1171To James Madison from Marinus Willett, 3 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
I request your patience to the talk of a man of three score & thirteen. The failure of the expedition of General Wilkinson affords as much exultation to the Malcontents in our Country as it has produced mortification to our friends. That the want of success has in some measure been oweing to the want of foresight is evident. Measures to prevent the rear of the army from being harrased in...
1172From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
I never received a Letter from my dear Mrs. Adams but that an emotion was awakened which is not felt in every epistolary intercourse.—When I saw her signature under date of Decr. 31st: my heart glowed with the same affection which had long been cherished in my bosom, towards one I had loved and placed confidence in, without a suspicion, that the regard was not mutual.— You assure me that there...
1173From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 12 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received yours by Express—and concur in sentiments with the officers of your council: Save that I would have a Subaltern and twenty or twenty-five men sent to the upper Tract, to assist the Settlers in erecting a Fort[.] In this I presume they will give all imaginable assistance; as it is solely intended to promote their safety. If Captain Field’s militia will remain contented, it is...
1174Indenture for the Sale of Elk Hill, 5 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made on the 5th day of August one thousand seven hundred & ninety nine, between Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in the county of Albemarle on the one part and Thomas Augustus Taylor of the county of Chesterfield on the other part witnesseth that the sd Thomas Jefferson in consideration of the sum of fifteen hundred pounds current money of Virginia to him paid or secured to be...
1175To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 24 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit your Excellency the Abstracts of the Muster Rolls for the Months of July and August: and to the Report of the Inspection made by Colonel Stewart I have added the Original. The account which he gives of the Army is so minute and just that I have nothing to add except what respects the Progress which the Troops have made in Exercise and Manoeu v res. As your...
1176Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
At length the mistery is unravelld, and by a mere accident I have come to the knowledge of what you have more than once hinted at. A Letter of Mrs. Shippen addressed to Mrs. A. but without any christian Name or place of abode, was put into my Hands Supposed for me, I opened and read it half through before I discoverd the mistake. Ought Eve to have laid it by then when so honestly come at? But...
1177To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-Augustin Thouret, [c. 17 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez que jaye L’honneur de vous adresser un exemplaire de mes recherches Sur Le magnètisme animal. Je desire que vous Le receviez comme une foible marque du respect et de la profonde Venération avec Lesquels je Suis, Monsieur et trés illustre confrere, Votre trés humble et trés obéissant Serviteur Though Thouret is here writing as the author of a work...
1178General Defense of the Constitution, [6 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
On 5 June, Patrick Henry leveled a lengthy attack on the Constitution. This evoked a Federalist rebuttal in general terms by Governor Randolph and JM’s point-by-point refutation. Mr. Madison then arose—(but he spoke so low that his exordium could not be heard distinctly). I shall not attempt to make impressions by any ardent professions of zeal for the public welfare: we know the principles of...
1179To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in Obedience to the command of the President of the United States respectfully submits the following Report. That the facts stated in the petitions of Robert Wanton herewith transmitted, praying for the pardon of an offence committed by him against the Revenue Laws of the United States are verefied by the Letter of the Collector for the District of Boston and...
1180To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 16 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed copy of a Letter which I lately received from the Ct. D’Expilly contains the best information that I have it in my power to Afford your Excellency with respect to the Situation of our Affairs at Algiers. Mr. Lamb arrived at Alicant the 24th Ulto. and undoubtedly will have advised you of his proceedings after Mr. Randalls departure. That Gentleman is now with me and avails himself...
1181Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Account with David Higginbotham, [ca. 3 February 1814] (Jefferson Papers)
Negroes 1107. 80 * groceries 312. 13 ℔ iron 210. 14 to wit { 2200½ iron 74¼ steel salt 122.
1182To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Admiralty, 6 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives By the enclosed affidavits and protests you will perceive that James Robinson Esquire late commander of the continental Sloop Fly being dispossed of that sloop by a Majority of the Crew at Sea, was together with his Docter and Pilot put on board a Schooner called the Daphne bound from Providence to New York which schooner they also took possession of and carried her...
1183To James Madison from William Bradford, 4 April 1775 (Madison Papers)
Though the business that at present surrounds me on every side, makes writing inconvenient, yet I cannot let Mr. Hoops return without a few Lines to one I value so much. [Mr Dunlap’s paper &c] I send with this Furguson which I could not get for less than 12/ tho’ you will perceive it is somewhat soil’d. I also send the friendly address &c. & The other side of the Question. I dare not add more...
1184Charles Willson Peale to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
soon after my arrival here I wrote to inform you of my object in visiting this place, with the hope that my scribling might not be a burden on your precious moments, and as I had said that I would give you some account of my Portraits, Since I begin to think I shall paint only one or two more at the present time, I will enumerate them. Viz t The President , M r Calhoun , M r Adams , M r Crawford ,
1185To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Blunt, 18 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Southampton County ] 18 May 1781 . Returned “some time since” a state of the militia in Southampton co.; fears it has miscarried and encloses another return, dated 26 Mch. 1781, at which time there were 56 commissioned officers, 723 privates over 18 years of age and 71 under 18 in the militia of that county. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; endorsed. Enclosure ( Vi ).
1186Theodorus Bailey to Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I now do myself the honor to inclose to you, a Map of the western Part of the State of New York , on which is delineated the Route of A projected Canal from Lake Erie to Hudson’s River ; which has been completed within the current Week: I some time since transmitted to you, the Report of the Commissioners (appointed by the Legislature of this State) on the subject. RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ...
1187From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
As we are making a detachment from this army, it is become expedient to withdraw a part of your brigade towards replacing it. You will therefore march to West Point, as speedily as possible, six companies of Col. Van Schaicks regiment, of which the light company to be one. You will make such a disposition with the rest of your brigade as you judge best calculated for the security of the...
1188To George Washington from Christopher Cowper, 25 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
By direction of Mr John Cowper of Gates County No. Carolina, I beg leave to enclose you four hundred & fifty dollars in Bank Notes ⅌ List at foot, which be pleas’d to pass to the credit of his bond granted to Mr John Lewis of Fredericksburg and assignd you; the receipt thereof please to acknowledge —the balance to make one hundred & forty pounds Virginia Currency shall transmit you the first...
1189From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor to have acknowledged your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th, 12th,17th, 26th of February and 8th Inst., at the time they were severally received; had I not been absent from this place on a Journey to the French Army at New Port, from whence I have but just now returned. The transactions and movements you have made me acquainted with in the course of these...
1190From Thomas Jefferson to John Perry, 12 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Tomorrow I shall remit for you to mr Bacon 100. D. in recovering the passage of the S.E. offices, (which I believe is now covered with shingles on laths) the shingles are to be taken carefully off, leaving the laths, then nail on them a coat of perpendicular sheeting, and shingle on that. I wish this to be done immediately. I present you my salutations. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
1191From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a petition from Robinson who is under sentence of death for your consideration. If you concieve from his present disposition, or past conduct—any hopes of his becoming a useful soldier, you have my permission to suspend his punishment—But if you imagine it indispensibly necessary to make an example you will have his sentence put into execution. Df , in James McHenry’s writing,...
1192To George Washington from William Smith, 12 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
It may be justly expected that I should make some Apology for giving you this Trouble. I am embolden’d to it, from your Character in the World, & from a persuasion that the recollection of an Old Friend, & fellow Soldier, may afford you some Pleasure. The reason of my Application will best be explained to you by the perusal of a Letter I received last March—a Copy of which I shall now...
11931771. Saturday June 1st. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Day at Worcester in Riding about with Mr. Putnam to see his Farm. He does what he pleases with Meadows and Rivers of Water. He carries round the Streams wherever he pleases. Took one Ride up to Baggachoag Hill, one Way, and another up the Lane by Doolittles shop, and I found that great Alterations have been made, and many Improvements, in 13 Years, for it is so long since I was in...
1194From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter dated February 25th. 1800 last month from Colonel Parker requesting a certificate of my having directed him to lay out the State of Virginia into districts. the certificate I have made out adding to it my knowledge of the orders he has received from General Washington respecting the cantonment at Harpers ferry. in executing the above orders he has incurred considerable...
1195[Diary entry: 11 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 40 at Night. Weather clear and cool, Wind at No. West, and ground hard froze in the Morning. Rode to all my Plantns. and to the Mill. On my Return found a Mr. James Hains, the Manager of the James River Canal here—sent by the Directors to me—and to proceed with Letters from me to the Potomack and Susquehanna Works which being...
1196[Diary entry: 25 April 1769] (Washington Papers)
25. At home all day alone. The above two Gentlemen went away yesterday afternn.
1197To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, [9 October 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives, London This day I had real pleasure and Satisfaction in recieving your Excellency’s of the 24th of last month, by an Enclosure from a Mr: Graydon in London to his Brother in the County of Kildare in this Kingdom, who informs me, that as unexpected buisiness delayed his Brother in London, he took that (as the most Speedy) mode of...
1198To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 23 August [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President requests Mr. Jefferson would bring with him the French Minister’s letter , communicating his powers to enter upon a New, and liberal Commercial Treaty. RC ( DLC ); partially dated; addressed: “Mr. Jeffer[son]”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Aug. 1793. Recorded in SJPL . French Minister’s Letter : Edmond Charles Genet to TJ, 23 May 1793 .
1199From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
It being understood that Morales means to settle himself at New Orleans, and that his temper and his treasures, his connections and his views, may render him a mischievous member of the society, his removal to some other part of the United States, where he would be unimportant and harmless, would be agreeable to the President. Perhaps it may be in your power to bring this about, without...
1200To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 13 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter with pleasure, and read it with high satisfaction. You have paid the highest compliment on the President’s Message or rather, Elogium, that I have yet seen, or have ever heard of—Our proud federalists however are displeased & mortified that he did not tell the whole world, how grand, how rich, how powerful, how gifted & how virtuous they in Boston are above all other...