14601[Diary entry: 14 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
14. Went a hunting. Killd a bitch Fox with three young ones almost hair’d. Doctr. Rumney dind here & stayed all Night.
14602[Diary entry: 14 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
14. Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly. Lowering with much appearances of Rain but little fell.
14603Request for a Reprinting of the “Rules,” 15 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , April 15, 1774. Having lately had occasion to turn over some news-papers, published in the course of the last summer, in search of an advertisement, I accidentally stumbled upon a letter, containing many excellent rules , by which a great empire may be reduced to a small one . As I apprehend this plan is at present under the consideration of...
14604[Diary entry: 15 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
15. Rid with Mrs. Bassett &ca. to the fishing Landing at Johnson’s. Mr. Digges & his three daughters Teresa Betcy & Jenny dind here. Doctr. Rumney went away.
14605[Diary entry: 15 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear, calm, & pleasant in the forenoon. Cool afterwards with the Wind fresh from the West, & No. West.
14606From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 15 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
As your letter (& accot) to Mr Custis, was receivd by him posterior to the one written to me, & not immediately given into my hands, (as the young Gentn since his marriage has been good part of his time in Maryland) I could not make you the enclos’d remittance much sooner. You will now receive a Draft on Messrs Osgood Hanbury & Company for £65 Sterling, which please to dispose of, & with the...
14607From George Washington to Margaret Savage, 15 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
I am really sorry I cannot give you a more agreeable account, than the following of your Suit against Dr Savage. At March Court for this County, with much difficulty, we brought the matter to a hearing, & obtained a judgement for six hundred & odd pounds, being the Sum due on the Bond to the commencement of the Suit. Against this, the Doctor filed a Writ of Error, which (as there will be no...
14608The Petition to the House of Lords against the Massachusetts Government and Administration of Justice Bills, [before 11 … (Franklin Papers)
Summary of DS : House of Lords Library In March a group of Americans in London had petitioned against the Boston Port Bill, and in May much the same group protested against the two coercive measures that followed. It was Arthur Lee, we assume, who again drafted separate petitions to the King, Lords, and Commons; and Franklin again signed them all. They were as fruitless as the signers, after...
14609To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 16–17 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Celui qui aura l’honneur de vous remettre cette lettre, Monsieur et cher Ami, est un de mes Confreres distingué par les qualités de l’esprit et du cœur, qui desirant connoitre un peu l’Angleterre et specialement ceux avec qui il y a le plus à apprendre ambitionne surtout l’avantage de vous voir, et m’a temoigné le plus vif empressement sur cela. Je vous...
14610From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 16 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office The above are Copies of my two last. The Torrent is still violent against America. A Bill is brought in to alter the Charter, appointing the Council by the Crown, giving Power to the Governors to nominate and commission Magistrates without Consent of Council, and forbidding any Town Meeting to be held in the Province (except the annual one for chusing Town Officers)...
14611[Diary entry: 16 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
16. Rid with Mrs. Bassett &ca. to the Mill & Fishing Landing at Posey’s. Colo. Richd. Lee dind & Lodgd.
14612[Diary entry: 16 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
16. Clear & calm in the Morning. Wind pretty fresh from the Westward afterwards.
14613Two Notes about the Opening of the Essex House Chapel, [17 April 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Monthly Repository , III (1808), 540. The occasion was of some importance. Theophilus Lindsey (1723–1808), a clergyman who had deserted the Church of England a few months before, was opening a chapel to house what proved to be the first enduring Unitarian congregation in England. Lindsey had been one of the latitudinarian Anglicans who had petitioned Parliament to abolish...
14614[Diary entry: 17 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
17. Attempted to go to Alexa. Church but broke the Poll of the Chariot & returnd. Colo. Lee went away after Breakfast.
14615[Diary entry: 17 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
17. Wind very fresh from the Southwest all day & in the Evening like to Rain but none fell.
14616[Diary entry: 18 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
18. Went with Colo. Bassett &ca. to Alexa. Returnd in the Afternoon. Mr. Magowan came home with us.
14617[Diary entry: 18 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
18. Clear all day & Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.
14618William Whately’s Chancery Suit: II. Franklin’s Answer, 19 April 1774: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Summary of AD : Public Record Office In the latter part of January Franklin and his lawyers were too busy preparing for the Privy Council hearing on the petition from the Massachusetts House to give attention to the Chancery suit initiated by Whately on January 7. On the 31st, two days after the hearing, Thomas Life engaged for Franklin the two barristers who had so unsuccessfully represented...
14619[Diary entry: 19 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
19. Went with Colo. Bassett, Mrs. Bassett &ca. to Mr. Digges’s & dined.
14620[Diary entry: 19 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
19. Clear & Warm. Wind pretty fresh from the So. East.
14621To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 19 April 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Valentine Crawford, 19 April 1774. The docket on Crawford’s letter to GW of 27 April reads: “From Mr Val: Crawford 27th Apl 1774 Inclosing one dated 19th Apl 1774.”
14622To George Washington from Thomas Newton, Jr., 19 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
I Received yours covering an invoice for 60 Barrels f[l]our which is sold at 16/8 & freight payable at the Octbr meeting next. at present there is a prospect of flour’s being in demand & believe you may venture to send one or two hundred barrels unless you can sell at nearly the same price as above at Alexandria for our market is but uncertain at best, as one week there is a demand & the next...
14623William Whately’s Chancery Suit: III. Exceptions to Franklin’s Answer, [after 19 April 1774 and before 28 June 1774] … (Franklin Papers)
Summary of incomplete copy: American Philosophical Society The plaintiff’s exceptions are, to the best of our knowledge, the last extant pleadings in the case; and the copy breaks off in the middle. Madocks, Whately’s counsel, entered the exceptions later than the rules of the court permitted; on that ground Sayer, acting for Franklin, argued that they were inadmissible. The court overruled...
14624Note on Franklin’s Contributions to a Pamphlet by Arthur Lee, [before 30 May 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AD in Lee’s hand with Franklin’s additions: American Philosophical Society The report of the House of Lords that castigated the rebellious attitude of Massachusetts was published on April 20. Arthur Lee, before leaving on his European tour, composed an answer, which was announced in the Public Advertiser on May 30. Franklin subsidized the pamphlet, entitled A True State of the...
14625[Diary entry: 20 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
20. Rid to the Fishing Landg. at Johnson’s. Mr. Herbert & Mr. Stewart came home with us to Dinner. Mrs. Brown dined here & in the Aftern. Colo. Mason, Doctr. Brown, Mr. Jno. Cook, & my Brother John came. John Travers Cook (1755–1823), of Stafford County, married Mary Thomson Mason, daughter of George Mason of Gunston Hall.
14626[Diary entry: 20 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
20. Clear and very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.
14627From Benjamin Franklin to John Pownall, [on or after 21 April 1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress Dr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Pownall and acquaints him, that he was appointed Agent of the Province of Pensilvania for the current Year, by a Vote of the present Assembly, a Copy of which follows, viz. Resolved, That Benja Franklin Esqr be, and he is hereby appointed Agent of the Province for the ensuing Year, to solicit and transact the Affairs...
14628To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 21 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Pownall presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs to be informed, whether he has any authority, and what to act as Agent for the province of Pennsylvania. Addressed: To Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Secretary of the Board of Trade, which on that day was considering the Pennsylvania laws passed in February, 1773 (above, XX , 340 n), and Richard Jackson’s report on...
14629[Diary entry: 21 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
21. At home all day. Mr. Herbert, Mr. Stewart, Colo. Mason, & Doctr. Brown & Wife went away before Dinner. Mr. Warnr. Washington & Captn. Nourse came to it.
14630[Diary entry: 21 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
21. Again very warm with very little Wind.
14631To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Buchan, 22 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will you permit an Old acquaintance to reccomend to your Attention in the American Literary Line, a Gentleman of this Country who intends to cross the Attlantic next Spring, in Search of a Settlement in the department of a Teacher? His Abilities have been put to the Test for 9 or 10 years as a private and public teacher. He is an Honest Farmers Son and I...
14632[Diary entry: 22 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
22. Went with the above Compy. to the Fishing Landing at Johnsons.
14633[Diary entry: 22 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
22. Very Warm—with little or no Wind. In the Afternoon Thunder, with appearances of Rain, but none fell.
14634[Diary entry: 23 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
23. All the foregoing Company except Colo. Bassett & Family went away after Breakfast. I rid with him to the Fish[er]y at Posey.
14635[Diary entry: 23 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
23. A little Cool in the Morning, but warm afterwards with but little Wind.
14636[Diary entry: 24 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
24. Mr. Tilghman & Mr. Stewart came here to Dinner. The first stayed all Night the other returnd. On 7 April 1774 James Tilghman, Jr., had written to GW , mentioning “the agreeable Prospect that I have of shortly seeing all my Friends in Virginia, I shall leave Philadelphia in a Week, and in one week more hope to pay a Visit to Mount Vernon” ( DLC:GW ).
14637[Diary entry: 24 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
24. Clear and warm, with but very little wind. That Southerly.
14638From John Adams to Ebenezer Thayer Jr., 25 April 1774 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much absent upon the Circuits, since the melancholy news of your sons death that I have had no opportunity to take any notice of it till this minute. This must be a most afflicting dispensation to you and to your family. I sincerely condole with you and them under this unhappy loss. Your son was a young gentleman of a most amiable character, wherever he was known. His modesty...
14639From John Adams to Alexander Wedderburn, 25 April 1774 (Adams Papers)
Your Defence of Messrs. Hutchinson and Oliver before the Lords Committee of his Majestys privy Council for Plantation affairs, against the Address of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay, has arrived in Boston,: and as it is very curious, interesting and extraordinary, you will excuse a fair Discussion of its Merits, before the Trybunal of the Public. Whatever may be your real...
14640[Diary entry: 25 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
25. Colo. Bassett & family went away after Breakfast and Mr. Tilghman after Dinner. Mr. Adam dind here. Mr. Lanphire came to W[or]k. mr. lanphire : Going Lanphier (1727–1813), a house joiner and carpenter from Alexandria, had first done interior carpentry for GW in 1759, when the Mount Vernon mansion house was “raised” from 1½ to 2½ stories ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772....
14641[Diary entry: 25 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
25. Much such a day as yesterday being clear, still and warm.
14642To George Washington from William Black, 25 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
Having an oppty from here of a Young Gentleman going to Dumfries, I have just step’d aside to write you this. I wrote you some time agoe which was intended up by my Son, but he was taken on the road with the Measles, which prevented him and sent the Letter by a Chance oppty to you, and as I am doubtfull it may have miscarried, I shall here give you the heads. How soon your Letter came to me...
14643To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 26 April 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin. There are some Laws of Pensylvania now under the Consideration of the Lords of trade, but Mr. Pownall has not received any directions from their Lordships to require Dr. Franklin’s Attendance. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street Endorsed: Secry Pownall Octr. 1774 The formal title of the Board of Trade was...
14644[Diary entry: 26 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
26. At home all day alone.
14645[Diary entry: 26 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear & warm all day with very little Wind and that Southerly.
14646From George Washington to Philip Richard Francis Lee, 26 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
I will pay you at the next Meeting of Merchants in Williamsburg (this or next Month) or on my return from thence, on Acct of Mr Alexr Cleveland, the Sum of Fifty pounds Virginia Curry. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , owned (1990) by Mr. Leigh Lewis, Jr., Fairfax, Virginia. Philip Richard Francis Lee (died c.1834) was a son of Squire Richard Lee of Blenheim, Charles County, Maryland. Usually...
14647[Diary entry: 27 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
27. Mr. & Mrs. Cox & Mr. Robt. Adam Dined here. The latter went away afterwards. The other two stayed.
14648[Diary entry: 27 April 1774] (Washington Papers)
27. Very warm with but little wind and that Southerly again.
14649To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 27 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
Sance I wrote you My Brother Come Home and is Swore in to his Comitian and wase verey frendley treated att Stantown it wase out of his power to Send your plats to you acording your desire. I went to gilbert Simsons as Soon as I got out and gave him the bill of Scantlin you gave Me and the bill of his articles I offerd him all the Sarvents to take them to your Bottem to worke tell we got our...
14650To George Washington from Craven Peyton, 27 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed a Copy of the List of rents we Settled by, according to my promise. I forgot to give you the Tobacco I had received—tho. it was then in my pocket—should be glad you would advise me by the first opertunity what is best to be done with it. I am Y’r Mot H’ble Serv’t ALS , ViMtvL . In his account with George William Fairfax, GW indicates that on 26 April 1774 he received from...