104401From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 8 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Dec. 14. and to apologize for a delay that has happened in the sending the vinegar you desired. I gave a memorandum to one of my servants to enquire of the Chevalr. de la Luzerne’s maitre d’Hôtel what kind of vinegar it was. He was out of town, the thing was forgotten for some time, at length recollected and the enquiry made. It was what they...
104402From Thomas Jefferson to William Shippen, 8 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your favor of Dec. 5. and have been made happy by the acquaintance of your son who has past some time with us in Paris. I have been absent a part of it, in Holland, so that I have seen less of him than I could have wished; but I have seen enough to attach me to him very sincerely, and assure you he will answer all your expectations and your wishes. I inclose you a letter from...
104403To Thomas Jefferson from Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 8 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
We are honored with your Excellency’s respected Favors of 7 Ulto. from Frankfort and 18 ditto from Strasburgh , the latter advising your draft on us ƒ426. Holld. Cy. in favor of Mr. Jean de Turckheim , Which shall be discharged and placed to the Account of the United States. Similar Reception awaits Mr. Peuchen’s Bill for a Couple of Stoves which we will with greatest pleasure receive and...
104404To 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...
1044057th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was very fine; I took a long walk in the evening with Thompson and Putnam. Thompson left us, and went to see Parson Spring. Putnam came home, and past the remainder of the evening with me. I have used myself for several days past to rise very early, and should wish to do so through the Summer: but my propensity to sleep is so great, that it is almost always impossible for me to...
104406To John Adams from John Hancock, 7 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Lodge this Letter with the Pilot at the Light House to deliver you, which will inform you that I have given him directions to hoist a Signal which will be known at the Castle, from whence I am to Receive Notice of your Arrival, & where I have Lodged orders to pay you every mark of distinction in my power when you pass the Fort— My Coach shall be at the end of the Long Wharff for the...
104407[Diary entry: 7 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—69 at Noon and 69 at Night. Clear and very pleasant all day. The Wind in the Morning was at No. Et. and in the afternoon at So. Et. Visited all the Plantations—Mill, & Brick Yard. In the Neck, five plows and 2 Harrows were preparing for, and putting in Buck Wheat—one laying off as before, for Pease &ca. in the Barn Inclosure. Yesterday sowed 13...
104408To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 7 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
The bad state of Health and Business Since I have been down Prevented my Caling at Mount vernon untill this day—I was Sorry not To Find you at Home—My Engagements at this Place Prevented my staying for your return—If you desire To See me I will Endeavour To waite on you on Friday otherwise I wish To Push towards Home —If Mr Lear Should be at this place Tomorrow I will Pay the Ballance To Close...
104409From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 7 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It is time to give you some account of your affairs with the bookseller Frouillé. They stand thus. Price agreed on for the copy for translation 900. livres Tourn. 9 copies (out of 50) of the English work received from Dilly and sold @ 12.₶ 108 1008 Cr. By a dozen copies of the translation sent you @ 6.₶ 72 Balance now paiable to you 936. livres I delivered to him your letter wherein...
104410From Thomas Jefferson to Antoine Terrasson, 7 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with attention the papers on the subject of the canal of the Santee and Cooper rivers, and shall be glad to do any thing I can to promote it. But I confess I have small expectations for the following reason. Genl. Washington sent me a copy of the Virginia act for opening the Patowmac. As that canal was to unite the commerce of the whole Western country almost, with the Eastern, it...
104411To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 7 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to present to you Mr. Thos. Duché , Son of Mr. Duchof Phila . who is nigh you at Chaillot for his health :—you will find him a very amiable and well instructed young man:—He has ask’d my advice of the route he should take to return to England and I have recommended him to come by Strasbourg, Manheim, Dusseldorp, Flanders and Holland: as this tour will give him a Sight of a very...
1044126th. (Adams Papers)
In the beginning of the evening, I took a walk with Pickman, up to Mrs. Atkins’s. We found only the old Lady at home; and she was so unwell, that we supposed Company would not be very agreeable to her; and soon came away: we met Thompson just as we were coming out; he turn’d about and came back with us. I have little to say. That part of my Time which is best improved is productive of nothing,...
104413From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Low, [6 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the questions answered. Yrs. ALS , Mr. Cyril Clemens, Kirkwood, Missouri. Low, a prominent New York merchant, for whom H had on various occasions served as attorney, was seeking election as a delegate to the New York State convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States. See H to Gouverneur Morris, May 19, 1788 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton...
104414[Diary entry: 6 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 65 in the Morning—75 at Noon And 75 at Night. Weather clear and wind at So. Wt. all day. At home all day.
104415To George Washington from Bouillé, 6 May 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Bouillé, 6 May 1788. On 1 Oct. 1788 GW wrote Bouillé about the letter, “which you did me the honor to write to me on the 6th of May.”
104416From George Washington to John Fitzgerald and George Gilpin, 6 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
If you have fixed upon Monday next for the meeting of the Directors of the Potk Company at the Falls of the Shanandoah—Have given Messrs Johnson and Lee notice of it—and informed Mr Stuart and his accusers thereof you will please to let me know it—(having heard nothing yet of the determination) In these cases, and that I may have nothing to retard my speedy return after the business of the...
104417To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, Jr., 6 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 6 May 1788 . Asks TJ, on receipt from Messrs. Bérard of “the money which Messrs. Brailsford & Morris have desired them to remit to you,” to deposit it with Messrs. Boyd & Ker, who are forwarding this letter. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ: “Rutledge John Junr.” Enclosed in Boyd, Ker & Co. to TJ, 9 May 1788 .
1044185th. (Adams Papers)
I began this morning at the Office upon Foster’s Crown Law, a book admirably written I am told, and notwithstanding the barrenness of the subject as entertaining as it is instructive. I pass’d an hour in the beginning of the evening at Mrs. Hooper’s and then went with Thompson to Mr. S. Hooper’s. Miss Roberts was there; I think I have already mentioned this Lady; she is uncommonly sensible,...
104419[Diary entry: 5 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—75 at Noon And 73 at Night. Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning but at No. Wt. afterwards & fresh, but not cold. Flying clouds, but upon the whole clear. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—except the plow that was laying off, the rest were cross plowing the rough parts of No. 9 for Buck Wheat 5 in number—2 teams in the Waggon, drawing Rails to...
104420From George Washington to Hector St. John Crèvecoeur, 5 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 17th ult., & the enclosure, came safe. For your attention & care of the latter I pray you to accept of my best thanks, at the sametime that I entreat you to pardon the liberty I now take in requesting the favor of you to forward the letters herewith sent by the Packet, or any other safe Conveyance. With sentiments of great esteem I...
104421From George Washington to Samuel Hanson, 5 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday was handed to me last evening. I am sorry that the conduct of one of my Nephews has been such as to render a complaint to me necessary, but I am extreemly obliged to you for the communication. George has now advanced to that time of life when it is absolutely necessary that his conduct should be regulated by some means or other. Coertion would be extreemly painful to...
104422From George Washington to George Steptoe Washington, 5 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received a letter from Mr Hanson informing me that you slept from home three nights successively and one contrary to his express prohibition. Complaints of this nature are extreamly painful to me, as it discovers a degree of impropriety in your conduct, which, at your time of life your good sense & discretion ought to pount out to you and lead you to avoid. Altho’ there is nothing...
104423To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, 5 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you a letter from Petersburg —and the newspaper of today—tho very uninteresting. Maryland has acceded to the proposed Constitution by a great majority. Chase, Paca, Martin, and Mercer oppossed it with their utmost vigor and abilities, but with decency. South Carolina will adopt the system very soon. The opposition in Virginia is much to be lamented and in N. york...
1044244th. (Adams Papers)
I heard Mr. Andrews preach, his sermons were both very short; but better I think than those he delivered last Sunday; his text was, “If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would they be perswaded though one rose from the dead.” Pickman observed, that there was a Sermon of Archbishop Tillotson, from the same Text, and the similarity is such as proves that Mr. Andrews had read it;...
104425[Diary entry: 4 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—72 at Noon And 70 at Night. A good deal of rain fell last night with thunder & lightning. Wind high all day from the So. West. Weather clear.
104426To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 4 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is extremely painful to me to be so soon under the necessity of troubling you again with a Complaint against one of your Nephews. Master George has slept from Home the 3 last Nights. The first night he went away, and desired his Brother to inform me where he intended to lodge. This message did not, from accident, come to my ears till after he had slept out the next night. Last night he went...
104427To George Washington from Lafayette, 4 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I Have Been Requested to Present to You M. de Saint fris a Captain in the french Regiment of dragoons who is Going as a traveller through the United States, and of Course wishes to Pay His Respects to General Washington. He Has Been Particularly Recommended to me, and as I don’t know When this introductory letter will Reach you and I am sure it will not Arrive Before My dispatches of a later...
104428To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 4 May 1788 (Jay Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you in two letters of the 13 th . & 16 th . of March from Amsterdam, and have since received mr Remsen’s of Feb. 20. I staid at Amsterdam about 10. or 12 days after the departure of mr Adams in hopes of seeing the million of the last year filled up. this however could not be accomplished on the spot. but the prospect was so good as to have dissipated all fears;...
104429From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 4 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you in two letters of the 13th. and 16th. of March from Amsterdam, and have since received Mr. Remsen’s of Feb. 20. I staid at Amsterdam about 10. or 12. days after the departure of Mr. Adams in hopes of seeing the million of the last year filled up. This however could not be accomplished on the spot. But the prospect was so good as to have dissipated all fears;...
104430From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 4 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Ford, will have the honour of delivering you a packet from me, which contains gazettes &c. to be sent by the packet boat which will sail in a few days for New York. I ask the favor of you to receive and keep it till it shall be called for by a passenger who will go from this place and whom I propose to charge with that and my letters. On my return here a few days ago, I...
1044313d. (Adams Papers)
I this day got through the 4th. volume of Blackstone’s Commentaries a second time, and I imagine I have derived no less benefit from a second perusal, than I did from the first. I have been longer about it than I wish’d, but the interruption of an whole fortnight by a Journey prolonged the time which I took for reading this book, greatly. In the evening I took a long walk with Pickman and...
104432John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
We have mutually been deficient in those attentions, which absent connections ought always to preserve towards one another: the fault has been the greatest on my side, as I was under the additional obligation of setting a good example; but I feel myself at this time peculiarly bound to write to you, to apologize for the rough expressions which upon several occasions I used while I was with...
104433Appointment as Delegate to the General Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, 3 May 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 3, 1788. Baron von Steuben, president of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, signed a certification that Hamilton and six other men had been appointed delegates to represent New York in the “General Meeting of the society of ye. Cincinnati to be holden in the City of Philadelphia on Monday the fifth day of May 1788.” DS , Papers of the Society of the...
104434[Diary entry: 3 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 68 at Night. Wind at So. Wt. About 3 oclock there was a pretty smart shower of Rain. Mr. Fendall and Mr. Craik went away directly after breakfast & I visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, all hands except the Plowers & Carters were planting Corn—one plow laying off in the Barn Inclosure for Sundries—one harrow for Buck Wheat—3...
104435To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mine of Feb. 6. acknoleged the receipt of yours of Dec. 9. and 20. Since that, those of Feb. 19. & 20. are come to hand. The present will be delivered you by mr. Warville, whom you will find truly estimable, & a great enthusiast for liberty. His writings will have shewn you this. For public news I must refer you to my letter to mr. Jay. Those I wrote to him from Amsterdam will have informed...
104436From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mine of Feb. 6. acknoleged the receipt of yours of Dec. 9. and 20. Since that, those of Feb. 19. and 20. are come to hand. The present will be delivered you by Mr. Warville, whom you will find truly estimable, and a great enthusiast for liberty. His writings will have shewn you this. For public news I must refer you to my letter to Mr. Jay. Those I wrote to him from Amsterdam will have...
1044372d. (Adams Papers)
After passing the day at the Office, I stroll’d with Pickman, as far as Sawyer’s tavern, where we stopp’d and took a dish of tea. When we set out to return there was a little sprinkling of rain, which we thought was not sufficient to stay our progress: but it kept continually increasing till it became quite a smart rain, and by that time we were so much soak’d that we concluded the sooner we...
104438[Diary entry: 2 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2nd. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—80 at Noon And 70 at Night. Lowering Morning with a Shower but not heavy or much of it betwn. 3 & 4 Oclock. Rid to all the Plantations except that in the Neck and finding the appearances of rain great—ordered the holes which had been made for Corn at the Ferry, Dogue run & the River Plantations to be immediately planted, & for this purpose, that the...
104439To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet & thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga & Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. it will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake Erie...
104440From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 19th of March, which should have been done at an earlier period had any thing transpired in these parts which was worth communicating. I can now, with pleasure, inform you that the State of Maryland adopted the proposed Constitution last monday by a very large majority; this you will undoubtedly have announced by the publick papers...
104441From George Washington to James Madison, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th Ult. came duly to hand, and the enclosure for Mr D. Carroll was forwarded the next day by a direct & safe conveyance. That Gentleman, however, was not of the Convention. But the body of which you supposed him to be a member, by a large and decided Majority (of Sixty odd to twelve) have ratified the New Constitution. A thorn this in the sides of the leaders of opposition...
104442From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th Ult. reminds me of an omission which I should be ashamed of, did I not conceive that my apology will be as satisfactory as it is just. The omission alluded to, is not acknowledging the receipt of your former favor which accompanied the Books, and thanking you for your care of them. The apology is, the hourly expectation of seeing you at this place on your return to...
104443From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to assure you in unequivocal terms, that the proposed visit of Mrs Morris, and such parts of your family as are mentioned in your letter of the 29th Ulto will give sincere pleasure at Mount Vernon—Mrs Washington and myself only wish that you had not confined it to Miss, and the two Mr Morris—of this I have taken the liberty to inform Mrs Morris in a letter; hoping that she may find...
104444To James Madison from George Washington, 2 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. Ult. came duly to hand, and the enclosure for Mr. D. Carroll was forwarded the next day by a direct & safe conveyance. That Gentleman, however, was not of the Convention. But the body of which you supposed him to be a member, by a large and decided Majority (of Sixty odd to twelve) have ratified the New Constitution. A thorn this in the sides of the leaders of...
104445To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Coffyn, 2 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Dunquerque, 2 May 1788 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 28 Apr. 1788. No ships being available for Le Havre, has sent the four boxes of plants overland “by the way of St. omer to the care of my friends Messrs. Broucq freres of that place,” recommending that they forward them immediately. Hopes they arrive safe; expenses too trifling to notice. RC ( MHi ); endorsed; in SJL Index TJ incorrectly...
104446From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, Jr., 2 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Rutledge. He had not decided about going to the review tomorrow , and therefore it needs a much less sacrifice than he is disposed to make to Mr. Rutledge to abandon the little idea he had of going. He has but two horses which can be well rode. Mr. Short will naturally expect one, and Mr. Rutledge shall have the other. RC ( NcD ); addressed: “ A Monsieur...
104447From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet and thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga and Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. It will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake...
104448Abigail Adams’ Diary of her Return Voyage to America, 30 March–1 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
Sunday London March 30. We took our departure from the Bath Hotell where I had been a Fortnight, and sat out for Portsmouth, which we reachd on Monday Evening. We put up at the Fountain Inn. Here we continued a week waiting for the Ship which was detaind by contrary winds in the River. The wind changing we past over to the Isle of Wight and landed at a place call’d Ryed, where we took post...
104449Abigail Adams’ Diary of Her Return Voyage to America, 30 March – 1 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
MS (M/AA/1, APM Reel 197). PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:212–217 . AA began her Diary in London on 30 March on the eve of the Adamses’ departure first for Portsmouth and then for Cowes, where they were to meet their ship, the Lucretia . AA related the sightseeing they did while waiting two weeks to board the ship—including visits to Carisbrooke Castle and the town of Yarmouth—and also the boredom:...
104450From George Washington to Chastellux, 25 April–1 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
In reading your very friendly and acceptable letter of the 21st of December 1787, which came to hand by the last mail, I was, as you may well suppose, not less delighted than surprised to come across that plain American word—“my wife.” A wife! well my dear Marquis, I can hardly refrain from smiling to find you are caught at last. I saw, by the eulogium you often made on the happiness of...