20151To James Madison from John Gavino, 17 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 February 1803, Gibraltar. No. 114. “Since my last N: 113 under the 11: Int: [13 Feb. 1803] , orders is come to the Emperours Agent here to get the Ship in question ready for Sea and he further tells me Expects the Commander every moment from Tetuan with a Crew, and that She is at all events to go to Sea.” Adds in a postscript, “Three french Ships the Line are aback of the Rock with Troops...
20152To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 8 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The terms of approbation with which you mention my Lecture and Museum , afford me much gratification; since I have scarcely a thought not devoted to the perfection of my scheme. From my knowledge of the Interest which you have always felt in whatever concerned the comfort of Man or the Benefits of Society, I am induced to think that even in the important Station to which our Nation has called...
20153Arthur S. Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson, [received 13 December 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 21 st Nov was not rec d untill wednesday last , Gen l Cocke by whom it was sent not recollecting it untill after he got home. I will make out Giacomo Raggis acc t in a few days & send it to you—My acc t to the 23 Nov:
20154William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 6 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
The three Letters which Mrs. Adams honoured me with were received at Paris, and should have been answered, had an oppertunity offered. Permit me to pass an encomium on that prudence which dictates silence on painful Subjects, and to assure her while honour guides my actions and is my ruling star thro’ Life—I shall alway’s endeavour to appear as if I had taken the deepest draught from the...
20155From George Washington to William Livingston, 2 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I regret being obliged to inform Your Excellency, that I find myself, at this late period, very little stronger than I was when the Army first moved out of their Quarters. Of the Militia which were required of the State of New Jersey, and which were to have joined me by the 15th of July, none have come in. I am informed that the first party which rendezvoused at Morris Town returned home for...
20156Description of a Public Dinner held for Thomas Jefferson in Richmond, [21 October 1809] [document added in digital … (Jefferson Papers)
On Saturday, a Public Dinner was given at the Eagle , in honor of Mr. Jefferson . A large and brilliant company attended. The guests invited, were Mr. Jefferson , the three Judges of the Court of Appeals , Col. Monroe , Judge Cabell , Messrs. Jerman Baker , &
20157From Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Chisholm, 16 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your request I lodged 150. D. for you in the hands of messrs. Gibson & Jefferson the first week of this month & forgot to give you notice of it by the last post. should you not have applied for it, on sending them this letter with your order they will pay it. I offer you my best wishes. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
20158To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 29 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been so much indisposed since my last of the 8th. inst. as to have been absolutely incapable of writing. I resume my pen at present merely to inform you by the English packet that the answer from the Emperor arrived here two days ago. The King’s council have had it under long and mature consideration and have communicated it to the diplomatic committee. The Minister goes to morrow to...
20159Leonard Cooper to Virginia Delegates, [22 June] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 163, fol. 227). To The Honble. the deligates for the State of Virginia in Congress The memorial of Leonard Cooper Captain in the Invalid Regiment formerly of the 4th Virginia Regiment Sheweth, That your memorialist having Receiv’d a wound in the month of October 1779 which has renderd him uncapable of doing duty with his Regiment ever since—and being much Embarrass’d by not...
20160[Diary entry: 30 December 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. Calm and exceeding pleasant—being clear in the forenoon. Somewhat lowering afterwards.
20161From John Jay to Samuel Bayard, 25 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
I had this afternoon the pleasure of recieving your obliging Letter of the 6 th . Jan y last, and am happy to learn from it that the Decrees in the Capture Cases will probably be satisfactory— This Information appeared to me to be interesting, and therefore I have communicated it to the President : altho I presume you have written fully to the Secretary of State about it, either by the packet...
20162To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Pittsburg mail is arrived, but no letter from General Wayne. I suspect he has sent dispatches by an officer who is taking the route thro’ the Wilderness. Mr Hodgden this moment mentions the intelligence he had from his neighbour Mr Vanuxem, a mercantile agent for the French, who told him last evening, that the Secretary of the French Legation here said that a national vessel had arrived at...
20163From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 26 of August, and sent my Letter to N york to go in a dispatch vessel. I did not at the time know of the Humiliating and disgracefull Catastrophy which had befallen the city of Washington!! nor have I language to describe my feelings at the Torpor which blinded the Government to a sense of their danger, and their defenceless situation The Capitol is destroyed, but America...
20164Proposal for a National Coffee House, 22 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Subscriber observing with surprise the want of a House of entertainment on Capitol Hill, for the reception and deliberation of the friends of administration, at a period when the only House is supported by the Minority with energy and Spirit, he proposes opening the National Coffee House & Hotel on Capitol Hill, to be in readiness on the day Congress Shall convene, and being inadequate to...
20165Joseph Galloway to Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, 29 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Merchants of this City, greatly destrest with the present Circumstances of their Commerce, have transmitted to the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great Brittain, a Memorial Pointing out their Difficulties and hinting at the Remedies &c. which they Conceive will afford them the Desired Relief. They have been induced to take this Step from an Expectation,...
20166From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 27th —Supposing the Continental Cloathing delivered to the Virginia line last Fall to be of equal quality with that delivered to the other part of the Army, they ought now to be in better condition than any other troops, as they had at the same time contrary to my judgment and express desire, a very considerable quantity of State Cloathing in addition to the...
20167From Thomas Jefferson to William C. C. Claiborne, 7 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of the 17th. of April which I wrote you from Monticello, I observed to you that as the legislative council for the territory of Orleans was to be appointed by me, and our distance was great an early communication on the subject was necessary: that it ought to be composed of men of integrity, of understanding, of clear property & influence among the people, well acquainted with the...
20168From John Adams to Nathaniel Hazard, 19 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
I received by the last post a sheet subscribed, “A Recluse Man” enclosed with another in Print, and have read both with feelings and reflections, some of which I should not choose to commit to paper. The printed one I had read with much pleasure in its season, and felt myself obliged to the writer altho’ I had no knowledge or suspicion of the Author. I have sometimes thought of collecting...
20169From George Washington to Robert Morris, 29 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I never saw, nor never heard of the resolve of Congress spoken of by the Secretary at war (as mentioned in your letter of the 21st Instt) I conceive it to be a right inherent with Command to limit (as circumstances & the nature of Service may require) the proportion of Women to the Men of an Army I confess I felt myself hurt by the interference of other departments without any previous...
20170To Thomas Jefferson from John Monroe, 3 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of the 30th. Ulto. I have recieved your friendly and obliging letter of the 25th. Apl. covering a commission for me as Atty. for the Western District of Virginia. The Office being in the line of my profession, renders it more agreeable to me; I shall not therefore hesitate in my acceptance of it. I will not trouble you with thanks, or professions; But by a Strict attention to...
20171From John Adams to Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 21 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have not been able to find an opportunity to acknowledge the receit of the esteemed favour with which you honoured me on the 24 of December, untill now. I think it is very probable that the Several Causes you have enumerated cooperate to lessen the Credit of the United States, but I think at the Same time that it is because the Facts are misrepresented and exagerated, by the Friends of...
20172To James Madison from Bartholomew Dandridge, 23 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to inform you that I arrived at this place the 8 June, after touching at Cape françois; but lest my Letter should miscarry it may not be amiss to repeat here, that I was received in a very friendly manner by the Genl. in Chief Toussaint, introduced by Dr. Stevens, to whose friendly attention & information I am much indebted. Genl. Toussaint gave me letters to Genl....
20173To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel Tardy, 19 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Inclosed you have two Letters I received yesterday, addressed to your Excellency— By a letter from Captain John Manley I find that Captain Cunningham has escaped from Mill-Prison, with some other Gentlemen— he says also that Twenty four Americans have intered in the British service the 4 Inst.— I have the Honour to be very respectfully; Sir! Your most...
20174From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 18 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have occasion to pay to Genl. Stephen Thompson Mason a sum not exceeding 50. dollars, which lying across the country cannot be done from hence for want of mercantile connections. presuming you have recieved mr Hooper’s first paiment which furnished a surplus after mr Wyckham’s order would be satisfied, I have taken the liberty of desiring Genl. Mason to draw on you in his own name for the...
20175Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Robertson, 7 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe it is your practice to settle the annual accounts of your customers about the month of Septemb er. I will thank you for the copy of mine for the last year, a s soon as convenient. it will be convenient for me to have it under view as soon as may be in preparing arrangement s for the paiment of monies the ensuing spring. I have it much at heart hencefo r ward to pay my merchant’s...
20176From John Adams to Robert Treat Paine, 6 December 1759 (Adams Papers)
I was too much gratified with the Proposal you made me of writing to you, to neglect it long. For as Nature and Fortune have conspired to strip me of all other means of Pleasure I cannot think it either Vanity or Virtue to acknowledge, that the Acquisition and Communication of Knowledge, are the sole Entertainment of my Life. I should therefore be inattentive to my object, and stupidly forget...
20177Enclosure: [Statement of the Balance Which Remains], [24 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
By the act passed 12th August, 1790, making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt, section 2d, it is enacted, that all such surplus of the product of the duties arising from impost and tonnage to 31st December, 1790, after satisfying the several appropriations therein specified, shall be applied to the purchase of the public debt: Dollars. The product of said duties were, 3,026,070...
20178To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 31 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours of the 28th. last evening. Your preceding one covering among other things your memorandums through France was acknowledged by a few lines put into the hands of a young gentleman bound to Philada. in the Stage of yesterday. The purpose of them was to apprize you that you had omitted Coxe’s answer to Sheffeild and to request the favor of you to send it by Monday’s mail. Should...
20179To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
It is with extreme reluctance that I find myself so often Constrained to address you on the Subject of my own personal advancement. The object of the Present is merely to say that if, by any event, the Consulate of the United States at Bordeaux should be vacated, I should be much obliged by an offer of that appointment. This is the more important to me, in the present state of Hamburg, whose...
20180Abigail Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tis ten days I believe since I wrote you a Line, yet not ten minuts passes without thinking of you. Tis four Months wanting 3 days since we parted, every day of the time I have mournd the absence of my Friend, and felt a vacancy in my Heart which nothing, nothing can supply. In vain the Spring Blooms or the Birds sing, their Musick has not its formour melody, nor the Spring its usual...
20181From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I formerly had the honour of mentioning to you the measures I had taken to have our commerce with this country put on a better footing; and you know the circumstances which had occasioned the articles of whale oil and tobacco to be first brought forward. Latterly we got the committee, which had been established for this purpose, to take up the other articles, and on their report the King and...
20182XII. Thomas Barclay’s Letter of Credit, 6–[11] October 1785 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled on the 14 th day of Feb ry. last resolved, that the Ministers of the United States who are directed to form Treaties with the Emperor of Morocco and the Regencees of Algiers Tunis & Tripoli be empowered to apply any Money in Europe belonging to the United States to that use: As you are appointed to proceed to Morocco as Agent for forming such...
20183From John Adams to Z. G. Whitman, 2 June 1822 (Adams Papers)
My best thanks are due to you for your historical sketch of the Ancient & honorable artillery company. I have enjoyed its festivities almost from my cradle and held it always in high veneration. I am too nearly blind to read it myself and have not yet had time & opportunity to hear it read by a friend. Enough has been shown to me to perceive its ample details and to convince me that it is well...
20184From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, [May 1745?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Sparks, Works , VII , 16–17. Our people are extremely impatient to hear of your success at Cape Breton. My shop is filled with thirty inquiries at the coming in of every post. Some wonder the place is not yet taken. I tell them I shall be glad to hear that news three months hence. Fortified towns are hard nuts to crack; and your teeth have not been...
20185From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not had the honor of any of your favs. since I wrote to you on the 14th instant. No material Alterations have happened in this quarter. The Enemy from every Account mean to make Brunswic their advanced post for this Winter, they are endeavouring to draw in all the Forage they can get, in the course of which they have daily Skirmishes with our advanced parties. But I think do what they...
20186To James Madison from John Graham, 3 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
Finding that Mr Coburn of this State has been very strongly recommended to the President as one of the Judges for the Territory of Orleans, & that in the Recommendations given him, no notice has been taken of his Knowledge of the French Language, I venture, at his request, to state to you, that he reads that Language with great facility—at present he does not speak it; tho he tells me he...
20187Resolution for Introduction of Constitutional Amendment, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved by the Senate and House of Repr. of the US. two thirds of both houses concurring, that the following amendment to the constitution of the US. be proposed to the legislatures of the several states; which, when ratified by three fourths of the said legislatures shall be valid to all intents & purposes as a part of the sd constitution. Louisiana , as ceded by France to the US. is made a...
20188Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 7 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 3 d: inst t: and the newspapers enclosed. I will endeavor to comply with your request, that I communicate with you more frequently, but I will be free to confess to you, that every year of my life, I grow more selfish & less disposed to write letters, merely of friendship. You will experience the same thing in a few years, & I believe you assigned the true...
20189Notes on Correspondence regarding U.S. Armed Forces, [ca. 5 January 1814] (Madison Papers)
Enemy wd. most readily agree to suspension of hostilities. Occupancy of Fr. Mills, as anticipated, embarrassd. the Enemy, to weaken these upper posts With 3 posts, he forms a cordon of 64 ms. vs 150 ms. of Enemy In abt. a month will bid defiance to Eny. from Chataguay to St. Johns Spirits of troops who are gettg well invincible, notwithstandg Evils delusive promises to protect his rear,...
20190From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
It was a fortunate circumstance for us, that Mr. Jones had so prosperous and so expeditious a voyage and Journey—In sixty days after he went out to Quincy, to take my Mothers and your wifes letters for us, he delivered them into our hands—As they brought us the gratifying intelligence that all our friends were then well, it gave us not only the pleasure which such tidings must always bring...
20191From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 7 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you five hundred dollars to cover my deficit with you, with my affectionate salutations MHi : Coolidge Collection.
20192Safe Conduct for Three Chickasaw Indians, 28 November 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Three Chickasaw Indians having come so far without any guide, interpreter or pass, I have engaged the bearer John Haden to take charge of them & attend them to Richmond to the Governor of the state; and they are recommended to the peace, protection and hospitality of the citizens on the road they pass. should they be in want of any necessaries, it cannot be doubted but that the Governor will...
20193Joel Yancey to Thomas Jefferson, 22 May 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of 11 th Ins t I did not rec d till Saturday last, I have been endeavo r ing to day to get a boat, to send your Tob o to Richmond , but have not been able to Succeed, tho. I think there is but little doubt, but that I shall get it off this week, I will get it sent down as soon as possible to Capt Peyton , and write you as soon as it is on board— I have also made enqurry of the...
20194To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd Dispatches from Jno. Cork , the purport of which are as follows viz. "The six thousand Troops which were said to have imbarked, to be Convoyed by fifteen Sail of the Line, & which were said to have sailed, you may depend on it have not gone. My friend at Head Qts informed me that they are apprehensive of an attack upon N.Y. if their Post should be much weakened before the...
20195From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 3 January 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have been duly favored with yours of the 31. Decr. The latitude taken by the Marquis d’Yrujo under the indulgence concurred in towards him by the arrangement at Madrid, and the continuance of his disposition to visit Washington, make it necessary that he should explicitly understand it to be the desire of the President that he should desist from such a visit. Will you be so obliging...
20196To James Madison from James Mchenry, 26 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am just returned from the Eastern shore of this state. I have been in every County save one, and find a laudable determination in each to make a choice of federal representatives for our ensuing assembly. I hope the time for commencing proceedings under the new Congress will favor this intention. If you have any data by which one may judge of the views or plan of the Antifederalists I beg...
20197From James Madison to Edward Everett, 20 September 1824 (Madison Papers)
[James Madison] presents his respects to Mr. Everett with many thanks for the eloquent and not less instructive Oration with which Mr. E. was so good as to favor him. Fragment of draft ( DLC ). In JM ’s hand and docketed on verso by him. Third-person greeting clipped. Edward Everett, An Oration Pronounced at Cambridge, before the Society of Phi Betta Kappa, August 26, 1824 (Boston, 1824;...
20198From John Adams to Richard Rush, 5 November 1813 (Adams Papers)
My most reverend Dearling presents her compliments. She highly applauds and greatly admires a complaisant Husband. Quare! Entre nous, can you divine whether this is more a civillity to you, or a Satyrick touch at me? For my part I See nothing very wonderful, that a Lady of whose fascinating attractions I have had Such ample information from the very best authority, Should take her Lover away,...
20199To John Adams from James Vincent Ball, 10 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to address you on a subject which I hope will be viewed by you as of sufficient importance to authorize it—As rank is an object with every military character, we come into the army with the prospect of promotion in view, and thereby are prompted to acquire an ample Knowledge of the several duty’s annexed to the different grades—When once this prospect is distroyed, and the precedent...
20200To Thomas Jefferson from Guiraud & Portas, 8 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The honour of your letter dated the 31st. May last, directed to our Nicolas Guiraud along with the deliberation it Contained, we have with due acknowledgment received. This we are going to Publish, according to your desire. We Make no doubt it may in Time, induce Several marchants of this Place, to send out adventures, to Virginia, Maryland, and other parts of America, for returns in Tobaco,...