1From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 19 April 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of the 11th Instant, with your new Piece on Education, which I shall carefully peruse; and give you my Sentiments of it as you desire, per next Post. I believe the young Gentlemen, your Pupils, may be entertain’d and instructed here in Mathematics and Philosophy to Satisfaction. Mr. Allison (who was educated at Edinburgh, or...
2From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 3 May 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Peters has just now been with me, and we have compar’d Notes on your new Piece. We find nothing in the Scheme of Education, however excellent, but what is, in our Opinion, very practicable. The great Difficulty will be, to find the Aratus , and other suitable Persons, in New York, to carry it into Execution; but such may be had, if proper...
3From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 27 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote you fully via Bristol, I have now little to add. Matters relating to the Academy remain in Statu quo. A Majority of the Trustees, I find, would be glad to see a Rector establish’d there, but they dread entring into new Engagements ’till they are got out of Debt; and I have not yet been able to bring them over to my Opinion, that a good...
4Samuel Chandler to James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Peters, Benjamin Franklin, Conrad Weiser, and William Smith … (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Horace W. Smith, Life and Correspondence of the Rev. William Smith, D.D. (Philadelphia, 1880), I , 40–2. William Smith delivered this letter to Governor Hamilton a few days after he returned from England on May 22. Hamilton communicated it at once to the others named in it. Franklin, Peters, and Weiser were about to set out to Albany, so no meeting could be held...
5From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 18 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have had but one Line from you since your Arrival in England, which was a short one, via Boston, dated October 18. acquainting me you had wrote largely by Davis. Davis was lost, and with him your Letters, to my great Disappointment. Mesnard and Gibbon are since arriv’d here, and I hear nothing from you; which I should tell you chagrins me not a...
6From George Washington to William Smith, March–April 1757 (Washington Papers)
[ March-April 1757 ]. The text of this letter is printed as Document III of “The Capitulation of Fort Necessity.” There William Smith is tentatively identified as the addressee. On 3 Mar. 1757, while GW was in Philadelphia to attend Loudoun’s meeting with the southern governors, the printer James Chattin announced in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia) his intention to publish within two...
7Ebenezer Kinnersley to [William Smith], 30 November 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , November 30, 1758. William Smith, provost of the College and Academy of Philadelphia, wrote an account of the institution which appeared at the end of November 1758 in a publication of which he was the principal editor, The American Magazine and Monthly Chronicle for the British Colonies , I (1757–58), Supplement, 630–40. In describing the members of the...
8From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 4 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I received the Box containing eleven Copies of the Transactions sent me by order of the Society, and have already delivered most of them as directed. There should be more care taken by the Binder in collating the Sheets, particularly of Books sent so far. The Book for the Society of Arts had one Sheet twice over, and the Duplicate was return’d to me on a Supposition...
9From Benjamin Franklin to William Smith, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received yours of May 16. with the Box of Books, and have already delivered and forwarded most of them as directed. I supply’d Dr. Fothergill with the wanting Sheet. I approve much of the Letter’s being in English. I forwarded your Letter to Mr. White, Son of Taylor White, Esqr late Treasurer of the Foundling Hospital (now deceas’d)...
10From George Washington to William Smith, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 15th Inst. by Lieut. Colonel Burr. It gives me pleasure to find that the conduct of the flag was such as contributed to your ease; and I am much obliged to you for the attention shewn to the convenience of my officers. It was really altogether out of my power to take any concern, (without interfering with the civil authority) in the matter of your request, but I...
11George Washington to William Smith, [15 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Passaic Falls, New Jersey, November 15, 1780. ] Thanks Smith for the notice of Washington’s election to American Philosophical Society. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Smith was secretary of the American Philosophical Society.
12From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith, 18 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to proceed into the Country and engage eight good Gun-smiths and one good Blacksmith (a white man) to come immediately to work with Mr. Anderson in the repairs of Arms. Should you be able to find any good and faithful hands, who tho’ unwilling to come here would undertake to repair such Arms as should be sent to them, you will be pleased to engage them and to know what...
13From George Washington to William Smith, 18 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 8th ulto by Colo. Tilghman, who arrived here abt ten days ago, & to whom I have committed the charge of forwarding this answer. To the Gentlemen who moved the matter, & to the assembly for adopting it, I am much indebted for the honor conferred on me by giving my name to the College at Chester. at the same time that I acknowledge the honor I...
14John Adams to William Smith, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your’s of the 13 th and 16 th: the last contains the most agreeable News I have heard a long time.— If M rs: Adams should arrive, I believe it will be the most prudent thing she can do, to purchase as strong and decent a Coach of four Places, as can be had for 150 Guineas, in this she may come to the Hague, and go in it with me to Paris if I should have occasion to go there—I...
15From George Washington to William Smith, 25 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th from Vienna, was more than ten days on its passage to me. It found me with company, & busily preparing for a journey which I am about to commence in a few days to the westward. I did not fail however to mention the purport of your wishes to Mr Arell who was the bearer of your packet to me. He offering his services to dispose of your lottery tickets—I do not know where...
16From George Washington to William Smith, 8 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Captn Barney has just arrived here in the miniature Ship called the Federalist; and has done me the honour to offer that beautiful curiosity as a Present to me, on your part. I pray you, Gentlemen, to accept the warmest expressions of my sensibility for this specimen of American ingenuity : in which the exactitude of the proportions, the neatness of the workmanship, and the elegance of the...
17Abigail Adams Smith to William Smith, 22 June 1788 (Adams Papers)
we were made very happy this morning by the receipt of your Letter, informing us of the arrival of my Parents— be pleased to accept our sincere thanks for this early Proof of your attention— I am anxious to hear particularly respecting their Healths— I hope the Lameness of my Mammas Hand which you mention, is not to be of long continueance— I hope you will excuse the Liberty I have taken of...
18From George Washington to William Smith, 6 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Moustier—Minister from the Court of France—and the Marchioness de Brehan &ca—being on their return to New York, and proposing to pass through Baltimore I have the honor of introducing them to your personal acquaintance; being persuaded that you will have pleasure in paying them those attentions which are not only due to their Rank but to their great Merit. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt &...
19From John Adams to William Smith, 27 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Letter of the 19 th . a drawback on Rum exported is admitted by the House, and I believe will not be taken off by the Senate. The duty on Molasses will be reduced to 4 Cents and I hope to three. Your Reasoning appears to be very just and I think will prevail. The jealousies Distilleries and Breweries are natural and cannot be wholly prevented: but I hope they will...
20Abigail Adams to William Smith, 10 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to congratulate you & mrs Smith upon the Birth of a Daughter. I hope both the Mamma and Infant are in good Health, as well as master William my Grandchildren are much afflicted with the Hooping cough we have had a succession of extreem Hot weather, and tho we have one of the most airy situations near the city, I have sufferd much from the Heat. It would make us very happy to see...
21From Alexander Hamilton to William Smith, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 30, 1789. “I duly received your letter of the 18th. instant.… I send you herewith a letter in answer to that for myself from your Society which I request may be presented.” LS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. The Boston Marine Society. The letter to the society has not been found.
22From John Adams to William Smith, 20 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable favour of the 24 th of April, was brought to me in season and I thank you for it; though my thanks are not in good season.—Your sentiments concerning the assumption of the State debts, the encouragement of American navigation and the establishment of a national bank, are conformable to those of about one half The Continent and contrary to those of the other half. How shall we...
23From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith, 28 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As the time allotted for Mr. Eppes’s stay here is short in proportion to the objects of it, I am desirous of husbanding every hour of it possible. Lest I should not have explained myself sufficiently as to his objects at the college, I take the liberty of doing it now. In Mathematics he possesses already the first 6. and the 11th. and 12th. books of Euclid (having been four times over them in...
24From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith, 16 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States desiring to avail the public of your services as Auditor of the Treasury of the U. S. I have now the honor of enclosing you the Commission. You will readily concieve from the nature of this office that every day’s suspension of its functions adds new instances of inconvenience to the public, and to individuals. While I indulge myself therefore in expressing...
25George Washington to William Smith, 8 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with much satisfaction from your letter of April 28. that you propose to undertake a history of the American revolution, and shall with pleasure procure you any aids I can towards the faithful execution of the work. I will therefore desire the heads of the Executive departments to communicate to you such papers of useful information in their respective offices as they, in their...
26Abigail Adams to William Smith, 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Death of my Mother which took place this afternoon very suddenly, will prevent my Sitting out on my journey as I had intended on twesday. we propose to burry her on Monday. I do not think I can get away untill thursday. I shall therefore omit sending Beckey untill fryday. I would wish two places engaged in the Stage as I have an other Girl to go with her, and should like to have them under...
27Abigail Adams to William Smith, 10 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Will you be kind as to see mr Frothingham and tell him that I wish him to have the Coachee cased, and put on Board the first vessel which sails for this place agreeing for the freight of it, before he puts it on Board I have a Leeding Brass Harniss at Quincy which I will write to have sent to mr Frothingham that the whole may come together. Dr Welch has in his Hands three hundred Dollors which...
28Abigail Adams to William Smith, 11 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Mr otis will tell you all the News in this quarter of the Earth, where Wickedness abounds of all kinds. I hope however there may be found Rightous sufficient to save the city. we have a senator—you see by his Letter what he is capable of. the Government is not found sufficently strong to punish him according to his Demerrits, or he would not have been permitted to have escaped, nor do I think...
29Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
We are thus far on our Way to N England if no accident happens to prevent us. I hope on thursday of next week to sleep at williams at Malbourough, and to dine at Watertown on fryday. We escaped from N york with less parade than was intended, tho we were not less sensible to the politeness and civility of the inhabitants who were disposed to do us every honour both civil and Military. the first...
30Abigail Adams to William Smith, 23 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
As you was absent when I left home I was unable to pay you for some articles which you had purchased for me, as well as some which mrs smith had procured for me. if you will be so good as to forward me the amount, I will transmit it to you— When I pay’d mr Fothingham for the Carriage, there were the quarter Lights and some other matters which made the carriage amount to more than our first...
31Abigail Adams to William Smith, 16 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you from East Chester and inclosed you 90 dollors to pay a Note in mr Frothinghams hands. I have not received a line in acknowledgment of the letter, which makes me a little anxious for its fate. you was so good as to Say you would send me Some salt fish. I should like a couple of kental to treat our good Massachusetts Friends. I will thank you to send it by one of the first vessels,...
32Abigail Adams to William Smith, 21 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favour of Nov br 8 th the day after I last wrote you. I inclose the amount of your account with many thanks for your kindness— The Betsy is arrived with the fish, and if my cook can be taught to dress it, some of our Nothern Friends shall Toast your Health. The state of N Jersey as you observe, most certainly manifested a very marked respect and approbation of the...
33Abigail Adams to William Smith, 6 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of Jan’ ry and observed Your communication, somewhat alterd to better suit the Times. I though the alteration not amiss. the paper you inclosed to me I put into the Hands of the President. he could not apply the Character as he did not recollect that any such person had applied. I had an opportunity of shewing it to the secretary at War. he was at no loss, and mentiond a...
34Abigail Adams to William Smith, 28 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
We now have the appearence of some fine weather our Rivers are open, but our Roads are all like what we experienced when we came through the Jersis in April last. I begin to look towards my Native state with a wish to be early there, which I fear will not be seconded by Congress, for tho many of them are distresst at the manner this session has heitherto been wasted, yet they cannot controul...
35Abigail Adams to William Smith, 2 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
The President received your Letter this morning dated 5 Feb’ry. the Rule of the former President not to answer Letters of this nature, he has abided by. his Rule is to place all Canditates for office upon a Book kept for that purpose, and to appoint to office such persons as come best recommended for abilities integrity and industery. in your case he would be particuliarly delicate, for as he...
36Abigail Adams to William Smith, 5 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind favour of Feb ry 25 this morning. the badness of the roads I suppose was the reason it did not reach me sooner. The Maderia I do not want to be sent here. it is for Home consumption I have no occasion for it here. there are some other articles I should wish you to secure for me immediatly half Hundred Coffe and a Hunderd & half Brown sugar; which will immediaty rise, for I...
37Abigail Adams to William Smith, 20 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter of March 11 th it would give the President great satisfaction to communicate to the publick the dispatches of our Envoys if he could do it consistant with their safety and Security. the Portugeze minister is imprisoned now in France. we have not Certainty that ours have left Paris—and so critical are the times, that our Ministers cannot communicate...
38Abigail Adams to William Smith, 30 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I fully unite with you in sentiment, that much ill Blood and warmth of Passion is excited by Town meeting Government. the Merchants who are most interested ought to be left free to Arm or not as they please. You cannot conceive what Mischief will result to our Country from the inteference of People, who can have only a partial view of subjects of this nature; I will tell you Sir, that the...
39Abigail Adams to William Smith, 15 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a Letter to you for Mrs Black. as there is but one post a week for Quincy, it may probably lay in the office Some days, and it is of conquence that she should have it immediatly as it respects an orphan Baby which I have under my care here. you will be so kind if mr Black should not be in Town when you receive it to send it to mr Lambs with a request to them to send it to Quincy...
40Abigail Adams to William Smith, 21 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received by way of Providence last week Your kind Letter of the 11th sent by Mrs Barret, together with the sermon for which accept my thanks. if mr & Mrs Barret had come to Philadelphia, it would have given me pleasure to have noticed them, as it does all of my Friends & acquaintance, or those who are introduced to me by others. I take this opportunity by mr spear to send you two or three...
41Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
yours of May 18 received on saturday. the President says, he will be obliged to you to chuse him a good pipe of wine, and inform dr Tufts who will take measures to get it to Quincy; you may either forward the Bill of it here, or the person of whom you purchase may wait our comeing, which I hope will be in about a month from this time, I fear not sooner— we know not what a day may bring forth—...
42Abigail Adams to William Smith, 4 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter yesterday of May the 28 th and the Sermons you were so kind as to send me, which I have read with much pleasure. I have received ten from different Gentlemen, and I design to have them bound up in a vol’m— You observe that a uninimity prevails throughout the Country. it does so in a wonderfull degree, and I consider it as a kind interposition of Providence in our favour;...
43Abigail Adams to William Smith, 9 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you a Bill of Lading of some flower a cask trunk and an Iron dripping pan, which I have lookd for without effect in Boston. you will be so good as to receive them for me, & pay the freight, which with other matters you have against me, you will charge and I will pay you in Boston, or send you from hence if you will inclose the account; Heigh ho, When Congress will rise, I can make no...
44Abigail Adams to William Smith, 19 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 11 th I think Thomas Welch should take his degree at College before he goes. I hope to be in Boston in July. if any Vessel should be going to Hamburgh, it would be best for him to embark for that port. I sincerely regreet that you have had an other vessel captured. Captain Brooks is destined to it, it should seem, from his having so often sufferd, but the President says...
45Abigail Adams to William Smith, 26 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since writing to You, respecting Thomas Welch, I have received last week a Letter from mr Adams which wholy discourages me from Sending any person abroad. he states certain difficulties which I do not see can be surmounted, certainely not, as it respects Thomas I cannot but regreet that I did not receive the Letter which is dated the last of Feb’ ry sooner, that I might not have proposed the...
46Abigail Adams to William Smith, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your Letter of June 25th. I wrote to you by the post of twesday, and told you that from a Letter received from mr Adams I thought it would be impractable for Thomas Welch to go out. I now inclose you the Letter and you must judge what is best to be done mr Adams will undoubtedly give Thomas his Board if he goes but you see the expences of his going to him, and of...
47Abigail Adams to William Smith, 7 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two kind favours this week of June 29 & July 2d as Hot a day as I ever experienced. I was therefore upon that and the succeeding day unfit for any exertion, and thought it would be impossible for me to go through the fatigues of the 4th without a Change of weather which fortunately took place on twesday afternoon, otherways it must have proved fatal to the Young troops,...
48Abigail Adams to William Smith, 23 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have coverd to you the dispatches which are for Thomas Welch to take with him. I hope in the course of the present week to set out for Quincy, but cannot depend upon any thing, as we know not what a day will bring forth, and it is high time Something of concequence should reach us— You will see the appointments for the staff of the Army, and will hear of a Negative I doubt not. When the...
49Abigail Adams to William Smith, 28 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you the Letter which gave me every reason to expect that Thomas was on Board Capt Jenkins. as he is not mentiond, and I have not heard any thing, I am fearfull he did not come. perhaps capt Jenkins may know in what vessel he took his passage it is very painfull to be daily expecting a Friend, at this Season of the year. one cannot help having much anxiety The conduct of Dr W h is...
50From John Adams to William Smith, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Pleasure of Mr. Smith’s Company to Dine, on thursday next, at ½ past 2 o’clock. An answer is requested. MHi : Adams Papers.