Answers of John Adams to Interrogatories transmitted to him in a Letter of General Wilkinson of the 2nd of October. 1811.

1 Answer to the first Interrogatory, I have copied with my own hand from the original letter in General Hamiltons handwriting now before me the whole of that Letter. The copy attested by me is enclosed with this and is marked No. 3.

2. Answer to the second Interrogatory. While I had the honor to be Vice President and afterwards, I heard many severe things said in public and private concerning General Wilkinson, which gave me much concern because such Rumours, Suspicions, and Insinuations concerning an Officer of his rank, services, and situation, had a tendency to injure the public service in the Army and bring dishonour on the Government that employed him. I therefore discouraged no means that were employed to investigate the truth. But as no evidence was ever produced to me, which could justify any presumption or as I thought reasonable suspicion of his guilt of any illicit or corrupt connection with the Spanish Government of Louisiana either during the Administration of General Washington or that of his successor, I considered those rumours as Calumnies and continued General Wilkinson in service, as long as it depended upon me.

I cannot venture to descend to particulars merely on Memory, and no written Documents are at present within my reach.