1741Proposed Constitutional Amendment, [ca. 9 July] 1803 (Madison Papers)
For amendment to the Constitution Louisiana as ceded by France is made part of the U. States. Congress may make part of the U. S. other adjacent territories which shall be justly acquired. Congress may sever from the U. S territory not heretofore within the U. States, with consent of a majority of the free males above 21 years, inhabiting such territory Ms ( DLC ). Undated; for conjectural...
1742Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received your two kind favours last Evening of march 2 d & 8 th . the seasons I belive have been very near alike both here and with you. we have had several days of warm & muggy weather, the Ground thawing the slug & miller very industerous, and as the Scripture assures us that tis Lawfull to do good upon the Sabbeth, my people are employd in Annoying these destructive Enemies, who make not...
1743[Diary entry: 2 July 1769] (Washington Papers)
2. Clear, warm, and still, their being very little wind & that southwardly.
1744[To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Bryen, 3 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Algiers, 3 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 16 Dec. 1785. Not found.]
1745Enclosure: Charles Storer to Timothy Pickering, 4 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Captain Ford & Lady arrived here yesterday: they left Niagara the 13th ulto & came by the way of Oswego. He gives me some information of things which took place after we left that country, and which, as they probably will be new to you, I herewith communicate them. He says that Talbot, Brant and Shehan had arrived at Niagara some days before he sailed: that they informed the Governor, that as...
1746From Thomas Jefferson to Francisco Chiappe, 9 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carmichael American chargé des affaires at Madrid has been so good as to send me a copy of your letter to Mr. Giuseppe Chiappe, informing him that his Imperial majesty had ordered the Schooner Proctor , American property, taken by one of his cruisers, to be released with the most flattering marks of his friendship. I beg leave through your channel, Sir, to bear witness to his imperial...
1747To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 12 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, May 12, 1791. Encloses “weekly Return of Cash” and “Two Drafts of the Treasr.” Acknowledges receipt of a “Thermometer, forwarded by the Collr. of New York.” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives.
1748Thomas Jefferson to John Gardiner, 28 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Gardiner and his thanks for the handsome Map of the Alabama territory , which he has been so kind as to send him . the rapid advance of that portion of our country into notice and estimation renders it now entirely interesting. he salutes mr Gardiner with esteem and respect. PoC ( MHi ); on verso of reused address cover of Charles Willson Peale to...
1749From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 19 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
With respect to prisoners of War mentioned in yr Excellency’s Letter of the 3d Instt—I beg leave to observe that it has been my wish from the beginning of the contest to the present day, that no distinction should exist with respect to them—that the whole should be considered on one general & liberal scale as belonging to the States, and not to this or that State—be exchanged according to...
1750To James Madison from Frederick Degen, 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith to your Excellency, a Copy of my respects of the 28th. December, as also a Duplicate List of the few american vessels which arrived at this Port the last Six months of the year 1807. The two Schooners therein mentioned as laid up in consequence of the late difficulties with Algiers, were going home in Ballast since the Settlement of this Business, by Mr....
1751To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Burwell, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Carter’s Grove, James City County, 30 Mch. 1781 . Encloses names of six militia ordered by court martial to serve as regular soldiers for six months and adds: “I expected there would have been more.” Three have already gone off, and if there is no objection, “as there are some circumstances that make in Favor of the other three,” they will be delivered at the prison, “that by being near their...
1752Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Chisholm, 10 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just got back from Poplar Forest to which place I must return in 4. weeks. I am therefore anxious you should come immediately & do the small jobs wanting here. unless the cistern be done in time to dry, it will give way again in winter. I shall go to Poplar Forest the latter end of this month & not return till November, when it will be too late to work. I am in hopes the long notice you...
1753From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 15th. According to my present Ideas and expectations my Quarters for the Winter will be at or near Middle Brook, at which place the Pennsylvania, Maryld and Virginia troops will be hutted. Should Mrs St Clairs ill state of health require your attention, after your Affair before Congress is determined, I shall have no objection to your remaining with her, while the...
175427. (Adams Papers)
Thanksgiving day. Dull weather.
1755To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Ogle, 28 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most Sincere & highest Respect as Your Fellow citizen & a Stranger—I hereby address You as my Fellow Citizen, a Gentleman whom I have never had the pleasure to be personally acquainted with, but by Character, and as a Needy Man (I hope) on the most Excellent grounds I may with Propriety also Style You—my Friend, and therefore have used the freedom to trouble You with this Scrawl, in...
1756From George Washington to James Wilkinson, 20 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 30th of December, written at George-Town. I am very sorry that your business was so pressing as to deprive me of the pleasure of seeing you at this place, while you was in the neighbourhood of it. Doctor Stuart handed me the Indian fabricks which you did me the honor to send by him, and for which I beg you to accept of my warmest thanks. Altho’ they are not...
1757From George Washington to David Stuart, 9 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday next at one o’Clock, I mean to pay the last respect to the remains of my deceased Nephew, by having the funeral obsequies performed. Mrs Fanny Washington & myself would be very glad to see you, mistress Stuart & the Girls here on that occasion; for this reason, & knowing they have not the means of getting down, a carriage is sent for them: and I believe it would be extremely...
1758From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, 21 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 16th. and sincerely congratulate you on your safe arrival at Richmond against the impudent surmises & hopes of the band of conspirators, who because they are as yet permitted to walk abroad, and even to be in the character of witnesses until such a measure of evidence shall be collected as will place them securely at the bar of justice, attempt to cover their...
1759To Thomas Jefferson from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 22 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The term having expired , during which the first and third articles of the terms and conditions declared by the President of the United States on the 17th. October 1791 for regulating the materials and manner of building and improvements on the Lots in the City, of Washington, have been suspended, we have taken the subject into consideration, and are of opinion that it may be expedient to...
1760To George Washington from Beverley Randolph, 5 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letters contain the latest intelligence received from our southwestern frontier. I did myself the honour to inform you on the first of the present month, that the state of Virginia retained in service the troops employed in the defence of the counties of Washington, Montgomery and Russel. This force consists of fifty rangers and four Scouts which were directed to be raised in the...
1761Enclosure I: Patent Issued by William Blount, 10 August 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Literal copy of a patent given by Govr. Blount. No. 6. William Blount governor in and over the territory of the US. of A. South of the river Ohio, and Superintendant of Indian affairs for the Southern district, to all who shall see these presents Greeting. Know ye that in consideration of the proofs of fidelity and friendship which we have had of the Indian called Ittahoomastuble of the...
1762To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you Clarke’s memoranda. The following articles seem proper for Executive attention. An instrument vesting in the Collector of Natchez the powers of the Administrator, Treasurer & Contador. Instructions to Claiborne to suppress useless offices to remove any existing officers. to appoint others. It would be well these could go by next post. Would it not be well to send in what...
1763From James Madison to Thomas Herttell, 20 December 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have been some time a debtor for your favor of Novr. 11th accompanied by a Copy of your Exposé. It reached me at a time when my attention had some particular calls on it; and I was so unlucky as to lose by an accident, the answer which I had prepared for a late mail. I now repeat the thanks it contained for your communication. I have read with pleasure the interesting lights in which you...
1764To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Benyowzky, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Pardon si je prend La liberté de vous ecrire, je vien d’aprendre que un nomé Graubner bourgois de paris, a eté ché vous Monsieur, pour vous importuner par a port [par rapport] une Lettre de change, de mon mary Le quelle a eté doné pour de l’anciene déte de mon bau frére qui a été au Service du Congré, je vous demande mille excuse a La place de mon mary,...
1765[Diary entry: 13 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
13. Dined at Burn’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodging’s.
1766To Thomas Jefferson from James Anderson, 29 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ I have not the honour of being acquainted with yourself, I am acquainted with your writings; and the pleasure these afforded, gave a desire of a more intimate correspondence. In the undertaking in which I am about to engage, I am not a little ambitious of its attracting the notice of worthy men; and I should think myself fortunate if the plan so far met with your approbation, as to induce...
1767Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, September 10, 1778: M. Montaudoüin has learned from Mr. Kergariou, commander of the French frigate Oiseau , that the Guernsey and Jersey privateers which infest this bay provision in Bilbao under pretense of being American. I hope this practice can be stopped.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII . This prominent Nantes merchant, identified...
1768From James Madison to Isaac Hite, 24 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Shields has been so good as to call & let me know that he left you & my sister well last week, and to give me an opportunity of saying that we are well as usual also. I have not lost ground in point of health since my return to this place, but do not find it yet as firm as I hope time & temperance may render it. Mr. Shields is possessed of a hand bill containing the official certainty of...
1769James Madison to William Allen, 28 July 1832 (Madison Papers)
The waggon will take you a load of flour this evening which please sell & inform me of the amount of its proceeds. A return load of plaister may be sent up with the articles mentioned in the memorandum annexed. ½ bushel Cranberries 1 bunch best quills 2 lbs black teas 2 lbs green } 5# Canister best green do. 1 Keg Lisbon Wine. Draft (DLC) .
1770To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 14 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letter of the 7th with the proceedings of a court martial enclosed, which proceedings the court were of opinion from the nature of the oath they had taken, they could not communicate to any person untill the commander in chief’s pleasure shuld be known, they therefore dispatched them to Head Quarters without my knowledge when your Excellency returned them to...
1771To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 1 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 1 Feb. 1788 . Two ships flying American colors arrived “yesterday” with 749 hhds. of tobacco shipped by Johnson & Muir in accordance with Morris’ contract with the farmers-general; the ships, the Sally and Potomac , left Annapolis 26 Dec.; it would be “surprising” if the farmers received the tobacco in spite of the resolution and convention passed at Berni. Is informed by the masters...
1772Traveling Expenses of Martha Washington, 1 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
An Acct of Mrs Washingtons Expences from Virga to my Winter Quarters & back again to Virginia according to the Memms & Accts wch I have recd from her & those who accompanied her 1775 Lawful Decr To amount of her Expences from Virginia to Cambridge 85. 2. 6 1776 July To Ditto from New York to Virginia after the Enemy Landed on Staten Isld Including her Residence in Phila at Board for sometime
1773Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas H. Lewis, 5 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Lewis and will attend the Rivanna company on Saturday at the Shadwell mills . RC ( CtHi : Hoadley Collection); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “M r Nicholas H. Lewis ”; endorsed by Lewis
1774C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 18 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letters, nothing worthy of writing about has occurred. That is not to say, however, that every day I have not had some occasion of acting for the general welfare of the cause and, therefore, of visiting the French embassy daily in order to receive intelligence and letters, or to provide extracts which sometimes are sent to the Cabinet, but more often, and even with regularity, go...
1775From George Washington to William Livingston, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now arrived myself on the East side of the Delaware, and the main body of the Army is on the Other from whence it will cross as soon as possible. This would have been effected in part to day, had it not been for the rain and the very doubtful appearance of the morning, which prevented the Troops from moving till it was late. The Afternoon will be employed in passing the Artillery and such...
1776To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Carroll, 28 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Since you did me the honor the other day to mention the subject of the Canal from the falls of Poto. to the Eastern branch, I have thought much on the subject, & satisfied you will excuse the liberty I am now takeing, have determined to address you a few lines—I see innumerable difficulties attending the plan you propose, one which you mentioned, the want of funds, The ground where you propose...
1777To Thomas Jefferson from William C. Jenckes, 14 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
From being obliged to leave the City of Washington I fear I have delayed the communication which you had the goodness to promise me upon the subject of my dismission, from the service of the U. States, as a Lieutt of the Navy—Permit me to Observe that there can be no circumstance so likely to inflict a lasting wound upon the reputation of any man, as the one to which I have alluded and I am...
1778To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 2 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to return you my Thanks for the Loan of Peter—and I am happy that I have it in my Power to send him Home unhurt. Tarquin has recover’d the Laurells he lost at Alexandria—His Opponents were, old Cumberland, and Herod, the Property of Doctr Ross; both which he beat with great Ease. I have a fine 2 year-old Doe, perfectly tame, which I beg your Acceptance of. She shall be sent with...
1779To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, October [i.e., 6 November] 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Capn. Barney has the honor of assuring his Excelly. Doctr. Franklin of his most respectfull Comps. & wth. pleasure accepts his polite invitation to dinner on Saturday next Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Le Doctr. Franklin / ministre Plenipotentiare / des Etats Units de / L’Amerique en / son hotel / a Passy The day after Barney arrived in Paris with...
1780To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 3 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 1st. inst., a few hours only after your departure, Mr. Rapin presented me your very friendly letter of the 31st. ult., and in complyance therewith I have taken up my lodgings in the President’s house, where I feel myself much pleased, and extreamly gratifyed with the attention paid, as well by the Steward, as your other domesticks, to all matters which regard my...
1781John Neilson to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the north front of the Rotunda, by comparing it with the flank veiw, you will perceive a small difference in the North front the lower edge of the Architrave falls in the same line as the centre of the Sphere, the column the column being then taken, leaves 10 ft for the height of the Pedestal, if this be deemed too much, which of the following modes would be agreeable to you to...
1782From James Madison to Fulwar Skipwith, 7 January 1807 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To Fulwar Skipwith. Letter not found. 7 January 1807. Acknowledged as received in Skipwith to JM , 7 Apr. 1807, with “the papers therein referred to” ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Paris, vol. 2).
1783From John Adams to James Warren, 9 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I shall address this to you as Speaker, but you may be Councillor, or Governor, or Judge, or any other Thing, or nothing but a good Man, for what I know. Such is the Mutability of this World. Upon my Word I think you Use the World very ill, to publish and send abroad a Newspaper, since the 29 May without telling Us one Word about the Election, where it was held, who preached the sermon, or &c....
17841774. Septr. 12. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty on the Committee, untill one O Clock, and then went with my Colleagues and Messrs. Thompson and Mifflin to the Falls of Schuylkill, and viewed the Museum at Fort St. Davids, a great Collection of Curiosities. Returned and dined with Mr. Dickinson at his Seat at Fair Hill, with his Lady, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Norris and Miss Harrison. Mr. Dickinson has a fine Seat, a beautyfull...
1785To George Washington from Henry Lee, 28 June 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Lee, 28 June 1757. On 30 June 1757 GW wrote to Lee: “I have received yours of the 28th instant.”
1786To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph recieved your letter respecting the bonds 2 days before he set off for Richmond and carried them down with him. He has by Mr. Colquehoun’s not appearing been cast in his suit with Rogers and fined 77 pounds which added to the other expences attending a suit amounts to upwards of a hundred. It is particularly unlucky at this time as he has met with many misfortunes which will...
1787Thomas Jefferson’s Note for Destutt de Tracy’s Treatise on Political Economy, [ca. 6 April 1816] (Jefferson Papers)
A Note communicated to the Editor. Our author’s classification of taxes being taken from those practised in France , will scarcely be intelligible to an American reader, to whom the nature as well as names of some of them must be unknown. the taxes with which we are familiar class themselves readily according to the bases on which they rest. 1. Capital. 2. Income. 3. Consumption. these may be...
1788To James Madison from Stephen Sayre, 6 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have requested it as a favor, to know, whether I may, or may not expect, some appointment from Administration. If you conceive the refusal of an answer ought to be conclusive, you are not perfectly acquainted with my character—for—since I am compel’d to pass the line of delicacy, you must pardon me, if I draw some just & natural conclusions, and presume, that others have been provided for,...
1789To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Previously to the establishment of arrangements for carrying on the work during the ensuing Season, I beg to lay before you a proposition of which I hope to receive your approbation, and which I beg specially to explain on account of the personal interest I appear to have in it. Independently of my Salary, the expenses of the direction of the public works have been, Salary of the Clerk of the...
1790From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 23 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. John Brown Cutting, proposing to go to Charleston, I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance and attentions. His merit and talents will justify me in taking this liberty, as they will fully recommend him to your esteem, while I am equally assured he will find in you what will render it reciprocal. He is authorised to ask from your state some arrangements...