16151To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 4 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
En confirmant à Votre Excellence ma Lettre du 28 7bre. que Messrs. Nic. & Jb. van Staphorst vous auront acheminée, et sur laquelle j’espere que Votre Excellence voudra bien me faire prompte et favorable réponse, celle-ci est pour prendre la Liberté de vous adresser, Monsieur, l’incluse pour notre Ami le Colonel Senf, avec prière de vouloir bien la lui remettre. Elle en contient une pour S. E....
16152To James Madison from William E. Hũlings, 23 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have this day been inform’d by Mr. Morales that the French Prefect for this Colony is in the River, and will probably be in town tomorrow. The Govers. son and some of the Officers have gone to meet him. No change whatever has yet taken place in what relates to the American Interests. Genl. Victor is expected to be here in May. He will arrive in a bad Season, and much Mortality may be...
16153To George Washington from Nathaniel Stevens, 3 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Humphreys letter (by your Excellency’s direction) of the 2nd instant I have received. As the season for procuring shad is far advanced, and the instructions given Judge Wynkoop and Mr Monnell (which I inclose your Excelency a copy of) extend to all the Fishing places on the river. I don’t expect it would be of service to have more per sons employed, as contractors, in that business,...
16154To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard Peyton, 1 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I hand herewith your quarterly a/c, to 31st: ulto:, shewing a balance against you of $2066.48,—You will observe the balance due me on last a/c rend d , to 6 Oct r , is stated at $1334.78, it should have been $1334.98, as you will see, by an error of addition, of 20¢, in that a/c— Your favor of the 28 ulto:, together with the enclosures, are rec d , & I have this day p d your dft:, for $200,...
16155To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "A Sitizen Suffering under the Evils occasioned by You", 29 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I address my self to you and to you only because I consider you the mother of our distresses: you was the first founder of your party. you have ever ben determined to support it and gain the majority of the people and you have done it But how? by deceiveing and holding up false ideas to the people. You have dispised and annihilated those golden rules layed down and practised by the imortal...
16156To John Jay from Robert Morris, 26 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
M r . Darby & M r . Grigby have severally delivered your introductory letters of the 8 th of April and I flatter my self that they will think themselves obliged to you. they are very deserving young Gentl n . & make an agreable addition to our Circle of Society, this how ever will be of short duration as their own pursuits will very soon seperate us. M r & M rs . Carter, & Col o . Wadsworth...
16157To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 29 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose a recommendation for the office of “Surveyor of the port of Nixinton in the district of Camden” (N.Ca.) and of “inspector of the revenue for the same port.” The office has long been vacant; but we had waited, for the meeting of Congress, for better information. Both Mr Stone and Mr Wynnes concur in approving Mr Brewer . [The] last gentleman lives not far from the [port] The corrected...
16158From John Adams to Jonathan Mason, Jr., 27 October 1820 (Adams Papers)
When the enterprise against Cape-breton was planed and adopted by the Legislature of Masschusetts I was ten years old—My Father took the Newspapers and gave them to me to read—so that I became some what attentive to publick affairs—But my attention was more forcibly attracted by the din of Arms The Militia where frequently called to-gether, And the Ensigns with their Colours—and the Sergeants...
16159To George Washington from Francis Deakins, 16 January 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Francis Deakins, 16 Jan. 1799. On 25 Jan. GW wrote Deakins : “Your letter of the 16th instant . . . is received.”
16160From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have scarcely a moment left to write to you, having waited till the morning of the departure of the post to see Barnes in expectation I could inform you of the sale of our tobacco . Your’s arrived yesterday. I had found it safest to sell for 10. Dol. as no more than 9 1/2 D. has been given for new tobacco and Lieper would not take it, as he formerly did, at the old tobacco price, giving a...
16161From James Madison to J. Townsend and Company (Abstract), 11 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
11 March 1805, Department of State . “I have received your letter of the 22d. ult, [not found] with its inclosures. In conformity to usage it is incumbent upon you to prosecute an appeal from the sentence of condemnation in Santo Domingo to the proper tribunal in France. Should justice not be obtained by these means either from the captors or their sureties, it will remain for such ulterior...
16162From James Madison to Richard Rush, 21 December 1827 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. the copy of your late Treasury Rept. & return my thanks for the kindness to which I owe it. It is a valuable voucher for the prosperity of our commerce & revenue, and a pleasing specimen of the ability which presides over the Dept. A[l]tho’ I must be presumed to dissent from some of the positions advanced, & allowed to hesitate at some of the deductions from others, there is eno’...
16163Memorandum from Albert Gallatin, 12 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Mansfield misunderstood me on the subject of instruments. I requested him, as he went through Philada., to order them to be made, & to let me know the price, which I intended to remit to him. Salary cannot be advanced; it must be paid quarterly at the end of the quarter; the only exceptions are in case of officers going out of the United States, & that of the President who does not receive...
16164From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 7 March 1808 (Adams Papers)
I will thank you to pay to my father, for me, on or before the 22d: of this month eleven hundred and seventy two dollars and forty-nine cents—being $1081.27. for part principal of a debt due from me to him and $91.22. for a quarter’s interest on the same debt—As you have probably not funds sufficient in your hands to make this payment I enclose you an order to receive the money due to me at...
16165[Diary entry: 7 September 1798] (Washington Papers)
7. Morning—thunder & Rain for about an hour—Mer. 58—at Night 59. Clear afternoon. Mr. Herbert went away after dinner.
16166To Thomas Jefferson from James Walker, 13 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day viewed the canal from one end to the other. also the place where the Dam is to set. It is my opinion that a dam less than four feet high will not throw a sufficient quantity of water into the canal for three water wheels in consiquence of its extreem narroness great length & rough sides, all which tends to retard the motion of the water, I think that as we have a dam to make we...
16167From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress I received your Favour by Mr Bourdieu, and yesterday another of the 18th. per Mr Hartley, who also gave me the Gazette with the Proclamation. I am with you very little uneasy about that, or any other Measures the Ministry may think proper to take with respect to the Commerce with us. We shall do very well.— They have long...
16168Circular Letter to Collectors of Customs, 1 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
It will not have escaped your observation that the commencement of the present war calls for your particular attention, in seeing the act of Congress of the 28th May, 1796, relative to seamen, carried rigidly into effect as far as it involves your agency; and more especially the sections of it which require protests and declarations respecting impressments. It has been suggested that in some...
16169From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 23d. and learn with much pleasure that you are not disinclined to the Station wch. the one answered by it, presented to your consideration. In discharging the duties of this Station, I am aware that the Functionary must carry into it, a just respect for his own principles, and above all for the dictates of his Conscience. But with the mutual knowledge of our...
161701760. Aug. 9th. (Adams Papers)
Drank Tea at Coll. Quincys, with Coll. Gooch and Dr. Gardiner. I see Gooch’s fiery Spirit, his unguarded Temper. He Swears freely, boldly. He is a Widower, and delights to dwell, in his Conversation, upon Courtship and Marriage. Has a violent aversion to long Courtship. He’s a fool, that spends more than a Week, &c. A malignant Witt. A fiery, fierce outragious Enemy. He quarrells with all Men....
16171[Diary entry: 24 June 1781] (Washington Papers)
24th. A Letter from the Count de Rochambeau dated at Windham the 20th. advises me of his having reached that Town, that day, with the first division of his army—that the other 3 divisions were following in regular succession—that he expected to Halt the Troops two days at Hartford, but would come on to my Camp from that place after the arrival of the division with which he was. By a Letter...
16172Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Kean, 11 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ strangers personally, we are not so in character, and on this ground I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject interesting to both. with great confidence in the aids of medecine as far as experience has approved it’s processes, I have in absolute abhorrence the fanciful and ephemeral theories under which dashing practitioners are so wantonly sporting with human life. our country...
16173To Thomas Jefferson from James Innes, 22 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The movements of the Enemy on the Western side of chickahominy River of which I apprized you yesterday by Express has renderd it expedient for me to take my present position which I think a very defencible one, from which too I can file off towards Richmond without exposing my flanks or Rear to annoyance. They possessed themselves of the Ship Yard about 4 o’Clocke yesterday, and I am...
16174From George Washington to John Jay, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Congress some time since on the subject of General Du Portail and the Gentlemen with him —He informs me that his affair has not yet been decided and is extremely anxious that it should be in some way or other—He assigns many powerfull reasons to show that it is very interesting to him, if he is not to continue in our service, to return to france as speedily as...
16175James Madison to Thomas S. Grimké, 10 October 1830 (Madison Papers)
The copy of your Oration delivered at N. H. inclosed to me for the University of Virga. has been recd. & will be duly attended to. A later mail has brought me a Copy for which I owe my personal acknowledgments. The perusal of the Oration has left a just impression of the merit imparted to it by the copiousness of its learning & the richness of its Eloquence. Be pleased to accept Sir the...
16176To Alexander Hamilton from the Electors of Queens County, 19 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Jamaica [ New York ] February 19, 1789 . Several “electors and freeholders” of the County of Queens on this date informed “the Committee of Correspondence of New-York” that they had received a letter “from some members of your committee.” As recommended by the New York Committee, the “electors and freeholders from Flushing, North Hempstead, Jamaica, and Newtown” had nominated Robert Yates for...
16177To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Lillie communicated to me, a few days after he had written to you, his intention of leaving Monto. this Autumn. I had never heard a word from him before on the subject although I had learned from others sometime before that he had thoughts of the kind. He says that he finds he is doing nothing for his family which consumes necessarily in the groceries and cloathing he is obliged to buy allmost...
16178To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 5 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
The much esteemed favour you did me the honor to write me the 23 d. ult o. , by M r. Smith, was delivered to me by our noble friend M r. Jefferson. You need not ask me, Sir, what I think of the Massachussets’s Act of navigation; you Know my way of thinking well enough, I hope, & of consequence you can easily conceive how my heart rejoiced in reading it. As you do me the honor to ask my...
16179To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 15 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have this Morning receiv’d your two Letters, that of the 8th. Instant, which you had intended to favour us with sooner, and this of the 14th. Instant, in which to be sure what you say regarding the Colony Drafts, of the Regret you shall feel to let any of them go back, and the very evident Service that will be done the Colony, by preventing it,...
16180From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 6th instant inclosing a Return of the Troops under your command. From the accounts which I had received, I expected that the Connecticut Regiments had been much fuller. That the persons who are draughted should procure substitutes of any kind to releive themselves is not to be wondered at; but that the Officers who are appointed to receive the Draughts should suffer...
16181The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 29 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have been favoured with a Letter signed by many Gentlemen of Nantes and dated the fifteenth of this Month, informing us that most of their Vessels were ready to sail to America, and that others were expected to be ready immediately, so that the Convoy need not wait at all, but might be ordered as soon as Convenience will permit. These Gentlemen are very desirous of a Convoy through the...
16182From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the following inclosed extract of a letter from Major Rivardi also a copy of my reply to him that you may judge of the propriety of the charge contained therein. In my answer I approved of the measure he had taken with regard to the Cloathing, but observed 150 dollars appeared to me to be a high price for the transportation of it with great respect I have the honor to be Sir Your...
16183Invoice from Robert Cary & Company, 20 December 1765 (Washington Papers)
Invoice of Cost & Charges of Goods shiped on board the Munificence John Johnstoun Commander for Virginia upon Account & resque of Colo. George Washington and consigned to himself—vizt Theodo. Crowley &ca Iron 10 M 2d. Batten Brads @10½ [£] . 8. 9 10 M 3d. Ditto 1/4 .13. 4 10 M 4d. Ditto 1/8 .16. 8 5 M 6d. Ditto 2/8 .13. 4 5
16184Council of War, 27 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers, held at Head Quarters June 27. 1776. Present his Excelle. General Washington Brig. Generals: Heath, Spencer, Green, Ld Stirling, Mifflin & Scott. The General communicated to the Council the Proceedings of the Court Martial on Thomas Hickey—when he was unanimously advised to confirm the Sentence & that it be put in Execution tomorrow at 11 oClock, For which...
16185From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the copy of questions which had been destined for the judges. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] , Document IV of a group of documents on the referral of neutrality questions to the...
16186To James Madison from William Willis, 18 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 January 1804, Barcelona. “I still remain here in order to hear from you and to obey your Commands if you have any to give me. I know not yet how to account for what Mr Leonard assured me on his word of honor which was that he was appointed to supercede me as Consul or acting Consul and that you told him I was displaced &c with many other things which are too numerous for a letter. I have...
16187To James Madison from Edward E. Davis, 4 January 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 January 1812, New York. Seeks appointment as a physician in the army or the navy. “I have been one of the Old Revolenterry Men of Last war where I had the Misfortune to loos one of My Leges in the Deffence of My countrys wrights.” Promises “to give Satisfaction in the Disscharge” of his duties and refers to a “Number of Gentleman who have given Certifi[c]ates” on his behalf. Requests the...
16188[Diary entry: 29 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 29th. Being very Snowing not a single person appeared at the Levee.
16189Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have just sent some Letters to go by Captain Folger, but find he does not sail so soon as captain Cushing. Should he arrive before Folger without a Line I know by experience how fruitfull your imaginition would be of conjectures, and tho I have said all that appeard to me of importance, & perhaps more than others will think of any, in my Letters on Board Folger, I forgot to inclose a paper...
16190From James Madison to Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 16 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 February 1802. Acknowledged in Yrujo to JM, 18 Feb. 1802 . Inquires about eight American citizens arrested in Havana and requests that Yrujo send Clement Biddle a copy of his reply.
16191From George Washington to William Heath, 17 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to reply to your three favors of the 15th. A Copy of your Application in favor of Colo. Greatons Appointment to be a Brigadier, is submitted to the Consideration of the Sectry at War, with my Approbation—and the promotion will probably take place. The Commandg Officer of the post at Dobbs Ferry, should undoubtedly be furnished with a public Horse for the purpose of sendg by Land such...
16192From George Washington to Lund Washington, 20 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Custis has never suggested in any of her Letters to Mrs Washington (unless ardent wishes for her return, that she might then disclose it to her, can be so construed) the most distant attachment to D.S.— but if this should be the case, and she wants advice upon it; a Father Mother, who are at hand, & competent to give it, are at the same time most proper to be consulted on so interesting an...
1619323. (Adams Papers)
Diné à Schevening sur les dunes.
16194From John Adams to Henry Guest, 26 June 1808 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the fifteenth of this Month and read it with pleasure; and my Son, who happened to be with me, on a visit, from Boston where he resides read the part of it addressed to him, with apparent Satisfaction. on his return from Washington he presented me, in your name with that fine American Staff which I call “My Guest,” for which I give you a thousand Thanks. It not...
16195[Diary entry: 18 March 1767] (Washington Papers)
18. Wind at No. Et. Somewhat cool in the Morning. Cloudy in the afternoon with Thunder Lightning—Hail Rain & Snow.
16196To George Washington from Ebenezer Hazard, 11 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of Congress transmitted me a Copy of the enclosed Resolution, which I received with singular Pleasure as an Act of Justice due to your Excellency, and at the same Time relieving me, as I had desired, from the very disagreeable Situation with Respect to your Excellency’s Letters to which I was reduced by the Ordinance for regulating the Post Office of the United States. The...
16197George Washington to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 5 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 5, 1779 . Asks Gérard to deliver a letter to Major General Lafayette. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
16198Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
In the summer of 1805 William Wirt asked Jefferson to supply him with information for a prospective work on the famed Virginia revolutionary Patrick Henry . In his reply Jefferson agreed to help but warned that his evaluation of his onetime friend and later political adversary would bear a “mixed aspect.” Although he regarded Henry as “the best humored man in society I almost ever knew, and...
16199From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 20 October 1768 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be delivered to you by Jacky Custis, who has been detained from School longer than was intended, owing first to his own ill health, and then to his Mamma’s; who did not care to part with him till she had got the better of an Indisposition which confined her some days. He now promises to stick close to his Book, and endeavour by diligent study to recover his lost time—he will...
16200[Diary entry: 22 December 1768] (Washington Papers)
22. Snowing fast the forepart of the day with the Wind at No. West. Snow very deep; I suppose 15 or 18 Inches generally.