1891From 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...
1892To George Washington from Colonel John Glover, 15 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
This will aquaint you, the two Vsells that the Captains Broughton, & Selmon, are to Command, are ready to tack the troops on board, the formers, for the Cannon and Swevil Cartridges, I have Sent to Coln. Burbank. Would it not be best, that every man, be furnisht with a Spear, or Cutlash, & a pare of Pistles, if to be had, as Guns is Very unhandy in boarding. I have Procuerd Provissions for the...
1893From James Madison to John Rodgers, 28 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have received and laid before the President your narrative dated June 1802; of the outrages committed on you in St. Domingo, under the administration of that Island. The proper use will be made of the facts stated in this document, to support the remonstrances to the French Republic, and to urge the satisfaction due from it to the United States, and which ought equally to flow from its own...
1894To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Pinckney, 6 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you some days since by the Express which carried our Votes & informed You of the necessity there was for my remaining sometime longer here to use my Exertions & those of my friends to fix the republican interest out of the reach of any future federal attack—that the Exertions of the Federalists had been so uncommonly great in the late Election, as to give serious apprehensions to our...
1895Abigail Adams to John Adams, 11 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Two days only are wanting to campleat six years since my dearest Friend first crost the Atlantick. But three months of the Six Years have been Spent in America. The airy delusive phantom Hope, how has she eluded my prospects. And my expectations of your return from month to month, have vanished “like the baseless Fabrick of a vision.” You invite me to you, you call me to follow you, the most...
1896From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston, 19 September 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have long meditated to write you a Line. You are giving annual Bounties, for Medical Essays which Nobody reads; No Body thanks you; Nobody learns any Thing from all your Care and expence. Let me advise you to alter your Plan. Offer Premiums or Premia, for Dissertations on natural History. Not at large, for that Subject is infinite. But upon the Civilization, the Policy, the Legislation and...
1897Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, [5 November] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Extract (Virginia State Library). This six-line plea, probably in the hand of Jefferson’s clerk, is entitled, “Extract of a Lre from the Virga Delegates in Congress to his Excellency the Governour dated at Phila: Nov. 5. 1780.” The letter from which this excerpt was taken is lost, but it was probably from the pen of Theodorick Bland. His financial distress appeared to exceed that of his fellow...
1898[Diary entry: 15 April 1772] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear, Calm, & Warm in the Forenoon, but Cloudy afterwds. with the Wind variable.
1899To Thomas Jefferson from Eleuthère Irenée Du Pont, 3 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Je suis chargé par mon Pere de vous faire parvenir la lettre ci incluse, veuillez me permettre de saisir cette occasion de vous presenter mon respectueuse hommage et de vous assurer du profond respect avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d’etre, Monsieur, Votre très humble et très obeïssant Serviteur MHi : Coolidge Collection.
1900From Alexander Hamilton to Major Nicholas Fish, [March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that for want of a person to send them with, I have been obliged to detain your horses till now. The articles I shall want from Duychinks are: four pint decanters if to be had, if not two Quart do. a dozen wine glasses two ale-glasses to hold about a pint each, if not to be had, two tumblers. You will oblige me by procuring these articles as soon as possible, having them carefully...
1901[Diary entry: 8 October 1770] (Washington Papers)
8. My Servant being unable to Travel I left him at Pritchards with Doctr. Craik & proceedd. myself with Vale. Crawford to Colo. Cresaps in ordr. to learn from him (being just arrivd from England) the particulars of the Grant said to be lately sold to Walpole & others, for a certain Tract of Country on the Ohio. The distance from Pritchards to Cresaps according to Computation is 26 Miles, thus...
1902To Thomas Jefferson from William Barnwell, 20 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very liberal offer of Executive Patronage to our Philosophical Society encourages me again to address you . Doctor Wistar by whose advice this is wrote, has lately informed me that Doctor Beach is about to resign his appointment at New-Orleans these and similar considerations have induced me again to offer my Professional Service in that Place. I have long wished for an opportunity to...
1903To John Adams from Francis Dana, 31 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive your very obliging favour of the 10 th: inst: till yesterday, when I returned from the eastern Circuit. I have heard that the Judicial bill has been passed in the Senate without any alterations respecting the general plan of the judicial system. But you seem to think great changes may be made in it in the house of Representatives—that the district Judges may be annihilated...
1904From James Madison to Anthony Morris, 14 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
To the Depôts where prisoners of war are to be provided for & exchanged, is the Island of Bermuda; for which a Commissary is about to be appointed. His allowance is not fixed on, but will be not less than at the rate of $2000 per annum. A Cartel in which he will have a passage will be dispatched in about 10 days, and will probably proceed from the Delaware. If the charge should coincide with...
1905To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 12 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Albert Gallatin. 12 December 1805, treasury Department. “I have the honor to enclose an extract of a letter from James Brown Esqr. the Agent of the United States at New Orleans in relation to Land Claims. As the Intendant and other Spanish Officers may, in consequence of the late orders, be expected to leave the Territory in a very short time, permit me to suggest the propriety of...
1906To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas McKean, 20 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. instant did not come to hand until last Saturday night; I had written a long answer, and detailed my intended operations in case of a certain unfortunate event in the decision of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Engaged in this work a little before eleven this forenoon our Express arrived from Washington with letters from my friends, announcing the glorious...
1907Thomas Eston Randolph to Thomas Jefferson, 27 September 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I certainly cannot withdraw from Shadwell Mill at the end of this year without loss, because I have paid considerable sums for repairs, and to render the place more comfortable, under the expectation of holding the premises five years—which would have been unnecessary, had I withdrawn last June— If however I can procure a Tenant who will be agreable to you, and will release me from my...
1908Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 5 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have not seen your Letter to Sister Cranch as yet, and cannot tell how you like your present Situation—the People—their Language— nor their manners. But I suppose all “is sweet” now the dear chosen Partner is by. I think I will not allow Cousin Nabby to be a proper Judge. She will pardon me I hope. She views things through an unpleasing medium—she neither feels, nor wishes to be interested...
1909From John Adams to Francis Dana, 30 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of 19. I have your Form of the Constitution and Some News Papers, none later than those you have. These I shall send by the first private opportunity. I forwarded your Letters by the last Post or two. The Constitution will probably be accepted, at least that is the opinion of all the Americans here. Last night I had an Account of Mr. Stephens’s Letter to Lloyds Coffee...
1910From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 15 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your’s with the returns enclosed. I have desired General Schuyler to forward to West Point with all possible dispatch, the boats that are at present fit for Service. Immediately upon their arrival at your post, I wish you to have them safely moored in some convenient Cove, and Guarded in such a manner, as will effectually prevent any person from useing them (or the oars, plank &c....
1911[Diary entry: 30 October 1798] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning clear & Cold Mer. 27. Wind Southerly & fresh all day afterwards. At Night M. 37.
1912From Thomas Jefferson to Catesby Jones, 8 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The impracticability of giving special answers to the numerous enquiries of the charater of your favor of Nov. 27. obliges me to refer them for answers to an advertisement which will be put into the public papers the moment of the arrival of the professors we have engaged from England. one is arrived, and the rest are known to have sailed in a ship the Competitor from London bound to Norfolk...
1913From Thomas Jefferson to Joel Barlow, 25 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Dr. Maese’s letter which a pressure of business has occasioned me to keep too long. I think an account of the manufactures of Philadelphia would be really useful, and that the manufactures of other places should be added from time to time as information of them should be recieved. to give a perfect view of the whole would require a report from every county or township of the US....
1914To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hawkins, 3 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you herewith the notes I informed you I had taken of the recent debate in the Senate. When you have read them I request that they may be returned; yet, if you judge proper, you may previously show them to the President. I have paid on my part that attention to the subject in question that its importance deserves, without being able to form an opinion perfectly satisfactory to myself....
1915John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Was you ever acquainted with Dugald Stuart —before I left France I received a letter from Benjamin Vaughn Esq re in London — Introducing , and recommending in strong terms two gentlemen from Scotland , one by the name of Dugald Stuart and the other Lord —— whose name and title I forget—as young gentlemen of great talents and attainments sufficient to diminish our American prejudices against...
1916From Alexander Hamilton to William J. Vredenburgh, [February 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Willliam J. Vredenburgh Esq. To Alexander Hamilton Dr For my services as Counsel at Albany } Dollars ⅌ account heretofore rendered 75 Mr. Hamilton presents his compliments to Mr. Vredenburgh & requests the payment of the above. ⟨He will recall that⟩ Mr. Hamilton with Mr. Pendleton, argued his cause at Albany. The argument was successful. The amount was considerable. The points were nice. The...
1917To George Washington from Samuel Vaughan, 28 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
It is with pleasure I take up my pen to renew an acquaintance with an Illustrious Character I have ever respected & admired, and to introduce to You my Son Benjamens amiable family who are embarking in the Ocean Capt. Howard for New York. My amiable Daughter in Law & seven Children are accompanied by my Daughter Sarah and the Revd Mr Merrick, a worthy & respectable character, who has resided...
1918[Diary entry: 15 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday—15th. Repaired to the State Ho. at the hour appointed. No more States represented, tho’ there were members (but not sufficient to form a quoram) from two or three others—viz. No. Carolina, & Delaware as also Jersey. Govr. Randolph of Virginia came in to day. Dined with the Society of the Cincinnati.
1919To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 23 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
More trouble hangs over the Camp The President last night, indulged The Secretary of War, by consenting to the arrest of Major General Wilkinson—The Court martial is detailed, and dispatches with an official arrest were this morning, sent off from the War office, to the Army of the North—somebody must be sacrificed to cover the blunders of the War— Yours respectfully, MHi : Adams Papers.
1920From John Adams to Ezra Stiles, 4 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
Last night, I received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the thirteenth of September, informing me of the Honour that has been done me by the University over which you so worthily preside. If this honorary Degree, is as you inform me, to be considered as a token of Affection and Esteem, I shall certainly hold it among the most precious of Things; since nothing can ever be more...
1921From Thomas Jefferson to United States House of Representatives, 4 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Sundry letters relative to Hamet Caramalli, in addition to the Documents which accompanied my message of Jan. 13. having been sent to the Senate on their particular request, the same are now transmitted to the House of Representatives also, as the same subject is before them. DNA : RG 233—LRHR—Legislative Records of the House of Representatives.
1922To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not one Word from you yet: No Packet since the December one arrived: But your Friends happily heard of your Arrival in England, by an Article of News brought by a Vessel to New York from Ireland. Otherwise, we should all have been in Pain and Distress about you till this Day: that News arrived 14 Days ago: I wrote you twice or thrice since your Departure...
1923To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Munroe, 9 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have perused and considered the inclosed representation of James M. Lingan, the original proprietor of the Ground within an open space in front of Square No. 78 in the City of Washington bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, 20th. Street west and I. Street north, as also the enclosed three Letters from a Committee of the Citizens and House holders in that part of the City which lies west of the...
1924From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 76, 1 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 1 June 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 82–85). printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:747–749. In this letter, read in Congress on 15 Sept., John Adams included the text of resolutions adopted on 11 May at a meeting of the citizens of Dublin. The resolutions...
1925On Amplification, 17 June 1736 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , June 17, 1736. Amplification, or the Art of saying Little in Much , seems to be principally studied by the Gentlemen Retainers to the Law. ’Tis highly useful when they are to speak at the Bar; for by its Help, they talk a great while, and appear to say a great deal, when they have really very little to say. But ’tis principally us’d in Deeds and every...
1926[Diary entry: 12 August 1772] (Washington Papers)
12. After Breakfast the Gentlemen went away. Mrs. Cox continued, & I rid to my Ditchers at the Mill.
1927From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 5 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter of the 10th Ulto I inform’d you of a purchase I had in contemplation. I have now made it, & have drawn the following Bills upon you, which please to pay & place to the Acct of Mr Custis, for whose benefit the Lands are bought —viz. To Peyton Randolph John Page & Charles Carter Esqrs. £3679.5 4th Decr 1773. To Edwd Charlton 350 Do Do Do To Benjn Walker Esqr. 100 3 Do Do Ditto...
1928From George Washington to James Athill, 4 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive by Captn Evelett, in the Brig Philanthropist, your very polite and obliging favor of the 21st of July—accompanying five Sheep, and a number of Exotic Plants: of which the Captain appears to have been carefull, although a number of the latter have died. Those which have survived look lively, & probably will do well, as all possible care shall be taken of them. This...
1929To James Madison from Peder Pedersen, 3 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 December 1804, Philadelphia. “By the Ship Hardware Capt. Wataik [Matlock] who arrived at the 30th ulto. at New York is come a Four wheels Couch and couch Harness marked and numbered as in the margin ordred by me and shipped for my account, permit me therefore on this occasion to request of you Sir, the favor to procure a permit for the landing of said Couch and Harness at New York, that I...
1930Report from John Lenthall, 7 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Amount of the Rough stone work to the South wing of The Capitol from April 30th to May 7th 1803 Foundations of 13 Piers up to the offset. } 2350 } Perches 173 to which the Walls were pulled down Work done above the offset on the West } 1933 Front including the Voids of the Arches as solid work for B H Latrobe Surveyor MS ( DLC ); in Lenthall’s hand and signed by him; addressed: “Prest....
1931Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
My time has been so occupied between going to Boston to get my dinner and coming back to Quincy again, that I have written to you but once since my arrival. I should have considered these frequent visits as time lost to improvement, but that they have enabled me to attend the Session of the Supreme Court, which commenced on the 19 th: ult o. . Having now complied with all the necessary forms...
1932From James Madison to James Monroe, [ca. 1 April] 1813 (Madison Papers)
The views with which the U.S. entered into the war, necessarily dispose them to a just peace. The promptitude with which the mediation of H.I.M. was accepted and the purpose of sending ministers to St.P. without waiting for the determination of G.B. is proof of this disposition. An armistice as sparing an effusion of blood, & as contemplating an auspicious result to the mediation, can not...
1933To John Adams from Thomas Mifflin, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
In the year 1791, the Legislature of Pennsylvania directed a House to be built, for the accommodation of the President of the United States, and empowered the Governor to lease the premises. As the building will be completed in the course of a few weeks, permit me to tender it for your accommodation; and to inform you, that, although I regret the necessity of making any stipulation, on the...
1934From James Madison to Jonathan Barry, 24 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have just received a Letter from the Wife of William Bassett, whose case was committed to this Department in yours of the 12th. of August last, requesting that an application might be made to the proper authority at Cayenne, for the person of her Husband, the said William Bassett, in order to his being sent to the United States, to be tried for the offence with which he stands charged, by a...
1935To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 4 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of 19. ulto. I rejoice that my affr. with M. is settled, since being a youth of good heart pushed on by others, I had no wish to injure him, and was satisfied he had none to injure me. In no view cod. I be benefited by a collision with him, & my only concern is respecting Giles, who I hope is satisfied with the paper furnished by Mr. Dawson. I will come up in abt. three weeks at...
1936Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 16 September 1820, with Jefferson’s Note (Jefferson Papers)
In the 1 st week of Oct. perhaps on the 3 d or 4 th day mr Eppes will deposit with his agent in Richmond , 500.D. subject to my order. this is intended to meet the curtailment of October of which you were so kind as to give me timely notice . at the same time perhaps, or if not, then certainly in all that month he will deposit 3500.D. more in like manner. for these sums I shall send you an...
1937To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 5 July 1805, New Orleans. “In a former Letter, I advised you of the departure of Captain Carmick for Pensacola with a communication from me to Governor Folch upon the Subject of the Post Road through West Florida. Captain Carmick was detained much longer than was expected, and has returned without Governor Folch’s Answer. A Copy of Captain Carmicks Letter to me...
1938John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 16 January 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am always happy to find an opportunity of conversing with you, as we cannot verbally do this it is our duty to do it by writing. I now have a good opportunity to write a few lines to you by Captn. Lovett in a Ship belonging to Mr. Cobet of Beverly, but I can write but a few lines to you for I must write to all my Freinds. We have had the worst 3 Weeks that ever I pass’d in my life. Bad...
1939From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 12 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society; incomplete copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 3d Inst. by your Son, with the News papers for which I thank you. The Disorders of that Government whose Constitution has been so much praised; are come to a height that threatens some violent Convulsion, if not a Dissolution; and its Physicians do not seem even to guess at the Cause of...
1940From James Madison to William Short, 24 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
I offer you my sincere acknowledgments for your two favors of May 7th. and Augst: 1. The latter has been rendered particularly valuable by the acquaintance it has afforded me with Monsr. Crevecoeur who has already verified the character under which you present him. The paper which I inclose for Mr. Jefferson will shew you the result of the Convention. The nature of the subject, the diversity...