59501To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 14 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 23th of April, by Capt. Robeson, has been received. Perhaps if you had been by when I read it, you would have pitied me; for my Concern was great, and very visible. I own you had some Reason to be so severe: But had you been in my Place, you might have acted as I did; Robeson came here under the Character of a professed Gamester; and...
59502To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 5 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Celebration of the Birth Day of 30 Oct. was more generally & cheerfully enjoyed & rejoiced in than I ever remember. The Company at Concert Hall was more numerous & respectable than I ever before noticed there. Although there was not any of the Faction there. The best Volunteer Toast was “May every Friend Enemy of the President write a Pamphlet.” That Book has done much Good. It has...
59503To George Washington from David Grier, 24 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from David Grier, 24 Jan. 1778. In his letter to GW of 19 Mar. , Grier referred to “my letter of the 24th January in which I mentioned the Injustice done me as to Rank by some mistake or inadvertance of the Board of General Officers.”
59504From George Washington to George Weedon, 23 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
It is some time since I received the enclosed Bill, under cover from the Drawer: among a multiplicity of other letters it got buried & forgot; until a line from Mr de Marbois the other day, forwarding the third bill of same tenor & date, reminded me of it. As I do not know who the Treasurer of the Society of the Cincinnati of this State is, I take the liberty of committing the Bill to your...
59505From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 26 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your esteemed favor of the 14th Instant, which gave me great pleasure being impatient to hear from you—I rejoice to find that you are getting better, & Coud not avoid Laughing at Capt. Parkers reasons for not putting his repeated threats into execution. I take notice of your intended dispositions for defence, which I request you will loose no time in putting into execution—as from...
59506From Thomas Jefferson to Ambrose Vasse, 15 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has handed on to me a letter from you complaining of the nonacceptance of some bills drawn by the government of St. Domingo to pay for property of yours. Tho’ I am apprehensive it will not be in my power to procure you a prompt relief, yet the sooner it is taken up, the sooner it will be obtained. If you do me the honor to call on me any morning convenient to...
59507From James Madison to Charles Pinckney, 21 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of the 8th instant, the Marquis d’Yrujo has received answers to his letters to the Governor and Intendant of Louisiana in which it is stated by the latter, as well as the former officer, that the suspension of our deposit, was not the effect of any orders from the Spanish Government. No intimation however was given that the suspension would be removed in consequence of the...
59508Presidential Proclamation, 8 March 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1810, Washington. On 5 Mar. the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate, ratified and confirmed the treaty concluded at Vincennes on 9 Dec. 1809 between the U.S. and the Kickapoo Indians. Requires all officeholders and citizens “faithfully to observe and fulfil” the treaty. Printed copy ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages). Enclosed in JM’s 15 Mar. message to Congress ....
59509From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letters of the 26th and 30th ulto and 1st Inst. I cannot learn that any troops have yet arrived at New York from Virginia. A fleet of 20 sail came in last saturday with troops, but they are said to be Hessian Recruits from Europe. The Concorde Frigate is arrived at Newport from Count de Grasse. He was to leave St Domingo the 3d of this month with a Fleet of between 25 and 29...
59510To Thomas Jefferson from Ferdinand Leininger, 30 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
En me donnant l’honneur d’écrire à Votre Excellence je sens que je devrais Lui demander pardon de ma liberté, d’autant plus que j’écris dans une langue étrangere; mais Ses soins assidus pour le Bien des Etats Unis, et la bonté avec la quelle Elle accueillir tout ce qui peut accroître leur prospérité, me rassure et me garantit d’avance une reception favorable. D’ailleurs comme je ne Saurais...
59511To Alexander Hamilton from Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 26 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have fund Everything at Paterson in as good a state as I had promised from the arrangment made previous to my leaving the place and Judging from the progress making in reducing the Rock I would Continue to indulge the flatering hope of happily Ending the opperations of this season was it not that I Feel a Sudden discouragment in the prosecution of them owing to a Intimation I had that the...
5951212th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williamos came out in the morning, and went with Mr. A, to Versailles. Good weather: very mild; but rain is much wanted.
59513To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is represented that the Fort at Portsmouth requires to be garrison’d with a Company; that it wants a new Magazine, Platforms to be laid; embrazures to be opened, the walls to be repaired, and the Cannon to be mounted. After enumerating in my instructions bearing date the 4th February ulto., certain fortifications on the sea board, which it would be proper should be garrisoned, I added “It...
59514From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [20 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed is said to be the Copy of a letter circulating in your state. The history of its appearance among us is that it was sent by one Whitmore of Stratford, formerly in the Pay Master Generals Office to a James Reynold of this City. I am at a loss clearly to understand its object—and have some suspicion that it has been fabricated to excite jealousy against the Convention with a view to...
59515Friday July the 6th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning Dr. Waterhouse came here and told us that Colo. Trumbul had arriv’d in Town. I went to the first Bible to see Mr. Bordly, I found Mr. Trumbel there. I din’d at home. Dr. Waterhouse din’d with us; after dinner Colo. Searle and Major Jackson came here; I went and took a walk with Major Jackson and Mr. Dana. I spent the evening and supp’d at Madam Chabanel’s, got home at about 10...
59516From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 15 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d inst. came to hand to-day. I wish I could be better satisfied on the point of Patty’s recovery. I had not heard from her at all for two posts before, and no letter from herself now. I wish it were in my power to return by way of the Forest, as you think it will be impracticable for Mrs. Eppes to travel to the mountains. However, it will be late in August before I can get home,...
59517From George Washington Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 20 March 1825 (Adams Papers)
A most unpleasant journey was completed by our arrival at Quincy last week where we had the satisfaction of finding grandfather in better health and more comfortable than when we had last seen him. Two days afterwards Charles left us and returned to Cambridge anticipating much pleasure from the remaining months of his residence there but a little afflicted by the assignment of a part to him...
59518To Thomas Jefferson from William Carne, 10 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the democratic republicans of Alexandria County, William Carne was appointed Chairman & Lewis Summers Secretary Whereas, it is notorious that an interest foreign to that of the Nation & inimical to the present administration, prevails in this County—It is the opinion of this meeting, that it would tend to aid principles, which it is the pride as well as boast of republicans to...
59519James Madison to Robley Dunglison, 23 February 1829 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 19th. I cannot regard the anonymous charge in the newspaper to which it refers as an omen of successful misrepresentations concerning the state of things at the University. What is published seems to carry on the face of it an antidote to its purpose. The fever in question, whatever be its cause, is well understood to have no respect of places as ordinarily...
59520From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 31 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your paper of the 23d. came to my hands the day before yesterday. observing in it what is said on the subject of the paper charged on me by Coleman, I turned to the Journals of the Virginia convention of that time, to wit, ten months before the declaration of Independance, and found in them & about that date, a paper drawn by me in answer to Lord North’s conciliatory propositions , which...
59521From Henry Marchant to John Adams, 10 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
Upon the close of Your last Session and your return to Mass ts. it became not so convenient to return you my Thanks for your last friendly Communication of the 14 th. of Jan y. 1793. which I now do; hoping my delay will work no forfeiture of your future favours. The unexampled ingratitude and scandal, which about the Date of Your last, seemed to have spent all their venom and malitious Spite...
59522From George Washington to Josiah Quincy, 25 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 7th Instt coming duely to hand I thank you for the Intelligence therein contained. It gives me pain, to find from your Acct, that matters are taking a wrong biass in the Politicks of your Government. I left five Regiments (upon an Average as strong as any in the Service) to erect such Works, and in such places, as should be deemed most conducive to the defence of the...
59523From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Letter just received from Brigadier General Maxwell informs me of the desertion of one of your light horse —this disagreeable Circumstance will naturally put you upon your guard; but I desire that you will farther make very particular Scrutiny into the Characters of your men and if you shall find any more suspicious ones among them—that you will immediately dismount them and order them to...
59524To John Adams from Alexander James Dallas, 30 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to request, that you will honor a set of my Reports with a place in your Library. If your political cares have not extinguished the professional ardor, which you displayed in the early period of your life, the volumes will afford you some amusement. But I particularly beg you to accept them as a mark of the sincere respect, with which I am, / sir, / Your most obedt. & most Hble Servt...
59525From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Peyton, 24 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
the Marshal’s office of Potomac is become vacant by the resignation of mr Dent. it appears to be an important district, comprehending rich parts of Virginia & Maryland; yet I do not know whether it is likely to be among the profitable offices of that kind. very much uninformed of your ordinary pursuits, I cannot judge how far such an office may be […] to you, yet should it prove so, there is...
59526William Stephens Smith to John and Abigail Adams, 8 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
We were pleased by the receipt of yours of the 5th. inst. from Harwich, to find that your jaunt to that period and place had proved so agreable, you have our earnest wishes for its continuance. But we have been apprehensive since, that the fine Sun and fair Brieze which invited you on board in the morning, forsook you before, you had crossed the Channel. At this place, the after part of the...
59527To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have just now recieved your favor of the 16th. and tho late at night I scribble a line that it may go by the morning’s post. I inclose you two letters which have been awaiting you here several days. Also a copy of the census which I had made out for you. What is in red ink is conjectural, the rest from the real returns. The return of Virginia is come in this day, seven hundred & forty odd...
59528From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you, for the Trouble you have kindly taken in Sending me Gazettes, Pamplets, and Books, but the alteration of Circumstances, has rendered the Communication So difficult and expensive that I am obliged to desist. Two or three Packets which you mentioned in Letter not long Since have not arrived, nor have I heard any Thing of them. The Gazettes cost me by the Post, at a...
59529To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Leslie, 26 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 10th inst. I took the liberty of troubling you with a few observations on the proposed dry Docks, at your City, at which time I was not certain, but suspected what I supposed a considerable defect in the plan offered by Mr Latrobe. I have since been informed that my conjecture was right, which was that all the twelve ships ware to be in one Dock, which I supposed to be a great...
59530To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 2 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The ship Chesapeak, building at Balto. by the Citizens, is yet unprovided with a Commander. The Citizens will not recommend a Captain; but I have understood that Capt. Henry Geddes, who has long been an Applicant for a command in the Navy, and recommended by Doctor Latimer, his brother in law, Mr Bayard & others, would be agreable to them. He appears to be a man of understanding: and has been...
59531From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 24 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson begs leave to trouble Mr. Pinckney with the following commissions. Faden, map maker in London is engraving a map of S. America from one which Th:J. furnished him. He is to return the original and half a dozen copies. Colo. Smith employed him. Will Mr. Pinckney be so good as to jog him from time to time? Will he also be so good as to procure a model of those parts of the threshing...
59532From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed by Jefferson, “Madison Jas. Mar 18. 1782.” In my last to you on the subject of the map in the hands of Dr. Smith I informed you of the little chance of getting a copy of it for you. Nothing has since occurred wch. affords the least expectation from that quarter, but I have met with a bundle of old pamplets belonging to the public Library here in which is a...
59533To John Jay from David Longworth, 16 September 1809 (Jay Papers)
I am directed by D r Ramsay to present you in his name the copy of his S[outh] Carolina herewith sent With respect I am sir Your obd t serv t ALS , NNC ( EJ : 09056 ). For JJ ’s reply, see his letter to Longworth, 28 Oct. 1809 , below. David Longworth (c. 1765–1821), New York publisher most known for
59534To Benjamin Franklin from M. and Mme. de Saint Wast, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Monsieur franklin et monsieur son petit fils sont priés de la part de Mr. et Made. de st. Wast de leur faire l’honneur de venir diner chés eux mercredy prochain 5. fevrier. M. de St. Wast had been a secretary of Louis XV and later, under Turgot, a tax official for the royal domain: Yves Durand, Les Fermiers généraux au XVIIIe siècle (Paris, 1971), p. 141;...
59535To George Washington from Thomas Posey, 2 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Being inform’d of your having it in contemplation to appropriate the Virginia donation shares of the James river compy to the purpose of an endowment for the Establishment of a University somewhere above the Blue ridge in the state of Virginia; and being well assured that information relative to a situation, would be acceptable (however small a light it might throw upon the subject) I have...
59536From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had, last Evening, the honor of receiving your favor of the 31st of May, by the Duke de Lauzun, who informs me, that he is authorised by your Excellency and the Count de Barras to enter into a free communciation with me, upon the subject of the Council of War held on board the Duke de Burgogne, and to request my opinion upon the propriety of their determination. I must confess to your...
59537To Thomas Jefferson from Henri Gazzera, 25 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Je saisis avec empressement la circonstance du depart pour Philadelphie de Monsg. Moussier Naturaliste du Musée Imperial, et membre de notre Societé Academique ainsi que de l’àthénée des arts pour vous prier, Mon Seigneur, de vouloir agréer l’hommage de quelques uns de mes derniers ouvrages dont le but et quelques observations ne paroissent pas tout à fait étrangeres aux intéréts de la grande...
59538From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [27 September 1766] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 277–9. I have mentioned the Ilinois affair to Lord Shelburne. His Lordship had read your plan for establishing a colony there, recommended by Sir William Johnson, and said it appeared to him a reasonable scheme, but he found it did not...
59539From George Washington to William Livingston, 7 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
You have both obliged and amused me, by your communication of the 27th. I have not seen the piece to which you allude; but I should be more surprised had you been suffered to escape without paying a tax so antient and customary. When one is over rated in this way, it is very natural to complain, or to feel disgust at the ingratitude of the world; tho’ I beleive with you, that to persevere in...
59540George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township [ Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Discusses distribution of newly arrived supplies. Sends news of General John Burgoyne’s defeat. Describes recent movements of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
59541From John Adams to Smith Thompson, 4 February 1823 (Adams Papers)
Judge Thatcher, of Maine, who married a daughter of General Knox, has requested me to write to the Navy Department, in favour of his son Henry Knox Thacher, who is now a Cadet in West Point Academy. The young gentleman’s character is represented to me in a very favourable light, and my early, long, and late friendship for his Grandfather, and knowing him to have been, one of the earliest and...
59542To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan: Power of Attorney, 2 September 1748 (Franklin Papers)
MS form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society James Read (see above, p. 39 n), Franklin’s neighbor and rival bookseller, in May received from the London printer William Strahan, whom he knew, a consignment of books valued at £131 16 s. 4 d. When three years passed without payment, Strahan gave Franklin power of attorney to collect the debt. “I have hitherto waited with...
59543Adams’ Minutes of the Argument: Barnstable Superior Court, May 1767 (Adams Papers)
Otis . Certificate of General Assembly. Law very much altered of late Times. To prevent Gothic Contentions and single Combats. High Proceedings. Strange 747. Order for Allom. Forgery at common Law. Protection from a Member. Possibility of Damage. Reason of the Thing. Injury. Paper indictable. Public Record. Q. If Cotton had forgd this Paper, whether he would have been liable to an Indictment...
595446th. (Adams Papers)
Miss Betsey Cranch came and stay’d here all day. Miss Nancy went out to day, and will spend the rest of the week, with some of her friends. Went with my Cousin to Mr. White’s in the Evening. Mr. Ben: Blodget was there; but soon took his leave. There is something in this person that makes me, and Eliza smile, whenever we look at him. I don’t doubt however but he is a very good sort of a youth....
59545From James Madison to Alexander James Dallas (Abstract), 29 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
29 May 1805, Department of State . “I had the honor to lay your communication of the 13th. inst: [not found] before the President, who thinks it expedient that you take the proper steps to have the decision in the case of the Mercator brought before the Supreme Court of the U:States, in order that the proper decision may have the highest judicial sanction.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL ,...
59546[Diary entry: 9 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear & warm, with but little Wind and that did not spring up till about 11 Oclock—first from the No. Et.—shifting afterwards to So. Et. Rid to all my Plantations between Breakfast and dinner. Found the Flax in the Neck had come up, and full thick; and that the grass Seeds (rather Millet) obtnd. from Colo. Cary had come...
59547From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 6 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Munroe: he does not recollect whether any act of Congress authorises the paiment of the instalments to Maryland, & he has not had an opportunity of consulting mr Gallatin. under this state of uncertainty it would be improper to say any thing to mr Harwood which should be any thing like a promise or assurance on the part of the Executive. he thinks...
59548To James Madison from William Shaler, 19 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
As I am persuaded you take pleasure in seeing a display of qualities that reflect honor on our national character I take the liberty of sending you the enclosed account of an action between the Govr. Tompkins of this port commanded by my brother and a British frigate. The firmness and constancy displayed in that affair by the commander officers and crew of the Governor Tompkins suppose a state...
59549To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 June 1811 (Adams Papers)
“The Massachusetts election appears to agitate the Americans in Europe almost exclusively; of all the other Elections going on at the same time in many parts of the Union. I see paragraphs in the Newspapers, but hear not a syllable from any other Quarter—But American Federalists in this City have received letters from their friends in London, and in Gottenburg in high exaltation, announcing...
59550From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 25 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of the 13th. with the sermon inclosed, for which I return you my thanks, and have read it with great satisfaction. praise, when given within the limits of truth & nature affords us an occasion of exercising some of the most pleasing & virtuous emotions of the mind, of paying by a just tribute a debt of gratitude which we owe to those who have...