52651[1780 January 14. Fryday.] (Adams Papers)
1780 January 14. Fryday. We rode from Ezpexo to Orduña, four Leagues. The Road had been made by Art, all the Way, at a great expence: but the descent of the Mountains of Orduna was a great Curiosity. Those Mountains are chiefly Rocks of a vast height: but a Road has been blown out of the Rocks, from the Pinnacles of the Mountains, quite down into the Valley. After winding round and round the...
52652From John Adams to John Adams Smith, 12 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
Your ideas are accurate. The conduct of the faction now styling themselves Federalists, has in 1812 been consistent with their manœuvers in 1800.1. when they voted 37 times for Burr. I never saw Mr Clinton. By all I have heard or read, I suppose him to be a man of the World like Burr. Both, I presume, have thought themselves, all their lives, in pursuit of honour. Ambition and Avarice, as a...
52653From John Adams to Benjamin Vaughan, [ante 2 April 1787] (Adams Papers)
I am very much mortified to loose the Pleasure and Advantage of an Excursion to Windsor, to see M r Herschell in Such Company: but the State of my Family is such that I cannot justify leaving it.— M rs Smith is in Travel and the Anxiety occasioned by this Event has made M rs Adams so much worse, that I should be very bad Company at Windsor, and what is more decisive, it becomes my Duty to stay...
52654From Thomas Jefferson to James Cutbush, 9 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has recieved from D r Cutbush the communication of the prospectus of his system of Pyrotechny. writing is become so slow and painful to him, that he can only make his acknolegements for this mark of attention, express his wishes for it’s success, and assure D r Cutbush of his great esteem and respect. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
52655To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 15 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am duly favor’d with yours of the 8th., and shall endeavour to dispose of your Tobo. to the best advantage. I have not yet been offered more than 5 dollars, but shall not now be satisfied with that, as it is in rather more demand than it was when I last wrote to you on the subject. Whether it is sold or not however, you are at liberty to draw for the sum you require. In consequence of the...
52656From John Adams to Joseph Gardoqui & Sons, 1 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have but this Moment received, yours of 19 of Feb. and am very glad to learn that you have shipped the few Things I desired, and for the Invoice. I wrote you on the 25 Feb. requesting you to send Duplicates and Triplicates of the same Things by other good opportunity, which Request I now repeat, with this Addition that you charge your Commissions in future because there is no Reason that I...
52657Sunday 24th. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went to Pappa’s to go to meeting with him. We Went first to Mr. Dana’s but he could not go with us and we went and heard a Sermon. The text was. Then he which had received the one talent came, and Said Lord, I Knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed. Matthew. c. 25 v. 24th. After Church we came home and at...
52658To George Washington from James Hill, 30 August 1772 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Letter from the Post office dated August 3d & it did not Come to me in Several days after & yr Directions in respect to the Tobo coud not be complyed with for I was informd that Capt. Easten Had his Load so that I never Heard from him after yr Letter came to hand & our Tobo in New Kent happend not to be Inspected & I have had more Trouble to get it Inspected then I ever had abt any...
52659To George Washington from James Abercrombie, 25 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ conscious that the Sermon which accompanies this, is in no degree worthy of your acceptance, yet, while distributing the copies of it among those I most esteem and honor, I cannot resist soliciting permission to offer one to you. With most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington, I have the honor to subscribe myself Sir, Your mo. obedt hble Servt ALS , PHi : Gratz Collection. GW replied...
52660XIV. Reading Copy of Second Inaugural Address, 4 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Proceedg. f. c. to yt qualfcn ′ wch ye Constn reqres. befre. my entrnce. on ye charge agn. conferd. on me † it is my duty t. exprss. ye deep sense I entertn. ′ of ys new proof of confidce. frm. my f. c. at large † & ye zeal wth. whch. it inspires m. ′ s. t. condct. myslf. ′ as m. best satsfy yr just expectns. ″ on takg. ys station on a formr occn, ′ I declrd. ye princples. on wch. I belv.d. it...
52661From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 July 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
We have had no letter from you since your arrival at the Warmsprings, but are told you are gone on to the sweet springs. Not knowing how to write to you by post, I take the opportunity of sending this by Dr. Currie.—He has mentioned to me the home-less situation of Nancy Randolph . She is now with Mrs. Carrington. I do not know whether she is on such a footing with Mr. Randolph and yourself as...
52662To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1804, New Orleans. “Your Letter dated ‘Virginia August 28th.,’ reached me on the evening of the third instant. “A number of Spanish Officers are yet in Louisiana, and there is no doubt with me, but they encourage the Discontents which arise here. I shall take an early opportunity to intimate to the Marquis of Cassa Calvo, that the continuance of these Officers in our Territory, ‘so...
52663To James Madison from William F. Gray, 27 August 1825 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 24th. and the Books returned by you, came to hand together. I showed your letter to Mr. Withers, and have obtained from him Nos. 43 and 44 of the North American Review to complete your set, which I send to you by this days Mail. Very respectfully, Your obt. Svt. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM .
52664From Thomas Jefferson to Hore Browse Trist, 4 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Carmichael , the Collector at Fort Adams, having absented himself from his post great part of a year, and never yet returned a single account, which calls for an immediate removal under a general rule, he is accordingly removed. this place is at present believed to be worth more than the Secretaryship of the territory , but from it’s singular position must in a very short time become...
52665To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 12 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last Letter, (December 25: 1794.) a revolution has taken place, the substance of which had been for some time expected, but the forms of which have been infinitely milder, than had ever entered the imagination of any man. The french Army of the North, after a brilliant and successful campaign from March till December, had at length reached the banks of the Waal, and was...
52666To James Madison from Robert Patton, 15 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
After having had three good tryals of the Grey horses, I mentioned in my former letter, & finding them to be good travelers, very gentle & well broke, I have ventured to purchase them for you. I have Sent them forward this morning by young Mr. Vanarsdale, the Son of the person from whom I purchased them. He has had great experience in driving. I would therefore advise you (unless you have a...
52667To Benjamin Franklin from the Crew of the Drake, 24 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or L : American Philosophical Society The Humble Petition of the remaining part of the Drake Sloop of War’s Crew, Sheweth— That whereas your Honour truly Sensable of the Miseries attending the said Ships Company at there being taken and during their Imprisonment, did Vouchafe of your Goodness to Order them Cloths and other Necessaries in Order to proceed in a Carteel to England which Order...
52668To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-François-Hyacinthe Esmangart, 6 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Ce n’est que depuis peu de jours que la lettre que vous m’avés fait lhonneur de m’écrire le 8. 8bre. m’est parvenue. Dès Sa réception j’ai pris, Monsieur, Sur le compte du nommé John Hammon, les éclaircissements que vous desiriés. L’Amérique n’est point la patrie de ce Matelot. Il est né en Irlande; mais en 1773 il S’est rendu à Philadelphie et a passé...
52669To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, 7 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some time past intended writing to inform you that the Injunction fild by Cary’s Executors against us is dissolv’d. The Executor has promisd me in very pointed terms to pay a considerable part of the debt in January next, as there are but few claims here against Mr. Wayles’s Estate and those very inconsiderable. You will be so obliging as to inform me what you wish to have done with...
52670From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 11 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1803, Department of State. “In addition to the despatches from the Spanish Minister here to the Government and the Intendant at New Orleans which you will herewith receive, I am requested by Mr. Pichon, the French Charge d’Affaires to forward a letter to the Governor of that place on the same subject. With his approbation it is left under a flying seal, that, you may have an...
52671To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
The question as to the admission of Missouri into the union, which is still depending, will probably not be decided untill after the holydays, & the decision is then quite uncertain. You have I presume seen a proposition of Dr Eustis, for admitting her, after a certain day, provided, in the interim, the obnoxious clause in her constitution shall be stricken out. Should this fail, it is...
52672To James Madison from William Lambert, 19 February 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose for your perusal, the last letter I have received from bishop Madison, by which you will perceive the strong interest that truly valuable man takes in the object and completion of my undertaking to fix a first meridian for the U. S. Other communications having a similar tendency, are now before the Select Committee of Congress to whom my papers have been referred....
52673[Diary entry: 18 July 1771] (Washington Papers)
18. Dined and Supped at Mrs. Campbell’s.
52674To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 29 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies and transcript: National Archives Previous to the appearance of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th: Current, I had forwarded thro’ the hands of M. Dumas the Certificates which you required respecting Captain Landais; And the Serapis was ready for Sea when the French Ambassador sent for me a Second time to meet him at Amsterdam.— I hope my...
52675Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 6 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a letter of Dec. 28. from Francis to which I had deferred an answer until I could speak with more certainty of the prospects of our central college . he describes his situation as neither agreeable nor advantageous. Doct r Cooper had engaged with us as professor of the Physiological sciences, and had moreover offered to take charge of our classical school, until we can get for that...
52676From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 25 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 16th. was recieved by last post. I should certainly prefer Walnut for the Bedford sashes, because well rubbed on the inside & unpainted it has a richer look than a painted sash, and I believe no wood is more durable but if you cannot get it good, then certainly good pine will be preferable to bad walnut. it must therefore depend on your being able to get good walnut & without...
52677[From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 5 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ In Council, 5 Feb. 1781. War Office Journal (Vi) has the following entry under 5 Feb.: “Sent in to Council Mr. Milton Fords proposals for Building at the Fork of James River”; and on the following day the Journal enters the Council’s answer of 5 Feb.: “Agreed to; Mr. Ford making due allowance for waggons, provisions or any other things furnished by the public, to be valued by the same...
52678Thomas Jefferson’s Account with John H. Craven, [after 9 May 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
John H. Craven in acc t with Th:J. 1809. To rent for this year 350– 0– 0 To amount of appraisem t at beginn g of lease 261– 10– 0 To nail account from Dec. 19. 07
52679To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received at the same time the two letters that Your Excellency did me the honor to write me the 21 & the 22. My thanks are often delayed by the little obstacles that occur in the navigation of boats. The Expressions of what I owe you cannot be as extensive as my gratitude. ’Tis with the greatest sensibility, I experience every instant how useful and easy it is to act in concert with a great...
52680To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 30 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Captn Hyde arriv’d here on the 26th Instant from Loftus’s Heights, on the Mississipi, with instructions from Brigadier General Wilkinson, to procede to the Atlantic States, to settle his public Accounts. Captn. Hyde being so far on his way, and not knowing any Agent for the Pay Master General in the Country, or acquainted with any Officer, competent to make a settlement with him without going...
52681From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Breese, William Malcom, and Aaron Burr, April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April, 1787 ] “Mrs. Bayard Widow of Mr Samuel Bayard deceased has applied to me to arrange with you some provision for her in persuance of the Will of her husband representing her situation as distressed in the extreme, and assuring me that she is willing to do whatever I shall advise towards a fair adjustment of matters between you and her.…” Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of...
52682From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 23 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Dufour called on me yesterday , with the wine. his object seems to be to get my own opinion & that of others on it’s merit, in order to decide on the expediency of continuing the pursuit. but it should be observed that no wine on earth was ever drinkable the spring after it was made. country people may indeed drink it, as ours drink new cyder from the press. but I mean that no judgment can...
52683From John Adams to John Adams, 28 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Your letter, of the 21st. sprightly and entertaining like all the rest, has been recieved. I participate in all your apprehensions concerning the election. The odium, which has been conjured up against the family, is indeed a formidable motive of national action. Not a reason, not an argument even original; it is a prejudice! and it is a consolation to see that it does not prevail in...
52684To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The intelligence gain’d by a Miss Myer, respecting a Certain John Robinson who has undertaken Secretly to conduct a body of Tories from this part of the Country to Genl Howe, has been sent me by the Board of War, with a request to endeavour to take him &c. Robinson is but little known to the Whigs in these parts; I have however Sent out an Officer with instructions which may probably have...
52685From Thomas Jefferson to John Vaughan, 24 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 19th. and with it the pamphlet of Naval architecture for which I thank you. it may be of use in our navy office where I shall deposit it. I am extremely glad to hear that the infection from the vaccine matter I sent has succeeded. but my great anxiety now is to know whether it prevents the small pox: and my anxiety arises not from any doubt that it would...
52686Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor of writing to you fully the 5th instant, to which I beg leave to refer you. Mr. Amiel having granted to the people who were the occasion of his Journey to Dunkirk, as much time as they required to employ all their ressources to Execute the project they laid before you, and their endeavours proving fruitless, he at last determined to deliver me your much respected favour of 26....
52687To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 9 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I select the inclosed papers relating the ship N. Jersey from a mass of which this is but a certain portion. They will enable you to decide on the question to which alone the case is reduced. This is whether in the claims under the French Convention Insurers stand in the shoes of the insured. The printed memoire by DuPont (de Nemours) deserves to be read as a Chef d’oeuvre of the kind....
52688[September 1784] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Franklin’s. Thursday morning went into Paris. Mr. and Mrs. Mather, and Mrs. Hay dined with us. Went to the French Comedy and saw le mariage de Figaro. Samuel Mather and his wife, Margarette (Gerrish) Mather; he was the son of the Rev. Samuel Mather. Young Samuel had been chief clerk of the Boston customs office until he fled to England with the loyalists, but he returned to...
52689Cash Accounts, October 1760 (Washington Papers)
Cash Octr 2— To Cash of Mr Robt Brent in Excha. for Bills £ 8. 5. 0 To Cards at Sundry times 7.12. 6 15— To Cash of Mr Joseph Valentine 149. 0. 1 Contra Octr 2— By two Bushels of Oats 3/6—Gave Servants 7/6 0.11. 0 By Ferriage & Ferrymen at Fredericksburg 0. 7. 6 4— By Expences at Caroline Court House 0. 8. 6 By Ditto at Hubbards 27/10. Ferriages &ca at Danzies 12/ 1.19.10
52690To George Washington from Colonel Isaac Nicoll, 19 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter was Intercepted about Ten Days ago, and as it contains something that may Lead to a farther Discovery have sent it down to you for your Direction how to Act in Regard to the Major Colden mentioned in it, in the fourth and Sixth Line the Cypherd word is Governor, and in the Seventeenth, Boston—the name of the Signature Robert Hamilton a person Known, but not now in this...
52691From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Greenleaf, 19 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desirous of making a collection of the best gazettes which have been published at the seats of the present general government I take the liberty of troubling you to make up for me a collection of your’s of the years 1789. and 1790. either unbound or half-bound. The stages will furnish the best method of conveying them to me, the price of which conveyance shall be paid here, and that of...
52692To James Madison from Edward Thornton, 13 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour of transmitting to you the copy of a letter, which His Majesty’s Consul at Norfolk has received from Captain Douglas relative to the affair of the French Ship Anne of Bordeaux, and I lay it before you without extenuation, because although he expresses himself with some warmth on the improper language made use of by the French Consul at Norfolk, and which neither the occasion...
52693To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 10 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
When I last took the liberty of addressing you, I was engaged I believe in the examination of Reuben Kemper and John Callier. Col. Kennedy of the conventional army had been arrested and held to bail, and had thereupon applied to me for a writ of habeas corpus , to bring up the recognizance ; in consequence of which I stand charged before the public of denying to a freeman the sacred writ of...
52694John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am proud to learn by your Letter of 13. April that I am so rich at the University. If Thomas gets in, I shall be still happier. The Expence will be considerable, and your Draughts shall be honoured for the necessary. A Year will soon be about, and what are We to do then with John? What Lawyer shall We desire to take him, in Town or Country? and what Sum must be given with him? and what will...
52695[Diary entry: 29 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 29th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night. Wind Southerly, with Showers in the Morning, and Clouds all day, with appearances of Rain but none fell after noon. Doctr. Craik after visiting John Alton before breakfast, went after it to see Lund Washingtons child who had been siezed with fits & the family alarmed by it. Lund and Elizabeth Foote Washington had at least...
52696To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 1 Nov. 1789 . He thinks it probable that TJ has heard through Short “of the almost unparalleled misfortunes, which through an act of Providence in one instance and the bankruptcy of a man in another, are likely to deprive me of a handsome Competence … made by prudence and industry.” An “evil of no less magnitude” is that he is likely to “be thrown out of all Connexions in business.”...
52697To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 15 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
It was my intention to have called on you this evening, and to have presented in person M r Goodwyn, who will have the pleasure to deliver to you this letter, but have been prevented by the rain. He is a son, of M r P. Goodwyn, a member of Congress, I believe, during your service, in the gov t , as well as mine. Having purchased a part of my land here, he will become your neighbour, and I am...
52698From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 9 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 23. is recieved. I had not before learned that a life of Dr. Priestly had been published or I should certainly have procured it; for no man living had a more affectionate respect for him. In religion, in politics, in physics no man has rendered more service. I had always expected that when the republicans should have put down all things under their feet, they would...
52699To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I transmit you a letter from Major Rivardi dated Niagara March the 4th and one from Ensign Andrew M Lusk dated Fredericksburg March 24th. the former of whom has been directed to correspond with you in future. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir, your most Obd Hb St ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing John J. U. Rivardi to McHenry, March 4, 1799 (...
52700From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
If Congress have not yet left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately without fail, for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this night into the city. I just now crossed the valleyford, in doing which a party of the enemy came down & fired upon us in the boat by which means I lost my horse. One man was killed and another wounded. The boats were abandon’d & will fall into their...