52801From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I write you herewith an official letter. Your private one of the 13th is before me. I regret that you have been unwell and rejoice that you are better. The affair of General Knox perplexes me. I wish him to serve. I am pained to occasion to him pain, for I have truly a warm side for him, and a high value for his merits. But my judgment tells me, and all I consult confirm it, that I cannot...
52802From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 31 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been employ’d almost all this Summer in the Service of our unfortunate Army, and other publick Affairs, that have brought me greatly in Arrear with my Correspondents. I have lost the Pleasure of conversing with them, and I have lost my Labour: I wish these were the only Losses of the Year: But we have lost a Number of brave Men, and all our Credit with the...
52803From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 24 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 17th. with deep concern at the purport of its contents—I will endeavour towards the close of the next, or the beginning of then succeeding month to visit you and our ever honoured Parent—In the mean time should any thing further occur to make it necessary for me still more to anticipate the period of my journey, I rely upon your attention and affection to...
52804General Orders, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having appointed Matthew Clarkson and Major John Clarke Esquires Auditors to settle and adjust the accounts of the Main Army they are to be respected accordingly; Any persons who have any accounts to be audited by them may find them at the house of Griffith Johns about three miles beyond the Pay-Master Generals quarters. Mr Ten Eyck Adjutant in Genl Huntington’s...
52805From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A doubt is entertained whether the act of Congress respecting claims to lands in Orleans & Louisiana, & authorizing the Commrs. ‘to decide according to the laws & established usages & customs of the French & Spanish governments; upon all claims to lands within their respective districts’ Etc. meant to give that power as to all claims , or to restrict it to those claims only which had been...
52806To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been informed that Doctor John Watkins had declined the appointment of Surgeon to the garrison of New Orleans, permit me to name to you Doctor Oliver H. Spencer as qualified in the opinion of those who know him to fill that Station. Doctor Spencer is a young man of promising talents: his skill, industry and attention in the practise of medecine and his amiable deportment in private life...
52807To George Washington from André Michaux, 20 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
You will find herewith, the Seeds, that I Spoke of, to Your Excelly Yesterday. I will accept of the Offer, that you made me, in Sending to your Care, the Collections that I Shall make in the Distant Countries for the use of the King of France. I Shall Esteem it a Happiness, If I Can Discover any thing, that can be of any use to Your Excellency. I am very Respectfully Sir Your Very Obedt & Very...
52808To George Washington from James Lyon, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the favorable reception of a former letter, & the obliging answer it procured, which I gratefully acknowledge, I feel unwilling a second time, to trouble your Excellency, or interrupt the interesting business, which continually engages your attention, tho’ only for a moment. But my zeal for the safety & honor of my Country, & an opinion, that every individual of this New &...
52809From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last was of July 29th. written a few days before my departure for Virginia, whence I returned as did the President ten or twelve days ago. Your letters received since that date are of May 20. June 3. & 25. July 11. 12 & 30th. In the reply to the communication made by the French Government on the subject of the war, you are charged by the President to express the deep regret felt by the...
52810To Thomas Jefferson from Elias Boudinot, 16 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recd. a Letter, without any signature , by a Mr Lesslie relative to a plan he proposed of striking Coin, by means of the double Cylinder—He assured me that he recieved this Letter from the President of the united States, and that the omission of the signature, was by mere accident; this led me to pay the strictest attention to its contents— On Mr Lesslie’s first explanation of his...
52811[Diary entry: 6 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
6. Much rain fell in the Night, without wind, thunder or lightning—making the ground wetter than it has been since March. Mer. 65 in the Morning—68 at highest and at Night 68. Cloudy & heavy with a light breeze from the No. Et. At Night began a drizling rain. Mr. B. W. & wife went after breakfast. Doctr. Craik who was sent for in the Night to Mrs. Washington came early this Morning. doctr....
52812Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 9 July 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand except for Arthur Lee’s signature. Addressed to “His Excelly. Governor Harrison.” Docketed, “Virga Delegates Letter July 9th 1782.” Your Excellency’s favor of the 29th. of June inclosing a letter to Mr. Irwin & a bill of exchange in his favor from Mr. O. Pollock was received this morning. The defect of intelligence which rendered our last so...
52813George Washington to John Sullivan, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 21, 1781 . Has sent troops to quell the mutiny in New Jersey. Urges that no terms may be made with the mutineers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
52814[Diary entry: 3 July 1795] (Washington Papers)
3. Do. do. Clear & growing warm.
52815From John Jay to Charles G. Haines, 27 November 1818 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 17 Inst, together with the interesting Pamphlet respecting the Great Western Canal, arrived by the last mail from New York— accept my thanks for them both. In my opinion that ^noble^ Enterprise ^[ illegible ] not only does honor^ does credit to those by whom it was projected, and ^but also^ to those by whose Counsels and Exertions it has been adopted and [ illegible...
52816April 3d. 1761. (Adams Papers)
Z. tells me, that Jona. Rawson is malicious and cruel as well as conceited. He spights Edd. Quincy and his whole Family. He says that the whole family was prodigal and extravagant, and that he borrowed Money and bought Goods upon Credit, but two days before he housed himself, when he knew that he never should pay, which was no better than Stealing.—Tis fraud. Tis Cheating, Tis Knavery, Tis...
52817To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of yesterday’s date, desiring to be informed when the arrangements yet to be made in my department would admit of any return to the army. The Secretary at War being arrived, I expect every matter will be so adjusted as to admit of my leaving town in ten days: it will make me happy if I can sooner follow you. I have the honour to be very respectully Your...
52818From 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...
52819Treasury 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...
52820Memorandum 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...
52821[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...
52822From 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).
52823George 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.
52824From 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...
52825From 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...
52826From 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...
52827[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...
52828From 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...
52829To 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...
52830From 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...
52831To 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...
52832To 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...
52833To 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.
52834To 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...
52835From 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...
52836Alexander 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,...
52837To 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...
52838From 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...
52839General 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...
52840To 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...
52841To 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:...
52842From 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...
52843To 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...
52844From 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...
52845To 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...
52846Editorial 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...
52847From 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...
52848From 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...
52849James 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...
52850From 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...