Albany Letters for the years 1775 thru 1833

Albany, NY - 27 August 1775

on my arrival at Saratoga, I received information, that a large body of Indians of the Six Nations were to be here on Tuesday last, and that my presence was indispensably necessary.

Albany, NY - 5 January 1776

now or never is the time for every virtuous American to exert himself in the cause of liberty and his country ; and that it is become a duty cheer fully to sacrifice the sweets of domestic felicity, to attain the honest, and glorious end America has

Albany, NY - 13 January 1776

My amiable friend, the gallant Montgomery, is no more ; the brave Arnold is wounded; and we have met with a severe check in an unsuccessful attempt on Quebec.

Albany, NY - 25 April 1776

The grief I feel on the evacuation of Canada by our troops, is greatly alleviated by the little loss sustained in the retreat, and the hope I have, that we shall maintain a superiority on the Lakes.

Albany, NY - 12 June 1776

I have, within this half hour, received a letter from General Arnold, of which the inclosed is a copy. I fear the next will announce the evacuation of Canada by our troops, probably with loss

Albany, NY - 25 June 1776

By this express you will receive advice from General Schuyler of our evacuating Canada, an event which I make no doubt (from our distressed situation) you have some time expected.

Albany, NY - 1 July 1776

Yesterday morning General Gates introduced a Mr. Avery to me, who applied to me for money to carry on the Commissary-General's department here. I asked if Mr. Livingston was superseded, and begged to see how he (Avery) was authorized to act here.

Albany, NY - 9 September 1776

I am informed that the army is in the greatest distress for medicines. As every misfortune and want they labor under is imputed to me, so is this.

Albany, NY - 26 November 1776

The Enemy have taken Fort Washington, (after an obstinate Defence), & made the Garrison, consisting of Near Two Thousand Men Prisoners

Albany, NY - 28 June 1777

Should an accident happen to the garrison of Ticonderoga, and General Burgoyne make a push to gain the south part of the Lake, I know of no obstacle to prevent him.

Albany, NY - 29 October 1777

As I have not heard a syllable from you, or General Putnam, for a week past, I conclude you are in no want of any further assistance from me.

Albany, NY - 2 November 1777

As to any attack upon New York, I utterly disapprove of it; for, while the enemy's ships of war can act in the North and East Rivers, the taking of that city would be doubtful

Albany, NY - 2 November 1777

If Sir Henry Clinton marches towards Mount Holly, our army will, of course, move directly to Princeton, and hang upon his rear and right flank. If he marches towards Trenton, our army will march to Somerset

Albany, NY - 5 November 1777

By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson's brigade, which is the one you propose to send, is by far the weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more than about six hundred rank and file fit for duty.

Albany, NY - 23 November 1777

I have never entertained the smallest idea that General Burgoyne should be permitted to ex change the port of embarkation, or that the least variation of the spirit and letter of the Convention would be indulged to the troops under his command.

Albany, NY - 19 February 1778

General Lafayette letter to General Washington...Why am I so far from you and what business had the board of war to hurry me through the ice and snow without knowing what I should do, neither what they were doing themselves?

Albany, NY - 25 March 1778

General Lafayette letter to General Washington...I have received a letter from the board and a resolve of congress, by which you are directed to recall me and the Baron de Kalb...

Albany, NY - 29 April 1778

I am now engaged in the most disagreeable part of my duty, trying criminals. They multiply exceedingly. Robberies become frequent : the woods afford them shelter, and the tories food.

Albany, NY - 18 October 1780

Upon my arrival, I found the main body of the enemy, which appeared in the northward, had returned by the way of Lake George ; and that part of the country seemed again to be in a state of tranquillity.

Albany, NY - 21 January 1781

and most sincerely sympathize with you on the embarrassments which the disagreeable event in Jersey will occasion you. It is an awful lesson to the States

Albany, NY - 14 February 1781

we esteem it incumbent on us to afford your Excellency the perusal of a letter which we have addressed to Congress, a copy whereof we have the honor to inclose.

Albany, NY - 3 April 1781

The motives which led Congress to postpone filling the War department have leaked out, and been communicated to me.

Albany, NY - 5 June 1781

That mind is truly great which can bear with equanimity the trifling and unavoidable vexations of life, and be affected only by those events which determine our substantial bliss.

Albany, NY - 15 June 1781

From a variety of accounts, received through different channels, I am informed the enemy's force at Crown Point is near two thousand, though I cannot persuade myself that they are near so strong.

Albany, NY - 9 August 1781

On Tuesday night, about ten o'clock, a most daring attempt was made by a party of the enemy, headed by a Captain Myers, to surprise General Schuyler in his house, at this place.

Albany, NY - 21 October 1781

I do myself the honour to enclose you several letters, which were intended, I believe, to introduce me to your acquaintance, perhaps to your friendship.

Albany, NY - 3 December 1781

I am surprised I forgot to advise you to get a Franklin fireplace. They have not the inconvenience of stoves, are warm, save wood, and never smoke.

Albany, NY - 23 December 1781

Remember to write me facts and ideas, and don't torment me with compliments, or yourself with sentiments to which I am already no stranger.

Albany, NY - 15 January 1782

It is now a notorious fact, that three parties have been expressly sent from Canada to take or put me to death.

Albany, NY - 10 August 1782

nothing will interrupt our friendship. Mine for you is built on the solid basis of a full conviction that you deserve it, and that it is reciprocal, and it is the more firmly fixed, because you have few competitors.

Albany, NY - 25 March 1783

Some think absence tends to increase affection; the greater part that it wears it away. I believe neither, but that it only tends to prove how far the heart is capable of loving

Albany, NY - 14 August 1783

When she sleeps, I watch anxiously; when she wakes, anxious fears accompany every motion. I talked of my love towards her, but I knew it not till put to this unhappy test.

Albany, NY - 7 October 1784

Until a few days ago, I had no doubt but to hear you had accepted the appointment conferred upon you. My fears, however, have been raised, and with my usual frankness I assure you that your refusal could not but be attended with very bad circumstance

Albany, NY - 8 October 1784

Everywhere I have met with delays; but so agreeable were they in their nature, that I cannot complain of them. It is not quite the same with the Indian treaty, although the hope to he useful has kept me there longer than I had expected.

Albany, NY - 0 April 1785

Have you not been tormented with some embarrassments which I wickedly left you to struggle with?

Albany, NY - 30 October 1785

I have suffered myself to be engaged in two land causes (Van Hoesen and Van Rensselaer), which begin to-morrow, and will probably last the whole week.

Albany, NY - 2 November 1785

Our trial, of which I wrote you on Sunday, goes on moderately. It will certainly last till twelve o'clock on Saturday night; longer it cannot, that being the last hour of court.

Albany, NY - 0 August 1786

Why are you so cautiously silent as to our little Sally? You do not say that she is better or worse; from which I conclude she is worse.

Albany, NY - 0 August 1786

We began our Catskill causes this morning, and have this minute adjourned to meet at seven in the morning. We shall be engaged at the same disagreeable rate till Saturday evening.

Albany, NY - 7 August 1788

I should have told you that I am speaking of Fort Johnson, where I have spent a day. From this amiable bower you ascend a gentle declivity, by a winding path, to a cluster of lofty oaks and locusts.

Albany, NY - 26 October 1788

The headache with which I left New-York grew so extreme, that finding it impossible to proceed in the stage, the view of a vessel off Tarrytown, under full sail before the wind, tempted me to go on board.

Albany, NY - 0 November 1788

My return seems daily more distant, but not to be regretted from any views but those of the heart.

Albany, NY - 23 November 1788

Your account of the progress of the measles is alarming. I am pleased to find that you yet keep your ground.

Albany, NY - 26 November 1788

I am wearied out with the most tedious cause I was ever engaged in.

Albany, NY - 2 May 1789

Until the adoption of the present system of National Government, it was a constant and a painful reflection to every patriot, that the inefficacy of the late Confederation threatened to deprive America of those blessings, for which she was greatly in

Albany, NY - 25 September 1789

In case the office you were pleased to propose should be offered to me, I have, upon reflection, determined to accept it...

Albany, NY - 21 October 1789

I have this moment received your letter of Sunday evening, containing the account of your alarming accident and most fortunate rescue and escape.

Albany, NY - 24 October 1789

Your misfortunes so engrossed me, that I forgot to inquire about Augustine's horses; and to give a caution, which I believe is needless, about the blank checks.

Albany, NY - 28 October 1789

The distressing circumstances respecting your face must certainly be owing to something more than the mere misfortune of your burn.

Albany, NY - 17 July 1791

I hope Theo. will learn to ride on horseback. Two or three hours a day at French and arithmetic will not injure her. Be careful of green apples, &c.

Albany, NY - 31 July 1791

I anticipate with increasing impatience the hour of leaving this place, and am making every possible exertion to advance it.

Albany, NY - 4 August 1794

It was with great pain and reluctance that I made this journey without you. But your manners are not yet quite sufficiently formed to enable you to do justice to your own character

Albany, NY - 14 August 1794

To the young ladies, you may pretend business or engagements: avoid, however, giving any offence to your companions. It is the manner of a refusal, much more than the refusal, which gives offence.

Albany, NY - 16 August 1794

Another post has arrived, and brought me no letter from you. It is the last omission which I shall readily pardon

Albany, NY - 18 August 1794

On the 13th you say you got nine pages in Lucian. It was, to be sure, a most surprising lesson.

Albany, NY - 28 February 1797

It gives me pleasure to learn, that you will endeavour at least to prepare for a history of the American revolution. To obtain competent and exact information on the subject is not the least arduous part of the task

Albany, NY - 22 March 1797

I have received and read with pleasure your elegant eulogium on the late Mr. Rittenhouse. Such attentions to worthy characters, cherish and encourage modest merit.

Albany, NY - 27 October 1797

The delays of the court of admiralty do not surprise me. I have no faith in any British court of admiralty, though I have the greatest respect for, and the highest confidence in their courts of justice

Albany, NY - 13 November 1797

The recent explosion at Paris has cast most of our calculations and conjectures, relative to the issue of our negotiations with the Directory, very much into the air.

Albany, NY - 30 August 1798

There are several topics on which I wish to converse with you, and particularly respecting military arrangements at New-York. The rifle corps, and a few of the new light-infantry companies are established.

Albany, NY - 4 January 1799

Your despondency distresses me extremely. It is indeed unfortunate, my dear Theodosia, that we are constrained to be separated.

Albany, NY - 30 January 1799

But at this period, there certainly are an uncommon number and series of events and circumstances, which assume an aspect unusually portentous. The seeds of trouble are sowing and germinating in our country

Albany, NY - 11 February 1799

You now see that a letter can come from New-York in three days; a truth which has been frequently verified by the receipt of my letters, but never before by the despatch of your own.

Albany, NY - 29 March 1799

The expediency of the president's declaration, that he would not send another minister to France, until he should receive assurances, &c, was not, in my judgment, unquestionable. There are political considerations against it

Albany, NY - 3 September 1799

Permit me to congratulate you on the promising aspect of affairs in Europe. England stands high, and while just, no one ought to repine at her prosperity.

Albany, NY - 26 January 1800

The ideas, of which you are the object, that daily pass through my mind, would, if committed to writing, fill an octavo volume

Albany, NY - 29 January 1800

We have agreed that the cause of Le Guen shall come on next Tuesday.

Albany, NY - 30 January 1800

Our most humiliating errors proceed usually from inattention, and from that mental dissipation which we call heedlessness.

Albany, NY - 13 February 1800

I pray you never to write to me with the mere motive of getting rid of the task. These performances always lead me to fear that all other tasks are performed in the same manner

Albany, NY - 15 February 1800

The argument of the cause of Le Guen is concluded. I fear that I must wait for the final decision of the court before I can leave Albany.

Albany, NY - 28 February 1800

Accept my thanks for the sermon on the death of General Washington, which you was so obliging as to send me. In my opinion, it abounds in excellent sentiments, well arranged and expressed.

Albany, NY - 5 March 1800

But--but--these buts--how they mar all the fine theories of life!

Albany, NY - 24 April 1800

The late revolution in France does not appear to have dissipated the clouds which veiled from our view the fate of that and other countries. As yet, I see little reason to expect the restoration of the Bourbon family

Albany, NY - 1 July 1800

The president declared to the Congress that he would never send another legation to Paris, until he received assurances that it would be properly respected.

Albany, NY - 16 December 1800

They who feel an interest in the honour of this country, cannot fail of being gratified by every mark of respect to the memory of our late president.

Albany, NY - 17 February 1801

You are to wait in Baltimore, until I overtake you, which will be on the 28th at the latest.

Albany, NY - 3 March 1801

The eighteenth century has been distinguished, as you observe, by great events.

Albany, NY - 15 October 1801

Our Convention met on Tuesday the 13th, and will probably continue in session five or six days longer.

Albany, NY - 6 January 1807

In a few days I shall set off on a journey to Chenango Point, to attend a meeting of Turnpike Directors.

Albany, NY - 26 January 1807

No doubt is entertained that Lewis will have it, and that there will be a Speaker & a Council decidedly hostile to Clinton.

Albany, NY - 27 January 1807

Clinton and his party are supposed to be dished. The public sensibility here has been excessive, and the joy at the victory over Jacobinism not less moderate.

Albany, NY - 17 February 1807

I do not wonder that our friends in New York are disgusted to the very soul with the reports they hear from this quarter. The scene constantly exhibited here is the most sickening that can be imagined!

Albany, NY - 12 March 1807

The conduct of Lewis and his Council has given general disgust here. Opinions as to the course to be pursued by the Federalists at the next election have been fluctuating.

Albany, NY - 7 April 1807

As the Legislature was rising a most virulent attack upon Lewis by Clinton was spread in handbills amongst the members.

Albany, NY - 11 April 1807

Mr. Van Ness from Hudson writes us that things are going on well in the Middle District.

Albany, NY - 15 April 1807

The truth is that Clinton originally debauched Lansing, and drew him when he was a warm partisan from the party he was attached to and put him in the opposite ranks.

Albany, NY - 24 April 1807

It is universally believed here that the attack made by these three men on Van Rensselaer was a concerted thing between them. They all had a hand in beating Van Rensselaer

Albany, NY - 1 June 1807

the true policy of the Corporation of Trinity Church for spreading the Episcopal mode of worship, so friendly to Government, so hostile to Jacobinism, is to make permanent provision for the support of Episcopal Clergymen.

Albany, NY - 7 March 1808

I am very sorry to see that the cloud over our foreign relations, instead of dispersing, grows thicker and thicker.

Albany, NY -

On the subject of unanimity permit me to remark, that we are alarmed with late reports from New York. We are told that our friends there are divided into two parties

Albany, NY - 23 January 1810

We think that you and our other friends who have been to pay attention & respect to Mr. Jackson have acted rightly, and if we were in New York we should follow your example.

Albany, NY - 8 February 1810

In relation to New York particularly, I can say but little. I am mortified and disgusted with the conduct of many of our friends

Albany, NY - 27 February 1810

From appearances Gardenier now stands a better chance for the office than Morris

Albany, NY - 12 February 1813

Influenced by the considerations suggested in your letter I have been induced to acquiesce in the wishes of my political friends & consent to be their Candidate.

Albany, NY - 25 October 1814

I am glad of your sanction that the character of the war is changed and that our Soil & Sovereignty must be defended, notwithstanding the incompetency of our Rulers.

Albany, NY - 31 January 1816

There is doubt that Tompkins is seriously bent upon being President. His friends here are active and apparently confident of success.

Albany, NY - 19 February 1816

Before this reaches you, you will have heard of your nomination as the Federal Candidate for Governor, and of the peculiar circumstances which produced it.

Albany, NY - 18 September 1821

Our progress in the Convention is slow, but I preserve my confidence in the moderation and good sense of the members.

Albany, NY - 4 October 1821

The Constitution will not be as sound, and provisions which we may regret, may obtain insertion in the Constitution, by the pressure and agency of the Judges

Albany, NY - 6 October 1821

The Convention is engaged on Van Buren's report ; and the mode of appointing magistrates and sheriffs is the immediate subject of embarrassment.

Albany, NY - 9 October 1821

The Suffrage question as reported by the Comee. of 13. is established ; it is in effect universal suffrage ; the colored people except such as own freeholds of 250 Dol. are exempt from direct taxes, and denied a suffrage.

Albany, NY - 14 October 1821

It was my hope and intention to have been able to make you a visit this fall, but Congress will meet on the 3d. of Dec., and I shall barely have time to put my affairs in order

Albany, NY - 15 October 1821

The affairs of the Convention are to my apprehension in a condition little satisfactory.

Albany, NY - 21 October 1821

I perhaps went too far in saying that nobody here talks of adjourning

Albany, NY - 9 November 1821

Our Convention have finished the amended Constitution, which is to be offered by a vote of tomorrow to the People for their acceptance or rejection.

Albany, NY - 29 January 1822

I think I do not deceive you when I say that your prospects here are highly flattering.

Albany, NY - 20 February 1829

Your letter to Clapp was duly forwarded.

Albany, NY - 28 February 1833

Your very kind letter to my dear wife &self has made a deep and I hope an abiding impression upon our hearts