79001Abigail Adams’ Diary of Her Return Voyage to America, 30 March – 1 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
MS (M/AA/1, APM Reel 197). PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:212–217 . AA began her Diary in London on 30 March on the eve of the Adamses’ departure first for Portsmouth and then for Cowes, where they were to meet their ship, the Lucretia . AA related the sightseeing they did while waiting two weeks to board the ship—including visits to Carisbrooke Castle and the town of Yarmouth—and also the boredom:...
7900230th. (Adams Papers)
Parson Toppan of Newtown preach’d at our meeting this day. I attended all day and was very much pleased with his ingenuity: he is quite orthodox enough, although he has contended with Mr. Spring upon some very knotty points. His delivery is not graceful, nor even agreeable; but the sound sense, and ingenuity, which appear in his sermons, more than compensate for defects which are so common. I...
79003From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 30 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
The Letter of Recall, herewith enclosed never reached my hand till this Moment when I was ready to Step into the Carriage for Portsmouth where I am to embark. its omission in Season, was wholly owing to the Sickness of M r Jay, our Secretary of State for foreign affairs. With great / Truth and Respect I have the Honour / to be, my Lord, your Lordships / most obedient and most humble / servant...
79004[Diary entry: 30 March 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 39 in the morning—51 at Noon and 50 at Night. Morning calm clear & pleasant as it continued to be all day, with smoke. Colonels Hanson & Ramsay, Mr. Powel & Messrs. Jenks & Winsor dined here in addition to those who were here before & returned afterwards. Mrs. Jenifer also dined here & returned after it. Olney Winsor (Winzor) was a partner in Jenckes, Winsor & Co.,...
79005From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th came duly to hand, and by Mr Madison I had the pleasure to hear that you had recovered from a severe indisposition, on which event I sincerely congratulate you. The conduct of the State of New Hampshire has baffled all calculation, and happened extremely mal-apropos for the election of delegates to the Convention of this State; For be the real cause of the adjournment to...
79006From George Washington to John O’Connor, 30 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with your polite letter, and ticket of admittence to Mr OConners lecture on Elequence, at a time yesterday when it was not in my power to give it an acknowledgment. Business (and indeed disinclination to leave my own bed when I am within a few miles of it) would not permit my attendence at the lecture last evening for the invitation to which you will please to accept the thanks...
79007From George Washington to Francis Speake, 30 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lee requested that the enclosed letter and bag accompanying it, might be sent to your care which is the cause of the trouble you now receive from me. I cannot omit the occasion of communicating a piece of information I have received—to wit—that your Boat is engaged to meet passengers on this side to take them to the other by which I am deprived of the Ferriages—I hope the practice will not...
7900831st. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons held a Justice’s Court for the trial of a trifling action of trover and conversion. The dispute was about 600 feet of pine boards. The witnesses on both sides were examined and after a trial of two hours; Mr. Parsons advised them to settle the matter between themselves without any judgment; which they accordingly did. The weather for a day or two past has been very mild and...
79009[Diary entry: 31 March 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—54 at Noon And 51 at Night. Clear with the Wind at South, but cloudy afterwards and towards Night slow rain. Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart and the Girls, together with Nelly Custis set out for Abingdon. And a Son of Revd. Mr. Griffiths came here on business of his fathers & stayed to dinner. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, began to sow...
79010To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 31 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your esteemed favour of 24 Inst. with 40 Ds. in Bank Notes Came to hand by last post. No other vessel has yet offered for Alexandria. Mr Peters having sent me two Letters & a small Box to forward and the Letters containing some Garden seed I have covered them by post & shall not fail to send the Box which Contains some Roots by first Conveyance I am &c. ADfS , ViMtvL : Clement Biddle Letter...
79011To George Washington from David Griffith, 31 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed paper contains a Statement of your Subscription to the first of August last, when, by a resolution of the vestry, at their last meeting, the Pew rent was to commence in lieu of it. If it be convenient, should be greatly obliged to you for the balance. With respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington, I am, Dr Sir Your most humble & obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW wrote in his diary on...
79012From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 31 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 19th Inst. and Mr Lear has, agreeable to your request therein, called upon Messrs D. & I. McPherson & Wm Hunter Junr Esqr. who have informed him that the money shall be paid conformable to your advice. It would have suited me exceedingly well to have discharged my proportion of the assessment on the Potomack Company in the manner mentioned in your letter,...
79013To Thomas Jefferson from Madame Duplessy, 31 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 31 Mch. 1788 . Encloses invitations for an assembly which she hopes to make useful as well as pleasant; has been assisted in this effort by Mmes. de Sillery and Duborcage; hopes some foreigners will attend. RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; in French. Enclosures missing.
79014[April 1788] (Adams Papers)
The Court sits this day at Ipswich. Mr. Parsons went in the afternoon, I dined with him. Pickman gone to Salem: so that for two or three days I have been wholly alone at the office: Putnam took a long walk with me; he has been amusing himself with Stacey this day by the prescriptive privilege of deceiving. The manner was imprudent, and the thing itself beneath his years: but there is a...
79015April [1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—65 at Noon And 64 at Night. Morning heavy with the Wind at South. Clear afterwards & very warm. Went with Mrs. Washington and Colo. Humphreys to visit Mr. & Mrs. Rogr. West. Dined there & returned in the afternoon. Previous to this I visited all my Plantations. At the Ferry, the Plows began to work in field No. 3—the Harrow putting in Oats & grass...
79016To Thomas Jefferson from Imbert de la Platière, [April 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Paris [ Apr. 1788 ]. Is sending TJ the first volume of “ L’histoire Générale des femmes des nations les plus inconnues ” which follows naturally “ la Galerie universelle des hommes Célèbres ” for which TJ had subscribed. If, after reading this first number, TJ approves of it, he hopes he will be allowed to send the successive issues as they appear each month. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French;...
79017To Thomas Jefferson from Meier & Cie., [April 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
L’Orient [ Apr. 1788 ]. Ask TJ to intercede for them with the officials of the farmers-general at St. Esprit, near Bayonne, who charged full duty on 40 casks of whale oil which were part of a shipment of 100 casks sent from their free port on 1 Dec. 1787 by the Don de Dieu , Captain Lescanvis, notwithstanding that a certificate from the L’Orient “Bureau de Ville” of the same date stated that...
79018To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Price, [ca. April 1788?] (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Price presents his best respects to Mr. Jefferson, and takes the liberty to introduce to him (Mr. Ashburnham) the young person who is the bearer of this note. He is virtuous, sensible and worthy; and any little notice that it may not be inconvenient to Mr. Jefferson to take of him will be well bestow’d. His business at Paris is only to employ himself there for a few weeks in learning the...
79019Tuesday April 1st. 1788. (Adams Papers)
The Court sits this day at Ipswich. Mr. Parsons went in the afternoon, I dined with him. Pickman gone to Salem: so that for two or three days I have been wholly alone at the office: Putnam took a long walk with me; he has been amusing himself with Stacey this day by the prescriptive privilege of deceiving. The manner was imprudent, and the thing itself beneath his years: but there is a...
79020The Federalist No. 76, [1 April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE President is “to nominate and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate to appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not otherwise provided for in the Constitution. But the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior...
79021[Diary entry: 1 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—65 at Noon And 64 at Night. Morning heavy with the Wind at South. Clear afterwards & very warm. Went with Mrs. Washington and Colo. Humphreys to visit Mr. & Mrs. Rogr. West. Dined there & returned in the afternoon. Previous to this I visited all my Plantations. At the Ferry, the Plows began to work in field No. 3—the Harrow putting in Oats & grass...
790222d. (Adams Papers)
This day Townsend and Amory finally left us and were to be sworn in to the Court of common-pleas at Ipswich. They entered the office both nearly at the same time, and have both continued here, more than three years. Their characters and dispositions, are essentially different. With Townsend I have been very intimate ever since I came to this town; but my acquaintance with Amory, has only been...
79023Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 2 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
April the 2 d: and the anniversary of the birth of my dear Grandson whom I am half distracted to see again, with all his pretty, winning pranks. God bless and preserve the dear boy and grant us all, a happy meeting on the other side the great water. We left London on Sunday about two o clock, and arrived here on Monday evening, having made a very good exchange of the Bath Hotel for the...
79024The Federalist No. 77, [2 April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. IT has been mentioned as one of the advantages to be expected from the co-operation of the senate, in the business of appointments, that it would contribute to the stability of the administration. The consent of that body would be necessary to displace as well as to appoint. A change of the chief magistrate therefore would not occasion so violent or so...
79025[Diary entry: 2 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Second. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon And 54 at Night. In the forenoon the Wind was at No. Wt. and cold. In the Evening it was Southerly & warm. The ground had got dry, and somewhat (in places) baked. Moderate & warm rain wanting. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run and Muddy hole. At the two first, and last, the Work was going on precisely as...
79026From George Washington to John Langdon, 2 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th of February came regularly to hand. The conduct of New Hampshire respecting the proposed Government was a matter of general surprize in this, and I believe in every other part of the United States; for her local situation, unconnected with other circumstances, was supposed to be a sufficent inducement to the people of that State to adopt a general Government which...
79027From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the reception of your favor of the 24th of Feby; which I have delayed answering till this time in expectation of being able to give you some information of what will probably be the determination of this State, upon the Constitution; but the proceedings of New Hampshir, so directly opposite to what we had reason to hope for, from every account, has entirely baffled all...
790283d. (Adams Papers)
Thompson went yesterday morning to Ipswich and returned last evening. I dined with him to day. Frank Bradbury and Putnam were likewise there. Amory and Townsend were sworn into Court yesterday in the afternoon, and immediately went on to Salem. Amory, whom I promised to mention this day is about twenty three. At a very early period of life he was engaged in scenes of intemperance and...
79029From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [3 April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been very delinquent My Dear Sir in not thanking you sooner for your letter from Philadelphia. The remarks you make on a certain subject are important and will be attended to. There is truly much embarrassment in the case. I think however the principles we have talked of, in respect to the legislative authorities, are not only just but will apply to the other departments. Nor will the...
79030[Diary entry: 3 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—44 at Noon And 43 at Night. Heavy morning with the Wind at So. East—at which it continued all day—at sometimes fresher than others. Abt. 8 oclock it began a slow, light rain, which with mists continued till Night and moistened, tho’ it did not wet the ground much. Continued at home all day.
79031To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I expected from what Mr Dunlap had informed me that your papers had been forwarded you regularly since I wrote on that subject but on enquiry at the post office & finding they had not been sent (owing to some misunderstanding between the office & Printers) I have directed the papers to be brought to my Office & now put up in a Bundle with those of last month & shall inclose them in future by...
79032From George Washington to Richard Butler, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 13th ulto —My not acknowledging the reception of the printed Vocabulary must have been an omission, for it came safely to hand with the manuscript one. Your observation respecting the instability & inefficacy of our general Government is very just; they are not only apparent in the instances which you mention, but have, for a long time, strongly marked all...
79033From George Washington to Samuel Chamberline, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 10 Ulto and feel myself much obliged by the communication of your mode of cropping, which you have been pleased to make to me. Every improvement in husbandry should be gratefully received and peculiarly fostered in this Country, not only as promoting the interest and lessening the labour of the farmer, but as advancing our respectability in a...
79034From George Washington to Caleb Gibbs, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th of Feby and the enclosed news papers came duly to hand. The conduct of New Hampshire has I believe, been a matter of surprize in eve[r]y part of the Country, and from what I can learn, wholly unexpected by a considerable part of the Convention themselves; The adjournment was, however, (circumstanced as they were) a very prudent step, for it appears that the great...
79035To George Washington from William Gordon, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I had proposed writing by the present opportunity, before I received your letter of Jany the 1st on tuesday last. Return you my most sincere thanks for your good wishes. The second volume will be printed off I expect by the end of the week after next. The first begins with the settlement of the several colonies, & comes down to & takes in the Lexington engagement. The second finishes with the...
79036To George Washington from Thomas Mahony, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I woud esteem it as a great Favour if you have considered that Affair of my working with your (Honour) I am willing to Engage for the Year at Twenty Six pounds with all other Articles wch was made mention’d of your Honour’s Answer I Humbleley waite for. Copy, DLC:GW . On 1 Aug. 1786 Mahony (Mahoney) first signed Articles of Agreement to serve GW at Mount Vernon as a house carpenter and joiner...
79037From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the reception of your letter of the 11th Inst. Colo. Biddle advised me of his having received from you £192.13.4 on my acct he mentioned £200 having been brought to him by the Gentleman into whose charge you had given it but £7.6.8. being in bad gold, he did not incline to receive it, and had therefore returned it to the Gentleman by whom it was sent —I am &c. P.S. Since writing...
79038To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, 3 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been very delinquent My Dear Sir in not thanking you sooner for your letter from Philadelphia. The remarks you make on a certain subject are important and will be attended to. There is truly much embarrassment in the case. I think however the principles we have talked of, in respect to the legislative authorities, are not only just but will apply to the other departments. Nor will the...
790394th. (Adams Papers)
The weather has been rather disagreeable this day. In the evening I went with Thompson and Putnam, to Mr. Bradbury’s, where we found a large company. Mr. W. Parsons and his wife; Mr. Sigourney, and his enamorata and an innumerable quantity of Miss Greenleafs’. We pass’d the evening as usual: singing, playing cards &c. Mr. Sigourney, has a very good voice, and entertained the company much more...
79040To John Adams from Richard Price, 4 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the favour of your letter, and feel an impatience to thank you for it. Your recommendation of M r Neckar’s book raises my expectations from it, and I will take the first opportunity to purchase it, and to endeavour to perswade Some of the booksellers to get it translated. Will you be so good as to inform M r Bowdoin that he was balloted for last night at the Royal Society...
79041[Diary entry: 4 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Friday 4th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—60 at Noon And 60 at Night. Calm, clear, and very pleasant all day. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, Plowing, sowing Barley & Grass Seeds, and other work as on Wednesday. At Muddy hole, stopped the roller in order that two harrows might be covering Oats. At this place the first sown Barley was coming up & appeared to be thick. At Dogue run...
79042From George Washington to François Barbé de Marbois, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have regularly received the letter you did me the honor to write to me on the 30th of November last, accompanied by one from the Count de la Luzerne, respecting the claim of the M. de Saqui des Tourets to be admitted a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. I should certainly find myself extremely happy in an opportunity of gratifying the wishes of so meritorious an officer as M. des...
79043From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
The articles which you shipped on my Acct on board of the Charming Polly have arrived safe & in good order. As I am under the necessity of purchasing, every year, a quantity of coarse Linen, Blanketings &ca for the clothing of my negroes, and sundry other articles for various purposes, and Goods of every kind being sold in Alexandria at a high advance, I am desireous of knowing if I could not...
79044From George Washington to Charles Lee, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry that I have not yet been able to discharge my acct with the James River Company for the amount of which you presented me with an order. The almost total loss of my crop last year by the drought which has obliged me to purchace upwards of eight hundred Barrels of Corn, and my other numerous and necessary demands for cash, when I find it impossible to obtain what is due to me, by...
79045From George Washington to James Wilson, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
You will please to accept of my best thanks for the copy of the debates of your late convention which you have been so polite as to send me—That, together with your favor of the 11 Ulto was handed to me by Mr Madison. The violent proceedings of the ememies of the proposed constitution in your State are to be regreted as disturbing the peace of society; but in any other point of view they are...
790465th. (Adams Papers)
Rain’d again a great part of the day. Putnam pass’d the evening at my lodgings. We conversed upon a variety of Subjects. I am more pleased with him, than I was while we were, Classmates: he is not exempt from that puerility which I mentioned as constituting his character; and I have sometimes seen him exert a degree of little cunning, to obtain an end, in trifles where it was totally...
79047Abigail Adams to Thomas Brand Hollis, 5 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
There is something so disagreeable to one’s feelings in taking a final leave of our friends, and thinking that it is the last time we shall ever meet, that I avoided placing myself in that situation as much as possible. On this account I neither bid my worthy friends Dr. Price or Mr. Hollis adieu; for those two gentlemen I have the greatest esteem and regard, and regret the necessity which...
79048From John Adams to Thomas Brand-Hollis, 5 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
If ever there was any philosophic solitude, your two friends have found it in this place, where we have been wind bound, a whole week, without a creature to speak to. Our whole business, pleasure and amusement has been reading Necker’s Religious opinions, Hayley’s Old Maids, and Cumberland’s fourth Observer. Our whole stock is now exhausted, and if the ship should not arrive with a fresh...
79049[Diary entry: 5 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Thermometer at 51 in the Morning—64 at Noon And 63 at Night. Clear and warm all day, but little wind and that at Easterly. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the same work as yesterday was going forward. At Muddy hole the same also. At Dogue run the same. The two plows at this place finished breaking up the turnip ground in No. 1 about dinner time yesterday & went...
79050To James Madison from George Nicholas, 5 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I consider the present moment as so important to America, that I shall take the liberty of communicating to you my sentiments, as to the conduct that her real freinds ought to pursue. The adoption of the new constitution (on which I conceive her salvation to depend) in this state, depends much on the conduct of the other states; from the list of members returned to the convention, I think a...