20341To James Madison from William Wirt, 23 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your letter of the 19th. inst. from Washington. The business of recommending a candidate for office is always disagreable to me; not only because I fear it may be assuming higher ground than I am entitled to occupy, but because I am fully aware of the swarms of applications by which you are importuned on every vacancy, and it is extremely painful to me to run the...
20342To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 3 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty to apply to your Excellency as we are informed that it is practised by our neighbours to Let their Ships sail under American Colours and Papers, as we have just now bought a vessel of a 150 Tuns, we’d wish to Let it Sail to America, with American papers & colours we request your Excellency’s advice how this is best Practicable, with granting the necessary papers to us, for...
20343To George Washington from James Lovell, 28 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
With Views of public Utility I again take the Freedom of covering to you some papers for Majr General Greene and am your Excellency’s Obliged humble Servant PHi : Etting Collection.
20344To George Washington from Guy Carleton, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 27th November, with the passport for the Ship Amazon inclosed. When the duties of Captain Armstrong, and the Gentlemen who attend him, are fulfilled, I request your Excellency will be pleased to furnish them and their attendants with the necessary passports for their return by land. The master of the Ship which will convey the necessary...
20345From George Washington to William Livingston, 1 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I think it not only incumbent upon me, but a duty which I owe the public, to represent to you the unaccountable Conduct of Brig: Genl. Newcomb at this critical time. As soon as the Enemy shewed a disposition to possess themselves of Billingsport and Red Bank I wrote to him in the most urgent manner to collect and keep up as many Militia as he possibly could to assist in the defence of Red Bank...
20346To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Barnet, 20 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
As differences are happily terminated between France & America, I am induced to hope, that I may take advantage of the present favorable season, to accept the solicitations of an affectinate & dutiful Son , who is the only prop of my declinining years, and who at present resides in Bordeaux as Consul for the United States—Well acquainted with his difficulties during the last four Years,...
20347Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 14 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The reasons assigned in your favor of the 7 th for preferring to retain Loudon instead of Albemarle , are such as cannot be controverted. the society of our children is the sovereign balm of life, and the older we grow the more we need it, to fill up the void made by the daily losses of the companions and friends of our youth. nor ought we of this neighborhood to regret a preference so...
20348To James Madison from James Anderson, 27 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your letter of the 22d: instant, with my Commission & your Instructions to Consuls & vice Consuls. Permit me, Sir, to return You my sincere thanks for the confidence which You have been pleased to place in me & to assure You that I will endeavour to merit a continuance of Your protection. I now take the liberty to return You, Sir, the cypher for secret...
20349To James Madison from William Steuben Smith, 28 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
A vacancy having occurred in the Office of Marshal of this District, by the decease of the late Marshal, if a disposition of that Office has not been made by Your Excellency, I would sollicit the exercise of your prerogative in my favour. The Zeal which would be exercised might be all that could counterbalance any deficiency of talent, but with that every occasion should be seized to manifest...
20350[Diary entry: 16 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. About 7 Oclock we left the Widow Havilands, and after passing Horse Neck [Greenwich] Six Miles distant from Rye, the Road through which is hilly and immensely stoney and trying to Wheels & Carriages, we breakfasted at Stamford which is 6 miles further (at one Webbs) a tolerable good house, but not equal in appearance or reality, to Mrs. Havilds. In this Town are an Episcopal...
20351To George Washington from Brigadier General David Wooster, 28 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
This just serves to inform your Excellency that I return’d to this place from Long Island immediately upon the receipt of your favour of the 2d Instant—& that in pursuance of an Order from the Continental Congress I shall this afternoon embark with all the Troops under my command for Albany there to wait the Orders of General Scuyler. I am Sr in haste your Excellency’s most obedt hble Servt LS...
20352From George Washington to Charles Dick, 28 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
If those necessaries which Major Lewis ordered for the use of Captain Hogg’s Company at Fort Dinwiddie, are not already gone, they must be sent off immediately, as he is a great sufferer for want of them; and which quantity of Salt must be made up twenty-five bushels. I should also be glad if you would order up to Winchester about 400 weight of Steel, and a Hogshead, number 2, which contains...
20353From Thomas Jefferson to James Woodhouse, 31 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. Woodhouse and his thanks for his interesting dissertation on the Persimmon tree. He is happy to find that this plant may become a valuable addition to our stock of Chemical and Pharmaceutical subjects, in both which lines Dr. Woodhouse has presented very interesting experiments on it. Th: Jefferson has for some time turned his attention to the same...
20354Presidential Proclamation, 5 April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 April 1809, Washington. Offers lands ceded to the U.S. by the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes, lying within the Mississippi Territory, for public sale. The sale will begin on 7 Aug. at Nashville, Tennessee, and continue for three weeks. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 49, Proclamations of Public Sales). 2 pp. Printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Mississippi , 5:724–25.
20355[Diary entry: 20 September 1764] (Washington Papers)
20. Sowed Wheat as far as Ransoms Houses at Muddy hole 55 Bushels. Elizabeth Ransom, a widow, had rented a farm from GW from 1757 to 1760.
20356[Diary entry: 23 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
23. Dined with Mr. Joseph Pemberton. Joseph Pemberton, son of Israel Pemberton, Jr., was a member of a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family. He was married in 1767 to Ann Galloway of Maryland.
20357From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 13 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
The young Gentlemen are all flying to Europe, and apply to me for Introductions to our Ambassador in London. You must Shake hands with them all, invite them to a dinner on Mutton and Brockoli, with your Wife and yourself; but Entertainments a la mode you cannot give. The Corps diplomatique, will say “Adams lives “dans le plus infame Œconomy” their Coachmen and Footmen will look down on yours...
20358[Diary entry: 6 February 1767] (Washington Papers)
6. Frozen morning. Clear & cold Wind still at No. West & fresh.
20359From Thomas Jefferson to John Hamilton Moore, 4 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved the new charts of the US. & of the West Indies which you have been so kind as to send me. the labors which tend to render navigation secure, to promote the intercourse & commerce of nations, & to save the lives of the numberless individuals who are committed to the perils of the ocean, cannot but be approved by the friends of humanity. the particular charts in question are...
20360To John Jay from Theodore Sedgwick, 23 September 1789 (Jay Papers)
Convinced that you will do honor to the supreme national court by presiding in it, you will pardon the freedom of suggesting to you the interest of a friend of mine— M r . John Tucker of Boston one of the Clerks of the supreme court of this state, possesses equal to any man I have ever known all the requisite abilities & qualifications of such an office. It would afford me the most sincere...
20361From John Adams to William White, 13 December 1819 (Adams Papers)
As Charity is the bond of perfection—I think it very desirable that great and good Men should have opportunities to see one another—however different their Opinions in Religion or Philosophy may be—. upon this principle I presume, thought I confess without much Authority to introduce to your acquaintance the Reverend Mr Andrews Norton-Dexter Professor of Biblical Criticism in our University at...
20362Pennsylvania Assembly: Instructions to Richard Jackson, 22 September 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1763–1764 (Philadelphia, 1764), pp. 105–6. A quorum of the Assembly gathered on September 11 to begin the short final session before its dissolution. The next day Speaker Franklin laid before the House an extract from the journal of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, June 13, 1764, together with the letter to himself...
20363To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 1 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your Excellencys favors of 13th Octr & 1st March by the hands of Mr Morris. Mr Morris has given his orders for the ornaments suitable for your dining Table, & for which, we have promised to pay, he observed that by sending some Goods, for you while he was in France⟨,⟩ he had advanced near £100, which if the Balance due to you in our hands would admit he should be...
20364To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 June 1792 (Madison Papers)
I attended on the 15. according to appointment at Richmd. to meet the gentn., my associates, in the revision of the laws, on that business, but found only Mr. Nelson there. Mr. Lee & Mr. Tucker came abt. the 20th. but predisposed not to enter on it at that place. Three days were taken up in occasional consultations about an adjournment to Wmsburg wh. was advocated by the two latter & but...
20365From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 22 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
To what cause, or causes, the delay in appointing Officers under the “Act, to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes” is to be ascribed, I am unable to say. I fear the spirit that was enkindled at the time of its Passing, has not a little evaporated. No decisive plan has yet been formed for this purpose, that has come to my knowledge; but the Secretary of War having...
20366To James Madison from James Monroe, 12 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
Finding that my arrangments in Loudoun might be completed on the day I arriv’d there, I came down on the following day, monday. Altho the upper road is bad, I still think it will be found better than either of the others. Some letters are recd. from Mr Crawford, the most important of wh. are in cypher. They shall be forwarded without delay we have nothing from our comrs. Chauncey’s fate is...
20367Anti-Casuist: A Case of Conscience, [3 July 1732] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Anti Casuist says: I allow the Heighnousness of the Crime, &c. Whether I am a Christian or a Man of Reason, I am not unjustifiable in doing it, from these Considerations. If my Wife commits Adultery with him, she thereby dissolves the Bond of Marriage between her and me, and makes us two separate and single Persons. The Laws of every Country and even...
20368Enclosure: John Hancock to John Adams, 16 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
On a Visit to Mrs. Yard this Evening I was inform’d by her that your Lady and Children propos’d to go into Boston, with an intention of Taking the Small Pox by Inoculation, and as the Season is warm, and the present process of Treating that Disorder, requires all the Air that can possibly be had, and as my Scituation in Boston is as much Bless’d with a free Air as most others, I make a Tender...
20369To James Madison from William Findley, 17 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Findley. 17 November 1805. “I herewith enclose a Statement of Otho Shraders character and wishes. Since I had the pleasure of Conversing with you I was informed by Mr. Gallatin that he apprehended that a Judges place in Louisiana was or soon would be vacant and enquired if Mr. Shrader could attend without delay if he was appointed to that office. He arrived here on Saturday and...
20370To Thomas Jefferson from William Jackson, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Georgetown, 29 Mch. 1791. The enclosed papers “from the Secretary of the Western territory” were received by the President last evening. “His engagements with the Commissioners not permitting him to peruse them during his stay here, he commands me to transmit them to you for your consideration, and he requests, if you should think it necessary, that they may be reported on.” RC ( DNA : RG 59,...