1To James Madison from David Humphreys, 5 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing Mr: Pollard of Boston, a gentleman of considerable literary taste & acquirements, who is travelling for the first time as far South as the City of Washington. His object is to see the Country & become somewhat more acquainted with its Inhabitants. Your pardoning this liberty is the rather to be hoped for, from a consideration of my not having before trespassed...
2To John Adams from David Humphreys, 8 May 1813 (Adams Papers)
Mr Frans Coffin, who will have the honour of delivering this letter, & whom I beg leave to recommend to your friendly notice, as a Gentleman desirous of getting a Passage to St Petersburg, by the Cartel–Ship, about to sail from Philadelphia, if practicable. He is a brother to my friend Mrs Darby; and has, also, a brother who has been for some years past in Russia. His principal object in...
3To James Madison from David Humphreys, 20 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
The formidable British fleet, now on this Station, could not have been more ill contrived than it is, for the purposes designed. The frigates are unable to contend singly with ours, without being made to feel their inferiority in more than one article. The Ships of the Line, too heavy & clumsy for pursuit, from their bulk & construction & under the disadvantage of having been a considerable...
4To James Madison from David Humphreys, 19 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Jacob Perkins of Newbury Port will have the honour of delivering this letter into your hand. He is the author of several ingenious and useful inventions. As such I beg leave to introduce him; with the farther information, that the object of his journey is to obtain from Congress the renewal of a Patent about to expire; and that I have given him a Certificate expressive of my opinion of the...
5To James Madison from David Humphreys, 22 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
Not finding it convenient, on account of the late severe snow storm and consequent bad roads, to visit the seat of Government, so soon as I had expected, I inclose the Paper alluded to in my late letter; believing the importance of the subject, will be admitted as an apology for the trouble. It is known that the growing of wool and the means of converting that indispensable staple into Cloth,...
6To James Madison from David Humphreys, 10 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
As it is not among the least of the important duties of the President, to become acquainted so far as may be, with the resources & ability of the U. S. for supplying their wants; it has been judged not improper to bring to his view a Statement made by the Visitors of the Humphreysville Manufacturing Establishment, respecting the operation of a new Machine for spinning Yarn of various kinds. If...
7To John Adams from David Humphreys, 28 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
I think we agree in sentiment, that the wealth & prosperity of a Country depend essentially on the Industry , Instruction & Morality of its Inhabitants : on the first for acquiring, and on the two last for making the best use of the means, for public felicity. Nor shall we differ in opinion, that the acquisition
8To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have seen the letter which you addressed to a Gentleman in this City during my absence requesting him to obtain Cloth from my Factory for your own weaving. There is no broad Cloth finished at present except some Pecies made of the Wool of the half-blooded Merinos. I have directed one to be manufactured of the pure fleece. It will not be completed in less than six weeks or two months; owing...
9To James Madison from David Humphreys, 26 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you a letter from our friend Genl. Lafayette, which he put into my hand at Paris. Dispatches from Mr. Monroe will also be forwarded by this conveyance with which I was charged in London. The last advices which we have brought from thence were to the 16th. Ulto., When the arrival of the American Sloop of War, Revenge, was anxiously expected, as was the...
10To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 25 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just arrived here in a passage of 34 days from England. I take the liberty of communicating some of the most remarkable circumstances of a political nature which occurred at the time of my departure. After the general embargo was raised, the objects which excited the public attention most, were, the expected arrival of Instructions from the U.S. respecting the late aggression on our...