28701To George Washington from Claude Gabriel, marquis de Choisy, 22 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
the letter your Excellency have honor’d me, I have received in this moment by the Colonel Temple and I have not heard as yet from the quarter master general whom I expect with great impatiance—since the few husaren who wait upon the c orps are scarce able to do it. the Colonel Temple did not chuse to pick the six horses out among Tarleton’s horses, he is gone forward to run after the officers...
28702To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 11 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here a few days agoe from New London and still find Cause of Complaint against you having had not a single Line from you for a Very long time. I make many Allowances for the Hurry you must be in and the Place where you are. I have the Pleasure to inform you that Govr Delancey last night Recd An Express from Albany giving him an Accot of Colo. Broadstreets taking Fort Frontinack with...
28703From George Washington to Christian Holmer, 3 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of —It was not expected by Congress in their Resolution of the 7th of Augst last, nor is it possible from the circumstances, that I should take measures for compleating or even doing any thing in the arrangement of any of the Lines of the Army excepting those which are under my immediate command—I have therefore transmitted a Copy of your Letter to the Secry at War,...
28704To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Arm will this Night or tomorrow Night permit me to take the Command at fort Mifflin. I was there last Night. it is now one Heap of Ruin & must be defended with Musquetry in Case of Storm. I presume the Enemy will Continue to Cannonade for four or five days & then they will be oblig’d to Storm. when they do, I am of Opinion they will Succeed. with 600 Men I think we could defend it as an...
28705To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I do not know whether you were acquainted with the late Major Duncanson of Washington, uncle of the writer of the inclosed letter. He was one of the earliest adventurers to the city of Washington. He had made a princely fortune in the E. Indies, the whole of which he employed in the establishments of that city and finally sunk. His political merits were a most persevering republicanism in the...
28706From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Information which the Gentlemen who have lately gone from hence can give the Congress of the State & Situation of the Army would have made a Letter unnecessary if I did not suppose there would be some Anxiety to know the Intentions of the Army on the Subject of their Re-inlistment. Agreeable to the Advice of those Gentlemen & my own Opinion, I immediately began by directing all such...
28707Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Smith, 5 September 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your favor of Aug. 14 and can assure you, Sir, that I have never been unmindful of the debt to you which ought so long ago to have been paid, but the Catastrophe of the last year took no one by surprise more than myself. my expences of the preceding year had been on the usual scale, & such as the usual prices of produce would have fully met. I got but half price, say 3 ⅛ D....
28708James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 27 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
I cannot recollect whether I sent No. 31 before. I promised your Husband to continue to forward the Journals: But my Wish is not to break the Numbers so as to spoil a Set for any body else. If therefore I at any Time repeat a Number you will be so good as to return it; and if I omit one you will demand it. I suppose Mr. A did not leave the 1st. 2d. or 3d. Vol. in his Library. If he did I will...
28709From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 24, 1799. “… I shall confer with Col Smith on the subject of his Major and communicate the result.… I am of opinion that the hat ought to be delivered with its furniture complete. It will often be no easy matter for the Officers to supply a deficiency; and it is one of those instances in which œconomy will be likely to disgust by the air of excessive parsimony. Will it not be...
28710To Thomas Jefferson from James Swan, 2 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris , “ Rue de Montmorency No. 63 ,” 2 June 1791 . The proposals described in his of 8 [i.e., 3] Oct. to exchange provisions for the American debt were defeated by the opposition of Fleurieu and by the propositions of Schweizer, Jeanneret & Co. of Paris “for some Genoese Capitalists, who proposed to pay the debt in money at once.” On that day the Assembly decreed that after 1 Jan. 1791...
28711Louis Philippe Gallot de Lormerie to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
L’intérest que vous aves pris Si genereusement a mon Passage me fait un devoir presque indispensable de Vous informer que par un heureux Concours de Circonstançes Je suis Enfin parvenu a m’Embarquer Effectivement avec Lagrement de M.C. a bord du Brig de LEtat Sus mentionné ou Je suis maintenant nous n’attendons qu’un Vent favorable pour mettre a la voile tandis que LEscadre-Ennemie est occupée...
28712To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 28 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, November 28, 1792. Announces the death of the keeper of the Chesapeake lighthouse. Suggests that Lemuel Cornick would be a suitable replacement. LC , RG 58, Letters of Commissioner of Revenue, 1792–1793, National Archives. William Lewis.
28713From George Washington to John Eager Howard, 19 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
It may seem strange to those, not acquainted with circumstances, that the office of State should be so long vacant; but causes, not within my power to controul, have occasioned it. I have, at length, proposed to Colo. Pickering, to go from the War office into that of State, & he has agreed to do so: this, of course makes a vacancy in the former. Permit me, to ask you Sir to fill it. I shall...
28714From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 19 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am persuaded I shall be pleased with mr Hawkins’s portable Polygraph, because of it’s small size, & it’s simplification by omitting one of the horizontal parallelograms, the stays or suspenders, & probably the vertical parallelograms & gallows, for I see no use for the two last if the suspender be omitted. the pencases I shall be able to have arranged to my mind by an excellent workman here....
28715From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1793 (Jay Papers)
^M r . King & I^ we have written this Day to you & General Knox To that Letter and its Enclosures I refer you. All Men are under moral obligations to support the ^[ important ?]^ ^the Cause of^ that Truth interesting to the Reputation or Property of Individuals— I presume therefore that the President will permit you to use ^all^ the Evidence of the Fact in Question, which may be in his...
28716[Diary entry: 17 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday April 17th. By 3 Oclock in the afternoon Mr. Triplet finishd the Wall between the Dairy and Kitchen. The Rain from that time prevented his Working. Sowed my Clover Field with Oats, 24 Bushels. The upper part next the Peach Orchard was Harrowed in during the Rain but before it began to Clog much. Also sowd 18 Rows of Lucerne in the 12 Acre Field below the Hill. The first 4 Rows were...
28717From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of Mar. 8. 28. and May 1. have come to hand since the date of my last which was of May 9. That of Mar. 8. begins with these words. ‘I cannot at present lay my hands upon your last but recollect it was of an old date.’This seems to imply a charge of my being behind-hand in the epistolary account. Turning to my epistolary ledger I find our account since my arrival in Europe to stand...
28718To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 17 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London Mr. Todd presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and sends him an extract of a Letter to Messrs. Foxcroft and Finlay of the 9th. of Decr. last concerning the Balance remaining in his Hands to which he has not as yet received an Answer, but makes no doubt when it comes it will clear up every Difficulty in settling his Accounts finally with this...
28719To George Washington from William Knox, 13 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I hope that my particular situation, and zeal, for imparting to you, the general attachment of the good people of this Kingdom to our Country will plead my excuse for troubling you with a letter. Having thought it my duty, I have for two or three months past been visiting some of the most material Ports of Ireland, and I am happy to say from personal experience that no Country in Europe...
28720To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The secretary of state has the honor of informing the President of the U.S., that the commission for Mr Jay is preparing, and he is notified by letter, that it is preparing; no time being to be lost. Perhaps the President will find it necessary to have a ship, taken for the voyage and to fix the salary at once. E.R. will therefore talk with Mr Jay. An express is sent off to Mr Patterson, with...
28721From John Adams to George A. Otis, 9 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 29 January, and your Translation of Botta, I have not yet read it—for I received it but yesterday, And reading to me so laborious, and painful an occupation, that it requires a long time—But I cannot refrain from expressing the pleasure I have received from the reasoning of Mr Jay; upon the passage in Botta—“That anteriour to the Revolution there existed in...
28722To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 12 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
It is painful to trouble a man whom I have so long revered with these letters—But Oliver Wolcott whom you honored with a place, has cast me into prison for a small sum due honestly to him. The suit is pushed for two causes—One to defeat my hopes and expectations of the place of collector of the customs in New Haven. He wishes to have it given to Eli⟨zur⟩ Goodrich—Brother to the member of...
28723To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 19 July 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Surlendemain de Votre départ, le propriétaire du Vaisseau qui réunissait Mes Convenances s’etant decidé à Ne point l’expedier, je me decidai de mon côté à quitter philadelphie, et depuis cinq à Six jours je respire dans la Ville-campagne d’où je Vous ecris un air peut-etre aussi chaud Mais plus pur. Il N’est plus question de la fievre. Vous M’avez demandé Mon plan de Marche, le Voici. Le...
28724From James Madison to David Gelston, 23 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Having received information that the British public armed Brig Busy is now in the port of New York, I take occasion to request you will be pleased to inform me as soon convenient, from such sources of information as you may have access to, what ground there is for a publication lately made in the public papers, that, except two, who were liberated from the Busy since her arrival on the coast,...
28725To Thomas Jefferson from Caspar Wistar, 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to trouble you with the inclosed for Captain Lewis , they do not include many points, because his instructions have really anticipated every thing which occurred to me, & of course admitted of no additions but in detail. I have also avoided several subjects which I expected would be fully detailed by Dr Barton , as being particularly within those departments of Science to which he...
28726From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 8 December 1808 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you for two Letters one of the last bearing date Novbr 20th. & 24th. I am always rejoiced to see your handwriting, altho the contents of your Letters some times give me pain, and none more so than those which contain an Idea that your Relatives, and Friends have not exerted themselves for you as they might have done. With respect to william. Your Father himself went to Town:...
28727From Thomas Jefferson to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, 25 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of the 21st. mr Niemcewicz has put into my hands the inclosed memorandum, reminding you of a sum of 400. Dollars in the hands of Wannerquist banker of Stockholm, intended for your aid de camp Fischer, but never delivered him, & therefore subject to your order. it also mentions a turning machine in the hands of mr Munford at New York partner of Gahn, worth as he supposes...
28728William Barret to Thomas Jefferson, 13 March 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with yours of the 5 th ins t handing me an order on Cap t Bernard Peyton for $750 which has been paid and will be placed to your credit on the bond— I am very sensible of the difficulty experienced thro’ out the Country in raising money at this time, and feel much obliged by the arrangement you have made to place me in possession of the balance due on your bond—Nothing I assure...
28729From George Washington to Guy Carleton, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th came to my Hands Yesterday. The Want of some very necessary papers, which were expected from Philadelphia, by yesterday’s post, puts me under the necessity of proposing to your Excellency, that the meeting of the Commissioners may be postponed, until Wen ’s day of next Week; at which time, I hope, we cannot fail to be ready to proceed to Business. I am...
28730From Benjamin Franklin to Vicq d’Azyr, 24 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : Yale University Library M. Franklin a l’honneur de faire mille Complimens à Monsieur Vicq-d’azir, et le prie de vouloir bien lui envoyer le Rapport de Messrs. Andry et Thouret sur les Aimans présentés par Mr. L’abbé le Noble, il lui en sera infiniment obligé. Il desireroit aussi savoir si la Société Royale continue toujours à faire imprimer chaque Année la Collection de ses mémoires, qu’il...
28731From John Adams to Stephen Moore, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
An Address from Seven thousand two hundred and Ninety four Men, a Number Sufficient to compose a respectable Army, giving Assurance of their Approbation of Public Measures, and their Determination as Men and Soldiers to Support them, with their Lives and Fortunes, must be a pleasing Appearance to every Lover of his Country. There is no Part of the Union from which, such Sentiments could be...
28732[To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Necks, 17 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 17 Apr. 1786 . Entered in SJL as received “while in London.” Not found; see entry for TJ’s reply, 18 Apr. 1786.]
28733Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 8 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
While at war, my dear madam and friend, with the Leviathan of the ocean , there is little hope of a letter’s escaping his thousand ships; yet I cannot permit myself longer to withold the acknolegement of your letter of June 28. of the last year , with which came the Memoirs of the Margrave of Bareuth . I am much indebted to you for this singular morsel of history which has given us a curtain...
28734To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 10 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Two Bills which I have the honor to inclose you for Acceptance were sent me by Edward Bird Esqr: of Philada: with orders to procure payment for the same, unless I had advice that Major Peter Scull was arriv’d in France.— The firsts of these Bills were deliver’d to Major Scull & the seconds were forwarded by the Diana, which Vessell I understand is...
28735Thomas Jefferson to Burgess Allison, 29 November [1818] (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Sir , for the pamphlet you have been so kind as to send me on Naval architecture. retired from the business of the world, enfeebled in body by age & relaxed in mind I cease to interest pay attention wherever I can be excused from it. the improvement appears probable and beautiful, and I wish well to every thing which may better the condition of man, and to nothing more than what...
28736The Warning No. II, [7 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Independent of the commands of honor, the coolest calculations of interest forbid our becoming the instruments of the Ambition of France, by associating with her in the War. The question is no longer the establishment of liberty on the basis of Republican Government. This point, the enemies of France have ceased to dispute. The question now is whether she shall be aggrandized by new...
2873714th. (Adams Papers)
Spent the day very much like the two former. We have destroy’d almost all the birds within five miles about: I am reduced to neglect the improvement of the mind for the sake of the body. This is as dull and insignificant a manner of doing away a man’s life, as any that could possibly be invented.
28738Memorandum to John Trumbull, 5 February 1795 (Jay Papers)
M r . Sibbald of upper Harley Street, is sollicitous to obtain Information of relative to M r . Hesilriggs late of Boulogne in France, sent to arras by order of the Convention with other English Gentlemen— Endeavour to learn whether he be dead or alive Deliver M r . Collets Letter to M r Dubignon Endeavour to learn whether the wife and Family of M r the Swedish Consul at Marseilles are well— M...
28739To Thomas Jefferson from Goltz, 2 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Cte. de Goltz reçoit tout à l’heure les exemplaires de l’Acte de La Virginie, que Monsieur Jefferson a La bonté de lui envoÿer et s’empresse de Lui en faire tous ses remerciemens et de renouveler les assurances de Sa consideration distinguée pour Lui. RC ( MHi ); without indication of the year, but presumably 1787, since TJ was at this time still distributing copies of the Virginia Act for...
28740From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 October 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces . . . Written by Benj. Franklin . . . (London, 1779), pp. 555–6; copy: D. A. F. H. H. Hartley Russell, on deposit in the Berkshire Record Office (1955); copy: Library of Congress I wish as ardently as you can do for peace, and should rejoice exceedingly in co-operating with you to that end. But every...
28741[Diary entry: 10 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning—Wind pretty fresh from No. Et. but clear—Mer. 70. Very lowering in the Evening—Mer. 66. Doctr. Stuart returned, & Mr. Lear dined here.
28742Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 27 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had last the pleasure of writing to you, I have to acknolege the reciept of your favors of 1809. June 12. & Oct. 9. & 1810. March 24. with the first came the seeds of the Paullinia or Koelreuteria, one of which has germinated, and is now growing. I cherish it with particular attentions, as it daily reminds me of the friendship with which you have honored me. yours of Octob. 9. mentions...
28743To George Washington from Major General William Phillips, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place your letter dated from Philadelphia of December the 25th for which and allowing Lieutenant Campbell going to New York I return you, Sir, my very sincere thanks. I lament from the bottom of my heart at there being so little likelyhood of an Exchange of Prisoners of War, the cause of humanity is deeply interested in it, and the injury both sides receives should urge...
28744From George Washington to John Sullivan, 4 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Armand deliver’d me your favor of the 29th Ulto last Evening & I thank you for the sevl communications contained in it —The measure adopted by Congress of appointing a Minister of War—Finance—& for Foreign Affairs I think a very wise one. To give efficacy to it, proper characters will, no doubt, be chosen to conduct the business of these departments. How far Colo. Hamilton—of whom you...
28745To George Washington from John Kilty, 23 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave once more respectfully to present myself to your Excellency among the Candidates for the Collectorship of the Port of Baltimore, made vacant by the death of General Williams, and to lay before you the enclosed Letter from the Chancellor of Maryland, which with the Testimonials I had the honour to transmit on a former occasion, must form the whole foundation of my hopes on this...
28746To James Madison from Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen, 13 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to acquit myself of my duty, in congratulating you, upon your appointment to the honourable charge of Secretary of State, of the United States of America, and which I do with so much the more Satisfaction, our new worthy President having fixed his choice, upon a Man, who has already for a long time so laudably employed his abilities in the service of his Country; I do at the same...
28747From John Adams to Richard Price, 20 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your friendly letter of March the fifth: and am happy to find that I have a place in your remembrance. There are few portions of my life that I recollect with more entire satisfaction than the hours I spent at Hackney, under your Ministry, and in private society, and conversation with you at other places— The approbation you are pleased to express of my Speculations on...
28748To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 12 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I sent you last winter two printed copies of the report of the legislative committee on the affairs of the College, unanimously adopted by the house. I sent them, because every public testimony in my favour, tends to justify your former kind recommendation of me to the Visitors of your University. I hope that report will serve as sufficient proof that you were not mistaken, the clergy...
28749To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 28 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the short stay my mother made here I could not find time to write a letter, therefore I hop’d my verbal acknowledgments would be accepted, yet I did not intend my pen should neglect it’s duty. I really am much oblig’d to you for the trouble you took to gratify me, and notwithstanding the frequency of my obligations to you I always have great pleasure...
28750To Thomas Jefferson from Inhabitants of St. Albans, 21 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
At a numerous Meeting of the inhabitants of St. Albans, (Vt.) duly warned and holden, May 21st, 1808, for the purpose of adopting such measures as should be thought proper relative to the all of Congress of the 12th of March last, prohibiting all commercial intercourse between the Citizens of the United States, and the adjacent territories of foreign powers: and also, relative to the...