2701To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 18 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am aware that I am guilty of an impropriety in giving you the Trouble of this letter. Since the death of my friend Doctor Jarvis there have been many applications to me for letters on this score; my answer has been uniform, that I had no authority to trouble the President of the United States on this subject; but I cannot deny my name to Doctor Waterhouse on the Occasion. I know him to be...
2702To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearers Capt. Dun and Mr. Curlis have lately arrived here from Georgia, and may possibly give you some Information relative to the affairs of our Country. I beg leave to recommend them to your civilities and am with the greatest Respect most dutifully and affectionately Yours Addressed: A monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / LLD / a / Passy Samuel Dunn,...
2703[Diary entry: 8 September 1762] (Washington Papers)
8. Carried the last of my Tobo. to H[untin]g C[ree]k W[arehouse]. Finished sowing Wheat at Muddy hole 15 .
2704To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholaas Hubbard, 1 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Situation of affairs here, as we had the honor to point it out to you in our Respects of 4 & 28 Ulto. naturally urged our every attention, to provide for the support of the Credit of the United States, at the fast approaching Period of the first of June, when was to be paid f.1.000.000.—Reimbursement “ 470.000.—Interest All the monies in our hands, having been more than absorbed by the...
2705From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Southall, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
An extreme throng of business prevented my answering your Letter yesterday. The order then given of which you sent me a copy, was not a general order but a special one in behalf of the bearers whoever they were. I think it was in the case of the waggoners employed by Majr. Pierce at Baltimore who had made them a special promise. It is certainly just that all should receive a reasonable price...
2706Committee Report on Lightning Rods for St. Paul’s Cathedral, 7 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LIX (1769), 162–9. As, in consequence of a letter addressed to the Royal Society from the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, the Society did us the honour to appoint us a Committee to examine that magnificent structure, and, as far as our experience would enable us, to prevent mischief thereto from lightning, by a properly disposed...
2707From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to request that you will provide — horses for Major Hoops and Captain Stille who are about to leave this place for Niagara. You will likewise be pleased likewise to advance fifty dollars to Capn. Stille and seventy five to Major Hoops to defray the expences of the journey— With great consn I am, Sir &c: &c: ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of...
2708The Federalist No. 79, [28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. NEXT to permanency in office, nothing can contribute more to the independence of the judges than a fixed provision for their support. The remark made in relation to the president, is equally applicable here. In the general course of human nature, a power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will . And we can never hope to see realised in...
2709Rules and Statutes of the College, Academy, and Charity School; Laws and Statutes of the Trustees, 11 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania The trustees of the College of Philadelphia on June 10 (see above, p. 29) appointed Franklin and five others to examine and report on a draft of rules and statutes, probably prepared by Franklin himself, which had been submitted to the board for adoption. On July 11 Franklin reported as president that the committee had considered the draft...
I enclose you some lines I wrote if you like you may publish them but do not say whose they are and sign them L. We are all well but I am to lazy to write Tell Mrs. Adams I think if she could find an opportunity to send Abby on here it would do her good and give me pleasure—I like your lines on Mrs Marston very much The prize excellent— Yours ever MHi : Adams Papers.
2711From George Washington to Lund Washington, 22 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 22 Mar. 1778. On 1 April, Lund Washington wrote GW , “By the last Post I got two Letters from you of the 15th & 22d of March.”
2712To Thomas Jefferson from John Broome, 27 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Pursuant to the orders of the Senate and Assembly of this State, we have the Honor to inclose you their Joint resolutions, relative to the protection of the Port of New York. With Sentiments of high consideration, We are, Sir, your obed’t humble Servants, DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Resolved as the sense of this legislature that every consideration of policy and duty requires—that...
2713To Thomas Jefferson from Garrett Elliott Pendergrast, 25 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Confident that your attention would alone attach to the object, regardless of the manner of an address, I have without hesitation, although not honoured with the personal acquaintance of your Excellency, taken the liberty of pressing my own solicitation for an appointment in the contemplated mission for accertaining the boundary of Louisiana; flattering myself that should the several...
2714From George Washington to Isaac Sears, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your favor of the 2d Inst. & am fully of opinion with you that the Resolves of Congress shoud be Strictly adhered to as the regulation of the price of Tea or any other article is quite foreign to my department I shall Leave such Matters to the Provincial Congress before whom I will this day Lay your Letter, & I doubt not they will take such Steps as will put a stop to the evil you...
2715To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 12 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of W. Priestmann, the Secretary of the Treasury conceives that by the manner in which the enclosed draft of a pardon is executed, Gideon will receive any part of the forfeiture to which by law he may be entitled. If he is not entitled to any part by law, the Secretary, from a consideration of the case, does not perceive the propriety or justice of making him a compensation at the...
271620 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
After breakfast, rode to my Uncle Hunts, dined there, came Home, went to see my Aunt Owen, drank Tea at Deacon Webbs with Mrs. Nabby Webb . Came home. Spent the evening at the Drs. JA ’s aunt Hannah Adams had married Benjamin Owen of Braintree, 1725; his aunt Bethiah Adams had married Ebenezer Hunt of Weymouth, 1737 ( A. N. Adams, Geneal. Hist. of Henry Adams of Braintree Andrew N. Adams, A...
2717For the National Gazette, 31 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Among the various reforms which have been offered to the world, the projects for universal peace have done the greatest honor to the hearts, though they seem to have done very little to the heads of their authors. Rousseau, the most distinguished of these philanthropists, has recommended a confederation of sovereigns, under a council of deputies, for the double purpose of arbitrating external...
2718[Diary entry: 30 January 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. At home all day. Mr. Bryan Fairfax came to dinner and stay’d all Night.
2719Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand, except for Bland’s signature. Docketed, “Lr. f’m Del. in Congress June 25 82.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th. came safe to hand yesterday. The loss of the mail of the preceding week is the more regretted, as we understand that a packet from N. York for England which had been intercepted and carried into N. Carolina, made a part of it. A private...
2720To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [27 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 19th. came safe by the Doctr., who set out this morning for Philadelphia. I had, previous to the receipt of it, and without knowing that the Board of War had given any direction respecting the Armory at Albany, requested the Governor to exempt (if he could do it with propriety) the Citizens who were employed in it, from Military Services in cases of alarm, and had written to...
2721From John Jay to John Clarkson Jay, 25 February 1817 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter and am pleased to find it written as well as it is. A late Letter from your Papa informed me of your Sickness and Recovery— Remember Him by whose kind Providence your Life has been preserved— and be thankful— From your translating Latin into English, I conclude that you have paid proper Attention to the latin Grammar— endeavour to learn it perfectly. Your being...
2722To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, [after 7 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the most hearty Love and confidenc in your Friendship, Mr. S has deservedly Recomended himself to his Contry and to your Service. Things now are in a fare way of Coming into a Self preserving and Self Cure way . They will now with a littel of your assistance soon work their own way . The Spirit of honest Englishmen seem to git the art of thinking...
2723[From Alexander Hamilton to the Gazette of the United States], [23 June 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[Philadelphia] Gazette of the United States , June 23, 1792. Philip Marsh has written: “On June 23d, [John] Fenno printed, under ‘Original Communications,’ an unsigned but Hamiltonian threat at Republican attacks on his measures” (“Hamilton’s Neglected Essays, 1791–1793,” The New-York Historical Society Quarterly , XXXII [October, 1948], 290). Although this “threat” may be “Hamiltonian” in...
2724Memorandum Books, 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 3. Agreed with William Wood to keep James, Dick, Patrick & Moses another year @ £16–10. I shall give Lucy Wood the same for James. Recd. from T. Carr 10.D. 6. Small exp. 15/. 7. Do. 9/. Gave W. Beck order on T. Carr for 46/8 in full for his work. Gave D. Watson ord. on Flem. & Mclan. for 15/6 and pd. him 6/ cash. 16. Small exp. 2.D.
2725[Diary entry: 4 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
4. Rid to Alexandria to see how my Carpenters went on with my Ho. Returnd to Dinr.
2726To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Parker, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of Receiving your letter of the 24th ultimo together with one from your Aide De Camp Covering Acts & Regulations Respecting the military establishment which I shall duly attend to I herewith Inclose you the arrangement of The officers to the several Recruiting Rendezvous & have subjoined the appointments of the Staff. They are Gentlemen Who I Believe will fill their Respective...
2727George Washington to Samuel Chase, 27 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] April 27, 1778 . Discusses British practice of seizing and imprisoning civilians. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Chase was a member of the Continental Congress from Maryland.
2728To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 1 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In the reporting to You on the manner in which the work on the public buildings of the United States has been conducted during the Year 1804, I cannot avoid expressing my regret that a sensible portion of the appropriation by Congress has necessarily been expended in pulling down or repairing what was done insufficiently, previously to the Year 1803. The application of the public money to the...
2729From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 21 February 1822 (Adams Papers)
Being very well I hasten to write you and although you disclaim all merit in a certain transaction still to repeat my approbation of a conduct which does you so much honour and which I hope (although you must not expect) will be rewarded by the improvement and merit of its object—Should this not happen do not suffer the disappointment to mortify or wound your feelings or to damp any future...
2730[April 1. Wednesday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 1. Wednesday. 1778. This Morning Mr. J. C. Champage, Merchant and Broker of the Marine at Blaye, came on board to make a Visit and pay his Compliments. I learned from him that of the first Grouths of Wine, in the Province of Guienne, there are four Sorts of Grapes, bearing the names of Chateau Margeaux, Hautbrion, La Fritte and Latour. This Morning I took Leave of the Frigate Boston, and...
2731From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1793 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter with the unsealed one for Monroe & have forwarded the latter. Your subsequent one, which I calculate to have been written on the 12th. inst: came to hand two days ago. I feel for your situation but you must bear it. Every consideration private as well as public require a further sacrifice of your longings for the repose of Monticello. You must not make your final exit...
2732To Thomas Jefferson from Philippe Reibelt, 31 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Tout près de l’abime de la misére—dans un paÿs etranger—sans autre recomandation, qu’a Vous—J’ose iterativement implorer Votre protection, de quelque manière, qu’il Vous plaira, de me l’accorder: Ou par la place de maitre de poste, de Chef du bureau de la Vente de terres, ou autre a la Nouvelle Orleans, ou par la recomandation a un grand Proprietaire, au quel je pourrois je pourrois etre util...
2733To James Madison from William Jones, 25 April 1814 (Madison Papers)
Circumstances over which I have no controul having coerced a determination on my part to retire from the honorable station in which your confidence and good will had placed me, it is proper that I should apprise you of my intention in anticipation of that event though I shall not intimate my design to others. I shall endeavour to remain at my post if possible until the next meeting of Congress...
2734To John Adams from Henry Grand, 15 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have before me the two Letters you honoured me with in date of Decr. 1st. and 10th. and am made sensible by what you are pleased to tell me that you have L6857.3 to claim, not of me however, as I have given you credit and M. Dana by your order, for the whole sum Dr. Franklin charged me to pay to you personally the 12th. feby 1780, as appears by the inclosed Copy of his order. But as M. Dana...
2735From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 5 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not sooner been able to acknolege the reciept of your favors of the 21st. & 29th. ult. and to thank you for the communication of the letters they covered, & which are now re-inclosed. the designs of our Cataline are as real as they are romantic. but the parallel he has selected from history for the model of his own course corresponds but by halves. it is true in it’s principal...
2736Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, [2 August] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 82). See Comments on Temple, 1 August 1782 , headnote. After Congress had listened to the dispatch of 28 April 1782 from John Jay, minister plenipotentiary-designate at Madrid, telling of...
2737Notes on Senate Debates, 29 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
1800. Apr. 29. Jury bill under considn. Mr. Dexter & Hillhouse & mr Read insisted in the fullest & most explicit terms that the common law of England is in force in these states and may be the rule of adjudication in all cases where the laws of the US. have made no provision. Mr. Livermore seemed to urge the same, tho’ he seemed to think that in criminal cases it might be necessary to adopt by...
2738Thomas Jefferson to Louis Adrien Gruchet, 25 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege your favor of the 9 th . being entirely retired from the business of the world, and all correspondence with it’s authorities, I have been obliged rigorously to decline all sollicitations for office on behalf of others. I sincerely commiserate your case. the President is at this time at his seat adjoining this place, and I am to be with him tomorrow. I will mention your...
2739To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the proceedings of a General Court Martial held at Fort Sargent on the Mississippi, on thursday the 22nd day of November 1798 by order of Brigadeir General Wilkinson. At this court Andrew Anderson, a soldier, was tried on a charge of deserting his post, on the night of the 31st of October 1798, and aiding and assisting two prisoners to make their escape from confinement at Fort...
2740Sunday 20th of August 1780. (Adams Papers)
This morning Commodore Gillon came here at about nine o clock and We all went to a gentleman’s house who lives in the Country. We walk’d out of the City and then we found a coach with four horses waiting for us which Commodore Gillon had hired for us. At about a quarter after eleven o clock we arrived there. We went to walk with that Gentleman Whose name is Hooft and who is a Burger master of...
2741From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A certificate of Registry No 16, granted by you, for the Ship Lucretia, has been delivered up, at the Port of Newbern in north Carolina, and returned to this officer by the Collector of that port. Inclosed you will receive part of the certificate, containing the official Seals and signatures of yourself and the naval Officer; which is transmitted to you, in order that the Bond given agreeable...
2742From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 18 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library With this you will receive a Power of Attorney from Messrs. Brown and Sons, Bankers, to recover a Debt of one Mitchel, which I recommend to your Care. The Case is this, When I was in Philadelphia, this Mitchel came to England on a Scheme for Purchasing some Lands in Partnership with Mr. Hughes, who desired me to give him a Letter of Credit for any Sum he...
2743General Orders, 14 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The court of Inquiry which was to have sat yesterday will sit tomorrow ten ôClock A.M. and as some of the members of the court must necessarily be absent, the following Field Officers are to compose the court, Coll Febiger as President, Colonels Butler and Davies, Lieutt Coll Adams & Majr Posey—Members. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this...
2744To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is now five Days since I have first walked from my Bed to the I have moved as fair as I have any Right to expect since that continues very weak. I hope the Day to go abroad; and when I gain Strength sufficient hope a Journey will restore my Strength as well as Health; I am at present unable to attend to the Business you committed to my Charge; Captain Walker will take charge of those...
2745From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 5 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The 4. boxes by mr Randolph’s boats are safely arrived, and the kental of dumbfish not being with them gives one fears it has never come to your hands. will you be so good as to send me by the first boat 25. or 30. ℔ of moulded candles, myrtle wax would be greatly preferred, but if not to be had, good tallow would be next desired. Affectionate salutations. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
2746Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Perhaps none of John Adams’ services to Massachusetts was so demanding and time-consuming as the report on the boundaries of the province that he prepared for the General Court in 1774—and perhaps none of his public papers has offered so many challenges to students of his career. In 1961, the editors of The Adams Papers had to describe this triumph of legal and historical scholarship as an...
2747To George Washington from Colonel David Mason, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I take this opportunity of Acquainting your Excellency that I reach’d this place on Tuesday last and by order of Brigadier Genl Weedon have with my Men been Innoculated. The number of Men I have with me is contained in the inclosed return, which is short of what I had hopes of being able to March with when I wrote you last—Having very few Troops from the Northern Counties which in the...
2748To Thomas Jefferson from Lemuel Sessums, 28 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I ardently beg that you peruse this letter and reflect on the situation of a family which I shall attempt to describe. My Father is a man, aged fifty six, of independent circumstances, My Mother is a woman, aged forty five, of laudable affections. They live in the town of Tarborough in this state; I am now a student here and having perhaps more acqured knowlege than my Father have been pitched...
2749To James Madison from Anthony Charles Cazenove, 30 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor to hand you the check of Jas. L. McKenna Cashr. of Bank of Alexa. on Cashr. of bank of Columbia this date in my favor which I endorse to yours for $428.75 being for the followg. parcels of your Merino Wool 170 lb Full blood $1.25 $212.50 85 . ¾ do $1 — 85— 150 . ½ do .87½ 131.25 100 together $428.75 You will observe that the weights are the same as stated in...
2750From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Col. Rice relative to an issue of Clothing to the troops under his command previous to the expiration of the year—From the Movements in Congress which indicate a speedy disbandment of the additional regiments I have not thought proper to issue an order in the case without your sanction— Unless it is very certain that the If the troops will should not be...