3361From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 27 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 17 Inst. I received the melancholy account of the unfortunate attack on the City of Quebec, attended with the fall of General Montgomery, and Other Brave Officers & men, & your being wounded—This unhappy affair affects me in a very sensible manner, & I sincerely condole with you upon the occasion[.] But in the midst of distress, I am happy to find that suitable Honor[s] were paid to the...
3362From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the inspection of the President a set of copper promisory notes, and coins, made by Boulton, the superiority of which over any thing we can do here, will fully justify our wish to set our mint agoing on that plan.—They are obscured by the sea-air. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same,...
3363To James Madison from Evan Lewis, 8 January 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the liberty, of sending thee a copy of the annexed pamphlet as a tribute of respect for our chief-Magistrate in whose talents and integrity, I have placed unlimited confidence, and whose official conduct, in that highly important office has hitherto met my entire approbation, and in this expression of approbation in the measures pursued, or the steps taken by the present...
3364Richard Cranch to John Adams, 19 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the within Letters, and as I hear Capt. Young is to sail tomorrow I take the liberty of inclosing them to you. By Capt. Cushing who sailed a few Weeks ago I sent you the News-Papers from last May, and by Capt. Young I have sent the Papers since and a Register for 1786. I have also sent a little Bundle for Sister Adams. I wrote you largely by Capt. Cushing, and have wrote...
3365From James Madison to Adam Stephen, ca. 1 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 1 April 1790. Acknowledged in Stephen to JM, 25 Apr. 1790 . Gives views on the assumption of state debts.
3366To John Adams from James Warren, 22 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago I received your favour of the 18th. March, without ever hearing before of, or seeing since the Gentleman there recommended. When I have an opportunity I shall most certainly pay proper respect to your recommendations, by takeing proper Notice of him. My last to you was by a French frigate from Newport with a Copy of what went by Capt. Hayden from here to Amsterdam. I beleive I...
3367To George Washington from William Dobbs, 1 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment had the Honor to Recieve your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterdays date, and Shall riligiously Observe its Contents But I am Sorry to mention That I Shall find it exceeding Difficult to move for the Want of Money Your Excellency I hope may have it in your Power to relieve me by Some means, I would wish to have nothing to Prevent my being Usefull in My Countrys Cause, I am Your...
3368To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard Peyton, 21 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Sales of Nine Hhds: Tobacco by Bernard Peyton 1825 Rich d for a/c. Thomas Jefferson Esq r 20 Jan y To Sundry persons for cash TJ x 64— 1149 〃〃 65— 1305=2,454. lbs nett, to D. W. & C. Warwick at $3.05 $ 74.84 〃〃 8— 1231 〃〃 11—
3369To Thomas Jefferson from Anonymous, 15 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Embargo is violated in the following manner, Ships clear from the Southward for a northern port & go off to the West Indies, The collector at Old York (near Portsmouth) for a certain sum per Barrel & per Hohd. sends on a certificate in due form of the landing of the Goods—about twenty vessels have gone from Old York & its viscinity manag’d in another manner; Bonds to a small amt have been...
3370Notes from Congress’ Secret Journal on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 8 June 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes from Secret Journal, 28 May 1781 , headnote. State of Virga. moves to limit power to cede boundaries as qualification to Mr. Witherspoon’s motion to recede—all no but Sharpe Houston & Virga —on question on the sd. motion—all ay but Virga. See Notes from Secret Journal, 6 June , and nn. 2, 3, 4; ibid ., 7 June 1781 , and n. 7; Motions on Boundaries, 8 June...
3371[Diary entry: 22 December 1774] (Washington Papers)
22. Again calm & pleasant. Afternoon hazy & Wind Easterly.
3372Thomas Jefferson to Sir Egerton Leigh, 21 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 7. came to hand but a few days ago, and with it the letter of D r Ramsay . I learned with regret your detention on the road by sickness, and hope, if this finds you at the same place, it will be in a better state of health. presuming that the warm and hot springs of Augusta Bath county are the objects of your journey, I cannot but wish to hear of your arrival there; as...
3373From Alexander Hamilton to Alexander J. Dallas, 8 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It is regretted that the pressing business of this Department has not till this time permitted a reply to the questions stated in Mr. Gallatin’s letter of the 14th: of January respecting the new loan certificates of the State of Pennsylvania. It has been the uniform construction of the act making provision for the debt of the United States, that to render any certificates receivable on the...
3374To John Jay from Samuel Bayard, 25 February 1796 (Jay Papers)
I had the honor of writing you by the January Packet in answer to your favour of Nov r . last. By the present conveyance (The Hope Cap t . Haley) I have the pleasure to forward you the 3 last parts of Madame Rolands work—& a letter from M r Burke to the Duke of Bedford which made its first appearance yesterday— it is perfectly of a peice with all the productions of this extraordinary man— It...
3375To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Letters of December 20. and Jan. 11. by Coll. Franks. The whole of the Business shall be dispatched, and Coll. Franks sent to Congress as you propose, as soon as possible. I have prepared a Draught of a joint Letter to Mr. Barclay and signed it, concerning Mr. Lamb, and shall inclose it to you with this. As to the Treaty with Portugal, the Chevalier De Pinto’s Courier whom...
3376From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 30 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of Plume v. Portlock now lies at the Rules in danger of a dismission for want of a declaration. Mr. Blair directed me to apply to you for instructions in this matter. Your favor herein will oblige Dr. Sir Your friend and servt., P. S. On looking further into the Rule docket I find myself referred to you also for instructions to draw the bill in McVee v. Wilson . I have Wilson’s bond...
3377To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Penington, 14 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is now about four Years since I began to Correspond with Springett Penn respecting his Affairs in this Province during which time I have taken care to get the best Intelligence I could relative thereto, and have regularly Advised him of every thing material which has come to my knowledge; this I think deserves some recompence especially as I Acted a very...
3378To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Questa sarà un appendice a quella degli 8 del corrente, e venrà probabilmente ⅌ l’istesso bastimento, che non è ⅌ anche partito. Sono informato adesso del come separare, prosciugare, e conservere i semi della fragole; che Le manderò in una boccettina di vetro ben turata e sigillata, onde spero che avrà finalmente la qualità che le produce il frutto dal principio d’Aprile fino a 9bre,...
3379From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
We did not collect the sense of our brethren the other day by regular questions, but as far as I could understand from what was said it appeared to be 1. that an acknolegement of our right to the Perdido is a sine quo non, and no price to be given for it. 2. no absolute & perpetual relinquishment of right is to be made of the country East of the Rio bravo del Norte, even in exchange for...
3380From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received Major Morris’s letter covering the proceedings of a General Court Martial which I approve off and direct that one of the Criminals the greatest Offender may be executed pursuant thereto. This should be done in the most public manner your Situation will admit as it may serve to convince the rest of the Division that Crimes of this dye will meet the most rigorous punishment....
3381[Diary entry: 26 January 1797] (Washington Papers)
26. Wind Northerly—then So. Westerly. Clear. Large Compa. dined. [24]
3382To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Wyndham Grymes, 2 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having the pleasure of an acquaintance with you and having to address you on a subject like the present one, I feel a considerable diffidence in so doing, but as I am confident that you will do everything that lays in your powers, for the assistance of three minors, I shall not hesitate one moment longer, in disclosing that, to which this letter will be confined. No doubt, you have...
3383To Thomas Jefferson from John Vaughan, 9 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose a letter recieved by a young friend of mine from the hands of the writer, to whom he went particularly recommended; he has a packet for D Thornton which contains something for yourself—I Have spoken to Capt Lewis, who politely takes charge of it.—My friend had many conversations with the writer of the letter who was very free in his remarks, upon the ideas of the leading men in that...
3384From John Adams to the President of Congress, 18 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 18 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 87–44. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:235–238. Read by Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consisted of English translations of two placards or edicts of the States General dated 12...
3385From John Adams to James McHenry, 27 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 20th. and have no Objection to the plan you propose of raising a Company of Cavalry.—“Our means”! I never think of our means without shuddering! All the Declamations as well as Demonstrations of Trenchard & Gordon, Bolingbroke Bernard & Walpole, Hume, Burgh and Burke, rush upon my Memory and frighten me out of my Witts. The system of Debts and Taxes is levelling...
3386To James Madison from William Pinkney, 8 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed sent to Mr. Pinkney by a Mr. Stephen Kingston. DNA : RG 59--DD-Diplomatic Despatches, Great Britain.
3387To Thomas Jefferson from John McDowell, 27 September 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour this morning by post wishing me to send what money there is my hands arising from the sales of your Nails there is at present between Eighteen & Twenty pounds which you can have at any time Mr Clarke inform.d me that they was onley to be sold for Cash I have done so and that is the verry reason there is not more sold the scarsity of Cash with us at present and another...
3388From James Madison to George Washington, 15 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have at length the pleasure to inclose you the favorable result of the Convention at Boston. The amendments are a blemish, but are in the least Offensive form. The minority also is very disagreeably large, but the temper of it is some atonement. I am assured by Mr. King that the leaders of it as well as the members of it in general are in good humour; and will countenance no irregular...
3389From John Adams to Samuel Quincy, October – November 1758 (Adams Papers)
Braintree, October–November? 1758. Printed: JA, Earliest Diary The Earliest Diary of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1966. , p. 66–67 Printed : ( JA, Earliest Diary The Earliest Diary of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1966. , p. 66–67 ).
3390[Diary entry: 28 August 1781] (Washington Papers)
28th. The American columns and 1st. division of the French Army arrived at the places assigned them.
3391To John Jay from Matthew Clarkson, 23 September 1799 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 13 th . Inst. informing me of a Letter you had rec d . from M r . C. Sands & recommending M r . W m . Livingston in strong terms for the Office of Surrogate for Kings County, this Letter was inclosed to me by M r . Livingston & which I forwarded to you, M r . L. in his Letter to me mentioned the subject & wished me to promote his views in endeavoring to obtain...
3392To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, [23 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’espere que vous aurez eu un heureux voyage jusques à Paris, et je l’apprendrai avec la plus grande satisfaction. Je regrette infiniment de n’avoir pu avoir celle de vous rendre plus souvent mes devoirs icy. Maintenant j’ai l’honneur de vous écrire la presente pour vous faire part de l’arrivée icy du Navire La fanny Cap. Tokely chargé pour compte des Etats...
3393To James Madison from James Simpson, 15 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
Original of No. 66 dated 8h. Inst. was as this sent to Mr. Gavino. By the New York to touch here in a few days I will have the honour of writing you at length. For the present I must confine myself to tell you Commodore Preble left this Bay, yesterday for Gibraltar, after happily all differences being accommodated with this Country. Monday last the Commodore and myself had a particular...
3394To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 21 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to write Your Excellency about two hours ago since which the person whose Intelligence was transmitted me with their letter of the 15th inst. , has sent me the Inclosed No. 1. and No. 2, the deserter mentioned in the latter is the one whose Information I transmitted this Morning-- Besides what he said to Bell and Partlo, who are both Tories I find that he has been with one...
3395To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 8 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 8, 1791 . Transmits “a commission for Stephen Keyes, Collector of Allburgh in Vermont.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Vermont was admitted to the Union on March 4, 1791. On the same day Keyes, a Burlington, Vermont, merchant, was appointed collector of Alburg.
3396From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Coit Allen, 7 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your representation and request were received on the 7th. inst : and have been considered with the attention due to every expression of the sentiments and feelings of so respectable a body of my fellow-citizens. No person has seen with more concern than myself, the inconveniences brought on our country in general, by the circumstances of the times in which we happen to live; times to which the...
3397James Parker: Valuation of the Printing Office, 27 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Columbia University Library The partnership agreement between Franklin and Hall provided that at its termination Hall should “have the Preference of purchasing the said Printing-Presses, Types and Materials (if he shall be so disposed . . .) at their present Value, allowing for the Wear thereof what shall be judged a reasonable Abatement, considering the Time they shall have been used”...
3398IV. The American Commissioners to William Carmichael, 12 September 1785 – 11 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r. 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, & 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 & Col o. Franks who goes with him to your attention & assistance, and...
3399To John Adams from William Tudor, Jr., 21 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I took up in a bookstore this morning a work that has just appeared in two volumes entitled “ The History of the American Revolution by Paul Allen .” Mr Allen is a man of talents and I presume has written a valuable history—but I looked over only one or two pages in his first volume where he is speaking of the Congress at New York in 1765—and which he concludes in the following manner:—“The...
3400Presentment of the Philadelphia Grand Jury, 3 January 1745 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania To the Worshipful the Mayor, the Recorder and the rest of the Justices of the City of Philadelphia. The Grand Jury of the said City, met at the present Sessions, do, in Compliance with the Direction of the Court, [make] the following particular Presentments of unlawful Bakehouses, Coopers Shops, Disorderly Houses, &c. but believing from the Reprimand...
3401To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 16 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is probably a very unseasonable time to interrupt that attention you must be constantly paying to the momentous concerns you are engaged in, but I could not omit so good an Opportunity as offers by Mr Walker to let you know that I am alive and in good health, and that all our Relations at present enjoy the same blessing, as far as I know or have heard, for it is seldom I have the pleasure...
3402To James Madison from Robert Harrison Grayson (Abstract), 1 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
1 May 1805, Washington, Kentucky . “Relying on the intimacy which I have understood, subsisted between my father and yourself, and on the small acquaintance which I have the honor to have with you, I have taken the liberty of writing to you on a subject relating principally to myself. My friends in this state (among whom are Mr. Breckenridge and Mr. Brown) wish me to accept of one of the...
3403To Thomas Jefferson from John Smith, 30 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Cession of the Island of New Orleans, and of Louisiana to the United States, is the most important event that has taken place since the establishment of the Federal Constitution. It will not only give us weight in the Commercial & political scale of European Governments, but, that of national Character and respectability in all the world. It will preserve peace and harmony among ourselves,...
3404John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I rec d last night your Letter of the 11 th. Your Girls and M r shipley arrived in good health and Spirits. I shall Send the Charriot this morning to meet you. It would be a great pleasure to me to go in it, but I am so engaged in indispensable business that I know not how to leave it and another thing of some importance is your Son may take a seat with you & Suzan in the Charriot and that...
3405To James Madison from David Jones, 4 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
I have recovered my health in a good Degree. Necessity tryigers me to return to the old way of Living on mush & milk, which suits my Stomach well. I am now astonished that I have been the Dupe of senseless Custom for fifty years. I shall carry the reform further, I am about burning a hommany mortar for the use of my family. Nothing is more agreeable to me, but Pennsylvania is unacquainted with...
3406From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 24 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Through the protecting hand of a gracious Providence, I am rising from a bed of Sickness, where I have been confined for more than three weeks—Indeed, I did not keep about but a few days after my last letter to you—Lydia was evidently much better her Tongue cleared, & her fever had a proper turn & had got to eating Beef, & drinking wine, but still her Cough hung round, & kept her too weak to...
3407To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 6 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by a member of Congress from the State of Massachusets. Mr. Bidwile’s character and merits, are too well known to need any recommendation. Equally conspicuous for political information, talents and industry as for a republicanism unalloyed by personal attachments to federal friends, or local prejudices, he has been a uniform & warm supporter of the measures of the...
3408To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 18 November 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am duly favor’d with yours of the 15th. with the nine manifests therein mentioned; I am sorry they did not come sooner as the last of your Tobo. was shipped to day—13 Hhds: on board the Sloop Little Sam Capt. Dickey, & 13 on board the Sloop Nancy Capt. Oliphant—these with the six shipped to New York make up your quantity except one Hhd: which the Inspectors say is not in the warehouse...
3409From James Madison to George Washington, 21 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have deferred writing since my arrival here in the hourly hope of being enabled to communicate the final news from Poughkepsie. By a letter from Hamilton dated the day before yesterday I find that it is equally uncertain when the business will be closed, and what will be its definitive form. The inclosed gazettes state the form which the depending proposition bears. It is not a little...
3410From John Adams to Mathew Carey, 19 October 1813 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a sketch of the unfortunate enterprize against Penobscot in 1779. drawn by an eye witness. Mr Clarks materials for the modern History of the Navy are multiplying so fast and are so much more splendid than those of ancient date that I begin to be apprehensive he will not have room for all of the latter that ought to be preserved. There is the more reason for inserting these because...