41721[Diary entry: 4 August 1781] (Washington Papers)
4th. Fresh representations of the defenceless State of the Northern frontier, for want of the Militia so long called for and expected from Massachusetts bay; accompanied by a strong expression of the fears of the People that they should be under the necessity of abandoning that part of the Country & an application that the Second York Regiment (Courtlandts) at least should be left for their...
41722To George Washington from Sarah Carlyle, 17 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I Received your Letter dated the 15 May, Which gave me both pleasure and pain, the first to heare of your health, the latter to be Informed of the many Risques you run, but am hopeful your good Constitution and a kind protecter will bring you out of them all as it has In the last Ingagement preserved you from harm. If I thought my Letters were Agreeabel to you I wou’d continew a Correspondence...
41723To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Goodacre, 14 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Goodacre presents his respectful compliments, and will have great pleasure in accepting the invitation to dine at Monticello this day at three o’clock MHi .
41724To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 27 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had an opportunity of writing to you by private hands on the 20th. and 24th. inst., this by the English packet is sent merely to shew you that I do not omit that regular conveyance. The circumstances of this country remain as mentioned in those letters. There is so much zeal shewn among the Parisians for marching to the frontiers that they have been obliged to allow the capital a larger...
41725[Diary entry: 15 October 1768] (Washington Papers)
15. Foggy & Misty Morning. Warm, clear, & still afterwards.
41726To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Marmontel, [13 October 1786?] (Jefferson Papers)
Md. de Marmontel a l’honneur de faire mille compliments à Monsieur De Gefferson et de le prevenir qu’on donne aujourdhui aux variettés amusantes Ruse contre Ruse; quelle y a une Loge et une place a lui offrir. Md. de Marmontel seroit ravie que cela put amuser Monsieur de Gefferson et lui procurer le plaisir de passer quelques moments avec lui. Si Monsieur Gefferson accepte la proposition de Md...
41727To John Adams from Richard Peters, 25 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your kind letter of the 12th. roused all my Sympathies & recollections of the pleasures & pains of “ olden times ”. Little do the present generation know of our anxieties, labours, & vicissitudes. What was then feeling , has now become history ; & that distorted in many instances, & almost fabulous in others. The actors in the scenes which originated & ensured the present prosperity of this...
41728V. The Ordinance of 1784, 23 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
CONGRESS resumed the consideration of the report of a committee on a plan for a temporary government of the western territory, which being amended, was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That so much of the territory ceded or to be ceded by individual states to the United States, as is already purchased or shall be purchased of the Indian inhabitants, and offered for sale by Congress, shall be...
41729To James Madison from Anthony Merry (Abstract), 27 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
27 April 1805, Washington. “War having been declared on the Part of His Catholic Majesty against Great-Britain on the 12th. December last, I have the Honor, Sir, to transmit to you enclosed a printed Copy of the Declaration made by the King my Master in Consequence of that Event.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, NFL , Great Britain, vol. 3). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Merry; docketed by Wagner, with...
41730Alexander Garrett’s Order of Ceremonies for the Central College Cornerstone Laying, [before 6 October 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
Ceremoney to be used in laying the corner stone of the Central College Martial A Dawson L T Catlett The Brethern will meet in a room up stairs of the Stone house precisely at 10 Oclock on monday the 6 th October 1817. The lodge there opened and the procession formed. The Martial will call for the brethern in the following order towit 2. Tylers , with drawn swords Bro s Fitch & Colclaser
41731From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 15 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 24th of march, my dear Madam, is but just arrived, and although it was so long before it reached us, it afforded us the satisfaction of hearing from yourself, that my dear Boys were well at that period.—We have not yet heard any thing of Mr Harrod, I fear he has stopped at some other port in the Baltic, and that we shall not see him at Petersburg this Season—I feel much...
41732Statement of Account with Thomas Carpenter, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Washington— Thomas Jefferson Esq. 1802 June 14th. To Thomas Carpenter— Dr.— To Making a Coat &c of Superfine Cloth with Silk Sleeve Lynings, Velvet Collar & Steele Butts. } $ 23.— To Making a Waistcoat & materials 3.— 2 yds Silk Nankeen @ 11/3 & 18 pearl Buttons 25/ 4— Making Breeches & materials 2.75 2½ yds Silk Nankeen @ 9/6 3.17 14 small 3 Coat Pearl Buttons 1— To a pr...
41733To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 3 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I received the Articles by Captn. Elwood, the Polygraph has the Pivot piece, connecting the horizontal parralells to the Pen-bar, broken, and the Pen-arm on the right wanted to be Screwed up—This is a part of the Polygraph which may render it very faulty; if too much play is allowed in the conic points of the Screws that connect the Pen-arm to the Pen-bar. It was well judged in Mr....
41734To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 5 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have your Esteemed favour of 28th ulto. It is scarcely possible to get the Clover seed by the bushel from the farmers or Graziers who bring it to Market—those who are Accustomed to gathering it for sale having a Constant Market with the Retailers will give them a preference & in getting it from them you are sure of the best seed—it is just now coming in & the Retailers tell me they can...
41735From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Painful as the task is to discribe the dark side of our affairs, it some times becomes a matter of indispensable necessity—Without disguize or palliation, I will inform you candidly of the discontents which, at this moment, prevail universally throughout the Army. The Complaint of Evils which they suppose almost remediless are, the total want of Money, or the means of existing from One day to...
41736To James Madison from James Monroe, 2 February 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 February 1813, War Department. Lists proposed promotions in the U.S. Army for JM’s approval. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 107, LSP ). JM forwarded the list of promotions in the Light Artillery Regiment, the First Light Dragoon Regiment, the Rifle Regiment, and the First through Seventh Infantry Regiments to the Senate in a message of 3 Feb. 1813 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the...
41737From Thomas Jefferson to John Garland Jefferson, 28 May 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 11th. inst. and imagine that soon after it’s date you received mine of Apr. 26. on the subject of your lands. I am happy to learn that it is the opinion of a person learned in the laws of that state, that the lands may be recovered. As to the kind of process to be instituted, the lawyers of the state must be the best judges. Were I in your place, I would...
41738From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1824 (Madison Papers)
I acknowledged in my last yours of the 8th. and now return the letters of Mr. Gilmer & Mr. Rush inclosed in it. It would be matter of much regret if insanity should befall such a man as Ivory; but it is to ⟨be⟩ hoped his condition will be fixed before he leaves Engd. or rather before any engagement of him. I hope Mr. Gilmer will be able to avoid also men much advanced in life. After a certain...
41739[Diary entry: 16 August 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—71 at Noon and 70 at Night. Cloudy and lowering for the greater part of the day and in the night a good deal of rain fell—wind at So. West. Colonels Fitzgerald and Lyles Mr. Brailsford (an English Gentleman) and Mr. Perrin came here to dinner & returned afterwards. In the afternoon a Major Freeman who looks after my concerns west of the Alligany...
41740To James Madison from Edward Caffarena, 2 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting Your Excellency the Copy of a Letter I have receiv’d from the Prefect of this Department. Before I conform to his request, I think it my duty to demand Your Excellency’s consent, and have in the interim answerd him that such were my intentions. Some of the Consuls and Agents here have, as I am told, sent their petitions direct to the Minister of the foreign...
41741From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Milhas le jeune, 26 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me relative to public Contract made in Charlestown, for 3050. Pounds Money of Carolina. Those Contracts were as I suppose made by the Government of that particular State, with whose affairs I have no Concern, and know nothing of the Value of their Paper, nor what Provision they have made for redeeming it, nor...
41742From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
From a letter received from the President Mr. Lear is satisfied he cannot be here to-day and doubts even the possibility of his arrival tomorrow. Of course our expedition of to-day would be certainly fruitless, and is therefore laid aside agreeably to a message I have received from Genl. Knox and the attorney General. Your’s affectionately & respectfully, RC ( MHi : AM ); addressed: “The...
41743Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lange, 24 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to M r Lange and his thanks for the two parcels of beans he has been so kind as to send him. they are safely recieved, and are quite sufficient in quantity to put him promptly into stock and with his acknolegements for the favor, he salutes M. Lange with esteem & respect. PoC ( DLC ); on verso of a reused address cover from TJ to Francis Eppes ; dateline...
41744From Alexander Hamilton to William Rawle, [17–19 November 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Persons to be excepted from the Amnesty 1 All those actually in arrest at the time of issuing the proclamation 2 David Bradford Edward Cook Daniel Hamilton Benjamin Parkinson John Holcroft Richard Holcroft Mc.Kinley } of Ohio County
41745Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
Since 1778, GW had relied on the Culper spy network for intelligence from inside New York City. In May 1780, the network’s spy in the city, Robert Townsend, refused to serve any longer, and his contact on Long Island, Abraham Woodhull, also one of the Culper spies, became reluctant to continue. GW accepted their withdrawal, but he kept open the possibility of reviving the network. Dissatisfied...
41746To Thomas Jefferson from Patrick Henry, 30 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You will see by the inclosed Advice of Council the nature of the business which I have committed to Mr. Barclay. I could have wished that the Sum to be laid out had been more adequate to our Want of arms. But the pressure of our Debts and the Circumstances of our Country seem to forbid for the present its encrease. However I am to hope that the great Business of laying up arms and military...
41747James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 7 June 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the letter from you to D. on the subject of M r G. he seems to be incorrigible. If I am not misinformed, his eyes are opening to the conduct & character of M r S, with respect to both of which he has suffered himself to be misled partly by his own passions, partly by those who took advantage of them. You see the new shapes our foreign relations are taking. The occurrence between...
41748[Diary entry: 9 April 1767] (Washington Papers)
9. Clear middle day. Eveng. & morng. Cloudy with Rain & heavy Rain at Night. Wind So. West.
41749From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received Yesterday your letter of the 29th Ulto. Before this comes to hand you will have been informed that the Fleet in the Sound, which it is generally believed was designed to proceed to Rhode Island, has returned. We have so many accounts of this that we have no doubt of it, and are pursuing measures accordingly. With respect to the return of the Militia who were called for, under the...
41750To James Madison from William Savage, 19 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since my last we have no further Accounts respecting the French Troops expected from France, but there is no doubt the attempt will be made. Americans that have been imprest are almost daily discharged from the Several ships of war on this Station, but their are Still many that remain onboard for w ant of Documents. I am endeavoring to col lect the names of those that remain & the place of...
41751To George Washington from William Heath, 25 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been making enquiry where and with what convenience such of the troops as have not had the small pox, can be inoculated. I find that about 240 can be accommodated to take it at once at the New Hampshire huts, but the number who have not had it, is greater. If your Excellency thinks it most advisable, under our present situation, for a part only to have it at a time, the New Hampshire...
41752To Thomas Jefferson from William Lambert, 29 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the close of the last session of Congress, I have turned my attention to a strict examination of such parts of my astronomical calculations, given in abstract, as relate to solar eclipses and occultations of fixed Stars by the Moon, by various methods and rules, referring to the equator, as well as to the Ecliptic, that the results contained in the report made in November, 1821, might be...
41753William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 12 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this Moment return’d from an Excursion of four or five Days in the Jerseys. The Mail is made up and the Post just upon his Departure. I detain him just to acknowledge the Receipt of two Letters from you, which I have not Time to read thro’. This is all that I can possibly say at present; your Regard imagine the rest, for Your truely affectionate In a...
41754From George Washington to Martha Washington, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Martha Washington, c.9 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Benjamin Lincoln on 9 Oct. : “I have declined troubling you with more than one [letter of introduction] to Mrs Washington.”
41755From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer is sent down to know whether your plan was attempted last Night—and if not, to inform you that Christmas day at Night, one hour before day is the time fixed upon for our Attempt on Trenton. For heaven’s sake keep this to yourself, as the discovery of it may prove fatal to us, our numbers, sorry I am to say, being less than I had any conception of—but necessity, dire necessity...
41756To George Washington from William Lee, 11 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honour of receiveing your very obligeing favor of last month, informing me of the very unlucky accident that befell the Jenny; which I regret exceedingly, not on my own Account, but because it May be a small disappointment to your wishes which I shall ever think myself happy if I can in any manner be the means of promoting. I feel very sensibly your goodness in offering to...
41757To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to address you on the 6th. Ulto by the Monsoon Captain Nickerson for Baltimore, & to send by that ship to the care of the Collector of Baltimore a large Chest of West Florida Papers, & a small deal Box both left with me by Mr. Rufus King. I have now the satisfaction of informing you that the Commissioners concluded their business and finally dissolved their Board on the 23d. of...
41758To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Osmont, 1 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Presumption, I acknowledge, may readily be adjudged to be my Guilt to pretend from my obscure Cabbin to trouble your Excellency; still, Sir, please to permit me to recollect that I once had the gratifying oportunity of admiring (tho’ I was not able to apreciate) your merits both private, political & public; then no doubt you will grant it to be an irresistible impulsion I should expatiate on...
41759Bernard Peyton to Thomas Jefferson, 14 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I hand herewith ℀ sales your 7 Hhds: Tobacco & the balance your Flour on hand, say 98 Blls:, all of which hope will be satisfactory. I send by Woods Thom 4 Blls: Herrings 1 Bll: best family Shad , & the 6 Blls: Herrings for Lynchburg are also on the way. These are Fresh Herrings & Shad just arrived & inspected this morning. The Books mentioned in my last will be forwarded to=day either to...
41760Enclosure C: [Estimate of the Outstanding Debt], 30 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The amount of the domestic debt of the United States, as stated by the Secretary of the Treasury, in his report of the 9th. January 1790, to the House of Representatives, relative to a provision for the support of the public credit, is as follows: Liquidated and Loan Office debt, as per Schedule C. 27,383,917.67 Interest thereon to the 31st. December 1790, pr ditto, D. 13,030,168.20 Additional...
41761James Madison to Levi Woodbury, 29 December 1835 (Madison Papers)
J. Madison with his respects to Mr. Woodbury thanks him for his interesting Report from the Treasury Department. The exuberant prosperity of our Country is a happy illustration of the beneficent operation of its political Institutions; and with the anticipated rate of its growth in population, in productive capacities, and in resources for protection, not only on its borders, but on the Ocean,...
41762Hobohoilthle to John Roger Nelson Luckett, 24 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
… I am now speaking to the President you have appointed an officer to act in your business I am not vexed but I am speaking plain, I am the President of this nation of people and so I give an Answer to it. I call myself Muscogee A nation of people, I am so, I wish to be friendly I am a native master of this country and I wish to be good neighbours, you are too gready after my land, I am...
41763Notes on the Giles Resolutions, 2 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mar. 2. 1793. See the papers of this date, Mr. Giles’s resolutions. He and one or two others were sanguine enough to believe that the palpableness of these resolutions rendered it impossible the house could reject them. Those who knew the composition of the house 1. of bank directors. 2. holders of bank stock. 3. stock jobbers. 4 blind devotees. 5 ignorant persons who did not comprehend them....
41764To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
It is highly important that the Congress be immediately called and the treaty & conventions we have formed be carried into immediate effect, in all their stipulations. If the measure we have adopted is approved, no delay shod. occur, in performing what we are to perform, since a failure in any one point in the time specified may defeat & I think will defeat the whole. We shall be more full on...
41765To George Washington from Minne Van Voorhees, 5 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
We are this day Informed that there was an Address presented to you by the Citizens of New Brunswick, we thought as Soldiers who had Served Durg the War under the Command of Your Excellency, and had not as Yet become Settled Citizens, Could Not Forbear to Congratulate Your Excellency On Your Arrival in this Place. We Feel Ourselves Happy to think that After Your Excellency has Gone through the...
41766From George Washington to George Clinton, 11 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Lutterloh, Commissy Gen. of Forage waits upon your Excellency to represent the state of the Army respecting forage, and to sollicit such aid from your Legislature as may be necessary for keeping up the supplies, untill the Financier shall be enabled to take more effectual measures for the purpose. Give me leave to inform your Excellency that the Horses & Ox Teames of the Army are...
41767To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 11 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 11 July 1789 . On Cutting’s information, he informs TJ that the Washington , Capt. Bond, is there, destined in 10 days for Potomac river but can touch at Norfolk: “a fine fast sailing ship of 250 to 300 Tons with excellent accomodations and a very clever Man as Captain.” If TJ wishes to take her it will give him pleasure to detain her. “She goes out in ballast and being an american...
41768James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer you to my last of the 11th since which I received a letter from Lisbon dated 21st. April of which the following paragraph is a copy. “The Peace and Plenty Privateer from Belfast, has brought in here the Brig Dolphin Cap: Turner, bound from Boston to Bilboa with 135 Hhds. of Tobacco a parcel of Rice tar and Staves. She is about 140 Tons...
41769To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Jameson, 27 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by John Paulding one of the Young Men that took Major André and who nobly refused any sum of Money that he should demanded, The other two Young Men that were in Company with him are not yet found as soon as they arrive they shall be sent on. I have just seen L——Kennicutt he thinks it will be impossible for him to go below again he begs your instructions and...
41770To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
In company with this I have the honor to send a copy of my letter to you of the 23d: Ulto., and at foot are annexed two informal copies of letters from his Excellency the Minister of Marine to the maritime Prefect at l’Orient for his Government in the Case of the Caliope, Capt. Taylor, mentioned in my aforesaid Duplicate. These copies were obtained by me in an un official form, & from a...