23501From George Washington to Thomas Richardson, 5 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
This day se’night a letter for you covering Bank Notes for 150 Dollars was lodged in the hands of Mr Watson. Since (that is on Saturday last) I received your favor of the 27th ulto enclosing the cost of four Matrasses £49.10.2—a price which exceeds anything I had the most distant idea of; in a word it is an errant imposition of the workman—and therefore I hope Colo. Biddle will enquire into...
23502From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking for granted that before the arrival of the vessel by which this goes, Mr. Short will have left the Hague on a temporary mission to Madrid, I have taken the liberty of addressing to you a packet of plans of the city of Washington on the Potomak, with a desire that they may be exhibited (not for sale) but in such shops, houses, or other places, where they may be most seen by those...
23503From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Royle et al., 4 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Propositions you did me the Honour to address to me by the hand of Mr Wild. There is no doubt but that a Body of sober, industrious & ingenious Artisans, Men of honest and religious Principles, such as you and your Friends are describ’d to be, would be a valuable Acquisition to any Country; and I am certain you would meet with a kind &...
23504From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 10 September 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in JM’s hand. Addressed to “E. Randolph Esqr.” Cover missing. Docketed by Randolph, “James Madison. Septr. 10. 1782.” Except where otherwise noted, the italicized words were written by JM in the official cipher. The loss of the French 74 in Boston Harbour presented an occasion which was embraced by Congress, of making a small requital to their Ally for...
23505Thomas Jefferson to Napoleon Archer, 23 October 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 13 th finds me at a distance from home. the buildings for the Univ ty will all be ready for occupn in the ensuing spring. but when the instn. will open is a very uncertain question. not soon as is believed. it will depend entirely on the proceedings of the legislature of which, whenever any thing is done on the subject by that body, you will be apprised thro’ the ordinary...
23506To James Madison from Augustus B. Woodward, 14 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Augustus B. Woodward. 14 March 1806, Washington. “By an act of Congress of May the eighth one thousand seven hundred ninety two, laws of the United States volume two, page one hundred twenty five, the Secretary of State is to have printed certain laws, and to distribute ten sets of other laws. “By the act of january the eleventh, one thousand eight hundred five, laws of the United...
23507From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Not knowing certainly what may be the communication to you from the Department of War, I think it proper that you should be apprised of what is doing here towards the disbanding of the army. For this purpose, besides the general orders which will be sent you, I shall keep you advised by letter of my views. I now send you the copy of a letter which I wrote yesterday to the Secy of War, and of...
23508To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty pursuant to the desire of the author and your kind offer (though only a general one) of services, to address to you 400 copies of a French translation of a book on trade, of which I remember to have sent you a copy in English . These copies are to be distributed wherever they may be most useful in France, but especially among the members of the Etats Generaux. They are...
23509From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return signed the two patents to Christian Febiger & am / Sir &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
23510From Benjamin Franklin to a Friend in England, 16 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244–5. I wish you would assure our friend, that Dr. Franklin never gave any such expectations to Mr. Pultney. On the contrary, he told him that the Commissioners could not succeed in their mission, whether they went to recover the dependance or to...
23511Thomas Cooper’s Notes on University Curricula, [ca. 15–22 September 1814] (Jefferson Papers)
It appears to me desireable, that in an University, should be taught 1 Languages } antient. Latin. Greek modern. French. 2 { Mathematics. Plane and Sp h erical Trigonometry. Algebra. Fluxions. Nat. Philosophy }
23512To James Madison from the Purveyor’s Office, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
This morning previously to the receipt of your letter of 18th. Inst. the Purveyor had gone to Jersey to procure Timber for Algiers, he will return the day after tomorrow, when I conclude he will report to you the information you require. I am Sir very respec[t]fully Your obdt. Servt. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Purveyor’s Office, Philadelphia). Whelen’s clerk has not been identified.
23513To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon Petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
23514From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor, 19 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor, 19 Feb. 1780. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison noted on the docket of the draft of GW’s letter to Maj. Gen. William Heath of 19 Feb. that a similar letter was sent to Poor. On 7 March , Col. Joseph Cilley, Jr., temporarily commanding Poor’s New Hampshire brigade, wrote GW that he had received GW’s letter to Poor of 19 February.
23515To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Bond, 9 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Mary Bond, an unfortunate woman, left a widow, with four small Children, pleads great poverty, makes application most humbly, to Mr. Jefferson, President of the United States, for a little assistance, being this present time, without one single cent, and what is an addition to her distress’d situation, in a Strange Place, and without one friend, to render her the least service, although...
23516From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. came to hand yesterday & I return you Foronda’s, Tufts, Soderstrom’s & Turreau’s letters. I think it is become necessary to let Turreau understand explicitly that the vessels we permit foreign ministers to send away are merely transports for the conveyance of such of their subjects as were here at the time of the embargo, that the numbers must be proportioned to the vessels...
23517To Thomas Jefferson from Elnathan Scofield, 25 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
With due Submission to our Chief Magistrate I trouble you with reading this on a Subject which to me is interesting—during the Last Session of Congress I wrote to an acquaintance in Congress to mention my name to the President as a Candidate for either Register or receiver of the Land office to be established for the sale of the Lands Lying North of the Military tract and West of the...
23518To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard Peyton, 5 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have procured the white Lead and oil ordered in yours of the 30th: ulto, which shall go by first waggon for charlottesville— MHi .
23519To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Ellery, 25 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I snatch the few moments allowed me by a Gentleman, who is going directly to New York, to transmit one of the charts I promised you. The others are not yet completed, as Mr. E who is my Hydrographer Genl. has been obliged to suspend his employment in that line. My intention is, to collect & copy the different charts of the river, that have any character for correctness, to check one by...
23520To Thomas Jefferson from Lacépède, 7 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
La lettre que j’ai l’honneur d’écrire à votre excellence; vous sera présentée par le général thureau membre de la légion d’honneur, et notre ambassadeur auprès de vous. Il offrira de ma part à votre excellence, un exemplaire de l’histoire naturelle des cétacées que je viens de publier. J’ai l’honneur de vous prier, Monsieur le président, de réunir cet hommage à celui que M. livingston a eu la...
23521To Thomas Jefferson from Andrew Ellicott, 18 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The first part of the fifth volume of the transactions of our Philosophical Society is now with the printer.—more than one half of it will consist of the astronomical journal kept on our southern boundary.—The charts, and plans, are yet with our executive, and I do not expect to obtain them till after the 4th. of March next.—I have been told by Mr. Pickering and others, that the work done on...
23522Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Garrett, 8 May 1822, with Garrett’s Note and Receipt (Jefferson Papers)
M r Appleton ’s account stands thus. Proceeds of former remittance 1239. to be paid of it to Giacomo Raggi 200 applicable to capitels. 1039 whole cost of Capitels 1900 bal ce to be remitted clear of exchange. 861. Note by Garrett
23523From James Madison to David J. Howell, 2 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
I enclose copies of several papers, received from the Consul at the Cape of Good Hope, whence it would appear that the Ship Charles and Harriot John Earl, master, Ship Swift, Capt. Maybury, Brig Israel, John Gardner, master, and the Ship Oneida, Capt. Maybury, all of Newport, Rh. Island have been concerned in carrying on the slave trade between Foreign Countries. You will be pleased to obtain...
23524To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 29 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 24th was delivered me by Capt. Peachy, which Letter with his Information gives me great Pain & Uneasiness for the back Settlements, & Your present distress’d Situation, I have & continue to do every Thing in my Power for Your relief. The Militia of ten Counties are ordered to march directly for Winchester, Small Arms, Powder Shott &ca have been sent from this to...
23525From Hendrick W Gordon to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 August 1817 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you, my illustrious friend the President, and all your family on the safe arrival of your son His Excellency John Quincy Adams to the country of his love, and of his fathers. I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with Mr. Adams, If I had I would not trouble you with what I am about to ask, though he probably remembers the many letters he received from you through my...
23526To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 1 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The apprehension of appearing in an improper point of view to those whose esteem I earnestly desire to conciliate, occasions my giving you this trouble, in addition to the dispatches of a public nature forwarded by this opportunity.—A Paragraph has this morning appeared in a daily print of this City mentioning my intended mission. I have only to assure you that no trifling indiscretion of mine...
23527Randolph Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
my sister marks arrived heare very safe on friday Evening , but was verry much fatigued after her Jorney. I have got pritty well a gane, but Extreemly week at this time, Scarce able to walk. I am exceedly exceedingly oblige to you for the things you sent me, I have Just sold to charles A: Scott , 70 acres of my low grounds, at a hundred dollers pr acre, for which he is to make the first...
23528To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 20 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
La precendente mia del 20 Marzo anno corrente fù consegnata a un certo Mr. Chace, che partì ⅌ Rhode island nel Brig Juno, Capn. Bates . la copia fù spedita by the Ship America Capn. Adamson for Philadelfia . La cassa e la cassetta dei vini, la prima contenante 60 fiaschi, e la 2da., bottiglie, la note dei quali inclusi nella copia come nell’originale; partirono ⅌ Baltimore by the Ship Cora...
23529To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 2 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 September 1801, The Hague. No. 135. Reports conference with foreign minister and audience of leave with president of Batavian Directory, at which he stressed friendly intentions of American government. President expressed much regret on the occasion of the interview. Encloses copy of a letter from the government regarding American merchant vessel Mary ; believes isolated location of Curaçao...
23530To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [4 February 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 4, 1793. In an undated letter written sometime in 1797 to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Coxe reviewed his correspondence with Hamilton concerning the execution of the revenue laws in Pennsylvania. In the course of the letter Coxe wrote: “My letter of the 4th. Feby. 1793 contains a sad exhibition of the disorders in the Service in Pennsa. The letter of Feb. 4. shews the...
23531From John Jay to Peter Van Schaack, 23 January 1827 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your friendly Letter of the 27 th . ul t .— It gives me pleasure to reflect that our mutual Esteem & Regard have from an early period are ^been^ constantly productive of Cordiality & Gratification— A kind Providence has extended our Lives to the commencem t . of the ensuing year— Very few of our early Associates remain with us on this Occasion.— our temporal abode here is merely...
23532From Thomas Jefferson to Lambert, 3 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson est veritablement affligé d’avoir manqué hier de se rendre chez son excellence Monsieur le Comtrolleur general. Il reçut hier matin une lettre de Monsieur de la Fayette lui annonçant que Monsieur le Controleur general auroit la bonté de nous recevoir le lendemain à midi. Sans faire assez d’attention à la date, il croyoit que ce devoit etre le jour d’aujourdhui (Samedi) et il...
23533To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
By letters previously recd. from Stephen Higginson Esqr of Boston, I had been taught to expect that both the Herald, of 20 Guns, and the Boston Cutter, of 14 Guns, would have been prepared to Join Capt. Barry, at Cape Cod, or Nantasket road, about the 20th. Instant. Barry arrived at the place of destination about the time appointed, but found the Boston Vessels in an unprepared state; and I...
23534To Thomas Jefferson from Paul Alliot, 14 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
j’ay L’honneur de vous envoyer un manuscrit qui a pour titre, reflexions historiques et politiques sur la Louysiane en deux parties. n’ayant fait ce petit ouvrage que dans de bonnes vues, et vous l’ayant dedié ; j’espere que vous l’acceuillerez. je souhaitte ardemment qu’en le lisant, vous puissiez par votre sagesse, par vos grands talens, et par vos vertus qui font aujourdhuy l’admiration de...
23535From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Greenhow, 8 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
In the many interesting conversns I had with you while we had the pleasure of your company at Monticello you mentioned that we could have from Italy the finest Anatomical preparations, castings E t c and for the cheapest prices of any part of the world. our University begins it’s operns this day, and our school of Anatomy and Medicine is as yet unprovided with it’s proper subjects and...
23536From George Washington to Richard Peters, 8 June 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Richard Peters, 8 June 1788. On 27 June Peters wrote GW : “I have the Honour of your Letter of the 8th inst.”
23537To George Washington from Solomon Bush, 4 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
No. 7 Boulton Street Piccadilly May it Please your Excellency London 4th Octr 1789 I took the liberty to address you some time since, sincerely congratulating your Excellency on your late dignified appointment, which be assured proceeded from the effusions of a Heart fervently thankfull to the great Author of all good for the blessings he has been pleas’d to shower down on my Country—The many...
23538From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 24, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The State of Parties in this Republick is still critical. Many anonymous Pamphlets appear on both Sides. Those which proceed from the English Party, are virulent against Mr. Van Berkel. The Republick itself wavers, according to Events and Causes which are impenetrable. A few days ago, the Plan appeared to be to acceed to the armed Neutrality, in order to satisfy one Party, and to disavow the...
23539To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My dear Grand papa’s letter of the 29th arrived safe yesterday and brought the disagreeable news of his being unwell but we all sincerely wish and hope that he will soon recover and come on to see us all again. I will give another guess about the pen it is steel is it not? my bantam has hatched 8. pretty little chickens and I shall follow your advice about her treatment. the orange trees are...
23540To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 15 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
A long abscence from your Native shore would insure a Welcome to a line from me had I no other Claim to your Attention. But when I Can Recur to former Instances of friendship And indulgence, and in addition to that assure you I take up my pen in Compliance with the Repeated request of your Good Lady, I Can suppose it possible that Even the most important Negotiations may for a Moment be...
23541Cash Accounts, May 1775 (Washington Papers)
Cash May 1— To Thos Cortee recd from him by the hands of Capt. Bradstreet (which with Two Bills of Excha. One Drawn by Lyonel Bradstreet on Wm Tippell of Londo. date 12th Apl for £40 Str. & another Bill Drawn by Thos Cortee on Mr Wm Mollison of the Same date for £40 Str.) is in full for the Briga. Farmer Sold the sade Cortee £283.6.8 Maryld Curry is [£]226.13. 4 To Bryan Fairfax Esqr. Int. of...
23542William Short to Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the very sincere pleasure of recieving some days ago your kind favor of the 13 th ul to covering the syllabus. It has been a source to me of much gratification & instruction also. the subject has been always one on which I have postponed to aim at information, because I felt in limine the conviction that it was impossible to attain such a degree of certainty as would be satisfactory to...
23543Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 12 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received your kind Letter of the 6 th and was most sincerely rejoiced to find you able to write. I sent Cousin William to Boston yesterday; he was very anxious to find how you were, and I gave him leave to open your Letter, if he should find one for Me in Town. I was very happy in his company, and really feel his absence as a loss to me. he possesses a very inquisitive mind. I...
23544Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morrell, 5 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The book which you were so kind as to take charge of at Paris for me is safely recieved, and I thank you for your care of it, & more particularly for the indulgent sentiments you are so kind as to express towards myself. I am happy at all times to hear of the welfare of my literary friends in that country. they have had a hard time of it since I left them. I know nothing which can so severely...
23545To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur Adams une Notice Sûre des Flottes parties de Brest dans le tems où Walsingham a eu avis que l’Escadre francoise paroissoit a l’ouvert de la manche, et qu’une terreur panique l’a fait retourner à Plimouth, quoi qu’il eût le vent bon pour continuer Sa route. Il Seroit amusant de voir ces détails dans les papiers anglois, et qu’ils y fussent présentés comme...
23546To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 16 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed, the Copy of an Act of Congress of the 12th Instant, directing that the Garrison at Wyoming be relieved (if you shall Judge that Post necessary) as soon as may be, by Troops from the Continental Army, not belonging to the Line of Pennsylvania or Connecticutt, or Citizens of either of the said States. The present & future Garrison are to be supplied by the...
23547Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1774 (Adams Papers)
I sincerely Congratulate my much Esteemed friend on the Restoration of the invaluable Blessing of Health: without which (if I may so Express it) Life is but a painful Blank. May it be long: very long before she again knows an interuption. But by the stile and spirit of yours of the 5th December one would judge you was quite as much affected by the shocks of the political as the Natural...
23548[Diary entry: 9 November 1774] (Washington Papers)
9. Cold Wind hard at West or No. West all day.
23549From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 8 September 1814 (Adams Papers)
I send you a Letter by mr Crufts this day received from Caroline. I had a few lines from her saying she was well, and longing to hear from us at Quincy. she had not then received my second Letter or Susans. I thank you for the papers & for the Nutmegs; I send by mrs Cruft the money for them. I hope for Letters by the J Adams and certainly shall have some, we must wait with patience for the...
23550From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Stanton, 1 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to Messrs. Stanton & Howland, & regrets that it is not consistent with the rule he lays down for his own conduct to communicate to them the papers asked for in their note of the 27th. applications to him for office, & information given him as to the character of applicants, he considers as confidential, to be used only for his own government, and never to...