130831To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 14 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Chase will excuse the late Neglects and Inattention of Mr. John Adams to him, upon the express Condition, that in future he constantly communicate to Mr. Chase every Matter relative to persons or Things. Mr. Chase flatters himself with seeing Mr. Adams on Monday or Tuesday fortnight with the voice of Maryland in favor of Independance and a foreign Alliance, which are, in Mr. Chases...
130832To James Madison from Michael Coxe, [June 1816] (Madison Papers)
The petition of Michael Coxe of the City of Philadelphia Mariner Humbly Sheweth That your petitioner was at the April Sessions of the Circuit Court of the United States in and for the Pennsylvania District Indicted and convicted of Confining the Captain of the Ship on board of which he was a Mariner, and for which offence he was by the Honourable court Sentanced to pay a fine of three hundred...
130833From George Washington to William Heath, 2 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this, one of the Stockbridge Indians, has come from the Chiefs of that Tribe with an offer of their service for part of the Campaign; their application you have inclos’d—In my answer to those Chiefs I have refer’d them to you; and if you think they can be of any advantage you may order them down—but it has ever been my opinion that their services never compensated the expence....
130834From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 20 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you stated the plants which had been sent, & I was in hopes, after you had been enabled to distinguish them, you would have informed me of their respective conditions. but no post has arrived for this week from Milton & consequently no letter from you. in about three weeks I hope to be with you, and then we shall properly be devoted to the garden. what has become of mrs...
130835Note on Two Purported Letters from Franklin and Arthur Lee, 29 March–8 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: British Library In the British Library are two ostensible copies, in what appears to be Lee’s hand, of letters from him and Franklin, one of March 29 to Henry Laurens as president of Congress and the other of April 8 to the secret committee. Neither is among the papers of the Continental Congress. The first appears to be an extract of Lee’s letter to Laurens of March 19; it follows the...
130836To James Madison from George W. Erving, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you unofficially & very much at large on the 12t Jany; it will not be necessary, & may not be proper, for me to trouble you at present in the same manner; indeed I am not able to add anything of consequence to whatever information is contained in my official letter to the secretary of State of this date: As I think it however proper to explain particularly the...
130837Augustus B. Woodward to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Woodward has the honor to transmit a small Philadelphia publication, which contains among other singular cases the case and speech of Eugene Aram ; and to present his respects.— RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 12 Aug. 1814 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: The Criminal Recorder: or, An Awful Beacon to the Rising Generation of Both Sexes, Erected by the Arm of Justice to Persuade...
130838To James Madison from Tench Coxe, [1 May] 1801 (Madison Papers)
I write you this letter under as much caution as the Circumstances of the case will admit. It relates to the same business as is mentioned in my private letter of the latter end of the Month preceding that month in which this will reach you. The cover of this will shew you by the post mark both its dates of time & place. The person whom I mentioned in the late letter to which I refer has been...
130839To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 16 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, May 16, 1793. “This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th Instant.… The instructions contained in your letter relative to this important business shall be attentively observed.” Copy, RG 45, Unbound Records, Area 7 Files, National Archives. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” May 13–16, 1793 .
130840Enclosure I: John Browne Cutting to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 10 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
To the Right Honble. the Lords Commissioners of the British Admiralty. The Memorial of John Brown Cutting respectfully sheweth. That your memorialist is a native and Citizen of the United States of America, and has been intreated by four of his fellow Citizens to represent that they are truly such, and to ask your orders for their discharge from onbound his Britannic Majesty’s ships the Edgar...
130841From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 30 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum Your Favour of Aug. 3 has given me great Pleasure. I have only time now to acknowledge the Receipt of it, but purpose to write fully by the next Opportunity. I am just returned from France, where I found our Dispute much attended to, several of our Pamphlets being translated and printed there, among the rest my Examination, and the Farmer’s Letters with two of my Pieces...
130842To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 14th. of November last, did not come to my hands till the first of the present month ; and at a time when I was about to set off for the Convention of the States appointed to be holden in this City the 14th. Instt. Consequently, it has not been in my power, at an earlier period, to reply to the important...
130843To Benjamin Franklin from John Harris, 31 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library Company of Philadelphia I inclose you the Deposition of a Person the Contents you please to observe. I have not yet moved my Family, not caring to discourage others. We Expect the Enemy every hour. I have cut holes thro’ my house and kept some Men to defend the same as I had information at Shawmokin that about 40 Indians were out many days from Fort Du Quesne to destroy my House...
130844[Diary entry: 5 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 40 at Night. Clear and cool with the wind at No. Wt. Mr. Fairfax, and Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife, and Miss Blackburn went away after breakfast.
130845From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 3 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. incloses to mr Randolph a check on the bank of the US. which however is dated tomorrow & cannot be drawn till then, because it is only on the 4th. that a deposit is made in the bank for him by the Treasury. he prays him not to consider it as a loan at all, being always desirous to do any thing for him which his own circumstances place in his power. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
130846Notes for Consultation with James Madison, 8 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
consult mr M. James Ross’s lre. agent to W. Indies Navoni’s lre Claiborne . lre July 25. Aug. 4. } Span. at Adais & Natchitoches. refusl. to pay private debts, decree to reduce weakn. & ruin adjact. country of US.—the Cados—Panis. ✓ Mason’s lre. inclose to Wagner. July 25. Casa Calvo. ✓ Navoni’s do. 30. Delacey Aug. 1. French privateer.
130847From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 14 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
When you were last in Town I promised to communicate to you the outline of a project by which I think you may enter upon a career of business beneficial to yourself and friends. My almost constant attendance at Court ever since you were here has retarded its communication, which I shall now make. Let a commercial Capital be formed to consist of 100 000 Dollars divided into shares of 1000...
130848From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to John Adams, 10 October 1796 (Adams Papers)
Washington’s resignation, which crowns that Excellent war with glorÿ, opens the career for my worthy and much respected friend, to bestow new obligations upon his Country-men, if they are wise enough to take hold of this favourable opportunity. can your Excel̃l—without compromitting yourself—procure your old friend a place among the Electors in this State— you know to whom he shall paÿ the...
130849To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secy of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the US requiring the opinion of the Heads of the Executive Departments, on the Memorial of sundry Citizens of Baltimore, praying that a pardon may be granted to Levin Jones late Master of the American Brigantine David Stewart, respectfully submits the following Report. It appears that the said Levin Jones is charged in a...
130850To Thomas Jefferson from Caleb Gibbs, 20 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel persuaded that the President of the United States will not think it too presuming in my addressing him at this time when I inform him it is for the well being of an Individual and the happiness of an Amiable family. The Inclosed certificates which I have taken the Liberty to present to the President is to shew who I am and in what manner I have passed the prime of my Life, with respect...
130851Design of Coinage, [24 March] 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Senate passed a bill establishing the mint which included a provision for displaying an image “of the President of the United States for the time being” on the coinage. This provision touched off one of the most divisive debates of the session. Representatives who favored the Senate version claimed it was an appropriate compliment to Washington, while its opponents argued that the measure...
130852From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 16 August 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 370–373. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:640. This letter, read in Congress on 12 Nov., contains an English translation of a “verbal insinuation” to the Dutch minister at St. Petersburg,...
130853To James Madison from Thomas Bulkeley, 5 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 August 1801, Lisbon. Encloses a letter received by last post from consul at Tripoli announcing pasha’s declaration of war against U.S. Letters from France, Great Britain, and Spain announce approach of general peace in Europe. Believes he has performed duties well and asks to be continued in office. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Lisbon, vol. 1). 2 pp.; unsigned. Bulkeley’s 6 Aug. dispatch begins on...
130854From John Jay to George Alexander Otis, 31 July 1820 (Jay Papers)
On the 22 d . Inst. I rec d . your Letter of the 15 th . enclosing a Copy of your Proposals for publishing by Subscription your Translation of “Botta’s History of the War of American Independence”— and also the first volume of that work— They arrived at a Time when a more than ordinary Degree of Sickness had rendered both reading and writing irksome to me— Being at present less unwell, I will...
130855To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [25 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld fait bien des complimens à Monsieur le Docteur franklin; il le prie du lui donner des nouvelles de sa goutte; il a l’honneur de lui envoier la Nouvelle Constitution de Delaware, et si Monsieur franklyn le trouve bon, il ira la rechercher Jeudi matin à Passy, si Monsieur le Docteur y est encore, ou à Paris. The Duke’s note below of...
130856To Thomas Jefferson from Pierre-André Gargaz, 15 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Avec un profond respect, j’ai l’honneur de vous rapeler la liberté que je pris, il y a quelque tems de vous presenter une Brochure intitulée union souveraine , inventée par Henri le Grand, en vous priant de la garder si vous adoptiez l’union entre tous les souverains, ou de me la renvöier si vous ne l’adoptiez pas. Come vous la gardates j’eus l’agreable satisfaction de vous voir aprobateur du...
130857From Alexander Hamilton to William Campbell, Thomas Withers, M. R. Willkings, Auly Macnaughten, and George Hooper, 11 … (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. of April relative to the lighthouse which was begun by the government of North Carolina on Cape Island, near the mouth of Cape Fear River. The general provisions made by Congress with respect to light houses do not extend further than repairing and maintaining them. Nothing therefore can at this moment be done in this case, though it is probable earlier...
130858From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me a letter from you which gave me pleasure. The papers will apprize you of the proceedings of the Merchants & Traders here on yesterday. There is among them also “unexampled unanimity” & as far as I can judge the current is in our favour throughout the City. Persons to day are going through the different wards. Yrs. sincerely P.S. Our friends in the House will do well...
130859[Diary entry: 16 May 1796] (Washington Papers)
16. Wind Westerly & So. West.
130860To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be accompanied by a duplicate of my letter to you of the 14th. of Octr. last. In your last letter dated Decr. 12th., which I recd. on the 23d., you mention that “No letter of the 14th. of October has been received from you at this office a Duplicate will therefore be requisite.” In your letter of the 17th. of Novr. last you say “your letter of the 14th. ulto . remains to be answered”...
130861General Orders, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On this date, Richard Platt, deputy quartermaster of the main army, wrote Lt. Philip Strubing of the Maréchaussée Corps, from Newburgh, N.Y.: “I have it in Charge from his Excellency Genl Washington to desire You to rendezvous at Chester with your Dragoons to morrow Evening & there wait further Directions—If you cannot do it by to morrow night, endeavor to be there...
130862Alexander Hamilton’s List of Candidates for Minister to France, 19 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Georgia Nathaniel Pendleton (District Judge) Baldwin S. Carolina J. Rutlege E. Rutlege C. C. Pinkney Pinkney (late Governor)
130863From John Adams to Horatio Gates Spafford, 17 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Common civility would have required that I should have answered your letter of the 6th. month long before this time, but the approach & invasion of my ninetieth year has taken away my faculties to such a degree that I have not been able to observe the common rule of my correspondents. Your Gazette of New York is an excellent work & will be extremely useful to that State for many centuries to...
130864[Diary entry: 13 January 1790] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 13th. After duly considering on the place for receiving the address of the House of Representatives, I concluded, that it would be best to do it at my own House—first, because it seems most consistent with usage & custom—2d. because there is no 3d. place in the Fedl. Hall ( prepared ) to which I could call them, & to go into either of the Chambers appropriated to the Senate or...
130865From George Washington to William Livingston, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the Honour of writing to you on the 14th Inst., by the way of Philadelphia, in answer to your favour of the 6th I have received from Brigr Stephen the Letters & Affidavit, by me referred to, when mentioning the Case of Adjutt Kelly; Copies of which, & of a part of a Letter inclosing them to my Aid de Camp, explaining a Sentence in Sr Willm’s Answer, I take the liberty of...
130866From George Washington to Lieutenants Jonathan Snowden, Eden Burrowes, et al., 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In order that I may be fully informed on the subject of your complaint, I have transmitted Brig: Gen: Maxwell a copy of your letter of the 6th instant; to be communicated to the Officers who were appointed to settle the respective ranks in the 1st Jersey regiment; and desired to be made acquainted with the reasons which induced them to the arrangement —When I am possessed of these I shall not...
130867To George Washington from William Heron, 26 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding that I have not the Honour of being personally acquainted with you, and that a stranger attempting to introduce himself labours under peculiar embarrassments yet, having the most perfect reliance on your Candour, I venture to address the following Lines to you. I arriv’d here last night from Reading in the State of Connecticut (where I belong) on an Eriand which gives me pain...
130868To George Washington from Peterson & Taylor, 18 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure to inform you that by Capt. Levingston you will receive the Bill of Scantlin compleat together with 2300 feet of 1¼ In. Plank as well 1300 feet of 1 In. D[itt]o all of which we flatter ourselves will meet your approbation as theire hath been nothing lacking on our part to have it procured in the best mannor theire will be still wanting some 2 In. Plank which shall be...
130869To Thomas Jefferson from George Maxwell, 11 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had the honor to receive the enclosed Commission appointing me District Attorney of the United States for the District of New-Jersey, I have endeavoured as far as was in my power to merit the Confidence thus reposed in me. And I assure you Sir, that from the high opinion I entertain of the present Administration I would chearfully retain the Commission, was it not that my private...
130870From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. 13. & 14 inst: with their respective enclosures. The affair of the Convention for exchanges is as you remark peculiarly embarrassing. I hope it will end, in a mutual liberation on parole of officers, and an improved condition of the privates, we retaining the 23 hostages standing agst. that number sent to England. The discharge of those hostages, without some...
130871To Thomas Jefferson from William Armistead Burwell, 26 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Clark has promised to deliver into your hands the correspondence betwen the Gov’nr of Virginia and the Pt. of Congress; they should have been returned sooner, but for the ill State of my health which detaind Me at home until the departure of Mr Randolph for Congress;—In the present State of affairs, when the U States are threaten’d with the calamities of war, it affords me the greatest...
130872Bernard Peyton to Thomas Jefferson, 5 August 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d some, days ago five Hh’ds your Bedford Tobacco, & finding the River so very low as to render it doubtful when the balance could reach here, tho’t it best to dispose of those, without waiting for the balance, as this is the shipping season, & not much time to be lost.—I have done so & enclose ℀ sales here with , which I hope will be satisfactory New Wheat 7/3 declining 〃 Flour $6 ¼
130873To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 15 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Herewith You have a Copy of my Letter of this date to Congress, forwarded by Express—requesting of them a dismission from their Service, for the Reasons, therein Assigned —I cannot undertake to Continue longer in a most troublesome Office, at best but rendered insupportable, by neglect, & inattention to repeated representations of want of Regulations therein—I most devoutly Wish some Person...
130874To George Washington from Andrew Morton, 1 February 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am at length arrived at Belvoir & (what may seem a little strange to you) have brought the Bond unexecuted. I waited long for Mr Baylor’s Return, but to no purpose! For when I came away, no Account could be given when he was expected. The Season advancing, & the Assurance I had from you, of my having a year’s Rent to pay, made it necessary for me to move without farther Delay. Major Lowry...
130875[Diary entry: 6 February 1772] (Washington Papers)
6. Went across the Creek upon the Ice and staked off a fence for the Field on the Creek.
130876From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 22 June 1815 (Adams Papers)
Can you give me any Information, concerning A. G. Camus? Is he a Chateaubriand? Or a Marquis D’Argens? Does he mean to abolish Christianity? Or to restore the Inquisition, the Jesuits, the Pope and the Devil? Within a few days, I have received a thing as unexpected to me as an Appartition from the dead; “Rapport a L’Institut National, Par A. G. Camus, imprime par ordre de L’Institut, Pluviose...
130877From Alexander Hamilton to William Bingham, 5 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 5, 1791. On October 6, 1791, Bingham wrote to Hamilton : “I received your Letter of yesterday.” Letter not found. ] Bingham was a founder and director of the Bank of North America, a land speculator, the founder of Binghamton, New York, and one of the richest men in the United States. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1790 to 1795.
130878To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 1 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Jé reçois ici dans l’instant la lettre dont Votre Exellence m’a honoré du 27 du mois dernier, et je la prie de permettre que je lui renvoje une lettre que j’ai trouvé dans le paquet, adressée au Chevalier de La Luzerne, que j’ai reconnu etre de l’ecriture du Chevalier de Ternay, et qu’il me Semble que Monsieur de La Fayette auroit mieux fait de porter a Philadelphie, dans le petit Voyage qu’il...
130879Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 20 February 1833 (Madison Papers)
The somersets which have been turned here since I last wrote have changed the aspect of things in more respects than one. It has opened prospects with regard to the prosecution of internal improvements, and among others the Chesapeake & Ohio canal, which will not be without their effect upon the value of property here. Should this new scheme be adopted, the inevitable effect will be a large...
130880Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 5 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought no letter from you which I am really sorry for as the definitive treaty which we hear is certainly arrived is much wanted by the assembly and would perhaps prevent some steps being taken that may be contrary to it. Do Congress mean to take no measures to counteract the designs of the British respecting our trade ? If they do it must be immediately to have any effect here...