17251To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 6 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the extreme pleasure of recieving your two letters of the 26th. of March & 13th. of April—the first was recieved & delivered to me by the American Envoys—the second was put into my hands by a Gentleman who I believe has the direction of the Flag ship which brought it—he promised to give me notice of his departure that I might write by him & I intended to have written to you at...
17252Frederick W. Hatch to Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 8 th was r ec eiv e d in due time, & would have been acknowledg’d before this had I not been at a loss what to say in reply to it.— The Note enclos’d is accepted with pleasure & with thanks, but I should do myself injustice, not to add, that the disposition which prompted this act & the very friendly regard which it manifests on your part are more gratifying to my feelings than...
17253John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
I dare Say there is not a Lady in America treated with a more curious dish of Politicks, than is contained in the inclosed Papers. You may Shew them to discrete Friends, but by no means let them go out of your hands or be copied. Preserve them in Safety against Accidents. I am afraid We shall have another Campaign: but do not dispair however of a Peace this Winter. America has nothing to do...
17254To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With great Satisfaction I received your most acceptable Letter of August 29. by the Hands of your amiable and intelligent Grand-son, who does much Honour to the Family he sprung from. I admire of all Things the Continuance of the Vigor of your Mind and Body, which enables you to write as clearly, distinctly, sensibly, and accurately as you did almost half a...
17255From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 24 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 16th & read the letter of Mr B. H. Phillips, our consul at Curacao of 20th July, & the papers inclosed with it, which I now return. It is right to communicate these documents to Mr. Van Polaner & to Mr Murray, and to remonstrate in clear language to the government, of the Batavian government against the partiality of the govenor & councils & the scandalous...
17256To John Adams from Charles Francis Adams, 7 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I am very glad you like my letter of the third October, 1815 and hope you will like all of, them, as they come. I have lived in, la rue de Richelieu &, I have been to Passy and Au teuil, and to the place de Carousal, and from there I came here to visit Grosvenor Square, with my Father, and Mother; but as to Amsterdam, Leyden, and the Hague, I dont know where they are. I hope some time or other...
17257From Thomas Jefferson to Sylvanus Bourne, 14 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of May 13. acknoleged the reciept of your’s of Nov. 30th. Since writing that, I have recieved yours of Apr. 29. and June 30. addressed to myself and July 14. to Mr. Remsen. As none of these acknolege mine of May 13. I now inclose you a duplicate of it, fearing the first has miscarried. In this you will find the sentiments of our government on the subject of your recognition....
17258Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 18 October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 3 d is at hand. I have little doubt that I shall recieve an answer from mr Stewart , either yielding to my request , or stating the reasons why he may wish to retain the portrait longer in his possession. whatever these may be, I should not refuse him, nor indeed in any case press a compliance beyond the request I have made. I will inform you of his answer whenever it shall...
17259To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— de Poliange, 18 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’eus l’honneur de vous remettre le 18 de juin dernier un petit mémoire Concernant mon parent mr. vigeral qui fut pris par les Anglais Sur un corsaire américain le 5 mars 1778. Il fut Conduit a Portsmuth, et de la transféré à Winchester. On n’a point eu de Ses nouvelles depuis la fin du mois de mars 1779; et depuis Cette époque il n’a pas été possible...
17260From John Jay to Sarah Louisa Jay, 28 November 1806 (Jay Papers)
I had last Evening the Pleasure of recieving your Letter of the 20 th . Inst:— The Appology contained in it is so handsomely made, that I accept it; notwithstanding the well founded opinion, that there are but few occurrences which can with propriety, excuse our not writing those Letters which ought to be written.— The complaint in your wrist was a disagreable one, and I am glad you are now...
17261To Thomas Jefferson from Ferdinand Grand, 9 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 9 Aug. 1787 . William Frederick Ast, ignorant of the present status of the account of the United States, has presented two drafts on TJ, one for 495.₶ 17 for Barclay and another for 1,800₶ for himself. Grand asks TJ to write to Ast on this subject; he will refer to such a letter in his own to Ast. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French, in a clerk’s hand, signed by Grand; endorsed. Not recorded in...
17262To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Duffy, 26 January 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Malo, January 26, 1777, in English: The writer, an Irishman and Recollect friar, addresses his letter to Franklin as “Irish Gentle-Man” and informs him that he has a needy relative named Geene, Ginny, or Jeanne Franklin, the widow of “your Brother Robin Francklin” of Limerick. The letter is endorsed, apparently by Temple, “Jane Franklin pretended.”>
17263Thomas Jefferson to Harmer Gilmer, 16 February 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been for some time desirous of getting a few particular plants from mr M c Mahon , the gardener, of Philadelphia , which can only be removed at this season, & by the stage, as no other conveyance is quick enough. but without the care & patronage of some passenger they would never get to me. understanding that you will be returning to our neighborhood immediately, & by the stage, I...
17264From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 28th of March giving me information of such of the movements of the enemy as had come to your knowledge. The real design of their preparations upon the sound being as much a secret as when I wrote to you upon the 27th ulto, I can only repeat to you now what I thought most advisable then, which was, to keep the detachment of Continental troops at New...
17265From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 12 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 12, 1792 . On May 18, 1792, Tench Coxe wrote to “A Committee of the Merchants of the City of Philadelphia” and referred to a letter “from the Secretary of the Treasury of the 12th: instant” to Allibone. Letter not found. ] LC , RG 58, Letters of Commissioner of Revenue, 1792–1793, National Archives.
17266To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of returning to the President, the papers respecting the Ship of War to be built in Georgia. Nothing seems to be further necessary on the part of the President, unless perhaps it be to say to the Department, which has the principal superintendance of the Business, that a minute attention to economy is peculiarly desirable; and that it is recommended, that...
17267From George Washington to Robert Howe, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The misterious conduct of the enemy at New York--and their appearance in force (as it is reported to me) at Crown point--with other circumstances unnecessary to detail--renders caution and vigilance extremely necessary at our Posts in the Highlands--I therefore desire that you will not delay a moment after your return to West point & to your command there in obtaining & reporting to me an...
17268To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Maury, 21 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
the request I made you in the course last month you were good enough to tell me was at that time out of yr power to grant me—and I trust since yr arrival at the City yr finances are better and you will be so good as indulge me with the Loan of 50 or 100 Dollars—which sum will make me completely happy; and yr having to say from good authority that one of yr subjects are made happy from so small...
17269To John Adams from John Torrey, 17 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Grand Jurors for the County of Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, attending at the Supreme Judicial Court for said County, have been led by their own reflections on the course of events, and by the excellent and impressive observations of the Chief Justice in his charge at the opening of the Court, to contemplate the political situation of our Country. Mr Adams Many of us have...
17270From Benjamin Franklin to the Speaker and Committee of Correspondence of the Pennsylvania Assembly, 22 August 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library In mine of June 10th. I acquainted you that I was about to make a Journey for the Establishment of my Health. I accordingly went to Pyrmont, where I drank the Waters some Days; but relying more on the Air and Exercise of Travelling, I proceeded to Hanover, and from thence thro’ Cassel to Frankfurt and Mentz, thence down the Rhine to Cologne, and so thro’ Treves to...
17271Enclosure: 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 ——
17272To 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...
1727324. 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....
17274From 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...
17275To 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...
17276[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.
17277From 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...
17278To 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...
17279To 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...
17280From 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...
17281From 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...
17282[Diary entry: 10 May 1770] (Washington Papers)
10. Mr. Christian went away this afternoon. I rid to the Mill.
17283From 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...
17284To 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...
17285Ferdinand 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...
17286Abigail 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...
17287From 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...
17288To 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...
17289Thomas 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...
17290To 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...
17291From 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...
17292From 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...
17293From 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...
17294To 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...
17295Nicholas 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...
17296[Diary entry: 27 March 1796] (Washington Papers)
27th. Clear all day. The Wind at East & pleasant tho’ a little cool.
17297From 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...
17298From 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, &...
17299From 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...
17300To 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...