Permit me to recommend to your Civilities the Reverend Doctr. Enos Hitchcock, who is appointed a Deligate from this State Society to attend the Meeting of the Genl. Cincinnati to be held at Philadelphia on the first Monday in May next. He is a Gentleman of real merit—possessing all the requisites to render an acquaintance with him Valuable, and is a genuine Federalist—well attached to the...
2From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Questions 1. Among the three Criminals under sentence of death is there any discrimination in the essential Circumstances of their Cases which would would justify a determination to pardon or reprieve one or two and execute the other? 2. Is the Execution of one or more, so indispensably demanded by public Justice and by the Security of the public Peace, that Mercy cannot be extended to all...
3Enclosure: John Adams to James McHenry, Timothy Pickering, Oliver Wolcott, Junior, and Charles Lee, 24 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U S. requests the Secy of State, the Secy of the treasury, the Secy of War and the Atty. general to take into consideration the state of the nation and its foreign relations especially with France. These indeed may be so connected with these, with England Spain Holland and others that perhaps the former cannot be well weighed without the other. If our Envoys extraordinary...
4From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, Jr., 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to write me no letters to reach Quincy or Boston after the 29th. On next Monday sennight, I shall set out for Trenton and reach it at latest by the 15 of Oct. I also request that you would write to the Attorney Gen. & the American commissioners to meet us all at Trenton, at as early a day after the 15th as you shall judge proper. I also desire that all this may be kept as secret as...
5From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition of Robert Watson for a pardon which I refer to you for your consideration & report to Your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
6From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [29 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment seen a Bill brought into the Senate intitled a Bill to define more particularly the crime of Treason &c. There are provisions in this Bill which according to a cursory view appear to me highly exceptionable & such as more than any thing else may endanger civil War. I have not time to point out my objections by this post but I will do it tomorrow. I hope sincerely the thing...
7From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Ebenezer Skiff, with many recommendations from select men, Minister &c to be keeper of the light house at Gay Head. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Daniel Davis District Attorney for Maine Another from Woodbury Storer—another from the collector Mr. Nath. Fosdick in favor of Ebenezer Mayo to be Surveyor in place of Col Lunt deceased. I add a letter of Mr Smith. Which of the three candidates ought to have the preference Mayo, Titcomb or Fosdick is somewhat difficult to determine, as each has recommendation from...
9From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the commissions signed, which were inclosed in your favor of the 18th. I agree with you, that Mr Kemp ought to be appointed unless something more should appear, than is yet exibited in favor of Mr. Muse. I return all the recommendations. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
10From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two Commission, inclosed in yours of the 11th. signed. The contracted Law of N. Carolina, if followed by all the states, would make short Work with the Fæderal Government. What will be the Result of these Things? Such a Law is enough to dissaffect an whole state and excite a Rebellion against the U.S. I am sir your most humble &c CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
11From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [2 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I received from you not long since a letter on the subject of a fit person for naval Agent which in the hurry of my business I forgot. I think you mentioned in it for consideration Col Stevens & Mr. Blagg. Col Stevens is an active man not wanting in intelligence who has latterly been employed in navigation & probably has some relative ideas. He is however pretty largely in other business &...
12From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
By virtue of the Act entituled “An Act to enable the President of the United States to borrow money for the public service”, passed on the Sixteenth day of July in the year One thousand seven hundred and Ninety Eight. I do hereby authorize and empower you, by yourself or any other person or persons to borrow on behalf of the United States, of the Bank of the United States, or any other body or...
13From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you all the papers inclosed in yours of the 13th, & I pray you to acquaint Ebenezer Skiff & Gen. Lincoln that Ebenezer Skiff is appointed Keeper of the light house at Gay head. With great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
14From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you all the papers inclosed in your favor of the 19th. The proposal of Mr. Martin Lincoln is approved & the written instruments defineing the lands for the accomodation of the light house are signed / by Sir your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
15From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Letters relative to the Appointment to the Naval office at Portsmouth. Oliver Whipple is the only One that has been presented whose Pretentions deserve much Attention in competition with Mr Edward St. Loe Livermore: But upon the whole I think Mr Livermore ought to be appointed. He is able, popular, honourable and I believe will give general satisfaction. If you think so, he may be...
16From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a recommendation of Mr Nathaniel Mayhew of Chilmark to be keeper of the light house on Gay head I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
17From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 20th and thank you for your vigilant attention to the Progress or rather to the decline of the Fever in Philadelphia. I request your explicit opinion, and pray you, if you can, to obtain those of Mr McHenry and Mr Lee; whether from the Prevalence of contagious Sickness in Philadelphia, or the Existence of any other Circumstances it would be hazardous to the Lives...
18From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 22d. Inclosed is the commission to Mr. Woolsey Burton signed. Can you tell me any news of Mr. Brisler my steward & the rest of my Family left at Philadelphia. I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
19From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr. John C. Jones of Boston, recommending Capt Joseph Coffin Boyd, to fill the place of Col Lunt. Also a letter from Richard Hunnewell, requesting the office for himself. Thus you see we have an ample choice of candidates. Fosdick, Titcomb Mayo Boyd & Hunnewell, all well qualified & recommended by very respectable men. The last however appears to me to have the best...
20From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the blank commission signed which you did me the honor to inclose in your letter of the 20th & pray you to have it filled up for Augustine J Smith, whose satisfactory recommendation from William Payne Esqr. I return with it. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
21From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two blank Commissions, signed and am satisfied with the recommendations of Robert Chesley, to succeed his Father. If a real reformation should take place in Northampton County, in consequence of a consciencious Conviction of their Error & Crime it would be happy: but a cessation of opposition from fear only, may last no longer than the terror. I am, Sir your most obt. CtHi .
22From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [6 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
You are probably apprised that in announcing to the General Officers their appointments, they are told that the emoluments are to be suspended until called into actual service and that as a consequence of this plan they are to remain inactive. The project suits admirably my private arrangements, by leaving me to pursue in full extent my profession. But I believe it accords neither with the...
23From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the commission signed, which you sent me in your letter of the 18th. I have left it in blank, that you may fill it, as you may find necessary or expedient. The recommendation of Mr Fleet is satisfactory. But I should be sorry that Mr. Burwell should be displeased if his election should fail. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
24From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recommendation of Capt. Samuel Robinson to be keeper of the lighthouse on Wigwam point are from such authority & so decisive that I presume it will be unnecessary to look any further. With great esteem &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
25From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is natural for people where their interest is concerned to die hard. Mr. Juhel, the bearer of this, goes to Philadelphia to lay before you some supplementary evidence with regard to the Ship Germania, which he hopes may vary your determination. At his request I give him this line to you merely to say—that he is a Merchant of this City of Reputation, and so far as his conduct has fallen...
26From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 22 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th instant enclosing one from Mr Ross, and the Treasurers draught on Colo. Fitzgerald for $1,961.30, came duly to hand; & for your kindness in thus accomodating me with the Order, in lieu of the like sum received from Mr Ross on my account, I feel much obliged. In the enclosed letter which I have taken the liberty of putting under cover to you (that I may be certain of its...
27From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 4 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your favour of Augt. 20th. in due Season. I congratulate you, most sincerely, on the prospect of the recovery of your Father and Brother from sickness. Before I left Philadelphia, I appointed Mr. Storer in the Place of Leonard Jarvis, and have the Pleasure to find, that his established Character for Integrity and his well known Accuracy in Accounts, have given universal satisfaction in...
28From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Please to write to Gen. Lincoln authorizing him to furnish me money out of the appropriation for my salary, while I remain here. I intended to have asked you for such a letter & brought it with me, but you was necessarily absent in Conntt. You may limit him to any sum you think proper; but I shall have occasion for all my salary while I remain here I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
29From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter or petition from the Indian proprietors of Gay head, recommending Mr. Nathaniel Mayhew to be keeper of the light house, which I pray you to file and consider with all other applications on the same subject. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
30From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have carefully read all the applications & recommendations for the office of collector of Norfolk & although the list of candidates is numerous and their pretensions respectable I think I discover sufficient reasons in the papers to concur with you in opinion that Col William Davis ought to be appointed and pray you to send him a commission accordingly. His letters have a strong character of...
31From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President requests the several heads of Departments, to take the most prudent and economical arrangements, for the removal of the public offices, clerks, and papers, according to their own best judgment, as soon as may be convenient, in such manner that the public offices may be opened in the City of Washington for the despatch of business, by the 15th of June. Printed Source--George...
32From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received but last night your favor of the 4th. The papers containing applications & recommendations for the collectorship of the port of Louisville in Kentucky I have read & agree with you that Mr James McConnel appears to be the person most suitable to receive the appointment to succeed Col. Richard Taylor resigned & you may send him a commission accordingly. I return all these papers &...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 19 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 19, 1800. On September 3, 1800, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I am favoured with your Letters of the 3d. and 19th.” Letter of August 19 not found. ]
34From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Will Channing or Will Chowning I cannot determine which by the hand writing, is most proper to be referred to your consideration. He is or has been deputy collector of at Tappahannock. With sincere regard & MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
35From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [20 November 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Give me leave to remind you of your promise to send me the documents and information which authenticate the situation of Mr. Beaumarchais as to the unaccounted for Million . Allow me also to mention to you another point. I hear there is a plan among the Directors of the Bank to transfer the management of their concerns from the House of Cazenove to that of Baring. When the arrangement was...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 6 June [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
You some time ago put a question to me, which through hurry, I never answered— viz whether there can be any distinction between the provision in the Treaty with Great Britain respecting British debts and that respecting spoliations , as to the power of the Commissioners to re judge the decisions of the Courts . I answer that I can discover none . I am of opinion however that in the exercise of...
37From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th instant with its enclosures, and thank you for both. The President has, in my opinion, placed matters upon their true ground in his speech to Congress. The crisis calls for an unequivocal expression of the public mind, and the Speech will, mediately, or immediately, bring this about. Things ought not, indeed can not remain longer in their present state;...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [8 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 6th & 7. The last announces to me no more than I feared. Nor do I believe any sufficient external impulse can be given to save us from disgrace . This however will be thought of. I regret that you appear remote from the idea of a house tax simply without combining the land. I do not differ from your general principle. The truth is a solid one, that the...
39From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 22 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Petition of Samuel Spring, for a Pardon, of the Crime of forging and passing Counterfeit Bills of the Bank of the United States. The Petition will be better placed among your files than mine: but the offence is of a nature so heinous that without your Advice I shall mitigate nothing of the Punishment. Col Smith writes that he has not received his Commission: I pray you to send it...
40From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you a Commission signed for Moses Robinson Junr, upon your recommendation and that of Mr Jonathan Hunt. I have no difficulty in believing that he may be a good Commissioner. How is Father came to be so wrongheaded I never could account. I have / the Honor to be, Sir your humble / Servant. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
41From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 12 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night I arrived at Col. Smiths, and my Family will probably make this House their home till they can go to Philadelphia with Safety. Your Reasons against convening Congress at any other Place than Philadelphia, have great Weight: but must all be overruled, if the Plague continues in that City. Perhaps it may not be necessary to remove many of the Books and Papers of the Public offices to...
42From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the commissions for William Hunter Cavendish of Virginia & Cornelius Howard of Maryland. I le also inclose to you letters from James Brackenridge Esqr. Robert Gorsuch, Daniel Bowley and have the honor to be Sir / your most &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
43From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 17 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 17, 1800. On December 25, 1800, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your favours of the 16th. & 17th.” Letter of December 17 not found. ]
44From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the Commissions for William Hunter Cavendish of Virginia and Cornelius Howard of Maryland signed, and have the Honor to be, Sir your most &c Also are inclosed letters from James Brackenbridge Esqr Robert Gorsuch & Daniel Rowley. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
45From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the blank e commission, inclosed in your letter of the 23d of July, that you may fill it up with the name of Captain William Taylor of Fredericksburg, in conformity to the recommendation of Gen Thomas Posey, if no other candidate occurs, whose pretensions are superior in your judgment. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
46From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 2 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday, your favor of 25th March, & thank you for the letter inclosed in it to Gen Lincoln. I am glad to learn that the discontents in Northampton are not increasing. I wish the expence of marching a force against the malcontents could be laid upon them alone.—Our elections are supposed to have gone very well.—much better than had been feared and expected. In a violent snowstorm,...
47From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the blank commission signed that you may fill with the name of Alexander Freeland to be collector & inspector of Great egg harbor, if no other candidate presents of superior merit in your estimation. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
48From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you, a day or two ago, on the necessary Article of money: but am afraid I did not express myself with earnestness enough to convey an adequate Idea of my Necessities. This shall be your Warrant for signing a Warrant in my behalf, if that is necessary, for two thousand dollars of my salary, which I pray you to convey to me in Postnotes, on New York, as soon as possible. The Question...
49From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Letter of the 26 of July, I have to inform you that although you omitted to enclose to me the Letter from John Cowper Esq as you intended yet as there are no Candidates for the office, that I know of, who ought to excite any hestitation, I am well Satisfied that you Should apply to the Secretary of State for Commissions for Mr Claude Thompson to be Collector of the Customs...
50From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
In your letter of the 13th. you hint that attempts are makeing to draw into question the solidity of the public credit but you have not explained the particulars and I am at a loss to conjecture the facts which you may allude to. Public credit can never be steady and really solid without a fixed medium of commerce. That we have not such a medium you know has been my opinion for several years....