27001To John Adams from William Cunningham, 14 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
My solicitude to see your strictures upon Mr. Pickering’s Letter was satisfied by the last mail. I acquit myself, by the enclosure of the sheets, of one of the stipulations upon which you transmitted them to me—the other has not been violated. Nothing on the Impressment of our Seamen, has yet appeared which unfolds the subject so lucidly and satisfactorily either as to law or expediency. I am...
27002From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 10 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 6th of September; and have sent an extract of it to Mr Church for the explanation which is necessary. I feel myself truly obliged by your friendly allusion to my unpleasant situation, and for the consolation you are so kind as to offer me. The esteem of the discerning and virtuous must always support a mind properly formed under the pressure of malevolence...
27003From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Hoping that a post note on Norfolk will be cash in Richmond, I enclose one for $300, instead of committing bank notes to the mail. Nothing has occurred since you left us worth detailing to you. We are still uninformed of the precise circumstances which have detained Mr. Rose on board the frigate. There is a report that he will either pass up the bay to Annapolis, or possibly engage a vessel to...
27004To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 27 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 July 1779 . Detailed account of Wayne’s capture of Stony Point on the Hudson, 15 July. Postscript reads: “You will oblige me much, by suggesting to me such reflections, as occur to you on the subject of peace: not on the propriety of making it, if possible, but on terms, necessary for America to insist on.” RC ( DLC ); 1 p. Printed in part: Conway, Edmund Randolph , p. 39–40.
27005To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton, 23 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, desires the favor of his Company to Dinner on saturday next the 28th Inst.; and that he would be so good as to come about 12 o’Clock, that there may be time for Auditing the Accounts of the Society before dinner. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street / Strand. This audit may have been connected with the...
27006[Diary entry: 8 December 1771] (Washington Papers)
8. Clear and cool threatning bad weather but none fell. Wind North.
27007George Washington to John Jay, 29 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 29, 1779. Reports that the news of the embarkation of the British was false. Asks if powder can be obtained from Massachusetts or Connecticut. Df , in writing of H, with postscript in writing of Robert Hanson Harrison, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27008From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 24 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th inst: was received yesterday. With you, I sincerely regret the death of your amiable Sister; but as it is one of those events which is dispensed by an allwise and uncontroulable Providence; and as I believe no person could be better prepared to meet it, it is the duty of her relatives to submit, with as little repining as the Sensibility of our natures is capable of. Mr...
27009[Diary entry: 2 July 1769] (Washington Papers)
2. Sunday.
27010From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 9 May 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New York Public Library; also copies: Public Record Office, American Philosophical Society, and (part only) British Museum Although this is one of Franklin’s most important letters, there has been difficulty about both its date and its recipient. Moreover, it has never been printed accurately, nor can it be here, for no Franklin autograph has been found. The two fullest surviving...
27011General Orders, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Major General St Clair Lieutenant Colonel Adams Major Reid Brigade Major Williams General Gist’s brigade for duty tomorrow. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
27012From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 27 September 1763 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 13th and 23d of April last are all that have come to hand since mine of the 13th of June —I am sorry to find that my Tobacco which was intended by Hammond, and which he ought to have taken (after runng me to the expence of Insurance &ca) is likely to come to so unfavourable a Market as your Letter of the 13th seems to bespeake —under such manifest disappointments and losses...
27013From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 19 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The books from Liverpool after which your letter of the 16 th enquiries, on behalf of the collector were sent by mr Dennison one of the members of parliament who was with us the last summer. I inclose you his letter which accompanied them it is so worded, that I might have considered them as a present to myself. but he says he had seen in the library of the University Tim Bobbin on the...
27014From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 9 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I now lay before you a General Account rendered by the Bankers of the United States at Amsterdam of the payments they had made between the 1st of July 1790 and 1791 from the fund deposited in their hands for the purposes of the Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States, and foreign Nations, and of the balance remaining in their hands; together with a letter from the...
27015I: Candidates for Bankruptcy Commissioners, 31 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
For Commissioners of Bankruptcy in the City of New York Mercantile Characters John Broome—Candidate for member of Congress—former President of the Chamber of Commerce—a very respectable man— William Edgar—a man of large property & fair character—late a member of our State Convention Solomon Townsend —a man of property—an invariable republican and old Citizen Law Characters Jonathan Persee...
27016From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 4 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose for communication to the society observations made on a lunar eclipse at the Observatory of Philadelphia on the 21st of Sep. last by messrs. Patterson & Ellicot. Also some extracts from a letter I recieved from mr Dunbar of the Natchez with Meteorological observations for the year 1800. made there by him, and remarks on the soil, climate & productions of the...
27017To Thomas Jefferson from George W. P. Custis, 13 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Perceiving by the detail of Public Affairs that a Bridge is contemplated by the Government, whereby the Counties of Washington & Alexandria shall be united, & other objects of National moment effected. I have done myself the honour to address your Excellency on this subject, & beg leave to propose for your consideration whether the ground immediately below the spot intended for the University...
27018To John Adams from Henry Grand, 31 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Pursuant to Doctor Franklin’s Approbation I have Settled your Account in the only way you could admit of, that is to Say I have given you credit for the sum you ordered to Mr. Dana’s Account £6857. 3 adding to that the Ballance I owed you on the 10th. of sept of 2557. 16 makes up a sum of £ 9414. 19 from which there is to be deducted 1st. the £400. making with the charges Bf 4045.2 at 53...
27019To James Madison from Samuel H Eakin, 15 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
Note of Expences attending Two cases china recd. from Nantes pr Ship Richard Cap Rogers for a/ c of James Madison Esqr. Secretary of State Washington City vizt: 1806 Novemr. 15 To freight from Nantes as pr Bill of lading $ 15: 45 " Carting from Vessel to the store " 37 1/2 " Duties on the amt: £3125.12.5 Tons cost 158. 5.8
27020From George Washington to Joseph Wright, 30 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened that your card of Septr 1st, with the Bust which accompanied it, did not get to my hands until some time in the course of last month: & that a letter from your good mother dated Decr 8th 1783, only reached me the 12th of last December. For the first you will please to receive the united acknowledgements & thanks of Mrs Washington & myself. The large one she prays may give...
27021To George Washington from James Cleveland, 16 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Tack This oppertunity to Let you know how I have proseded In your bisness on the ohio First I proseded To the Tract Directed on the kanhawa 10990 acres as Directed I Sarchet That Extenceve Tract Fore Dayes To Find the best place To be gin my Impruve ments at lingth I Fixt in the great Bend Not be Cause it tis the best Land For it is all So Rich that I Saw no Choss but Thought I had reson To...
27022To James Madison from Archibald Roane, 11 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
When Doctor Dickson our Representative was on his return from Congress he gave me reason to expect that Copies of those papers or books in your office, which had respect to the titles of land in this state would be forwarded on here as soon as convenient. Permit me again to remind you that such Copies particularly those of the entries in Carter’s office will be very beneficial to many of the...
27023To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hichborn, 1 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer of this Mr: Israel Hatch of this town has discovered, as he thinks, a new method to give effect to chaind Shot when directed against Ships of War in defence of forts Towns &c—in this view, it appears to me important & induced me to yeald a ready complyance with his request, to recommend it to your patronage, shoud it be found upon examination to deserve attention—I have a Stronger...
27024From John Adams to Joseph Warren, 21 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
This Letter I presume will be delivered into your own Hand by the General. He proposes to set out, tomorrow, for your Camp. God Speed him. Lee is, Second Major General, Schuyler, who is to command at N. York is the third and Putnam the fourth. How many Brigadiers general we shall have, whether five, Seven or Eight, is not determined, nor who they shall be. One from N. Hampshire, one from R....
2702527. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Judge Greenleaf’s. Foster came home.
27026From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 15 October 1817 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you, for two very kind Letters The first, was written after my Grandaughter miss de Wint, had made you a visit. I ought to have inform’d you, how much She regreted, that it was not in her power to repeat it, and writing to me upon her return, that She was gratified in having visited a Lady, whom She knew; was much esteemd by her Grand Parents: as well as by her own Father, and...
27027From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We are still without any letters from Monticello since our departure. I received one yesterday from Mr. De Rieux of Nov. 15. in which however he does not mention the family at Monticello. I suppose that some irregularity of the post occasions this. I have never failed to write once a week, and Maria has written several times . Stratton did not sail till yesterday, so that by the time you get...
27028From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 28 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a warrant for 10,000 D. the post coming twice a week will enable you to apply whenever money is wanting, by letter to me, only taking care to write a week before it is wanting. if the difficulties arising in the law suits of the city can be got over till the Attorney general & myself return to the city, they shall be the subject of consultation to see what can be done. the...
27029Memo re Indian Treaties, 8 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The H. of R. refused approprn’s for the Convention with the Cherokees made at Washn. the Chickasaw treaty the last Piankesha treaty for the country between the Vincennes & Kaskaskia country DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
27030From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 20 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have written to you lately by Packet, by Mr. Ayres, and by Capt. Falkener, and have little to add; but I know you will expect a Line by our Friend Capt. Story. I hope he will succeed in his new Employment, and indeed I make no doubt of it, for he is very obliging and seems to be much lik’d. It griev’d me to hear of the Death of that fine Child of theirs....
27031From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 2d. I have considered the petition of Warrall and return you his pardon signed.—The copies of the Instructions and dispatches I have received. I will thank you to send me a Copy or two of the Laws of the last Session compleat.— I have the Honor to be Sir / yr mo Obt. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
27032Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on Suspending Clause in Legislation, 3 September 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1752–1753 (Philadelphia, 1753), pp. 34–7. On September 1, 1753, the House appointed Evan Morgan, Franklin, Hugh Roberts, Mahlon Kirkbride, George Ashbridge, Peter Worrall, David McConnaughy, Joseph Armstrong, Moses Starr, and James Burnside a committee to consider the clause which Governor Hamilton insisted upon in his message...
27033[Diary entry: 13 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
13th. Clear but somewhat Cool.
27034To Thomas Jefferson from James Garrard, 20 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is sometime past since I did myself the honour of addressing you in favor of Mr. Harry Toulmin , the present Secretary of State for Kentucky, soliciting his appointment to some respectable Office in one of the newly erected Territories, either in Louisiana or on the Lakes. At that time I had no expectation of troubling you again on the same subject, for I then said of Mr. Toulmin, what in...
27035To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 4 April 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Benjamin W. Crowninshield. 4 April 1815, Navy Department. “Permit me to request that you will annex your signature to the blank Commissions herewith, and cause them to be returned to this Department.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ). 1 p. Crowninshield sent similar requests for signatures of blank commissions or warrants to JM on 10 Apr., 25 Apr., 11 Nov., and 17 Nov. 1815 (ibid.).
27036To John Adams from William MacCreery, 11 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
Altho’ it be the fate of persons high in power to be exposed to the importunity of the many, and they are obliged not only to suffer, but submit to it, I assure you I feel much repugnance in troubling you with this letter. The arrival of a Vessell here in the last summer with a number of German-passengers after a very tedious voyage, having communicated a contagious distemper to some of the...
27037Enclosure: Resolutions of Caroline County, Virginia, Citizens, 10 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a very Numerous Meeting of the Substantial Planters, Farmers & other Yeomanry of the County of Caroline in Virginia, at the Court House on the 10th day of September 1793; being the day of holding the County Court, on which they had been previously requested to Assemble for the purpose of taking into consideration the present political State of American Affairs. It being considered that it...
27038From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I offer you my sincere condolances on the melancholy loss which has detained you at home: and am entirely sensible of the necessities it will have imposed on you for further delay. mr Lincoln has undertaken the duties of your office per interim, and will continue till you can come. Genl. Dearborn is in the War department. mr Gallatin, though unappointed, has staid till now to give us the...
27039Notes on Navigation and Trade, [ca. 13 May] 1790 (Madison Papers)
Molasses Massts. has 60 distilleries. (Sheffd. p. 108) In 1769.—3,580,144. galls. of French & Surinam,—and only 299,678 of British Molasses were imported into N. America—(Id. 109) The Quantity of foreign Molasses imported into America, prior to the war, appears by the Custom house books to be greater than the quantity of rum imported there, altho’ the latter free from duty and molasses subject...
27040To Thomas Jefferson from John Harris, 6 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As I thought you might probably Misunderstand one Cartain C Sentence in the other letter that I Am or I sent to you—I have thought good to send this Also and pray you to have this joind to the other by your influence I remain your Humble servant MHi : Coolidge Collection. What Goeth into the Mouth Defiles not the Man the Garden of paradice is the Earth Eastward and Westward at this Day. the...
27041To Thomas Jefferson from George Blaettermann, 7 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to return you your excellent little tract on the Anglo Saxon language and mode of teaching it. I have perused it with attention and am delighted with your idea on the subject. I have found, in the course of my experience as a teacher, that assimilating, even by forcing and straining a little, the language of the learner to that he is to acquire greatly facilitates his labor....
27042From Benjamin Franklin to Nogaret, 8 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c … (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 74. I received the letter you have done me the honour of writing to me the 2d instant, wherein after overwhelming me with a flood of compliments, which I can never hope to merit, you request my opinion of your translation of a Latin Verse, that has...
27043To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 10 September 1781 (Madison Papers)
Tr ( LC : Force Transcripts). Addressed to “The Honble James Maddison jr Esqr Philadelphia.” Another copy, made from the missing original, is printed in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 2d ser., XIX (1905), 140–41. An extract is given in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue, No. 694 (1892). Very little important hath happened here, at least that has come to my knowledge, since...
27044John Laval to Thomas Jefferson, 20 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was written & forwarded on the 1 st of April, it has been delayed by the fault of Some of the Post Offices. The Potter ’s Euripides, I offered to you, was the Only one in the City, & is, as well as Woodhull ’s, bound Calf extra, which is the Cause of their high prices. I Shall have in September or October next Potter ’s Euripides in boards, & will be able to afford it at...
27045Bernard McMahon to Thomas Jefferson, 27 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure of sending you herewith a small packet of Oats raised by myself; it is the produce of the 5 th annual crop, after the original importation (by myself) from Ireland , where, as well as in England and Scotland , it is known by the trivial name of Potatoe Oats . The seed I imported 5 years ago weighed $40 lb per Bushel, my crop this season of about 150 Bushels, the same...
27046III. Some Thoughts on a Coinage, [ca. March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Some Thoughts on a Coinage, and the Money Unit for the U.S. Transition from money to weights. Transition from weights to measures. Transition from measures to time. I find new dollars of 1774,80,81 (qu. Mexico Pillar) weigh 18 dwt. 9 grs.=441 grs. If of this there be but 365 grs. pure silver, the alloy would be of 2.1 oz. in the ℔. instead of 19 dwt. the common Spanish alloy, which is 1 dwt....
270471774 Thursday. Octr. 13. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Dickenson with Chase, Paca, Low, Mifflin, Mr. Penn and General Lee, at six O Clock. From 10 O Clock untill half after four, We were debating, about the Parliamentary Power of regulating Trade. 5 Colonies were for allowing it, 5. against it, and two divided among themselves, i.e. Mass, and Rhode Island. Mr. Duane has had his Heart sett upon asserting in our Bill of Rights, the...
27048From Henry Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
The friendships of early youth never cease but with the dying breath.—“Tell my Dear Mrs: Adams to write me or see me very soon, else we only meet in Heaven”—was one of the last expressions of your departed friend & my ever to be respected mother.—Her constant, ardent, almost sisterly affection imposes it on me as an earliest duty to inform you that death has made another inroad on your...
27049From Thomas Jefferson to Library of Congress Committee, 6 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Library commee in acct with Th:J. Dr. Cr D c By paimt to Pougens books for Th:J 535₶
27050[Diary entry: 21 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 21st. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—54 at Noon & 55 at Night. More or less rain all night and variable wind—which, at times, blew exceedingly hard. In the Morning the wind was at No. Et. attended with rain. Before Noon it shifted to the Southward—blowing pretty fresh. The weather then cleared. This day a large Ship went up—on Tuesday last 4 square rigged vessels also went past wch. was...