3021To Alexander Hamilton from William W. Wands, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The decision of the Court-Martial on Monday last, I never have agreed to, on account of a partiality which existed on the trial of the officer we had in charge I am informed by the Judge advocate, that the whole testimony will be sent to you, for your approbation, on the perusal of the papers you will have before you, you will be able to determine whether my knowledge of this trial has is...
3022To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Packet, No. 1. which is enclosed contains the last dispatches from General Wayne. The private letter included therein, is a duplicate of one not yet come to hand, which it would seem contains the papers to which it refers. Packet, No. 2. The last letters from Tennessee. Packet, No. 3. The proceedings of a Court Martial on a soldier who attempted to desert. With the greatest respect I have the...
3023From John Adams to United States Senate, 18 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate John Jay Esqr. Govenor of the State of New York to be Chief Justice of the United States in the place of Oliver Elsworth who has resigned that office DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
3024To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 29 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
L’instrucçion que je recois de Colonel Biddle est souffisente pour placer commodement La Cavalerie dans les Quartiers il y a une chose à ajouter qu’il faut qu on nous forme à Trenton un Magasin souffisent pour que La Cavalerie puisse subsisster etant rassemblé pour Lé Gnrl exerçise aumoins pendent 15 Jours. Lé comendement des Lençeurs puisque Votre Excelence juge a propos je remetrais au...
3025From George Washington to Henry Knox, 22 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 15th I acknowledged the receipt of yours of the 11th; since which your dispatches of the 16th are come to hand, and convey but a gloomy prospect of peace with the Indians, in either hemisphere; but shew the necessity of preparing more vigorously if possible for the dernier resort. That the Western Indians are stimulated to acts of hostility on one side, and every mean which...
3026Thomas Jefferson to William Baldwin (Draft), 19 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 7 th inst. has been duly recieved, with the pamphlet inclosed, for which I return you my thanks. nothing can be more exactly & seriously true than what is there stated; that but a short time elapsed after the death of the great reformer of the Jewish religion before his principles were departed from by those who professed to be his special servants, & perverted into an engine for...
3027To George Washington from Colonel Lachlan McIntosh, 8 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to write to your Excely the 16th ulto which for want of Conveyance lyes here Still, as our Continental Post is not well regulated this Length yet. It is hardly worth troubling you with any Report of our Battalion, as I have heard from very few of our Recruiting officers. & we have only between 20. & 30 Men of them in Town. but the Transactions here since that Time may...
3028From George Washington to Charles Washington, 28 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter dated the 15th of January (which I presume must be a mistake, as the bearer says he left your House the day before yesterday) came to my hands last Night. I thank you for your kind congratulation on my return to private life, which is highly pleasing to me. Your Son George went down with me the 11th of this Month to Fredericksburgh, where I left him. In a day or two after, he...
3029[Diary entry: 6 May 1798] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning—perfectly clear with a light breeze from the Westward—Mer. 62. High wind from No. West afterwards—Mer. 67 thro’ the day. A Mr. Tayler & a Mr. Crips—introduced by Mr. Potts dined here as did Mr. T. Peter & Mr. Lear. All except Mr. Peter went away after dinner.
3030To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Birckel, 15 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les hommes ordinaires font parade de Richesse de leur memoire, Il ÿ en à, qui sont assez heureux de n’etre point attachés aux metaux, qu’ils combattent, qu’ils reduisent l’amour-propre, à l’obeisence de l’amour -pour la verité, Ils parviendront à la Clarté parfaite, pour connoitre les talents, les richesses des amms de leurs samblables, que le tout pouisant...
3031From Thomas Jefferson to Catherine Church, 22 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to your Mama, yesterday, my dear Catharine, intending to have written by the same post to yourself. an interruption however put it out of my power. it was the more necessary to have done it, as I had inadvertently made an acknolegement in my letter to her, instead of yourself, of yours of the 16th . I recieve with sincere pleasure this evidence of your recollection, and assure you I...
3032Mathew Carey & Sons to Thomas Jefferson, 30 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
An apology is due for the delay of an answer to your favour of the 19 th inst. (post marked 23 d ) covering ten Dollars, which was rec d on the 26 th — The new American Edition of Sinclair’s code is not yet, we believe, published. At all events, we have not rec d any information of its appearance. As soon as it appears, it shall be forwarded. Baxter ’s history cannot be procured.
3033From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 17 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Albert Gallatin. 17 January 1806, Department of State. “Should the additional Clerk hire enserted in the estimate of this Department be granted, there will be a sufficient number of persons to expedite the land-patents, taking into view the probable increase of the number, at least in the current year. I am however informed, that even at present, a weeks leasure, which will probably...
3034From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 27 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
When will Congress probably adjourn? Will any thing be settled as to a certain Election? Will my presence be requisite as to this or any other purpose and when? I observe more and more that by the jealousy and envy of some, the miserlyness of others and the concurring influence of all foreign powers , America, if she attains to greatness, must creep to it. Well be it so. Slow and sure is no...
3035To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency; by order of the Q.M. Genl that there has been no loss of the New Boats. Those mounted on Carriages were not taken in the Act. With the greatest Respect & Esteem I have the Honour to be your Excellency’s most Obedient NHi : Hugh Hughes Papers.
3036To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 4 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour of the 25 of December and sincerely congratulate with you on the close of your arduous administration and the meas sibi confeia reiti which you must needs carry with you into retirement. This is the sweet reward of the good man and the true patriot, and that of which neither envy, malice nor faction can ever rob him. I was going to say that from the insidious designs of...
3037To John Adams from William Richardson Davie, 30 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The legislature of the State of North Carolina have, by their resolution of the 24th. Instant, committed to me the agreeable duty of transmitting to you the inclosed address; and it gives me great pleasure to assure you that it contains a deliberate and explicit declaration of their sentiments upon the measures which have been taken by the Federal Government with respect to our foreign...
3038Franklin and Silas Deane to the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Messrs: Franklin and Deane, present their respectful Compliments to the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, and shall be happy in the honour of his Company, tomorrow at Breakfast. 8. O Clock will not be the least inconvenient. In WTF ’s hand. The Duke was by now an old friend of BF .
3039Thomas Jefferson to John Staples, 4 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the model of the mouldboard of a plough of a form of my own, and ask the favor of you to cast me two dozen in iron. I presume you will preserve the mould, as I shall probably call annually for a supply. I will thank you to have them ready as soon a s you can, and I will direct them to be called for. they had better be tied together in manageable bundles by bits of nailrod passing...
3040To James Madison from David Humphreys, 24 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1801, Madrid. No. 269. Believes recent royal order stipulating that “every recaptured vessel should remain in totality to the profit of the Recaptors” has been revoked “in consequence of my Protest.” Conveys correspondence with Spanish government concerning South Carolina . Council of war has not yet tried the case. Reports king’s renewed confidence in his adviser, the “Prince of...
3041John Paul Jones: Memorandum on Landais, 17 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress When the Treaty of Alliance with France arrived in America Congress feeling the most lively Sentiments of Gratitude towards France, thought how they might manifest the Satisfaction of the Continent by some public Act. The finest Frigate in the Service was on the stocks ready to be Launched and it was Resolved to call her the Alliance. M. Landais a french subject who...
3042II. Winthrop Sargent’s Journal, 4–18 May (Washington Papers)
Tuesday the 4th of May. 1784. ⟨Assembled at the City Tavern, & after choosing a committee of three to examine the credentials of gentlemen who should present themselves as delegates to the General Meeting, adjourned till 9 o’clock tomorrow morning:—⟩ [Wednesday, May 5th, 1784.] Convened at nine:—Reced the report of the committee, as follows; Properly elected for N. H. Henry Dearborn....
3043From John Jay to Josiah Ogden Hoffman, 22 October 1798 (Jay Papers)
It is painful to say disagreable Things to ones Friends, and yet and it is not without Reluctance that I apprize You, that your pecuniary Embarrassments have excited apprehensions that are considered as being incompatible with the Attention and Independence with which the Duties of your office should be executed. This opinion has for some time past been gradually becoming more strong and more...
3044To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, [ca. 28 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Oster, an agreable and amiable, but unfortunate French Lady will deliver this. And tho’ I have Nothing worth communicating, I could not refrain, on so favourable an opportunity, of once more testifying the sincere Wishes I always entertain for your Happiness whilst so remote from your native land, and also Acknowledgments which are due for past Favours. I sent, some Time past, a small...
3045Report of Thomas Story to the Committee of Secret Correspondence and the Committee’s Memorandum upon It, [1 October … (Franklin Papers)
DS and copy: National Archives “On my leaving London Arthur Lee Esqr. requested me to inform the Committee of Correspondence, that he had several conferences with the French Embassador who had communicated the same to the French Court, that in consequence thereof the Duke De Vergennes had sent a gentleman to Mr. Lee, [who informed] him that the French Court could not think of entering into a...
3046[Diary entry: 24 August 1768] (Washington Papers)
24. Warmer, but still cool, with the Wind from the Eastward.
3047From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the immediate communication contained in your letter of the 24th of the agreeable intelligence of the success of the naval detachment in Chesapeak bay—& I am happy to find at the same time that Mr Destouches was preparing a second detachment for an ulterior cooperation. I have renewed my orders to the Marquis De la Fayette who Commands the Corps sent from hence to push forward...
3048From George Washington to Abner Nash, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s favr of the 19th ulto and am glad to find that the State have at length adopted measures for filling their Battalions which you think will prove effectual. You may be assured that every exertion not only of the States immediately interested but of those more at a distance will be necessary to prevent the progress of the Enemys Arms in the quarter where...
3049From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard McMahon, 6 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved duly your favor of June 28. with the gooseberries in good condition. they were certainly such as I had never seen before in any country, and will excite strenuous efforts in me to endeavor to raise such. for this purpose early in the next year I shall ask of you some cuttings of your bushes, and before that shall send a pretty copious list for a supply of the best kinds of garden...
3050To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d. We will report the Affair of Genl Irvine to Congress. He will doubtless think it hard that because he was taken Prisoner & could not be promoted in Season he should suffer as to his Rank. But the Reasons your Excellency offers are so forcible that it should seem impracticable to comply with Genl Irvine’s Wishes without very...
3051From George Washington to William Thornton, 18 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th inst: came duly to hand. I am now making arrangements at the Bank of Alexandria for obtaining money. When this is accomplished, I will forward a check, on that Bank, for the $1000 required by Mr Blagden, & hope it will be in time to answer his purposes. I have no objection to Mr Blagden’s frequent calls for money; but I fear the work which is not ennumerated in the...
3052From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 22 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond which will inform you of the reciept of only 70. instead of 80. bundles of nail-rod, which you will doubtless have rectified wherever the error has happened. when you forward on the 10. bundles deficient, I shall be glad if you will send at the same time 3. sheets of sheet-iron 5 f. 9 I. long, and of whatever width above 16. I. they...
3053Proportional Representation, [22 November] 1791 (Madison Papers)
The Constitution limited the apportionment ratio to no more than one representative to every 30,000 persons. With the 1790 census completed, reapportionment became necessary. On 15 November 1791, following a debate in which such lower ratios as 1:34,000 and 1:40,000 were proposed, JM voted with the majority in the House for a 1:30,000 ratio. On 22 November the Committee of the Whole debated...
3054To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 8 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Iznardi Consul of the U:S—has arrived in Baltimore from Cadix, the Old Gentle[man] on his arrival wrote you, to which having no Answer [he] Concludes his Letter has miscarried either in the us [ ual ] Way, or for want of proper direction—He informs me from Philadelphia, that he brought with him from Cadix some particular Wine for his friends among Others two Casks for your Use which he...
3055Alexander Keech to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been solicited by several Gentlemen of considerable influence and standing in this section of Maryland , to solicit information relative to “the University of Virginia .” I have therefore, taken the freedom to request of you, information as to the time, when it is probable, the u University will go into operation , the nature of its government , who have or will be selected as...
3056To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne de Bourdic, [1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Son excellence daignera telle Se rappeller dune femme qu’elle a Comble de bontes a passi et qui a eu lhonneur de La voir asses Souvent pour etre autant ladmiratrice de Ses vertus que de Ses talents; elle Conserve avec Soin La medaille qu’il lui donna Cest Le gage precieux d’un Sentiment dont elle Shonore et dont elle jouit; elle a porte avec elle Le petit...
3057VIII. American Commissioners to William Carmichael, 12 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barclay will deliver you this letter in his way to Morocco. We have appointed him to this negotiation in hopes of obtaining the friendship of that State to our country, and of opening by that means the commerce of the Mediterranean, an object of sufficient importance to induce him to accept of the trust. We recommend him and Colo. Franks who goes with him to your attention and assistance,...
3058From John Adams to Charles G. Haines, 23 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me on the 18th. I have not yet received your pamphlet but doubt not it is on its way. The great western Canal does honour to the state of N. York and her govenor I sincerely wish & fully believe that the success will equal the grandeur of the conception. Accept my thanks for the Pamphlet though not yet / received & for the politeness of...
3059From James Madison to Horace Holley, 20 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to Mr. Holley, and encloses a few lines as requested, to Mr. Gallatin. He has no acquaintance in Paris with whom he could take such a liberty, excepting those to whom Mr. Holley is personally known. RC ( KyLxT : Horace Holley Papers); draft ( DLC ). RC addressed and franked by JM to Holley at Lexington, Kentucky, “via City of Washington”; docketed by Holley. JM...
3060From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 5 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
After a year’s absence I came yesterday to make a visit to my friends for three days. Our anxiety to hear from you, led me to send to the office this morning for letters; there I found yours of May 31st, containing tidings that my fears had anticipated, as you will find when you receive my last letter. My dear child, you will be again called to severe and afflictive scenes; may you be...
3061To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 31 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The foregoing is a copy of my last respects covering a report of the vessels that entered and cleared from this port the first six months of the present year, copy of which is also inclosed. The political situation of France is at present an obstacle to the commercial intercourse with America. The difficulty of procuring specie, its high price, the very low exchange with the neighbouring...
3062To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard Rasquin, 12 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Gerard Rasquin Negociant a charleville sur meuse, et ancien Reviseur a La manufacture Rojàle de tulle a lhonneur de vous Representer humblement, que d’ans L’année mil Sept Cent Soixante Dix Sept ajänt accépte La Commande faite a Monsieur Mercier Controleur Dans Le tems En Cette manufacture dans Le mois de juin même arnée, et une autre plus Considerable...
3063Arthur S. Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters p r the last mail is this moment rec d (5 OClock P.M) the one enclosing a Df t on the President of the literary fund for eight hundred and forty dollars shall be attended as soon as possible, I should have been with you ’ere this but for the hope and expectation of the arrival of M r Ware and his hands, at any rate I shall be with you by the 8 th RC
3064To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 7 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day the Honour of receiving your Letter of the 1st. inst. Upon my entering into Office I found the Light house at this Port furnished with Oil for three or four days only and no Provision made for further Supply. I immediately purchased a little for temporary use and have since laid in a Stock for the Winter. The Light House is built of Stone & the walls are good but the Roof was...
3065Agreement between the American Commissioners and Louis-Guillaume-Servais des Hayes de La Radière, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft) : American Philosophical Society Whereas le Sr. Laradiere Major du Corps Royal du genie, in the Service of his most Christian Majesty, not having obtain’d his Leave of Absence when the Agreement between us and Messieurs le Chevalier du Portal, de Laumoy, and Gouvion, was concluded, viz. on the 13th of this Instant, could not become a Party by signing the said Agreement, but having...
3066To George Washington from Henry Dearborn, 2 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Lt Hubart Carter, and Ensn Saml Wells, of the 1st New Hampshire Regt being very desireous for retireing from the service, I am induced from many circumstances to give my consent to their resignations, and beg your Excellency to be pleas’d to grant them their discharges, they having settled their accounts with the Pay Master. I have the Honr to be with highest sentiments of respect. your...
3067Thomas Jefferson to Roger C. Weightman, 16 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so kind, some time ago, as to send me a copy of Scott’s works (a miniature edition) which came safely to hand. the price was not mentioned, but I have desired mr Barnes to pay it out of a sum which will be remitted him on my account within a few days after your reciept of this. Accept the assurance of my respect PoC ( MoSHi : TJC-BC ); date enhanced by TJ; at foot of text: “M r...
3068To George Washington from John Gerar William de Brahm, c.1 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
c.1 March 1795 . “For want of opportunity to approach” GW, Brahm is “confined to this public conveyance [newspaper publication] to trust a public concern of great moment in the eyes of thousands.” “Euphratia, impiously called America, after an arrogant European, is inhabited ever since one century after the Deluge by a people originally called Dehutes, descending from one of the ten sons of...
3069General Orders, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the Day tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Paterson[,] Colonel Bradly[,] Lieutenant Colonel Robinson[,] Major Hamilton[,] Brigade Major Moore The Issuing Commissaries are to deliver all their sheep and Calve skins to the field commissary of military stores with the Park of Artillery who will have them properly dressed for Drum heads. In the present divided State of the Army the...
3070January 1st. 1783. (Adams Papers)
We found here Mr. Schiebe a gentleman who left Stockholm about a week before us. Norrkiöping is distant from Stockholm eighteen swedish miles or 120. English. Its situation is exceeding fine, at present every thing is covered with Snow; but it is in the midst of a plain which is bordered all round at about 6. or 8 English Miles from the town by high mountains from which you at first discover...