79201If Life’s Compared to a Feast, 22 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AD : New York Public Library; transcript: Library of Congress William Temple Franklin found this poem among his grandfather’s papers and claimed that it was entitled “B. F.’s Adieu!” The sole extant autograph, written on a small sheet of paper, has no title. Beautifully penned, as though intended for presentation, it fills the sheet, with the dateline placed in the bottom left corner. Whether...
79202To James Madison from Daniel Clark, 29 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to offer you some Memorandums which I have committed to Paper as the reflections occurred since the receipt of your Letters respecting the Cession of this Country. An idea that they might contain some information which would be new to you induced me to trouble with them, and I flatter myself that judging only of the motives you will excuse the unconnected manner in which they are...
79203From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours inclosing two letters improperly addressed to you. A sketch in manuscript was brought by yesterday’s Mail from N. York, saying that a vessel just arrived, stated that the Prince Regent had appointed his Cabinet; that Lord Holland was prime Minister, Grenville Secretary of State, Moira Commander in Chief &c. and that a new Parliament was to be called. Whether these details be...
79204[Diary entry: 1 June 1781] (Washington Papers)
1st. Received Letters from Generals Schuyler & Clinton, containing further but still indistinct accts, of the enemys force at Crown point. Letters from Doctr. Smith of Albany, &—Shepherd principal armourer at that place, were intercepted, going to the enemy with acct. of our distresses—the strength & dispositon of our Troops—The disaffection of particular Settlements—the provision these...
79205William Alston to Thomas Jefferson, 10 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
It is highly gratifying to me to be held in remembrance by one whom I so greatly respect & esteem. I feel, very sensibly, the kind Sentiments towards me, that you have been pleased to express in your very friendly letter , which I did not receive until lately, as it lay a long time in the Post-Office, in Charleston , where I have not been since my return to Carolina ; and my friend there, not...
79206To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 22, 1793 . “… Inclosed… is a Representation made by our Boatmen, of the rise of provisions and fire wood since the establishment of the Custom House, and of the inadequacy of their present pay to their support, The Representation so far as it respects provisions and fire-wood, is true.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
79207From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. is come duly to Hand. We consent to the dividing your Militia into two battalions and will send you Commissions for a second Set of field Officers whenever you will forward to me the Courts Recommendations. Having been obliged by a movement of the Enemy up James River to pack up all our papers for removal, I am unable to send you the blank Commissions desired. They...
79208John Threlkeld to Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
my Daughter Jane intended the enclosed to go by M r Eppes but he did not call as She is verry Desirous it should go & I dont know how Particularly to Address it I have taken the liberty to Enclosed Enclose to you for which I hope you will Excuse me all my Family desire health & happiness to you in which they are Joined, RC ( MHi ); one word illegible; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mar. 1811...
79209Charles J. Ingersoll and Others to James Madison, 1 October 1830 (Madison Papers)
The Penn Society, request the honor of Mr. Madison’s company at their Anniversary Dinner, to take place the 25 instant, at 5 o’clock in the afternoon at the Mansionhouse Hotel, Philadelphia. The favor of an answer is requested and a communication of your toast if you do not attend. RC (printed invitation) (DLC) . Docketed by JM.
79210From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [25 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 25, 1789. ] On February [5–28], 1789, Wadsworth wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 25 Jany came in good time.” Letter not found. ]
79211To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 13 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from the Collector of New-Orleans, giving an account of the rescue of the schooner Felicity from two New-Providence privateers. The former circular letter of instructions, which the Collector has not yet received, related only to the services expected from the Cutters for the protection of the revenue. Neither the Masters of those vessels...
79212From John Adams to William Wenman Seward, 2 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to Write me yesterday, and observe with pleasure your Friendly Sentiments towards my Country. America is growing more & more interesting every day to mankind, and your Countrymen have greater cause to expect a cordial welcome in it than any other. I doubt not you may lay out your money there to advantage, but some Skill and discretion will be...
79213IX. Secretary of State to Isaac Senter, 10 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of April 13. together with Dr. Lind’s book, which I now return you with many thanks. I had been able to get here the editions of 1774. and 1788. but not that of 1762. which was most important, as it was the best evidence of the time of his first publishing his idea of distilling seawater without any ingredient. The other peices you have been so kind as to...
79214To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 10 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Major General Stirling, 10 May 1778. On 11 May , GW wrote Stirling: “I have received your Letter of yesterdays date.”
79215From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 25 October 1765 (Washington Papers)
Not getting an acct in time of the necessaries wanted for our Plantation’s on York River, I was oblig’d to forward my last without them; but Captn McGachin being on the point of Sailing for London I embrace the oppertunity of desiring that you will please to send to Mr Joseph Valentine for our uses the following Goods. Viz.—for George Washington John Parke Custis 1 piece of welch Cotton 2...
79216To George Washington from William Burnet, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys Desire I have called together the Committee of the County of Essex & laid before them the Letter you was pleased to send me of the 21st instt. The Committee sent for David Ogden Esq. & enquired of him, from whom he received the Intelligence of the Rifle Guards agreeing for a Sum of Money to carry a Person on board the Men of War—He informed the Committee that...
79217To Thomas Jefferson from Enoch Edwards, 30 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Day I did myself the Honor to take my Leave of you in Philadelphia—I engaged to write to you—and I should have done so before now but the Fact is that so little can be said from hence that will give a true State of the politicks of Europe (owing to the extreem Torrent that has for some time past prevailed here on the Side of Royalty) that I have scarce thought it worth while to give you...
79218From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive the instructions in pursuance of which you are to propose and negotiate a convention between the United States and Great Britain, on the subject of impressments and other matters interesting to the two nations; and for which this letter with your commission of Minister Plenipotentiary to his Britannic Majesty will be your authority. I have the honor to be, Sir, With...
79219To James Madison from William Lee, 1 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
The answer to Mr Barlows note is not what was expected and most certainly is not what was intended to have been given for many days. What can have changed the Emperors opinion is not known. All the persons about the court of any influence have been of opinion that complete success would attend Mr Barlows mission. No one knows what answer Mr Barlow has recd. but it is feared it is not favorable...
79220[Diary entry: 18 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 18th. Read over, and digested my thoughts upon the subject of a National Militia, from the Plans of the Militia of Europe—those of the Secretary at War & the Baron de Steuben. In Aug. 1789 GW had pointed out to both houses of Congress the “national importance and necessity” of a “uniform and effective system for the Militia of the United States. . . . I am particularly anxious it should...
79221Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 20–24 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
Yours & M r. Adams of the 1 t. & Yours of the 4 th. of July I rec d. the 6 th. Inst. the former by a British Vessell the latter by the Way of New York— being then in Boston, I immediately applied to our Friend D r. Wilch to prepare the Way for the Purchase of Borlands Farm thinking it best to conceal your Name, till we were sure of accomplishing the Business— The D r. applied and found that M...
79222From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to George Washington Adams, 29 April 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mary is amusing me as usual in crying and whining because I suggest to her the necessity of some occupation She has written one page of your fathers Bible Letters and imagines that after such an immense exertion she must rest from her labours altogether. I will leave it to you to decide whether the Sabbath is to be literally understood as a day of total inactivity both of mind and body or...
79223To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1802, London. No. 53. Informs JM that Great Britain will accede to a proposal to abolish all discriminatory duties between U.S. and British territories and that Vansittart has moved for a bill in the House of Commons authorizing the king “by an order in Council, or by Proclamation, to cause the countervailing Duties … wholly to cease, or to be suspended.” Counts on the bill passing...
79224[Diary entry: 25 October 1774] (Washington Papers)
25. Dined at my lodgings.
79225To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency the last weekly returns of the troops. Since my last, I appointed a board to inspect the decrepid and infirm who were incapable of duty, which have reported sixty one to be discharged as unfit for service, one of them with a pension. I shall accordingly discharge them which I hope will have your Excellency’s approbation. We are busy in withdrawing...
79226To John Adams from Henry Guest, 28 February 1808 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of 18 January 1806 Per post Came duly to hand and I Assure you that it gave Me greate pleasure,—for which be pleased to Except My Most Greatefull Thanks—until Very Lately I had no Subject that I thought Worthy of my the Notice of your Superior Mind—The Rever John Murry of Boston Lately paid Me A Short Visit As An Old frind that took him by the hand When he Was A Strainger in this...
79227[Diary entry: 7 March 1767] (Washington Papers)
7. Wind in the same place & Raing. more or less all day.
79228To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 17 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
If the enemies of the Government are secret and united we shall lose Mr. Adams. Burr is industrious in his canvass and his object is well understood by our Antis. Mr. Edwards is to make interest for him in Connecticut, and Mr Dallas who is here, and quite in the Circle of the Governor & the Party, informs us that Mr. Burr will be supported as V. President in Pennsylvania. Should Jefferson &...
79229George Washington to John Jay, 30 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 30, 1779 . States that Colonel Daniel Morgan “waits upon Congress with his resignation.” Commends Morgan. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
79230To George Washington from Robert Douglas, 12 August 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Douglas, 12 Aug. 1791. Douglas wrote to GW on 25 May 1795: "I had the Honour to write your Excellency on the 5th & 12th Augt 91."