731From 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...
732Archibald 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...
733To 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...
734From 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....
735From 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...
736From 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...
737Avril 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...
738To 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...
739From 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...
740To 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...
7414th. (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....
742To 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...
743[Diary entry: 7 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—⟨4⟩6 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning clear & calm—grd. a little frozen. Wind pretty fresh afterwards from the Northwest—notwithstanding which it lowered a good deal towards evening. I rid to Muddy hole and Dogue run Plantations and by the grd. where the ferry hands were at work.
744To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Gamble, 23 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your favor of the 18th. Current informing you have directed to my Care some Cases of Claret That has arived at Baltimore for you in order That they be forwarded to Montecello. It is in my power by the return Waggons from my Staunton Store, to send your goods to the Care of Colo. Bell in Charlotsville, and I will be Careful When The goods come —to deliver Them to Such Waggoners only That...
745From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Edward Newenham, 2 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 226–7. I have just received your very kind letter of the 16th past. I rejoice sincerely to hear of your safe return to your own country, family and friends, and of the success of your election. It is a pleasing reflection arising from the contemplation of...
746To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 17 March 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1812, Treasury Department. Encloses a letter from Winslow Lewis [not found] “proposing to sell his patent right for lighting the Light-Houses in the United States, and also to fit up all the said houses with the proper apparatus, for 24,000 Dollars.” That sum would include “his compensation and personal expenses; the purchase of the apparatus and expenses, other than his own, to be...
747To James Madison from Levett Harris, 15 June 1820 (Madison Papers)
After having spent fourteen years of my life in the Service of my Country, and having had so distinguished a Share in the establishment of our Relations with the Emperor of Russia, I returned to the US under a full conviction of enjoying, as I felt I deserved, the countenance & Confidence of my Government at home, as I had done abroad. But I had not been long here, before I was apprized by Mr....
748To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 5 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Yr. Favour of the 29th. is just received, & the packet for the Commodore will be forwarded this very night, as were formerly yr. other Letters for the same, & for Capt. Landais without any Loss of time. The Commodore is not yet quite ready to sail. They say it will be so in the week to come; & then the day depends from the...
749Thomas Jefferson to Wells & Lilly, 3 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Meeting casually with the 2 d of the Dissertations prefixed to the Supplement of the Encyclopaedia, by Playfair , I observe that you have before printed the 1 st and are proceeding to print the rest. I ask the favor of you to send me those already printed, and the others as they shall come out. I see on the covers of the 2 d your notice of some books you have for sale, among which are those...
750From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey to this place was not as free from accident as usual. I was near losing Castor in the Rapidan, by his lying down in the river, where waste deep, & being so embarrassed by the shafts of the carriage & harness that he was nearly drowned before the servants, jumping into the water, could lift his head out & cut him loose from the carriage. this was followed by the loss of my travelling...
751Report on the Petition of Edward Telfair and John Wereat, [27 February 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury to whom was referred by the House of Representatives, the Petition of Edward Telfair and John Wereat respectfully reports thereupon as follows— The object of the petition is to obtain compensation for a quantity of Melasses stated to have been furnished to the Commissary General in Georgia for the use of the Troops of the United States; the Claim for which was...
752To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 2 January 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had sett this day apart to write you a long letter, but my little Will has been so much indisposed as to take up all my time and attention, he is now in a sweet Sleep, but its so late that I can only tell you how much pleasure your desire of hearing from me gave me and to asure you I will write fully and have my Letter ready for the next Opportunity. I...
753Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 14 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by the last post your letter of the 9 th expressing your desire to study half the day in your own room rather than in the school, if mr Gerardin’s consent should be obtained; & I have consulted your father on the subject. we both find ourselves too much uninformed of the regulations of the school to form a proper judgment on this proposition. if it would break through any rule which...
754Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my Circular letter of the 31st. of October last I directed you to claim the duties which had arisen on Imports since the first day of August last, and prior to the organisation of the Customhouses in the respective districts, and if the same was controverted by the parties liable thereto to prosecute this claim to a legal determination. As the decision in one case will probably form a rule...
755From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 21 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your opinion on the foregoing quæries, and on such other matters as relates to the business which is unfolding and wch requires the closest attention under our circumstances will be thankfully received by Yr Affecte Servt ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW apparently sent a similar document to Brig. Gen. Henry Knox (see Knox to GW, 23 May ). GW drafted these “Quæries” above his...
756To John Adams from William Cunningham, 14 June 1809 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 7th. inst. After telling me that the employment of your thoughts upon your public essays precludes your attention, for the present, to my letters, I should be bereft of apology for filling again a whole sheet, if you had not also said that you are in no apprehension of being inundated. Amidst the heaviest outpouring which may be supposed to be congregating in...
757To John Jay from Anthony Benezet, 2 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
With affectionate respect, I hereby salute thee, & take the freedom to send thee the inclosed Pamphlet, containing Some Thoughts on War, Slavery &c. of which I earnestly request thy serious perusal. Indeed the subject is of the greatest weight to All, even as Human-Beings; but much more so to those who, indeed believe the great truths of the Christian Religion, God becoming Man, & dying for...
758From George Washington to William Henry Drayton, 12 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to assure you, that the cordial terms of your obliging favour of the 5th afford me the most sensible pleasure. It, naturally, is my ardent wish, that my well-meant endeavours, for the prosperity of my country, may meet the approbation of my countrymen; and I cannot but be peculiarly flattered by every instance of esteem, from the discerning part of them. The want of a longer personal...
759To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Moore, with Jefferson’s Note, 21 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Moore respectfully invites the President of the United States to examine the condition of Butter in a newly invented Refrigiratory , put in the 21st Inst. at 6 OClock P.M. 20 miles distant from Washington— [ Diagram and note by TJ: ] the oval was cooper’s work the inner parallelogram was a box of tin turned down on the top and trimmed to the oval: a. and b. were 2 square holes at which...
760James Madison to Hugh Mercer, 12 November 1828 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. inst, was duly recd. and I beg you to be assured of my sensibility to the kindness which it breathes. The almost entire failure of my Crop of Wheat on which I relied for certain objects, with that of expected payments, will require a resort to some extra resource, & I am much obliged for that held out by your Board. I shall probably need an aid which will not exceed a...