183481Enclosure I: Rule Prescribed to Hostile Vessels, 20 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
When any vessel, whether of war or merchandize, public or private, belonging to any belligerent nation, shall depart from the United States, beyond the jurisdictional line of the United States, on the Ocean; and a vessel of war whether public or private, belonging to another of the belligerent nations, being adverse, shall at the time of the departure of the first mentioned vessel, be within...
183482Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
Using the French manuscript that he received from the author in 1809, Jefferson undertook to see into print an English edition of Destutt de Tracy’s commentary on Montesquieu’s Esprit des Lois . He recruited Philadelphia printer and journalist William Duane for the task with the letter and sample translations printed below. Duane engaged his own translator, even for the portions Jefferson had...
183483Editorial Note: To the Senate: Interim Appointments, 6 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson wrote his son-in-law, John Wayles Eppes, on 1 Jan. 1802 that although Republicans held an 18 to 14 majority in the Senate, through absences “hitherto we have been so nearly equal there, that I have not ventured to send in my nominations, lest they should be able to dismast the administration.” Meanwhile, the president was giving thought to the arrangement of the list of more than 120...
183484From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 22 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am excessively hurried, being every Hour that I am awake either abroad to speak with Members of Parliament or taken up with People coming to me at home, concerning our American Affairs, so that I am much behind-hand in answering my Friends Letters. But tho’ I cannot by this Opportunity write to others, I must not omit a Line to you who kindly write me so many. I...
183485Passages for Priestley’s History of Electricity, [1766] (Franklin Papers)
Drafts: American Philosophical Society As other documents in this volume show, Franklin was one of several friends who read sections of Joseph Priestley’s History of Electricity while it was in preparation during 1766, offered information and suggestions, and on occasion submitted revised or expanded phraseology at various points. Among Franklin’s surviving papers are two sheets containing...
183486Editorial Note: Conference with Little Turtle (Jefferson Papers)
In the spring of 1801, the Miami Indian leader Little Turtle expressed an intention to travel from his home on the Wabash River to see the new president of the United States in Washington. Little Turtle’s interpreter and son-in-law, William Wells, apparently knew Meriwether Lewis, who had served with the army on the frontier, and Wells informed Lewis of the intended visit. “Our friend the...
183487To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 25 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I did myself the Honour of writing to you, on the 12th. of December and inclosed you, a Copy of my Journal and Transactions, with the several Western Nations of Indians, that I met with, in my Tour to and from the Ilinois Country; Since which I have had the Pleasure of hearing, that his Majesty’s Troops have obtained,...
183488To Benjamin Franklin from George Maddison, [1766–1773]6 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society G. Maddison called to acquaint Dr. Franklin that the Packets for America do not go from the Gen. Post Office till Saturday night. George Maddison (1747–1783) had been brought into the Foreign Office of the Post Office by 1765 by his uncle, Anthony Todd, secretary of the Post Office. In 1773 Maddison entered the diplomatic service and was posted to the Hague,...
183489Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
While drafting his 10 Jan. 1816 response to Horatio G. Spafford’s letter of 25 Dec. 1815 , Jefferson digressed from comments on Spafford ’s enclosed manuscript to what he here describes to Thomas Ritchie as a “tirade” on a religious publication sent to him by Benjamin Waterhouse on 14 Dec. 1815 . The work in question, Lyman Beecher ’s pamphlet On the Importance of Assisting Young Men of Piety...
183490Editorial Note: The Judicial Appointment of Joseph Anderson (Jefferson Papers)
Joseph Inslee Anderson’s first appointment to civil office initiated a long career on the bench, in the Senate, and in the federal administration. But it brought anxiety and embarrassment to the candidate, disturbed his political sponsors, and, for the first time, obliged the President to confront the question whether he should withhold a commission even after the Senate had confirmed his...
183491Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
While the affair of John Hancock’s Liberty (No. 46 ) drew public attention, a steady flow of other cases of illicit importation kept merchants, customs officers, and lawyers busy. On 6 September 1768, Joseph Dowse, surveyor and searcher of the customs for the port of Salem and Marblehead, seized thirty-three hogsheads and four tierces of molasses which had allegedly been landed in Gloucester...
183492Deed to Penn’s Hill and "Atherton’s Pasture", 23 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
KNOW all Men by these Presents, That I John Adams of Quincy in the County of Norfolk Esquire in Consideration of The natural Love and affection I bear to my Son John paid by Quincy Adams of Quincy aforesaid Esquire the Receipt whereof do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said John Quincy Adams of Tract of Land Situated on the Rise of Penns hill in Said Quincy...
183493Editorial Note: Jefferson’s Questions and Observations on the Application of France (Jefferson Papers)
The four documents printed below illuminate an obscure episode in the Secretary of State’s continuing political contest with his great antagonist in the Treasury Department. As Republican critics in the National Gazette and the House of Representatives mounted their assault on Alexander Hamilton’s management of public finances, this chapter in Jefferson’s conflict with the Treasury Secretary...
183494Jefferson’s Letters to David Williams: Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
Joel Barlow introduced David Williams to James Monroe “as an old friend of Dr. Franklin.” On 20 Sep., Monroe informed the president that he was forwarding Williams’s 1802 London publication, Claims of Literature: The Origin, Motives, Objects, and Transactions of the Society for the Establishment of A Literary Fund . Monroe agreed to present any response Jefferson wished to make to the author....
183495John Jay Wins Reelection as Governor in 1798: Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
By late 1797 the Republicans were mobilizing to build on their rising electoral strength in New York City and the opposition to the Jay Treaty to challenge Jay’s reelection for governor and replace him with his former longtime friend turned Republican opponent, Robert R. Livingston. As Federalist physician and author Elihu Hubbard Smith reported to Senator Uriah Tracy of Connecticut on 29 Nov....
183496To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 4 March 1817 (Madison Papers)
Give me leave to Congratulate you on the success of your Administration, and to accept of my best wishes for your present & futer Happiness, being well persuaded you retire from the cares of State with the full approbation of your own consience. Presumeing you may have some moments of lieusure, let me draw your attention to a class of men who have supported the measures of Goverment dureing 10...
183497II. Extract and Commentary Printed in the Paris Moniteur, [25 January 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
Notre état politique a prodigieusement changé depuis que vous nous avez quitté. Au lieu de ce noble amour de la liberté et de ce gouvernement républicain, qui nous ont fait passer triomphans à travers les dangers de la guerre, un parti anglicain-monarchico-aristocratique s’est élevé. Son objet avoué est de nous imposer la substance, comme il nous a déjà donné les formes du gouvernement...
183498Petition from Henry Roberts, 22 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Henry Roberts Humbly Sheweth. that your Petitioner was formerly a Soldier in the Virginia, line, in the third regment of Dragoons Commanded by Colonels George Baylor and William Washington, which the muster roles of the fourth troop of said Regment will testify. your Petitioner further Sheweth that at the Close of the late war he went to the City of Philadelphia where he...
183499Joint Commission to Negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Great Britain, 12 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
To all to whom these presents shall come or be made known—Send Greeting— Whereas an intercourse between the Subjects of His Britannic Majesty and the Citizens of the United States of America founded on the principles of equality, reciprocity and friendship may be of mutual advantage to both Nations— Now therefore Know Ye that we reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence...
183500To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 13 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Mr. Sherwood was not removed for any offence he had given, but by the Management of the East Jersey Proprietors in the Council, who have long wanted to have the Agent they employ appointed Provincial Agent. They took Advantage of Sherwood’s Letters about the Stamp Act, which were very short and trivial, and produced some of Mr. Wilmot’s which...
183501To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 1 September 1822 (Madison Papers)
“Nulla dies sine linea.” Upwards of seven years have elapsed, since you had plunged the United States into flagranti bello: and, as you were the Author of that War, & responsible for the consequences, mediate and immediate; you will pardon me, for the feeble attempt, I shall make, in the narrow compass of a Letter to remind you of a few of the probable consequences all which and many more were...
183502Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
While John Adams was concluding his long series of replies to William Brattle on the independence of the judges, he was engaged with others in a more direct effort to assert in the winter of 1773 the rights of the province. He played a vital part in framing the response of the House of Representatives to two messages sent down to the General Court by Gov. Thomas Hutchinson, and his efforts...
183503To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 20 November 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am scarce forgiven by Lady Fawkener for not bringing you down with me to this place. She bids me say that she had flattered her with the hopes of seing you here. I have told her of your promise to come at Xmass and if you don’t keep your word I shall be ruined. You was so good to say that you would forward the enclosed for me. Pray be so good you will...
183504Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Throughout the first half of 1794, John Adams made a concerted effort to instruct his son Charles, and to a lesser extent Thomas Boylston and John Quincy, on the subjects of equality, especially “natural equality,” and the laws of nature and of nations. John believed that his own understanding of natural equality had been best expressed in the first article of the Declaration of Rights...
183505John Jay’s Role in the New York–Massachusetts Western Lands Dispute Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Although a committed nationalist, Jay served equally the interests of his native state. As a delegate from New York in Congress, he had in earlier years pressed his state’s case against Vermont. He was also experienced in the settlement of interstate boundaries, as a young man having served as secretary to the New York-New Jersey Boundary Commission in the colonial period. Now back in Congress...
183506To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Hope, [June? 1766] (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library We humbly ask your pardon for not waiting on you ourselves, if it had been possible for either of us, it would not have been ommitted; That however we may enjoy the happiness of your agreable Company, we kindly begg the favour of Seing you att dinner to morrow, your cordiall acceptance will very much oblige Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servants...
183507Enclosure: Remarks A, 11 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Register in the Arrangement of Salaries has been governd by the following Principals. 1st. He has endeavoured to compensate those from whose Abilities he has derived the greatest Assistance, and from whose Characters the same might be made with general Approbation. 2. To employ as many Clerks beyond the number estimated for as the Fund appropriated for their payment (consistent with the...
183508Enclosure: Army Appointments, 9 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
List of Appointments in the Army of the United States during the last recess of Congress. Hannibal M Allen of Vermont 2d Lieut. of Artillery to take rank from the 27th June 1804. James S Smith of New Jersey 2d Lieut. of Artillery to take rank from the 27th June 1804. Joseph Kimball of New Hampshire 2d Lieut of Artillery to take rank from the 27th June 1804. John Brownson of Vermont Ensign 1st...
183509To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 13 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 January 1813, New York. Writes JM “in behalf of Aliens.” Recounts an episode in which [Barent] Gardenier “was sued by a female alien servent for wagers [ sic ] amounting to 35$,” which he refused to pay. Relates another example of Federalist mistreatment of aliens, in which “A respectable Englishman” became intoxicated and consequently unguarded in his speech and accused Washington of being...
183510John Jay and the Founding of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America: Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Like many of the Huguenot families who came to America, the Jays joined the Church of England. Augustus Jay and Peter Jay were both vestrymen of Trinity Church. Peter Jay was an intimate friend of the Reverend Samuel Johnson, a leading figure in the clergy of the northern colonies and the first President of King’s College. Despite his affection for Johnson, Peter Jay had taken a firm stand in...
183511To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 26 April 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure of writing thee, on the 25th. Ulto, since when We have not had the satisfaction of receiving any of thy Favours. Various have been the Reports spread through the Continent, respecting the Repeal of the Stamp-Act; and as often as they arrived sometimes in favour and other times against Us, we were acted upon, by our Fears, and different...
183512To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 1 May 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society In mine of the Third of March, Via Belfast, by Captain Henderson, I told you Mrs. Franklin had of me Fifty Pounds, for the Purchase of a Bill from Mrs. Stevens. On the 18th of February One Hundred Pounds, towards paying for the Purchase of the Lot; and that on the Tenth of March I was to give her One Hundred Pounds more, for the last mentioned...
183513The Vermont Lands Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
The petition printed below documents John Jay’s unsuccessful attempt to speculate in land in the disputed “Hampshire Grants” in what became the state of Vermont. Confusion over land titles in this area arose from a boundary dispute between New Hampshire and New York and was compounded by the eagerness of royal officials in the two provinces to grant patents, by which they earned fees and...
183514“N.N.”: On the Tenure of the Manor of East Greenwich, 6 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , January 11, 1766. This letter was the first of two that Goddard reprinted in the Pennsylvania Chronicle , March 2–9, 1767, the authorship of which William Franklin later also attributed to his father. It is part of his newspaper controversy with “Vindex Patriae” and the second in the series that he signed “N.N.” His opponent’s first letter,...
183515Introductory Note: To Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 10 April 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The contents of this letter can best be understood in the context of Hamilton’s “Report on a Plan for the Further Support of Public Credit,” January 16, 1795 . Congress considered Hamilton’s proposals in February, 1795, and in the following month enacted “An Act making further provision for the support of Public Credit, and for the redemption of the Public Debt.” In this letter Hamilton is...
183516To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 12 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [As it] is verey Cold I did not go ought to day so was a writeing a letter to our Sister Janey in anser to one I had wrote to her sense the deth of her husband I Cante helpe thinking the more trials shee do meet with the more shee shines I pray god to bless and kep her. So this minit or with in this ower the poste Come in and the packit is arived and I have...
183517To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 1 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
I belong to the American Army and with the ardent feelings of the soldier I join a devout solicitude for my Countrys Interest and glory, while with Spartan disinterestedness I take the liberty of hinting to your superior judgment the outlines of a plan to reduce the Canades in one campaign, & thereby retrieve the waining honor of our Arms, I entreat you Sir, not to deem it disrespectful in me...
183518Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
An opinion that it will conduce as well to the public convenience, as to that of your Office, has induced me to direct, that the Monies you may receive after this letter shall get to hand, be remitted from time to time, and untill further orders to the Bank of North America established in Philadelphia there to be passed to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States. It will be necessary...
183519From George Washington to the Great Dismal Swamp (Washington Papers)
E ditorial note . The following entry, recording details of GW’s visit to the Dismal Swamp, appears faintly in pencil on the front of the 1763 diary and is repeated, in ink, in the diary for 1764. Variations between the two texts are minor. Although the entry is dated 15 Oct., it covers his first visit to the swamp in May, while he was attending meetings of the General Assembly in...
183520Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
The Prussian-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce was concluded on 10 September 1785. But negotiations began on 10 November 1784 when the American commissioners submitted a draft treaty to the Baron von Thulemeier, Prussian minister at The Hague, and were, for all intents and purposes, completed on 14 March 1785 when the commissioners sent their response to Prussian proposals for alterations...
183521Memorandum from Tench Coxe, 3 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Regulations of Navigation by the Government of the United States. It has been suggested, that the United States would form a more principled, stable and safe commercial system, by taking measures for a perfect freedom and equality of commerce between them and any considerable foreign nation, which would be willing to reciprocate the same— This reciprocity to extend to all the dominions of the...
183522Notes on Navy Appropriations for 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
6. frigates & 1. schooner in commission including repairs & contingencies } 476,874.86 7. frigates in ordinary (includ. rep. & conting.) 100,042.34. half pay to officers not in service 14,136. Genl. contingencies ( exclusive of those for vessels) viz. store rent, commissions, freight, travelg. exp. of officers. } 40,000 631,053.20 Stores, military & naval ordnance 15,000. 74. gun ships...
183523John Quincy Adams, Receipt, 29 November 1825 (Adams Papers)
Recd on board the schooner Velocity Luther Hammond master for Washington City. a Boston directed His Excellency President Adams, which I promise to deliver him on his order freight being paid here by shipper Ward Nichs Boylston $1.00 A C Lombard Recd for a Box of Raspberry Cand iece Sent. President Adams—29’ Novr 1825—$1 MHi : Boylston Family Papers.
183524To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
At a time like the present when my life & Property, as well as that of Millions of the inhabitants of the U S—is in Danger we ought not to be refused the priveledge of addressing our Complaints to our political Head & Father. I shall therefore proceed to make known to you the Distresses & Sentiments & Wishes of the People of this Section of our Country. Every Town on the Seaboard & on the...
183525Introductory Note: To Robert Morris, [18 March 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter is the first in a protracted—although one-sided—correspondence, which lasted even beyond Robert Morris’s imprisonment for debt on February 16, 1798. Aside from this letter to Morris, all the other letters in this group were written by Morris to Hamilton. Morris’s letters consist almost entirely of discussions of his tangled, multitudinous, and complex financial problems, which in...
183526Monticello and Montpelier, [15 August 1820] (Madison Papers)
You request me to give you some account of my late excursion to Virginia. I comply with the request, but am sorry to observe, that the time occupied in making it was too short to enable me to take those views of the country through which I passed that are necessary to render any description pleasing or satisfactory. The observations, however, I had the power to make, in my rapid journey, I...
183527Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence to Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, 20 September 1766 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress By this opportunity we acknowledge the Receipt of a Letter of the 10th. May from Richard Jackson Esqr. and of another of the 10th. of June, from Docr. Franklin, inclosing two Acts of Parliament, pass’d the last Session, relating to the Trade of America, which we have laid before the Assembly. The House upon considering the “Act for Repealing certain Duties in the...
183528To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of Mr Pinckney’s letter of the 21st of July from Madrid. No key has yet been found, or rather none exists here, to decypher his figures. On Saturday a packet arrived from Mr Bayard containing one of the spoliation cases decided by the High Court of Appeals—on principles extremely unfavourable. I sent the whole immediately to Mr Fitzsimons for the...
183529Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
British impressment of American seamen, a grievance normally associated with the War of 1812, actually antedated even the Revolution, as the present case shows. Early in the morning of Saturday, 22 April 1769, H.M. Frigate Rose, patrolling on the high seas off Marblehead, intercepted and stopped the brig Pitt Packet (Thomas Power master), owned by Robert “King” Hooper, manned with a crew of...
183530From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 27 September 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Salem County Historical Society, Salem, N.J. I have before me your Favours of May 1. and July 12. and thank you for the Readiness with which you have supplied Mrs. Franklin from time to time. Here is a dead Calm of Politicks at present, the Publick being tired with the Invectives against Lord Chatham, and no fresh Game started for the political Beagles to hunt down; and probably none...