102301From James Madison to John Milledge, 2 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave through you to inform the honorable Senate of the U, States, that I propose to take the Oath which the Constitution prescribes to the President of the U, States, before he enters on the execution of his office, on Saturday the 4h. Inst. at 12 O’Clock, in the chamber of the He. of Representatives. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir, yr. most Obed. & most humble...
102302To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by Mr Storrow, and by Mr Smith who left this City, with the intention of embarking in different vessels for the United States, by who both actually went in the Firgal from Havre. I sent you by them a regular file of the Journal des Débats, from the time of my arrival here, until it was metamorphosed into the Journal de l’Empire—Mr Crawford is now going to England, intending to...
102303From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 15 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate having advised & consented to the ratification of a treaty concluded with the Piankeshaw Indians for extinguishing their claim to the country between the Wabash and Kaskaskia cessions, it is now laid before both houses for the exercise of their constitutional powers as to the means of fulfilling it on our part. DNA : RG 233—LRHR—Legislative Records of the House of Representatives.
102304To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the President the draught of a message upon the Representation of the judges—Two copies are sent by the judges. He also forwards a letter from Mr Pinckney, received last night. The cyphered part will be solved this morning; and it is hoped, that it will explain something, which at present is unaccountable—E.R. has a duplicate. AL , DNA : RG 59,...
102305From Isaac Shelby to John Adams, 23 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
A Resolution of the Legislature of this State, passed on the 21 Inst. directs, “that the Governor shall transmit to the Senate of the United States, a Memorial Respecting Humphrey Marshall, a Senator from this State, in the Congress of the United States.” I now have the honor of complying with that Resolution by inclosing the said Memorial, together with those Numbers of the Kentucky Gazette...
102306To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 30 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
We are honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of 19 th: Ins t: mentioning You had perfected the Congress Bond N o: 4543 and returned it by M r: Daniel Parker, Who has delivered same to us— We take the Liberty, to inclose Your Excellency, the Edict of His Most Christian Majesty, appointing us in conjunction with Mess r: Henry Fizeaux & C o: the Treasurers of his Finances in these...
102307From John Adams to Joseph Milligan, 5 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
In exchange for the Gold and Silver which you have repeatedly sent me as presents I have nothing to return but the inclosed Copper Coin I am your obliged humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
102308George Washington to the Senate, 8 May 1792 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
If the President of the U.S. should conclude a Convention or treaty with the Government of Algiers for the ransom of the thirteen Americans in captivity there, for a sum not exceeding 40,000 dollars, all expences included, will the Senate approve the same? or is there any & what greater or lesser sum, which they would fix on as the limit beyond which they would not approve the ransom? If the...
102309September. [1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 1st. Dined at Mr. Morris after coming out of Convention and drank Tea there. Sunday 2d. Rode to Mr. Bartrams and other places in the Country, dined & drank Tea at Grays ferry and returned to the City in the evening. Monday 3d. In Convention. Visited a Machine at Doctr. Franklins (called a mangle) for pressing, in place of Ironing, clothes from the wash. Which Machine from the facility...
102310To George Washington from Jeremiah Jordan, Edmund Plowden, and John Allen Thomas, 23 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
We hope we stand excused in recommending to Your Excellencys Notice Captain Henry Carbery, as nothing could induce us to do it, but a thorough conviction that he is not unworthy of it, and that he is well able to discharge with propriety the duties of any place he may be employed in. We have known him from his early Youth, and we can truly say, that we never heard, or knew any thing, either in...
102311To James Madison from James Monroe, 31 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have resolved to remain here till I receive your answer to mine of yesterday, on the presumption that I may be of some use in promoting your views relative to the expedition against the hostile tribes to the south. On further reflection I have some doubt whether it had not better be left to the govrs. of Georgia & Tenissee, to fix on the commander of the expedition, as time may be lost...
102312From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 8 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, that Congress having judged it proper to appoint me to a new Mission in Europe I embarked on the thirteenth of November, at the Instance of The Chevalier de La Luzerne and Mr. Gerard, on Board the same Frigate that carried me to America. Soon after We got to sea a formidable Leake in the ship discovered itself so as to oblige Us to keep two Pumps,...
102313From James Madison to John Teasdale, 19 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To John Teasdale. 19 October 1805, Department of State. “I have received your letter of the 30th. Ult. respecting your claim upon the French government. The Minister of the United States at Paris being possessed of instructions on the subject of such demands, it would be superfluous to repeat them with a view to any general purpose. There cannot therefore be a doubt that Mr. Skipwith will...
102314[Diary entry: 10 April 1790] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Exercised in the Coach with Mrs. Washington and the Children. Walked in the afternoon around the Battery and through some of the principal Streets of the City. In the Afternoon the Secretary of State submitted for my approbation Letters of credence for Mr. Short as Charges de affaires at the Court of Versailles, & his own Letter to Monsr. Montmorin taking leave of that Court...
102315Abigail Adams to John Fenno, 18 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
On 16 November 1797 the Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser printed the following squib: “His serene highness of Braintree made an anti-climax on his journey from his dukedom. Boston made the cap of the climax, Philadelphia its tail. On another occasion it would be safer and wiser to make no further attempts at forcing respect; for it sits aukwardly upon men, that from respect it...
102316General Orders, 21 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Light infantry of this army is to be organized and commanded in the following manner. The four flank companies of Massachusetts from the 1st to the 4th regiment inclusive to compose a battallion under the orders of Major Oliver. four others from the 5th to the 8th to compose another battallion under the orders of Major Ashley, these two battalions to form a regiment and to be commanded by...
102317[Diary entry: 24 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 24th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 55 at Night. Clear, Warm & pleasant, wind being still southerly. Immediately after Breakfast, rid to my Plantation at the Ferry and took the following Acct. of my Stock—viz. From the Ferry, I went to the Plantation at Dogue run and took the following Account of the Tools there—being omitted when I was there last. Recapitulation of...
102318From George Washington to Robert Morris, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 15th and 21st. Your opinion of the absolute necessity of a repeal of all tender laws, before a new species of paper, tho’ upon even so good an establishment, will gain credit with the public, is certainly founded upon reason and justified by experience. I am in hopes that most if not all the Legislatures have at length seen the fatal effects of those laws and...
102319From Thomas Jefferson to Jean-Armand Tronchin, [ca. 25 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson, ministre plenipotentiaire des etats-unis d’Amerique, est venu pour avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur Tronchin et lui faire son compliment sur ce qu’il a eté presenté à leur Majestés et à la famille royale en qualité de Ministre de la republique de Geneve. Dft ( DLC ); undated. The date has been assigned from Tronchin’s announcement of his accreditation on 22 Nov. 1785,...
102320From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of New York, 30 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 30, 1791. On June 7, 1791, William Seton wrote to Hamilton : “I … acknowledge the honor of your letter of the 30 May.” Letter not found. ] This letter was presumably the same as H to the President and Directors of the Massachusetts Bank, May 30, 1791 .
102321Opinion on the Claim of Oliver Pollock, [27 February 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
At the request of Mr. Pollock I certify that I have a distinct recollection that in the course of conversations with him, respecting his pecuniary claims on the United States, he expressed the idea of his having further claims on the United States beyond those admitted and liquidated; and that I have also some recollection, but indistinct and imperfect, that when a warrant came to be issued...
102322[Diary entry: 3 March 1772] (Washington Papers)
3. Cloudy & Snowing in the forenoon & raw & cold all day.
102323Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas G. Dufief, 29 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor with the prospectus of your dictionary, and shall gladly become a subscriber to it. altho the number only but not the size of the volumes is stated, I presume from the price they must be 8 vos altho’ from the matter one might have expected Grand formats. the 3 d vol. especially will be valuable to have always at one’s elbow, and your former work is a pledge of...
102324From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 8, 1791. On December 9, 1791, Washington wrote to Thomas Jefferson: “Yesterday afternoon Colo. Hamilton was desired, as soon as the Tariff was ready, to let it be known. Enclosed is his answer.” Letter not found. ] GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , XXXI, 442.
102325To George Washington from William Livingston, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit to your Excellency 13 Copies of our Act for completing & keeping up the Quota of Troops belonging to this State in the service of the United States, & am with the highest Esteem and respect your Excellency’s most humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Livingston on 12 January . Two copies of the printed act, titled “STATE OF...
102326To George Washington from George Clinton, 8 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
By an act of the last Session—a Copy Of which I enclose You will perceive that a Sum not exceeding 12,000£ is appropriated for the Purposes of erecting such fortifications building and equipping one or more floating batteries and Other Vessels of force for the Security Of the Northern and western Frontiers Of this state as shall appear necessary to certain Commissioners therein mentioned when...
102327To John Adams from Thomas Wren, 20 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I think it requisite to inform you that we have in our town M r. Waller Mowbray, a printer, in rather a confined way of business, but of fair & honest character, to the utmost of my knowledge. An unknown person applied to him ab t. two days ago for his assistance to work off some counterfit notes of several of the American States, and put into his hands extreme well-executed box blocks, &...
102328From John Jay to Richard Harrison, 28 May 1781 (Jay Papers)
Tho I am several Letters in your Debt, I must at present confine myself to the Subject of your three last viz t . of the 8 th & 11 th . Inst. & another without Date, tho subsequent to the former. The true Reason for taking & lodging in the Post Office, the Letters brought by the Virginia to Cadiz, is not difficult to conjecture. There is however such an ordinance as the one which was urged as...
102329To George Washington from the Citizens of Hanover, Pennsylvania, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Hanover, Pa., 12 February 1777 . Request that no Continental soldiers be inoculated in their town “as Comparitively Verry fiew in Our Town has had that infectious Disorder and For the reasons as Follows. “1st It must be Verry Distressing to the Inhabitance at this Season of the Year When our Provisions Such as Fowls and Every other Nessesary Fit for that Disorder is already Exhausted by armies...
102330To George Washington from Soldiers of the Maryland Division, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Petitioners Belonging to the Maryland Division a⟨nd⟩ Quartered at Middlbrook in the Jerseys Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioners as always Behaved themselves as Soldiers Becoming, which we hope so to Remain Until the Expiration of this Present Dispute, and please Your Excelency, there is one Article that We Petition to Your Excelency For, we being Convinced that we have no Person in this...
102331Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Heineken, Consul from the United Netherlands called on me last evening to request I would ask you if it would be convenient & proper for him to wait on the president, at any time and at what hour tomorrow, to introduce some gentlemen lately arrived & recommended to him from Holland one of whom is a gentleman of fortune, & bein in public offices of respectability there as they leave town on...
102332From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 28 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th instt with the weekly reports—except Greens—which was not among them, came to hand yesterday. With respect to the Sheriffs acct, given in by Chs Turner, it is my desire now (and was so expressed in my last) that you would enquire of some person well acquainted with the taxes, whether the rates there charged are the legal ones? & by what authority, if the Parish tax was...
102333From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had an opportunity of consulting with mr Madison and of considering with his assistance the question whether the John Adams should proceed. I had before been favored with a letter from mr Gallatin which with yours furnished material considerations on the subject. the defect of specific appropriation presented the greatest difficulty: but that seems already incurred by the advance of the...
102334To Thomas Jefferson from John Whitehill, 19 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
With a view of serving Mr. Samuel Bryan, as far as in our power, we beg leave to recommend him as a meritorious character—Mr. Bryan has been, many Years Register General, and some three or four Years past Comptroler for the State of Pennsylvania, The duties of the several offices which he filled have been performed with fidelity, and in a manner completely satisfactory to the Public— To Mr...
102335William Gordon to John Adams and Francis Dana, 8 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
You are so united by commission, in mind views and principles, that there is no writing to the one without the other; for which reason I address you jointly . I rejoiced when I heard that you were safely landed upon the Terra Firma of Europe; and hope that you have had a secure journey over the Pyrenean mountains, which I suppose to be as high as any you ever crossed in America, tho’ not so...
102336Orders to Armand, 11 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are forthwith to take upon you the command of the corps heretofore under Major Ottendorf and to do all the duties thereof as commanding officer according to the rules and regulations established for the government of the Continental army and according to the usages of war. You will therefore endeavour by attentive observation and inquiry, to make yourself acquainted with every kind of duty...
102337To George Washington from Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron, duc de Lauzun, 9 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to forward to your Excellency the Included Letter of the Chevalier de La Luzerne. Mr Dickinson Governor of the Delawarre State has been elected President of the state of Pensylvania the day before y iesterday. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect of your Excellency’s Sir, The most obedient humble Servant. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
102338To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 2 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I had last night the inexpressible pleasure of once more recieving a letter from you. It is the first you have written me since your retreat to Monticello. I am really happy in the extreme to see that your long silence has proceeded from the constant occupation of your agricultural pursuits. Accept my dear Sir my sincerest thanks for the moments you have abstracted therefrom to give to me....
102339From James Madison to John Brennan, 26 September 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yr. letter of the 16th. inst: from which I find that I have but imperfectly corrected the errors relating to the late Bishop Madison into wch. have been led by the Author or translator of the work you are preparing for the press. The Bishop had no son who was ever a member either of Congress or of the Legislature of Virga. He had not indeed at the period referred to been married...
102340William Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
It has not been from want of the most affectionate Respect that I have suffer’d your kind letter by M r. White to remain so long unanswer’d. The sickness and death of a late worthy friend of mine, M r. James Cook of Georgetown, and the business which has fallen into my hands in Consequence of that Event, have occupied my whole attention and must be my apology. M r. Cook was about my Age, and...
102341To James Madison from James Maury, 19 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1803, Liverpool. Wrote last on 5 Sept. Encloses a dispatch from Monroe. “The dispatch … was received yesterday under cover from him, but the Seals of the inclosed & inclosing Letters, as I suppose, from not having been sufficiently cooled, had become as one & in opening my letter, yours was unavoidably torn, which accounts for the Suspicious appearance of it.” Despite the...
102342From John Adams to James Lloyd, 27 March 1815 (Adams Papers)
Let me put a case, like a Lawyer, suppose, Samuel Adams John Dickinson, Patrick Henry and Christopher Gadsden, had been enterprising and romantic enough, in 1773 to go to France and propose to the Duke de Choiseul a triple Alliance between the Crowns of France and Spain, and the United, or to be united States of North America. What would the Duke have Said? “Gentlemen! Shew me, your Full...
102343To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 24 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
In addition to the note by Mr. Roux I add that Couriers have been dispatched to London with overtures for a general peace. Their return is expected in the course of the present week. The bases of negotiation, reported to have been offered to England are 1o. Hanover to be restored to the King of England 2o. The Dutchy of Brunswick to be restored to the heirs of the late Duke 3o. Holland to be...
10234430th. (Adams Papers)
The weather is very good, but the winds begin to be very variable as we approach to the term of the trade winds: by our observation we are now about an hundred leagues from the Bermudas. We have had calm weather all day, extremely warm, so that no body could bear a coat. These seas are subject to very frequent squalls, and thunder storms, which are sometimes dangerous: we must expect to meet...
102345To George Washington from William Heath, 19 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Greaton this moment informs me that he has received powers from mr Brooks, assistant-clothier-general, to procure hats for the 3d Massachusetts regiment from Boston. (the 3d regiment is one which has not drawn hats.) Lieutenant colonel Hull is now at Boston, and will attend to the business, if notice and assistance is immediately sent him. Colonel Greaton therefore wishes to send a...
102346To James Madison from John Gavino, 3 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
Without the honor of any of yours I request your kind refference to my last dispatch No. 98 accompanying one from Consul Simpson, & another from Consul OBrion. On the 25t. Ulto. Capn. Campbell informed me that the New York Capn. Barron is coming out imediately, & has the Gun Carriages for the Empr. &ca. which inteligence he got from the Nancy of Baltimore who he Visited in the Gutt, bound to...
102347From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 12 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not write with the ease which your letter of Sep. 18. supposes. crippled wrists and fingers make writing slow and laborious. but, while writing to you, I lose the sense of these things, in the recollection of antient times, when youth and health made happiness out of every thing. I forget for a while the hoary winter of age, when we can think of nothing but how to keep ourselves warm, &...
102348To John Jay from John Adams, 13 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Commission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Mahrattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, viz t . Sa Majesté...
102349To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
We deem it our duty to suggest for consideration the expediency of making provision for appeals from Judicial decisions in the Territories of Orleans and Mississippi. By the present System, the Supreme Court of each Territory is a Court of Original and dernier resort; before these Tribunals causes of very great concern to Individuals are often brought; Causes extremely Complex; involving many...
102350To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose a letter to me, dated Richmond the 13th. July ulto from Captain Samuel Eddins relative to a Deserter from Captain Tinsley’s Company in the Western Army, apprehended by one of his Serjeants. The prisoner is represented to have left his company in November 1795—and it is stated he was about to deliver himself up, when apprehended, Captain Eddins wishes to be informed, whether if an...