31951To Thomas Jefferson from François Cointeraux, 16 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 16 June 1789 . He believes it his duty to advise TJ that the efficient method of construction employed by the Romans, although little used in France owing—according to one author—to “une fatalité inouie,” would be of great assistance in America. He thinks it important that TJ should convey to his compatriots “ des moyens d’une facile éxécution pour les defrichemens immenses quí sont à...
31952To Thomas Jefferson from François Cointeraux, 2 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
On vient de faire connoitre à l’assemblée nationale combien il seroit important d’employer mes méthodes de bâtir. La gazette de france, le journal de Paris, les affiches des provinces en ont aussi fait mention. Messieurs les Ambassadeurs des cours etrangères songent aussi à introduire dans leurs pays mes nouvelles constructions solides, Economiques, salubres et incombustibles. J’aurai...
31953Thomas Jefferson to James Leitch, 15 February 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Cloaths for the bearer Burwell , such as he shall chuse. RC ( ViCMRL , on deposit ViU : TJP ); dateline beneath signature; written on a small scrap; adjacent to signature and dateline: “M r Leitch.” Not recorded in SJL . Burwell Colbert (1783–ca. 1862), butler, painter, and glazier, became one of TJ’s most trusted slaves. When and how he acquired the surname Colbert, which TJ seems never to...
31954To Alexander Hamilton from Chevalier de Colbert, 9 March [1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 9 [ 1799 ]. Discusses at length his love for Catherine Church and his desire to marry her. Asks Hamilton to serve as his counsel in his efforts to secure the lands granted by Georgia to Comte d’Estaing. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is written in French. Colbert served with the French navy during the American Revolution. Soon after the outbreak of...
31955To Alexander Hamilton from Chevalier de Colbert, [11 March 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 11, 1799. ] Encloses documents to support his claim to lands granted Comte d’Estaing in Georgia. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is written in French. For background to this letter, see Colbert to H, March 9, 1799 .
31956To Alexander Hamilton from Chevalier de Colbert, 4 January 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Paris, January 4, 1802. Expresses condolences on the death of Philip Hamilton. Requests Hamilton, as his attorney, to take action to secure for him the lands in Georgia granted to Comte d’Estaing. Also requests Hamilton to settle his accounts with Robert Morris to whom he had advanced money that was secured by some of Morris’s holdings in the Genesee country. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
31957To Alexander Hamilton from Chevalier de Colbert, 6–8 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Hamburg, February 6–8, 1800. States that it is a sign of progress that France has exchanged five tyrants for one. Discusses strained relations between Russia and Austria and the orders to Suvarov to return to Russia. Reiterates his love for Catherine Church and his regret that she will not be permitted to marry him. Expresses his sorrow over the death of George Washington and his continuing...
31958To Alexander Hamilton from Chevalier de Colbert, 7 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
London, May 7, 1800. Congratulates Hamilton on his appointment by President Adams as commanding officer of the United States Army to replace George Washington. Reiterates his love for Catherine Church. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is written in French. Colbert is mistaken. H did not replace Washington as the commanding officer of the Army. See H to Rufus King,...
31959Alexander Colden to James Parker, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Archives By the Phi: Post received the Inclosed from Mr. Franklin which he desired me to forward to you and to desire you to forward it imediately by this post to Mr. Chew requesting him to forward it to Mr. Franklin at Boston. He writes “the Substance of the letter may be printed but not entire as we have not the Governors leave to whom it was directed. At least the...
31960To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 2 June 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, New York, June 2, 1773: Wrote him on May 5 and sent the accounts through April 5 last; also sent first bills of exchange, of which he now encloses seconds: John Bonfield on Quarles Harris, £80; Thomas Boylston on Champion & Dickason, £100; George Erwin on Lane, Son & Fraser, £120; Benjamin Ogles on James Anderson, £83 10 s. 3 d. ;...
31961To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 6 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 2d of last Month I wrote you by the Packet in Answer to yours of the first of May. I have since made strict search for Mr. Jessers letter but can’t find it. By order of Mr. Foxcroft Inclosed I send you the second set of those Bills, he sent last Packet. Mr. Foxcroft and Lady are both at Boston and in good health the last Letter [ torn: I had from?] him....
31962To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 2 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The [favour?] of yours of the first May I received by the Duke of Cumberland Packet [ torn ]. Mr. Foxcroft and his Lady who I have the Pleasure to [have seen] at this time tells me he has wrote to you by this Packet and mentioned that upon his return to this place from visiting the offices to the Eastward the Accounts in the late Comptroller’s books will be...
31963To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 7 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, January 7, 1773: Has received Franklin’s letter of October 7 acknowledging receipt of several bills, and of Nov. 3 enclosing Mackie’s bill on Molleson for £294 5 s. 2 d. with the protest, which Colden will transmit to him. Encloses the second bill for £150 sterling by John Hancock on Haley & Hopkins in favor of Tuthill Hubbart; the...
31964To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 7 July 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, New York, July 7, 1773: Has received Franklin’s letter of April 7 by the Lord Hyde , packet, and is glad to know that the accounts sent on March 3 have arrived; had hoped to hear by the Duke , packet, that they had been approved, but did not. Encloses Willing & Morris’s second Bill on Harris [Herries] & Co. for £15; the first went by...
31965To George Washington from Cadwalader Colden, 10 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honour to be introduced to your Excellency at New York, by Coll Hamilton, and about takeing My leave a Certain Suden Palpitation prevented my Addressing you as I intended, by Saying that I thanked you for indulgeing me in paying My Respects at an Unusual hour, (it not being Levee Day) as I Could not think of leaveing the Citty Without Seeing the Man of Whom all the World Said So...
31966To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 2 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I should have acknowleged your favour of the 1st of January sooner if you had not at the same time told me that you was to be from home for some time after the writing of it and I had my thoughts engaged in a chain of thinking that I was unwilling to interrupt as that season was the only time of the year in which I could hope to pursue it without...
31967To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 29 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (letter and enclosure): New-York Historical Society; copy (enclosure only): American Philosophical Society I have your favour of the 25th of last month. While you are employed in affairs of consequence to the public I must submit to the Want of that pleasure which I allwise receive from your letters. You will oblige me much by a Copy of your Treaty with the Ohio Indians as I hope thereby...
31968To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 1 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: New-York Historical Society My regard to you makes me give you the trouble of the inclosd Printed Paper, No. 1 of the Constitutional Courant Date Sepr 21st. 1765 one or more bundles of which, I am well informd, were deliver’d to the Post Rider at Woodbridge by James Parker, were distributed by the Post Riders in several parts of this Colony, and I beleive likewise in the...
31969To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 28 October 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I had the pleasure of receiving yours with the favour of a copy of your Electrical experiments. My being in this place prevents my reading them with that attention which they deserve and which I intend to do assoon as I shall return home. My Notions on Electricity are confused and indigested. I know not wherein consists the difference between an Electric body...
31970To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 16 March 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society Last fall I acknowleged from New York the favour you did me in sending me a copy of your Electrical experiments. The oftener I read them over the more I am pleased with them and every time discover some thing new which I had not taken notice of at the first reading. In my opinion no set of experiments which I have read lead so directly towards discovering the...
31971To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 28 September 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am obliged by your favour of the 24th and the Information you give. I have not heard that any of the Indian History are in this place and am very desirous to see one of them assoon at least as any other in this place may because I really do not know of what papers it consists. I sent Mr. Collinson accounts or relations on that subject at several times and...
31972To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 17 September 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library I have Yours of the 13th and am glad to find by it that you have an opportunity of conversing with a Gentleman who I believe is both willing and Capable of promoting your Philosophical Design. You’l perceive by what you receive on these Sheets that I have open’d to my self a large Prospect either into Nature or into Fairyland and I have in my Imaginations made...
31973To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 20 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress I inclose the papers which I received from Mr. Alexander to be conveyed to you by the first opportunity to Albany. You will find that I make remarks with that freedom which I believe you expect from me that in case you find any weight in any of them you may make your scheme more perfect by avoiding reasonable exceptions...
31974To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, [November 1749] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I receiv’d by the last opportunity from New York the Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in Pensylvania. I have read it with much pleasure and heartily wish the Gentlemen success that are endeavouring to promote so usefull a Design. I have no objection to any thing in the proposals. I am pleased with every part of them. Tho I do not pretend to have...
31975To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 2 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society Any knowlege I have of the winds and other Changes which happen in the atmosphere is so very defective that it does not deserve the name. Neither have I receiv’d any Satisfaction from the attempts of others on this subject. It deserves then your thoughts as a subject in which you may distinguish your self and be usefull. Your notion of some things conducting...
31976To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, [October 1743] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society Ever since I had the Pleasure of a Conversation with you tho very short by our accedental Meeting on the Road I have been very desirous to engage you in a Correspondence. You was pleas’d to take some notice of a Method of Printing which I mentioned to you at that time and to think it practicable. I have no further concern for it than as it may be usefull to...
31977To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 3 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society Baxters [book] was gon so much out of my memory that I could not for some time recollect any thing of it. I cannot now recollect whether I sent back your observations on it. If I have not they are among my papers which I carried to the Country and are now there. I can remember that when I lookt into that book I thought that he did not understand the subject on...
31978To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 24 October 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I now send back to you Wilson on Electricity for the use of which I am much obliged. My youngest son the only one I have with me hopes to be able to make Electrical experiments tollerably well. Mr. Wilson I think is on the true scent of the cause of Electricity though it be plain he is not sufficiently informed of the nature of that elastic fluid which he...
31979To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 20 May 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I received yours of the 23d of April as I was going on board the sloop in my return home from New York and could not take the pleasure of reading it before I left that place. One so much conversant in examining any particular Phoenomenon or of various Phoenomena arising from the same cause must on every occasion give the pleasure of learning something new to...
31980To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, December 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society The season of the year advancing in which our Correspondence from this place with New York becomes more uncertain and my eldest son going now to New York where he proposes to stay 8 or 10 days I hope you’l excuse my interrupting you in your Business which I know allows you little time for trifles or amusements. In your last you gave me hopes that you would...
31981To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 13 February 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The want of an opportunity is the only reason why I have not before this acknowleged your favor of the 6th of Decr. and the same cause prevented my having the pleasure of yours of the 1st of last month till a few days since that my son Alexander brought it with him. I am exceedingly pleased with the friendly complement you make me in that of Decr. 6th for...
31982To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, [February 1746] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society There is no Question but in the case you mention of a ships being taken up in a Southern latitude and let down in one some degrees more northerly the same moment she would have a degree of Motion Eastward but that it would shorten a Voyage from America to Europe I cannot think because as the alteration is made by insensibly small steps it can only be so much...
31983To John Jay from Cadwallader Colden II, 31 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
I had Desired Doct r : Jones to Speak to You and some other Gent n . of the Council of Safety Concerning a Report I had heard, that I with some other Gent n . ^ now at Lodgings ^ was to be Confined on bord a Vessel, the Doct r Told me Yesterday that You was so kind as to Propose to Call to See me on that Account; But this Moment the Sherriff Sent a Man to inform M r Cumming and Myself to hold...
31984To John Jay from Cadwallader Colden II, 12 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
You are not Unacquainted with my Sentiments in Regard to this Unhappy affair, that has allready Cost so Much Blood and Treasure, and Likely Yet to Cost a Vast Deal More, And notwithstanding my Determin’d Resolution to keep a Clear Conscience by takeing no active Part on Either Side of the Contraversey, Yet it Seems I have a full Share of Punishment— But it is not on my own Account that I am...
31985Cadwallader Colden II: Notes of a Conference with John Jay, 27 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
Sunday Morning soon after Breakfast Mr. Jay Called in. I told him I was Sorry to have given him that trouble, that I had Desired Mr Sleght to ask Leave for me to have Waited on him. He answered that he Should have been glad to See me at his Lodgeings, however it was no trouble to him to Wait on Me. I then told him that what I wanted to see him for was to know if no Method Could be fallen upon...
31986Cadwallader Colden II: Notes of a Conference with John Jay, 31 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
I Sent my Son with the forgoing Letter to Mr Jay who was then in Council & he bid him tell me that he would wait on me Emediately— He accordingly soon Came. When he informed me that he had Laid my Letter before the Council, & that they had bid him to tell me that their former Resolution must take Place, I only Reply’d that I thought it exceeding hard, and asked him what was the Charge against...
31987To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 18 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society About the time you left America I was employed in endeavouring with my Fathers assistance to form an Explication of the Phenomena of Electricity, on his Principles of Action in Matter; some conceptions had occurred to me in pursuing the Experiments made by you and Mr. Canton which gave me reason to hope it might be effected, on very simple principles. If you...
31988To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 12 August 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society You oblidged me very much by communicating your Electrical Experiments made in pursuance of those by Mr. Canton: I shall think myself fully rewarded for my attempts in Electricity if I can thereby procure the notice of one whose Labours always aford agreable instruction to those who are desirous of discovering truth. Altho’ I have not intirely laid aside...
31989To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 26 October 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft (incomplete): New-York Historical Society About the time you left America, I was employd in endeavouring, with my Fathers assistance, to form an explication of the phenomena of Electricity, on his Principles of action in matter: some conceptions had occur’d to me in pursuing the Experiments made by you and Mr. Canton, which gave me reason to hope it...
31990David Colden: Remarks on Nollet’s Letters, [4?] December 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society In considering the Abbe Nolet’s Letters to Mr. Franklin I am oblidged to pass by all the experiments which are made with or in bottles hermetically Sealed, or exhausted of Air because not being able to repeat the experiments I could not second any thing which occurs to me thereon by experimental proofe. Wherefore the first point of which I can dare to give my...
31991To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 30 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): New-York Historical Society The attention you pay to every Invention that promises either utility or amusement to Mankind induces Me to communicate to you a very simple Machine which I have made this Year for sowing Seeds in Rows. I am happy in haveing an opportunity of addressing you upon any Thing that may be worth your Notice; If it shall prove of no real value to others, it...
31992To Thomas Jefferson from Henrietta Maria Colden, 25 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel at this moment, that it requires a share of Courage, thus, to solicit your attention, which even the liberality and benevolence of your disposition might fail to inspire; did not the anxieties of a mother surmount feelings, that in other circumstances would have prevented this intrusion; and impel me to address you on a Matter, that lays heavy on my Mind. My Eldest Son (who arrived here...
31993To Benjamin Franklin from Henrietta Maria Colden, 14 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After congratulating your Excellency, on having established the United States of America on the Basis of Civil, Religious and Commercial Liberty; permit me to Sollicit your Protection of my Infant Sons, Natives of New York, who owe their Allegiance to the New Republick.— After the Death of my Husband Richard Nicholls Colden (eldest Son of Mr Alexander...
31994To Thomas Jefferson from Henrietta Maria Colden, 5 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honor’d with your letter of the 20th. Janry.—If to know your Goodness be to deserve it, I might have some claim to the friendship you have extended to me; but the Benevolence of your Heart is the passport to that attention you have bestowed on my request and situation. In early life, and whilst my Sons were yet in Infancy, the Task to effect their Education, and to extricate their...
31995To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Nicholls Colden, 6 April 1774: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, New York, April 6, 1774: Has received Franklin’s letter of January 5 by the Mercury , and assures him he will be diligent in preparing the accounts. Encloses Richard Hanson’s second bill for £50 sterling on Sir Lyonel Lyde & Co.; the first bill was sent of March 2. His father came to town two days ago; he is recovering his strength,...
31996To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Nicholls Colden, 5 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Inclosed is John Stute’s[?] Bill of Exchange, on Bogle, Somerville & Company, Glasgow, for £31 4 s. 2½ d. Sterling and John Mitchell’s Bill on Anthony Todd Esqr, for £50 4 s. 2 d. Sterling; which please to acknowledge the Rect. of. My Father is getting better, and bids me present his best Compliments to you. I have the honour to be Dear Sir Your most...
31997To James Madison from James Colder, 12 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
I resolvd sometime Ago should I ever come near the President to tell him of a small Mistake made in his Book Notes on Virginia he says in his description of Rockbridg that One Axis is many times longer than the transvers or words to that purpose & that the Bridge has an Elliptical form Now in an Elipse there are only two Axes the transverse & the Conjugate it may have many Conjugate Diameters...
31998To James Madison from Ambrose Coleman, 15 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will excuse my Assurance in Troubling you with these lines But necessity will compel a person to do that he is ashamed of. I do inform you there was a store kept at our Courthouse before the war and when the British Merchts. were ordered out of this state or take the oat[h] to Join use; the Merchant Made himself very busy Amongst his Customers and took every bond he could get, and...
31999To James Madison from Henry C. Coleman, 20 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Henry C. Coleman. 20 April 1806, Fredericksburg. “I take the liberty of enclosing you a letter from Judge Pendleton and another from Colo: Brooke. Colo: John Taylor promised to write you which no doubt he has done, but being engaged in a Suit at Richmond, am at this time unable to procure the letter. “Should you think proper to honor me with an appointment in your Office; I trust my...
32000To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Coleman, 12 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Jacob Coleman of the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks and state of Pennsylvania, Respectfully sheweth, That at a Circuit Court of the United States, held the 11th day of April, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six, at the City of Philadelphia in and for the Pennsylvania ––District, Your Petitioner was convicted, by his own confession, of taking...