6951From Benjamin Franklin to [Vergennes], 26 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress N’ayant aucun moyen de Satisfaire aux payemens de Sommes aussi considerables & ne pouvant Supporter l’Idée de perdre le reste de Confiance que nous avons acquis en Europe par un retour à protest qui apprêteroit à rire aux Anglois à nos dépens en leur fournissant les moyens d’ajouter des realites aux fictions qu’ils...
6952To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 Aug. 1779. On 1 Aug., GW wrote Parsons: “I return you my thanks for the intelligence contained in your letter of this date.”
6953To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 30 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New London, Connecticut ] April 30, 1790 . “I am favd. with your Letter of the 21st. respecting Light Houses &c and am much obliged to the president for the Appointment therein announced to me. I do not know of any Beacons Buoys or piers in this state that come within the Description of the Act of Congress but will make Enquiry. The Legislature of this state in May last ordered the buoys...
6954To John Jay from Jedidiah Morse, 28 February 1815 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your acceptable favor of the 14 th . inst. which was rec d . in due course of mail. I regret that your health is declining & hope that you may yet be better, & be continued many years to your family & country. I shall make a vigorous effort to pay you a visit with M r s Morse, in the course of the next six or eight months—but we have learned not to be sanguine in our...
6955To Thomas Jefferson from Malesherbes, 15 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je ne suis, Monsieur, presque Jamais à Paris. J’ai profité d’un seul Jour où J’y ai été pour aller vous faire mes remercimens de la prodigieuse quantité de Graines de Cedre rouge que vous m’avez envoyés, et Je n’ai pas été assez heureux pour vous trouver. J’espere être plus heureux la premiere fois que J’irai, mais Je ne veux pas attendre Jusques là à vous exprimer ma reconnoissance. Ces...
6956Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society That you may be able to judge of the Quality of the arms when remounted I have ordered one of each to be sent by the messagerie which will come directed to Mr. Carmichael in the same manner as the samples of those sent by the Mercury did. The workmen are constantly at Work upon the Ship, and Shipackers are also at Work on the Bales, all is going on as fast...
6957Gibson & Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson, [before 12 April 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
We did not write to you by last mail, in consequence of our not having been able to get a purchaser for your Tobacco We have since then disposed of it viz the four worst Hhd s to O Philpotts on 60 d /. at 2$ and the two best to J: G: Gamble at 6½$, as we could not obtain what we consider’d the value of the remaining Hhd N o 2031, we have requested M
6958To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 13 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The paper referred to by Abishai Thomas Esq. in his Letter dated the 12th instant, is merely a Rect. signed “ James Green Jr. Treas. Loan Office ” for a number of indented Certificates supposed to be then issued in pursuance of the resolutions of Congress of the 2d. of January & 2nd. of July 1779 in favour of a Chairman of a Committee of Accounts in North Carolina. The Rect. was given by Mr....
6959From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 23d Ulto; but not at so early a period as might have been expected from the date of it. My mind has always been more disposed to apply the shares in the inland navigations of Potomac & James River (which were left to my disposal by the legislature of Virginia) towards the endowment of a University in the U. States, than to any other object it had contemplated. In...
6960To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 3 May 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Always attentive to your commands, I have obtained here, and now inclose you the song and the receipt you desired. I once had both of them at home, but they are mislaid among a mass of papers, so that I could find neither previous to my leaving Chantilly, or your request would then have been complied with. I hope you have received the pamphlet I sent you some weeks ago entitled “Observations...
6961To John Adams from William Moulton, 11 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
At this important crisis, while the sensibility of our good citizens through the union is awakened by the indignities the United States have suffered from the French government, and while they are signifying their confidence in and approbation of the measures adopted by their own Government, I hope it will not be deemed impertinent or improper in me to testify my sensibility at the nefarious...
6962George Washington to Colonel David Forman, 25 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 25, 1778 . Orders Forman to leave salt works and join Colonel Israel Shreve’s regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6963To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The fort & Garrison with Colo. Johnston are ours—Our Officers & men behaved like men who are determined to be free. Yours Most Sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, enclosed in GW to George Clinton, this date, sold by Christie’s, Sale No. 1770, 5 Dec. 2006, no. 324. A letter from GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison to an unknown recipient, written on this date, reads: “His Excellency requests you...
6964To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Majr Boyce who has reconnoitered the enemy now in Billingsport and reports their strength to be 1500 men at least 1300 of whom went from Phila. he will inform you of particulars. This evening the enemy have been reconnoitering us from the Meadows, what they intend I know not. Certainly their force scatterd in this manner must weaken them much. Their Shiping have...
6965From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Letter of the 1st Instt, and am sorry to find that you meet with so many difficulties in raising your Regiment. I cannot request Governor Trumbull to advance the Extra bounty; That would be approving a measure which I have always condemned as impolitick and injurious to the General interest, and would be promoting a proceeding, so far from being authorized by the...
6966To James Madison from Edward Hempstead, 31 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
A deep sense of duty, alone, impels me to intrude a few remarks upon you, on a subject of vital importance to the future prosperity, if not, to the future existence of the Missouri Territory. These are occasiond by an address subscribed by the Delegation in Congress from the State of Ohio, (with an Individual exception) and by the Delegate from the Indiana Territory. This proposes among other...
6967To James Madison from John Mitchell, 21 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 July 1804, Le Havre. “Since mine of the 5h. I have received the Returns from Dieppe of the Vessells enterd at that port [not found] & forward it ⅌ this Occasion. This Day the Embargo is raised and I hope the Vessells detaind at fecamp & Dieppe will be able to sail. I forward the last News papers from Paris.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Havre, vol. 1). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received in October.
6968From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Tierlin, 9 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with great satisfaction the letter of the Viscount de Vergennes and take a sincere interest in whatever had relation to my former venerable acquaintance the Count de Vergennes. on his account therefore, as well as your own, I shall be happy in occasions of being useful to you. on the subject of your letter I have the pleasure to inform you that General Turreau, minister of France is...
6969From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 20 August 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George William Fairfax, 20 Aug. 1774. On 30 June 1786 GW wrote Fairfax : “With respect to your Book Debts, my letters of the 10th of June, 20th of Augt [1774] . . . will have informed you of the difficulties which then occurred.”
6970To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed letters I brought with me from London—several circumstances concurred to detain me in England longer than I wished or expected, or there would not have been so long a space between the date of these letters and their delivery— Dr. Fothergill would have written to you long before, but deferred it, for obvious reasons, untill some safe...
6971James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you by this days mail, the documents of greatest interest , which have been presented to Congress during the present Session. on our concerns with Spain we have nothing new, & little reason to expect a minister here from that country, during the Session, m r Vivas , said to have been appointed some months ago, being under quarantine, within a few leagues of Madrid , in consequence of...
6972From John Adams to John Taylor, 21 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
You remember I have reserved a right of employing twenty years to answer your Book, because you consumed that number in writing it. I have now written you thirty Letters and have not advanced beyond a dozen pages of your Work. At this rate I must ask indulgence for forty or fifty years more. You know that your Amusement and my own are the principal Objects that I have in View. In the fine...
6973[Diary entry: 11 March 1769] (Washington Papers)
11. Ground excessive hard froze & Morning very cold—wind being fresh from the No. Wt. but the Afternoon more moderate wind falling.
6974Thomas Jefferson to Philip P. Barbour, 12 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I should at all times be happy to see you here, but at this moment have a particular occasion to ask that favor of you. the Rivanna company , engaged in clearing the river from Moore’s ford to Milton , have called a meeting with a view to petition the next legislature to enlarge their powers; that is to say their powers over my property, for it is over that of no other human being. the laws...
6975To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Yesterday Recd. a letter from Mr. Gregoire informing me that your Excellency has no objection to giveing me my liberty provided you were assured that I was raly an American. Inclosed I send you three Letters I have receivd. from Mr Frazier which is all I can do to convince you Mr. Frazier has likewise informed me that he has acquainted your Excellency...
6976From Alexander Hamilton to William Skinner, 8 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 29th. of August is just come to hand. My circular of the first of November which you had received required that you should not admit on loan the Certificates of the State of North Carolina upon its own account. The reason of this would operate in regard to the Comptroller or any other Officer of the State, or any individual who might be the acknowledged or secret Agent of...
6977From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 15th and 16th instants. When the 1st and 5th New York Regiments were ordered up to Albany, I directed Genl Clinton, if he should receive advice that the enemy had retired, to send them down again. Under this order he accordingly directed their return: I had not then fixed, in my mind, the line of Cantonment of which I afterwards informed you. Upon the whole,...
6978To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 9 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Being desirous of forwarding the Clothing, Stores &c., belonging to the Troops of the Convention, and also a Cargo of Wine and other Refreshments for their Comfort, to Charlotteville in Virginia, I am to request you will be so obliging to send me the necessary Passports for the Ships mentioned in the Margin to proceed to Richmond on James River, for that purpose. And as I wish at the same time...
6979From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Fornandez an Officer just released from Captivity by an exchange, informs me, that large and weekly supplies of fresh provision are brought into York, which, he was informed by a Friend of ours, came from Connecticut, but whether by Water or by Land he does not know—This information I have thought proper to transmit to your Honor by the earliest opportunity, that you may adopt such...
6980From George Washington to James Gildart, 12 October 1773 (Washington Papers)
Upon a Review of my Books, there appears to be a Balle due from you, to me, on my own private Acct. of £34.6.9½. Please to examine how this matter stands on your Books, and if found right remit the money to Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. Merchants in London whose discharge will be good against Sir Yr most Hble Servt ALB , DLC:GW . After his marriage in 1759 and until 1766, GW continued the Custis...
6981To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 25 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 21st Inst. this Evening, and, as you seem to be misinform’d respecting Mr Laurence Lewis’s Intention of changing his State, I thought it best, on Information from Mrs Lewis (he being at present in Berkly) and his other friends here, to lose no time in writing to you again—They say (& I also believe) that he has no Notion at all of entering into the matrimonial State, and...
6982To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Copy of a Contract entered into by Elijah and Simon House for ye supply of rations in ye. State of Connecticut— I am Sir Your obed Servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Army contract with Elijah and Simon House, October 4, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). A note on the cover of the LS from James McHenry reads:...
6983[January 1786] (Adams Papers)
The forenoon discourse from Acts XXVI. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, inculcated thankfulness for the goodness of Providence in suffering us to live to this day. That in the afternoon from Psalm CXVI. 12. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? was more general, and respected all the blessings, the People have enjoyed during the...
6984To George Washington from Colonel Thomas McKean, 10 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Colonel Thomas McKean, 10 Aug. 1776. In his letter to McKean of 13 Aug. , GW refers to “your Letter of the 10th Instt.”
6985To James Madison from Thomas Lehré, 29 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
In a letter I wrote you on the 27th. Inst. in great haste, just as the mail was closing, I informed you that a very numerous meeting of the Citizens of this City, & its vicinity, took place on that day in Saint Michaels Church. That they appointed a Committee to draw up a Report, which Committee withdrew & between 12 & 1 oClock on the same day made their Report. I also then gave you my...
6986From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Bankson, 11 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson will be obliged to Mr. Bankson as soon as he has finished the letters left with him yesterday, to go on with the Duplicate of those Aug. 16. and 23d. to Mr. Gouverneur Morris and the documents, taking therein the assistance of the other gentlemen. The press copy is to be sent to Mr. Morris, that on writing paper being wanting for another purpose . When it is ready, Mr. Bankson...
6987To James Madison from Benjamin H. Rand, 16 December 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have just Published an elegant Edition of the Farewell Address of the late President Washington. If you will condescend to give a Copy of it a place in your Library, you will confer a particular favour on Your Obedient & Very Humble Servant The Work alluded to I have forwarded to the care of Mr Wm Browne of Georgetown D.C. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. Rand’s engraved broadside of Washington’s...
6988From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 12 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The necessity of drawing on you for a considble sum obliging me to take the best review I can of our accounts since the last one rendered I suppose 350. B. flour to have b n deliv d on my acc t from Th: J. R and 50. B. by T. E. R. which with the money deposited with you for me by Th: J. R. pay my balance of Dec. 31. and subseq t draughts & your other owed disbursem ts
6989From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It is some time since I procured the Discharge of your Capt. Stephenson. He did not call here in his Way home. I hope he arrived safely, and had a happy Meeting with his friends and family. I have long postponed answering your Letter of the 29th. of June. A principal Point in it, on which you seemed to desire my Opinion, was the Conduct you thought America ought to...
6990From Thomas Jefferson to David Rittenhouse, 1 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honour of inclosing you a printed copy of the report on measures &c. You asked in your letter whether the papers I had sent you were to be kept or returned. They are now useless and therefore may be done what you please with. They were only copies of what I had retained. Congress will rise this week, and I hope to be able within a fortnight after them to leave this place for...
6991To Benjamin Franklin from Marc-Antoine-Maximilien-Cesar Le Francq, 20 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society échapé des mains de nos ennemis je prens la liberté de vous addresser le memoire ci joint, supliant Votre excellence de vouloir bien y jetter les yeux, et m’honnorer de ses ordres que j’attens avec autant d’empressement que j’en ai a vous prier d’agrèer les assurances des sentimens de la parfaite vénération et du profond respect avec lesquels je suis...
6992[Diary entry: 7 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—57 at Noon and 60 at Night. A Very thick fog in the morning, & but little wind all day—the fog continuing till near 12 oclock. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs and the Ferry. At Muddy hole 2 plows only at work—the other hands getting Corn in the New ground in front of the Mansion house. At Morris 4 plows were at Work. All the other hands...
6993To Alexander Hamilton from John Daves, 20 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bern [ North Carolina ] May 20, 1794 . “Agreeable to your letter dated April 3rd. I have appointed John Wallace Agent for Imploying workmen supplying materials &c for the fortifications to be erected at Ocacoke.… Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at New Bern, National Archives. Daves was collector of customs at New Bern. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of Customs,”...
6994From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 18 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed by the Secretary of War that there are, at Albany, five eight inch Brass Howitzers; two of them are wanted for a particular purpose which you will cause to be transported to this place without Delay— With great consideration I am Sir yr. obedt. servant P.S. I request as soon as possible an estimate of the ammunition of every kind requisite for a six month seige for the following...
6995[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 24 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 24 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Govr. Introducing McAlister.” Letter not found; see Virginia delegates to Harrison, 22 Mch. 1784 .]
6996Agreement between Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Massie, 18 December 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society <December 18, 1771, in Massie’s hand. On December 22, 1770, Franklin had received from him a collection of manuscripts, papers, and printed books on certain conditions, and had paid him sixty guineas therefor on certain conditions, enumerated in the receipts that were then exchanged. The present agreement is to extend the time for either or both parties to...
6997From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [16 June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton presents his Compliments to Mr. Jefferson. He has perused with much satisfaction the draft of his report on the subject of weights and measures. There is no view which Mr. H has yet taken of the matter which stands opposed to the alteration of the money-unit as at present contemplated by the regulations of Congress either in the way suggested in the report or in that mentioned in...
6998Thomas Jefferson to Charles K. Mallory, 23 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17 th came to hand yesterday. I had, two days before, addressed a letter , on the subject of these packages of wine to mr Starke of your office, with whom I had had occasion to exchange a letter in Oct. on another article. I learn from yours now before me , that you had been so kind as to anticipate my request to him, and to forward the cases to mess rs Gibson & Jefferson...
6999To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 22 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellys Favour of the 19th Inst. requesting 250 Waggons from this State was duly received & Orders have issued accordingly. I fear the Collection of them considering the great Demand by Mr Cornay & other Causes will be more tedious than the Exigency of our Affairs will well admit. The Number of Waggons in this State is most amazingly diminished—the County of Lancaster which formerly...
7000To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 5 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
Tu m’aduli, ma tu mi piace says anÿ where Chesterfield—but so you do in a most egregious manner—but you make your Physic so highly palatable, that it is swallowed, before reason can with sufficient coolness examine, if the encomium—so kindly bestowed is really deserved. You want not to be informed—that I am highlÿ pleased, when I am favoured with your encouraging approbation—and whÿ should I...