4231To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 20 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Favour of the 13. Jany. last did not get to hand before the 16. Instt. I am much obliged to you for the philosophical Intelligence you gave me which I have communicated to Mr. Rittenhouse. He is determined to watch carefully the appearances of the Star Eta of Antinous. I have written two or three Letters to you which I hope will get to hand. In one of them I enclosed a model of my further...
4232From Benjamin Franklin to John Huske, 6 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have deferred Writing to you agreable to the Caution you gave me, till this safe Opportunity offered. America is infinitely oblig’d to you for your continual good Wishes and Schemes for her Advantage: But I am sorry to tell you that she is here become an Object of Jealousy, and that the obtaining Money from our poor Treasury to forward...
4233From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 31st of July & 1st of August and approve the steps you have taken. I am sorry however to find that The Chevalier De Ternay is so averse to entering the harbour in case of superiority. I believe he will find it impracticable without entering, effectually to interrupt supplies and blockade the enemy; and in my opinion, our principal chance of success is in...
4234[Diary entry: 2 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Having made previous preparations for it—About 8 Oclock attended by the President, Mr. Langden & some other Gentlemen, I went in a boat to view the harbour of Portsmouth; which is well secured against all Winds; and from its narrow entrance from the Sea, and passage up to the Town, may be perfectly guarded against any approach by water. The anchorage is also good & the Shipping may...
4235From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 17 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate John Stephen of Maryland to be Attorney for the US. in the district of Maryland. Peter A. Schenck of New York to be Surveyor for the port of New York Philip De Peyster of New York to be a Consul for the US. in the island of Curaçoa DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
4236To Thomas Jefferson from John Gorman, 12 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Jefferson I will Do one floor for you on the terms you purposed If you will Board me while laying and Cutting which will not Belong as I will Cut the most of them in the qarry N.B I will Require a hand from you to assist in laying and by this fall I will try and Get one floor Done and as for the steps I will see you shortly about them But at present I will Be Getting some steps for you....
4237To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 30 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library I once more attempt to reach you with a Letter, which the Fate of war has I suppose hitherto intirely prevented. We are extremly sorry to know that Mr. Pitt has resigned the Seals: and have scarcely yet learned enough about the Earl of Bute (except from Scotsmen) to form an Idea of him. The only obnoxious Thing in Mr. Pitts Character that any in this Country...
4238Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Provenchere, 8 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to Mons r Provenchere , and with pleasure complies with the request of M. Silvestre , with whom he has the advantage of a correspondence by sending him the inclosed letter , lately recieved under cover from M. Silvestre . PoC ( MHi
4239From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 12 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have now—at your request—given my full consent to the Sale of the Lands wch I hold in right of Dower in a Tract in the County of York—to a Water Grist Mill thereon—To Lotts in the City of Williamsburg—and others in James Town—As also to your Renting, or otherwise disposing, of the other Dower Lands & Slaves which I am possessed of in the County of King William upon the terms which have been...
4240Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 11 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
B. Dandridge has the honor by the Presidents order, to send the enclosed Proceedings of the Senate, on the subject of the Treaty with the Wabash & Illinois Indians, to the Secretary of War for his information. AL , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been identified, but it contained a copy of the resolution passed on 9 Jan., in which the Senate refused, by a vote of 21 to 4, to give...
4241To John Adams from William John Coffee, 10 November 1818 (Adams Papers)
I Som three weeks ago took the liberty of writing to you in Concequen ce of the Advice of Mr Jefferson’s but he I fear will no longer have Permission to give Advice he being given Over by his Physicians, but that Sad news you no doubt—Sir are too well aquainted with now Sir as I must Shortly go to Washington and the Cold wether would hinder my proceeding in The Modeling Sir will your goodness...
4242The Case of Enoch Crosby, Professedly Cooper’s Spy Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
John Jay’s role directing or supervising intelligence activities as a member and sometime chairman of the Committee for Detecting Conspiracies bore literary fruit when he served as the inspiration and source for James Fenimore Cooper’s first successful novel, The Spy: A Tale of the Neutral Ground , published in 1821. After that book’s publication, speculation about the model for the Patriot...
4243To George Washington from Major William De Hart, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Excellencys Orders And Request by Genl Maxwell I have this Day begun the Recruiting Service of the first Jersey Regt And Shall Expedite it with All Possible Speed, Had I been Determin’d to Remain longer in the Jersey Service I Should long before have done it, And Nothing but your Excellencys Request & this Critical Period of time Should have Induced Me to have done it...
4244To George Washington from Samuel Meredith, 23 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transm[it]ting to you my Accots as Treasurer of the U: States settled to the first of January 1790. It is not in the same form as the one I at first rendered, which was an exact transcript of my Books, but such as the Officers were desirous of having, it being of little moment to me (only in the delay) in what way it was rendered, the balances being the same, to form which...
4245From James Madison to John M. Moody, 12 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have receivd Your letter respecting the capture of the Schr Marcus, as far as the wrong done to you proceded from the agency of the Spanish officers at Campeache or from the unlawful conduct of Spanish Subjects (and this appears to be the principal feature of the case) redress must be Sought from the King of spain. To this effect a negotiation is now on foot at Madrid, calculated to obtain,...
4246To James Madison from J. J. Boÿreau and Others, 14 July 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 July 1813, Baltimore. “The Undersigned humbly state that they are Subjects of France and Refugees from the French and Spanish Colonies who have exhausted their Means of Existence and cannot procure passages to their Native Country in the ordinary way. “They humbly pray, Your Excellency will give Permit to one of the Petitioners, to go on board of the Commanding Officer of the British forces...
4247Joseph Wood to James Madison, 16 February 1836 (Madison Papers)
In attempting to write the Life of my Father in law, the late Chief Justice Ellsworth, I am under the necessity of resorting for materials to the small remnant yet with us, of that venerable band of Patriots and Statesmen who were colabourers with him in the organization of our Government—For that purpose I take the liberty to address you at this time—And were it not for the great distance...
4248From George Washington to William Irvine, 6 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege the Receipt of your two Letters of the 1st & 11th of July—the former containg the plan of a proposed Expedition, of which you mention your being solicited to take the Command, & covering a Copy of your Letter to the Secretary at War on that proposition—I have not given you my Ideas on this Expedition, as the plan, if adopted, must probably have began its Execution, before...
4249To James Madison from Joseph Barnes, 8 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 June 1803, Paris . Wrote JM last on 20 Dec. 1802 from Leghorn; expected to be in Sicily at his post by now. The loss of his business caused the delay but has given him the opportunity to travel to Paris and speak with Monroe and Livingston “on objects of the United States.” Hopes “good will result from it.” After the date of his last letter, went to Naples and presented his commission to the...
4250To Alexander Hamilton from Christopher Gore, 20 April 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have hitherto delayed answering the letter, you did me the honor to write under date 28 Febry, in hopes of being able to obtain such information on the subject as woud be agreeable to you, & afford a reasonable expectation of an adoption, by the government, of your propositions respecting the unsubscribed debt. But I am sorely mortified to find that many from whom you had a right to expect...
4251To George Washington from Samuel Hodgdon, 11 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Want of time this Morning prevented my giving the reasons that operated in my mind against the delivery of the duplicate Cannon inscribed for Count De Grass—duty obliges me to inform your Excellency that the two pieces ordered by Congress were executed in this City and forwarded by the Ship Washington previous to any knowledge of those now on hand being preparing in the vicinity of camp—On...
4252To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 21 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
On the other side you have the only articles of interesting intelligence which I can find in Boston Papers so late as the 15th. June. There is a Gentleman in Town who left N York the same day: I have not seen him but am told he brings nothing of Consequence. The Congress continue with great unanimity in their Attention to the Revenue establishment in which their progress is as rapid as can be...
4253From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 9 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lowrey a Merchant in your district presented at the Treasury some time ago the within certificate of your Deputy when he was informed that the direction to refund at the office where the Tonnage was received had been given in a circular letter to the Collectors of the 20th. August 1790. To prevent further difficulty a memorandum of the date of the letter was made on the back of the...
4254To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 3 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I returned to this post last Night with Vanscheacks Regt—on Thursday they will reach Albany—I have push’d them on to Albany without one Moments delay—There Col. Vanscheak will take Charge & Move as he thinks proper. On my way up to Fort scuyler, with Harpers Regt I Met with a body of the Enemy, Sent to destroy the Settlements which remain on the River, they were well posted, but I Orderd the...
4255To James Madison from William Jarvis, 5 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Some further detention of the Brig Da Bailes affords me an opportunity of enclosing to you the fourth de cree of the first instant, the three first of which were put under cover with my Official letter by the Vessel of the 29 ulo plublished to day, levying a co ntribution of Twenty millions of Dollars on Portugal. From what I understand to day General Junot has not any new title conferred on...
4256To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 21 Mch. 1781 . Encloses proclamation of 20 Mch. recommending that Thursday, 3 May 1781, be observed as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 15); at head of text: “Circular.” The enclosed proclamation, attested by Charles Thomson, was printed in Va. Gaz. Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, 1751–1780, and Richmond, 1780–1781). Abbreviations for publishers of...
4257General Orders, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
4258From John Jay to Vergennes, 9 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honor to write on the 13 th . March last, was delivered to me by the Count D’Montmorin on my Arrival at Madrid. I should not have thus long have delayed the Pleasure of replying to it, if I could have prevailed upon myself to have given your Excellency complimentary Professions, instead of sincere Assurances. Unreserved Confidence in an Embassador of...
4259To George Washington from Steuben, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
With regard to the first question —We are to examine whether the Enemy may expect formidable Succours—if that be the case we ought to reinforce the army with the greatest dispatch, and strike a daring blow before those Succours arrive—The enemys force is estimated at 10000 men—if ours is under 20000 rank and file, the enterprise would be hazardous, and by exposing ourselves to a general action...
4260To George Washington from the Inhabitants of Belpre, 14 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
To George Washington President ⟨mutilated⟩ States, the Memorial & Petition of the Subscrib ⟨mutilated⟩ Inhabitants of the Township of Bellpre, in the County of Washington, & Territory northwes⟨t⟩ of the River Ohio, humbly sheweth— That your Petitioners have fo⟨r⟩med a settlement upon the said Ohio River; beginning at a point opposite to the mouth of the little Kanhaway: extending eleven Miles...
4261From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 2 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of May 27. is recieved and I now supply the omission of my former letter by stating that it is double rolled sheet iron which I have occasion for. I have this moment recieved a letter from my workman at Monticello stating his want of the iron below described. as this want is immediate, I should be glad you could put the iron on board the first vessel going to Richmond. it will be...
4262To George Washington from William Hull, 16 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Amidst the general Joy and Congratulations of my fellow-Citizens on your Excellencys Appointment to the Presidency of the United States, permit me to express the mingled Emotions, which I feel, on the interesting occasion. While on the one hand, I am animated with Joy, that my Country has been blessed with so happy an Event, on the other I cant but feel a degree of anxiety that after so many...
4263To James Madison from George Wythe, February 1785 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. February 1785, Williamsburg . This letter informed JM that the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws had been conferred upon him by “the University of William & Mary.” See JM to Wythe, 15 April 1785 .
4264To Benjamin Franklin from Tench Coxe, 4 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and LS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency with information of an accident which lately happened to some Bills of Exchange drawn by the Commissioner for the time being at the Court of Versailles. The fourth Bills of four sets were delivered to a gentleman in Philada. to be taken to Borden Town in order to procure a continuation of the set as it...
4265From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Garth, 7 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation in which I have left Colo. Nichs. Lewis leaves me not without pain and doubt for the event of his disease. I hope the best, but it may turn out otherwise. Besides the general loss which will be sustained by such a death, mine will be particularly great, as I have left all my affairs in his hands. The letters I receive from the President are so pressing to go on to New York that I...
4266Abraham Whipple to the American Commissioners, 19 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <On board the Providence , Brest, August 19, 1778: I wrote you from Paimboeuf on July 31; since then the Boston joined me and on Aug. 8 we proceeded in company to Brest, delayed by unfavorable winds until the 14th. I found here that Lt. Simpson had obeyed my orders of July 24th in quickly preparing for sea. But I was surprised to...
4267Frank Carr to Thomas Jefferson, 21 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Garrett has just had the misfortune to lose his youngest child . It is the request of M rs Garrett , many of whose connections have been buried there, that you will permit his remains to be deposited in the burial ground at Monticello . In his affliction M r Garrett has desired me to present the request to you— RC
4268To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1801, Cap Français . No. 13. Encloses decree of Toussaint opening some ports to neutrals. Has been too busy to make an intended trip to Port Républicain. Has received a letter from British agent Corbet complaining that American vessels clear from Jamaica for the U.S. then come to Saint-Domingue to buy produce with Jamaican profits. Has not replied in full but only stated that the...
4269From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, 27 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I embrace this opportunity, My Dear Friend, by Mr. Marshall, to tell you that my health which had suffered a severe shock by an attack of the malignant disease lately prevalent here is now almost completely restored. The last vestige of it has been a nervous derangement; but this has nearly yielded to Regimen, a certain degree of exercise and a resolution to overcome it. The political...
4270To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 1 July 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Been Honoured with your favor of the 14th and while I am to thank you for the pains You took of Acquainting me with particulars Relative to Col. Ross, I feel a sincere pleasure in this opportunity to Continue our Correspondance. The Honor of Hearing from you Shall Ever Be wellcome, and I Beg leave from time to time to present You with the Camp Gazette, and with the assurance of My...
4271To George Washington from William Greene, 2 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I this day receiv’d Your Excellencys Letter of the 27th of April and have laid the same before the General Assembly now convend in this place—A Committee is appointed to take the Subject matter thereof into consideration and will report to the present Session When effectual Measures will be taken for Levelling the Works around Newport Agreable to Your request. I must beg your Excellency to...
4272To Thomas Jefferson from Lambert, with Enclosure, 29 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour, Sir, to send you a copy of an Arret passed in Council, for encouraging the Commerce of the United States of America in France. I shall furnish you with a number of others as soon as they shall be printed. You will therein see that several considerable favors, not before promised to the American Commerce, have been added to those which the king announced to you, in the letter...
4273From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to you, Copies of a Memorial of sundry Officers of the Invalid Regiment, and the Opinion of a Board of Inspection on their several Cases; which you will be pleased to lay before Congress for their Consideration & Determination. With great Regard and Esteem I have the Honor to be Dear Sir Your most Obedient & humble Servant, DNA : Item 149, Letters and Reports from...
4274Margaret Bayard Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 21 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you allow me to recall to your y m ind one, whom a long absence may have almost obliterated from your reccollection,—One, who never had any claim to your kind regard, but what she derived from a sensibility to that worth, which once to know, is never to forget.—Yes dear Sir, for the enthusiasm inspired by great talents, or the veneration from g awaken’d by the union of great virtue, to...
4275To James Madison from William Jarvis, 20 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The two foregoing covered two letters from Mr. Erving, and i n closed go the two which accompanied them that he desired me to send by a different conveyance. There has been considerable rumours here for several days past, as I mentioned in my last that the Emperor Napoleon had required that the ports of Portugal should be shut against the Commerce of Gt. Britain. This is however absolutely...
4276General Orders, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In General Orders of the 12th instant the Commissary General of Issues was, thro’ mistake inserted instead of the Commissary General of Purchases, who is to observe said order. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
4277From Thomas Jefferson to Philippe Reibelt, 31 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The books mentioned in your letter of Jan. 25. are safely recieved. in your Catalogue No. 3. pa. 25. I observe the following which be pleased to send. ✓ Arabia seu &c } edit. Elzevir in 32mo. ✓ Descriptio Africae ✓ Bohemiae ✓ Galliae ✓ Germaniae ✓ Hungariae ✓ Leudiens
427828th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams, this day, gave us, the first Lecture, upon Experimental Philosophy. It was upon the Properties of Matter, as Extension, Divisibility, Solidity, Mobility, figure , and Vis Inertiae. After the Lecture was over, he told us, the Regulations, which were, that the Door should be lock’d at the beginning of the Lectures; that there should be no whispering, nor spitting on the floor, and...
4279I. Petition of Thomas Johnson, [before 11 November 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Honl. The Speaker and Delegates of the Common Wealth of Virginia. The Petition of Thomas Johnson Jun. humbly shewith that your petitioner was appointed a Captain in the County of Louisa and raised his quota of men and when he was about to march to Join his Ridgment, was obliged to hire a Cart and two Stears of Charles Yancey to carry his mens baggage &c. as far as Carrs bridge and after...
4280[Diary entry: 10 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined & lodged at Elkton. Tolerably pleasant all day. “At Elkton . . . Hollingsworth’s is a quiet orderly Tavern, with good beds, and well in other respects” ( GW to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 26 Mar. 1797 , ViMtvL ). “We encountered no adventures of any kind, & saw nothing uncommon, except the light Horse of Delaware, & Maryland, who insisted upon attending us through their states” (Eleanor...