74511To George Washington from James Madison, 24 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 16th inst: came to hand too late on thursday evening to be answered by the last mail. I have considered well the circumstances which it confidentially discloses, as well as those contained in your preceding favor. The difficulties which they oppose to an acceptance of the appointment in which you are included can as little be denied, as they can fail to be regretted. But I...
74512From James Madison to George Washington, 24 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 16th. inst: came to hand too late on thursday evening to be answered by the last mail. I have considered well the circumstances which it confidentially discloses, as well as those contained in your preceding favor. The difficulties which they oppose to an acceptance of the appointment in which you are included can as little be denied, as they can fail to be regretted. But I...
74513[To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Coffyn, 24 December 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Dunkirk, 24 Dec. 1786. Recorded in SJL as received 27 Dec. 1786. Not found, but it must have related to the report that Coffyn made to Crèvecoeur about the accessibility of the port of Honfleur to American trading vessels; see Brissot to TJ, 27 Dec. 1786 ; Ducrest to TJ, 27 Dec. 1786. ]
74514From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 24 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Yes, my dear Madam, I have received your three letters, and I am sure you must have thought hardly of me, when at the date of the last, you had not yet received one from me. But I had written two. The second, by the post, I hope you got about the beginning of this month: the first has been detained by the gentleman who was to have carried it. I suppose you will receive it with this. I wish...
74515From Thomas Jefferson to James Maury, 24 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. of Sep. came to hand a few days after a dislocation of my right wrist had disabled me from writing. I only begin to write a little now, and that with pain. Your second letter of Dec. 10. is now received. I should be happy if any arrangements as to my tobacco could produce advantage to you, but having entirely abandoned the management of my affairs to my friends in...
74516From Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, 24 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel myself very much honored by the degree which has been conferred on me by the Senatus Academicus of Yale college, and I beg leave through you, Sir, to express to them how sensible I am of this honor, and that it is to their and your indulgence, and not to any merit of my own that I am indebted for it. The commotions which have taken place in America, as far as they are yet known to me,...
7451725th. (Adams Papers)
Christmas day; and one of the coldest, we have had this Season. The snow which has fallen, will be very useful in the roads: it fell very even, and has filled up the bare spots; we spent the evening at the professor’s with Mr. Ware, and Mr. Andrews. Had a good deal of chat with Peggy. Mr. Ware sung.
74518John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
I hope you have had a Pleasant Journey and are happy in your tour. I am, in a state of Phylosophic Solitude, that has hitherto been very tolerable, because I know my Treasures are not far off. But, as soon as the Novelty of it, wears off, and my occupation shall cease it will grow tedious enough. Dont hurry yourself however nor your Friends, but improve the opportunity to see, whatever you...
74519John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
This moment returning from Mr Bridgen where I had been to deliver him a Letter to you, written this Morning I found your very agreable favour of the 23. Am very glad you are so well Situated, So much pleased with your Journey, and present Accommodation. Dont be solicitous about me. I shall do very well—if I am cold in the night, and an additional quantity of Bed Cloaths will not answer the...
74520[Diary entry: 25 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 25th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 36 at Night. Clear and pleasant with the Wind at South. River froze across in the Morning but open afterwards. At home all day. Miss Allan—Betcy, Patcy and Nelly Custis came here to dinner.
74521To George Washington from David Stuart, 25 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledge my omission in not informing you, in my first letters of the passing of an act in conformity to the petition from the Potomac directors. I informed Col. Fitzgerald of it immediately, and supposed I had done the same in my letters to you—It was among the first things done —Since my last, nothing material has happened here, except that the bill establishing district Courts is...
74522[To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 25 December 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 25 Dec. 1786. Recorded in SJL as received 3 May 1787. Not found.]
74523To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Barrett, 25 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Rouen, 25 Dec. 1786. Has been informed by Mr. Garvey that he communicated a copy of Calonne’s letter to TJ of 22 Oct. 1786 to the local “Bureau”; “they say they have received no Orders on the subject, and can pay no attention to the Copy which he shewed them”; Barrett asks TJ to “have the Direction of the Controller General forwarded as soon as possible”; is obliged to give security for duties...
74524To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 25 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vous remercie bien sincerement des instructions que vous avès bien voulu me donner pour Le tabac, et Je vous fais passer ci inclus La gazette americaine que vous desirès. J’avois dessein de faire usage de la Lettre qu’on vous y prete; mais puisqu’elle n’est ni autentique ni exacte, Je vous aurois une grande obligation de m’en faire passer une copie avec Les Corrections. Je m’en servirois...
74525From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
A dislocation of my right wrist has for upwards of three months prevented me the honour of writing to you. I begin to use it a little for the pen, but it is with great pain. To this cause alone I hope you will ascribe that I have to acknolege at one time the receipt of so many of your letters. Their dates are Sep. 12. 26. Oct. 6. 17. 19. 23. Nov. 3. 17. Dec. 1. and there is one without a date...
7452626th. (Adams Papers)
Bridge went to Boston. Mason finally took his leave, and left us to ourselves; so that we shall henceforth, be able to study, with much less interruption than we have hitherto done.
74527To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas McKean, 26 December 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 26, 1786. Requests Hamilton to collect a debt of £50 owed McKean by Richard Dowdle. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. McKean was chief justice of Pennsylvania.
74528[Diary entry: 26 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 26th. Mercury at 29 in the Morning 48 at Noon and 36 at Night. The Wind shifting last Night to the No. West, it grew colder but this day was pleasant notwithstanding and clear. Doctr. La Moyeur went to Alexandria to day and Colo. Lee (late of Congress) came here to Dinner as did Mr. Lund Washington.
74529To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 26 December 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Carroll, 26 Dec. 1786. On 9 Jan. 1787 GW wrote Carroll : “Your letter of the 26th ulto did not reach me ’till within these few days.”
74530From George Washington to David Humphreys, 26 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am much indebted to you for your several favors of the 1st 9th & 16th of November. The last came first. Mr Morse keeping in Mind the old proverb, was determined not to make more haste than good speed in prosecuting his journey to Georgia—so I got the two first but lately. For your publication respecting the confinement of Captn Asgill, I am exceedingly obliged to you. The manner of making it...
74531From George Washington to Henry Knox, 26 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but the pleasing hope of seeing you under this roof in the course of last month, and wch I was disposed to extend even to the present moment, has kept me till this time from acknowleging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 23d of October. Despairing now of that pleasure, I shall thank you for the above letter, and the subsequent one of the 17th instt, which came to hand yesterday...
74532From Thomas Jefferson to James Buchanan and William Hay, 26 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with no small degree of surprize and vexation that I have this moment received from M. Limozin of Havre, the inclosed bill of lading for the Model of the Capitol, by which it appears that it has been shipped a few days ago. This model went out of my hands about the last of May or first of June, and would get to Havre in about 10. days, where I suppose it has lain neglected in a warehouse...
74533From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 26 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
A note from me of the 22d. of Sep. apprised you it would be some time before I should be able to answer your letters. I did not then expect it would have been so long. A dislocation of my right wrist three or four days before that has disabled me from writing till lately, and I now write in great pain and only in cases of necessity. I am to acknolege the receipt of yours of Sep. 29. Oct. 3....
74534From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Cary, 26 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of May 4. I mentioned to you that I had sent you an edition of the English Linneaus by M. de la Croix. The box got to Havre after his departure, so that the not carrying it was not imputable to him. My correspondent at Havre never informed me of this, and I supposed you had received the book when the inclosed bill of lading came to my hands by which it appears to have been sent off...
74535From Thomas Jefferson to Fantin Latour, 26 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
L’accident d’un poignet demis m’a empeché jusques ici l’honneur de repondre à votre lettre du 20me 7bre. La personne qui se propose de s’etablir en Amerique fera bien de vendre sa legitime, qui n’est payable qu’a 3. et 6. ans pour de l’argent comptant: de placer cet argent chez un banquier connu: de passer en Amerique et d’y rester au moins un ans avant de faire un acquisition. Quand il l’aura...
74536From Thomas Jefferson to José da Maia, 26 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
J’attends à tout moment de faire une voiage dans les provinces meridionelles de France. J’avois tardé de repondre a votre lettre du 21me 9bre. en attendant que je pourrois vous annoncer le moment de mon depart, et le jour et le lieu auquel je pourrois avoir l’honneur de vous rencontrer. Mais jusques ici ce moment n’est pas decidé. Mais j’aurai surement l’honneur de vous en faire part, et de...
74537To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, [26 December 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
M. Le Marquis du Crest etoit sur le point d’aller au rendès vous que vous aviés bien voulu lui indiquer, Lorsqu’une affaire pressante et Imprevue, L’a forcé de rester. Il me Charge de vous en faire ses excuses, et de Vous temoigner tous ses regrets. Il aura L’honneur de Vous demander un autre Jour. Je profite de cette occasion pour Vous envoier Le Volume des transactions philosophiques de...
7453827th. (Adams Papers)
Bridge went to Boston again: in the evening we went down, with Mr. Ware, and Freeman, to Judge Dana’s. We convers’d and play’d whist, and sung till 10, o’clock. The ladies seem to have settled that we are to be in love: but ideas of this kind, are very common with the ladies, who think it impossible to live without Love.
74539John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mr Murray, whom I am glad to see out again will carry to Bath this Memorandum that We are all very well. He will arrive for what I know before Mr Bridgen. The Weath’s is very cold, but by a good fire and a good Walk I have not yet been obliged to recur to my Expedient of an immaculate Virgin Bottle of hot Water. I sent Yesterday—Packetts to Coll Smith from Paris. The News from Boston is very...
74540[Diary entry: 27 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 27th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 42 at Night. Quite calm and pleasant, with little or no wind, and that from the Southward—clear. After Breakfast Colo. Lee set out for Richmond. Mr. Lear returned from his journey into the Western Country about 4 Oclock to day having been absent 28 days. Miss Allan returned to Abingdon to day and Doctr. La Moyeur came back from...
74541To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 27 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
I received yours covering the papers from Maryland this day. And enclose an answer which I must pray you to forward I have accepted the appointment principally induced thereto by your being my colleague You have heard of the issue of our Massachusetts business But you may not have heard that while we were meeting at Hartford their Commissioners were treating with the Indians for the purchase...
74542To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 27 December 1786 (Madison Papers)
My going to Virginia this winter is indispensible. It is probable, from the state in which events has placed the delegation, that I shall not have an opportunity of going after the session commences without leaving the state unrepresented. Upon these considerations I have determined to seize the present moment and shall set out early in the next week. In the mean time I think it proper to give...
74543Addition to the Revised Port Bill, [ca. 27 December] 1786 (Madison Papers)
⟨That from and after the first day of April next, the following places shall be, and the same are hereby established as ports of entrance and clearance …⟩ For all vessels coming from or going to sea, any part of Chesapeak Bay, or any part of the Maryland Shore below point lookout, at the port of Yeocomico: For all vessels coming from or going to any part of the Maryland Shore above the said...
74544From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks arrived some days ago with the Marocco treaty, and with your dispatches. I am persuaded they will give great satisfaction to Congress, and do you honor in their eyes. Colo. Franks waits for his baggage which he hourly expects. He will then proceed to London and from thence to New York. He carries duplicate ratifications of the treaty from me, which being also signed by Mr. Adams,...
74545To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On ne peut pas trop tot mettre les fers au feu, Vu la Lenteur avec Laquelle Les afaires s’expedient ici. D’après La conversation que J’ai eue L’honneur d’avoir avec Vous, et une autre que J’ai eue ensuite avec M. de Crevecoeur, J’ai determiné M. Le Marquis du Crest à choisir pour Le Prince un Ingenieur qui allat à Honfleur. Mais Il faut que Les Americains aient un representant à cette visite...
74546To Thomas Jefferson from Ducrest, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vois avec plaisir, Monsieur, par une lettre du Capitaine Coffin Américain, en date du 21 Xbre. qu’après avoir examiné le port d’Honfleur, il le trouve très susceptible de devenir un port pour tous les Vaisseaux Marchands venant des Etats unis. Pour achéminer en conséquence le projet que Vous m’avez Communiqué à cet égard, le prémier pas qu’il y ait à faire est de constater par des hommes...
74547From Thomas Jefferson to the Georgia Delegates in Congress, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honour of your letter of Aug. 21. and to thank you for the attention you were so good as to shew to my application. I delivered a copy of your letter to the Count de Vergennes, who appeared satisfied. I had before been assured by a gentleman from Georgia that Genl. Oglethorpe had no possessions there. This however had only authorised me to suggest it as a...
74548From Thomas Jefferson to Mézières, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a l’honneur de faire passer à Monsieur le Chevalier de Mezieres la reponse qu’il vient de recevoir de Messieurs les delegués de Georgie au Congrès à la lettre qu’il leur avoit ecrit, les priant de s’interresser auprès de l’Assemblée de Georgie pour M. le Chevalier de Mezieres. Il a l’honneur de lui presenter ses compliments. PrC ( ViWC ); endorsed. Enclosure: Georgia...
7454928th. (Adams Papers)
Studying Saunderson; Mayo was here in the afternoon. Mr. Ware likewise paid us a visit and sat about half an hour. The weather has been very good for several days, but the weatherwise foretell a snow storm.
74550[Diary entry: 28 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 28th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 50 at Night. Calm, clear, warm, and very pleasant all day; towards evening it began to lower a little in the So. Western horizon—A very white frost in the Morning. At home all day.
74551From George Washington to Theodorick Bland, 28 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am now about to fulfill my promise with respect to the Drill plough and Timothy seed—both accompany this letter to Norfolk, to the care of Mr Newton. The latter I presume is good, as I had it from a Gentleman (Colo. Levin Powell) on whom I can depend. The former, it is scarcely necessary to inform you, will not work to good effect in Land that is very full either of stumps, stones or large...
74552From George Washington to George Digges, 28 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Will you permit me, to give you the trouble of enquiring among your friends of the Eastern Shore, now in Annapolis, if I could be furnished with one thousand feet of the best pine plank; precisely 24 feet long (when dressed)—To be without sap, or knots. It is for the floor of my new room. Many years since, I provided for this, & thought myself secure of that which was perfectly seasoned. It...
74553From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
It gave me pleasure to find by your letter of the 7th that the Petition of the Directors of the Potomac Company had met so ready & favorable a reception in the assembly of Maryland. I am informed that an act similar to the one you sent me has passed the Legislature of this State, but I have received no official advice of it. Permit me, my good Sir, to ask if there would be a probability of...
74554From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 28 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It will be in good time if I receive the crowns to-day, tomorrow, or even the next day. I did not answer in the instant the letter you favoured me with yesterday , because I wished to reflect on the article of seeds for Dr. Franklin, on which you were pleased to ask my opinion. We import annually from England to every part of America garden seeds of all sorts. You may judge therefore that...
74555To Thomas Jefferson from Jan Ingenhousz, 28 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
As I can make no doubt, but you will sometimes meet with a favourable oportunity of some traveller to forward this parcel, directed to Dr. Franklin, containing three books, and six copies of a pamphlet, of which the author begs you the favour of accepting a copy which accompanies the parcel, and will be delivred to you by Mr. Barrois le jeun, I hope you will, in regard to our venerable old...
74556To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 28 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just heard of Monsr. Quesnay’s Departure for France I have requested the Favor of him to take Charge of the Shells mentioned in a former Letter. I thought they would probably be acceptable to you, especially whilst in Paris, where the Science of Natural History has so many able Votaries. Monsr. Buffon in his celebrated Epoques speaks of Shells found in the highest Parts of this Country,...
7455729th. (Adams Papers)
Continuation of the same course. We got us some wood, this afternoon. Bridge, pass’d the evening with the Ladies, at Mr. Mason’s; but for particular reasons I preferr’d staying at home. Lloyd was here in the forenoon. Bridge, and Freeman return’d late from Mr. Mason’s. Freeman pass’d an hour with us, after he came back. Thaddeus Mason, holder of various provincial offices, including clerk of...
74558[Diary entry: 29 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 29th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 51 at Night. Clear, calm, warm, and exceeding pleasant all day. The hollidays being over, and the People all at work, I rid to the Ferry—Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantations—also to the Ditchers (who were at Work). At the first Plantation cutting stalks and getting farm pen in order—at the next (Dogue run) measured the remainder of the...
74559From George Washington to John Armistead, 29 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Many months having elapsed since I informed you in explicit terms of my want of the money which is due to me from the Estate of your deceased Father, without having received any acknowledgement of the letter, I presume it has miscarried. To avoid the like accident, I have taken the liberty of putting this letter under cover to Mr Holmes, at the Bowling-green, who I persuade myself, will do me...
74560From George Washington to William Hull, 29 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I informed you in my last, that my own knowledge of the Western Country was rather general than otherwise, but promised to lose no opportunity of collecting every information which I thought might facilitate your intended settlement. Since which time I have had occasion to send Mr Lear out as far as Pittsburg to transact some business for me in that quarter; I directed him to make such...