17251Enclosure: A List of Plants, 23 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
Botanic names. English names. No of Plants. No 1 Artocarpus integrifolia. Indian Jaack Tree. four plants 2 Garcinia cornea. Small Mangosteen. four do 3 Cycas circinalis. Sago Palm. two do 4 Laurus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon Tree. six do 5 ——
17252To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receiv’d your favor of the 2d Inst. and with [regard] to taking steps to procure the Cloathing, I had previous to Receipt of your Letter desired General [McDougall] to send an officer from each of the Regts from Massachusetts, to inquire into the state of it and make a Report as soon as possible, none of which has yet Returnd, but expect them every day—another officer was sent to Albany to...
1725324. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
On the grand Bank of N ew F ound L and .—A few days ago, We spoke an American Privateer, the General Lincoln; Captain Barnes. Wrote Letters by him to my family. Mr. Dana wrote. Mr. Thaxter, Mr. John, and several others. Heard, since I came on board, several Hints concerning W.; Son of ——. That he has made a great Fortune—by Privateering, by Trade, by buying Sailors Shares, and by gambling....
17254From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, Jr., 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d—I am sorry for the uneasiness which happened in the regiment on Capt. Kearsly’s account, but as he really did resign he cannot be reintroduced contrary to the general sense of the other officers —At the same time, I should have been happy his resignation had not taken place, as he is certainly a valuable Officer and his quitting the army will be a real...
17255To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 12 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States a Contract made by the Collector of New London, with Nathaniel Richards for supplying the Light house belonging to that Port. This Contract not having been originally made in a manner sufficiently explanatory of the business, was returned for the purpose of being put into such form as...
17256[Diary entry: 16 November 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 16th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night—Lowering all day with the Wind fresh from the So. Wt.—towards Night the Wind shifted to the Eastward, and in the course of it rained. Monsrs. Warville and Saint Tres returned to Alexandria in my Chariot.
17257From George Washington to Colonel Arendt, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is of the utmost importance to prevent the Enemy’s Land Forces and Fleet from forming a junction, which it is almost morally certain they will attempt by seizing on Fort Island below Philadelphia, if it is possible, and thereby gain the Navigation of the Delaware by weighing and removing the Chivaux Defrize, which have been sunk for that purpose. This Post—(Fort Island) if maintained will...
17258To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Jordan, with Jefferson’s Notes, 7 August 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time Since received a letter from Colo. Randolph of Tuckahoe requesting I would inform him what I knew of his right to Leatherwood land and as you are or will be his Lawer I trouble you with it which is as follows. There was leive granted by the Council to Colo. Peter Jefferson Charles Lynch and Ambross Smith to take up fifteen Thousand Acres of Land adjoining Randolph & Co. at the Wart...
17259To James Madison from Benjamin Contee, 25 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 June 1804, Charles County, Maryland. “Be so good as to excuse my intrusion upon your time & attention so much engrossed by the duties of the high Office you fill—while for a moment I request your favorable reception of the application of Mr. Alexr. S. Smoot to engage your interests in his behalf to obtain a clerkship in some of the Bureaus of the Government. Certificates in his possession...
17260From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 23 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclosed a packet to you for Tarlton Webb yesterday by the mail stage, because no printed papers can go by the horse mail which leaves this a day later with letters only. I recieved a letter from mr Bacon last night which obliges me to ask you to take a ride to Monticello to advise him in his operations on the garden. he has done 250. feet. should he go on in the same level we assumed at...
17261From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
the revival of antient slanders under pretext of new evidence, has induced Th:J. to do, what he never took the trouble of doing before, to revise some papers he happens to have here (for most of that date are at Monticello) and to make a statement of the transactions as they really took place, with a view that they shall be known to his friends at least. under this view he taxes mr Gallatin...
17262[Diary entry: 10 May 1770] (Washington Papers)
10. Mr. Christian went away this afternoon. I rid to the Mill.
17263From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 13 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I must again beg the protection of your cover for a letter to mr Gilmer, altho’ a little doubtful whether he may not have left you. You will have seen by our papers the delirium into which our citizens are thrown by a visit from Gen l La Fayette. he is making a triumphal progress thro’ the states, from town to town with acclamations of welcome, such as no crowned head ever recieved. it will...
17264To Benjamin Franklin from [Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand], [after 16 November 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dans le tems qu’on passoit dans le compte de M. franklin les parties échues à echoir on passa dans celui datè du 16 Aoust des traites dont M. franklin fils avoit donné la Notte ou qu’on avoit été prendre sur son Livre de Bill Book. C’est à dire les traites de Pothonier & ce. de Lorient du 19 Juillet à 90 Jrs. De 1178.15 5494. 1.11 6000. qui echoient au 27...
17265Ferdinand R. Hassler to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Informed that the Institution of Learning to be established in Virginia , in the Conduction of which Your Excellency has a share, will soon come into activity; I take the Liberty to address myself to You with the offer, to take upon me the Branch of Mathematics, or that of natural Philosophy, if any one of them should not yet be filled. I have heretofore tought Mathematics at the military...
17266Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Notwithstanding my confinement I think I have not omitted writing you by every post. I have recoverd Health and strength beyond expectation; and never was so well in so short a time before. Could I see my Friend in reality as I often do in immagination I think I should feel a happiness beyond expression; I had pleasd myself with the Idea of presenting him a fine son or daughter upon his...
17267From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Quincy, Sr., 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Storer told me not long since that you complain’d of my not writing to you. You had reason; for I find among your Letters to me two unanswered, viz. those of May 25, and Dec. 17. 1781. The Truth is, I have had too much Business to do for the Publick, and too little Help allow’d me; so that it became impossible for me to keep up my private...
17268To Alexander Hamilton from William C. Bentley, 6 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your last letter to me, contained information of the Secretary of War’s determination to appoint only two Cadets to a Regiment, and requested me to Select out of the number that had been recommended, two proper characters for my Regiment; In my Answer to that letter, I named Mr Simmons & Mr Beale as proper Characters; A few hours before I wrote that letter, I received information, that which I...
17269Thomas Jefferson to James Jones Wilmer, 2 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Wilmer and his thanks for the copy of his oration of July 4. adding the same for that intended him of June 4. altho’ it did not come to hand, or they would have been sooner rendered. he is made happy by every testimony of the devotion of our country to the principles of it’s revolution, of the employment of it’s eloquence in the celebration of the...
17270To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 3 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Algemeen Rijksarchief, Library of Congress, National Archives This letter is of considerable historiographical interest because it forms the basis for most subsequent accounts of Jones’s cruise and his battle with H.M.S. Serapis . Central to these accounts is the premise here expounded by Jones that the Bonhomme Richard had to overcome the fire not only of his...
17271From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured successively with your letters of the 30th & 31st Ulto and the 1st & 2d inst. Inclosed you will receive a warrant for the money due on your account. In respect to the removal of the chain, I am of opinion it ought neither to be taken up too soon, nor suffered to remain too late, I could wish you to have every thing in readiness by the time you mention, & shall speak to...
17272From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your long silence (My Dear Sister) made me fear that you, or some of your family were sick—I was at Haverhill, & enquired of Mrs Harrod, but she did not mention it, only told me, that another Grandson was announced, whose name was to be Isaac Hull—Perhaps, the deceased Lawrence, might be as able, & intrepid a Commander, as the victorious Hull—But Laurels seldom spring, from the ashes of the...
17273From John Jay to George Washington, 20 April 1788 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d . Ult. gave me great Pleasure, and I thank you for the friendly offers contained in it. Some Gentlemen here and in Jersey [h]ave it in Contemplation to form a Society to promote the Breeding of good Horses and mules—in that Case we will endeavour to introduce some Jennies, of which we have none at present, and send them to your Jack. The Constitution still continues to...
17274To Thomas Jefferson from William Keteltas, 19 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In Your answer to A letter I Wrote You some time past, You Observed it would be agreeable at all times to have Every information touching all Matters, involving Your Responsibility in Making Appointments , with a View to Make the best—Having Made A Tour in the Course of the Summer, through upper and Lower Louissiana I had an opportunity of hearing the Opinion of the people Respecting their...
17275Nicholas P. Trist to James Madison, 4 January 1832 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 2d—postmarked 3d—was received this morning, after the departure of the mail. I immediately set about ascertaining what the law of Maryland was on the point in question, at the time of the cession: this being the law of Washington county in the District of Columbia, unless altered by act of Congress, which, I have ascertained, has not been done. The act of the Legislature of...
17276[Diary entry: 27 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
27th. Clear all day. The Wind at East & pleasant tho’ a little cool.
17277From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
The interruption of the Post for several Weeks, prevented our receiving the melancholy account of your loss till within these few days. That we sympathize in the misfortune, and lament the decree which has deprivd you of so dutiful a Child, & the World of so promising a young Lady, stands in no need, I hope, of argument to proove; but the ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice...
17278From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 15 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
The crisis, in the opinion of Congress, as appears by the Acts this Session, and I believe in the opinion of every man who is not blinded by partiality, or led away by worse motives, require that we should be prepared to meet the Foe who threatens us, in Force; & with Spirit to repel the injustice, usurpation, & intoxicated ambition which France has extended to us, with so insolent, &...
17279From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
The turn which our affairs have taken at Madrid renders it expedient in the judgment of the President that you should proceed thither without delay in execution of the instructions heretofore given with such alterations and additions as are contained in this letter. You will of course make such communications to the British Government on your departure, as will guard your mission against...
17280To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Story, 5 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
This leaves me in a state of private Independence; not having my authority as a Commissioner of Bankruptcy restored, nor receiving any other Commission from the source of Power, though my Nephew, Joseph Story , is the perticular mark of royal favor. There has been but one Bankruptcy in this District, since the first appointment of Commissioners. And Judge Davis invested me with the power of...
17281To George Washington from Thomas Ridout, 31 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you the first of May last, by the Fanny Captain Smith bound to Alexandria by whom I sent you a few Cases of Wine. I had a day or two before that Vessel’s sailing, received a letter from the marquis de la Fayette informing me that he had sent to my Care a package for Your Excellency & which was to have been shipped in the Fanny; but by a mistake in the Carrier’s...
17282From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Cochran, 12 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Princeton University Library; copy: Library of Congress I received yours of Augt 16. a long time after the Date. I am happy that any little Notice I have been able to take of your Son is agreable to you. He is truely a fine Boy, ingenious, active, industrious, and capable of any Improvement you may think fit to bestow upon him in his Education.— From his good Dispositions of Mind, there...
17283To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Nesbitts most respectful Compliments wait on Doctr Franklin & will do himself the honor to dine with him on Thursday next.— Mr Nesbitt incloses the Letter of Mr. de Vergennes relative to the 22d Article of the Preliminary Treaty— Notation: Nesbit, Decr. 23. 1784. Dec. 25; see John Paul Jones to BF , Dec. 20. The enclosure is missing. Nesbitt had already...
17284To James Madison from Robert Smith, 5 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 April 1803, Navy Department. Encloses a letter “this day received” from Israel Whelen in reply to a 26 Mar. letter from Smith requesting information about the stores due to the dey of Algiers. “As the subject is new to us, I beg the favor of you to let Mr Wagner make out a list of the articles wanted.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary...
17285From James Madison to Solomon Southwick, 21 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 12th. with a copy of your address at the opening of the Apprentices’ Library. This class of our youth is a valuable one; and its proportional numbers must increase as our population thickens. It is a class too which particularly claims the guardianship of benevolence. Their age, their separation from their parents, and their residence for the most part in towns...
17286[Diary entry: 17 January 1772] (Washington Papers)
17. Very hard frost in the Morng. Ground pretty well thawd in the Evening; which was pleasant—the Morning being cool, the Wind Southerly.
17287To Thomas Jefferson from Louis Hue Girardin, 24 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept my deep and sincere thanks for Your Kind letter to M r Monroe, in my behalf. In the event of a vacancy, it will greatly operate in my favour.—Whether or not, a vacancy will soon take place, is yet uncertain. The information respecting the University is doubly agreeable to me. I Know that it will be a source of incalculable and permanent benefit to the country; and I am aware of the...
17288From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I have not at present any Public Money in my hands; and all that I can expect will be necessary to pay Congress Drafts, and other indispensible Orders and Engagements. I have the honour to be, with very great Respect Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant Addressed: To / The honourable Arthur Lee Esqe. / Paris. / [ in another hand: ] a lhotel notre Dame /...
17289Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 15 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 11 th came to hand last night only, and we have no mail setting out for Richmond until the 17 th . I am sorry for this lapse, and had I known that unstamped paper (as that you inclose) would do, I would have prevented it. I now return you the two notes signed, and as I shall go to Bedford the 2 d week of April and not be back till the first week in May, I inclosed inclose a...
17290From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 9 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you 250. Dollars, of which 100. is for James Walker, 50. for mr Maddox, and 100. D. towards paying such of your debts as are most pressing. another like remittance the next month will I hope begin to place you at your ease. Mr. Peyton sent me an order from Madox for 50. D. but at the date of the order you had in hand that sum for him. it will therefore be necessary, for you to...
17291From Thomas Jefferson to Linctot, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received two Days ago your favor of Decemr. 5. 1780 from Fort Pitt. It was the more acceptable as I had not before heard of you after your departure for that place on your way from Wmsburgh and had really entertained fears that some accident had befallen you. The Letter you mention to have written informing me of your proceedings never came to hand and of course could not be answered. I...
17292Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 27 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Judge Cooper of Pensylvania , a political refugee with D r Priestley from the fires & mobs of Birmingham . he is one of the ablest men in America , & that in several branches of science. the law opinion which he mentions, I have recieved, and a more luminous one has not been seen. it will produce a revolution of opinion on the question treated. not in the present...
17293[Diary entry: 6 August 1770] (Washington Papers)
6. Clear and Warm—with but little .
17294From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 6th conveying the very agreeable intelligence that a quantity of salted provision is on the way to West Point—It gives me much pleasure to hear that vigorous measures are pursuing by your State to draw forth its resources of Men and supplies, and I am not without hope that the same good disposition will pervade the whole. I am persuaded that the...
17295From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 3 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th Ulto from New Kent came to my hands by the last Post, and gave me the pleasure of hearing that you, Nelly, & the little ones were well. You should not delay recording my Deed to you, because you cannot, I am told, make a proper conveyance to Henry till this happens the postponing of it therefore may not be a pleasing circumstance to him. As you seemed so desirous of...
17296To Thomas Jefferson from John Martin Baker, 28 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
With the hope, and probability, that the Port of Mahon, will at some period be considered, and prove useful to the United States Navy, within the Mediterranean, I have taken the liberty, and do herewith solicit the favor of your acceptance of a perspective view of the same; I have had taken purposely; inspired with the pleasing idea, that it may meet your favorable acception, I have the honor...
17297James Madison to John H. Lee, 16 April 1829 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter conveys the information and opinions recd. from Mr. William R. Griffith of your State on the case depending between Mrs. Willis & me, and the purchasers of our land on Panther Creek. From a conversation with Mr. Griffith, he appears to have a thorough knowledge of the law of the case, as well as of every thing affecting the value of the land, and the respective interests of...
17298To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to confirm what Mr Dalby will have informed you off, the Successfull Issue of his Suit respecting his Slave, could any interference on my part have been usefull, your letter would have commanded it, indeed I had done him before what little service I could when his Petition was before the Assembly from a perfect Conviction both of the Injustice and impolicy of the treatment he had...
17299From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 9 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1803, Department of State . Requests that “remittances may be made to Baring & Co. at London & Willinks & co. at Amsterdam” out of the appropriations stated in the enclosed estimate, which will “answer the demands of the public service” in those places until 1 Apr. 1804. Letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). Letterbook copy 1 p.; copied into...
17300From James Madison to Charles Jared Ingersoll, 21 January 1817 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your attentive favor of the 16th. which gave me the first intelligence of the death of Mr. Dallas. The melancholy event was received here with unfeigned grief, and by none more deeply, as you will readily conceive, than by myself. Our Country will rarely lose a Citizen, whose virtues endowments and services will leave a stronger claim to its admiring and grateful recollections,...