32201To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 8th Inst. came safe to hand last night, accompany’d with the News papers. I like the scheme of Sending in the Flags once every month with the Inhabitants, provided that if the Enemy will not receive them on that day, or the next day, or two, as the Boats and weather m[a]y sute, in such case I might inform them, or order that they quit the town, and return to...
32202From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Under the particular circumstances mentioned in your Letter of the 7th Inst., I shall not hesitate to grant a discharge to Capt. Smart, upon the conditions therein proposed —Altho I would not have it by any Means, considered as a precedent to deviate from the fixed rule of discharges. The answer given to Sergt Larvey’s Petition in Novr last, was, that a transferrence could not be made from One...
32203To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 5 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The draft of a proclamation and that of an instruction to the Commissioners being both prepared, we take the liberty to suggest that we think a meeting tomorrow morning at such hour as may be convenient to the President, may be adviseable. The Secretary of State & Attorney General being out of town we cannot consult them, but we will engage the attendance of the Attorney General provisionally...
32204To George Washington from Charles-René-Dominique Sochet Destouches, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
je m’empresse de rassurer votre excellence sur l’evenement arrivé a la flûte Le Fantasque. L’officier que j’ai envoyé a bord de ce vaisseau me rend compte qu’il n’a essuié aucun dommage en s’echouant, et il se flatte qu’avec L’aide de la marée et le secours des chaloupes de L’escadre qui vont s’y rendre, ce vaisseau sera relevé en tres peu de temps. jespere que cet accident ne retardera mon...
32205To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Harrison, 28 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The above letter I once shewed to Excellency; you felt desirous that the Facts stated might be confirmed if true—I have since that time conversed with Dr Peters upon the subject who says that he is willing to Attest to their truth before a Magistrate and believes that there are Persons yet living in the vicinity of Hebron who will make the same Attestation. To your (superior) Philosophical...
32206To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 22 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excelency’s Letter of the 12th Last, I this Day Receid in which a return of my Regiment in the Shortest time possable is Demanded. It shall be Done, and Let me assure your Excelency, nothing is more my purpose than to Satisfie you of my Duty. A return Should have been made Earlier, but it has not been in my Power as yet, I have not been Able to procure returns from my Captains, to whom I...
32207From Benjamin Franklin to Caleb Whitefoord, 9 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; draft: American Philosophical Society I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Son’s Promotion and Marriage. If he makes a good Governor and a good Husband (as I hope he will, for I know he has good Principles and good Dispositions) those Events will both of them give me continual Pleasure. The Taking of the Havanah, on which I congratulate you, is a Conquest of...
32208To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday morning Spencers and Malcolms Regiments are Lying here not in the heighths of good Humor. Courtlandts Regt I can hear nothing of: Capt. Craige Late of the Light Horse arrived This Day at 2 oC. P.M. from Mohacomac & Says he heard nothing of them though he Enquir⟨ed.⟩ I Suppose they have not marched—I have Sent to Fort Pen for Capt. Patterson & made Every other Enquiry...
32209To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Note of letters recieved. Mr Short. July 16. a private letter in which he says it is true that the Queen of Portugal has appointed mr Freire her Minister resident for the U.S. Ignatius Palyart. Philadelphia. Oct. 5. announcing his commission as Consul general for the Queen of Portugal in the U.S. Dumas. Hague. May 26.—July 10.—July 26. nothing new. Nathaniel Gilman. Exeter Sep. 10. } accepting...
32210To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Abbot Cummings, 9 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have prepared & send by mr. Cooledge, a Bond for the fulfilment of the contract made on the 8 th of April last. M r C. I presume will satisfy you respecting the sufficiency of the security. I would take the liberty of suggesting the expediency of making the deposit of the money, either at the branch bank in Boston, or the parent Bank in Philadelphia, as the U.S. Bills payable in Richmond are...
32211To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 23 September 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, Jr., 23 Sept. 1788. On 10 Oct. GW wrote Newton: “Your letter of the 23d Ulto was handed to me.”
32212From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have considered, with attention, the Rules adopted by the President of the U.S. relative to rank & promotion in the Army, which were enclosed in your letter of the 2d inst. wherein you request me to suggest any alterations which may appear proper, to make them more perfect. These Rules meet my full approbatn, and I see no inconvenience that can arise from the establishment of them unless it...
32213From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 27 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
By the new Arrangement, which was brought by the Marquis de la Fayette I find myself restored to the Character of a private Citizen. The Appointment of a single Minister, at the Court of Versailles was not unexpected to me, because I had not been two Months in Europe, before I was convinced of the Policy, and indeed of the Necessity of such a Measure. But I ever entertained hopes that when the...
32214From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Mackay, 3 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the eleventh of February— It does not appear to me that your receiving half pay from the Gov British government will — give rise to any difficulty during the present situation of things between the two countries. These The circumstances which you mention at the close of your letter do not constitute you a citizen, and therefore do not entitle you to hold real...
32215To George Washington from Col. Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777. In his letter to Dayton of 19 July, GW writes: “Yours of this morning has just reached me.”
322167th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard preach’d all day; pretty much in the common stile. Dined at Judge Dana’s; and conversed with Miss Ellery upon the subject, of two young Ladies. I find, that her opinion, as well as that of Mr. and Mrs. Dana, coincides with mine in that respect. Benevolence, candor, and innocence, are more amiable, and more estimable ingredients for a character, than wit without judgment. Weather...
32217[Diary entry: 3 March 1798] (Washington Papers)
3. Cloudy with appearances of Snow. Wind at No. a little Easterly. Mer. 29 & ground frozen in the morning. Abt. noon it cleared, & the wind shifted to the Southward. Mer. 30 at Night & 34 at highest. Mr. G. W. Craik dined here & returned.
32218To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 4 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will you my Dear Sir excuse the liberty I hereby take to introduce to yr: Excellency the bearer Mr Canning as a particular friend of mine and of Liberty he being very desirous of paying his respects to so eminent a person and any civillities you may have the goodness to shew him I shall esteem as personally done to Yr: Excellency’s much obliged & Obedt...
32219From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 4 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Your pathetic Letter of the 2d. has filled my heart with Sympathy and Grief. Your Son, by all that I know, or have heard of him, would have been an ornament to Society. Your Sorrow at his loss must be exquisite. I can give you no better Advice for your Consolation, than to read your favourite Dr Barrow. It is the Lot of humanity! You are not alone! If I look back for Sixty years, what a long...
32220John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is now determined what the President has to depend on after the 4 th March. The Committee determined against raising the Salary of P. or V. P. The House which the P. had for 500 £ cannot again be had under 1000 £ — Horses are from 3 times to five times as high as they were Seven Years ago, Carriages three times as high—Provisions &c In Short all Levees and Drawing Rooms and Dinners must be...
32221To James Madison from William Hilliard, 11 July 1826 (Madison Papers)
Since the lamented death of the venerable Mr Jefferson, with whom I anticipated, once more to have an interview, I have been engaged, by direction of the Faculty of the University, in opening the Books, imported by me, for the Library. They were found to be in good order, & with few exceptions, agreeing with the Invoices, copies of which are in possession of Mr J’s Executors, or heirs. I...
32222[Fragmentary Draft of a Dissertation on Canon and Feudal Law, February 1765.] (Adams Papers)
This Sodality has given rise to the following Speculation of my own, which I commit to writing, as Hints for future Enquiries rather than as a satisfactory Theory. The Desire of Power Power Dominion, that encroaching, grasping, restless, and ungovernable Principle in human Nature, that Principle which has made so much Havock and Desolation, among the Works of God, in all the Variety of...
32223From Benjamin Franklin to Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 8 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Un Corsaire nommé l’union de l’Amerique, qui a été expedié de Dunkerque avec une Commission du Roi, mais équipé avec des Americains et des Irlandois étant chassé dans le Port de St. Malo a été arrêté par ordre de la Cour, et on dit que l’équipage doit être envoyé à l’Orient pour être mis àbord les vaisseaux du Roy qui sont dans ce port. Voilà, Monseigneur, le rapport...
32224Patrick Gibson to Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not receive until the 5 th ins t your favor of the 22 nd Ult o annexing your view, of the acco ts between us, which from various items, unknown to & omitted by you, differs materially from the actual state of it, as you will perceive by the acco t Sales and acco t Cur t now inclosed .
32225John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your agreable Letter of the Twenty fourth of March. I rejoice with you that our Friends are once more in Possession of the Town of Boston, and am glad to hear that so little damage is done to our House. I hope you and your Sister and Brothers will take proper Notice of these great Events, and remember under whose wise and kind Providence they are all conducted. Not a Sparrow...
32226Certificate of Honorary Membership in the Columbian Horticultural Society, 28 April 1834 (Madison Papers)
This is to certify that James Madison has been duly elected an honorary Member of the Columbian Horticultural Society established in the District of Columbia. Printed certificate (ICHi) .
32227Thomas Jefferson’s Labeled Diagrams Related to Calculations of Altitude of the Peaks of Otter, [ca. 10–17 November 1815] (Jefferson Papers)
to obtain the altitude a.b. from 2. stations c. & d. each in the plane of the axis of a mountain a.b. and themselves on an inclined plane. a. the apex, or summit of the mountain. a.b. it’s Axis. b. it’s base in the level of a river. c. the plane of the instrument at it’s 1 st station. d. it’s plane at it’s 2 d station. c.d. the inclined plane measured. de. the same continued to the axis at e....
32228From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Morris, 4 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Je suis arrivé ici à bord du Reprisal, Capitaine Wickes, qui est maintenant à l’ancre à la Baye de Quiberon, où il attend le vent pour remonter à Nantes. J’ai apporté beaucoup de lettres et de gros paquets pour vous, et comme je compte partir de Nantes en poste, j’espere avoir le plaisir de vous les remettre. J’en joins seulement une...
32229From George Washington to William Stephens Smith, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received your Application to me requestg Liberty to join the combined Armies in the West Indies, for this Campaign. I applaud Gentlemen the noble & generous Ardor displayed on this Occasion—But having never taken upon me to grant Leave of Absence to Officers in the American Army, with out permission of Congress, your Application shall be conveyed to that Hono. Body—for their...
32230Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 5 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
While at Monticello I am so much engrossed by business or society that I can only write on matters of strong urgency. here I have leisure, as I have every where the disposition to think of my friends. I recur therefore to the subject of your kind letters relating to mr Adams and myself, which a late occurrence has again presented to me. I communicated to you the correspondence which had parted...
32231To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 19 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am Just Setting off for Fort Laurens with about two hundred men I have Collected of the Militia & better than three hundred Continental Troops from this Garrison & Fort Pitt but unfortunately have not Collected Horses Enough to carry the Quantity of Provision I intended or would be Necessary & as the time will not admitt of an Hours Delay to wait for any more, I consulted the principle Men...
32232From John Adams to United States Congress, 12 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Law, I now present to both Houses of Congress, my annual account of Expenditures from the Contingent Fund during the year 1797. by which it appears, that on the first of January last there remained in the Treasury a Balance of Fifteen thousand, four hundred, and ninety four dollars and twenty four Cents, Subject to future dispositions of Government. DNA : RG 46—Records of...
32233From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning. As Genl Greene is gone down, with an intention to collect his Division and I dont know what advances he may have made in it, I could not with propriety agree to the change you mention without his approbation; I have wrote to him signifying my assent and desiring him to give you his sentiments upon the occasion. If I have made a mistake in...
32234To Thomas Jefferson from David Redick, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
about three weeks ago I received a letter from a Gentleman , residing amongst the Indians, concerned in the Missionary business of the United Brethern of Bethlehem.—In the letter he states as follows—Viz—”One Act however, if true may opperate in the decree of heaven, much against him in the long run. Viz that he should have told the Indian Chiefs who lately visited him: that they stood in no...
32235To John Adams from James Lovell : Confidential, 27 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
Not knowing, my dear Sir, how certain Things now in agitation may this day be terminated here, I chuse to state, at this time, some Proceedings two days old, that I may not be thought to give them a Gloss in the Stile of an After-Prophet turned Historian or Painter. For a Ground Work I refer you to the Report of the Committee of 13 with its consequent Yeas and Nays, which is certainly now in...
32236To George Washington from Daniel McCarty, 6 December 1769 (Washington Papers)
I send you by Mr Peirce Bayly the Deeds made by me, and my wife to Mr Chichester, and Likewise them from him, and his wife to me, as also my Grandfathers will, Wherein you will find in the 3d Page how he Gave the Land, Fairfax County was then Stafford, and by Looking over the will you may see some hardships which my father was laid under more then Either of his Brothers—My wifes fathers will I...
32237To George Washington from Tadeusz Kościuszko, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I return You my warmest thanks for the Honour You have done me —If the situation of my health would admit my travelling so far, I would immediatly pay you my Respects and my personal Homage; it was my first intention, and I hope I shall at last accomplish it. Your High Character, Reputation and the Goodness of Your Heart, may give me the liberty to mention a circumstance concerning me and is...
32238To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Remsen, 4 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your favor of the 9th. Ult:, and this day I have sent the model by the Ellice Capt. Weymouth bound to Richmond, having addressed it to the care of Coll. Robt. Gamble agreeable to your direction. The Captain has promised to attend to it’s safety on the passage, and deliver it immediately after his arrival. I am happy to learn that the Congress and Executive of...
32239To James Madison from James Robertson, 22 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 May 1804, Antwerp. “I have the honor to send you enclosed duplicate of the Table of the Colis Fees which I addressed you by my last respects of the 9th Inst: by which I had the honor of informing you that Mr Jacob Ridgway had exhibited to me the 28th April his appointment to this Agency and that his Intention being then to enter into office, on receiving his Exequatur, I should thenceforth...
32240Abigail Adams to William Cranch, 5 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of June 26 th , and rejoice with you in the Birth of an other son, and in the safety and Health of Mrs Cranch, to whom be so kind as to present my Regards. I have shewn your Letter to the President, and he desires me to tell you, that he would not have you on any account, be the least detered from persueing any line of buisness which shall appear eligible to you, or to...
32241To James Madison from David Bailie Warden, 21 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to send you a Brochure “on the principles, and laws of armed neutrality,” of which the contents, from particular circumstances, are highly interesting to the United States. The Head quarters of the Emperor of France are already Twenty leagues beyond Wilnaw. It is generally believed, that Russia will make but a feeble resistance against his immense army, supported by Austria,...
32242To Thomas Jefferson from Zebulon M. Pike, 3 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiveing your note last evening, and in reply to the enquiries of Mr. Peale can only give the following notes. the Bears ware taken by an Indian in the Mountains which divide the waters of the large Western Branches of the Rio Del Norte, and some small rivers which discharge themselves into the East side of the Gulf of California; near the Dividing line between the...
32243Thomas W. Maury to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith you will receive a specimen of Kenawha salt, received by me from Judge Summers with a request that I would present it to you. No uncommon pains were used either in its selection, or in the process of making it, inasmuch as I saw it taken from one of many kettles boiling in the same furnace, all of which were of similar quality.— I also send you a specimen of the coal of Western...
32244To Benjamin Franklin from Isabella Strange, 28 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg once more leave to trouble you with a Letter to my Friend Mr Hunter. I do not yet know any other way of sending a Letter to Him and all I have hitherto are on Business. Mr Strange joins with me in presenting our respectful compliments. I have the honour to be Dear Sir Your very humble Sert Addressed: His excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqr / Paris...
32245From James Madison to Richard Rush, 24 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of Jany. 14. & May 2. came duly to hand; the former accompanied by 3 Vols. of Malthus, with a No. of the Quarterly Review, & 4 vols. of Eustace. They claim many thanks which I pray you to accept. I have not yet entered on the latter work. I have looked over Malthus, and think the world much indebted to him for the just views he has given of an interesting subject, and for the...
32246To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of 22d. Inst., in which you inform me that Lt. Rogers had declined the appointment of Paymaster to the Cavalry; and that you propose Lt. Simmons to be appointed in his stead. I have no Objections to Lieut. Simmons; he may therefore enter upon the duties of that Station as soon as he has executed the Necessary Bond. I am Sir, with great respect Your Obedient Servt. (...
32247[From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 15 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Barclay. Receipt of letter Nov. 19.—paiment of account to Mrs. Barclay—wine and tea still unpaid and unknown. 14 ℔ tea received but not the China—my American letters inclosed to him.” Not found, but see Barclay to TJ, 17 Nov. 1784 , incorrectly noted in SJL as dated 19 Nov.]
32248To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand: Receipt, 3 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society J’ai recu de Monsieur Franklin ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’amerique Deux mille soixante Livres un sols sept deniers Endorsed: Mr. Grand’s Receipt Corroborated by a Sept. 3 entry in BF ’s private account with Grand (Account XVII: XXVI , 3): “La Remise sur J. Cottin fils & Jauge … 2060.1.7.”
32249Levett Harris to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
After a residence in Russia of fourteen Years, I have returned to the United States . Permit me to consecrate the first moments of my arrival in my native City , to the paying of my respects to my great patron and protector. Tis to you Sir, that I owe the occasion of my advancement to fortune, and I hope to consideration. At the age of twenty four years, You distinguished me by the...
32250From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 1 September 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, September 1, 1773: Has received Colden’s of July 7, enclosing Archimedes Georges on Curtis & Lowell for £113 and Norris Goddard on Anthony Todd for £69. Is glad to hear that Colden and his family are well.>