1981From John Adams to James Oliver, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received with great pleasure your Address of the 14th of this month, and I know not whether any that has been published contains more important matter or juster sentiments. It must be great Perverseness and Depravity in any, who can represent the late Acts of Government, and the necessary measures of Self Defence taken by Congress, as a Coalition with Great Britain. It may be Usefull...
1982From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr. Abiel Foster recommending Edward St loe Livermore to be naval officer at Portsmouth which you will please to weigh with others. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1983To John Adams from John Cheves, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Not being acquainted with the situation of the different ports of our Country; nor the minds of the people; I think it most expedient to send my address to you. I know my intention is honest; but I know also, that every honest intention does not prove advantageous; therefore I wish to have your approbation; which will be manifested, by its appearing in our Public papers— Permit me to Observe,...
1984To John Adams from John Jay, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
During the late special Session of the Legislature of this State an act was passed for the further defence of this State of which a Copy is herewith enclosed.—The first section of this Act appropriates a Sum not exceeding 150,000 Dollars, towards the defence of the City and port of New York, and provides that the said sum shall be expended under the direction of the President of the United...
1985From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 27th I received your favors of the 22d The address from the volunteer company of riflemen of Christiania Hundred in the county of New Castle and state of Deleware, I shall transmit to the Secretary at war to be answered according to laws, rules and usages. The regulations proposed in your letter to Otway Bird, the collector at Norfolk, are prudent and judicious, and ought to be...
1986To John Adams from James W. Head, 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned Officers of the fourth Regiment in the first Brigade of the Eighth Division of the Militia of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having this day convened for the inspection review and discipline of the Regiment, for the first time since the publication of the Dispatches from the Envoys of these States to the Republic of France, take the liberty tho’ at this late period to...
1987To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Having left behind me when I came into Public Service, a Wife & seven Children whom I am anxious to see, and to remove to Philadelphia, as soon as prudence will permit, I have the honor to solicit permission to transfer the duties of my office, to Col. Pickering, about the 15th. or between the 15th. and 20th. October, for about three weeks—Possibly some necessary attention to my private...
1988To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully transmit to the President of the United States the Copy of a Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue dated the 25th. instant, accompanied with a proposal made by John Nivison for building a Light-House on North Island at the entrance of George Town Harbour in the State of South Carolina. This proposal being the most favourable of any that have...
1989From John Adams to James McHenry, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter or address and offer of service from a volunteer company of riflemen in Christiania hundred in the state of Deleware I transmit to you to be answered according to law and our rules and usages I am Sir your most / obedient Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1990From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of Sept 20th and return you the comission for a judge of the supreme court, signed, leaving the name and date blank. You will fill the blank with the name of Marshall, if he will accept it, if not with that of Bushrod Washington. I cannot blame the former if he should decline, of the latter I have always heard the most agreeable accounts. I have also received your...
1991From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Elijah Brewer petitioning for a first lieutenancy in the navy and recommendation from Col Wadsworth and two other respectable gentlemen. It is His experience in service appears to demand deserve attention. I am Sir your most obedient / Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1992From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Kinchen Turner of Virginia requesting to be appointed a commissioner to value lands houses &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1993To John Adams from John Faucheraud Grimké, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is with very sincere pleasure that we forward the presentments made by the Grand Jury of this City and district, at the late Court of Oyer and Jerminer; &c, which commenced its session on the 19th. Instant; and the more especially, as the Grand Inquest have in our opinion, spoken the language of the Citizens of this country, in favor of the late judicious and dicisive measures of the...
1994To John Adams from Samuel Partridge, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the present interesting crisis, We the Grand Jurors of the county of Hampshire ,—convened at Northampton in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at the Session of the Supreme Judicial Court, think it our duty to express our respect for your character, our approbation of your meassures, our confidence in your administration, our determination, to support the Constitution and Laws of our...
1995To John Adams from George Cabot, 29 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
A sincere desire to prevent a possible embarrassment to the administration of our government, & to see preserved entire that influence by which alone the honor & independence of our nation can be maintained, has induced me to trouble you with my thoughts at this time. When the appointments of Major Generals were first known it was readily perceived that the order in which they were made...
1996To John Adams from John Clark, 29 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit you here with enclosed an Address from the Officers of the Division under my Command It is much Sullied and impaired by being Carried to & fro to the different Regimental Reviews was Cheerfully signed by all the Attending Officers except one & he only a Subaltern and I think I may say with truth that all Classes of C with us throughout the division Accord with...
1997To John Adams from James Sullivan, 29 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am very sensible that this is out of proper mode of communication to the President of the United States; but there are certain considerations which I hope will form an apology for the intrusion I have the honor to be / with the most perfect / respect your humble / Servant MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
1998To John Adams from Oliver Whipple, 29 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
You will pardon the frequent Repetition of my Letters: Since I did myself the Honour to write you, on the Death of Mr Russell, late naval Officer, at Portsmouth, I have been informed that several Candidates, have made application to your Excellency to be appointed to that Office. Their Names are, as I hear, Mr Nathaniel Folsom, Jeremiah Libbey & Andrew Halliburton. The first of these Gentlemen...
1999From John Adams to James McHenry, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the Commissions for the three Generals Signed and all dated on the Same Day. I am sir / your most obedient &c DLC : James McHenry Papers.
2000From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 24th and have read carefully all the inclosures. Such as ought to remain in your office I return inclosed in this. There is nothing that require any remarks from me, because I think all is well considered, well done. It may not however be amiss to observe, to Mr. Adams, that he need not be solicitous about his success in making treaties with Prussia and Swedin...
2001From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the full powers to borrow five million and two million signed according to your report made to me and dated the 20th. of September. The duplicates I shall send by another opportunity if those should not arrive to you. This is I suppose as you intended I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2002From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Attention to my request and for the trouble you have taken in writing the Letter &c I hope the Post Office will not be robbed by any of the Societies of Illuminati, German Union, United Irishmen &c who are Said to be so inquisitive in Post offices in America as well as Europe. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
2003To John Adams from Pseudonym: "Verax", 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
That we have One Still day in Seven undisturb’d by Mobbs & Drums & French Irreligion & Fraternity . I as a humble Individual, Thank you in particular Sincerely For, & From Them & Their Infedelity Good Lord deliver Me, & mine for ever & ever Amen!!!—General Smith & Mr: Winchester, are our Candidates,. (No I beg Mr: Winchesters pardon. For He was press’d to come forward by allmost Every...
2004To John Adams from Seth Harding, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 27th. Instant, I had the Honnor to Receive your kind frendley Letter with a Number of Certificates which I Enclosed to your Excelencey Sumtime past the Reason your Letter did not Com to hand before I suppose was on acct. of the Sickness in this City. Sir I am Exceading happy to hear youre Excelency so fulley Sattisfied, in Regard to the Unfaverable Charge Lodged against me—Sir I...
2005To John Adams from Anonymous, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
From a desire of seeing every department of the federal Govt filled by respectable characters I am induced to make an observation or two on the pretensions of the persons who I have heard are candidates for the naval office of this port, vacant by the recent death of the late excellent Mr Russell—Mr. Nath. Folsom, & Capt Geo Turner, I have heard are desirous of obtaining it— From enquiry Sir...
2006To John Adams from Isabella McIntire, September 1798 (Adams Papers)
No circumstance is more shocking than that of being obliged to a stranger for relief; and however conscious I may be of my own innocence and well meaning, the presumption of addressing your Excellence in this manner may be a sufficient reason to prevent my receiving such a share of credit, as were I known to you, I might with justice pretend to. I have had the misfortune to receive an...
2007From John Adams to Nc., Citizens of Newbern, September 1798 (Adams Papers)
An address so cordial and respectful as this from the citizens of Newbern, and your warm approbation of my conduct since I have filled the office of chief magistrate of the United States, I ought to hold in the highest estimation. I was indeed called to it at a crisis fraught with difficulty and danger, when neither skill in the management of affairs, more improved than any I could pretend to,...
2008From John Adams to Daniel Jackson, 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Whenever you shall receive by the orders of the Gov. of this State the possession and command of castle Island you will observe the signals and salutes which have been heretofore used under the government of the State untill you shall receive instructions from the Secretary at War. I am Sir your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2009From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 20 21st & 24 of Sept. I am sorry that Capt. Barry has not fully answered your expectations—but I hope you will soon send him out again. The hurricanes are now passed and there is no longer danger from them. We must sweep the West India seas and get as many of the French seamen as they are called whether they are Italians, Spaniards, Germans or negroes as we...
2010From 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...
2011From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
By virtue of the Act entituled “An Act making certain appropriations; and to authorize the President to obtain a loan on the credit of the direct tax.” 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...
2012From 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...
2013To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit to your consideration two letters from Edward Carrington Esquire, dated September 20th & 22d.—a letter from D. Stephenson Esquire dated September 6th.—a letter from John Haymond Esquire, dated September 4th:—also a letter from Thomas Tinsley Esquire—dated September 22d. 1798. The opinions of Colo: Carrington, Supervisor, and Thomas Tinsley Esquire, the Commissioner...
2014To John Adams from James Wilson, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Officers of the second Lincoln regiment of Militia in the State of North Carolina, in Court Martial met at Lincolnton on the 2d. of October 1798. Resolve that Colo. James Wilson be requested to prepare and send forward an address to the President of the United States expressive of our approbation of the measures adopted by the Executive respecting our differences with the French Republic....
2015To John Adams from William Falkener, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Having been requested to forward the Address of the Volunteer Horse Association of the County of Warren (State of No Carolina) and suspecting before it could reach Philadelphia you might probably depart that City, I enclosed it under Cover to Col. Jos. Habersham, Post-Master General, who did me the Favour to acknowledge the Receipt thereof, and also assur’d me it should be immediately...
2016From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of Sept. 27 & with pleasure agree to your plan of a visit to your family, whom I hope you will find in perfect health and remove to Philadelphia, when that city shall be healthy. I am assured glad that Mr Pickering can find time to do the business in your absence. The plan of naval opperations which you have suggested is quite agreeable to me. We must not suffer our...
2017From John Adams to Samuel Partridge, 3 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received, with much pleasure your Address of the 28 of September from Northampton. The Manifestation of your Respect, Approbation, and Confidence are very flattering to me, and your determination to support the Constitution and Laws of your Country is honourable to yourselves. If a new order of Things has commenced, it behooves us to be cautious that it may not be for the worse. If the...
2018From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 3 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Duplicate of a Letter from Miranda with some Estimates. Read it and think of it. A number of questions and considerations over . We are Friends with Spain. If We were Ennemies, would the Project be usefull to us.—It will not be in for me to answer the Letter. Will any Notice of it, in any manner be proper. I shall send it by Mr. Humphreys, with Mr. Gerrys Papers. I am &c. MHi :...
2019From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr. Millers report of September 23d relative to a light house near the entrance of George Town harbour in the state of South Carolina approved. I have The honor to be Sir your humble / servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2020To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 3 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the duplicate of my letter of the 24th ulto. To John Q. Adams Esqr. our minister at Berlin, which, if approved, you will be pleased to seal and forward in some vessel from Boston bound to England or Hamburg: if to England, permit me to suggest the expediency of putting it under cover to Mr. King. The original will go this week from New York in the British packet. If you wish any...
2021To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a letter—dated September 24th. from John Nivison Esquire a respectable Gentleman of Norfolk—and another of the same date from Colo. J. Parker, informing me of the death of Thomas Bourne Collector of the Customs for the District of South Quay, and Inspector of the same port in Virginia.— I know nothing of Mr. Dorton who is recommended by Colo. Parker. Mr. Nivison’s...
2022From John Adams to James McHenry, 4 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations for the Army of a Major McFarland, and two Mr Eatons whose names will be entered and Pretensions considered in Course. I am sir your most humble DLC : James McHenry Papers.
2023To John Adams from Daniel Jackson, 4 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the second day of October Instant, I took possession of this Place, agreeably to the Orders, which I had heretofore received. And with as little ceremony, considering where the importance of the Fortress, as could be obscured on such occasion, owing principally as I conceive to the former Commander— The Governor of the Commonwealth, together with Genl. Davis expressed a wish to the late...
2024To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
As the information contained in the inclosed letter from Theodore Foster esqr. may possibly become a subject of public speculation, I think it proper to lay it before you. My information of Gerbier’s enquiry of the Christian name of Mr. Foster comes from our consul at the Cape, who knew not the object of the enquiry. Mr. Foster’s letter explains it. I also have the honour to inclose a copy of...
2025From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Recommendations of Rufus Graves and Joseph Dunham, from Mr Freeman and Letters from themselves requesting Appointments in the Army. And some notes of Observations made to me verbally and put down on paper at my desire, which you may consider at present and return to me when I meet you again, if ever DLC : James McHenry Papers.
2026From John Adams to Stephen Jones, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and considered your your elegant Address of the 10th. of August. Although you reside in a remote Part of the United States it is very manifest you have not been inattentive or indifferent Spectators of the dangerous Encroachment of a foreign Nation. You are of Opinion that no Connection with the present Governors of that Nation or their Agents ought to be Sought, or desired....
2027From John Adams to Nathaniel Kezer, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Address adopted at a legal Town Meeting on the 20. of September. which is not the less Acceptable or important for the lateness of its date. The numerous Addresses of my fellow Citizens, while they have been to me a delightful source of consolation, have demonstrated to the World that our Country abounds in every Part of it, not only with Citizens of exalted Virtues, and...
2028To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was honoured with your letters of the 28th, 29th & 30th ult. The instructions proposed to guard against abuses in granting licences to carry away French people, shall be conveyed to every Collector to whom a license shall in future be transmitted: I have kept two in suspense until I should receive your determination. Within two or three days past you will find that I sent a...
2029To John Adams from John Steele, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to present you the enclosed address from the Guilford regiment of Militia in North Carolina. There is one circumstance respecting it which I take pleasure in mentioning; the Muster was held, and the address agreed to on the very spot of ground where the memorable battle was fought between the American and British armies commanded by General Greene, and Lord Cornwallis on the 15th....
2030To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Capt Nicholson of the 26 & 27 Septr—which I had the mortification to receive last evening. There seems to be no calculating the evils of his first false step. His letter of the 12th. exhibitted a very strong disposition to remain in port, to secure at all events, his prize—rut the Return into port of the Vessel which he Idly supposed had been sent out...