53501From Thomas Jefferson to Stael de Holstein, 12 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with your Excellency’s desire I will throw on paper such considerations as occur to me on the question ‘How may the island of St. Bartholomew be rendered instrumental for promoting commerce between Sweden and the United States?’ They will be rapid, undigested and incomplete; but a desire of contributing to bind the two Countries together in interest, and a respect for your...
53502V. Notes on Republican Appointments, 10 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
< Offices expd & not renewed 6. restorations to office 4. Atties & marshals on principle 5. other officers.
53503From George Washington to Captain Stephen Olney, 23 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 11th inst. and a letter from you to Colo. Angell, dated at Morris town the 15th May last, was about that time laid before me —Capt. Allen, with whom you say you have a dispute of Rank, has never put in any claim, and as I find you are set down the 4th and he the 5th Captain in the new arrangement lately made out by Colo. Greene and transmitted to the Board of War —I...
53504To George Washington from Count de La Belinaye, 30 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
The particular Kindness, your Excellency, was pleased to show my most dear but unfortunate Nephew Armand Marquis de la Rouerie, during the six year<s> he had the happiness to Serve under your Orders in America, encourage me to hope, you will honor me with your advice, upon the determination I have formed to leave Europe next Spring & End my Sad Career in North america should there not approach...
53505To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to Congress for your information respecting the operations in this department. The Marquis de la Fayette has arrived in Virginia; but I beleive his Troops are still in Maryland. some Days since I sent Colo. Morris to confer with the Marquis, and see if he has your Excellencys permission to go farther Southward. I received a Letter from him on...
53506To Thomas Jefferson from John Hollins, 25 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d with a remittance in full came to hand yesterday, & woud then have been answered, but I was anxious to satisfy your enquiry, respectg the remittance you wish to make to Leghorn, at present however I am unable to do it, but probably may in the course of a few days Yrs. very truly Upon reflection it is probable the Secretary of the navy, can place the money at Leghorn MHi :...
53507From James Madison to Thomas Morris, [July 1814] (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of June was duly recd. The wish of Mr. Moore, as you will have found, was precluded by the circumstances under which the French Ship Olivier passed between this Country & France. Had it indeed been otherwise prior applications would have entered into competition with that of Mr. Moore. I owe this explanation to the interest you took in behalf that gentleman, & to the...
53508From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you a copy of a letter I have received from Captain Bishop. You will concur with me, I presume, that the soldiers ought not to suffer from the want of faith in agents employed by the government—This is an thing arrangement in which they have had no concern have no concern— The loss, therefore, in such cases, ought not to fall upon them, but upon the public. I would thank you for your...
53509To James Madison from Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 17 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1804, Washington. Complained on 7 Mar. of the violation of the sovereignty of Charles IV by Section 11 of the Mobile Act and asked not only for satisfaction for the insult but also for the revocation of the cited section as injurious to the rights of Spain. As the time is now approaching when Congress, which alone can annul the cited section, will depart, and sufficient time has...
53510To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 25 June 1818 (Adams Papers)
I ought sooner to have thank’d you for your last biographical Notices, but you had before left me to take my own time for scribling, & must not complain for my Abuse of the License. The anecdotes you have given of the Destruction of the private Papers of Mr. Otis & Mr. S. Adams has rescued two important facts from being totally lost to Posterity. They confessedly were two very extraordinary...
53511To James Madison from Thomas Law, [ca. January 1827] (Madison Papers)
Mr Law takes the liberty of submitting to Mr. Madisons perusal, a little pamphlet which is the key to a greater one, which may perhaps be posthumous. He trusts that it will amuse, if it does not give a higher satisfaction. Should it afford a moments Pleasure to Mr. Madison who rendered such active services to his Country by his essential aid in forming the Constitution, Mr Law who receives...
53512To James Madison from Alexander Smyth, 23 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
Some weeks since my feelings compelled me to address to you a note offering some justificatory evidence. I now present it. I beg you to be assured, Sir, that there is no man who would with more reluctance give you a moments trouble, or pain; but it is a duty I owe to myself, and a family whose interests I have sacrificed to the nation, to enable you fairly to appreciate my pretensions. I have...
53513[Diary entry: 12 February 1768] (Washington Papers)
12. Fox hunting with Colo. Fairfax, Captn. McCarty, Mr. Chichester, Posey, Ellzey & Manley who dind here with Mrs. Fairfax & Miss Nicholas. Catchd two foxes. Richard Chichester (c.1736–1796), son of Richard Chichester (d. 1743) and Ellen Ball Chichester of Lancaster County, was, through his mother, a distant relation of GW. He inherited his father’s plantation, Fairweathers, and in 1759...
53514Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Kerr Rogers, 23 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 21. was recieved in due time. the Visitors of the Visitors of the University of Virginia had determined at their meeting in March, that it was not expedient to divert any of it’s funds from building, during the present year; but that propositions should be made, and an engagement entered into with D r Cooper to undertake the professorship of Natural philosophy, Chemistry &...
53515From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 11 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive from Capt Tingey information of the capture of our late store ship by a Spanish privateer, which seems too probable to be neglected. I presume it will be necessary for you immediately to order a duplicate supply for the Mediterranean. but will it not be worth while to send a swift sailing pilot-boat with an officer on board in pursuit of the captor & captured vessel? I presume...
53516To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 29th. of March last in the Afternoon I received your letter of the 26th. of the same month inclosing the Resolution of Congress laying an Embargo &c. As by the words of the Resolutn. the Embargo is laid on all ships and vessels in the Ports of the United States, whether already cleared out or not bound to any foreign port or place I apprehend that it comprizes foreign vessels bound to...
53517[Diary entry: 7 December 1768] (Washington Papers)
7. At home all day—alone.
53518To George Washington from Marinus Willett, 21 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Indians are commiting ravages in most parts of this county and hitherto have not been able to do any thing with them, they are every where doing mischief but never to be found so as to do any thing effectual—They are not deficient in art to improve the many advantages they have over us—Your Excellency may recollect my mentioning on your way to Saratoga the value of the friendship of this...
53519To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 16 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose for your information, a letter from M. H. Bird to the President of the United States dated at Charleston S. Ca. 23d January 1790. offering the services of the Houses of Bird, Savage & Bird, and of Mannings & Vaughan to Act as Agents, if such should be wanted in Europe for the purpose of negotiating a...
53520From George Washington to Joseph Jones, 31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor in answer to my letter respecting the appointment of a Comee; and with two others of later date. the last containing Genl Woodfords acct of the situation of things at Charles Town at the time of his writing —I thank you for them all. Unhappily that place (Chs Town)—the garrison in it—&ca (As appears by the New York account which I have transmitted to...
53521To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 28 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I listen onlÿ to a pleasant emotion of my heart, in congratulating my Self, that among So manÿ blessings, with which the good God favours me till this instant, is the preservation of your precious life during another year. How precarious is it, if I Shall enjoÿ that favour once more: your age, alreadÿ above, what is commonlÿ allotted to men, mÿ own advancing years, with the frailties and...
53522From George Washington to Brigadier General William Thompson, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th Inst. was duly received. I have not as yet had the least intimation of your parole; but should it come into my hands I shall take a pleasure in its early transmission, and be happy to see you again with the army. It is entirely out of my power to do any thing either in the case of Mr Coats or Mr Noarth, as all aides agreeable to a late resolve of congress are to be taken...
53523From George Washington to Thomas Gibson, 18 July 1771 (Washington Papers)
The followg are directions by wch you will please to make a Coat & Waistcoat for me, & Sundry things for Mr Custis, pr our Measures Inclosed. A Plain Coat for Riding, of Superfine blew broad Cloth—with plain flat dble gilt Buttons A Waistct to suit Do either of the same Cloth or otherwise as shall be thought most genteel no Bree[che]s will be wantg of (Cloth) as Buck are wrote for. If it ever...
53524From George Washington to William Peacey, 7 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 2d of Feby 1787. I am much obliged to you for your attention in sending me the seeds, which arrived agreeable to the bill. Mrs Bloxham received of Wakelin Welch Esqr. of London £10.1.10, which sum, she informed him, was what she paid you for the seeds on my account. I am not sorry that Caleb Hall did not come out, for I proposed his coming more to please...
53525To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
In order that the British Prisoners may be kept with more safety than they have been by the Militia and to correct that spirit of desertion which has taken place to a very great degree since the Capture of Cornwallis they are to be removed from their present Cantonments to Lancaster where there are good Barracks picketted in. I have to request that your Excellency will order one of the...
53526From George Washington to Abraham Yates, Jr., 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of this date is just come to hand. Circumstanced as this Army was in respect to Situation Strength &c., it was the unanimous advice of a Council of General Officers to give up Long-Island, and not by divideing our Force be unable to resist the Enemy in any one point of Attack, this reason added to some others, particularly the fear of haveing our Communication cut of from the Main...
53527To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 13 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carrington, who is a defendant in the suit, brought by your Relation Jefferson vs. Reade’s administrators , obtained an order at the last court, that he, as being nonresident, should give security for costs at the next Term. Will you be so good, as to inform him of this, if he is within the circle of your correspondence? Be pleased to add, that dismission is the penalty on non compliance...
53528Message to the Five Nations, 25 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
You were invited here at my request, in order that measures should be concerted with you, to impart such of the blessings of civilization, as may at present suit your condition, and give further desires to improve your own happiness. Colonel Pickering has made the particular arrangements with you, to carry into execution these objects, all of which I hereby approve and confirm. And in order...
53529To James Madison from John Giles, 5 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
I hope, your Excellency, will not deem me intrusive, in occupying a few minnets of your time. I am not insensible, of the number, nor of the weight, and vast importance of those objects; which must necessarily, claim your attention, and engross your moments. But feeling, and appreciating, as I do, the benefits which flow from your government; I am urgd to offer, this small tribute of my warm...
53530John Adams to Charles Adams, 19 February 1792 (Adams Papers)
I wish you to take of Berry and Rogers as handsome a set of my Defence as you can find and packet them up handsomely and address them to The Reverend Joseph Priestley D. D. London, and send them by your Brother and Sister Smith. That Philosopher has made them so many Compliments in conversation as well as one in print; and as his sett was probably destroyed by the Rioters at Birmingham, I...
53531Case of Randall and Whitney, [31 December] 1795 (Madison Papers)
The House debated a report from the Committee of Privileges, in substance as follows: that Randall be allowed to speak and present evidence in his own defense; that the judge of the District of Pennsylvania administer an oath or affirmation to witnesses; and that the sense of the House be taken on the guilt or innocence of the prisoners. Smith (South Carolina) objected to members having to...
53532To James Madison from James H. Blake, 14 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of soliciting for my Son Thos. H. Blake, now a resident of the State of Indiana, the appointment of District Attorney for that State; The letters herewith sent and others that I shall send in a Day or two, I trust will be satisfactory as to his competency for the Appointment. I will therefore only observe that my Son, who was a resident of this District during the war, and...
53533To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 15 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letters from the 19th: April to the 5th: July, by the Heer Adams. How impatiently they have been expected you will be able to judge by mine of the 29th: Ulto: which you will receive with this. The events they announce are considered as of the utmost importance here, and have been directed to be officially communicated to the different States. Your loan is...
53534M. Addenet to John Adams: A Translation, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
A few months ago, one of our ambassadors asked me if I had seen a document that he knew only by title and that he wanted to read. It was the one containing Pensées sur la révolution de l’Amérique-Unie . Without telling him from whom I obtained it, I lent it to him, and in doing him this favor, I believe I did as you would have wished. He left without returning it to me. I would have liked to...
53535To James Madison from William Lee, 26 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 September 1802, Bordeaux. Lists vessels with the number of seamen discharged from them since his 10 Aug. dispatch, “making sixty nine seamen to whom may be added forty six strollers whose names are registered in the office as coming from different ports of the Republic which together with the seventy three I had in charge at the date of my last amounts to one hundred and Eighty Eight men...
53536From James Madison to Calvin Jones, 28 June 1819 (Madison Papers)
The Copy of your proposals for publishing “The Farmer’s Magazine” has been a good while in my hands, without obtaining subscriptions; owing doubtless to the number of agricultural publications less remote, as well as to other causes at present concurring. For myself I find it more and more expedient not [to] multiply engagements, especially those of indefinite continuation. Having much...
53537To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 17 and 24 February 1783—Missing Letters (Madison Papers)
Letters not found ( LC : Force Transcripts, fol. 8729). 17 and 24 February 1783 . About 1850 a clerk of Peter Force, engaged in copying letters of Edmund Pendleton, wrote: “MSS. McGuire’s. Edmund Pendleton } Edmundsbury, Feby 17. 1783 to James Madison “(This letter is much stained, & some of it illegible) “Another letter dated ‘E[d]mundsbury Feb. 24, 1783,’ is in the same condition. “There...
53538From Alexander Hamilton to Jacob Wilson, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the first of this month— You will be pleased to repair immediately to Wilmington in the State of Delaware for the purpose of being employed in the recruiting service. Upon your Arrival at that place you will report yourself to Major Cass and take his order— With considn I am ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
53539To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 2 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, August 2, 1794. “… from the best opinion which can be formed at present, it appears, that five thousand Dollars will be sufficient to be placed in the hands of each of the Naval Agents.…” LC , RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies, National Archives. This letter...
53540From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Two days since, I received from General Wilkinson a Report of which I now send you the original. You will find it intelligent and interesting. Perhaps on the score of intrinsic propriety it deserves to be adopted to a larger extent than some collateral and extraneous considerations may permit. I had previously thought of the subject but had purposely limited myself to a few very general ideas,...
53541To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 19 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter from Milan I begged you to write to me poste restante at Rome. I was soon after stopped in my route by the influenza, and not knowing of how long duration would be the delay, I was induced by this consideration and by my desire to hear from you as soon as possible, to beg Mrs. Paradise to desire you in a letter she was writing to you to send me your letters poste restante to...
53542From Thomas Jefferson to William H. Cabell, 27 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary at War having returned from New York, we have immediately taken up the question respecting the discharge of the militia which was the subject of your two last letters, and which I had wished might remain undecided a few days. from what we have learnt of the conduct of the British squadron in the Chesapeake since they have retired from Hampton roads, we suppose that until orders...
53543From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 18 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 11th. and 14th. inst. are now before me. I inclose you four blank powers to be directed to any person or persons you shall think proper for Green briar or any other county. I am informed beef may be had in Frederic and Hampshire. I am only to desire that when you fill up any of these powers you immediately communicate to me the name of the county and persons inserted...
53544From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, 17 May 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 17, 1784. On July 28, 1784, Knox wrote to Hamilton : “After a long long Chasm in Our Epistolary Intercourse, I received your favour of the 17th. of May last.” Letter not found. ]
53545To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 February 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edmund Randolph, 28 Feb. 1792. On 2 Mar. Tobias Lear wrote Randolph “that the President received the Attorney General’s letter of the 28th of february.” By the president’s command Tobias Lear wrote Edmund Randolph that GW was “of opinion that it would be inexpedient for a pardon to issue for a person against whom an indictment is depending for false swearing. The...
53546From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 21 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th came duly to hand. Fortune seems to have declared for us, hitherto, in the Election, or more properly Selection & ballotting, for the odd Commissioner, under the Treaty with G.B.—But something must be done, & I presume immediately, to supply Mr Trumbull’s place as Agent in the other business, to which he was appointed. I wish most ardently that the flames of war were...
53547From John Adams to United States Congress, 1 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I transmit to both Houses of Congress, for their information and consideration, copies of laws enacted by the governor and judges of the Mississippi Territory from the 30th of June until the 31st of December, A. D. 1799. Printed Source--A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. 10 vols. (Washington, 1896-1899)..
53548To George Washington from Thomas Bond, 2 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Bond, Jr., 2 Feb. 1778. On 3 Feb., GW wrote Bond : “In answer to your letter of yesterday.”
53549From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you—dated the 26th of Augt—I have received your dispatches of the 23d; 26th; & 28th; of the same month; and it is probable, the Messenger who will carry this & other letters to the Post Office, will bring me the result of your deliberations on the communications from Georgia. I am exceedingly glad to find by the copy of Genl Putnams letter to you, that he had resolved to...
53550From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 5 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
This is meant merely as a private suggestion to hasten the proceedings of the committee on Indian affairs of which you are chairman. the act regulating intercourse with the Indians expired the day before yesterday. in the mean time we are told the Govr. of E. Florida is preparing to enlist men in Georgia for an expedition against the Creeks. should the interval between the expiration & renewal...