78101General Orders, 14 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Major Thomas Mifflin, is appointed Quarter Master General, to the Army of the United Colonies: He is to be obeyed as such. As the Troops are all to be mustered, as soon as possible, The Muster Master General, Stephen Moylan Esqr.; will deliver the Commanding Officer of each Regiment, thirty blank Muster Rolls upon Friday next, and directions for each Captain, how he is to fill up the blanks....
78102To Thomas Jefferson from James H. McCulloch, 14 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to inclose you a d’ft received to day from Mr Hugh Lennox Agent of the United States at Kingston Jamaica. I have not pursued the usual course of presenting it to you by another, partly because I was not without a doubt that the business was misdirected. In following the same error by this address, motives of the greatest respect & regard have influenced me without an enquiry into...
78103[Diary entry: 24 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
24. Cold, the Wind being exceeding fresh from the No. West & cold & cl.
78104From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
Mr Warville has just arrived here, and I seize an opportunity suddenly brought to my knowledge to thank you for your several favors, and particularly for the pedomiter. Answers to the letters must be put off for the next opportunity. My last went off just as a vote was taken in the Convention of this State which foretold the ratification of the new Government. The latter act soon followed and...
78105Benjamin Defoor to Thomas Jefferson, 8 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
M rs Defoor sends M r Jefferson four Turkeys Seven Goslings six Ducks the Guinea fowls we cannot catch 35/ 〃 RC ( DLC ); dateline adjacent to signature; endorsed by TJ, with his calculation at foot of text: s “4. turkies
78106To John Adams from Samuel Green, 26 October 1825 (Adams Papers)
A stranger who holds your character in affectionate and reverential regard, requests you to accept a copy of An Address delivered on Groton Heights, the 6th ult. by Wm H. Brainard, Esq. of this city, in commemoration of one of the most painful, but glorious events of the war of the revolution; assured that the recorded evidences of the voluntary sacrifices, heroism and patriotic devotedness of...
78107[To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 8 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 8 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL for 1 June 1785 reads: “Received J. Banister’s 2 letters of Feb. 8. and 9. 1785. by his son.” First of these letters not found.]
78108Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton, 25 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of May 4. I informed you of the reciept of yours of Apr. 16. just as I was setting out on a journey, immediately on my return from which I would look to the having paiment made of the subscriptions to mr Maclure assigned to you. I am proceeding in that business, and, without awaiting it’s entire accomplishment, think it best to communicate it’s present state as below. the...
78109Sarah Bache to William Temple Franklin, 16 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society There is nothing you could have sent me that would have been half so acceptable as the Bust of my dear Father, I am in hourly expectation of seeing it, and long as anxiously for its coming as if I could converse with it, Mr Hopkinson has made me promise to send for him when it comes, and I promise you every ceremony shall be performed on the opening of the...
78110[4 February–21 March 1780] (Adams Papers)
1780 Feb. 4. Fryday We arrived at Coué. We passed by Angouleme and encircled almost the whole Town. It stands on a high Hill and is walled all round. A fine healthy, Airy Situation, with several Streams of Water below it and fine interval Lands. The River Charente runs by it. The Lands from Bourdeaux to Angouleme, are chiefly cultivated with Vines, which afford but a poor Prospect in the...
78111From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 7 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you on the elections but hesitate on the causes you assign: I know not what is meant by the Policy of the war. Have we just and righteous causes of war against G Britain? Is the war necessary for the defence of our rights? if you answer these questions in the affirmative, it necessarily follows that the war is politick. If you say it was impolitick to declare war with so little...
78112From John Jay to Taher Ben Abdelhack Fennish, 24 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
I am this moment employed in transmitting a Letter from Congress to his Majesty the Emperor of Morocco with a Ratification of the Treaty concluded by him between him & the United States. It gives me great Pleasure ^ to obey ^ ^ in obedience to ^ the Orders of Congress to take this opportunity of assuring ^ of informing ^ you that they are much pleased with and will remember the
78113To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter from the Revd. Doctr Mather which he desired me to send to you. I am much obliged by your kindness in procuring the Organ as desired which came out in good order, except the omission of one Pipe the 11th from the lef side in the second (leaden) Stop, which I suppose the [maker?] forgot: I shall be obliged if you will please to send me...
78114To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, 5 October 1772 (Washington Papers)
I am informd you have not purchast Mr Fairfaxs and Thralkels Lands the which I was in hopes you had for then I Should have Expected to have Leest Summore a joining to my loot which is Quite two Small as it is but Sr I hope thes lines will Find you in perfect good helth and bee kindly Receivd by your honour it is now I am going to inform you Sr of what I have been perposeing and thinking of...
78115[Diary entry: 25 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 39 at Night. Lowering morning, with some appearances of the weathers breaking in the forenoon but it soon thickened again and before 3 began a fine snow which soon turned to rain which it continued to do thru the whole, or greater part of the Night. Wind at So. West. Rid to the Ditchers & Mill and to the Ferry, French’s Dogue run, &...
78116To James Madison from Richard McRae, 2 July 1814 (Madison Papers)
It is with some degree of diffidence that I obtrude myself on your Consideration. I have for some days past attempted to have my account adjusted at the War Dept. in an equitable mode which has been rejected by the Accountant Mr. Simmons—the form in which I wished to have my A/c settled woud. shew a balance of $900 or more. Mr. simmons admission of my A/c has cicatrised me to the quick &...
78117From James Madison to James Simpson, 8 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
Having since the commencement of the present year accepted & paid your bills to the amount of near Eight thousand dollars, it becomes necessary to repeat my desire that you would make out your accounts and transmit them for settlement at the Treasury. This intimation is not suggested by any diminution of confidence in the fidelity with which the monies drawn are applied to the public service,...
78118To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last Letter, February 12, nothing very material has taken place in this Country. The customary tranquility has been uninterrupted, and the Patriots of the present day have been proceeding with moderation towards their first object the annihilation of the Government that has hitherto existed. I say the Patriots of the present day because the party is not exactly the same,...
78119To Alexander Hamilton from Francis Gurney and others, 29 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
We take the liberty to address you in behalf of Maurice Gary who has lately been tried by a Court Martial at Fort Mifflin and Sentenced to hard labour for desertion from the Army of General St Clair during the last Indian War—Although we cannot excuse the offence, yet the length of time which has elapsed since its Commission, the good behaviour of the Man for Several years past, and above all...
78120From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Newenham, 27 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D, F.R.S., &c … (2nd ed., 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 37–8. I should sooner have sent this Passport, but that I hoped to have had the other from this Court in time to send with it. If you should stay a few days in England, and will let me know how it may be directed to you, I can send it to you per...
78121To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 19 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Avocat has informed me that it is Nessesary that your Son Wm Temple, Should Right a line to the Letn Creminel, to Convince him that he has Not Said that I am a bad Subject &&&, If he Realy has Not Said what I am acused of he Canot Refuse me my Request, My trial Comes On to morrow without fail. Thierefore you Canot Consistant with Reason Refuse me what I...
78122To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 25 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
On the 21st instant, I received a letter from the Secretary of War of the 15th, for detaching, pursuant to your directions, ten thousand of the militia of this Commonwealth; & immediately gave orders to the Adjutant General to make the arrangement, & to the Secretary to convene the Council, lest their aid may have been wanted. This day I have issued General Orders for compleating this...
78123From James Madison to Robert Mackay, 7 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
An accident to the Saw of my Sawmill requires a new one immediately, the season being now favorable for using it. Will you be so obliging as to have a good one chosen, & held ready for the application of Mr. Howard’s waggoner, who will be down very quickly after this reaches you. If he shd fail, I will authorise some other waggoner to bring up the Saw. The sickness in my family and other...
78124[Diary entry: 18 February 1768] (Washington Papers)
18. Went a ducking between breakfast & dinner. In the Afternoon Mr. Thruston Mr. Alexander, & Mr. Carter from Gloster came in. Charles Mynn Thruston (1738–1812), originally of Gloucester County, raised a body of volunteers in 1758 and joined William Byrd’s Virginia Regiment as a lieutenant ( writings John C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript...
78125To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 4 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania 3d. Dr. 17th Novr 1779 Saty. 4th. Decr. 79 Dr. Sir Altho I wrote you by last nights post, I cannot omit so good an opportunity as that of a fu——e [fugitive?] Countryman making the best of His way to some friends at the Texel (and where He promises to put it into the post office) of writing to you. I observe in yours of the 17 Novr. recd a few days ago,...
78126Joseph C. Cabell to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot find among the Delegates from Louis a and the neighbouring counties a person with to whom I should like to entrust your papers in the case of M r Des Essarts . The Senator mentioned in one of my late letters is too loose in his habits of business to expect from him a complete & satisfactory execution of such a commission. M r Johnson of the
78127To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Richardson, 26 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 17th. Inst. Inclosing one for Miss A. C. Randolph, I receivd, on the 23d in the evening, and deliver’d it to her my self, & found she was much pleas’d with it, at her request I inclose a letter from her directed to you. any further Commands from, shall be attended to with pleasure.— I am Sir, Your humble Servant. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
78128To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 2 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly honored by the receipt of letters of the 21st and 26th. Ulto. to which regular attention has been paid. In yours of the 21st. you say that “Schedules have been received from you up to the 1st. of February which implies as much punctuality as could have been expected.” In this quotation I suppose there must have been an error as a schedule to the first of March was regularly...
78129To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, [12 May 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Ingenhousz letterbook, Gemeente-Archief, Breda, Netherlands I begg him send me soon his apology. I tell him the very words by which the Empress Queen promised me never to change any thing in my situation, and declared me quite a free man. Thus that I could reasonably expect to get leave to do what I will. I Sent a relation of my experiments upon the Torpedo to Sir John a year ago. I...
78130From Granville Smith, with Jefferson’s Instructions to George Muter, 6 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed is from Mr. Thomas respecting his purchase of canoes, and finding the prices much higher than what your Excellency calculated on, you will please to direct me whether I shall instruct him to continue his purchases, or not: also under whose care and direction the four that have come to Westham are to be put. I am Your Excellency’s Obt. Hble. Servt., G. Smith Ast.Q.M.Gl. In Council...
78131Jonathan Shoemaker to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Thy Letter of the 22 d of Last Month but very lately met me at this Place & I am Sorry to Say it is out of my power to Remit the Sum required, I have however Inclosed one hundred & twenty Dollars wich is all the Money I have by me but Expect to Receive some more before I Leave Pen y s ylvania , I Expect to be at Shadwell Early in June, in the Mean wile if thee whould call on my Son Lukens , I...
78132From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter herewith from the comptroller of the Treasury to me and the papers accompanying it will suggest to your consideration some important questions upon which I request your opinion. There are also claims upon the public under the following circumstances respecting which I should be glad to have the benefit of your Judgement. Officers sometimes acting in boards, sometimes individually...
78133From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 1 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have received advice from New York, published by authority, of the surrender of Charles Town. As I dare say you will have seen the hand bill and as I am pressed for time, I shall not go into particulars. A person from Amboy reports that he saw the day before yesterday One hundred sail of vessels enter Sandy Hook. This if true can be nothing else than Sir Henry Clinton returned with the...
78134To John Adams from William Cunningham, 9 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
I am indebted to you for your favour of the 29th. ult. If you will compare your Letters of the 23d. of Oct. and the 15th. of Nov. with the one I am now answering, you will perceive, I think, that you have given me some occasion to suspect, that you distrust my qualifications for public employment. But as such a suspicion is irreconcileable with the character of your communications; and as I...
78135From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the pleasure to receive your favor of the 18th Instant with the inclosure and packets, which you mentioned. I should have been sorry, if you or Monsieur Gerard had found the smallest difficulty in recommending the packets for the Count D’Estaing to my care; and I am happy to inform you, that they will meet with a speedy and safe conveyance to him by an Officer, who has set off...
78136Arthur S. Brockenbrough to James Madison, 31 January 1829 (Madison Papers)
After the resignation of Major Spottswood I appointed Mr John N Rose Hotel Keeper. But as Mr Rose was not entirely prepared to take charge of the Hotel immediately, I have made an arrangement with him, that Major Spottswood should continue as Hotel Keeper untill the end of this Session. He is then to be appointed and to take charge of one of the Hotels with the approbation of the Board of...
78137To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Information that a Large Body of the Enemy appeared Opposite to Hunts Point Just before Sun Sit and Pitched their Tents on an Hill to the number of 100 or more[.] it is also Said that numbers of men have been Put on Board the Ships, this Day, I have Ordered the Regiments to lie on their Arms &c. I have the Honor to be &c. with great respect your Excellencys most...
78138To George Washington from Robert Cary & Co., 12 December 1760 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Cary & Co., 12 Dec. 1760. On 3 April 1761 GW wrote to Robert Cary & Co. : “Yours of the 12th Decr . . . is come to hand.”
78139Board of Trade to Oliver Pollock, 6 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Board of Trade, 6 Nov. 1779 . The governor has this day directed them to acknowledge the receipt of Pollock’s letter to his predecessor, and they are empowered to authorize him, in case the request to the governor of New Orleans for a loan fails, to draw on Penet, D’Acosta Frères for all of the money he advanced on behalf of the states, except the 2,602 pesos and 4 reales drawn by Captain...
78140To James Madison from William Crawford, 7 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I hope you will pardon this intrusion in the midst of those momentuous affairs which must now press upon your attention. At the request of Mr. Lloyd I now address you in his behalf. I have witnessed some experiments on his late discovery. I presume not on being competent to decide its merit. But it appears to me worthy of a full & fair trial. As, either in the army or navy, it might be...
78141To James Madison from Samuel McKee, 16 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I ask leave to lay before you the enclosed recommendation; I presume that Some of the persons by whom It is Sighned are knowen to you—they are generally men of the first respectibility; and influance in Kentucky, and I would Supperadd that Mr McBrides’ merit and worth entitles him to the respect and esteem of all those Who know him. I am only Sorry that a man of So much worth and capacity for...
78142To James Madison from Jedidiah Morse, 14 March 1823 (Madison Papers)
The foregoing was transmitted to me from a respectable Correspondent in Liverpool, deeply engaged in the Abolition of the Slave Trade, & the Amelioration of the Condition of Slaves. If, sir, your liesure will allow you, & it is agreeable to you, to furnish brief answers to these questions, you will, I conceive essentially serve the Cause of humanity, & gratify & oblige the Society above named,...
78143Richard Cranch to Abigail Adams, 5 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Cushing having informed me that he shall sail tomorrow, I have requested him to take the Charge of a small Packquett containing a few Letters and News-Papers, which he has promised to deliver with his own Hands. You will see in the Papers an Account of the surprizing progress of Art, and effect of Industry, exhibited in the Completion of the Bridge across Charlestown Ferry, which was...
78144From James Madison to William Pinkney, 1 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
For the private letters with which I have been favored I refer to the general list in my public letter by this conveyance which includes them. The printed inclosures were all safely brought to hand also. This with the public dispatches will be handed you by Mr. Purviance who takes his passage in a vessel from Baltimore engaged for the like purposes with the Osage from N.Y. and which is to...
78145From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Parker, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the twenty ninth of October. My estimate of the timber necessary for hutting may have been too low—I must refer leave the matter to your discretion, requesting that you will attend relying on your attention to oeconomy. as far as is consistent with the comfortable accommodation of the troops. Be careful to I repeat my request that you will use the timber in such...
78146To Thomas Jefferson from David Redick, 20 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by a late news paper that the Philosophical Society wishes to learn among many other things respecting the Hessian Fly wheather their progress have been Stoped by mountains as also the course they Steer. I can Now inform the committee that the fly appears this Season about Six or Seven Miles South of this Town. Several fields of wheat are much injured. I have enquired wheather they are...
78147Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to George Washington, 5 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The draft of a proclamation and that of an instruction to the Commissioners being both prepared, we take the liberty to suggest that we think a meeting tomorrow morning at such hour as may be convenient to the President, may be adviseable. The Secretary of State & Attorney General being out of town we cannot consult them, but we will engage the attendance of the Attorney General provisionally...
78148To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 13 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the pleasure at Seven this morning to embrace my Dear Grand Children who with the Maids arrived in good health. A young woman was taken Ill on board supposed occasioned by being frightened, at seeing a coffin which passed the Sloop in a boat, the captain had the precaution immediately to put her on shore, a few Miles below this, and she is come to town, and has not the yellow fever. Such...
78149To Thomas Jefferson from John Ramsay, 22 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 22 Nov. 1788. Early in the summer he received a letter from his uncle enclosing one for TJ with a small parcel of “newly discovered grass seed sent… by a Mr. Walters, the discoverer” of the seed; gave both to a gentleman who was going to Paris, who “forgot them at his lodgings”; has just discovered this and encloses the letter, but the grass seed has been “misplac’d”; will send the...
78150Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Jonathan Wilkins owned a pasture and apple orchard on Mill Brook in Middleton, near the Great Pond. On 10 March 1762, Timothy Fuller erected a dam which on 28 March 1762 and thereafter at intervals until February 1770 caused the stream to overflow part of Wilkins’ land, allegedly damaging his trees and spoiling his grass. For unexplained reasons, Wilkins waited until 1771 before bringing an...