156451From Thomas Jefferson to David R. Williams, 31 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am thankful to you for the explanation in your note of the 29th. without which the cause of declining my invitations to dine might have been mistaken & would have given pain. the independance of the mind is one of it’s best qualities, & if you suppose it could have been lessened, by that kind of intercourse, you are right in declining it, & no one has a right to complain. be assured that...
156452From Alexander Hamilton to Elie Williams, 17 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 10th Instant, in which you inform me, that you have drawn Bills on me on account of Issues under your first Contract, Supposed to be due in the Months of October, November & December, to the amount of Six Thousand Dollars, payable at Twenty, Fifty, and Eighty days. Although I have every disposition to facilitate the execution of your Contract (So far as I can...
156453From Alexander Hamilton to Elie Williams, 12 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed a Warrant for fifteen thousand dollars to issue in your favour in addition to the sum heretofore advanced. Of these 15000 I request 5000 may be paid to Ephraim Blaine Esquire at Carlisle in case he should agree to accept the Agency offered to him by the enclosed letter. Should he decline it which I request you to ascertain from him, I will then thank you to make an arrangement...
156454Thomas Jefferson to Ennion Williams, 19 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday your favor of the 13 th proposing to purchase the copperplate engraving of the University : but that having been done by order of the board of Visitors could not be sold but by a like order & they will not meet until Apr. I know moreover that it would not suit their views because I am, by their instrns , endeavoring to engage a Landscape painter of the 1 st order from Philada...
156455From Benjamin Franklin to Grace Williams, 5 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin ... (London, 1833), pp. 139–40. I received your kind letter by your sons. They are, I assure you, exceeding welcome to me; and they behave with so much prudence, that no two young men could possibly less need the advice you would have me give them. Josiah is very happily employed in his musical...
156456From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Williams, 11 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 4th. is but this moment come to hand. I will pay for William Stewart the £25.17 therein stated. but being in the habit of settling my pecuniary matters the first week in every month, & of then disposing of all the funds I can command, this has been already done for the present month, and I cannot make you the remittance till the first week of the next month. it shall go by...
156457Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to William Shotwell & Company, 13 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States is desirous of obtaining about 10 bushels of the best Clover seed Some timothy d[itt]o to send to his Farms in Virginia—& as you have heretofore furnished him with seed, he has now directed me to ask of you the lowest prices at which the best Clover & Timothy seed is to be had with you. As the time approaches when it will be wanted, & as the President will...
156458From John Adams to James Williams, 5 December 1815 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour, this morning to receive your favour from New York of the 30th of November. At the same time I had the pleasure to receive two small pacquets of letters from London; I thank you Sir for your kind care of these letters, and congratulate you on your safe return to this Country. I am Sir respectfully, your obliged & obedient Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
156459Thomas Jefferson to John Williams, 30 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I h If I have had any advice as to the small package of Coffee you mention, it has been so long ago that I cannot recollect it, nor now turn to the paper. I rather suspect it to be a parcel of some particular place or quality sent as a curiosity, perhaps from the new cultivators of that article on Florida point, with some of I whom I have had communications on that culture. if you will do me...
156460From Benjamin Franklin to John Williams, 15 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society The recipient of this letter can be identified with confidence. In late June Jonathan Williams, Jr., had sent papers for his Uncle John, the customs inspector, who had come to England with him and Josiah in 1770 and had remained there; these must be the papers that Franklin mentions in his postscript. Other internal evidence confirms that the year...
156461From John Adams to John Williams, 5 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address presented to me by one of your Representatives in Congress Mr Grove. The explicit and unanimous declaration of your fullest faith in the Integrity and Wisdom of all the departments of our Government, and your firm resolution to Unite in opposing foreign Influence, are peculiarly proper and agreable at this time. The Happiness and Freedom, which you candidly...
156462From John Jay to John Williams, 24 February 1797 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your Letters of the 15 and 17 Instant, which together with a Copy of the Report of the Committee respecting the Fortifications of Ports & Harbours, I rec[eive]d. this morning. It appears to me probable that no measures very effectual will be taken on this Subject by the present Congress—but it is to be hoped that the succeeding one will attend to it. The Nation will have...
156463From John Adams to John Williams, 30 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to accept my kind thanks for sending me the Mecklenberg declaration of Independence. Although these papers have been familiar to me for two or three years past, they are still an incomprehensible mystery. I can scarcely conceive it possible, that such a transaction should have been concealed, for so many years, from the publick. Had those resolutions been published at the time, they...
156464James Madison to John W. Williams, 13 April 1828 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail your favor of the 5th. A newspaper had apprized me a few days before of the afflicting event which it confirms. I had always abundant reason to be assured that I enjoyed the cordial regard of my departed friend, as a I was conscious of a mutual reciprocity in that respect; as well as sensible of what was due in every respect, both to his public & private work. I have a...
156465From James Madison to John W. Williams, 13 April 1825 (Madison Papers)
I recd. by the last mail your favor of the 5th. A newspaper had apprized me a few days before of the afflicting event which it confirms. I had always abundant reason to be assured that I enjoyed the cordial regard of my departed friend, as a [ sic ] I was conscious of an entire reciprocity in that respect; as well as sensible of what was due in every respect, both to his public & private work....
156466From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 25 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. George S. Maywood, Garden City, N.Y. (1955) I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival and the Promotion of my Son. I am in hopes I shall be able to see Boston the next Spring, and to have the Pleasure of finding you and my other Friends well. I congratulate you on your having such a Number of Sons. You remember the Blessing on him that has his Quiver full of them. My...
156467From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid. Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that. My Love to...
156468From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Beverley Randolph a Cadet, who goes on to take his place under you. he is the son of a friend of mine in Virginia, born to independant expectations, but by the entire reduction of his father’s circumstances, left without any resource but in himself. my concern for the family induces me to sollicit on his behalf your friendly counsel & tutelage on all occasions;...
156469From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 8 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Favour of the 27 of October, and am very much obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken, in sending me the Rum. I have not yet received it, but as soon as it comes, I will send a Dozen to Dr. Bancroft and a Dozen to Mr. Alexander as you desire: But I must decline accepting the Remainder as a Present, for obvious Reasons, one among others is that there is no...
156470From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 14 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A press of business has prevented me from sooner acknoleging the reciept of your favor of June 18. altho’ I do not feel myself entitled to give an opinion on questions to which the members of the new military institution are solely competent, yet being requested by you, I shall frankly express it as my opinion that if you appoint all the members of the legislature to be members of the...
156471From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you last Week per Capt. Dole 92 Reams of Demi Printing Paper, best, in two Cases, and 98 Ream of brown; which I hope will come safe to hand, and to a good Market. The Printing Paper to be sold at 15 s . and the Brown at 6 s . this Currency, the lowest. My Love to your Wife and Children. I am Your loving Uncle [ Crossed out: ] P.S. I shall order...
156472From Benjamin Franklin to [Jonathan Williams], 26 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Inclos’d is a Receipt for some things of mine sent to your Care. I am thus far on my Journey to Boston, and hope now to have soon the Pleasure of seeing you. My Love to your Wife and Children. Tell my Cousin to have his Harpsichord in good Order, for I love Music and shall be pleas’d to hear him. My Daughter too, that comes with me, plays a little, and will be...
156473From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 11 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have, just now received your favour of the 6th. Who, pray, has injured the Character of Commodore John Paul Jones? and in what manner? It would give me Pleasure to furnish any Evidence in my Power in vindication of his Character against any Injury: but I have no recollection of any Acknowledgement of Jones himself, that his Surname was Paul, though I remember that the English Publications...
156474From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 4 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before I went abroad this last Summer, I left Orders with my Banker to purchase two Tickets for you, and send you the Numbers. Since my Return I understand the Orders were executed. I hope you receiv’d the Banker’s Letter; if not, this will inform you that the Numbers are 33m799 and 33m800. with which I wish you the best Success. I think I mention’d in a...
156475From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your circular letter of Nov. 2. with the copy of the Constitution of the United States military Philosophical society & the amendments proposed to it. and in conformity with your request to say in answer whether I assent or dissent, I hereby declare my assent to them. Accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. NHi : United States Military Philosophical...
156476From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 21 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Richard B. Duane, Locust, N.J. (1955) I have received yours of the 12th Inst. As to the Mistake I mention’d, I find on Revisal that it was not in your Account but in my Eyes, which mistook one Figure for another. I wrote to you from Burlington that I should pay your Order in favour of Robinson as soon as I return’d to Town, which I accordingly did. The Sum £47 15 s. 4 d. I should be glad...
156477From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 80–1. You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in...
156478From James Madison to Jonathan Williams, 15 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Feby. 23. has remained so long unanswered that I ought to state, in apology, that as I foresaw the Summer Session, would be inattentive to objects not within its particular purview, I did not enter into your idea, of presenting to it, the subject of the Military Academy. To the influence of this consideration at the time, and afterwards to the occupations of a busy period, I must...
156479From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 21 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 12 and yesterday, the Rum was brought here consisting of forty Eight Bottles. Two I Suppose had been used to wet the Whistle of the Porters. I paid Seventy five Livres and the Man was or pretended to be wroth that I gave him no more. Mr. Alexander Shall have his Dozen and his Packet and Dr. Bancroft, his. I beg of you to draw upon me for the Cost of the Rum...
156480From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 30 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have, this day recieved your favour of the 25th., which gave me the first Intimation I had of your Intentions for Home. I am glad to learn that Captain Snelling delivered the Letters to you. I will endeavour to Send Some more, by Captain Jones or Some other Safe hand: but are you not Suspicious of your Passage? Be Sure to keep with your Convoy: for my own part I hardly see a Possibility of...
156481From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 28 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the copy of Genl. Kozciusko’s treatise on the flying artillery. it is a branch of the military art which I wish extremely to see understood here to the height of the European level. your letter of Sep. 20. was recieved in due time. I never recieved the letter said to have been written to me by mr Malesherbe in favor of mr Masson. the fact of such a letter having been written by...
156482From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 9 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 3d I duely received and am very much obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken in Writing to my dear Mrs. Adams, and in sending her a few Merchandises to the amount of 229 Livres: 6 s: 9 d which Sum I will immediately pay to Mr. W. T. Franklin as you desire, and I should have been very glad to have paid an additional sum for your Commissions. We are in the Midst of an...
156483From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 25 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 12th. inst. a friend to science in all it’s useful branches, and believing that of the Engineer of great utility, I sincerely approve of the institution of a society for it’s improvement. from the smallness of our establishment, it’s numbers will be small for awhile but it’s pursuits being directly in the line of their profession and entitled to all their...
156484From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 7 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chicago Historical Society I send you per Capt. Morton 20 Reams whited Brown Paper, and 10 of blue. Please to acquaint Mr. Langdon of it; I think that is the Gentleman’s Name who wrote to me for some of both Sorts, but I have mislaid his Letter. He wanted it for Packing Sperma-Ceti Candles. The Price of the brown you know; the blue is 1¼ Dollar per Ream. Credit my Account with the Money...
156485From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 15 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 15 February 1780. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:248–249 . John Adams thanked Williams for his letter of 1 Feb. (above) and briefly commented on events in America and the settlement of Williams’ accounts. He applauded Williams’ stated determination to eschew any party spirit,...
156486From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes Colo. Williams with respect and incloses him a 10. D. bill for his arrearages for 1806. & 1807. according to notification of July 31. 07. NHi : United States Military Philosophical Society Papers.
156487From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 24 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have taken the Liberty to trouble you with a Box put this Day on board the Sloop William Capt. Ephraim Jones, directed for you. In it is a Portmantle and Mail Pillon belonging to Mr. Bernard, your Governor’s Son, which please to send to the Governor’s as soon as it gets to hand: Also a Parcel for Sister Mecom; and some Books on Inoculation, which I should...
156488From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 23 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 3d. was recieved in due time. it was impossible the designs therein inclosed could have been addressed to a person more inept in things of that kind. to supply my own incapacity, & yet answer your views, I referred them to mr Barlow whose science & poetical imagination qualified him to give an opinion worthy of attention. I now inclose you his answer which I dare say you...
156489The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 25 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 25 May 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:114–115 . Replying to Williams’ letters of 11 and 18 May (both above), this letter, drafted by Adams, advised Williams that he had no power to act at Brest in regard either to prizes or to American commerce. J. D. Schweighauser was the...
156490From George Washington to Jonathan Williams, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favor of the 6th of June, and to thank you for a very handsome pair of Epaulets, presented in your behalf, by Major Franks. I receive them Sir as a testimony of the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express of me, and am particularly indebted to you for the polite manner in which they are offered. I have the honor to be Sir Yr most obedt Ser vt DLC :...
156491From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 19 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Colo. Williams and is obliged to excuse himself from attending the meeting proposed in his note of yesterday, the constant pressure of his business having obliged him to decline meeting other societies here of which he is a member, and the observance of this as a rule being a matter of real necessity PPAmP .
156492From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Williams, [12 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, September 12, 1792. The catalogue description of this letter reads: “On a financial matter.” Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., May 24, 1943, Lot 118. Williams, a native of Boston and a great-nephew of Benjamin Franklin, had been prize agent and commercial agent for Congress at Nantes during the American Revolution. After the adoption of the...
156493Enclosure: Alden Partridge to Jonathan Williams, 19 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting a few days ago upon the manner of ascertaining the initial velocities of Military projectiles, by means of the ballistic pendulum, it struck my mind that this method is not altogether accurate. I take the liberty therefore to state to you what appears objectionable in it, requesting if I am in an error you will have the goodness to rectify it. The method above alluded to seems to be...
156494From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 15 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments & thanks to mr Williams for the copy of his Thermometrical navigation which he was so kind as to send him. he has read it, as he had done before, in another form , with great satisfaction, and has no doubt it will be of great utility to navigators. Th: J. has for some time wished he could try the thermometer daily in the river near which he lives,...
156495The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 13 April 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:51 . The Commissioners informed Williams, Benjamin Franklin’s greatnephew and American commercial agent at Nantes (see sketch in Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others,...
156496The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 9 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letters of the 12 Decr. and 23 of January. In the first You propose that We should write to Messrs. Horneca and Fitzeaux to pass the Amount of the Goods you mention to our Debit. In that of 23 of January, you propose that one of the Cases Still remaining in Mr. Schweighausers Hands should be delivered to you, and that We should give orders to Mess. Horneca &c. to replace...
156497From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Williams, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 20, 1799. “I have to thank you for your obliging attention to my request in transmitting the translations mentioned in your letter of the 17th. I shall peruse them with an eye to the claim of indulgence, which you prefer, though I am persuaded that you might safely have left them to pursue their fortune upon their intrinsic capital. The army is certainly indebted to you for...
156498From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 28 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Photostat: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I receiv’d yours acquainting me that the Chair is shipt. It is not yet come to hand, but the Armonica is arrived safe, not a Glass hurt. I am much obliged by your Care of my little Affairs. The House, when repair’d, I would have you let to as good a Tenant and for as good a Rent as you can well get: and let me have the Account of Repairs, that it...
156499From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Williams, 3 July 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I take shame to myself for having so long left unanswered your valuable favor on the subject of the mountains. But in truth I am become lazy as to every thing except agriculture. The preparations for harvest, and the length of the harvest itself which is not yet finished, would have excused the delay however at all times and under all dispositions. I examined with great satisfaction your...
156500From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of 23 of May, and I thank you for the Newspaper it contained. I have received the Resolutions at large, attested by Mr. Thompson, by the Way of Cadiz and another set from London. I pretend not to be Master of the whole system of Congress, nor of all the Facts, and Reasons upon which it is founded. But I think my self sufficiently informed, to give it as my opinion, that...