150031To Benjamin Franklin from Nathan Blodget, 3 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have many pressing affairs that urge me strongly to Paris. & pray your Excellency to give me leave to go for a short time. I am Purser on board the Alliance, my duty is very light at present, so, that I can safely assure your Exy. that the service I have the honor to be in, shall not suffer in the least. Capt. Landais says he would give me leave to go,...
150032To James Madison from Francis H. Rozer, 26 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have requested Mr F. Hall to call on you for the hire of my Negro Man George. I was in hopes he suited you, and that you would have continued him in your service. As I am informed the hire of servants is not so high as it was; I intended informing you of my terms for the ensuing year, which I have fix’d at $100. If inclined to continue him, please inform me by Mr Hall. I have the honor to be...
150033[Diary entry: 4 October 1794] (Washington Papers)
4th. Forded the Susquehanna; nearly a mile wide, including the Island—at the lower end of wch. the road crosses it. On the Cumberland Side I found a detachment of the Philadelphia light horse ready to receive, and escort me to Carlisle 17 miles; where I arrived at about 11 Oclock. Two miles short of it, I met the Governors of Pennsylvania & New Jersey with all the Cavalry that had rendezvouzed...
150034June 2d. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Wasted the Day, with a Magazine in my Hand. As it was Artillery Election, it seemed absurd to study, and I had no Conveniencies, or Companions for Pleasure either in Walking, riding, drinking, husling, or any thing else.
150035From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 11 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library My last Expedition convinc’d me that I grow too old for Rambling, and that ’twas probable I should never make such another Journey. ’Tis an uncomfortable Thing, the Parting with Friends one hardly expects ever again to see. This, with some occasional Hindrances, prevented my calling at Preston Fields after my Return from Glasgow: But my Heart was with you and your...
150036From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 21 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had the honour of addressing you so lately as the 11th. and 14th. instant, I should not so soon have troubled you again but that since the departure of those letters I have received one from the Count de la Luzerne of which I now send a copy, together with another copy of the Arret of Dec. 7. lest the former should be longer getting to you. You will perceive that the Ministry press for...
150037David & Son to the American Commissioners, [16 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Success of Baltimore John Nicols Master coming from Maryland is arrived here yesterday with 140 Hogsheads of tobacco. This vessel was destined for Nantes or Bordeaux, but having been chased by three Men of war without Colours and which we believe to be the three that saild last from Brest, the said Capt. taking advantage of the night got clear and is...
150038To Thomas Jefferson from James Barr, Sr., 20 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The petition & Representation of your humble Supplients Inhabitants of the County of Erie State of Pennsya. with all due submission Sheweth that we being Residants upon the frontier of the United States upon Lake Erie & having for a Long time past Experienced much persicution practised upon us by Judges & Lawyers & men in power under them have with much Sorrow & great Wonder at Length Seen...
150039[Diary entry: 25 September 1768] (Washington Papers)
25. At Home. The above Company went away after Breakfast.
150040To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment favord with your Excellencys Letter of this morning inclosing a Copy of the requisition made by Lt. Colo. Lee for the Corps under his command. I am perfectly of Opinion with your Excellency that the call on this State for the several Articles he demands is improper on any other principle than that of the general good. In the new Establishment of the Army this Corps is...
150041From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [May 1786–April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Three or four days since I wrote to My angel by the Post, since which I have received a letter from her. I am very unhappy to hear that my beloved is out of health. Heaven grant it may soon be restored. I entreat her to take care of herself & keep up her spirits. I cannot yet determine what will be our stay here and consequently I can make no determinations about my love; but I feel that it...
150042To George Washington from Hannah Fairfax Washington, 17 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to you by my Son Fairfax Washington, who I have sent to Phliadela with a view of reading the Law under Mr Charles Lee, and of improving himself, by being introduced into good company. Depending on the friendship you, & your good Lady, have allways express’d for his Father & myself, I make free to beg your countenancing him, & the favor will be gratefully acknowledg’d by...
150043Samuel Johnson to Peter Jay, 24 September 1762 (Jay Papers)
In a Letter I had lately from the Archbishop of Canterbury, he expressed some Wonderment that the Ch[urc]h at Rye had never applied to the Society for another Minister since the Death of M r . Wetmore. This is indeed to be wondered at if they have not done it; at least to thank them for their past favour, & desire the Continuance of it, & l[e]ave to nominate one themselves, & to be looking out...
150044To John Adams from Aaron Bancroft, 1 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bancroft begs leave to intrude upon the retirement of Dr. Adams to present him an Election Sermon, in evidence of the respect he feels for his character, and as a tribute of gratitude for his public services. MHi : Adams Papers.
150045From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me pain that a Dispute of so delicate a nature as that which makes the subject of your favor of the 19th inst. should be left undetermined and continue the source of uneasinesses in Officers who deserve well of their Country—This matter will not as you seem to apprehend be returned for the consideration of Congress, they have already refered it to their Committee in this Camp, the...
150046From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I am glad the detention of the Ship gives you an opportunity of forwarding the enclosed. Yours ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. Jefferson docketed the letter: “Washington Presidt recd Nov. 13. 92.” Jefferson added a notation below the text in which he identified the enclosure: “it was my letter of Nov. 13. to mister Pinckney. London.” In that letter Jefferson wrote that the “ship New Pigou still...
150047To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I had the honor to receive your letter of the 12th Instant with its enclosures. As no vessel has sailed for So. Carolina or Georgia, from this place, since the date of my last letter (the 17th) (altho’ several are up for Charleston, and according to their advertisements shou’d have sailed before this time), I intend this letter to go by the mail to Charleston, with a request...
150048To James Madison from James Monroe, 25 September 1798 (Madison Papers)
If you can conveniently I will thank you to furnish to Mr. Jones for me abt. £45. wh. I am to pay at Fredbg. under an engagment wh. cannot be delayed. I have adjusted my affr. with Pickett by the payment of ⅔ ds. the amt. and otherwise securing him in the balance in three months, so that I am freed from that difficulty. This was done by the sale of my military land. I shall probably be down,...
150049To Thomas Jefferson from James Parker, 30 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The humble respects of a disstresed Ireish Officer wate on You he is reduced to the gratest extremity suffered in his place of Netivity on account of the revolution; has a family a stranger & no Imployment for a Support; therfore take the Liberty of Intrudeing on Your Benevolence for sume assistance as he is in want; has seen Better days; but know in adversity— I am Your. Excys: Disstresed...
150050To James Madison from Richard Cutts, 31 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
A vessel has just arrived in a short passage from Liverpool bringing London papers to the twenty-fourth of June containing the official accounts of a most bloody battle fought on the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth of June between Bonaparte and the allied armys under Wellington—the two first days Bonaparte was successful, on the third was defeated and obliged to retreat leaving between...
150051To John Adams from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have to apologize to you for having omitted to recollect to put up your two Volumes of Maps, which I beg permission to have the honor to present to you. If possible, they shall go by this opportunity. I do not learn that we have yet fixed our ministry, which does not at all concern me, provided we could fix our principles. I am happy however to find, notwithstanding the factions in...
150052To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 12 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received your Excellency’s letter of the 6th with it’s inclosure, and have not lost a moments time in procuring the passport, which I inclose. It is with pleasure Sir, that I accept any occasion which my duty will allow of manifesting my attention towards your Excellency and the respect with which I am your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant. DLC : Papers of...
150053To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment my Spy from Philadelphia came to me he is an exceeding intelligent Fellow, I counterfeited the Quaker for once, & wrote a few lines to Sr Wm informing him the Rebels had plundered me, & that I was determined to risque my all in procuring him intelligence, that the bearer wou’d give him my name; a noted Quaker, who I knew had assisted him. The Letter was concealed curiously & the...
150054To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 23 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It is only by candid representations of the disinterested, or the applications of the concerned, that you can add to that stock of information, which your own and your ministers knowledge afford. I trust therefore that in doing myself the honor to communicate these remarks, I shall contribute to your accommodation. The question of alterations in the list of officers, civil, and all others, may...
150055To James Madison from Marinus Willett, 29 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Marshal of this District becoming vacant by the Death of General Smith, I beg leave to recommend Roger Strong Esquire for that office. Mr Strong has held several unprofitable offices in this State which he excuted with reputation. His circumstances having been considerably injured by the late situation of our Country requiers him to use every exertion in his power for the support of his...
150056To James Madison from James Bowdoin, 9 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you on the 7th. & 27th. of dec. & on the 17th. Ultimo, & still continue without your favours: I am now more particularly to acquaint you, that my worthy & highly esteemed friend, George Erving Esq. of London, father of George W. Erving Esqr. chargé d’affaires of the U.S. near the Court of his catholic majesty, died on the 18th. of Jan. last, and that Mr. Erving recd. the melancholy...
150057From George Washington to James Hendricks, 10 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Baggage Waggons & Cavalry & Cattle of the French & American Armies are to cross at George Town, where I am told the landing Places are bad. I have desired Colonel Wagener (instead of marching the Militia to Williamsburg) to employ them in repairing the Roads from George Town to the Ford of Occoquan; and entreat you in earnest terms, to see that the landings on both sides are made good, and...
150058[Diary entry: 29 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 29th. Left Boston about 8 Oclock. Passed over the Bridge at Charles Town and went to see that at Malden, but proceeded to the college at Cambridge, attended by the Vice President, Mr. Bowdoin, and a great number of Gentlemen: at this place I was shewn by Mr. Willard the President the Philosophical Aparatus and amongst others Popes Orary (a curious piece of Mechanism for shewing the...
150059To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "Hamlit", 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is an applauded saying that a virtuous man rising above his misfortunes is a scene which the Gods themselves look upon with pleasure. but it seems unfortunate for human nature that its sympathy is only reserved for success and that a young man struggling for his soscial existance and almost for his life has no claim to it. Your Excellencies erudition will inform you that the Delphic pithia...
150060The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., with Franklin’s Proposed Substitute, 13 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two); (II) AL (incomplete draft): Library of Congress We are sorry to inform you, that the state of our funds admits of no farther expenditure without danger of bringing us into great difficulties. It is therefore our desire that you will abstain from any farther purchases, and close...