27421From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand: Two Letters, 15 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress Having written to M. Le Comte de Vergennes the 27. of last month, demanding a Million out of the Dutch Loan, & acquainting him that I was fully authorised to apply it for the Service of Congress, I make no Doubt but he has written for it Mr. Joly de Fleury according to his Promise and that you may receive it, when you call for it. I have the Honour to be,...
27422To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Randolph’s hand. Cover addressed by Randolph to “The honble James Madison jr. esq. of congress. Philadelphia.” Erroneously docketed by JM, “Aug: 18th. 1782.” On the cover he wrote, “Huddy Camp Front: N.Y Brit: fleet. Mr. Jones. Finance Contr: Money Mattrs. Cessions.” These jottings were to remind him of subjects to mention in his reply of 29 October (...
27423From George Washington to François Barbé de Marbois, 7 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Frondeville President of the Parliament of Normandy has transmitted me the enclosed Letter, with a desire that I would convey it to Mr Lambert—I have some reason to suppose that Gentleman to be at Philadelphia, and shall be much obliged to you to inform me whether I may assure Mr frondeville of the letter being delivered to its address. With much Regard I am Sir Your very Obedt Servt AAE :...
27424To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the Honour of presenting to you a List of the Vacancies which are to be filled up in the two Regiments of Artillerists and Engineers, with the Names of the Officers whom Lt Col W. S. Smith has marked as the most deserving to be continued in the Army, and transferred to the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers. The annexed Return will evince that the whole Expence for preserving...
27425[Diary entry: 20 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
20. Reach’d Richmond abt. 11 Oclock. Dind at Mr. Richd. Adam’s. Went to Col. Archy Carys abt. 7 Miles in the Aftern. The Second Virginia Convention was called to order at the Henrico Parish Church in Richmond, built in the 1740s on Indian Town Hill and set in a yard which in time became bounded by Broad, Grace, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets. In 1772 a north wing was added, and it was...
27426To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 23 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Les nouvelles que Votre Excellence m’a fait parvenir par l’Aide de camp de M. de Rochambeau, sont des plus affligeantes: je connois peû le mal et les progrets que cette opération peut faire, mais je vois que notre position change par l’arrivée de L’amiral Digby. Les Enemies commencent a être à peu de choses prês égaux à nous; et il seroit imprudent á moy de me mettre dans une position á ne pas...
27427To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Vaughan, 22 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 17th: instant and take the first opportunity of acknowledging it, in order to inform you that the Report of the Privy Council on the slave trade, (which forms a folio volume,) in part I under the head of produce , speaks of Rice growing on a dry soil, “not like that of America,” which is very hearty food, and supposed (by the parties) the best rice in the...
27428From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Le Roy, 23 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress; LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane, who best knew those Affairs, is gone; but I think the Produce of Capt. Burnell’s Prize never came into our Hands but was paid to Mr. Johnson or to Mr. Carmichael for Mr. Johnson, who now resides at Nantes, and is concern’d for the Owners. Capt. Burnel should apply to him. Your kind Offices in his Behalf deserve...
27429To James Madison from George William Erving, 6 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I hasten to transmit to you copy of a Decree issu ed by this government on the 3d. Inst, adopting the principles of the decree given at Milan on the 17 th Ulto by the Emperor of France, & conceived (as to the Enacting part) in precisely the same terms: This has been communicated to me by Mr. Cevallos in a note of yesterday’s date unaccompanied by any observation on it. I have the honor to be...
27430To Thomas Jefferson from William Phillips, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From the following Extract of a Letter I received from General Washington, and which I inclose for your information, I have reason to conclude that Your Excellency is doubtless apprised of a Flag of truce Vessel, laden with Stores and refreshments for the use of the Troops of Convention, being expected to arrive in James River. This Flag has now orders to proceed, and upon its arrival in James...
27431To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Delay which must result from collecting the Returns of all the dispersed Corps which you mention in your Letter of the 18th inst. is a difficulty which I apprehended as soon as I Saw the Resolutions of Congress on that Object. Besides that it will be almost impossible to make out those Returns with the necessary Exactness, We shall Certainly lose two months at a Time when we ought not to...
27432[Diary entry: 12 December 1771] (Washington Papers)
12. Rain in the Night, and this Morning, but clear warm and pleasant afterwards with but little Wind.
27433From Thomas Jefferson to John Gassaway, 12 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved a letter , which I presume I may consider as coming from yourself, proposing that your son, of 4. years old only may recieve the appointment of a Midshipman. after acknoleging my sense of the kind disposition manifested in the name given him, it is my duty to observe that the earliest period at which midshipmen are recieved is about 10. years of age, when they have learned to...
27434From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 27 November 1826 (Adams Papers)
I enclose herewith the following papers 1. An Order in my favour on the U. S. Branch Bank Boston, for two thousand Dollars—This you will immediately on receiving it deposit at the Bank, and have it entered to my Credit, in my Bank Book which I lately sent you. 22. A Check on the same, Bank dated 4. December 1826. Signed by me, for three thousand Dollars, payable to Mrs Susan B. Clark, or...
27435From George Washington to Major Michael Ryan, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of Yesterday. You know very well that by the Rules of the Army which have been and now are in force, that no officer could hold two appointments, unless by an express Resolution of Congress, and that therefore when you accepted the appointment of Brigade Major, you vacated your Rank in the line. You cannot produce an instance where a Brigade Major has returned to the line, except...
27436To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor respectfully to submit to your consideration, certain general ideas, which may be proper for the heads of the Instructions to the Commissioners for treating with the hostile Indians —After you shall have decided upon the general principles of the Instructions, the details may be formed and submitted to your judgment. With the highest Respect I have the honor to be sir. Your...
27437To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd by the last Mail your note fixing the time for your return. The Wash has put herself into a situation denoting a departure, but it is probable that a further delay is convenient for her compleat preparation. The dispatches will have made ready for her some time since, but the lights thrown on the Treaty by the gentlemen consulted, and the flaws which have successively disclosed...
27438To Thomas Jefferson from H. W. Bool, 24 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Excuse the liberty of a Stranger, but feeling a disposition to meet Your Views—from the public prints—“wherein it is Said—you would feel Gratified—by having a First rate Landscape & Florist painter”—at the University (which you are the Father of) in Virginia.” Knowing of an Artist in this City,—who embraces I flatter myself therewith which will meet your Expectation; I hope will Suffice for...
27439To Thomas Jefferson from John Glendy, 5 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I should deem myself lost to the best Emotions of the human heart, did I not seize with Avidity this flattering Opportunity of Addressing You, (thro’ the medium of a dignified Citizen Genl. S. Smith) and acknowledging the debt of gratitude I owe You—Debt, beyond expression to calculate—Gratitude, too ardent to be concealed. But I shall forbear to wound your refined Sensibility, either by...
27440From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 7 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday last I sent you a letter of which the foregoing is a copy, to which I have as yet received no reply. Intending to leave this place for New York on Saturday next, it is important that I should receive an answer before that day. I have the honor to be Your Excelly’s Obed servt ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H to Clinton, March 2, 1804 .
27441To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 2 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since mine of May 8th I have not had any thing material to communicate to your Excellency. Mr Grenville indeed arriv’d just after I had dispatch’d that Letter, and I introduc’d him to M. De Vergennes; but as his Mission seem’d only a Repetition of that by Mr Oswald, the same Declarations of the King of Englands sincere Desire of Peace, and willingness to treat of a General Pacification with...
27442To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 15 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By the Inclosed Resolution of Congress, Your Excellency will perceive there is an Intention of erecting some Works of Defence at Billingsport, on the River Delaware, under the Direction of the Committee of Safety. As they are extremely desirous of rendering that important Post as strong as the Nature of its situation will permit, a skilful Engineer should be on the spot to View the Ground, and...
27443To George Washington from Henry Knox, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have the satisfaction, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favors of the 5th of Decr and of the 5th instant for which I beg you to receive my warmest thanks. I regard these letters as fresh proofs of your unchanging friendship and kindness, which I shall ever esteem among the cheif blessings of my Life. The Indians being in a bad temper when you went to the Westward I felt...
27444To Thomas Jefferson from David M. Clarkson, 11 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Eustatius, 11 May 1793. He acknowledges receipt of his consular commission for this island from the President, as well as his instructions and the laws of the United States, but notes that he is unable to exercise this office because to his surprise the governor of the island has informed him that the States General has ordered all Dutch governors in their American colonies not to...
27445From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I am much oblig’d by the Confidence you place in me by communicating your Plan, & by your kind Intentions in it of serving America. Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements, and excuse my declining to engage in the Scheme, for Reasons that I will some time or other give you. If you think fit to propose it to this Court, I would advise your...
27446To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson Eppes, 2 February [1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter to Mr Eppes arrived yesterday from City Point where I imagine from the date it had been some time, the river had been & is often so rough that a canoe could not venture over, tho’ it is the most certain way of hearing from you I am afraid it will not be a very regular one which I lament as in your absence it is the greatest pleasure I recieve nor have I any thing so valuable as...
27447From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 11 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Tobias Lear. 11 July 1806, Department of State. “Mr. George Davis, who has been appointed Consul for Tripoli, and is about to embark for Norfolk, has been charged to call upon the Bashaw to fulfill the article of the treaty providing for the delivery of the family of Hamet Caramally. The enclosed extract from his instructions will explain the manner in which he is to proceed. He has been...
27448[Diary entry: 29 December 1798] (Washington Papers)
29. Rain in the Night—a thick fog, & thawing in the morning—Mer. at 34. In the afternoon wind high from the No. Wt.
27449From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, [15 March 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
You will probably have learned before this reaches you that the act of last Session for the better organization of the Judiciary Department has been repealed, and I take it for granted, that you will with me view this measure as a vital blow to the Constitution. In my opinion, it demands a systematic and persevering effort by all Constitutional means to produce a revocation of the precedent,...
27450From John Adams to James Warren, 27 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am extreamly obliged to you for your Favour of the 20th. of June. The last Fall, I had a great many Friends who kept me continually well informed of every Event as it occurred. But, this Time, I have lost all my Friends, excepting Coll Warren of Plymouth and Coll Palmer of Braintree, and my Wife. Our dear Warren, has fallen, with Laurells on his Brows, as fresh and blooming, as ever graced...