51To John Adams from Samuel Adams, Sr., 17 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am loth to trespass one moment upon your time, which at present must be very precious.—But I am induced even to offer Mr: Wyllys this recommendatory Letter to you. He is a native of our Commonwealth, and lately a traveller in Europe. Thô his travels have been merely on Mercantile Business, he appears to be very intelligent, observing, and impartial. He has seen Italy; and conversed among...
52To John Adams from Jean François Paul Grand, 18 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
Vôtre Excellence aura probablement la bonté de se rapeller Lors de sa Mission Ministerielle à Paris de la famille Grand dont la maison de commerce ètoit dèja chargée de la Confiance des Etats unis, dont elle n’a cessé d’être depuis honorée. Comme fils ainé de cette famille, j’ai été apellé à ressentir plus particulierement les tèmoignages honorables de Cette faveur & notament à jouir lors du...
53To John Adams from Carlos Martinez de Yrujo, 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recent grounds to believe that it is intended to carry into effect the expedition on the part of the English against upper Louisiana, by violating the territory of the US. according to what I informed you in my letter of the 2d March last; I must add that I know to a certainty that the English have made propositions to General Clarke in Georgia, in order to obtain his powerful influence...
54To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States, respectfully reports his opinion on the following questions. 1st. 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 & hostility as we have been informed of, are bars to all further measures...
55Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I think through all the most trying conflicts of my life, I have been called to pass through them separated from the personal condolence and support of my bosom friend, I have been taught to look for support and aid from superior power than man: there is a state of mind, when affliction dries up the source of tears, and almost bids the swollen heart burst. I have left one of those distressing...
56To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 25 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 6th, which I took from the cover without breaking the seal. The secret shall not escape me; but, from the circumstance mentioned, I shall not be surprized to find, that it has transpired on it’s passage. If the tho’t of sending Mr. Jefferson proceeded from both parties, it wears the appearance of “a natural one”, otherwise, coming from so many of one party,...
57To John Adams from James Montgomery, 25 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of Understanding there are several applicants for the Command I now hold of the Revenue Cutter which I imagine to proceed from the encouragement given by the Collector to the different applicants I do my self the Honour to transmitt to your Excellency all the Papers relative to the Dispute and the Charge against me which I trust those Certificates inclosed, with my first Letter...
58Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
This, I hope, is the last letter which you will receive from me at Quincy. 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. I have twice the present week met my friends and relatives, and taken leave of them in houses of mourning. I have asked, “Was all this...
59To John Adams from Collen Williamson, 26 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The petition of Collen Williamson houmbly saieth that your petitioner recived a letter when residing in new york, signd by the first three commissioners, of this City dated—Aprile 92 Inviting me to come forward as it was but a few days stage travle, so that they might have a personal conversation with me, at heir request I came forward to georgton And was with the commissioners eight ore ten...
60To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the copy of a letter sent this morning to the District Attorney of Georgia, & the draughts of letters to the British & Spanish ministers—left open for additions, if any should be thought necessary. Nothing is promised or intimated in either of the letters to the Ministers of the Use of military force to make our...
61To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War, in conformity with the desire of the President as expressed in his letter of the 14th instant has the honour to submit the following suggestions. 1st Question. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. For the most part it is a relative...
62Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
Thus far am I on my journey. I hope to reach East Chester on thursday Evening, and one day I must pass there, and one in N york. on Monday I shall sit forward for Philadelphia, and could wish you to meet me at muckleroys to dinner on twesday, if agreable to you, of which you can inform me by post addrest to me at N york to be left at our Sons. Brisler will be home by Saturday Night or sunday...
63To John Adams from Charles Lee, 30 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Attorney General of the United States having maturely considered the questions submitted to him by the President of the United States, most respectfully reports his opinions as follows, Upon Question 1st. If a nation to whom a Minister Plenipotentiary is sent by another nation, refuse him residence, it is a just cause of displeasure, but if he be refused an audience and the refusal...
64To John Adams from James Gunn, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The day previous to my leaving Philadelphia I did my self the honor to enclose you a letter from Governor Lee recommending Col. Armstrong for the Appointment of Inspector and Surveyor for the Port of Savannah—On my Arrival in this State I am informed that Col. Armstrong drinks to an Extreem, Which Circumstance I had no knowledge of at the Time I Joined in recommending him; I therefore feel it...
65To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully submits the following facts and observations, to the President of the United States, relative to matters of which he may deem is proper to give information, and to measures which he may think necessary and expedient to recommend to Congress, at the approaching Extraordinary Session. I. General Pinckney’s mission to the French Republic. The late President of...
66To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
To the Questions proposed by the President of the United States, on the 14th of the last month, the Secretary of State respectfully returns the following answers. 1. Question. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris & the Territory of the Republic, with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility, as we have been informed of, are bars to all...
67To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 2 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Please permit me the honour of presenting you with my most sincere and warm congratulation on an event which not only Contributes highly to the happiness of your numerous friends, but also may reasonably be concluded well to the whole of a Nation who has wisely honoured you withe the dignified station of their President. Accept of my best wishes for your health your success in Office which may...
68To John Adams from Anonymous, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty through necessity of troubling you with this anonymous Letter which we send with good intention, for we are the persons who endeavored to communicate to Genl Washington by two special messengers one of whom miscaried in a Vessel he sailed in from New Orleans which was lost on her Voyage; and the other was Mr. J––n who we suppose made his Virbal Report: The substance of...
69To John Adams from Gustavus Scott, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We have the honor of your favor of the 17th Ulto, and now enclose Letters to the several foreign ministers at Philadelphia, (except the Spanish minister, who has already been written to) which, if approved of, we beg the favour of you to forward—You will observe, that we have said nothing as to the condition of building—We much doubt whether such condition might not be considered by foreign...
70To John Adams from Anonymous, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty through necessity of troubling you with this anonymous letter, which we send with good intention; for we are the Persons who endeavoured to communicate to General Washington by two Special Messengers one of whom miscaried in a Vessel he sailed in from New Orleans which was lost on her Voyage. And the other who was Mr S——n who we suppose hath made his Virbal Report: the...
71To John Adams from Charles Lee, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In communicating to you a state of the Union at this time when you have been convened by my special direction it is with great satisfaction I inform you that the present meeting has not been occasioned by any occurrences within the United States. An attachment to our system of government has encreased with the experience of its utility, & resting on the most proper and only solid foundation...
72To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit the reflexions which have occurred to me on the questions contained in your letter of the 14th ulto. With respect to your letter of the 15. I shall give it as early an answer as circumstances will permit, and intreat that you will ascribe the delay to the pressing business of the office and importance of the subject. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be...
73To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 6 of April. It is indeed a “grave prospect” which is now presented to this Country But I entertain hopes that a wise national conduct, may soon brighten the scene. The French have long been in a political delirium; but if the Americans exhibit upon this trying occasion that wise magnanimity which is worthy of their former character, I have...
74To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War in conformity with the orders of the President has the honour to offer the following observations and suggestions relative to the objects of the Presidents letter of the 15th Ulto. With respect to the speech. It appears adviseable that it should be chiefly if not wholly confined to the foreign affairs of the country giving to these with France the primary and prominent...
75To John Adams from James Montgomery, 6 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of a Letter from Secretary Wollcott in which he informs me by your determination my Commission as Captain of the Revenue Cutter is annulled and that the Public Interest requires it should be done I beg leave to request an explanation of those Words as it imply’s a degree of Crimination of my Conduct that as a Man of Honour and a Citizen I am entitled to an explanation of I...
76To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 10 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The reasons, which induced me to the freedom of my communication concerning our affairs with France, have prompted me to that which I have now the honor respectfully to submit to your consideration in the same guarded & confidential manner. It appeared to me, in the month of Feby last, that some persons of weight and even in the auxiliary offices of the government itself, had adopted the...
77To John Adams from Jonathan James Maund, 10 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday receiv’d the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 13th. of March: My residence is almost equidistant from Fredericksburgh and Richmond your Letter bears the Post Mark of Richmond the 22d. of March and as I receiv’d it from Tappahannock by a private Hand this & the disagreement of the Post Master in that Place with his Deputies depriv’d me the pleasure of sooner acknowledging...
78To John Adams from Gustavus Scott, 11 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We received by yesterdays Post a Letter from your Secretary enclosing sundry papers which had been transmitted to you by a Mr: Collin Williamson.— Sensible of the pressure of business which you are obliged to sustain it is with reluctance that we trouble you with the affairs of the City however important, and we are really sorry that this business should have been intruded upon you Agreeably...
79To John Adams from Thomas Mifflin, 12 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
By an Act of the General Assembly of this State, it has become my duty to purchase and import ten thousand stand of arms, for the use of the Militia; but I find that it will be impracticable, at present, to form an advantageous contract, unless I can promise the interference of the American Ministers in Europe, to obtain permission from the respective Governments, for exporting the arms,...
80To John Adams from Alexander Jardine, 16 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I cannot resist the desire of writing to you nor the joy of your being elected president of the US:—as I think and hope that much of the peace and happiness of the rest of the world may now come to depend on you and your friends there, who I flatter myself may be well chosen. In short the love of Peace ,—the knowledge of its importance of late predominant in your Counsels give hopes of its...
81To John Adams from John Eager Howard, 18 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was yesterday at your house, with some Ladies who had the honor of paying their respects to Mrs. Adams, where I observed a person, whose name is Samuel Monroe, in the capacity of a servant, and as I suppose you are not acquainted with his character, think it necessary to give you the following information.— He was formerly a drummer in the British Army, and has been a waiter in the City...
82To John Adams from United States Senate, 18 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the United States request that you would to accept their acknowledgments for the comprehensive and interesting detail, you have given, in your Speech to both houses of Congress, on the existing State of the Union. While we regret the necessity of the present meeting of the Legislature, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct in convening it on this momentous...
83To John Adams from Geffroy Lesz, 18 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Sunt in Germania rustici, qui, meo consilio et doctrina ducti, aut hae adhui aestate, aut mox post hiemem futuram, si eum familiis suis et mecum in Americam contendere, ibig coloniam condere volunt. Quuni vero ante quing antios America relinquissem, nunc iterum ab amicis illit meis per litteras precibus obsecratus sum maximis, ad eos revértendi, quibus et adnui. Quid ut eo faciliur, patricieg...
84To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 19 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the direction of the President of the United States respectfully makes the following Report; That the Letter of Governor Mifflin to the President of the United States dated the 12th Instant contains the following requests. – 1st. That the President would direct the American Ministers in Europe to use their influence to obtain permissions from the...
85To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 20 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
As I was in Pennsylvania, it would have given me much satisfaction to have taken my leave of my much respected Freind General Washington, on his retiring from public Life, (who, while he justly enjoys the esteem & the gratitude of most of his Country Men for his great Virtues and public Services, is entitled, on every account, to my warmest affection) and at the same time to have, in person,...
86To John Adams from United States Senate, 20 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the U. States, request you to accept their acknowledgements, for the comprehensive and interesting detail, you have given, of the existing state of the Union.— And while we regret the necessity of the present meeting, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct, in convening the Legislature, on this momentous occasion.— As the Guardianship of our national Faith,...
87The Senate to John Adams, [23 May 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate of the United States request you to accept their acknowledgments for the comprehensive and interesting detail you have given, in your speech to both Houses of Congress, on the existing state of the Union. While we regret the necessity of the present meeting of the Legislature, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct in convening it on this momentous occasion. The...
88To John Adams from United States Senate, 24 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
1 The Senate of the United States request you to accept their acknowledgments for the comprehensive and interesting detail you have given, in your Speech to both Houses of Congress, on the existing state of the Union. 2d While we regret the necessity of the present meeting of the Legislature, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct in convening it, on this momentous occasion....
89To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 24 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The constant Attention required by your high and truly honourable Station will not allow me to expect you can favor me with a further Correspondence, unless to acquaint me you have received my Letters; yet as my Son is embarking for Philadelphia I avail myself of this favorable Opportunity to express to you my sincere and very cordial Congratulation on your Election to the Office of President...
90To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 24 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the United States request you to accept their acknowledgments for the comprehensive and interesting detail you have given, in your speech to both Houses of Congress, on the existing state of the Union. While we regret the necessity of the present meeting of the Legislature, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct in convening it on this momentous occasion. The...
91Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 25 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hope before this Time M rs. Adams has arriv’d at Philadelphia and recovered from the Fatigues of her Journey; of her Health & yours I am solicitous to hear— Since M rs. Adams’s Departure I have been busily employed in adjusting your Farming Concerns, M r. Porter, who has the Care of your Homestead, appears to me from what little Experience I have had of Him, to be well disposed, diligent &...
92To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 28 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The sailing of the Packet on which we are to go to New Port, being unexpectedly deferred till this afternoon, gives me an opportunity of inclosing a copy of No 3, & of adding a few words. I know that your ideas now are the same which they were in 1776 respecting a vigorous executive: I then & for several years afterwards tho’t the necessity for one so powerful would not exist within half a...
93To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 28 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Being here on a few days visit with Mrs. Gerry to her aged parents, & having left six small children, the eldest of whom has the care of the rest and of the domesticks, I am deprived of the honor of paying my personal respects to you at this time. When I wrote to Mr. Monroe, I supposed he was in Philadelphia: it being so announced in the news papers, his conduct in making an inmate of Paris...
94To John Adams from Sebastian Bauman, 29 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to inclose to you a pamphlet containing a statement of the cause of the resignation of all the Officers of the Regiment of Artillery of the City and County of New York, which I had the honor to Command and which I hope will do away any unfavourable impressions our proceedings may have made in the mind of the Public— I am Sir, / with great Respect / your Obedt. and very...
95To John Adams from Herbert Croft, 29 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
What the Consul at this City does me the honour of transmitting to you will account for the liberty I am now taking. The paper, which I here enclose, the Consul has, of course, not seen. It may show, perhaps, some trifling use that might be made of me in private. Besides which, I should be happy, Sir, to be of any use in the education of your children; of one of whom, at Amsterdam, I hear so...
96To John Adams from Thomas Mifflin, 30 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the twenty second instant, and to return you my best thanks for your compliance with that part of my request, which respects the interference of the American Ministers in Europe, to use their influence in obtaining permission for exporting ten thousand stands of Arms from Great Britain, Holland, or Hamburgh, for the use...
97To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, 30 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Isaac Stephens late from Algiers humbly shews to your Excellency, That he understands that a light-house is to be erected on Cape Cod, & that a Keeper of the same will be wanted. He will not pretend to repeat the misfortunes which has happened to him in the course of his life, nor his present dependent & very indigent situation, for they are already known to your Excellency. But should your...
98To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In conformity with the request contained in your letter of the 30th relative to an augmentation of artillery & cavalry and arrangements for a provisional army, I have the honour to subjoin the following observations and statements. In order to have a fair view of the subject it may be proper to premise what is the force on the present establishment, and the how it is distributed. It may...
99To John Adams from Samuel Williams, 1 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of transmitting to you a packet from, & at the request of, Mr. Herbert Croft, with a letter addressed to me. A casual and short acquaintance with him permits me only to say, that the description, he gives of himself, appears pretty just. When he mentioned his intention of offering his services and his Dictionary to America, I was far from flattering him with a prospect of...
100To John Adams from United States House of Representatives, 2 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
The interesting details of those events which have rendered the convention of Congress at this time indispensable (communicated in your speech to both Houses) has excited in us the strongest emotions. Whilst we regret the occasion, we can not omit to testify our approbation of the measure, and pledge ourselves that no considerations of private inconvenience shall prevent on our part a faithful...