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...
4281From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. was recieved on the 20th. the post having departed the day before as usual. you ask what shall be done with Shadwell? there was a wish in mr Tom Esting Randolph to have rented it. mr T M Randolph can tell whether he now wishes it. if not, let it to some one tenant, if you please, subject to my approbation which can be asked in a fortnight always. I say to some one...
4282From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
The last subject before the H. of Reps. was a Bill revising the Naturalization law, which from its defects & the progress of things in Europe was exposing us to very serious inconveniences. The Bill requires 1. A probationary residence of 5 instead of 2 years, with a formal declaration on oath of the intention 3 years at least prior to the admission. 2. an oath of abjuration , as well as of...
4283From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 26 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved from Genl. Wilkinson, on the 23d. inst. his affidavit charging Samuel Swartwout, Peter V. Ogden, and James Alexander with the crimes described in the affidavit, a copy of which is now communicated to both houses of Congress. It was announced to me at the same time that Swartwout & Bollman, two of the persons apprehended by him, were arrived in this city, in custody each of a...
4284To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 7 April 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yours of the 2d last Night & must refer You to mine of the 5th which I sent You by Express, & doubt not You will receive at Fort Loudoun; The pressing Letter from Govr Littleton makes it absolutely necessary to send 200 of our Regimt to his Assistance; & I must therefore repeat my Orders for their march to Fredericksburg, & I hope they will be there by the 20th of this Month & I am...
4285To James Madison from Philippe-André-Joseph de Létombe, 7 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1802, Paris. Notes that the letter JM wrote him from Virginia on 25 Aug. 1801 could not have been more favorable to him. His passage from New York to Lorient and his arrival in Paris made him aware of his good fortune in having merited JM’s commendation. The Americans and the French are very pleased with these evidences of JM’s kindness and esteem; moreover, they value the one who is...
4286[Diary entry: 9 October 1781] (Washington Papers)
9th. About 3 o’clock P.M. the French opened a battery on our extreme left, of 4 Sixteen pounders, and Six Morters & Hawitzers and at 5 oclock an American battery of Six 18s & 24s; four Morters & 2 Hawitzers, began to play from the extremity of our right—both with good effect as they compelled the Enemy to withdraw from their ambrazures the Pieces which had previously kept up a constant firing....
4287To George Washington from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 15 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
When we contemplate the near approach of your retirement from public to private Life, as announced to your Fellow Citizens, in your Address of the 17th of September last; we should be wanting in duty to our own feelings, and those of our Constituents, if we did not cordially embrace this last occasion, to join the grateful Voice of the American Nation, in the Acknowledgment of your long...
4288To Alexander Hamilton from Cornelius I. Bogert, 1 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] January 1, 1798 . “Permit me to request your attention to the case of Bull agt Armstrong & Barnewall.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Bogert was a New York City attorney. This is a reference to the case of Henry Bull v William Armstrong and George Barnwall . For a discussion of this case, along with the relevant documents, see Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr.,...
4289To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 22 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Morristown, 22 Jan. 1780 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 16 Dec. 1779, which did not come to hand until 16 Jan. Will give proper consideration to applications from the enemy for flag-of-truce vessels to the Chesapeake. Has communicated Col. Bland’s case to Congress. Dft ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2p. In hand of James McHenry; endorsed. Printed: Washington, Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick, xvii ,...
4290George Washington to William Livingston, 19 February 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey ] February 19, 1780 . Explains why it would be inexpedient for a state to interfere in enlistment complaints. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4291From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 12th & 13th instant, with their enclosures, were received by Mondays Mail, the 18th. The duplicate Commission for John Trumbull; the blank Commissions for the Revenue Officers; and the Patents passed by the Attorney General; are all signed & returned under cover with this letter. The want of funds to carry on Commerce with the Indian Tribes (agreeably to a late Act of...
4292From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 29 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 29, 1792 . “There is due to William Peck, Marshall for the District of Rhode Island upon a settlement made at the Treasury, the sum of two thousand, one hundred & five Dollars and twelve Cents, which sum I request you will pay to the said Marshall.… This transaction is of course not to be brought into your accounts, but merely to be noted at foot of your weekly...
4293From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
The day following the one on which I wrote to you last, your letter of the 10th instt was received. It is to be regretted, exceedingly, that delegated powers are, oftentimes, so little regarded; and that trusts of an important nature, the neglect of wch may be attended with serious consequences, should be suffered to sleep in the hands of those who ought to carry them into activity. such, from...
4294To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Swope, 18 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit, me, to address you with these Lines: which I flatter myself will not Be taken amiss— about the Commencement of the revolutionnerry war,, a relative of Mine, of the Name of,, John Swope left the State of Maryland and went into virginia—and joined the army, in the virginia Line—during the war He Either got Killed or died a Natural death:—He was a young man without Family Left a Sister:...
4295To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it may be of Consequence for you to be acquainted with every Movement of the Enemy, would inform your Excellency, that by a Letter this day receiv’d from Govr Bradford Dated the 20th instant, have Intelligence that, on the forenoon of that day, twenty seven Sail left New Port and appear’d to be bound up Sound—and that they learnt by some Deserters before that Time that two Hessian Regiments...
4296To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letters will inform you of what is passing with The Enemy. A movement will soon take place. Nixon and Parsons Brigades are on the Positions you were pleased to assign them. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency Hble Servant. ADf , NHi : McDougall Papers. These enclosures have not been identified. See GW to McDougall, 19 June.
4297To George Washington from Thomas Farrington, 29 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Custom has given sanction to what at first View in a modest Mind would seem too assuming; therefore I shall without any further Apology, offer myself to your Excellency as a Candidate for the Office of Collector or Inspector of Excise, (as the case may be) for the District of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: To detail all my Pretensions would be needless (the sum of them are) that...
4298To James Madison from Jonathan Dayton, [ca. 14 January 1813] (Madison Papers)
I took the liberty of writing to you lately on the subject of our affairs, & will now trouble you once more, for my anxiety is extreme. The contemplated plan of raising 20,000 men for one year is a most erroneous one. By the time they are made good soldiers they must be disbanded—another army enlisted—your troops would always be raw—the expenses enormous—the delays incalculable. Besides the...
4299To James Madison from George William Erving, 21 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I had yesterday the high satisfaction of receiving your Official letter of Decr. 2. covering two cop ies of the Presidents Message. I have written to you lately several letters, publick & p rivate, some of which will reach you before this, & oth ers which are too bulky to go by the post wait a pri vate opportunity which I expect to have in a few da ys for Cadiz. Since my last there is nothing...
4300General Orders, 6 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General has no doubt, but that every man who has a due sense of the importance of the cause he has undertaken to defend, and who has any regard to his own honor and the reputation of a soldier will, if called to action, behave like one contending for every thing valuable; But, if contrary to his expectation, there shall be found any officers, or soldiers, so far lost to all shame as basely...