158961To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 24 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Je crois, Monsieur, devoir vous adresser la copie de la réponse que j’ai reçue de M. le Maal. [Maréchal] de Castries, ainsi que de la piéce qu’il y a jointe relativement à la Saisie faite à l’Orient par le Sr. Pachelberg d’armes et de munitions dont le Sr. Barclay demande la mainlevée. Vous y verrez, Monsieur,...
158962To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 31 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to write you the 29th. of this Month, praying you to address the Court, to prevent Mr. Puchilberg, a French Merchant here, from receiving the Prize-money due to the Subjects of the United-States who served on board the Squadron I commanded in Europe. I have done my Duty, and with great trouble and expence, both of time and money, obtained a settlement in their favor from...
158963To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Montgomery, 20 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Beg Lave to Refer your Eccellency to My Respects of the 2d Currt. Which Inclosed Copy of the Count de Floridablanca’s Letter to this Governour in My favour. And Since ’am Honourd by your Truly Esteemd of the 28th: Ulto. And ’am to Return you My Sincerest Thanks for the Attention you ware Pleased to Shew to my former Requests in your Interceeding with the...
158964To George Washington from Major Justus Christoph de Meibom, 27 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has given so many proofs of Your humane and generous treatment of prisoners of war, that I am fully convinced, it is to Your Excellency I have to look for any redress of the very bad treatment myself and the rest of the Officers meet with at the place of our residence. The strictest observation of our parole, and all our endeavours to avoid giving offence either in words or...
158965Enclosure: Memorial of Alexandria Merchants, 29 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The undersigned Merchants of the Town of Alexandria, having understood that an address or memorial has been secretly handed about for signatures, requesting the removal of the Collector of the Customs for this Port from office; consider it to be a duty, which they owe to your Excellency as well as to themselves respectfully to make Known to you, that the Business of the Custom House at this...
158966To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 21 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just this moment receiv’d from Mr. simpson of Tangiers the agreable news of War having terminated with the Moors to entire satisfaction, as you will be informed by the within Copy of the Circular & Letter received from him; and as Capt. Davis is getting under way, I have only time to advise you that said Simpson’s Dispatch for you Sir, has been delivered to Capn. Silas Crowell of the...
158967To Thomas Jefferson from John Laval, 20 September 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
At the receipt of your letter of the 16 th Ult o , I made the most diligent inquiries for Russel’s A view & , &, not being able to find it in any book House of Philadelphia, I wrote to Several persons in Baltimore, New-York, Boston & Portsmouth to do their utmost to procure it for you. My Correspondents have been rather dilatory in imparting their Want of Success, this accounts for my having...
158968Archibald Fisher to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ it may seem impertinent for a Stranger placed in an inferior rank in Life, thus to address a person of such distinguished Eminence, yet presuming on that philanthropic Character you hold with all unprejudiced minds, I thus venture obtrusively to solicit a hearing. I am a poor alien,—a Child of misfortune, thrown, by a train of untoward Events, on these shores.—I have been here a...
158969To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Charles Scott, 24 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Scott on 25 Oct. : “I recd yours of Yesterday inclosing Capt. Walls Report.”
158970From George Washington to John Jay, 5 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the Nankeen Cotton-seed with which you had the goodness to furnish me. It shall be sent to Mount Vernon with orders to my Gardener to be particularly attentive thereto, but with little hope, I confess, of success; that climate & country being too high & cold for this plant. The common cotten has frequently been tried on my estate, but hardly ever escaped the frost, of either...
158971To Thomas Jefferson from Léonard Honoré Gay de Vernon, 16 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
L’hommage que nous avons l’honneur de vous offrir est l’expression de notre cœur. vous êtes cher à tous les amis de l’humanité, et en vous faisant leurs légeres offrandes, ils s’acquittent bien foiblement de la réconnaissance qu’ils vous doivent. nous nous trouverions très heureux, monsieur le président, Si notre établissement nous fournissait l’occasion de vous faire connaître combien nous...
158972To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
Yes, I did See from your note of thanks to your neighbours the disaster, which has fall’n to your lot—tho’ I could not learn its full extent—and yet it was not in my power to inform you of my feelings. That note directly relieved my anxiety—I knew—your mind enabled you, to elevate yourself above Such a loss—great as it may have been—and the gratification of receiving Such a fresh proof of the...
158973Christian Lotter’s Inventory of Silverware, 3 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
A List of Silver belonging to His Excel ce: . Mr: Adams and Send to Mr: Willink at Amsterdam the 3 d: . of August 1784. 5 large Silver Soop Spoons. 2 Silver Sugar boxes. 2 Dozen and a half of Silver Tea Spoons. 6 Dozen of large Silver table Spoons. 5 Dozen of large Silver Forks. } 2 Dozen of Silver dessert-Forks. French work. 2 Dozen of Silver dessert-Spoons 2 Dozen of large Silver handled...
158974From George Washington to the Virginia Legislature, 27 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen, April 27th 1790 With a due sense of the affectionate terms in which your affection is conceived, I offer my best thanks for your congratulations on my election to the Chief Magistracy of a free and enlightened Nation. If I have been enabled to make use of whatever abilities Heaven has been pleased to confer upon me, with any advantage to our common Country,...
158975To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 26 October 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Bushrod Washington, 26 Oct. 1787. On 9 Nov. GW wrote Bushrod Washington: “I received your letters of the 19th & 26th Ult.”
158976From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
This letter will contain very little more than an acknowledgment of the receipts of your letters of the 13th & 18th of last month, which came safe to hand. The letter written by Mr Wolcott to the President of the United States, and the representation made by me to him, so soon as I received official information of the change intended, by him, in the relative Rank of the Major Generals, and of...
158977From James Madison to John Armstrong, 18 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the lt. inst. from Utica, and of the 5th. from Sackets Harbour. I have written to Mr Jones with a view to an extra half Million pr. Month for War purposes during the sequel of the Campaign, but am not without apprehensions that the state of the Treasury may produce difficulties, unless re-inforced by loans not yet ascertained. He will however feel all the importance of...
158978From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Donath, 11 September 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I know not how it happened that your favor of Aug. 8. did not reach me till our last post. A letter by post generally comes in 9. days. I am extremely glad to hear of the arrival of my glass, and that it is of the size of 12. by 18. according to my second order. If you will be pleased to forward me the bill of cost, I will immediately replenish my funds with Mr. Barnes, and desire him to pay...
158979From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 February 1806 (Adams Papers)
I will not, I dare not, stop to think how long it is, since I have written to my Dear Sister, but hope she has been favoured with as good a state of health, through this winter, as she enjoyed in the course of the former part of the year, & that each dear & valuable branch of her household, have had a large share of a blessing, which those who are deprived of health, especially, know to be...
158980The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 23 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 23 June 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:140–141 . The Commissioners, noting Schweighauser’s letter of 18 June (not found) and their instructions to John Paul Jones and Abraham Whipple of 16 and 23 June respectively (for both, see instructions to Jones, 16 June , calendared...
158981From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Rowse, 4 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 13. was recieved at this place. not being myself a competent judge of the analogies between the Cowpox, the small pox, the plague, & yellow fever, I readily acquiesce in the opinions of those who are the proper judges. that the Cowpox prevents the small pox is now I believe doubted by no body. but I had not supposed it to be established that it is a preventative against the...
158982From Thomas Jefferson to William Blount, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of Feb. 17. as I had been before with that of Nov. 26. both of which have been laid before the President. Within a few days the printing the laws of the 3d. session of Congress will be compleated, and they shall be forwarded to you the moment they are so. As the census of all the rest of the union will be taken in the course of this summer, and will not be taken...
158983From David Cobb to Charles Stewart, 25 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your request, I have it now in my power to inform you, that all your future supplies may come by the way of Kings Ferry, as the Army, in the course of this Week will take a position in that neighbourhood. I am sir Your Most Obedt Servant MH : Charles Stewart Papers.
158984From James Madison to Thomas Newton, Jr., 5 [August] 1803 (Madison Papers)
I this day recd your favor inclosing the deposition of the impressed Seaman. Being on the point of setting out for my farm, I had just time to state the case to Mr Thornton, whose interposition I hope will not be declined, nor be ineffectual in procuring the discharge of the seaman detained on board the Boston. Capt. Douglas has been represented as a […] officer & respectable man; but his...
158985Susanna Clarke Copley to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I am happy in this opportuntity of thanking you for your kind favor by your sons: whom it gave me great pleasure to meet, and to be particularly infomed of your welfare; as well as that of the rest of your Family, which Blessings I most sincerely hope you and they may long enjoy, and that while you are called to Make so great a sacrafise as the parting with so dear connections will occation,...
158986From Thomas Jefferson to William Robeson, 21 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was delivered to me in the moment when I was going out under an appointment the day before yesterday, and I did not return home till late at night, and yesterday morning early I was obliged to go to Versailles. This has occasioned the delay of my answer. The multiplicity of expences with which I am unavoidably surrounded, and the multiplicity of applications under circumstances...
158987To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hawkins, 6 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never had it in my power, until now, to procure for you the seeds of the Dionaea Muscipula. The gentlemen who had promised to get some for me had been too late both years in their endeavours. This year on my return from Wilmington I discovered it was in bloom on the 6th of June, pointed it out to a farmer who knows it well and at my request he some days past sent the seed which I...
158988From Alexander Hamilton to John Cochran, 15 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am of opinion that the law under which you act does not justify the Commissioners in the payment of interest on any new loan certificate issued for the certificates of any state, which certificates were issued by that state in exchange for those of the federal debt, until the whole of the identical state certificates, so issued, have been exchanged or redeemed, or the continental...
158989Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lehré, 20 July 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am thankful to you for your favor of the 9 th inst. and particularly so to my friends who think me worth their recollections. entirely withdrawn from all attention to public affairs and seeking the rest, which age now renders indispensable, I still see with pleasure the republican principles of our constitution so generally prevalent, as to give me confidence in their permanency and that...
158990To James Madison from Lecky Murray, 24 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Doctor Lecky Murray Presents his most respectfu l Compts. to Mr J. Madison through his old friend T. Ll and exhibits an Account never yet settled and requests his attention to the subject. If the British Government settle the claims against them, as they have required our Government to settle those against us, this ought to be included; there has been no laches as the Account was exhibited in...
158991From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter informing us of the Arrival of our Arms &c. from Rhode Island at Philadelphia, and must pray you immediately to send forward the packages within mentioned containing Arms, &c., engaging Waggons for that Purpose who shall be paid on their arrival here the price you contract to give them and be protected from Impresses while in this State. Tho’ we do not know the...
158992George Hay to Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have postponed my answer to your letter, of the 7. Oct: under the expectation of receiving the Statement of your defence, then in the hands of M r Rodney . I beg leave now to remind you, that the Session of the Circuit Court commences on the 22 d inst:—that Livingston’s Suit stands among the Writs of Inquiry for the 5 th day of the term, and that our pleas will be expected to be offered when...
158993To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 6 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency Yesterday by a Messenger to Lord Stirling. This will be accompanied by an Act of Congress for taking eventual Measures for emancipating the Province of Quebec dated the 5th Instant. The 4th Instant Congress resolved to promote Lieut. Henry P. Livingston to be Captain in the Corps of Your Excellency’s Guard vice Captain Gibbes promoted. Mr...
158994Propositions for a Treaty with Spain, 22 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
As the Time allowed M r . Jay for offering such Propositions as may become the Basis of the proposed Treaty between his Catholic Majesty and the United States of North America, is very short: he should fear the Consequences of Haste and Inaccuracy, if he was not persuaded that the Candor with which they will be received will secure him from the Inconveniences to which those Circumstances might...
158995Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 10 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letters from General Wayne and Major Gaither —the former descended the Ohio on the 30th Ultimo and in all probability was at Fort Washington on the 6. instant. I am Dear Sir Your humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For Anthony Wayne’s letter to Knox of 29 April, in which he reported on his army’s preparations to...
158996To Thomas Jefferson from John Smith, 6 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Although I am the friend of Gen. Wilkinson, I think it my duty to inform you, that it has been confidently asserted to me by one of your friends & mine, since I arrived in this City & only two or three days ago, that Gen. Wilkinson has been in Spanish pay for many years, & that the most unequivocal proofs of it are in the hands of a few designing Federalists, who are waiting with anxious hope...
158997From Thomas Jefferson to Hore Browse Trist, 9 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
My information of the death of mr Steele was premature, altho’ recieved from mr Hunter the member from Missisipi. the facts are these. early in autumn I was informed that mr Steele’s state of health was desperate, and that he would send me his resignation & leave the territory, to try the only chance for his recovery. soon after this he grew so much worse as to be unable to leave his room, &...
158998[Diary entry: 9 May 1797] (Washington Papers)
9. Disagreeably cool—tho’ the Wind was shifting to the Southward.
15899921st. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams this forenoon closed the subject of Pneumatics, with an account of the different kinds of air. Was employ’d, the chief part of the day in writing my part for Commencement, and have not yet finished it. As I am conscious, of having no talent at rhetorical composition; this allotment has given me a vast deal of anxiety. As my part is of the same kind with that of Freeman, whose...
159000From George Washington to William Dandridge, 20 May 1762 (Washington Papers)
Soon after the Appraisment of the Decd Colo. Custis’s Estate it seemed to be a matter of doubt whether Davy (a boy) who was appraised among his Negroes belonged to him, or Mr Dandridge your Father. Your Bro: then having, as I have understood, the Administration of his Affairs, conceived him to be the property of the latter and offered the boy to Mrs Washington at the Appraisment price, which...
159001From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 26 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Hammond and would be glad to be informed if there is any other testimony than that he sent him relative to the place of capture of the Ship William? He has heard that some one saw it from the shore whose testimony might be had. It is desireable that all the evidence possible should be produced. PrC ( DLC ). Tr ( DLC ); 19th-century copy. Enclosed...
159002From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 December 1803, Department of State. “Mr. John R. Livingston has represented that he has recovered an award for a considerable sum in the case of the Ship Somerset, and that according to the general rule prescribed as to the manner of drawing bills in such cases, it would be requisite that the portion claimed for the Captain, Christopher Miller who has since deceased, should be included in...
159003To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The foregoing is Copy of my last to you via Baltimore, since which a number of French Ships of the Line having arrived from Cape Francois on our Coast, the British Cruizers have retired into Newyork, & our port is once more open—this affords me an opportunity of sending you the third Bill of the sett within mentioned, and of letting you know that we are all...
159004From 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...
159005To 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...
159006To 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...
159007To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. on monday evening your favor of Mar. 23. with the return of Armstrong’s & Monroe’s letters first sent you. I cannot entirely despair that Spain notwithstanding the support given by France to her claim to W.F. may yield to our proposed arrangement, partly from its intrinsic value to her, partly from an apprehension of the interference of G.B. and that this latter consider may, as soon...
159008Josiah 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...
159009From 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...
159010To 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...