29401Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 16 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn that you have recieved D r Byrd ’s journal on the survey of our Southern boundary , from mr Harrison of Barclay . it is a work I have wished to see, and if you think yourself at liberty, when done with it, to trust it in my hands for perusal only, it shall be promptly and safely returned by mail. if you do not feel entirely free to do this, I will write to request it of mr Harrison . I...
29402From Alexander Hamilton to John Armstrong, Junior, 1 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The President has left here a Blank Commission for Supervisor of New York, with his signature, & with instruction to fill it up either in your name or that of Nicholas Fish, giving you the first option. I am therefore to request, that you will inform me as speedily as possible, whether the appointment is acceptable to you. The present gross emoluments of it may amount to about 1300 Dollars of...
29403To George Washington from Volckert Pieterse Douw, 27 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Volckert Pieterse Douw, 27 July 1779. GW wrote Douw on 29 July: “I last night received the favour of your letter of the 27th on the subject of the restoration of the Onondaga prisoners.”
29404To James Madison from David Montague Erskine, 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to request the serious Attention of the Government of the United States to a Case of the most gross Violation of the Law of Nations; & of Insult to His Majesty, by a Citizen of the United States & an Inhabitant of this Town of Philadelphia, (W. Duane) who having by the most dishonorable Means, obtained Possession of certain Dispatches on His Majesty’s Service, from The Hon: G....
29405From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Osborn, 10 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received a letter from the Secy. of War to the following effect— “War Dept. Augt. 9th. 1799” “I have received a letter from Dr Samuel Osborne inclosing his commission as Surgeon’s mate in the Army of the United States.” “You will be pleased to inform Dr. Osborne, if no circumstances exist to render it improper, that his resignation — accepted, and that his pay and emo l uments...
29406From George Washington to Colonel Moses Hazen, 21 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday. I do not object to the excursion you propose upon Staten Island; if upon full enquiry you think it promises success—and advantage equal to the risk. You are sensible that if we make a second attempt and fail it will add much to the disagreeable effect of what has already happened. This I say not to discourage you, but as a motive to caution. You ought...
29407From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 2 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Robert Smith, now Secretary of the Navy, to be Attorney General of the United States. Jacob Crownenshield of Massachusets to be Secretary of the Navy. Obadiah Jones of Georgia to be one of the judges of the court of the Missisipi territory. PoC ( DLC ); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message to the Senate on 2 Mch. The Senate dispensed with the...
29408To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 7 June 1825 (Adams Papers)
John W. Boott Esq. of this city being desirous, with his friend Mr M Cale, of Philadelphia, to pay his respects to you and has requested me to give him that opportunity. He is one of our most respectable citizens and I shall be happy to enable him to enjoy the gratification of the interview he wishes Very respectfully / Yrs MHi : Adams Papers.
29409To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with yours of the 12th Instant but wish it was not so urgent, as I am but too well assured that my presence on the Occation, on which it’s required—will give me more pain—than executing any Order—which your Excellency would please to favour me with in the field. my presence will be Indispensibly Necessary in this place tomorrow, the next day you will be waited upon by...
29410To Thomas Jefferson from John Forbes, 22 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
As directed by Col o Randolph I am to enclose a letter for him, which it is important he should receive with the least possible delay, that you may have the goodness to forward it to him at Staunton.—The inclosure contains a Copy of proceedings in a Suit depending in the Superior Court of Chancery here between himself and his very dear & respected relatives, intended to sustain his application...
29411Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 3 February 1802 (Adams Papers)
I received Your kind Letter, began at Washington, and finished at Philadelphia. I received much pleasure from the perusal. the communications were of a nature to excite Sober reflections: I find your sentiments in perfect unison with my own; we have both of us been for a series of years so intimately connected with political affairs that we must have been very inattentive observers not to have...
29412To George Washington from Colonel Lachlan McIntosh, 28 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to your Excellency the 16th feby & 8th March to which please to be refered, And now inclose you a Report of our Battalion made to me this Day, which I defered Sending you before, in expectation of our Officers coming in with all their Recruits. but the distance they were obliged to go rendered it impossible. I am informed Capt. Colson is on his way with near his Company compleat, &...
29413From George Washington to William Peachey, 18 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 22d ultimo came to hand about 4 days ago. In answer to that part which relates to Colo. Corbins gross and infamous reflections on my conduct last spring; it will be needless I dare say to observe further at this time, than that the liberty which he has been pleased to allow himself, in sporting with my character, is little less than a comic-entertainment, discovering at one...
29414To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1802, London. No. 68. Reports anxiety among British manufacturers and merchants “founded upon the Belief that France would exclude, either wholly or in a very great degree,” British manufactures. “The prohibitory Laws of France passed during the War have been declared to be in force, and were it not for a recent and extraordinary Law which puts into the hands of the Chief Consul,...
29415From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I now send by Bp. Madison the balance which should have gone from our last court by mr Barber: but not seeing him the first day of the court, & that breaking up on the first day contrary to usage & universal expectation, mr Barber was gone before I knew that fact.—is it not strange the public should have no information of the proceedings & prospects of our envoys in a case so vitally...
29416James Oldham to Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the 2 of November last I have repetedly solicited a settlement of my worke with the Proctor , of this fact, their is evidence—on yesterday I renewed the subject again when he positively refused to do any thing with it—and decleared that I should not receive one cent of pay until it suted him to give it—I am advised to make an appeale to Mr Jefferson and to give a statement of the...
29417[Diary entry: 11 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. In Convention. Dined at the Club at Springsbury and after Ten returnd. home.
29418From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 7 July 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose a letter from Dr. Genet together with his account, the settlement of which he requests may take place as speedily as possible; but he has, as you will see, purposely omitted fixing any rate for his services. You will therefore please to fill up the blank, calculating the compensation due to him for the time of his service, on the principle of his receiving the emoluments of a...
29419[Diary entry: 25 July 1773] (Washington Papers)
25. Very warm with some appearances of Rain but none fell.
29420From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commission for Mr. Ebenezer Bushnell of Lebanon, & sent it on in your letter to him, inclosed in yours of the 31st Aug. to MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
29421From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 May 1816 (Adams Papers)
A ; I opend my Letters this morning and found a Number—dated last Novbr and December, the first which John Smith wrote on Board Ship, which in his second he refered to, one from mr A. which I inclose for you only. I am much obliged by the paper you sent containing an account of the Lord Mayor feast. I approve the Toast given by the American Minister. it was liberal patriotic, and concilitary...
29422From Thomas Jefferson to John Paradise, 26 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ the incessant drudgery of my office puts it out of my power to write letters of mere correspond[ence], yet I do not permit them to suspend the offices of friendship, where these may affect the interests of my friends. You have in the funds of Virginia in loan office certificates reduced to specie value £985–17–6½ and in final settlement £62–8. These are of the description allowed by the...
29423John Melish to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering the late pretensions set up by the British at Ghent , to be of such a nature as to set aside all the ordinary principles of reasoning, I was of opinion that the best mode of exhibiting their nature and tendency was to publish a map representing the proposed Boundary, which I have the honour to enclosed enclose accompanied by the Documents relative to the negotiation, and remarks on...
29424To Alexander Hamilton from Aaron Dunham, 9 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 19th of June I wrote a Circular letter to such Gentlemen in the Different parts of this State, as I conceived would be likely to give me the best information respecting Manufactures of every kind carried on Within their knowledge. The letter inclosed is the only one as yet received in answer; as they come to hand shall forward. I am Sir, with all due respect your Very Humb Sert. ALS...
29425From John Jay to Richard Peters, 9 January 1811 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 25 Nov r — Altho the Privations you voluntarily submit to, exceed the “ne quid nimis” of the wise men, yet they evince a sound mind, and will I hope tend to preserve it long in a sound Body. My Inquiries respecting Speltz were in Terms too general. To sow wheat here, is like taking a Ticket in a Lottery—more blanks than prizes—the Fly destroys more than we...
29426To Thomas Jefferson from Burrill Carnes, 23 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Nantes, 23 Aug. 1787 . In accordance with TJ’s letter of 9 Aug. , has procured from Dobrée one each of the muskets, bayonets, and sabres; has had them cleaned and will send them to New York, together with TJ’s letter to the Commissioners of the Treasury and an estimate of the value of the muskets if sold locally. The muskets should be worth from 6 to 8 livres each, the sabres about 40 sols...
29427To Benjamin Franklin from Duportail, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Toutes reflexions faites, je crois que les vaisseaux de nantes nous offrent plus de sureté et de commodités pour notre passage que le paquebot. Ainsi je choisis le premier moyen à moins que vous n’ayèz vous même fait des observations contraires; auquel cas je vous prierois de vouloir bien m’en faire part. J’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler de quelques...
29428To George Washington from Isaac Burge, 8 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
A warm but humble wellwisher to the rights of humanity, and consequently of thy Country, begs thee would oblige him so far as to accept of this small token of his esteem for thee, on account of thy very laudable and unblemishd conduct in the cause wherein thou hast been engaged. Thy friend DLC : Papers of George Washington.
29429From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 10–11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd yours of the 7th. I fancy your information of the enemy’s having been at Sufferans was without foundation—at least I have heard nothing of it, and I think such an occurrence could not have escaped the Officer who commands the party at paramus. I take it for granted that General Heath has furnished you with a Copy of the instructions which I left with him when I removed from...
29430From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 28 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Accountant for the departt. of War having mentioned to me as on your part that it was requisite immediately to furnish to the officers on the recruiting service, a further sum of money for that service and having suggested that some arrangement was necessary in relation to the transmitting of it to them—I have the honor to propose the following. Let warrants issue by the Secy of war...
29431To George Washington from William Pearce, 22 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I Receved your letter of the 15th Inst. Since I wrote to you Respecting Mr Washingtons Intention to Survey his Land that a Joins yous, I have Receved a note from him Informing me that he shall Git an order at March Court for surveying it—and he wishes to Mark and set bounds—I would have attended to this Business before but I never Can find a day to spare from the business here. the oats will...
29432From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 December 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress will receive by this post our approbation of the Confederation . It passed the house of Delegates on Monday and the Senate on Tuesday last. Tho’ our house of delegates is almost wholly of those who are truly zealous, yet there have ever been a few who have endeavored to throw obstructions in our way. Objections to this important instrument came therefore not unexpectedly. The most...
29433From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 10 November [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here last night from Albany. Having given General Gates a little time to recollect himself I renewed my remonstrances on the necessity and propriety of sending you more than one Brigade of the three he had detained with him, and finally prevailed upon him to give orders for Glover’s in addition to Patterson’s brigade to march this way. As it was thought conducive to expedition to...
29434From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received yours of yesterday—I am happy to hear of the spirited behaviour of the Militia. They have certainly done themselves great honor; if the opposition they give is not absolutely effectual, it serves to discourage the enemy and make them sick of such excursions—I shall be glad to learn they have met with a proper reception at Norwalk. Before this reaches you, you will have...
29435To James Madison from George William Erving, 14 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I lose no time in transmitting to you a decree issued by this government in conformity with the Imperial blockade decree, of which I re ceived the first notice from Cadiz on the 12th. Inst; and I send it as published in the Madrid Gazette of last Evening, where it is preceeded by a paragraph worthy of remark: By the next po st I shall have the honor of addressing you mo re particularly upon...
29436To George Washington from Adam Stephen, 22 April 1758 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment arrived, and find your orders to march, which shall be Complyd with; tho’ The President gave directions for refreshing the men and Paying them off here —As soon as the men are on their March I will come on, and hope the pleasure of Seeing you thursday night; in the mean time; I am with Respect, Sir, your most Obt Hube Sert ALS , DLC:GW . Lt. Col. Adam Stephen and Capt. George...
29437From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the p⟨lea⟩sure of yours of the 25th but a⟨m⟩ sorry to h⟨e⟩ar that your Wound is so troublesome to you⟨.⟩ I have sent Colo. Biddle up purposely to see the Baggage properly ⟨di⟩sposed of, and I must beg of you to pay as much attention as your health will admit of to the conduct of the Baggage Guard, who will probably be licentious and distressing to the Inhabitants. Make my Compliments to...
29438To James Madison from John Glendy, 18 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
The bearer Mr. N. Andrews purposes setting off to-morrow for Washington City, in hope of obtaining the office of Chaplain, on board of a frigate or seventy four Gun Ship, in the service of the U.S. If ministerial talents, and literary acquisitions—If loyalty to the Government of this Country, and ardent zeal in the cause of pure Republicanism—If heroism in days of peril, and courageous...
29439To George Washington from Robert Carter Nicholas, 8 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Were I not apprehensive that I should appear rather late in doing it, I am sure none of your Countrymen could with greater Sincerity congratulate you on your Promotion to the very important & honourable Post you now fill. You will no doubt have heard the distressful Situation this unhappy Country is now in. We have too much Reason to apprehend that our Enemies will exert every Effort to annoy...
29440To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 11 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
We have put in the frames of the Pannel lights on the whole of the West side of the dome and are now engaged in putting in those on the East. I find it impossible to save the Center light on the South side, and indeed it would have been better to have sacrificed the two next east & West of them,—for the roof in that part is so flat, that I fear we must cover it with Lead. I will endeavor so to...
29441From Thomas Jefferson to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
This, my dear friend will be handed you by Tho s Jefferson Randolph who goes with his fellow citizens to welcome you among us. he is my grandson and as such I am sure you will recieve him kindly, and the more so for his moral merit and the high veneration with which from his cradle he has been taught to entertain for you.—I am just recovered from an illness of some weeks, have been able to...
29442To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington: Instructions, 28 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: South Carolina Historical Society; draft: National Archives These instructions do not reveal that in conjunction with them various members of Congress had opened a campaign to undercut Franklin’s authority as minister to the French court. This was the first concerted attack upon him since the failed recall attempt in the spring of 1779. On November 22 Congress had resolved to appeal to...
29443Thomas Jefferson to Felix Pascalis, 2 January 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved on the 26 th only your letter of the 15 th of December p r oposing to our University the purchase of the collection of Natural curiosities recommended by you; and I regret that that institution is not yet in a sufficient state of forwardness to avail ourselves of the advantage. our buildings are not yet half finished: and, until they are compleated, our whole funds must be applied...
29444John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of yours of from Boston, and am happy to find that you have been able to do so well, amidst all your Difficulties.—There is but one Course for Us to take and that is to renounce the Use of all foreign Commodities. For my own Part I never lived in my whole Life, so meanly and poorly as I do now, and yet my Constituents will growl at my Extravagance. Happy should I...
294451779. May 9. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
The Pilot came on Board this Morning from St. Nazare, and pronounced it unsafe to go out, with this Wind. F. this Morning, fell to talking.— “Above half the Gentlemen of Paris are Atheists, and the other half Deists. No Body goes to Church but the common People. I wish I could find one honest Man among their Merchants and Tradesmen” &c. &c. Mr. F., says I, let me be so free as to request of...
29446Report of the Committee of the Corporation and the Military Committee to the Common Council of the City of New York, [31 … (Hamilton Papers)
The adjoining account shews the expenditures & Nearly all the responsibilities of the Fortifying Committee. In addition to the fifty thousand Dollars already advanced by the Corporation, Ten thousand Dollars more is requisite to pay off the pressing demands for unsettled accounts; they therefore solicit the Corporation to advance them this further Sum, not doubting but the Legislature will in...
29447The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
29448Thomas Jefferson to William Eustis, 24 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of adding a the name of Nicholas B. Pryor of Tenessee to the probably long list of candidates for military appointment, and inclose the documents he has furnished me with as to his character, and a letter from Col o W. P. Anderson whom I suppose to be Col o of the 8 th regiment, in which it is mentioned that there have been some recommen resignations. I believe mr
29449From George Washington to John Rutledge, 1 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 18th ulto and Mr Jay’s resignation of the Office of chief Justice of the United States, both came to my hands yesterday. The former gave me much pleasure, and without hesitating a moment, after knowing you would accept the latter, I directed the Secretary of State to make you an official offer of this honorable appointment. To express to you my wish that it may be...
29450From Abigail Smith Adams to George Washington Adams, 15 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
It is better to go to the House of mourning than to the House of Feasting, or dancing, for the living lay it to heart. you my dear Children are now calld to the House of mourning and Sorrow, by the death of your dear Aunt Smith and the only daughter of your Grandparents, the only Sister of your Father. your Aunt died last night, to the deep affliction of the whole Family—her pure Spirit I...