2231From John Adams to Robert J. Evans, 14 February 1820 (Adams Papers)
As the Anecdote of Mr Paine seemes to be have given you some amusement, I will give you another which affords me no Satisfaction upon reflection I was the first person who brought that Wild Man into Notice public notice—his Pamphlet called Common Sense, I thought proved him to be a Smart fellow—and I was informed he was totally distitute of the means of support—and as he had the pen of a ready...
2232Power of Attorney to James Parker, 5 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Bureau of Land Records, Department of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg Know ALL Men by these presents That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia Printer being now about to depart for England and the Time of my Return uncertain and there being long Accounts of Partnership unsettled between David Hall of the same place Printer and myself which partnership is now near expiring and the...
2233To George Washington from the Rhode Island Ratifying Convention, 9 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had on the 29th Ulto the Satisfaction of addressing you after the Ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Convention of this State. I have now the Honor of Inclosing the Ratification as then agreed upon by the Convention of the People of this State; the Legislature is now in Session in this Town, an appointment of Senators will undoubtedly take place in the...
2234[Diary entry: 18 January 1768] (Washington Papers)
18. Went to Court & sold Colo. Colvils Ld. Returnd again at Night. As an executor for Thomas Colvill’s estate, GW signed an advertisement in Rind’s Virginia Gazette (24 Dec. 1767) announcing that “upwards of six hundred acres of valuable land . . . will be sold to the highest bidder, at the court-house of Fairfax county, on the 3d Monday in next month (being court day).” The high bidder was...
2235To James Madison from William Walton Jr. (Abstract), 6 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
6 February 1805, Santo Domingo . “Considering it the duty of every citizen of the U.S. to assist another in distress I have made it my pleasure during my Stay is [ sic ] this place; & the opportunities have not been wanting. The capture of so many vessels in this part of the world, succeeded by the distresses of many of their crews; call aloud for the interference of one charged with the...
2236Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
In the fall of 1775 Adams worked in the congress to the point of exhaustion; by December he asked permission to leave to restore his energies. He served on thirteen committees, and judging from the fragmentary evidence that has been found, he gave full measure. He was not exaggerating when he told Mercy Warren he was “engaged in constant Business. . . . Every Body is engaged all Day in...
2237From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 December 1806 (Adams Papers)
I have received only one letter from you—that of 25. Novr: since I left you—And none from any of my other friends—Though I accustom myself to Patience in the expectation of Letters I begin to feel extremely anxious; lest some of you should be ill—The Mails have been interrupted by the obstructions in the Roads, and I have imputed the delay of your letters to this as long as I could—But we have...
2238Poor Richard, 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1734. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1734 … By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market (Yale University Library). Your kind and charitable Assistance last Year, in purchasing so large an Impression of my Almanacks, has made my Circumstances much more easy in the World, and requires my grateful...
2239To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 19 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
David Parmelee, who is recommended, [and] applies for the appointt. of agent, will make an excellent Commissioner vice Thrimble. He was E. Kirby’s friend, taken with him to Mobile, where he acted as clerk to the board and since Mr. Kirby’s death has been the efficient man of the board. His experience added to previous acquirements seem to qualify him in a particular manner. DNA : RG...
2240General Orders, 1 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Regiments and corps which have lately Joined are to make themselves acquainted with all standing and other orders issued in their absence that may be interesting to them. The General is desirous the troops should make themselves as comfortable as possible while in the field. the encampment itself is very pleasant and healthy, straw will be issued at the rate of two bundles ⅌ tent of this with...
2241From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received a few Days since a Letter from Annapolis dated June 5th. in your handwriting, but not signed, acquainting the Commissioners with the Causes of Delay in sending the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. The Term was expired before that Letter came to hand, but I hope no Difficulty will arise from a Failure in a Point not essential, and which was...
2242To James Madison from Samuel Turner, 20 September 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 September 1812, Hormuz , “ His Majesty’s Ship Salvador del Mundo .” “Presumeing that you are already acquainted with the particulars of my capture, I feel it a duty incumberent on me most respectfully, to acquaint you that I have been kept a close prisoner on board His Majestys Britannic Ship Salvador del Mundo laying as a guard Ship at this Port, since the 29 of June last, never been once...
2243To James Madison from Robert C. Gardiner, 29 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 August 1803, Gothenburg . Wrote last on 6 Apr. and 2 Aug. Encloses “extracts of a tryal held before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of this City” in which Gardiner acted as defendant on behalf of Captain Wadsworth, in support of “a Contract signed by two Swedish Seamen to perform a Voyage in the Brig Neutrality of Boston, where it was particularly specified that no Wages should be demanded or...
2244From James Madison to William C. Somerville, 22 May 1823 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Somerv⟨ille⟩ with thanks for the volume on the past & present S⟨tate⟩ of France, recieved with his letter of the 9th. instant. Oth⟨er⟩ engagements have not permitted him to give it more than desultory glances. From these he thinks himself warranted in inferring a diligence of research, and a spirit of observation in the Author, from which a valuable work...
2245[Diary entry: 21 December 1769] (Washington Papers)
21. Very pleasant, being clear & wind Southwardly.
2246To James Madison from William Lyman, 11 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour at this time herewith to transmit by the Osage No. 1 of the Account Current of myself with the United States for the four last quarters, viz: from the 1st. of April 1807. to the 31st. of March last inclusively; also No. 1 of the Return or List of American Ships or Vessels entered at the ports of this District from 1st. of July to the 31st. of December 1807; together with No....
2247Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Now that Franklin was distributing printed promissory note forms to prisoners receiving assistance, we will no longer publish individual promissory notes as sample documents. Instead, in this and subsequent editorial notes, we will take notice of each person, the date on which he received a loan, and the sum. Printed forms survive from thirteen escaped prisoners for the months covered by this...
2248Peter Poinsot to Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
D’aprés la lettre de recommandation de mon digne ami feu General Kosciuzsko de Soleure du 3 Juin 1817 que j’eus lhonneur de vous addresser le 25 suivant , avec le plan & Copie de mes terres par duplicata: N’ayant pas eu l’honneur d’être favorisé de vos nouvelles Je me permis de vous écrire le 18 mai d er sur le même Sujet, en me référant à leur contenu. Je me permets de joindre inclus une...
2249From Alexander Hamilton to Amos Stoddard, 13 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the sixth instant, and have directed Major Tousarde to signify to you that your request of a furlough is granted. The necessity of regularity would have had lead me to refer you to Major Jackson had not Major Tousarde written to me on the Subject— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2250From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 14 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Attorney for the District of Virginia has presented to the accounting officers of the Treasury Department, a claim against the United States for his services in attending at Norfolk by direction from the Secy. of State, in order to take depositions respecting a british vessel alledged to have been taken by a french privateer within the limits of the United States; which claim has been...
2251To Thomas Jefferson from William Call, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Proposition of the 12th Inst. to me in behalf of this county I received yesterday where I had assembled the greater part of the People together to make out the relief going down to Genl. Muhlenbergs head Quarters, which gave me at once an oppertunity of making it known. The one fourth of those who are able to do Militia Service are now going down, and one third being already...
2252Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 12 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote my letter of the day before yesterday , I had not yet had time to look into the pamphlets you had been so kind as to send me. I have now entered on them, and find in the very entrance an article so interesting as to induce me to trouble you with a second letter. it is the first paper of the 1 st fasciculus of published by the Belfast society in which mr Richardson gives an account...
2253To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter dated the 3d. inst. inclosing a Copy of the instructions you have forwarded to Mr. Short, came to my hands by the mail of Wednesday. The appointment of that gentleman to negotiate the Loans in Holland, and the Instructions you have given for his government, meet my approbation. The first as no inconvenience it is conceived will result from his absence from Paris, is a measure of...
2254From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to suggest to Your Excellency that it is a matter of great importance for me to be acquainted with our several Harbours—their depth of Water within and leading to them and all the difficulties & circumstances attending their navigation. at present this knowledge is more peculiarly essential with respect to the Eastern Ports & particularly in the instance of New London. In the...
2255Isaac McPherson to Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly reciev’d thy verry able letter of the 13 th In s , and have greatly to regret that the public had not been possessd of the views thou hast there taken of the subject, before the late trial of O Evans v s Sam l Robinson in the circuit court at Baltimore —had it been the case, the result of that trial must have terminated the question betwe e
2256To John Jay from Francisco Cabarrús, 29 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
Nous avons l’honneur de vous remettre ci Joint l’extrait de a/ c dans lequel vous ayant Credité de R on . 520,000 que nous compta pour vous M. Gardoqui le 21 de ce Mois vous ne devez pour Solde que rrv on . 150702.19. lesquels a 15 12 font £37778.13.3 que vous vous prions de disposer sur M r . Franklin de Paris d’apres la faculte que vous en avez. Moyennant quoi nos comptes seront Soldés et il...
2257To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 31 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Act of Congress of the 30 Instant, herewith enclosed, your Excellency will observe that Majr. Genl. Greene is appointed to take the Command in the southern Department; and you will also receive the necessary Information of the Powers and Instructions given to him by Congress, and that it is earnestly recommended to the Legislatures and Executives from the Delaware State to Georgia...
2258From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 17th Inst. yesterday evening. No certain conclusions can be drawn of the enemy’s designs on the Jersey from the fitting up of their flat bottomed boats. If part of them are going to the West Indies they will want them there. It will not therefore be altogether advisable on the present appearance of things to call out the militia—But in order to guard against the...
2259To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Blodget, 16 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
from having been often at Sea. & having once served in the artellary US I have frequently endeavour to find a method by which to render our present means of defense more formidable, the objection which naval gentleman have, to carrying dangerous furnaces on board their Ships & gun boats, alone prevent their being more than 3 times as formidable as the would be with these means by which,...
2260To Thomas Jefferson from John Oakley, [on or before 24 October 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
John Oakley as Justice of the peace for the County of Washington District of Columbia has four Constables to wait on him before Breakfast every day and they having their pockets filled with Warrants Accounts, Blank Supersedeses &c. &c. &c. entertain him so completely throughout the Day that he has not dined 6 times in two Months To Morrow I am engaged in taking Bail from a Colonel for...