded in arranging for sale of enough bonds of the United States to pay Carmichael the amount designated, to take care of TJ’s “disposals and other incidental calls,” and then, after paying the June interest, to leave a surplus of 40,000 guilders Holland currency in their hands available to TJ’s requisition; “We trust the Payment of this Interest and some good...
10195From John Adams to William Cunningham, 4 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of Feb. 20 and 23. The inclosed five sheets are the rough draught, which I have requested and you have promised to return. I shall burn it because I have made another Copy more correct in which I have left out the Name and much of the trumpery. In strictness, we have nothing to do with the question whether impressments of seamen are legal or illegal in England. Whatever Iniquity...
10196To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 8 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Par suite de ma lettre du 22 aout dernier je vous prie de vouloir faire payer au Consul general de la forest ou a son ordre la somme de 24,660 piastres au 15 du present mois, et celle de 19,961 au le. Nove. suivant. LC , Arch. des Aff. Etr., Corr. Pol., Etats-Unis , Supplement Vol. 20. Antoine René Charles Mathurin de La Forest .
10197From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 26 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I discovered, after my letter of the 24 with its enclosure, was sent to the Post Office, that it would have to remain in Baltimore until friday, before it would be taken up by the cross-post for Frederick Town. This will occasion a delay on which I had not calculated: and as the return Post from the last mentioned place may not be immediate, the intention of this letter is to request the favor...
10198From Thomas Jefferson to William Phillips, 22 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter, on the Subject of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton’s confinement, came safely to hand. I shall, with great chearfulness, explain, to you, the Reasons on which the advice of Council was founded, since, after the satisfaction of doing what is right, the greatest is that of having what we do approved by those whose opinions deserve esteem. We think ourselves justified in Governor...
10199From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [13 November 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin Now for the First Time Published (Boston, 1833), pp. 281–2. Since my return, the affair of the Ilinois settlement has been renewed. The King in Council referred the proposal to the Board of Trade, who called for the opinion of the merchants on two points,...
10200George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail, 27 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 27, 1779. Discusses appointment of officers in Company of Sappers and Miners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.