51To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 4 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday at 1/2 past 5. P.M. The Bill authorising a loan of twenty five Millions of Dollars, passed the House of Representatives by a Majority of forty two—It has been a Subject of animated debate for twenty day’s—it now of course, passed to the Senate, It is not expected that it will long rest there— The Papers which I forward and those you receive thro’ other channels, put you regularly in...
52William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 9 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
M rs: Smith has shewn me the Letter you wrote on the 2 d. ins t. with the Copies of those you presented to The Count D e Vergennes The extract from Brissots Journal I noticed, and really think there is a greater combination to deprive you of the tribute due to your services, than I ever noticed pointed against any Individual— I think it a duty you owe yourself and Country, to resist it, & this...
53To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 28 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the President sent the nomination to the senate yesterday of John Quincy Adams as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Great Britain— I am Well thank God— Yours Sincerely, MHi : Adams Papers.
54To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 23 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
The Vice President of The United States is Dead . He Presided in the Senate yesterday, with his usual appearance of Health; this morning took breakfast, and went in a Hack to the Treasury department, after finishing the business which called him there, he observed to Mr. Nourse, that he did not feel well Mr. Nourse attended him to the carriage & he ordered the Driver to carry him to the...
55To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 21 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance the Bearer of this, Mr. Wm: Langworthy, Author of a much approved work entitled "an Attempt to promote the Commercial interest of Great Britain,” a Copy of which, I believe he presented you with he is a Gent. of Science and abilities, who has been invited to this Country, as a proper theatre for the exercise of his talents and who lately...
56To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 11 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of the 4th. inst., I am sorry your friends work you so hard—I will endeavour in the course of the season to visit Quincy, and promise to copy all your letters during my stay, the perusal of them will richly pay me for the trouble. I have a letter from my Brother Justus from the valley, mentioning, that our Brother James is very ill; from the nature of his spring...
MS not found. Printed from facsimile in WSS ’s hand in Magazine of American History, with Notes and Queries , [1879], 3:44–45; addressed: “His Excellency John Adams, &c., &c., &c., corner Brooks Street, Grosvenor Square.” The signatures were written in a circle and attached on a separate foldout page. The address was provided only in the Magazine article’s text. Published as “A Diplomatic...
58Enclosure: William S. Smith to John Adams, 21 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The brigade, which as Lieut. Col. commandant, I have had the honor to command, being on the point of dismissal, I take the liberty of suggesting, that the officers & soldiers are well instructed in the duties of their profession, & it would be of great public benefit, if as many of them, as might be requisite, should be taken to fill up the corps, government have concluded to retain in...
59To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 1 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday mr. Eppes chairman of the Committee of Way’s and means, brought in a bill to change the mode of taxation from the capacity of Stills to the quantity distilled eight Cents pr. Gallon on Spirits distilled from domestick materials and 12 Cents on spirits from foreign materials I think this will create serious debates amongst the leaders of the majority, it is supposed this change will...
60To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 1812 (Adams Papers)
We the subscribers take the liberty of recommending to your notice and through you to the President of the United States, Colonel William S. Smith of the County of Madison, as a proper Character for filling some important office in the Army of the United States. When we reflect for a moment on the Military talents of Colonel Smith (one of the few remaining heroes of the Revolution) we cannot...
61To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 1 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the 24th. ulto. and sent a copy of Hamiltons Letter to Miranda as requested in yours of the 4th. of april last; you will find in the Annual Register, or Review of Politics and Literature for the year 1807 page 45 a note relative to the interest the British Government took in Mirandas Expedition, and in page 206. 7. 8 & 9 the account of his visit to Coro. in page 392 you will...
62To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 19 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am under the disagreable necessity of informing you that M r: Barclay is in Prison at this place—at the suit of Mess rs: V & P. French & Nephew, Merchants established here, for the sum of 75.000 t Livers—which arrises from Cash advanced & Goods shiped on his account & by his order—near 4 years past— the Gentlemen seem much attached to the Idea, that M r. Barclay being in a public...
63To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 18 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you the United States Gazette to you perfectly acquainted with the Geography of Europe particularly of the frontiers of france, Spain, the borders of the Rhine, and the formerly united Provinces of Holland the details of military movements, may amuse you and perhaps produce some observations, instructive to me. I must acknowledge myself somewhat perplexed in my calculations, on past...
64William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 5 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I should have long before this answered your affectionate Letter of Congratulation on my return to my family and friends but since my arrival, I have really been so perfectly and fully engaged, that I could scarcly call an hour my own— I had hurried myself for this week past in expectation of attending M rs: Smith to Braintree, but the situation of my public and private business tho’ agreable...
65To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 21 February 1814 (Adams Papers)
This day’s Post brings a communication from Abbey under date of the 13th. from a Gentleman of very high standing of from which the following is an extract— “General Hulls trial will be terminated in a few day’s, the evidence on the part of the prosecution have closed, The Unfortunate Old man, will have but a slender Defence, the Court must I think sentence him to be shot, the state of the Army...
66To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 11 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
you and your dear family may have wondered at my silence for some weeks past, but I have been very, seriously indisposed, this I have not communicated to my Children at Newyork nor to our family at the Valley or Utica, it could only tend to excite painful sensations to them, therefore I have been silent—It is of course a satisfaction to me, to state to you, that I feel as if, I had perfectly...
67To John Adams from William Stephens Smith, 7 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
When I was in the woods, I could write you freely, and venture my opinions upon men, measures and passing scenes; but now, on the plains of the District of Columbia, I pause, hesitate; and gazing on the political confused aspect feel a diffidence in putting my calculations & conjectures on paper, I dare not state even to you, what my impressions are, least they should produce a pang in your...
68From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 29 March 1806 (Adams Papers)
By your letter of the 26th inst. just received, I am first informed of the appointment of Peter A Schenck, as Surveyor of this port. My enemies have long been struggling to remove me from this office. But I never supposed the President of the United States and Mr Madison capable of uniting with them for my destruction— If they had waited the public examination of the affair relative to the...
69From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 18 April 1806 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this Mr. Edward Dartnell will do Mr. Samuel G. Ogden and myself the honor of presenting to you our memorials, addressed to The Senate and House of Representatives, fully stating the circumstances, relative to General Miranda’s visit to the Caraccas, who sailed from this Port in the Ship Leander on the second day of February last,—a Copy is also addressed to Colo. Quincey of the...
70From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 22 December 1804 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the perusal of the Bill, For establishing rules and articles for the Government of the Armies of the United States— I think the 24th. article not sufficiently explicit—It furnishes the superior officer with an opportunity of punishing an inferior without redress, the arresting officer being the sole judge of what speaches are reproachful, and what gestures are provoking—He may...
71From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 28 November 1805 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer, my very intimate friend General Miranda, proposing to pass a few days at Washington, I must solicit for him, your friendly attentions and civilities. Mrs. S mith . and family are all well, and desire to be particularly remembered to you, Mrs. A, and her dear plump Sister— Should any thing of a public nature command attention; I should be happy to be made acquainted with it, as...
72From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1807 (Adams Papers)
The post from Philadelphia this morning, brings Letters, stating that, after Colo. Burr, was dismissed by the Court, he was arrested by a Troop of Horse, and was actually under guard at fort Stoddard on the 22d. ulto. on his way to the seat of Government, with a military Escort— Yours, My Son William was well on the 27th. of February at Trinadad MHi : Adams Papers.
73From William Stephens Smith to John Quincy Adams, 23 March 1806 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Mr. P. A Schenk is nominated as Surveyor of this port, and of course I am to be superceeded as is expressed in the public papers, for my secret connection with Genl. Miranda can it be possible that I am to be condemned unheard—Will my frinds in the Senate consent that I shall be sacrificed & my Wife and Children deprived of bread, to shelter men in higher station for their...
I was made very happy by the receipt of your letter of the 7th. I have enclosed two papers to your uncle; they contain the proceedings of the last week. I am appointed a member of a committee to inquire whether any, and if any, what, provision ought to be made, for the more effectual protection of the northwestern frontier of the U.S. against the incursions of the savages and other enemies. I...
75To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from Lt. Baldwin, wherein he states, that the present situation of his Health, obliges him to make a second application for a furlough, for such length of time, as may be thought sufficient, for the better recovery of his health, and refers me for further information, respecting the necessity of his making the application, to Doctor Douglass. I immediately...
76To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Recruiting service of the 12th. Regt. suffers considerably for the want of Subaltern officers. there is no acting Lieutenant to Capt. Kissam’s Company. Capt. Courtland is entirely destitute of aid, Capt. Fondy and Capt. Kirkland are similarly situated, & I belive Capt. Whites Lieutenants have either not accepted or have not joined their Company—if the filling of the vacant Lieutenancies...
77To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose a Letter from Doctr. Samuel Finley soliciting the acceptance of his resignation as Surgeon of the 12th. I advocated his appointment & felt myself obliged when he was complimented with it, I have calmly weight him in the balance, and to my great mortification, he kicks the beam I have alway’s had a friendship for him but I cannot indulge myself further on that...
78To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 23d. relative to the General orders of the 11th. of March not being complied with by the 12th. Regt. I immediately wrote a note to Major Fondy demanding the reasons for this apparent neglect, the enclosed No. 1. is his answer, which is respectfully submitted, The Paymaster of the 12th. Regt. was in New York attending at the...
79To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to your request, I have had Abner B. Chapel of the 13th. mustered, and enclose the necessary Certificate Signed by the surgeon and the officer Commanding the Regiment, it is arranged I believe conformable to the Contents of your Letter of the 26th. supposing you might wish to file the original papers, I return them and have the Honor to be with great respect—Sir, Your most Obedt...
80To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The General Court martial whereof Lt. Colo. Ogden is President, met agreably to interior orders on Monday last, I wrote to the assistant Adjt. General, that if Lt. Hoffman was to be brought before this Court, it would be necessary to order Lt. Wands from Poughkeepsie to attend the Court, and that there might be no delay, gave Mr. Ellery his address, enclosed is his answer— I would wish to know...