158441[Diary entry: 19 January 1780] (Washington Papers)
19th. Clear—Morning tolerably pleasant—Evening cold—Wind at No. West but not very fresh.
158442Advertisement, 28 August 1754 (Washington Papers)
Whereas a great many false Reports have been raised, by Deserters from the Virginia Regiment, that they were discharged from said Regiment, had Leave to be absent for a Time, or that the Regiment was entirely broke: By which feign’d Stories, they have been allowed to pass free and unmolested. This is, therefore, to give Notice, that all Soldiers who are found two Miles distant from the Camp or...
158443Acct. of the Weather in March [1772] (Washington Papers)
Mar. 1st. Ground pretty hard froze. Morning Calm & pleasant. Cool & Windy afterwards Wind fresh from the Northward. 2. Pretty Cool all day—Wind being abt. No. Et. & Cloudy in the Afternoon. 3. Cloudy & Snowing in the forenoon & raw & cold all day. 4. Morning clear and tolerably pleasant but raw and Cold in the Afternoon & raining in the Night. 5. Wind blew very fresh and cold from the...
1584449th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went with Mr. D. to the French minister’s hotel. Mr. Normandes the Spanish Chargé d’affaires came to pay a visit to Mr. D. In the afternoon I went to the Shops with Mr. Artaud, but found them all shut-up because of the Esther holidays. We went to see some of their diversions. We went also to Mr. Rimbert’s, to see how Mr. Montreal does. Mr. D. went to carry his letter to be sent.
158445[Diary entry: 2 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Having made previous preparations for it—About 8 Oclock attended by the President, Mr. Langden & some other Gentlemen, I went in a boat to view the harbour of Portsmouth; which is well secured against all Winds; and from its narrow entrance from the Sea, and passage up to the Town, may be perfectly guarded against any approach by water. The anchorage is also good & the Shipping may...
158446The Case of Enoch Crosby, Professedly Cooper’s Spy Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
John Jay’s role directing or supervising intelligence activities as a member and sometime chairman of the Committee for Detecting Conspiracies bore literary fruit when he served as the inspiration and source for James Fenimore Cooper’s first successful novel, The Spy: A Tale of the Neutral Ground , published in 1821. After that book’s publication, speculation about the model for the Patriot...
158447General Orders, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
158448General Orders, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In General Orders of the 12th instant the Commissary General of Issues was, thro’ mistake inserted instead of the Commissary General of Purchases, who is to observe said order. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
15844928th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams, this day, gave us, the first Lecture, upon Experimental Philosophy. It was upon the Properties of Matter, as Extension, Divisibility, Solidity, Mobility, figure , and Vis Inertiae. After the Lecture was over, he told us, the Regulations, which were, that the Door should be lock’d at the beginning of the Lectures; that there should be no whispering, nor spitting on the floor, and...
158450[Diary entry: 10 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined & lodged at Elkton. Tolerably pleasant all day. “At Elkton . . . Hollingsworth’s is a quiet orderly Tavern, with good beds, and well in other respects” ( GW to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 26 Mar. 1797 , ViMtvL ). “We encountered no adventures of any kind, & saw nothing uncommon, except the light Horse of Delaware, & Maryland, who insisted upon attending us through their states” (Eleanor...
158451[Diary entry: 9 October 1781] (Washington Papers)
9th. About 3 o’clock P.M. the French opened a battery on our extreme left, of 4 Sixteen pounders, and Six Morters & Hawitzers and at 5 oclock an American battery of Six 18s & 24s; four Morters & 2 Hawitzers, began to play from the extremity of our right—both with good effect as they compelled the Enemy to withdraw from their ambrazures the Pieces which had previously kept up a constant firing....
158452General Orders, 6 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General has no doubt, but that every man who has a due sense of the importance of the cause he has undertaken to defend, and who has any regard to his own honor and the reputation of a soldier will, if called to action, behave like one contending for every thing valuable; But, if contrary to his expectation, there shall be found any officers, or soldiers, so far lost to all shame as basely...
158453[Diary entry: 17 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 59 at Night. Wind Southerly and raining till about 9 Oclock when it chopped round to the No. Wt.—blew hard & cleared. At home all day. Began to set a brick kiln.
158454[Diary entry: 25 January 1770] (Washington Papers)
25. At home all day alone.
158455Report on Negotiations with Gardoqui, 3 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
Every Person to whom ^ is committed ^ the Management of a Negociation, from which many good or ill Consequences will probably result, must find himself placed in a very delicate and responsible Situation. In that Point of Light I consider our present Negociations with Spain, and that my Sentiments on the Subject may be conveyed to Congress with Precision, and authentic Evidence of them...
158456Notes on Conversations with William Strickland, May 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
May. 1795. William Strickland esq. son of Sr. George Strickland of York in England informs me that about 3. years ago he found in the herald’s office in London papers vouching the following facts. That Sebastian Cabot, having grown old, and become poor, petitioned the crown for some recompence in consideration of his voyages and discoveries in America, and was allowed a pension . That a...
158457[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress on the Articles of Confederation] July 25. 1776. (Adams Papers)
Terms in this Article, equivocal and indefinite. Jefferson. The Limits of the Southern Colonies are fixed.... Moves an Amendment, that all Purchases of Lands, not within the Boundaries of any Colony shall be made by Congress, of the Indians in a great Council.— Sherman seconds the Motion.... Chase. The Intention of this Article is very obvious, and plain. The Article appears to me to be right,...
158458[Diary entry: 1 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday May 1st. Got over early in the Morning and reachd home before Dinnertime and upon enquiry found that my Clover Field was finishd sowing & Rolling the Saturday I left home—as was the Sowing of my Lucerne: and that on the they began sowing the last field of Oats & finishd it the 25th. That in box No. 6, two grains of Wheat appeard on the 20th.; one an Inch high—on the 22d. a grain of...
158459Jefferson’s Affidavit Concerning Timothy Pickering, Samuel Hodgdon, and Levi Hollingsworth, 4 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Timothy Pickering, Samuel Hodgdon, and Levi Hollingsworth, citizens of the United States of America, having communicated to me their intention of sending agents to Europe to sell certain lands of theirs on Guyandot and Sandy rivers, and desirous that their propositions may stand on fair ground so far as may depend on their personal characters, I have made enquiry into their characters and find...
158460Enclosure: Report, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War, having in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States, received the communication of the Cherokee Chiefs, at present in Philadelphia respectfully Reports—That the communications and opinions of the said Cherokees, are contained in the papers hereunto annexed, as translated by James Carey, interpreter, and confirmed by George Miller, a young Indian who...
158461[Diary entry: 28 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear—Mercury at 80. Wind Southerly.
158462[Diary entry: 25 May 1791] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 25th. Set out at 4 ’Oclock for Cambden (the foundered horse being led slowly on). Breakfasted at an indifferent house 22 miles from the town (the first we came to) and reached Cambden about two oclock, 14 miles further where an address was recd. & answered. Dined late with a number of Gentlemen & Ladies at a public dinner. The Road from Columbia to Cambden, excepting a mile or two at...
158463Proclamation re British Armed Vessels, 2 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By Thomas Jefferson President of the U.S of America. A Proclamation. During the wars which, for some time, have unhappily prevailed among the powers of Europe, the United States of America, firm in their principles of peace have endeavored by justice, by a regular discharge of all their National & Social duties, & by every friendly office their situation has admitted, to maintain with all the...
158464Remarks & Occurs. in August [1771] (Washington Papers)
August 1st. Began to Sow Wheat in the Neck with Wheat steep’d in Brine & allum. 3. Began to Sow Wheat at the Mill also steepd in Brine with Allum put thereto. This day began to sow the Brined Wheat at Muddy hole. Before this the Wheat was not steepd in Brine at this place. Note—The Brine was made by the direction’s in the Farmers guide, as the common method practiced by Farmers but our Wheat...
158465[Diary entry: 18 March 1773] (Washington Papers)
18. Clear & somewhat Cool. Wind blowing hard at No. West till the Evening when it turnd Calm.
15846623d. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This day Mr. Blondot dined with us. In the afternoon Mr. Hoogwerst came to pay us a visit. Stay’d at Home all day. Our German master gave us the second lesson. He comes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Fine weather.
158467General Orders, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial whereof Brigr General McIntosh was President (10th March) Coll William Cook of 12th Pennsylvania Regiment tried for disobedience of orders in sundry instances (viz.) About 20th of December last when the Enemy advanced over Schuylkill, the Brigade to which he belonged was ordered and did march towards the Enemy, but Coll Cook absented himself from his Regiment and did...
158468[Diary entry: 1 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. About 11 oclock, after it had ceased raining, we all set out for the City and dined at Mr. Morris’s.
158469[Diary entry: 15 July 1773] (Washington Papers)
15. Wind in the Afternoon fresh from the So. West & great prospect of Rain but none fell here.
158470Sir Philip Gibbes: Minutes of a Conversation with Franklin, [on or before 5 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library 1st. Conversation. A Conversation with Doctor Franklin at Paris on the 5th of February 1777 or some days before. I opened my conversation with Doctor Franklin by saying, “My first visit, Sir, was to the Philosopher and the acquaintance. I shall now address you in another stile. I feel myself so much affected by this unhappy dispute between Great Britain and her...
158471General Orders, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
All officers who have drawn money for the reinlisting service are desired to prepare their accounts for a settlement with the Auditors. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following additional general orders: “A Sub. 2 Serjts & 32 R[ank] & File for Fatigue Tomorrow from Genl Muhlenbergh’s Brigade. A Serjt & 12 from Genl...
158472General Orders, 7 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Repeated Complaints being made by the Regimental Surgeons, that they are not allowed proper Necessaries for the Use of the sick before they become fit Objects for the General Hospital: And the Director General of the hospital complains, that contrary to the Rule of every established army, these Regimental Hospitals are more expensive than can be conceived; which plainly indicates that there is...
15847322d. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This evening at about 11.o’clock we arrived at Stockholm. We found all the taverns in the town shut up, and could not get one opened. From Åbo to Swed: miles Nussis Nummis 2. Tursanparo 1. Laertes 1 1/2 Botila 1 1/4 Helsings 1 3/4. à Varsala (par eau) by water 2. Bränden. Brandö
158474[Diary entry: 12 November 1773] (Washington Papers)
12. Cold & lowering forenoon but pleasanter afterwards.
158475Enclosure: Richard Randolph’s Directions for Making Cement, [ca. 10 April 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Spred Spread four measures of the powder upon a wooden floor, from six to ten or twelve inches thick. Sprinkle one measure of water equally over the surface. turn up the bed and mix it carefully, so as that the whole shall be equally damp or wet, then heap it up into a compact mass, and let it lie covered in a damp shady place or cellar two or three days; Then spread it on the same floor and...
158476Enclosure I: Extract from Jonathan Williams’s Meteorological Journal, 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Places Dates Therr: Barometer Fall Rise Assent in Feet Descent in feet Height above Richmond. Richmond June 26. 70. 29.80 Woods 29. 65. 29.70. 0.10 100 100
158477[Diary entry: 9 February 1780] (Washington Papers)
9th. Wind fresh in the Night from the Westward—day clear & not very cold. The wind continued Westerly all day.
158478General Orders, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Maxwell[,] Major Thayer[,] Brigade Major McGowan Two Battalions of Eighty Files each to manœuvre tomorrow morning at the usual hour and Place from Maxwell’s and Stark’s Brigades—Each of those brigades to give two Field officers for this duty—General Hand to Command. Some inconveniencies having been represented in adhering to the order of...
158479General Orders, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a division Court Martial (Feby 13th 1778.) whereof Lieutt Coll Sprout was president, Lieutt Austin Alden of Coll Brewer’s Regiment, tried for behaving in many instances unbecoming the Character of an officer and gentleman, 1st in taking Jack Brown’s allowance of Whisky and drinking it and then refusing to pay for it—2nd In messing, frequently drinking & sleeping with the soldiers—3rdly—For...
158480Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, that the Hon. John Hancock Hon. Thomas Cushing Esquires Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Pain Esquires appointed by the last provincial Congress “to represent this Colony on the 10th of May next or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia” be and they hereby are, authorized and impowered “with the Delegates from the other American...
1584814th. (Adams Papers)
The Seniors this morning, had a forensic disputation, upon the Question, whether a democratical form of Government, is the best of all. The Class in alphabetical order, alternately supported or opposed this Question. I went to Sullivan’s chamber. Studied in the 7th. Book of the Iliad. I made tea, for the Club this Evening. They were all here Amory, Beale, Bridge, 3 Chandler’s, Cranch, Hammond,...
158482[Jonathan Sewall, 1759] (Adams Papers)
Sometime in 1761 or two Mr. Samuel Quincy with whom I sometimes corresponded, shewed to Mr. Jonathan Sewall, a Lawyer somewhat advanced before Us at the Bar, some juvenile Letters of mine of no consequence, which however Sewall thought discovered a Mind awake to the love of Litterature and Law and insisted on being acquainted with me and writing to me. His Acquaintance and Correspondence were...
158483Poetry, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
AD , DLC:GW . For background on this document, see the editorial note to GW to Ann Washington, Sept.–Nov. 1749 . No evidence has been found that GW composed this work. This is an acrostic for Frances Alexander.
158484Parabole Contre La Persécution, [after February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Printed by Benjamin Franklin, Passy [1780]: Yale University Library Franklin had never intended that his pseudo-chapter of Genesis (1755), later known as “Parable Against Persecution,” be published. The piece, which he had printed on a slip of paper and hidden in his Bible, was a private joke; his now-legendary recitations were a harmless hoax meant to provoke and amuse the company. When...
158485[Diary entry: 7 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Clear mild & very pleast. all day—Calm in the forenoon & a light Southerly breeze after Noon. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the people had just finished gathering and measuring the Pease which in all amounted to only 80 Bushels. They were, in places, very much missing to which this short quantity is...
158486Wednesday November 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
We returned through Boston, to Cambridge. The road from Charlestown was full of carriages coming here, to see the review of the militia of the County, under the command of General Brookes. I found my chamber full of Ladies, who had a view of part of the troops from the windows: there were I believe about 2000 men, composed of the Cadet, and light infantry Company’s, and the independent...
158487[Diary entry: 15 January 1770] (Washington Papers)
15. Exceeding cold tho but little Wind that however at No. West.
158488Editorial Note: Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms (Jefferson Papers)
The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms was one of several addresses issued by Congress in the summer of 1775 with the object of justifying to the American people and to the world the necessity for armed resistance. The authorship of this Declaration was the subject of a needless and largely fruitless controversy throughout the nineteenth century. These facts make it...
158489Notes of a Conversation with George Mason, 30 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Gunston Hall. Sep. 30. 92. ex relatione G. Mason The constitution as agreed to till fortnight before the convention rose was such a one as he could have set his hand and heart to. 1. The president was to be elected for 7. years, then ineligible for 7. more. 2. Rotation in the senate. 3. A vote of ⅔ in the legislature on particular subjects and expressly on that of navigation . The 3. new...
15849029th. (Adams Papers)
The Ladies, went in the afternoon, to pay what is called, the wedding visit to Mrs. Woodbury: a mere ceremony, this, and I believe a very unmeaning one: there were four or five and twenty persons, there, to stare, at one another, for an hour, and then return home, to be the objects of each others observations: I did not go. Spent the evening at Mr. Dodge’s, in Company with Mr. Audlin , a...