52521To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 9 June [i.e. August] 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Norman (a respectable Man of this City) has arrived here from Trieste, he has just informed me, that on his passage he Came thro: the Phare of Messina, & landed at the City, that he was informed that a Courier had passed thro: (the Day preceding) from Syracuse with an Account that a Neapolitan frigate was Chased by a Tunisian Squadron , that Capt. McNeill ran between and Cut off the...
52522[Diary entry: 13 June 1795] (Washington Papers)
13. Do. do. Cloudy & cool till aft[ernoon].
52523From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, Jr., 4 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11 th of Octor never came to my hands ’till yesterday. Altho’ your disrespectful conduct towards me, in coming into this country & spending weeks therein without ever coming near me, entitles you to very little notice or favor from me; yet I consent that you may get timber from off my Land in Fauquier County to build a house on your Lott in Recter town. Having granted this,...
52524To George Washington from Hamilton Chalmers, 13 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
From the public Situation of affairs, as also my private Situation, I after mature deliberation resigned my Commission in the British service & came this far. With part of the baggage I could get off & family, not expecting to meet with any difficulty till I had the honor of laying my Situation before your Excellency—I am now confined with a Centry over me—on a representation being made to the...
52525To George Washington from David Stuart, 26 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I find it a subject far from easy, to say what I think had best be done with Washington—His habits and inclinations are so averse to all labour and patient investigation, that I must freely declare it as my opinion that not much is to be expected from any plan—I had got his Mother on former occasions to add the weight of her injunctions to my advice and remonstrances. He has allways appeared...
52526To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 November 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Fleming has been here and set out on his return yesterday. I did not however know of his arrival till a very short time before his departure. Contrary to your expectation he returns by land, not with his goods. On this account added to the lateness of the Season, and my not being able to get all your books, I concluded it would be best to put off sending what I could get, till the Spring,...
52527To James Madison from William B. Randolph, 20 November 1824 (Madison Papers)
The object of this communication is to ask a favour; one of no great magnitude indeed, but such as you know well, none know better, how to grant and to graduate. It is known to you that I have been in the service of the Government now more than sixteen years in a branch of the Treasury Department, where your influence acting upon the private interest of its superior placed me; and where your...
52528To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-René Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 12 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a bien longtems que je n’ai rendu mes devoirs à votre excellence. Ce n’est de ma part ni defaut de zêle, ni de reconnaissance de toutes vos bontés, mais j’ai été attaqué d’une maladie longue et cruelle. Je desirerais avoir le dessein des medailles frapées par ordre du congrès et ceux des mausolées érigés par vos soins, vous me rendriez service de me...
52529To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 26 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
The Gentlemen from the Eastward have at length made their appearance & I expect in a day or two a Congress will be once more form’d. This commencement however has discovered so great a relaxation in the Confœderal springs that I doubt the machine will not be long kept in motion, unless great & effectual repairs are made. For my part I have no hopes but in a convocation of the States. In this...
52530To John Adams from William MacCreery, 10 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honour to write to you from Nantez the 29th ultimo and at the Same time forwarded Two News papers for you; I mentiond the Scarcity of Frigates in England but that they were fitting out Sixteen Gun Sloops, most of which I have Since Heard are Sheathing with Copper, so that you may Expect them on the coast of America this winter. They have lately fitted out Sloops which mount...
52531To James Madison from John Graham, 23 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recieved the Night before the last a Packet from you in which I found your Letter of the 19th. Inst. As the Gentlemen in Mr. Gallatin’s Office did not feel themselves competent to issue the orders necessary & proper in the Case of Genl. Turreau’s vessels, I yesterday transmitted to Mr Gallatin, an Extract from your Letter to me on that Subject; and today I have written a Note to Genl....
52532Henry Remsen, Jr. to Tobias Lear, 24 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 Dec. 1790 .Enclosing a duplicate commission for Edward Church, made out by order of the Secretary of State because Mr. Church left England about the time the original was dispatched from New York and did not receive it. The “Year of Independence” not added to the duplicate because not in the original. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); dated “Friday noon” and endorsed as received 24...
52533To Benjamin Franklin from John Conner, 16 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being on board of the Virginia Packett bound to Bordeaux in France I had the misfortune to be taken by the Fortune Sloop of War belonging to the English and when I got to England I had my Liberty given me because I was taken on board of an American Merchantman, but being totally at a Loss how to subsist having no money in my Pockett was under the necessity...
52534To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 17 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, December 17, 1794. “I shall be glad of your opinion whether I shall direct the purchase of canvas (other than which is to be home made) at such prices as considering certainty, may be as advantageous as contracts resting on future importation.” LC , RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval,...
52535[Diary entry: 3 February 1771] (Washington Papers)
3. Val. Crawford came this Afternoon & Price Posey went away in the Morng. Young Posey was going to Annapolis and apparently carried a letter from GW to Jonathan Boucher , in which GW asked the tutor on behalf of Mrs. Washington to buy two ounces of ether for Patsy Custis, “if such a thing is to be had in Annapolis,” and to send it by Price Posey on his return to Virginia (3 Feb. 1771, CSmH )....
52536To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Learmonth, 23 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 23 May 1785 . Since he is not acquainted with TJ, though had once long ago in Norfolk, Va. been in his company, introduces himself as a gentleman from Charleston, S.C.; appeals to TJ, because “from the amiable Character You bear in life, by that You are well knowing to be a Gentleman, of Noble principalls, and whoes goodness of heart leads You to Simpithise, I feell, for a misfortunate...
52537From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [12–16 November 1772]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 199. Je suis persuadé, comme vous, que le charbon de terre est d’origine végétale, et qu’il a été formé vers la surface de la terre; mais comme de précédentes convulsions l’avoient enterré fort avant en plusieurs endroits, et recouvert de plusieurs couches fort épaisses, nous avons...
52538Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Roads to Poplar Forest, 25 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
1817. Nov. 25 from the house to the bridge at the meadow 1100 yds along the branch to 1 st x g place 137 along d o to 2 d d o 173 Strait line to ∠
52539From George Washington to Esther De Berdt Reed, 10 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to thank you for your favor of the 31st Ulto. It was not my intention to divert the benevolent donation of the Ladies from the channel they wished it to flow in. I gave my opinion in consequence of thier request, but I shall be equally ready to subscribe to theirs—and will execute thier commands in the manner most agreable to themselves. At the sametime, I have my...
52540To Thomas Jefferson from Gabriel Christie, 30 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed came to hand this day, the Liqueurs alluded to have been in the Custom since august last. but as no letter came with them I was not able to assertain to whom they belonged. or should have forwarded them long ago; by the first Vessell going to Washington or Alexandria. they shall be sent and the Bill of Loading enclosed I have the Honor to be respectfully Your Obdt Sert MHi :...
52541To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I here transmit in course the last numbers of the Leyden Gazette. Altho’ many months have passed since the preliminaries of peace were signed between F. E we are yet waiting for the final arrangment of this important buisness; which leaves us in a State of suspense painfull to the mind & extremely prejudicial to the general Interests of Commerce. Some persons are of opinion that we are not yet...
52542From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Carrington Cabell, 4 July 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
About a month before the reciept of your favor of June 24. I had been requested to draw the plan of a jail for the county of Cumberland adapted to the requisitions of the late law. I send you a copy of it, with estimates of the cost. some articles of it are left blank, because I had no ready means of coming at their value; but this may be as well obtained with you as here. there is only one...
52543To Thomas Jefferson from Anthony Thornton, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hanover Town, 16 Jan. 1781. Has received orders from Gen. Nelson to “March back to Caroline” and keep troops embodied for further orders; thinks they will be sent to Potomac; is sending Capt. Coleman with a request for 250 stand of arms, without which the troops can be of no service. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed and endorsed.
52544Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 29 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 25 th came to hand last night & I am quite satisfied to pay the 2. months interest delayed by my forgetting I had the certificates. you will therefore be pleased to consider the interest as beginning Apr. 1. 1809. and make your draught on Gibson & Jefferson for the year ending Apr. 1. 1810. of which I will give them advice ever Your’s affectionately PoC ( DLC : TJ Papers ,...
52545To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 13th Instant by Messenger Freeman. Inclosed Your Excellency will be pleased to receive an Act of Congress of yesterdays’ date for removing from Massachusetts Bay to Charlotte[s]ville in Virginia the Troops of the Convention of Saratoga unless Sir Henry Clinton shall have complied with one of the requisitions of Congress in their Act of the 11th...
52546To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Hodgdon, 26 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
With this letter you will receive the requested Return—I shall shortly send you an accurate statement of the Clothing as exhibited a day or two ago to the Secretary of War—We are about making a number of Bell Tents for the Army—I have thoughts of making them bigger than those used by the British Army—If you have any favorite form and dimensions will thank you to send them to me, as I wish the...
52547From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 16 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Smith for the volume sent him. he incloses the account of a lifeboat which he thinks may be interesting to the seaports of the US. should mr Smith think proper to publish it at any time, and should he believe it would attract more attention to publish the first paragraph of the letter from mr Tatham to Th:J. (which alone relates to the subject) he is free...
52548To Thomas Jefferson from Philippe Reibelt, 24 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Certainement bien eloignè de l’ Idee meme, de faire passer la revüe aux Livres, que Vous m’avez renvoye avec tant de Graçe —Les premiers, qui malgré moi me sautoient aux yeux, lorsque mon Domestique avoit ouvert la Caisse au Magazin, et que le Commis, que j’en Chargois, vouloit sortir et replacer les Ouvrages, etoient deux Exemplaires de l’ Atlas appartenant au Tableau de l’Espagne —dont un...
52549Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 28 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your Favour of the 20 th: Inst, and are persuaded that the Communication of the Friendly Disposition of his Prussian Majesty made to you by the Baron de Thuilemeyer will give great Pleasure to Congress. The Respect with which the Reputation of that great Prince has impress’d the United States, early induced them to consider his Friendship as a desirable Object;...
52550To George Washington from Thomas Wharton, Jr., 3 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council of Safety understanding that our Army is in want of Liquor have sent forward twenty Hogsheads of Rum as a present Supply. It is to be forwarded to Bristol and delivered to the Commanding Officer at Burlington, if there be any at that place—Your Excellency will take the proper measures to have it brought to your Camp. It goes by Captain Watkins of our Armed Boats who is directed to...
52551To George Washington from Alexander Donald, 20 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiveing your letter of the 2d Current—By which, I saw that the former remittance which I made you, at Docr Stewart’s desire, had got safe to hand, I now beg leave to trouble you with a further remittance of 306 65/90 th of a dollar, at the request of same Gentleman, which I hope will also reach you. I am with undissembled respect—Sir your mo: obt Sert ALS , DLC:GW . See...
52552From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 13 June 1823 (Adams Papers)
Your last Letter my Dear John was indeed filled with grievous news and I sincerely pity the afflicted family who are left in a situation so melancholy—The shock must no doubt have been severe to your Grandfather although it was expected; but the strongest minds insensibly repel the idea of death until the inevitable doom is sealed, and we cannot fly from conviction by its sad and solemn...
52553To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 16 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A Vessel from New Orleans—putting in here in distress having some Shrubs & curiosities on board for you, on application of the Capt. I have taken them & now forward them by Capt Willis’s Packet, they are, images dug up very high on the Missisipi & I hope will tend to some discoveries of the original settlement of this Country. the charges on them I have paid as below. it gives me pleasure to...
52554Étienne d’Audibert Caille to the Commissioners, 14 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Cadiz, 14 April 1778. RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers). This letter, addressed to Franklin, Deane, and Lee, was docketed by JA : “Memoire Mr. Daudibert Caille. to be sent to the Emperor of Morocco.” D’Audibert Caille proposed that he be authorized to conclude an agreement with the Emperor of Morocco “aux mêmes conditions que plusieurs autres Puissances l’ont faitte avec ce Souverain” to protect...
52555From Thomas Jefferson to William Jarvis, 6 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letters of the 19th. & 20th. of July 1804. I have recieved your favors of Oct. 6. Nov. 14. 25. Dec. 3. 1804. & May 15. 1805. as also some articles of fruits Etc. for which I pray you to accept my acknolegements. the pipe of Arruda wine came also safely to hand, and is indeed of very superior quality. I should be glad to recieve always of exactly the same quality, adhering to the rule...
52556Orderly Book, 31 October 1758 (Washington Papers)
Loyal Hannon Tuesday Octr 31 1758 G. O. Parole Dorset Field Officer for to morrow Lt C. Hamilton. Adjutant for to morrow 1st B. Pensilvanians. The R. Americans is to have a Guard of 1 Lt 1 Serjt & 25 Rank & file for the Genl when the Genl enters the Camp, the Soldiers are to turn out of their Tents without Arms the Officers of each Corps in the Center. The Officers to mount Guard in their...
52557To Thomas Jefferson from John Wilkes Kittera, 16 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having left the City before the receipt of Mr. Chambers’ letter to me, containing the inclosed papers, I beg leave to transmit them to you. Mr. Chambers, like all other Projectors, appears quite captivated with his discovery. Whether any thing, or what ought to be done with his letter to the President of the National Convention of France, I submit to you as better able to judge. I am, Sir,...
52558To James Madison from John Mitchell, 25 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 June 1803, Le Havre . Since he closed his letter of this date, the ship George has landed and reports having been boarded by British frigates in the Channel and having been “treated perfectly Polite by all the Captains.” The captain of the brig Peggy complains of the treatment he received from the captain of the British frigate Ranger , “who took three men from Him all of whom appear on the...
52559To Benjamin Franklin from Brissot de Warville, 7 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have had the pleasure of seeing at my friend Mr. Marat’s experiments, a man Whom I admir’d a long While ago. I Would not speak to you, not to be indiscreet, about my Litterarys enterprises & the prospectus of my philosophical Biblioteck on the penal Laws, Which I sent to you a fortnight ago, With a Letter unanswer’d, for what I was much disappointed. The...
52560To George Washington from United States Congress, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The United states in Congress assembled receive with emotions too affecting for utterance this solemn resignation of the authorities, under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and a doubtful war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights you accepted the sacred charge before it had found alliances and whilst it was without funds or a government to...
52561Charles Adams to John Adams, 8 January 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your letter inclosing the Pamphlet, came very safe to hand. I thank you, for your kindness. The Mails between this City and Philadelphia are very safe and secure. I have never heard of any accident happening to anything sent by this conveyance. Many of the communications published in this pamphlet have already appeared in our papers You know Sir that it is an idea cherished by many that a...
52562From Thomas Jefferson to Cambray, 15 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that money is now deposited in the hands of Messieurs Grand & co. for paying the arrears of interest to the beginning of the present year to the foreign officers who served in the American army. Neither Congress nor their servants have ceased one moment to feel the justice due to those gentlemen, but this is the first moment that their efforts to command such...
52563[Diary entry: 28 January 1768] (Washington Papers)
28. Wind at No. West & very cold.
52564The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft) and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We congratulate you on your success and safe return. Until we hear about an exchange of prisoners we advise you to keep yours securely confined. If we can get an equal number of American seamen to man the Drake she will add to your strength, whereas sending...
52565Thomas Appleton to Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The unexpected departure of the Brig. Free Ocean Capt: Bartholomew , this day for Phil a together with many avocations for the Squadron of Com o Stewart now here, allows me only the time to say, that I have shipp’d on board the above mention’d vessel, two Cases cont’g 84 bottles of montepulciano wine, which exactly balances, what you term the “ atom ,” after paying mad me mazzei .— It is...
52566To James Madison from Robert Brent, 17 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mrs. Barry now of New York, a Lady of the most amiable Character, has met with severe afflections since she left this City, in the Death of her Husband and her Daughter. Her only remaining one is pronounced to be in a decline. Her Husband, before his Death, had been recommended to take a Voyage to Madeira, for the benefit of his own and his Daughters Health, and had actually made a contract, I...
52567From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I INCLOSE you by express, three acts of the last session of Assembly for ascertaining the number of militia in the state; exempting artificers employed at iron works from militia duty, and remedying the inconveniencies arising from the interruption of the draught and the procuring clothes, provisions, and waggons for the army. WE expect to send a vessel shortly with a flag, from this place to...
52568From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 11 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d. is safely recieved, and the 350. D. therein inclosed. you say all my shipwrecked articles are recieved except 1. box & 3. casks. can you give me the Nos. of those recieved? because I shall then know the contents of those missing, and be able to supply them exactly. I would ask it by the 1st. post because it is high time I was sending off my supplies. you will recieve in about...
52569To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 11 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The very great pleasure which I should enjoy, in paying my respects, in person, to Mr. Jefferson, as President of the United States, it is not probable that I shall have very soon, unless you shall give us the honor of a visit to the northward. My son John Langdon Sullivan , who is in the mercantile line, is making a tour to the seat of government; I have requested some of my friends there, to...
52570From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your several favors of the 7th of March, and 12th & 19th of April. Believe me, Sir, the first was not productive of more surprize than real concern. The acct of your failure was as much regretted, as it was unexpected by me; and I feel for the causes of it—and for your present situation. You are sensible that my Commissions have been more troublesome than profitable...