27901General Orders, 28 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the General is consenting to, and desirous of the Militia drawing the same pay, as the Continental Troops The Officers of those Companies are hereby inform’d, that since the first of January, their pay will be the same as those Officers (of equal Rank) upon the new establishment; but before that date, no more than what was drawn under the old establishment, can be allow’d them, of this they...
27902Orders, 1 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
It has been told Colonel Washington; that the Soldiers continue still to sell their Clothes, &c. notwithstanding the several strict orders given to the contrary. He now for the last time, informs them, that the first Offender shall receive five hundred lashes, without benefit of a court-martial; and the Buyer, who is now to blame, by encouraging the Soldiers to such practice; shall directly be...
27903Report of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, [17 November 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
The Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, The Chief Justice, The Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury and The Attorney General respectfully report to The Congress as follows— That pursuant to the Act intitled An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt and in conformity to resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved by the...
27904To James Madison from John Keemle, 11 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
The surviving Revolutionary Characters, residing in the City & County of Philada., feeling an anxious solicitude for the welfare of their Country, convened agreeably to public notice, for the purpose of assuring you of their approbation of the measures pursued for repelling the hostile attacks of foreign powers, upon the Neutral & National rights of the United States. In ’76 they risked their...
279051776. Sunday. Jany. 28. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Upham informs that this Town of Brookfield abounds with a Stone, out of which Allum, Coperas and Sulphur are made. Out of one Bushell of this Stone, he made five Pounds of Coperas. He put the Stone into a Tub, poured Water on it, let it Stand 2 or 3 days, then drew it off, and boiled the Liquor away—let it stand and it shot into a Kind of Christals. Adding Chamberly and Alkaline Salts to...
27906Abigail Adams 2d to John Quincy Adams, 24 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
And are you really determined my Dear Brother not to condescend to write to your Sister again till She has answered some of your letters. I must acknowledge myself rather in arrears, but you must consider that you are daily removing from one scene to another, new and pleasing objects continually engage your attention, and furnish you with new subjects and pleasing ideas which if related by you...
27907To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus Graves, 16 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Oxford [ Massachusetts ] November 16, 1799 . “Your letter of the 4th Oct. ordering the removal of the recruits receivd for the 16th Regt to this place for winter quarters, I received the 28th of Oct, and Issued my orders for the march on the twenty ninth. Agreeably to your directions I called on the Contra[c]tors for the means of tra[n]sporting the baggage Military Stores &c. But from the...
27908From George Washington to Meshech Weare, 2 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I regret being obliged to inform you that I find myself at this late period very little stronger than I was when the Army first moved out of their Quarters. Of the Militia which were required of the State of New Hampshire & which were to have joined me by the 15th of last Month, none have come in, and of the Levies for the Continental Battalions only thirteen in the course of the last Month....
27909From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 15 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I take up my pen to inform you that the box with the vase & bridle bit arrived safely last night, & to save the trouble of the search you propose to make in your’s of the 10th. you therein say that ‘when my Polygraph is done you shall leave it to my choice to take either one or the other.’ this, my dear Sir, will be putting my delicacy to severe trial. I find the one I am now writing with, in...
27910[Diary entry: 28 December 1774] (Washington Papers)
28. Lowering, and Snowing now and then throughout the day. Wind abt. No. West but not very Cold.
27911Thomas Jefferson to Richard Randolph, 25 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to send me two gross of your beer jugs; the one gross to be quart jugs, and the other pottle d o . they are to be delivered to a mr William Johnson a waterman of Milton , who will apply for them about a week hence. mr Gibson will be so good as to pay for them on your presenting this letter. they should be packed in crates, or old hogsheads or such other cheap package as...
27912From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 14 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Conformément aux ordres du President, et à l’information que vous en avez recue aujourdhuy de la part du secretaire d’etat, je mettrai à votre disposition une somme de cent mille piastres. Cette somme sera prete à etre acquittée le lr. avril prochain, ce qui au cours des affaires de la place, équivaut à un payement immédiat. J’ai l’honeur d’etre avec respect et estime Mr. etc. LC , Arch. des...
27913To John Jay from Grenville, 17 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
I cannot let M r Liston go without taking the occasion of his departure to recommend him to you, and to express my hope that his character & conduct will be found well calculated to continue & promote that harmony which it was the object of our labours to establish. I have, since you left us, taken one occasion to renew to you my assurances of the sincere esteem & friendship with which your...
27914The American Commissioners to John Jay, 27 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
We had the honour of transmitting to Congress, Copies of the Commission and Instructions, which in pursuance of the Authority delegated to us, were given to Mr. Barclay, to conduct a negotiation with Morocco. Mr. Barclay has conducted that Business to a happy Conclusion, and has brought with him Testimonials of his prudent Conduct, from the Emperor of Morocco and his Minister, so clear and...
27915To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the misfortune on my way to Camp to be seiz’d with a fitt of the Palsy at this place the 24th Ultimo, the first onset was my right Arm and then my right Legg in which unhappy Situation I now am (except that my Legg comes too a little) which makes it impossible for me to gett to Head Quarters, I expect this Day to sett off for my Home at Pomfret, shall acquaint your Excellency from time...
27916To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The following remarks occur upon the statement of Colo. Hamilton, which you did me the honor of communicating to me this morning. 1. In what manner is it to be exhibited to the public? or in other words, is it to be introduced under the known or allowed countenance of the President? As I do not see, how the one or the other can be avoided, it seems proper to call his attention to these points....
27917To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Burke, 19 August 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your Favours of June and July 20th the first dated from Albermale the last from Williamsburg. I wish I had the Pleasure of Conferring with you when you were down but my business so Interposed it was not in my Power. The case of Plume vs. Portlock was thus, A Warrent of the Peace was Obtained vs. Plume, upon hearing the Court Continued the Recognizance. Costs Consequently accrued. Plume...
27918From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, [27 November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Oh! my dear Friend! I never was more surpriz’d than on reading your Note. I grieve for you, for Mrs. Strahan, for Mr. Johnston, for the little ones, and your whole Family. The Loss is indeed a great one! She was every thing that one could wish, in every Relation. I do not offer you the common Topics of Consolation. I know by Experience how little they avail; that...
27919From George Washington to the Continental Navy Board, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that a number of the continental flat Boats still remain at Bordentown. I wrote to Commodore Hazelwood to have them removed higher up the River, but why he has not done it I do not know. I am very apprehensive that the Enemy will one day or other make an excursion and destroy our Vessels Boats and Stores at that place. To prevent as much of this as possible I shall esteem it as a...
27920From Thomas Jefferson to Shawnee Chiefs, 19 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My children Chiefs of the Shawanee nation I have listened to the speeches of the Black hoof, Black beard & the other head chiefs of the Shawanese, and have considered them well. as all these speeches relate to the public affairs of your nation, I will answer them together. You express a wish to have your lands laid off separately to yourselves, that you may know what is your own, may have a...
27921From George Washington to Colonel Walter Stewart, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Harrison has presented me with Your Letter to him of yesterday in favor of Mr Murran. The power of appointing Regimental Officers is with the respective States. If it were in me, from your character of the Gentleman, I should not refuse him the Ensigncy which you request. Your application to the State of pensylvania may p[r]obably procure it. I am Dr sir with great regard & esteem Yr Most...
27922To Thomas Jefferson from George Loyall, 23 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret that, in consequence of the serious indisposition of a member of my family, which took me from home for a few days, I did not receive your letter of the 13 Inst: till yesterday. It is unquestionably, in a very high degree, important that our law chair should be filled without delay, and as the two gentlemen to whom the appointment has been tendered have declined, I very cheerfully...
27923Poem by Daniel Waldo Lincoln, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
—————“Homo sum. Nil humani a me alienum puto .” Benevolence Ere any social intercourse began, Ere arts subdued, or culture modelled man; Ere law had learnt his fierceness to restrain; Ere the rude savage stooped to wear a chain; He roamed the desart, trod the pathless wild, And nature catered for her simple child. With tigers fell he shared the rocky den, Or chummed with serpents in the...
27924To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
(confidential) Sir, Philadelphia August 2. 1799. A letter from Mr Murray of May 17 received this week, covers a letter from Talleyrand, dated May 12th, assuring him that the Executive Directory will receive the Envoys of the U. States in their official character; and that they shall enjoy all the prerogatives attached to it by the law of nations; and that one or more ministers shall be duly...
27925From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 23 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
While you are lying at Hackinsack you may be subject to a surprize by a party of the Enemy from Fort Washington except you keep your Guard advanced to Hackinsack Ferry and the Bridge above. Patrolling Parties may safely lay by day at Fort Lee, from whence they may observe what is doing at Fort Washington, or down the River toward New York. When you move it will probably be at a very short...
27926To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives I return you enclosed the Letter addressed to you by John Jackson Pilot of Hull, dated at Hull the 16th. of October 1780. The Certificate joined with that Letter is (at least in substance) a Copy of the one I gave him at the Texel after his Arm had been amputated and he had recovered. It does not however I observe take notice that a second Pilot Boat came...
27927From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the blank commission signed which you did me the honor to inclose in your letter of the 20th & pray you to have it filled up for Augustine J Smith, whose satisfactory recommendation from William Payne Esqr. I return with it. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
27928[Diary entry: 25 September 1795] (Washington Papers)
25. Do. Do. and warm.
27929From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have already given you Powers to freight a Ship to carry out the public Stores & I now confirm them. If you agree with Mr. de Chaumont for the Breton or other large Ship to pay the Freight in France, you may draw on me for the amount of it. I approve of Mr de Chaumont’s proposition for the Cloathing he has at Nantes &...
27930To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 9 April 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
This morning the dispatches from our envoys are published, and I inclose a copy. In your letter of March 27th in answer to mine of the 25th just then received, you say, “I shall write again to-morrow.” I have received no letter from you since that of the 27th. which I mention on the presumption that you may have written, and because if you have, it is important on every account that it should...
27931To John Jay from Robert Troup, 23 December 1799 (Jay Papers)
On Tuesday last I wrote you a few lines informing you of the probability of General Washington’s death. The truth of this melancholy event is confirmed beyond all possibility of doubt. We are taking measures here to pay suitable honors to the memory of this greatest & best of men— Our whole city appears to be penetrated with the profoundest Grief— Our churches are in mourning— our bells toll...
27932To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Hugh Fergusson, [26 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An Express arrived last night to Lord Stormont with an account of a defeat of the americans, the English said to have lost 200 men, to have taken 74 pieces of Cannon and at the time the news came off a party of the Americans consisting of 1400 said to be surrounded in fort Washington. Addressed: Doctor Franklin Notation: Ferguson On Dec. 20 Lord Weymouth...
27933Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 30 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have often been extremely mortified at the abuse of my right of transmission by mail, committed by booksellers and sometimes by foreigners in sending packages of books, which I have always forbidden when apprised in time. a recent instance is so gross it is as to require my special mention of it to you. a mr Low of New York , publisher of an Encyclopedia has sent on 3. quarto volumes by...
27934To George Washington from Colonel Zebulon Butler, 23–28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I was first Ordered to the Command of this Post it was from the Board of war and Soon After recd Acct from Colo. Hartley that he Command’d at Sunsbury and Wyoming I Made my Returns to him as Belonging to his Command Repeatedly Representing the Necessity of more Men at this Post—A Part of Colo. Hartleys Regt as Youll Se by Inclosd Return are at this post, I Conclude Colo. Hartley has Made...
2793519 [i.e. 20] Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
A lovely Day after the Storm. Drank Tea at Major Chandlers. Walked with the Coll. to his Saw-mill Farm.
27936To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 11 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, April 11, 1792. On July 4, 1792, Hamilton acknowledged the receipt of Lee’s letter of April 11, 1792. Letter not found. ]
27937Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 31 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Bw Dandridge respectfully informs Genl Knox that the President will be glad to see him at 10 o’Clock this morning. The President wishes the General to bring with him the message & other papers which are to accompany the treaty with the Six Nations to Congress. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For these documents, see GW’s first letter to the U.S. Senate, 2 Jan. 1795 .
27938To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 22 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been Honoured with your Letter of the 12th Inst. declaring to me that no charges having been brought against me before your Excellency, The Court of Inquiry into my Conduct could proceed upon no other principls in the Military Way, than the Resolves of Congress of the 5th of October last. Having been informed, that Congress had no Charges against me, I transmitted to them by the...
27939[Diary entry: 30 January 1774] (Washington Papers)
30. A kind of a Sleet after the Morning continued all day with the Wind abt. No. Et.
27940To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Conway, 10 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I Humbly Submit to Your Consideration the Grivances Which I am about to lay Before You, About the 7th or 8th of August in the Year of 1805 I took out my Protection in the Custom House of Baltimore Signed By Robert Purvince Collector And Shipped in the American Schooner Nonsuch Captain Thos. White Commander And Was Boarded by his Britanic Magesties Brig, Hunter On the Coast of St. Domingo on...
27941From John Adams to United States Senate, 12 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Samuel Winslow Esquire of Massachusetts to be Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue for the port of Thomaston in the district of Waldoborough, in that State, in the place of Thomas Vose Esqr: resigned DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
27942[William Hall]: Account of Benjamin Franklin with the Estate of David Hall, [1 February 1766] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society After the partnership of Franklin and Hall had come to an end and James Parker had completed his examination of the books, as reported in the document immediately above, David Hall opened an account of his financial relations with his former partner. From time to time he sent Franklin a statement of the transactions shown in his records, but neither man...
27943From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
From your Letter of the 13th, and my answer of the 15th I expected, you would have been in Camp ’ere now; If you are not detained on Business, that is materially interesting and of consequence, I wish you to join me immediately. I this day move to Bound Brook, from whence I came yesterday morning. I am Dear Sir, Your most Obedt Servt Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The unfound receiver’s copy of...
27944General Orders, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
There shall be a Clothier General, a Sub or State, Clothier for each State and a Regimental Clothier. The Clothier General is to be subject to the orders of the Board of War and Commander in Chief: He is to furnish estimates of the supplies wanted for the Army; to apply to the Commander in Chief and Board of War for assistance therein; to make returns of such estimates to them respectively; to...
27945From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved your favors of the 9th & 11th ⟨instant,⟩ & shall be glad if the purchase from ⟨Burns⟩ should be concluded before you receive this at £15 or £⟨17⟩ as you ⟨illegible.⟩ but as you mention that should he ask as far as £20 or £25 you will await further instructions before you accept such an offer: I have thought it better, in order to prevent delays, to inform you, that I could wish...
27946[Diary entry: 15 April 1771] (Washington Papers)
15. Went to Alexandria to Court. Stayd all Night. Mr. Magowan w[en]t. The court met only on this day in April (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 205–8, Vi Microfilm).
27947Report of Viewers of a Road in the Northern Liberties, [April 1745] (Franklin Papers)
MS Appearance Docket, 1740–1751, Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Joseph Fox & al. vs Mary Ball } The Persons appointed to View and lay out a Road &ca. Report as followeth. To the Honourable the Judges of the Supream Court of the Province of Pennsylvania now Sitting Whereas by an Order of the Supream Court held at Philadelphia the Twenty fourth day of September...
27948From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of this date. I heartily wish the Works on Delaware were compleated, but I think, and in this Opinion my Officers concur, that the service will be injured, if any part of the Continental Troops were now to be employed about ’em. If we should be able to oppose Genl Howe with success in the Feild, the Works will be unnecessary; If not, and he should force us...
27949Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
In composing a letter to his boyhood friend James Maury , a longtime expatriate serving as United States consul at Liverpool, England , Jefferson included a request that Maury locate an agent who could purchase books for him in Great Britain. The retired statesman was seeking to rebuild his collection after the recent sale of his library to the United States Congress . He intended to supply a...
27950To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 25 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
at the moment of embarking on board of the vessel which is to carry us to France, I snatch a few minutes to inform you that when you receive these few lines we will be on our way to our native country where we will carry a deep sense of all which we owe you, and where I hope to be able to tell my parents all their own as well as my own obligations to you. we are this moment setting out to go...