68751Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 28 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor to inform the Secretary of War that the President thinks the fortification of New York much more difficult to be accomplished than that of any other place intended to be fortified—he therefore thinks it proper that the most skilful of the engineers should be selected for that purpose. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On the proposed fortification...
68752From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 11 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
During the late recess of the Senate, I have granted commissions for the following persons and offices, which commissions will expire at the end of the present session of the Senate. I therefore nominate the same persons to the same offices for reappointment: to wit Rufus King who is Minister Plenipotentiary of the US. at London, to be a Commissioner for the settlement of boundaries between...
68753From John Adams to Thomas Hertell, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind letter of Febry 25th. your apology for publishing—my letter was unnecessary the letter has been published received with more indulgence than it merited—and if it has occasioned the sale of one of your Pamphlets more than would have been sold without it—I am glad it has been published— Judge Millers compliment to it, is more than a reward— I have not seen it in any...
68754To George Washington from William Floyd, 17 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Request I wrote for a Machine for gathering Clover Seed, it is now arrived, and is at the Store of Mr David Gelston in front Street, Subject to any orders you may please to give concerning it. If no opportunity Immediately presents to Send it to Virginia, Mr Winkoop Requests that a Joyner may have it for this Day and tomorrow as a patern to make one by—from Sir your most Obedt...
68755[Diary entry: 24 October 1795] (Washington Papers)
24. Variable—sometimes cloudy.
68756To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 13 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, Jr., 13 Nov. 1798. On 22 Nov. GW referred to Spotswood’s “letter of the 13th instt,” which on 9 Dec. Spotswood assured GW was a forgery.
68757To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 15 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
N’ayant pû avoir l’honneur de Vous revoir avant Votre depart, j’espère que Vous recevrez encore avant toute autre Voye, un Exemplaire de Ma reponse au dr. priestley que je joins ici. Si le français S’imprime comme jai lieu de le croire, Vous ne tarderez pas Non plus de l’avoir. C’est une affaire finie de Ma part. Le Saint-homme N’aura plus de Moi une Virgule. Avant trois Semaines je compte...
68758To James Madison from Thomas Griffin (Abstract), 14 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
14 February 1805, “Chamber of Representatives.” “Thos. Griffin takes leave to inform Mr. Madison that he has complied with all the requisites of the Law in behalf of Mr John Houston of Wms.burg Virginia who is an applicant for a Patent, and whose petition was forwarded to Mr. Madison a few days past; a duplicate receipt from the Treasurer is lodged with Dr. Thornton and a model of the machine...
68759From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 January 1807 (Adams Papers)
The last Letter I have received from you was that of the 1st: instt: which I answered last week—I then mentioned to you that I had written some lines to Mrs: Hellen, in consequence of your observations in a preceding letter—and that I would send you a copy of them—They are accordingly now enclosed—Of their merit or demerit, a part belongs to yourself, as they were instigated by your remarks;...
68760From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 14 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to Congress a few of the public Papers, which contain all the News that is passing. As it is uncertain by what Vessell the Gentleman will go who takes this, the Conveyance is too precarious, to send any Thing which ought not to be known to the Enemy. We are waiting with an impatient Anxiety, to hear from America, the last Accounts from thence having been brought by...
68761To Thomas Jefferson from Anonymous, 24 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Michael Leib is going from Beer House to Beer House in the City of Philadelphia and Nothern Liberties shewing a letter on the subject of our approaching election which he says he recieved from you. He enjoins secrecy on those to whom he shews it but cares not how many see the letter; pehaps near a thousand persons of the lowest class of society have already seen it. Those who are your...
68762From George Washington to John Rutledge, 2 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 17th ulto, accompanied by a representation from His Excellency Governor Mathews, of the disagreeable situation of Civil affairs in the State of South Carolina, and requesting that, in consequence thereof, the Orders given to Majr Genl Greene in March last, may be suspended. You do me justice, Gentlemen, in saying, you are satisfied my attention...
68763To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library After the Storm which has agitated the Royal Society since Christmas with no Small degree of Violence We have drop’d into a flat Calm. It seems as if the debates have exhausted the annual supply of genius or at least skimmd off the Cream of it as nothing very interesting appears either in Presence or Prospect. The best papers we have had is Dr. Blagdens...
68764John Adams and Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 26 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letters of Nov. 2. and Dec r 20 are before me. You will Soon learn the meaning of the Word Ennui, among others in the French Language, which have no parallel Expression in English. I Suffered more from this Dæmon in Europe than I can express; more for what I know than from all the other Pains of my whole Life. had I not found in Books a relief from it, I should have perished under...
68765From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
I return the copy of your letter to Judge Johnson inclosed in your favor of the instant. Your statement relating to the farewell address of Genl. Washington is substantially correct. If there be any circumstantial inaccuracy, it is in imputing to him more agency in composing the document than he probably had. Taking for granted that it was drawn up by Hamilton, the best conjecture is that...
68766[Diary entry: 3 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. Thermometer at 68 in the morning—82 at Noon. And 72 at Night. Clear and quite calm in the morning. In the Afternoon the wind sprung up & blew tolerably fresh from the So. Et. About 4 Oclock a cloud arose to the Westward & approached in the Winds eye & began to rain very moderately, and continued to do so in the same manner for ¾ of an hour, without Wind. Rid to all the...
68767From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 2 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured some time ago with a letter from you of Dec. 6. inclosing two for America which I forwarded by the first occasion. On the 18th. of this month I received a letter from his Excellency the Count de Vergennes expressing the interest which he takes in your welfare and recommending you to Congress. This I had an opportunity of forwarding from hence on the 27th. of Jan. under cover to...
68768To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 5 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to address You in the freedom of a friend, one who has for many Years sincerely esteemed & respected you for your singular Virtues—tho’ I had never the happiness of a Personal acquaintance with you, such I ever thought a real loss to me, & in the present situation of affairs I find an assencial one. Suffering as I do incessent aggitation of mind...
68769E. Brush to the American Commissioners, 4 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Count Montauto Governor of this City has informed me of the Commissioners having made propositions to the Court of Tuscany respecting a Treaty of Commerce between this Country and America. The Governor requests me to inform the Commissioners, that he has lately received instructions from the Grand Duke relative thereto, which leaves him no doubt but a commercial Treaty may be formed to the...
68770To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your orders I here send you a description of the Cutter Massachusetts built at Newbury port in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the year 1791. She has on deck two masts her length is sixty feet above her upper deck her depth is seven feet Eight inches her breadth seventeen feet Eight inches she measures seventy tons ⁴³⁄₉₅. She is a square sterned schooner has quarter badges &...
68771Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 4 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Before answering the queries stated in your letter of this yester day, I must premise that whatever I say, will be founded on the hypothesis that our legislature shall adopt the Central College as the site for the University of Virginia , which of course entitles it to the funds appropriated to that object. 1. my letter to you of Oct. 10. approved by the Visitors
68772To James Madison from George W. Erving, 19 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
My letters to you respecting late Events here viz No 41 Postscripts 18th 21st & 22nd. No 42. March 25. No 43 April 10. Private No 32. March 15. No 33 April No. 34. April 12th King Ferdinand has advanced from Burgos to on the 18th and that he will go further. information that the Emperor did not reach till the 14th. Beauharnois appears disposed to linger here as long suffer him on the 1st order...
68773To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 4 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very agreable favour of the 4th. of Janry. I rec’d by the last Packet informing of your having drawn on me for the Ballance of our Acct. as it Stands in your Books a Copy of which I rec’d by a Ship Via Philada. Mr. Bache will inform you that at his desire the Bill was paid in Philadelphia when due. The Acct. as you say may be easyly rectify’d when we...
68774To Thomas Jefferson from John Todd, 15 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Inhabitants of Fayette County have been so harrassed this Spring by the Indians that I was for some time apprehensive that the whole County would be evacuated as Panicks of that Kind have proved very catching and the fate of the Neighbouring Garrisons at Licking last year was fresh in their Minds. The only plan I could devise to prevent it and sufficiently secure the provisions laid up at...
68775James Wilkinson to Thomas Jefferson, 21 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a long time since I have been inclined to write to you, but the pressure of my persecutions, the desolation of my humble fortunes, the abandonment of those who owed me support, and that inextinguis h able pride which is inseperable from conscious Honor, have prevented me.— And now I should not intrude on your time, but to repel a falsehood which has recently come to my knowledge, viz...
68776To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having Sent off expresses on the 6th of the month to the officers Commandg the Militia of the Counties of York and Lancaster according to yr Excellencies Instructions to me; to have the Militia of those Counties in Readiness as well as that of Philidelphia & Bucks; I was not a little surprized, (after the Information I recd from the board of War, of the proceedgs of the President & Executive...
68777From George Washington to John Sullivan or the Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line, 21 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 15th —I have just received the disagreeable intelligence of the Jersey line having followed the example of the Pensylvanian —This spirit will spread itself through the remainder of the army, if not extinguished by some decisive measure. I shall as quick as possible, at all events, march a detachment to compel the mutineers to submission, and I beg leave...
68778To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
The express who is to carry my public letter waits while I hastily write this. These express having private & public Letters for you have been carryed to New York tho’ as I beleive the Letters were destroyed I learned of this opportunity so late that I cannot send you a duplicate of the Letters.— I most sincerely condole with you on the death of your father an event which you must too long...
68779From George Washington to the New York Convention, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
During the last Campain, the greatest part of the Army were, at a considerable Continental Expence, well armed; from whence I had hopes that in arming our new one, no very great difficulty would obstruct us. But in opposition to all my Orders, and notwithstanding my utmost Vigilance, most of the Regimts going off at differt times—from difft Places—& under different Circumstances, took off with...
68780[Diary entry: 3 November 1769] (Washington Papers)
3. About one Oclock set out and reachd Parker’s Ordy. Jacky Custis met the family in Fredericksburg, having come from Boucher’s school by prior arrangement to join in the trip to Williamsburg ( GW to Jonathan Boucher, 3 Oct. 1769 , MoSW : Meissner Collection; GW to Boucher, 14 Oct. 1769 , NN : Washington Collection).
68781To Thomas Jefferson from William H. Cabell, 20 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry that the information I must now give is not calculated to strengthen those hopes which might have been excited by my last that the British Squadron intended to respect the authority of our Government—I enclose for your perusal a copy of a letter this morning received from General Mathews, together with copies of his instructions to Captains Shepard & Taylor, and also of the report...
68782Remarks & Occurances Augt. [1770] (Washington Papers)
Augt. 1. Began to Sow Wheat at Muddy hole—the Ground Grassy & in bad order. Began to Sow Ditto at Doeg Run Quarter where the Ground was exceeding foul, Grassy, & hard. 8. Began to sow Wheat in the Neck in that Cut upon the Creek above Carneys Gut. The Ground here was tolerably clear and in Good Order the Grass and Weeds being Choped over. Carney’s Gut, named for GW’s former tenant John Carney,...
68783From George Washington to Anthony Strother, 22 May 1764 (Washington Papers)
When I was at Winchester in March last, I had an opperty of speaking to Mr Gabriel Jones concerning the Land which Mr Fitzhugh recovered of you, and which I was adjudged to make good; and he seemed to think it but reasonable that I shoud be made whole by your Brothers Estate, desiring me at the same time to let them into a thorough state of the affair, and he or Mr Maddison, one of which woud...
68784Notes of a Cabinet Meeting, 15 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
July 15. Th:J. H. and K. met at the President’s. Govr. Mifflin had appld. to Knox for the loan of 4. cannon to mount at Mud Isd. informed him he should station a guard of 35. militia there, and asked what arrangement for rations the general government had taken. Knox told him nothing could be done as to rations and he should ask the Presidt. for the cannon. In the mean time he permitted him to...
68785To James Madison from Daniel Clark, 31 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 December 1803, New Orleans. “Inclosed I forward my account against the U. S. amounting to $180 with the Vouchers therefor.” “These Expences have been incurred for sending four Expresses to Natchez” with letters to Claiborne and to Claiborne and Wilkinson. “The Sum of $60 paid to Luther Smith was by the Generals order for carrying a Packet advising his arrival here from Mobille and his...
68786From John Adams to Richard Rush, 3 June 1816 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether I am in your debt, or you in mine, but I can no longer refrain from writing The death of mr Dexter has awakened my most latent feelings; I am personally so deeply interested in this event, that I dare not trust myself to write, or even think, on the importance of it. Poor, short sighted mortals as we are! I consider my own reputation, & the true character of my...
68787John Langdon to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Portsmouth, N.H., October 21, 1778: Since the Courier de l’Europe , Captain Raffin, is ready to sail for Europe, I take the liberty of mentioning a matter advantageous to our allies and profitable to me. The British Navy was mostly furnished with masts from this port; lately I have sent to Boston all the masts for d’Estaing’s squadron. Please mention to...
68788Archibald Stuart to Thomas Jefferson, 9 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you most sincerely on the passage of the Law establishing the University of Virginia , & rejoice to learn that under your Auspices The most prompt Measures have been taken for the erection of the buildings; This verifies what every body says, “That we cannot yet do without you”— M r Dabney Cosby who will probably hand you this, is desirous of undertakeing a small part of the...
68789[Diary entry: 25 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 25. Mercury at 40 in the Morng. 42 at Noon and 38 at Night. Wind Westwardly and cloudy all day—rather cool—although the ground was not frozen this morning. Laid off part of the Serpentine Road on the South side the grass plat, to day. Prevented going on with it, first by the coming in of Mr. Michael Stone about 10 oclock (who went away before noon)—then by the arrival of Colo. Hooe, Mr....
68790Benjamin Harrison to James Monroe, 24 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your favor of the 14th. of this month I demanded the necessary documents from the Solicitor to give you some general idea of the expenditures of the State for its immediate defence and the conquest of the back country and received such an answer as I expected which I enclose you for your information of the State of Our public accounts. I believe the confusion is...
68791From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Washington’s compliments to Mr Governr Morris. If Mr Morris should have postponed his report, respecting the business entrusted to him by Mrs Lloyd, ’till information could be had from hence, of the conveyance of her Packet to Mr White; the General prays him to present his compliments with it, and assure her, that the packet went by a returng Flag in less than 24 hours after it came to...
68792From George Washington to Robert Morris, 27 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who will have the honor of presenting this to you, delivered me the inclosed (original) Letter . The House of Robert Cary Esqr. and Co. of which Mr Welch was one, was very respectable—I corrisponded with it many years, and had most of my Goods there from. Mr Moore wishing to be introduced to you carries with him in the inclosed recommendation all the knowledge I have of him for I...
68793John Barnes to Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Esteemd fav r 15 th on your Return from Bedford After 7. weeks Absence— Covered your 2 powers for my Receiving all divid ds or profits due or may hereafter become due—&c a . Be pleased to Observe—Both these Stocks viz the $12,500. 6 pC ts and the 46 share Colum
68794To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 24 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
It is my duty to inform you that among the papers (lately inve ntoried & deposited with a french notary public) fou nd belonging to the deceased Joseph Miller of Philadelphia, is an original letter from Albert Gallatin Esqr., addressed to R. R. Livingston, Minister of the United States at Paris, instructing him to Secure the payment of a Claim of the American Government against Said Miller,...
68795General Orders, 4 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a General Court Martial held in Garrison at Philadelphia by order of Brigadier General Woodford the 5th of January 1780—Colonel Neville President—Thomas Warren of the Invalid Corps was tried for “Leaving his post when centinel and for theft”—found guilty of a breach of section 13th article the 6th of the Articles of War of the United States of America and sentenced to suffer death. The...
6879662. A Bill for the Restraint, Maintenance, and Cure of Persons not Sound in Mind, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the present directors of the hospital for reception of persons of unsound minds, and their successors, to be chosen when vacancies happen, by joint ballot of both Houses of General Assembly, are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, to have perpetual continuance, by the name of the Directors of the Hospital, for the maintenance and cure of...
68797From George Washington to John Posey, 24 September 1767 (Washington Papers)
Having receivd your Letters of Wednesday last and today, it appear⟨s⟩ very clear to me from them, as well as from some other convincing Circumstances that you are not only reduced to the last Shifts yourself but are determined to involve me in a great deal of perplexity and distress on your Acct also. why else will you press so hard upon me to do more than I have already done, & consented to...
68798From George Washington to John Blair, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th has been received. You may be assured Sir that nothing but absolute Necessity could induce me to occupy the College with its adjoing Buildings for Military Purposes—I am very sorry to say that the Number of our Sick & Wounded are increasing so fast that Room cannot be found for their Cover & Convenience—In these Circumstances I am persuaded that Mr Bellini will be ready...
68799From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your kind good Wishes of a Number of happy Years for me. I have already enjoy’d and consum’d nearly the whole of those allotted me, being now within a few Days of my 78th.— You have a great many before you; and their being happy or otherwise will depend much on your own Conduct. If by diligent Study now, you improve your Mind,...
68800To James Madison from Henry Hill Jr., 27 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a letter from Mr. Ramage, the person acting as vice Consul at Havana under my late commission as consul for Cuba. The Intendent it appears is desirous of acertaining the quantity of sugar and coffee smuggled in Neutral vessels from that port, with a view probably to adopt some measures to prevent it in future. It has been a pretty general practice of the...