1601From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 13 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you 260. D. to be paid as follows John Perry 100. Colo. Nicholas Lewis 103. 89 Wurtenbaker for Wm. Stewart 10. taking in my note Terril on acct. of James Walker 47. 98 261. 87 inform mr Peyton that I have paid for him to the Postmaster General 28. D 53 c. the true balance of his account after correcting the error of addition. my best wishes attend you. Privately owned.
1602To George Washington from Colonel Richard Parker, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you a Letter from Governor Johnston to Mr Hollings Worth D. Quarter Master General at this place informing him of a Number of the Enemies Vessels being in the Bay. The officers who set out from Camp to Virginia embarked & set sail from this place last night with a fair wind down the Bay I wish they may not fall in with them as the Bay had been clear in the morning and no danger...
1603From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Crowels recent violation of the usages and laws of flags render it necessary to adopt some measures, that may prevent similar procedings in future. For this purpose you will immediately fix upon a certain number of places for the reception of flag-boats, and advise the commanding Officer on Staten Island, of the places, and that no flag boats will be received any where else without a...
1604[Diary entry: 7 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Road to my Mill, Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations. Preparing my dry well, and the Well in my New Cellar for the reception of Ice. But little wind, and that Southwardly. Day very pleasant—tho’ it thawed but little. The well in the new cellar was to prove unsatisfactory (see entry for 5 June ). The dry well that GW used as an icehouse was first mentioned in 1773, when it...
1605To George Washington from Colonel David Chambers, 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
herewith I send your Excellency 4 prisoners that we took last evening 2 being Regulars—one of the others by name Jno. Vandyke a Malitious Active Tory, and is said to have let some prisoners out of Millstone Goal and assembled and spirited the Negroes against us And as I am Informed was about a week since taken prisoner in Company with some light Horse by our people and confin’d who says he was...
1606To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I must call upon your friendship to excuse me for again mentioning the convention at Philadelphia. Your determination having been fixed on a thorough review of your situation, I feel, like an intruder, when I again hint a wish, that you would join the delegation. But every day brings forth some new crisis, and the confederation is, I fear, the last anchor of our hope. Congress have taken up...
1607To Benjamin Franklin from William Augustus Miles, 11 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is by the express desire of my friend Sir Edward Newenham that I transmit you the inclos’d printed extracts from the irish Papers. It will afford me a real pleasure to hear of them having arriv’d Safe and in the interim I have the honor to remain with the utmost respect Sir Your most obedt: & most Oblig’d Hble Servt Notation: Miles Oct 11. 1784— Who had...
1608To James Madison from Jacob Blocher, 30 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
Many of the Citizens of Fayette & Sumerset Counties have requested me to write to your Excellency respecting the extraordinary attempt lately made to Change the Cumberland road from its original location particularly on the youghiogheny river inasmuch as they firmly believe that the worthy Commissioners who were appointed by the general government for the purpose of exploring & Locating the...
1609To James Madison from James Gillespie, 21 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 February 1804, House of Representatives. “Some time past I called at the office, at the request of A Mr. Hall printer of Wilmington N C, he is desirous to publish the Acts of Congress in his weekly newspaper. “I use the freedom to State that the Wilmington Gazette has A more general circulation And is conducted on better principles; than any other paper, in those divisions of our State...
1610From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 25 December 1817 (Adams Papers)
It was not friendly in you to involve me in your domestic & family Controversies Major Pierce Butler told me that he made a voyage to England from S Carolina to ask his fathers consent to marry a Lady, whom he was determined to marry, whether his father consented, or not. And I believe you ask my advice with the same resolution I have seen Fanaticism in all its forms. the fanaticism of honour,...
1611Minutes of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 7 October 1826 (Madison Papers)
The board met pursuant to adjournment: present the same members as yesterday. Resolved that the proctor be directed to refund to the several professors, the advances by them made for venitian blinds; when, in the opinion of the executive committee, such appropriation shall be justified by the state of the funds. Resolved that the communication of the faculty respecting books, be referred to...
1612James Madison to James Wattles, 19 July 1835 (Madison Papers)
I have received Sir, your letter of the 13th. and regret that I cannot find among my papers the letter of Chief Justice Marshall to which you refer. Such a letter was certainly presented to me, and left an impression very favorable to your talent in taking likenesses. As your portrait of Mr. Marshall doubtless exists and his opinion of it can thro’ his family be obtained as well as their own...
1613Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 28 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Apr. 4 . which went by duplicates. since that I have recieved yours of Apr. 29. Aug. 26. and Nov. 10. the accident which delayed the reciept of the bill of exchange for M. and M e Pini has been the subject of infinite regret and mortification to me; there being nothing on which my attention is more religiously fixed than on the punctual remittance of the annual interest...
1614To James Madison from Moses Hoyt, 28 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 September 1810, New York. Begs JM’s assistance in obtaining his release from imprisonment for debt. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp. Docketed by JM.
1615To Thomas Jefferson from G. C. Delacoste, 27 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Informed that your Excellency has the intention of forming a National Museum at the seat of Government, I am led to believe that the collections composing the cabinet of Natural History, which I have begun some time past in this city, may be deemed worthy to form a part thereof, and I take the liberty of informing him, that the want of sufficient support and patronage from the inhabitants of...
1616Report on the Petition of Robert Oliver and Hugh Thompson, [2 February 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[To the President of the Senate] The Secretary of the Treasury to whom was referred by the Senate, the Memorial of Oliver and Thompson respectfully makes thereupon the following report. It is the object of this Memorial to obtain restitution for a sum of duties alleged to have been overpaid in the district of Baltimore in consequence of certain mistakes. The business of rectifying mistakes in...
1617To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the Receipt of your Excellencys Letter of the 18th Inst. and in Consequence shall send this to the City of New York which I hope and expect is now in our possession. It is unnecessary to assure you Sir how pleasing it would be, to comply with the Wishes of the Officers now in Service, as expressed in their Memorial of the 17th Inst. because I am sure both you and they...
1618To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 7 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
However convinced of your Excellency’s disposition, yet it gave me much Satisfaction to be confirmed therein by your Letter of the 22d of June, wherein you say, that it woud make you happy if any Measures can be adopted for humanizing, as much as possible, the Calamities attendant on a State of War. But you are also pleased to say, Resort must be had to the Civil Power, the Laws complained of...
1619Decision of Virginia Court of Appeals in Peyton v. Henderson, 7 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Virginia to wit, At a Court of Appeals held at the Capitol in Richmond the seventh day of January 1812 Craven Peyton Applt. } upon an appeal from a decree pronounced by the Superior Court of Chancery held in Richmond the eighth day of June 1805 against John
1620From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 18, 1791. Directs Lee to supply funds for any notes George Washington may desire to exchange on the President’s southern tour. LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. This is the same letter that was sent to John Daves on this date.
1621From George Washington to Rear Admiral Ternay, 16 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd a letter of which the inclosed is a Copy. It is possible that this may be the Fleet of Admiral Arbuthnot, and that the person who discovered them may have mistaken his larger Frigates for ships of the line, but of this you will be able to form a judgment by the time this letter reaches you—I will communicate any further intelligence which I may receive—I thought the...
1622Editorial Note: The Virginia Cession of Territory Northwest of the Ohio (Jefferson Papers)
With the acceptance by Congress of the Virginia cession on 1 Mch. 1784, the national domain came into existence. Jefferson, in what was for him a rare disclosure of his methods of guiding an important measure through a legislative body, recounted to Benjamin Harrison the last-minute maneuvers in Congress by which a single vote determined the outcome ( TJ to Harrison, 3 Mch. 1784 ). But this,...
1623To James Madison from George Henry Rose, 19 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Rose will, in conformity to Mr. Madison’s wish, do himself the honor of waiting upon him at the Office of State to-morrow, at one o’Clock. DNA : RG 59-NFL-Notes from Foreign Legations, Great Britain.
1624To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Crockett, 14 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By Orders received from Col. Clark, we have Just return’d from Frederick Town to this Place in hopes to get the Regiment equip’d for the westren expedition. I must beg leave once more to mention to your Excellency the great distress the Regiment is in for want of cloathing, the Soldiers being almost naked for want of Linen, and intirely with out Shoes. Col. Clark informs me he expects a...
1625To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning Received the Inclosed Intelligence from Colo. Greene and have no doubt but the Fleet he mentions is Byrons or that part of it which has Escaped The Late Storms. by Some Reports A part of that Fleet viz. three Ships were Cast away on Nantucket Shoals—The Newport paper gives an Account that Euleven British A Number of Foreign Regiments & Several of the New Raised Corps have Sailed...
1626From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
A report is currt here wch gives me much pain. it is, that in consequence of some Orders of your Lordship, or dispute with the Militia, five or Six hundred of them have gone home in disgust—turn’d others back which were coming on and spread universal uneasiness and dissatisfaction as they travel’d. I hope the report is without foundation; unhappy will it be for us if it is not, when we stand...
1627To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 30 August 1770 (Washington Papers)
I have sent you, according to your directions patterns of all Mr Stewarts Beaver-coating with the lowest ready money prices fixd to each of them, which I have directed the Boy to leave with Mr Ramsay; When I cross’d the River (the day I set off) I saw Mr Mason, who told me that Mr Chritian had been to his House, & told him, that he was to teach four Days at our House the next time; therefore I...
1628From George Washington to James Mease, 17 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
scarcely a day passes but I am either applied to by different Officers for cloathing, or by persons for payment or some Business in the Cloathiers Generals department. To the first, I can give no satisfactory answer, because I am intirely ignorant of the quantity which you have on hand or in expectation—To the last, I can only refer them to you, at such a distance, that they think it very hard...
1629To George Washington from Joseph-Léonard Poirey, 27 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Je Supplie Son Excéllence Le Général Washington de pardonner à la Liberté que je prends de lui présenter le mémoire d’une demande que l’Excès des malheurs me porte à faire aux Etats-unis: Je n’ai sur terre que la Justice de ma demande et sa Bonté pour appui: avant d’intéroger le Ciel sur l’avenir qu’il me prépare, Je dois m’adresser à l’homme qui ayant fait le Bonheur du nouveau monde—pourra...
1630To Thomas Jefferson from John Devereux DeLacy, 18 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Having shortly after I did myself the honour of writing to you last set out on a tour through the Creek or Muscogee nation of Indians I take the liberty of transmitting to you, Sir; an account of that Country together with the remarks that my short stay has enabled me to make some of which I flatter myself will not be unacceptable to you— The Land around Pensacola are extremely poor being a...
1631John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 September 1790 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you before to day: but I forgot to say Several Things.— Have you ever attended a Town Meeting? You may there learn the Ways of Men, and penetrate Several Characters which otherwise You would not know. There are Several Objects of Enquiry, which I would point out to your consideration without making any noise or parade about them. 1. The State of Parties in Religion, Government Manners,...
1632[Diary entry: 25 April 1772] (Washington Papers)
25. Went a Hunting with Colo. Bassett. Found nothing.
1633To George Washington from Jacob Read, 9 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to See you last Summer at Mount Vernon I believe I informed you in answer to a question on the Subject that Congress had received a Copy of the Roll of Negroes &Ca taken by the Commissioners for Superintending the Embarkations at New York at the time of the removal of the Refugees and British Garrison from this City—I now find I was mistaken and that the one I had Seen...
1634To James Madison from Paul Hamilton, 9 September 1811 (Madison Papers)
Sickness in my family which has occupied much of my time for some days past has prevented my forwarding, at an earlier moment, the enclosed copy of a letter from Capt. Porter for your information. As Capt Porter’s operations are sanctioned by the orders which, some months since, in obedience to your instructions I issued to the Commanders of our Vessels of war, I shall inform him that his...
1635To Thomas Jefferson from F. P. Van Berckel, 20 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de Vous envoyer Ci joint un Exemplaire imprimé du Manifeste que Leurs Hautes Puissances ont jugé à propos de publier à l’occasion de la Guerre qui Leur a été déclarée par la France. Je m’acquitte par la des ordres que je viens de recevoir à Cet égard, ayant l’honneur d’etre avec les Sentimens de la plus parfaite Consideration Monsieur Votre très humble & très Obeïssant Serviteur....
1636To James Madison from William Whann, 15 December 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. by the mail of this day a check drawn by James Monroe on this Bank for 1.200 Dolls. which, according to the endorsement I have placed to your credit in this Bank. Very Respectfully I have the Honor to be Sir Your Obt Sert RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. This sum was probably in payment for wine; see Monroe to JM, 13 Feb. , and JM to Monroe, 18 Feb. 1818 . William Whann (d. 1822) was...
1637From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Count De Vergennes & has the honour of acquainting him with the Arrival of Mr Grenville; who is desirous of knowing when his Excellency will be pleased to admit him to the honour of a Conference. Endorsed: Rec. le meme jour In WTF ’s hand.
1638From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
Answer my Letters at your Leisure. Give yourself no concern. I write as for a refuge and protection against Ennui. The fundamental Principle of all Phylosophy and all Christianity is “ Rejoice Always in all Things .” Be thankfull at all times for all good and all that We call evil.” Will it not follow, that I ought to rejoice and be thankful that Priestley has lived? Aye! That Voltaire has...
1639From John Adams to William Heath, 5 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I never had the Pleasure of a Correspondence or any particular Acquaintance with you, which can justify the Freedom I have taken of giving you this Trouble: But as the good of our Country, which I know is your first Consideration, is my Motive, I presume you will think it a Sufficient Apology. In the present State of America, which is so novel and unexpected, and indeed unthought of by Numbers...
1640From Thomas Jefferson to Anderson Bryan, 6 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my return home I learn that the survey under my order of council adjoining Edgehill has been curtailed by a younger entry and survey of Mr. James Marks now assigned to Colo. Harvie. You remember my notifying my order of council to you on your first coming into office, my pressing you perpetually to survey it, our frequent searches for the old lines by which it was to be bounded, and...
1641To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Bussy-Dagoneau, 1 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mes Ennemis vouloient m’éloigner de la france, J’aurois desiré combâttre ceux d’un peuple qui vous doit en partie ses vertûs, son Energie, et son Bonheur. Des maladies et des procés me retiennent encore, Monsieur. J’arriveray peutêtre un jour a Boston, trop tard pour ma gloire, a temps pour admirer celle de Vos Concitoyens et de mes compatriotes. Garcilasse...
1642To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Morris, 28 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I am Ashamed I have not before this performed my promise in proposing some Amendments to the Excise Law; had I not promised I Should not Have troubled you on the head, for tho I think Amendment necessary, difficulties Arise that I cannot gett over. I have Several times Satt down to Reduce my Amendments in form to a Law. I am Stoped almost in the first Sentence. I shall therefore Only Inclose...
1643[Diary entry: 14 October 1770] (Washington Papers)
14. Very pleasant but wind fresh in the Afternoon.
1644James Madison to Robert Walsh, 22 August 1831 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the answer of Mr. Scott on the subject of Bishop Madison, as just received that you may extract the materials suited to your object. The intellectual power and diversified learning of the Bishop may justly be spoken of in strong terms; and few men have equally deserved the praise due to a model of all the virtues social, domestic, and personal which adorn and endear the human...
1645From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Washington and Certain Other Counties, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Lord Cornwallis from Carolina and a Reinforcement of 2000 Men from New York having joined the hostile Army which was before here and crossed James River renders it necessary for us to bring a very great Force into the Field. As I have reason to believe you have not sent the whole Number ordered to the Southward by my Letter of You will now be pleased to send under proper Officers whatever...
1646Johann Severin Vater to Thomas Jefferson, 4 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to accept the book, which I take the liberty to offer You as a mark of the high veneration, I have allways felt for the wise ruler of a great country people, and which I feel more particularly for the philosopher, who instituted and still pursues profound inquiries into the history of the native American tribes and their languages. I flatter myself, that, if You find my book...
1647Resolution of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Appointing Benjamin Franklin as Agent, 24 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Massachusetts Historical Society This resolution marks the beginning of Franklin’s most troubled agency. The root of trouble was the inability of the two chambers of the General Court, the Council and the House of Representatives, to agree on a single agent. For years, in consequence, each had its own, William Bollan for the Council and Dennys DeBerdt for the House, and the latter’s...
1648To George Washington from George Clinton, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great Pain to write to your Excellency on Matters concerning which I had the honor of a personal Conversation which I when I was last at Head Quarters; but as I have not yet received any answer from Congress respecting the Subsistence &c. of the Levies for the Defence of the frontiers & those rasing on bounties of unappropriated Lands, and as the ultimate period assigned for the...
1649From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In the Estimate laid before Congress at their last Sessions, I included as an Anticipation of the late Superintendant of Finance the Amount of a draft issued by him in your favor on the late Receiver of Taxes for the State of New York for Fifty thousand Dollars no part of which appears to have been paid. The circumstances attending this Anticipation not being sufficiently known by the...
1650From George Washington to Robert Morris, 3 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th Ulto has been duly received. We are now preparing to carry into execution the Resolution of Congress of the 26th of May, and I am making out the furloughs accordingly—but I am extremely apprehensive that insuperable difficulties & the worst of consequences may be expected, unless the Notes you mention shall be paid to the Officers & Men before their departure from this...