4581To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just Coming from Versailles where I went à hunting with the king, and I Do take this first opportunity of inquiring for the state of your health— I hope you are free by this time from your troublesome Gout— I make no doubt but that you knew last Night of the Senegal being taken by our troops— that Advantage I think is interesting for the Allied powers,...
4582Editorial Note: Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms (Jefferson Papers)
The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms was one of several addresses issued by Congress in the summer of 1775 with the object of justifying to the American people and to the world the necessity for armed resistance. The authorship of this Declaration was the subject of a needless and largely fruitless controversy throughout the nineteenth century. These facts make it...
4583Notes of a Conversation with George Mason, 30 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Gunston Hall. Sep. 30. 92. ex relatione G. Mason The constitution as agreed to till fortnight before the convention rose was such a one as he could have set his hand and heart to. 1. The president was to be elected for 7. years, then ineligible for 7. more. 2. Rotation in the senate. 3. A vote of ⅔ in the legislature on particular subjects and expressly on that of navigation . The 3. new...
4584To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 15 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, October 15, 1794. “It is the opinion of the Secy at War that provisions in advance amounting to 37,000 Drs must be forthwith laid in by the contractors for 1795. I have the honor to request an advance to them (Messrs. Scott & Ernest) to that amount.… I have the honor to enclose a letter from the Secy. of War wh. having relation to advances of Provisions &...
4585To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 19 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed, the Copy of a Resolve of the 17th Instant, recommending to the several Legislatures to enact Laws making further Provision (as specified in the Resolve) to guard against the Abuses and deceitful Practices of the British, by making Use of Papers and Clearances they may take in American Vessels. The Measures recommended in this and the former Resolve of the...
4586From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 4 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 25th. of December. Tho’ the establishment of packet boats with you, and suppression of them with us, puts it in your power perhaps to give me better details of American affairs than I can you, I shall nevertheless continue to communicate to you what I know, persuaded it is better you should hear a thing twice than not hear it at all. I mentioned to you in my last that...
4587To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of intelligence received yesterday morning from the westward that the Fleet of Transports which were lately in the Sound, and supposed to be coming this way, had sail’d towards newyork, General Count de Rochambeau express’d his pleasure that the militia which had arrived and were on their march for his support, (except those detached for three months) should return home. I...
458829th. (Adams Papers)
The Ladies, went in the afternoon, to pay what is called, the wedding visit to Mrs. Woodbury: a mere ceremony, this, and I believe a very unmeaning one: there were four or five and twenty persons, there, to stare, at one another, for an hour, and then return home, to be the objects of each others observations: I did not go. Spent the evening at Mr. Dodge’s, in Company with Mr. Audlin , a...
4589From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received a confirmation of the arrival of a hostile fleet consisting of 19 ships, 2 brigs, and 10 sloops and schooners. The advance of the fleet were yesterday morning in Warrasqueak bay, and just getting into motion up the river with a favorable wind and tide. Their destination from the intelligence of deserters and some captured mariners whom they put on shore is some...
4590From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 4 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will find a return of Cloathing wanted for two companies of the 1st. and two of the 2d. Regiments of Artillerists & Engineers. You will please to attend to the procuring & forwarding of those Articles, recollecting that the principal part of the troops in question are now removed to Fort Jay— With consideration I am Sir—your obedient servt. ( LS , New-York Historical Society, New...
4591To George Washington from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 27 February 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 27 Feb. 1797 . GW wrote Wadsworth on 6 March : “Your favor of the 27th Ulto reached me in the forenoon” ( Papers, Retirement Series W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series . 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. 1:17 ).
4592To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Guest, 28 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Go Little Essay but go With Care Nor Meet ill timed our Presedants Ear He by the God of Man is taught Gives his time to Studious thought Whois Government here is nearly Divine Which Shall to Futre Ages Shine and Rival Woundrous Alfred thine Sir— I took the Liberty in June 1801 To Send for your Inspetion—A Small Pamphlet that I thought Containd Assential hints on Several Subjects that Might be...
4593From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 September 1822 (Adams Papers)
19 Sept My last I believe closed on this day; I will therefore continue the account of our proceedings—While we were at Table the Count and his daughter paid us a visit and left Cards—and in the Evening we received an invitation to a water party at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon; and to spend the Evening which we graciously accepted. After which we strolled to the burying ground, where Miss...
4594To Thomas Jefferson from Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 18 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I arrived at this city from Aux Cayes the day before yesterday, for the purpose of conferring with my friend Colo. Lear ; as well respecting the situation of this island in relation to the United States and to obtain from him some information which it would have been imprudent to commit to writing, as also to fix a plan of Commercial business between us. To...
4595Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 27 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I write to you my dear sister, not from the disputed Banks of the Potowmac, the Susquehanna or the deleware, but from the peace-full Borders of the Hudson, a situation where the Hand of Nature has so lavishly display’d her Beauties, that she has left scarcly any thing, for her Handmaid Art, to perform. The House in which we reside is situated upon a Hill, the Avenue to which is intersperced...
4596To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 4 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
It is with real pleasure I learn there is a probability of a favourable issue to the consultations in Boston on the commercial propositions. If, before Mr. Pinkneys communications are promulgated, the People of that City in general felt a degree of resentment to the unjust and unprecedented conduct of the British nation towards us, the knowledge that we have nothing to hope or expect from them...
4597[Diary entry: 18 September 1772] (Washington Papers)
18. Went upon the Survey & Division of Wades Land between Barry & me. Colo. West, Mr. Jno. West, Captn. McCarty, & Captn. Darrel Commrs. came home with me as did Val. Crawford Mr. Geo. West & Chs. West. As ordered by the court on 20 Aug., George West divided the disputed tract on Dogue Creek, allotting 75 acres to GW and 118 acres to William Barry (GW’s list of quitrent lands for 1772, DLC:GW...
4598I. David Humphreys to Thomas Jefferson, [4 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
‘I have made no contracts for the other four , viz. for Genl. Washington’s on the evacuation of Boston, for Morgan, Washington and Howard on the affair of the Cowpens, because the designs for them have not been in readiness for execution until the present time. Nor can that for Genl. Morgan be commenced without farther information of the numbers killed, prisoners &c in the action to be...
4599To Thomas Jefferson from Wakelin Welch, Sr., 21 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In 1786 when I had the pleasure of settling and adjusting your account which left a Balance in favor of the Partnership of R. Cary & Co. £88.13.4 flattered myself you would before now have sent me a Remittance for the debt arose from Goods shipd on Commission which only came to £1.1.6. We ought not to sustain any loss. I have inclosed a Copy of the last settlement with the Interest £24 making...
4600To James Madison from John Beckley, 20 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I expected to have left this City, yesterday, on my return home, but an unforeseen call to New York obliges me to go to that City for a few days, I therefore now enclose a sketch of the agreement to finish your chariot signed by Mr: Ogle and myself on your behalf. Mr: Kerr will superintend the finishing and completing it; he has himself purchased the leather for the harness and bespoke the...
4601To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 280–1. I write to you one line by this mail only to tell you that I have seen the Minister since I last wrote to you, and that he never did entertain the idea one Moment of any propositions being thrown out on your part in the least degree inconsistent with...
4602Notes on Debates, 3 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. After a verbal report of the Committee above mentioned, who acquainted Congress that in a conference with Mr. Livingston he professed a willingness to remain in office till the 1st. of Jany. to give time for the choice of a Successor, Mr. McKean proposed the Resolution, which stands on the Secret Journals; several...
4603[Diary entry: 12 April 1770] (Washington Papers)
12. Wind at So. West and Weather warmer than the preceeding days.
4604To James Madison from Robert Williams, 7 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Williams. 7 April 1806, Washington, Mississippi Territory. “I have this day drawn on you at ten days sight, in favor of John Henderson of Natchez, for the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars. The vouchers shewing the items of this expenditure are enclosed. “This expenditure I take it for granted will be thought reasonable and allowed on the same principle that a similar one was...
4605To Thomas Jefferson from Cavelier, fils, 20 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Dieppe, 20 June 1789 . Has no doubt TJ is aware of scarcity of wheat and other grain that has existed in France too long. Has already, as mayor, brought several cargoes of American wheat from Le Havre, but hopes TJ will extend his protection to their town by procuring other cargoes directly, either for the account of the shippers or for that of the town of Dieppe, which would make remittances...
4606From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night yours of the 28th. On the 21st I wrote you approving of Talbot to command the Constitution, and shall think the days and hours long, till he arrives in Boston, where he will be liked. I depend much on him for the dispatch of the ship. McNeil will loose no time in obeying your orders. It has been difficult for Perry to get men nearer than Boston. With great regard MHi :...
4607To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Brillon de Jouy, 4 [May] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
al: American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur franklin. Il le prie de lui dire ce qu’il pense sur la proposition suivante. M. Hennet ami de M. Brillon qui a deja fait quelques fournitures d’armes pour le congrés, ayant appris l’arrivée de Messieurs de la Virginie demande s’il pouroit se reclamer auprés d’eux de Monsieur franklin pour leur offrir ses services....
4608To James Madison from Thomas Bulkeley, 10 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1801, Lisbon. Reports that presence in Lisbon of ten thousand Gallican laborers requiring protection creates local crisis. News from the frontiers is suppressed. The British have granted Portugal a subsidy of £300,000, and a fleet is now fitting out at Cádiz. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Lisbon, vol. 1). 2 pp.; cover marked private; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Bulkeley; docketed by Wagner....
4609To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Barclay, 30 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Excellency a letter from Mr. Andrew Huntington of Norwich in Connecticut, covering a Memorial to the Marechal De Castries relative to a demand which he makes for supplies furnish’d some French Prisoners in America by order of Mr. Holker, and which Letter and Memorial I did not receive untill this day though it is dated in May 1786. I do not think that...
4610To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I wish for your Excellency’s instruction as to the inclos’d Ac[coun]t, which I should be glad you could return me by Express. The claim has merit, the officer from Every account I have had (and that Reputable) did in an Extraordinary manner Exert him self, & serve the cause, and was at an Extraordinary Expence & in my opinion ought to have his Acct Allow’d I am Dear sir most Respec[t]fully...