131651From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 11 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Stevens of New York has shipped from thence to your address two quarter casks of Sicilian Madeira. one of these is for myself: the other for Nathaniel Gordon of Orange. should he call for one therefore be so good as to deliver it to his order. should he not call for it before an opportunity occurs of sending them to Milton, let them go there. I omitted to desire Genl. Stevens to have...
131652To Thomas Jefferson from Jonas Gleason, 8 August 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have ben informed that their is a Coledge abuilding in Virginia and that you are one of the Directors and Expect that you will want a Cookery for the same sharefoved have taken the Liberty to Sende you one My Circulors to Show you my ocupation and Suitable references the one put up at our hospital is No. 9 of Simuler Construction of No 7 on plate is 6 feet 8 inches long in the casting and...
131653To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 20–21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
jai lhonneur de vous presenter mes observations sur boston. je les aurois envoyé plus tot s’il ne m’avoit fallu attendre six ou sept jours quèlles fussent traduîtes esperant d’ailleurs les avoir à tout moment. enfin on ne me les à Rendu qu’avant hyer et je suis party le lendemain C’est a dire hyer en prenant Congè du general heath j’ai appris que 10 Regiments anglois s’etoient embarqués a...
131654To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having had the honor of writing to you very fully by the Ship Delaware, Capt. Truxon (by whom I sent the watch for Mrs Washington) —and a few days ago by the Ship Peggy of George Town, I shall at present take up no more of your precious time than to inform you that I have put on board the latter ship 5000 white thorn plants for you—and a packet containing Reports made to the Board of...
131655To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Elliot, 30 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
When I address you as the President of a great and independent Republic, I am impressed with diffidence & awe; but when I recognize you, as the mild and philanthropic Jefferson —when I behold you as the author of several valuable literary productions, and the uniform admirer and friend of Science, and all useful & entertaining lucubrations, my Diffidence, in some measure vanishes, and, clothed...
131656From John Adams to J. H. Tiffany, 1 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
you are engaged in an inquiry which I think the most important—which can occupy the human mind next to the first Philosophy— I wish I could attend you to the end of your Career but as age forbids it—I can only furnish you with such feeble helps as were the productions of former years I have sent you the first Volume of the “the Defence & which I again pray you to return—as I cannot replace it—...
131657[Diary entry: 1 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
February 1. Mer. at . Brisk southerly Wind all day & towards Noon lowering with appearances of rain. Mer. 44 at Night.
131658To George Washington from Samuel A. Otis, 12 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to state a few facts relative to the Impost for the District of Barnstable for your consideration. First. the District, comprehending all the towns in the County except one, is sixty miles in length and wholly maritime, abounding in harbours and inlets on all sides, and requires the constant vigilance of the Collector; For in no district can smuggling be effected with more facility....
131659From George Washington to Elizabeth Powel, 31 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents respectful compliments to Mrs Powell. The afternoons being short, it is proposed, to set off for Mr Pen’s precisely at 4 Oclock; for this purpose the Generals horses & Servts will be at Mr Powells a quarter before that hour; & the General will be ready for Mr Powells call at it. AL , ViMtvL . On Friday, 31 Aug., after dining at Robert Morris’s, GW “with a Party went to...
131660From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I return the letter from Mr. Skinner to Genl. Mason, which merits attention as a circumstancial corroboration of other indications. I return also the letter from S. Kingston with the blank copy of the new licences. It is truly mortifying that an enemy depending on us for the necessaries of life should be permitted thus to regulate our whole trade as effectually by orders of the Cabinet as it...
131661To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 1 May 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your favor of the 17 Apl. covering two Extracts one from your notes, the other from mine. The latter corresponds with the recollection which myself, and other members had expressed; and the former with that of Majr. Butler, and with the Journals of the Senate. The Report of the Committee to which you refer, can not be found, tho’ Mr. B. says he knows one was made. This enquiry has been...
131662From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 January 1805 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of Decr. 24. was received in the regular course of the Mail and in good order. It refreshes me to See that you write in good Spirits. Your Family and private Friends must console you, under all your humiliations in public Life. For fifteen years, i.e from the year 1760 to 1775 I was in the Valley, the dark Valley of Grief Gloom and disappointment; Unalterably devoted to Principles...
131663The Commissioners to Sartine, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Basmarine, Raimbeaux and Co. having represented to Us, that they have applied to Government for a Frigate, to be employed in Defence of their Commerce to and from America, and in making Reprisals for the Losses they have lately Sustained by our Enemies. We the Commissioners of the united States of North America, hereby request, that Such a Frigate may be granted them: and in that Case,...
131664To Thomas Jefferson from Lambert, 10 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai Reçeu avec un Plaisir infini La Lettre que vous m’avés fait L’honneur de m’ecrire Le 6. 7bre. Dernier et qui m’est heureusement parvenue depuis une quinzaine de jours. J’étois fort desireux de sçavoir de vos Nouvelles, j’en avois demandé depuis peu à Mr. De Moustier, ambassadeur en Prusse. Je les attendois avec impatience quand Votre Lettre arrivée m’a paru un present du Ciel. Avec quel...
131665[Diary entry: 25 December 1771] (Washington Papers)
25. Went to Pohick Church with Mrs. Washington and returnd to Dinner.
131666To George Washington from Edward Hand, 18 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
When Congress influenced by your Excys recommendation honored me with the appointment of Adjutant General, I undertook the duties of that important Office with Cheerfulness, nor did I deem it in the least necessary to stipulate for any recompense for the extraordinary fatigues and expences unavoidably attendant on it: having the most perfect Reliance that such emoluments as have been customary...
131667Abigail Adams to John Adams, 11 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
You I presume are so much occupied and fatigued with the duties of your station that you can get but little leisure to write, for of late I have received only a few lines at a Time from you; I hope we may not be driven into a War but the present & past conduct of Great Brittain has been such that want of power and ability, are our greatest Security to ourselves and not the Humane Principal of...
131668From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 11 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night a letter from the Mr. Fitzhughs informing me that the delay of their departure occasioned them to be in want of money. If you will be so good as to furnish them with four hundred livres I will repay it to your bill on me on sight. Be pleased to mention in the bill that it is for so much paid to them by my order. I pray of you the further trouble of delivering them the...
131669To Alexander Hamilton from John McComb, Junior, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ May 23, 1791. On June 8, 1791, Hamilton wrote to McComb and referred to “your letter of the 23rd of May.” Letter not found. ]
131670Archibald Stuart to Thomas Jefferson, 30 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge with many thanks The rec t of a fine looking Merino Ram by your servant and I am really ashamed of myself for not having saved you the Trouble of sending him—He will be a Valuable acquisition to me & my neighbours— The peas you were so good as to send us are a great rarity, we shall have none of our own for a fortnight to come— The Legislature I presume in directing The...
131671General Orders, 23 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Irvine[,] Lieutenant Colonel Commandant smith[,] Lieutenant Colonel Mentgez[,] Major Maxwell[,] Brigade Major Van Laër The Corps of Light Infantry will remove from its present encampment and take Post on the most convenient ground to the Cranetown gap and the notch for the more effectual security of our right. General St Clair will take care...
131672From Alexander Hamilton to Jedidiah Morse, [4 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
You will confer a favour upon me by permitting me to render you the little service which may be in my power on the present occasion & without compensation. Be assured it will give real pleasure & let that be my recompence. Mr. Kent & I have conferred on your affair. It is necessary for us to see the book in question in order to a safe opinion. Can one be had? With respect & esteem Sir Your...
131673To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 5 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I forward to you copies of five notes which I have had occasion to write (since the date of my last dispatch) to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Marine, in relation to certain abuses which have been practised by functionaries of France against our Commerce &c. To neither of those Notes have I yet received an answer. With very high Consideration, Sir, I am Your Most obedient & very humble...
131674From Thomas Jefferson to David Ross, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being called on for Swords for General Spotswood’s two Legions, and for our Cavalry on Continental establishment, to be procured immediately, You will be so good as to order five hundred to be made at Mr. Hunters. General Spotswood I suppose will chuse to direct the form of those to be made for his Legions. The Residue we would be glad to have made on a model which will be lodged with Mr....
131675Jonathan Williams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not deny myself showing you another Instance of the usefulness of the thermometer in navigation : When science comes in aid of humanity it must be particularly pleasing to you.— Having this occasion to write to you, I will take the liberty of intimating that a kind, although monitory Letter might be of service to young Randolph . He is a very fine youth, of very good natural talents, &...
131676From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 20th with its several inclosures—Congress will be pleased to accept my acknowledgements for the communication of the treaties between his Most Christian Majesty and the United States—The resolve respecting the exchange of Prisoners has been transmitted to Sir Harry Clinton, and I have appointed commissioners if he thinks proper to meet his at...
131677From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have gained information, thro’ the Channel upon which I most depend, that the embarkation which sailed from New York the 20th of last month, consisted of about sixteen hundred Men, chiefly detachments from the British—German and new Corps. I hear of no intire Corps but the Queens Rangers. Arnold commands. We have various reports, thro’ the New York papers and our own, of an...
131678From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter from General Wayne to you, of the 10th of March, I have perused. The Contractors who supplied the articles of Hats & Shoes to the Army, which he complains of, or the person who inspected them—or both, ought to be called to a severe account for such abuse of public confidence. The ideas communicated in the above letter, relatively to long & short Coats are not, I conceive, bad....
131679To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 15 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have continued to read your defence of the American states and admire the intelligence sagacity & firmness contained in it. at first it appeared to me that where there was no distinction of rank in the people there was no necessity of a balance. but you have proved your point most satisfactorily & the impractability of one general assembly. all that remains is to secure that balance...
131680Enclosure: Troop Quotas, 15 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
By the Act “To augment the Army of the United States, & for other purposes.” Twelve Regiments of Infantry, and six Troops of Light Dragoons, are to be added to the present force—By the Establishment of them, the first will consist of 7680 Rank & File, and the 2d of 354. If four Regiments of the former, and all the latter, are to be raised in the States South of the Potomack, the quota of each...
131681From John Jay to Silas Deane, 10 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of rec g yours of the 23 d Ult o . Much Time has elapsed since the Date of my last Letter advising you of the arrival of the Papers about which you enquire. It is true that I have in the Interim rec d . several long and acceptable Letters from you, and that I have not replied to any of them. I do not wonder that you thought my Silence very singular; I should have...
131682From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will receive herewith sixty thousand Dollars for the use of the recruiting Service in Your State, which I desire you will distribute among the Officers in proportion to their wants. I desire you will not appropriate any part of this money to the reimbursement of the sum advanced to Colo. Sheldon, as I every day expect an order from Congress, which will enable me to give you a draught for...
131683Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 20 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidts commd T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secy of War the letters & enclosures from Govr Blount and to inform the Secy, that the Presidt conceivg the information contained therein to be highly interesting to the U.S. requests the Se[c]y to take them into serious consideratn & report to him thereon as early as may be—and at the same time to report on the letters from...
131684To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 14 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A Committee from the Directors of the Bank of the United States have represented to me, as Director of the Mint, that, in order to prevent, as much as possible, the exportation of Spanish dollars, so injurious to the general interest of the country; it is their wish, as well as perhaps that of most of the other Banks in the United States, to send this species of money, of which there are now...
131685To George Washington from Emmanuel Joseph Desnoyers, 12 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
One knows not which to admire most—the wisdom of the United States in trusting to you the administration of their affairs—or the generous sacrifice which you have made of your prevailing taste for private life, in accepting the Presidency. I seize with heartfelt pleasure, this opportunity of paying you that Homage which is due to you from mankind; and to beseech your Excellency to take into...
131686From James Madison to John Francis Mercer, ca. 21 January 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 21 January 1786 . Acknowledged by Mercer in his letter to JM, 28 March 1786 . It apparently contained a commentary on the October 1785 session of the House of Delegates.
131687To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President returns to the Secretary of State, with his approbation, the Answer to Mr. Hammond’s Memorial—and the letter to M. Morris which have been submitted to him—and hopes the documents mentioned to be sent to Mr. Morris will be as full as they can be with propriety. The President also suggests the expediency of sending copies of the same to Mr. Pinckney by Majr. Jackson, or some other...
131688To James Madison from John Gavino, 15 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 November 1803, Gibraltar. No. 136. Refers to his last letter, no. 135, which enclosed a copy of a 14 Sept. 1803 letter from O’Brien. Lear left for Algiers on 13 Nov. in the Constitution , accompanied by the Nautilus . The Argus sailed the same day for Leghorn with two ships under convoy. On 14 Nov. the Enterprize , Capt. [Stephen] Decatur, sailed for Syracuse “with the Victualler ship...
131689From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London 1817–18), II , 387–88. I received your favour of the 26th past by Mr. Young, and am indebted to you for some preceding. I do not know why the good work of peace goes on so slowly on your side. Some have imagined that your ministers since Rodney’s success are desirous of...
131690From John Adams to James Lloyd, 17 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have never known in any Country the Prejudice in favour of Birth Parentage and Descent more conspicuous than in the Instance of Colonel Burr, That Gentleman was connected by blood with many respectable Families in New England: he was the Son of one President and the grandson of another President of Nassau Hall or Princeton University, the Idol of all the Presbyterians in New York, New...
131691[Diary entry: 8 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday—8th. Dined—drank Tea and spent the Evening at home.
131692From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 9 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of April 23. with those of the 25th. from the girls. The object of the present is merely to acknowledge their receipt and to inclose you the newspapers; an attack of the periodical head-ach, which came on me about a week ago rendering me unable as yet either to write or read without great pain. It has been abating for some days, and has been so slight to-day...
131693To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 13 [September] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aimerois bien mieux prendre le thé avéc vous les mercredis et les samedis, et vous dire que je vous aime mon chér papa, que d’éstre reduitte a vous l’écrire; la maniére dont on dit qu’on aime; le ton qu’on y mest; un regard; éxpriment si bien et si viste-écrire tout cela, c’est difficil, c’est impossible! Cependant je n’ai que la ressource de l’écriture...
131694[Diary entry: 15 August 1772] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear and Warm with the Wind fresh from the Southward.
131695From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I apprised you in my former letter of the causes which had so long delayed my departure. These still continue. I have this moment received a printed copy of his Britannic majesty’s speech to his parliament by which we learn that preliminaries between America and Great Britain, among which is one for the acknolegement of our independance, have been provisionally agreed on to his part, that the...
131696General Orders, 16 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The General is extremely concerned to learn that an Article so salutary as that of distilled Liquors was expected to be when properly used, and which was designed for the comfort and refreshment of the troops has been in many instances productive of very ill consequences—He calls the attention of officers of every grade to remedy these abuses and to watch over the health of their men, for...
131697From George Washington to William Denning, 5 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
General Bailey who will deliver this has some accounts against the United States which he wishes to have early settled. & which he thinks are lodged in your Hands for that purpose. This Gentleman has performed, to my knowledge, several beneficial Services for the U. States, for which he deserves a just & reasonable Reward—should his Accounts come under your Direction, I wish you to give him...
131698Thomas Jefferson to William W. Hening, 15 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee of Congress , on the purchase of my library having chosen to take it as stated in the Catalogue, I was not at liberty to retain a single volume. consequently those of your collection of the laws, which you had been so kind as to send me, all went. I have therefore to ask the favor of you to send me a compleat collection of all the volumes you have published, and to have the bill...
131699To James Madison from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 26 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Last Vessels have brought me nothing from you, Unless some miscarriage has taken place which I would not Wonder at, But I have received two Letters from our respected President, and as I have by this Opportunity aknowledged them, I will not repeat what he will, no doubt Communicate. The State of Public affairs You will find fully explained in your official Dispatches, Nor do I Know at this...
131700To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemy are advancing rapidly—one Column now near Lewis’s Mill, the others on the Bordentown Road—we killed 6, or 7, Horsemen at the former place. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s most Ob. St P.S. an Express from Genl Cadwalader just arrived, requestg a supply of ammunition—shall forward one of those waggons, that was sent me. ALS , DLC:GW . A British brigade order book recorded...