131601Jeremiah Elkins to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
It is my wish to collect the few remaining fragments of the official letters of our land and naval officers of the revolution, together with such other documents and anecdotes as relate to the war of that period—I have in part accomplished the work, and shall, perhaps, be able to render it more complete than at this time could be expected—it will, I hope, serve to rescue from the grave some...
131602To James Madison from George Salmon, 25 November 1806 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ From George Salmon. Letter not found. 25 November 1806. Acknowledged and described in JM to Salmon, 28 Nov. 1806 , as requesting information from the State Department to be sent to London to “promote a due enquiry into” Salmon’s case.
131603Oct. 24. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Visited the Church at Valenciennes. Saw a notre Dame De Hall. She appears pregnant. A Collection of Portraits ancient and modern, and a Picture of the Virgin Mary in the Air, sending by Angels a Cord round the City with an Inscription importing, Valenciennes surrounded with a Cord by the blessed Virgin, and saved from the Plague Anno 1008. Dined at Cambray, visited the Cathedral, saw the Tomb...
131604To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 17 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return home, a friend made known to me a report in circulation, so deeply affecting my character, that I determined to trace it to its source—the enclosed letr from Doctor Harrison of Wms.port exhibit the result of my exertions.— I need not I am sure recur to argument to excite yr. attention to the subject. I had supposed that my loyalty was so well established as to defy the most...
131605To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Tressan, 6 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Borel auquel je m’interesse beaucoup, et qui se rend agreable aux Gens de bien et eclairez, par la publication qu’il est prest a faire de son Estampe de L’Amerique independante vous suplie de luy doner l’Empreinte du Sceau des Etats unis pour le faire graver au bas de son Estampe, si vous voulez bien Monsieur me remettre cette empreinte Mardy prochain a...
131606To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 23 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. was received by the last night’s mail, in answer to which I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed Acts of Assembly . I presumed that the Commissioners had made an offer of the hospital to the General Government in pursuance of the Authority vested in them, and that the acceptance of the offer had been deferred until a part of the building was fit for use. Therefore...
131607Thomas Jefferson’s Observations for Calculating the Latitude of Monticello, 30 January–4 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
1816. Jan. 30 Jan. 31. Feb. 3 Feb. 4. Observed altitude Jan 30 error of instrum t 68–28–30 68–56– 0 70–39–30 ☉’s semidiam. here & hereafter 70–39–30 true observ d
131608Resolution of the House of Representatives, 24 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1802. Discharges the committee to whom was referred on 15 Feb. the petition of Timothy Williams and others and refers the petition to the secretary of state, “with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon, to the House.” Ms and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Ms 1 p.; marked “Extract from the Journal”; signed by William Lambert, acting for John Beckley;...
131609From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 12, 1794. Submits “two resolutions of the Commissioners of the Sinking fund of the 9th instant.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See “Meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund,” April 9, 1794 .
131610To Benjamin Franklin from William Knox, 29 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I send you the Plan of the Lands in Georgia claimed by Sir Wm. Bakers Representatives which you desired in your Letter which was delivered to me yesterday. I also inclose the several Papers which came with it to my hands as I imagine they may contain some information which you may think useful. I have kept no Copies of them, neither would I give...
131611From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, Jr., 13 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. instant is just received, and I have now the honour to forward you the letters I promised. I have written them jointly for yourself and Mr. Shippen, on the supposition you will continue together, but lest your plans should vary, I send duplicates also. As you seem to think of the route by Constantinople I have been examining Capper’s account of the stages from Vienna to...
131612William Lee to the American Commissioners, 6 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Virginia Historical Society The 4th. two little boats arrivd here from Virginia (private property) which they left the 4th. of Augt. They bring the Papers with the Congress account of the evacuation of Ticonderoga, which is inclos’d, with some other Papers which the passenger Mr. King will bring with him as he sets out for Paris on Sunday or Monday next. Mr. K. who seems to be an...
131613VII. James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last evening your kind enquiries after my health. My last will have informed you of the state of it then. I continue to be incommoded by several different shapes taken by the bile; but not in a degree that can now be called serious. If the present excessive heat should not augment the energy of the cause, I consider myself as in a good way to get rid soon of its effects. Beckley has...
131614From John Adams to William Cunningham, 16 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
I have received your three last Letters. The Correspondence and Conversations which have passed between Us have been under the confidential Seal of Secrecy and Friendship. Any Violation of it will be a breach of Honor and plighted Faith. I Shall never release you from it; if it were in my Power: but it is not. After all the Permission that I could give, your Conscience ought to restrain you. I...
131615[Diary entry: 25 February 1769] (Washington Papers)
25. At home all day receiving my Goods from Captn. Johnstouns Craft. Capt. John Johnstoun, master of the ship Lord Camden , brought goods from London shipped by Robert Cary & Co. for GW. The goods totaled £315 13s. 6d. ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 198).
131616To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, with Reply, 11–15 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board of War recommend that a fast sailing Boat be kept as a look out at Smiths Island to give the alarm in Maggoty Bay on the approach of an Enemy; from thence an Express to be sent across the Country to Northampton Court House; the Boat then to proceed to York with the alarm. The Battery at Cheriton to be repaired, and the Guns there remounted immediately for the defence of that Inlet;...
131617George Washington to John Sullivan, [15 December 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, December 15, 1779. ] Assures Sullivan of friendship and esteem. Thanks Sullivan for news concerning an intrigue against Washington. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Sullivan had resigned his commission on November 30, 1779.
131618To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been so long without any intercourse with my friends in Europe not having received any letters of any kind from thence since the British Pacquet of last December that I am very solicitous for procuring those letters which are now at New York, they amount by the intelligence I received from Major General Pattison while at Elizabeth-town to a considerable number with parcels of Magazines...
131619To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I was in the Secy of States office with Mr Wolcott when he recd your letter containing queries to be submitted to the heads of departments. On my return home I committed the inclosed observations to paper relative to the power of the President to remove a foreign minister. Having gone so far I have determined to send it as explanatory of my reasons for signing the paper which will be forwarded...
131620From Thomas Jefferson to G. H. Le Prétre, 20 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to Mr. Le Pretre and subscribes with pleasure to his book. he now returns the subscription paper. PoC ( Vi ); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found.
131621From George Washington to Moses Rawlings, 12 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 2d inst. by Colo. Thomas. The Secretary at War, Major Genl Lincoln, under whose orders the prisoners of War now more immediately fall, convinced that a strict hand will be necessary over the British in particular, is about removing all those to Lancaster and to this City, where they will be closely confined under Continental Guards. The Foreigners, who are more...
131622From George Washington to New York Officer Commanding at Dobbs’s Ferry, 15 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr George Nicolson (having obtained liberty from the Executive of the State to which he belongs) is permitted to have an interview with the British Merchants Capitulants at York Town in Virginia—for which purpose, he may either have permission to go with a flag into the City of N. York: or such Merchants aforesd as shall be specified by him may be suffered to come with a flag to the Post of...
131623To Thomas Jefferson from John Bankhead Magruder, 26 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Again I am constrained to trouble you on a subject concerning which I wrote you about the 12 th of December last. I shall be ordered to West Point on the first day of June next, and I wish to embrace the facilities, of acquiring knowledge, afforded by the University, in the intermediate time, and I am told by the Proctor, that I will be obliged to pay, for the four months, I remain there,...
131624To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 14 Dec. 1777. On 22 Dec. GW wrote the Board of War : “Your favor of the 14th Inst. I received on Saturday Evening.”
131625From George Washington to William Moultrie, 5 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of last month, and the seeds you had the goodness to send me by Mr Pinckney. The plants & trees which arrived at Norfolk, have reached Mount Vernon in pretty good order. My thanks and acknowledgements are due to you, my dear Sir, for the kind attention which you have paid to my wishes with respect to the seeds, plants &c. You must likewise accept...
131626From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 31 January 1796 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a letter from Jno. Bringhurst explaining a claim on you for about £17. Pa. Currency, and requesting me to advance it. Taking him to be an honest man in distress, I shall probably venture a compliance with his solicitation, if it should be found that he cannot wait for your orders. In the mean time you can inform me whether the acct. be accurately stated: but if so, you need not...
131627To James Madison from Daniel D. Tompkins, 7 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
The selection of Mr. Sanford as Senator in Congress, will create a vacancy in the office of the United States Attorney for this district. Mr. Robert Tillotson is a candidate for that office. He is a young gentleman of respectable character and standing and of much promise in his profession. His connexions are also of the first grade and influence in this state. He acquitted himself as army...
131628To John Adams from Francis Dana, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have no time to write you by this post. Your Son is in good health, but I fear he will not find an opportunity to leave this terrestial paradise before the first snows. Mr: Thaxter’s letter of the 21.7 and 31st. of Augt: has come to hand, but no tidings yet of the picture. Pray by whom did you send it? Nothing of importance stirring here. How goes on your negotiation for Peace? Do our...
131629Enclosure: John Rodgers to James Leander Cathcart and James Hutton, 6 August 1819, enclosure no. 4 in James Leander … (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the Navy have received your communication with a summary recapitulation of, & reference to a Journal deliver’d at the office of the honorable the Secretary of the Navy — The Commissioners of the Navy have derived much valuable information from the perusal of your summary—It is entirely satisfactory to them upon all the points of which it treats— Tr ( DLC: TJ Papers ,...
131630To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 18 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Roxbury 18 December 1775 . Recommends William Peck for adjutant of Col. Jedediah Huntington’s regiment. LS , DLC:GW . William Peck served as Huntington’s adjutant until 23 June 1776 when he became brigade major to Gen. Joseph Spencer. Peck was appointed one of Spencer’s aides-de-camp on 14 Aug. 1776, and on 17 July 1777 Congress named him adjutant general to the militia and state...
131631Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu, 28 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai reçu hier ausoir le lettre que vous m’avez faite l’honneur de m’ecrire le 27. Il me semble que dans la multitude des affaires qui vous occupent, vous avez oublié Monsieur, ceque j’ai eu l’honneur de vous mander le premier du Courant sur le paiement qui vient de s’effectuer à Amsterdam; puisque vous supposez que Monseur Short à agi par mon impulsion. Au contraire, Monsieur, dans tout cela...
131632Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 11 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In the hand of John Francis Mercer, except for the signatures of the four other delegates. Docketed, “Lr. from the Delegates in Congress—March 11th 1783.” Cover franked by Mercer and addressed by him to “His Excelly. Benjamin Harrison Esqr. Governor of Virginia.” The second paragraph of the letter explains why Harrison wrote on the cover, “The Treasurer B H.” Yr....
131633To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library The Brig Sally Capn. Worth arrived Yesterday from Rhodisland to my address and brings the inclosed Letters for Your Excy. which I take the earliest oppertunity of forwarding. She brings advise that the French Ship Segitaire with 10 Transports had arrived with troops who join’d the Count of Rochambeau’s Army— & no other Newse of consequence. I am ever...
131634To John Adams from Jeduthun Baldwin, 21 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Pleas to allow me the freedom of informing your Honour that in the year 1755 in August, I Received a Captains Commission in Col. Brown’ Regiment and marched with my Company by the Way of Dearfield, and Hoossock Fort, thro the woods to Fort Edward, and to Lake George. Soon after I got there I was employed in building Fort Wm. Henry, under the direction of Col. Ayres. In Decr., when the army...
131635To James Madison from Ebenezer Sage, 14 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
I trouble you with a few lines by desire of my friends at N. London. They have heard and appear to believe, that the late appointment of Genl. Cushing as Collector at that port, will not be confirmed, and that Elisha Tracy of Norwich; who now holds an office in the Quarter Master department, will be a candidate for the office. The most distant prospect of his success, creates among the...
131636To James Madison from Jacob Ridgway, 9 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Jacob Ridgway. 9 September 1805, Antwerp . “I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Letter of the 20th. May last relative to the ship Mac of Charleston and of a Packet [not found] containing my Commission to this Agency adressed to the Emperor of the French, which Commission I have Sent to our Minister at Paris to be presented to this Government in order to obtain the necessary...
1316371767 April 8th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mounted my Horse in a very Rainy Morning for Barnstable leaving my Dear Brother Cranch and his family at my House where they arrived last Night, and my Wife, all designing for Weymouth this Afternoon to Keep the fast with my father Smith and my Friend Tufts.— Arrived at Dr. Tufts’s, where I found a fine Wild Goose on the Spit and Cramberries stewing in the Skillet for Dinner. Tufts as soon as...
131638Ameloo, Willemsen and the Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society De jour en jour nous nous sommes flattés de recevoir reponce à la notre du 20 Novembre dernier, et nous ne savons à quoi attribuer ce Silence. Apres votre lettre satisfaisante nous n’avons pas hesités un seul moment de confier nos interets dans vos mains. Nous vous avons parlés sans le moindre deguisement, et nous vous repetons sur tout ce qu’il y a de plus...
131639Samuel Greenhow to Thomas Jefferson, 11 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very unwilling to be considered as impertinent, and have therefore hesitated, before I determined, that, I might, without impertinence, inclose to you a Copy of the Address & Constitution of an Association in Virginia , for the distribution of Bibles gratuitously, to those who are not able to purchase them.—Conscious of the purity of my motive, I have discarded the doubts which at first...
131640[Travel Expenses, September 1777.] (Adams Papers)
pd. at Quaker Town 2 1/2 dollars. pd. at Johnsons at Bethlehem 8 dollars at Hartmans Reading 4 dollars at Parkers £4:18s:6d P.C. Fragmentary record of expenses, written on the last leaf of D/JA/28, during JA ’s journey from Philadelphia to Lancaster via Trenton, Easton, Bethlehem, and Reading. Congress sat in Lancaster for only one day, 27 Sept., adjourning on that day to meet at York on the...
131641From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 16 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 13. is this moment put into my hands. I will be obliged to you to send the box (which was to have gone by La Croix) by the Le Couteulx to Norfolk. I have no correspondent in Norfolk, and will therefore beg the favor of you to address it to yours at that place, with a request that he will forward it to a Colo. Richard Cary near Hampton (to whom, if I recollect rightly, it is...
131642[Diary entry: 28 September 1771] (Washington Papers)
28. Dined at Mr. Bouchers and went from thence to the Play and afterwards to the Coffee Ho[use].
131643To Thomas Jefferson from James B. Richardson, 1 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith transmit you at the request of the Legislature of South Carolina, their ratification of the Amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States respecting the Election of President and Vice President. I have the honor to be with high consideration and respect, Your most obedient FC ( ScU ); at foot of text: “To The President of the United States Washington.”...
131644From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 27 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
It is represented to me, from a very respectable source in Kentucky, that Messrs. Ward & Taylor, (army Contractors) are men of real patriotism & integrity, that their services have been particularly critical & meritorious, and that they are threatened with absolute ruin, in consequence of their pecuniary exertions, unless they can be immediately aided by anticipations of what will be due to...
131645To George Washington from Meshech Weare, 25 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honord with the Receipt of your favor of the 23d Ulto Recommending to Compleat our Qota of Recruits, so as to make up at least two Regiments of 500 men each. I laid your Excellencys letter before the Assembly as Soon as they met, which was on the 12th Instant, who taking the Same under Consideration, Desired me to Inform you, that it is the Sense of the Assembly to comply with your...
131646Memorandum, 24 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
From thence I proceeded to Fort Dinwiddie, on Jackson’s River; where I found it necessary to give the following Directions. LB , DLC:GW . GW to Peter Hog, 24 Sept. 1755 .
131647To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 April 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits continuation of Leiden Gazette . Reports local belief that relations between Great Britain and northern powers will be adjusted in a short time, though expectations of general peace are not as strong. In postscript, announces news of death of Czar Paul of Russia; succeeded by Alexander I. Reports rumor that British fleet was repulsed in attack on Copenhagen...
131648To Thomas Jefferson from Katherine Sprowle Douglas, 21 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 21 June 1785 . She had sent to TJ by Dr. John Witherspoon, when he was there, a memorial and copies of the correspondence between the Committee of Safety and Andrew Sprowle of Gosport, Virginia, “your once worthyly Esteemd freind …, who you well know fell a martyar to Tyranny and oppression.” Not having heard from TJ and, learning he is in Paris, she encloses other copies. Asks if he...
131649To James Madison from William Willis, 1 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have at length terminated my business and met with a passage to France as the nearest place to Barcelona and hope to be there in 40 days. I should have solicited a passage in the Frigate now here had I not feard a long quarantine. I am inform’d (indirectly) that one of the Mr Montgomerys of Alicant were about to apply for the consulate of Barcelona, and from this I am led to conjecture the...
131650From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
The Galen, Capt Tracy, is ready to sail, and by her I write you a few lines altho much in haste. to say that we are all well, and preparing your sons; to send to you, in the crew packet. Captain Branson for Liverpool; he is from Hingham, and well known by the Children, which renders it much more agreable to them, than going with a Stranger. I hoped to have heard from you again, before we sent...