1Abigail Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 4 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your obliging favour of Feb’ ry 27th. I have been so little a favorite of fortune, that I never once examined my Numbers by the News papers, or otherways, concluding that those who were equally interested would take proper care for me. as I had formd no expectations, I meet with no dissapointment, and am quite pleased that my adventure should be appropriated to the...
2Inaugural Address, 4 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
When, in early times it was first perceived; in early times that no middle course remained for America remained; between unlimited submission to a foreign Legislature, and a total Independence of its claims: men of reflection, were less apprehensive of danger, from the formidable Power of fleets and Armies they must determine to resist; than from those Contests and dissentions, which would...
3To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 4 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to address You with few words upon your election to the Presidencÿ of the United States: Mÿ wishes in this part are entirely accomplished—May America remain happÿ in peace, and prosper under your administration—So that the names of Washington and Adams may be combined at every new election—as those of August and Trajan; maÿ its Thankfulness compensate in part the Sacrifices, which...
4John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
your dearest Friend never had a more trying day than Yesterday. A Solenm 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. He Seem’d to me to enjoy a Tryumph over me. Methought I heard him think Ay! I am fairly out and you fairly in! see which of Us will be happiest. When the Ceremony was over he...
5To John Adams from Elkanah Watson, 5 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is Now 17 Years since I was first hon’d with your Paternal Letter at Nantes. Since which in Various situations, & On Various occasions in your Important Life, I have presumed to address you; and have never Ceased to Venerate the Independance of your Mind, & your “stern Republican Virtues”—I cannot now forbare Congratulating you on your recent elevation to the first station in the Power of...
6John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 6 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since writing my last Letter I have received yours of the 17 th: of February. It is kind: it is amiable: it is worthy of yourself. I recognize again the temper that I love, the heart that I admire, and the mind that I esteem.— Yes—this Letter I am sure was written by my own Louisa; and its strain is too congenial with her character, and too full of delight to me, for me to believe that she...
7To John Adams from William Davis, 6 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Permit me, most respectfully to congratulate yr. Excellency on yr. advancemt. to this, your exalted Station; permit me, also, ( in confidence ) earnestly to request an appointment here, on the first vacancy, whereby I may be enabled to support my Family, in this my advanced age, & whereby I may render my Country some little service. nothing, but imperious necessity, can apologize, for thus...
8To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor most respectfully to transmit to the President of the United States, a letter from James Read Collector of Wilmington, dated the 7th of January 1797—recommending Joseph Burch to be first Mate, Robert Dorsey to be second Mate, and William Snell to be third Mate of the Revenue Cutter on the North Carolina Station.— It is the opinion of the Secretary,...
9Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 7 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The package, containing your various beautiful presents, is arrived— I have distributed them according to your desire, and am requested to return the most grateful acknowledgements, and to tell you that being given by you, renders them peculiarly valuable— Accept my thanks my beloved friend, they are the return I can offer except the most tender and sincere affection— As a token of your...
10To John Adams from Edward Davies, 7 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Necessity compells me to make the within request, that is if you will be pleased to grant me Forty Dolls which shall be Imediately repaid on my return from Boston, I should not have deignd to make the request, But relying on your Generosity—I had every expectation of receiving of receiving Money from Congress, but was dissapointed, owing to my not laying the Papers before the House sooner in...
11To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 7 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 13th & 20th of Feby, the former of which, being an answer to my last, shall be first attended to. After I had sent that letter to the post office, it occurred to me, that what I had viewed as a studied neglect might have been intended as good policy; & being convinced it was so, by reflecting on the subject, I was highly gratified by the explanation with...
12Belinda Smith Clarkson to John Adams, 8 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not deem it intrusion to address you upon a subject which is of great consequence to me, and must interest your feelings on the principles of Commiseration and Benevolence: a subject which necessity impells me to expatiate upon—and maternal affection dictates. It is Sir, to solicit, (earnestly) an office for M r: Clarkson to enable him to support a Family of young Chilldren—...
13To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 8 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully transmits to the President of the United States, a communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue, covering two Letters to him & from the Collector of Providence on the subject of a proposal made to the said Collector for fixing & maintaining the stakes and Buoys in Providence River. It is the opinion of the Secretary, that it is adviseable to...
14Memorandum, 8 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
drew an order for 2000 Dollars Warrant issud Same day. I indorsed it the 9th. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
15John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have no Letter this Week and begin to fear that your Respect to our late P. has laid a foundation for a Sick Spring and Summer. Sometimes too I am jealous of unfair Play in the Post office to prevent me from hearing from you at the most critical Period of my Life. The public Papers must give you an Account of Proceedings, which I am wholly unable to describe. What Judgment is form’d of my...
16To John Adams from John Cosens Ogden, 9 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The health of David Austin Esqr. the present Collector of the customs in New Haven, is declining so fast, that it is generally supposed that death, will put a period to his valuable life within a short period time. As that office will then be vacant, I thought it to be my duty, in as early a season, and in as respectful a manner as possible, to ask it of Your Excellency for myself. Perhaps an...
17To John Adams from Tanguy de Laboiniere, 9 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Le plus sincere homage que je croye pouvoir Rendre à L’opinion qu’a L’Amérique entiere de vos vertus, & La Liberté que je prends de vous adresser Les observations que je publie Sur la Discussion qui Existe malheureusement aujourdhui entre les Etats-unis & La République de france. quelque soit le jugement que vous porterez sur mes opinions à cet Egard, je me flatte que vous Reconnaitrez dans...
18John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday only I rec d yours of March 1.— am surprized you should have rec d none from me from 11. Feb. I have written never less than once a Week, seldom less than twice and 9 Weeks out of 10, three times, ever Since I left you. The Roads or some irregularity of the Post must have occasioned your disappointment. I hope you will obtain Mr Mears, but I must leave every Thing to you— The Load of...
19Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
After a week of anxious expectation, I received by last Thursdays post, a packet containing three News papers a pamphlet, two excellent Letters from our Dear sons, and fourteen lines from a hand, from which I was desirious of receiving, fourteen times as much. unreasonable do you exclaim! Publick Buisness, publick cares, allow’d, but there is a kind of communication and intercourse which is a...
20Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Dr Tufts has been consulted by me respecting the leaseing our places, and we have come to an agreement with the Tennants, who in proportion to the rise of Labour & produce, Annually expect more & more indulgences. a Farmer cannot be content with the profits he once made. he will tell you, the Day Labourer fares better, which is true. I meet with so many difficulties, that I wish Sometimes that...
21John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
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. It proves to be a tedious Business to clear the Presidents house for me. I am now told it will not be ready this Week. You will See by the Gazette how the new Pensilvania House is disposed of. The Weather is bad— I have a...
22From John Adams to Pierre Auguste Adet, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me, the honour to write me this morning informing me, that you have important Things to communicate to me, and requesting an hour for an interview;—Tomorrow morning at ten OClock I shall be glad to receive you; meantime I have the honour to be with great consideration / your most Obedient and most humble / Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
23From John Adams to Jonathan James Maund, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago I received your obliging Letter of the 13th of February— It would be a greater pleasure to me, than any that I shall enjoy, unless the times should be better, than my apprehensions to Cultivate the Oats, you have been So polite to send me, But the four Acres of Cincinnatus must be this year unplouged, if some other person will not attend to them. If I am not mistaken you...
24To John Adams from Pierre Auguste Adet, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
J’aurois desiré pouvoir vous présenter mes hommages Comme ministre de L’a Republique française, j’ose esperer que vous me permettrés de vous Les offrir comme particulier. j’aurois deja sollicité cette Faveur si ma santé ne m’en Eut empechè. je ne puis plus differer de vous la demander, quoique je sois Loin de me bien porter. j’ai des Choses extrêmement importantes à Vous Communiquer. je vous...
25John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is nearly a fortnight since I received your letter of the 17 th: of last month. The two last Posts from Bremen have brought no English Letters, and while the wind remains in the quarter to which it has been fixed these ten days I can have no hopes of being more fortunate in hearing from you. These Easterly winds bring a clear sky and a brisk air with them.— Yet they are to me more dull and...
26Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have repeatedly perused your letter of the 27 of February, which afforded me infinite pleasure, as it perfectly coincides with my sentiments— Let me again assure you my best friend, that you shall never more be offended by an assertion of Spirit, that I in reality do not possess, and permit me to request, you will cease to mention a subject, which has already cost me so much pain, and for...
27Abigail Adams Smith to John Adams, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received some time since your letter of the 21 st of Febuary—and am very happy to find that you suppose my apprehensions respecting any embarrassments which may be thrown in your way are premature— I have heard from all quarters that the Choice of President has been highly approved of and is perfectly Sattisfactory to all parties even the most violent Democrats in New York have expressed...
28From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Secretary at War to take into his consideration the following Questions and make report of his opinion in Writing. 1. Whether the Refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the Territory of the Republick, with such Circumstances of Indignity, Insult and Hostility as We have been inform’d of, are bar’s to all further...
29From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests the Secretary of State to take into his Consideration, the following Questions, and make report of his Opinion in writing. 1. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the Territory of the Republic, with Such circumstances of Indignity, Insult and Hostility, as we have been informed of are Bars to all further...
30Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The vessel which was up for Hamburgh by which I promised to write has changed her Voyage, and the vessel for London is just upon the point of sailing, so that I have only time to inform you that your old Friend William Vans Murray is appointed your successer. This will give you pleasure, because he is a sensible Worthy Man, and a firm Friend to his Country. You will now be released, and...
31Abigail Adams to Joshua Johnson, 15 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose to you a pamphlet, The correspondence between the Secretary of state, and the French Minister, for my son J Q Adams. if upon receiving it, you have reason to think he has allready had it; from any other hand, you will retain it, untill his arrival in England. William Vans Murray, of the state of Maryland, is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Batavian Republick. This Gentleman...
32Richard Cranch to John Adams, 15 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
To wish you Joy on your advancement to the high Station you now hold will perhaps, at present, be premature; I shall therefore rather wish you Patience. The comprehensive and clear Views that you have acquired from an accurate Examination of all the ancient Forms of Government and their consequences in actual operation, and your great Experience in the modern Systems that have been exhibited,...
33John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of the 6 th. by the Post of this day. I have proposed to Brisler to give him 300 dollars and pay the Expences of his Wife and Children to this Place and back again to Quincy, when they return— And He and his Wife and Children are to live in the Family. This is pretty well— I must and will have him. I am peremptorily for excluding all blacks and Molattoes. I hope to get into the...
34Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favors of October 28. & November 11. of the past year, have been some weeks in my possession. I am not, nor can I conveniently be, so good a correspondent as my brother, whose frequent and copious communications exhaust most of the subjects upon which I should feel disposed to write you myself, I think it is my duty nevertheless not to suffer any considerable period to pass, without...
35From John Adams to Elkanah Watson, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received with Pleasure your polite Letter of the 5th. and thank you for your kind Compliments. I am very much disposed to believe, that you have been misinformed concerning “Some very leading Characters in the State of N. york.” If they have been “disappointed” it has been in the Election of the V.P. not in mine: and that by no means on the Ground of “the known Independence of my mind”....
36Abigail Adams to John Adams, 18 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by the post yours of March 3 d & 5 th I had previously received the speach which I think well calculated to do great Good. I am much out of the way of hearing the observations which will be made upon it. as it is a publication to the people, of your real sentiments & opinions I hope it will be considerd and believed as such, and have a tendency to remove prejudices. I do not wonder...
37Notes on Pinckney Case, 19 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
There are 3 Cases which may now be supposed. 1. Mr Pinckney may be recd and in a fair and honourable Train of Negotiation. 2. Mr Pinckney may be neither recd nor rejected, but kept in suspence. 3. Mr Pinckney may be rejected, with Circumstances of Indignity Insult and Hostility + Which will render it at least questionable whether any other diplomatic Measures can be adopted. 4. Mr Pinckney may...
38To John Adams from Henry Knox, 19 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I experience a reluctance in addressing you lest I should absorb a certain portion of your time which ought to be used for more important purposes. I doubt whether I ought to congratulate you on being elevated to the Cheif Magistracy of the United States; for it is questionable wheth very questionable, whether there are not more thorns than roses in the situation. But I religiously felicitate...
39To John Adams from Thomas Law, 19 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
As the current of population was Westerly & towards the Lakes, perhaps it would be adviseable to anticipate disputes about boundaries &ca. with the Spanish & British Settlers, and consequently to devise some easy mode of adjustment witht previous reference to Europe It occurs to me that Pitsburgh or some central spot might be agreed upon for Commissioners from Quebec, New Orleans and the...
40To John Adams from Prince Abbondio Rezzonico, 19 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was certainly a great satisfaction to me, as it has been to all those, that Know your Parts and your heart, to hear your Election in President of these United States. Agree therefore I beg you, my rejoicings; which are no Less effect of my duty, than of that Friendshiph, that I had been so happy as to make with you at London. I take, at the mean time, the Liberty of raccomanding to you,...
41John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have successively received your Letters of the 28 th: and 24 th: of last month, which I mention thus in inverted order because they so came to me, and the latest of date was the first here.— It must indeed be an implacable breast which such a Letter as this would not disarm of all resentment.— I have hailed and welcomed it as the pledge of uninterrupted future harmony between us. You have...
42Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your letter of the 6 which gave me infinite satisfaction your approbation love and esteem being my greatest ambition and delight— My father talks of embarking early in July and preparations are making for our removal— I almost wish the time was arrived— though I know the advantages resulting from it, to the whole family, I cannot help regreting the necessity, of our renewed...
43From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, Jr., 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests The Secretary of State and the Attorney General to take into their Consideration the 3.ss of the 2d Article of the Constitution of the United States. “He (the President) shall from time to time give for Congress, information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration, such measures as he shall judge necessary and Expedient. He may...
44From John Adams to Commissioners of Washington City, 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, you did me the honour to write me, on the 22d of this month. Your congratulations “on the preference given” by my fellow Citizens, in the Choice of the first Magistrate of the Union, and the Expressions of your Confidence are Very obliging. I am not apprized of any reasonable objection to the Measure Suggested, of offering Scites for houses to the Ministers of...
45To John Adams from David Humphreys, 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was only by the arrival of a vessel yesterday from America that we received the certain intelligence of your Election as President of the United States. On which auspicious occasion permit me to offer my sincere congratulations & assurances of support (in whatever situation I may be) to an Administration, which, in my anticipation, will not be less glorious to yourself than beneficial to...
46To John Adams from Stephen Sayre, 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
As you gave me liberty to consult the Vice President, on the subject of my last Letter, I did so, before my departure from the City. His reply was, precisely, what I expected. “I do not advise the Executive—He has given me some intimation, that he means to consult me before I leave Town, but I know not, on what subject—I am decidedly of opinion, that a Minister extraordinary ought to be sent,...
47To John Adams from George Taylor, Jr., 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
G. Taylor Jr. with respectful compliments to the President of the United States, has the honor to send hereto annexed a memorandum of the papers signed by the President for this office from the 4th instant to this day Memorandum of papers signed by the President of the United States for the Department of State from the 4th instant, to this day Commissions Joseph Bench, of No. Caro— 1st. Mate...
48To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honour to transmit to the President of the United States a Copy of a Letter to the Comr. of the Revenue dated the 27th. of June 1796, which states the principles of a compromise proposed to the Distillers of Spirits in Kentucky— CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
49To John Adams from James Malcom, 21 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Received the following papers and letters which were left in the Office of the late President of the United States for the use of the present President, vizt. Original Communications between the President of the United States & both Houses of Congress from the commencement of the present Government to the 3d day of March 1797 inclusive— Original Communications between the President of the...
50John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night for the first time I slept in our new House.— But what a Scene! The Furniture belonging to the Publick is in the most deplorable Condition— There is not a Chair fit to sit in. The Beds and Bedding are in a woeful Pickle. This House has been a scene of the most scandalous Drunkenness and Disorder among the servants, that ever I heard of. I would not have one of them for any...