1791 Letters

Philadelphia, PA -

I regret that I can administer no balm to the wound given by the first report of our Western disaster. You will have seen the official account which has gone into all the Newspapers.

Philadelphia, PA - 8 January 1791

I think you do perfectly right in refusing to go into public during the absence of Colonel Smith. The society of a few friends is that from which most pleasure and satisfaction are to be derived.

Philadelphia, PA - 15 January 1791

General Knox informed me, that it would be agreeable to you that I should undertake the Superintendency of the northern Indians ; I mean particularly the Six Nations.

Philadelphia, PA - 25 January 1791

You must not flatter yourself with the expectation of hearing from Colonel Smith until the February packet arrives. It is as soon as you ought to think of it.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 February 1791

The power of incorporating cannot, by any process of safe reasoning, be drawn within the meaning of the Constitution as an appurtenance of any express power, and it is not pretended that it is itself an express power.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 February 1791

am glad to find that my sister Hite has withdrawn herself from the region of the small-pox. It gives me particular pleasure, also, to learn that my mother's health has been so far restored.

Philadelphia, PA - 21 February 1791

The education of your children will occupy much of your time, and you will always keep in mind the great importance of first principles, and the necessity of instilling the precepts of morality very early into their minds.

Paris, FRA - 26 February 1791

Pardon me while on this chapter, for expressing my apprehension that the sale of western lands will not produce the present relief expected, and it will consume a valuable future resource.

Paris, FRA - 7 March 1791

Whatever expectations I had conceived of a speedy termination to our revolutionary troubles, I still am tossed about in the ocean of factions and commotions of every kind.

Paris, FRA - 9 March 1791

In the debate on this subject one of the Lameths gave it as his opinion, that America was not in a situation to be either sought or feared for some time to come.

Paris, FRA - 16 March 1791

Since that period the Assembly have taken another step in the same disagreeable road. They have deprived all ships other than those built in France of the privilege of French bottoms.

Bush Hill, PA - 20 March 1791

We have had a very severe winter in this State, as you may judge when I tell you that we have consumed forty cords of wood in four months. It has been as cold as any winter we have at the northward.

Philadelphia, PA - 10 April 1791

It is to be lamented that our system is such as still to leave the public peace of the Union at the mercy of each State Government.

Philadelphia, PA - 10 April 1791

By the information from Fort Harmar, of the 17th, and Pittsburg, of the 31st, it would appear that the Delawares and Wyandots are committing depredations, and that they will be joined in the war against us.

New York, NY - 1 May 1791

From conversations which I have casually heard, it appears that among the enormities produced by the spirit of speculation and fraud, a practice is spreading of taking out administration on the effects of deceased soldiers and other claimants leaving

Paris, FRA - 3 May 1791

The rage of parties, even among the patriots, is gone as far as it is possible, short of bloodshed ; but, although hatreds are far from subsiding, matters do not appear so ill disposed as they formerly were towards a collision among the supporters of

New York, NY - 12 May 1791

I had seen Paine's pamphlet, with the preface of the Philadelphia Editor. It immediately occured that you were brought into the Frontispiece in the manner you explain.

Paris, FRA - 27 May 1791

In a letter to Colonel Hamilton, of the 31st of January, 1790, I mentioned what had passed between M. Necker and me respecting the debt due by the United States to France

Paris, FRA - 6 June 1791

The Assembly has put an end to her existence by a new convocation ; has unfitted her own members for immediate reelection and places in the Executive; and is now reducing the Constitution to a few principal articles

Philadelphia, PA - 8 June 1791

Colonel Procter has just arrived in this city by the way of Fort Pitt. He was unable to go forward to the western Indians without an escort of the Six Nations.

Claverack, NY - 27 June 1791

It is surprising that you tell me nothing of Theo. I would by no means have her writing and arithmetic neglected.

New York, NY - 27 June 1791

Mr. Adams seems to be getting faster and faster into difficulties. His attack on Paine, which I have not seen, will draw the public attention to his obnoxious principles more than everything he has published.

New York, NY - 30 June 1791

The Edwardses dine with me; they had taken lodgings previous to their arrival, in consequence of a report made them by the little Bodowins ... that my house was too small and inconvenient to admit of a spare bed.

New York, NY - 10 July 1791

The Bank shares have risen as much in the Market here as at Philadelphia. It seems admitted on all hands now that the plan of the institution gives a moral certainty of gain to the subscribers

New York, NY - 13 July 1791

Beckley has just got back from his eastern trip. He says that the partizans of Mr. Adams's heresies in that quarter are perfectly insignificant in point of number; that particularly in Boston he is become distinguished for his unpopularity

Paris, FRA - 16 July 1791

The latest I have received from you is of the third of May. You will have heard, through various channels, of the King's escape from the Tuileries. By the bye, he was said to be in perfect liberty there

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.

Paris, FRA - 20 July 1791

My last was of the sixteenth. The riot of that day went off pretty easily, but the next morning two men were lanterned and mangled in the Parisian taste. This occasioned some little stir.

London, ENG - 21 July 1791

I took the liberty of addressing my late work, "Rights of Man" to you ; but though I left it, at that time, to find its way to you, I now request your acceptance of fifty copies, as a token of remembrance to yourself and my friends.

Pelham, NY - 23 July 1791

I was apprehensive travelling in the heat and bad accommodations would check your recovery. Do return home as soon as possible; or, rather, come to Pelham

Pelham, NY - 27 July 1791

Poor Dr. Wright had his house two days ago burnt to the ground, and all the furniture, with every article of clothing both of themselves and the children.

Philadelphia, PA - 28 July 1791

The change of systems, which have so long prevailed in Europe, will, undoubtedly, affect us in a degree proportioned to our political or commercial connexions with the several nations of it.

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.

New York, NY - 4 August 1791

Stock and scrip continue to be the sole domestic subjects of conversation.

New York, NY - 8 August 1791

It is surmised that the deferred debt is to be taken up at the next session, and some anticipated provision made for it.

Philadelphia, PA - 4 September 1791

The indisposition, and consequent absence from Mount Vernon, of my nephew, Major Washington, to whom the care of my private business is intrusted, makes it indispensably necessary for me to go home before the meeting of Congress.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 September 1791

I have received a letter from the Minister of France, of which the inclosed is a copy.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 September 1791

The Minister of France has written me a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy.

New York, NY - 23 September 1791

How far the present fiscal arrangements require amendments or additions, can best be ascertained of the secretary.

Paris, FRA - 30 September 1791

The view which it gives of our prosperity as a nation swelled my bosom with emotions, which none can know but those who have experienced them.

Paris, FRA - 3 October 1791

I mentioned to you from London, that Mr Walpole had been offered the place of Envoy Extraordinary to the United States, which he had refused.

Paris, FRA - 10 October 1791

The people of this city are become wonderfully fond of the King, and have a thorough contempt for the Assembly, who are, in general, what used to be called in Philadelphia, the blue stockings.

Paris, FRA - 22 October 1791

Poor Lafayette ! Your letter for him must remain with me some time. His enemies here are as virulent as ever

Philadelphia, PA - 27 October 1791

I receive many attentions and civilities. Many invitations to dine, &c. All of which I have declined, and have not eaten a meal except at my own quarters.

Philadelphia, PA - 30 October 1791

The old lady is deaf, and upon my first coming to take possession of my lodgings, she with great civility requested that I would never attempt to speak to her, for fear of injuring my lungs without being able to make her hear.

Philadelphia, PA - 30 October 1791

The petition relating to the Militia bill contains nothing that makes it improper for me to present it. I shall, therefore, readily comply with your desire on that subject.

Hartford, CT - 2 November 1791

A person who says he left New-York last Friday, reports that a putrid disorder prevailed there, and that among many others, it had rendered your house a house of mourning. This unexpected event affects me greatly.

Philadelphia, PA - 14 November 1791

You mistake the nature of my emotions. They had nothing of asperity; but it is useless to explain them.

Philadelphia, PA - 14 November 1791

John Watts took me yesterday a long walk, and, though fatigued, I was not exhausted. He takes every occasion to show me friendship and attention.

Philadelphia, PA - 1 December 1791

Enclosed in Bartow's last letter came one which, from the handwriting, I supposed to be from that great fat fellow, Colonel Troup.

Philadelphia, PA - 4 December 1791

To render any reading really amusing or in any degree instructive, you should never pass a word you do not understand, or the name of a person or place of which you have not some knowledge.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 December 1791

Tell Bartow that I have this evening received his letter by Vining, who arrived in town last Monday. Beg him never again to write by a private hand about business when there is a post.

Philadelphia, PA - 15 December 1791

I wish you would continue to give me any fugitive ideas or remarks which may occur to you in the course of your reading; and what you call your rattling way is that of all others which pleases me the most.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 December 1791

Will it not be possible for you to meet me at Trenton, that we may travel together to New York? If you assent to this, I will name a day. Yet do not expose your health.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 December 1791

The two Houses have been of late chiefly occupied by the Representation bill, which, both in its principles and consequences, is of the first importance.

Philadelphia, PA - 27 December 1791

If I had, before I left New York, sufficiently reflected on the subject, I would never have consented to this absurd and irrational mode of life.

Paris, FRA - 27 December 1791

I observe, that when a man purchases in France goods which are to be sold in England, he pays for those goods by the proceeds of bills drawn on England, and as he makes the acquisition of the goods with a view to the future sales