131881To Benjamin Franklin from Gourlade & Moylan, 14 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will have received advice by the last post of Cap: Jones’s arrival in the Alliance the 10th. inst.— We woud have had the pleasure of giving you that agreeable intelligence sooner, had we not gon down to Groix, (where that Vessel yet remains wind bound) on the notice Cap: Jones gave us of his being much indisposed, but from wch we are happy to tell you,...
131882III. French Projet Based on the Convention of 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
PROJET de Convention entre le Roi Très Chretien et les États-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, a l’effet de déterminer et fixer les Fonctions et prérogatives des Consuls, Vice Consuls et Agens respectifs. Le Roy Très Chretien et les Treize Etats de l’Amerique Septentrionale s’etant accordés mutuellement par l’Art. XXIX du Traité d’amitié et de Commerce conclu entre eux, la Faculté de tenir...
131883From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your proposition of yesterday has some good phases and merits consideration. I have only seen mr Madison as yet; who objects to it. another proposition which may be considered is the continuing the suspension of the present law, by an act of Congress, till the last day of the session. Affecte. salutations what is good in this case cannot be effected. we have therefore only to find out what...
131884From Thomas Jefferson to William Barnwell, 26 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 17. was not recieved till May 31. Congress had already, at the preceding session, annexed the office of Surveyor general for the territory of Orleans to that before established for the Missisipi territory, not deviating from the plan of a simple division into a Northern & Southern department only. they had authorized a survey of the seacoast West of the mouth of Misipi; but...
131885From John Jay to Robert L. Livingston, [11 May 1794] (Jay Papers)
The ch. Justice of the U.S. presents his Compliments to the chancellor of the State. It is now late of night, and want of Time imposes Brevity. He assures the chancellor that while he regrets what is, he will always remember with pleasure what has been their relative Situation to each other. Time here or hereafter will correct Errors. He thanks him for the kind wishes expressed in his Note;...
131886To Thomas Jefferson from Sarsfield, 22 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vous prie, Monsieur, D’avoir la bonté de faire passer cette lettre a M. Adams que la Gazette m’a appris Etre actuellement a La Haie avec une destination pour L’Espagne. Il faut que les ordres qu’il a recus aient ete bien pressans car Sa lettre alaquelle Je repons n’a pas plus de Six semaines de datte: Je souhaite qu’il retourne en angleterre, car Je n’irai Surement pas le Chercher a Madrid....
131887[May 1783] (Adams Papers)
Diné à Rotterdam chés Mr. Van Berkel ancien bourguemaitre de la ville, et presentement ministre Plenipotentiaire de L. L. H. H. P. P. auprés du Congrés. JQA means L.H.P., Les Hautes Puissances, or Their High Mightinesses, the name given to the Dutch States General as a body ( Guthrie, Geographical Grammar William Guthrie, A New Geographical, Historical, and Commercial Grammar; And Present...
131888To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 27 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the President the draught of a nomination; and begs leave to suggest to him, whether it may not be adviseable to shew it to Colo. H., who will be with the President to morrow morning. E.R. has conversed with several gentlemen, who are of the same politics, with the person contemplated as the successor. Upon the whole, they think, that his appointment...
131889Enclosure: [Summary Statement of Monies Received into the Treasury of the United States], [26 December 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
A Summary Statement of Monies Received into the Treasury of the United States, in the Year 1793. For Duties on Merchandise and Tonnage. From the Collectors of the Customs, agreeably to the preceding statement of the said duties. On warrants passed to the credit of the respective collectors in the year 1792, which are included in the treasurer’s accounts for the year 1793, 44,905.96 On warrants...
131890From John Adams to David Sewall, 30 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind favour of the 26th: Happy Man! profound Philosopher! Pious Christian! I congratulate you with all my heart. I read and hear read a great deal too much Not upon Prophicies immidiately, for I have read and heard so much of them heretofore and have found the Prophets for 1500 indeed for 1800 years so uniformly out in their calculations that I have long since concluded...
131891To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 8 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Pinckney, my Daughter Eliza & myself arrived in good health in this City without having met with any accident since we had the pleasure of seeing you, and return Mrs Washington & yourself our best thanks for the kindness we received from you at Mount Vernon. On Wednesday next I shall set out with Brigr Genl Washington for Georgia to settle the Army arrangements & to reconnoitre the sea...
131892To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 31 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
31 March 1805, New Orleans . “I enclose you Mr. Walsh’s Pastoral Letter. The City Council having heard that this production was in the Press, requested and obtained from the Printer the Manuscript Copy: After a perusal, the Council being apprehensive that its publicity would divide and inflame the Public mind, instructed the Mayor to use his best endeavours to have it suppressed. Efforts to...
131893To Thomas Jefferson from George Hunter, 2 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
If the Government of the United States has a desire to explore the new acquisition of Territory called Louisiana, In order to procure general & necessary information preveous to a Treaty to fix Boundaries between us & the Dominions of Spain. To ascertain the situation of, & circumstances relative to, those large bodies of good Land which shall appear best calculated to reimburse the purchase...
131894From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 10 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your two last letters of March 10th and 23d, came safe to hand. They gave me great pleasure, not only from learning by them that you enjoyed good health, but your spirits were more animated from your little excursions from home, and from your prospects with respect to your family. I most sincerely rejoice in any event which looks like prosperity. Your trials have been many and various. You...
131895To Thomas Jefferson from Rachel Cunningham, 12 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Will Your Excellency pardon me, for venturing to address a few lines to you in this, way & my case, which you will see represented in a Petition to Congress, is an hard one (I drew up the Petition myself, not being able to afford to pay an Attorney to do it more properly) I hope for the Interest of your Excellency in this affair; as far as is consistent with your Duty, in other respects—Many...
131896To George Washington from William Moultrie, 7 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 14th June last, with Mr Hughes’s letter inclosed. I must beg leave to apologize for the trouble I have given you in this business of ours. Your Excellency’s obliging offer to forward a letter to Mr Brindley has induced me to give you this further trouble, by inclosing you a letter for him. I have the Honor to be Dear Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Humble...
131897To George Washington from Jacob Bayley, 19 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
last night a man who I can depend upon Returnd from St Johns in five Days he was a week at that place he was Eight Days Since at Isle Au noix and Say he Saw two thousand men Imbark at St Johns and proceed up the lake and when at the Island found them Incampted thier that the whole on the Island was between three and four thousand there Destination was not publick but Supposed to Take...
131898From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Mifflin, 16 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives My Letter by Mr Jay acquainted your Excellency that the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty were exchanged. A Copy of the British Part was also sent by him. Mr Hartley remained here expecting Instructions to treat with us on the Subject of Commerce. The Bustle attending a new Election & Meeting of Parliament he imagined might...
131899From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 October 1803, Department of State . Offered for sale in the Parke-Bernet Catalogue No. 19 (23 March 1938), item 311. Described as a three-page letter that discusses “the commercial clauses in the treaty with England made in 1794 which were to terminate in 1806” and that “comments on the advantages and disadvantages of the treaty, especially in the East Indies.”
131900To James Madison from William Thornton, 1 March 1824 (Madison Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter Mr. John Finch, is the Grandson of Dr: Priestley, who comes recommended to me in the highest manner. He is travelling merely to view the Country, & is not only very desirous of seeing our great mountain’s & Rivers, but our great men, & of course you & Mr: Jefferson. Mr: Finch has given Lectures on Geology, and has visited New York & Philada. Your Country will furnish...
131901[Diary entry: 18 September 1771] (Washington Papers)
18. Clear but cool, very cold wind fresh from the No. West.
131902To James Madison from Thomas Mendenhall, 2 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having been informed that a Treaty, or Commercial arrangement, will in all probability take place between the United States and the new Government of Brazils, whereby the appointment of Consul to reside at the principal Seat of Commerce may be rendered necessary; I beg leave in that event to offer myself a Candidate for the office. I take the liberty of enclosing a Letter from Coll. Geo. M....
131903William Short to Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 17 th ul to will have informed you of the very great pleasure which yours of the 10 th gave me, & the relief which I recieved from it at the moment, on account of the anxiety under which I was as to your health. I feel now that I have need of a repetition of this anodyne—for since your letter of the 10 th of Nov r now more than a month, I have not heard of the progress of your...
131904[Diary entry: 12 May 1769] (Washington Papers)
12. Dined with Mr. Wythe and Supped at Hays. George Wythe, now clerk of the House of Burgesses and a prominent Williamsburg lawyer, lived in a brick mansion on the Palace green.
131905To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive of New Jersey in consequence of authority vested in them by the Legislature for that purpose by an Act of the 27th. Ulto. established the rate of exchange between the old Continental currency and the bills issued pursuant to the Act of Congress of the 18th. of March 1780. to be 150 for 1. The speculation arising from this measure to the prejudice of this State with the other...
131906Peter Carr to Thomas Jefferson, 7 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I left Monticello , I have spoken to two of the gentlemen, counted on, to aid us in Duane’s affair. M r Divers says he is averse to it on principle, and Bramham seems entirely unwilling to indorse for us at Bank. Indeed, he evaded the promise even to give any thing. These things are disheartening; and I begin to fear we may fall through, especially as I shall not have an opportunity, of...
131907To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
every private intelligence from long island, and also the letter from General howe and the officer on the lines do Agree with the Note I have Receiv’d from C[o]l[on]el hamilton, and are all positive upon it that General clinton With a Great part of his Army is Coming to Attak the french troops. in Consequence of this Count de Rochambeau is fortifying Both islands and Making preparations of...
131908To George Washington from Matthias Ogden, 4 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Lewis Costigin formerly a Lieutenant in the Jersey Line Most respectfully Sheweth, That your Memorialist was taken Prisoner by the Enemy in the Month of January 1777 and continued in Captivity untill the 17th of Sepr 1778. That your Memoralist was prevailed upon by the Solicitations of Major General Lord Sterling & Colonel Ogden To Stay in the City of New York after his...
131909To James Madison from Joseph Pitcairn, 21 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you the list of American Vessels arriv’d in this port, between the 1rst. of January & 30th. of June inclusive. The delay necessary to know the destination of the last commerce, is the cause why this document has not been forwarded sooner. I hope otherwise it will be found sattisfactory & compleat. I have the honour to be Sir Your very obdt. Servt. The preceding is...
131910To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 2 Oct. 1778. GW wrote John Augustine Washington on 26 Nov. : “Your Letter of the 2d of last Month—though long on its passage—came safe to hand.”
131911From Alexander Hamilton to John Stockton, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter with the inclosed contr copy of a contract has reached me with true consideration I am Sir Your ob Ser (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
131912Editorial Note: Proposals for Funding the Foreign Debt (Jefferson Papers)
The documents here presented are a part of the neglected story of Jefferson’s insistent appeals made from 1786 on to the secretary for foreign affairs, to the commissioners of the treasury, to members of Congress, and to leading public figures in America in the hope of buttressing national credit abroad by consolidating and funding the foreign debt (see TJ to Jay, 26 Sep . and 12 Nov. 1786 , 1...
131913Memorandum List of Tithables and Taxable Land and Property, 15 June 1767 (Washington Papers)
A List of Tithables in Truro Parish—Fairfax County—Also of Wheel Carriages—given in June 15th 1767. George Washington Lund Washington, Walter Magowan, Wm Skilling, Thoms Davis. Ho. Servants: Breechy, Julius, Harry, Schomberg, Frank, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sall, Phillis, Kate, Winney, Sarah, Giles. Home Plantn: Joe, Jack, Ben, Jack, Lewis, Sarah, Jenny. Tradesmen: Will, Michael, Davy,...
131914To George Washington from Henry Knox, 15 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you my dear Sir for your kind favor of the 3d instant which I received yesterday. I beg leave to make an observation once for all which is, that you would not consider yourself as under obligation to answer any of my letters, (unless I should particularly request the favor) untill you should find sufficient leisure and inclination for the purpose. It would pain me exceedingly were I in...
131915From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 7 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
The public letters which you will receive by this conveyance acknowledge all the letters recd. from you since the date of those last written to you, except your correspondence with Mr. Monroe. This I have thought proper to acknowledge in a private letter because I have not placed it on the files of the Office. You left me free to consider the Letters which passed between you as private, and I...
131916To Thomas Jefferson from Anonymous, [before 10 September 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
As the Writer wishes the following to meet your attention only in proportion to their merit they are submited to your consideration without comment— first Melitia— Every man ought to serve under penalty of paying fine in proportion to his Riches.—He that owns 100000 is more indebted to Society for protection than he who owns 100—each man ought to be considered as a Capital of $4000— at 5 ⅌...
131917Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 December 1788 (Adams Papers)
It was not untill yesterday that I received your Letter & mrs Cranchs. mr mccomick came up & brought them both to my no small satisfaction, and this was the first that I had heard from Home since I left it, except by the News papers which I have engaged George Storer to forward to me. I have written to you every week since I left you, and Subjected you to more postage than my Letters are...
131918Presidential Proclamation, 31 August 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 August 1810, Montpelier, Virginia. Instructs customs collectors, under section 61 of “‘An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage,’ passed 2d day of March, 1799,” to establish the value of the ruble at 33⅓ cents in levying duties on imports from Russia and its dominions. Printed circular (reproduced in Papers of Gallatin [microfilm ed.], reel 21). Printed with...
131919To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fay, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had this day the honor of your letter of the 27th. Ulto. in which you lay me under too much obligation by your friendly apology for not shewing me that attention which you really meant while I was in Phila. Be assured sir, that I was so far from entertaining a thought of any Neglect on your part, that I felt as tho I had committed an error in not paying that attention to you which I...
131920To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 15 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor to write you the Twentieth of last Month requesting a passport for my Brig the York Town which I flatterd myself to receive in Course and delay’d writing you the two posts past in hopes of its coming to hand. Apprehending my Letter may have got mislaid I request the favor that you will please to order the said passport or such other...
131921From James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 22 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York Public Library). Docketed by Pendleton, “James Madison jr. Octr. 22d. 1782.” The address of your favor of the 14th. instant to me coincides with the order which Mr. Jones & myself had settled. It would have been the more inconvenient too for him to have had his turn this week, as the dregs of his late indisposition are working themselves off to his no small disturbance. His lady...
131922To George Washington from Frederick Frelinghuysen, 7 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the Militia, of the County of Somerset, beg leave to embrace the earliest opportunity, after their first General Muster since your Excellency’s Arrival in this State, to approach your Excellency with their most sincere Congratulations on the glorious Conclusion of the American Contest for Liberty & Independence, & on the happy Restoration of Peace to our late distressed...
131923To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 2 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Sudden resolution of Congress Respecting the New Regiments was to me very unexpected, for I had Calculated on their Continuance until our affairs with France would have been finally Settled. I had also indulged my Self with a pleasing hope that Some of the New Corps would have been grafted on the old Establishment, and that our army would have been sufficiently Respectable as to have had...
131924[Diary entry: 23 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
23. Dined at Mr. Patrick Cootes & lodgd where I had done the Night before. At this day’s session Patrick Henry proposed resolutions “that this Colony be immediately put into a posture of Defence.” After much debate, in the course of which Henry gave his “liberty or death” speech, the resolutions passed by a close vote. GW was appointed to a committee to “prepare a Plan for embodying, arming...
131925From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Barrett, 24 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of Mar. 6.—Were the appointment of a Consul at Rouen to depend on me, there is assuredly no one who would have so just a claim to it as yourself. But it will rest with the President. In my letter to Mr. Jay on the subject of the Consulships I have ventured to suggest some ideas on the subject, and tho’ I did not at the time know that you would settle at Rouen,...
131926[Diary entry: 20 January 1771] (Washington Papers)
20. Went to Pohick Church with Mrs. Washington and returnd to Dinr. Mr. Ball dined here.
131927I. Thomas Jefferson to William Temple Franklin, 20 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
We are now about making up our minds as to the presents which it would be proper for us to give to diplomatic characters which take leave of us. For this purpose it is important to know what are given by other nations. Not foreseeing that I might ever have any thing to do with the decision of such a question, I did not inform myself of the usage even in the court with which I resided. Perhaps...
131928To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 7 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to inform yo u that this morning an American Vessel from the Streights came into this Roads, but did not anchor She was boarded from the British Guard Ship, the Officer of which reported t hat the Captain had informed him that the Emperor of Morroca had declared War against t he United States of America & that he had to uched at this Port merely to land a Letter for t he...
131929To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Taylor, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The German Troops arrived here the 5th. instant, The Brunswick Regiments are for the present quartered in this town, but are rather too much crowded unless they should be removed soon. Their number (including officers) is 934. The Hesse Hanau Regiment, near 300. are sent to the Town of Bath, with part of the Guards. The purchasers of Provision and Forage inform me those articles have risen...
131930To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are much in want of a number of raw hides, to exchange for leather, to repair the Harness of the Army, and for many other uses in the Department. Will your Excellency favor me with an order on the Commisary of Hides for a couple of hundred for these purposes? We have neither Money to buy with, nor leather to go on with the business. Had we money to purchase with, we could exchange the Hides...