22801From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 28 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 18th. with Doctr. Moore’s letter inclosed. by a mistake of the member of Congress who proposed the appropriation for the missions to explore Louisiana, 3000. D. only were given instead of 10, or 12,000. which were deemed necessary. for I had proposed to send two such missions. this error reduced me to a single one, & I fixed on that of the Red and Arkansa...
228029th. (Adams Papers)
The air was so effectually cleared by the breaking up of the storms which occupied the atmosphere, that we have had since yesterday morning, a fine breeze, which has sometimes made the ship run 8 knots an hour. In the last 24 hours we have shortened our voyage 53 leagues. Yesterday morning we saw a sloop, which pass’d about ½ a league starboard of us. She had no topmast. I wish’d the Captain...
22803To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 394–6. Yours I received by Major Young together with the work of your veritable philosophe , which is full of humanity. I was not before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my veritable philosophe in the present actual scene of public politics....
22804Enclosure: Charles Copland to Ariana Randolph, 31 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you the 6th of October by the America, and sent (about a Month after that date) a duplicate by the Industry to that letter I refer you—Mr Philip L Grymes has this day paid to me a bill of exchange for four hundred and ninety pounds sterling, and nine shillings and a penny Currency as a further partial payment of the Judgment for your benefit rendered against him in the Federal Court...
22805James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 29 January 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long indulged a hope that I should be able to retire from this office, without the sale of any portion of my property, but I begin now to despair of it. The debts contracted in support of plantations, which ought to have made a clear & handsome income, with those incident to most of the trusts which I have held, are such, as almost to deprive me of all hope of retiring under such...
22806To James Madison from Hubbard Taylor, 12 November 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Hubbard Taylor. 12 November 1806, Frankfort. “Mr. Martin Harden (son of the late Genl. Harden) is the bearer hereof and who I have taken the liberty to introduce you. The great respectability of this Gentleman with his uniform discreet deportman[t] has gained him the universal esteem of all his acquaintances. “Any civilities you shall be pleased to shew him will not be improperly placed...
22807To Thomas Jefferson from Sophia Brekel, 12 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This Comes from A Distressd. Woman Who Has Been forsaken By Her Husband Brought to this Countrey in Expectations of Enjoying the Comforts of Life in an honorable and honest Manner and is now Deserted By my husband I Humbly Crave your Excellency will Be So kind thro the medium of your usual goodness and generosity to procure my passage to Philadelphia To Seek my husband which I am much Afraid I...
22808To Thomas Jefferson from Moritz Furst, 20 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Io ò ricevuto da lei honorabile risposta è sono multo obligato de lei bonta, I have received from you an honorable response and I am very obliged by your kindness. MHi .
22809From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State incloses to the President the letter to the King of France with the alteration he proposes for incorporating the vote of the house. If the President approves it, he will be so good as to return it in time to be written at large to-day, signed and sealed. Th: J. thinks the copy of the resolution delivered the President with the signature of the Speaker will be the proper...
22810Joseph Fox to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 15] January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
For a number of years with much difficulty and expense I have employed myself in discovering dyes, &c. suitable to the manufacture of various articles in the United States , and finding them of advantage to many throughout our country, and having been requested by persons interested to make them public, by publishing a work containing from one to two hundred pages, as my circumstances may...
22811To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 March 1802, London. No. 58. Reports there is no further information on the negotiations at Amiens since his last letter. In a “ free conversation ,” Addington “ yesterday told me that during the last Fortnight his mind had balanced whether to wish the conclusion or rupture of the negotiation ” but that the British were ready to sign a definitive treaty “provided it be done without any...
22812Franklin: Two Memos Given to John Laurens, [c. 20 March 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Press copy and copy: Library of Congress Not having yet received the Accounts of the Cloathing &c. Ship’d in the Marquis de la Fayette, I cannot be exact with regard to it; but I believe there are compleat Habits ready made for at least 10,000 common Soldiers; consisting of Coats, Wastecoats, Breeches, Shirts, Stockings, Shoes, Overhalls &c. and that there is Cloth sufficient for...
22813Amendment to Report on Thomas Edison, [3 December] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, II, 201–3). Written by JM. The docket of the report reads: “Letter from Thos. Edison Nov. 30 referred to Mr. Lovell Mr. Carroll Mr. Bee Report—Entd. 3 Dec. recommitted passed Decr. 5th. 1781.” Tha[t] T. Eddison has by an essential service to the U. S. and a singular proof of his fidelity to their interests recommended himself to the attention & reward of Congress. The...
22814From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 3 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed being part of a newspaper published here I thought you would like to see it, and therefore cut it out and inclose it. I have no doubt that the author of it has had you in view when he wrote it: and perhaps, when you return it may be worth while to see what he offers to shew. I have had conversations on your business since you left us, and find you will not be able to get a step...
22815The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Prize of Capt. Wickes, which we ordered into your Hands, we desire you will deliver up to the Disposal of Mr. Lee; and are Your humble Servants Notation: Letter to Mr Williams This is also in BF ’s hand and was clearly intended to accompany the preceding letter; like it, we assume, it was not sent.
22816From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 20 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your packet of the 7th. you ask “What is to be the result of the Convention at Hartford?” What a question! Had you asked my opinion of the measure I would have said, it is neither wise, honorable, or virtuous; and I would have requested you to give my compliments to every Virginian you meet, high or low, and tell him, that Massachusetts deserves to be made to repent of it...
22817Memorandum Books, 1767 (Jefferson Papers)
Aug. 25. survey forfeited sold it to Edward Pharr for 37 lib. 10/ cash and gave him a deed &c. Payne after this expr essed sad ness at losing his mill but said he had rather it should be in his h ands? than any other’s. On which Pharr told him? if he would make up his money in a twelve month he would return the land. He agreed with Payne to keep the mill: Payne left the mill as there was no...
22818To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall answer the letter you have, Sir, been pleased to send me by Major Skinner from Easton for which place I am going to set out. I writ to you, Sir, from Elizabeth Town in consequence of the detention of Major General de Riedesel and myself, but to that letter I have not received any answer. I will not wound General Washington’s feelings with a description of my sentiments of the unkind...
22819From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Kennon, 20 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The act of Congress establishing the government of Louisiana has placed that of it’s several districts chiefly in a Commandant subject only to the superintendance of the Governor of Indiana at Vincennes. it is of great importance that these officers, 5. in number, of whom 3. will be Colos. and 2. Majors, should be filled with persons who may blend with great prudence the duties civil &...
22820To George Washington from Richard Varick, 8 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have this Evening reviewed the Paper of the 29th ulto containing the Charges & the Specification thereof from B. Genl Hazen in behalf of himself and twenty four Officers of his Regiment against Lieutenant Thomas Edwards Judge Advocate of the Army; And find that the Complainants impeach Mr Edwards in three genl Charges, Vizt 1. “Want of Abilities and a regular judicious System in the Office...
22821To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I made a report to your Excellency immediately on receiving intellegence of Mr Zulinski’s affair. The same dragoon who was witness to what happened I sent with my Report, with respect to Mr Zulinski’s behaviour on the occasion. It was not as Mr Moylan has represented. The encounter was accidental. Neither had Mr Zulinski any other design than to retaliate on Col. Moylan in the same manner that...
22822To John Adams from George Cornell, 7 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I humbley Beg Leave to Leay Before your Excellence my faithfull Services in the Brittish fieald—and hope my Great Knowledge in the Art of War, Will intitle me to Some favours of your Excellence to permote me in the field of this my Own Country: I Beg Leave to acquaint your Excellence that in 1758 I went into the Army and Ensign, in the Sixteenth year of my age—and at the Action of Ticontoroga...
22823To James Madison from Thomas McKean, 6 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you & my country on the renovated State of the affairs of the United States of America. Our enemies are humbled but not yet subdued; their great⟨est⟩ power exists in the offices they yet hold; strip them of the influence they possess from this source and they will be effectually subdued. Every possible measure to prevent this has been put in use; flattery, threats,...
22824To Thomas Jefferson from Michael Bowyer, 28 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Not before the 18th. of May did I recve your favour of the date Novr. 3d. 1802. Shortly afterwards I made the inquirey agreable to your request relative to those bones which have been found in a Saltpeter cave the property of A Mr. Pattin about 15 Miles distance from me. the claw & other bones will be eaquel to the information you have ricvd. within a few weeks past. Pattin informes me when...
22825To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 5 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving a Letter from your Excellency yesterday without a date in Answer to that, which I took the Liberty of writing of the 18 Ultimo and am Sorry to find your Excellency equally sensible with me of the Absurdity of the Idea taken up in Europe of the future formidableness of America. I was in Hopes, that my fancy on that Head was not well-founded and that the folly of...
22826From Benjamin Franklin to John Temple, 15 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received my old Friend’s Letter with Pleasure, as it inform’d me of his Welfare and safe Arrival on the Continent, and of the Welfare & continued Regard of my Friends in England.— Thanks to God I still enjoy Health and good Spirits, tho’ the English News writers have thought fit to kill me several times in their Prints. It must at last be true that I...
22827Enclosure: Senate Votes on Gerry’s Appointment as Envoy to France, 22 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Yeas. Nays. Langdon } N.H. Livermore Goodhue } Mas. Sedgwick Bradford } R.I. Foster Hillhouse Tracy Con. Paine } Verm.
22828Joel Yancey to Thomas Jefferson, 14 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter by M r Randolp h I received a few days since, and have particularly observed the contents. in transfering your authority over your plantation s here to your grandson , I presume you did not include even me even the present year, and that your motive was, to give me an
22829To James Madison from Jacob Wagner, 28 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose drafts of letters to Mr. Prevost & to Governor Claiborne. It is so improbable that it will be found of importance to convene the Legislative Council of Orleans before November, and that thus the erroneous opinion of Govr. Claiborne will stand in need of correction, that I doubt the necessity of answering his letter: if you should suppress the draft, be pleased to...
22830To John Adams from Joseph Hawley, 30 June 1773 (Adams Papers)
The letter inclosed herewith contains My Answer to the young Gentn. you was pleased recommend Me to as an Assistant in his Study of the Law and it is in the affirmative. I have heard Nothing of our Publick Affairs since I left Boston. I have only to intreat, That, as I know you Sir can do Much to influence them Nothing be done through Strife or vain glory—and that in all cases which will...
22831From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers convened at New Windsor N.Y. the 12th day of June 1781. Present His Excellency the Commander in Chief M. General Lord Stirling Brigadiers Generals Knox Genl Howe Paterson Genl Parsons Hand Genl McDougall Huntington Du Portail
22832From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 18 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I am favourd with an oppertunity, I shoud think myself inexcusable, was I to omit givg you some acct of our late Engagemt with the French on the Monongahela the 9th Inst. We continued our March from Fort Cumberland to Frazer’s (which is within 7 Miles of Duquisne) witht meetg with any extraordinary event, havg only a stragler or two picked Up by the French Indians. When we came to this...
22833Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
This was an action brought by John Gray for injuries inflicted upon him by Lendall (or Lindall) Pitts in a scuffle outside Dehon’s barber shop in Boston. Adams’ minutes indicate that the underlying cause was an earlier incident in which Pitts had “gallanted” what he assumed to be an attractive young lady, only to learn that feminine clothes covered a masculine form—either Gray himself or...
22834To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis A. Tarascon, 3 July 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
At the Time where you was saving the union of our Confederated states, by adding Louisiana to them, i was reflecting on the means of perpetuating said union, by binding them allways more and more together by Ties of reciprocal interests in all directions. your addition made i Became more Confident in my views and i did Continue reflecting. For more than Thirty years, it has been Allways my...
22835To Thomas Jefferson from Margaret Bayard Smith, 2 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of transcribing for you the recipe given me by Mrs Erskine, & sincerely hope it may prove successful. With heartfelt veneration MHi : Coolidge Collection.
22836Thomas Jefferson to George Logan, 3 October 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Sep. 18. and I percieve in it the same spirit of peace which I know you have ever breathed, and to preserve which you have made many personal sacrifices. that your efforts did much towards preventing declared war with France , I am satisfied. of those with England I am not equally informed. I have ever cherished the same spirit with all nations from a...
22837To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Tott, 28 November [1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Rien n’est si beau, si magnifique Monsieur que L’edition d’homere que [vous] Voulez bien me Sacrifier et que J’accépte avec Reconnoissance et Confusion. Qu’il me seroit doux de pouvoir Vous exprimer Combien Je suis touchée, pénétrée, de L’extrême bonté que Vous avez de Vous occuper de moi, Combien Je suis honorée de L’interêt que Vous me témoignez, Combien Je serois fière si Je pouvois croire...
22838To John Adams from Mathew Carey, 6 November 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have recd & read with great pleausre Your very acceptable letter of the 29th ult. Next to the approbation of a man’s own conscience, that of the enlightened part of mankind, is the greatest reward a correct mind can desire. It has been always my object—”laudari laudatis viris.” And I therefore estimate at a high rate the commendation you are so good to bestow on my efforts to promote the...
22839To James Madison from William Lee (Abstract), 18 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
18 May 1805, Bordeaux . “In my letters to yourself and the Secretary of the Treasury under date of the 10th and 20th of January, I mentioned the affair of the ship Easter. Having <s>hortly after the date of my letters learnt that she was not to proceed from Cadiz to norfolk but to return here I took such arrangements with the Commissary of marine for the seizure of this Vessel as have...
22840From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 29 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
At length after an interval of five months and seven days, since that when your last preceding letter came to hand, I have this morning enjoyed the pleasure of receiving your’s of 24. September—It is more than six months old; but as it is dated two months later than any letter that I had yet received from Quincy, it was as welcome and almost as grateful as if it had come with the speed of a...
22841From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 14 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter of thanks from the Philosophical society has been sent me to forward to you. We have been unfortunately delayed in our Hospital establishment at New Orleans by different accidents: and I just now learn that mr Daniel Clarke , who is to be the Superintendent, is lately returned from New Orleans to Philadelphia; in which case he will have left the place just before our...
22842To Thomas Jefferson from Nicoll Fosdick, 20 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Noah Lester Esqr. Counsellor at Law in this State, from the active part he has taken on the Republican Side, has Recieved Such porsicution from the intolorance of our Federal Rulers in this State, that he is Compelled to Stand an Applicant for Some Imploy under the general Government; He has already been Recomended as a person that would make a Respectable Judge, or District Attorney, in the...
22843To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing to you last month, and stated generally that certain disturbances existed in Massachusetts. Since that period the legislature have been sitting, and endevoring to conciliate the minds of the disafected, and perhaps in some instances by unjust means. There are people however who hold that if a measure be right in itself, one Should not be very delicate...
22844Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Account with James Lyle, 6 July 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson Esq r on acct of Rich d Harvie In acct. with James Lyle To This sum, ⅌ Col: Jefferson’s letter, due with interest from the 19 th of April 1783 at 5 ⅌C t ⅌ Ann:—Sterling Money } £132.12.0 To Interest on the same till July the 6 th 1811
22845To George Washington from Robert Morris, 15 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letters of the second, third and seventh Instant. There is no Man in America more heartily disposed than I am to remove from the Army and from all others who have Claims on the Public every just Ground of Complaint. But with the Means in my Power, how is it possible? I have been obliged to submit to Cancelling one Contract and forming another at one third advance on the...
22846From George Washington to James Anderson, 6–7 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
It would seem by the reply you handed to me yesterday, in explanation of the observations I had made, in going over your A/cs that you were hurt by the remarks. The notes were not taken with that view—and you were told so in explicit terms. On the contrary, I remarked that the A/cs were perfectly fair, & only required explanation in one or two instances to make them clear. Not having the Bank...
22847To John Adams from Bidé de Chavagnes, 16 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Si je nay pas eu l’honneur de vous ecrire depuis mon arrivée a brest, c est que ayant scau su a la corogne que votre projet etoit d’aller a madrid, je vous crois tout au plus rendu soit a paris, soit a versailles, mais je prends un interest trop sincere et trop vif a votre santé a celle de vos chers enfants, de messieurs denas et allain pour ne pas vous en demander des nouvelles, en vous...
22848To Thomas Jefferson from William Branch Giles, 4 January 179[5] (Jefferson Papers)
I Received your favors of the 17th Ultimo two days ago and thank you for their contents. I waited on Mr. Shippen last evening and mentioned your business to him. After remarking that he thought the estate of Mr. Banister’s father should in strictness pay the debt, as he was travelling under his father’s direction at the time it was contracted, Mr. Shippen promised to pay it himself, but not...
22849To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent (letter not found), 1824 (Madison Papers)
¶ From an Unidentified Correspondent. Letter not found. 1824. Offered for sale in the American Art Association Catalogue (9 Jan. 1924), item 855. Presumably this letter covered the gift of a copy of Strictures Addressed to James Madison on the Celebrated Report of William H. Crawford, Recommending the Intermarriage of Americans with the Indian Tribes. Ascribed to Judge Cooper, and Originally...
22850Memorandum, 3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers then present received the foregoing Instructions, and money for Recruiting; and some of them were appointed to act ’till further Orders, as followeth: viz. To Captain Spotswoods Company, Lieutenant Lomax and Ensign Carter, were ordered to do Duty as Subalterns: and to Captain Harrison—Lieutenant John Hall; Ensign Nathaniel Thompson. To Captain Lewis: Lieutenant Peter...