16101From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 24 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have, this morning received your Letter of the 18 th. , George Chalmers, I have Seen in London. He is a Scot, who adventured to Maryland and practised Law,. When Hostilities commenced, he fled to the British Army in N. York. He has much of the Scornful, fastidious Temper of his nation; has been a very bitter Tory: but is a laborious writer. There is no Second Volume of his Annals, and as he...
16102From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 22 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is the Letter of D r Tucker.— If I should agree with him in his Maxim Fiat Justitia ruat Cælum the question would Still remain what is Justice. Justice to the Negroes would require that they should not be abandoned by their Masters and turned loose upon a World in which they have no Capacity to procure even a Subsistance. What would become of the old,? the young? the infirm? Justice...
16103From George Washington to Jeremy Belknap, 12 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the promise contained in my last, I put your “Proposal for continuing and enlarging the Subscription for the American Biography &ca” into the hands of a friend of mine in Alexandria, for the purpose of obtaining Subscribers, and enclosed you will receive the result. With great esteem & respect I am Sir Your Obedt & Very H. Ser. ALS , MHi : Belknap Papers; ALS (letterpress copy),...
16104From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 5 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have this Evening received, your favour of May 30 th. inclosed with a Sermon at the Installation of M r Morse. This elegant Discourse, I have read with the more pleasure, because that, besides the good Sense, the moral Sentiments and christian Benevolence which it breaths, I had the last Week an Opportunity of commencing an Acquaintance with M r Morse himself, who appears to be an...
16105From George Washington to Jeremy Belknap, 5 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago, under cover from Mr Hazard of Philadelp[hi]a, I was honored with your favor of the 19th of July; and the first volume of your History of New Hampshire. For both, I pray you to accept my thanks—but my acknowledgments are more particularly due, for your favorable expression in the former, of my past endeavors to support the Cause of liberty. The proof you have given of your...
16106From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 18 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of January 31, and thank you for your obliging Congratulations, as well as for the monthly Publication. Will you do me the favour of having my name Subscribed and the Magazine Sent to Quincy regularly as it comes out.? I am no doubt obliged to Capt n Ingraham, and I Suppose also to Mr Barrel, my old Friend for the Compliment. The Time has been when Such a...
16107From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 16 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
your kind Letter of the 2 d , was brought to me from the Post office this morning, and I thank you for your Attention to the Reputation of our Country. I have Shewn your Letter to M r Henry M r Elsworth and other Members of Congress in 1779 and 1780 and to Several others , and there is not one who remembers any Thing like the Account which D r Kippis has given. I will however take other...
16108From John Jay to Jeremy Belknap, 17 August 1797 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with yours of the 24 June. It gives me pleasure to find that your biographical work advances. If it does not proceed too fast, it will be very interesting— especially as it will have the ^an^ advantage which all works of that kind cannot boast, viz t . of judicious selection and candor. I wish I could comply with your Request in a full & satisfactory manner— but the History...
16109From John Adams to Jeremy Belknap, 4 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your kind Letter of Jan. 24. and have read, Sealed and sent as you desired your Letter to General Knox, for whose bold Expressions, upon which you have remarked I was always sorry. I presume he did not mean that our Population had been destructive to Indians like the Cruelties of Pisarro &c but that it had prevented their Population as much— The Expressions however were not well...
16110From Alexander Hamilton to Bell and Woodmass, 4 August 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ August 4, 1786. On August 4, 1786, Hamilton wrote to John B. Church : “I have written to Messrs. Bell and Woodmass by this opportunity.” Letter not found. ]
16111From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Plumard de Bellanger, 4 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great pleasure I am able to inform you that the short residence I have made at my own house in Virginia has made me witness to the universal esteem in which your nephew is held. His goodness, his prudence, his industry and regularity have made him the favorite of all his neighbors, to whom your liberalities to him have rendered your name as dear almost as it is to himself. The money...
16112From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Plumard de Bellanger, 25 April 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
While I remained in public office, it was out of my power to acknolege the receipt of the letters with which you were pleased to honor me. My daily and necessary labours obliged me to deny myself the satisfaction of all private correspondence, which I rigorously did, and without a single exception but in the case of my children. I have now been able to disengage myself from public affairs, and...
16113From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Plumard de Bellanger, [20 September 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a bien reçu la lettre que Madame Bellanger lui a fait l’honneur de lui ecrire, avec celle pour Monsieur de Rieux. Il l’a envoyé avec ses depeches, et a pris des mesures pour qu’elle soit rendue trés surement. Comme les négociants la-bas n’ont pas l’honneur de connoître Madame Bellanger, M. Jefferson a autorisé M. le Colonel Lewis de mettre sa signature sur les lettres de...
16114From James Madison to Benjamin Bell, 22 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of Mar: 22. I am very sorry that any difficulties shd. have arisen in the case of the land sold to you by Mrs. Willis & myself. All that I had learnt relating to it, had left me under the impression, that no interfering claims existed that could invalidate our conveyance: and I trust that such will be found to be the case. You will of course take the proper steps for...
16115From James Madison to Benjamin Bell and William Tapscott, 19 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
It is so very long since payments were due from both particularly one of you for the land purchased of Mrs. Willis & myself without our having recd. even a line on the subject from either, that you cannot be surprized at being now reminded of your obligations, and called to discharge them. I am not unaware of the circumstances which may have embarrass[ed] pecuniary transactions, but they...
16116From James Madison to Benjamin Bell, 22 December 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have but just recd. your letter of the 1st. inst. My niece is disposed to part with the land in question; and I shall acquiesce in the sale on the terms to which you refer. It remains with you therefore to come down & close the bargain. Accept my respects Draft (owned by Mike Minor, Kaufman, Tex., 1981). Letter not found. Benjamin Bell and William Tapscott of Jefferson County, Virginia (now...
16117From George Washington to David Bell, 28 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have Ordered Ensign Fleming to Repair to Captain Hoggs Company with eight good men; which I expect you will see immediately complied with. He is to account with you for his recruiting money before he leaves you. You are hereby ordered, peremptorily, to be at this place with what men you have, or can enlist by the 1st of December. Your late disobedience of Orders has greatly displeased me—It...
16118From George Washington to David Bell, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
To Captain David Bell. of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered to proceed immediately to Conogochege; and are there to take upon you the Command of the Troops now stationed there, for defence of the Stores, &c.—You are to endeavour with all possible expedition, to procure a sufficient number of Batteaus and Canoes (assisted by those which are already gone up with Captain Gist) to...
16119From George Washington to David Bell, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Waggons will be sent down to Conogochiege to bring some provisions to this place. Let the chief part of their loads be Flour; and put some Beef and Fish into each waggon—Take care to reserve a sufficient quantity for your own and Captain Gist’s Company, for a month. Captain Gist and you must remain at Conogochieg until further Orders: you must not neglect to procure as many Canoes as possible....
16120Orders, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for the Commanding Officer at Winchester. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are hereby Ordered to take upon yourself the Command of the Recruits Raised and brought in by the several Officers appointed to that Rendezvous; and to keep it until another Officer arrive, who shall be Senior to yourself in Rank: then and in that case, you are immediately to give up the command, and...
16121From George Washington to David Bell, 6 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 15th August; which I had answered before I received yours of the 25th —I am sorry the Rangers seem to dislike the Service so much, but am still in hopes, the encouragement given by the committee will have some weight with them. They have allowed our Soldiers 8d. per day, with [no] deductions for clothes or Surgeon: A General Hospital is established for their reception...
16122From George Washington to David Bell, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the Inhabitants of the place seem much alarmed, and under continued apprehensions of being attacked—It is my Orders, that you keep out constant Scouting Parties of the Light Horse, &c. in order that you may receive timely notice of the approach of the Enemy; which you are immediately to communicate to the Inhabitants. If you think you can strengthen the place where you are, by throwing up...
16123From George Washington to David Bell, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find it impossible to procure a sufficient number of canoes to transport the Stores at Conogchieg to Fort Cumberland at one Trip[,] you are to endeavour to engage as many as you can, to be in readiness against Captain Gists return: and then proceed with them, and those that come with Captain Gist, to Fort Cumberland. Captain Gist is to remain at Conogochieg with his Party, until further...
16124From George Washington to David Bell, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is my Orders that you send out Scouting Parties of the Light Horse as often as it can possibly be done, without too much fatiguing them. And you must order them to scour the Woods round for six or seven miles: as I am informed they never proceeded more than three or four miles upon any of their Scouts, heretofore. LB , DLC:GW .
16125From George Washington to David Bell, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it happens that I am not in Winchester when you arrive there with your Recruits; You are hereby ordered to put yourself &c. under the Command of the oldest officer then present; observing particularly, all such Directions as you shall from time to time receive from him. But, if it should so fall out, that you are the first that arrive there, or if you should be the oldest Officer there; you...
16126From George Washington to David Bell, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As His Majesty’s Service requires that the Garrison at Fort Cumberland should be Strengthened; You are hereby Ordered, to march your Recruits to that place immediately, and to put yourself under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, or in his absence, the Officer commanding the Fort. Given under my hand, this 3d of October 1755. LB , DLC:GW .
16127From George Washington to David Bell, 25 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the roads at present are so much infested, I do not think it safe to send the things you wrote for until another opportunity. I must desire that you will be very diligent, and guard against a Surprize from the Enemy, as they will certainly attact you, if they find it possible to surprize you. You are to detach Ensign Crawford with twenty men, to reconnoitre the Country towards Hites, on...
16128From George Washington to David Bell, 10 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to Fort Dinwiddie, to settle your Recruiting Accompt with Ensign Fleming. You are then to proceed to the borders of Carolina, or other places where you may hear of Deserters; and use your utmost endeavours to apprehend them. You must make application to all the civil Officers; who will assist you in apprehending and conveying them to the Regiment. You are to employ your time...
16129From George Washington to Gabriel Dupare de Bellegard, 15 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 18th of September 1789; and in reply to it, must inform you, that so far from living upon terms of intimacy and friendship with the late General Oglethorpe, (as it appears by your letter you have understood that I did) I never was so happy as to have any personal acquaintance with that Gentleman, nor any other knowledge of him but from his general...
16130From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 25 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Though I have written to you seldom, you are often the object of my thoughts, and always of my affection. The truth is that the circumstances with which I am surrounded offer little worth detailing to you. You are too wise to feel an interest in the squabbles in which the pride, the dissipations, and the tyranny of kings keep this hemisphere constantly embroiled. Science indeed finds some...