28351From George Washington to Adam Ferguson, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which accompanies this will inform Sir Henry Clinton, that I can not grant the passport requested by his Favor of this date, without the previous instructions of Congress upon the subject. This I have thought proper to advise you of to prevent you the inconvenience of proceeding, should this find you on the way. I have the Honor to be Sir Your Most Obedt servt LS , in Robert Hanson...
28352From Thomas Jefferson to James Ferguson, 3 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Oct. 13. to the Secretary at War, inclosing a resolution of the 1st. troop of dragoons attached to the 1st. Brigade, 1st. division of the Ohio militia, offering their services to their country, & to be in readiness to muster at a moment’s notice wheresoever it’s interests may call for them, has been communicated to me. Always a friend to peace, and believing it to promote...
28353From George Washington to Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, 1 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wish I could with propriety grant the Request contained in yours of the 29th Sepr: A permission for Mr Ferguson to come out and remain at Græme park thirty days implies his intent to return at the expiration of that time into the quarters of the Enemy. I confess it appears to me very odd that a Gentlemen who has been so long absent from his family should wish to remain so short a time with...
28354From George Washington to Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, 5 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
The multiplicity of business which occurred in the course of the last Session, particularly in the latter part of it, placed it entirely out of my power to attend to matters of private concern. This reason, I hope, you will have the goodness to accept as an apology for my delay in acknowledging the receipt of your very polite and obliging favour of the 16th of January, at an earlier period—&...
28355From Tench Tilghman to Tobias Fernald, 2 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you that Capt. Pillsbury being a senior Captain, he does not think himself at liberty to permit him to be deranged upon the Resolve of the 19th of Novemr, without he makes particular application agreeble to the tenor of that Resolve—He must therefore be arranged—be informed of the Resolve, and if he wishes to take advantage of it he must apply to the...
28356From George Washington to Tobias Fernald, 23 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Altho I cannot help feeling an extreme reluctance at parting with the veteran & faithful Officers of the Army I have the honor to command, before the conclusion of the War; Yet when I am convinced by any of them, that their constitution is entirely ruined, and their impaired state of health such as renders them unfit for farther duty, I cannot think it justifiable to urge them to continue,...
28357From Thomas Jefferson to John F. Oliveira Fernandes, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 30. was recieved on the 12th. of Jan. and I now inclose you a draught of the bank of the US. of this place on that at Norfolk for D 69.50 c the amount of the cask of Lisbon Malmesey forwarded for me by you to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond. Accept my salutations & assurances of respect DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
28358From Thomas Jefferson to John F. Oliveira Fernandes, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time last summer I recieved information from my house-joiner at Monticello that some watermen had put into his hands a very elegant walking staff which they had brought for me, but accompanied by no letter or other indication from what quarter it came. I was near returning from my autumnal visit to that place before this information recurred to my mind when I made enquiry for the object...
28359From Thomas Jefferson to Fernán-Nuñez, 23 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Jefferson est tres sensible à la perte que l’Espagne vient de faire par la mort de son auguste Souverain. Les vertus de ce prince lui avoient merité à juste titre l’hommage de l’estime universelle, et repandront sur sa mort les regrets de tous. M. Jefferson y mele les siens trés sincerement, et a l’honneur de faire à M. l’Ambassadeur son compliment de condoleance. Dft ( ViU ); written at...
28360From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Ferris, 8 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Isaac Briggs informed me by letter that he had purchased for me, from you a clock and that the price of it including box & packing would be about seventy dollars. I now inclose you that sum, and will thank you to have it well packed & secure against rain, and sent by a vessel bound to Richmond addressed to the care of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson merchants of that place. they will pay the...
28361James Madison to V. Ferron, 16 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 14th. Instant. The provision for lessons in fencing, having been made by a special act of the Visitors, without any authority to the Rector, to extend it to the case of dancing, I cannot as such give the sanction to your wish. Whether any thing passed at the late meeting of the Visitors from which their sentiments might be inferred, I know not, having not been...
28362From Benjamin Franklin to [Gaspard-Bonaventure-Timothée Ferry], 14 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received some time since the Letter you honour’d me with, containing your Hypothesis for explaining the Shock given by the electric Bottle, on which you seem to desire my Opinion. It is many Years since I was engag’d in those pleasing Studies, and my Mind is at present too much occupied with other and more important Affairs to permit my returning to...
28363From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Férussac, 11 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved M. le Baron, the letter of Jan. 7. with which you have been pleased to honor me and the pamphlet accompanying it, explaining the views of the society formed at Paris for the collection and interchange of information between the different parts of the world. the object is worthy of the highly respected names associated with it and at an early period of life the honor of...
28364From George Washington to Paul Ferdinand Fevot, 15 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
The papers which you were pleased to transmit to me from Baltimore are, agreeably to your request, returned. Not perceiving what has been your object in addressing such sentiments as your letter of the 4th instant contain—and not being conscious of having merited the reprehension you have judged it expedient to inflict on me, I shall not give you the trouble of reading an answer in detail. I...
28365From Thomas Jefferson to William Few, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the specimen of Benni oil which you were so kind as to send me. I did not believe before that there existed so perfect a substitute for olive oil. I tried it at table with many companies & their guesses between two dishes of sallad dressed, the one with olive oil, the other with that of Beni, shewed the equality of the latter, in favor of which the greater number guessed....
28366From James Madison to William Few, 4 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 June 1804, Department of State. “The President of the United States being desirous of availing the public of your services as Commissioner of Loans for the state of New York, I have the pleasure to inclose your Commission [not found].” RC ( CtW ). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM.
28367From James Madison to Joseph Ficklin, 28 August 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 9th. inst: my recollections of a conversation with Mr. Graves is so faint, that I cannot speak of it with precision. It must have been very transient & of a very general nature. He certainly misunderstood me: if he inferred an intention to decide on the merits of the financial measures in Kentucky, with which then I was as I am now too little acquainted to be...
28368From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Fielding Lewis, c.9 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Benjamin Lincoln on 9 Oct. : “If you should go thro Alexa., you will also pass Fredg—I have therefore given you a Letter to a Brother in law of mine in that Town.”
28369From John Adams to Job Field and Others, 24 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Yours of September the 8th. I have but just received, it went a long Circuit to come to me. I am very Sorry for your misfortune, in being captured, and wish you Liberty as soon as possible, but rec ommend to you Patience, the only Remedy under Evils which cannot be avoided. Sufferings in so good and great a Cause, as that of our Country, are the easiest to bear, because they are honourable. I...
28370From George Washington to John Field, 16 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to proceed with the Detachment under your command, to the Upper Fort, on the South Branch (built by Captain Waggener) and post your men at that place. You are to use your utmost endeavours to protect the people from the insults of the Enemy; and encourage them by all fair means, to return to their Dwellings. You are to be particularly careful in seeing that no...
28371From George Washington to John Field, 17 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to proceed with the utmost expedition to Job Pearsalls on the South-Branch: You will be joined by the Militia of Spotsylvania and Orange, who are to march with you to that place. When you arrive there, you are to summon a Council of War, of the Officers with you, and those already at the South Branch; and consult upon the most proper steps to be taken. If you find the...
28372Tobias Lear to John Field, 7 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States having observed in the papers of this morning that a number of respectable citizens have engaged in a benevolent plan for the relief of such persons as the inclemency of the season and other circumstances had reduced to great distress, he has directed me to transmit ten pounds to you as the Treasurer, to be applied in such a manner as may best answer the...
28373From George Washington to Field Officers of the Connecticut Light Horse, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to yours of this date, I can only repeat to You what I said last night, & that is, that if your Men think themselves exempt from the Common duties of a Soldier—will not mount Guard—do Garrison Duty, or the service seperate from their Horse, they can be no longer of Use here—where Horse cannot be brought to Action And I do not care how soon they are Dismiss’d. I am Gentlemen Yr Most...
28374George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood and the Field Officers of the Maryland Line, 2 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 2, 1779 . Encloses arrangement of rank in Maryland Line by a board of general officers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
28375From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood and the Field Officers of the Maryland Line, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the settlement of rank in the Maryland line by a board of General-Officers, after a full representation and investigation of the different claims. You have also an explanation of the former powers of the State of Maryland to the Commander in Chief, respecting the disputes existing in your line. You will be pleased to compare the abovementioned settlement with the resolve of...
28376From Benjamin Franklin to Filangieri, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri The Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me in August last, came to my Hands when I lay ill of two painful Disorders, which confin’d me near three Months, and with the Multiplicity of Business that follow’d oblig’d me to postpone much of my Correspondence. I have yesterday receiv’d a second Letter from you, and I now without farther Delay sit down to...
28377Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Fillebrown, 7 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns to mr Fillebrown the pamphlet he has been so kind as to send him with thanks for it’s communication. he trusts that the drastic medecines which have been administered to the unfortunate subjects of this work will have cured them of their past complaints and prevent a return of them. he considers the whole effect of the Hartford Convention as having been very salutary. he...
28378From George Washington to John Filson, 15 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
It was but a few days ago that I was favor’d with your letter of the 8th of Feby accompanied by your Map & history of Kentucke, for which you will please to accept my thanks. Those which you expect were handed to me by Mr Page of Rosewell, are not yet arrived; nor have I heard anything from that gentleman respecting them. Previous to the receipt of the above letter, I had written to you &...
28379From George Washington to John Filson, 16 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with two letters from you: that which was first written came last to hand, & neither of them long since. Your history & map of Kentucke I have not yet seen. For the honor you have done me in the dedication of them, you will please to accept my acknowledgments; & for the favourable sentiments you have been so polite as to express for me in both your letters, you have my...
28380James Madison to John Finch, 20 June 1829 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in due time your letter of May 10th inclosing a continuation of your observations on the "Natural boundaries of Empires". The views you have taken of the subject, give it certainly an attractive interest. But I must retain the impression, that they may reasonably be qualified by the progress of human Art in controuling the operation of physical causes. I should have sooner acknowledged...
28381James Madison to John Finch, 13 May 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. inst: & with it a copy of your "Essay on the effect of the physical Geography of the World on the boundaries of Empires:" The views taken of the subject are interesting, and some of them with the additional merit of originality, and I thank you Sir, for the communication of them. On turning from the past to the future speculation may be invited to the...
28382From James Madison to John Finch, [post–9 June 1824] (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of May 20. with the 2 printed papers: one on the “Tertiary formations,” the other on the “Celtic Antiquities of America”; for which I return my thanks. Without venturing to decide on the validity of these ingenious Speculations, I may express my respect for the philosophic & literary character of which they bear the stamp. They merit each of them the further researches...
28383From Thomas Jefferson to William Findley, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favors of Feb. 28. and Mar. 5. I thank you for the information they contain, and will always be thankful to you for information in the same line. it will always be interesting to me to know the impression made by any particular thing on the public mind. my idea is that where two measures are equally right, it is a duty to the people to adopt that one...
28384Anthony Todd to John Foxcroft and Hugh Finlay, 9 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London The Detention of the Lord Hyde Packet Boat for the Governments Dispatches enables me to acquaint you in addition to my Letter of the 7th. Instant that Dr. Franklin and the Accountant General have had a meeting in order to settle the General Accounts to the 5th. of April last but they are made out in so loose and careless not to say incorrect manner...
28385Thomas Jefferson to Anthony Finley, 13 February [1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. returns his thanks to mr Finlay and thro’ him to the managers of the Apprentices Library for the valuable little book he has been so kind as to send him. he wonders how so good excellent a production should have been so little known . it is certainly calculated to do much moral good, & their the publicn of it will probably be the saving of many young men. with his thanks he begs leave to...
28386Thomas Jefferson to Anthony Finley, 7 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The paper now returned was by accident misplaced, & thus escaped the attention it was entitled to. I consider every thing as useful which will dignify & consecrate the great event of our independance in the minds of our fellow citizens, & impress them with the importance of maintaining it sanctimoniously. and it is equally desirable to place before their eyes the constitutions of the different...
28387Thomas Jefferson to Anthony Finley, 7 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
A long absence from home, and long indisposition since my return, and present feeble condition must apologise for this late and short acknolegement of your favor of Aug. 3 . I have abandoned all attention to the editions of the Notes on Virginia since the first Paris & Lon d on editions. both of those were very correct; but I have but a single copy of each which I could not spare; nor would my...
28388From George Washington to Captain John Finley, 4 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed in the most expeditious manner, with the party under your command, to Reading, where you will meet Capt. Hutchins of New Hampshire, with three Waggons under his charge. Upon delivering the inclosed to him, he will put the Waggons under your care, and you are to proceed immediately with them to York Town, and upon your arrival there, deliver the Contents of them to the Board...
28389From Thomas Jefferson to William Finnie, 12 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed extract of a Letter from Colo. Corbin of the eastern shore, will inform you of the danger, in which the corn there lies for which you had an order. The presumption that you would immediately remove it on receiving the order prevented us from taking measures for that purpose. This gives me occasion to observe to you that in all such cases we consider the grain as lying at your...
28390From Thomas Jefferson to William Finnie, 9 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having taken upon themselves the expresses established by this State from hence to the southern army, you will be pleased to undertake their superintendance. I suppose the expence is to be theirs from the 29th day of June when their vote was passed. If you find the horses already employed necessary to be continued you will be pleased to receive them from our quarter master at the...
28391From George Washington to William Finnie, 16 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to William Finnie, 16 May 1778. Finnie’s letter to GW of 8 April is docketed “Ansd 16 May.”
28392From George Washington to the First Church of Woodstock, 24 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Leonard is a man whose exemplary Life and Conversation, must make him highly esteemd by every person, who has the pleasur⟨e⟩ of being acquainted with him—the Congregation of Woodstock Know him well, it therefore Can be no Surprise to us, to hear that they will be Loth to part with him, his usefulness in this Army is great—he is employed in the glorious work of attending to the Morals, of a...
28393British Prisoners of War to the Commissioners, 22 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
This to inform your honouers we perisoners was Taken By Capt. Tucker Commander of the Boston was Sent on Shore the 3 Instant to Nantzs and from Nantzs to this town we humble beg Your Honouers to Grant us Lebertiy to Goe home for we have no mony and no Cridet here we have Dun Nothing amiss to our knowalage more then aney other Captains th e y all Gott there Liberty we humbley beg your honouers...
28394John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Upon Mature deliberation and the advise of Experienc’d Officers at this Port Captain Tucker has alter’d his resolution of laying the Ship a Ground, as there are proper Conveniences to heave down large Ships he has brought his Ship up to the Hulks and getting all ready to have her hove down next Week which he and the Carpenter tels me will take eight Days. I therefore hope we shall get her out...
28395The Commissioners’ Accounts with Ferdinand Grand: Doit Compte des Etats Unis par Messieurs Franklin, Lee et Adams chez … (Adams Papers)
1778 Debit Credit Novemb. 12 Pour Solde du précédent Compte. 439728. 15. 7. Pour une traite de Mr. Hy. Laurens Président du 7. 9bre. 1777. à 30. jours de vue, dont ces Mrs. ont été debités deux fois au lieu d’une. 900. 12 Acceptation de M. B. Franklin à une traite de J. Philips du 28. Septemb. à uso 1200. 17 Payé à Mr. Arthur Lée sur recu 4800. 18 Acceptation de Mr. B. Franklin, à traite de...
28396The Commissioners to John Lloyd and Others, 1 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
We have this Moment the Honour of your Letter of the Twenty Eighth of last Month, and shall give the earliest Attention to its im portant Contents, but We are unhappy to think that it is not in our Power to give effectual Relief. By the Treaty Consuls &c. are to be appointed, in the respective Ports, But the Power of appointing, Such important officers is wholly with the Congress—they have...
28397The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 17 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us, on the 14 of this Month, and in answer to the Proposal Enquiry, contained in it, We beg Leave to acquaint your Excellency that there is not now in France, nor to our Knowledge, in Europe, any Frigate or other Vessell of War, belonging to the United States. If there was, We should not hesitate to order her,...
28398Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 19 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, les deux Lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire au Sujet de la reclamation que fait M. Izard des Effets pris Sur le batiment le Nil. Je vous ai observé par ma Lettre du 7 de ce mois, que l’Autorite devoit Seulement Suppléer aux Loix lorsqu’elles etoient insuffisantes; et qu’elle devenoit inutile et déplacée lorsque la Legislation etoit claire et précise. Vous...
28399The Commissioners to John Ross, 3 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received yours of the twenty seventh of October, inclosing a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the 11. Aug. 1778. We shall conform ourselves exactly pay the strictest Attention and Obedience to this Resolution of Congress, and to all others, as far as shall be in our Power; and shall be always ready to receive your Accounts and to settle them, and pay the Ballance if any should...
28400The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 24 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th. enclosing M. de Sartine’s Answer, relative to the Convoy which we requested of your Excellency, for the Ships now assembled at Nantes. We are totally at a loss to understand what Mr. de Sartine writes of four Vessels mentioned by us, as ready to sail and a Convoy having sailed with two of them. We never mentioned any thing...