7380128th. (Adams Papers)
We had a meeting of the ΦBK, in the morning at Little’s Chamber. Chandler read a Dissertation, Harris and Cushman a Forensic. Bridge and Cranch were the extempore disputants. Went with Freeman to Boston: paid a number of Visits; we dined at Mr. Sullivan’s, in Company with Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Johonnot, and George Warren. Took a long walk with Johonnot in the afternoon. Return’d to Cambridge with...
73802Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 28 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
In the begining of this month I made a visit to Haverhill found them all well. Mr Duncan married to a maiden Lady about sixty years old a sister of Judge Greenliefs of Newburry port. We made the Weding Visit. It is the easiest thing in the world for Some people to Bury wives and get new ones. If you hear of any of your acquaintance losing a wife you may expect in the next letter, at least to...
73803[Diary entry: 28 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 28th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—81 at Noon and 79 at Night. Calm, clear and warm; all day. Accompanied by Colo. Bassett, I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run and Ferry. Employed in getting & securing Fodder at all of them. Only one Ditcher at work in my Mill swamp—the other left it (at least discontinued work) on Tuesday last.
73804To George Washington from William Gordon, 28 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
It is with concern I learn, that the old leaven, which brought on the late American troubles, still exists in the present ministry; & that so many falsehoods are propagated to keep up an unfriendly disposition toward the United States, & no more pains taken to contradict them. Among other reports it is said, that the settlement at Kentucky is made up wholly of the scum & refuse of the...
73805To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Le Roy, 28 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je me proposois Monsieur d’avoir L’honneur de vous voir pour vous demander quelques éclaircissemens sur un fait que M. Le Chevalier de Chatelux rapporte dans son voyage de L’amèrique Septentrionale et qu’il dit tenir de vous. Mais etant obligé d’aller à La Campagne J’ai espèré que vous me pardonneriez de vous en écrire, et que vous voudriez bien avoir la bonté de satisfaire à ce Sujet ma...
7380629th. (Adams Papers)
It is a most unhappy Circumstance, for a Man to be very ambitious, without those Qualities which are necessary to insure him Success in his Attempts. Such is my Situation, If it be a Sin to covet Honour I am the most offending Soul alive. But I have not the faculty of convincing the persons that compose the small Circle in which I move, that my deserts are equal to my pretentions and...
73807From John Adams to Richard O’Bryen, 29 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
I, Yesterday received your Letter of July 25, and am obliged to you for the Information it contains. You may possibly have heard an erroneous Report, of what M r Lamb Said to the Dey. it is not likely that He made any Promises. however that may be, We must all wait the orders of Congress. It is painfull to the Mind of a Freeman, to think that he is in Slavery, and every one of your Countrymen...
73808From John Adams to Isaac Stephens, 29 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of July 18 was brought to me Yesterday, and your Letter to M r. Foster with its Enclosures, shall be sent to Boston by the first oppertunity, and any other Letters you may think proper to write, and send under cover to me shall be forwarded as early as possible— I sincerely wish it were in my Power to do you more material service, but it is not If m r. Lamb has deceived the Dey, by...
73809[Diary entry: 29 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 29th. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear calm, and warm from Morn to evening. Colo. Bassett and Mrs. Washington made a mornings visit at Mr. Lund Washington’s. I rid by Muddy hole Plantation into the Neck. Employed at both in gathering & securing Fodder. The Flax which I thought had been taken up on Wednesday last was still on the ground. Directed it to be...
73810To James Madison from James Monroe, 29 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
Since my last it has been propos’d that each delegation be at liberty to communicate to the legislature of the State to wh. they belong the project of Mr. Jay & the proceedings of Congress thereon & negativ’d. The Journal has been handed to Mr. Jay. As yet he has said nothing nor have we information what course he means to take except from those here in his party, who affirm he will proceed. I...
73811To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 29 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received on the 17th. Inst. your Letter of the 22d. Ulto. I shall take such measures in future that you will be advised at an early period of the bills which I may have occasion to draw for my appointments. My Banker here has been too negligent in that particular, for I have generally intrusted to his Care letters of advice at the Time I signed my bills of Exchange. I know and feel for the...
73812To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Tessé, 29 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
La Reconnoissance présente mille hommages très sensibles à Monsieur Jefferson qui comble à la fois Me. de Tesse des dons les plus précieux. Le nouvel acte d’indépendence médité dans des jardins embellis par les productions de l’heureuse Virginie eut rempli tous les voeux du sage epicure. La prose francoise de Mr. Short se perfectionne chaque jour. On le Remercie très sensiblement de celle...
7381330th. (Adams Papers)
I see not why I should not relate what anecdotes I can collect concerning myself; and why I should not be at Liberty to record the Panegyrical speeches, that I hear made, by Chance. Grosvenor the Junior told my Class mate and neighbour, Abbot 1st., (without thinking I heard him,) that in his Opinion, Adams’s forensic at the last Exhibition was the meanest that was ever delivered in the Chapel....
73814[Diary entry: 30 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 30th. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 75 at Night. Calm, clear and pleasant all the forenoon. In the afternoon a light breeze from the Eastward. Rid to the Mill, Meadow, and Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. Gathering and securing fodder at all of them. At the last the whole would be gathered, but not secured this evening. Mr. Burwell Bassett Junr. left...
73815From George Washington to Leven Powell, 30 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 12th inst. Some mistake must have happened in delivering my message to your agent respecting the Timothy seed, I never wished to decline taking the whole; having saved 14 or 15 Bushels of seed myself more than I expected to do, less than I desired you to procure for me would have sufficed, say half; but I am equally willing & ready to take the whole, if it is...
73816From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 30 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
I was from home when your Servant arrived, found him in a hurry to be gone when I returned, have company in the house, and am on the eve of a journey up the river, to meet the Directors of the Potomack Company. These things combining, will not allow me time to give any explicit answer to the question you have propounded. Generally speaking, I have seen as much evil as good result from such...
73817From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 30 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
Giles bringing the enclosed from Alexandria & presuming it was on the business he was sent about, I opened it before I discovered the mistake. Endeavor among other things you were to have enquired after, to engage me some Pompion (Pumpkin) seed. and ask if a good kind of sweet Potatoe seed can be had in case I should not be able to get enough in this part of the Country to plant an Acre of...
73818To James Madison from Caleb Wallace, 30 September 1786 (Madison Papers)
I embrace the Opportunity by a Neighbour bound for Richmond, where I expect this will meet you, to thank you for your Favour of the 15 of March and for the printed Memorial and Remonst[r]ance accompanying it, in which the Opinions I have long since espoused are well arranged and supported. The unanimity of Sentiments that prevailed here a year ago in favour of a Seperation has since been...
73819From Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, with Enclosure, 30 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Desirous that the circumstances relative to the bust of the Major General the Marquis de la fayette may not be disfigured or misrepresented by the writers of newspapers I take the liberty of submitting to your inspection the inclosed narrative of them. May I presume to ask either the order or the permission for its publication, either in the present form, if there be nothing improper in that,...
73820[October 1786] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paine, preached here, in the forenoon from Acts IV. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other, and in the afternoon from I of Corinthians XVI. 14. Let all your things be done with Charity. The morning discourse was doctrinal, and therefore not so pleasing a Subject as the other; which was excellent. His arguments in favour of Charity, were such as naturally arise from the Subject, but...
73821October 1786 (Washington Papers)
[Sunday 1st.] Mercury at 68 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 76 at Night. The day clear and warm. Took an early Dinner and set out for Abingdon on my way to the Great Falls to meet the Directors of the Potomack Co. Left Doctr. Craik at Mt. Vernon who came in a few minutes before I set off. Monday 2d. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 75 at Night. Morning lowering but clear warm, &...
73822Survey of Mohawk Lands, [October?] 1786 (Madison Papers)
Extending the 2 longest lines each to 160 chs makes 953 acres extending lines 116 to 160 leaving the other 106 856 taking one at 116 the other 106 769 making the Closing line 36 & parallelizing the two longest (160) 722 do. do. do. & sedating this parallelism 873 taking 2 long lines at 160 & 106, the closing is 49 Chs. do.
73823The General Assembly Session of October 1786 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
Historians tend to see the past only in the official documents or letters from public men. Yet in Virginia for almost three hundred years the main topics of conversation were undoubtedly the weather, the market price of tobacco, and horses for riding, racing, pulling, or plowing. This perspective was evident when, on the eve of JM’s arrival in Richmond to take his seat in the General Assembly,...
73824From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, [October 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Among the topics of conversation which stole off like so many minutes the few hours I had the happiness of possessing you at Monticello, the Measure of English verse was one. I thought it depended, like Greek and Latin verse, on long and short syllables arranged into regular feet. You were of a different opinion. I did not pursue this subject after your departure, because it always presented...
73825From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, [October 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
I will call for you today, my dear between twelve and one. You must be dressed, because we drink tea with Mrs. Montgomery. Bring your music and drawings. Adieu my dear Patsy. MS not found; text printed from a photostat in NcD ; unsigned, undated, and unaddressed. This note was written with TJ’s left hand, and therefore belongs to some date after 18 Sep., when TJ injured his wrist, and before...
73826II. Proposed Confederation against the Barbary States, [ca. October 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Propositions pour une operation combinée entre les puissances en guerre avec les Etats Barbaresques. 10. Que les differentes puissances en guerre avec les Etats Barbaresques (ou deux ou plusieurs d’elles) forment une confederation, pour diriger leurs operations contre ces Etats, commencant par les Algeriens. 20. Que par la suite toute puissance qui desireroit d’entrer dans cette confederation...
73827Sunday October 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paine, preached here, in the forenoon from Acts IV. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other, and in the afternoon from I of Corinthians XVI. 14. Let all your things be done with Charity. The morning discourse was doctrinal, and therefore not so pleasing a Subject as the other; which was excellent. His arguments in favour of Charity, were such as naturally arise from the Subject, but...
73828Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 1 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
This Day is the Aniversary of Eleven Years since our dear Mother left us poor Pilgrims, to sojourn here a little longer upon Earth, while she (as we trust) went to spend an eternal Sabbath in the blissful regions of immortality. The anual return of those Days, upon which some beloved Friend has been taken from me, I devote more particularly to the recollection of their amiable Qualities, and...
73829To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Milligan, 1 October 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 1, 1786. “I have your favour of the 26th Septr. Your objection to taking Mr Seixas’s bond is conclusive; his base acknowlegement of the amount of our claim I cannot consent to accept. Let an amicable suit be instituted and judgment confessed by Mr Seixas for the balance, with stay till 1st October 1789.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found.
73830[Diary entry: 1 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
[Sunday 1st.] Mercury at 68 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 76 at Night. The day clear and warm. Took an early Dinner and set out for Abingdon on my way to the Great Falls to meet the Directors of the Potomack Co. Left Doctr. Craik at Mt. Vernon who came in a few minutes before I set off.
73831To George Washington from Henry Hill, Jr., 1 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Bill of exchange omitted in my last is now inclosed with a receipt in full—& your letters were duely forwarded. I lately had the pleasure of hearing Mr King’s harangue to our Assembly, on the Subject of the Commission with which he & Mr Monro were charged by Congress. It was truely, to the best of my judgment adapted to insure applause even from an Attic Audience. Virginia appeared in the...
73832To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 1 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have not written to you for a long time having nothing important or agreable to communicate. Nor have I now any thing agreable, but alas the reverse. The commotions which have for some time past distracted the two eastern states, have risen in Massachusetts to an alarming height—In New Hampshire the firmness of their President the late General Sullivan has dissipated the troubles in that...
73833To George Washington from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 1 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
Finding among General Greens letters one to you which has some expressions that are desponding and hearing that reports are circulated that his death was ocasioned by his troubles, I have taken the liberty to write you on the subject. the report which was circulated respecting Mrs Greene which gave so much pain to the Generals, & her friends: I believe never reachd his Ears: if it did he...
73834From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 1 October 1786 (Washington Papers)
If you receive this letter at this place before I return home, it is to observe how singular it is that I should always be from home or upon the eve of leaving it, when you come here. An appointment which cannot be dispensed with (and which was made by myself before I had any intimation of your intention of taking this on your way down) obliges me to the Great, & perhaps the little Falls to a...
73835To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Peters, 1 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope your Friendship will induce you to excuse the Trouble I give you in negotiating a little Affair for me. I recieved 930 Dollars for a Captain Capitaine which has been lying in our Bank for a long Time as I could not pay it before I recieved a proper Power of Attorney from Mr. Capitaine to make a Settlement of his Accounts. Having now recieved it and got thro’ the necessary Forms I have...
73836To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 1 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of the 23d. ulto. The first printing press has been forwarded some time. Mr. Woodmason is disposed to consider himself free’d from every obligation respecting the safe conveyance of his machine to Paris. He looks upon himself acquitted on presenting the Bill of lading, and receipt of the Captain. Upon this principle, the one is forwarded and payed for. I hope no...
738372d. (Adams Papers)
We recite this week to Mr. Burr the new Tutor; but he was absent this Day. The A B Society met this Evening. The Juniors Bancroft and Lincoln were received; Abbot, and Dodge, were received the last meeting. The first Piece read, was the forensic between Fiske and myself upon the Question whether, a republican Government, be the most favourable for the advancement of Literature. I denied it,...
73838Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
By the bearer Colonel Franks I do myself the honor to Send you in a Small Box the following articles. 1 st: A Book containing the original Treaty in Arabic between the Emperor of Morocco and the United States.— 2. Three translations of the Treaty in English, to each of which is added a translation of a Declaration made by Tahar Fennish by order of His Majesty in addition & explanation of the...
73839To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Broome, 2 [October] 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New Haven [ Connecticut, October ] 2, 1786 . Requests Hamilton to collect the balance of a debt owed to Broome by Nathan Miller. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
73840[Diary entry: 2 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 75 at Night. Morning lowering but clear warm, & pleasant afterwds. Set out before Six Oclock, & arrived at the Great Falls abt. half after nine. Found Colo. Gilpin there & soon after Govrs. Johnson & Lee, and Colo. Fitzgerald & Mr. Potts arrived when the board proceeded to enquire in to the charges exhibited by Mr. James Rumsey the late...
73841To James Madison from James Monroe, 2 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
I have lately seen Taylor—he has a right to 4,000 acres of land in an undivided tract of 40.000 which he wishes to sell & will take six shillings pr. acre, ½ at the time of concluding the bargn. & the balance 12. months afterwards. The tract is distinguish’d in the maps by the name of Funda’s patent. It lies near fort Stanwix, adjoins the river above it & runs within two miles of the Mohawk...
73842Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Bearer Colonel Franks I do myself the honor to send you in a small Box the following Articles. These matters have been detained a considerable time from you by various Accidents, among which contrary Winds and stormy Weather were a Part. But I hope as all such impediments are removed you will receive them with the utmost Expedition. The Original of the Declaration made by Mr. Fennish...
73843To Thomas Jefferson from José da Maia, 2 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai une chose de tres grande consequence à Vous communiquer; mais comme l’etat de ma santé ne me permet pas de pouvoir avoir l’honeur d’aller Vous trouver à Paris, je Vous prie de vouloir bien avoir la bonté de me dire, si je puis avec sureté Vous la communiquer par lettre; puisque je suis etranger, et par consequent peu instruit des usages du pays. Je Vous demande bien pardon de la liberté,...
738443d. (Adams Papers)
A number of the Students have been very ill in consequence of eating cheese from the Buttery. It operated very violently as an emetic. We recited this morning to Mr. Burr in Reid on the Mind. The Tutor seems to be very unfavourable to the author, and treated him very cavalierly. He tells us we are to spend only this week upon the book, and that we shall go into Burlamaqui, upon natural Law...
73845From John Adams to John Jay, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
An Event has taken Place, of too much Importance to the United States, to be omitted, in Dispatches to Congress. A Messenger arrived at the Secretary of States Office, last night, with a Treaty of Commerce between France and England, Signed by the Comte De Vergennes and M r Eden. it cannot be Supposed that the Contents can be fully known: but it is Suggested that England has Stipulated, to...
73846To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Gen l Court met here last Wednesday being called together much sooner than was expected, on acc t. of the Disturbances that have taken place in several Counties by unlawfull Assemblies of armed-Men to stop the Courts of Justice. I herewith send you the News-Papers in which you will find a general account of the Proceedings in the Counties of Bristol, Hampshire, Worcester, and at Concord in...
73847To John Adams from Rufus King, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
You will undoubtedly hear much of the tumultuous and irregular conduct of a considerably numerous class of people in the western counties of massachusetts— the same temper which appears to have collected these illegal Assemblies in Massachusetts, has shewn itself in New Hampshire; but General Sullivan, who is now President of that State, by very proper and decisive Measures has put an End to...
73848[Diary entry: 3 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 3d. Mercury at 67 in the Morng.—79 at Noon—74 at Night. Morning somewhat lowerg. with thunder lightning and rain in the evening. Returned to the Falls by appointment at 7 Oclock to Breakfast: we proceeded immediately afterwards to a consideration of the evidence, and to decide upon each article of charge: a record of which was made & upon the whole appeared (the charges) malignant,...
73849To John Jay from Henry Knox, 3 October 1786 (Jay Papers)
You will have heard the issue of the late serious insurrection at this place. M r Stagg the bearer will give you particulars—Government has lost ground. Faction desperate faction gains strength hourly—They speak of a military government and embodying troops ^ against the constitution. ^ —The number which appeared against government ^ is opposed to Law ^ were great. had all the parties which...
73850To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 3 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 29th Ulto. I had the honor to address you by a courier which this Court dispatched to the Marquis del Campo at London. This courier hath not set off at the time expected, so that you will receive this with the one of the date Abovementioned. [This day yours of the 22d Septr. inclosing Letters for Messrs. Lamb and Barclay reached me. The former is still at Alicant and this Night I...