52801From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Having been appointed by two different, and very numerous meetings of the inhabitants of this city, among other purposes, for that of forwarding the election of John Lawrence, Esq. as the representative of this district in Congress, we think it our duty to state to such of you as may not have been present at those meetings, what we understand to have been the motives to his nomination, and the...
52802Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
As it is probable that doubts may arise, in regard to the construction of the fifth section of the Act, entitled, “An Act for raising a farther sum of money for the protection of the frontiers, &c.” that is, whether the additional Ten per centum, mentioned in the said section, relates only to the former rates of duties, laid by the Act “making farther provision for the payment of the debt of...
52803Memorandum Books, 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Inclosed to Nichs. G. Dufief 50.D. to pay the 31.D. ante June 8. which Mr. Gibson did not remit and to pay for books lately ordered. 6. Deliverd. E. Bacon 65.D. to pay Isaac Hardin for 65. bush. of rye. Borrowed of E. Bacon 145.D. 11. Paid Rowland Goodman 55.D. on account. 14. Assumed to pay in Apr. or May to O. Callis’s estate 144.90 D. due to them from Mrs. Marks: also the taxes on...
52804[Diary entry: 23 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
23. Went to Poseys Sale. Returnd at Night with Colo. Mason Mr. Ross, Mr. Sebastian Mr. Harrison Mr. Magowan & Colo. Masons Son George. According to the court’s order for the sale, GW was to be the first creditor paid out of the proceeds, with the residue going to the merchants who had brought suit to force the sale. However, GW was not to receive everything that Posey owed him, because the...
52805From Alexander Hamilton to Adam Hoops, 8 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be so good as to inform me precisely upon what terms you engaged Dr Davis to attend upon the Sick at Fort Jay th at I may be enabled to judge of the compensation he ought to receive— ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
52806George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 19, 1778 . Discusses crimes and court-martial of Jetson, a Loyalist. Denies request to send flour to supporters of Revolution in Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
52807From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 6 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I pray that the subject of this Letter may be entirely confidential between you and myself. the office of Collector for Norfolk will very shortly be vacant. if you would accept of it, your long & faithful services to the public would place you beyond all competitors, & justify me in duty as well as feeling in appointing you. altho the emoluments would be no object to you, and the duties what...
52808From John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two Letters of 5 and 22. April—with much pleasure; and it would have been with more, had not the hopes which I had formed from your success at the last term, been somewhat damped by certain accounts which have reached me, of a less favourable character—It has given me great pain to learn that you have in the course of the present term exposed yourself to the censure of the...
52809From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 28 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 20th. informing me that the carriage made for me is now ready to be delivered. I recieved at the same time from mr Barnes of Georgetown information that he was going on in a few days to Philadelphia. I have therefore this day written to him and committed to him the charge of recieving & forwarding it on to Washington, & of paying for it, he being my...
52810[April 20. Monday 1778.] (Adams Papers)
April 20. Monday 1778. My Son had been with me since Saturday. This was delicious repast for me: but I was somewhat mortified to find that this Child among the Pupills at School the Pension and my American Servant among the Domesticks of the Hotel, learned more french in a day than I could learn in a Week with all my Books. Dined with the Dutchess D’Anville, at the Hotel de Rochefaucault, with...
52811From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 30 July 1793 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 22d inst. I have since red. yours covering the paper now returned, that covering the report of the Commsrs of Accts between the U. S. & the particular States, and that of the 21st. inst. The intermediate one of the 14th. was left by mistake in a secure place by the person who was to bring it up from Fredg., and is not yet arrived. The delay has been inconvenient as it...
52812To Thomas Jefferson from Simon Nathan, 4 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had the Honor of your personal acquaintance during our Revolution in 1777. 1778. & 1779. at the time you presided as chief Magistrate for the State of Virginia, you no doubt Sir, will recollect that I was not inactive in rendering the assistance to Government at that time in my power, which the minutes of the then presiding Council will shew.—that I gave also my Services with money, and...
52813From John Adams to Francis Dana, 5 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Decr. 31st/Jany. 11th 1781.2 I recieved Yesterday, and in an hour or two after the Letters inclosed were sent in to me. As I have not recieved any of my Letters by the Viscount de Noailles or the Marquiss, I was very anxious to know the News and took Advantage of your Permission to open the Letters. That from Mrs. gave me vast pleasure—it put me in Spirits for the whole day. The...
52814To George Washington from Duportail, 16 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the kind letter you have honored me with by Count de laval —I wish I Could Carry you the answer my self and accompany the marquis, but I am detained here—however I do not renounce to the pleasure of seeing your Exellency again and my american friends, even if we are not happy enough to receive you here—in two or three years I intend to pay a visit to america. I am Really sorry...
52815To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Beale Ewell, 9 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Were I not sensible that great men, like the authors of their existence, derive pleasure from befriending, relieving & raising the young to respectability and to usefulness,—it would have been with the strongist aversion, that I should ever have troubled you. But having obtruded myself upon your notice, and now feeling conscious, that I owe more to you, than I owe to any other man in...
52816To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1802, Amsterdam. States that he has decided to send his wife “to the Country for her health the ensuing season”; therefore, he will not return with her to the U.S. as suggested in his recent letters. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
52817To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). In Randolph’s hand but lacks signature, cover, and docket. The words in italics are those encoded by Randolph in the official cipher. Your favor of the 5th instant remained impenetrable in a great measure, from our misapprehension of the new cypher. I wish that the stimulus, administered in the close of it, had also been among the inscrutable arcana, until I had...
52818From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Brown, 10 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much indebted to you for your aid in procuring evidence on the subject of the murder of Logan’s family. your brother has explained to you what was thought best as to Genl. Clarke’s deposition . I received Sappington’s declaration yesterday. I had already published & sent out the pamphlet which I inclose you. but I am now endeavoring to get this declaration printed to annex it to the...
52819Alexander Garrett to Thomas Jefferson, 3 October 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you herewith a list of drafts furnished me this evening by Mr. Brockenbrough which he states will be wanting before you return from Bedford . by his note he wishes a check for $3000. to meet those drafts and to pay for a waggon purchased for the University , I have therefore drawn a check for the $3000. which for your approval if you deem it proper. otherwise the check can be returned,...
52820To John Adams from Uriah Forrest, 28 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I feel how improper it is in so inconsiderable an individual as I am, to be intruding on your Time; much less, obtruding opinions and advice. I shall however, hazard your censure, and be guilty of the impropriety which stares me in the Face. I feel how much the happiness of this Country depends on the confidence the people have in the Government; and I feel that Yourself must be the Rallying...
52821From Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Pomeroy, 1 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I yesterday had the Pleasure of receiving the enclosed from Dr. Robertson, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, in answer to mine relating to Mr. Cooper, of which I send you a Copy. I feel myself happy in having been any way instrumental in procuring an Honour so justly due to that Gentleman’s uncommon Merit. As soon as I receive the Diploma, I shall...
52822General Orders, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
John Williams alias Andrew Forster soldier in the 6th Massachusetts’ regiment tried the 19th instant by the general court martial whereof Major Graham is President for "Desertion" was found Guilty and sentenced to suffer Death more than two thirds of the court agreeing. The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders him to be executed on Tuesday next. Mr William Hutton Provost Marshal...
52823To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 June 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you before possibly you may receive Two Letters by one Ship—for here is Two Just going together and I cannot say whitch had my First. This serves to thank you for your favour of March 20th with the sundry Curious Articles besides. Greewood has been with Mee. I have recommended him to your Proprietor who Desires much to see Him, and does not...
52824To Thomas Jefferson from Citizens of Boston, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston in legal Town Meeting assembled, beg leave respectfully to represent— That uniformly influenced by a sense of patriotism, and a respect for the constituted authorities of their Country, they have sustained, without opposition, or complaint, the embarrasments and losses arising from the existing Embargo on the vessels and export trade of the United States:...
52825From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Walker Gilmer, 23 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very anxious to see you, and the sooner the more I shall be gratified. the dissensions at the University, depend, for a thorough healing on a delicate conduct of it’s friends at this time. a party schism among the Professors is the thing to be feared. my health is subject but to small changes. paroxysms of pain succeeded by intervals of ease, more or less short. I am far from foreseeing...
52826To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Board of War, 19–21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In the course of this week we have been very fortunate in detecting the stratagems of a number of secret enemies, and of intercepting a letter intended to convey intelligence to the enemy of the present state of our affairs. We have apprehended a Woman, who, we are informed has been three times to Brunswick, and has brought several letters from that place to people in this City. We have great...
52827From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Baptiste Say, 1 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your obliging letter , and, with it, of two very interesting volumes on Political economy. these found me engaged in giving the [leisure moments I rarely find] to the perusal of Malthus’s work on population, a work of [sound] logic, in which some of the opinions of Adam Smith, as well as of the [economists], are ably examined. I was pleased, on turning to...
52828To James Madison from Daniel D. Tompkins, 6 October 1814 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 28th. of September was received by me last evening. I have reflected, in the short interval, upon the course which duty to my family and to my Country required me to pursue in relation to your obliging offer; and have concluded to decline the acceptance of the department of state. A variety of public and private considerations have produced this determination. These...
52829Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
German lieutenant general Wilhelm von Knyphausen temporarily commanded at New York while British general Henry Clinton directed the siege of Charleston, South Carolina. Believing that GW’s main army was weak, Knyphausen decided to launch an attack into New Jersey. In a letter written to George Germain nearly a month after his expedition, the German general explained his thinking: “Having...
52830From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There being no other existing provision for the purpose—You will in future furnish Hospital Stores to the troops within this State. None of the component parts of the ration come, however, within this description. These will continue to be furnished by the Contractor. With great consideration I am Sir Yr. ob. Servt. ( LS , New-York Historical Society, New York City; Df , in the handwriting of...
52831From Thomas Jefferson to Ebenezer Burling, 11 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I should with great delight deliver myself up to the investigation of the subject proposed in your letter of Dec. 28. had I a right to my own time. but that belongs to the public and is fully engaged in objects far less agreeable to me than those I am obliged to abandon. you seem however so well acquainted with the object on which you are engaged that I dare say you will attain it without...
52832James Pleasants to Thomas Jefferson, 21 April 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose to you a statement of the balance of p r incipal & interest due on Ronald ’s debt to you, with m r Peyton ’s letter acknowledging the receipt of a check therefor which has been receivd & carried to your credit. Being busy at the moment, I got one of the young men in the clerk’s office to make the calculation of interest due on the two sums, and think it correct. You will be pleased...
52833From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 27 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Albert Gallatin. 27 June 1806, Department of State. “Be pleased to issue your warrant on the appropriation for the Contingent expences of the Territory of Michigan for five hundred & twenty five dollars, in favor of Christopher S. Thom as assignee of William Hull Esqr. Governor of the said Territory; the said Wm. Hull to be held accountable for the same.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL...
52834To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of July 29. Since that I have received yours of May 27. June 13. & 30. The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last. Dissensions between the French & Swiss guards occasioned some private combats in which five or six were killed. These dissensions are made up. The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city. Some get a...
52835From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 May 1817 (Adams Papers)
I will write to you again, and untill I learn from you, that you have taken your passage home.—I have now to acknowledge a succession of Letters from you, arriveing nearly all together No 106. No 107 No 108 No 109 No 10010 and No 111 March the 16th which is the late date— I hope you did not think, when I wrote to you pressing your return to America, that my object was the office to which you...
52836From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Beale Ewell, 15 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. is recieved. in the paper which your partiality for me proposes to prefix to your work I have ventured to make an alteration in the first paragraph because it contained an unnecessary & perhaps injurious reflection on foreign characters. Certainly it must be to every man the greatest of gratifications to enjoy the good opinion of his fellow citizens, & especially of the...
52837To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 9 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Son Exce. M. l’Ambr. de fce. [France], qui étoit allé accompagner Made. la Duchesse Son Epouse retournant en fce., est revenu. Il doit être parti pour Amsterdam. Je le saurai demain, Avant Son voyage, je lui avois fait ouverture de l’affaire de Saba , & des papiers que vous m’avez envoyés à ce sujet. Il est disposé à interposer ses bons offices dans cette...
52838To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 5 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
An Estimate of the cost of the Rotunda as far as the contracts that have been made towards the completion of it go. Am t Paid for Materials for the brick work $6905.47 “p ⅌ Thorn & Chamberlain for the work— 2856.25 9,761.72 “ To complete the brick work of the Lbrary & Terras Say 1,000.00 Am t Contract with G. Raggi for 10 Bases & 2 Pilaster bases } 715.00 Cost of Capetels in Italy Say 7000.00
52839From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of Maryland, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it proper to inform you that I have directed the collector of Baltimore to divide his deposits, hereafter, between the Bank of Maryland and the Office of Discount and Deposit of the United States Bank, until the 1st of October, ensuing; and thenceforth to deposit the public moneys wholly with the said office or branch bank. I am, gentlemen, &c. ASP American State Papers, Documents,...
52840From John Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 16 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with great pleasure your brilliant oration. It is as sensible as it is eloquent. It is one of the most precious morsels that our country has produced upon such occasions. I hope it will be the means of bringing you forward out of that domestic repose in which you seem to place too much of your delight. I cannot blame you, however. I love you the better for the motto on...
52841From George Washington to Edmund Pendleton, 23 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
With very sincere pleasure I received your private letter of the 11th instant. This pleasure was not a little enhanced by your reiterated assurance of my still holding that place in your estimation which, on more occasions than one, you have given me the most flattering testimony—highly gratifying to my mind. This assurance came opportunely, as I had begun to conceive (though unable to assign...
52842From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have duly received but not duly answered your favor of April 3 d . It is a misfortune that a man can never be spoken to by a projectors without being misunderstood or misrepresented I told M r. Forbisher that if he expected any thing from the general government, he must apply to it by petition. But I never told him, that I had the least suspicion that the general government would ever do...
52843From John Adams to James Grubb, 7 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the 23 of May, relative to the seizure of the Brigantine Nancy, Cap t. John Limeburner, by the Pilot Cutter Commanded by Leiu t. Seymor Lynn. You desire me, Sir, to demand from the Court of Great Britain, that the Ship and Cargo be given up, with Damages for the detention, but this is not in my power. The Laws of every Country...
52844To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour to forward, will inform you of the ample Provision the Congress have made for the Support of both Officer and Soldier who shall enter into the Service during the War. The Pay of the former is considerably increased, and the latter is to receive annually a compleat Suit of Cloaths, or in Lieu thereof, the Sum of twenty Dollars, should he...
52845To George Washington from Henry Bicker, Jr., 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Henry Bicker Jun. of the City of New york Most Humbly Sheweth That in the Year 1775 your Petitioner being well acquainted with the Use of Arms was called upon to teach the Militia of the City of Philadelphia—And for this Purpose left his Business in this City and went to Philadelphia where he instructed the Citizens in the Manual and other Exercises without Fee or Reward—that...
52846To James Madison from Hodijah Baylies, 31 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 August 1804, Collector’s Office, District of Dighton. “Enclosed is the deposition of Preserved Read, master of the Sloop Polly of Somerset in this District, which arrived here on the 25th. inst. from Turks Islands. “On his outward bound passage from this port for Turks Islands, he was plundered by a French Privateer. He could obtain no information of the name of the privateer or of the...
52847Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Prescott v. Keep, in which Keep, Adams’ client, was the original plaintiff, began with a complicated argument on a pleading point. The defendants sought to bar the action on the ground that the plaintiff had failed to join (bring in) his cotenants as coplaintiffs. The issues which seem to have been argued were whether defendants should have raised the point at the outset (that is, by plea in...
52848From James Madison to Thomas Lloyd, 1 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 January 1813. “J. Madison will see Mr. Lloyd as he requests tomorrow morning at 10. OC.” RC ( PPACHi : Thomas Lloyd Papers). 1 p. Dated “Jany. 1.”; year assigned on the basis of evidence presented in n. 1. Thomas Lloyd (1756–1827), a Federalist sympathizer and skilled stenographer, had edited the Pennsylvania ratification debates on the Constitution published in 1788 and had reported the...
52849From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter to Ellen will explain why I must be brief. a negociation between France & England is I believe certainly begun under the mediation of Austria. the Moniteur (a government paper) says France will not require from England to renounce her maritime principles. nothing need be said about them in the treaty, and each will retain their own. this stumbling block being removed, I suspect they...
52850To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 26 November 1791 (Adams Papers)
Supposing that the first Consular convention agreed on with France, and not ratified by Congress, may explain as well as account for some articles in that which was last agreed on & ratified. I take the liberty of inclosing, for the members of the Senate, copies of the two conventions as they were printed side by side, to shew where they differed. These differences are not as great as were to...