130751[Diary entry: 26 April 1796] (Washington Papers)
26. Cloudy morning & evening clear mid day. Cool all day with the Wind at No. Et.
130752From James Madison to Enoch Reynolds, [ca. 10–29] February 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 8th. inst. When I subscribed for two copies of the newly edited “Declaration of Independence,[”] It is probable that I expected they would have been ready for delivery, previous to the expiration of my official term; and that one of them was intended for a piece of wall furniture in the Presidents House. I feel myself however bound to take both, and mention the...
130753From James Madison to William Pinkney, 8 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer Mr. McRae, heretofore Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is represented to me as about to visit Europe with views not only creditable to himself, but promising advantage to his Country. I have so far therefore departed from a general rule, as to give him this introduction to you, not doubting that he will receive whatever patronage he may satisfy you, his objects merit. I only add a...
130754Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 15 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have been situated here for near six weeks. It is one of the finest squares in London. The air is as pure as it can be so near a Great city. It is but a small distance from Hide Park, round which I sometimes walk, but oftner ride. It resembles Boston Common, much larger and more beautified with Trees. On one side of it is a fine river. St. James Park and Kensington Gardens are two other...
130755From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 6 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before Congress a statement of the works of defence which it has been thought necessary to provide in the first instance for the security of our seaport towns & harbours, & of the progress towards their completion. their extent has been adapted to the scale of the appropriation, & to the circumstances of the several places. The works undertaken at New York are calculated to annoy and...
130756To Thomas Jefferson from George Slaughter, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By information by Letters from North side Kentucky and every coroborating circumstance, I have the greatest reason to believe that there has a young Man by the Name of Whitsyl , who has been a Captive for two or three years past among the Shawnese Indians, made his escape from a detach’d party come over from the main body, who were hunting on the Ohio, in order to lay in provisions for the...
130757To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 1 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to you, by the Adjutant of The 12th. Regt. the monthly return of Recruits to the 30th. ulto. inclusive, as far as they have come to hand—I have reason to believe further progress has been made by the officers in the interior—I enclose also the attestations of the enlistments of Capt. Bennets, Capt. Patterson & Capt. Courtlands Recruits, those of Capt. Landon...
130758November 1781 (Washington Papers)
5th. The detachment for the Southward, consisting as has been before observed, of Waynes & Gists Brigades (excepting such Men of the Maryland & Virginia lines whose terms of Service would expire before the first of Jany.). Began their March and were to be joined by all the Cavalry that could be equiped of the first—third & fourth Regiments at . At this point GW’s 1781 diary abruptly ends. By 3...
130759To Thomas Jefferson from John Salusbury, 28 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been no longer than last Week since being interrupted in mind I enlisted at this Fort as a private in Capt. Saunders,s Company in first Regt. of Artillerists & Engineers I Yesterday Communicated the same to my Father with much grief after being Reconcild in mind which has caus,d the tear of grief and Compassion flow deeply from the eye,s of two aged parents I am Sorry to trowble your...
130760From John Quincy Adams to Harriet Welsh, 19 September 1823 (Adams Papers)
I pray you in presenting my respectful & affectionate regards to Mr & Mrs Bailey to assure them of the regret that I feel in the inability to avail myself of their friendly invitation & in the loss of the satisfaction which I should have derived from a visit to them. It is now uncertain whether I shall be able to go at all to Portland; & certain that if I do, I shall not go further nor be more...
130761Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 22 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Oct. 22. prest. 4. Secretaries . Captains of Navy reduced from 15. to 9. by a vote on each man struck off . those struck off are Mc.Niel of Boston, Decatur of Pensva., Rogers of Maryld. Tingey of Columbia, *S. Barron of Virga, *Campbell from S. Cara. but a Northern man. the retained are Nicholson & Preble of Mass. Morris & Bainbridge of N.Y. Truxton of Jersey, Barry, Dale & Murray of Pensva....
130762From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Willis Daingerfield, 9 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I had counted fully on being able at this time to have placed in the bank of Fredericksburg the sum of 590. Dollars for mrs & miss Dangerfield for the last year’s hire of their negroes: I find however that I cannot do it till this day four weeks, when they may have the utmost assurance of it’s being there, and may enter into any arrangements on that supposition under the certainty that they...
130763From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 17 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have not time to write you fully for which reason I inclose the Generals Letter to you—please to read, Seal, and deliver it if you are together—and forward it on, if you are Marchd —You will see my anxiety on Acct of Indians and my Bullocks; employ your Interest therefore my Dr Sir in dispatching them to me—I have been sadly puzzled for want of a guide & the Service has sufferd by it—I...
130764[Diary entry: 25 August 1770] (Washington Papers)
25. I examined my Corn fields & perceivd that the late Rains had made a great alteration for the better. Many stalks were putting out entire New Shoots with young and tender Silk—but as the Tassels of most of all the Corn (especially in that field in the Neck) was entirely dry. The question is whether the Corn for want of the Farina will ever fill. This is a matter worthy of attention & should...
130765To Benjamin Franklin from John Barry, 15 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: New-York Historical Society I had the honor of receiving your Excellencys Dispatches Containing two packages directed to the Honle. Robt. Morris Esqr Superintendant of the Finances of the United States of America at Philadelphia, and two Directed to the Honle Robt. B Livingston Esqr. Secretary for Foreign affairs at Philadelphia and shall sail in a...
130766To James Madison from Richard Forrest, 19 May 1806 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ From Richard Forrest. Letter not found. 19 May 1806, Baltimore. Offered for sale in Robert K. Black Catalogue 104, [1965], item 89, where it is described as a one-page autograph letter signed reading in part: “The Ship in which Mr. Pinkney has taken his passage has not yet weighed anchor. … He is very desirous to obtain the Travels of Captains Clarke & Lewis so far as they have been...
130767To John Adams from Silas Talbot, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Premit me to request the favour of your Excellency to grant Docr. St Medard a Warrent as Surgeon in the Navy of the United States. I had not the smalest conception untill this moment, that he had remaind untill this day without one, or otherwise should have apply’d for one yesterday, the Docter has ben in the Constitution ever since last December, and his long experience in his profession in...
130768To James Madison from Samuel Smith, 12 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 July 1801, Baltimore. Presents Mr. O’Mealy, whom Smith has mentioned as possible commercial agent at Le Havre and whom JM believed a likely appointment at Hamburg [see M. O’Mealy to JM, 29 May 1801 (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9)]. RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
130769Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 21 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 16 March sometime Ago. The fleet and Army are still att Rd. Island by the arrival of Admiral Graves the british are superior. There intention Against Rd. Island seems to be laid aside. The french fleet and Spanish were att the Cape about 20 days Ago. We were in hopes they were bound to Jamaica. Several privateers belonging to Salem, Cape Ann And Newbury have made a...
130770From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 20 November 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 20, 1797. On November 23, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have this minute received your favour of the 20th inst.” Letter not found. ]
130771To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Carrington Cabell, 6 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I reached this late last evening & fell over one of the banks and got much injured in several parts of my frame, insomuch that I can scarcely write. I have just seen my brother, who has received a reply from M r Wirt, from which it appears conclusively that he would not accept the law chair. M r Lomax therefore is the Professor, & the system will remain as you desired. Privately owned.
130772To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Low, 25 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 25, 1792 . The calendar summary of this letter reads as follows: “On the affairs of the Manufacturing Society (Paterson, N.J.) as left by Duer’s failure.” Letter not found .] Letter listed in “Calendar Summary of Philip Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton Papers,” Personal Miscellaneous, Box 6, Schuyler, MS Division, New York Public Library. This is a reference to the Society for...
130773From George Washington to John Paul Jones, 15 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
My partial acquaintance with either our naval or commercial affairs makes it altogether impossible for me to account for the unfortunate delay of those Articles of Military Stores and Cloathing which I have been informed have been so long provided in France. Had I have had any particular reason to have suspected you of being accessory to that delay, which I assure you has not been the case, my...
130774To Thomas Jefferson from David K. Hopkins, 26 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
in the winter of 1806, you may recollect of my visiting you at the Presidents palace; & that without a previous acquaintance, or letters of introduction the reason was, that I thought the introduction wou’d be as Satisfactory on both parts, by the Subject alone as by letters: Mr Dufief particularly offered me a letter, but I considdered it intirely unnessary for the reason before mentioned; he...
130775From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your Lordship’s letter to his Excellency. He has desired me to send Capt Scott’s company their dismission, which you will therefore be pleased to give them, on the expiration of their time. General Green will bring you an answer to your letter respecting Mr. Willcox’s, by which you will perceive that his Excellency has approved, and that I have written to Mr. Willcox agreeable...
130776Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I send by the bearer for the use of the President of the United States, a set of the Atlantic Neptune in three volumes folio, and a volume of the West India Atlas, which I imported from the England for public service—I have only to request that your would please to sign the duplicate receipts herein enclosed. I am Dear sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . This letter accompanied...
130777To George Washington from Brigadier General Caesar Rodney, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning I took Post at this place between two and three miles from Middleton. I have kept my Light-Horse, about seventeen or eighteen in number, out beating up the Enemy’s Quarters ever since and gaining what intelligence I could of the Enemy’s movements. Last night a little after dark they were close in with the Enemy at Carson’s Tavern where they encamped exchanged some shott and...
130778Notes on John Jay’s Mission to Great Britain, [1797 or after] (Jefferson Papers)
1794. Apr. 19. Commn. of Envoy Extr. to his Britannic majesty to John Jay. To hold the said office during pleasure. May. 5. letter from the Pres. to the King 6. do. to the Queen. Full powers concerning 1. inexecution or infraction of the Armistice of Jan. 20. 83. or treaty of Sep. 3. 83. 2. Instructions to British ships of war &c of June 8. 93. and Nov. 6. 93, and Jan. 8. 94. Compensation &c...
130779From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you two letters from Rob. R. Livingston. that of the 2d of June is just intelligible enough in the uncyphered parts to create anxieties which perhaps the cypher may remove. I communicate them for your information, & shall be glad to recieve them decyphered. I infer that the less we say about constitutional difficulties respecting Louisiana the better, and that what is necessary for...
130780Abigail Adams Smith to Elizabeth Cranch Norton, May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I this day received a letter from my Mother enclosing one from you to her dated in April in which you express so much interest in my situation, that I am induced to endeavour if possible to eface from your mind some of the disagreeable impressions which may be made upon it, by your ideas of a Camp Life— Coll n Smith has ever been attached to a Military Life and whenever his Country has...
130781To James Madison from Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
My promise to my Wife forces me to accept the favor your goodness has offerred. Before I parted with her I assured her that I would do any thing rather than continue to live separate from her for any length of time. To assist in the conquest of Canada has been long a favorite object with me, and the risk, suffering, and toils of another attempt would be born with pleasure. But the pain of...
130782[Diary entry: 13 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
13. Cooler than yesterday with some appearances of Rain but none fell.
130783Orders, 18 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
130784From George Washington to James Warren, 29 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have this Instt received a Letter from Chelsea, of which the Inclosed is an extract —as the Inhabitants are coming out in a different manner than proposed by your Assembly to the Select men of the Town of Boston, I have not delayed a moments time in giving you the earliest Information of it; and request that you may take the matter into consideration, & determine what is proper to be done on...
130785To Thomas Jefferson from James Holland, 27 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Not being at home on the arival of your note of the 27th. of June and being anxious to obtain as correct information as possible relative to Jacob Ray has occasioned a greater lapse of time than I could have wished before I had it in my power to comply with the request you honored me with. Ray and Phil. Williams some years ago lived in this county and were reputed honest young men and decended...
130786From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 26 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am deeply impressed with the importance of Virginia & Kentuckey pursuing the same tract at the ensuing sessions of their legislatures. your going thither furnishes a valuable opportunity of effecting it, and as mr Madison will be at our assembly as well as yourself, I thought it important to procure a meeting between you. I therefore wrote to propose to him a ride to this place on Saturday...
130787Jean de Neufville & Son to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
We regret that your Ladyship’s letter of 25th April should not have Came to our hands soon enough to have prevented our executing your orders p er the Ship Juno, in Lieu of that of our good friends Messrs. N. & T. Tracey (the Minerva) as a freight of 12 ½ PCt. is an object worth saving. But they were Shipped as early as the 25 May, and we were in hopes you would have received them before now,...
130788To James Madison from John Blair Smith, 12 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
On my return from Phila. last Summer, I wrote to your brother from Fredericksburg as you desired. As it was Sunday, I did not go to Mr. Maury’s store, but left the letter with Dr. Hall, who promised to give it to Mr. Maury, that he might send it to Orange. I informed him in that letter, that you had paid me ten pounds, ten Shills. for his son’s expences. As the boys did not return during the...
130789To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have been this day honoured with your letters of the 14th & 15th. I am very happy that you and Mrs. Adams approve of my letter to the Freeholders of Prince Edward County, Virginia. This morning I recd. from Mr. King a letter dated June 20. in which is the following passage. “Notwithstanding his pretended delicacy, Hauteval by no means denies the agency ascribed to him in soliciting the Bribe...
130790To Thomas Jefferson from J. A. Gautier, 19 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris ] 19 May 1786 . Will send “tonight or to morrow morning early” the letter of credit in favor of Mr. Wuibert. Mr. Troyes has promised to pay the Bill on him and Gautier will direct that L600 be kept in reserve, subject to TJ’s or Wuibert’s directions. RC ( MoSHi ); 1 p. Noted in SJL as received 20 May 1786.
130791From James Madison to William Bradford, [ca. 21 May] 1776—Summary (Madison Papers)
Ca. 21 May 1776 . In “A Memorandum Book,” Bradford noted on 28 May 1776: “This morning I recieved a Letter from Mr Maddison who is a member of the Virginia Convention, informing me of the declaration of Independency made by that body.” Since the resolution calling upon the delegates of Virginia in the Second Continental Congress to propose that “the United Colonies” be declared “free and...
130792[Diary entry: 21 November 1770] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 21st. Reach’d Fort Pitt in the Afternoon, distant from our last Incampment about 25 Miles & as near as I can guess 35 from the Mingo Town. The Land between The Mingo Town & Pittsburg is of different kinds. For 4 or 5 Miles after leaving the first mentiond place we passd over Steep Hilly ground, hurt with stone; coverd with White Oak; & a thin shallow Soil. This was succeeded by a...
130793To John Jay from John Adams, 25 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have not presented a formal Memorial, in the Name of our Sovereign concerning the Negroes carried off contrary to the Treaty, although it has been frequently and constantly insisted upon with the British Ministry, for several Reasons. one was, a desire to confine the first Memorial to one point, the frontier Posts that the real Motives and Intentions of the Cabinet might be the more...
130794To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 July-4 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was desired to send Mrs. Stevenson 6 Boxes of Sperma Ceti Candles, but as they will not admit a less quantity than 22 lbs. [?] to be shipt, was obliged to send her 9: which I have shipped on board the Lydia Capt. Hood directed to you as per the inclosed Bill of Lading. Mrs. S will appropriate the amount to the Payment of an Organ I desired you to procure...
130795To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The light-companies are completing with all possible dispatch; but it will be difficult to obtain the whole number of proper men in the present debilitated state of the regiments; however, the best will be carefully selected: After the light companies are gone we shall scarcely be able to relieve the guards, while so many men are on different commands as at present. The regiment to which Capt....
130796Anonymous to Thomas Jefferson, [19 January 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Report of a committee of the Senate , is respectfully sent to Mr Jefferson by a friend, as a specimen of the wisdom of that body in the 19 th century. RC ( DLC: TJ Papers , 221:39507); undated; endorsed by TJ (brackets in original): “Anon. Wash n Jan. 19. 22. [rep t on duty on books]” received 27 Jan. 1822 and so recorded (with slightly variant wording) in SJL .
130797From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library You will hear before this reaches you, that the Indians have renew’d their Hostilities. They have not as usual made any previous Complaint, and various Conjectures are therefore made of the Cause. Some think it is merely to secure their Hunting Countries, which they apprehend we mean to take from them by Force and turn them into Plantations, tho’ this Apprehension...
130798To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 22 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed I have cut from a New-York paper. It reminds me of what I have repeatedly proposed to different citizens of Philadelphia— That in order to avoid the impurities of docks partly uncovered at low water, and to preserve a sufficient depth of water for vessels to enter, & even lie afloat, the wharfing of the city should be newly arranged. For this end, fixing a curve line which should...
130799To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 16 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg your pardon, for delaying so long, my acknowledgments of the favor conferred on me, by your transmitting to me your Address or Message to the Congress. It afforded me high Satisfaction, not only as communicating most interesting information respecting your Treaty with France; & the friendly disposition of the great Powers in Europe towards the United States; but as containing the most...
1308001771. Fryday June 14. (Adams Papers)
A fine Morning.