4471General Orders, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a division Court Martial (Feby 13th 1778.) whereof Lieutt Coll Sprout was president, Lieutt Austin Alden of Coll Brewer’s Regiment, tried for behaving in many instances unbecoming the Character of an officer and gentleman, 1st in taking Jack Brown’s allowance of Whisky and drinking it and then refusing to pay for it—2nd In messing, frequently drinking & sleeping with the soldiers—3rdly—For...
4472From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A collector for the port of Hampton is wanting in the room of mr Kirby, removed for gross delinquency. Mount E. Chisman has been proposed. can you inform me of his character & circumstances? or can you recommend any better person? I must ask your answer without any delay, as I believe the case presses. indeed I am not certain if it’s pressure may not oblige the Secretary of the Treasury to...
4473Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 1 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
your two Letters of May 21 & 26 were yesterday deliverd. captain Scot has not yet got up. I hope by him to receive Letters from my other Friends. I have been not a little anxious that Barnard and Davis should arrive without a Letter either from Braintree or weymouth as this is to go by the packet, I will confine myself wholy to buisness and as mr Adams has written you respecting mr Borlands...
4474From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have at last recieved Letters from Mr. Dana. Mr. Sayer arrived in town yesterday with Letters to me, and dispatches for Congress, which I shall transmit by the best opportunity. Three days before I had recieved a Letter which came by Sea, but had been almost four Months upon the passage. Mr. Dana appears to be in good Spirits. He has communicated himself to the Marquis de Verac, and has been...
4475II. Estimate for Printing Notes on Virginia by Polytype, [1786] (Jefferson Papers)
L’Ouvrage de Monsieur Jefferson, pourra revenir en Composition en anglois, in Octavo, Tirage de Quinze Cents Exemplaires, Planches polytypeés rendues en toute proprieté, Cinquante huit livres la feuille, s’il n’y a pas de Nottes et Soixante livres s’il y en a. Le Papier est un objet Separé et le prix sera relatif à sa beauté. MS ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ; “Printing Polytype printing.” The...
4476To George Washington from David Humphreys, 18 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
A few hours after your departure, I received a private communication from a friend in Congress informing me of my appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe —Tho’ pleased with the information I considered myself as unfortunate in not having recd the Letter while your Excellency remained in Town—because I wished to avail myself of Letters of...
4477To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 28 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives As the Marquis De la Fayette will deliver this, we refer you to his Conversation in addition to the Gazettes for an Account of the Movements of the Enemy. He will doubtless gain some further Knowledge of them before he leaves Boston than what we are now possessed of. We shall speedily have Opportunities of forwarding...
4478To James Madison from the Bunker Hill Association, 12 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
We have the honour to address you, in conformity to a Vote of the general Committee of the “Bunker Hill Association,” and request you to accept a Copy of the Oration delivered on the 4th of July last. In commemorating the feelings and principles which led to the glorious event of our revolution, it is peculiarly congenial to our grateful sensibility on this occasion, to render homage to the...
4479To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 February 1802, Natchez. Encloses copies of his 29 Jan. letter to General Wilkinson and Wilkinson’s reply. Hopes the request he made of the general was not improper but fears the peace of the territory is precarious, “surrounded as it is, by numerous Indian Tribes, and with a Population of Negroes, nearly equal to the number of Whites, … and it seemed to me advisable, to have the Spare Arms...
4480To Thomas Jefferson from J. P. P. Derieux, 10 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 10 Jan. 1793 . Owing to the carelessness of the Richmond courier, TJ’s letters of 22 Nov. and 14 Dec. arrived simultaneously. He has now received from Gamble another 250 dollars obtained by TJ as an advance from Vaughan, which relieves him of some financial difficulty because, his bill of exchange having been returned to Gamble protested, Gamble had credited the first 250...
4481To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Saint-Auban, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Vous nous avez fait l’honneur, Monsieur, de nous promettre a m. de st. auban et a moy que Vous nous feriez celuy de venir diner avec nous a notre retour de la campagne que nous avons quittée depuis 15. Jours. M. de st. auban n’auroit pas laissé passer ce temps, sans vous aller rappeller cette promesse s’il n’en eut eté empesché par un gros rhume. Dans la...
4482Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, that the Hon. John Hancock Hon. Thomas Cushing Esquires Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Pain Esquires appointed by the last provincial Congress “to represent this Colony on the 10th of May next or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia” be and they hereby are, authorized and impowered “with the Delegates from the other American...
4483From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
As the season advances fast, when it will be proper to give effect to the new disposition for the Western Army—and as the arrangement of the Officers regimentally is a necessary preliminary to that Operation, I have recurred to your letter of the 15 of November last respecting the arrangement ⟨w⟩hich was submitted to you upon the plan of Brigadier General Wilkinson. A material object of the...
4484From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 6 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with yours of Mar. 31. Mine to yourself and Dr. Bancroft will already have answered so much of it as relates to Mr. Paradise. The idea suggested of his going with me to America, was intended chiefly as a threat against the refusing creditor. It could only have been carried into execution in the case of that creditor’s continuing obstinate. The propositions he has since made were...
4485Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas G. Dufief, 11 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Dufief to inclose a copy of the Commentary on Montesquieu published by Duane in 1811. to mr Adams at Quincy Mass. charging it to Th:J . he salutes him with friendship & respect. PoC ( DLC ); on verso of a reused address cover from
4486Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 1 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These with my due Respects on my Arrival may serve to inform your Honours, that after a very fatigueing Passage of forty two Days I arrived at this port with Joy, having the pleasure of landing the Honble: John Adams Esqr. safe in the City. By Richard Palmes Esqr. the Capt. of Marines under my Command I send you inclosed a Copy of my Instructions and...
4487To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] May 27, 1793 . “… Last saturday evening I recd. a letter from you dated containing directions for filling Sea Letters, and enclosing four of these Letters. The day before I received them, I received two Sea-Letters in a blank wrapper directed to me and freed Oliver Wolcott. It gave me great Satisfactn to receive your particular directions for filling Sea Letters, and I...
4488To James Madison from Robert Montgomery, 10 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
Captn. Jacob Noyes of the Brig Benjamin & Nancy of Newbury Port has just arrived from Malta & Parlermo He sailed from the former on the 4th. Novr. a nd while getting his papers from our Consul there saw a Letter from Mr. Lear of a late date, which make no mention of a rupture with the Regency He Sailed from Parlermo about the 22nd. November when all was quiet and nothing regarding Algiers...
4489From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 25 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Lawson writes me word that he can march 1000 men to-day or to-morrow to reinforce Genl. Greene if he can be aided with arms. I inclosed you yesterday a letter from Colo. Banister informing me there were 400 good Continental arms at Petersburg, of which he seemed to wish about 150. The state stock being already exhausted, I could only inform Genl. Lawson that I would take the liberty of...
4490To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hawkins, 9 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By the june Packet I have the happiness of complying in a great measure with my promise of the eighth of march. Finding that I had lost most of my plants through the inattention or ignorance of the Captain who had the care of them from North Carolina although I made repeated trials and the last with giving particular directions on the proper method of treating them. And fearing that similar...
4491To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The first & second division of the Troops are arrived at this place; the third under command of Colo. Gist will not be here in less then five or six Days—the fatigueing March the Troops have had this extreem bad weather, the reduced situation of the waggon & artilery Horses, together with sundry repairs wanting to the waggons, has induced me to halt them here till the rear gets up—when I shall...
4492To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to receive the grateful Homage of a sensible Mind, for your condescension in exposing to me M[ajo]r Genl Gates’s Letters which Unmask his Artifice & efforts to ruin me. The Authenticity of the Information recd thro Lord Stirling I cannot confirm; As I solemnly assure Your Excellency I do not remember the Conversation which passed on that occasion, nor can I recollect particular...
4493To Thomas Jefferson from Harry Toulmin, 7 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope it will not be regarded as an unbecoming intrusion, if under the expectation that Mr. Maury will resign the office of receiver of public monies for the district court of rivoir. I take the liberty of recommending as his successor Mr Daniel Garrard. He is the son of Mr. Garrard late with high public confidence for eight years in the state of Kentucky,—a man—republican from principle, and...
4494From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Thompson, 30 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
You will by this time I hope have recieved from Col o Peyton the sum of the freight duty & charges for the 6. boxes of marble recieved from Mr Appleton on my own private account. this you will observe covers the new as well as the old duties, as to which I make no demurrer in what concerns my six; and I wait only your answer to mine of the 13 th on the suspension of the new duties as to those...
4495To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bedwell, 21 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
altho I am conscious that I am guilty of great impropriety in thus taking this liberty of addressing you, yet I have presumed notwithstanding, depending as an apology only on the supposed importance of a discovery which I thought too interesting if successful not to communicate—Having had repeated opportunities in a particular manufactory to observe the effects of a solution of Iron upon the...
4496From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 18th ulto, & gave me the pleasure to hear you were well. My return from our Western territory was sooner than I expected when I left home. The Indians from accounts were in too discontented a mood to have rendered an interview with them agreeable, if chance should have thrown us together. I therefore returned from the Neighbourhood of Fort Pitt, where...
4497From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Lord Cholmondeley having kindly offer’d to take a Letter from me to your Lordship, I embrace the Opportunity of assuring the Continuance of my ancient Respect for your Talents and Virtues, and of congratulating you on the returning good Disposition of...
4498To Thomas Jefferson from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge having received from you a statement of the claim of William Short Esquire, for salary, as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to Spain.—It was my expectation that the question upon which this Demand has so long unfortunately been suspended, would have been determined during my continuance in Office—I have however been informed within a few days, that...
4499To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 12 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
It is my own opinion that the enclosed paper will do good among our own citizens, and public men, and in several foreign countries. I therefore send it as others anxious to do no harm where I mean only to do good. If it were to be found unfit for publication the collective view of the facts may be useful. The other paper I shall endeavour to handle with care and temper, tho with firmness. If...
4500Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 3 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Accept my dear Sister a thousand thanks for your charming Journal, it is just Such an one as I wish’d, so particular that while reading it, I could not help fancying my self with you. We hoped as we had Such fine weather for six weeks after you Sail’d, that you would have had a quicker Passage than I find you had. You did not feel more joy when you set your feet upon the British Coast, than I...
4501To James Madison from James Monroe, 19 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
Your favor advising of the passage of the tonage & impost bills by both houses I have recd. It was my intention to have remov’d to Albemarle & attended the Chancery next month thence. But as it will be better to leave Mrs. M. here in that interval than there, where she has comparitively but few acquaintance, have postpon’d our removal untill abt. the 15. of August. The contest between the two...
4502From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Baker Johnson, 20 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Having just closd a Letter to your Sister Buchannan my next is due to you. I am in arrears for a Letter dated in july, as well as for your last favour of December the Eleventh. In reply to your queries respecting mr Adams being designd for the office of Secretary of State, I must confess that I have not any better authority for it than you have, which is the News papers. the Southern papers...
4503From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 6 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of the 24th. of August. A gentleman going from hence to Cadiz will be the bearer of this, and of the newspapers to the present date, and will take care that the letter be got safe to you if the papers cannot. Mr. Mangnal, at length tired out with his useless sollicitations at this office, to obtain redress from the court of Spain for the loss of the Dover Cutter, has...
4504Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 27 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Dec. 29. 13. since which I have recieved your’s of May 5. and July 25. with P.S.S. of June 18. & Aug. 1. these gave me the first information of your being under any difficulty with our government, and I lost no time in writing to the President & Sec y of State , sending the statement you inclosed. the plain and direct narrative of this paper I did not doubt would impress...
4505To James Madison from Evan Jones, [10 August] 1801 (Madison Papers)
… A great number of American citizens, especially seamen, and boatmen from the Ohio, die here yearly, for want of a Hospital into which they might be put and taken care of—not that they are refused admittance into the Spanish poor-hospital, but that building is by much too small for the purpose. No public house of any reputation will take them in, and consequently they lie in their ships or...
4506To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1957) I wrote you last Post a particular Letter relative to Mr de Chaumonts affairs since which I find they are publicly known & the alarm is general. Every man who has taken my Bills on him in this Place have mentioned to me his stoppage of payment, but I am happy to find they have great Confidence...
4507Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York State Library, Albany). Except for JM’s signature, this letter is entirely in the hand of Theodorick Bland. It is with much concern that we have learnt from Your Excellencys and the Baron de Steubens letters to Congress, the Misfortunes our Country has sufferd from the Invasion under the command of the detestable Arnold, and that he has ventured with impunity even to our Capitol....
4508To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 20 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Israel Putnam, 20 Sept. 1779. On this date, GW wrote Putnam: “I have your favr of this morning respecting Capt. Lyman.”
4509Conveyance to Isaac Moses, 21 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 21, 1791. “… that for and consideration of the sum of One thousand and eight hundred pounds current lawful money of New York to the said Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth his wife in hand paid by the said Isaac Moses at or before the unsealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged they have granted bargained sold aliened released and conveyed …...
4510To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 3 May 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have this moment recieved with the most grateful pleasure yours & Augusta’s & Maria’s affectionate letters & must beg you to accept my thanks & offer them to my Sister & Niece. I have doubly enjoyed the fine weather of the last week, in the hope that it had released you from your long confinement to the house, & was disappointed on hearing from Augusta that you had only walked on the Piazza;...
4511From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 9 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor with my account, balance 180.₶ 7s which shall be paid to your order. I observe it supposed with you that the differences between the courts of London and St. James are nearly settled. But be assured on the contrary that no accomodation is expected, and that war is as certain as it can be, without being actually commenced or declared. There remains indeed a...
4512To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, Sr., 31 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The above is a Coppy of mine of the 28 ultimo by Cap. Adams. This will be delivered you by my son, whom the Council of this State have Employed at the Continental expence to proceed to France and to deliver You a number of Letters which they have lately received, from the Secret Committee of Congress. I think myself happy that he will be under your Eye and...
4513To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have really occasion to make an Apology for troubling you so often with my personal concerns—perhaps I presume too much on the Score of private Friendship—That, and Your Candor, I will hope, may plead my excuse— On the 21st of the last month I did myself the Honor of writing to You–when I took the liberty to mention the probability of a dissolution of my Copartnership with Mr Lear— It is...
4514George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 14, 1778 . Informs Gates that Army is marching to Haverstraw. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4515To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of yesterday and without loss of time forwarded the Letters to Genl Wolcott and Colo. Moylan Several Measures are adopted for the obtaining intelligence hope Some of them will Succeed. I send one Prisoner of war and three Deserters, one from the legion, one from the Queens rangers and the other from the 71st Regt the latter from Verplanks Point this morning each of the...
4516To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 12 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
Ever since the last week in Octo r I have been engaged in composing & delivering a new Course of lectures on the theory & practice of medicine in the College of this city. This arduous business has employed me so closely that it has seperated me from my friends,—detatched me from all Other pursuits—and—what I regret most of all, has deprived me for a while of the pleasure of your...
4517To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Navy Board, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency has been inform’d that a Redoubt was erected on Province Island opposite Fort Mifflin, also another at the Mouth of Schuylkill. They are throwing up other Works in different parts of the Meadows—We believe they have not more than five hundred Men in the Meadows—We are inform’d that a number of our Troops are now near the Ferries on Schuylkill; If a body of them were order’d to...
4518From Thomas Jefferson to John Marshall, 2 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was desired two or three days ago to sign some sea letters to be dated on or after the 4th. of Mar. but in the mean time to be forwarded to the different ports; and I understood you would countersign them as the person appointed to perform the duties of Secretary of state , but that you thought a reappointment to be dated the 4th. of March would be necessary. I shall with pleasure sign such...
4519To James Madison from Hore Browse Trist, 18 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 August 1804, New Orleans. “In conformity to the request of Governor Claiborne, I have again the honor of advising you that altho still confined to his bed & very much debilitated, yet he is in a state of Convalescence with the fairest prospects of being able shortly to enter once more upon the execution of his Public Duties. Presuming that the fatigue of incessant business during the warm...
4520From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 13 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is intended to go, by Monsieur Le Veillard, a Young Gentleman bound to America, with Design to travail with engage in the service of Mr. Holker or to lay the Foundations of a mercantile House either in France or America, as Circumstances may be. I have the Pleasure to know his Father and his Family and the young Gentleman very well: They are all worthy and amiable, and have on many...