1501IX. Abstracts of Gouverneur Morris’ Letters on Commerce, [May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[May 1784] G. Morris to Genl. Chastellux. Oct. 7. 1783. France fought for the American commerce. Has she got it and will she hold it? That contest is only beginning. Her success in it will depend on her prudent management. The marine of a country depends on it’s commerce. Commerce depends on 2. pillars. 1. Navigation, which forms seamen. 2. Wealth, which supplies taxes. To pursue a marine at...
1502To Thomas Jefferson from John Stokely, 17 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson, at the request of a Gentm. from the Western Country and a Late occurrence I am urged at this particular time to address you. I am informed that a Bill is now Presented or about to be Presented to Your Excellency for Signing that contemplates Granting Mr. Oliver Evans a Second Patent for his inventions about Mills &c. I have no desire to Injure Mr Evans. I Showed him the Letter I...
1503General Orders, 22 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The following are the names of the different Batteries, in and about this City—The Battery at the South part of the Town, the Grand Battery —The one immediately above it, Fort George —The one on the left of the Grand Battery, Whitehall Battery . That behind his Excellency General Washington’s Head Quarters, the Oyster Battery . The circular Battery near the Brewhouse, on the North River, The...
1504To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Mary Barclay, 23 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Barclay presents their Complimts. to Doctor Franklin, and will have the Honor of Waiting on him at Dinner on Thursday. Addressed: His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Passy This is one of three extant dinner acceptances from the Barclays, all written from Auteuil in a hand we now recognize as Henry Champion’s (for whom see the following...
1505To James Madison from Hobohoilthle, 15 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have received your talk laid it before the Chiefs of my Nation and now give your their Answer. It is harmless. Your speach was delivered to Colo. Hawkins and he to us, he is like an old Chief, and when things are rong he is to look into for both sides. You ask for a path and I say no, when the President sees my talk, he will Know I have Answered in full, I have examined it myself, my Chiefs...
1506To James Madison from John Steele, [19 July] 1802 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to put into your hands the enclosed letter from General Davie recommending Mr. Barnet and Mr. Montflorence to the notice of Government. As I am not at all acquainted with the former, and but slightly with the latter, I wish to be understood as not offering an opinion concerning the pretensions of either: Indeed I would not have put you to the trouble of even reading the letter but...
1507To James Madison from Isaac Coffin, 22 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
Shortly after my arrival in England last August, your invaluable present of two wild Turkies were landed in England and received by my Friends the Messrs. Earles of Liverpool. I had set out on my Travels, and your obliging Letter reached me only a few days since. You have done more for me than all my Relations and friends have been able to accomplish in seven years. The Birds are placed under...
1508To John Adams from James R. Willson, 25 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
An offective son, & one of the children of the church presumes to address you an epistle. I long admired your measures in preparing to expend this nation in time of peace, & thus prevent war from spreding ruin over the land. Now all the nation is convinced of the propriety of your measures respecting the navy & impropriety of the measures of your successors. Our navy has done wonders. God...
1509To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin DeWitt, [25 February 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that at A meeting of the Society for the promotion of Agriculture Arts & Manufactures Held in the Senate Chamber on the 11th Feby 1801 You was duly elected a Member thereof. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. DeWitt, a graduate of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1797, practiced medicine in Albany. After George Clinton became governor of New...
1510To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Decambray, [after 28 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ignore quelle idée pourra vous faire Naitre une demande que le desire du travail excite: peut-être la jugerez vous inconsequente; mais vous etes trop juste pour ne pas pardonner un être honnête (Je puis hautement m’en Glorifier) victime des Malheurs que Son pere a Supporté. Je Sais, Monsieur, que le Nommé Gellée Votre Ancien Secrétaire n’a pas Connu Le...
1511[Diary entry: 13 October 1772] (Washington Papers)
13. Also finishd Do. in the Neck.
1512Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Brent, 8 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Long indulgence by your predecessors in the direction of the department of State in the privilege of getting my letters to Europe put under the same cover with their the official dispatches of the department has encoraged me to ask the same favor of you. my increasing aversion to writing will be a security against any abuse of this favor. on this ground I take the liberty of inclosing a letter...
1513To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 12 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to inform The Secretary of the Treasury, that as Mr. Short’s mission to Madrid will probably cause much delay in negotiating the intended additional loan, if instructions on this subject should be sent to him to transact the business—the President thinks, with you, that it would be best to address the instructions for this business immediately...
1514George Washington to Colonel Ephraim Blaine, 14 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 14, 1781 . Informs Blaine that Washington is leaving for Rhode Island. Orders Blaine to send provisions to West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1515James Madison to Martin Van Buren, 11 December 1830 (Madison Papers)
I take a liberty, for which I must again apologize; in requesting that the enclosed letters may be forwarded with the first dispatches from the Office of State for Paris & Liverpool, renewing to you, at the same time, assurances of my high esteem & cordial respects. FC (DLC) .
1516Thomas Jefferson to Louis Marie Turreau, 6 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to General Turreau, and incloses a letter which came to him under cover from M. de. la Cepede . he is happy in the occasion it furnishes him of assuring General Turreau of his great esteem & respect, and his regret that the distance and infrequency of the posts from this place, will have produced several days delay in the reciept of this. PoC (...
1517From Benjamin Walker to William Heath, 31 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am ordered by the Commander in Chief to acquaint you that he will arrive this day at his Quarters at Mr Hasbrooks at Newburg, to which place he desires you would Send the Barge he formerly had—with a good . with respect I have the honor to be Sir Your very Obed Serv MHi : Heath Papers.
1518From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Charles Stewart, [18 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
You will see that Mr. Farge is a man in distress. The General has given him an order to draw rations. From his situation he cannot draw them dayly. Can you advance him for two or three months at a time? This is wholly private. Yrs. with great regard ALS , Harvard College Library. Stewart was commissary general of issues. Accompanying this letter is an enclosure written and signed by H which...
1519Conversation with Comte de Moustier, [13 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Projet de M. hamilton, pour liquider les arrérages de la dette tant domestique qu’Etrangére des Etats Unis. Observations de M. de Moustier à ce sujet. Le 13. de ce mois, M. Hamilton à qui j’avois été faire la veille mon compliment sur sa nomination à la place de Secretaire du Departement des Finances, vint chés moi et m’entretint du projet qu’il avoit de proposer que le Congrès fit un emprunt...
1520To George Washington from John Cochran, 29 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
In Conformity to a Genl Order of the 16th Inst. I do hereby certify that the Gentlemen of the Medl Department acting under the immediate Command of his Excellency the Commander in Chief, have agreed to accept of the Commutation of the five years full Pay, in Lieu of the half Pay granted by a Resolution of Congress of the 17th of Jany 1781. DNA : Item 149, Letters and Reports from Benjamin...
1521From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 1 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Duplicates of my letters of the 30th ulto—the originals of which having been sent by a soldier on foot, I am apprehensive he may have been detained by the Weather —I have since recd your favr of the 28th March —The intelligence communicated in it, urges the necessity of drawing down poors Brigade as expeditiously as possible, and also points out the expediency of endeavouring...
1522From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 26 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Craven Peyton has desired me to assume for him to you 156.67 D paiable the 10th. of July and 533.33 D paiable the 10th. of Aug. the first of these paiments will be a little too early for me. I will pay you 156.67 D on the 13th. of July (it will leave this place the evening of the 11th.) and 533.33 D on the 10th. of Aug. (leaving this the evening of the 8th.) these being the precise days on...
1523To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 9 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 8th of February since which I am without your favor. In my last I informed you that I had written to Count Rochambeau for reinforcements. Inclosed is his answer. I am persuaded he must have mistaken your intentions. I find nothing is to be expected from that quarter. I am sorry the Legion was put in motion as it may raise the enemy’s apprehensions, and bring upon us...
1524To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have called on a Majestrate and taken the Testimony of five persons in regard of the Barbarity of the Brittish Troops to the Militia on the first Instant of which I send you inclosed, I can do little good in this part of the Country with my small party, I have about one hundred & ninety men, one half of them I keep in small parties on the Lines, they take up a number of Market People & whips...
1525To James Madison from Francois de Navoni, 6 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Je me suis trés respecteusement fait un devoir d’avancer á Monsieur divers Depeches, le dernier datè le 10. Avril passé remis par Capne. Piterson dans les quelles je n’ai pas manqué de lui reppresenter le plus convenable, et de la maniére que j’ai procuré de me distinguer vis-avis de Monsieur le Commodor de Campbelle qu’il partit trés sattisfait, et content comm’aussi touts les Officiers et...
1526From George Washington to Matthew Griswold, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Matthew Griswold, 4 July 1776. Griswold’s letter to GW of 25 June is docketed in part “Answered 4th July.”
1527[Diary entry: 28 April 1795] (Washington Papers)
28. Arrived at Bladensburgh.
1528To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 25 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
From the bottom of a heart that overflows with Joy I beg leave to offer my Congratulations on your happy Election! doubly so in it’s manner, which considering the vast majority of votes, your absence and your having so long Commanded the whole of that Country in the worst of times, must greatly redound to your honour; and in all human probability will be thrice happy in it’s consequences....
1529John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 3 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Church proposes to embark on board the british Packet, which is to sail to-morrow. He has offered to take my Letters, and I suppose, he will be the bearer of dispatches from Congress.—Our Passage, though it was not a stormy one, was very tedious. Of eight weeks, that we were at Sea, we had at least four of such calm weather as not to proceed more than 8 or 10 leagues a day. As we were...
Your Letter my caused me a mixture of feelings some pleasing some painful the latter because there is an evidence of a temper little calculated to promote the success of your wishes and evincing a disposition to rebel against your fathers order which must end unhappily to yourself—Be assured my dear Son that industry obedience and application will produce the best effects and that while you...
1531To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Clark, 18 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Clark has the Honor of sending to the President of the U.S. a few Maps and Plans of remarkable Places in the Orleans Territory and adjoining Countries should any of them be thought sufficiently interesting by the War Department to be copied Mr Clark will spare them at any time for that purpose. Mr Clark likewise sends an Indian Axe found on his Plantation in the County of Acadia which he...
1532To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Barclay, 30 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibraltar 30 Jan. 1792 . The vessel by which he wrote on the 16th is still detained by unfavorable weather. The Emperor has reportedly crossed the Morbeya on his way to Morocco. So opposite are the opinions of those best acquainted with Barbary that some think when the Emperor arrives Ben Assar’s army will disperse and the people may flock to him, others that he will be defeated.—Spanish...
1533Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 17 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you from Bedford on the 29 th of Sep. and again on the 6 th inst. on my arrival here. since that date 35. barrels of flour have been shipped from my mill on my account by T. M. & T. E. Randolph ’s for rent, being instead of so much of 55. Bar. formerly shipped for me, but their destination changed as noted in a former letter. I in my last I requested to hear from you on the discount of...
1534To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas, and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 4 February … (Hamilton Papers)
Confirming our last respects of 14 Ultimo, We have now but to transmit You the Account Current of the United States with us, up to 31st January last, the Balance whereon, due by us Holld. Curry. f 923,284.13.8. We transfer to the Credit of the United States in a New Account. The Delivery of the Bonds the preceeding Month has been very brisk: Among them were 144. Bonds of the Half of the Loan...
1535From Thomas Jefferson to Antoine Terrasson, 7 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with attention the papers on the subject of the canal of the Santee and Cooper rivers, and shall be glad to do any thing I can to promote it. But I confess I have small expectations for the following reason. Genl. Washington sent me a copy of the Virginia act for opening the Patowmac. As that canal was to unite the commerce of the whole Western country almost, with the Eastern, it...
1536Comments on Turgot’s Plan for a Single Tax, [after 3 July? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Gustave Schelle, ed., Œuvres de Turgot et documents le concernant (5 vols., Paris, 1913–34), V , 516. Three documents in Turgot’s published works reflect an exchange between him and Franklin that is more apparent than real. The first is a long memorandum by the former minister, arguing the case for a single tax on land. The second is Franklin’s response, doubting whether the...
1537From George Washington to Joseph Jones, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
(Private) I received the acct of your delegation with much satisfaction & was greatly pleased to hear of your arrival in Philadelphia —as I have ever placed you among the number of my friends I mean to take this early oppertunity of giving you a mark of my confidence in an interesting moment. The arrival of the Marquis de la Fayette opens a prospect wch offers the most important advantages to...
1538From John Adams to William Cunningham, 22 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed you will find a phillipic of our angry, pevish, fretful Prophet Jonah. His anger is his talent. When he gives a loose to that passion which he always does in every thing he produces something smart, pert, and malignant, which pleases the malignaty of the vulgar. But Phillipics are not the highest style of politicks. I cannot think Demosthenes and Cicero in the highest grade of...
1539To Alexander Hamilton from David Ross, [5–10 October 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I did not return to Bladensburgh after an absence of 8 or 10 days ’till Monday the 1st. of October, the day of our Election when I found yours to me enclosing a letter to Colo. Mercer. Expecting to find him at Marlborough where the election is held for this part of the District I took his letter with me and not finding him there, I proceeded on to Annapolis, which place he had left for...
1540To George Washington from Brunswick District, Va., Citizens, 24 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The deputies Elected by the Citizens of Mecklenburg Lunenburg, Brunswick and Greensville to report to the President of the United States their Opinions of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce Lately Concluded at London between John Jay and Lord Grenville, Met at Brunswick Courthouse on the 24th day of August 1795. To wit. Lewis Burwell, Major General Hopkins, William Delony, Thomas Field, William...
1541Return of Arms, Stores, &c., Belonging to the State of Virginia, [17 July 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[Text reproduced in illustration section following p. 254.] Tabular MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. See TJ’s authorization to De Klauman, 12 June 1779 .
1542To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [October 1767–1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his best Compliments to Dr. Franklin—hears by his Daughter that he is going into the Country tomorrow, and therefore would be glad to see him tonight if he is disengaged. If the Dr. is not going abroad; will call on him about 8. If he is, will be glad that he would call in New Street. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street There is...
1543George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Mason, 25 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 25, 1779. Discusses the rations of Springfield artificers. Authorizes courts-martial to tighten discipline. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Mason was deputy commissary general of military stores at Springfield, Massachusetts.
1544From George Washington to John Jay, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who was so obliging as to honour me with a visit on his way from Boston, set out yesterday morning for Philadelphia. He will cross the Delaware at Trentown, and if nothing occurs to impede his journey, he will probably arrive at philadelphia on Thursday or Friday. I inclose Your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Lt...
1545From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 11 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 6th instant. The indisposition and consequent (unexpected) absence of my Nephew from Mount Vernon, to whom my concerns there are entrusted, will oblige me to visit that estate before the meeting of Congress. Thursday I propose to leave this city, and on Sunday afternoon expect to arrive in Baltimore—I shall come provided with 1172 ⅔ dollars for...
1546From George Washington to William Pearce, 17 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th instt with a Postcript three days later, came to hand in due course of Post. I am sorry to hear that Maria continues unwell—& that Charles Washington was siezed with a fever: Let them want for nothing, and whenever it is needful get Doctr Craik to attend them. It would be unlucky, as my crop of Wheat last year turned out but indifferently, and the prospect of a good one...
1547James Madison to Thomas L. McKenney, 12 August 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 4th. inst: with the publication contained in it; The opinion I have ever entertained of your integrity & honor, can not be changed by transactions involving controverted details, no longer within the scope of my attentions; nor by any thing short of an evidence of misconduct, which I certainly do not anticipate. Mrs. M. joins in the offer I make of continued...
1548To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, February 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AD : American Philosophical Society I send you inclosed a Short account of a Me[teor?]. You have on many accounts a Right to every new Th[ing?] in natural Phylosophy. I leave it to your [Resolu?]tion whether there be any Thing in my Notion of [ torn ] phenomena as I value your Thoughts upon every Thing. And tho’ ever so Short, Yet Sir Your very much ob[liged] and humble [Servant]...
1549General Orders, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day Tomorrow Brigadier General Hazen Lieutenant Colonel Cochran Major Graham Brigade Major Fullerton General Wayne’s brigade for Guard and Fatigue in Yorktown and Hazen’s for levelling the works tomorrow. The Quartermaster General is requested to point out a House in York or elsewhere convenient for a Provost. Notwithstanding the repeated Orders for that purpose it is reported there...
1550To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 20 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will perceive by a Return of the Regiment of this Day’s Date that we have Thirty Men on Furlough, which is more than the Regiment is intitled to by the late General Orders respecting Furloughs; these Men however are mostly in the State of Pennsylvania, and were all indulged with leave of Absence before the Regiment marched from Lancaster: Two Officers were left to collect them...