1From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
While I thought there was a probability of my letters finding you in France, I wrote frequently to you there; and very long epistles too—My last was dated the 15th of June—between that, & the letter which must have been handed to you by the Chevr Chartellux, I addressed three others, under the following dates—March 23d—April 5th—& May 10th—Subsequent to these I have been honored with your...
2From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit you herewith a Copy of the Institution of the Cincinnati a Society formed by the American Officers before they Seperated and retired to private life. the principles of the society the purposes for which it was formed and the qualifications necessary to become Members will fully appear by the Institution—Should any of the Foreign Officers who are qualified by...
3From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 30 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I persuade myself it would rather give you pain than pleasure, were I to apologize for any liberty I might take with you, which does not exceed the rules of propriety & friendship—I shall proceed without further hesitation or ceremony to beg the favour of you to send me of the plated wares (or what formerly used to be called French plate) the articles contained in the enclosed memorandm to...
4From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to the honor of your acquaintance Major Jackson—a Gentleman who has served both in a Military and Civil capacity in this Country with great Credit and Reputation. I shall be much obliged to you to afford him your protection whilst in France being assured that he will Render himself worthy of any civilities you may shew him. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George...
5From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Platt, who will have the honor of presenting you with this Letter, and his Lady are going to England, and probably to France—Should the latter happen, I would beg leave to recommend them to your kind notice and civilities as respectable Citizens of this State. With great truth I am, My dear Marqs, Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Servt NIC .
6From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 1 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Platt who will have the honor of presenting you this letter, & his Lady are going to England, & probably to France: Should the latter happen, I would beg leave to recommend them to your kind notice & civilities, as respectable citizens of this place. I am, &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this place, which was evacuated by the British Forces, & taken possession of by our Troops on the 25th ulto, I have made a purchase of so many pieces of the plated Ware, as to render it unnecessary for you to comply with the request of my letter of the 30th of October from Princeton by Majr L’Enfant; & have to beg the favor of you to take no steps in consequence thereof. With...
8From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance, Doct: Witherspoon President of the College of New Jersey & the bearer of this letter—It is with pleasure I can recommend him to your notice, as a Gentleman well known on this side the water for his Abilities & Literature; I therefore the more readily take the liberty of presenting him to you as worthy of your civilities. We have just now my...
9From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine & my own Fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp & the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the Soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame—the Statesman whose watchful days & sleepless Nights are spent in devising schemes to...
10John Adams to Marquis de Lafayette, 28 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive your Letter of the 8 th , untill the day before yesterday.— That I have not Seen with Pleasure, Approbation or Indifference, the Introduction into America, of So great an Innovation, as an order of Chivalry, or any Thing like One, or that has a Tendency to one, is very true. that I have been violent against it, is not So. I am not a violent Man. I have disapproved of this...
11From George Washington to Lafayette, 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have no expectation, that this Letter will find you in France. Your favor of Novr to me, & of Deer to Congress, both announce your intention of making us a visit this Spring. On this hope I shall fully rely, & shall ardently long for the moment in which I can embrace you in America. Nothing could add more to the pleasure of this interview than the happiness of seeing Madame la Fayette with...
12From John Jay to Lafayette, 8 May 1784 (Jay Papers)
I was surprized to see you pass in your Carriage two Days ago, havg understood that you was gone into the Country Tell me when you will be at Home I want to call upon you & talk over two or three Matters— Will Tomorrow morning suit You? I have found a New York Ship that will take me ^ us ^ on board at Dover, & so that you will no longer be exposed to the Inconveniences w h . your polite offer...
13Appendix VIII: To Lafayette, 17 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Society of the Cincinnati in a general meeting, of delegates from the respective States now held in this city, have had before them the letters which were addressed by you to the President. The measures you have taken to fulfill the intentions of the society are proofs of your attachment, and obligations on the Society. The permission of his most Christian Majesty for His Generals, &...
14John Adams to Marquis de Lafayette, 11 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received in Season, the Letter mentioned in yours of the Second of this Month, but as there was nothing in it which required an immediate Answer, I have not acknowledged the Recipt of it, untill now. If an Express should be upon his Passage with any Arrangement of Congress, respecting their foreign Affairs I presume the Departure of M r Jay and M r Laurens for America, will disarrange it: So...
15From James Madison to Lafayette, 4 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 December 1784, Richmond. Lafayette refers to this letter in the 17 December addendum to his 15 December 1784 letter to JM . The lost letter contained news of the resolution passed in the House of Delegates to have two busts of Lafayette made and placed in the Virginia capital and in Paris.
16From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The peregrination of the day in which I parted with you, ended at Marlbro’: the next day, bad as it was, I got home before dinner. In the moment of our separation upon the road as I travelled, & every hour since—I felt all that love, respect & attachment for you, with which length of years, close connexion & your merits, have inspired me. I often asked myself, as our Carriages distended,...
17From George Washington to Lafayette, 23 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
You would scarcely expect to receive a letter from me at this place: a few hours before I set out for it, I as little expected to cross the Potomac again this winter, or even to be fifteen miles from home before the first of April, as I did to make you a visit in an air Balloon in France. I am here however, with Genl Gates, at the request of the Assembly of Virginia, to fix matters with the...
18From John Jay to Lafayette, 19 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
It was not before this morning that I was informed that the Bearer of this Letter was going to France and to sail Tomorrow, & Business and Company have not till now (late in the Evening) permitted me to sit down to write to You. I cannot however omit this opportunity of sending you a few Lines, which tho not very interesting will neither nevertheless in evince my attention to a Correspondance...
19From George Washington to Lafayette, 15 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your affectionate letter of the 21st of December—dated on board the Nymph Frigate in the harbour of New York; & felt all that man could feel from the flattering expression of it. My last to you, if I recollect right, was dispatched from Annapolis; whither I went at the request of this State to settle a plan (to be mutually adopted by the Legislatures of both...
20From James Madison to Lafayette, 20 March 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 15th. continued on the 17th of December came very slowly but finally safe to hand. The warm expressions of regard which it contains are extremely flattering to me, and the more so as they so entirely correspond with my own wishes for every thing which may enter into your happiness. You have not erred in supposing me out of the number of those who have relaxed their anxiety...
21From George Washington to Lafayette, 12 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of Septr last year, introductory of Mr Duchi, I had the honor to receive a few days since. However great that Gentleman’s merits are, and however much I might be inclined to serve him, candor required me to tell him, as I now do you, that there is no opening (within my view) by which he could enter, & succeed in the line of his profession, in this Country. Besides being...
22From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 3 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I took the Journey leisurely, and arrived here on Thursday and had the pleasure to learn that Colonel Smith had arrived the evening before, which relieved me from an anxiety, as I wished to have him with me at the Commencement of operations as well as to have all the Papers before me. I have found this Gentleman possessed of all the good Qualities which you and Col o. Humphrys, who knew him...
23From John Jay to Lafayette, 15 July 1785 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for your interesting Letter of the 19 March which ha I was immediately communicated to Congress—I consider it as a new Proof of your ^ that ^ constant and useful Attention to our affairs ^ from ^ which the United States have so often derived both Pleasure and advantage—Let me request the continuance of your Correspondence, and be assured that it will always give me Pleasure to...
24From George Washington to Lafayette, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge & thank you for your several favors of the 9th of February—19th of March & 16th of April, with their enclosures; all of which (the last only yesterday) have been received since I had the honor to address you in February. I stand before you as a Culprit; but to repent & be forgiven are the precepts of Heaven: I do the former—do you practise the latter, & it will be...
25From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have been favored with your letters of the 11th & 13th of May by young Mr Adams, who brought them to New York, from whence they came safely to this place by the Post: the first is in Cypher; & for the communications therein contained I thank you: My best wishes will always accompany your undertakings; but remember my dear friend it is a part of the military art to...
26From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Having written fully to you about the first of Septr; & nothing having occurred since worth reciting, I should not have given you the trouble of receiving a letter from me at this time, were it not for the good opportunity afforded me by Captn Littlepage, & my desire not to suffer any of your letters to remain long by me unacknowledged. I have now to thank you for your favors of the 9th & 14th...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, with Thomas Boylston’s Proposal, [ca. 13 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Boylston proposes to bring to France this next year from 100 to 500 tons of Spermaceti whale oil on the following terms. 1. Government to remit all duties on it to permit him to take freight back to the W. Indies and there to take sugar and molasses for the U.S. He will lay out half the price received in the productions and manufactures of France and will sell them at auction in America,...
28From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 13 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 30 th. Ult o. and thank you for the extract enclosed— The Commerce of new England will follow their oil, wherever it may go and therefore I think it good Policy, in the Controller General to take of the duty— But there is another object of Importance I mean the sperma Cæti Chandles— Will you be so good as to inform me whether these are prohibited in france?...
29From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 21 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am very glad to learn by your Kind favour of the 9 th. that Boylston has sold his oil to sangrains Correspondent because this will both shew the Bostonians that a Markett may be found in france, much better than in England, & the Parrissians that this oil is much better & Cheaper than any other M r. Barretts Contract bids fair to compleat the business & to introduce a regular Exchange of...
30From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 31 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I send you by M r. Joy, all the writings which have fallen in my way, against the slave trade— I mentioned your Desire to read, whatever you could find upon that subject to M r. Granville sharp who requests your acceptance of what he has written upon that subject— you may not Know the Character of this Gentleman, He is the Grand son of the famous Archbishop sharp, very amiable & benevolent in...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 9 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. John Ledyard, who proposes to undertake the journey through the Northern parts of Asia and America, is a citizen of Connecticut, one of the united states of America. He accompanied Capt. Cook in his last voiage to the North-western parts of America, and rendered himself useful to that officer, on some occasions, by a spirit of enterprize which has distinguished his whole life. He has...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 20 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot last night a very material circumstance in my calculation. The Farmers general are, by their bail, obliged to keep a certain provision of tobacco and snuff always on hand. I believe it is three years consumption. However for fear of error I will call it two years; because were the bail silent on this head they would certainly have always on hand one year’s stock ready for manufacture,...
33From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you did me the favor to write to me by Mr Barratt dated the 6th of Feby, together with the parcel & packages which accompanied it, came safely to hand; & for which I pray you to accept my grateful acknowledgments. The account given of your tour thro’ Prussia & other States of Germany, to Vienna & back; & of the Troops which you saw reviewed, in the pay of those Monarchs, at...
34From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
You would be surprised at the old date of the letter herewith sent you, were I not to tell you that the vessel which carries it was to have sailed agreeably to the date, & by information was to do so every day since. Nothing new has occurred since it was written, nor should I have given you the trouble of a second letter by the same ship, had I not forgotten to mention in my last that Mrs...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 15 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsr. Famin called on me on the subject of making Honfleur a free port; and wished me to sollicit it. I told him that it was for our interest, as for that also of all the world, that every port of France and of every other country should be free; that therefore we must wish Honfleur to be made so; that if the matter was in agitation the Count de Vergennes would probably speak of it to me in...
36From John Jay to Lafayette, 16 June 1786 (Jay Papers)
During your Absence from France I omitt ing d being so regular in my Correspondence, as I should ^ otherwise ^ have been. I have been honored with your Letters of the 18 th . April & 6 Sept r in the last Year, ^ & ^ with one of 11 Feb y last—They were all communicated to Congress. The account of your german Excursion is concise and interesting—The Sentiments & opinions respecting the United...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 17 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It seems that a writ of surseance is what Mr. Ridout desires. In what cases this is granted, by what power, and thro whom the applications go, I am ignorant, as I have always declined asking them for any body; my idea having been that where they could be obtained according to fixed rules, they would be granted of course on any application; and that where it was not agreeable to rule to grant...
38From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 26 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your kind Letter of the 16 th. I most heartily wish you success in your endeavours to introduce a benificial Commerce in Tobacco, oil, Timber & all other things, between the U.S. & France, L d. G. G.’ s attack was easily repulsed, The Ministry will not be so easily managed, in one word, I will let you into the whole secret, They think, that whatever wealth or Power...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, with Enclosure, 17 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honour of inclosing to you an estimate of the Exports and Imports of the United states. Calculations of this kind cannot pretend to accuracy, where inattention and fraud combine to suppress their objects. Approximation is all they can aim at. Neither care nor candour have been wanting on my part to bring them as near the truth as my skill and materials would enable me to do. I...
40From George Washington to Lafayette, 15 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
I will not conceal that my numerous correspondencies are daily becoming irksome to me; yet I always receive your letters with augmenting satisfaction, and therefore rejoice with you in the measures which are likely to be productive of a more frequent intercourse between our two nations. Thus, motives of a private as well as of a public nature conspire to give me pleasure, in finding that the...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 24 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your other friends here being so much better qualified to give you the transactions of this metropolis during your absence, it would be presumption in me to touch on them. I assume therefore the office of your correspondent for American affairs, in the discharge of which I may stand a chance to communicate to you details which you cannot get in the ordinary course of your correspondence, and...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 3 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the second instant . The reason for my importing harness from England is a very obvious one. They are plated, and plated harness is not made at all in France as far as I have learnt. It is not from a love of the English but a love of myself that I sometimes find myself obliged to buy their manufactures. I must make one observation with respect to the use I make of...
43From George Washington to Lafayette, 19 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I received in very good order, from Baltimore, under the care of Monsr Compoint, the most valuable things you could have sent me, a Jack & two she Asses, all of which are very fine. The Pheasants & Partridges are coming round by water; for these also I pray you to accept my thanks. Words, my dear Marquis, will not do justice to my feelings, when I acknowledge the obligation I...
44From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 12 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of the 5 th. of this month is just now brought to me, & I beg leave to reciprocate to you & your amiable family all your obliging wishes— the latest accounts from the massachusetts assure us of a returning tranquility, altho the spirit of sedition in the County of Worcester was not wholly suppressed— I have no doubt it will all soon subside. With equal surprize & satisfaction I...
45From John Jay to Lafayette, 16 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
Congress being again convened, I have communicated to them the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 28 Oct r last. The Paper ^ it ^ enclosed had been laid before M r Gardoqui, & made known to his court, but it seems the minister Count De Florida Blanca does not ^ consider ^ it in the same point of Light that he ^ we
46From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 28 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just now, my dear Sir, in the moment of my departure. Monsr. de Montmorin having given us audience at Paris yesterday, I missed the opportunity of seeing you once more. I am extremely pleased with his modesty, the simplicity of his manners, and his dispositions towards us. I promise myself a great deal of satisfaction in doing business with him. I hope he will not give ear to any...
47From George Washington to Lafayette, 25 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since writing you a hasty letter in November last, by a vessel which was then passing my door, I have been honored with your kind and obliging favor of the 26th of October; for the affectionate sentiments with whch it is replite I pray you to accept my warmest and most grateful acknowledgments and the strongest assurances of everlasting Friendship. I am writing to you my Dear Sir but where...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 11 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your head, my dear friend, is full of Notable things; and being better employed, therefore, I do not expect letters from you. I am constantly roving about, to see what I have never seen before and shall never see again. In the great cities, I go to see what travellers think alone worthy of being seen; but I make a job of it, and generally gulp it all down in a day. On the other hand, I am...
49From George Washington to Lafayette, 6 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Not till within this hour was I informed of the intention of Mr Rutledge (son to the Governor Rutledge of South Carolina whom I believe you know) to embark in the Packet for France, or that he was to set out in the morning for New York, to take shipping the day after. Tho’ totally unprepared (immersed as I am in the business of the Convention) I cannot let this Gentleman depart without a...
50From George Washington to Lafayette, 30 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who will do the honor of presenting this letter to you is Mr Shipping—Son of your old acquaintance Doctr Shipping of this City who having been at the Temple proposes to visit Paris, and of course to offer homage to you—He is a very sensible young man and as far as opportunities are offorded me to judge—possesses a well cultivated mind which unduces me without hesitation or...