147401To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I received your very obliging favor of the 29th Ulto and feel grateful for the pleasure it gave me by communicating the joy which was felt in your vicinity upon receiving the doubly pleasing intelligence of the accession of New Hampshire & Virginia to the proposed Constitution. Its adoption by the latter State gave peculiar & inexpressible satisfaction to the good people in these parts; for...
147402From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 10 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from the Secretary of War, in which, after giving it as the opinion of the President of the United States, that Officers for the twenty four additional Regiments ought to be had in contemplation; that, in case the exigency of our Affairs should require them, greater dispatch might be used in the formation, is the Extract which follows. Having given these Extracts,...
147403To Thomas Jefferson from Madame Pressoir, 18 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Madame Veuve Pressoir, Française & habitante de Saint Domingue réfugiée en cette ville. Expose que la morte récente de feu Son Epouse rend son voyage en france indispensable à ses intérets de famille; qu’elle désirai avoir passage Sur le brigantin St. michael à Expédier pour L’autorité du Gouvernement, de baltimore Pour Lorient à Falmouth, mais qu’on lui a dit que ce batiment ne pouvait...
147404John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is my duty to forward to you the within Memorial of Facts from Gentlemen whom the fortune of War made Prisoners to the American Arms under my command. In their application to me they observe that “I am well acquainted with their situation.” The late treatment which these unfortunate Men have met with appears to me to carry with it a degree of severity which cannot be Justified by reason nor...
147405To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to acknowlege the receipt of your Letter of the 30th. ulto. from Albany enclosing three affidavits relative to a Circumstance which took place at Canajoharie, while Capt. Kirkland was on his march to join his Regt. I have obtained from Doctor Douglass and others a narative of the Circumstances somewhat different from that detailed in the papers transmitted, which I shall...
147406Enclosure: Memorial from Washington County, Mississippi Territory, 8 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
We Your Petitioners whose names are under writen respectfully represent, That being divided from the populous part of the united states of America, and in fact being but a recent acquisition, we are not surprised altho our Situation has not appeared an object of the highest magnitude to Government, Yet we trust that this our petition will not Escape the guardian attention of the president of...
147407[Diary entry: 19 March 1770] (Washington Papers)
19. Cloudy all day—till Evening at least with much appearance of Rain in the Morning, but high Wind at No. West in the afternoon.
147408From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Although, our good old Massachusetts, has encore quelques Prejuges; yet I find that all our liberal minded Men have a Strong desire to See our past present and future Presidents. They hesitate not to ask me for Introductions; and I hesitate not to give them; knowing as I do the past, present and future President to be as liberal Men as themselves. They all return So full of Gratitude for their...
147409Joshua Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 5 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 2 d of last Month never came to hand until the 27 th. in course I could not but entertain fears that some accident had befallen you or that something was the cause of your silence, the receit of this removed those fears & give us much pleasure in finding you were safe & well— Since you left us M r. Gore one of the Commissionrs for the adjustment of Captured property has...
147410From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [3 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I request you will not take any step respecting the land mortgaged by Mr. Holker for Mr. Church’s debt without first consulting me. I am Sir Your obedient servt ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. During the seventeen-eighties Chaloner, a Philadelphia merchant, had served as the Philadelphia agent for John B. Church and Jeremiah Wadsworth. John Holker, who had served as...
147411To George Washington from Mary Dagworthy, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
By order of the Ladies of the Committee I inform your Excellency they have delivered to Col. Neilson D.Q.M. of this State Three hund and Eighty pair of Stockings to be forwarded by him to your Excellency and disposed of as you shall judge proper for the benefit of the Continental Soldiers. I am Your Excellency’s Huml. sert ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys docketed the letter...
147412Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 24 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Long before this will reach you, you will have an Account of the Action, att Charlestown, in which though the regulars have gaind an Advantageous Cituation have paid for itt very dearly, which loss in Millitary Accheivements is lookt upon as trivial. The distruction of Charlestown is a most Melancholy seen, as Three quarters of the Inhabitants have lost there, all. Brother Kent house, W....
147413William C. Rives to James Madison, 21 November 1833 (Madison Papers)
The constant hope, from day to day, of being able to make the visit to Montpelier, on which Mrs. Rives & myself have so long set our hearts, has prevented me from troubling you with a written acknowledgment of your most valuable favour of 21st ult. It has so happened, however, that an uninterrupted series of detentions, arising chiefly from the calls of friends, has as constantly occurred to...
147414From George Washington to Archibald Cary, 15 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 25th Ulto Inclosing sundry resolutions of your Assembly respecting the insiduous Manoeuvres of the enemy, who, it is evident, cannot mean well, because they take indirect steps to obtain that, to which a plain road is opened; and every good Man is desirous of obtaining upon honourable terms. I thank you my good Sir for the resolves, wch you did me the...
147415Jonathan Brunt to Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Last December but one, soon after I had left your seat a at Monticello , I was very unfortunate in being poisoned two or three times; I believe all the masters of the different families were innocent, except one.—I parted with clear blood, three or four days together, except the intermission of one day.—This was within 60 miles of Winchester .—It is evident, that Divine Providence fought for...
147416To George Washington from William Livingston, 9 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 3d instant inclosing the depositions which I had the honour some time since to transmit you—As I cannot answer it, without seeing the parties, I must postpone it, till I have an opportunity to consult them on your Excellencys proposals which are equally just & honourable. I am just now applyed to by Mr Van Nest a Son of one of our Council, &...
147417From John Adams to United States House of Representatives, 29 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I receive this address from the House of Representatives of the United States with peculiar pleasure. Your approbation of the meeting of Congress in this city, and of those other measures of the Executive authority of Government, communicated in my address to both Houses at the opening of the session, afford me great satisfaction; as the strongest desire of my heart is to give satisfaction to...
147418To John Adams from John Jay, 2 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Copy of a Letter of the 21 st: December from M r: Temple to me, which I laid before Congress. They have been pleased to direct that you communicate it to His Britannic Majesty— That you inform him, that the Complaint stated in it, being in general Terms, and unsupported by any particular Facts, or Evidence, they do not think it...
147419From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to apprehend, from the information I have received, that desertions from some of the Virginia Regiments, now on their March, will, in all probability, be not less frequent, than they have been from some from Pensylvania, which are in Camp. There is cause to fear, they will be more common & certain. I am told, that Convict Servants purchased from their Masters by the Recruiting...
147420To Thomas Jefferson from John Langdon, 14 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honor’d the last evening with your highly esteemed favo’r of the 5h. Inst. pray you’ll accept my thanks for your kind congratulations on our late Republican struggle in this State, our success has been greater then I had a right to expect, considering the Malice and Violence of the Tory Federalists both in and out of Office, who have used their utmost influence, spreading their falshoods...
147421To John Adams from Jonathan Williams III, 5 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Flattery has effectually ingaged me in your Correspondence, for when my Services in writing can at any time amuse or inform you, You may assure your self I shall most cordially become your Volentier. Commodore Manly as he is called is again taken in the Cumberland by the Pomona Frigate Capt. Waldergrave. Compte De Stang sailed the 12 of Jany from Martinique and Byron from St. Lucie. They...
147422Enclosure: [Report on the Letter from the Post Master General], 22 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the President of the United States has examined the letter of the 16th. inst: from the Post Master General and the papers accompanying the same. The data they exhibit, do not appear sufficient to enable a judgment of the propriety generally of the Contracts made or intended; in order to which, the distances of the several posts,...
147423To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 20 July 1768 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 20th and am the more confirmed in the Opinion I had of Doctor Savage’s being fully persuaded that his Wife really & sincerely desires the Relinquishment of the Bond, and therefore am not at all surprised that he should in such case desire it also. The Week before the last she sent to me desiring that I would make a demand for the money, and also that I would...
147424From George Washington to Charles Lee, 4 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to my promise I have looked among those parcels which I conceived most likely to produce the Paper of which you required a copy, without the desired effect. How to account for it I am at a loss unless Mr Lear & Mr Dandridge (whom I employed to seperate & Pack up my files) may have left it, with papers of a similar nature, which I also miss, with those designed for my Successor in...
147425To Thomas Jefferson from Edmond Charles Genet, 16 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Un navire americain qui avoit été chargé par le Ministre des affres. Eteres. de m’apporter des depêches et des Imprimés ayant été visité par des Corsaires anglois a sacrifié mes lettres et n’a pu me remettre que les Imprimés. J’ai choisi parmi ces derniers les pièces qui pouvoient le plus vous interesser. Je vous prie d’accepter celles dont il me reste des doubles et de me rendre quand vous en...
147426To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 3 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have conferd with Mr. Carey since I had the honor to receive your letter of the 30th. Ulto. He expects to deliver 150 sets of the laws immediately, and very soon after 100 more. The Amount of the $2000 will therefore be soon delivered. I presume that I shall hear from the Treasurer this day or to morrow so that I can be perfectly punctual as to 250 or 260 of the first copies. I have...
147427Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
After a week of anxious expectation, I received by last Thursdays post, a packet containing three News papers a pamphlet, two excellent Letters from our Dear sons, and fourteen lines from a hand, from which I was desirious of receiving, fourteen times as much. unreasonable do you exclaim! Publick Buisness, publick cares, allow’d, but there is a kind of communication and intercourse which is a...
147428To Thomas Jefferson from Robert T. Spence, 20 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the honour of seeing you, I have been informed through the medium of the department—that my communications have been read and are unsatisfactory—. I enter’d the Service of my Country at the age thirteen.—at Seventeen I was promoted to a Lieutenancy—I have Served Sir; with unsulied reputation untill my arrest at Natchez on 26 of February 1807; that I fought at the Siege of Tripoli for the...
147429Editorial Note: Jefferson’s Contemplated Mission to Europe (Jefferson Papers)
The documents here grouped together have no special unity beyond the fact that all of them relate to Jefferson’s mission to France in 1783—a mission never carried out because provisional articles of peace between the United States and Great Britain had been signed at Paris on 30 Nov. 1782. They can, however, be advantageously presented as a group in order to show Jefferson’s activities during...
1474301779 December 17. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
The Consul conducted me to the Souvereign Court of Justice. There are three Halls—one of civil Jurisdiction, another of Criminal, and a third of both. The three youngest Judges are the criminal Judges. The Consul introduced me to the President, and the other Judges and to the Attorney General in their Robes. The Robes, Wigs and bands both of the Judges and Lawyers are nearly like ours at...
147431To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is brought by my Cousin & Namesake Jon Williams who comes passenger in my Ship three Friends: I also inclose you a Paper.— I congratulate you most sincerely on your late sole appointment, not as being advantageous to you, for I do not know how Honour could be added to your Character, but on accot of my Country whose I am sure all the advantage...
147432[Diary entry: 23 December 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Thermometer at 20 in the Morning—20 at Noon and 20 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. again, snowing & cold. At home all day.
147433Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 3 September 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I write to you from an occasional, but very distant residence from Monticello , which place I left the 13 th of July . the two Raggis had arrived at the University about a week before that, which time I employed in getting them placed comfortably, and prepared to begin work. they have desired me to remit to you 300.D. to wit 150. each for his respective wife. I have accordingly directed the...
147434To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand: Memorandum, 27 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Etat de Situation actuelle Pour satisfaire aux payemens qui restent à faire, & liquider & payer tout ce que je connais d’Engagemens pour le Congress, il faudrait les Sommes suivantes aux Epoques ci-après, sçavoir £ 400,000 en Juillet 500,000 en Août. 500,000 en Septembre 500,000 en Octobre 1,900,000 en tout Si Monsieur Franklin ne voit pas jour à se...
147435To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 29 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received under cover from the Secy. at War an open letter for you of the 28 inst. desiring an arrangement for supplies to be made at Fredericksburg Virga. for a recruiting rendezvous for the new Corps of Artillerists & Engineers. In that letter he refers to a similar letter to you of the 16th of June, desiring several arrangements of the same kind to be made for the same...
147436From James Madison to John L. E. W. Shecut, 6 January 1818 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. your favor of Dcr. 11. with a Copy of your “Essay on the yellow fever of Charleston.” I have perused it with pleasure; as valuable in my view for its facts, and interesting for its theoretic observations. I offer this tribute with a consciousness that that of better judges of Medical subjects will be more worthy of your acceptance. Permit me, to add to it my thanks for your polite...
147437To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed letter to me, from Colonel Adden, dated the 10th. instant, will inform you of his conceptions, relative to an application made, for the discharge of a Soldier of the name of William Langley, on the ground of his being an indented Apprentice. The Colonel appears to think the Indenture a nullity, not being signed (as he stated) by the boy himself—I however find an Indenture...
147438To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of my intentions as explained in my last dated in Philada. I came to this City on Saturday last. The information I have here received convinces me that I can not accomplish the whole route I had planned within the time to which I am limited, nor go from this to Boston in the mode which I had reckoned upon. I shall therefore decline this part of my plan, at least for the present,...
147439To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Thompson Commander of the Gen Lee who sent an Express to you from Brest is arrived here by land, and on his arrival he gave me news which I immediately made Public supposing the particulars to be sent you from Brest; But as Mr de Chaumont who arrived here to day tells me no mention is made of it in your Dispatches, I set down to give it to you as I...
147440Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Lescallier, 14 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for the Persian tale of the Enchanted throne which you have been so kind as to send me . I have read it with satisfaction and with the more as a piece of natural history, presenting to us, as in a map, the mind of the man of Persia, and the means of measuring it. it shews us too the value of our art of printing, and the facility it affords us of cultivating a good taste, and...
147441From John Adams to John Langdon, 24 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I feel an irresistible propensity to compare notes with you, in order to ascertain, whether your memory and mine coincide, in the recollection of the circumstances of a particular Transaction in the History of this Country. As it lies in my mind, Captain John Manly applied to General Washington in Cambridge in 1775, informed him that British Transports and Merchant Ships were frequently...
147442[Diary entry: 16 June 1770] (Washington Papers)
16. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells and went to the Play in the Evening. GW today paid 6s. 3d. to a blacksmith and spent 15s. 6d. for tickets and other expenses at the play ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 318). The American Company of Comedians had arrived in town from Philadelphia on 13 June...
147443From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [End of April 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), I , 327–9. Vos observations sur les causes de la mort, et les expériences que vous proposez pour rappeller à la vie ceux qui paroissent tués par le tonnerre, montrent également votre sagacité et votre humanité. Il paroit que la doctrine de la vie et de la mort en général est encore peu...
147444From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 31 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of a Letter from Governour Lee. We are very desirous to afford all the cooperation in our power. The brig and such of the boats and two eastern shore gallies as can be equipped we wish to have sent. We therefore think it will be adviseable in you, laying aside all other business, to proceed immediately to hampton or what ever other place you can act from with most energy,...
147445Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your’s of yesterday by mr Coles . my journey to Bedford has been delayed by sickness among my laboring people. no new case having arisen for some time, I am in hopes it is at an end. still no particular object fixing my departure to any precise time, it lies over for convenience, and should I fix a time before we have the pleasure of seeing yourself & mrs Madison here I shall...
147446To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Three french merchants who have been prisoners in New york four months, but had the liberty of the town—informs me, that Gnl Clinton went over to long Island on wedensday last, it is suposed to see those troops he carry’d up the sound, which are now encamp’t, he is expected back in a few days, thay continue to embark thayr cannon, and ordinance stores, a body of troops are likewise embarkt,...
147447From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [22 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The Boats are not under present circumstances to go to the Notch till tomorrow as you will see by the letter herewith. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. These boats were being assembled for the projected attack described in Pickering to H, November 6, 1780, note 1 .
147448[Diary entry: 28–29 July 1763] (Washington Papers)
28. 29. } Cut Timothy Seed at Ashfords & new topd. the stack there. Note. This seed was cut too soon & did not stand long enough in the field wch. occasioned gt. loss.
147449From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return all the papers recieved from you by this post , except those relative to our affairs at Buenos Ayres. Mr. Boudinot’s provisional measures for taking care of the Mint on shutting it up appear entirely proper. the 5th. alone seems imperfect, as I do not see why a positive conclusion should not have been formed as to the care of the bullion, the most important part of the charge. I...
147450From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 7 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The two polygraphs you sent by the stage arrived in perfect order. the improvement in the writing apparatus is indeed precious. I find the pen now as light as a free pen. I immediately delivered to mr Madison the largest, with which he is well pleased, and I retain the smaller and more portable one. it pleases me extremely, and I do not know that I could desire an addition to it, but your...