701To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "An Old Soldier", 3 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lived in obscurity for a long time my counsel will perhaps have but little weight with our modern philosophers, but to your Excellency I shall write freely for I think you are better informed respecting mankind. I have for a long time been patient in reading the proceedings of congress which I think are very futile, I for my own part & for the sake of my posterity can devise no way for...
702To James Madison from Daniel Carroll Brent, 14 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The mails of yesterday brought nothing for the office worth forwarding to you. Mr. Foster has observed to me on the subject of the supplies for the Columbine, (the Dispatch vessel at Norfolk) with a view to my communicating the Remark to you, that they scarcely ever victual one of their public vessels for a shorter period than four months at a time, and that the destination of the Columbine...
703From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The question arising on Mr Simons’ letter of Jan. 10. is Whether sea-letters shall be given to the vessels of citizens neither born nor residing in the US? Sea-letters are the creatures of treaties. no act of the ordinary legislature requires them. the only treaties now existing with us, & calling for them are those with Holland, Spain, Prussia & France. in the two former we have stipulated...
704From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, 18 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
I cannot imagine my Dear John what can be the reason of your not writing to me. You used to be a very regular correspondent, but I suppose the Ladies have such demands on your time you have none to bestow on your poor Mother. We are very happy to learn from Mr Pomeroy, that your Grandfather is so entirely recovered he tells us the old Gentleman has not looked so well this two years as he does...
705To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you herewith Returns of the Militia of the United States, made from such Returns as have been received by this Department Accept Sir assurances of my high respect & consideration DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
706To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4–5 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the directions given in your letter of the 27th of October, I have endeavoured to get the rent of the house in which you are to reside fixed with the Committee; but my endeavours have been ineffectual. The footing upon which they have placed the matter with Mr Morris puts it out of their power to ascertain the rent at present. I am informed by Mr Mires Fisher, one of the most...
707Military Establishment, [9 December] 1794 (Madison Papers)
Nicholas called for a committee “to enquire how far the act of Congress for the defence of the frontier had been complied with, and what number of the men ordered to be raised are yet to be enlisted.” JM had reported that act from committee in 1792 ( PJM , 14:199 and n. 1 ). Mr. Madison observed that a gentleman from New-Jersey (Mr. Dayton) had stated three different ways, in which the act was...
708Poor Richard, 1743 (Franklin Papers)
Poor Richard, 1743. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1743 ,... By Richard Saunders, Philom. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New Printing-Office near the Market. (Yale University Library) Because I would have every Man make Advantage of the Blessings of Providence, and few are acquainted with the Method of making Wine of the Grapes which grow wild in our Woods, I do here...
709From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 15 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterdays date is just come to hand. You have my thanks for your care of the Spirits and Cheese, which I could wish to have sent forward to me at this place, or wherever I may be. Colo. Trumbull went from hence to day, to Peekskill; if you could get it into his care he will, I am perswaded, put it into hands that will not suffer it to be stolen or adulterated on the way—but as...
710To James Madison from Joseph Warner Rose, 14 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Joseph Warner Rose. 14 May 1806, Boston. “Having heard of an opportunity direct from this Port to the Island of Antigua which will Sail early the next month and being determined to avail myself of it, I beg leave to communicate it as you may have some orders for me. The Commission as commercial Agent which the President has confer’d on me directs me to render all the Assistance in my...
711From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
With Mr. Davis’s report of the 8th I enclose all the papers relative to the complaint of Mr Liston against Capt Laskey & Capt Mugford & am Sir your most obedient I return also Carnots pamphlet. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
712To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 10 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Cn. Pichon returns the Secretary of State, with his best compliments, the inclosed papers which were communicated for Citizen Pichon’s examination. It is Cn. Pichon’s opinion that the cases of American captures by french West-india cruisers described in those papers, all, except the case No. 1. of the Brig Betzy of Norwich captured January 1797 and adjuged on the 14th come within the...
713To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 2 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot help feeling some chagrin when I find you constantly treating the debt I owe you as if you were in danger of loosing it, because I wish to stand higher in your confidence than it seems is the case. I have assured you that you should not loose and I am happy to see my way clear to effect the payment pretty soon, perhaps some influen⟨ce o⟩n your part over those who are to pay may ⟨b⟩e...
714From George Washington to John Jay, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have waited with anxious expectation, for some plan to be adopted by Congress which would have a general operation throughout the States for compleating their respective Battalions. No plan for this purpose has yet come to my knowledge, nor do I find that the several Governments are pursuing any measures to accomplish the end by particular arrangements of their own legislatures. I therefore...
71511th. (Adams Papers)
Paris Afternoon. Coll. Humphreys and Mr. Short, went with us to see Astley’s equestrian exercises which, may be seen once or twice with pleasure, but which are tiresome, to one who has seen them as often as I have. Astley exhibits from October till february in Paris, and the rest of the year in London. His Amphitheatre here, is generally very full: he might make a very large fortune, but...
716To Alexander Hamilton from William Duer, 22 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 22, 1792 . The calendar summary of this letter reads as follows: “Similar letter of appreciation.” Letter not found .] Letter listed in “Calendar Summary of Philip Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton Papers,” Personal Miscellaneous, Box 6, Schuyler, MS Division, New York Public Library. See Duer to H, March 21, 1792 .
717To George Washington from George Turner, 1 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to place your Name upon a keg filled with Pekán Nuts. May I beg of you to present them to your Lady—whose acceptance I should feel as an honour conferred on one who subscribes himself, impressed with Sentiments of the highest respect, Sir, Your most obedient and very humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . This letter is docketed “From Judge Turner 1st Dec. 1795,” but that date...
718To James Madison from James Simpson, 28 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I had the honour of addressing No. 59 to you the ninth of this Month in duplicate, by way of Gibraltar & Lisbon. The 18th. Inst. Passports for the Frigate Mirboka of 22 Guns and 100 Men, and on the 23d. for the Maimona of thirty Guns and One hundred and fifty Men, the former to sail from Larach and the latter from Salle on a Cruise, were demanded and of consequence granted by all the Consuls...
719To George Washington from David Forman, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The British Fleete from New York Consisting of Seven Ships of 60 Guns and upwards Twelve Large Transport Ships and Ten Topsail Schoners and Sloops made Sail from sandy Hook on Saturday Morning last about Ten OClock The Wind about South East—at Twelve The Whole fleete was Clear of The Hook and The Wind Hauled round to Southd, in The afternoon The wind Was to The Westward of South. Upon Which...
720To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 22 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have answered a letter from this man, a few days ago, stating that the bills would not be paid unless Congress ordered it, & that to that body he might apply MHi : Coolidge Collection.
721Enclosure: [List of Military Appointments], [20 November 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Captains 1 Ephraim Emery appointd Jany 10th. 1799 1 2 Thomas Chandler do do 2 3 Simeon Draper do do ☞ 7 4 Nathaniel Twing do
722From John Adams to United States Senate, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of Affairs between Some of the Citizens of the United States and the Cherokee Indians, has evinced the Propriety of holding a Treaty with that Nation, for the purpose of extinguishing by Purchase, their Right to certain parcells of Land, and for adjusting and Settling other Points relative to the Safety and Conveniency of our Citizens. With this View and for these Ends I nominate...
723Instructions to Colonel Armand, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of making our Service as agreeable to you as possible, and of furnishing you with every Opportunity in my power of acquiring Honour, I have consented to the request you made me of raising and commanding a Partisan Corps. You probably will have it more in your power, to distinguish yourself at the head of a body of Men that understand the French Language, than of any others, Wherefore...
724To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 26 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By unavoidable Incidents this Letter is delayed beyond the usual Time for which I assure you I am extremely sorry. Your Favor gave great Pleasure as well to the Committee as to several Members of the House who are much pleased with your judicious Caution to distinguish between what you sport as your private Opinion and the weighty Sentiments of the General. No Circumstance could have more...
725To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter we have just dispatched to Lt Colo. White. We thought if these suspicions were well founded that it was of consequence your Excellency should be made acquainted with the facts; & they might coincide with other circumstances which may fall within your immediate knowledge. If any satisfactory intelligence should be recd it shall be forwarded without delay. We...
726To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 18 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
J’ay eû l’honnoeur d’êcrire a Vôtre Excellence voye de Cadix & de Madrid le 13e & 28e du mois de May de l’année qui vient de terminer, affin de l’informer sur tout ce qui s’êtoit passé rapport a la mort inopinée du Feu Roy Sydy Mohamet Ben Abdalla & sur l’installation de son successoeur Sydy Mulay Liazid (q:D:g) J’ay appris ensuite de mon Frere Francisco qu’il avoit obtenu un Delai sur...
727To Thomas Jefferson from Pierpont Edwards, 25 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr George Wolcott of Windsor in Hartford county, in this state, brother of Alexander Wolcott Esqr., is desirous of being appointed surveyor of the port of Saybrook, in the district of Middletown, should Mr Dickinson , the present holder of that office be displaced, an event which I presume must soon take place. George Wolcott has been as essentially injured by the persecution of the...
728[Diary entry: 26 December 1770] (Washington Papers)
26. At Home all day alone.
729To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a letter from Mr Levi Hollingsworth relative to the situation of the Stores in that quarter —General Mughlenburg has marched with his detachment to cover the removeal of the Stores—If your Excellency thinks any additional force is necessary it shall be sent immediately—I wait your further Orders and am your Excellencies Most Obedient & very humbl. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Robert Hanson...
730Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
A long interval has gone by since the date of my last to you, but I have received nothing from you in the course of it. Not a vessel has arrived here from Hamburg for several months and none of your letters later than the beginning of December have reached this Country. We know that in consequence of the severity of the past winter, the navigation of the Elbe was obstructed for many weeks,...
731To James Madison from James Monroe, [ca. 1 December 1813] (Madison Papers)
It is not known that the British govt. has accepted the mediation of Russia; nothing has been receved from our ministers employed under it; and no intimation to that effect has been communicated to this govt., either from the Emperor of Russia, or from the British govt. Early accounts, after the appointment & departure of our Envoys, indicated the rejection of that friendly overture, & altho...
732To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Commissions which are required for the Officers mentioned in the list accompanying my letter to you of the 7t ultimo & whose appointments have since been confirmed by the Senate.— I am very respectfully Sir, Your most ob Serv. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
733To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
There was Information forwarded to Head Quarters yesterday P.M. of the Sailing of 13 Ships from Boston, I Sent one Capt. Davis Down the Harbour to watch their Motion, and he reports on his return that they put to Sea & Stood their Course about E.S.E. which appears as if they were bound to the Southward: that Course would Lead them out by Cape Cod, & to the Chops of the South Chanel —I am Sir...
734To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 21 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having acquired information & provisions of the Mandans On the evening of the 7th of Apl. 1805 we embarked with our baggage on board 2 large perogues and six small canoes at Fort Mandan—on a Voyage of Discovery to the Pacific Ocean. The party consisted of the following persons my friend and Colleague Capt. Wm Clark, Interpreters George Drewyer and Touasant Charbono, Sergts. John Ordway...
735Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 20 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am told that a Vessell will this Day sail for Holland. I know not how to neglect so fair an Opportunity of Writing, convinced that a Line from your Friend will be acceptable, if it be only to inform you that we have an Existence in America as an indepen den t Nation, that our Commonwealth lives, that our annual Election is Compleated, the Legislative and executive Bodies organized, That our...
736To James Madison from Cyrus Griffin, ca. 3 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 3 June 1788 . Mentioned in Brown to JM, 7 June 1788 . Encloses resolution of Congress concerning the independence of Kentucky.
737Thomas Jefferson’s Estimate of Grain Needs, [ca. 1 October 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimate of grain from Oct. 1. 19 —to July 7. 20 40 weeks Resources
738From James Madison to William Bradford, 20 January 1775 (Madison Papers)
Your very acceptable favours by Mr. Rutherford arrived safe but I perceived by the date, had a very tedious passage which perhaps may be attributed to the craziness of the Vessel in which you embarked them. I ought to mention in particular that I did not receive them till after I wrote my last as an apology for my not then acknowledging it I entirely acquiesce in your Opinion of our friend...
739From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by Colo. Le Maire. You knew him when in our service, and that he was one of the few who merited what was done for him. He returns to Virginia to obtain the land given him for his special services and what is due to him as an officer. He is reduced to extreme poverty and I am afraid will meet with difficulty to subsist till he can obtain his grants unless he can find...
740Archibald Robertson to Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made enquiry of the Inspectors & others that saw Mr Bankheads Tob o inspected and must decline for the present making an offer for it, the quality not being such as would suit us— I take the liberty of troubleing you with a letter herein for Mr Higginbotham , which you will have the goodness to forward on your return to Albemarle — By the bearer you will receive the articles in your mem...
741To Benjamin Franklin from the Eastern Navy Board, 18 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: New York Public Library We were honored with your favor of the 2d of June, but not till several days after the Arrival of the French Frigate, which prevented us the pleasure of acknowledging it by the Mercury Packet which sailed for France about a fortnight agoe. We are Sorry that any differences have subsisted among the Officers on board the...
742From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 6 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Other parts of your letter of yesterday may be remembered hereafter; but “ Brimborion ” must not be delayed nor trifled with. I shall produce an authority or two. Deletanville’s Dictionary. Brimborion SM. A trifle, A thing of little value. Lallemonts Dictionary. Brimborions. S.M.PL. Bagatelles choses de peu de valeur. Apinæ arum. Crepundia orum Children’s Playthings. Baubles as Bells Rattles....
743From John Jay to Jacob Read, 16 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
accept my Thanks for your very friendly Letter of the 31 Dec r last. the attack you alude to has given me much more Trouble than it has Pain. Every innocent man has an infallible specific against the Effects of Calumny, viz t . by invariably behaving in such a manner as to render the Falsehoods told of him incredible—It is natural for Ingratitude to seek for Justification, and when other...
744From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of June 7. and am glad to find by it that you are safely return’d from your Virginia Journey, having settled your Affairs there to Satisfaction, and that you found your Family well at New York. I feel for you in the Fall you had out of your Chair. I have had three of those Squelches in different Journeys, and never desire a fourth. I...
745Avril 15. Mecredi. (Adams Papers)
Went Yesterday to return the Visits, made me by American Gentlemen. Dined this Day, with Madam Helvetius, one Gentleman, one Lady, Dr. F., his G. Son and myself made the Company—an elegant Dinner. Mm. is a Widow—her Husband was a Man of Learning and wrote several Books. She has erected a Monument to her Husband, a Model of which she has. It is herself, weeping over his Tomb, with this...
746To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 17 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 24th Ult: with a Bank note of 200 dollars, and ought e’er this to have acknowledged the rect thereof, but have thus long delay’d writing, that I might be able to give you some satisfactory Accot respecting Buck wheat. I am now satisfyed that I shall be able to procure the quantity you want, as I have got about 300 Bushells, and the Ball: I may be sure of obtaining. I cou’d...
747From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 6 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Supposing the Catalogue of our American Ores and Minerals collected by the late Mr. Hazard, might afford you some Amusement, I send my Letter to Mr. Tissington open to you, and give you the Trouble of forwarding it to him when you have perus’d it. The Bearer of this is Mr. James Logan Son of my Learned Friend of that Name. I beg Leave to recommend him to...
748To George Washington from Michael McDonnell, 1789 (Washington Papers)
Permit one of the lowest of the people to approach you with every sentiment of Gratitude and Respect which has been, or can be expressed by any individual, or collective Body in the Union. Likewise to intrude upon your patience with a request, which if inconsistent with your inclination to admit, must rely on your well-known candour to pardon the impertinent intrusion. I am a person Sir of a...
7494th. (Adams Papers)
I began this day to translate the Eclogues of Virgil. What a difference between this Study, and that of a dry barren greek Grammar. But without sowing the grain there certainly can be no harvest, and there is no Rose, without a thorn. I have been invited to several places, but as yet have had to plead, as an excuse, that my trunks are not come, and I have no Clothes to appear decently in....
750To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Brinley, 11 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
In the United States Calender for 1800. I have observed a list of the Army which professes to be generally accurate in respect to rank, & in which I find my name the third on the list of Lieutenants in the 16th. Regiment. Being ignorant from what authority the arrangement there given is derived I have not known precisely what degree of credibility it deserves. Recollecting the information you...