1051Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 9 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams not knowing of this Opportunity by Mr. Sears and Capt. Cheevers, who are going in a Dutch ship, who probably may call on you as the ship is designed to touch at Bourdeaux. I wrote you by a Vessell of my Own a few days since by the way of Cadiz, I then wrote you I had received a Trunk by Capt. Tucker, for Mrs. Adams, in good order. You will doubtless have heard by the packet Count...
1052II. From Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett, 18 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Tapp’s situation being such, as renders it extreamly difficult for him to continue in the service, agreeable to the forgoing representation made by himse⟨lf⟩ he has my Consent to resign his Commission if it is agreeable to your Excellency. And I do Certify, that there are no Accounts in the Regimen⟨t⟩ against him of a public Nature to my knowledge. LS , DNA : RG 93, manuscript file no....
1053From Thomas Jefferson to William Macarty, 21 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 8th. instant. I had applied to the Marquis de la Fayette to sollicit the Sauf conduit for you. A desire of avoiding every possible occasion myself of asking what may be refused, or of giving ground to make a reciprocal demand on any occasion, induced me to do this; and the Marquis’s zeal in every business respecting us, his weight and his access to every...
1054[Diary entry: 30 April 1780] (Washington Papers)
30th. Morning pleasant and clear, with the Wind Southerly—afternoon Showery and foggy.
1055To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 16 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 9th Instant is this Moment delivered to me at this place by an Express from Richmond. The Contents of it make a deep Impression on my Mind. To disobey the Call of my Country into Service when her venerable Chief makes a Demand of it, must be a Crime, unless the most substantial Reasons justify declining it. And I must trust to your Candour & Goodness to excuse me for not...
1056From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of the 24th & 25th have been duly received. Fully impressed with the idea of the Utility of early, regular & accurate communications of the kind in contemplation—I shall make no difficulty in acceding to the proposal contained in Your Private Letter from N. Port of the 25th—But at the same time, I am engaging in behalf of the United States, a liberal reward for the services of...
1057From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Watkins, 22 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When you were here to offer me your service for the next year, we separated on the subject of price. I offered you 120. Dollars, & you asked an hundred & fifty for the year’s service. I have concluded to give you your asking of an hundred & fifty dollars, with the allowance of 600. lb of pork, & corn as usual. the emploiment the first year will be as a carpenter with 2 or 3 men under you, for...
1058To George Washington from Brig. Gen. John Nixon, 24 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. John Nixon, 24 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Nixon on 25 Oct. : “I have received your Letter of Yesterday.”
1059From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 July 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the promptitude with which you paid my debt to Mr Gales & Seaton—and discontinued my subscription for the national Intelligencer I beg your Pardon for not answering immediately your letter of the 24th of last Month as I ought—Not being pressed by necessity, I did not draw upon Mr Cruft—Till up he comes with his Lady to make us a very pleasant visit—And tendered me the two...
1060To George Washington from William Russell, 20 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I returnd Home a few days ago after more than a month’s absence & assure you I was deeply mortified upon finding that your Ram and Straw Machine were still here—I very much regret that different attempts to Send them forwards have been ineffectual & that three several conveyances for their passage engag’d at Hartford have each of them been violated—As I found our River froze up. I fear they...
1061From James Madison to the Right Reverend James Madison, 17 July 1806 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To the Right Reverend James Madison. Letter not found. 17 July 1806. Acknowledged in Madison to JM , 26 July 1806 , where it appears to have been a response to the Reverend’s recommendation of someone named “John” for public office.
1062From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed on my arrival here that Genl. Pinckney’s dispatches had on their first receipt excited in the administration a great deal of passion: that councils were held from day to day, and their ill temper fixed at length in war; that under this impression Congress was called: that the tone of the party in general became high, and so continued till the news of the failure of the bank of...
1063To James Madison from Charles Pinckney and James Monroe, 1 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
We had the pleasure to write to you by Mr. Gorham on the 2nd. of Feby. and to transmit a copy of our first note to Mr. Cevallos, and of the Project which we presented him for the adjustment of all differences between the U. States and Spain, as also of his answer to it, which we had then just received. We now forward the sequel of the correspondence, by which it appears that we are as distant...
1064To James Madison from William Beach Lawrence, 29 November 1827 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Gallatin, when he confided to me as Chargé d’Affaires of the United States the fund belonging to the University of Virginia over which he as well as his predecessor Mr. King had ⟨ex⟩ercised a control, likewise put into my hands your letter of the 12th. of August last. Several months since, the late Minister conferred with me as to the selection of a suitable person to fill the vacant...
1065To George Washington from William Fairfax, 13–14 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had the Pleasure to receive Yrs of the 11th inst. by Bryan Fx who I find is so well pleasd with the little military Atchievement He has experienct, that He is desirous of pursuing that Life. I have accordingly encouragd Him and to hope that You have Affection enough to give Him a Lieutenancy as no doubt there are some Vacancys and I heard the Governor tell one Matthew Bowyer (who applied for...
1066To Benjamin Franklin from Uriah Forrest, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed came to my hands this day and as it appears to have met with rough treatment on it’s Passage I have done myself the Honor to put it under Cover. Shou’d there be any thing at this place which your Excellency can Charge me with that will be usefull to yourself or Our Country It will afford me real pleasure Being with all possible Respect Yr....
1067Benjamin Morgan to Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I defered answering your letter of the 29 th October last until I could get Lieut Rob t Peyton here hoping his presence was all that was wanted to settle the administration of his brother John’s Estate. He arrived last week and it now appears that he must have a power of Attorney from the Coheirs &ca as stated in the above memorandum— Please to forward these documents and I will do all in my...
1068To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 21 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison having given you before he left Richmond a history of the proceedings of the assembly during their late session I have only to add to what he has done some particular acts passed by them the perusal of which may prove more satisfactory than a partial account of them. With these you receive a small pamphlet entitled Reflections &c. ascribed to Mr. St. G. Tucker together with the...
1069From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instant found me at Albany attending the Supreme Court. I have no copy of the Treaty with G B at hand, but I am well satisfied from memory that the true interpretation of that Treaty, enforcing in this respect the true Rule of neutrality, forbids our permitting the sale of a prize taken & brought in by a French National Ship, equally as if by a Privateer —and that the...
1070From George Washington to the Magistrates of Philadelphia, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I return you my warmest thanks for the honor you do me in your obliging address—Such a distinguished proof of the affection of my fellow citizens manifested by so respectable a body as the Magistrates of the city of Philadelphia cannot but afford me the most sensible pleasure. I congratulate you Gentlemen that this State is again in possession of its capitol; and I sincerely hope that a...
1071From George Washington to the Commissioners for Redressing the Grievances of the New Jersey Line, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The fatal tendency of that spirit which has shown itself in the Pensylvania and Jersey lines, and which derived so much encouragement from impunity in the case of the former determined me at all events to pursue a different conduct with respect to the latter. For this purpose I detached a body of troops under Major General Howe with orders to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission...
1072To George Washington from William Aylett Lee, 1 July 1794 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Aylett Lee, 1 July 1794. The entry for 12 July in GW’s journal of proceedings lists among papers sent "to the Secy. of War for his consideration" a letter "from Wm. A. Lee 1 July ’94."
107320th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. Wolff came to see Mr. D. Mr. D. went and took a ride in the afternoon. I went with Mr. Artaud to the shops. Mr. Artaud went into the country. Clear weather, but windy.
1074Adams’ Minutes of the Argument: Essex Superior Court, Salem, November 1766 (Adams Papers)
Gridley. Marriage is of the Law of Nations. Justinian extends it, even to the Brutes. The Court adjudgd at Worcester that a Married Woman could not call herself Spinster. Writ not abated. Kent. I shall not enter into the Right of some Men to enslave others. This Right in some Places seems established. Not indeed a Right to Life, tho this is assumed in West Indies to the shame of human Nature....
1075[Diary entry: 5 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Thermometer at 51 in the Morning—64 at Noon And 63 at Night. Clear and warm all day, but little wind and that at Easterly. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the same work as yesterday was going forward. At Muddy hole the same also. At Dogue run the same. The two plows at this place finished breaking up the turnip ground in No. 1 about dinner time yesterday & went...
1076To John Adams from William Gordon, 13 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yours by your son was a very agreeable letter. I rec d it last wednesday while at the President’s, where I had the pleasure of viewing your living picture. You have confirmed me in my suspicion, that tho’ there were many pictures abroad there was little likeness. I shall do my best, & it may be well for one who is not a writer of the first talents, nor been employed thirty years in making my...
1077To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Christian Febiger, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
After returning Your Excellency the most sincere Thanks of Colonel Morgan, Major Heth and myself for your particular Favour in getting us exchangd and restord to the Service of our Country—I have the honor of informing your Excellency of my Arrival in this City with the first Company of our Regiment, two Companies more being on their March and hourly expected, those men, who are in Town are...
1078[Diary entry: 19 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Clear & warm in the forenoon, but lowering & Cool afterwards.
1079To George Washington from Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Acknowledges the receipt of your Excellencys Order to March to Easton with my Regt which I Recd, about Seven Miles from Popaking on my way to the Delaware with a party of men which I was Induced to do in Order to pascify the Inhabitants of this Fruntier who are in Continual Fears Occasioned by Several Reports from that Quarter Communicated to Colo. Paulding by some persons he Can rely on...
1080To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 18 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
public Sir London 18 September 1790 I had the Honor to address you on the 16th of August, and stated as nearly as I could the Situation of Russia and Sweden. This Situation has produced a very natural Effect. Sweden being unsupported by her allies, and Russia having Nothing to gain by farther Fighting but a Part of the finland Deserts not worth fighting for, they have struck a Bargain of Peace...
1081From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 26th of May, 13th of June and 7th instt are before me; and I believe unacknowledged—The several Articles sent by the Packet came safe, except one of the Wheels belonging to the harrows which was not landed by Captn Ellwood who dropped them at my landing as he passed by in the Night returning. Whether the omission was in him or in putting them on board in Philadelphia I know...
1082To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received, this morning, your letter of the 23d inst. for which I am much obliged to you. I did not in my own mind consider you dilatory in your answer, aware of the nature of your employments, and the incessant interruptions, by company to which you are subject. There are one or two points you mention which I shall say a few words to. The officers of the additional Regiments were put upon...
1083Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 28 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter informing me of the Alteration of your Intention, not having reached my House till some time after the Hour you had appointed for setting out for Versailles, I was gone before it arrived. I informed Count Vergennes, that you were coming, and we waited till 5’ O’Clock under no small Embarressment, especially myself, to conceive what detained you. Count Vergennes says, that as there...
1084To Alexander Hamilton from John McClallen, 10 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to your order of the 8th instant, directing me to report on the affadavits you was pleased to enclose respecting Seymour Swan a soldier of my Company. I beg leave to state the following facts, which appear from his attestation and from my recollection. “That he was enlisted at New Lebanon by Lieut Hosack on the 9th Novemr last, that he was then aged 17 Years and 10 Months and 5 feet...
1085To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received a Letter from General Learned, Copy whereof I do myself the Honor to inclose. I am extremely apprehensive that the greater part of the Garrisons of Tyonderoga and Mount Independance is in the Enemy’s power and if they make a push they may do what they please, as I have not above 700 Continental Troops to oppose them with, and, I fear, not above twice that Number of...
1086[Diary entry: 12 September 1773] (Washington Papers)
12. Very Warm without any Wind all day.
1087February 1790 (Washington Papers)
Monday 1st. Agreed on Saturday last to take Mr. McCombs House, lately occupied by the Minister of France for one year, from and after the first day of May next; and wd. go into it immediately, if Mr. Otto the present possesser could be accomodated and this day sent My Secretary to examine the rooms to see how my furniture cd. be adapted to the respective Apartments. By the beginning of 1790 GW...
1088From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, [23 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of Genet’s of July 9. and the draught of an answer to it, which is approved by the other gentlemen but we wish your sentiments on it, and as soon as possible as it is pressing.—The other of June 22. is only under deliberation, and sent to you for your information and consideration against we meet again. [ Note by TJ: ] July 23. 93. E.R. returned this note and the two...
1089From James Madison to Richard Harrison, 10 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
It appearing that William Eaton Esqr. late Consul of the United States at Tunis did on the 9th. of August 1802, in his official capacity, enter into an instrument of writing acknowledging to have received from Sidi Haggi Junis Ben Junis, a Tunisian Merchant, the sum of thirty four thousand Spanish milled dollars, as a loan for the use of his public agency; and Richard V. Morris Esqr. having on...
1090From John Adams to James Madison, 22 October 1816 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of the 12th. The Anecdote mentioned in my Letter of the 4th of September, is of no consequence to the Public, though, it may interest the private Feelings of your Family and mine. Mr Stodert was my Auther. After all possibility of thinking seriously on the Subject was passed, Mr Stodert informed me of the Letter from Mrs Madison to Mr Steel mentioned in mine to you of...
1091John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
M r Richard Cooke of Mary land will tell you all the News— I expect to sign the Bills this day which were all passed Yesterday for carrying into E xn. the Treaties with Great Britain Spain Algiers and the Indians— Yesterday seemed a Day of Universal and perpetual Peace foreign & domestic. Tomorrow I go home— Congress will rise by the 20 th. There is much Talk of the Resignation of the P. a...
1092Resolutions of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, [20 December] 1811 (Madison Papers)
The present is a period replete with National occurrences as momentous as ever marked the Annals of the World. That Collision of Kingdoms and Empires, which has deluged Europe with blood, borne down the practice and nearly extinguished the principles of justice and humanity, is not in its effects confined to that unhappy quarter of the Globe. The Unparalleled prosperity, the enterprising...
1093José Corrêa da Serra to Thomas Jefferson, 22 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very glad of what i knew, about your perfect convalescence and about the progress of the Virginian university , but it has been to me a great additional pleasure, to read it in your handwriting. Your health i am confident will with proper attention continue strong and i hope and wish, for a pretty Long period too. Serus in cælum redeas diuque Lætus intersis — My anxiety about the...
1094To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Clel Laurens having Been Appointed By Congress to Go to france and Sollicit Succours for the Next Campaign he has also been directed to take Your orders at head Quarters—I am By order of Congress to have A Conference With him, and intend Giving him Many letters for france —As in Your instructions to Laurens The presence of one who Knows these people May be Agreable to You, I shall Set out for...
1095Eunice Paine to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am indeed the Silvia, the once favored correspondent of Diana; But I am Silvia without my Beloved flock, my former sheepfolds are Laid waste, my Lambs are scatter’d, and I mourn here among other congregations the loss of my former companions.—I thank you for the testimony you have given me of your remembrance. Should have Certifyd my grateful reception by the first Conveyance but...
1096James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 23 October 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. the inclosed letter from a Come of Stud in the University, and must ask the favor of you to communicate it, to the other members of the Executive Committee & let the result be known to the writers I inclose the<ir> letter on the supposition, that copies may not have been circularly sent Draft, with draft of James Madison to University of Virginia Committee of Students, W. H....
1097From George Washington to John Barry, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your Favor of the 30th of May. It has ever been my Wish to mitigate in every respect as far as is my power the disagreeable Circumstances attendg a State of War—this general Disposition, as well as a Desire to oblige you, would operate strongly in favor of a Compliance with your Request in behalf of your Friend; but unhappily some Dispute between the Contendg Parties, at...
1098Thomas Jefferson to William McClure, 10 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to commence the establishment for family manufacture in our neighborhood, on which we conversed the other day, I will, for myself, engage of you a spinning Jenny, and a loom with a flying shuttle, doing towards them myself whatever my workmen can do; I will furnish six women or girls to work for myself on them under your direction, build a house for them to lodge in, contribute to a...
1099To George Washington from Colonel Moses Hazen, 7 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The fore going is a Duplicate of my letter of the Date there in mentioned, and as I have not received your Excellencys answer to it, I am apprehensive that it has not reached Head Quarters. I beg your Excellency will please to observe that my Regiment has not received a Blankit to every two Men—and we have nothing Provided for Sumer Cloathing—I have applied to Genl Putnam for orders with...
1100To George Washington from William Irvine, 6 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
My letter of the 18th of July to the Honorable the Secretary at War, (which he promises to shew your Excellency) will I hope explain to your satisfaction my reason for not writing you frequently: Since that time the Virginia Troops at this Post by order of General Lincoln have been discharged & paid four months agreeable to a Resolution of Congress of the 26th of May, without the most distant...