112151To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col: Fitzgeralds favor of 6 oClock last Evening I received. A Young fellow of Character has been recommended to me (by a Gentleman of my acquaintance in whom I can entirely confide) as a suitable person to give information of the Enemy’s designs—He is now in the City—& will be with you so soon as he makes the discoveries I have ordered—If they attempt Redbank, by throwing our Troops from the...
112152To James Madison from François Barbé-Marbois, [10 June] 1803 (Madison Papers)
Des circonstances heureuses pour nos deux Republiques m’ont mis dans le cas de concourir encore une fois a des operations emménes avantageuses à toutes deux. Les traités qui viennent d’être conclus sont comme une suite des premieres liaisons que j’ai vu commencer entre votre pays et le mien et doivent les consolider. Je me suis felicité d’un evenement qui rapeller à votre Souvenir un des plus...
112153From James Madison to William Harris Crawford, 31 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of duly receiving your letter written from Georgia, and have written one to Mr. Clay founded on its acquiescence in the arrangment tendered to you. I am truly concerned at the view you give of the situation into which the unfortunate measure of Congress has thrown Dr Bibb; and should consider myself as befriending one of the best of men and most enlightened of patriots, if I...
112154To James Madison from Robert Wilkinson, 29 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Wilkinson. 29 April 1806, Smyrna. “I have the honor to transmit herewith duplicate of my Dispatch of 15 Jannuary, with the Manifests of the Six American Vessels therein alluded to, since when the following Vessels arrived here Viz⟨t:⟩ “The Dolphin Benjamin Labric Master from Philadelphia and Leghorn, reported the 4th March⟨,⟩ and cleared out for Leghorn the 21st March. “The Glory...
112155Members of the Drake’s Prize Crew [to the American Commissioners], 16 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We the subscribers (persons put on board the Drake by Capt. Jones’s order, from the Ranger, to man her, under the Command of Lieut. Simpson,) do hereby testifie, that when a sail was seen on Our Lee quarter at Day Light in the morning of the 5th. May, the Drake (then in tow by the Ranger,) was hail’d from her, and ordered to Cast Off and to make the best of...
112156To James Madison from Paul Hamilton, 25 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of writing you yesterday, since which, some reflection on the late accounts received from England inducing me to beleive that, under the present aspect of Affairs, you would think it inexpedient to diminish any of our preparations for defence, I have ventured to suspend, untill your sentiments can be known, the Orders which, conformably to the determination made at our last...
112157To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 28 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 June 1801, Treasury Department. Encloses papers relating to the claims of Gouvion’s heirs, amounting to $8,000, which government would prefer to pay to someone in U.S. with family’s power of attorney. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Gallatin. Reproduced in Papers of Gallatin (microfilm ed.), reel 5. Enclosures not found.
112158Circular to Four Captains in the Battalion Commanded by Adam Hoops, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Company is to form part of a battalion under the command of Major Hoops. You will, therefore, hereafter communicate with him and receive his orders; making all your returns to him. Your letters for the present will be addressed to him at New York indorsed on public service and with your name. I send you a sett of new recruiting instructions to which you will strictly conform in whatsoever...
112159New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—among other reasons ag[ains]t it— mentions the probability of having the appointments better thro[ugh] the states, as the senators represent all the states— Gilbert Livingston Papers, MS Division, New York Public Library. H was opposing an amendment which provided “That the Congress appoint in such manner as they may think proper a Council to advise the President in the Appointment...
112160To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 8 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, December 8, 1792. Asks if anyone has been appointed keeper of “the Chessapeak Light House.” LC , RG 58, Letters of Commissioner of Revenue, 1792–1793, National Archives. See Coxe to H, November 28, 1792 .
112161To George Washington from Frederick County, Va., Citizens, 2 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
It is with real pleasure we comply with the Request of our fellow Citizens of Frederick County, by forwarding to you the inclosed Resolutions, which express the Sentiments they entertain of your Conduct, in a situation the most delicate, and upon an occasion the most interesting and important, that has, perhaps, occured during your administration. Permit us, Sir, to seize this opportunity of...
112162Fryday April 10th. 1766. (Adams Papers)
At Plymouth. Court open and Business proceeding. This was the Inferior Court of Common Pleas.
112163To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 21 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by the letter you sent me from the Count de Vergennes to Baron de la Houze, with your own to the Baron de Blome. An indisposition, that has confined me close for three days, has prevented me from observing to you sooner, that Dr. Franklin, in the letter he wrote me from Havre , says, the offer made by the Baron de Waltersdorff was ten thousand pounds sterling. As you have...
112164Continental Congress To William Greene, [11 December 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Congress are equally affected and alarmed by the information they have received that the Legislature of your state at their last meeting have refused their concurrence in the establishment of a duty on imports. They consider this measure as so indispensable to the prosecution of the war, that a sense of duty and regard to the common safety compel them to renew their efforts to engage a...
112165To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
We marched in force to the English Neighbourhood on tuesday morning, for the purpose of making a grand forage, between that place & Be[r]gen, which we have effected without Opposition, the troops will return to their Camp near Paramus this Evening. We found & brought off from Wihoak & Be[r]gen upwards of One hundred head of fat Cattle & a Considerable Quantity of Grain, for which I have...
112166To George Washington from David Stewart et al., 28 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Baltimore] 28 Nov. 1791. Recommend David Harris, a former merchant of this town, as very deserving, because of his capacity and general deportment, for an “Office, for which the knowledge of Accounts may be Necessary.” LS , MiU-C : Miscellaneous. Tobias Lear docketed the cover: “28 Novr 1791 George Harris’s Recommendation for Cashier, to the President of the U.S.” This recommendation was...
112167To Thomas Jefferson from Louis André Pichon, 9 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pichon présente ses respects à Monsieur Le President des Etats Unis, et le prie d’agreer son regret bien sincere de ce qu’un Rhume qu’il a gagné hier, et le defaut de voiture le priveront du plaisir de se rendre à l’invitation que Mr. Le President a eu la bonté de lui faire hier. Mr. Pichon a depuis l’an dernier deux ou trois caisses de vin blanc de champagne (de 60 blles. chaque) qu’il...
112168From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 21 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I am glad I forgot to return your Son’s beautiful morsel on Industry with my last Letter; because it furnishes an Apology for writing another. In answering a letter I commonly forget to notice two thirds of it, till my Answer is Sent away. Helvetius and Rousseau preached to the French Nation Liberty , till they made them the most mechanical Slaves; equality till they destroyed all Equity;...
112169From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday night your favor of Aug 1st, & thank you for your care in transmitting the commission of Inspector, as well as that of Surveyor to Mr. Smith. I have signed the pardon of Slocum Fowler & return it to you with all the other papers inclosed. With great esteem. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
112170To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 17th and 20th Ultimo. It gave me pain to find myself censured by your Excellency for not attending to your orders in the inoculating the Recruits before they were sent on to join the Army. If I have misapprehended your Excellency’s orders, I hope you will excuse such my mistake: But after you had been pleased repeatedly by Letter to order me to hurry on...
112171To Thomas Jefferson from William Thomas, 29 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Dear and much much much and very much respected friend, I wrote thee two volumes Some good while ago, but Since thou ‘wast our President: The one was wrote principally in Verse the other in prose, But whether thou receiv’d them yea or nay I cannot tell, But if thou did and wrote back I never receiv’d a line : But Nevertheless as I am Writing a letter to my Son Abishai I thought I would inform...
112172Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have receiv’d two Letters from you since I wrote last. one contain’d the Border & Lace for my cap, & a cap for Mrs Norton—for which We thank you. mrs Greenleaf also for hers— how you do love to dress up your Friends! there is certainly More pleasure in it than in adorning our own Persons— we cant wear our Blue ribbons yet we are all in mourning— not a person in our Meeting house but has Some...
112173From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I agree to Adjutant Peabody’s discharge; & Colo. Otis’s Son taking his place —I do not know of any objection to the last arrangement given in by you, & shall, when my present hurry of business is a little over Issue the Commissions—My Order extended to all persons whatsoever, but from the Nature of the Office of Clerk of the Market, as you describe it, he must come in under⟨r⟩ the...
112174From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 13 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
The companies of the Virginia Regiment are completed to an equal number, except yours, which, through mistake of the Returns, is not. But as I expect more men every minute, you shall be immediately completed. As you have on command with you several men of other companies; the officers have received orders to apply to you for them; and you must deliver them up. I desire you will send James...
112175[Diary entry: 21 May 1768] (Washington Papers)
21. Reachd my Brothr. John’s who & his wife were up the Country. Crossd over to Mr. Booths. Bushfield, where John Augustine Washington lived with his wife Hannah and their several children, was on the east bank of the Nomini near the mouth of the creek. “His House,” said young Philip Vickers Fithian who saw it in 1774, “has the most agreeable Situation, of any I have yet seen in Maryland Or...
112176[Diary entry: 7 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Jany. 7th. Accompanied Mrs. Bassett to Alexandria and engagd a Keg of Butter of Mr. Kirkpatrick being quite out of that Article. Wrote from thence to Doctr. Craik to endeavour if possible to engage me a Gardener from the Regiment and returnd in the dusk of the Evening. Mrs. Bassett, the former Anna Maria Dandridge (1739–1777), younger sister of Mrs. Washington, in 1757 married Burwell...
112177To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 8 April 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favor’d with yours by to nights post—I think I wrote you by last post that the chimney piece was forwarded to Phila. I am however not certain—having written in haste, & which having been of but little consequence I did not copy. The little Jim with your groceries arrived to day—but the Capt. could not get to the wharf to deliver them—which is unfortunate as there are several Milton boats...
112178Thomas Jefferson to Claudius Crozet, 31 March [1821] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor from Westpoint has been duly recieved. we are as yet far from the time at which we may think of procuring Professors for our University . the buildings indeed will all be finished in the course of 2. or 3. years, but our funds will be left burthened with a heavy debt, which will absorb them many years, if left to discharge it. whether the legislature at some future day may take it...
112179Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams and Charles Adams, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I fear you will think Mamma is unmindfull of you if she does not write you a few lines by so good an opportunity. I wrote to both of you by Mr. Beals of this Town about a week ago, and my notice by this vessel is very short. I can only find time to tell you that tis a very long time since I heard from your Pappa, and much longer since I had a Letter from either of you. I think Dr. Lee brought...
112180To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 28 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 6th, 16th, and 21st Instant came safe to hand and were read in Congress. Inclosed herewith you will receive an Act of Congress of the 16th respecting Brigadier McIntosh, who has lately arrived in this City from Charles Town; he is on his Parole. The last Dispatches from Colonel Laurens, our special Minister at Versailles, give further Proofs of the sincere...
112181To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 10 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is necessary to prepare instructions in conformity with the 10th Section of the new embargo act. I presume that the bond being now encreased to six times the amount of vessel & cargo, the general instructions must only relate to unusual shipments , either in quantity or kind: that is to say that the collectors ought not to permit the lading or transportation of any articles which it has...
112182To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state has the honor of sending to the President the opinions of the gentlemen on the address from the democratic society in Washington. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. GW enclosed the address from the Democratic Society of Washington County, Pa., of 24 March with his letter to Randolph of 11 April ....
112183From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
By virtue of the Act entituled “An Act making certain appropriations; and to authorize the President to obtain a loan on the credit of the direct tax.” passed on the sixteenth day of July in the year One thousand seven hundred and Ninety Eight. I do hereby authorize and empower you by yourself, or any other person or persons to borrow on behalf of the United States of the Bank of the United...
112184From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 4 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favours of Mar. 15, and Aug. 23. 1785. by Monsieur de la Croix came to hand on the 15th. of November. His return gives me an opportunity of sending you a copy of the Nautical almanacs for 1786. 7. 8. 9. There is no late and interesting publication here or I would send it by the same conveiance. With these almanacs I pack a copy of some notes I wrote for Monsr. de Marbois in the year...
112185Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 29 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I need much of your indulgence for the want of punctuality in acknoleging the reciept of your several favors. but my situation is so far removed from the seaport towns, that no notice of vessels about to sail ever reminds me of the duty of making these acknolegements; and so they lie over from month to month, until my own conscience is at length smitten by the delay. even at this moment I know...
112186To Benjamin Franklin from George Scott, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here safe on the Evening of the 13th. Currt. after a very dilatory & tedious Journey. On leaving Paris Monsr. L’Abbé Rozier happend to be one of the Company in the Coach & was particularly civil to me. He went no further than Lyons. Here I took the Coch D’Eau for Avignion, a great number in the Boat amongst the number the Marquis de Clugny shewed...
112187From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The post of yesterday brought me your letter of the day before. I regret that the idea of a Commission extraordinary appears of doubtful propriety. For after very mature reflection I am intirely convinced of its expediency. I do not understand the passage you cite as excluding the reception of a special extraordinary Minister but of an ordinary resident Minister. It seems impossible that the...
112188To John Jay from John Trumbull, 23 July 1795 (Jay Papers)
It is with the most real pleasure that I congratulate you on your safe Arrival in America, the Cordial Reception you have met from your fellow Citizens, and the flattering testimony they have given of their Respect and Esteem by Electing you to the first Office in their Gift.— may you long and happily enjoy the Reward of your labours. I returned to this place from France, three Days ago;—...
112189To Thomas Jefferson from Mrs. Rider, 13 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Rider is infinitely obliged to Mr. Jefferson for his very kind attention. She has not as yet met with apartmens that would suit Her. From the description Mr. J—n gives of those He has seen they appear to be just what She wants. She proposes going tomorrow morning to see them. RC ( MHi ). Not recorded in SJL .
112190From Benjamin Franklin to Israel Pemberton, 30 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Franklin presents his Respects to Mr. Pemberton, and is willing to take the Ground Rent propos’d to him; but hopes Mr. Pemberton will abate of the Price mention’d, as he hears some have lately been sold at 15 Years purchase. Notation: To Israel Pemberton Esq. Pemberton, one of the most prominent Quakers and civic leaders in Philadelphia, has appeared...
112191To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 11–15 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored in due time, with your favor of the 16th Ultimo from Paramus. The pressing duties of the Post, obliged me to defer an answer to the Several important Questions on which you were pleased to ask my opinion. I was the rather induced to this, as I presume, they were Stated on a Supposition that the Enemy would soon evacuate the united States, but there is no appearance now or Since I...
112192General Orders, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to pass the following Resolutions vizt: Congress took into their consideration the report of the board of War of December 8. whereupon: Resolved that from and after the first day of August last the Pay and Appointments of the Officers in the department of Commissary General of Military Stores be as follows; the Sums hereafter mentioned to be paid in...
112193To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 5 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours respecting Crow &c., for which I am greatly obliged to you—Previous to the rect thereof, I had understood that he was very fond of Compy & running about, which had predetermin’d me against him, & I have since the rect of yours got a man: I scarcely know what to say respecting parting with my Land, as no Idea had arose of the kind; but, reflecting seriously on the Subject, I am...
112194To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 7 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Contrary Winds, Heavy Rains, Disappointments of vessels And Every Inconvenience to which we Had No Remedy Have Been from the day of My Arrival Combined Against our Embarkation. I Hope However we will Be on Board to Morrow Morning, and As Nothing Certain Has Been Heard from the french Ships, No time will be Lost on our part for the Celerity of the Expedition. The troops will embark five Miles...
112195From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander White, 19 April 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Your messenger being about to return before I have an opportunity of conferring with Mr. Blair on the subject of your caveats, I must undertake an answer to your letter tho’ deprived of his assistance. As to the small survey of 220 acres, we need be at no other trouble or expence about it, Mrs. Wood and James Wood not proposing to defend it, and Harrison (as I understand) laying no claim to...
112196To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 24 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in London Chronicle , November 14–16, 1765. Yes, my friend, I grant that “Idleness and Pride tax with a heavier hand than Kings and Parliaments,” “and that frugality and industry will go a great way towards endemnifying us.” But the misfortune is, the very thing that renders industry necessary cuts the sinews of it. With industry and frugality the subjects...
112197To Thomas Jefferson from John Taike, 27 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been assured, by upwards of Fifty persons, of Your generosity to Your Subjects (to Americans in particular.) I take the Liberty of asking a favour of You, which I will be grateful to You for while I have the blessings of Life—This favour is the Loan of Fifty Dollars—I am poor—and that Sum would be sufficient to set me up to get an honest Livelihood—I once was rich, and charitable—I can...
112198To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Elliott, 22 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I make no doubt but you have been surprised why I did not comply with your Orders of the 12th Jany, in Joining my Regimt as soon as possable, in order to have the Troops Cloathed, Disciplin’d, and prepared to take the Feild early in the Spring; Your Letter (one I before wrote you) came to hand abt the tenth of Febry at which time I was much afflicted with an Inflamation in my Eyes, but hoped...
112199From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 1st in expectation that it would soon be followed by an official one which would enable me to take final measures on the subject of the trial. The explanation with which you have obliged me gives me pleasure in the same proportion as the disagreeable inferences I had drawn gave me pain—It wounds me sensibly to see appearances of any...
112200To George Washington from Angelica Schuyler Church, 27 November 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Angelica Schuyler Church, 27 Nov. 1790. On 6 Feb. 1791 GW wrote to Mrs. Church of “the letter, which you were pleased to address to me on the 27th of November.”