158001To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 25 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favour of the fifth instant—The Communications made you from Mulberry Grove were by no means troublesome to me. It will always give me pleasure to keep you regularly informed of the situation of the command entrusted to me; and I solemnly assure you I meant no compliment, but it is my most sincere & earnest desire to be favoured from time to time with your...
158002From George Washington to Sidi Mohammed, 1 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since the Date of the Letter, which the late Congress, by their President, addressed to your Imperial Majesty, the United States of America have thought proper to change their Government, and to institute a new one, agreeable to the Constitution, of which I have the Honor of, herewith, enclosing a Copy. The Time necessarily employed in this arduous Task, and the Derangements occasioned by so...
158003To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Are the enclosed in conformity to your ideas? If not, will you be pleased to note the necessary alterations—It would be well to let the Secretary of the Treasury see them— Respectfy &c &c. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
158004The 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...
158005From Alexander Hamilton to William C. Bentley, 26 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of December the 26th. has been received and on the 13. of last month I wrote to the Secretary of War urging the acceptance of your account, to which not having as yet received an answer, I have this day again written to him on the same subject with true consideration &c ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
158006[Diary entry: 9 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
9. Dined at Snickers’s & lodgd at Fairfield.
158007From Thomas Jefferson to Clement Biddle, 9 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday wrote to Mr. Hammond, Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, inclosing copies of the papers in the cases of Mr. Lemaigre and Mr. Crousillet, and asking his interposition with the proper authorities in New Providence and Jamaica to obtain justice for them in the cases which were the subjects of their memorials. It will be proper for them to apply to Mr. Hammond for his letters....
158008Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The new year opens upon us with new Scenes of Life before us. what are to be the trials the troubles and vexations of it, are wisely with held from our view. To him who sits Supreem let us commit the hour the Day the Year, and fearless view the whole. there needs but thinking right, and meaning well, and may this ensure to you, the Souls calm sun shine, and the Heart felt Joy. I seldom think...
158009To James Madison from James Taylor, 8 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty of troubleing you very frequenly lately on the subject of my freinds, I must now say a word or two as to my self. You Know that I have for many years done the duty of U:States agent in this State, and I trust I have discharged the trust with punctuality and fidelity. I suppose from the present appearances of our Affairs that there will be some purchases to be made in...
158010John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Here I am again. Arrived last Thursday, in good Health, altho I had a cold Journey. The Weather, a great Part of the Way, was very severe, which prevented our making very quick Progress, and by an Accident which happened to one of my Horses, which obliged me to leave her at Brookfield and hire another, was delayed two days. An Horse broke loose in the Barn and corked mine under the...
158011James Madison to Benjamin Waterhouse, March 1834 (Madison Papers)
private I have recd. your favor of the 20th. Ult. with a copy of your "Public Lecture". We have read it with pleasure; and Mrs M, I believe with profit , being herself among the Amateurs of the Snuff box. The Lecture is a good medicine for the bad habits, which it paints in such warning colours. The Temperance Societies appear to have had a salutary effect, in diminishing the use of Ardent...
158012To George Washington from Thomas Paine, 2 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have drawn up the inclosed with a design of presenting it to the Committee to whom a letter of mine to Congress was referred, and who have delivered in a report, as mentioned in my former letter to your Excellency. I have not read the Narrative over since I wrote it. A Man’s Judgment in his own behalf, situated as I am, is very likely to be wrong, and between the apprehensions of saying too...
158013Eli Alexander to Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
yesterday at Montecelo , I omited to Consult you with respect to a pease of ground which I wish to Clear at shadwell , of about two or three acres. for the purpose of fire wood and rails. there is very little timber on it. owing in part to the Waggoners Commiting depredations when encamping at the place—as also rails taken from it at different times to repair the fenceing burnt by them. the...
158014To John Adams from James Lovell, 2 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
Our Lincoln is wreathing in the Fox-trap of pretended-Friends. And the desendants of those Same Mice, who nibbled you when you sent good-Ellsworth to France, have been Striving to make holes in a Small Mole-hill here . I long to have in a proper “Hole,” Some of that “Sweet Converse” with you which the now-cautious Demos extorted into a rascally Public Gazette Chronicle. But, Sir, the Set-time...
158015From John Adams to United States Senate, 18 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate William Miller of Pennsilvania to be Commissioner of the Revenue of the United States. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
158016From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 24 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour of inclosing a few Extracts of Letters written in 1783 to M r Livingstone, which it is to be presumed were laid before Congress: but I have not heard that the Plan Suggested in them of purchasing raw Sugars in France, Spain and Portugal, to be refined in Boston, New York and Philadelphia for Exportation to Russia, Germany & Italy, has been ever attempted, untill this...
158017To John Jay from Arthur St. Clair, 25 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
General Schuyler was good enough to read to me part of a letter he received last night from you. I can not recollect that any of my officers ever asked my reasons for leaving Ticonderoga, but, as I have found the measure much decried, I have often expressed myself in this manner, “that as to myself I was perfectly easy, I was conscious of the uprightness and propriety of my conduct, and...
158018George Washington and Horatio Gates to the Virginia Legislature, 28 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia Pursuant to the resolves of the Honble the Senate & House of Delegates, and conformably to the direction of the Executive authority of the State, we repaired to the City of Annapolis, and held a Conference with Gentlemen appointed by the Legislature of Maryland—the result of which is contained in the Inclosure, No. 1. In...
158019To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging letter wrote at the moment you were setting out for Monticello,—I sent to my Son Rembrandt at New York, and I doubt not he will profit by your hints of different times and prices, to seperate and accomodate the Variety of Company that probably will desire a sight of the Skeleton. In order to improve and fit my Son Rubens to conduct my Museum, I have permited him to accompany his...
158020To James Madison from James Pendleton, 26 February 1791 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 February 1791, Culpeper County. Encloses a certificate of military service of a “near neighbour,” Zachariah Delaney, to enable him to collect pay owed him as conductor of military stores with the Southern Army. Asks JM, in a postscript, to take care of the certificate “if it cannot be now drawn.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 217, Miscellaneous Treasury Accounts, item 1221). RC 1 p. Franked...
158021From George Washington to George Pearson, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th of May has been received, but not until within these few days: to which you will please to consider the following as a reply. Having been long in public life, and but little in this State for the last five and twenty years; and moreover, having had but very little agency in the Administration of the deceased Colo. Thomas Colvils affairs even antecedant thereto, no...
158022From Thomas Jefferson to Edmond Charles Genet, 30 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the President of the US. your letter of Nov. 25. and have now the honor to inform you that most of it’s objects being beyond the powers of the Executive, they can only manifest their dispositions by acting on those which are within their powers. Instructions are accordingly sent to the district attornies of the US. residing within States wherein French Consuls are...
158023To James Madison from John and Samuel Welles, 16 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1804, Boston. “It is with extreme reluctance that we are again compelled to address you on our affair in Spain, & to give you any additional trouble in soliciting your attention to that business; but we find, that it is only through our own Government, we can hope to obtain that protection & justice, which the Spanish Government seems totally to have denied us. “We beg leave to refer...
158024To James Madison from the Delegates from Towns in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties, Massachusetts, 15 July 1812 … (Madison Papers)
15 July 1812. “In the exercise of the inestimable privilege of peaceably assembling and petitioning government for a redress of grievances, your memorialists, delegates from towns in the Counties of Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, legally appointed in regular town meetings, warned for that purpose, except in the four instances of West-Springfield,...
15802519th. Wednesd. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon Mr. Heiliger; a Gentleman from the Danish West India’s, and who has liv’d in America some time, came to see me. The wind continues still bad. John Heyliger (sometimes Hyleger or Heiliger), a member of a trading and planting family from St. Croix with New York connections; JQA later recalled that he “was under many obligations” to Heyliger during his three-week stay in Copenhagen...
158026To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I but just now receiv’d the Extreem favour you honor’d me with the 16th. Instant, by which I learn that you have apply’d to the french Minister of the Navy, to concilliate his advice & yours upon the conspirators, for the mode of trying them, the sooner the better, being a great burthen & guarded between decks where they suffer much for want of air. Your...
158027To James Madison from John Graham, 1 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 29th of last Month. I regret very much that I have it not in my power to throw some light on the characters of the Gentlemen who are placed in nomination before you for the Legislative Council of the Mississippi Territory. Mr Shields is the only one of them of whom I have any recollection and with him my acquaintance was very slight. He is a young...
158028From Alexander Hamilton to Lawrence Butler, 22 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th. inst. I have to observe, in regard to its contents, that appointments of the kind there spoken of, will go through a particular course—In this, the application in behalf of Major Campbell will be put in a train to be duly considered— With great consideratn. ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
158029[Diary entry: 6 July 1774] (Washington Papers)
6. Dined at Doctr. Brown’s & returnd home in the Eveng. The meeting of inhabitants, held yesterday, chose a committee to draft resolutions to instruct their two burgesses, who would represent them in the August convention, on nonimportation, nonexportation, aid to Boston, a continental congress to give the 13 colonies one voice, and general views on English liberty and American rights. GW was...
158030From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to suggest, that it would be useful for the Consuls of the United States, every where to be possessed of the Laws of the U States respecting Commerce & Navigation—giving it as a standing instruction, to make known in the best manner possible, in the parts where they reside those regulations, which are necessary to be complied with abroad by Merchants, & the Owners & Masters of...
158031To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 22 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The particular Attention paid by the Executive to my Recommendations, and Informations could not but be flattering to me, but the Manner in which you expressed your Approbation of them, in your last Letter , greatly abated the Satisfaction I should have felt. But, should I tell you what I felt and thought on reading your Letter, you might think me either captious or Hypocritical for I must...
158032To John Jay from Silas Deane, 13 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have written You Two Letters since my Arrival the last on the 4 th Inst. as I know not whether you may have preserved Our Cypher, I dare not be particular on Subjects which you may wish to hear from me upon. M r . Searle is arrived from Philadelphia, I have not seen him nor has D r Franklin, but I learn that he brings nothing New, he landed at Brest. Two Vessels lately Arrived at L’Orient,...
158033Continental Congress Report on the Memorials of Pelatiah Webster and William Judd, 6 March 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom was committed the report of the Grand Committee on the memorial of Pelatiah Webster & William Judd in behalf of the deranged officers of the lines of Massachusettes & Connecticut submit the following resolution: That the accounts of the officers who have retired on half pay at different periods of the war [or their representatives] be settled on the same principles with...
158034From George Washington to Ternant, 22 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia, Decr 22nd 1791. I accept, with great pleasure, the new and elegant print of the King of the French, which you have been so obliging as to send to me this morning as a mark of your attachment to my person. You will believe me, Sir, when I assure you, that I have a grateful and lively sense of the personal respect and friendship expressed in your favor which...
158035From John Adams to John Marshall, 4 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of August 25th I am much of your opinion, that we ought not to be surprized, if we see our envoys in the course of a few weeks or days, without a treaty. Nor should I be surprized, if they should be loaded with professions and protestations of love, to serve as a substitute for a treaty. The state of things will be so critical, that the government ought to be...
158036To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Mr Francis, a french Merchant belonging to the House from which we have received our ample Supply of Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Fire Arms &c. He is come over to secure his Remittances, and will I am confident receive that respect from our Countrymen that his assistance afforded at a time of need justly merit. Part of the Cannon and Stores which arrived...
158037To George Washington from Lund Washington, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Captn Matthews I got last Saturday Since my last the River is not Psable for Ice so that I have not seen Captn Marshal consequently cannot tell whether he will exchange his Land in this Neck for Adam’s in Maryland; but so soon as I can get to him I will let you know whether he will or not —I mention’d in a former Letter that Wm Barry had listed as a Minute Man and had march’d...
158038To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, With Jefferson’s Comment, 19 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have run over the four numbers of Genl. Green’s letters to Congress—herewith returned—and find nothing contained in them, unmarked by you, which ought, in my opinion, to be with held from the Public. Even those of the 3d. of Novr. 1780, tho’ quite unnecessary, might pass with an explanatory note on the then value of our paper currency. It probably is best to [leave] out the scored part of...
158039To James Madison from James Monroe, 22 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here on saturday so much overcome with the fatigue of the journey that I kept my bed yesterday & was attended by a phisician. To day I am better tho confined to my room. In a day or two I shall be well. A ship was engaged for me, the cabbin prepared, & she detained sometime at my expence, & finally sailed, on acct. of the great expence of her detention and the uncertainty of my...
158040To James Madison from John Tyler, 17 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
I receiv’d yours of the 13th Instant on the Subject of the 300$ deposited in our Bank for the purchase of a Sword for Genl. Campbell. We found your Letter which enclos’d the Money on which a memorandum on it gave us the information where it was deposited. Will it not be best to draw for the Money in some safe way? or if you chuse to have it enclos’d you will please to signify your desire to...
158041To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a truth, that in the variety of my Life, I have very seldom experienced so essential a privation, as the loss of your Society. I should find difficulty in the discrimination, but you have Interests about you, which I have never discovered in another, matter to captivate the understanding, & manner to charm the Heart—pardon this effusion of grateful Friendship, since it gives pleasure to...
158042To George Washington from Thomas Forrest, 4 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I need not trouble Your Excellency with the many Reasons I have to Offer in favour of Leaving the Service, as I presume You are well acquainted with them from my Late Letters previous to this I shall only Add that necessity compells the measure at the Same time Assuring Your Excellency that when ever the necessity of my Country requires the calling forth of its distressed inhabitans there’s no...
158043From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 17 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the reciept of your letter I communicated to mr Nicholas so much of it as related to Varina. he & mr Patterson dined with me two days ago. mr Patterson, it seems, never meant to purchase more land than a mere seat, and small farm for it’s support. with this mr Nicholas has supplied him near Warren, & he begins to build in the spring. in the choice of a situation, his first...
158044From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Hodgdon, 20 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 20, 1793. “A warrant has this day issued on the Treasurer in your favor, as Attorney of James O Hara, Quarter Master General of the army of the United States, for 1800 Dollars to be applied by you to the payment of two bills, drawn on the Secretary of War by John Belli, Deputy Quarter Master General.” LS , University of Pennsylvania. Hodgdon, who was in the...
158045To James Madison from Elias Vanderhorst, 4 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Since my last respects of the 1st. Ulto. Pr the Ship Robert Burns, Capt. White, Via Liverpool for New York, I have not been honored with any of your favors. The Harvest here is now nearly closed & proves, as I expected, ample in quantity & good in quality, particularly Wheat. I am sorry to say the affairs of Europe appear yet very unsettled, as notwithstanding the Peace that has lately taken...
158046Saturday Septr. 20th. (Adams Papers)
The enthusiasm of the People of Paris for the flying Globes is very great, several Propositions have been made from Persons, who to enjoy the honour of having been the first Travellers through the air, are willing to go up in them and run ten risques to one of breaking their necks: one of the queerest propositions, is the following one taken from the Journal de Paris of Yesterday. Je partage...
158047[Diary entry: 15 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
15th. This being the day appointed for the Sale of my moiety of the Co-partnership stock—Many People were gathered (more out of curiosity I believe than from other motives) but no great Sale made. My Mill I could obtain no bid for, altho I offered an exemption from the payment of Rent 15 Months. The Plantation on which Mr. Simpson lives rented well—Viz. for 500 Bushels of Wheat payable at any...
158048To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 29 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
No my dear Sir it is not me. It is impossible that my heart would ever permit me to pen a line to you, charged with the reflection which that line single and alone seems formed to admit of. When in haste I said I had no more letters in my file unanswered and therefore should not trouble you farther, I intended to hold up this Idea, that I could only spare the time for the necessary business...
158049New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill, [3 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the charter of the Corporation for the relief of Widows and Children of Clergymen in communion of the Church of England, in America. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled An act to amend the Charter of the Corporation for the relief of the Widows and Children of...
158050To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 7 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
About a month ago I deposited with Colonel Hamilton some papers for your Excellency’s perusal relative to One James O Hara, taken up at Easton for passing Counterfeit Continental Money, both in this State & Pensilvania, a large quantity of which he brought out of New york. as I was fearfull the Magistrates would enlarge him on Bail, I desired Colonel Hooper to retain him as a Military...