133261Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 23 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wonder whether Mr. Shaw ever wrote you an account of the good woman who was so much offendid that you were not treated with more civillity when you went to see the King and Queen. “Why I hear they did not so much as ask them to set down, but keept them standing four hours without offering them any thing to eat or drink. I thought such great Folks knew what good manners was, better than to...
133262To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear General, agreeable to your Wishes, made some Observations on the Situation of Charles-Town, the Strength of its Works, the Number of Men necessary to garrison it, and the point or points by which it may be approached. The Town of Charles-Town is situated on a Peninsula formed by the Cooper and the Ashley; the former about two & a Half Miles wide, and the latter about one and a...
133263From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Gallatin having requested that letters might be written to the Governors for militia aid to his Collectors, I, without reflection, wrote the inclosed in my own name. but on consideration it seems more proper that it should go from yourself. the ideas I had expressed are those I supposed proper, you will make such alterations as you may think better. in general it may be easily accomodated...
133264August 23d. 1773. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Went this Morning to Mr. Boylstones, to make a wedding Visit to Mr. Gill and his Lady. A very cordial, polite, and friendly Reception, I had. Mr. Gill shewed me Mr. Boylstones Garden, and a large, beautifull and agreable one it is—a great Variety of excellent fruit, Plumbs, Pears, Peaches, Grapes, Currants &c. &c.—a figg Tree, &c. Mr. and Mrs. Gill both gave me a very polite Invitation, to sup...
133265From Thomas Jefferson to George Walker, 1 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sorry that, being from home at the time you were so good as to call on me, I missed seeing you. The President being engaged also, was equally unlucky. As you left no letter for me, I took for granted that your negociation with Majr. Lenfant had proved fruitless. After your departure the President sent Mr. Lear to Major Lenfant to see what could be made of him. He declared unequivocally...
133266Benjamin Waterhouse to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of 13 th Oct r with pleasure, and read it with great satisfaction.— I here enclose a curious publication, printed first in Connecticut , & reprinted at Andover , 20 miles from this place, where is a new & well endowed theological college, being a splinter struck off from Cambridge , at the time when we elected an unitarian professor of divinity. Dwight of the...
133267Motion on John Adams’ Commission and Instructions, [12 July] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, IV, 367). Although docketed by Samuel Huntington, “Motion by Mr Madison 2d by Mr Sharpe Respecting the Instructions given to J Adams for Negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with Britain,” the “Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs,” states that John Mathews seconded it ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.;...
133268To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I should be perfectly ashamed of the liberty I have lately taken in giving a letter of introduction to you, had you not in some small degree favored me with encouragement. I presume for a double reason to give a letter in favor of my friend Mr. Dugald Stewart, as I am well convinced you will have considerable satisfaction in his acquaintance. He is the son of the late Dr. Stewart of Edinburgh,...
133269To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 21 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
While in Kentucky Major Lewis, shewed me two surveys of lands laying on Ruff creek a water of green river with the plotts anexed. to wit—one of 3000 acrces Begining 120. poles below the mouth of short creek, & runing across the 1st large South Branch of sd creek, then by Various lines until it Strikes Andrew Woodrows 300 acrce Survey, which runs into the above tract and Includes the 2d falls...
133270To George Washington from George Clinton, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Instant; shoud the Event which your Excellency has pleased to intimate take Place, you may rely on every aid in the Power of this State to afford for a vigorous Cooperation with our Allies. In the Mean Time I woud wish to be informed of the Number of Men your Excellency may think it necessary for this State to furnish as by...
133271From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Whitney, 9 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a postnote on the bank of the US. at Philadelphia drawn by the branch bank here, in discharge of a bill for instruments to that amount furnished to Isaac Briggs partly for him & partly for myself. Accept my salutations. PoC ( MoSHi : Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. Thomas Whitney”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL : “50.” The $50 that TJ sent to Whitney included a...
133272From John Adams to Henry Marchant, 3 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with much pleasure your kind letter of the 20 th: Ult; Your sympathy with me under the base effusions of mallice and falshood ought to be converted into shame for your Country, which wanted virtue, sense and spirit to discountenance what will remain a lasting disgrace to America to the press and to letters. A Brown, a Markoe, & a Finley, suffered to insult for a whole...
133273To George Washington from Francis Barber, 31 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
When I was last at head quarters, I intended to have spoken to your Excellency on the subject of the expected reduction of the Jersey regements, but having neglected that opportunity, I take the liberty of conveying my ideas in writing. Should a reduction of the line be unavoidable on the first of March next, as the legeslature of New Jersey have taken no effectual measures to recruit a...
133274To George Washington from Eight Continental Army Field Officers, November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Impress’d with Sentiments of real concern for the safety and freedom of America, Apprehensive that the Constitution of the Army, in its present languid and weak state may not be productive of the great ends for which it was rais’d, should not an immediate reform be effected, We take the liberty to offer to your Excellency’s perusal the hints and observations contain’d in the enclos’d sheets....
133275Arnauld de Laporte to John Adams: A Translation, 4 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Count Dorvilliers has sent me the Letter you wrote him concerning the American sailors that are on board the fier Rodrigue. Always desirous to render every service, that depends upon myself, to the United states, and more so in what may be agreeable to your Excellency I immediately ordered the Cap of said Vessel, to deliver these Men to Mr. Landais. The Cap whose Crew is very week,...
133276From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 5 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
On examination of our accounts I observe the amount [D] of your debet [2276.685] 2000. D. for March and 2000. D. for April supposed receivable yesterday 4000. leaves a balance for the use of the present month of [1723.295] I will therefore ask the favor of you to make arrangemts. for the following sums: for Colo. Thos. Newton
133277Elizabeth Storer Smith to Abigail Adams, 3 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Notwithstanding the unconquerable aversion I ever had to writing I cannot forbear taking up my Pen, to Congratulate my dear Neice on the new year, and to thank her for her favour by the Welcome hand of my Nephew, who is return’d I hope uncorupted, I do not wonder you wisht to keep him with you, I think he is very agreable. Your Journal and Letters to your friends have ever afforded me great...
133278To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 20th. Instant, I receivd it with the greatest pleasure for I think it marks, that your Excellency is in Spirits, may You ever continue so, it will be a good Sign to me, that our Country is well. I this day receivd a Letter from Madrid dated the 8th. There are complaints in it of not hearing from Holland or France; the Abbé...
133279From James Madison to Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 24 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1801, Department of State Encloses an extract from letter written by American consul in Santiago de Cuba indicating there are several American vessels lying in the harbor that were recaptured from Spain’s enemies and condemned. Furthermore, American sailors seized from captured British vessels are now prisoners of war in that port. Notes that their rights as neutrals were violated,...
133280From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Shelby, 1 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The district of Kentucky having this day become a “New State by the name and Stile of the State of Kentucky” agreeably to an Act passed 4. February 1791, I have now the honor to transmit to your Excellency, herewith, two copies of the acts passed at the 1st. Session of the 2d. Congress, which, together with those of the first Congress with the treaties annexed to each volume, and the Census,...
133281To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Estaing, 23 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Count d’Estaing returns both his respectful compliments and Acknowledgments to his Exellency Doctor Franklin for the favor he gratifi’d him with: pleasure of meeting a Such Lady is a very great one, but wasn’t necessary for usual hapiness and punctuality in obeying the Doctor’s bountys. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Ministre Plenipotentiaire /...
133282To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 31 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the draught recd. by the last post , with one or two very small alterations. The interlineated “or an alloted portion thereof,” means to suggest that the whole no. might be so great as to beget objections to the expence which are always formidable in such cases. I have doubted whether the terms “ordinary” & “extraordinary” sufficiently marked the boundary between the power of the...
133283Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 12 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Yancey & myself conclude it will be best to send the pork of this place to Monticello before Christmas . hoping you will recieve this letter on Sunday the 17 th I wish you to send off the waggon the next mornin g Monday 18
133284To James Madison from Thomas H. Williams, 10 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Thomas H. Williams. 10 August 1805, Washington, Mississippi Territory . “I had the honor to recieve a few days ago under cover from the Department of State, a Commission as Secretary of the Mississippi Territory. “As my public engagements render any other than a temporary acceptance impracticable, I deem it proper to State to you candidly my Situation, in order that the necessity for...
133285From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 29 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a ⟨plan⟩ for the uniforms &c of the army prepared at my request by Col Smith, with the aid of Col Fish and Capt Armstrong. I am desirous of seeing some models of Cloathing made agreeably to this plan—be⟨ginning wi⟩th those of the privates. It is my ⟨wish that⟩ the models may be framed as well with a view to the quality of the materials as to the fashions and ornaments of the...
133286Draft of a Letter from an Old Man on the Evils of Licensed Houses, January 1761 (Adams Papers)
Braintree, January? 1761. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 1:190–192 Unsigned, but the author introduces himself as “an old Man, seventy odd.” See entry for the earliest draft in this series, 29 May 1760 , above, and references there. Printed : ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and...
133287To Benjamin Franklin from Reculès de Basmarein & Raimbaux, 18 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La grande etenduë de nos opérations avec le continent, lie d’une maniére si intime nôtre sort au sien, que nous avons adopté le parti suivant pour nous procurer des nouvelles avec une certaine exactitude. Nous faisons construire plusieurs paquebots dont l’objet sera de porter et de rapporter nos dépêches. La petitesse de leur volume, et la Bonté de leur...
133288From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 2 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 3. 1790. came to hand Dec. 15. and that of Apr. 12. is just recieved. I inclose you a letter from Dohrman forwarded me by Mr. Madison from New York. He thinks that Dohrman’s expectations of making payment, within any short time, are not to be counted on, but that the land mortgaged is a solid security for the debt ultimately.—I inclose you a copy of Mr. Blair’s account. He...
133289Thomas Jefferson to Alexander H. Stevens, 23 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Alexander H. Stevens , acknoleges the reciept of the 2. vols of the Code Criminel & du Commerce which he has been so kind as to bring him from mr Warden , and he prays him to accept his thanks for his care and trouble, with the assurances of his respect. PoC ( MHi ); dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ.
133290To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 24 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I recd some time ago papers from Mr Keith respecting your Executorship of Colvill’s estate. I shall immediately bring suit in the Court of Chancery in order finally to close that business and to relieve you from embarrassment as to the disposition of the mony on hand. I will thank you to give me the general outlines of the business, and of your wishes, that I may be enabled thereby to frame my...
133291To James Madison from George W. Erving, 29 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I duly received from Mr: Le Couteulx the papers respecting his Claim on this Government, referred to in your letter to our Minister Resident here of May 16th. Upon this subject, I as the Agent of Mr: Le Couteulx, drew a memorial (of which I have the honor herewith to inclose a Copy) to the King in Council, & submitted it to the Minister for his approbation. This appeared to be the most...
133292Friday August 1st. 1788. (Adams Papers)
The day was spent in the usual uninteresting manner: indeed it may be generally observed that the more advantageously the day is employed for myself; the less I have to say at the close of it. I walk’d in the evening with Stacey till after nine o’clock. JQA notes, in his line-a-day entry, Blackstone’s Commentaries , which he presumably read this day (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel...
133293To Thomas Jefferson from William Macarty, 30 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have procured some Dishes, petits Pots and Compotiers exactly like the patren and they will be sent off imediately. I cannot find any others that will answer. Should you want any larger Dishes, Soup Turiens, Sauce Boats or plates in plenty they can be had. I am very Respectfully Your most obedt. Sert., RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ with his left hand. Noted in SJL as received 3 Nov. 1786, but...
133294From John Adams to Samuel L. Knapp, 24 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the vol you sent me containing the trial of Lt Abbot. I am too blind to read it myself and have not yet found a friend of sufficient leisure to read it to me. It grieves me to the heart to see such publications & to read in the newspapers so many accounts of courts martial and courts of inquiry. However necessary they may be they can not fail to excite & perpetuate incurable...
133295From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 2d of February and one of the same date signed by Mr Pinckney also, with the communications attached to them. Those of the preceding dates of the 27 Novr. 16 December and 19th Jany. had been previously received. Observing, that in the project delivered to the Spanish Government, you have omitted the provision contained in the plan for a general...
133296To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reflected much upon the conversation that I had with you, when I had last the pleasure of seeing you, about the power of the government of the U.S. to acquire territory, and to admit new States into the union. Upon an examination of the constitution, I find the power as broad as it cou’d well be made, 3d. sec. art. 4th. except that new States cannot be formed out of the old ones without...
133297Susanna Lee to Abigail Adams, 16 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
With the most timid respect do I address M rs: Adams on a subject so interesting to me that I tremble while I write from a doubt of the propriety of the step, however solicitude for an affectionate Husband and our young family outweighs my scuples and prompts me to the measure. I must therefore rely upon the noble generosity of a character I have known and revered from my infancy, to pardon...
133298To James Madison from Elijah Mix, 8 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to inform you that When those papers Were presented to the War Dept—In the absence of Genl. Armstrong—Mr. Parker caled on the secretary of the Navy and he informed him that my Claim would be payed out of the fund aluded to—(passed 13th. of July 1813). I then caled on Mr. Jones and he advised me (Should Mr Parker Offer) to pay a part of my Claim) not to take It—by Observing that when...
133299From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 November 1810 (Adams Papers)
There were last Winter fifteen or sixteen American vessels, that pass’d the Winter at Cronstadt—This year there will be none—I wrote you by the last vessels that sailed, and since then I have had an opportunity to send letters by land to Gothenburg, to be forwarded from thence to America—By that opportunity I wrote to my father, and with this I enclose a duplicate of that letter to him.—There...
133300[Diary entry: 7 September 1768] (Washington Papers)
7. Cloudy forenoon, with appearances of Rain; & Wind Southwardly.
133301To Thomas Jefferson from Peyton Short, 5 December 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 16th. Octr. last, enclosing me a Letter from my Brother, as also a Copy of the Document shewing his Claim to a tract of military Land purchased of Capt. Paskie— I very much regret that my Brother did not at an earlier day give me some instructions with regard to his Claim against Colo. Skipwith—as it would in the course of the frequent Visits I...
133302Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Cass, 31 May 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Alexander Garrett of Charlottesville , my neighbor a nd par ticular friend, informs me that he has a sister, mrs Davenport , living in Detroit , and lately become a widow by the death of her husband m r Samuel T. Davenport . apprehensive she may need assistance, but n ot knowing to what amount, nor thro’ what channel he can administe
133303From George Washington to Peter Muhlenberg, 7 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I duly recd your favor of the 12th ulto covering a Return of Military Stores in Virginia. The Secretary at War having informed me that the Recruits of Virginia may not only be subsisted by Contract at Winchester, but that they may be usefully employed in guarding the prisoners of War at that place, you will immediately on the rect of this remove all the Recruits from Cumberland Old Court...
133304From James Madison to William Lambert, 6 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To William Lambert. 6 January 1806, Washington. “There has been more delay in answering your letter of Decr. 23. than was intended. But besides the peculiar press of business which contributed to it, I was willing to take the chance of falling in with you, and communicating verbally my regret that you should be out of employment, without any prospect of a place, depending on my arrangements....
133305John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I should have written to you by Mr. Felleisen, who will doubtless have arrived before this comes to hand, but I did not know that he was going until it was too late to write. Mr. D ana thinks that I had better not write every post; because the postage of the Letters would soon amount to a very considerable sum. I have lately begun to learn German, I have a master who gives me three lessons per...
133306Edmund Randolph to Virginia Delegates, 2 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
One Archibald Carrol, who was yesterday executed for murder, sent for our Acceptance the books, which will accompany this letter. We have been informed by report, that they were obtained by him, while acting as a British Sea officer, and that he perfidiously communicated them to the Americans during the War. We feel a repugnance to deposit them in the Archives of the Executive; the books, if...
133307From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 28 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
The list of books you have made out will do very well as a nest Egg for the Library. May not the high prices of some of them have been occasioned by a scarcity since removed by Editions both better & cheaper. I know nothing of Fayette’s movements, but through the Newspapers, from which it appears that he cannot leave Philada. before the 1st. of October. It becomes questionable I think whether...
133308To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States, respectfully submits the following observations. It is conceived that it will be natural and very proper for the President in the beginning of his Address, to advert to the deplorable situation to which several of our principal cities have been reduced by contagious or epidemic sickness during the...
133309To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Barclay, 12 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you and Mr. Adams the 10th Informing you of my Intentions to set out for Morocco this day but it is not Convenient for the Governor of that place to go before Tomorrow or perhaps the Day following. I was Obliged this day to begin the Business by making a Number of presents here, from the Governor down to the wife of a Jew who lives at Morocco including in the whole Twelve or Fifteen...
133310From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville & fils, 4 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 29th past, relating to certain Bills drawn on Mr Lawrens and requesting to know if I will engage to reimburse you, if you in his Absence, accept & pay them. As I have received no Orders nor any Advice relating to any such Bills, know not by whom they are drawn, whether for...