14501From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 20 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society; additions after the signature retranslated from the Italian in Giuseppe A. F. G. Eandi, Memorie istoriche intorno gli studi del padre Giambatista Beccaria … ([Turin,] 1783), p. 151. I have receiv’d several of your Favours lately relating to the Edition of your Book in English, which I have put into the Hands of the Translator, who will...
14502From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Condorcet, 20 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I am ashamed that my late continued Embarras in public Affairs, should have so long prevented my answering the Letter you honoured me with, of the 2d Decr. last. I transmitted your Queries to our Society at Philadelphia, where they will be well considered, and full Answers will be sent you. On my Return thither which I am now preparing for, I shall...
14503[Diary entry: 20 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
20. Got home to Breakfast.
14504[Diary entry: 20 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
20. Misting, and Raining, more or less all day. Wind in the same Quarter.
14505[Diary entry: 21 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
21. At home all day. Alone.
14506[Diary entry: 21 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
21. Misting with Rain in the forenoon. Clouds dispersg. afterwards—Wind west[erl]y.
14507From George Washington to Peter Hog, 21 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
The design of my giving you the trouble of this Letter, is to request the favour of you to aid Captn Crawford in qualifying, & giving Security, to his Commission as assistant Surveyor to Colo. Thomas Lewis. He is informed by that Gentleman, that there will be no Court in Augusta to do business in the next Month, but that, if he will get there a few days before (which he strongly urges both to...
14508To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 21 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
Ever since I understood that the Land whereon Mrs Washington lived joining Mr Hunters was for Sale I have had an Inclination to purchase it, but till now was not in circumstances to propose the matter to you—I have heard that the Tract contains about 600 Acres and that it is held at £3 ⅌ Acre—If these are your lowest terms, I would not dispute them, were my terms of Payment agreable to...
14509From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 22 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (copy): Public Record Office I received your Favour of Jan. 23. I suppose we never had since we were a People, so few Friends in Britain. The violent Destruction of the Tea seems to have united all Parties here against our Province, so that the Bill now brought into Parliament for shutting up Boston as a Port till Satisfaction is made, meets with no Opposition. An Alteration in our Charter...
14510[Diary entry: 22 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
22. At home all day. In the afternoon Mr. Thos. Addison came & stayed all Night. Also Mrs. Barnes. In 1767 Thomas Addison (d. 1774) of Oxon Hill, eldest son of John Addison (1713–1764), married Rebecca Dulany, daughter of Walter Dulany (d. 1773) of Annapolis.
14511[Diary entry: 22 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
22. Clear—Wind pretty fresh from the Westward and Cool.
14512From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 23 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A violent Cold which affects my Head and Eyesight, makes it inconvenient to me to write much; yet I would not miss the Opportunity of giving you this Line just to let you know that I am otherwise as usual. I hope you and yours are well, and am ever Your affectionate Brother
14513[Diary entry: 23 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
23. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney came to Dinner.
14514[Diary entry: 23 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
23. Clear Wind still pretty fresh from the Westward & Cool.
14515To George Washington from John David Wilper, 23 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
When I Return, Last from Williams Burg, I was Favourt with your Letter, Dated february 7th I most Humble pegg your parton, In not, observing my Duty upon your favour Recd Dated, the 1st of Novr 1773 : I was Inexpectaision to have the Honnour, to waited upon you In a littel Time affter I Recd it, but I was prevented by the wather. My Tract of Land, which I have by Govenors Dunwoodies...
14516[Diary entry: 24 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
24. At home all day Doctr. Rumney continuing here. As did Mr. Valentine Crawford who came last Night. Crawford returned from Baltimore with four servants indentured for three years, four convict servants, and a married couple indentured for four years, at a total price of £110 sterling ( William McGachen to GW, 13 Mar. 1774 , DLC:GW ). GW apparently sent most of these servants on the Kanawha...
14517[Diary entry: 24 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
24. Pretty smart frost—ground being hard.
14518To George Washington from Hanburys & Lloyd, 24 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
George Washington Exr of John Park Custis London 24 March 1774 Thy favor of 4 Novemr is now before us the Bills thou mention’d to have drawn on us in favor of John Page vizt for £160 & £140 have appear’d & are duly accepted, thou omittedst mentioning in the Bills their being drawn as Exr to John Park Custis they will be plac’d to the debit of that Accot in due course We observe it was thy...
14519From Benjamin Franklin to Charles and Edward Dilly, 25 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Bearer Mr. James Adair is well recommended to me from America, as a Person of Credit and Veracity, whose Accounts of what he has seen among the Indians of various Nations with whom he traded and resided many Years, may be relied on. He has a M.S. of his own Composing on Indian Affairs, Customs, Manners, Opinions, &c. which contains many curious particulars;...
14520[Diary entry: 25 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
25. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney went away after Dinner.
14521[Diary entry: 25 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
25. Lowering but no Rain, Wind Southerly.
14522The Petition to the House of Lords against the Boston Port Bill, [26 March 1774]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Summary of DS : House of Lords Library In late March three petitions against the bill, from Americans in London and a few Englishmen with American connections, were presented to the three branches of the legislature. All were the handiwork of Arthur Lee, and Franklin was a signer. The first was delivered to the House of Commons on the 25th, the second to the Lords on the 28th, and the third to...
14523[Diary entry: 26 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
26. At home all day. Doctr. Craik came here to Dinner and stayd all Night.
14524[Diary entry: 26 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
26. Wind at No. West and fresh also Cool.
14525To George Washington from Francis Baker, 26 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you Have Mr potters Rct for Seven pounds paid for—the Schooling and Bording St Larence Posey—which Money has actualy Been paid By me, for the Receving of which I have no other Expecktation than from you —Should you Be Kind enough to pay please Lodge It in the Hands of Messrs Davied Son and Wallace —which will Greately Oblidge Sir your Vy Humbel St ALS , DLC:GW . The letter was marked...
14526[Diary entry: 27 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
27. Went to Pohick Church and returnd to Dinner.
14527[Diary entry: 27 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
27. Forenoon a good deal like Rain, but none fell. Afterwards clear. Wind Southerly and rather Raw.
14528Monday. March 27 [i.e. 28?]. 1774. (Adams Papers)
Rode with Brother Josiah Quincy to Ipswich Court. Arrived at Piemonts in Danvers, in good order and well conditioned. Spent the evening, and lodged, agreably. Walked out in the Morning to hear the Birds sing. Piemont says there is a Report that the Sons of Liberty have received some Advices from England which makes them look down—that they have received a Letter from Mr. Bollan that they must...
14529[Diary entry: 28 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
28. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. I went up to Alexandria to the Sale of the Anne & Elizabeth which I bought myself at the price of £175. Returnd home in the Afternoon. This purchase was in consequence of the voyage of the brigantine Fairfax to the West Indies in the summer of 1772, carrying a cargo of herring and flour which GW had placed in the care of Daniel Jenifer Adams (see...
14530[Diary entry: 28 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear and Warm. Wind still Southerly, & fresh.
14531From George Washington to Hugh Mercer, 28 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
By my Deeds, the Tract which I hold, adjoining Mr Hunter contains 600 acres; whether it measures more or less, I really know not, as it never was survey’d to my knowledge. The value I always set upon this Land, on accot of its situation, & contiguity to Fredericksburg, was, two thousand pounds Virga currency; but having an eye to some other Land, more convenient to me; about eighteen months,...
14532From George Washington to James Mercer, 28 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
A Man in Trust is laid under greater difficulties than one acting on his own Acct; In the latter case he hath nothing more to do than to please himself; in the former, he may please himself and displease his Constituents. So soon therefore as I became sure (and this was upon running the last course down little River) that Mr Powells Mill would be Included within your Survey I felt a good deal...
14533Tuesday March 28 [i.e. 29?]. 1774. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Ipswich and put up at the old Place, Treadwells. The old Lady has got a new Copy of her GranGranfather Govr. Endicott’s Picture, hung up in the House. The old Gentleman is afraid they will repeal the Excise upon Tea and then that we shall have it plenty, wishes they would double the Duty, and then we should never have any more. The Q uestion is who is to succeed Judge Ropes—whether...
14534To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Viny, 29 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Urged by Paternal feelings, encouraged by Your goodness of heart, I address with fillial Confidence. Your 17th Letter on Philosophical Subjects, together, with the resignation of Your Agency for the Colonies; have led me to inferr, that the more immediate subjects of the British Govt. are in the most tremendous state, unless, some unexpected revolution...
14535[Diary entry: 29 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
29th. At home all day alone.
14536[Diary entry: 29 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
29. Clear. Wind Southerly.
145371774. Wednesday. March 30th. (Adams Papers)
A dull Day. My Head is empty, but my Heart is full. I am wanted at my Office, but not wanted here. There is Business there, but none here. My Wife perhaps wants to see me. I am anxious about her. I cannot get the Thoughts of her State of Health out of my Mind. I think she must remove to Braintree—and the Family, at least for the Season.
14538[Diary entry: 30 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. Walk in the Evening over my three Plantations in the Neck. On this day GW revised and completed his instructions to Valentine Crawford for the party setting out to seat GW’s Kanawha River lands. The instructions, which are quite detailed, include the following directions: “that as much Ground as possible may be got in order for Corn, & planted therewith, I would have you delay building &...
14539[Diary entry: 30 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. Moderate Rain, from Morning till Evening. Wind Northerly. Evening clear.
14540From George Washington to Valentine Crawford, 30 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed without loss of time to your own Settlement on Youghiogany, and there if it is not already done provide such, and so much Provision, as you shall think necessary to take down with you to my Lands on the Ohio. You are also to provide Canoes for transporting of these Provisions—The Tools—& the Workmen. You are to engage Three good hands as labourers to be employd in this...
145411774. Thursday March 31. (Adams Papers)
Let me ask my own Heart, have I patience, and Industry enough to write an History of the Contest between Britain and America? It would be proper to begin at the Treaty of Peace in 1763, or at the Commencement of Govr. Bernards Administration, or at the Accession of George 3d. to the Throne—The Reign, or the Peace. Would it not be proper, to begin, with those Articles in the Treaty of Peace...
14542To Benjamin Franklin from Tuthill Hubbart, 31 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It’s a long time since I have had the pleasure of line from You, when I wrote You last I forward’d You the Appeal on Husks affair with the Post Office which suppose You received though You have not notticed it. When the Ships sail for London I wait till the last in order to send You the latest Papers that I have not wrote you at such times, and indeed I did...
14543To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence, 31 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: New York Public Library The leaders in Massachusetts, as this document testifies, were stimulated rather than satiated by destruction of the tea. They seem to have taken their text from the Psalmist, “they will go from strength to strength”; and the test of strength that they chose was the old issue of officials’ salaries. It had been coming to a...
14544[Diary entry: 31 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
31. Mr. George Johnston dind here. I rid as [far as] the Gumsp[rin]g with my People and Vale. Crawford who were moving to the Ohio. George Johnston, Jr. (1750–1777), a son of George Johnston (d. 1766), attorney of Fairfax County, in 1775 was made a captain in the 2d Virginia Regiment. In Jan. 1777, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, he became an aide-de-camp to GW, serving until his death in...
14545[Diary entry: 31 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
31. Clear and Cool Wind being at No. West but not very hard.
14546To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 31 March 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George William Fairfax, 31 Mar. 1774 . On 30 June 1786 GW wrote Fairfax : “I was restrained by your instructions of the 31st of March 1774 from executing deeds for the Land.”
14547To George Washington from Thomas Lewis, 31 March 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Lewis, 31 Mar. 1774. On 5 May GW wrote Lewis that his “letter of the 31st of March” did not arrive until the end of April.
14548[Notes on the Name of the Merrimack River, Spring 1774.] (Adams Papers)
The River has been universally called and known by the Name of Merrimack and by no other, from the Mouth of it at the Sea, thro Pennicook, Suncook, Nottingham, Litchfield, and all the other Towns and Places, quite up to the Crotch made by Winnipissioke Pond and Pemiggewasset River. Pemiggewasset and Winnipissioke, joining make the Crotch, and from that Crotch to the Sea it has always been...
14549[April 1774] (Washington Papers)
April 1st. At home all day. Price Posey dined here. 2. At home all day. Mr. Robt. Adam dined here. 3. At home all day. Mr. Hooe & Mr. Robt. Harrison dined and lodged here. 4. The above Gentlemen went away early in the morning & Mrs. Washington and myself went & dined at Mr. Digges’s with Mr. & Mrs. Custis on their way to Mr. Calverts. 5. Tuesday, at home all day. Captn. Posey came in the...
14550Acct. of the Weather in Aprl. [1774] (Washington Papers)
April 1st. Clear & pleasant Forenoon with but little Wind. Lowerg. afterwards. 2. Raining a little in the forenoon with the Wind Easterly wch. ceasd in the afternoon Wind getting more Westerly. 3. Clear and tolerably pleasant but a little cool. 4. Clear but cool, wind pretty fresh from the South West. 5. Warm and pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly. 6. Cool again with the Wind at...