59681The American Commissioners to Vergennes, [before 9 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (drafts): Harvard University Library, Massachusetts Historical Society (two); two copies and two transcripts: National Archives The commissioners, particularly Lee and Adams, devoted substantial effort to the drafting of this memorandum asking that a powerful French fleet be sent to American waters. Their efforts were doomed to failure, at...
59682From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Gorham, 19 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
It being intended to station Officers upon the recruiting Service at Portland, Salem, Boston, and Worcester, I have to request that you will enter into contract with any person or persons, who may be disposed to furnish the rations, Quartermasters articles, and medical assistance required for that service, at the most reasonable rate. You will be governed by my letter to you of the 26th of...
59683[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 28 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. My proceedings in his affairs—adjournment Congr.—will bear testimony if he can fix particular point—correspond.—communicated de Rieux’s arrival at Chas. T. and letter to me.” Not found. Derieux’s letter is that of 22 Feb. 1784, q.v.]
59684From Alexander Hamilton to Daniel Eldridge Updike, 9 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 9, 1790. Encloses Updike’s commission as the surveyor of the port of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. LS , Hamilton College Library, Clinton, New York.
59685Thomas Jefferson to David Watson, 30 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, was addressed to you on the day of it’s date, but misdirected both as to your Christian name and post office by the mistake of a friend who happened to be here. I send a duplicate therefore and renew urgently my request that you will be so good as to come here the day or evening before; as you will meet mr Madison , General Cocke , & mr Cabell here,...
59686From John Adams to William D. Williamson, 25 February 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th. was brought to me this Morning from the Post Office. 1 My Answer to the first Question, is, that When Vacancies were made in the Council, by the Negative of the Governor, they were never filled that Year. Governors rarely used their Negative. The first Instance, within my Recollection, was in 1766. The Honourable James Otis Junr was elected Speaker of The House, but...
59687[Diary entry: 12 June 1772] (Washington Papers)
12. Rid over Muddy hole Wheat Field—also that at Doeg Run. Dr. Rumney came in the Ev[ening]. Rumney brought Patsy Custis eight musk capsules to be used for relief of her epileptic seizures (receipt from William Rumney, 24 June 1772, ViHi : Custis Papers).
59688James Madison to Jonathan Elliot, 7 July 1830 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your letter of June 29. The two vols. it refers to preceded it some days. Being obliged at my age, to economise my intellectual employments of every sort; I have only been able to glance over the selections appended to the last vol: They appear to be of a class which must add to the value of a work such as that of which they make a part of the Notes of Judge Yates, however, just...
59689Rufus Morgan to Thomas Jefferson, 21 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your retiring from public life will I hope enable you to attend to matters of small importance, which still may leed to public utility. I have it in contemplation to establish a Nail Manufactory, and knowing that you once carried on that business, I have taken the liberty of requesting your Idea of it. Whether it is proffitable, and wh if you are disposed to sell your tools and Machinery, if...
59690To George Washington from Captain Epaphras Bull, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that the Fleet which came to Sail Last Night have got as far Etward as Oyster Bay where they now lie at Anchor the wind being Rather a head, there appears to be between 60 & 70 Sail of them, (30 of them Ships) the distance is so great that I am not able to give a Particular Acct of them—I shou’d think that a Person at Horse Neck or Stanford, with a good Glass...
59691To George Washington from Edward Savage, 6 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the Liberty to send two prints, the one Done from the Portrait I first Sketch’d in black Velvet, Labours Under Some Disadvantages, as the Likeness never was quite Finished. I hope it will meet with the approbation of yourself and Mrs Washington, as it is the first I Ever published in that method of Engraving. the Portrait of Docter Franklin which is published as the Companion, is...
59692To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Brown of Washington, 31 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
the onnrabole the presedent of United States I am sorey to trobele your Honner you promised me to Spake to Mr Lenthrobe to put me in a Birth in the publick Imploy But finding him Not Coming fored Mr Lanthorng his the Management of the Bisness there Was a shore from the Ware office that I Don Before and i waiting in hops to Get a birth In this publick imploy there is athers imployd at it allso...
59693To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson with a Draft Anglo-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 8 … (Adams Papers)
We duly received your letter of the 20 th of June, and now in consequence thereof send you a draught of a treaty which we should be willing to have proposed to the court of London. We have taken for our groundwork the original draught proposed to Denmark, making such alterations & additions only as had occurred in the course of our negociations with Prussia & Tûscany and which we thought were...
59694From George Washington to William Holt, 6 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I thank you sincerely for your polite Address & Congratulation on the important success, which has been obtained, by the assistance of the Troops of our great & generous Allies. If I have been instrumental in restoring tranquillity to any part of the United States, which was suffering under the ravages of the Enemy, I consider the approbation of the Virtuous Citizens of America, as the most...
59695To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Hancock, 15 Oct. 1776. On 18 Oct. GW wrote to Hancock : “I was Yesterday morning honoured with your favor of the 15th.”
59696To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 8 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
We had the honr of receiving your Excellencys favour of the 16th Augst the two inclos’d Letters therein we forwarded & whenever Messrs Fenwick & Co. draws for the Wine their order shall be punctualy paid. One Adams here is Suppos’d to be the first optician we have, he purposes to make the Terrestial Globe upon the New & approv’d method, it may take up two Months to Compleat & that will be as...
59697[Diary entry: 1 November 1770] (Washington Papers)
1. Went up the Great Kanhawa abt. 10 Miles with the People that were with me.
59698The Commissioners to Daniel McNeill, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We received yours of the 12 Instant relative to your Prisoners. Just at the same Time, was published here the Kings Reglement, on the subject of Prizes and Prisoners, of which We inclose you a Copy. We imagined, this must have arrived with you at L’Orient, so as to make any particular order from the minister unnecessary, for We Supposed from the 7th and 15 Article, that General orders had been...
59699To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Swan, 15 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters one of the 11th and the other of the 12 Instant. Mr. Brooks left this place on the 2d of December last for Staunton, and took with him 1470 dollars for the recruiting service, which has been distributed to the Officers in that neighborhood. This sum makes, in addition to what had been before sent out, the amount necessary to raise four complete companies...
59700From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel-Marc-Antoine Chardon, 19 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai lû avec Admiration votre requisitoire sur le Proces du Capitaine Mc Neill. Heureux sont les Rois qui ont des Magistrats aussi scavants et aussi habiles que vous, Monsieur, pour eclairer leur justice. J’en sens tout le Bonheur pour la Nation Americaine que j ai l’honneur de representer en cette Cour: elle sçaura Monsieur qu’elle y est traittée en Frere, et que...
59701To James Madison from James Turner and Jesse Franklin, 25 November 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 November 1811, Senate Chamber. The writers enclose for consideration a letter from former governor Williams of the Mississippi Territory. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Williams”). RC 1 p. Addressee not indicated. For enclosure, see n. 1. The North Carolina senators forwarded a confidential letter they had received from Robert Williams, dated 2 Nov. 1811 (3...
59702To James Madison from William Jarvis, 29 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1802, Lisbon. Last wrote on 26 Nov. via the brig Washington of Provincetown covering a dispatch from Pinckney. Now forwards another received at the same time. “The following is an extract of a letter from Mr Gavino dated 9 Novr. ‘You will have heard of the American Ship Prosperity of Philada. being ordered out of Cadiz on accot. of the Fever in some of the U. S. She arrived here...
59703To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 31 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons icy beaucoup de mauvais Catholiques qui, parcequ’ils ont manqué une année a faire leurs paques, n’osent plus jamais retourner a confesse. Je ne perds pas courage si aisement, ou je vous suis plus attaché qu’ils ne le sont au st. Siege. Un morne silence de deux ans m’a sensiblement affligé, mais ne m’empechera pas de profiter de l’occasion de M M...
59704To Benjamin Franklin from Michel and Elise Foucault, [before 9 February 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur et Madame foucault prient Messrs. franklin et monsieur deane de leur faire l’honneur de diner comme mr. son fils leur a promis lundi 9 fevrier. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Chaumont’s son-in-law and daughter: above, XXIV , 400 n. Prof. Thomas Schaeper has recently discovered Foucault’s correct first name in his marriage contract: Arch....
59705Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Garrett and Valentine W. Southall, 23 September 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 20 th informing me that the Masonic lodges of Charlottesville , unable to make their arrangements for laying the first brick of the Central College by the time the workmen would be ready to begin, had proposed to decline the performance of that function. I arrived at home on Sunday afternoon & went to the College on Monday forenoon in order to know the...
59706To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Miller, 5 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson Esqr. 1807 To Peter Miller D. Aug. 24 To 4 Loaves Bread 25
5970720th. (Adams Papers)
We had two sermons to day, upon a text from Proverbs: 19th. Chap: 20:v: Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. The several instances of death, that have lately occurred in this town were not passed unnoticed. Two persons, both promising to be useful in the spheres assigned them, had been cut off in the bloom of youth; the divinity, often took from the...
59708[Diary entry: 23 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 23d. Set off after breakfast, on a journey to Richmond—to acknowledge in the General Court some Deeds for Land sold by me as Attorney for Colo. George Mercer which, it seems, could not be executed without. Dined at Dumfries and lodged at Stafford Court House. Very cloudy all day with but little wind and that from the Eastward.
59709To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Observation with respect to the artificers is just. A proportion of the Regiment furnished by Pennsylvania should certainly be destined for the Southward. I shall write the Board of War immediately on the Subject and have no doubt they will be sent on. The situation of our affairs are such that Necessity obliged Gen. Greene to require many things from the southern States which...
59710Thomas Jefferson to George W. Erving, 23 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
An American vessel, the property of a respectable merchant of Georgetown , on a voyage to some part of Europe for general purposes of commerce, proposes to touch at some port of Spain with the view of obtaining Merino sheep to be brought to our country. the necessity we are under, & the determination we have formed of eman of emancipating ourselves from a dependance on foreign countries for...
59711From George Washington to Unknown, 25 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The printed notification (enclosed) gives a general description of the lands held by the Subscriber on the Rivers Ohio & Kanhawa. For one more in detail, it is presumed the purchaser would choose to rely more on his own investigation, or on the report of an Agent, than on that of the Seller, and therefore it will not be attempted. The price has been rising, and at present is eight dollars pr...
59712From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 19 September 1806 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for your favour of Aug. 22d. My Experience is perfectly conformable to yours, respecting silent Men. Silence is most commonly design and Intrigue. In Franklin it was very remarkable, because he was naturally a great Talker. I have conversed with him frequently in his garrulous humours, and his Grandson, or Son, Billy has told me that he never knew a greater Talker than his Grandfather....
59713From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 23 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Since writing my last to You, I find the Congress will not adjourn even for the Holy days, They have not indeed so determined but that seems to be the opinion of the majority of the members Where does M r . Alsop stay—should any Thing happen to one of us the Colony would be unrepresented. For my Part I wish some of the absent Gent. would return, we but just make a Quorum—Did not this...
59714To George Washington from the Ministers and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayette County, Pennsylvania … (Washington Papers)
From the strongest impressions, and deepest sense of our obligations, and submission to our superior, so far as the act consistant to the law of God, and a good conscience, enacting laws to defend vertue and oppose vice. We the Ministers and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church residing in the western country, think it our duty to give you a true transcript of our hearts and wishs...
59715Receipt from LeRoy and Bayard, [n.d.] (Hamilton Papers)
To Le Roy & Bayard Dr. For 1 Sett of Exchange vizt their Draft dated New York 23d. Ulto. at 60 ds. St to the order of James McEvers, on P. & C. Van Eeghen Amstm., pble in London, No 16 £Sty 250 Ex 4 ⅌ Ct. £433.6.8 Dollars 1155.57 Recd. the above DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Herman LeRoy and William Bayard were partners in the New York City mercantile firm of LeRoy, Bayard, and...
59716From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1800 (Madison Papers)
Your favor by Mr. Trist was duly handed to me, since which I have recd. the report on imports under your cover, & yesterday your favor of the 25 Ult: accompanied with the pamphlet & Mr. Nicholas’s motion on the Electoral Bill, which appears to be so fair & pertinent, that a rejection of it in favor of any other modification proposed, must fix a new brand on the authors. The spirit manifested...
59717To James Madison from William James Walsh, 10 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding you the enclosed samples, which is produced by the new and great invention for prepareing flax and hemp, a Discovery heretofore unknown as per sample No 1, in its green state just pulled, from the field, and only allowed sufficient time to drie, which may be in a few hours, after being pulled be brought to the perfection of the sample No 3—in its finished state....
59718Isaac Lea to James Madison, 30 March 1828 (Madison Papers)
After apologizing for the liberty I take as a stranger in addressing you will you permit me to ask you if you are acquainted with the fact of a Brig called the Diligence, Capt Wilder, having been sent from Virginia in 1772 by a number of gentlemen, for the purpose of discovering a North West passage ? If so would you have the goodness by an early mail to inform me of any particulars with which...
59719From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 16th Ulto & the 5th & 8th Inst. Mrs Washington’s Slippers and Clogs have come safe to hand, the latter, however, are not such as she wished to have—she intended to have had leathern Gloshoes made, and will, by the first convenient opportunity, return the Clogs to Mr Palmer and get a pair of Gloshoes. I am very sorry that you did not get the quantity of...
59720To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 25 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s Dispatches, in reply to my last, and shall act upon the several Matters therein contain’d agreable to your directions. I have this Instant return’d with Capt. Pray from near Kings-Bridge where we have been to meet, by appointment a Person from the City, who informs, that the fleet mention’d in my last, sailed on the 23d having on-board Merchants &...
59721To George Washington from Richard Peters, 11 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Peters, 11 Nov. 1777. On 27 Nov. GW wrote Peters : “I was duly favd with yours of the 11th inst.”
59722Benjamin Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 30 October 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Addressed to “Delegates in Congress.” In the hand of the clerk Samuel Patteson. See Harrison to Delegates, 25 Oct. 1783 , ed. n. The two last posts brought no letters from you which I am really sorry for as a full account of the proceedings of Congress on the place of their permanent residence was expected. There are not yet a sufficient number of members to...
59723Pardon and Remission for Moses Thorndike, [27 July 1816] (Madison Papers)
Whereas it has been made to appear to me that a certain Moses Thorndike, of the District of Maine, was, at a District Court of the United States, held at Portland in the said District, in May last, duly convicted of the offence of aiding and abetting in the year 1814, certain prisoners of War, subjects of Great Britain, in making their escape from the custody of the Marshal; and thereupon the...
59724To George Washington from the Portsmouth Committee of Safety, 19 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
We beg leave to acquaint you that an Express is just arrived here from Falmouth Casco bay informing us that on Monday last came in there the Canso armed Ship Capt. Mouat together with a Schooner mounting 14 Guns a large Transport & two Sloops all full of Men, that they lay at the mouth of the Harbour till Tuesday following making Signals for some Person to come off to them which being taken no...
59725To James Madison from Daniel Baldwin, 29 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ I have not the pleasure of being personally acquainted with you—yet, being a Soldier of ’76, and beleiving you to be the friend of such, I take this method to make myself known, and beg you to excuse the liberty. I had the honor of bearing a Captains commission in the first New-Jersey Rigiment, during the Revolutionary War; and of sharing in the hottest conflicts and troubles of my...
59726From James Madison to Israel Whelen, 9 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 June 1801, Department of State. Since the naval agent at New York reports freight charges on plank and timber from there to Philadelphia will amount to as much as purchase price, the agent has received orders not to ship. Instructs Whelen to provide those articles from another source. RC ( NN ). 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM; addressed: “The Purveyor of the U. states / Philadelphia.”
59727To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 28 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 28, 1799 . Asks that soldiers employed in the quartermaster’s department be given extra pay for extra work. States that Dr. John G. Coffin, surgeon’s mate and acting quartermaster general, has had to assume responsibility for such payments and that he should be reimbursed. Also states: “… the State of my health is Such as To induce me To sollicit To be relieved.… I...
59728[Diary entry: 16 January 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Clear. Mer. 38. Wind at No. W. in the Morning but moderate calm and exceedingly pleasant afterwards.
59729Report on Several Petitions Seeking Indemnification for Various Sums of Paper Money Received During the Late War, [17 … (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom were referred the several petitions specified in the list herewith transmitted, respectfully submits the following Report thereupon. These petitions seek indemnifications upon various sums of paper money received from the public, during the late war, by the respective petitioners on account of claims arising upon transactions of that period. There is no...
59730To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of The Treasury respectfully represents to The President of the U. States, that in consequence of a charge exhibited by the Captain of the Revenue Cutter for New York to his predecessor, against Isaac Van Dearson third mate, and Nathaniel A. Ogden second mate of said Cutter, for appropriating to their own use certain Goods belonging to the Cargo of a vessel stranded at the...