158901From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 23 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this Place the latter end of March, and undertook the Office, to which the President had been pleased to appoint me, of Secretary of State, which comprehends that of the foreign Affairs. Before I had got through the most pressing Matters which had been accumulating, a long Illness came upon me, and put it out of my Power for many Weeks to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters. I...
158902To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [29 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je fus trop heureuse, samedi, dimanche, lundi; oui mon chér papa je fus trop heureuse, mon chagrin me le prouve a présent! Je n’ai pas voulu allér encore rangér votre appartement, parce que tout m’y disoit d’une maniére trop sensible que vous n’y éstes plus; mais j’ai été dans nos prairies, j’y ai vû partout la trace de vos pas; les arbres m’ont paru d’un...
158903To James Madison from Isaac Cox Barnet, 24 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 December 1801, Bordeaux. Has sent by V. Dupont a duplicate of his 30 Oct. dispatch with his final account and a few lines dated 14 Dec. Expresses regret that he has not heard from State Department since 31 Mar. 1800. Refers to his past services as well as to his family and financial obligations. Public service has diverted his attention from his commercial affairs, and he is still in...
158904Josiah Quincy to James Madison, 10 March 1833 (Madison Papers)
My Son in law Benjamin D. Greene Esq of Boston, with his lady, and another of my daughters are about visiting the Southern States, with combined views of health and curiosity. In their excursion they are about to pass, in the vicinity of your residence, and have that wish, which is at once so natural and honorable, personally to know and to be permitted to pay their respects to one, who has...
158905From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 11 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by the post this day fortnight, since which I have received two letters from you. I am afraid that you may not have sent to the post office and therefore that my letter may be still lying there. Tho’ my business here may not let me write to you every week yet it will not be amiss for you to enquire at the office every week. I wrote to Mr. House by the last post. Perhaps his letter...
158906To George Washington from Jedediah Huntington, 24 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
A Day or two after I wrote your Excellency the 14th of last Month, the mustering Officers came into the State and have been very industrious in their Business; I find myself disappointed in the Number of Recruits, which I expected would be ready in this Month—every possible Evasion is practiced by those who have to furnish them—it is now proposed in Assembly to issue Execution against the...
158907To Thomas Jefferson from Lamarque & Fabre, [February 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, Feb. 1788 ] In 1780 their firm, “fournisseurs des Troupes,” delivered to Commodore Gillon, agent for the state of South Carolina, some clothing for soldiers, payment for which was to be made before Gillon left for America. There is still due on that account 26,000 livres principal, plus seven years interest which the state promised to allow. Would like to know whether the state has...
158908From George Washington to Joan Derk, Baron van der Capellen tot den Pol, 2 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I find myself so happy, as to be honoured with a Letter from your patriotic Society of the City of Enkhuysen accompanied with one from the Baron De Capellan de Pol, that worthy Patriot and warm friend of the Liberties of mankind in general and in particular of your and our republican States, whose name has been long known an d revered in this Country. With these Letters came the Six Kegs of...
158909From John Adams to John Davis, 14 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
The disposition of every member of the Accademy to Show every respect and do every honor to the Memory of their Reverend and Learned Associate Dr Howard is unquestionable, and nothing but the heat of the Season in my present State of Health should prevent me from having the Honor of attending his Funeral with the other Members. It is my request to you, Sir to give public Notice of the...
158910From James Madison to William Pinkney, 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I rcd. a few days ago your favor of Aug. 13. and have submitted to the President your anticipation of an outfit on the special grounds which were supposed to warrant it. He acquiesces in the reasonableness of the measure; with the reservation which you suggest, of an eventual reimbursement of the sums drawn, in case the legal title to an outfit should from any cause not be consummated. I thank...
158911From George Washington to Brigadier General William Winds, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your Letter of Yesterday and was much concerned to find that you had declined advancing to join this Army or to act in this Quarter. Your aid I deem of great importance, and if you are not too far beyond Brunswic when this reaches you, I must request that you will immediately face about and proceed as expeditiously as you can with the Troops under you, to Spotswood,...
158912To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 20 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
L’incluse pour vous m’est parvenue je ne sai d’où ni comment avec une Gazette de Rotterdam où l’on a inséré la Requête des Negociants de la dite Ville à leurs Magistrats. Je suppose qu’il y en a une pareille sous ce couvert. Vous aurez vu par les gazettes, qu’avanthier pareille démarche s’est faite à Leide par 64 Negociants et Fabriquants. J’ai lieu de croire, que demain il en sera présenté...
158913From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General William Smallwood, [27 April 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
By his Excellency’s order, I am to inform you that you are to take the command of the four batalions appointed to manœuvre in presence of the French Minister. I inclose you the manœuvres which are to be performed. If there should be any thing in them which requires explanation (though I imagine you will find them pretty clear) The Baron De Steuben will with pleasure give the explanation, if...
158914To George Washington from Richard Varick, 1 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I think it my Duty to inform Your Excellency, That since your Departure for Virginia and my Return from Dobbs’s Ferry to this Place, three Writers have been continually employed, in transcribing the Public Letters, on the Plan proposed by your Excellency. I found it necessary, for distinguishing the Sets of Volumes, to nominate them in the Order of the Alphabet, Of which I requested your...
158915To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Day before yesterday there were a number of Letters in Town announcing a Peace. The News came from the secretary of the Duc d’orleans who ’tis said informed that the King had announced it to the Duc. Such respectable Information prevented every Doubt and I among the Rest believed it. I immediately set myself to work to get a little fast sailing Brig...
158916John Laval to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I Sent you, on the 20 th inst t , 1 Nautical almanac for 1823 & One for 1824. I forward, By this day’s Mail, Two Bailey ’s Phædrus , 8 vo , London Edit., 2 d hand, they are the only Copies I could obtain in all
158917To James Madison from Augustus B. Woodward, 31 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
The subject of the donations having been, through some discontented characters here, transferred to the press, I have enclosed what will serve as an explanation of it at the seat of government, and will shew that the source and object of the clamor do not merit serious attention, and that some little firmness is necessary in a government here, or otherwise the laws could not be supported. RC...
158918From George Washington to Mary Ball Washington, 30 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Honored Madam—Your letter by Mr. Smith I received on my way to Col Fairfax’s funeral; in answer to that part relative to my Bro’r Charles’ Marriage I shall observe, that if there is no other objection than the one you mention, it may soon be removed; and that Mrs Thornton if she believes I am capable of taking these ungenrous advantages, knows little of the principles which govern my...
158919To George Washington from Lord Stirling, 2 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this Morning by Mr Scott Since which Mr John Stevens my Nephew informs me he intends to pay your Camp a Visit, he is a Young Gentleman who has taken a Warm part in the Cause of American Liberty, his Jaunt into the Eastern Colonies is to get a knowledge of that part of his Country, But principaly to get some improvement in Military knowledge in that best and only School which is to...
158920To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 1 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1802, Leghorn. Has nothing of note to report except the “great embarkation of french troops in the different ports of Italy,” which required the impressment of “twenty or more vessels of various nations indiscriminately.” Among these was the Syren , Captain Reilly, of Philadelphia. “I remonstrated against the proceedure, and should, I am persuaded have obtained her release from so...
158921From James Madison to Henry Colman, 5 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Colman with his thanks for the “Century Sermon,[”] he has been so good as to inclose with his letter of the 21st. Ult. Mrs. Madison is equally thankful for the Copy of Mr. Buckminster’s Sermons presented to her. Neither of us can at present avail ourselves of the pleasure of perusing the publications: but a very short time will relieve us both from the...
158922Henry R. Schoolcraft to Thomas Jefferson, 5 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Henry R. Schoolcraft presents his respectful compliments to Thomas Jefferson Esqr., and solicits the honor of his acceptance of the accompanying memoir . RC ( CSmH: JF-BA ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “ Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Virginia ”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Jan. 1822 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Schoolcraft , A Memoir, on the Geological Position of a Fossil Tree,...
158923[Diary entry: 24 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 24th. Did the same this day.
158924John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
No Letters from you by the two last Posts. Let me hear from you as Soon and as often as you can. This is the only Substitute for the Pleasure of Seeing you, which I fear I cannot enjoy for Some time, as the Conferences for the definitive Treaty languish more than I could wish. When I desired you to send me an Account of your Expences, I did not mean a particular Account, but only the Amount,...
158925To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Xavier Bureaux de Pusy, [19 July 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bergen Point, New Jersey, July 19, 1800. ] Thanks Hamilton for recommending him for a position in the United States Government. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is written in French. See James McHenry to H, May 12, 1800 ; Bureaux de Pusy to H, May 16, 1800 ; H to Samuel Dexter, July 9, 1800 .
158926From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lee Shippen, 29 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 22d. is just received. My occupations obliging me to economize my time and labour, where it can be done, I have, since your departure, addressed either yourself or Mr. Rutledge singly, hoping your goodness would excuse my writing to either for both. In like manner I have lately written to Mr. Short for all three. I now take the liberty of addressing you, for the triumvirate....
158927From Sarah Smith Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter favour of the 20th Instant enclosing Mr Clarks letter and your reply—My Daughter has been with you from her Infantcy—you made me exacted a promise that I would never take her from you while you lived—I have however painful the relinquishment—adheared to my promis—you are now going to resign her to the protection of a stranger—If your heart sanctions the...
158928From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 29 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of your No. 67. June 6. 68. June 10. 69. June 22. 70. June 26. 71. June 29. the three last by the British packet. My last to you was of July 28. by a vessel bound to Havre. This goes to the same port, because accompanied by newspapers. It will be the last I shall write you these two months, as I am to set out for Virginia the next week. I now inclose you a copy of...
158929From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Majr. Galvan as recommended by your Excellency was dispatched to his station without delay, and has been furnished with every thing he desired as far as we were able. The line of expresses formed between us is such as will communicate intelligence from one to the other in twenty three hours. I have forwarded to him information of our disasters in the South as they have come to me. Our...
158930George Washington to Marquis de Lafayette, 5 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Peekskill, New York ] August 5, 1780 . Regrets that the Chevalier de Ternay is adverse to entering New York harbor. Entreats Lafayette to “ascertain the probability of a succour coming from France and the West Indies.” Df , in writings of James McHenry and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
158931To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 9 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am now to reply to your Letter of the 29th of March, & again to offer you my congratulations on the farther evidence of a general peace having been concluded & ratified—I enter into yr Excellencys feelings on this interesting event the prospect of being soon relieved from the cares , the distresses, the Labours, the difficulties which for the last seven years have embittered your...
158932To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed two Acts of Congress of the 10th & 11th Instant. The former containing Regulations for the Payment of Arrears due, or to become due to the Soldiery for cloathing pursuant to the Resolution of Congress of the 16th of August last. The latter impowering the Commander in Chief to make the most salutary Regulations possible for m[o]difying the Practice...
158933From George Washington to Thomas Pinckney, 25 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who will have the honor of delivering this letter to you; is Doctr Tate, who is possessed of the valuable secret of curing Cancerous complaints. A call to England for some purpose of that sort—or with a view to derive benefit from his discovery, affords me an occasion to inform you (at his request) that I have, myself, experienced the fruits of his skill, in this art; being cured...
158934Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
In 1763, John Adams made his first verifiable entry into print with the publication of his “Humphrey Ploughjogger” letter in the Boston Evening-Post on 14 March ( No. I , below). He was to use the pseudonym several more times—twice that summer, once in 1765, and twice in 1767. His authorship of the 1763 Ploughjogger pieces is attested to in his own words, written long after the fact and...
158935To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will by this express receive the agreable intelligence of peace upon which I most sin cerly congratulate you & the army—Harmony, a regard for justice, & fidelity to our engagements are all that now remains to render us a happy people—The Vessel that brought these dispatches was sent out by the Count Destaign to recal the french cruzers. As the minister tells me he will forward the orders &...
158936From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with your letter of the 10th—Mine of this morning which will probably reach you before this, will inform you that on hearing of the enemy’s movement from below, I had detached a body of troops under Major General Heath to counteract them. It gives me pain that I have it not in my power to afford more effectual succour to the country; but the smallness of our force obliges me...
158937To George Washington from Thomas Waggener, 30 April 1758 (Washington Papers)
I should have comply’d with your orders in Sending an officer or two Recruiting, but it’s Imposible to do It without leaveing some of the Forts without an officer, There’s Not two at any place but this & Capt. McKenzies. I recd a Letter From Mr Boyd who inform’d me, it was yr orders for an officer From Each company to come Down for the pay, which accordingly I have sent. Capt. McKenzie...
158938To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 29 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library As your Letter permitting me to draw upon you for the amount of the Bills payable in this & the next Month, did not arrive till after several of them had become payable, Mr Cabarrus was so obliging as to advance the necessary Sums— I have this Day drawn Bills in his favor on you to the amount of 76,681 Livrs. 13 Sols & 6 Den. which at 14.8. the present...
158939To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, 24 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Give me leave to state to you that Doctor Wheaton, whom I had the honor of presenting to you a day or two since, is the Son of a Gentleman highly respectable, both professionally (as a Physician) & otherwise, in Rhode Island, with whom I was formirly acquainted. This young Gentleman is the brother in Law of Mr. Henry Wheaton the Reporter. The family generally, which is a numerous one to the...
158940From James Madison to George William Murray, 23 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To George William Murray. 23 November 1805, Department of State. “I have red. your letter of the 19th. inst. Should the delay you have experienced in the transmission of the papers, necessary to prosecute the appeal, from the Court of Vice-Admiralty at Antigua be further continued, it is probable that some judicial measure may be taken to question the pace of those, by whose inattention you...
158941From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 9 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve your letter of the 2 d while La Fayette is with us. our county has recieved him as handsomely as their limited means permitted. among the toasts they drank ‘a gratitude which ends not in words.’ and I think sentiment is taking in other states. the President will also give a hint on which Congress will be led to take up the subject.—M de L’Epinay is safely recieved. Hall’s book is...
158942From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Once Ferdinand Grand received Vergennes’ acceptance of the proposal to repay French loans by supplying Rochambeau’s troops in America, he drafted, in French, a “Projet de lettre” for Franklin to send Congress. Grand forwarded the...
158943Thomas Jefferson’s Membership Diploma in the Imperiale e Reale Accademia Economico-Agraria dei Georgofili di Firenze, 15 … (Jefferson Papers)
Intenta sempre l’Accademia ad ascrivere nel numero dei suoi membri le persone che non solo possono recarle decoro con il loro nome, ma ancora esserle utili con la comunicazione d’esperienze e di scritti diretti all’avanzamento delle cognizioni teoriche e pratiche riguardanti l’Agricoltura e qualunque altro Ramo d’Economia pubblica e privata; e delle Scienze ed Arte in quei particolari che con...
158944John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have not been able of late to keep up my Correspondence with you, so constantly, as my Heart inclined me to do. But I hope now to write you oftener—but I dont incline to write, very particularly, least my Letters should be intercepted. I am in tolerable Health, but oppressed, with a Load of public Cares. I have long foreseen, that We should be brought down to a great Degree of Depression...
15894522 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Went ashore. Dr. W indship revealed to me, a Secret concerning the Parson.—Good God! ... He is confident. He knows.—The Rheumatism never touches the Glands. It is a confirmed ——. He says, that B lodget knows so too.—It must come to an Head. It will break. It will be two months at least. He has purged himself off his Legs. Has exhausted himself by Purges. (It gets into the Circulations—breaks...
158946To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Mangin, 11 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 11, 1799 . States that he was originally hired to supervise the construction of the batteries for the defense of New York City, that he was subsequently hired to fortify Governors Island, and that he is now city surveyor. Complains that he is not adequately paid. Describes his qualifications as an engineer and asks Hamilton for a military rank. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library...
158947Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Slaughter, 2 September 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
In a suit in Chancery brought against me by mr Scott of Campbell , it is necessary for me to take some depositions, for which purpose I have obtained a blank Commission. I have to ask the favor of you to act as a Commissioner in it, and to advise me as to the other two names to be inserted in it, as I am unacquainted with the magistrates the most convenient to New London , the place nearest to...
158948From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 27, 1792. “I received your letter of the 17th Instant, enclosing an application from Mr Foster for the payment of certain drawbacks. As the case is stated, it is such an one, in which the Law is precise: & there is no discretionery power vested in me.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1818 (vol. unnumbered), National...
158949To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of returning to the President his letter to Mr Johnson with a few pencilled suggestions. The letter from Messrs Scott and Thornton to the President on the 20. April 1795. does not seem to E.R. to be one, which Mr Johnson can require; because it is not an act of the board, directing one thing or another to be done; it is only a comment upon the transaction in general....
158950From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
When Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard arrived here, they brought us letters from many of our friends, and among them one from your brother George, which gave me much pleasure—But I was sorry there was none form you; and the more so because George’s letter was in answer to one which I had written him last September; and at the same time I had also written one to you—Now I have the satisfaction of...