183421From James Madison to Richard Bland Lee, 5 August 1819 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d, with a copy of your able and interesting Oration on the last anniversary of our Independence. The existing tranquility and harmony on the public feeling, the result of the propitious evanescence of the causes of discord, is a just subject of congratulation. It is to be wished that they may never be interrupted by the worst of all political divisions; one...
183422To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by him to “The honble James Madison jr. esq of congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “March 1st. 1783.” Being here on business, I can not inspect your figures of feby. 18. The drift of them is, however, seen, and I have already met the sentiments half way, by an adherence to my opinion of the necessity of reviving...
183423Robert Treat Paine to Joseph Palmer, 1 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here the 28th ultimo from my journey as far as Ticonderoga, we proceeded no farther as we had some expectations when we sat out, partly because the season was too late to pass safely by water and too early to pass on the ice; and also because the object of our commission of most immediate importance could be determined at Ticonderoga—but a very great reason was because the Military...
183424Adams’ Diary Notes on the Right of Juries: 1771. Feby. 12. (Adams Papers)
At a Time, when the Barriers against Popery, erected by our Ancestors, are suffered to be destroyed, to the hazard even of the Protestant Religion: When the system of the civil Law which has for so many Ages and Centuries, been withstood by the People of England, is permitted to become fashionable: When so many Innovations are introduced, to the Injury of our Constitution of civil Government:...
183425William Short to John Jay, 29 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I make use of a private conveyance to London in order to send you the gazettes of France and Leyden to this date. You will recieve also at the same time the observations of Mr. Necker on the report of the committee of finance, the journals of the assembly, and a proposal of the Bishop of Autun for rendering uniform the standard of weights and measures. You will see that he proposes this...
183426Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
The two documents which follow are virtually all that have survived pertinent to Adams’ early law studies, except for accounts in his diary. Document I, a fragment entitled “Ld Cokes Sayings,” cannot be dated with certainty, but the content suggests that it is some kind of epitome made by Adams during his early reading of Coke on Littleton. Document II is Adams’ Commonplace Book, a compendium...
183427Saturday November 1. 1783. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with Mr. W. Vaughan to see the Paintings of Mr. Pine, and Mr. Copley, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Death of the Earl of Chatham, by Mr. Copley, is the most Remarkable of the Paintings We saw; it is very Beautiful. We went also to see Mrs. Wright’s waxwork. Dined at Mr. Bingham’s. Robert Edge Pine was born in London and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1784 with the intention of...
183428Gabriel Moore to James Madison, 28 February 1832 (Madison Papers)
At the request of my brother I have herewith enclosed you his letter, and would respectfully request, that, provided you possess any important information touching the subjects to which his letter refers, that you will be so kind as to intimate that information to me as well as my brother I have the honor to be Sir most respectfully Your obt. Servt. RC and enclosure (DLC) . Enclosure is...
183429From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 17 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency for the consideration of Congress, a Petition from a large number of Officers of the Army in behalf of them selves, and such other Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army as are entitled to rewards in lands, and may choose to avail them selves of any Previledges and Grants which shall be obtained in consequence of the present...
183430From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 9th Instant, and thank you for the reports made by General parsons & Captain Van Buren. With respect to the rank of the Officers in Colonel Lamb’s Regiment, I can give you no information. The divided state of the Corps has prevented an arrangement being made. I would advise you, as the only expedient for the present, to appoint a good board of...
183431To Thomas Jefferson from "A Lover of his Country," 10 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Excuse the Boldness of a Youth, who dares to write to the Chief Magistrate of his Country in the manner in which every Lover of America ought. Excuse me when I tell you I never had a good Opinion of You before I saw your inaugural Speech, then I entertained the most sanguine expectations, I should by your Means see this Country rise higher in Distinction & see you honoured, revered and beloved...
183432To James Madison from John Nicholas, 2 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I must beg the favor of you to hand the inclosed to the President. From the perusal of it you will find the universal temper of this country. For my own part I have set down war as inevitable. Great Britain discovers such a temper towards us and the injuries she does us are of so intolerable a kind that I have no doubt we must settle with her by war & it will certainly be folly to give her the...
183433Draft Articles on the Fisheries and Creditors, 28 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
That the Subjects of his Britannic Majesty and the People of the Said United States Shall continue to enjoy, unmolested, the Right to take Fish of every Kind, on the Grand Bank and on all the other Banks of Newfoundland: also in the Gulph of St Laurence, and in all other Places, where the Inhabitants of both Countries, used at any time heretofore to fish; and the Citizens of the Said United...
183434To George Washington from Richard Söderström, 12 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
The personal acquaintance which I had the honour to form with your Excellency some time ago will, I hope be sufficient apology for the liberty I presume to take, in introducing to your Excellency the right Honle Fred. von Walden Esqr. Captain in His Swedish Majesties Navy, who on his Tour to Virginia promises himself the honour of paying your Excellency a Visit. Any attention and Civilities...
183435From George Washington to Thomas Newton, 10 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d Ulto was handed to me by Capt. Justice who deld at my landing 35,962 Shingles agreeable to his receipt. Your letter of the 8th of August mentions that, by contract, payment was to be made for the shingles three months after the delivery of the first parcel, and in consequence thereof I did not make provision for the payment sooner, but as you have been disappointed in...
183436To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 12 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Wells, an American Gentleman, who has been here some time on claims from South America, informs me he will return to the United States in a few days—by him I have the further opportunity of informing you, that finding Mr. Cevallos considered himself as obliged to wait until he received Dispatches from the Colonial Officers of New Orleans before he could give a decisive answer to the...
183437From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 1 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed affidavit will inform you of the capture of the ship Jay, an American vessel, laden with flour &c. alledged to be American property, bound to Havre de grace, taken by the armed brig Orestes and carried into Plymouth. Though nothing is yet known of the further proceedings against her, yet I have thought it well, not to lose time, to inclose you the affidavit, and to desire that if...
183438To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [on or after 3 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu Par Mr Griffiths la lettre de mon cousin du 18 Septembre avec le livre que vous avez eu la bonté de m’énvoyér. J’en ferai un bon usage et je veux en apprendre plusieurs Morceaux me conseille de faire je vous envoye vôtre portrait fait de ma main d’après la gravure que vous m’avez envoyé la paix ne se fait pas et c’est ce qui me fait beaucoup de...
183439From Thomas Jefferson to John Strode, 25 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your kind favor of the 16th. yesterday only. I certainly always meant to claim the antient hospitality of you as I pass along. but when it became necessary to have horses & a servant posted on the road, where they might have to wait for me a week or weeks, my departure being so liable to be controuled by unexpected events, I could not possibly think of quartering them on you. for...
183440William W. Hening to Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you, to the care of M r Winn Mercht of Charlottesville , a few days past, two copies of the 10 th Vol of the Statutes at Large, for yourself, and the 9 th Vol. for the Univers i ty . — retaining the 10 th for the purpose of preserving uniformity in the binding. The three first volumes are now re-publishing in
183441To James Madison from William Jarvis, 20 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
The foregoing of the 26 Ulto. went by the ship James, Captn. Mc.Connell via Baltimore. Nothing of moment has since occurred that has any particular relation to this Country. Confidence is as compleatly restored as at any period since the War, if public paper is allowed here, as in all other Countries, to be any criterion. Public paper has for three or four weeks past been growing better &...
183442To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As the Ships of War now building in this and other Colonies for the Continental Service, will want Commanders, who will I conclude be appointed by Congress, I beg leave to mention to you a Capt. Fellows, late of Boston, who was bred to the Sea and is recommended as a very good Man for a Commander, and I have been desired to mention him to you. He appears to me to be a Man of activity and...
183443To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, 27 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si je n’étois pas obligé d’aller demain à Versailles, pour y rendre compte de ma mission, je me serois rendu chés vous dimanche prochain et c’eut été avec un vrai plaisir que je vous eusse renouvellé l’hommage de la vénération que je vous dois et de mon entier Dévoument. Je m’acquitterai de ce devoir Le plutôt qu’il me sera possible. Vous vous Doutés bien...
183444From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 13 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state presents his compliments to Mr. Hammond, and incloses him the draught of a letter to the President of the U.S. which he has prepared to accompany Mr. Hammond’s communication of the 11th. and letter of the 12th. The whole will probably be laid by the President before the legislature, and perhaps communicated to the public in order to let the merchants know that they need...
183445Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
As the outer letter may be to go into different hands I place in a separate one my thanks for your kind offer of the comfortable quarters of your house in the event of my acting as a Director of the public works. but at the age of 73. volunteer journies are out of the question. those to Bedford are of necessity. for them however I chuse my own time, am there with one or two nights only...
183446To Alexander Hamilton from Eli B. Clemson, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeable to a publication Issued by The secretary at War Which Reached me This day I accordingly Hasten to report Myself to your Honor Informing you I Await your Orders With Attention and Pleasure, if Expedient I could be on the Recruiting service in Lancaster Chester Or any of the adjoining counties I think I Could have vary good success your Honor will be pleased to direct your Letter or...
183447[Diary entry: 29 January 1773] (Washington Papers)
29. At home all day alone.
183448From Thomas Jefferson to Parmentier, 4 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
En vous avertissant, Monsieur, que j’ai deja reçu opposition au paiement du loyers de M. le comte de Langeac jusqu’à la concurrence d’environ vingt mille francs, je consente de recevoir, sous cachet, celle de votre client, le Sieur Bernard Kardt. N’etant pas dans le cas de decider sur l’effet de ces oppositions, je me propose de demander à son excellence Monsieur le comte de Monmorin la...
183449From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is possible you may have heard that in the course of the last summer an expedition was meditated by our Colo. Clarke against Detroit; that he had proceeded so far as to rendezvous a very large body of Indians (I beleive four or five thousand) at Saint-Vincennes; but being disappointed in the number of whites he expected, and not chusing to rely principally on the Indians, was obliged to...
183450To George Washington from Thomas Paine, 30 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
As censure is but awkwardly softened by apology, I shall offer you no apology for this letter. The eventful crisis to which your double politics have conducted the affairs of your country requires an investigation uncramped by ceremony. There was a time when the fame of America, moral and political, stood fair and high in the world. The lustre of her revolution extended itself to every...