1861From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley, 2 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
More precise information of the force invading the enemy enables us to dispense with the aid of your militia required by my Letter of Octo: 22, as we also do with that of all the other counties north of Rappahanock and the proprietary line. We have thought it best to countermand the militia of those counties because they are farthest from the present scene of invasion, and because this may...
1862Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 11 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am lately returned from the warm springs with my health entirely prostrated by the use of the waters. they produced an imposthume and eruptions which with the torment of the journey back reduced me to the last stage of weakness and exhaustion. I am getting better, but still obliged to lie night and day in the same reclined posture which renders writing painful. I cannot be at Poplar Forest...
1863From James Madison to John Shee, 13 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have lately Shipped to your care in the Schooner Caroline, John Hand Junr. Master, thirty one Boxes containing volumes of the laws of the United States, 2d. Session 9th. Congress, addressed to many of the Governors of the States and Territories. I pray you to forward them as opportunities may serve to their respective places of destination, paying the expenses from Philadelphia, which shall...
1864To Thomas Jefferson from George Slaughter, 13 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As the inclosed copy of the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed to examine into the conduct of Captain James Francis Moore purchasing Commissary for this department by which you will observe that I have not proved the charge against that Gentleman I have nothing to say in justification of my conduct more than that I had put too much confidence in the information whom I before thought...
1865Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 10 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several favors of Dec. 11. 19. & Jan. 2. have been duly recieved with the packets accompanying them, for which be pleased to accept my thanks, with those of the other members of my family to whom a part of them were addressed. I learn with much pleasure that your prospects of returning to France in the character you wish, afford grounds of hope. I sincerely wish they may be re l alised;...
1866To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, May 1793 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Augustine Washington, May 1793. GW wrote Anthony Whitting on 2 June that “Colo. Washington wrote to me a few days ago” to report that “one load of lime & two of Shells” had been delivered. For William Augustine Washington’s efforts to acquire oyster shells for his uncle, see his letter to GW of 14 May .
1867To Thomas Jefferson from William H. Cabell, 15 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure to enclose for your perusal, a copy of a letter this morning received from General Mathews, together with copies of certain other papers accompanying it, giving the latest intelligence from Norfolk—you will perceive that the British Vessels have left Hampton Roads, but it does not appear from any information afforded by the enclosed papers, that they have left our...
1868From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 1 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit for the information of Congress letters recently recieved from our Consuls at Gibraltar and Algiers , presenting the latest view of the state of our affairs with the Barbary powers. The sums due to the government of Algiers are now fully paid up: and, of the gratuity which had been promised to that of Tunis , and was in course of preparation, a small portion only remains still to be...
18691777 Feb. 16. (Adams Papers)
Last Evening I supped with my Friends Dr. Rush and Mr. Sergeant at Mrs. Page’s over the Bridge. The two Coll. Lees, Dr. Witherspoon, Mr. Adams, Mr. Gerry, Dr. Brownson, made the Company. They have a Fashion in this Town of reversing the Picture of King G. 3d, in such Families as have it. One of these Topsy Turvy Kings was hung up in the Room, where we supped, and under it were written these...
1870From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 4 October 1763 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 27th Ulto Captn McGachin who will do me the favour to deliver this, and who for several years past has commanded a Convict Ship into this River (a service neither consistent with his Inclinations or Health to persevere in) has expressed a desire of being recommended to the Command of the Ship which you have given us Reasons to expect into Potomack —A Request I do most readily...
1871Enclosure: Papers on Spain Received from Edmond Charles Genet, II, 21 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
II Proofs of the Machievelism of the Cabinet of Versailles. Extract of a letter of M. de Vergennes to the Chargé des affaires of France with the US. Versailles. July 21. 1783. ‘The future existence of the Congress presents important questions to discuss, and I foresee that it will be some time before they will be decided. I think as you do, that the preservation of the Congress would suit us;...
1872To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received quadruplicates and Triplicates of your favor of the 6th October; the First & Second not having yet reached me previous to the receipt of that letter, I had receivd two from Mr Pichon, covering letters to the Minister for Exterior Relations. In one of those he explains only Shortly the nature of his communications to the Minister: This was the first intimation that I had...
1873To James Madison from Jesse Atwater, 15 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 November 1811, New Haven. Mentions that “last summer” he understood from Barlow that JM had been informed of his desire for an appointment that would afford “a comfortable support.” Knowing how often the president is pressed by applicants, he proposes to give no further trouble on this occasion beyond soliciting the consulate in London if the vacancy is not already filled. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
1874From John Quincy Adams to John Adams Smith, 3 May 1820 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is to introduce to your acquaintance and to recommend to your kind attentions and good offices Dr. Charles Williamson of Milledgeville, a highly respectable Citizen of Georgia and a particular friend of Mr. Walker one of the Senators in Congress from that State—At his desire I am happy to have the opportunity of making Dr. Williamson known to those of my friends who may possess the...
1875To Benjamin Franklin from [Ferdinand Grand], [before 14 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This is the earliest document in a correspondence that stretches over six weeks and gives an example of the way Franklin handled a diplomatic crisis. Gustavus Conyngham was, once again, at the center of it. On May 31, his cutter, The Revenge , seized the Henrica Sophia , a Swedish ship laden with a Spanish cargo. The Swedish ambassador to Versailles, Count...
1876From James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 15 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I am just making a list of the papers in which the laws are to be published in each State. The Mirror of Wilmington is understood to be the proper choice for Delaware. Will you favor me with your opinion, wch. will be waited for, unless I should be obliged to anticipate it, which may perhaps be the case? I am led to suppose there can be little danger of erring by giving a preference to that...
1877To Thomas Jefferson from William Shippen, 17 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have known Major Penrose a long time—believe him to be a good republican—a man of considerable talents, a man of integrity & polite manners & think him qualified for the place he solicits. I am Dr. Sir with sentiment of Respect Your obed Servt DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
1878From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 29 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from you three letters of Mar. 9. 14. and 17. and written you two of the 10th. and 13th. In the last I mentioned to you that I should leave this place the 19th. but I have been drawn on from day to day by the hope of seeing the business on which I came settled on the basis of positive engagement: and the great object of the month of June appeared so sure that we were about...
1879To George Washington from John Sullivan, 20 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter is an answer to a Letter received from Baron Stubend inclosing the plan for forming the society of Cincinnati. since writing the inclosed I have had the pleasure of being informed that your Excellency, has honored the society by becoming The president, I therefore take the Liberty of forwarding to your Excellency my answer for your perusal and should be happy in receiving...
1880John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the Analysis of Dupuis with my thanks for the loan of it. It is but a faint Miniature of the original. I have read that original in twelve Volumes, besides a 13 th of plates . I have been a Lover and a Reader of Romances all my Life. From Don Quixotte and Gill Blas to the Scottish Chiefs and an hundred others. For the last year or two I have devoted myself to this kind of Study: and...
1881From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 April 1806 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of March 30th I received last Evening. The Subject of it is of great importance I have been absent from my Country and my home for So great a part of the last two and thirty Years, that I have never had an opportunity to be intimately Acquainted with the Affairs of the University or the Characters of the Gentlemen who have the immediate or mediate Government of it. This I have seen...
1882From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, [22 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 22, 1792. On September 10, 1792, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I found on my return from a visit … your letter of the 22d. Ult.” Letter not found. ] From 1792 to 1794 Lee was governor of Virginia.
1883George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 28 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1779 . Recommends that Clinton encourage the Onondagas to capture either Colonel Walter Butler or Joseph Brant. Hopes that Clinton is ready to cooperate with Major General John Sullivan. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1884From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 17 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the last post from the southward I received your letters of the 17th and 24th of April, with their enclosures. In a letter of the 7th of May, which I wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury from Charleston, I expressed my approbation of what he informed me had been determined by the Vice-President and Heads of Departments, relative to Mr Short’s negociation at Amsterdam, and the further...
188534. A Bill Declaring Bills of Credit to Be Equal to Gold and Silver Coin of the Same Denominations, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the bills of credit emitted by the American Congress, so long as they continue current by the same authority, and the like bills emitted by act of General Assembly, may be paid in discharge of all demands due in money, every four pence, contained in the denominations of the said bills, being computed equal to three pence of sterling money, or of the...
1886From George Washington to John Wells, 13 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
It being a Matter of Importance that the Works erected at Portsmouth by the Enemy—should be destroyed—I have to request that you will immediately upon Receipt of this assemble the Militia in your Vicinity to effect that Purpose—let them be compleatly levelled & demolished—that no further Use may be made of them—I am &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1887From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 24 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Aug. 24. 1825. wrote to B. Peyton for the under written articles [the following not in TJ’s hand] : One full sized silver catheter. Two or three full sized elastic gum catheters. MHi .
1888General Orders, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Muhlenberg’s orderly book gives the following general for this date: “Detail the same as Yesterday, only Hartley’s, Humpton’s, Maxwell’s, Conway’s, Carolina’s and Huntingdon’s Brigades furnish Captains, instead of those which furnish’d them Yesterday. “Mislaid or taken from the Artillery Park on the 8th Inst, a Genteel Silver mounted sword, shell of openwork and...
1889John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 January 1804 (Adams Papers)
We have this day a sort of Holiday, to rejoyce for the acquisition of our new Territories— The Members of Congress of both Houses are to dine together— [The] federalists who opposed the cession however do not join in the party— Those of us who approved the measure, are to be of the feast—where we at least shall find not much congeniality. You will find in the inclosed papers numerous and very...
1890From George Washington to John Ariss, 8 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 5th, I have to inform you that I have no untenanted Lands in the Counties of Berkley or Frederick, except two lotts Nos. 5 & 6—the first containing 346½ acres, & the 2d—224½—in the latter, which I bought at the Sale of Colo. George Mercers Estate, in the year 1774—& for which I have had many persons applying to become Tenants. My intention was, after I had...