105451To George Washington from James Madison, 9 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 30 Novr was received a few days ago. This would have followed much earlier the one which yours acknowledges had I not wished it to contain some final information relative to the commercial propositions. The discussion of them has consumed much time, and though the absolute necessity of some such general system prevailed over all the efforts of its adversaries in the first...
105452Farm Reports, 2–8 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
When in November 1785 GW himself took over for a few months the direct, day-to-day supervision of his several farms at Mount Vernon, he devised the general format for the weekly reports that successive farm managers thereafter followed. The reports of the farm manager were based upon the reports that the overseers of the individual farms made to him each week and often included reports from...
105453To James Madison from John Slade, 9 July 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 July 1812, Alexandria. “We have made up a company and in hopes of carrying it on if you will assist us in some trifling sum towards getting our Uniform, Guns &c.… If you should think proper to contribute any thing you will please to direct it to Mr: C. Page Alexa.” RC ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , S-272:6). 1 p. Docketed by a War Department clerk as received 11 July 1812.
105454From George Washington to Robert Morris, 15 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
I pray you to receive my thanks for your favor of the 5th and for the obliging attention which you have given to the Flour matting from China. The latter is not yet arrived at the Port of Alexandria nor is the navigation of the River at this time open for the Passage of any Vessel—while the frost has much the appearance of encreasing and continuing. In every wish that can contribute to the...
105455To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 25 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
No alteration has taken place since my last in the conduct of this Government towards the neutral powers, they still assert the propriety of preventing the provisions specified in their additional instructions from being sent to French ports, and of making prize of their enemy’s property in whatever Vessels it may be found—the execution of these measures of course creates much uneasiness among...
105456From James Madison to Horatio Gates Spafford, 16 April 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have but just recd. your letter of March 15th. I wish you success in your new Edition of the Geographical Dictionary for N. York; as I do in the other literary tasks you have in hand, and in petto. I am not enough acquainted with our Booksellers and Printers to judge how far a Gazetteer for this State on the plan & terms you suggest would be espoused by them. A survey of the State is now on...
105457To Benjamin Franklin from Gilles de Lavallée and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, [c. November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
News of the peace negotiations inspires a number of merchants, manufacturers, and schemers to make offers to Franklin during the period of this volume. In November, Gilles de Lavallée outlines his plan to establish in the 13 “Colonies Unies” factories for making ribbons, yarns, and thread as well as textiles, coverlets, and sheets. His letter is published below. On September 26, Petit, a...
105458Report on Rights of Neutral Nations, [12 June] 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 79, III, 255). In JM’s hand. Docketed: “Report of Mr Madison Mr Ellsworth Mr. Hamilton On a report of Secy for forn. Affairs on a letter of 20 March from Mr Dumas Delivered June 11, 1783. read Entd.” Designated by JM for inclusion in this report is part of a report dated 3 June, a minor portion of which is in the hand of, and signed by, Robert R. Livingston, secretary for...
105459To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 28 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Continental armed Schooners Hancock and Franklin sent into Marblehead this day a Transport from Hallifax bound to New York with provisions and dry goods. There are many Tories on board, among whom is the noted Benjamin Davis. Last Sunday a Transport from Ireland came into this Harbour, (not knowing the Pirates were gone) and was taken; She had...
105460From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 29 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive by the present conveyance my letters of the 2d. and 6th. instant. In my letter of April 11th. I enclosed to you a duplicate of Mr. Jay’s of September 9th. 1788 complaining of the practice of the Spanish Governments bordering on Georgia, of receiving and withholding the fugitive slaves of that State, and urging redress. My letter of May 31st. covered a triplicate of Mr. Jay’s,...
105461From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams with Adams’ Reply, [after 2 January 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Please to send me Mr Williams’s Letter that objects to the Clothing furnish’d by Mr Monthieu. Also all the Papers you have relating to his Accounts— In John Adams’ hand: Dr Franklin must be so good as to send somebody to search for these Papers— Mr Adams has no more the Custody of them than Dr Franklin and never will have. This request was prompted by Lee’s...
105462To Thomas Jefferson from W. Willis, 5 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have come on to this place by easy stages since I had the honor of waiting upon you in Washington. And as the people from the interiour of The States have been flocking to the Market towns with their produce I have had a considerable oppertunity of knowing their sentiments, respecting the present situaation of our political affairs. They wish for Peace, but seem willing to sacrifice every...
105463From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [14 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President. He had thought that the appointment of a Supervisor for Pennsylvania might without inconvenience be deferred ’till the return of the President, & therefore deferred mentioning it. But on more particular reflection as a new revenue year commences with the first of July, he believes it would be of use to accelerate the...
105464To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 23 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In your letter of the 28. Ultimo you say “Colonel Bentley likewise informs me that Lt. Crump of his regiment has resigned and proposes McCall as a proper person to fill the Vacancy ” —Mr. McCalls recommendation is already before you— In your letter of the 13. September is enclosed an extract of a letter from Colonel Bentley of the 26. August of which the following is part. “Permit me to...
105465[From Thomas Jefferson to James Buchanan, 23 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 23 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “Jas. Buchanan. Marb[ois] will send wines addressed to him—send to Charlville with line to Key—Pitt in.” Not found.]
105466From Thomas Jefferson to Angelica Schuyler Church, 21 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Short’s departure for Italy gives me the pleasure of executing your commission for the duplicate volume of the Antiquités d’Herculaneum. The exchange is made and the right volume will be given to a Mr. Romilly of London who sets out for Paris within two or three days, and will send it to your house on his arrival. Should any thing put this out of his head, I am unable to give you his...
105467To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 31 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By your direction I have examined the accounts of the several Loan officers, who serv’d under the late ordinance of Congress, and have now the honor to communicate my observations thereon. The accounts of Nathaniel Gilman, of New Hampshire, Nathaniel Appleton, of Massachusetts, William Ellery of Rhode-Island, William Imlay of Connecticut, John Cochran of New York, James Ewing of New Jersey,...
105468From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 28 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just been informed by General Schuyler of his having recd advice from Mr Douw that the Oneida Indians are under apprehensions of being obliged to send their Women and Children down the Country to secure them from the Indians in the interest of the enemy, who threaten to destroy them on account of their attachment to us. Should this be the case, good policy as well as humanity points out...
105469From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 January 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 23. Ult, with its in closed Sketch, Skeleton, Frame, Plan, Scheme, System, Plott, Platt, or by whatever other name you please to call your Etching, has been received. What Title do you in tend to give it? An History of The Decline and Fall of Christianity? or An History of The Improvement of the Human Mind? or An History of the Progress of Society? or An History of the...
105470To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it proper to acquaint you that, intelligence being received last Saturday morning at Cambden that 3900 men under Ld. Cornwallis had crossed and taken post on the North side of Santee river about 57 miles below Cambden, and that they were to be soon joined (as they have been since) by 1200 more from the opposite side of the river, who were to rendezvous at that town, and proceed higher...
105471To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, 27 Aug. 1778. On 27 Aug., Tench Tilghman wrote Muhlenberg: “His Excellency has recd yours of this date.”
105472From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday recieved letters from mr Eppes & Maria. she has been for a considerable time very unwell, with low but constant fevers, and the child very unwell also. mrs Eppes had gone there and staid with her till she was well enough to be removed to Eppington, where the air & the bark had already produced a favorable effect. she wishes to proceed to Monticello as soon as she is strong enough,...
105473James Madison to Henry A. S. Dearborn, 1 January 1830 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison returns his thanks to General Dearborn for the copy of his "address to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society." He has derived instruction as well as pleasure from the learning thrown into its elegant pages RC (NjP) .
105474To Thomas Jefferson from Matthew C. Groves, 26 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The extreme politeness, and Condescention, which your excellency manifested, in enclosing my papers to robert Paterson Esqe of Philadelphia, for his Opinion of a System, which I had the honor of presenting to your excellency, for the discovery of the Longitude at Sea, by Observing the eclipses of the Satallites of Jupiter, and your goodness, in forwarding that opinion to me, to Boston, under...
105475From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 5 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have signed & M r Grand will this day forward, the two thousand & three Obligations you sent me, which compleats the 5003. Inclosed is a Copy of M r. Morris’s Letter to you of 30. of April 1783, & M r. Grand’s original Letter to me of this day’s date. The Circumstances are such as to make it necessary you should comply with M r. Morris’s Orders as soon as possible by furnishing to M r. Grand...
105476To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Just Received the Honor of yours of this Day’s date, and am fully Convinced that a Work should be thrown up without the Least Loss of Time at the mouth of Spiten devil—If Colonel Putnam and Colo. Knox Can be spared a few hours I wish Your Exellency would please to Send them Here in Order to Trace out a Proper Work, and Determine what Ordnance will be necessary to be Mounted at the Mouth...
105477To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 21 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to Your Excellency, a Letter rece’d by flag from the Enemy. Capt. Thomas Douglas Intendant of marine Prisoners, presented the enclosed recommendation from Mr Turner for his admittance into the Enemy’s Lines and requested a flag for the purpose—My orders will not admit of granting it upon Mr Turner’s passport. I have therefore informed the Gentleman I...
105478From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter I received a short time since. As I am wholly unacquainted with the writer, & circumstances therein mentioned; I can only say, that if the facts are such as there alledged, I think the sufferer is entitled to some redress; but how far it may be in the power of Congress to comply with petitions of this nature I am not able to say. You undoubtedly know much better than I do,...
105479From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read with attention, and duly considered, your letter of the 1st. of this month, and all the papers inclosed with it, and am of opinion that the public interest, and service requires that the proposed site and Ore be purchased at the best terms, which can be obtained, and a National Foundry for casting Cannon, shot and shells established, and I authorize you, in conjunction with the...
105480Contract between Louis XVI and the United States, Signed by Vergennes and Franklin, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives Nationales, National Archives; two copies and transcript: National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Contrat entre le Roi et les Treize Etats Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, passé entre M. le Cte. de Vergennes et M. Franklin, le 25. Fevrier 1783./. Contrat entre le Roi et les Treize Etats-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale. La paix rétablie entre les...
105481To Thomas Jefferson from John F. Gaullier, 29 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Comme c’est la derniere fois que Je prend la très respectueuse liberté de vous ecrire, si vottre bonté à la patience de me lire; et d’excuser ma prolixité, J’orai satisfait à mon devoir, le reste èst au destin. Après Dieu (dans ce pays cy) vous êtes mon seul espoir! si les grands dans ce monde sonts ses representants, J’ai les droits de les invocquer: … peu accoutumér de demander des Graces,...
105482To John Adams from William Tudor, 3 October 1776 (Adams Papers)
By the Carelessness of an Orderly Sargent to whom it was given, I did not get your Letter, forwarded by Mr. Gerry from Philadelphia, and so have not as yet received any Answer to my last 2 Letters. I wish in future, Sir, You would write by the Post, and then I shall not again be disappointed. I find by a late Resolve of Congress they are determined to raise an Army for the War. Happy had it...
105483May 8. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning Dr. Franklin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Adams, went to Versailles, in Order that Mr. Adams might be presented to the King.—Waited on the Count De Vergennes, at his office, and at the Hour of Eleven the Count conducted Us, into the Kings Bed Chamber where he was dressing—one officer putting on his Sword, another his Coat &c. The Count went up to the King, and his Majesty turned about,...
105484From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 17 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me the 13. Instant. I imagine that M. De Chaumont has been disappointed in the Expectations he had of finding Bankers here who would advance the Sum for which he sollicited your Excellency to guarantee the Interest. He at length...
105485From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 26th of August; but it brought me at the same time so much business to be answered by return of post, and which did not admit of delay, that I was obliged to postpone the acknowledgment of yours. I thank you sincerely for what respects myself. Though I see the pen of the Secretary of the Treasury plainly in the attack on me, yet, since he has not...
105486To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” Encloses a duplicate [not found] of his 5 Nov. letter , having discovered an omission of a few words in the third inquiry regarding claims derived under the British and Spanish governments previous to the treaty of 1795 and unsettled at the date of the treaty. “After the word Settlement these words should have been inserted, ‘ within the ceded Territory .’”...
105487To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 23 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Boyetet Consul General for France in this Country has been so obliging as to charge himself with the Works of the Conde de Campomanes & the memorials published by the Society of the Friends of their Country which I have long promised to send you; & which I should have done sooner if an oppertunity had offered— Permit me to Introduce this Gentleman to...
105488To Thomas Jefferson from Charlotte Hare, [20? February 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
Miss Charlotte Hare presents her Compliments to Mr. Jefferson, and from a recollection of the very friendly and polite offers of assistance with which he favored Miss Hare (while at St. Germains last autumn) she again intrudes a request of Mr. Jefferson’s permission to enclose a Letter to Mr. Hare at Philadelphia, who Mr. Jefferson likewise recollected to have Married Miss Willing and who Miss...
105489To Benjamin Franklin from Simon-Pierre Fournier le Jeune, 3 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay l’honneur de vous prévenir que votre caractere est prêt a partir. Je vous prie de me marquer par quelle voyes vous voulés que je vous l’expedie. Cela contient Deux caisses contenant une fonte de Petit Romain, Romain, Italique, Cadrats, Espaces cy . . . Pézant . . . . . 274 l. ½ a 34s. . . . 465 l.t. 16 La demie . . . . . . . . . . 17. Deux caisses...
105490To Thomas Jefferson from Hendrick Aupaumut, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I and the Chiefs of my Nation have had much concern to the welfare of the different tribes of our Color—particularly to those tribes with whom we have much influence—We wish they should always be rightly inform of the good disposition manifested to ward them by the Great Father of the United States.—And that they should turn their attention to the useful arts of Husbandry—And that they should...
105491Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 9 September 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I promised you that I would put into the form of a bill my plan of establishing the elementary schools , without taking a cent from the literary fund. I have had leisure at this place to do this, & now send you the result. if 12. or 1500. schools are to be placed under one general administration, an attention so divided will amount to a dereliction of them to themselves. it is surely better...
105492To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 2 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you yesterday, & gave you an account of the State of the Work in the South Wing of the Capitol. I will now report to you the progress of our work at the Presidents house. The South road is cut out excepting only at the Block A, at which [GRAPHIC IN MANUSCRIPT] the Men are hard at Work & in three Weeks they will have removed it. From the point B westward the Wall has not been...
105493[Diary entry: 28 October 1772] (Washington Papers)
28. Still employed in the same Work.
105494To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Stevens, 30 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 19th Inst. from Charlotte by Genl. Smallwood and Inclosed you returns of the Militia under my command. I then mentioned to you I expected the Army would soon move from thence. We arrived at this Post on the Evening of the 26th. Our Position is a secure one, And we shall be tolerable well supplyed with Provisions for some time from up and down the Pee Dee, That is if his...
105495[Diary entry: 22 May 1770] (Washington Papers)
22. Clear and rather Cool Wind being fresh from the westward.
105496From Alexander Hamilton to George Ingersoll, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your two letters of the 20th. and 23 of May instant. According to your statement of the affair of Corporal Wilson, there is nothing which the good of the service did not require and which military discipline will not warrant. Yet it would be now premature in me to give a definitive opinion. And it must be regretted, that for the sake of humanity that an affair accident of...
105497From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 17 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
In looking over the press copy of the letter I wrote you by the Post of Wednesday last, which was penned in great haste, to be in time for the Mail; I perceive some ambiguity in the expression of my sentiment respecting the building designated for the President of the U. States; and therefore these lines are given in explanation. It was not, nor is it my intention, that the work on that house...
105498To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 21 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am so far on my way to Madrid and on the point of recommencing my journey this morning. my letters to Mr. Madison have been so full that it is unnecessary to enter into the same topicks here even had I time, tho’ I have not as I set out in an hour. It is possible that yr. attention may be directed to the fortification of our ports, since the establishment of certain fortifications on the...
105499To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 18 September 1825 (Adams Papers)
After Such a long protracted Silence you will not find fault, that I indulge once more in writing you a few lines—your kindnesses, of which I received So many proofs during more than forty years—your affectionate esteem, which never was abated would be a Sufficient apology—even if I had from time to time obtained a few lines from one of your family. But the last pertinent account of the...
105500From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
By some thoughtlessness I dated my journal wrong the last time I wrote, and only anticipated my congratulations on the anniversary of Charles’s birth—My Brother is not so well to day, and suffers much from the heat. Indeed the changes are so frequent, and so great, in his complaint, that I vibrate incessantly between hope and despair—The Doctor is thought infallible and when his opinion is...