51901To George Washington from Elizabeth Jansen, 2 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
being a Distrest Refugee from New York—I obtaind permition from his Excelency Governor Levingston to go in, with a View of Receiving Some Cash Due to Us in that Place—for the Support of our family, I Came to this place, and was Sent on Board with a flag, and not hearing from My friends there Who I Expected Would have got me a permit there—Was Set on Shore & Conducted to the Village Where I...
51902From Benjamin Franklin to La Condamine, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; LS : Bakken Museum I receiv’d the very obliging Letter you did me honour of writing to me the 8th Inst. with the Epigram &c. for which please to accept my Thanks. You desire my Sentiments concerning the Cures perform’d by Comus, & Mesmer. I think that in general, Maladies caus’d by Obstructions may be treated by Electricity with Advantage. As to the...
51903To James Madison from James Taylor, September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
September 1803 . Encloses an account for a hogshead of “Brazil Wine … shipped by order of [his] friend” Thomas Newton, Jr. “It was overlooked till this moment. I will thank you to remit” $177.13 “by a check from the cashier of the Branch Bank of Wash. on the Department here.” RC ( DLC ).
51904Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 8 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
A favorable occasion presents itself of dropping you a few lines by a vessel for Georgtown. It is the first direct opportunity that has offered since I have been in this Country. Indeed since the Conquest of it, by the french, external intercourse has been till very lately, altogether interrupted. You may easily conjecture that our residence here has not abounded with scenes of pleasure or...
51905Madison’s Response to John Armstrong’s Review (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
The memorandum of documents printed below is the first indication that JM was beginning to gather material to answer allegations made by John Armstrong in an essay entitled “Appendix—Negotiation for Louisiana,” published in the New York Literary and Scientific Repository, and Critical Review in October 1821. The task would ultimately result in a compilation, entitled “Review of a Statement...
51906From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 27 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you by the way of London on the 2d. instant. Since that your’s of Dec. 7. has come to hand. I have now the pleasure to inform you that Mr. Barclay, having settled as far as depended on him the accounts of Monsieur de Beaumarchais, left Paris on the 15th. instant to proceed to Marocco. Business obliged him to go by the way of l’Orient and Bourdeaux, but he told me...
51907From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 4 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and AL (draft): National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives M. Gerard, under whose Care I understand the Dispatches from Congress to me, were forward’d, is not yet arrived here, and I have not received them. I cannot therefore at present answer any thing that may be contained in them. He is however expected next Week, and I may afterwards have time to write...
51908From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morris, 15 August 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desirous of getting from England as soon as possible one of those copying Machines invented there not long since, and of which I dare say you have seen Specimens of it’s Execution in Doctr. Franklin’s Letters, I take the Liberty of asking the favor of you to write thither for one for me, with half a dozen Reams of Paper proper for it. If you can think of this in the first Letter you...
51909To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 19 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 8th. of this month by the French packet & of acknowleging the reciept of your letter of the 9th. of May. The commissioners at Amsterdam have since then informed me that all difficulties being removed they have consummated the payment of the million of florins to the French bankers there & recieved their bill on this government for its amount 2,696,629...
51910John Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a letter from M r Stephen Catalan 16 June advising reciept of 2205 f r dft of Girard on Paris he will write to you soon but requests that I will inform you that he has rec d the Bill— I do not know whether M Correa has yet reached you—I enclose a letter for
51911[Diary entry: 25 April 1771] (Washington Papers)
25. Began Ditto at Doeg Run. The Herring began to run in large Shoals—but were checkd again by the Cool Weather. Fishing on the Potomac must have soon improved, because by the end of May, GW had delivered 679,200 herring and 7,760 shad to Robert Adam’s company. Despite the fact that some of the herring spoiled due to improper packing, he was credited with £134 4s. 3d. for the fish and £12 for...
51912To James Madison from James Main, 18 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Notwithstanding all the efforts of the Clinton party, our state legislature has adjourned, without attempting to contradict the nomination made by the members of Congress. This augurs favorably & I really believe the power of the faction has passed its zenith, & that its sun must shortly set. It is now ascertained, that local prejudices will be sacrificed by our Presidential Electors, at the...
51913From Thomas Jefferson to George Weedon, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on receipt of your Letter of the 9th . by Captn. Travis informing me of the loss of the Boat Patriot, We engaged Captain Travis to go over to Appamattox, where he procured another Boat (the Washington) said to be a better sailor than the Patriot; Being ready manned and equipped for sailing she receives orders today to fall down and take your Commands. I am &c, FC ( Vi ). Weedon’s...
51914Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 20 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege, my dear friend, the reciept of many of your letters , within the last twelvemonth , and altho’ I have not answered them specifically to yourself, yet I have not been inattentive or inactive as to their contents. on leaving the government, two years ago, I knew I could not serve you so effectually as by committing the whole care of your Orleans affairs to the President ....
51915From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your official Letter of the 8th Instant, advising that your relinquishment of the Presidency would soon take place, which I see has happened; and assuring me of the respect and esteem you should always retain for me. Permit me in turn, Sir, to assure you in the language of the most unfeigned sincerity, that I hold myself under great obligations for the very polite & satisfactory...
51916From Thomas Jefferson to John C. Delacoste, 31 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to M. De la Coste’s letter of the 27th Th: Jefferson is bound to observe to him that no authority has been given for the establishment of a Museum at this or any other place on account of the General government: indeed that this is not among the objects enumerated in the constitution to which Congress are authorised to apply the public monies. whenever the revenues of the Union shall...
51917C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 5 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
The reason that I did not write sooner is that I had planned to spend last week with you during our friends’ absence here. But my domestic affairs prevented me from leaving, for one reason or another, and now our friends have returned, which requires my presence. A week ago Thursday, before the adjournment, the resolution with France very nearly happened. Only the town of Brille, which agrees...
51918To George Washington from Eliza Harriot O’Connor, 17 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
When Mr O’Connor had the honor of dining with you before I opened the Academy for young Ladies in Alexandria you was kind enough not only to express your approbation of the Institution but likewise your wish for its perminancy and support, and intimated likewise that you would have no objection to be one of the visitors at the Examinations. Impressed with an Idea of the goodness and...
51919To Thomas Jefferson from Antoine, Mrs. Morin, 18 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time about the commencement of the last Session of Congress, I took the liberty of inclosing to you a number of Original Papers—grants for lands.—Accompanied with a Petition for the redress of grievances therein stated, and proved by the Documents inclosed. I have never received the smallest notice whether my papers have been received, or, if so, whether I may Shortly expect their...
51920To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter written a few days before your embarkation from for France, lays me under an Obligation to renew my correspondence with you. You are pleased to say my letters give you pleasure. This is eno’ for me. Happy shall I esteem myself if thro’ your eminent and useful Station I can convey a single idea that will add a mite to the happiness of our beloved country. Many new events have...
51921[June 1770] (Washington Papers)
June 1st. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells (Williamsburg) and attended a Meeting of the Association at the Capitol at 6 Oclock & contd. there till Eleven Oclock. At this general meeting, it was resolved “ that a friendly Invitation be given to all Gentlemen Merchants, Traders, and others, to meet the associators, in Williamsburg , on Friday the 15th Instant, in order to consult and advise...
51922From Alexander Hamilton to Lewis Tousard, 15 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of Jany. 13th. relying on Cadet Wilson’s being necessary to you I shall approve of your taking him; but as to compensation which he may expect, I can make no communication, unless it is that my influence will be exerted to procure him whatever his additional labours may merit The suggestions contained in the close of your letter will be considered of— With— ( Df ,...
51923Notice of Truro Parish Vestry Meeting, 20 March 1764 (Washington Papers)
Notice is hereby given to any Person or Persons, who are willing to undertake the Building a Brick Church at the Falls in Truro Parish in the County aforesaid, (to contain 1600 Feet superficial Measure, with convenient Galleries) That on the Third Monday in June next, there will be a meeting of the Vestry, at what is commonly called the Upper Church: At which Time and Place, any Person or...
51924Notes on Neutrality Questions, 13 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A recapitulation of questions whereon we have given opinions. Does the treaty with France leave us free to prohibit her from arming vessels in our ports? Th:J. H. K. and R. unanimous it does. As the treaty obliges us to prohibit the enemies of France from arming in our ports, and leaves us free to prohibit France, do not the laws of Neutrality oblige us to prohibit her. Same persons unanimous...
51925To James Madison from John Thomas Ricketts, 28 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 December 1803 , “ Cameron Mills near Alexanda .” “If not contreary to the duties of your office, you will oblige me by Intimating the name of the Collector appointed for new Orleans, which I have this day understood to be a Mr Triste, who acted (as I am told) at Natchez in that capasity.” Inquires because [William G.] Garland, with whom Ricketts has “a Corsary Acquaintance” and who directed...
51926Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
Seven Months were nearly elapsed, from the Date of Your former Letter, to the receipt of yours on the 22 of this Month Which was of Nov’ br 7 th ; from Helvoetsluice. You from experience can judge, how acceptable it was to me. the very sight of a Letter exilirates my Spirits, and I tread back ten years in an instant. I felt all you described from your Situation, and could trace you into the...
51927To James Madison from the Republican Meeting of Windsor, North Carolina, 26 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 November 1811. “The Republicans of Windsor and its Vicinity called togather by a Just sense of the awful crisis which overclouds our political horizon feel it their duty to declair that though they have long witnessed with painful regret, the unfreindly spirit in which the British orders in Council were dictated, they never ceased fondly to hope, ‘That the scrupulous reguard to Justice, the...
51928From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 20 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copies: National Maritime Museum, Public Record Office; transcript: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 9th. Instant, with a Copy of the Letter from the Admiralty Office relative to the proposed Exchange of Prisoners, in which the precise Number of those we have here is desired. I cannot at present give it you, they being dispers’d in different Ports;...
51929To James Madison from William Savage, 20 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1802, Kingston, Jamaica. Reports that a number of Americans are still detained on men-of-war for lack of proper papers. Enclosed account shows that a great number have been discharged, some of whom are in bad health. Many are hospitalized; many others await passage home. The latter are unable to support themselves because so many seamen have been discharged from ships in port. Has...
51930[Diary entry: 17 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 17th. Mercury at 39 in the Morng.—46 at Noon and 49, at Night. Wind at No. West all day but not hard. Clear and cold in the Morning. More moderate about Noon & very pleasant in the Afternoon being calm. In the morning early I went to Mr. L. Washingtons (to Breakfast) in order to finish the Work I had began on Tuesday last but after having plotted & measured the slipes which were to be...