120401To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It must seem strange to You, that You should not have had an answer from me to a Letter that You favourd me with so long agoe as the 27th of Jany last— But it is owing to a strange Concurrence of unlucky Incidents— In the first place, the Post master of 7 Oaks, the most negligent in his Line of Christendom,—it coming in my Absence,—let it lay in his Office,...
120402To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Georges Treuttel, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A la priere, que mon ami à Berlin au quel je suis attaché prend la liberté de Vous adresser, je n’ajoute que, s’il y a des frais, je constitue le Sr. Durand Neveu Libraire rue Gallande à Paris pour y satisfaire & en même temps pour recevoir & m’expédier tout ce qu’il plairoit à Votre Excellence d’envoyer à M. Spener. Je profite de l’occasion, Monsieur, pour...
120403General Orders, 1 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Brigadier Genl Patterson B. Qr Mr 1st Massa. B. The Maryland Detachment gives the Guards & the 5th Massa. regt the fatigues tomorrow. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
120404From George Washington to Moses Hazen, 1 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
In the dispute which subsists between you & Majr Reed I have pursued the advice of a Board of General Officers—and have done every thing in my power to give satisfaction to you, & the complaining Officers of your Regimt and can only lament that the measures which have been adopted have failed of the wished for effect—especially as the Court have reported "they cannot find reason to justify the...
120405To George Washington from William Heath, 1 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to lay before your Excellency several votes of a board of officers consisting of the generals and officers commanding regiments and corps in the cantonment of New Windsor, passed yesterday, and also a copy of the report of a committee appointed to confer with the contractors respecting the agreement made between the contractors and the army in January last, and certain abuses in the...
120406To George Washington from Ebenezer Sproat, 1 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the General Order of the 11th Instant, I marched with the 2d Massachusetts Regiment to releive the troops posted on the Lines near Croton River. On the 13th I arrived and releived the Maryland Detachment. And New Hampshire Battalion, and posted the necessary guards for the security of the troops. & to protect the inhabitants. On the 23d I received a Letter from the Honble...
120407From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 1 June 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have had the honor of rec g your Favor of the 4 th . of Jan y . last. The Cypher you mention to have enclosed, is missing—my letter by Cap t . Barney affords an answer to the greater part of your Enquiries. Business here goes on heavily. The dutch & English are not yet agreed and some points remain still to be adjusted between the latter and the french and Spaniards. M r . Hartley has an...
120408John Jay: Proposals for Inclusion in a Trade Agreement, [c. 1 June 1783] (Jay Papers)
Whereas a Variety of Circumstances and Considerations oppose the forming at Present a Permanent Treaty of Commerce between the Imperial Crown of Great Britain and the United States of America— And whereas it is expedient that a Commercial Intercourse should be without Delay opened and Regulated between the Kingdom and Territories of Great Britain and the said States by a temporary Convention....
120409To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 1 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by JM, “June 1. 1783.” Cover addressed by Ambler to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” As Colo. Bland was the only Member left at Congress, beside yourself, to whom any considerable Arrears could be due, I made no doubt of your being able to draw a part of yours on the receipt of the £1000. last sent, without any difficulty on yours, or...
120410To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). JM docketed the letter, “June 1. 1783,” and probably at a later date, “Tho. Jefferson 1. June 1783.” The receipt of your letter of May 6. remains unacknoleged. I am also told that Colo Monroe has letters for me by post tho’ I have not yet received them. I hear but little from our assembly. mr. Henry has declared in favour of the impost. this will ensure it. how he is...
120411From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 June 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The receipt of your letter of May 6. remains unacknoleged. I am also told that Colo. Monroe has letters for me by post tho’ I have not yet received them. I hear but little from our assembly. Mr. Henry has declared in favour of the impost. This will ensure it. How he is as to the other questions of importance I do not learn. On opening my papers when I came home I found among them the inclosed...
120412To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 9th. ultimo in which you request that I would communicate to you my thoughts on a military Peace establishment for the United-States. As the detail of the System, which I am about to recommend, will more properly rest with the executive Officers of the Engineer and Inspector General’s departments—I will confine my information to the following general...
120413Robert R. Livingston to the American Peace Commissioners, 31 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Congress were yesterday pleased to pass the enclosed Resolutions on the subject of the payment of British Debts— The language they speak requires no Comment— I complained in my last of your long Silence, or rather laid before you the Complaint of Congress. These I think receive additional force from Intelligence I have since had, that the Negotiations are still going on, and that important...
120414Robert R. Livingston to the American Peace Commissioners, 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Congress were yesterday pleased to pass the enclosed Resolutions on the subject of the payment of British Debts— The language they speak requires no Comment— I complained in my last of your long Silence, or rather laid before you the Complaint of Congress. These I think receive...
120415To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Musée de Blérancourt I have wrote repeatedly to you since the receipt of your last favor of 26 Decr.— I hope the Bills I sent you have reached you— There appears very little disposition in some of the States, to pass the necessary Laws for establishing a fund for the payment of the interest of the national Debt, notwithstanding the repeated recommendations of Congress for this good and...
120416To Benjamin Franklin from Bache & Shee, 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We were honored yesterday by your recommendatory Letter of 22d. February last, of Torris & Wante’s house of Dunkirk; their Brig Franklin with a supercargo on board, is safe arrived; but to a bad Market, as our Port is glutted with every species of Goods; we shall however do every thing in our power to serve the interest of this House, and we trust, not...
120417To Benjamin Franklin from William Barton, 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho’ I am, personally, an entire Stranger to your Excellency, you may perhaps recollect the late Revd. Mr. Barton, a Clergyman of Lancaster in this State, whose Son I am. Permit me, Sir, to introduce to your Notice as an American, the Bearer of this, my Brother Matthias Barton; who has resided some Time at L’Orient, as a Merchant, in Copartnership with a...
120418To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I informed you some time since, that I had written to the Court of Appeals on the subject of the Nostra Signora da Soledade Saint Miguel e Almas, and lay’d before them the papers you sent me, the cause has since been determined in such way as I hope will be satisfactory to her...
120419To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library With this you will receive a Letter from Capt Alexander Heguye(?) inclosing a Memoire to the Marquis de Castries.— The Favour requested is highly merited and is in itself such as ministers have frequently granted on Slight pretentions— It is only to have Lettres de Capitaine which in this Country is necessary to have, before a man (however he may be...
120420General Orders, 31 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Major Genl Heath Brigade Qr Mr Hampshire B. The 3d Massa. regt gives the Guards and the 6th the fatigues tomorrow. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
120421To John Jay from Robert Morris, 31 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have none of your Letters to answer; the receipt of those which you formerly honored me with afforded me very great satisfaction, which I mention as an inducement for you to write more. We are told that your Health is injured and that you have been traveling to try whether change of air and Exercise will restore it. Wishes rarely produce any effect but I cannot restrain mine, they are...
120422Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 31 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia Historical Society). In the hand of Archibald Blair but signed by Harrison. The cover, enveloping several enclosures, is missing. The verso of the present letter is docketed in an unknown hand, “Gov: Harrisons Letter May 31st. 1783.” The original text, clipped on the edges, is internally mutilated or has deteriorated. Obliterated words or letters are supplied, as shown in...
120423To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 31 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Undocketed and cover missing. I should have been uneasy on account of your health had I not heard Letters were received from you by the last Post as I had none myself this or the last week. If you wrote as I suppose you did the letters must have either miscarried or been stopt at Fredericksburg. We have not yet been in a Com: on the papers from Congress, and I begin...
120424To Thomas Jefferson from Wakelin Welch, Sr., with Jefferson’s Account with Robert Cary & Co., 31 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to congratulate You on the happy Restoration of Peace which I flatter myself will be permanent and Satisfactory to all Parties. During the national Misfortunes I have had the Unhappiness to lose both my Partners Cary and Moorey. The Business for many Years was chiefly under my Management and which I flatter myself was so conducted as to meet the Approbation of You and the rest of our...
120425To Thomas Jefferson from Wakelin Welch, Jr., 31 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 31 May 1783 . Announcing that he has taken been taken into partnership by his father; solicits TJ’s custom. RC ( MoSHi ); 1 p.; signed “Wake. Welch Junr.”
120426XXIV. William Jones to Richard Randolph, 31 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have wrote ye several letters since the commencement of the late unnatural Destructive War, but have not had one line in return. I had however the satisfaction some time since of hearing that ye was well. Peace being now restored, I flatter myself that the Trade between this Country and America will in some degree return into its old Channells, and that the same happy confidence and...
120427John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Here I am, out of all Patience. Not a Word from America. The British Ministry, lingering on. Mr. Hartley uncertain what to do. No Regulation of Commerce agreed on. No definitive Treaty of Peace, Signed, nor likely to be Signed very Soon. My Spring Passage home lost. To embark in July or August, would be the worst Season of the whole Year—on Account of Heat and Calms. I dont See a Possibility...
120428From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
On the 28 th. of this Month I rec d the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on the 13. of February, which arrived at the Hague inclosed with the Ratification of the Treaty with their High Mightinesses, which will be exchanged by M r Dumas, as the Conferences here for the definitive Treaty will not admit of my taking So long a Journey, at this Time. This Arrival in Season to exchange the...
120429To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 30 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je viens d’avoir un Entretien avec un des premiers personnages de ce pays, dont ce qui suit me paroît de nature à devoir vous être com̃uniqué sur le champ: savoir, 1 0. que votre Emprunt à Amsterdam, de 5 millions de florins, seroit rempli depuis longtemps, si Mrs. W m. & J n. Willink l’avoient eu seuls entre les mains; non que les 2 autres Maisons co-Directrices eussent manqué de bonne...
120430Continental Congress Report on Measures to be Taken for Carrying into Effect the Provisional Peace Treaty, 30 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 30, 1783 . On this date a committee, consisting of Hamilton, Oliver Ellsworth, Ralph Izard, James Madison, and Benjamin Hawkins, reported on “what further steps are proper to be taken … for carrying into effect the stipulations contained in the articles between the United States and Great Britain.” The committee recommended that the states execute the articles of the...
120431Continental Congress Motion on Appointment of Committee to Consider Allowances of Land for the Army, 30 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
That a Committee be appointed to consider of the best manner of carrying into execution the engagements of the United States for certain allowances of land to the army at the conclusion of the war. AD , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. In September, 1776, Congress, to encourage enlistments in the Continental Army, had offered bounties of land to all officers and soldiers...
120432To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have receiv’d the 24 May your kind letter dated the 2 and Mme Montgomery’s which was inclosed in it, By Mr Ridley Conductor of the young Morris’s as well as the medal you please to Send me you Refuse me a wacth I dont Insist on asking it no more. I thought that I could obtain one for 2 reasons 1° Every Boy of my Society has one or gold or at lest Silver...
120433To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 30 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have received your private Letter of the twenty third of December. When I informed you of what was said by your Enemies I did not mean to insinuate any Doubt of your Exertions in my own mind. With Respect to your Resignation I personally lament it, and more so on the Part of the United States. But I shall readily agree that you will more consult your own...
120434General Orders, 30 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Brigr Genl Putnam B.Q.M. from the York brigde The 4th Massa. regt gives the Guards & the 7th the fatigues tomorrow. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
120435To George Washington from Richard Morris, 30 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself from the Sentiments of the better sort of People of the County, I shall have no farther trouble in suppressing that spirit of Revenge which was apprehended when I left your Excellency. The greatest difficulty now is to give Security to the Inhabitants on the several Necks against the Refugees who cover of the Night pass the Sound—This conceive can only be effected by keeping a...
120436To George Washington from John Rodgers, 30 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permit one of your Most Sincere tho obscure Friends to congratulate You on the glorious Event of your generous Struggles, for the Liberties of your Country—to express the Sentiments of my Heart on this occasion however sincere might be liable to the Suspicion of Flattery, which my Soul abhors—There can indeed be no Place for it in this resistance—May You long enjoy the Heartfelt Pleasure...
120437To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 30 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
We would ee’r this have done ourselves the Honor, to have wrote Your Excellency had any thing occurred making a Communication necessary. We arrived here the 10th Inst. and Immediately by a writtin Message announced our arrival to Sir Guy Carleton, and requested to know when we should attend him to produce our Credentials, in answer to which we were informed, by one of the Gentlemen of His...
120438From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 30 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
It cannot in my opinion be long before Congress will think it expedient to name a minister to the Court of London. Perhaps my Friends may wish to add me to the number of Candidates for that office— If that should be the Case I request the Favor of you to declare in the most explicit Terms that I view the Expectations of M r Adams on that head, as founded in Equity & Reason, & that I will not...
120439To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 30 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
My Time will not permit any Thing more at this Time than to assure you of my Affection and to pray you will present me most warmly to M rs . Jay and your little ones— Beleive me I take a sincere Interest in all which may concern them— I could not if I would say any Thing on Politics worthy of Attention— All you friends here are well myself among the Number— Adieu always beleive me very...
120440Notes on Debates, 30 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). For a description of the manuscript of Notes on Debates, see Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (7 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , V, 231–34 . The debates on the report recommending to the States a compliance with the 4th. 5. & 6th. of the provisional articles were renewed; the report being...
120441John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
It gives me great Pleasure to find, that your Situation is agreable to you. An abler Instructor than Mr. Dumas is not to be found. Is not an 100 Verses at a Time too long a Lesson? Are you familiar enough with the Latin to comprehend So many Verses at once? You have Ainsworths Dictionary I presume. Let no Word escape you, without being understood. Drydens is a good translation, but it is not...
120442From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 29 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Favour of the 23 d. of May.— I regret extreamly that I must loose the opportunity of the Company of M r Vanberckel to America: but there is no appearance, that the definitive Treaty will be Signed in Time to allow me that Satisfaction and Advantage. The Treaty with Sweeden is now printing with a Collection of the Constitutions and Treaties, which is making under the...
120443Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 … (Adams Papers)
We observe by the favour of your Excellencies most honour’d letter of 22 Inst. that M r. Grand has laid before your Exc s. a state of the Affairs of the United States under his Care; and that the Dispositions made upon him are Such, that therefore your Exc s. advise us to remit to M r. Grand on account of Said States a sum of half a Million Livres Tournois, if the Cash in our hands, compared...
120444Continental Congress Motion on the Evacuation of New York, 29 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved that General Washington be informed in answer to his letter of the that it is the desire of Congress the evacuation of New York and its dependencies may not be retarded by a preference to that of any other place. AD , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Space left blank in MS. On May 14, 1783, Washington wrote to the President of Congress: “I shall wait the...
120445Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 … (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy and incomplete copy: Library of Congress We observe by the favour of your Excellencies most honour’d letter of 22 Inst. that Mr. Grand has laid before your Excs. a state of the Affairs of the United States under his Care; and that the Dispositions made upon him are Such, that therefore your Excs. advise us to remit to Mr. Grand on account of...
120446To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 29 August [i.e., May?] 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Will you be so good as to send me Mr Maddison’s pamphlet, the time is come for me to return. Be so good as to send me the memorials of the merchants trading to Carolina & Georgia. I must take copies in case of any future correspondence upon the Subject— Can you & Mr Franklin do me the favour to dine with me on Saturday next at 3 o’clock Addressed: A Son Excellence /...
120447General Orders, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Brigr Genl Dayton B.Q.M. Jersey Brigade The 1st Massa. regt gives the Guards & the Hampshire regt the fatigues tomorrow. The Commander in Chief accepts the following Report of a Court of inquiry appointed in the Genl orders of the 3d of April last, and directs it to be made public to the Army. The Court beg leave to report that from a comparative view of the Defence of...
120448To George Washington from Edward Antill, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Delicacy of a Millitary Character should be placed in the first Rank of all Public ones myself with the Other Officers of the Corps not Immediately Concernd in the dispute with Major Reid have foreborn Importunities or Sollicitations on that Subject not having a Wish to be troublesome. but the peace Establishment now hastening on and no Decision hitherto having taken place We beg leave to...
120449To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
It cannot be more disagreeable to your Excellency, than it is painful to us to address you on this Occasion. Our Case is no less singular in the World, than cruel in its Nature: We have a Claim to Justice, and a Right to a Redress of Grievances; the former we have frequently asserted, and the latter we have thus far in vain pursued at an Expence we are no longer able to bear. The Cause of all...
120450To George Washington from William Heath, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
From the reports of the commanding officers of brigades, I am constrained to represent to your Excellency the general uneasiness and complaints of the army in the Cantonment in New Windsor on account of the late irregular issue and bad condition of the provisions with which the troops have been served—The complaints and uneasiness are growing to a height that calls for a speedy remedy. The...