1401[Diary entry: 21 December 1770] (Washington Papers)
21. Lowering Morning with a little Rain—but clear afterwards & windy.
1402To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 1 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 1, 1790. Expresses concern over delays in the approval of the contracts for repairs on the Cape Henlopen lighthouse and for the lighthouse keeper’s salary. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
1403Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 22 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely regret that we happen to see the same subject in lights so very different, with respect to the mill . but the rent of a real property must, you know, be a fixt thing. as it’s original cost cannot be varied, so the interest or rent on that cannot vary with daily and transient occurrences, and especially on a lease for time. it is easy to reduce a rent, but impossible to raise it...
1404To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 15 January 1812 (Adams Papers)
“Arma, Cestusque”, parmamque “repono,” upon the offensive subject of one of my late letters to you.— I sincerely rejoice in the successful issue of the operation upon Mrs Smith’s breast. I would reciprocate your expressions of pleasure upon the appearances of a recussitation of the Spirit of 177 4 at Washington did I believe they would terminate in any thing but in upon Speeches, Embassies...
1405To James Madison from James Sullivan, 12 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Colonel Harris of Portsmouth in New Hampshire, is passing through this town to Washington. He wishes to procure your attention; and beleives that a letter from me will do some thing towards it. His business he will explain; it grows out of the Embargo. You may rely upon any thing he says on any subject. Could there be any favour in business, of this kind, from personal, political, or party...
1406Allan Pollock Jr. to James Madison, 4 June 1830 (Madison Papers)
I sent you immediately after the rising of the Virginia Convention– a copy Life of Arthur Lee– and did not know untill yesterday that it had never been delivered to Mr. Gray by the person who I sent it by from Richd. Accordingly I send you another copy– you can settle with Mr. Gray (the Post-Master) for the same at $4– I have not a copy like the first sent you, (in Russia) or I would send it...
1407To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On Consulting with Col. Clark we found it impracticable to maintain so many petty posts in the Ilinois with so few men and concluded it better to draw them all to one post. The Land at the Junction of the Ohio and Missisippi was judged best Situated for the Purpose as it would command the Trade of an extensive Country on both sides of each River and might Serve as a Check to any Incroachments...
1408Benjamin Rush to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Though late, I hope I am not among the last of your friends in congratulating you upon your escape from the high and dangerous appointment which your Country (to use the words of Lord Chesterfield ) inflicted upon you during the last eight years of your life.—Methinks I see you renewing your Acquaintance with your philosophical instruments, and with the friends of your Youth in your library —...
1409George Washington to the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut, 22 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Bergen County [ New Jersey ] July 22, 1780 . Requests loan of two thousand arms and as many “Cartouch Boxes” as can be spared. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1410From George Washington to Joseph Harper & Company, 27 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 10th instant enclosing a Memorial dated the 9th, never came to my hands until yesterday. I shall transmit both to the Secretary of State, to whom it would have been more regular for you to have applied in the first instance. The proofs will be necessary for his inspection & information (if the matter has not been acted upon by the American Minister at Paris) that he may be...
1411To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 17 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
V. E. Verra par les copies ci-jointes, qu’il ne s’est agi que de rendre à ces Messieurs d’Amsterdam un service, qu’ils me demandoient instam̃ent, & auquel j’ai cru, & devois croire, ne pouvoir honnêtement me soustraire, quand même vous ne m’auriez pas recom̃andé le soin de vos Livres: ce qu’ils ignoroient quand ils m’écrivirent la premiere de ces Lettres. Je viens de recevoir l’honorée vôtre du...
1412From George Washington to Robert Morris, 31 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
It appears to me but reasonable that an Officer under Major Mcphersons circumstances, acknowledged by no State and belonging to no Corps should be put upon the same footing in respect to his depreciation of pay as the Foreign Officers in our service were. I have the honor to be&c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1413From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 28 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter from Dupont de Nemours to me is the following passage. ‘Houdon a laissé en Amerique un trés beau buste de Benjamin Franklin, lequel est actuellement chez moi. ce buste en marbre vaut cent louis de notre monnaie, environ 480. D. rien n’est plus convenable a la nation que de la placer dans votre Capitole &c. et Houdon, a qui la Virginie doit encore mille ecus sur la statue de...
1414To James Madison from Joseph Jones, [ca. 16 February] 1797 (Madison Papers)
Being longer detained in Albemarle than I expected I did not arrive here untill the last evening, when I received your letters of the 2d. & 5th. and of the 13th. I will attend to what you recommend respecting the republication of observations under the signature Citizen two Nos. have only appeared that have come to my knowledge and these in papers of the first week of the month. The lapse of...
1415From George Washington to Thomas Gage, 12 April 1758 (Washington Papers)
To The Honble Thomas Gage Dear Sir, Ft Loudoun, 12th Aprl 1758. With a great deal of sincerity I thank you, for the notice you have been pleased to take of Mr Hall. And, if possible, I more sincerely congratulate you upon the promotion you have justly met with, yourself. I wou’d now, altho’ I think modesty will scarcely permit me to ask it, beg the favour of you to mention me to Genl Forbes...
1416I. Composition Draft of That Part of the Declaration of Independence containing the Charges against the Crown, 11 June–4 … (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas George Guelph King of Great Britain & Ireland and Elector of Hanover, heretofore entrusted with the exercise of the Kingly office in this government, hath endeavored to pervert the same into a detestable & insupportable tyranny < has kept some colonies without judiciary establmts > < judges dependant > refused judiciary establmts to some without unjust & partial judges dependant...
1417From Thomas Jefferson to Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 11 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State presents his Compliments to Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes, and informs them that the government of the United States having occasion to send public dispatches to their Commissioners plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid, James Blake, a Citizen of the United States is employed as their Courier to be the Bearer of them. He is to embark on board the Ship bound from this port...
1418To James Madison from George Joy, 14 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
The Constitution is at length arrived, and Mr: Russell informs me that she is to return to France before she will proceed to America; which will not probably be till some time in the Month of Janry. My Plan of embarking in her is by this means disconcerted; and the detail of Communication, that I was desirous of making personally, delayed. I am now strongly persuaded to defer my departure till...
1419To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 16 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having a good opportunity to write to England, I will gladly avail myself of it, to make such enquiries, as might conduce to promote the object of the Governor of Virginia, in procuring a Professional Man of character & eminence to direct the improvement of the State by roads & Canals. It would however be necessary, perhaps, that I should mention the terms likely to be granted to the Principal...
1420From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 18 April 1820 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I wrote you as I have again been very sick and utterly unable to put pen to paper—You may therefore readily imagine that I have nothing to write about any more than yourself as I have had nothing whatever to do with the great world for some time who are kind enough to believe me sick in consequence of the Presidential question—I will acknowledge that it is of a nature...
1421[Diary entry: 1 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. A very disagreeable mixture of Rain and fine hail fell all day, with a fresh and cold No. easterly wind. Towards night and in the Night it snowed. Few days or Nights this year have been more inclemt. and disagreeable than this.
1422[Diary entry: 15 April 1769] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear & pleasant Morning but raining afternoon. Clear & cool Evening. Wind at No. West.
1423To George Washington from Jean [de] Neufville, 19 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
If I entertaind a wish to tread a land render’d sacred to Liberty by the virtuous efforts of men deserving the veneration of this, and after ages, for their deeds, which Heaven has already so well rewarded, the anxious one of paying the among them, the most unfeignd respect would urge me most there to. The bearer My son I hope, will have the honor of giving you this assurance of it, and I...
1424From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 9 March 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have never doubted, that America would be added to the vast Catalogue of Nations, who would not be Saved by Precepts nor Examples. Nothing but a ballanced Government can Save any nation from the Tyranny of the many the few or the one, and no Nation ever was long united in understanding or preserving a ballance. England has preserved it longer than any nation ever did before, and England but...
1425From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gregory, 20 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 20, 1792. “Your letter of the 25th. ultimo, concerning a certain seizure made by you, has been received. If the Sloop Polly passed 24 hours within any harbour, inlet or creek of any Port in your Dictrict without reporting, the penalty, in the 16th Section of the Collection law will apply; otherwise, there will be no penalty for proceeding to an ‘interior...
1426George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 26, 1779 . Hopes that the “want of bread” has been “relieved.” Asks Heath to come to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1427To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 3d instant afforded me peculiar pleasure, & more especially the close of the postscript, as it furnished me with authority for the removal of prejudices, wherever I found any had been produced against your Excellency, by the idle & foolish expressions of individuals. I am not insensible of the delicate situation you have been in, between the Congress & the Army; &...
1428From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 15 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th ulto I acknowledged the receipt of from Fredericksburgh—since which, another of the 5th instt has been received. The Commissions for Whitaker and McDowell were properly issued; as those also are, mentd in yr letter of the 5th, and it was on my Mind, that blank Commissions signed by me, were left with you for the Officers of the Revenue Cutters; This not being the case,...
1429To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 6 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
I was taken on the road & have been confind by a Cold & inflammatory fever ever since which prevented my going to Balto. I have writen on yesterday to get Notes discounted, (even by shaving if necessary) & shall certainly I expect forward you 400$ before the Assembly rises. I shall lose no time after I get it—altho’ I have been dissapointed in the rect. of Money for Articles sold for Cash at...
1430To James Madison from John Gardner, 2 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Enclosd you will Recieve Certificate from John Gavino Consular Agent for the U S at the port of Gibraltar Counter Signd By Lambert Smyth One of the Inspectors of the Customs of my having Brought to the united States four Seaman Being in distress and as I am Entitled to a Compensation of ten dollars for Each man I have to Request you to Remit the Same to me directing it to the Care of Mr Robt...
1431From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 16 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is a long Time Since I have rec d a Line from you, or written you. How go on Affairs on your Side the Water? Are the present Ministers like to hold their Places, or are We to expect more Changes of systems & Agents, before We finish? M r Hartleys disposition is very fair, and if he can follow his own Ideas, We shant be long in settling Accounts I hope. But the Delays the Indecision, the...
1432Gabriel Crane to James Madison, 9 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
[ ] Now after the lapse of a number of years I have again to address a communication to you in the Name and by direction of the Supreme the Divine Author of the Scripture, to inform you that He is still upon the earth with intention of executing His most important Purposes, [relating] to its concerns. And further that I am still the organ of His Will upon the earth for the occasion as was...
1433From George Washington to Moore Fauntleroy, 13 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will march with the Detachment of the 4th Regt of Dragoons which are equipped, to Richmond, where you will meet a Detachment from the 3d—when the Detachments join, they are to proceed, as expeditiously as possible, under the Command of the eldest Officer of either Corps, as it may happen, to the Southern Army, and put yourselves under the Orders of Majr Genl Greene. DLC : Papers of George...
1434To George Washington from William Lord Stirling Alexander, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 17th inclosing one to Col. Willet came duely to hand, and the enclosure forwarded. Col: Olney on receipt of my letter of the 17th thought it necessary to see me before Carryg it into execution, he Came down on friday and returned the same fully satisfied as to the points he was doubtfull of; I made some addition to his Instructions, and wrote a letter to the Officer...
1435To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellency’s favour of the 4th I presume you must have mistook Major Fleury’s meaning. he has since he arrived acted fully in his department of Engineer, when I proposed any thing he has generally been so polite to approve it. he writes and I presume will acknowledge that his Ideas have been adopted as far as the strength of the Garrison would permit. The enemy since I wrote...
1436To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you, a copy of Some Resolutions which have been adopted by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of this Territory, in consequence of my message of the 10th. Instant. You will perceive by these documents, that the power of suspending the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, is supposed not [to] be vested in the Territorial Legislature; an opinion...
1437From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 21 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 16th. inclosing the propositions of Mr. Hassler, the Report of the Collector of Philada. and the letter from Mr Irving. The importance of the object, and the peculiar fitness of Mr. Hassler for it, prescribe an acquiescence in his terms. Will it not be better to throw his paper into the form of instructions and explanations accompanying his appointment, than to let it...
1438Josiah Quincy’s Argument for the Defense: 3 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
Monday 3 December , NINE o’ Clock, the Court met according to adjournment, and proceeded. May it please your Honours, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, We have at length gone through the evidence in behalf of the prisoners. The witnesses have now placed before you, that state of facts, from which results our defence. The examination has been so lengthy, that I am afraid some painful sensations...
1439To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 14 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
As I cannot let My Dear General remain one Moment in Anxiety I acknowledge his Letter of the 6th & send this by Express. Mr Wooster is the Younger Brigadier of the two, but least any Uneasiness should be occasioned, I will keep him here. Mine of the 26 Ult: which I hope You have received will inform You where our Army is, You may be assured that Nothing but a superior Force will bring It from...
1440From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 13 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Majr Lewis being at Winchester when your Letter came to hand was immediately dispatchd to Augusta to take upon him the command of the Troops destin’d against the Shawnesse Town with orders to follow such directions as he shoud receive from you. this scheme thô I am apprehensive will prove abortive as we are told that those Indians are removd up the River—into the Neighbourhood of Du-quisne. I...
1441To James Madison from James Dinsmore, 16 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I received by Sundays Mail your favour of the 12th inst. and Shall accordingly accommodate our work to the present height of the Ceiling. We yesterday Made a general examination of the Chimneys and find that it would not be prudent (if practicable) to Attempt any alteration in the Chimneys without takeing them down from the begining of the Shaft, the Shaft I beleive May be Saved: it is yet...
1442To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 19 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 19, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
1443[Diary entry: 27 February 1775] (Washington Papers)
27. Mrs. Craik went away after Breakfast—the Doctr. coming for her.
1444Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Robertson, 30 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
You had a right to expect to hear from me ere this on the su b ject of a paiment. but I am one among the unfortunate who have been caugh t by the blockade before the sale of my flour. I have between 4. & 500. barrels now in Richmond , & not a barrel sold. I have desired mr Gibson to hold up for 7.D. thro’ this month, but then to sell for whatever he can get. the moment I hear from him that he...
1445To Alexander Hamilton from David Porter, [7 November 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 7, 1792. “I am now obliged to report Mr. James Forbes, third mate, to your notice for the following reasons: 1 Neglect of duty—2 Slanderous reproach on Authority—3 Ill treatment to the men, the latter is designed to retard duty to answer private purposes in my opinion, besides his situation is generally such that renders him incapable of duty or trust which is occasioned by...
1446To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 20 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
As I took the liberty of addressing you previous to my setting out to Bath, having return’d therefrom, I trouble you with a few Lines—Fanny I think is much better, but her Sister I think not so well, and as to myself, I’ve been several times (since I wrote you) at Deaths door, ’tho at present am again mending—my State of Health is exceedingly precarious indeed, and unless the Cause can be soon...
1447To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Winston, 31 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you last. I have made up my mind to remove to the Missisippi territory. and recollecting you were pleasd to Offer me the Appointment of receiver of public Monies in that quarter (I beleave East of pearl river, I now take the liberty of Soliciting that Appointment for the District West of Pearl river, the reason I name this District is because in the...
1448From John Jay to Thomas Johnson, 12 March 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your’s of the 3 d . of last month, & regret the Indisposition which detained You from Philadelphia— I hope your Health has been since re-established. The then daily Expectation of an addition to my Family, and which soon after took place, prevented my attending the Sup. Court. Judge Cushing on his Return informed me that there had been a Conference on the Subject of...
1449To Thomas Jefferson from Maupin, 20 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je ne voudrois pas moins que faire le bien de toutes les nations, et quelque grande que soit cette entreprise, je n’en desespere point a l’egard des Etats unis de l’Amerique, si, après la lecture de mes differens ouvrages, Votre Excellence juge a propos de les faire passer a sa nation. J’ai deja eu l’honneur d’offrir a Votre Excellence tous les éclaircissemens qui dépendoient de moi, et je lui...
1450From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1 March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Your Excellency will, I am persuaded, readily admit the force of this sentiment, that though it is the duty of a good citizen to devote his services to the public, when it has occasion for them, he cannot with propriety, or delicacy to himself, obtrude them, when it either has, or appears to have none. The difficuties I experienced last campaign in obtaining a command will not suffer me to...