53821To James Madison from Com. Isaac Chauncey, 9 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I am mortified that I am again under the necessity of complaining to you of the base treatment recieved from a people that we are at peace with and who profess a wish to continue so, yet in the very face of those professions are guilty of the most unwarrantable and insulting conduct towards the Flag and citizens of a nation whom they hypocritically pretend to respect. I had the Honor of...
53822General Orders, 15 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Pay Abstracts for the month of June, are immediately to be made up carefully, examined by the Colonels or officer commanding the regiment, and then certified by the Brigadiers; after which to be lodged with the Pay Master General. A working party of one hundred and fifty men, with a Field Officer, three Captains, six Subs:, twelve Serjts twelve Corporals, and three Drums and Fifes, to...
53823To George Washington from Humphrey Knight, 2 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
I Receivd yours and I am very sorry you have not Receid all the Letters I have sent, I can Evedently make it apear that I have wrote Six and Lodgd to be carried up to you but finding some has miscarried I shall write the oftner for the futer I must Needs think you want to hear from your Estate often Especialy this year as Mr John washington is Absent, but I hope all things will be taken cair...
53824To George Washington from Holtzendorf, 4 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will come to your hands by favour of Colonel Senf, who is returning to america very soon. I thought it incumbent to me to take that opportunity in order to renew to you, Sir, my most grateful thanks for all the marks of Benevolence you shewed to me during my Stay under your Commands in th’ American Army, the satisfaction about my military Character, as well as the Regrets about my...
53825To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honor to write you upon the subject of an appointment, I did it with great reluctance from the numerous suggestions of names & applications that must necessarily embarrass and distress you. I will not suppress the expression of a consciousness, that I have undergone the most injurious and severe trials in the public service as a citizen lately, and before as an officer. My...
53826Joel Yancey (1773–1838) to Thomas Jefferson, 21 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am on my way to Key West in East-Florida , as Collector of Customs for that port. I thought that I wou’d do myself the pleasure of saying to you that I do, and ever shall retain a grateful, and affectionate recollection of you, as a pre-eminent advocate, and friend to the equal rights of man; and as the illustrious author of the declaration of our independence. I do most Sincerely hope that...
53827To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Dearborn, 2 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By advice of the Committee of Patentees and Proprietors of Patents, I address to you half a dozen copies of Remarks on the rights of Inventors, and the influence of their Studies in promoting the Enjoyments of Life and Public Prosperity. With an ardent wish, that the sentiments may be approbated by your judgement, please accept the most respectful consideration of Sir your hble Servt DLC :...
53828Plan for Expediting Postal Service, [4 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
It is proposed that there shall be one post a week passing along the main post road from North to South, at the rate of 100 miles a day. All intermediate post days, and all cross posts to remain as at present, unless it should be thought well to put the post towards Kentuckey, as far as practicable, on the quick establishment. Let this road be divided into stages of 25 miles each, as nearly as...
53829André Thoüin to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Permettez-moi de vous présenter un de nos Savans confrères, M r Lakanal , membre dela classe d’histoire et de Littérature Ancienne de notre institut ; homme recommandable par Sa moralité autant que par ses connaissances et aux quels nos institutions Scientifiques ont de grandes obligations. Il quitte notre vieille Europe , dans laquelle la civilisation va en retrogradant, pour Se fixer lui et...
53830[To Thomas Jefferson from Burrill Carnes, 10 June 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nantes, 10 June 1788 . Recorded in SJL Index, but not found. It is probable that this letter conveyed to TJ the information that Schweighauser & Dobrée would be willing to arbitrate the matter then in negotiation, a proposal on which TJ had asked Carnes to sound the opinion of Dobrée, and which, on receiving Carnes’ favorable report, he formally advanced in his letter to Schweighauser &...
53831To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library In consequence of your Letter relative to the Complaint against Capt. Wickes, I wrote to him and in return have recvd. the inclosed explanation. I have since been with the lawyer and find that these poor silly men have been deceiving themselves with an Idea that they were to make a great deal of money, and that they...
53832General Orders, 24 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Huntington[,] Major Torrey—Brigade Major 1st Penna brigade Tomorrow each regiment must make a return of Arms and Accoutrements wanting; no Arms to be delivered to Waggoners, Waiters of the General Field or Staff officers but only to those men who are to appear in Action. Eight Musquets without Bayonets to be deliver’d to each regiment for the...
53833To George Washington from “Portius,” 24 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
24 Sept. 1795. The crisis facing the United States renders “it the duty of every Citizen to express his opinion of public men and measures.” GW, as the “Chief Magistrate of a free country,” should not “object to a discussion of the conduct and character of those whom the people have appointed to administer the government of their choice.” If a country exists “in which the influence of one man...
53834Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
“A Dissertation on the Canon and the Feudal Law,” published unsigned and untitled in the Boston Gazette , 12 , 19 August, 30 September, 21 October 1765, was at once John Adams’ first effort to determine the significance of New England in American history and his initial contribution to the literature of the American Revolution. Seen from the first perspective, this work belonged to a genre...
53835To Thomas Jefferson from John Randolph, 25 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letters, with which you some considerable Time ago, honourd me, got to Hand ; tho’, from their appearance, their Contents were known to many, before they reach’d the Person, for whom they were intended. The gloomy Cloud, which hung over our public affairs, and the general Suspicion, which prevail’d at that Time, recommended Caution, and prevented my answering them. But, as Matters now are...
53836From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General William Irvine, 8 September [1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 8 , [ 1779 ]. Regrets inability to keep appointment for breakfast. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
53837From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Wayne the better to cover the country in the vicinity of Stoney point and to confine the enemy within their works, has my permission to take a post in that vicinity. Haverstraw Forge has been more particularly mentioned—As I think this position is not intirely without danger, I wish your lordship to advance a corps of troops to some intermediate point between Suffrans and the forge...
53838To George Washington from Alexander White, 25 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to my expectation I left Philada on Monday the 9th instant and arrived at Washington the ensuing Wednesday; the measures adopted to avail ourselves of the guarantee of Congress have been communicated by the Board, but my Colleagues seemed in a state of suspense respecting the commencement of the Works, having no assurance on which they could rely of obtaining the means of carrying...
53839Joseph C. Cabell to James Madison, 26 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of 22d. came to hand by the last mail, and in full time for the purpose contemplated. The correction and addition directed in regard to your letters of the 18th Sepr. and the 30th Oct: have been made. Should any thing further occur to you, be pleased to direct to me at Richmond. Some time next week I shall set out for that place, having been detained longer at home this fall than...
53840From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 11 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you according to promise a letter for mr Skipwith whom you will find a good humoured and rigorously honest man. I also trouble you with one for La Fayette which is extremely important to him as it contains interesting information on the subject of his Louisiana grant of lands which will apprise him of their immense value, and prevent any inconsiderate disposal of them. the school...
53841From George Washington to Robert Hanson Harrison, 18 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
A few days previous to my leaving the Camp before York I was favoured with your letter of the Ulto—Thinking I should see you on my return, I postponed acknowledging the receipt of it till now that I despair of that pleasure being on the eve of my departure for Philadelphia without making any stay on the Road except one day at Annapolis if the Govr should be there. I desired Doctr Draper who...
53842From Francis Dana to John Adams, 2 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to you my friend and kinsman Capt: Hobby who is going on to Philadelphia partly with a view of obtaining the appointment of Inspector of the Militia for the eastern part of our Commonwealth, if it shou’d be in the gift of the President. I am told the bill which has passed the house upon this subject, leaves the appointment & pay also, to the several States: This, with...
53843From George Washington to William Duer, 1 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Severity of the Climate, and of the duty of the Troops particularly when they are Scouting at the Out Posts on the Mohawk River, renders it absolutely necessary that they should some times be supplied with a little Spirits—I must therefore desire you, without delay, to procure for them two or three Hogsheads of Rum or other Spirits, subject to the orders of Colonel Willet. If in doing this...
53844To George Washington from Brigadier General James Irvine, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Whether the army should retire into winter quarters in the interior part of this state, or to wilmington and its invirons, or whether it ought not to take post nigher to the enemy and remain in huts during the winter, are questions of such importance and the arguments for and against each of those measures so many and cogent that I confess myself at a loss how to decide upon them. To leave so...
53845To James Madison from the General Assembly of Indiana, post–4 November 1816 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From the General Assembly of Indiana. Post-4 November 1816. “ The undersigned, Govenor, Lieutenant Govenor and members of the General Assembly, of the State of Indiana, beg leave to recommend, The Honble. Benjamin Parke, late a judge of the General Court of the late Territory of Indiana, as a fit and proper person to fill the office of Federal District judge for sd. state, when such office...
53846To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Morris, 6 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
As I know that you take pleasure in patronizing ingenious men of merit, I expect you will not think this an improper intrusion. The bearer of this letter is Mr Henry Foxall who has for a considerable time past been employed in Casting Cannon for the use of the United States, He is well skilled in the Iron business in all its branches & has performed his engagements with the Secy at War, Secy...
53847From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of 24 is received. I wish that Madrid would put an End to Husseys and Cumberlands Masquerades. They do no good, if they do no harm. I think it is pretty certain that the English Ministry, are Seeking a Connection with the Emperor, but as there is nothing to be gotten by a Connection with them but broken Bones if he has as much Sense as he is reputed to have, he will rather choose...
53848To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 2 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 2 Dec. 1775. On 15 Dec. GW wrote to Reed : “I have had the pleasure of receiving your Favours of the 28th Ulto and 2d Instt.”
53849From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 2 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Hammond and requests for half after three tomorrow his company to a solo dinner, if no engagement shall happen to stand in his way. PrC ( DNA : RG 59, NL ). Not recorded in SJL .
53850From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 27 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Enclosed I send your Excellency the Copy of a Letter I have just received from Mr Hartley, in which he expresses a Desire of making me a visit to talk about Peace, if it may be done with the Consent of the Ministry here. I should be glad to see him as my Friend and a Friend to America: but unless he...