75851From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 29 July [–August 1] 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instant did not reach me ’till after the appointments mentioned in it were made. I see clearly in what has been done a new mark of your confidence, which I value as I ought to do. With regard to the delicate subject of the relative rank of the Major Generals, it is very natural for me to be partial judge, and it is not very easy for me to speak upon it. If I know myself...
75852[Diary entry: 5 May 1767] (Washington Papers)
5. Very cold & cloudy. Wind hard from No. West & West.
75853Session of Virginia Council of State, 12 February 1778 (Madison Papers)
present Dudley Digges David Jameson & } Esquires John Blair James Madison jr The Express sent with a Letter written by the Board Yesterday to the president of the Council at Rosewell being returned & unable to Cross York river by the Wind; and sundry other Matters of Importance presenting for the Consideration of the Council, a Letter was written to the Governor by Express informing him...
75854Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 29 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since any occasion presented itself of addressing a letter to you. I avail myself with pleasure therefore of that offered by the papers I now inclose you. they were intended for the society as I judge from the superscription. a long journey soon after their reciept from which I am but just returned, prevented my earlier transmission of them. I was very sensible of the solidity of...
75855From Alexander Hamilton to George Bush, 2 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 2, 1792. “… I wish to be informed, what will be the expense of providing and maintaining for one year such a boat as is contemplated by you for Port Penn, and of another for the Port of New castle.” LC , RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Bush was collector of customs at Wilmington, Delaware.
75856To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 9 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
I was Honored with your letter of the 27th ultimo and for the Hints it contains I Return you my thanks. Your approbation of my conduct and that of the army under my command affords me peculiar satisfaction, which is Highten’d by the coincidence of opinion between us, Relative to the Intention for which an army was stationed in this country. To empress upon the army a Due Respect for the laws...
75857From John Jay to John Temple, 5 July 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . and laid before Congress the Letter You did me the Honor to write on the 7 Ultimo— on returning to Town from Philadelphia last Saturday I found that this Letter had during my absence been referred to me to report and I shall without Delay report upon it as soon as some preceding References shall be dispatched— Forgery of every kind are ^ is ^ doubtless unjustifiable, doubtless...
75858From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 11 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Retranslated from the Italian in Giuseppe A. G. S. Eandi, Memorie istoriche intorno gli studi del padre Giambatista Beccaria … ([Turin,] 1783), pp. 149–50. I embrace this opportunity to greet you through Signor Fromond, your most ingenious fellow countryman, and to let you know that, because my ongoing commitment to various affairs precludes my doing further research in our favorite science, I...
75859General Orders, 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
The board of General officers on the Massachusetts arrangement are requested to meet again tomorrow ten ôclock forenoon at the same place to determine a further matter which will be submitted. Each Massachusett’s regiment is to make out a list of the men of the New-Levies, or nine month’s men who are Carpenters, Blacksmith’s, Armourers, House or Wheel-Wrights Sailors &c.—or of any other trade...
75860To George Washington from Desbrosses, 22 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
quoique je naye pas Lhonneur destre connu de vous permettés moy de vous exposer ma Situation dans ce moment. depuis vingt huits a trente ans jai lhonneur de servir mon roi et ma patrie, depuis cette Epoque jai au moins mangé ⟨En⟩ service La moitié de mon patrimoine, et L’autre moitié mest aujourdhuy Enlevé par La revolution qui vient de Sopperer En france. il me restoit Encore mon general une...
75861To George Washington from William Pearce, 24 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Pearce, 24 Dec. 1793. On 28 Dec. GW wrote Pearce , “Your letter of the 24th instant . . . came to hand yesterday.”
75862To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 18 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the favour of yours of June 28th from New York last Friday. Next Morning I set out for Salisbury, where I had a little Business, and yesterday came from thence to this place, where my Wife has been these Six Weeks for her health, and I thank God not without Effect, for I found her greatly recruited. Here I propose to stay a few days, and leave her...
75863Enclosure: Maria Beckley to John Barnes, 21 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing should have prevented me from addressing either M r Jefferson , or yourself—on the subject of his debt—had any effort of mine been such as to enable me to say what would have been satisfactory—but a fatality seems to have attended every exertion of my Brothers for the last three years— a A valuable property of theirs to the amount of 26 thousand Dollars—was entrusted to Men, as they...
75864From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 30 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th instant came duly to hand. It gave me pleasure to find by the contents of it, that your sentiments respecting the comprehensive project of Colo. Trumbull, coincided with those I had expressed to him. A very different state of Politics must obtain in this Country, and more unanimity prevail in our Public councils than is the case at present, ’ere such a measure could be...
75865To George Washington from William Temple Franklin, 9 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Sir, Philadelphia Jany 9th 1790 I know not whether I am acting improperly, in thus addressing you, but if I am, I beg your Excellency will not impute it to any want of Respect for your exalted Character, or elevated Situation. Thinking as Shakespeare expresses it, that “There is a Tide in the Affairs of Men, Which taken at the Flood, leads on to Fortune” has induced me to trouble...
75866To Thomas Jefferson from John Vaughan, 21 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt Merewether Lewis having been chosen a Member of our Society , I take the liberty of enclosing to you his Certificate of Election, & the letter advising of his Election, as the only Certain channel, by which the information can be Conveyed to him. Our friend D Priestley has been very Ill, D Wistar saw him previous to the Serious attack & found him much Broken—since D W. left him, he was...
75867To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Hodgdon, 17 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your request, I now inform you that Clothing for a full Company of Recruits, to the address of Major Freeman is on board Captn. German’s Ship, which sails shortly for Charleston. I have written to the Major to advise him they are forwarded in consequence of your requisition for the recruiting service. I am, Sir, very respectfully, Your most Obedient servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers,...
75868To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 27 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a few lines by the last post from this place just to apprize you of my movement to it. I have since seen the Richmond and the Philada. papers containing, the latter the certificate of Jay and King and the publications relating to the subject of it, the former the proceedings at Richmond dictated no doubt by the Cabal at Philada. It is painful to observe the success of the...
75869To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 14 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’aprend avec Bien Du Chagrin que Mon Respectable Amy a Eté Malade il Est plus triste Encore D’Estre privée De Le Voir pour une Si fascheuse Raison, je le Remercie De la Lettre qu’il m’a Envoyée pour Le Malheureux Matelot il a dû Voir par Les papiers que j’avais Envoyé qu’on avait pris touttes Les precautions possibles pour n’estre pas trompés sur L’objet De...
75870To James Madison from Dennison Darling, 1 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
The mail Rider of yesterday brings us information of one Man killed, and one or two more Wounded—(Supposed mortal) by the creek Indians on the Path Near ⟨Nackacks?⟩. Some Travelers of this day confirm the Report. The Prophets Brother has been in the Nation for some time. We are apprehensive of Small injuries—unless he shoud fail in his object—We much doubt whether they will Venture to make any...
75871To Benjamin Franklin from James White and Other Would-Be Emigrants, [c. 12 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The intriguing letter from James White, published below, is a sample of the appeals Franklin received between November, 1779, and February, 1780, for help in emigrating to America. We have dated it [ c. November 12, 1779] because on that day White sent a covering letter to an unnamed person in Amsterdam (Jean de Neufville, no doubt) asking him to convey his...
75872To Thomas Jefferson from John Shee, 17 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It will not I presume, be unpleasing to you Sir! to learn; that the confidence that you have been pleased to repose in me; The Collection of the Customs in this port; has in a correspondent degree been manifested by two, amongst the most opulent and respected of our Citizens—Mr. Stephen Girard, and Mr. James Vanuxem; who unhesitatingly and to an extensive amount; became surities, for its...
75873From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 20 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The H. of R. having by a resolution requested me to take effectual measures for the completion of the S. wing of the Capitol by the commencement of the next session, it becomes my duty to be under a constant & well supported certainty that the work (except such internal stone carving as may be done at leisure hereafter) is making such progress as will admit it’s being ready by a fixed day....
75874Extract from Francis Childs’s Debates, 1 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
The hon. Mr. Jay rose, and said that he would confine himself to a few remarks, as the question had been pretty fully debated. He begun with a description of the general characteristics of a government proper for the United States. It had, he said, been justly laid down, that a government, which was to accomplish national purposes, should command the national resources. Here a question had...
75875From George Washington to George Mason, 27 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By some interruption of the last Weeks Mail your favor of the 8th did not reach my hands till last Night—Under cover of this Mr Mason (if he should not have Sailed, &) to whom I heartily wish a perfect restoration of health, will receive two letters; one of them to the Marqs de la Fayette & the other to Doctr Franklin; in furnishing which I am happy, as I wish for instances in which I can...
75876From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your kind Letter of Dec. 11. and rejoice to hear of your Welfare and easy Situation. You will hear before this comes to hand, that I am depriv’d of my Office. Don’t let this give you any Uneasiness. You and I have almost finished the Journey of Life; we are now but a little way from home, and have enough in our Pockets to pay the Post...
75877Thomas S. McCleland to Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
since I had the pleasure of seeing you, I have thought it would be better to proceed on your Warrant vs Scott on Friday next—it is probable Scott will Traverse the Force or plead possession for 3 years in bar of Restitution, in case the G. Jury find an Inquisition for the Commonwealth — If he do, & we take issue on either of those pleas the Justice must direct a new Jury to be returned for the...
75878From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 16th. of last month; which I would have replied to sooner if my time had not been engrossed of late in preparing business for the consideration of the Legislature. The case of Mr. Jefferies (as stated by himself) appears a hard one; but I take the Construction of the law to include the Articles you mention; and there is no authority in any of the Executive...
75879From John Adams to John Lamb, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r Randall who proposes to Sail in a few Days for N York, will deliver you this Letter. If, I have not Overlookd any Article in your Account you have drawn Bills upon me which have been accepted & paid to the amount of 32 hundred and 12 Pounds 12 shillings Sterling for the Expenditure of which you will Account with Congress and pay the Ballance into their Treasury after paying M r Randall his...
75880To George Washington from William Denny, 9 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of Sir William Johnson’s Letter delivered to me by the Person who conducted the Cherokees to this City by which you will perceive that they are upon an important Errand and should not be delayed one moment. I desire that you will be so good as to mention the Day and Hour they arrive with you, This Province chearfully bears the Expenses of their Journey to Winchester. I make...
75881To John Jay from George Washington, 28 April 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have been duly honord with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th and its inclosures. You will percieve by the within Resolution of the Assembly of the State of Massachusetts, that there are several pieces of cannon (18 pounders) the property of the Continent, now in that state. General M c Dougall informs me that only two pieces out of the seven have been recieved. The defenceless situation of...
75882Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 11 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1763–1764 (Philadelphia, 1764), p. 43. The plan of early January to send the Indians lodged on Province Island to Sir William Johnson for safety had failed because the New York authorities had refused to cooperate. Governor Penn received a letter on Saturday, January 21, from Capt. J. Schlosser of the Royal American Regiment...
75883To George Washington from Alexander Johnson, 3 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Complacent Attention generally granted to a Cause of Humanity makes me bold in the Liberty of bringing before You one of its Pleas, which were it not founded on the Basis of public Utility, discretion would forbid me to propose, considering the Interruption it must Cause in numerous Weighty Matters that engross Your Attention: Yet as the Subject in its Nature is analogous to a purpose,...
75884To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to grant to the Marquis de Vienne (a major in the armies of his most Christian Majesty) the brevet commission of Colonel —we do ourselves the honour to signify it to your Excellency; and to intimate the wishes of the Marquis to be employed in some service of utility to the states, and in which he may have an opportunity to manifest his military talents & zeal for...
75885[undated diary entry] (Washington Papers)
Publick Levy 1767 8 lbs. Tob[acco] pr. Poll—No. No. of Tythables in 1762 – 121022 1764 – 128000 1766 – 131799 Depositum—in 1767 Brunswick 11983 Charles City 15184 Dinwiddie 896 Gloucester 17514 Henrico 5757 James City 5299 Isle of Wight 8522
75886To Thomas Jefferson from John Steele, 28 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
About the 10th. of next month, I wish to be favored with your permission to visit my family in Carolina. Hitherto a variety of considerations have restrained me from removing them to this place. Among others, a desire not to do any thing which would render it inconvenient for me to conform to your views, whatever they might be, in relation to the disposition of my office . I thought it my duty...
75887From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 12 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 12 February 1780. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:243–245 With this letter John Adams formally notified Vergennes of his mission. Stating that he had been appointed to negotiate treaties of peace and commerce with Great Britain, he explained, so far as he knew it, the origins of...
75888From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 22 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th instt has been duly received, as I believe all your others have. The order for settling my accts as Exr of Colvill was immediately sent to Mr Keith; who asks, as “the order of Court must be published, for a month in the Alexandria Gazette—and the time fixed upon for auditing the accounts made known at the foot of the order, a copy of the order served upon Mr West with a...
75889To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the twelfth Instant I received Saturday Evening; I gave immediate attention to your Orders, and as it was judged extremely difficult, if not impracticable, to convey the Mortars by land, I gave Orders to the proper persons to prepare every thing necessary for conveying them by water, and to work day and night until they were compleated. This day they will go on board of Lighters...
75890From Thomas Jefferson to St. George Tucker, 22 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I this instant recieve by Mr. Randolph your son in law your favor of the 11th. inst. Had I known the situation you mention I should have taken the liberty, without waiting for authority, to have given him any counsel which his pursuits would have required. I should continue to do it now, with greater confidence, were I to remain here, but I retire from my office the last day of this month, and...
75891To James Madison from the Inhabitants of Westport, Connecticut, 20 August 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 August 1812. “The Inhabitants of the Town of Westport, in legal Town meeting assembled August 20th., 1812. ask leave respectfully to state. That they have endured a series of restrictions upon Commerce, which from principle they have disapproved, being according to their understanding, inefficient as respects Foreign nations, and injurious, Chiefly to ourselves. Yet, we presume not to...
7589227th. (Adams Papers)
I perceive Charles has been guilty of a trick which I thought he would despise; that of prying into, and meddling with things which are nothing to him: and ungenerously looking into Papers, (which he knew I wished to keep private,) because I could not keep them under lock and key. If he looks here, he will feel how contemptible a spy is to himself, and to others. I visited Mr. Thaxter and Mr....
75893[Diary entry: 23 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Very little wind rather inclining to the Westward. Mer. 80. Mr. Richd. Randolph & Mr. Carter Beverly came to dinner & Captn. Blackburn & lady in the Afternoon. Clouds but no R. Richard Randolph, Jr. (c.1758–1799), of Curles in Henrico County was married to Maria Beverley Randolph (1764–1824), daughter of Robert Beverley (1740–1800) and Maria Carter Beverley (1745–1817) of Blandfield....
75894To Alexander Hamilton from James Cochran, 1 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
My Brother who is with me at present has such an inflamation in his Eyes as to put it out of his power to leave this for his station. As his Furlough is at an end, and he can’t write, he requested me to give you the above information and to send you the enclosed Certificate of a respectable Physician of this place. He will leave this as soon as he recovers, which he expects will be in a short...
75895[Diary entry: 20 May 1791] (Washington Papers)
Friday 20th. Viewed the ruins, or rather small remns. of the Works which had been erected by the British during the War and taken by the Americans—also the falls, which are about 2 Miles above the Town; and the Town itself. These falls (as they are called) are nothing more than rapids. They are passable in their present state by boats with Skilful hands, but may at a very small expence be...
My last gave you some account of the situation of affairs in the Southern department. The total defeat of the army under gen l . Gates on the 16 th August left the enemy at liberty to over run S. Carolina without annoyance accept from the militia who being but thinly scattered over an extensive Country could not soon be collected in the face of a powerful and victorious enemy. However the...
75897From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [14 September 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed was delivered me by Doctr. Schuyler with a request to transmit it to one of the delegates of the state for patronage. He assures me that what he asks has been done in similar cases; particularly for some Hospital surgeons belonging to the State of Pensylvania. If so there will prob⟨ably⟩ be no difficulty in the case. I beg l⟨eave⟩ to recommend it to your attention. Doctor Schuyler...
75898[Diary entry: 13 March 1773] (Washington Papers)
13. Raw & Cool with the Wind Easterly and cloudy withal.
75899From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Elliott, 5 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter of which the inclosed is a duplicate was some time since transmitted forwarded; but remains unacknowleged. As it went by post under cover to the Secretary at War, I am at a loss to account for its miscarriage; but that this has been the case I have no cannot doubt, since it has continued been so long without an answer. A General Court Martial, of which Col Moore has been appointed...
75900Sarah Sober to Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin: Trust Agreement, 25 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Franklin Institute; transcript: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia June 25, 1754 Abstract: An indenture by Sarah Sober of Philadelphia, widow (called in this abstract the settlor) and Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin (called the trustees). Whereas the settlor has assigned to the trustees two bonds, one dated Aug. 17, 1753, from Stephen Shewell and Hannah...