158001To 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...
158002To 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...
158003From 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...
158004From 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...
158005To 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...
158006Saturday 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...
158007[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...
158008To 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...
158009New 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...
158010To 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...
158011To Thomas Jefferson from Zadok Cramer, 14 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
As a known friend to man, to the promotion of arts and sciences, and a warm admirer of the rapid progress of our country in manufactures and useful establishments, I have taken the liberty to address thee—to solicit thy patronage to a work which I am about to print in this place by subscription. It is Brown’s of Haddington, historical, Geographical, Chronological, Etymological, and Critical...
158012Commission as Surveyor of Albemarle County, 6 June 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye, that we the President and Masters of the College of William and Mary in Virginia, by Virtue of a royal Grant from their late Majesties King William and Queen Mary, of the Office of Surveyor General of the Colony of Virginia to the said College, have constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute and appoint Thomas...
158013From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 27 May 1824 (Adams Papers)
Congress having adjourned today puts such an quantity of time at a persons disposal that many know not what to do with it—This will never be the case with me when I have a letter of yours on hand unanswered. The first moment therefore is devoted to the purpose of reducing myself from any imputation of neglect. I am the more happy to write you to day as I now have it in my power to contradict...
158014To George Washington from William Livingston, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellency’s favour of the 22d instant and am very happy to find that the State of New Jersey possesses so great a share of your Esteem, which I hope it will never forfeit by any remissness in such Exertions as it is capable of making. I am convinc’d the State is not behind hand with you in mutual regard; and as for the personal friendship of your humble Servant, if it is worth...
158015From Thomas Jefferson to Adrienne-Catherine de Noailles, comtesse de Tessé, 21 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 26th. of October 1805. I had the pleasure of writing to you, and of informing you that I then made up for you a box of seeds acorns and nuts, which were to go by a vessel bound from Baltimore to Nantes. The box & my letter were addressed to mr Patterson our Consul at Nantes. not having heard from him in the course of the ensuing summer I began to apprehend all had miscarried, & in...
158016[Diary entry: 3 November 1774] (Washington Papers)
3. I went up to Alexandria after the Company abovementioned Went away. Returnd in the Aftern.
158017To George Washington from John Adams, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter Francis Dana Esqr. of Cambridge, is a Gentleman of Family, Fortune and Education, returned in the last Packett from London where he has been about a Year. He has ever maintained an excellent Character in his Country, and a warm Friendship for the American Cause. He returns to share with his Friends in their Dangers, and their Triumphs. I have done myself the Honour to...
158018To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
the Letter from General Forman & the other from my Correspondant are just come to hand, I send them to your Excellency, who can form a juster opinion of their Contents than I can pretend to do, the Letter for General Forman was immediatly forwarded to him. I have the honor to be Dr Sir Your ob. H. St ALS , DLC:GW . Moylan enclosed Brig. Gen. David Forman’s letter to GW of 23 July 1777 and an...
158019Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 26 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
A mr Anstey who is appointed by the British Goverment to visit the different States; for the purpose of assertaining the claims of the Loyalists, is going out in the Newyork packet. He dinned here on twesday. His manners are much in his favour, he appears well bred sensible and modest, a real Gentleman in his appearence. He was so kind as to offer to take Letters for us. As mr Adams and col...
158020To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday I received from Mr. Charles Hall of Northumberland County in this State, a letter concerning a publication by Thomas Cooper, an Englishman, & a connection of Dr. Priestly, addressed to the Readers of the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette, on the 29th of June. This address has been republished in the Aurora of July 12th which I now inclose. By Mr. Hall’s information,...
158021From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed came last evening in a packet from Bourdeau. By the same conveyance I have a letter from Dawson of May 27. at Paris. Every appearance assured him that the convention would be ratified. Letters from King of May 30. & June 1 represent the British Govt. as in dispositions equally favorable. They have given peremptory orders to their W. Inda. cruisers to abstain from the Captures...
158022rom Benjamin Franklin to Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Honours of yours, without Date, relating to the Ship called Gouderoos, which you mention as taken first by the English, and afterwards retaken by an American Privateer, and sent into New-York. I do not well understand this Account, New-york being itself in the Hands of the English. I shall chearfully do any Service in my Power for the owners; and...
158023From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, [4 May 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
A friend of mine has a sudden and unexpected call for 5000 Dollars which I am anxious to assist him with. Can you assist me with 1000 under the certainty that it will be replaced on Wednesday next? If you can you will do me a pleasure. Yrs. ALS , from a typescript supplied by an anonymous donor. Varick was mayor of New York City. At the bottom of this letter the following receipt is written:...
158024To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 7 May 1800 (Jay Papers)
You have been informed of the loss of our Election in this City. It is also known that we have been unfortunate throughout Long Island & in West Chester— According to the Returns hitherto, it is too probable that we lose our Senators for this District. The moral certainty therefore is that there will be an Antifœderal Majority in the Ensuing Legislature, and the very high probability is that...
158025To Benjamin Franklin from Duportail, 2 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je desirerois avoir reponse sur la proposition que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous faire dimanche dernier, parcequ’il me faut prendre certaines mesures en consequence tant pour moy que pour les officiers du corps dont je vous ay parlé. Il me paroit d’ailleurs absolument essentiel de nous entendre sur tout cecy afin que vous, monsieur, ou les personnes qui vous...
158026From Alexander Hamilton to the Governor and Directors of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures, 14 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Among the disastrous incidents of the present juncture, I have not been least affected by the temporary derangement of the affairs of your Society. If however no real misfortune shall have attended any considerable part of your funds, the mere delay will be no very serious evil. It will not be difficult to put the business in Train with more promising prospects. The following appears to me to...
158027Timothy Pickering to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 7 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed draught of a letter to the Governors of Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia & New York, you will be pleased to lay before the President for his approbation. I wish to send to Virginia & Maryland & New York by this day’s post. yr obt servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Pickering erroneously wrote 1794 on the ALS . The letter is endorsed as 1795, and the letter-book copy is...
158028To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 24 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
For your Excellency’s Information, I have herewith enclosed several Resolves of the 22d Instant on the Report of the Committee to devise further Ways and Means to carry on the present Campaign &c. I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect Your Excellency’s Most obedient & most humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
158029From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting that mr Madison & yourself would be able with a little discussion to make up an opinion on Dr. Stevens’s case , I had not given it any serious consideration. I have now however done so and I send you the result, asking the favor of you to make any observations to which you may think it open in matters of fact, inference, or omission. on receipt of these I will give it a final...
158030To Thomas Jefferson from James Barbour, 11 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The office of Commissioner of loans having become vacant, by the death of the late Mr. John Page, Mr Mordecai Barbour, of the City of Richmond, wishes to obtain the appointment to that office. This Gentleman, independent of private considerations viz, a numerous and respectable Family, reduced by misfortune to embarrassment, has strong pretensions to the patronage of the Government. From the...
1580317th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson did not attend this day at the Office. Phillips called to see us this afternoon. He has been to Portsmouth, and is now upon his return to Boston: he expects to read law in Mr. Dawes’s office. I walk’d into Newbury this evening with Stacey. The evenings grow long to my great regret. At present I can employ the evening from dusk till nine o’clock in walking; and as I am not over fond of...
158032From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 26 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maryland Historical Society I wrote to you on the 22d Instant, via Maryland. I now congratulate you again on the Prospect of having the Stamp Act repeal’d. The Grand Committee reported on Monday. Mr. Conway mov’d that Leave should be given to bring in a Bill for repealing the American Stamp Act. The Motion being seconded and agreed to, one of the late Ministry mov’d, that a Clause should...
158033George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 7, 1777. Speculates on purpose of attack on Ticonderoga. Warns Trumbull that British may attack eastern states rather than advance up North River. Gives permission for use of arms from Springfield arsenal if Connecticut is attacked. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
158034To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I Send up John Waters a Deserter from the 71st Regt who was this moment Sent to me, with his arms & accoutrements. waters informs me that the talk among the Troops was that the British army would move towards New London in order to draw our Troops from this Quarter, when they would return Suddenly and Seize the Fort—waters also reports that their Troops have had a Drubbing in Carolina. I have...
158035From George Washington to George Clendinen, 21 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st of December, and thank you as well for the readiness with which you have complied with my request to undertake the letting of my lands in your neighbourhood, as for the disposition which you express to render your best services in this way. In my letter to you of the 25 of June last (a duplicate of which was committed to the care of Mr Moore in August) I...
158036Poor Richard, 1746 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1746. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1746 , … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin. (Yale University Library) Preface . A Table for the more ready casting up of Coins , in Pennsylvania. No. Ps. Eight. Spanish Pistoles. English Guineas. Moidores. £ s. d. £ s. d.
158037To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being in want of a light Pheeton I directed my Servt to inquire abt the City for one—He tells me he has found a single light carriage wch belongs to you and has been lying here for some time—I have not seen it but from his account of it expect it will answer my purpose and if you choose to sell will purchase and give any price you may think it reasonably worth—If it is your inclination to keep...
158038From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 28th. came to hand on the 2d. inst. expecting mr Madison daily , I deferred writing till I should confer with him. this is the first post after his arrival, & I write to Genl. Dearborne to contribute his agency with you in such way as may be convenient for both towards carrying into execution the engagement of our predecessors to furnish the hundred gun carriages to the...
158039John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 26 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of the 2 d. — before this, you have Seen the Treaty with France. The full assurance of your Newspapers, has been wholly disappointed. M r Jefferson and M r Burr have equal Numbers 73.— Which will be Chief? I Shall be in Quincy as early in the Spring as the Roads and Weather will permit. The only Question remaining with me is what I shall do with myself? Something I must do or...
158040To James Madison from John Love, 10 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
An appology is necessary from me, for having by letter some time since troubled you on a subject which a moments reflection after leaving Alexana. satisfyed me I had improperly offered to your attention. It may have arisen from having understood that Mr Jefferson had offered Colo. Gilpin the post Masters place when He was appointed. Having within a few days heard of the death of Colo Gilpin I...
158041To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Priestley, Jr., 10 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Circumstances may render it very deseriable that I should go to France in the Spring to look after the property my father held in the French funds, which is in danger of being lost in consequence of its being considered British property from the neglect of some form necessary to transfer the property standing in the name John Wilkinson, the late owner, an Englishman, to my father who was a...
158042To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 13 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I herewith Send two men who deserted from The Lively Man of War this morning about 3 oClock and was taken up by our Guard at Chelsea Beach & conducted to me by a file of men. We have had a Small brush with the Enemy to day which began about 12 oClock and ended about ¼ of One occassioned by 2 Bearges & 2 Sail Boats going unto the floating Batterys that Lay near neck of Land Charlestown and...
158043From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Munroe has just communicated to me a statement by which it appears that there remained but 17,000. D. in the treasury of the monies appropriated for the South wing of the Capitol, of which sum I have now given him a warrant for 10,000. D. so that no more than 7000. D. remain subject to future draughts. I mention this, as it renders it necessary that not another Dollar may be expended or...
158044[Diary entry: 21 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
21. Clear warm & pleasant. Wind Southwardly.
158045Hugh Hill to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours I reseved this morning and I asner you madam that twenty five Guines is the Costomry Pasage that is payd too or from uerap I apeled to Captn. Dixey that Comanded a ship of Mr. Treaseys in bilbao wher I was: You will ples to Draw me a set of bils at the present Discount Which is fiften pr cent and fored them to Captn. Job Prince: four Sets the Som is thirty Nin pounds at ten Dayes Sight...
158046From James Madison to James Mchenry, ca. 5 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 5 August 1788 . Acknowledged in McHenry to JM, 14 Aug. 1788 . Replies to McHenry’s request in his letter of 26 July 1788 for information concerning the political strategy of the Antifederalists.
158047Abraham Howard Quincy to Thomas Jefferson, 24 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I receved your distinguished favor of the 7 th . I did not expect you would have condesended formally to notice by letter the trifle acknoledged p r hands of M r Sturtvant of Norfolk . he was bound instantly away when the thought occured or I should have sent you several specimens of stone (calculated to resist fire) which are found in Orford New Hamshire in the interior of New york at Rhoad...
158048To Benjamin Franklin from Simon-Pierre Fournier le Jeune, 16 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter is the earliest known reference to the script type that was cut especially for Franklin by the premier typefounder of Paris. It is proof that Franklin and Fournier had designed the type—which was not used at Passy until 1782—far earlier than has been generally suspected. Simon-Pierre Fournier le jeune, eldest son of the famous Pierre-Simon...
158049[1780 January 31. Monday.] (Adams Papers)
1780 January 31. Monday. We dined at the Hotel D’Angleterre, again with Mr. Maccarty, Mr. Delap, Mr. Bondfield &c. at the Invitation of Sir Robert Finlay. Mr. Le Texier I found still entertained his Doubts and Scruples about the Success of the American Cause. Instead of entering into serious Argument with him, I treated his dismal forebodings with so much Levity, that he seemed to be hurt, as...
158050From John Jay to William Livingston, 12 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
Agreable to your ^ kind ^ Request Peter is now going to pay his Elizabeth—He is no less pleased with this Mark of your affectionate Attention than I am, and I flatter myself will be equally disposed to manifest his Sense of it. You will find him thin and pale—a Fever has just left him, and a Relapse is to be of course to be guarded against—While he is with you I have nothing to apprehend from...