71861[To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 10 February 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 10 Feb. 1786 . Recorded in SJL as received 12 Feb. 1786. Not found.]
71862To Thomas Jefferson from Thevenard, 10 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Barkley ma remis la lettre dont votre Excellence m’a honoré le 13 du mois dernier. J’ai l’honneur de vous rendre graces de la permission que vous me donnez de prendre une Copie d’un des portraits de M. Wasingthon que vous possedez. J’ai celui de M. franklin peint avec la plus grande verité, et je voudrais lui mettre en regard celui du Celebre Général dans la même format ou grandeur: cest à...
71863To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 10 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter, written lately to you, after acknowledging the receipt of a pacquet, i begged you, if it would not be inconvenient, to procure for me the arms of Taliaferro, engraven on a small copper plate, with the name Richard Taliaferro, and this motto, taken from Επτα επι Θηβας Αισχυλου, S.598. Ου δοκειν αριςος αλλ’ ειναι or without αριςος , if you think it, omitted, will be understood. In...
7186411th. (Adams Papers)
Eliza spent the day at Mr. White’s; went down and drank tea there, with Mr. Thaxter, who was here part of the Evening. Mr. Shaw preaches to-morrow at Boxford, and is to be supplied, by a Mr. Howe, who came here this Evening. An extraordinary Character. He adopted a degree of familiarity, as soon as he came into the house, which, did not in any measure prejudice me in his favour. Indeed by the...
71865Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson with a Memorandum of Purchases, 11 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on monday. It is with regret I assure you Sir that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becomeing more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honour to their Country placed in more distinguishd stations. Yet these...
71866Enclosure: Memorandum of Purchases, 11 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
£ s d to 2 peices of Irish linen at 4s. pr. yd. 8 14 0 to making 12 Shirts at 3s. pr Shirt 1 16 0 to buttons thread silk 0 3 0 to Washing 0 3 6 a Trunk
71867[Diary entry: 11 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 30 at Night. Wind at No. East all day—very raw, and cold—a red angry sky at Sunrising; lowering about Noon and snowing afterwards, by intervals, towards night. A Mr. Wooldridge (an English gentleman) and a Mr. Waddell of No. Carolina—together with Mr. Murray, Mr. Wilson, & Mr. Maize came here to dinner & stayed all night....
71868To George Washington from David Humphreys, 11 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you by the ship which brought me your affectionate favour of the 25th of July; since which I have been honoured by the receipt of your letters of the 1st of Septr & 30th of Octr—they reached me a few days ago in this city, where I have been about two months. You may naturally expect I should give some little account of this great wonder of the world and the reception I have...
71869To John Jay from Lafayette, 11 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I Have not Had for a long time the Honour to Address you either in public or private letters—this is owing to a tour I made through several parts of Europe, and to a derangement in the packets which to my great Concern I found to Have taken place during my absence in the Course of a journey to prussia, Silesia, the Austrian dominions, and Back again to Berlin, I Could not But Have many...
71870To James Madison from James Monroe, 11 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my last I mention’d to you, the subject of the impost was reviv’d & that a report of a Committee had given place to a motion of Mr. Pinckney, the latter being still before the house. The report, and motion with a report from the Bd. of treasury to the same effect have since been committed, in which State the business now lies. I inclose you a paper containing the report. It is doubted...
71871To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 11 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on Monday. It is with regret, I assure you, Sir, that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becoming more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honor to their country placed in more distinguished stations. Yet...
7187212th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Howe, preached us two Sermons from John III. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. The text did not please me at first, and the tenets held forth, were pretty much such as I should have expected from this beginning. In the morning he said he would have us suppose, that we all wish’d and desired our...
71873Charles Storer to Abigail Adams, 12 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Times without number have I been questioned on the history you communicated to me just before I left London, and which I touched upon in my last, by Capn: Lyde. I find that all our friends are anxiously interested in the matter, and I must confess I find in my heart to join with them. Though we all highly applaud what has lately been done, y et many are fearfull of an accommodation. “The...
71874[Diary entry: 12 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 12th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morng.—32 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snow about half an inch deep in the Morning but soon disappeared afterwards—cloudy for the most part and but a feeble Sun at any time of the day—not much Wind and that about So. Et. Messrs. Wilson, Murray, and Mease went away before breakfast—Mr. Wooldridge and Mr. Waddell after it and Miss Ramsay & Kitty Washington some...
71875To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je suis fort obligé à Votre Excellence de la prompte réponse dont Elle a daigné m’honorer en date du 2e. fev. Comme aussi de la démarche qu’il lui a plu de faire déjà auprès du Congrès à mon sujet, et de celle que Vous vous proposez encore de faire quant au paiement de mes arrérages et intérêts . Voici Monsieur la Lettre que vous avez eu la bonté de me conseiller d’écrire de mon côté. Elle...
71876To Thomas Jefferson from Favi, 12 February [1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Favi a L’honneur de remercier Monsieur de Jefferson de l’ouvrage interessant, qu’il a bien voulu Lui envoyer. Il est très sensible à cette marque de son amitiè, et il Lira avec Le plus grand plaisir un Livre, dont on dît tant de bien, et qui donne une juste idèe d’un Pays, qu’il aime beaucoup. Il est confus cependant de tant de bontés, dont Monsieur Jefferson L’honore, et Le prie d’agrèer...
7187713th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Allen, came over and dined here. They carried away my Cousin with them. She purposes spending a week at Bradford. Finished the second Book of the Iliad, the latter part of which is a tedious enumeration of the Ships, which might I think as well have been omitted. Pope’s Translation of this, is surely an excellent Poem; but the Ideas, are often very different. There is indeed a...
71878[Diary entry: 13 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 13th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. Cloudy Morning but tolerably clear afterwards till Noon when it lowered and sprinkled fine Snow by intervals till Night by which the ground was not covered more than half an inch. Wind Southerly but raw and cold notwithstanding. Planted the two peach trees which were brought on Saturday from Doctr. Griffiths in my fruit...
71879Report on Navigation of the Mississippi River, 25 February 1786, enclosing John Jay to Alexander Fowler, 13 February … (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States of America of the Department for foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter to him from A. Fowler of 1 st . October last, complaining that a Boat which he had sent down the Mississipi was stopped at the Natches by the Spaniards— Reports That there is good Reason to believe that the King of Spain is resolved if possible to exclude all Nations from the...
71880To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Bancroft, 13 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I some months since took the Liberty of writing you a Letter respecting the situation Mr. Paradise and a Claim of his on the State of Virginia: I was at that time apprehensive, that any partial favour or justice could not properly be shewn to him, or any individual; and yet my feelings were then so much affected by what I knew, and by what he had just represented to me of his difficulties,...
71881To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 13 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Some day’s after my return, I did myself the honor of writing to your Excellency; and after attempting in a few Lines to express the obligation I felt myself under to you, while at Paris, I touched on the political stage, hinted at Mr. Eden, and left the papers which accompanied it, to satisfy you more fully on the subject. I also mentioned the application made by the ministry to a Committee...
7188214th. (Adams Papers)
Snow’d all the morning. Young Mr. Willis arrived from Boston, and informed us that a vessel will sail from Boston for London, in the Course of this Week. I wrote all the Evening, and closed a Letter to my Sister. Began the third book of the Iliad, and the Acts in the Testament. Letter not found.
71883Abigail Adams 2d to Elizabeth Cranch, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mr Smith informed me last Evening of an opportunity of writing by Way of N York and as I know of no immediate Conveyance to Boston I shall accept it to acknowledge the receipt of your two last letters by Capts Cushing, and Lyde, and to assure you that tho I have been negligent of writing, I have not been unmindfull of my friends. Indeed I have several times attempted writing you and have began...
71884Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams 2d, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yours My Dear Niece, of October 2d came safe to hand, and as I read, I could not but admire the justness of Thought, and the propriety and Elegance of Expression. My Heart assented to the truth of every Sentiment, but if you make the frequent writing to you, the Scale by which you judge of the love and affection of your Friends, I fear I shall be found wanting , through a multiplicity of Cares...
71885From John Adams to John Jay, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have Sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who Setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be Sufficient to Shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. on one Side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal son, not...
71886From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have inclosed to M r Ramsay an Address to the landed trading and funded Interests of England, which contains Some good Sense, intermixed here and there with a little Folly. M r. Ramsay will be so good as to let you read it and in return you may let him read the inclosed Principle of the Commutation Act. As the Commerce of the United States begins to run to the East Indies, every Thing which...
71887[Diary entry: 14 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 14th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—36 at [noon] and 38 at Night. In the course of last night there fell 8 Inches Snow and it continued snowing slightly till 10 or 11 Oclock when it cleared & became a fine afternoon and evening—Not much wind and that variable sometimes at So. Et. then at No. West and then calm. Employed all the women and Weak hands (who on acct. of the Snow) could...
71888To John Jay from John Adams, 14 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Letter, inclosing two Pamphlets one of which I have sent to M r Jefferson, by Coll Humphreys who setts out for Paris this morning. These Letters will be sufficient to shew any Man of common Decency, the Characters of the Writers. On one side there is the Condescension of a provident but indulgent Father: on the other the Impertinence and Ingratitude of a Prodigal Son, not...
71889From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, ca. 14 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. ca. 14 February 1786. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 18 March 1786 , where JM noted the arrival of a letter written by the Attorney General “dated prior to his receipt of mine.” Apparently JM wrote Randolph some time in the middle of February concerning Jefferson’s plea that work on the state capitol should be suspended until his set of plans could be completed and sent to...
7189015th. (Adams Papers)
The weather, very mild; it thaw’d all day. Spent the Evening at Dr. Saltonstall’s; the first time I have been at his house, since I came to Town. The Doctor is a very Sensible man and an able Physician; but has a very disagreeable voice; a person accustomed to it, may not take notice of it, but at first it is almost intolerable. Finished my Latin Studies with the Andrian of Terence . The Play...
71891To John Adams from Jonathan Jackson, 15 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I had your very agreeable Letter of the 1 st. Octob r in course after it’s date, which I have not before acknowledged nor the very obliging Note from Miss Adams accompanying it— you will please for me & M r Tracy to thank that Lady for her kind Enquiries & good Wishes espressed for us & our families & to return their & our affectionate Compliments to M rs. & Miss Adams— I hope that the Ladies...
71892Conveyance. Isaac Moses, Nicholas Low, Daniel Ludlow, and Alexander Hamilton to Alexander Macomb, 15 February 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 15, 1786. “… Isaac Moses of the City of New York Merchant of the first part Nicholas Low and Daniel Ludlow Merchant and Alexander Hamilton Counsellor at law all of the same place assignees of the real and personal estate of the said Isaac Moses … for and in consideration of the sum of Four thousand four hundred and fifty pounds New York currency to them in hand paid by …...
71893[Diary entry: 15 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 15th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Morning lowering. Towards Noon it became clear and warm, after which it clouded up again. Between 4 and 5 it began to Rain wch. turned to snow in a little time soon after which it ceased. Wind for the most part of the day was Southerly. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. Began with some of the Men abt. the House...
71894To George Washington from Pierre François Cozette, 15 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
J’ay eté chargé en 1765 de faire pour l’hotel des Bureaux de la Guerre à Versailles, le Portrait a cheval du feu Roy Louis quinze. l’Esquisse de ce tableau que j’ay fait avec beaucoup de soins m’est resté, et je suis absolument le maitre d’en disposer. je ne me permetteray aucunne reflexion sur ce que cette Esquisse qui a le meritte de la ressemblance est encore entre mes mains et ignoré, je...
7189516th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter and Miss Nancy dined here. The latter appeared very different from when she lived here. She seem’d to feel under restraint, and obliged to behave with propriety, I cannot see, how persons think that provided they behave well in Company, it is of no Consequence, how they behave at home. I believe I never knew a young Lady, of whom I thought so differently at different times; and as...
71896Abigail Adams to Charles Adams, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of october 23 and your last by capt Lyde gave me great pleasure, and the account your uncle Aunt and other Friends give me of your conduct and behaviour makes me very happy. A perceverence in the same steady course will continue to you the regard and Esteem of every worthy character and what is of infinate more importance your own peace of mind and the Approbation of your Maker. I...
71897Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Captain Lyde is arrived to our no small joy and brought us a charming parcel of Letters, amongst which I found one from each of my Dear Sons. You know how happy a circumstance of this kind always makes me. Two days before we had heard of his arrival in the River, and waited every hour with impatience for the Letters, for those by Young have not yet come to hand, he is still at Plimouth...
71898From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Expences of Insurance on American Vessells; the Obstructions of their Commerce with Spain Portugal and Italy: and Compassion for our Fellow Citizens in Captivity: all occasioned by Apprehensions of the Barbary Corsairs, must excite Solicitude in every Man capable of thinking or Feeling. it is nevertheless certain that too great an Alarm has been Spread, Since no more than two Vessells have...
71899[Diary entry: 16 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 16th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning cloudy and not pleasant, wind being at No. West, but not fresh. Afterwards it became clear, calm, and exceedingly agreeable. The warm & pleasant afternoon almost carried of the Snow. Put one of Doctr. Gordons Subscription Papers (yesterday) in the hands of Doctr. Craik to offer to his acquaintance. Dr. William...
71900To George Washington from William Gordon, 16 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I recd from Boston the box with the shrubs. They look as well as I could expect, & am greatly obliged to you for them. How far the severe frosts may have damaged them, must be left to the approaching spring to discover. I have some thoughts of taking a number of them with me to London. Should Providence fix me in that spot or neighbourhood, shall endeavour to furnish your garden &...
71901To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 16 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
You desired to hear from me now and then, when I left Virginia. I obey your wishes with pleasure, & must assure you, that I continue to feel the same unabating zeal to administer to your happiness, which my public duty formerly commanded from me. I wish that my communications may be always agreable; I apprehend your solicitude for the honor & prosperity of a nation formed under your auspices...
71902To John Jay from Ebenezer Hazard, 16 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have had under Consideration the proposed “Plan of a Treaty for the Correspondence of Letters between the Post Offices of France, and those of the United States of North America,” and observe but one Defect in it; and that is, it is left optional with the Writers to pay the Postage or not ; and if we may judge from Experience, they will not pay it. The Consequences will be 1 st . That a...
71903To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
By way of introduction of a correspondence, with a character I love & respect so sincerely, I enclose a report passed yesterday by Congress, the only material business done lately & which proves the dreadful situation of our fœderal government. The report speaks so fully on the subject that I withhold remarks which might [my?] solicitude for the public gives birth to. We have received some...
71904To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 16 February 1786. In this letter, mentioned in JM’s letter of 19 March 1786 to Monroe , Monroe proposed a joint purchase of land in the Mohawk Valley from one Taylor. In the letter he also discussed the possibilities of reforming the Confederation and the inadequate powers of the Virginia commissioners if a convention were to undertake such a reform.
71905John Lamb to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Barcelona, 16 Feb. 1786 . “On the 11th Day we arrived here”; has drawn for £2,600 sterling in all, £2,000 of which he will receive Monday next; hopes that the trinkets brought from Paris will gain him an audience at Algiers; has met with some little disappointments since leaving France which have detained them until this time; hopes to sail next week and refers them to Harrison for particulars...
7190617th. (Adams Papers)
Began the 4th. Book of the Iliad. Here again the despicable beings, the Heathens made of their Gods appears very plainly. In a Counsel of the Gods, Jupiter begins with a bitter sarcasm, on purpose, as the Poet says, to raise the spleen of his wife. She raves like a fury, and then to appease her, he gives her the permission to destroy his favourite City, which of all others, had been the most...
71907From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I was Sometime in doubt, whether any Notice Should be taken of the Tripoline Ambassador, but receiving Information that he made Enquiries about me, and expressed a Surprize that when the other foreign Ministers had visited him, the American had not; and finding that He was a universal and perpetual Ambassador, it was thought best to call upon him. last Evening, in making a Tour of other...
71908To John Adams from Paul R. Randall, 17 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I should have paid the highest Respect to your Excellency’s Injunction of writing by every safe Opportunity—but that I conceived such Information, as I could have communicated hitherto, would have been only a Reiteration of M r Carmichaels Letters.— At present,—as M r. Lamb does not write,—nor has directed me thereto,—I think it my Duty to manifest an early Disposition of complying in every...
71909[Diary entry: 17 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 17th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. A thick fog till 9 oclock A.M. when it dispelled; was clear and pleasant till towards Sunsetting when the western horison seemed to cloud & lower. Wind Southerly all day but the ground very wet—Snow all dissolved where the Sun had access. Rid to my Mill, and the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue Run & ferry. Sent for...
71910To George Washington from Robert Townsend Hooe, 17 February 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Townsend Hooe, 17 Feb. 1786. On 21 Feb. GW wrote Hooe : “Your letter of the 17th did not get to my hands ‘till yesterday.”