181921From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [30 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I received my Dear Laurens a letter from you which came by Mr. Ternant; and I since learn you are arrived at Philadelphia on a parole restricted to the State of Pensylvania. I regret the loss of Charles Town as a public misfortune. I regret it, as it affects my friends and among these I need not tell you how much my heart distinguishes your case. I know what you must suffer ⟨to⟩ have your...
181922To George Washington from John Jay, 19 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
It occurs to me that it may not be perfectly prudent to say that we are never to expect Favors from a nation, for that assertion seems to imply that nations always are , or always ought to be moved only by interested motives. It is true that disinterested Favors are so rare, that on that account they are not to be expected between nations; and if that Sentiment turned on that Reason vizt their...
181923From George Washington to Marinus Willett, 22 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter dated the 4th Inst. The information you had received respecting an alteration in the Establishment of the Army, is without foundation—No door is open therefore to gratify the wishes of those not in actual service, however Meritorious they may be—of the zeal, attachment & ability you have always displayed in the service of your Country, especially in the last...
181924Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
In the bitter verbal battling which rumbled beneath the physical violence of the pre-Revolutionary years, the heavy advantage rested with the radical press. Led by such pseudonymous journalistic swordsmen as Samuel Adams, Joseph Hawley, and Joseph Warren, the patriots skewered the administration and the loyal faction without restraint, and almost without opposition. Only one tory printer...
181925From George Washington to Richard Chichester, 8 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
On my return home I found your note of the 6th & Mr Whiting shewed me the letter you had written to him on the same subject the next day. When the first came to this place I was from home, & when the second was presented to me I was too much engaged to write myself, but desired Mr Whiting to inform you of my objections as I should do as soon [as] I had leisure. I should feel no...
181926From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of Jany. 1. inclosing an unsealed one for Mr. A. & submitting to my discretion the eligibility of delivering it. In exercising this delicate trust I have felt no small anxiety, arising by no means however from an apprehension that a free exercise of it could be in collision with your real purpose, but from a want of confidence in myself, & the importance of...
181927[Diary entry: 18 May 1769] (Washington Papers)
18. Very Warm. Wind Southwardly. Fast & flying Clouds.
181928From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here a very disagree⟨a⟩ble scene unfolded itself. By a lucky accident a conspiracy of the most dangerous kind, the object of which was to sacrifice this post, has been detected. General Arnold, who has sullied his former glory by the blackest treason, has escaped to the enemy. This is an event that occasions me equal regret and mortification; but traitors are the growth of every...
181929To James Madison from Savary, 27 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
You will be surprised of the liberty I take to direct you the present: But I hope that the Subject will carry with it my excuse. Juge John Coburn, man respectable by his character, his republican principles, his knowledge in the law & also as a father of a numerous family, had been appointed formerly a Juge of the Territory of new Orleans; The dread of that Climate entertained by a part of his...
181930From George Washington to Richard Washington, 8 January 1758 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a Letter of the 26th Ultimo; since which I have had an oppertunity of seeing the great damage China is apt to come to in its transportation to this Country (unless much care is used in the Package) which has determind me to desire you if this gets to hand time enough for that purpose, to send me instead of what was directed in a former Invoice 2 dozn Dishes (properly sorted) 2 dozn...
181931From George Washington to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 Sept. 1777. Elbridge Gerry in his letter to GW of 24 Sept. referred to “your Letter of the 22d directed to the President or any Member of Congress.”
181932To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
France has cut the knot. The difficulties relative to Parma and Placentia that stopped the expedition to Louisiana have ended by their taking possession of the first. As you see by the enclosed paper, orders are given for the immediate embarkation of troops (two demi brigades) for Louisiana they will sail in about twenty days from Holland. The government here will give no answer to my notes on...
181933To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 1 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the President, the answer which he proposes to give to the Committee of Foreign relations, on the reference of the Petitions respecting the West-India trade, and the Plaister trade. He thinks, that it would be premature to commence a commercial warfare; but, at all events, the facts, respecting the British regulations, are not sufficiently...
181934From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 8 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Albert Gallatin. 8 November 1805, Department of State. “I request you to be pleased to issue a warrant for three thousand three hundred & Seventeen dollars & eight cents, on the appropriations for the relief of Seamen, in favor of James Davidson Jnr. the holder of the enclosed bill of exchange drawn upon me on the 26th. Septr. last, for the same sum, by Josiah Blakely, Consul of the...
181935From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 12 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your letter of new-years-day, and congratulate you on your arrival in the great City that is to be where you will have an opportunity of seeing the great world & making many observations & reflections upon it: you may there see a variety of sentiments on government: despotism to the depths of sansculotism, & religious opinions; from the sublimities of Catholics to the...
181936To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Were it likely to suppose that the human mind, however comprehensive, could always be exerted on one Subject, even tho that subject be the fate of Empires, I should never attempt to seduce your attention to any trifle that could possibly drop from either my own Pen, or that of any part of my family; but, when I consider that the profoundest sagacity must...
181937VI. Arrêt Concerning Whale Oil, 7 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Arrêt du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, Qui excepte de la prohibition portée par l’arrêt du 38 Septembre dernier, les Huiles de Baleine & d’autres Poissons, ainsi que les fanons de Baleine, provenant de la pêche des Etats-unis de l’Amérique. Du 7 Décembre 1788 Extrait des Registres du Conseil d’Etat. Le Roi s’étant fait représenter l’arrêt rendu en son Conseil, le 28 septembre dernier, portant...
181938Candidates for Army Appointments from Connecticut, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Connecticut Captains 1 Austin Nichols Fairfield County Writes ill Wm. Edmond good constitution single man & in prime of life education equal to place active enterprising & on the whole qualified } Not very strong
181939From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Some skirmishing having begun in the Gazette of the U States respecting Mr. Freneau’s receiving a salary from Government —I mentioned in conversation with a Friend all that I knew of the matter, and among other things, but without naming you, the information you had given me concerning Mr. Madison’s negotiation with Freneau. Upon this he founded a very pointed attack upon Mr Freneau & Mr....
181940To George Washington from “A Sympathizer with the Afflicted,” 12 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
To the President of the United States Most respected and most Estimable of Character. One unconected with any Party, or immediate relation to the unhappy men now under Sentence to Suffer on the 17 instant: dares to aproach in their behalf as The Father and Friend of his Country. One who in the most Sacred truth can declare they are an admirer of the Fedral Constitution, and the Gentleman who...
181941From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 14 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your note by Col Gibson and communicated the contents to His Excellency. Though from the serious nature of the charges you have exhibited against Colonel Morgan, there seems to be almost a necessity for bringing the matter to a thorough investigation; yet at this juncture it would be attended with so many difficulties as to make it utterly inconvenient. The affair involves such...
181942From George Washington to the Continental Congress Committee on the Mustering Department, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your letter of the 5th of last month, which several circumstances have prevented my answering sooner; an attention to other objects of more immediate urgency and the necessity of making inquiries of some delicacy, preparatory to a determination. As the question related to the continuing or abolishing a department which has [been] heretofore looked upon as a very...
181943To George Washington from La Luzerne, 15 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although for a long time I have not had the honor to recall me to Your Excellency’s goodness, I pray you to be well persuaded that I have not been the less occupied in your glory and successes—and that it is with great pleasure I see the confidence in, and the consideration of, the United States daily rising in every country of Europe. Those Persons who, like me, have had the happiness to know...
181944To James Madison from Jonathan Roberts, 17 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
In the recent reduction of the Military establishment Major Peter Muhlenberg formerly of sixth since of the thirty second Regiment has been left out of the service. I think this a just cause for regret both from his own & his fathers merits. He is the son of Gen P. Muhlenberg & has been many years in the army having entered it a mere youth. I apprehend there is no want of proof of his having...
181945[Diary entry: 29 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
29. Severe Frost. White & Black. Fruit distroyd.
181946From George Washington to Lewis Morris, Jr., 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Memorandums for Lt Colo. Morris to be communicated to no person but to Major General Greene. General Greene to be informed fully as he has been shortly by letter that there was no alternative left—Count de Grasse’s destination was fixed to the Chesapeak and therefore as Lord Cornwallis was found there and in a most inviting situation, the operation against him took place of necessity. General...
181947To John Adams from William Lee, 9 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 2d. instant. The Commission you have is certainly very highly important and Honorable, and I doubt not of your executing it properly; taking care that the shafts of envy and malice, which have already began to show themselves, shall not divert your attention from the great object you have in view, which I have no reason to think at present will be speedily...
181948From David Humphreys to Edward Hand, 18 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is pleased to authorize any three of the Board, appointed to decide the despute respecting numbering the Regts of Connecticut, who shall meet at Horton’s tomorrow, to proceed to the decision of that dispute, & to report accordingly—I have the honor to be Sir Your Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
181949[Diary entry: 26 January 1771] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear and a little Cool in the Morning. Ground frozen and wind (tho not much of it) Northwardly.
181950General Orders, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The independent Company commanded by Captn Weaver is to be annexed to, and do duty with the 10th Pennsylvania regiment ’till further orders. Some disputes having arisen relative to certain men, inlisted by Mr Nelson, now doing duty in the 7th Pennsylvania regiment—A Court of inquiry is to examine into the matter, and report their opinion, whether those men should remain as they are, or be...