5551From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is devoted to one Subject. Since the Death of Judge Cushing there has been frequently expressed in Conversation, much regret at your Absence, among People of all Parties. Presuming that Absence to be an insuperable Bar to any Nomination as a Judge, I have taken very little Notice of such Insinuations of Regret and imputed some of them to one Motive and Some to another. I need not...
5552To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of addressing your Excellency in April, by Genl Jackson, & have since that period been extremely gratified by hearing of your happy arrival at the seat of Government, & acceptance of the supreme Executive Authority of the United States—an event, that I am confident affords the sincerest pleasure to every true friend of America. I also observe that the Impost Act was in...
5553From James Madison to Jacquelin Ambler, 4 October 1788 (Madison Papers)
Please to pay to the Honble. Edward Carrington or order two hundred and fifty dollars and charge the same against me as Delegate to Congress for the State of Virginia, computing from Ocr. 1st. 1788. RC ( Vi ). Docketed by John Pendleton (state auditor).
5554Executive Pardon, 12 October 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 October 1811, Washington. JM remits the sentence of death imposed 12 Aug. 1811 by a court-martial at Baton Rouge on Sgt. Peter B. Conger of the Consolidated Infantry Regiment for the offense of desertion. Leaves standing that part of the sentence reducing Conger to the ranks. Tr ( DNA : RG 107, LSMA ). 1 p.
5555From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1819 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 3. came safe to hand, with the seeds you were so kind as to send with it. I return Mr. Cabell’s letter. I hope his fears exaggerate the hostility to the University; tho’ if there should be a dearth in the Treasury, there may be danger from the predilection in favor of the popular Schools. I begin to be uneasy on the subject of Cooper. It will be a dreadful shock to him if...
5556The Defence No. X, [26 August 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
The object of the third article is connected with that of the second. The surrender of the posts naturally drew with it an arrangement with regard to inland Trade and navigation. Such an arrangement convenient in several respects appears to be in some respects necessary. To restrain the Indians on either side of the line from trading with the one party or the other at discretion, besides the...
5557From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 19 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 5th. and 9th are received. My Eyes and my hands forbid every unnecessary Word. I have read Lardner and Jones; the latter 50 Years ago, and twice Sinse; the last time within a year. They both give Us their opinion but not proofs. They take for granted the Authenticity of Gospels Acts Epistles and Apocalypse, and then produce them as Witnesses. Sillimans Stones are not So...
5558From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr., 4 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The marriage of your son with my daughter cannot be more pleasing to you than to me. Besides the worth which I discover in him, I am happy that the knot of friendship between us, as old as ourselves, should be drawn closer and closer to the day of our death. I am perfectly contented to leave to yourself the provision for your son. What you propose is liberal. I feel myself tied up by the...
5559From Alexander Hamilton to William Skinner, 2 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 2, 1791. On August 12, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Skinner and referred to “my letter to you of the 2nd instant.” Letter not found. ] Skinner was commissioner of loans for North Carolina.
5560To George Washington from Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 1 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
As to reinforcing the southern Army from this, (the first Matter proposed by your Excellency to the Council) my Judgment has rather ponderated in Favour of the measure—for the following Reasons. —The Subjection of the southern States seems to be the favorite Object & last Hope of the british Ministry and Army. —Those States border on the British Territories; and contain a large Number of...
5561To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport, Rhode Island, December 16, 1793. “I received your private and confidential letter of the 20th. of Novemr. last on the seventh of this month, and should have answered it by the last post, but I wished for time to discover if I could whether a third person I had in view would accept if he should be appointed District Attorney. I have avoided taking any part in the contest for that...
5562George Tucker to James Madison, 21 October 1831 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to say that I have not been able to find, among the papers of R. H. Lee, deposited in the University, that part of his correspondence with Mr. Pendleton to which you refer. As the papers are not arranged according to any known rule, and are not always endorsed, it became necessary to examine the whole mass, which I believe I did with sufficient accuracy yesterday & today to warrant...
5563To Thomas Jefferson from William Harrison, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform your excellencie that the Provision required for the Western expedition is nearly Compleat and will be at Fort Pitt with Boats sufficient to Transport it by the fifteenth Inst. I find the expence Considerabley augmented from My first expectation. Owing to the Depreciation of the Currency, the Money Sent Me from the Treasurey with 100000 pounds furnished me by...
5564[Diary entry: 22 February 1772] (Washington Papers)
22. Wind very fresh all the forepart of the day from the Southward Melting all the Snow in the Fields & drying the Ground fast.
5565From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Finding the Commissioners appointed to liquidate the accounts of Monies due for the maintenance of Prisoners, and make permanent provision for their future support, have seperated without accomplishing any thing; I think it highly expedient that measures should be adopted, at this moment, for taking the German Prisoners of War into our service: as this measure has been considerably agitated, I...
5566To George Washington from Major General Riedesel, 17 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency has received my Letter dated from Newburgh, and which I forwarded to Head Quarters by my Aide du Camp Lieutenant Cleve, who arrived at Middle Brook a few days after your Excellency’s departure for Philadelphia. Lord Sterling opened my Letter, and was so obliging as to grant all the Requests it contained, in the most ample manner. I have met with here, some Hessian...
5567To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 25th. did not reach me till yesterday noon. I call’d the Directors at 9 oClock this Morning and by the enclosure to the Treasurer with the Post Notes also sent him you will see that your application for a further Loan of twenty thousand dollars has been complied with; and I have no doubt that you will send forward a Treasury Warrant indorsed by the Secretary for the Amount...
5568From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5–6 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of 29th of April. The polite terms in which you mention the attention which my respectful attachment for you dictated during your stay in Camp adds to the obligation I felt for the honor of your visit. I was happy in that oppertunity of giving you new proofs of my sentiments and I entreat you to afford me others as frequently...
5569From George Washington to Francis Dana, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with a resolution of Congress of the 4th Inst., by which you are appointed to assist in the arranging of the army. As so important a matter ought not to be delayed I would be glad to see you at camp as soon as possible; and to know when I can have that pleasure. I am &c. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The resolution is printed in JCC...
5570From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be put into your hands by Mr Lear, who is well known to one, or more of you. He has it in contemplation to make (in conjunction with others) a considerable Mercantile establishment in the Federal City; if he should be able to obtain such a site therein, and upon such terms, as will answer his, and the views of his associates. What these are he can best explain to you; and you...
5571To James Madison from George W. Erving, 17 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
My last unofficial letter was of June 22d. My last publick dispatch (of the 14th. Inst.) by original & duplicate, inclosed Copy of an Extraordinary gazette announcing the conclusion of an Armistice between Russia & France, a triplicate of which is herewith transmitted: The News of the ratification immediately followed, & to day we hear that the peace is Signed at Tilsit, & that the two...
5572[Diary entry: 11 September 1770] (Washington Papers)
11. Cloudy with appearances of Rain but none fell.
5573To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 27 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have examind the prisoners and find them to be a poor parcel of Ignorant Cowardly fellows. Two are Taylors named John & James Dunbar, and the other two are common labourers named Isaac Petit & Will Smith. They candidly confess they set off with an intention of going to Statten Island, but not with any intention of Joining the Enemy; but to get out of the way of fighting here. I believe the...
5574To George Washington from John Gunby, 27 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
As there Will be under the New Goverment a number of Offices to dispose off, some of greator, and Others of less importance, I beg your Excellency would be pleased to consider me an applicant to fill one of them, (The Navel office for the port of Snow Hill,) For as Much as the business of that port have been small, and in all probability will continue so for a time to come, Could the business...
5575To James Madison from George W. Erving, 31 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1804, London. No. 32. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 18 . instructing me to correspond in future with the Secretary of the Treasury and to pursue his directions respecting all Monies which I have or hereafter may receive on account of the United States, & to settle my official Accounts with him.” Adds in a postscript that he encloses a copy of...
5576To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 8 August 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 8 August. GW wrote Biddle on 17 Aug. : “Your letter of the 8th came safely by last Post.”
5577To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 16 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having had, for a considerable time past, opportunities of observing the rapid progress of various manufactures in our country—and the increasing production of articles of primary usefulness, and believing in the good policy of promoting and fostering the spirit of enterprise already excited in laying this surest foundation of National Independence, my mind has been forcibly impressed with a...
5578The Marquis de Lafayette’s Note Containing Vergennes’ Proposal, [11 September? 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AD and copy: Library of Congress Vergennes had advised the American commissioners against delaying negotiations over the issue of Oswald’s commission. As he wrote to La Luzerne, in politics one should yield on form when satisfied with the substance. Franklin agreed. When Jay continued to object, Vergennes and Lafayette proposed to him a solution that might expedite matters: having Oswald write...
5579The American Commissioners to William Hamilton and John Welch, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letters and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum of Money. But as We have already lent you as much, as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we cannot, without a...
5580Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Fox, 6 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Jan. ___ informing me of your intention to publish the result of your experience in the art of dying and coloring various substances used in common life; and the prospectus specifying the objects particularly. whatever doubt may have heretofore existed it must now be apparent to all that we must become a manufacturing nation, to the extent of our own wants....
5581To James Madison from John Elmslie, Jr., 29 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 March 1802, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope. Has supplied the American merchant ship Equator with a mast, which he procured in lieu of a spare foreyard left behind by Captain Preble of the Essex . Encloses a promissory note [not found] from the master of the Equator to pay the secretary of the navy “what ever sum may be assessed for the value of the same.” Also encloses a copy of a protest...
5582To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [17 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the Secretary of the Treasury, that the President of the United States grants a passport to the Spanish Vessel, to which the inclosed papers relate, she being Parlamentario; and that the Spanish Commissioners are informed, that upon application to the Secretary of the Treasury, they will receive the Passport. LC , RG 59, Domestic Letters of the...
5583To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Crafton, 11 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you (as an American) have not caught that epidemical Disorder, that infects our Senators on this Side the Atlantic: Law Makers should not be Law-Breakers! You and I, cum aliis, laid our wise Noddles together, and framed a wise Statute; that we and all other Persons under a certain Predicament therein express’d, should dine every Thursday at the Dog...
5584To Thomas Jefferson from John Polson, [ca. 20 July 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honor of being Introduced to your Excellency at Paris in May 1785, you were so good as tell me that you would write to some Gentlemen in Virginia to know whether the Lands that were Granted to me as the Representative of my Brother William Polson Deceased (being 6000 Acres, he being a Lieutenant in the Virginia Troops before the Battle of the Meadows in the year 1754,) were...
5585From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 29 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will please to obtain a certificate from the Cashier of the Bank of North America, expressing the sums paid in the said Bank by you in the course of the present month, upon which a warrant shall be issued for the amount. You will not fail transmitting the said certificate by Thursday’s mail, in order that it may reach me on Saturday. I am Sir Your Obed’t Serv’t ALS , Mrs. Arthur Loeb,...
5586To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday brot to my Hand your Favr of the 1st instant—The Circumstances of our Infomation fm N. York are indeed suspicious—yet I fear will prove but too well founded. Our Genl Assembly, now sitting, had previous to your Letter, on Application from Genl Howe, furnshed Mr Hubbard D.Q.M. with Cash to forward the salted Provisions deposited in this State —by this means 600 bbs. are now on the...
5587From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 May 1810 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bristed, in his Hints, p. 389 to 413, has published some account of an affair which he says John Adams quashed. Whether this is a reproach or an honor, the public will judge from the Documents. On the 25th of August, 1798, I received at Quincy, the following Letter from the Secretary of State. (No. I.) Trenton, August 21, 1798. Sir—I enclose a letter which I received last evening, under...
5588London July 20. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
“Every Act of Authority, of one Man over another for which there is not an absolute Necessity, is tyrannical.” “Le Pene che oltre passano la necessita di conservare il deposito della Salute pubblica, sono ingiuste di lor natura.” Beccaria. The Sovereign Power is constituted, to defend Individuals against the Tyranny of others. Crimes are acts of Tyranny of one or more on another or more. A...
5589From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Leech and Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 10 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society In mine of May 13. I gave you a particular Account of the Hearing before the Attorney and Sollicitor General, on a Reference of Smith’s Petition; they have not yet made their Report, and would now I hear excuse themselves from doing it, as unnecessary, since they have heard that the Prisoners are discharged. But...
5590To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 December 1779–9 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We Know at last, that D’Esteing’s melancholy affair happened in Georgia; that our few regulars there behaved very well; and we hear that it was the militia who did not Keep their ground; and that the pretended treachery did consist in the villany of one of our officers from New-England, who deserted and informed the enemy of Desteing’s plan for the attack. We are convinced that D’Esteing’s...
5591From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with yours of the 25th. I think you need be under no apprehensions for the safety of your Coast, while the Count D’Estaings Squadron lays off the harbour of New port, as the Enemy will have sufficient upon their hands to prevent their carrying on a predatory War—I took the Liberty of suggesting to the Count, the advantage of sending a Ship of force down the Sound, to...
5592George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 4 January 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] January 4, 1780 . Regrets postponement of attack on Detroit. Doubts that Brodhead will have sufficient men for expedition against Natchez, but does not discourage plan if Brodhead believes it feasible. Cautions secrecy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5593To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 13 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Orders of the Instant I directed Colonels Putnam & Butler to Reconnoitre the Ground from this Camp by Spring Steels to the point of the Dunderberg opposite picks Kill —who Report that a very good road may be made with little trouble from Spring Stells to a Landing about two Miles & a half in a Direct Line above Stoney Point where a Battery may be Immediately Errect[ed] so...
5594From George Washington to John Marshall, 8 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private In confidence I inform you, that it has become indispensably necessary to recall our Minister at Paris; and to send one in his place who will explain, faithfully, the views of this government, and ascertain those of France. Nothing would be more pleasing to me, than that you should be this Organ; if it were only for a temporary absence of a few months. But it being feared that even...
5595Joseph C. Cabell to James Madison, 13 March 1829 (Madison Papers)
I send you by the mail which will bring you this, a copy of the pamphlet containing your letters, with the additional documents respecting Mr. Jefferson’s opinions, suggested to me by Mr. Rives. 2000 copies had been printed before these were handed to the printer. He then printed 500 Copies with the extra appendix. And the latter will go with all future copies. I received a letter from Mr....
5596From George Washington to David Forman, 17 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday reached me at 2 oClock this day. I have little doubt but the Fleet which sailed is bound to Europe, but still I should wish to know, with certainty, their destination. It will probably be public in a few days, and if you can satisfy yourself on the subject, I shall be glad to hear from you. Be pleased to enquire particularly whether any reinforcement for the southward...
5597To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 19 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to find by the answer which you have favoured me with that your excellency approves of the demand of major villefranche. but I am sorry that gentleman Has no means of letting the Congress know that approbation. I had hopes that your excellency would be so good as to write it on the memorial it self. I know, sir, that in general you have very little inclination to do such thing. but...
5598General Orders, 18 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Persons having any passes from Major John Clarke are to pass all guards. The Commander in Chief approves, the following sentences of a General Court Martial, the 22nd November last, whereof Major North was president. Adjutant Ralston of the 1st Pennsylvania Brigade, charged with “Making a false return, and signing it; with ungentlemanly behaviour—disobedience of orders, and leaving his...
5599William Pearce to Tobias Lear, 11 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I now have my Machinery &c. at Work, and should be glad to be informed when the President of the United States and his Lady, would be pleased to Honor me with their Company, to take a look at them. Mrs Hamilton has likewise a desire to see them, when the President and his Lady, is pleased to fix the time, I will let her know, if it is agreeable to them. Your answer by the bearer, if convenient...
5600From James Madison to James Madison, Sr., 21 February 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have been much disappointed in not hearing from you on the subject of the Chariot; as well as on the enquiries I made respecting my crops of Corn, & the quantity of Wheat sent from my farms to Mr. Dunbar. I have just heard that Mr. Anderson expected to receive a quantity of Clover seed, & have written to Mr. Blair to procure me from 1 to 3 bushls. accordg. to the price, & forward it to...