56551To George Washington from Gabriel Jones, 6 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
That, upon coming to Winchester, Capt. Stewart applied to, and informed me that warrants had been taken out against sundry persons, inhabitants of Winchester, in the act of Assembly, for buying, and receiving the clothes and arms of the Soldiers belonging to the Virginia Regiment And that three of the Majistrates, to wit, John Lindsay, Thomas Swearingem, and Thomas Speake, had the same under...
56552To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored a few minutes Since, with a Copy of your Excellency’s favor of the 14th instant. The Enemy’s Army which came into Jersey from different Quarters, were under the command of General Clinton assisted by three other General officers. Their Force must have been considerable as he was with them. The lowest amounts that can be relyed on, place them at 2000, others as Credible as high as...
56553From James Madison to Congress, 9 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I lay before Congress a statement of the Militia of the United States, according to the latest returns received by the Department of War. RC , two copies, and enclosure ( DNA : RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages, 14A–E6; and DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 14A–D1). Each RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM . RC and enclosure printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents,...
56554From James Madison to Dolley Madison, 28 October 1805 (Madison Papers)
I reached the end of my journey on Saturday Evening; without accident and in good health. I found your friends here all well. Payne arrived about an hour after I did. I inclose a letter from him, with several others. During my halt at Baltimore, I made two efforts to see Bishop Carroll, but without success. Genl. Smith had not returned to Town from his Country Seat. I could do nothing...
56555John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I believe it is almost three months since I wrote you last. The interval has been a disastrous and distressing period to me, and as while our misfortunes were pressing upon me, I had not the time to write even to my dearest friends, so now that as I hope they are past, I feel little inclination to give you pain by a minute recital of them. It may suffise to say that soon after the date of my...
56556To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Hadfield Cosway, 24 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I am come to visit My Native Country, & am Much delighted with every thing around it. The Arts have Made great progress, and M r Cosway’s Drawings have been Very Much admired, which induced me to place in the Gallery a very fine Portrait of his. I have found here an Opportunity of Sending this letter by Leghorn, which I had not at Milan - I wish much to hear from you, & how you go on with your...
56557Opinion of John Brown (1762–1826) in Jefferson v. Rivanna Company, [19 November 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
On the 1 st question which has been made in this case namely whether the property in the bed of the River was in the Plt s I have not been able to ascertain a serious doubt. It passed by the grant from the Crown to Peter Jefferson , under whom the Plt claims; The King had the right to grant it; and it is clearly embraced both by the boundaries, and the words of the patent. The acts of 1794,...
56558John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have a fine Piece of News this Morning of the March of 2000 of the Enemy, and destroying a fine Magazine there—and the stupid sordid cowardly torified Country People let them pass without Opposition. All New England is petrified, with Astonishment, Horror, and Despair, I believe in my Conscience. They behave worse than any Part of the Continent. Even in N. Jersy 2000 Men could not have...
56559From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your private letter of the 16th, with its inclosures, now returned. It was essential for you to take a decisive course & to leave the blame of further delay at some other door. There can be no doubt of the propriety of combining the aid of General Officers. But Pinckney being now arrived, it seems to me very proper & necessary that he also should be called upon. You will...
56560[Diary entry: 18 March 1771] (Washington Papers)
18. Rid to Posey’s to lay of a fence before Breakfast & went to Court afterwards & stayd all Night. The court met 18–22 Mar., but GW attended only the first two days. On this date Harrison Manley appeared before the justices as a third witness to GW’s deeds from Valinda Wade, and the documents were ordered to be officially recorded in the county deed books (Fairfax County Order Book for...
56561To John Adams from Roger Chew Weightman, 14 June 1826 (Adams Papers)
As chairman of a committee appointed by the citizens of Washington to make arrange for celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of A can Independence in a manner worthy of the M tropolis of the nation, I am directed to write re as one of the signers of the ever memorable Declaration of the 4th of July 1776, to honor the city with your presence on the occasion. I am further instructed to inform...
56562Thomas Jefferson to Charles Artzt, 5 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 22. has been duly recieved, by that I learn your application to mechanical inventions, and your progress in them. in the machines for carding, roving & spinning of cotton and wool, little is now wanting except a greater simplification. machines equally effectual for the manipulation of flax & hemp are greatly wanted, & would be worthy of your attention. you wish to find a...
56563To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the President the last part of the letter to Mr Fauchet. It was intended to have been much more diffuse; but the intelligence about the memorial makes it clear, that the subject will be there poured forth in folio; and, as he has as yet only fired some scattering shot, it is perhaps better to see the points, to which his battery is directed. There are...
56564From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
Before I closed my Letter to you, I received this morning your Letter sent by mr Harris, of october 25th. I rejoiced to See your hand writing altho I read with trembling. I have participated in your greif, and shared your Sorrows. let not gloom and melancholy take root in your mind the wounded heart must have time to recover from the Stroke which has pierced it. there are Duties which you are...
56565General Orders, 14 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s expenses for this date included £8 “To Cash pd Hannah Stewart for making and marking table linnel for His Excelly as $ Bill” and £1.12 “To Cash pd for serving for His Excelly” (Revolutionary War Household Expenses, 1776–1780, DLC:GW , Ser. 5). A receipt of this date signed by Hannah Stewart records $20 paid by “His Excelly Genl Washington to Hannah Stewart”...
56566[Diary entry: 7 September 1769] (Washington Papers)
7. Raining more or less till abt. 5 Oclock in the afternoon when the Sun appeard.
56567To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 29 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I received some few days since on acct. of Mr. Short $:441.62, being the amount recovered of Mayo exclusive of the costs of the suit. I yesterday made sale of your Tobacco at 5.½$ to Mr. John Richard who was specially commissioned by Jackson & Wharton of Philadelphia to purchase it. I am Dear Sir Your Very humble Servt. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as...
56568From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 18 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Marquis de la Fayettes Brother, the Viscount de Noailles tells me, he should be glad to take Letters to America, and I dont know to whom I can give him a Letter with more Propriety than to the General of Saratoga. I should be proud to return any Civilities you may shew him to any of your Friends, who may travell to Paris. I want very much to know, what Scope the Ennemy have from New York,...
56569From George Washington to Alexander Smith, 17 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
For such Plank & Scantling as Captn Walters delivered, I have paid, at the rates mentioned in your letter of the 5th Inst.; of which I give you notice, having done it reluctantly, as you did not direct it in your letter, and he could produce no order to that effect. It was customary, he said, for him to receive payment; knew you expected it in this instance; that you wanted the money; and that...
56570From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Donath, 16 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day recieved your favor of Aug. 27. Having imagined that you always had a stock of glass on hand of assorted sizes, so that I might at any time make up a deficiency, I sent you but a rough guess of the quantity I should want. Finding now that it is necessary to be more exact, I have estimated my wants with more care, and find they will be the quantity stated below, which therefore...
56571To James Madison from Anthony Merry, 12 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to you herewith the Copy of a Letter, and of its Inclosure, which have just reached me, containing a Detail of the Circumstances attending the British Brig Active, George Razor late Master, which had been captured, with a very valuable Cargo on board, on her Passage from Jamaica to London by a French Cruizer, and sent for Sale to New Orleans, where it is to be...
56572To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 2d. and thank you for your confidence, which I will never abuse—I am preparing a set of astronomical formulæ for Mr. L. and will, with the greatest pleasure, render him every assistance in my power—I take the liberty of subjoining the formula which I commonly use for computing the longitude from the common lunar observation, illustrated by an...
56573John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received within these few days your letters of the 17 th: and 29 th: of March, together with the books and pamphlets mentioned in the former. The last was forwarded to me from England by M r: King, and at the same time one from the Secretary of State of the 10 th: ult o: — I had long been without letters, and they have now been pouring in by floods at once. I have written to you and...
56574To George Washington from John McNeill, 4 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
By Captn Hog’s orders I came down here for Money to pay for Provisions Contracted for. I now return to Fort Dinwiddie with it, from which I hope you’ll be so good as to give orders for my being soon releas’d, that I may Join the Troop in which (I learn) you have been pleas’d to promise me an Appointment, the requesting this favour will I hope be the more readily forgiven as it proceeds from...
56575To James Madison from John Pooler, 31 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favour of the 2nd. ultimo under cover to my friend Colonel G. M. Throup, and therewith a Commission as Commissioner of Loans in the State of Georgia for which please accept my thanks. I have the honor to be with great gratitude your Obed. Servt. DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
56576From Benjamin Franklin to [William Carmichael], [2 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress … Copies of the Letters, Votes &c relating to that Amiable and excellent young Man. He was mighty well received, at Court, and has a Regiment given him. Ever Since his arrival he has been industrious in moving or projecting Something or other for the Advantage of America. I am Sorry to hear of Dissensions in Congress, You are now one of that Body, and will,...
56577To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 27 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I came here abt. 6. days past to use my endeavors to raise money to pay the expences upon importation of my furniture. I have drawn on Mr. Barnes for 250. dolrs. wh. I hope he will pay. I think the time is expired when you intimated the sum plac’d in his hands wod. become due. I hope to get thro this heavy business without any very serious loss. Our assembly adjourned two days since. Of a...
56578John Holmes to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to shew your excellent letter on the Missouri question, to a few select friends & they unite in urging its publication. The influence of your name & , reasons opinion & reasons in preventing or at least delaying the evils which you apprehend & seem to predict, is most is most important. Always disposed to make personal sacrifices where your country’s safed safety...
56579John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 19 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will be delivered you, by two Gentlemen who are returning to America, Sir James Jay of New York, a Brother of The Hon. John Jay, once a Member of Congress, now Chief Justice of that state. The other is Mr. Digges a Gentleman from South Carolina. These Gentlemen will be able to give you, a particular Account of all the News. I should be obliged to you if you would introduce Dr....
56580To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, [30 November … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society A Letter received of His Excellencÿ Robt. Morris Esqr. induced us to apply to your Excelly., Since we Satisfyed all the demands of Mr. Grand in consequence of the order of Said Mr. Morris, who was pleased to Say that he Should make no further disposal on us till he received our advice. We received a Letter of him dated 5 augt. that the armey being...
56581To James Madison from Lynde Walter and Others, 3 February 1821 (Madison Papers)
Accept our particular thanks, for the kind expressions contained in your esteemed favor 24 Jany, & for the candor with which you have given us a frank exposition of your views. Whatever Bankrupt system may at first be adopted will, we fondly hope, receive such beneficial amendments, as experience may show to be necessary, to render it worthy of your support. Receive the renewed assurance of...
56582To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 23 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote a few Lines acknowledging the Receipt of yours by Col. Le Mair, and sent them by Monsr. Le Croix, a Merchant of Wmsburg. I then wrote more fully by Mazzei, and sent you some Account of our astronomical Observations on the Delaware with the Result of them respecting the 5° of Long. run out to the S.W. corner of Pennsylva., together with our last Acts of Assembly. I mention this as...
56583From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 4 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A little intermission of public business on the separation of Congress and departure of the President permits me now to turn my attention for a moment to my own affairs. Finding that good tobacco sold tolerably well here, and being assured that the tobacco of the red lands in Albemarle and Bedford were perfectly known here, and commanded always the highest price, I wrote to Mr. Hylton at...
56584Thomas Jefferson to John L. Thomas, 11 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1 st has been recieved, and altho’ it was incomprehensible to me what certificate the clerk of Henrico could want as to the deed to which you were a witness , yet I sent it to the clerk of Albemarle , who might know better. I reinclose you the deed with his answer. it is certain that the clerk of Henrico has taken a mistaken view of the subject, which I hope he will correct,...
56585To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, 9 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Moses Grimmel who called on me this day for the Money of 2 acceptances of yours to two Loan office Bills informed me of his misfortunes. The seizure of the £15000 in Bills he had about him endorsed in blanc is an Irregularity to be sure, but not deserving such an Important Loss. We could therefore prevent part of it if said Gentlman could inform us only...
56586André Thoüin to Thomas Jefferson, 18 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Thoüin a l’honneur de presenter Son offrande ordinaire ou annuelle a Monsieur Thomas Jefferson ,—Il desire quil quelle le trouve en bonne Santé et heureux du bonheur de Sa patrie auquel il a contribué par Ses vastes conceptions. Il l’assure de Son inviolable et très respectueux attachement./. Thoüin has the honor of presenting his usual annual offering to Mr. Thomas Jefferson .—He hopes that...
56587Notes on Waddy Thompson, 31 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Waddy Thompson near Greenville court house S. C. 5. years Atty Genl. of S. C. now a judge of a Superr. ct. much belovd by his nbrs, honest, of amiable manners, willing to go to Natchez & probably to N. O. a steady Republican. DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
56588To Thomas Jefferson from John Vaughan, 25 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I am pleased at an oppertunity of gratifying my friend W m Coffin (who travels thro’ Am a for Information) with an introduction to yourself—His being a Grand nephew of D r Price & nephew of WMorgan so well known by his annuity publications—will acco t for the respect he entertains for this Country, & his wish to see it & be acquainted with some of her most eminent Characters—We are pleased...
56589Record of John Jay’s Oath as Chief Justice of the United States of America, 19 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
Be it Remembered, That at the City of New York on the nineteenth Day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, personally appeared before me, Richard Morris Esquire Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, John Jay of the same City, Esquire, and did then and there in due form take an oath in the words following, to wit, “I John Jay do...
56590From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of May 14. with the very ingenious Oration you deliver’d at the Society, for which I thank you. The Bookseller you had likewise sent it to (Mr. Dilly) being desirous of Dr. Huck’s Opinion and mine as to its Publication, we had, after separately reading it, a little Consultation upon it; the...
56591To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 8 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Berkeley County, 8 Feb. 1781. Letter introducing James McAlister, county commissioner and issuing commissary in “this Districkt,” who waits on TJ for “Directions in regard to His Future Conduct.” Gates recommends him as “a good and Faithfull Servant of The Public.” RC ( NHi ); addressed and endorsed.
56592Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Darmsdatt, 27 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In the years 1796. & 1797. while living at home, I had considerable dealings with you in the article of salt fish, and recollect that I was well satisfied with those dealings. I am now returned to the same situation, and to the same occasion of procuring supplies of that article, and perhaps on a larger scale. my wants would perhaps go to about a dozen barrels a quarter. I should hope from the...
56593To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Marbury Quarter Master of the first Maryland Brigade waits on you to obtain an order for Clothing and Blankets for my Brigade agreeable to the Inclosed returns, which the troops are in extreme want off particularly Blanketts, the want of which has already Subjected many of our Men to sickness, and from the Approaching cold weather cannot Longer be dispensed with, part of the first, and...
56594From George Washington to the Newport, Rhode Island, Artillery Company, 18 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
For your kind congratulations on the anniversary of my birth day, and the other obliging expressions of your address, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks. To cherish those principles which effected the Revolution, and laid the foundation of our free and happy Government, does honor to your patriotizm; as do the sentiments of comiseration for the sufferings of the unfortunate, and the good...
56595From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 11 October 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now only time to cover the enclos’d, and acquaint you that I am no longer in the Assembly. The Proprietary Party by great Industry against great Security carried the Election of this County and City by about 26 Votes against me and Mr. Galloway; the Voters near 4000. They carried (would you think it!) above 1000 Dutch from me, by printing part of my...
56596[Diary entry: 15 June 1771] (Washington Papers)
15. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. I rid as far as the Ferry with him afterwards was at the delivery of Flour at my Fish Ho[use] Landing.
56597To George Washington from William Thornton, 25 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Some Days before the Board had the honor of your last Communication I had applied to Mr Blagdin to make out all the various Estimates expressed in your Favour to me of the 18th Instt, and I meant to obtain a Specimen of the different mouldings; thinking your People could work better by them, than by Drawings. What I requested was only in proviso; for I thought it might finally be a matter of...
56598From Thomas Jefferson to John Wickham, 20 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
You had a right to expect an earlier answer to your favor on the subject of my proportion of Mr. Wayles’s debt to Mr. Welch. Yet I have not been wrong in delaying it; because it was not till now that I could take so certain a view of my resources as would enable me to settle times and sums to your satisfaction as well as my own. The alternative you proposed was the same instalments allowed the...
56599To James Madison from John Mitchell (Abstract), 1 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
1 February 1805, Le Havre . “Since I have had the honor to Write You, this port has remain’d under a constant state of Blockade and not a Vessell suffered to enter. “But since the flotil sail’d & arrived at Boulogne, the British force has seldom exceeded one or two Ships, and in general they keep at a distance from the shore. This may possibly be owing to the Bad Weather that generally...
56600Remarks in January [1798] (Washington Papers)
1. Much rain fell last night & a thick fog, with a Southerly Wind continued all the forenoon, clear afterwards. Mer. abt. 32. 2. Clear with the Wind (tho’ not much of it) at No. Wt. Mer. abt. 30. A Mr. Elliot came to dinnr. and stayed all Night. mr. elliot : Barnard Elliott, Jr. (c.1777–1806), only son of Lt. Col. Barnard Elliott (d. 1778), a former member of the King’s Council in South...