183151From George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In one of your former letters; you intimate, that a free communication of Sentiments will not be displeasing to you. If under this sanction, I should step beyond the line you would wish to draw—and suggest ideas or ask questions which are improper to be answered—you have only to pass them by, in silence. I wish you to be convinced, that I do not desire to pry into measures the knowledge of...
183152From George Washington to Beverley Randolph, 24 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 4th Inst. with its inclosures, just as I was about to embark on a visit to Rhode Island, which has prevented my answering it ’till my return from thence. Previous to the receipt of your Excellency’s letter I had nominated and appointed the three Gentlemen who had heretofore acted in that office, Commissioners for settling accounts...
183153From Thomas Jefferson to John Patten Emmet, 6 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, at their meeting of the 4 th instant, proceeding to the appointment of a Professor for the school of Natural history in that institution, unanimously nominated you to that chair. under the generic term of Natural history, they comprehend Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Chemistry and Geology; that of Chemistry however being considered as the...
183154To George Washington from James Swan, 5 June 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Swan, 5 June 1788. On 18 Aug. GW wrote Swan : “I have received your favor of the 5th of June from Havre de Grace.”
183155To James Madison from William Hunter, 29 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to introduce Col. Searle Adjutant General who presents himself to you charged by this State with business peculiarly interesting to its welfare. I understand he is instructed to represent our defenceless and distressed situation, to request of the General Government efficient assistance and to offer the prompt and constitutional co-operation of this State in all necessary measures...
183156The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us on the Seventh of this Month, We duely received. In our Letter of the twenty Sixth of the last Month respecting the Goods of Mr. Izard on board the Nile, we cited the Sixteenth Article of the Treaty of Commerce, in Support of Mr. Izards claim, which your Excellency thinks an Error, and that it is the Fourteenth Article which...
183157Friday Octr. 31st. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Vaughan’s: in the evening we went to the Drury Lane Theatre, where Isabella, or the Fatal marriage and the Irish Widow, were represented. Mrs. Siddons; supposed to be the first Tragick performer in Europe, play’d the part of Isabella. A young Lady, in the next Box to where we were, was so much affected by it as to be near fainting and was carried out. I am told that every Night...
183158From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday Morning General Howe advanced with his Whole Army in several Columns from Amboy, as far as Westfeild. We are certainly informed, that the Troops, sent to Staten Island, returned the preceding Evening, and it is said with an Augumentation of Marines—so that carrying them there was a feint with intention to deceive us. His design in this sudden movement was either to bring on a...
183159To George Washington from Spotsylvania Independent Company, 26 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence from Williamsburg it appears that Capt. Collins of his Majestys Navy at the head of 15 Marines carried off the Powder from the Magazine in that City on the night of Thursday last and conveyed it on board his Vessell by Order of the Governor. The Gentlemen of the Independant Company of this Town think this first Publick insult is not to be tamely submitted to and determine with...
183160To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 February 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have received several Epistles in prose and verse, written to console me for my heavy loss, but nothing has equalled the three first lines of your last letter.— It is seldom that affliction comes singly & alone. Suppose I should tell you that my professional & political enemies have succeeded in obtaining a decree of banishment against me, and that I am ordered to take my departure tomorrow...
183161Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 6 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
The tender solicitude you have shewn for my health, demands the earliest return I can make—& it is greatly to my satisfaction that I can inform you of my recovery, so as to be about the house again— I tried all in my power, not to have my indisposition noticed—but I struggled in vain, for at last I was obliged to go to bed, & lie there for three days— I told William not to tell you how sick I...
183162From Alexander Hamilton to James Taylor and Abishai Thomas, 3 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The measures taken to ascertain the fact, whether the State of North Carolina has ever issued its own certificates in lieu of those of the United States not yet having produced the desired information, as inconveniences would arise from longer delay of a determination of the question which arises on the eighteenth section of the Act making provision for the debt of the United States. I take...
183163Thomas Jefferson to James Breckinridge, 3 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with sincere pleasure your nomination as a Visitor of our University ; and with the more, as it will give us occasions of seeing you here. I hope you will make Monticello your head quarters, on all those occasions, and indeed I wish you could come a day at least before our meeting of the 29 th instant . the papers being all here, their perusal would put you into possession of the train...
183164To George Washington from Samuel Osgood and Oliver Phelps, 15 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are constrain’d from the present Situation of our Business, to trouble your Excellency with a Representation of our Prospects with Regard to forwarding future Supplies to the Army; & also the Plan this Commonwealth has laid for filling the Magazines with salt Provisions. The General Assembly upon receiving the Requisitions of Congress for Supplies for 1781 immidiately determined to comply...
183165John Adams to Abigail Adams, May 1772 (Adams Papers)
I take an opportunity by Mr. Kent, to let you know that I am at Plymouth, and pretty well. Shall not go for Barnstable untill Monday. There are now signs of a gathering Storm, so I shall make my self easy here for the Sabbath. I wish myself at Braintree. This wandering, itinerating Life grows more and more disagreable to me. I want to see my Wife and Children every Day, I want to see my Grass...
183166To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 3 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I took my leave of the senate on friday, And as Mr. Abm. V. Vechten has consented to be nominated a candidate for a seat in senate and will probably be Elected, I am more at ease than I should have been, If a less able man than he had been proposed, for Spencer, Gold and Tillotson have already combined to divest Mr. Jones of his seal under pretence that the comptroller ought not to be of the...
183167[Diary entry: 3 November 1774] (Washington Papers)
3. Clear & pleasant but little Wind.
183168James Madison to Edmund H. Taylor, 26 June 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 5th inst: It would have given me much pleasure to have aided you in your search for information relative to the military services of your two Uncles; but neither my personal recollections, nor acquired knowledge, put it in my power to do so. In consequence of a like application from Mr. R. H. C. Taylor, I had endeavored in vain to trace thro’ the oldest...
183169[From Thomas Jefferson to John Moore, 1 February 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 1 Feb. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jno. Moore. Accounts at barracks to be settled with Turner in Richmond.” Not found.]
183170From George Washington to John Crane, 4 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I should have taken an Opportunity of expressing in public Orders how much I was satisfied with the Gentlemen who were so kind as to assist in preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Dauphin, but the matter being not altogether of a Military nature, I thought it best to communicate my sentiments in this manner. You will therefore be pleased to accept my thanks for your exertions on...
183171Thomas Jefferson to Wilson J. Cary, 28 July 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your servant, with 4. lambs for mr Cocke , will recieve a 5 th for yourself. it is the second best of the 5. mr Cocke’s are from his own ewes, the one destined for you is from mine, the best I had except one. one of your ewes proved to be with lamb when she came; the other missed altogether. the two last merino ewes I recieved brought the scab into my flock, & I lost several. I tried mercurial...
183172From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 1 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Sir Henry Clinton in order to supply the British prisoners at Fort Frederick and Winchester with necessaries and money has twice requested a passport for a vessel to go with the same to the port of Baltimore. As it is necessary the prisoners should be supplied, I have granted permission to a schooner to proceed to Hampton road—Where the cargo is to be received into some of the Bay craft, and...
183173To George Washington from Harrisburg, Pa., Burgesses and Citizens, 3 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
While we, the Burgesses and Citizens of Harrisburg rejoice in the opportunity of presenting our Respects to a Character so justly revered and dear to Americans, we sincerely lament that we should owe it to an interruption of the Peace and prosperity of our Country those constant objects of your public Cares. We trust however that the just Indignation which fires the Breasts of all virtuous...
183174To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Inteligence from New York as late as Saturday (which I have every Reason to beleive) General Arnold was every Hour expected there to take Command of an Expedition. Admiral Arbuthnot is going to England his Officers refusing to serve with him since the Action with the french Fleet—his Baggage was landed. Admiral Graves who commands the Fleet was in New York on Saturday but expected to sail...
183175To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter just recd from Judge Patterson, recommending Dr. James Hall of York-town, Pennsylvania, for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Last week I transmitted to you Pastoret’s speech in the Council of Five Hundred on the conduct of the French Executive directory & their agents towards the United States. I now inclose an anonymous answer, at once weak and...
183176Benjamin Franklin’s Observations on John Jay’s Draft, [c. 18 July 1783] (Jay Papers)
B. Franklin’s Observations on Mr Jay’s Draft of a Letter to Mr Livingston, which occasioned the foregoing Part to be left out.— M r . F. aubmits it to the Consideration of M r . Jay whether it may not be adviseable to forbear, at present, the Justification of ourselves, respecting the Signature of the Preliminaries, because That matter is, at present, quiet here; No Letter sent to the Congress...
183177To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th of April & shall take every Possible Method for raising & forwarding the Quota of Men orderd from this State. The Loss of our Stores at Danbury is an Event very Alarming to the Country. I hope the Effect will not be fatal to the Army: by the Examination of Sundry disaffected Persons: we have Reason to beleive a Second Descent is soon to be made...
183178To George Washington from the Grand Inquest of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 26 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Fully impressed with the importance of Observing those steps which (in our Opinion) will tend to preserve to the United States that peace, which they now by the blessing of God enjoy. The Grand Inquest for Chester County in the State of Pennsylvania, beg leave to express the high Opinion they entertain of your wisdom & attention to the interest & happiness of your Country in Issuing the late...
183179To Thomas Jefferson from Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 28 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mon Libraire à Paris, me fait quelquefois la Galanterie de mêler avec les livres que je lui demande des brochures quand il les croit propres à m’interesser. Je les destine à mon tour, après les avoir parcourues, à ceux qui comme vous ont la bonté d’encourager mon établissement—Parmi celles qu’il m’a envoyé dernièrement, il S’en trouve une où j’ai lu quelque chose de fort Juste à votre...
183180To George Washington from Samuel A. Otis, 3 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit me, Sir, encouraged by your indulgence to solicit the appointment of my Son, Harrison G. Otis, to be Attorney for the district of Massachusetts, being a practitioner of Reputation in the Supreme judicial Courts of the State, qualified for the business, and high in the estimation of his fellow Citizens. Sensible that he has no dependence for his advancement in life on any thing but his...
183181To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 20 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
I pray you to excuse the Liberty I take in presenting you with a Funeral Sermon preached at the Interment of the late Govr Trumbull. If it does not appear with all that sentimental Elegance & purity which have distinguished the writings of some Gentlemen, yet I trust it will discover a degree of merit & Ingenuity, which will not discredit the reputation of a young preacher, or injure the...
183182From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 14 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Taking it for granted that Mr Anderson gave you his opinion of Mr Threlkalds English Cattle, I shall only add that his advice to me is, to take only the Bull, at the price you mentioned—viz.—Forty guineas. I shall be obliged to you therefore to let that Gentleman know that I will take the Bull at the above price & will send for him on any day he shall name. I am not inclined to offer less than...
183183To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 31 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I know your time is allready so completely taken up, with important public concerns, that you are obliged to neglect your own private matters, allmost totally, I cannot refrain from asking a small part of it, for an affair of very considerable consequence, to myself and my family. I have mentioned to you before, tho perhaps I never related the particulars, that the land in Henrico ,...
183184To James Madison from Archibald Wilson Jr., 13 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1804, Greenock. “I arrived in this Country in July last and expect to remain for some length of time, as I am a Citizen of the United States and it is a right I by no means wish to relinquish I would take it as a singular favor if you would have the goodness to acquaint me if any or what new regulations may have taken place during my absance from that Country with respect to Citizens...
183185To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Juppin, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mon papa lon ma priée de vous demander, si les papiers que je vous envoyes ont quelque valeur, si la personne a qui ils appartiennent peut esperer en tirer quelque argent, et sil ne faut pas ladresser a Mr Jay. Je vous presente mon papa, mes civilites, et amities et mes compliments a Mr votre petit fils. The Brillons’ former governess: XXVIII , 8n. Dated on...
183186Sunday September 7th. 1788. (Adams Papers)
The Marquis to Sainneville, commander of the french Squadron now in the harbour, and the Chevalier Maccarty de Martegues captain of the Achille, dined here to day. Several other officers were detained by the badness of the weather. In his line-a-day entry, JQA mentions “Meeting, forenoon” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
183187To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 6 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
We are all anxious in this quarter to know the probable direction our differences with England will take. And this anxiety is increased in proportion to our disappointment in the two last mails bringing nothing from the Eastward beyond Nashville. Peace, However, is the general wish if to be preserved on terms Compatible with our National rights— Were it not that at particular times and under...
183188To Thomas Jefferson from La Motte, 28 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Je n’ai recû qu’hier, timbrée de Paris, la Lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 27. Juin. C’est un Espace de 4. mois qu’elle est restée en chemin, comme la mienne du 12. Xbre. qui ne vous est parvenuë que le 6. Avril. Il est bien malheureux que des lettres restent aussi longtems en chemin. J’ai eû l’honneur de vous ecrire en vous envoyant vos meubles et de vous remercier de la...
183189To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 29 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je desire fort d’apprendre si vous avez reçu une Lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire le 25 de ce mois; & ce que vous pensez de son contenu. Cette Lettre du 25 doit vous avoir été remise par l’un de vos meilleurs amis. J’ai besoin de vos sages avis dans une carriere qui devient de plus en plus glissante. Comptez sur mon sincere & respectueux...
183190David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Memorial, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives The proposition which has been made for an universal & unlimited reciprocity of Intercourse & Commerce, between Great-Britain and the American United-States, requires a very serious Consideration on the part of Great-Britain, for the reasons already stated...
183191From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 2, 1794. On July 7, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Randolph : “My letter of the second Instant will have fulfilled your wish.” Letter not found. ]
183192From James Madison to Richard Cutts, 23 July 1817 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 20th. and should with pleasure comply with the wish you intimate, but the remnant of my funds in Washington has been so reduced by necessary drafts, that there is little more there than will suffice for a debt I expect daily to be called for, incurred by Payne Todd on my account, in the purchase of a set of 4 if not 5 horses. The purchase has been made, and by the...
183193To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Swan, 3 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The officers of cavalry are in want of their pay, and have no paymaster to act for them. It would be an accommodation to them and great convenience to me if the mode you shall devise for the appointment of paymasters to the 1st. and 2d. Artillery Regiments can be also adopted with respect to the cavalry. There is a Lieutenant William C Rogers of the cavalry who lives in Philadelphia, is spoken...
183194To Thomas Jefferson from John Tyler, 20 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I receiv’d your Letter by the last Post and am much obliged to you for the printed paper which it enclosed. Our Assembly went into the consideration of the several matters therein contain’d and past some resolutions by way of Instructions to the Delegates in Congress from this State, which will be communicated by the Governor; also others on which Bills are order’d to be drawn, vesting your...
183195To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I make use of the oppertunity by the under Spanish Secretary (who takes his departure today with the remaining domestiques of the Ambassador) to forward you this; in which I take the liberty to inclose one for Mr. Johnson at Nantes under a French direction & I am to beg the favor of you to cause it to be put into the common post as soon as may be. I...
183196Thomas Jefferson to Isaac A. Coles, 7 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Have you any orchard grass seed left? or have your brothers any ? I want about a bushel to finish a grass lot now prepared for it, an d should be very thankful for that much.— I looked for you at court to invite you to come and see mrs Madison & mr Madison , but could not fin d you. I thought too you ought not to need an invitation to come here or to see them. Appleton
183197To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 8 August 1812 (Adams Papers)
The paternal farm which I visited on the 11th: of last month, lies two miles further from Philadelphia than the honorable Cottage where you once did me and my brother the honor to take a family dinner with my dear and Venerable mother. She purchased and retired to it After She gave up business in Philadelphia. I had seen my native place but once since I was Six years old, and that but for a...
183198[Edward Everett] to James Madison, 28 September 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to send You A copy of my Article in the No. of the N. A. Review Which will appear on the 1st of Octr. done up in a pamphlet form. In reading it You will please to Consider it as written for A Miscellaneous periodical journal. Had I been Writing an essay for separate publication More Unity of plan w’d have been Studied. But Even for the review it is too long &ca –Cursive. This...
183199The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 18 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia <January 18, 1773: A copy of their previous letter is enclosed. They have now drawn further on Franklin, Barclay, and Fothergill for £1,250 sterling in three bills of exchange, one in favor of Joseph Mitchell for £600 and two in favor of Joseph King for £300 and £350 respectively.> Presumably that of Jan. 4 above. For the little we know...
183200To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 22 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Headquarters [ Preakness, N.J. ] 22 July 1780 . Has just received a letter from Gen. Muhlenberg of 11 July enclosing a list of officers in Col. Gist’s regiment, omitted in his former return, and has written to Gen. Gates to incorporate these officers with the others or “to divide the Drafts into another Regiment as may appear most eligible from a view of all circumstances.” Dft ( DLC :...