123691To George Washington from Andrew Jackson, 8 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed, that, you were about to nominate, some proper person to fill the office, of District Judge in the State of Tennessee, I think it my duty as the representative, of that State, to furnish you with such information, as will Enable you to nominate a legal Charecter, best qualified to Execute the duties of that office and whose appointment will be most satisfactory to the...
123692From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As it is a Matter of the utmost Importance to prevent the Enemy from crossing the Delaware, and to effect it, that all the Boats and Water Craft should be secured or destroyed. I do hereby earnestly request and desire that you will take upon you the Care and Superintendency of the Matter—At Tinicum a parcel of Boats are to be collected for the Transportation of the Troops under the Command of...
123693From George Washington to William Savage, 27 May 1767 (Washington Papers)
The Security, and manner of giving it, propos’d in yours of the 25th will be perfectly satisfactory to me, if any Inconvenience attends the other method of doing it; but as Colo. Fairfax is equally concernd, and from home, I woud choose to answer for myself only; perswaded nevertheless, that it will be agreeable to him also to give you as little trouble as possible on this head: In the...
123694To John Adams from David Humphreys, 28 August 1802 (Adams Papers)
A combination of circumstances having prevented me from having the honour of paying my respects in person to Mrs Adams & yourself, I could not proceed on my journey to the Westward, without expressing in this manner my extreme sensibility of the disappointment. When I was in this Town, a few weeks ago, on my way to the Province of Main, I so fully indulged the expectation of making the visit,...
123695From George Washington to Captain Lieutenant Jonas Simonds, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the thaw has, in all likelihood, destroyed the ice in the Delaware, the plan of annoying the shipping near the city will probably be frustrated. I have written to General Wayne on the subject, who will direct you what to do; You are therefore to act agreeable to his orders. I am Sir Your most Obed. servt LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, PHi : Wayne Papers. See GW to Joseph Ellis, 24...
123696From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I forgot, in the letter I wrote to you the day before yesterday, to request the favour of you to send 6 Screw Augers, that will bore holes 2½ inches.—I want them for Posting and railing—If this size is not sufficiently large they may be made bigger—for this, or indeed any kind of work I am informed that Screw Augers are much preferred. I am, Dear Sir, Yr. Most Obedt. Servt., William J....
123697From Thomas Jefferson to Hammuda Pasha, Bey of Tunis, 9 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which you addressed to the President of the United State of America on the 15th. of April, has been received, and has conveyed us the assurances, always welcome, that your friendly dispositions towards these States still continue firm and unimpaired. We feel deep regret that the regalia and other tokens of our esteem for you had not, at that date, reached their destination. These...
123698Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
I begin to think I am not of that concequence at Home which I supposed myself, or that you think me less solicitious about my Family than I really am, since a whole month has elapsed since I left you, in all which time I have neither received a single line or heard a word from one member of it. three times I have written to your Pappa once to your Aunt Cranch, and now I try you to see if I can...
123699From James Madison to William Eustis, 30 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 19th. A long letter, now with the Dept. of State, from Judge Toulmin, confirms the reality of a projected expedition from his neighborhood agst. Mobille; which he considered however as suspended, if not abandoned. The inclosed copies of letters from Govr. Holmes, & Secretary Robinson, will give you the latest information of what is passing on the other side of...
123700To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to save the remnant of a little property, which, from the Situation of Martinique, I have been obliged to leave behind me, I am under the necessity of returning once more to that unhappy Island. What the posture of affairs there, may be on my arrival I can hardly hazard a conjecture; should, however, its Inhabitants have been brought under obedience to the reigning Government of...
123701From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 15 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since your Favour of the 2d. Instant, in which you tell me, that Mr. Alexander had informed you, “America was disposed to enter into a separate Treaty with great Britain.” I am persuaded that your strong Desire for Peace has misled you & occasioned your greatly misunderstanding Mr. Alexander, as I think it scarce possible he should have asserted...
123702Report on Alliance with the Netherlands, [22 October] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, I, 23). In JM’s hand. Docketed by him: “Report of the Committee on Mr. Adam’s letter of the 18th. of Aug: 1782 Passed Oct 22. 1782.” The Committee consisting of Mr. Madison Mr. Carrol & Mr. Osgood to whom was referred the letter of the 18 of Aug: last from Mr. J. Adams with several other papers Report That Mr. Adams be informed that Congress approve of the reason...
123703To George Washington from de Bays, 7 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Votre magnaminité, votre désintéressement, vos Services inappreçiables pour les Etats Unis, vos talents civils, politiques et guerriers, ont accèvé le grand desire de la reconnoissance universelle de la Souveraineté de votre patrie. vous quitter le du commandement de l’armée, le gouvernail de létat en vous réduisant parfois au Seul titre de Citoyen, décoré de celui de Docteur en lois que...
123704To Alexander Hamilton from Louis Le Guen, [May 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
Je Sors de chés Le Cel. Burr, peu Satisfait de mes Justes Observations, ma remis Lincline. comme il Est 3 hres. et Craignant de vous deranger, Je vous Lenvoie, et apres midy—9 hes.—Je passeraie ches vous, Pour prendre vos Consseils, sur la Conduitte et reponse que jai a faire an Colonel Burr, qui En me Remettant Sa Lettre, la fait, Tèl quil lui plait a un de ses Créanciers, qui est réfusée de...
123705[Diary entry: 21 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
21. Dind at Cooleys Tavern in Richmd. & returnd to Colo. Carys. The convention spent this day’s session hearing reports from their seven delegates to the First Continental Congress and discussing the proceedings of that congress ( VAN SCHREEVEN William J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record . 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83. ,...
123706To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 23 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 23 May 1789 . Eight vessels have arrived from America within “these few Days”: 3 from Georgia and Carolina with rice, tobacco, and skins; 2 from Virginia with tobacco and flour; and 3 from Maryland with wheat, flour, and tobacco. Wheat and flour much wanted. More cargoes daily expected. Want of shipping will retard them, “but these supplies will serve to prevent appearances too well...
123707Dumas to the American Commissioners, 23 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <Amsterdam, April 23, 1778, in French: I received your letter of the 10th on the 21st and forwarded it with its enclosures to the Grand Facteur. He promises, once I present the letter, to back me with his influence. I came here and found our friend [van Berckel] ready to help; he agreed with the Facteur that the letter is...
123708To James Madison from George William Erving, 6 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last official letter (dated Decr. 28) communi ca ted the arrangement made by Coll. Lear with the dey of Algiers, the one previous, (that of Decr. 22) was upon sev eral subjects & the unofficial letter which accompanied it related principally to the affairs of Portugal, & the relations between this country & france. It appears that the Emperor of France his decree dated und er 17 Decr. was...
123709From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 8 Mch. 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with the first part of TJ’s letter to George Washington, same date . For variations in the text see note there. RC ( NHi ); 3 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ: “The Honble Major General Baron Steuben Williamsburg ⅌ Express.”
123710General Orders, 24 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is pleased to remit the sentence against Samuel Crawford; He is to be released from confinement. The frequent occasions the General takes to pardon, where strict justice would compel him to punish ought to operate on the gratitude of offenders to the improvement of their morals. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For Samuel Crawford’s court-martial, see General Orders, 18...
123711[Diary entry: 13 December 1771] (Washington Papers)
13. Clear, calm, & pleasant Morning, Wind Southwest & West afterwards and something cooler.
123712From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Hiester, 12 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the 4th. inst. and thank you for the friendly expressions it contains. I see your retirement from the public councils with sincere regret, having always considered your conduct there as disinterested, moderate and conscientious. you can still however be useful in promoting at home a spirit of sound republicanism, and in healing those schisms which seem to threaten...
123713From John Quincy Adams to Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway, 27 November 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. instt. and think you cannot do better, than invest your money in the manner proposed by Mr. Johnson; advising you only to take such security for the payment of principal and interest, as will be satisfactory to you—The best I believe, is a mortgage upon amply equivalent Real Estate— To enable you to make the investment without loss of time I have...
123714From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Majr Schull leaving Camp without giving me a second oppertunity of speaking to him, prevented another offer which I had in contemplation, and which I am still disposed to make him, if it can be done without carrying with it the appearance of importunity, and consequently embarrassment, if his inclination leads to a different pursuit. The place I had in view for him was in my family—assistant...
123715To George Washington from Brown & Francis, 17 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Envelloped as you are at all times with public business, we would have avoided troubling you in the present instance, did not necessity oblige us to sollicit from you a protection of our property abroad which is so circumstanced that the Officers of the customs are not authorized by the laws of the U. States to furnish the requisite papers. Cap: Tingey will have the honor of delivring this and...
123716To Thomas Jefferson from William Frederick Ast, 5 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On recurring to the records of the Mutual Assurance Society, I find that you have not paid your two-thirds of a quota 55— dollars 20. cents, due on the tenth December last, to be paid to Mr. William Price, cashier general at this place. You will please to observe that you stand uninsured until you have paid the same; that you have to pay interest to the day of payment, and in failure of which,...
123717To Thomas Jefferson from Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, 24 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The confidence with which You have honored me in time by the truth You placed in me for the execution of the intended Survey of the Coast of the Un. St: prompts me to take the Liberty to present You here with a Copy of the papers which have been occasioned by it, in the short time I was allowed to work in this Your interesting Project. since 1819. they had remained in the obscurity of the...
123718From Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 5 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Granger and incloses him a letter from mr Lyon a printer of this city, a young man of bold republicanism in the worst of times, of good character, son of the persecuted Matthew Lyon. tho’ of real genius, he has not succeeded in his newspapers, owing to his making them vehicles of other kinds of information, rather than of news, which is not within...
123719From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 9 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving, yesterday, your Excellency’s letter of the 6th instant. It is agreeable to me to find in it a confirmation of the inference, that you had given no countenance to the supposition of my agency or cooperation in the project, to which the story of Judge Purdy relates; and it only remains for me to regret that it is not in your power to furnish the additional clue, of...
123720From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 5 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Just a Line, by our venerable Friend, President Laurens, with whom your Communions will be sweet. Pray let me know if Mr Jay is coming to Paris, or come. The last Victory of Rodney, to whom Heaven grants them to shew that it dispizes them, has restored the national Delirium, in all its Effervescence. We shall have no Peace I suppose, in Consequence. War then! War? Yet I sigh for Peace as much,...
123721To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Goforth who arrived this Morning I am honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of the 9th instt & by Mr Watts with that of the 10th. The Resolutions of Congress for a farther Supply of Money to be sent here I received on the last Ult. & dispatched It by Express to Canada together with the Other Resolutions that were transmitted me by the same Conveyance. I am happy That Your Excellency...
123722From George Washington to William Paca, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have no doubt but that your Excelly has been, or will be, informed of the Act of the Virginia Assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation from the Governor of the State, yet, as the Act could not be printed at Richmond in time for the use of the Managers, and was brought to Alexandria for that purpose—and as a pressure of other public matters may, possibly, have delayed the official...
123723To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, [11 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. C. has the honor to send to the Secretary of State a copy of a letter received this day. The names of the persons, to and from whom the letter is, have been omitted, because they will be both known to the Secretary. Mr. C. thinks it his duty to the writer, respectfully to request, that the matter may be confined to the P. and himself. RC ( DLC ); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received...
123724From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Archives, Windsor Castle I have undertaken to pay all the Bills of your Acceptance that have come to my knowledge, and I hope in God no more will be drawn upon us, but when Funds are first provided. In that Case your constant Residence at Madrid is no longer so necessary. You may make a Journey either for Health or Pleasure without retarding the Progress of a Negociation not yet...
123725From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 2 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long waited for an opportunity to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Dec. 15. as well as of that by Doctr. Mendenhall . none occurring I shall either deliver the present to Genl. Muhlenburg or put it under cover to Doctr. Wistar to whom I happen to be writing, to be sent to your house in Philadelphia or forwarded confidentially to Lancaster. The event of the election is still in...
123726Bernard Peyton to Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just favor’d with yours of the 25th cur t , & am pleased to be able to say, that I rec d on friday last the money expected from the Literary fund —$3,000 of which is at your credit— I have this day p d your dft: favor A. Robinson for $150— The coffee you write for shall be forwarded tomorrow, & send to=day, by Wood s Boat, a small bundle for you, from Philada
123727From James Madison to Maurice Rogers, 11 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Maurice Rogers. 11 July 1806, Department of State. “The information given you by Mr. Stoughton respecting the cause of Mr. Hill’s bad reception at Havana is inaccurate, as the latter was furnished with a letter to the Governor. To the proposal of introducing you to the Govr. of St. Jago, several objections occur. It would be disrespectful to the Governor of the Island to address an...
123728To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel S. Smith, 18 March 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Princeton [ New Jersey ] March 18, 1802 . Introduces his son, John Witherspoon Smith, who plans to practice law in New York City. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Smith, a Presbyterian clergyman, had a pastorate in western Virginia in the seventeen-seventies, taught at the College of New Jersey from 1779 to 1795, and served as president of the college from 1795 to 1812. By 1803 John...
123729To John Adams from James Warren, 27 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I feel great reluctance in suffering any Opportunity to pass without writeing to you. I can easily suppose your Anxiety as well as Curiosity make you sollicitous to hear every thing that passes here. Since my last nothing material has taken place. The military Operations have Consisted in a few movements and a few Shot Exchanged with very little Effect, sometimes on the side of Roxbury, and...
123730From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 23 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
My last letter to you was of the 8th inst. and acknowledged the receipt of all your letters that had then come to hand. Since which I have received your numbers 8. 11, 14 and 15 private and no. 8 public—with the huge volume of custom house laws—England’s Ægis (not major Cartwright’s) and the newspapers, Times and all, to the 6th of september inclusive; a bundle of Mr. Owen’s newspaper letter,...
123731To Benjamin Franklin from John Spencer, 19 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Inclosed is a letter deliverd me when at Plymouth by a Capt. of the 1st Battalion of Georgia Continental Troops. He has no doubt Painted his Sittuation to your Excellency, I need not theirfore take any notice on that head but Could Wish to have Every Relief Aforded him that Your Excellency Shall think Most Proper. I Remain With Respect Your Excellencys...
123732From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 12 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing you an extract of a letter from a respectable character, giving information of a Mr. Bowles lately come from England into the Creek country, endeavouring to excite that nation of Indians to war against the United States and pretending to be employed by the government of England. We have other testimony of these his pretensions and that he carries them much...
123733James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 26 April 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I expected to have had the pleasure of seeing you, more than a month past, and to have deliver’d to you the enclosed letters on finance in person, with a paper on the same subject, which was written in our revolution by the President , & given to me for perusal, with a request that I would forward it to you for the same purpose. The ill health of M rs Monroe , and more recently of our daughter...
123734To James Madison from George Stacey, 11 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 September 1801, Ile de France. Reports that several American ships recently arrived following opening of trade between U.S. and France. Copies of only articles 4 and 17 of the convention [of Mortfontaine] have arrived. Believes it is his duty to convey all such information until officially removed from office. Governor-General Magallon appears desirous of promoting U.S. trade with island;...
123735From Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Lambert, 13 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’aurois eté très charmé, Monsieur, de vous devenir utile en tachant de vous procurer le Brevet de Medecin de camp, que vous avez desiré. Si je n’aurois pû vous garantir le succès de mes efforts, j’aurois au moins repondu de leur sincerité. L’etablissement de la paix pourtant m’a epargné la peine de vous prouver combien peu vous auroient valu mes desirs de vous servir. La personne dont...
123736To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 20 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take this oppertunity to congratulate your Excellency on the Establishment of peace after a long tedious & Glorious Struggle, conducted under your Excellencys auspiceous Command, against the whole power of Britain, with that Wisdom & fortitude which finally convinced them of the necessity of puting a final period to the War. This Conviction has laid the Basis of a peace as honerable to the...
123737Thomas Jefferson to Eusebio Valli, 9 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much indebted to the much esteemed Seignior Botta for furnishing me the occasion of addressing to you my salutations on your arrival in the United states , and of tendering my portion of the obligations all owe you for the dangers you voluntarily encounter to lessen theirs. while we are striving how best to preserve our own health, you immolate yours as the victim of safety for us. the...
123738George Washington to George Measam, 28 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 28, 1778 . Orders that all clothing be forwarded to Headquarters. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman, George Washington, and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
123739To Thomas Jefferson from John D’Antignac, 21 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
under an impression, that a man who has devoted the most usefull portion of his Days, in the Service of America, has Some Claim, on the patronage of a president of the united States, I beg leave, with Every possible deference, to address you this letter A frenchman by Birth, I Entered the american service on the first day of May 1777, with the Commission of a Captain, then Brigade Major of...
123740[Diary entry: 10 August 1772] (Washington Papers)
10. Dennis Curran, Cook Jack, Schomberg Arlington, Peter & London began to Work on my Mill Race, Scouring it out.