52551General Orders, 3 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a division Court-Martial held at Ramapough Septr 24th 1779—Mr Thornton Taylor Conductor of Military Stores to General Woodford’s brigade was tried—1st “For striking a soldier, and 2ndly For asserting and swearing to a Falsehood.” The Court having considered the charges the evidence and defence are of opinion that Mr Taylor is guilty of the 1st charge, being a breach of the 5th Article of...
52552To George Washington from Ethan Allen, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The fifth Campaign drawing near Towards Opening, and Lake Champlain (from the last Intelligence) being broke up, and the Enemy’s Ships of Force and Scouting-parties Every day expected down the Lake; which may Annoy and Massacree the Frontier Inhabitants, has given rise to great uneasiness, as this Frontier is but weakly guarded and widely extended, which has Induced the Governor of this Infant...
52553From John Adams to John Neilson, 31 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Least there should be any misunderstanding relative to the Rime of my being at New Brunswick, I think it necessary to inform you that it is my Intention to be in your City before two oclock on Wednesday next Week, that is on the Eighth of November, and on that Day I should be happy to accept of the inhabitants polite and obliging Invitation of the Inhabitants of your City, The Weather, at this...
52554Enclosure II: George Clinton to Edmond Genet, 30 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the Request contained in your Letter of equal Date, I have issued my Requisition to the Judges & other Officers of this State to give all due Aid and Assistance (pursuant to the 9th Article of the Consular Convention between our two Nations) for the Search Seizure and Arrest of the Deserters (mentioned in your Letter) from the Ship Jupiter belonging to your Republic —It may...
52555To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress at this Time, except the enclosed Resolve, founded upon Complaints which, if not immediately enquired into and redressed, must be productive of the most fatal Consequences to the Army. Nothing can so effectually lay the Foundation of Discontent, and of Course encourage a Spirit of Mutiny and Desertion among the Soldiers, as withholding their Pay...
52556To James Madison from John Taylor, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am told that very high credentials are in the Secretary of State’s office in favour of my old school mate Edmund J Lee, you must know more of him than I do. But a long intimacy & Friendship which I have been happy enough to enjoy with this modest & as I think unassuming Gentleman, induces me to feel an interest in his welfare & prosperity, & if his known diligence & capacity for Business...
52557Samuel Nightingale Jr. to Virginia Delegates, 18 [September] 1780 (Madison Papers)
I Hope you will excuse the Liberty I have taken in Directing this Letter to you; as I could not tell who were the Persons that had the Care of goods Shipt from France to the State of Virginia. I have sent the Letter unseal’d that you may Know its Contents—and Desire you will Seal, And direct it to the Proper Persons and forward it as soon as Possable which will much oblidge Your most Humbl...
52558[Monday June 10. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday June 10. 1776. Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported a Resolution. The Resolution agreed to in the Committee of the whole Congress being read, Resolved that the Consideration of the first resolution be postponed to the first day of July next; and in the mean while, that no time be lost in Case the Congress agree thereto, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a declaration to...
52559Peter S. Du Ponceau to Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the Letter you have done me the honor to write to me , dated the 28 th ult o which shall be treated as it is meant, as Strictly private & confidential. I am well acquainted with M r Sanderson . Some Years ago a M r Carré , a planter from S t Domingo
52560To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 23 August 1805, “County of Acadia Sixty Miles from New Orleans.” “In the course of my Journey I have found the Citizens much desturbed by a report of the retrocession to Spain of the Country west of the Mississippi. I have possitively asserted, that the Report was groundless; but it had acquired such general currency, that many good disposed Citizens cannot be...
52561From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste, chevalier de Ternant, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of the 30th of May, and sincerely felicitate you, on the prospect, of your being speedily exchanged. Your desire of entering into activity of service immediately upon your release from captivity, is truly laudable, & like your former conduct merits approbation. From the opinion I entertain of your abilities & zeal for the cause of America, I am persuaded...
52562To George Washington from Samuel Washington, 27 May 1755 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Samuel Washington, 27 May 1755. On 14 June GW wrote to his brother Samuel : “I receivd Your’s of the 27th of May.”
52563From Thomas Jefferson to Littleton Dennis Teackle, 22 June 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
No one is more sensible than myself of the importance to every country, of the science of political economy, of the defect of it in our own country, or of the danger of undertaking to direct it’s industry without a clear sighted view of all it’s bearings, and of it’s complicated entanglements foreign and domestic. in this science, as in Medecine, it is best to leave nature to her own agency...
52564Thomas Jefferson to Isaac McPherson, 18 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the communication of mr Jonathan Ellicot’s letter in your’s of Aug. 28. and the information it conveys. with respect to mine of Aug. 13. I do not know that it contains any thing but what any man of Mathematical reading may learn from the same sources. however if it can be used for the promotion of right, I consent to such an use of it. your enquiry as to the date of Martin’s...
52565To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [12 July 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
E. Randolph with best respect to Col. Hamilton, incloses to him an account of Mr. Knox, our late Consul at Dublin, which E. R. thinks reasonable, and proper to be paid out of the contingent fund in the President’s hands. Col. Hamilton’s opinion is reques[t]ed, whether it be a proper charge against the United States, and if it be so, how it is to be paid. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the...
52566To Thomas Jefferson from Neil Jamieson, 14 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am hopefull this will find you safe in France after a pleasant Passage. We got to this place Tuesday the 6th. Bob sett of the Saturday following with your 3 Horses. He was in good spirits, behaved exseding well, and I am persuaded there is not any danger in his doing as he was orderd. I supplyed him with money in the Manner you was pleased to direct. I wrote Mr. Eppes by him letting him know...
52567To John Adams from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 23 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
With much pleasure I have this day received your communication of the 15th Instance, and I shall always be happy in Receiving Any Communication from, so Eminant a Statesman of the Revolution who in common with thousands of Others, both in the Cabinet and in the field, have put danger at defiance, and as it were, with Halters about their necks, did boldly contend for, and thro the Aid of divine...
52568From Abigail Smith Adams to Lucy Cranch Greenleaf, September 1811 (Adams Papers)
in replie to your inquiries I answer mrs Adams had a very bad night. at 2 oclock Nancy came to my Room to request that I would send for the doctor. he got here before day light and bled her, since which she has had some rest, altho much opprest & at times almost exhausted. discharges continue black, but the Soarness abated, and the dr says the pulse better—Mrs Smith by the use of the Mayweed...
52569To George Washington from Captain Thomas Young Seymour, 8 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Capt. Thomas Young Seymour, c.8 Sept. 1778. Seymour wrote GW on 9 Sept. : “The two Ships mentioned in my last, to have come to anchor, close under Long-Island shore, passed City Island early this morning, and stood for New york.”
52570[Diary entry: 16 August 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Mer. at 71 in the Morning—No wind & clear—82 at highest and 78 at N. Young Mr. McCarty dined here. young mr. mccarty : probably Daniel McCarty (d. 1811), son of Daniel McCarty (1759–1801) of Cedar Grove ( SPROUSE [4] Edith Moore Sprouse. Mount Air, Fairfax County, Virginia . [Fairfax, Va.], 1970. , 15–20).
52571To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inclose for his information the following letters written in consequence of the two last consultations preceding his departure. there being quadruplicates of most of them, the trouble of looking over them will be proportionably diminished to the President. Nov. 8. four letters to the foreign ministers on the extent of our...
52572To 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...
52573[Diary entry: 13 June 1795] (Washington Papers)
13. Do. do. Cloudy & cool till aft[ernoon].
52574From 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,...
52575To 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...
52576To 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...
52577To 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,...
52578To 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...
52579To 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...
52580To 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...
52581To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 5 July 1793 (Adams Papers)
Mr Morse presents his most respectful compliments to the Vice President of the United States & begs him to accept of a Sett of his American Universal Geography as a small testimony of that high & sincere esteem & veneration he has for his character & of the grateful sense he entertains of his obligations to the V. President as among the principal instruments of the great national prosperity &...
52582To 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...
52583To 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....
52584Henry 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...
52585To 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...
52586To 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,...
52587[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 )....
52588To 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...
52589From 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...
52590Thomas 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 ∠
52591From 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...
52592To 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 :...
52593To 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...
52594From 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...
52595To 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.
52596Thomas 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 ,...
52597To 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...
52598To 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...
52599From 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...
52600To 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...