3401To 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...
3402From 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...
3403From 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...
3404To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, Jr., 5 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not untill yesterday that I had the pleasure to recieve your favor of the ninth ulto. inclosing one from my Father. Permit me to thank you for your friendly solicitude concerning my health and at the same time to assure you that I shall not fail, in future, to write more frequently. I am still a valetudinarian; considerably incommoded by obstructions which are extreemly troublesom, and...
3405V. Referral of the Draft to Henry Dearborn, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will Genl. Dearborne be pleased to examine the inclosed with rigour & suggest any alterations he would think for the better. if he can return it tomorrow it will be desireable, because when individually examined by all the gentlemen, I propose to submit it to them collectively. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary at War”; with Dearborn’s reply at foot (see the next document ). Not recorded...
3406Thomas Jefferson to William C. Rives, 28 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely join in the general joy on the passage of the University bill , and by such majorities as bespeak a friendly patronage hereafter. in a letter of this date to mr Cabell I have requested him to send me a copy of the bill that the visitors may meet and do at once what the law permits them to do, as the season for engagements is rapidly passing off. but we shall fall miserably short in...
340724th. (Adams Papers)
Went over, with my Cousin and brother Charles, to dine with Mr. Allen at Bradford. A lame foot prevented Tom from going with us. Last Saturday, he turn’d his foot as he was walking, and disjointed three bones. So that he cannot yet walk. Walker and Ebenezer Webster, formally a pupil of Mr. Shaw’s dined with us: and an old gentleman by the name of Osgood belonging to Andover, a very sensible...
3408James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, Jr., 9 July 1831 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of June 30 was duly recd. and the death of Mr. Monroe which it anticipated, became, I learn, a sad reality on the 4th. instant; its date associating it with the coincidencies before so remarkable & so memorable. The feelings with which the event was recd. by me may be inferred from the long & uninterrupted friendship which united us, and the intimate knowledge I had of his great...
3409From Alexander Hamilton to John Rice, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 7, 1789. “I am favord with your Letter of the 24th. Ultimo Enclosing your Weekly Return.… The mode you practise in taking Bonds to secure the Duties on Goods … is certainly proper.… The Harbour Boats you mention in your Letter of the 22d. I have no Objection to, but wish as soon as possible to have an Estimate of their Expence.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs...
3410To George Washington from Daniel Brodhead, 27 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 28th ultimo and am thankfull for the Contents. I have acknowledged the receipt of your Letter of the 29th December, and shall give every encouragement to Genl Clark’s intend d enterprize. I wish he may be in readiness before the waters fail, and the Kentucke Settlements are destroyed by the Enemy. But I am informed that little or nothing hath as yet been...
3411From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 24 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of the 19th Inst. which went per Budden, our Assembly have voted a Compliance with General Amherst’s Requisition of 1000 Men from this Province, to act offensively in the Spring against the Indians. This is the more remarkable, as this Province us’d to be reckon’d backward in such Measures, and New York and the Jersies, have just set us but an...
3412From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are I have the honor to transmit the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Lt. Leybourne I have strongly disapproved the sentence of the Court W— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing the proceedings of John Leybourne’s court-martial, February 22, 1800, signed by James Read ( DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
3413To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
After making such preparations as our Circumstances would admit off—I marched about eight o Clock yesterday Evening to the Mouth of Thompsons Creek with the Continental Troops under the command of Major Knoulton—The Rifle Battalions were to follow—The Wind & Tide being against them, the Boats could not be so soon brought to us as we expected—In the mean time the weather became too tempestuous...
3414To James Madison from Rufus King, 11 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
As my mission abroad had no other connexion with the money department of our Govt. than wht. arose from the payment and receipt of my annual appointments, I made it a point carefully not to have the custody, or to become accountable for any money belonging to the public. Hence I have concluded that I have no accounts to settle with the treasury. But as however this department keeps the accts....
3415From James Madison to Edward Everett, 18 December 1826 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 3d. inst: having come to hand whilst I was at our University, whence I have just returned, I had an opportunity of making its contents known at once to Mr. Long Professor of Ancient Languages. It appeared that he had thoughts of employing a Tutor, to assist him in his duty to a Class which had become so numerous as to make one useful; and that but for the youthfulness of...
3416To James Madison from William Blackledge, 16 April 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 April 1812, Capitol. Recommends Richard B. Jones, an attorney in Philadelphia, for the vacant consulate in Tripoli. Describes Jones as “liberally educated” at Princeton and mentions his service as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy, including his capture on the Philadelphia at Tripoli. After resigning from the navy, Jones studied law, got a license, commenced practice, married, and settled in...
3417Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 26 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will find a resolution of Congress for laying an embargo on all vessels in the ports of the United States bound to any foreign port or place, for the term of thirty days. It is understood that this is not to interfere with any of the usual proceedings in the cases of vessels employed in the coasting trade or Fisheries except that the surrender of a license in order to the...
3418To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
This packet will be delivered you by Mr Lindsay manager of the Baltimore Theatre, who waits upon your Excellency to solicit a change in the parole of the band of musick at Frederick to this place. If this favor can be granted it will be adding essentially to the obligations which this Town is under to your Excellency, by increasing its pleasures. I would suppose the Band can have no objection...
3419From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Hurry of business has prevented my answering till now your favours of the 21st of December and 9th of January. I am of opinion that in strictness after the passing of the Registering Act, nothing but the Register or Enrollment could be evidence of an American bottom, or entitle a vessel to the privileges of one. Yet where from absence it was impossible for a vessel (“evidently and bona fide”...
3420To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot forbear informing Your Excellency, by the return of Major Humphrys to Camp, of the state of my health, from the first of my illness to the present time. After I was prevented from coming on to the Army, by a stroke of the paralytic kind, which deprived me in a great measure, of the use of my right leg and arm; I retired to my Plantation, and have been gradually growing better ever...
3421From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 24 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 13th came seasonably to my hand. Your approbation of my communications to the public continues to give me great pleasure, and will continue to console me under all the abuse that has been or may be produced by them. To you, who have been an attentive observer of public affairs for half a century, there can by very little that is wholly new; but when I consider the errors that...
3422From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 13 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The act of May 1779. under which Mr. Blunt has been last Drafted refers to one of October 1778 as to the method of determining who were Subjects of that Draught. This act says the justices and the Field Officers shall lay Off the militia into Districts, each of which districts shall furnish a man. The justices and field Officers then are made Judges who shall be deemed to be of the Militia and...
3423From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received the Letter which you did me the honor of writing by Lt Colo. Hamilton. I cannot forbear regretting that the brilliant enterprize which you at first meditated, was frustrated by Physical imposibilities—but hope that something equally worthy of the greatness of your sentiments is still in reserve for you. Upon the report made me by Lt Colo. Laurens of the depth of Water at...
3424George Washington to William Livingston, 4 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 4, 1779. Asks Livingston to instruct William Van Drill, a pilot, to join Major Henry Lee at Monmouth to assist D’Estaing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
3425To George Washington from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 12 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I purchased for you a Black Guelding Eight Years old fifteen hands high a good pacer both slow & fast. his trot not so good, but fast—I wish I could say he was handsome but that rarely belongs to this breed, but he carries well & when moveing has a decent appearance—he Cost one hundred & thirty Dollars. he has always been used to a plain snaffle Bit. I can every monday send him by a...
3426From Thomas Jefferson to William Bartram, 7 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. of March was recieved here yesterday. it covered mr Wilson’s , with his elegant drawing, which being dated from the same place with your’s, I take the liberty of putting the answer under your cover. I thank you for the specimens of horns you so kindly offer me, & which I will accept with thankfulness. altho’ I have never had time to think of a cabinet, yet I have...
3427To George Washington from Lund Washington, 12 May 1771 (Washington Papers)
We have fish’d none since last Wednesday it is thought Mr Adam has upwards of Eight Hundred Barrls we have sold 250000 at home —our Mill is once more in a bad way, the Wall between the water Pit & Cog pit, is falling down, which has occasioned the Floor with the Wt of Flour on it to settle down about 3 Inches—the Husk which is supported by that wall is settled 3 or 4 Inches—the Forebay settle...
3428To George Washington from Moses Rawlings, 2 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inform your excellency That there is at this place about 1800 prisoners of war taken at York Town. ever since their Arrival here they have made it a point to be very Insolent to the Citizens and guards by which Means one or two of them has been put to the bayonet. At which the brittish officers are become are become Very Clamorous and want redress, but as the nature of the...
3429To George Washington from Joshua Wentworth, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to advise the arrival at this Port a Prize Ship named the Nelly Frigate, (Lyonel Bradstreet mastr) from the Bay of Honduras, for London, Lading with a Cargo, of 120,000 feet Mahogany Logs and Forty Tons chip’t & unchipt Logwood, sent in by the Hancock Capn Tucker & the Franklyn Capt. Skimmer, in the Service of the United Colonies the Vessel & Cargo the property of...
3430To George Washington from the United States Circuit Court Judges for Pennsylvania, 18 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
To you it officially belongs to “take care that the Laws” of the United States “be faithfully executed.” Before you, therefore, we think it our duty to lay the sentiments, which, on a late painful occasion, governed us with regard to an Act passed by the Legilature of the Union. The People of the United States have vested in Congress all legislative Powers “granted in the constitution.” They...