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...
27051To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 Dec. 1776. GW on 21 Dec. wrote Putnam : “I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt.”
27052To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 January 1805, New Orleans. “I enclose you the third number of the Public Accuser. You will see the Gall of my Enemies, and the zeal with which they embrace every occurrence to annoy my feelings. I feel as if I was trespassing upon your important duties, in Soliciting your attention for one moment to News-paper Publications. But when you perceive the malignity of my opponents, I trust you...
27053To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, Jr., 19 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now take the liberty of informing you that we have in this place but one Commissioner for Bankrupts Mr. Richd E. Lee having been elected to represent the Borough of Norfolk in the legislature is under the necessity of given up his commission or vacating his seat the former of which he prefers, and also of recommending for Commissioners Messrs Richard Henry Lee and John E Holt —Mr. Lee is a...
27054To James Madison from William Jones, 6 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed report is prepared in consequence of a call from the Chairman of the Naval Committee of the Senate for a return of the number of Gun Boats in service and their Stations, with a view as I understood him in conversation to propose an additional special defence for Baltimore of a number of Barges or Galleys which the City of Baltimore during the late excitement built and now wish to...
27055To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 8 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Constitution of the State of Ohio requiring that a man to be eligible to the Legislature should not hold any office under the United States, and the election taking place on Tuesday next, Colo. Worthington who is a candidate has been obliged to resign his two offices. He wishes the resignation may be accepted on Monday . Mr Ellicot claims compensation for the service mentioned in the...
27056From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 1 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Monticello the 18th. of Dec. and arrived here to breakfast on the 25th. having experienced no accident or inconvenience except a slight cold, which brought back the inflammation of my eyes and still continues it, though so far mended as to give hopes of it’s going off soon. I took my place in Senate before a single bill was brought in or other act of business done, except the Address...
27057Robert Barnard to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have observed the report of the Trustees or Committee of the College or Institution about to be formed in the state of Virginia for the purpose of Education—Altho’ your name does not appear, your well known Character for literary & Scientific acquirements Would lead me to suppose that you are neither indifferent to the success of the Institution , nor decline to take An active part in...
27058To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 18 August 1805, Amsterdam . “We are at present quite in consternation here on account of the proceedings of the British Govt towards our flag as it appears they have ordered their Cruisers to take into their ports all Amn. vessells bound to the ports of France Spain or Holland laden with Colonial produce—& (as I was led to suppose) in order only to ascertain whether...
27059To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
You already know that the legislature has authorised the literary board to lend us another 60.000 D. It is necessary we should act on this immediately so far as to accept the loan, that we may engage our workmen before they enter into other undertakings for the season. But the badness of the roads, the uncertainty of the weather and the personal inconvenience of a journey to the members of our...
27060To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander J. Dallas, [22 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the Resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, approved the 23d of September 1789, the Legislature of this Commonwealth passed a law, to provide for the custody of Prisoners, committed under the authority of the United States, in which the respective Gaolers were directed to transmit a Calender of such prisoners to the Executive, that order...
27061August 1. 1796. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Hands all gone to finish our Equinoctial Line of Wall as Billings calls it.—Hot, sultry, muggy last night Muskitoes numerous and busy, poor sleep, up and down all night. Have my Brothers Oxen to day.
27062To John Adams from C.W.F. Dumas, 3 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je me proposois de vous écrire ce soir, pour vous apprendre la Résolution unanime que doit se prendre ce matin aux Etats-Généraux, pour la Garantie, par L. H. P. des 5 millions de florins que la France empruntera ici pour prêter aux Etats-Unis, lorsqu’on est venu m’apporter les deux Lettres ci-jointes, arrivées ici par la voie d’Ostende, où je suppose qu’un Vaisseau Américain aura abordé...
27063To George Washington from Captain George Lewis, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
By orders receiv’d of Captain Jones, from your Excellency, I have made an exact return of the remainder of our Regiment, which you have inclosed. Those Horses return’d Sick and Lame, will never be fit for the Service Longer, Should be glad to know your Excellencys pleasure what would be best done with them, the Qr Master Complains that the forrage they have already distroyed is more than they...
27064To George Washington from James Mease, 21 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
since I had the pleasure of writing your Excellency I have been confined with a bad fever & Cold, wh. prevents my being able to set out for Camp for a few days In the mean time have thought proper to send the bearer Mr Young to take care of such business for me as may Occur in that department I have engaged him as assistant to me in the execution of the business not doubting but some will be...
27065Cabinet Opinion on the Administration of the Presidential Oath, 1 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
It is our opinion, My opinion given yesterday was founded on prudential considerations of the moment; though I think it right in the abstract to give publicity to the Act in question. If this is to be done on the present occasion, I see no objection to the above form. I am not, however, satisfied that prudential considerations are not equally ballanced. LS , DLC:GW ; copy, NNGL : Knox Papers....
27066From John Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 9 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have received with much pleasure your favor of the 29th of January. Before I proceed, let me premise a few preliminaries. 1. I disdain all pretentions and Thoughts of Authority, Superiority or Influence arising from Age, Experience or any thing else: and expect and desire and insist that you give no more attention or respect to any opinion of mine than if it were the opinion of the...
27067To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 7 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The necessity of an early answer to the inclosed letters from Governor Harrison induced me to send him one prior to my consulting you on the subject, a copy of Which I herewith transmit, and on a further consideration of the subject I have taken measures for forwarding by a Gentleman who sets out this day for Kentucky, some Medals , and fifteen hundred dollars in silver —the money to be...
27068From Thomas Jefferson to John Bowie Magruder, 14 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your letter of Oct. 26. covering the accounts between us, and I see with extreme regret that mr Lilly has not settled them. I had before authorised him to settle that of 1804. and the one of 1805. which you delivered me when I was last at home. I immediately delivered him & he promised to settle the whole together. I regret he did not the more, because they come upon me here...
27069From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 28 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been So taken up with Royal Societies and Royal Accademies, with British Musæums and Sir Ashton Levers Musæum with Wedgwoods Manufactory of Earthen Ware and Parkers of Glass, &c that I have not had time to write you a Line. You Observe I say nothing of Politicks for although I have been introduced to the great Politicians at their Desire I have not found them Sufficiently well disposed...
27070From George Washington to Robert Townsend Hooe, 27 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The plank I want is to floor a room 24 by 32 feet. It must be 24 feet long & 1½ inches thick—all of a colour, and entirely free from Knots & sap. More than the nett quantity is requisite, for allowances. If it were seasoned, so much the better; but this is hardly to be expected in plank of this particular kind. If Mr Swift can supply me, it will be better than to send to the Eastern shore; if...
27071From George Washington to Abraham Baldwin, 7 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 30th of April, containing the resignation of your seat at the general Board of Commissioners for finally adjusting all accounts between the United States and the individual States; and shall cause it to be filed in the proper office as soon as the necessary arrangemt of departments shall have been made. I am, with great esteem, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt...
27072Toasts for Lafayette’s Dinner, [ante–5 November 1824] (Madison Papers)
Toasts suggested for the dinner to Genl: Lafayette + The Guest of the Nation: no where more welcome than in Virginia. She received his best services. He enjoys her best affections. “To love liberty a nation need but know it: to possess it, but to will it.” *La Fayette —The Rights of man, the Gift of God: The powers of Government the Grant of the people. The President of the U.S. (Monroe) the...
27073Resolutions on Western Law Enforcement and Mississippi Navigation, 3 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
Indian unrest and rumors of Spanish intrigue on the western frontier cast a shadow over the General Assembly sessions late in 1784. Virginians were moving into areas roamed by peaceable tribes and committing depredations that could only lead to retaliation, while word drifted eastward of provocative moves in the Ohio Valley that might bring an open clash between Virginians and Spaniards. JM...
27074From James Madison to William Eustis, 15 September 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. inclosing a letter from Mr. Jones acting as Judge Advocate at Frederick Town. As the case of Genl. Wilkinson is in possession of the Court Martial, who will judge of the extent of their own jurisdiction, as well as decide on the merits of the questions within it, no instructions seem to be requisite, in the present stage of the proceeding; unless it be in...
27075Henry Laurens, Richard Henry Lee, and John Adams to Joseph Trumbull, 5 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Resolve of Congress which you will receive under this Cover will shew you that we are appointed a Committee and for what purposes. We request you to transmit to us by the earliest good opportunity the fullest intelligence in your late department of Commissary General and you will further oblige us by adding any further information properly authenticated relative to the enquiries which we...
27076To John Adams from Henry Colman, 11 January 1814 (Adams Papers)
I have made repeated appointments and attempts to visit you, since you did us the favour of your company; but my professional and parochial duties, which have been much increased of late, have confined me entirely at home for the last two months.—I avail myself however of this opportunity to forward you the third volume of Search’s Light of Nature, persuaded that his chapter entitled, “The...
27077To Benjamin Franklin from François-Marie Fyot, 3 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M.M.Les Comtes de Langeron et de Lastiques m’avoient conseillés il y a environ six mois d’avoir L’honneur de vous voir de leur part pour vous démontrer plusieurs découvertes utiles a L’humanité; L’incertitude de vous rencontrer dans un temps que vous n’eussiez pû me donner une heure d’audience, joint aux embaras de transport d’instrumens et autres...
27078To James Madison from John Brown, 20 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 November 1809, Frankfort, Kentucky. Recommends John Coburn for the vacant governorship of Louisiana Territory. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Coburn”). 1 p. Printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Louisiana-Missouri , 14:339. John Brown (1757–1837), a longtime acquaintance of JM’s, was one of the first U.S. senators from Kentucky, 1792–1805.
27079To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 1 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 1, 1793. “… As the Sum in Bank is not more than may be required to answer the Current Demand of Interest on the Registered Debt, I request that a Warrant may issue in favour of John Kean Cashier of the Bank of the United States for the Sum of Twenty four thousand Dollars and for which he should be charged and held accountable.” LC , RG 53, Register of the...
27080To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 30 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to transmit to you, a resolution of congress of the 23d. instant also a resolution of the 11th. of april last, by which you will discover that they depend upon the arrears of specific supplies for the last campaign which have not yet been furnished by the different States to make good their engagements with the Court of France. As the honor and faith of the...
27081To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 24 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have thy Kind letter of August the 26th before me which Comforted me as comming from my dear intimate ould friend. The pamphlet and espetially the picture of my dear Peter was very acceptable, and now I am furnished with four of our worthies Lineus, Franklin Edwards and Collinson (but I want Dr. Fothergill,) to adorn my new stove and lodging room which I...
27082From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you a Letter from Colo. Vanschaaik—of the 1st New York Regiment—asking a continuation of that leave of absence which Congress before granted him—what that leave was I know not, but I think it absolutely necessary that something should be determin’d on in this matter—as Colo. Vanscaaik has already been absent from the Army near a twelve month. I am Dr Sir &c. DLC :...
27083To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Gorham, 24 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 24, 1789. On December 8, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gorham : “I am favored with your Letter of the 24th of last Month.” Letter not found. ] Gorham was a Charlestown, Massachusetts, legislator and merchant.
27084Thomas Jefferson to Hosea Humphrey, 15 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved exactly a week ago your favor of Dec. 31. which may explain the tardy date of this acknolegement, and of my thanks for the copy of your Inquiries concerning the laws of nature, which accompanied it. on these you ask my observations, ‘as well on their errors, as on what I may approve.’ the range of these enquiries takes in the whole field of physics, and also of Medecine and it’s...
27085From Benjamin Franklin to [Isaac Norris], 14 January 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Extract from Mr. Franklin’s Letter. Benjamin Franklin insisted in a Conference with the Proprietaries, that if, when Commissioners were named in a Bill, the Governor might not strike out or change them at his Pleasure, as none but his own Creatures might be admitted, and the Assembly might as well trust him with the whole, and that it was an...
27086To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Carrington, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg you to be assured that I have not been inattentive to your request in regard to an Aid de Camp—From my more early enquiries I was apprehensive that the appointments in Virginia would not afford you a choice to your satisfaction; But finding that Colo. Bentley was about, from time to time, to have meetings with his officers at this place, I thought it best to wait until that better means...
27087To George Washington from Anthony Whitting, 5 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Anthony Whitting, 5 June 1793. GW wrote Whitting on 9 June , acknowledging receipt of “your letters of the 31st of May & 5th instant.”
27088To Thomas Jefferson from John Langdon, 21 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I pray you to accept my greatful Acknowledgements for your truely friendly favo’r of the 9th. Inst which I received by the last mail. when I consider how much your time must be occupied, with the important affairs of State, I think myself highly honor’d, and particularly gratified in having a line from you. I most sincerely rejoice with you on our success in the former and late revolutions...
27089Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 16 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received with pleasure your Excelly’s favour this morning and hope you are satisfyed with our endeavours to safe the honour of Congress drafts, the more as on the Reduced sheme is agreed for the million, so the inclosed explication will manifest to your Excellency, that in the final redeeming it is more profitable ƒ 1.89.946:17— than negotiated at 6 per C: a principal House the Broker,...
27090To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 17th Instant was last Night delivered me by Mr Bennet. If I had with me the Remonstrance of the Field Officers against quiting Crown point, I should attempt to point out the Insufficiency of each of the several Reasons they give against the Removal of the Army to Ticonderoga and which would at the same Time shew on what I founded my opinion of the propriety of...