1The Farmer Refuted, &c., [23 February] 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
and splenetic, that I will venture to pronounce it one of the most ludicrous performances, which has been exhibited to public view, during all the present controversy....passion for conceit, and a noble disdain of being fettered by the laws of truth. These, Sir, are important qualifications, and these all unite in you, in a very eminent degree. So that, though you may never expect the...
2Alexander Hamilton’s Final Version of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [5 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
object of human industry. This position, generally, if not universally true, applies with peculiar emphasis to the United States, on account of their immense tracts of fertile territory, uninhabited and unimproved. Nothing can afford so advantageous an employment for......United States, by considerations which affect all nations, it is, in a manner, dictated to them by the imperious force of a...
3Alexander Hamilton’s Fourth Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
object of human industry. This position “This policy is not only recommended to the United States, by considerations which affect all nations—it is, in a manner, dictated to them
4An Examination of the British Doctrine, Which Subjects to Capture a Neutral Trade, Not Open in Time of Peace, [ante–8 … (Madison Papers)
...pamphlet received mixed reactions. Although John Quincy Adams said that he was “upon the whole, much pleased” with it, and Benjamin Rush informed JM that the work was “spoken of in all the Circles in our city with the highest praise and admiration,” Senator William Plumer stated that he had “never read a book that fatigued me more than this pamphlet has done,” and John Randolph declared on...
5Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Early Career (the so-called “Autobiography”), [6 January–29 July 1821], with editorial note … (Jefferson Papers)
; little being then known beyond that and indeed, during the regal government, nothing liberal could expect success. our minds were circumscribed within narrow limits by an habitual belief that it was our duty to be subordinate to the mother country in all matters of government, to direct all our labors in subservience to her interests, ...a bigotted intolerance for all religions but hers. the...
6A Full Vindication of the Measures of the Congress, &c., [15 December] 1774 (Hamilton Papers)
...common sense is apparent in many respects: They endeavour to persuade us, that the absolute sovereignty of parliament does not imply our absolute slavery; that it is a Christian duty to submit to be plundered of all we have, merely because some of our fellow-subjects are wicked enough to require it of us, that slavery, so far from being a great evil, is a great blessing; and even, that our...
7The Defence of the Funding System, [July 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
It was proper for him to endeavour to unite two ingredients in his plan, intrinsic goodness [and] a reasonable probability of success....to have been this. That as the benefits to be derived from it would be individually equal to the citizens of every state so the burthens ought also to be individually equal among the citizens of all the states according to individual property and ability....
8New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Acknowledging the Independence of Vermont, [28 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The first objection is drawn from that great principle of the social compact—that the chief object of government is to protect the rights of individuals by the united strength of the community. with a probability
9Detatched Memoranda, ca. 31 January 1820 (Madison Papers)
...the States were seeking by their respective regulations, to enlarge as much as possible their share of the general commerce, the Dr. alluding to their jealousies and competitions remarked that it would be best for all of them to let the trade be free, in which case it would level itself, and leave to each its proper share. These contests he said, put him in mind of what had once......human...
10To George Washington from Unknown Author, 15 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
[The author, who was a planter, probably in Virginia but possibly in Maryland, and a man with some knowledge of the classics, rings all the changes on the declension of the American Revolution from its early days of glory to its present sorry state in 1784. His jeremiad on the corruption of American society and its institutions repeats things often said before and......People of all Ranks...
11Political Observations, 20 April 1795 (Madison Papers)
...or can even justify itself as a productive source of Revenue? Whether again the bank was not established without authority from the constitution? Whether it did not throw unnecessary and unreasonable advantages into the hands of men; previously enriched beyond reason or necessity?...at first apprehended. From that moment all ideas of conciliation and concession vanished. She...
12The Examination Number I, [17 December 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Whether this has proceeded from pride or from humility, from a temperate love of reform, or from a wild spirit of innovation, is submitted to the conjectures of the curious. A single observation shall be indulged—since all agree, that he is unlike his predecessors in essential points, it is a mark of consistency to differ from them in matters of form....patriots must, at all events, please the...
13Notes of Proceedings in the Continental Congress, 7 June–1 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
The text of the Notes of Proceedings (hereafter referred to as Notes) as here presented was inserted by Jefferson in the manuscript of his Autobiography; all previous editors of Jefferson’s papers have printed it with the Autobiography at the place where Jefferson inserted it (..., or rather suspended, 29 July 1821, is a MS of 90 leaves, all versos being blank save three; however, Jefferson...
14The Federalist Number 43, [23 January] 1788 (Madison Papers)
2. “To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the government of the United States; and to exercise like authority... ...all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the states, in which the same shall be, for the erection of...
15XIII. Fair Copy, First Annual Message, [by 27 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
comforts. the assurances indeed of friendly disposition recieved from all the powers, with whom we have principal relations, had inspired a confidence that our peace with them would not have been disturbed. but a cessation of the irregularities which had afflicted the commerce of neutral nations, & of......to remain in peace; but with orders to protect our commerce against the threatened attack...
16II. First Annual Message to Congress, 8 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
those arts which tend to increase our comforts. the assurances indeed of friendly disposition recieved from all the powers, with whom we have principal relations, had inspired a confidence that our peace with them would not have been disturbed. but a cessation of the...orders to protect our commerce against the threatened attack. the measure was seasonable and salutary. the Bey had already...
17Adams’ Argument for the Defense: 3–4 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
“If I can but be the instrument of preserving one life, his blessing and tears of transport, shall be a sufficient consolation to me, for the contempt of all mankind.” ...that the spirit of the law upon such occasions, is conformable to humanity, to commonsense and feeling; that it is all benignity and candor. And the trial commences with the prayer of the Court, expressed by the Clerk,...
18An Address to the People of the State of New-York on the Subject of the Constitution, Agreed Upon at Philadelphia, the … (Jay Papers)
When the King of Great-Britain, misguided by men who did not merit his confidence, asserted the unjust claim of binding us in all cases whatsoever, and prepared to obtain our submission by force, the object which engrossed our attention, however important, was nevertheless plain and simple. “What shall we do?” was the question—the people answered, let us... ...essential of human means, and...
19From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 18 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have not, as yet, composed the latter. But by the all powerful dispensatns of protected beyond all human
20Memorial to the States General, 19 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
...Crown of Great Britain, were made, the People, who now compose the United States of America, were a Part of the English Nation; as such, Allies of the Republick, and Parties to those Treaties; entitled to all their Benefits, and chearfully submitting to all their Obligations....Englishmen, and reducing them to the worst of all Forms of Government; starving the People, by blockading the...
21Enclosure: Extracts by “X.Y.Z Cosmopolite” (Christian Schultz) from his Defense of Theism, [ca. 30 December 1821] (Jefferson Papers)
the religion of heaven—all others the offspring of earth. In which, all the miracles related by that historian, are . all of which may be by the meanest capacity, without the aid of kings, priests, altars or temples. Every child may inscribe this essence of all religion, on the nail of his little finger. ...in all the rigid maxims of piety and religion: and at fourteen years of age... ...all...
22Plain Truth, 17 November 1747 (Franklin Papers)
...the Success which attends our Enemies by Cruizing in our Bay without risque or opposition,” Palmer told the Assembly on October 16, “it may reasonably be expected that they will continue their Depredations in the Spring, and in all likelyhood block up the Trade of this flourishing Colony—a Loss which we apprehend will be sensibly felt by all sorts of People.” But the Assembly remained...
23The Federalist No. 6, [14 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
...we should be exposed, in a state of disunion, from the arms and arts of foreign nations. I shall now proceed to delineate dangers of a different, and, perhaps, still more alarming kind, those which will in all probability flow from dissentions between the States themselves, and from domestic factions and convulsions. These have been already in some instances slightly anticipated, but they...
24From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 4 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
...the crown of Great Britain were made, the people, who now compose the United States of America, were a part of the English nation; as such, allies of the republic, and parties to those treaties; entitled to all their benefits, and submitting cheerfully to all their obligations....of Englishmen, and reducing them to the worst of all forms of government, starving the people by...
25From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
...and cogent considerations which forbid the practice of its cruizers in visiting and impressing the crews of our vessels, covered
by an independant flag, and guarded by the laws of the high seas, which ought to be sacred with all nations...., their liberty, their lives, every thing in a word that is dearest to the human heart, to the capricious or interested sentences which may be...
26John Quincy Adams to Charles Adams, 30 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
...have requested you to wait for a favorable state of exchange, to draw according to my last authority; but I did not mean to lay you under any particular restraint. I leave all these circumstances to your own discretion, trusting that you will take no step without due reflection; with the particular consideration, that I wish to have the money as much as possible at command, in case my own...all
27Editorial Note: The Holy Cause of Freedom (Jefferson Papers)
out of place to add here that they were at all times very devoted in their attachment to him. They believed him to be one of the greatest, and they knew him to be one of the best men and the kindest of masters. They spoke to him freely... and applied confidingly to him in all their difficulties and distresses, and he watched over them in sickness and in health, interested himself in all their...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Littlepage, 26 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
...July last, and thank you for the trouble you were kind enough to take to inform yourself of, and let me know, the fate of my letter to the President:—I should not have written to him at all, had I known at the time that you had accepted the American Ministry....perhaps Poles, into Livonia, and White Russia, and above all of some subsequent perfidy in the King of Sweden; she still held a...
29From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
for from all the accounts we receive from thence the affairs of the Southern States seem to be so exceedingly disordered, and their resources so much exhausted, that whatever should be undertaken there, must chiefly depend on the means carried from......either not be undertaken at all, or being undertaken, may fail—I am perswaded Congress are not inattentive to the present State of the Army,...
30To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received two or three days since your favours of March 26. April 21. and 26. all together, and I know not how to express the pleasure they gave me. The first and dearest of all my wishes is personally to give satisfaction and obtain the approbation of my parents, and in a public capacity to justify the confidence placed in me by the appointment I now hold. This wish is in both parts so...