1797 Letters

Philadelphia, PA - 5 January 1797

I DINED yesterday with Dr. Rush, who desired me to send the enclosed oration upon a weak democrat whom he is pleased to call a great philosopher, astronomer and republican.

Philadelphia, PA - 11 January 1797

ON Tuesday, when I waited, as usual, on Mrs. Washington, after attending the levee, she congratulated me very complaisantly and affectionately on my election, and went farther and said more than I expected.

Philadelphia, PA - 14 January 1797

Mr. Madison is to retire. It seems the mode of becoming great is to retire. Madison, I suppose, after a retirement of a few years, is to be President or Vice President.

Boston, MA - 15 January 1797

The loss of two lovely children, on which you condoled in that letter, has been recently revived and increased by the death of our son, of seven years of age, bearing your name.

Philadelphia, PA - 16 January 1797

When I write to you oftener than your turn, you must not let it be known, or there will be jealousy.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 January 1797

James Madison letter to Mr. Murray...This country is extremely agitated by pecuniary distresses, and the mercantile troubles which begin to thicken.

Philadelphia, PA - 23 January 1797

You must not puzzle all day, my dear little girl, at one hard lesson. After puzzling faithfully one hour, apply to your arithmetic, and do enough to convince the doctor that you have not been idle.

Philadelphia, PA - 26 January 1797

Dr. Priestley breakfasted with me. I asked him whether it was his opinion that the French would ultimately establish a republican government.

New York, NY - 1 February 1797

I have been informed that the present sheriff of Dutchess either has resigned or will decline a reappointment, and that Platt Smith is among the candidates.

Philadelphia, PA - 4 February 1797

I HOPE you will not communicate to any body the hints I give you about our prospects ; but they appear every day worse and worse. House rent at twenty- seven hundred dollars a year...

London, ENG - 6 February 1797

Some uneasiness has been manifest here for some few weeks past, concerning the situation of the British territories in the East Indies.

Quincy, MA - 8 February 1797

And may it prove an auspicious prelude to each ensuing season. You have this day to declare yourself head of a nation.

Philadelphia, PA - 9 February 1797

I must wait to know whether Congress will do any thing or not to furnish my house. If they do not, I will have no house before next fall, and then a very moderate one, with very moderate furniture.

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

Philadelphia, PA - 5 March 1797

YOUR dearest friend never had a more trying day than yesterday. A solemn scene it was indeed, and it was made more affecting to me by the presence of the General,whose countenance was as serene and unclouded as the day.

Philadelphia, PA - 9 March 1797

The President and Mrs. Washington go off this morning for Mount Vernon. Yesterday afternoon he came to make me his farewell visit

Philadelphia, PA - 11 March 1797

If I could have my wish, there should never be a show or a feast made for the President while I hold the office. My birthday happens when Congress will never sit, so that I hope it will never be talked of.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 March 1797

I AM so constantly engaged in business, most of which is new to me, that it seems as if it was impossible to find time to write even to you ; yet I believe I write every post.

Philadelphia, PA - 17 March 1797

I HOPE to get into the house on Monday next, but shall purchase no nice furniture till you come. I shall make a little establishment for myself and keep bachelors hall for some time.

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.

Philadelphia, PA - 24 April 1797

You, and such petit maitres and maitresses as you, are forever criticising the periods and diction of such great men as presidents and chief justices. Do you think their minds are taken up with such trifles?

Quincy, MA - 26 April 1797

The funeral rites performed, I prepare to set out on the morrow. I long to leave a place, where every scene and object wears a gloom, or looks so to me. My agitated mind wants repose.

Philadelphia, PA - 4 May 1797

Our mother and our niece are gone to rest. The first a fruitfully ripe, the last but a blossom or a bud.

New York, NY - 4 June 1797

It will give you satisfaction to know that the letters I have received from Mr. King and Mr. Gore, make honourable mention of the candour and good faith of your government.

New York, NY - 31 August 1797

I had this afternoon the pleasure of receiving your favour of the 18th inst. Mrs. Jay joins me in sincerely congratulating you and your amiable family on your arrival in this country ; may your expectations of happiness in it be fully realized.

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

Quincy, MA - 8 November 1797

I have much upon my mind which I could say to you ; prudence forbids my committing it to writing.

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.