15001From George Washington to Jonathan Loring Austin, 23 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Oration of the 4th of July, which you did me the honor to send me; & am much obliged to you for so polite a mark of attention. I have perused it with a great deal of pleasure, & hope that the anniversary of that day will ever be commemorated in this Country as the era from which we may date our happiness & importance. I am Sir, &c. LB , DLC:GW . The Oration Delivered July...
15002From John Adams to Jonathan Loring Austin, 13 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, and very Sorry you have found So little Success in your affair for the Massachusetts. You have this Consolation, however that you have had as good Luck as any one else. The Series of Events for the last twelve months, which the English represent so favourable to them, and so unfortunate for Us, Seems to have extinguished the little Remains of Credit that We had...
15003From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Loring Austin, 20 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your several favours of June 10. July 12. and 27. It Gave me Pleasure to hear of your Safe arrival in your native Country; and I am obliged to you for the Intelligence your Letters contain which I hope you will continue and for the newspapers. This Campaign in Europe has not been so active as was Expected owing to contrary winds and other accidents which a...
15004Discharge of Joshua Austin, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. “… Joshua Austin, belonging to the independent company of the State of Connecticut, … appears to be incapable of military service. He is hereby discharged from the Continental army.…” ADS , Connecticut State Library, Hartford.
15005From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, Jr., 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
This serves to acknolege the reciept of your favor of the 7th. inst. and the pleasure I derive from the expressions of approbation which it contains. we have lately recieved the treaty and conventions for the cession of Louisiana. 11¼ millions of Dollars to the government of France, the discharge of their debts to our citizens under the Convention of 1800. not to exceed 20. Millions of francs,...
15006From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, Jr., 28 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the reciept, some time ago, of a volume from you , the papers of which I had before read as they appeared under the signature of Old South, and had read with uncommon satisfaction. a sacred devotion to the natural rights of man, and to the principles of representative government which offers the fairest chance of preserving them, with an intrepidity bidding defiance to...
15007From John Adams to Samuel Austin, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your of Dec r. 23 d. & have since received from M r. Jay our secretary of State for foreign affairs, the papers you refer to, with particular instructions from Congress, which I shall carefully attend to— Your demand as you state it is a Debt contracted before the peace— But you know there is a great misunderstanding between the two Countries, concerning such debts & in my...
15008From Benjamin Franklin to Jean Chappe d’Auteroche, 31 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I sent you sometime since, directed to the Care of M. Molini, a Bookseller near the Quây des Augustins a Tooth that I mention’d to you when I had the Pleasure of meeting with you at the Marquis de Courtanvaux’s. It was found near the River Ohio in America, about 200 Leagues below Fort du Quesne, at what is called the Great Licking Place, where the Earth...
15009From Benjamin Franklin to Auzoüer, 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you honour’d me with of the 21st. Instant. It is long Since I had any News of Mr. Carrol. I only know that he is a Member of the Congress; but I hear nothing of his Coming to france. Probably he was not willing to undertake so hazardous a Voyage with his family in time of war, nor to leave them behind in case he did come over.— Be pleased to...
15010From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Avery, 17 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Avery; he has this morning examined the law erecting the territory of Michigan, and finds that the Marshal or sheriff is not appointed by the President, but by the Governor. nevertheless he is so well satisfied of the indispensable necessity that that office should be filled by a person speaking French as well as English, & of the convenience of...
15011From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Avery, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of a powerful British fleet in Chesapeake Bay renders me extremely apprehensive that a French fleet expected here not apprized of this Circumstance may run into the mouths of the Enemy. I must therefore beg of you to procure immediately two good Boats to go out and keep a constant Lookout for the French fleet and to deliver to the Commanding Officer, should they meet with him, the...
15012From John Adams to Stephen Jones, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and considered your your elegant Address of the 10th. of August. Although you reside in a remote Part of the United States it is very manifest you have not been inattentive or indifferent Spectators of the dangerous Encroachment of a foreign Nation. You are of Opinion that no Connection with the present Governors of that Nation or their Agents ought to be Sought, or desired....
15013From John Adams to John Avery, 25 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I find myself, under a Necessity of applying to the Honourable the general Court for Leave to return home. I have attended here, So long and So constantly, that I feel myself necessitated to ask this Favour, on Account of my Health, as well as on many other Accounts. I beg Leave to propose to the Honourable Court an Alteration in their Plan of Delegation in Congress, which it appears to me,...
15014From John Adams to John Avery, 10 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have to request of you to communicate the inclosed Resignation to the Honourable Board, as soon as may be; as it is of great Importance to the public, that the Superiour Court Should be filled up, and proceed to the Business of the State and as it has been already kept, too long unfill’d. We are now at Such a Distance from the Army, that it is not in my Power to communicate, any...
15015From John Adams to John Avery, 21 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had this Morning the Honour Pleasure of your Favour of the 7th. Instant, and am glad to learn that my Letter to you of the Tenth of February, was conveyed Safely to your Hand, and am obliged to you for communicating the Resignation enclosed in it to the Honourable Board. It would give me a great deal of Uneasiness if the Honourable Board should not proceed forthwith to fill up the Vacancy,...
15016From Thomas Jefferson to John Avery, 23 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
General Varnum has delivered to me your letter of Nov. 20. together with the maps which the Legislature of Massachusets has been pleased to destine for me. I pray you to deliver my respectful acknolegements to them for this mark of their attention, and to accept my thanks to yourself for the trouble you have been so good as to take, as well as assurances of my respect and consideration. PrC (...
15017From George Washington to John Avery, 25 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instt came duly to hand; but previous thereto, I had written to Mr Jno. Francis of Philadelphia (who report had engaged the houses to, I was building in the Federal City) to know in explicit terms whether he meant to take them, or not, on the conditions I offered them, namely—Seven and an half percent on the whole cost; to which, taxes, if any, and Insurance against fire,...
15018From James Madison to the Marqués de Avilés, 27 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
In behalf of an individual Citizen of the United States, who has been deeply injured in his private Circumstances by certain proceedings which took place in the province over which your Excellency presides, I am induced now to call your attention to his Case. This Individual is James Yard Esqre, who is a very respectable Inhabitant and extensive Merchant of Philadelphia. He represents to me...
15019Thomas Jefferson to John Ayers & Company, 17 April 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved the corn announced in your letter of the 9 th . considering it as a confidence on the part of mr Thayer for the benefit of the public, I shall feel it a duty to distribute it’s proceeds to all who shall be disposed to profit by it: and requesting permission to return my thanks to mr Thayer thro’ the same channel by which I recieved his favor, and to yourselves for your care of...
15020From James Madison to Joseph S. Ayers (Abstract), 20 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
20 February 1805, Department of State . “I have received your letter of the 27th. Ult. The injury you sustained by the detention of your vessel is of a nature to be redressed only by your prosecuting the captor or his surety. There is therefore no form in which the Executive can with propriety interpose.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. No letter of 27 Jan. 1805 from Ayers...
15021From George Washington to William Aylett, 30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your Letter of the 12th Instt a few days ago, advising me of the Appointments you had made in the Line of your Department, of which I shall take proper notice. In respect to your inquiry, most of the public Stores were removed from Elk, Except the Grain. This in general fell into the Enemy’s hands & was either used or destroyed by them. When they arrived, there were several...
15022From George Washington to William Aylett, 6 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 26th Ulto came to my hands by the last Post—and by its return you will receive this Letter. As Mr John Gizage Frazer is unable to pay what he owes me, and my Signing his Letter of License necessary to his enlargement I do (although I cannot charge my Memory with ever having seen it) upon the information and strength of your Letter, hereby signify my consent to it, and do...
15023From James Madison to Domenico A. Azuni, October 1817 (Madison Papers)
The 3 Copies of your work on Piracy were duly recd; and 2 of them disposed of, one for the library of Congress, the other for that of the Department of State. For the 3d. presented to myself, I pray you to accept my thanks. An historical, juridical, & remedial view of Piracy, was a subject, which merited the researches & disquisition you have bestowed on it; and I have perused this gift of...
15024From George Washington to Adam Babcock, 8 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Adam Babcock, 8 May 1776. Babcock’s letter to GW of 6 May is endorsed in Stephen Moylan’s writing: “Ansd the 8th 1776.”
15025Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Babcock, 14 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United S. directs me to thank you for the tender of your services to your Country; and, agreeably to your request, to return the Certificate herewith enclosed. I am, Sir, Your obt Servt ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Henry Babcock (1736–1800), a native of Rhode Island and a 1752 graduate of Yale, fought in the French and Indian War, 1755–59. He...
15026From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 10 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your Goodnature will be pleas’d to hear that your Guests went on well after they left you. We got early into New York the next Morning; staid there one Day, had a Pleasant Passage over the Bay the next Morning; spent some time with Friends in different Places of the Jerseys, and got safe and well home on Saturday Evening, where we had the additional Happiness of...
15027From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 16 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I thank you most cordially for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival, which I have the more Pleasure in, as among my other Friends, I find you and yours alive and well: I rejoice with you likewise in the safe Return of your two valuable Sons, to whom, on Account of their own Merit as well as the Obligations I am under to you, I wish it had been in my Power to...
15028From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 26 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library It is a long time since I have had the Pleasure of a Line from you; indeed I have not deserv’d it; for I am a Debtor on Account of several of your Favours that remain unanswer’d. The Truth is, I have too much Writing to do. It confines me so much, that I can scarcely find time for sufficient Bodily Exercise to keep me in Health. Hence I grow more and more averse...
15029From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 10 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been favour’d with yours by your valuable Sons, on whose promising Worth I congratulate you and good Mrs. Babcock. I should be glad to see them oftner than I do. But young Men find in England, Amusements more agreeable than the Company of old ones. The Colonel is gone down with my Son to Bath, where I last Night had the Pleasure of hearing they were both...
15030From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 5 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Returning hither from Portsmouth, I find your agreeable Favour of Augt. 19. containing your kind Invitation to Westerly, where I am sure I could pass some Days with great Pleasure; but doubt whether it will be in my Power. I perceive the Artifice of your Eloquence, which in some degree saves me from being carried away by its Force. You promise me the Communication...
15031From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 18 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : West Chester (Pa.) State Teachers College I hop’d to have had the Pleasure of being with you before this time, but various Remora’s have detain’d us in various Places. We are to set out this day, so as to lodge at Cases’ to night, and purpose to take a Bed under your hospitable Roof the Night, if not cast away among the dangerous Rocks of your Coast. My best Respects to Mrs. Babcock, &c....
15032From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I beg Leave to introduce to you the Revd. Mr. Allison Rector of our Academy; a Person of great Ingenuity and Learning, a catholic Divine, and what is more, an Honest Man; For as Pope says By Entertaining then this Gent. with your accustomed Hospitality and Benevolence, you will Entertain one of the Nobility. I mean one of Gods Nobility; for as to the Kings , there...
15033From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society It was with great Pleasure I learnt by Mr. Marchant, that you and Mrs. Babcock and all your good Family continue well and happy. I hope I shall find you all in the same State when I next come your Way, and take Shelter as often heretofore under your hospitable Roof. The Colonel, I am told, continues an active and able Farmer, the most...
15034From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 29 September 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter from Crosby , office keeper for the Secretary of state, he informs me you expressed some anxiety to receive the gong belonging to Mr. Franklin , the bringing of which here was the subject of a former apology to you. I have the promises of three several persons who went to China in different vessels in 1793. that they would bring me one each, and I presume I may count on their...
15035From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, [before 25 December 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Translation: American Philosophical Society Jai reçu vôtre lettre avec le prix que vous avès obtenu et qui m’a fait un grand plaisir j’ai reçu il n’y a pas longtemps une autre lettre de vous dans laquelle vous ne faites pas mention des longues lettres que je vous ai ecris environ le 25 de septembre, dans les quel il y avoit une lettre pour vous de vôtre Maman et une autre de cokran: je vous ai...
15036From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 3 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Letter, and it gave me great Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival at Geneva, & of your being plac’d in your Pension. You now have a fine Opportunity of learning those things that will be reputable and useful to you when you come to be a Man; and you will make your Father and Mother very happy to hear that you mind your Studies and improve daily,...
15037From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Mrs. Carl H. Ernlund (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1958) I received a Letter the other day from my dear Boy, without Date. It always gives me Pleasure to hear from you, to be inform’d of your Welfare, and that you mind your Learning. It is now the Season for you to acquire that, at the Expence of your Friends, which may be of Use to you when they are dead and gone, and qualify you to fill...
15038From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 16 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy: American Philosophical Society I received an English Letter from you in February last, and a french one since of the 26th of March. You do well to write often to me, because it always gives me Pleasure to hear of your Welfare, tho the Affairs I am engag’d in do not permit me so often to write to you. I have heard lately from your Papa & Mama, who were well with the whole Family. I...
15039Abigail Adams to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 17 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
Taking up your paper yesterday morning, I was shockd at the Misrepresentation a Writer in your paper has given to the nomination and appointment of J Q. Adams, to sweeden for the purpose of renewing the Treaty with that Power. I could not but reflect upon the different feelings which must actuate your Mind, and the writer of the following paragraph, written last october, upon seeing Some...
15040From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 19 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library Do not think that I have forgotten you, because I have been so long without writing to you. I think of you every day, and there is nothing I desire more than to see you furnish’d with good Learning, that I may return you to your Father and Mother so accomplish’d, with such Knowledge & Virtue as to give them Pleasure, and enable you to become an...
15041From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 23 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received your late Letter, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing. I have also receiv’d the little Drawing of a Country-house, which seems to be prettily done, and shows that you advance also in that Art. I write by this Post to Mr. Marignac, requesting that he would permit you to come and see me and stay with me during the Vacation of...
15042From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 2 June 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
The season being now arrived when all danger of the sea vanishes, I have had Mr. Franklin’s gong packed and shall send it immediately to Richmond with instructions to forward it by some safe and known master of a vessel to Philadelphia. As there is rarely a week without some vessel going from thence to Philadelphia, I hope it will arrive soon and safe. If you can make me up a set of your...
15043From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Kenneth W. Rendell, Inc., Catalog 54 (December, 1970), p. 14. I received your Letter of Nov. 20. & another written on Occasion of the New Year, together with the Drawings, which please me, and I have desired your Master to advance a Guinea in Books for you, as a Present from me in Return for those Drawings: But I expect you will improve; and...
15044From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 2 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have receiv’d several Letters from you, and in the last a Specimen of your Drawing, which I was pleas’d with, as well as with your Letters. I am not going yet to England, as you supposed. When I do go there, I shall certainly take you with me. I send you the Medal you desire; but I cannot afford to give Gold Watches to Children. When you are more of a Man,...
15045From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 December 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Crosby writes me he has bespoke from you a set of your papers for the present year to be bound up and forwarded to me after the end of the year as usual. Independant of this I shall be glad to become your subscriber from the 1st. day of this month for another set to be forwarded to me by post. As some of these will miscarry, I shall hope that on forwarding to you at the end of the next...
15046From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chapin Library, Williams College; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some time since, and sent to your Father, the Samples you had sent to me of your Drawing, particularly the Copy of the Print of your Grand Father, which appear’d to be well done. I have also just now receiv’d your Letter written to wish me a happy New Year; but you should nevertheless have put...
15047From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 22 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th. Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Bache and sends him three gazettes of Leyden. He will send him five others (coming to Feb. 22) as soon as he has read them. He congratulates Mr. Bache on an observation he has heard very generally made of the improvement of his paper within some time past. He still wishes some means could be found of making it a paper of general distribution, thro’...
15048From Thomas Jefferson to Franklin Bache, 17 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you, dear Sir, for the volume of chemistry which you have been so kind as to send me. the attention which prevails through the whole work to apply it’s science to the utilities of life gives it that high merit for which your illustrious ancestor was so distinguished. he seemed to pursue no discoveries but with a view to the uses of man. I have to apologise for the qui pro quo...
15049From Thomas Jefferson to Franklin Bache, 10 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 27. was duly recieved. the Visitors of our University will not make their final appointment of Professors until October next, when your application will be under their consideration. I am glad to find a son of my late friend Doct r Bache qualified to take a stand in so honorable a line of competition, and beg leave to assure you of my respect and good wishes for your...
15050From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Bristol Rhode Island Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received yours of June 20. It gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of yourself and the dear Family. I am glad Ben’s Profile got safe to hand. I assure you it is very like him. He is well. I have read Mr. Wharton’s Pamphlet. The Facts, as far as I know them, are as he states them. Justice, is, I...