52861To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I sent Mr Putnam down the River yesterday by Water, to learn for certain whether any of the Enemys shipping was up. He return’d last night, and informs me that he went down on the West-side nearly oposite Philips’s; that there is one Gally laying near Philips’s, which is the only Water Craft of any kind, above Fort Washington. The Boats with which the Enemy landed at the Slote , have all...
52862New York Committee of Sixty to the New Haven Committee, 17 April 1775 (Jay Papers)
We have rec d . your friendly ^ Your ^ Letter of the 6 th : March Inst. and haves ^ been ^ laid it before the Committee. They have directed us to return you their Thanks for the Candor diffused thro’ & particularly for your
52863To George Washington from Matthew Cantine, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Convention of the State of New York to transmit to your Excellency the enclosed Resolves, by which it will appear that we have made every exertion in favour of our Sister States which our present Situation will admit. But we are extreamly Sorry to find by a Letter received last Night from General Heath, that he is ordered over to the West Shore; by Reasons of which the...
52864To John Adams from John Morton, 29 November 1802 (Adams Papers)
Having furnished the respectable Editon of the Medl. Repository with a summary Accot. of the City of Hava. I beg a presumption to request your acceptance of a Copy of that article from their last number. You will perceive Sir that, as there stated, it is but a summary; but as I intend collecting all my Notes into one View, I shall at a future day beg your acceptance, also, of that collection....
52865Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 6 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters, from Brigadier General Wilkinson and John Belli deputy quarter master—dated Oct: 4th and 8th 1792; which I have just received. Yours sincerely, LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters from James Wilkinson and John Belli have not been identified.
52866To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the directions in your favour of the 17th I am getting a stand made for the sextant , and the whole will be carefully packed up, and, by Mr. Roberts, sent on, by water, in the course of a few days. With respect to the cypher, when applied to a single word or line, I would observe, that in strict conformity with the general system, each letter must, in this case, be considered as a...
52867To James Madison from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 28 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 25th. Aug: I immediately wrote to you; but I have reason to apprehend, from the fate of one or two other letters written about the same time, that it was lost by a robbery of the mail between Baltimore & Fredericksburg. I have just been informed of the loss of the others to which I refer; & lest that addressed to you should have been among them, permit me to...
52868To John Adams from Elkanah Watson Jr., 30 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
If a disinterested wish to contribute to the Glory & happiness of America will sufficiently plead my excuse, for the liberty I take in writing your Excellency, I claim no other advocate. Doubtless Sir you are not unacquainted with the spirit of Emigration that so generally prevails throughout England, Ireland & Scotland, but more particularly in this City; every Vessel is crouded with...
52869[March 1759] (Adams Papers)
Reputation ought to be the perpetual subject of my Thoughts, and Aim of my Behaviour. How shall I gain a Reputation! How shall I Spread an Opinion of myself as a Lawyer of distinguished Genius, Learning, and Virtue. Shall I make frequent Visits in the Neighbourhood and converse familiarly with Men, Women and Children in their own Style, on the common Tittletattle of the Town, and the ordinary...
52870Appendix E. Consolidated Inventory of Personal Property in the Estate, c.1761 (Washington Papers)
D , ViHi : Custis Papers. The manuscript of the consolidated inventory, in John Mercer’s hand, is arranged in five columns: (1) the number of each entry, running from 1 to 399; (2) the item or items in each entry of this inventory, often followed by a number or numbers referring to other entries in the inventory; (3) a number corresponding to the number of an entry in the Combined County...
52871From George Washington to David Stuart, 5 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Vessel which brought the inclosed, has delivered the 800 Bushels of Oats for which you contracted with Mr Savage—Besides these, I have taken 100 more; for which I am to pay Flour. L. Washington has taken anothr & the remaining 200 hundred are taken to Alexandria for you. I have engaged this Man to bring the Corn from York River—He expects to stay no longer than Monday (to morrow) at...
5287215 [i.e. 16]. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
A pleasant morning. The Week past was Court week. I was interrupted by Company, and the noisy Bustle of the publick Occasion, so that I have neither read or wrote any Thing worth mentioning.— Heard Mr. Thayer, and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, very sociably.
52873From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept my acknowledgment of and thanks for your obliging favors of the 12th 16th & 19th of last month, and particularly for the trouble you have had in procuring and forwarding for me a suit of the Hartford Manufacture. It is come safe, and exceeds my expectation. I will take an early opportunity of paying the cost of it. The result of the late Elections will not only soon be...
52874From James Madison to [James Monroe?], 3 November 1822 (Madison Papers)
My neighbour & your Acquaintance Mr Richard Taliaferro is desirous that one of his sons should receive a military education at West Point. His progress in the preparatory studies is certified by his present Tutor, and I have myself had a slight opportunity of witnessing that he has some knowledge of Latin. Of his general character I know nothing which is not favorable. If there be no bar to...
52875From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 30 August 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned, but in JM’s hand. Cover franked by “J. Madison Jr” and addressed by him to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Docketed by Randolph, “J. Madison Aug: 30. 1783.” We hear nothing from Europe that can be depended on relative to the definitive Treaty, nor any thing from N. York as to the time of its evacuation. A Pamphlet has lately come over from G. Britain...
52876To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 5 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
At Mr Astor’s request I enclose a letter which he read to me. I gave him no opinion on the contents. But he desired me to request that if it was not thought proper to give to the person he means to send a recommendatory letter for Mr Adams, the enclosed might be considered as private and not be sent to the Department of State. I have not yet received the papers for Mr Poinsett; but there...
52877[Diary entry: 26 February 1774] (Washington Papers)
26. At home all day. Captn. Crawford and Mr. Gist went away after Breakfast.
52878To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I could not fail to take the opportunity of writing a line by Mr. Williams, tho I can give you but a very short letter, just to tell you that I and my little ones are well: I wish I could say the same of my mother. She has had her leg bad again which lowers her spirits. I was obliged to come to town and should have been very uneasy if I had not left my...
52879To James Madison from Jacob Read, 8 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to offer you my Congratulations on your Election to the Office of the Supreme Executive of the United States, and my Very Sincere Wishes that your Presidency may be happy and honorable to yourself, and peaceful and prosperous to our Country, which has Conferred on you So distinguished a Mark of Confidence and respect. I hope Sir I do not presume too far on our former Acquaintance...
52880From Alexander Hamilton to Daniel Bradley, 1 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received Your letter of the eighth of September, and have written to the Superintendant of military stores urging that a supply of woolen overalls be immediately forwarded to you at Staunton. General Pinckney is now at Newport. I have communicated to him your request on the subject of a furlough, and trust that you will soon have the permission which you desire. With great considerat. I...
52881To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by my Aid-De-Camp, Major Robert Carter Page, who your Excellency was so Obliging as to Appoint my Additional Assistant on the 8th. of Novr. last. This Gentleman from that time to the present, has been mostly employ’d in Public Business and has discharged it so much to my Satisfaction as to induce me to mention his situation to your Excellency. We are now in...
52882John Barnes to Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your fav r 21 st Ult o as well that of Mess rs Gibson & Jefferson , of the 29 th —Covering $540: are duly recd. and the Amo t placed—as you directed—as more particularly Appears, from the inclosed statem t of your a/c —which, I have Ventured—(being on so near a Scale) to Balance—
52883From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 31 December 1826 (Adams Papers)
May the blessing of God, whose justice is remembered at the close of your last Letter rest upon you through the year about to commence, and many more, as long as it shall be his pleasure that you live upon earth, and then follow you to a better world. Your Letter and scrap of the 22d. and 23d. have brought up tolerably well the arrears of your correspondence with me, excepting that I am still...
52884To George Washington from Henry Knox, 18 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
In considering the subject of promotion in the Legion of the United States the following previous questions arise. First. Shall the Sub Legions be commanded by Brigadiers General or Lieutenant Colonels Commandant? Secondly. If the latter shall the Lieutenant Colonels be taken from the line of Majors now in service? Thirdly—If this be decided in the affirmative shall a Brigadier General be...
52885To Thomas Jefferson from Granbery & Hancock, 8 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By Capt. Palmer I hand you rects. for 3 Hhds. & one barrel Bacon Shipd by order of Messr. Granbery & Hancock of Richmond which I hope you will receive in good order. Very Respectfully I have the honor to be Your Ob St for John Granbery MHi : Coolidge Collection.
52886To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Freneau, 14 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Doctor Philip Moser of this City having occasion to visit Virginia intends also to pass a day or two at Washington. He expresses a great desire to be made known to the Chief Magistrate of the Union, for this purpose I have taken the liberty to deliver him this and beg leave to state to you that he is a gentleman who is much respected here. He will have the satisfaction of...
52887Associates of the Jersey Company to Alexander Hamilton and Josiah Ogden Hoffman, [20 April 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
[ April 20, 1804. “Probably it will be wholly out of our power to induce Mr. Van Vorst, from whom we purchased, to accept to any other property instead of a mortgage of the premises to secure his annuity, and he will certainly not allow it to be extinguished by accepting any equivalent. We are therefore obliged to provide the best security to purchasers which the case will admit, and we are...
52888From John Adams to the President of Congress, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am to remain in Europe for sometime longer, I beg Leave to take a cursory view of what appears necessary or expedient to be further done in Europe, for I conceive it to be not only the Right but the Duty of a foreign Minister to advise his Sovereign according to his Lights and Judgment, although the more [extensive Information], and Superior Wisdom of the Sovereign may frequently [see]...
52889To George Washington from Samuel Seely, 22 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
It gives me no small pleasure to see your Excellanacy once more place’d in the first office in this country, well knowing it is the just reward of a virtious life mainly spent in its service and defence. At the same time your excellancey will permit an Old Soldier, (although a young man) to look up to you as his pattron As he is sensible, that it will ever be pleaseing to a heart of...
5289013 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Returned to Amsterdam, having dined at Haerlem, at the Golden Lion. Went in the Evening to see Ingraham and Sigourney and C ommodore Gillon. Chez la V euv e Wynen, dans le premier Wezelstraat, à main gauche. Address of Cerisier. “There are three Gentlemen, in the Mercantile Way, Mr. Sigourney, Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Bromfield, who are now in this City, and propose to reside here and establish a...
52891From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I hereby request you on the 1st of June, or whenever Mr. McHenry shall leave the war office, to take upon you the charge of that office, and I hereby invest you with full power and authority to exercise all the functions of secretary of the department of war, and charge you with all the duties and obligations attached by law to that officer, until a successor regularly appointed and...
52892To James Madison from Eliza House Trist, ca. 13 April 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 13 April 1784. Mrs. Trist was at Fort Pitt awaiting transportation down the Ohio for a reunion with her husband. She wrote Jefferson regarding a misunderstood report that Virginia had “reward[ed] merit by making our friend Madison Governor.… I have wrote to him, but before I got your letter, which I beg you to forward” ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al.,...
52893To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 20 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I must not look back to the date of our last Correspondence it would alarm & discourage me from taking the pen up this Moment. Your kindness to me has been of all times, & your friendship & mine took its date from its beggining: Circumstances, not your will I am sure have deprived me of the pleasure I used to value so much of receiving your letters. Many Many times my thoughts […] towards you,...
52894For the National Gazette, 20 December 1792 (Madison Papers)
Republican .—The people themselves. The sacred trust can be no where so safe as in the hands most interested in preserving it. Anti-republican .—The people are stupid, suspicious, licentious. They cannot safely trust themselves. When they have established government they should think of nothing but obedience, leaving the care of their liberties to their wiser rulers. Republican .—Although all...
52895From John Adams to Samuel Freeman, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had the Favour of your Letter of 23d Ultimo by this days Post. As to the Petitions you mention, the Congress have made good no Losses , to any Soldiers—nor any Accounts for Sickness, more than Pay, Rations, and Mileage. I am much obliged to you, for your Account of the Several Acts passed by the Assembly. It is very necessary that We should know here, the Proceedings of our Assembly. We...
52896To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 12 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I send this letter in the hope of its overtaking Mr. Sterrett in London by whom I had the honor of writing to you on the 9th. I then informed you how long the French post had been interrupted and that it was supposed to be owing to the operations of the Austrian army in Flanders. It must now be attributed to some other cause, as we are officially informed of the raising of the siege of Lille,...
52897To James Madison from the Indiana Territorial Legislature, 21 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 October 1809, Vincennes. Forwards resolution urging the reappointment of William Henry Harrison as territorial governor. Printed copy ( National Intelligencer , 8 Dec. 1809). Signed by Gen. Washington Johnston, Speaker of the House, and Thomas Downs, president of the council. JM reappointed Harrison for a second term of three years on 19 Dec. 1809 ( Senate Exec. Proceedings Journal of the...
52898To James Madison from John Gavino, 14 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 September 1801, Gibraltar. No. 71. Encloses duplicates of his 8 Aug. letters to Barron and commends Barron’s blockade of Tripolitan cruisers, which has caused fresh desertions from their crews. Tripolitan vessels have struck sails and are in the mole with only about twenty seamen left. The Tripolitan admiral and eight others have sailed as passengers to Malta. At Cathcart’s request, encloses...
52899From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 19 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by our ingenious Countryman Mr. Benbridge, who has so greatly improv’d himself in Italy as a Portrait Painter, that the Connoisseurs in that Art here think few or none excel him. I hope he will meet with due Encouragement in his own Country, and that we shall not lose him as we have lost Mr. West: For if Mr. Benbridge did not...
52900Charles Thomson to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 9 of January last which did not reach me till the latter end of April was to me indeed a cordial. It recalled to mind the trying Scenes through which we passed with undessembled confidence, but in a particular manner rejoiced me as it informed me of the firm state of your health and the full enjoyment you have of your faculties both of body and mind and more especially of...
52901[Diary entry: 23 June 1774] (Washington Papers)
23. At home all day. Alone.
52902From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Accordg to the returns from Detroit, there ought to be added to the quantity of Powder there One Tun and a half to complete what would be an ordinary supply in proportion to the Artillery. And if the Stock of Powder in the UStates be ample, that quantity ought to be forwarded. The stock however should govern. Not possessing sufficient information on this head, I have concluded to state the...
52903George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 5 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 5, 1778 . Reports that British ships have sailed from Sandy Hook. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
52904[Diary entry: 8 July 1771] (Washington Papers)
8. Very Warm but clear with the Wind Southerly.
52905To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 5 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I received while in Philadelphia, (from whence I am just now returned) a short letter Decr. 21st from Mr Thompson, chairman of the Come. of the House of Representatives on the public buildings, requiring simply an estimate of the sum required to finish the South wing of the Capitol. I promised, by return of post, an answer in a few days. In the mean time, having fortunately all the drawings...
52906[Diary entry: 2 March 1769] (Washington Papers)
2. At home all day with the above Company.
52907To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
14th December. We were all so exhausted that we determined to keep quiet all day at home. Received a Note from a Milliner requesting I would go and look at his things, this is a thing which has happened several times—Am I so much in vogue? I am solicited to take great care of myself this Winter and not to get sick, Are People afraid of closed doors again? What a hollow hearted World How much I...
52908From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 4 May 1794 (Madison Papers)
By a vessel which sails for Fredg. today, I have sent a small box containing the following articles 6 ps. very coarse muslins, 1 ps. of finer. 2 lb. Tea, 3 Books on Medicine, a few pamphlets & a Sett of marking instruments. The muslins were bought as being extremely cheap, and useful for various purposes. If my mother or sister wants any part of them they will make free with them. If the finer...
52909From Thomas Jefferson to John H. Nash, 27 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am a subscriber to the N. American review and understand you are agent for that work in Richmond. it will be more convenient for me to have it furnished from that place because payment there is easier made. I shall be glad therefore to recieve it from you and this letter presented to Col o Bernard Peyton my correspdt of Richmond will ensure your recieving payment for him on my account, once...
52910From Benjamin Franklin to Gabriel Johonnot, 15 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you honoured me with dated the 4 Inst. & inclosing 4 Setts of Exchange on Boston for the Sum of one hundred and forty six Pounds Sterling, being the Amount of Advances on your Account. Herewith I return your Recet. for the 100. Louis I lent you that Sum being included in your Draft. As you kindly offer to take Charge of any Letters I may wish to...