83601From George Washington to George Plater, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 29th of April, and must beg you to accept of my best thanks for your kind gratulations and good wishes. I foresaw the numerous applications which would be made for nominations to offices—and readily conceived that amidst the variety of candidates, it would be one of the most delicate and difficult duties of the President, to discriminate those characters...
83602To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 12 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
By a Schooner Capt. McLean which saild last week for Alexandria I sent a barrel which I received from Mr Boudinot with Orchard Grass seed—it went to the Care of Colo. Hooe to whom I forwarded the Captains receipt—this was the first Conveyance I could hear of since it came to hand. I shall pay Mr Boudinots Account & send you the same with his receipt. Inclosed is your account Current previous...
83603To Thomas Jefferson from John Nixon, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Cruger at present is desirous of having the [policys?] only, to Confer with his Underwriters on this Loss. The other papers he wished me to look into and give my Opinion, how far I might think his Underwriters bound to pay, in Case no Redress to be obtained of the French Government. I shall write Mr. Cruger by this post, and inform him of your Intention to apply Soon to Mr. Genet on this...
83604To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 29 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Four LS : American Philosophical Society (two), Historical Society of Pennsylvania (two); copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Library of Congress (two) I do myself the Honor to enclose you Copies of two Acts of Congress one of the fifth of June, and the other of the eighteenth of June 1779 relating to the affairs of Mr: de beaumarchais. You will observe Sir that you was authorized to...
83605To John Adams from John Trumbull, 14 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the satisfaction last evening of receiving your very friendly Letter, which was the more agreable for being unexpected. As I am setting out tomorrow on a short Tour to the eastward, I have taken the only leisure moment to answer it. You may easily guess how much I am flattered by your approbation of the little essay, you mention in yours. As to its being mysterious, as you term it, you...
83606To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 2 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 2 Mch. 1790 . She wrote last month “by the New York [packet] Capt. Domenick … to the care of Mr. John Beckley” to congratulate TJ and daughters on safe arrival in their native land. Thanks TJ “for the Many and great acts of friendship, and humanity” shown her and Mr. Paradise in Paris. Her distressed situation prevents her from showing gratitude except by letters. On arrival in...
83607Dumas to the American Commissioners, 18 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Hague, August 18, 1778, in French: Nothing worthy of writing has occurred since I last wrote. I visit the French ambassador daily and, through him, received the Gazette de Yorktown that Mr. Franklin had entrusted the Chevalier [Georges Grand] to forward to me. Today’s Gazette de Leide is filled with its contents. I’m enclosing a copy of a letter I sent...
83608Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, 16 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope that soon after the date of your letter of June 20. you recieved my answer of June 12. to your preceding one of May 14. in compliance with that of June 20. I have writte n one to mr Baxter , which I inclose open for your perusal, and will ask the favor of you, after perusal, to have delivered to him. Accept the assurance of my great respect. PoC ( MHi ); edge trimmed; at foot of text: “M r
83609To James Madison from Stephen Sayre, 21 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
The French have an adage— that the absent are always in the wrong . My friends—all the friends of our country with whom I converse, say— you ought to be at the seat of government —I do not deny the fact; but prudence forbids my declaring the positive cause of absence. I have already spent much time & money, in pursuit of my just demands—I have none left to sport in attendance, on the...
83610To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Troup, 25 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Frances I find is persisting in his persecution of you and As he has thought proper to complain to Congress, the business has acquired a degree of importance which perhaps is not unworthy of your attention. Under the influence of this idea I applied yesterday to Dunscomb to give me a memorandum of what he had some time ago told me had passed between you & him with relation to some matter in...
83611From George Washington to Robert Morris, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 22nd of April respecting the interference of the Contract for the Moving Army, with the Contract for supplying the Troops in Jersey;I am happy to find your ideas coincide so well with my own.And as no application has been made to me on the subject by the Contractors, I hope & expect these matters will be settled without coming before me. By...
83612From Thomas Jefferson to H. Fizeaux & Cie., 27 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 20th. instant , and have learnt thro’ another channel that my letter to Messrs. Willincks and Van Staphorsts, of the same date with that I wrote to you, did not get to their hands by the same post: so that I shall receive their answer one post late, that is to say, on Saturday next. Of course I shall not be able to answer you definitively till Monday the...
83613To George Washington from Richard Platt, 11 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor early in the Month of April, to address your Excellency, on the subject of visiting my Friends on Long Island, (from whom I have been absent seven years) requesting to return Via New York. Unsuccessfull in that Application, I now beg leave to ask the same Indulgence I did then. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s most Obedient and most humble Servant DLC : Papers of George...
83614Thomas Jefferson to John Graham, 19 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty in which you have so often & so kindly indulged me of requesting you to send the inclosed to mr Appleton by the first safe conveyance by which you may send official dispatches to him, and with my assurance of a due sense of this favor accept those of my great esteem & respect. PoC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “M r John Graham ”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosures: TJ to Thomas Appleton...
83615To George Washington from John Mercereau, 10 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
the Russell is gone out the Hook Last week there is a Rumour of a french fleet Out, and Some Stir and Uneasiness among them the Last I Heard from there, hope to hear tomorrow Night, Something More and Shall be as Deligent as possible to Answer your Request and Shall Deliver it as fast as it Can be Come att, Dear Sir I Remain your Dutifull Serve⟨n⟩t ALS , DLC:GW . William Smith, royal chief...
83616From George Washington to James Caldwell, 13 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having received information to day, that a Letter had been found by you in an Office in the Commissary of forage’s department written by a Mr Hoit who acted in that line, implying if not expressing in a direct and positive manner that Colo. Biddle, the Head of the department and the Writer were both in the service of the Enemy or were disposed to favor their interest, I am urgently to request...
83617To James Madison from Levett Harris, 24 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of 20 June/ 2 July Peace has actually been concluded between Russia & France, news of which will doubtless reach you before this. It has been announced by the Emperor to the Governor General here, after the form of the inclosed note. The Emperor arrived on the 4/16 inst. and we are anxiously awaiting the official communication from the minister of Foreign affairs which will...
8361821st. (Adams Papers)
Cold, disagreeable Weather, all the morning. In the afternoon it storm’d. My Aunt and myself, sat out to go and see Mrs. Warren, in Milton, but it began to storm before we got far; so we turn’d about and went down to Uncle Quincy’s. We drank tea with him. I believe he would be much happier than he is, if he was married.
83619[Diary entry: 3 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. Mercury at 34. Morning very lowering & threatning but clear & pleasant afterwards. Wind fresh from the So. Wt.
83620Naturalization, [2 January] 1795 (Madison Papers)
A heated debate ensued on Giles’s and Dexter’s amendments. Dexter explained that he had introduced his amendment because Giles had called for a roll-call vote. “You want to hold us up to the public as aristocrats. I, as a retaliation, will hold you up to the same public, as dealers in slaves.” Mr. Madison, when the amendment was first suggested, had considered it as highly proper, and...
83621Deposition in Robin, Polly and Henry, persons of colour v. Jacob King, 2 May 1825, 2 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The deposition of Thomas Jefferson taken at his House in the County of Albemarle this second day of May in the year One thousand eight hundred and Twenty five, to be read as evidence in a suit depending in the Superior Court of law holden for the County of Wythe wherein Robin, Polly & Henry who sue in former pauperis are Plts—and Jacob King is Def t agreeable to notice hereto annexed—The said...
83622To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Mr Natl Nelson is the son of a particular Friend of mine now here, & his Object is a Visit to the other parts of his Family in Ireland. This young Gentleman lately arrived from Philadelphia whither he will probably return after having seen his Friends & reestablished his Health, which is another motive for his present Journey. I beg sir...
83623[Draft of an Essay on Agriculture in the Boston Gazette, 18 July 1763.] (Adams Papers)
Among the Votaries of Science, and the numerous Competitors for Fame and Estimation, Utility seems to have been remarkably neglected. The Utmost subtlety of Wit, and all the labours of pertina cious Industry have been employed by Mathematicians to demonstrate little, unimportant Geometrical Niceties, or in searching for Demonstrations of other Propositions, which there is not the least...
83624From Thomas Jefferson to Columbia, South Carolina, Citizens, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The reliance is most flattering to me [whic]h you are pleased to express in the character of my public conduct; as is the expectation with which you look forward to the inviolable preservation of our national constitution, deservedly the boast of our country. that peace, safety, & concord may be the portion of our native land, & be long enjoyed by our fellow citizens, is the most ardent wish of...
83625Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 12 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received from all our brethren approbations of the loan, I authorised M r Brockenbrough to engage the work of the Rotunda, and have it commenced immediately. we had only two bricklayers and two carpenters capable of executing it with solidity and correctness; these had not capital sufficient for so great an undertaking, nor would they have risked their little all but for a great advance...
83626To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
Since my last communication, letters of which the inclosed are Copies have passed between General Wilkinson & myself. Preparatory to the declaration of Martial Law, the suspension of the Writ of habeas Corpus would be necessary; but this high prerogative can in my opinion be alone exercised by the Territorial Legislature, and was that Body in session, I should under existing circumstances...
83627From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 26 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
As I must carry thorn plants home in the spring to fill up the vacancies in my hedges, I must now get you to take the trouble of walking round the whole of the two thorn enclosures, and counting exactly how many are wanting. there should be one every 6. inches. then count how many plants are living in the thorn nursery, and send me the numbers, that I may be able to procure here the proper...
83628Memorial to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 23 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency, The Right Honorable John Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief, of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America, and Governor of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony, and Dominion of Virginia. The Memorial, of The Officers of The Virginia Regiment, Humbly Sheweth— That, The Virginia Regiment was the first in Arms, of any Troops on the Continent, in the present War: That...
83629To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 6 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Favors of the 31 July, 29 August, and 29 January. It is highly gratifying to me to find that my Conduct respecting Purdie, was approved. I did every thing possible to procure the Report I mentioned to you in mine of April, but could not obtain it. I thank you for your Explanations of the duty of the Consuls and Vice Consuls; I have made it...
83630To James Madison from John Strode, 6 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
Should You, Your Lady and family make a Visit this Spring to Your Seat in Orange; pray confer on me the honor of taking my House in Your route, for One Night at least; Capt. Winston I must grant has the highest Claim to the favour of both You and Your Lady; but it cannot be consistant with the principles of equity & Justice that He Should engross Your whole time, while in the County; pray...
83631To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 27 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 25th instant to which I beg leave to crave reference. I take the freedom to beseech of your Excellency the favor to give me an advice upon the following matter. One Mr. James Swan of Boston wrote to me the 12th of this month to inform me that he was to be appointed Consul at Marseille, but that he had apply’d to Congress that his appointment...
83632From John Quincy Adams to William Steuben Smith, 13 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I received only last friday your letter of the 5 Instant and have been since then endeavouring to find lodgings for you I have finally taken chambers in this Hotel for you one week at 80 francs—If you stay longer you will without difficulty procure in other parts of the city apartments at a more moderate price; but as it would have been necessary to engage them immediately had I taken them...
83633From George Washington to Henry Remsen, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 10th inst. with its inclosure from Governor Livingston. It would give me a great deal of pleasure to comply with your application, could it be done without breaking in upon that line of conduct, which I have uniformly observed in like cases. For a variety of reasons I have refered all requests of this kind made to me to the Goverment of which the...
83634Enclosure: Schweizer, Jeanneret and Company to Charles Guillaume Lambert, 22 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Les Etats unis d’amerique doivent a La france la Somme de 39,710,000 ₶ dont partie est échue et la partie a échéoir est rèduite au comptant au ler Jer prochain. Le congrés à passé une loi pour faire un Emprunt de douze millions de Dollards, à l’effet de payer la partie de sa dette étrangere qui est echüe et de liquider la partie à échéoir, sil y trouve quelque avantage. Nous sommes instruit...
83635To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 24 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Some time ago I requested Colonel Humphrys to state to your Excellency, the Case of Lieutenant Sutherland of the British Artillery captured at Yorktown, who in prospect of an appointment procured for him in the East Indies was anxious to be exchanged; but peculiar circumstances preventing a partial Exchange taking place, that gentleman was acquainted of the impossibility of his request being...
83636To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Carrington Cabell, 15 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The publication of the Extract from your last letter to me was made with the approbation of Judge Carr and I hope will not be disagreeable to you, as I am sure it will produce a very good effect. The Lottery Bill was not taken up to-day. It has gained ground for some days past, & I have no doubt will pass, but not without a large minority. We have a wayward house to deal with, but I hope you...
83637To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of this Date, a Spy from the City & the Express arrived a few Minutes ago, the former confirms the account of the Enemy’s intention to plunder, they intend to visit Derby, Marple & Springfield Townships this Week, so says “Mr Nat. Vernon in confidence to Mr Joshua Humphreys of Philada.” Yesterday six large flat bottom’d Boats (with about 70 Privates) returned from...
83638To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the 15th Inst. I have had no Returns by which I can give any further particular Information of the State of the Regiments; in General small Additions are daily making: next Monday the finall Draft is to be made which I hope will nearly compleat Us: at present we have very few who have ingagd to the first of Jany Only. So great a proportion of our men when raisd will not have had the...
83639To James Madison from Conway and Fortescue Whittle, 27 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Petition of the subscribers, Conway Whittle, and Fortescue Whittle, Merchants, and Partners, trading together in the borough of Norfolk and state of Virginia, under the firm and style of C. & F. Whittle, Agents and Attornies in fact for James Whittle of the town of Liverpool and Kingdom of Great Britain, Respectfully represents; That some time during the month of February last past, a...
83640To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 24 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Honoré des 3 vôtres du 6 au 16 court. [courant], je ne veux pas différer de vous en accuser la réception, en attendant que je puisse vous expédier une pour le Congrès, que je prépare, & dont le contenu vous plaira.— Ce que vous m’aviez marqué de la Boutique , n’a été dit qu’à des Patriotes assez honnêtes, pour convenir ingénument que vous aviez raison. Je...
83641To James Madison from William Chilton, 2 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
In a late paper I saw that there had been a Bill reported for incorporating an invalid Force; and that the present peace establishment force would not be Augmented with an addition of Regiments. Then of course there will be no more officers to appoint in that Corps. Respect, Sir induces me to solicit an appointment in the Us service, Having spent some time in it during the late war, and being...
83642John Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
By the French Consul I sent down to Washington the 3. Vol— Botta ’s Translation—he assures me that the conveyance will be a good one & that as he knows M r Botta intimately he will do it with pleasure RC ( MHi ); at head of text: “ Th s Thomas Jefferson Monticello ”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mar. 1821 and so recorded in SJL
83643From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
The decision in the Admiralty Courts of G. B. disallowing the sufficiency of landing, and paying duties on, Colonial produce of belligerent Colonies, re-exported from ports of the U.S., to protect the produce agst. the British Cruisers & Courts, has spread great alarm among merchants & has had a grievous effect on the rate of insurance. From the great amt. of property afloat subject to this...
83644Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 8 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
As you are now in a Sphere of Life that requires the Enjoyment of Health, the Exercise of Wisdom, Patience and every other Virtue, I wish you the Possession of these equal to its Exigences and that as is the Day so may be your Strength. I feel anxious for my Friends, but peculiarly so for the State of my Country, at the same Time can chearfully leave it to the Care of Providence and those on...
83645To George Washington from William Shepard, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencies Letter bearing date June the 8th came safe to hand, have duly observ’d the contents shall do all in my power to comply with Your Excellencies directions. Must beg Your Excellencies pardon for not dating my Letter, it ought to have been dated the 28th of May 1781. I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency that this Department begins to move to Public advantage under the...
83646From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willis White, 15 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg to be excused from writing the prospectus for your edn of Thomas’s Co Littleton. I have made it a point never to be the recommender of books to the public. it would be presumption in any case but especially in that of a book addressed to a learned profession as that of the law so entirely capable of judging for themselves . I suggested, at your request, this book as one the ability...
83647Wednesday March 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
At home all day: Eliza, dined and passed the afternoon, at Mr. Duncan’s. Mr. Thaxter went to Portsmouth upon business. Felt quite fatigued all day, though, I did not sit up, later than common last night. Retired at about 11.
83648To Thomas Jefferson from James Carver, 18 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding through the medium of the public prints, from Washington, as well as through private and respectable information, from characters well versed in Military Tactics, that a probable change in the military System of this County, is about to take place, I take the liberty of tendering an offer of my Services, as a master in the Art of Military Equitation,—a branch of Science in which...
83649[Diary entry: 18 January 1770] (Washington Papers)
18. Went to the Plantn. in the Neck. GW today paid a Mr. Awbrey 10s. for prescribing medicines for Patsy Custis ( custis account book GW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond. ).
83650John H. Cocke to Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you herein the letter to D r Cooper with my signature. According to my understanding of the decision of the board of visitors it contains the fullest expression of their wishes.— I am sorry to hear of your indisposition since I left Monticello — Accept the Assurance of my high respect & friendly regard RC ( CSmH: JF ); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Oct. 1819 and so recorded in SJL . RC (