133261To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg: Another Morals of Chess, [c. 3 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Autre Moralité des Echecs. Le jeu des Echecs est moins un amusement qu’une vaine occupation, une frivolité penible, qui n’exerce point le corps, qui fatigue l’esprit au lieu de le recréer, qui desseche et endurcit l’ame. Ce n’est ni un jeu de societé, ni un lien d’amitié; c’est le simulacre de la guerre, de ce jeu cruel auquel la necessité seule peut...
133262Thomas Jefferson to James Baker, 29 April 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 23 d , informing me of the deposit of Dum-fish with mr Gibson which I shall direct the first boat from this place to call for; & I shall be glad to recieve by the same conveyance 4. kegs of tongues & sounds, such as the one you sent me some time ago, to be lodged also with mr Gibson who will pay this in addition to the amount of the fish. I thank you for...
133263From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 10 July 1812 (Adams Papers)
I beg you would not consider yourself obliged to answer my Letters. Your Time is prescious, mine of no Value. I thank you for the contrast. Striking it is. General Mifflin behaved nobly. But Muhlenbourgs, Coxes &c &c how did they? In Strong and Goodhue you See the Whiggism or rather the Republicanism, of Strait Hair ; as well as in Pickering. Liberty sometimes wears Strait Hair: but Strait...
133264[Diary entry: 4 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
Octr. 4. Finished getting Fodder in the Neck.
133265James Madison: Memorandum on Nullification, 10 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
Another consequence suggests itself as following the nullifying rule–I will illustrate it practically– Suppose S. Carolina to be supported by the requisite number of States in her appeal against the tariff, it is null– but Pennsylvania, with equal right as one of the seventeen, vitally interested in the continuance of the law, and supported by a greater number of sister States, appeals pari...
133266To Thomas Jefferson from John Walker, 11 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor by the new line of Expresses I received, and should have answerd it thro’ the same channel, but the bearer was gone before it came to my hand. I rejoice to hear of the late proceedings of our Assembly with respect to the new Scheme of Finance, the Pennsylva. Line &c; these I think are objects of vast Consequence. I wish the business of our back Lands was setled, that the...
133267"Goodwill" to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
After a long silence your unknown friend begs leave once more to address you, on a subject of the greatest importance. And can there be any subject, that is diserving of this name, but that one, which equally deserves & demands the attention of each & all the human family, viz. the care of the immortal part , to secure for it an inheritance in that blessed world, “ where the moth nor rust...
133268To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
8 O’Clock A.M. By the observations made at Hull (Nantasket) the last evening at 6 o’Clock, the Enemy’s Fleet, in sight, consisted of Twenty Ships, one Sloop & one Schooner within about Two leagues, veering E.S.E., from Light house Island, 8 or 10 of them Ships of the Line (one wearing a blue Flag at her fore Top mast head) 8 Frigates the others small. Between 1, & 3, O’Clock this morning 6 or...
133269Conference at Hartford: George Washington’s Answers to Queries by the Comte de Rochambeau and the Chevalier de Ternay … (Hamilton Papers)
1st. That there can be no decisive enterprise against the maritime establishments of the English in this country, without a constant naval superiority. 2d. That of all the enterprises which may be undertaken, the most important and decisive is the reduction of New York, which is the center and focus of all the British forces. 3. That under whatever point of view we consider the establishment,...
133270From George Washington to William Heath, 19 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me your two Letters of the 8th & 13th Instant with a note from General Pattersons inclosed. The operation of the resolve for furnishing an extra Ration to certain Officers, ceases under the new System, the inclosed regulation of the Secretary at War will shew what number of Rations an Officer of every Rank is entitled to—with respect to allowing an additional...
133271To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 31 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to write Your Excellency on the 29th inst. on which day I crossed to Long Island as then proposed, from whence I have just returned. From every Enquiry & a variety of Information, it appears to be reduced to a Certainty that a General Peace has been concluded on in Europe, an authenticated account of which great Event, I hope Your Excellency has recd before this Time. I saw...
13327227th. (Adams Papers)
Finished the 5th book of the Iliad; containing, the gallant actions of Diomed es , who drives all before him; wounds two Gods, and pursues a third very closely. This part of the story is very interesting. Went in the evening, down to Mr. White’s. Peggy, and Nancy Hazen, went to Salem this afternoon; to attend the Assembly there to-morrow, and return again on Wednesday. Went in to Mr....
133273[Diary entry: 27 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
27. Clear & pleasant—Wind Southerly—Mer. 56. Mrs. Crk. &ca. went away before dinner.
133274To John Adams from Christopher Gore, 27 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I think it probable that my stay in this Country will not be protracted beyond the 10th June, & finding that you have gone to Washington, I fear I shall not have the honor of again paying my personal respects, before my return to Europe. Should you incline to commit to my charge letters for your son, or any other person, I will endeavour to convey them in safety, & shall esteem myself honourd...
133275To Benjamin Franklin from Luigi Pio, 20 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de Pio a L’honneur de renouveller Les assurances de son respect à Monsieur Franklin, Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etatsunis de l’amerique Septentrionale, et de lui dire, qu’il tient à sa disposition douze Exemplaires de l’ouvrage de Mr. le chevr. Filangieri de Naples, qui a pour titre “Science de La Legislation” Mr. de Pio attend les ordres de Mr....
133276To James Madison from John Armstrong, Jr., 4 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
In the month of November last, a person of the name of Browne, (a merchant of Philadelphia) arrived in Paris, and to more than one person, spoke of a great political project of Mr. Burr, in a way perfectly enigmatical to his hearers, and to myself, to whom they had reported it. Nor was it, untill this great project got into the news-papers, that I could understand either the praises lavished...
133277To George Washington from John Kidd, 21 June 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have made Inquiry Concerning the 200 Hatchets Mention’d in your’s but has got no Information Concerning them. I am Sir Yr most obedt hble servt ALS , DLC:GW . Written in GW’s hand below the text is a list of things received from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. See GW to St. Clair, 23 June, n.5 . John Kidd, an ensign in Capt. John Dagworthy’s Maryland forces since October 1757, was in command at...
133278From Thomas Jefferson to Blow & Milhado, 13 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return to this place I found here your letter of Sep. 10. complaining of the outrage committed on your vessel on the coast of Africa by the Commander of an English armed vessel. I have, in a letter to our minister at the court of London, desired proper representations to be made on the subject, as I had before done in some similar cases. But this will only go to prevent a repetition of...
133279To James Madison from Arthur St. Clair, 21 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 22 November, notifying to me that the President had determined that, upon the receipt of that Letter, my Commission of Governor of the north western Territory should cease, was delivered to me by Mr. Secretary Byrd, on the fourteenth day of this Month. I request of you, Sir, to present my humble thanks to the President for that favour, as he has thereby discharged me from an...
133280Adams’ Copy of the Information and Draft of His Argument: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, October 1768–March 1769 (Adams Papers)
Prov. &c. Before the Honorable Robert Auchmuty Esqr. Be it remembered, that on the 29 day of October in the Ninth Year of the Reign of his Majesty George the Third, Jonathan Sewall Esqr. Advocate General for the said Lord the King, in his proper Person comes and as well on behalf of the said Lord the King, as of the Governor of this Province, gives the said Court to understand and be informed,...
133281To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 24 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’aurois deja eu le plaisir de repondre de bouche a votre honnorée du 9 de ce mois Si la gelée m’avoit permis de m’embarquer Mardi passé, comme je l’avoir projetté. Je prendrai la liberté d’en Suivre le fil dans celle cÿ. Si Gouverneur Pownall peut avoir eu dessein d’allarmer cette Republique et peut etre d’autres Nations il eût été plus prudent de ne pas publier La brochure en François Sans...
133282To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste de Gouvion, 18 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The last time I had the honor to see your Excellency, you told me that in consequence of the prospect you had of obtaining some money from a loan in Holland, you were to expect that the four years interets due to the foreign officers by the United States should be pay’d in feby. last. Many of these officers have taken me for their correspondent, (although I would have wished for another choice...
133283To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Au lieu du rendez vous que nous nous etions donné pour mardi 24, a une heure chez M. Le Marquis de Mirabeau rue de Seine, je propose a Monsieur franklin de nous trouver le meme jour et a la meme heure chez M. Lee a Chaillot, pour raison que j’aurai l’honneur de lui dire Addressed: To / Dr. franklin, by favour of / Mr. Courtney Melmoth The year is...
133284To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 23 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is to be regreted that you had not sent sooner, when we might have sent you some of Coll. Humphreis’s Cloath, I could not find either Cloath or Cordduroy. but I have sent by this days Mail as ⅌. enclosed Bill, and Buttons made at Trenton. If you think the Stuff fine enough for your use, it will be necessary in the present season to use flannel Drawers. I have prefered sending two patterns...
133285[Diary entry: 2 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Very cloudy most part or all the day. Wind at No. Wt. in the Morning and So. Wt. afterwards and cold and raw. Majr. G. Washington & Mr. Jno. Dandridge came here to dinner yesterday. Rid to all the Plantations to day and to the Ditchers. At the River Plantn. began to sow 3 pints of Timothy seed (mixed in a bushel of Ashes) to...
133286From Thomas Jefferson to James Hunter, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The importance of your Works to the operations of War will doubtless point them out as a proper object of destruction to the desolating Enemy now in the Country. They are at this time at Westover and will possibly embark there. Their next expedition we cannot foresee; lest it should be to demolish your Works , I write to Genl. Weedon to take measures for protecting them: In the mean time I...
133287To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 24 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
After a very mature consideration, we are unanimously of opinion, that an answer be returned to the papers, inclosed in the letter, which you honored me with from Baltimore on the 18th instant. At first, the sentiments contained in the sketch (No. 1.) seemed to prevail wi⟨th⟩ a majority. But the prospect of more and more popular meetings has converted us all to the idea, that an answer may be...
133288From George Washington to Captain Ezekiel Belden, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have advice of the ministers setting out from Boston for Philadelphia. You will therefore on receipt of this proceed without delay to Ridgefield—from thence to Fairfield—to New-Haven—and to Harford, halting at this last place for his coming should you not meet him at some of the intermediate stages. Immediately upon joining him you are to acquaint me by express, mentioning the stages and...
133289Samuel Harrison Smith to Alexander J. Dallas, 28 September 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Samuel Harrison Smith to Alexander J. Dallas. 28 September 1815, Treasury Department, Revenue Office. “Benjamin Butler, Keeper of the Light House at Clarks Point, having Resigned, David Wilber, appears from the enclosed letter, to be properly qualified as his successor.” RC ( DNA : RG 26, Light House Service Correspondence). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith. Cover sheet bears...
133290James Madison to Henry Clay, 24 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have received yours of the 20th. inclosing the letter of Mr. Tracie. He had before made a direct application for the Classical Professorship in our University, and will of course be taken into due consideration with the other candidates. Notwithstanding the number of them, we shall not, I fear, find one who will replace as well as succeed Mr. Long now in that Chair, whose eminent...