1From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 March 1795 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your Acquaintance and civilities Benjamin Beal Junr. Esqr., a Son of my next Neighbour. This young Gentleman has been educated at our University and to the Law in the Practice of which he has Spent Some years but finding the Multiplication of Professors in proportion to the diminution of the Business, he has thought proper to turn his Attention to travail and to trade...
2From John Adams to James Monroe, 25 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday I received the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 11 of this month, informing me that the Legislature of Virginia by a law passed in 1798, authorized its chief magistrate to cede to the United States the Marine hospital at Norfolk on condition they pay to the contractor, the ballance which was then due him, by the commissioners under whose authority he had...
3From John Adams to James Monroe, 25 May 1811 (Adams Papers)
I have received, Letters from my Family at St. Petersbourg, at two Several Times, under the Seal of The Department of State, and honoured with the Frank of your Name. I ought to have acknowledged the first by the return of the Post: but I hope you will excuse that omission and Accept my Thanks for both at once. I wish you Sir, in your important and difficult office, all the Honour, Comfort and...
4From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for The Copy of The Presidents Message, and for the Volume of Documents. They do great honour to The President, to his Ministers and Ambassadors: and I rejoice in the Appearance of unanimity they have produced in Congress and in The Nation: which not withstanding all the apprehensions representations and Threats of Divisions, is greater than I have ever known in America for fifty...
5From John Adams to James Monroe, 7 May 1812 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the 27 Ap. accompanied with one from St Petersbourg, for which, as well as for another which I received Sometime Since; and neglected to acknowledge, I pray you to accept my thanks. I am Sorry you had a moment’s uneasiness on account of the Accident you mention. I wish you had read the whole letter, not for any information in it, but to make you Smile at the...
6From John Adams to James Monroe, 23 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Does History or Experience, afford an Example, of Such a Phenomenon, as this, now exhibited to Mankind, by our pious, virtuous and patriotic American Republick, whether We view it as a federative Republick, or whether We consider the Single and Simple Parts that compose the whole? The dread, of Taxes, to which all Mankind have a natural Antipathy; the hatred of War, which is Stronger in the...
7From John Adams to James Monroe, 23 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 15th, and the able Report of the Committee of foreign relations, and a very conciliatory Bill for the regulation of Seamen &c. I call it conciliatory, because in Theory it Should appear to be So; and because I believe it was sincerely intended to be so. The views were upright and the Motives pure, which produced it, I have no doubt. But will the present...
8From John Adams to James Monroe, 20 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 10th. of this month has laid me under very great Obligations to you. No intelligence could be more agreable to me, than the information, that the conduct of my Son has the entire approbation of The President. As a public Man I have no views for him, but to such Services as The President Shall assign him. As a private person, though his absence and the loss of his Society is...
9From John Adams to James Monroe, 28 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the frank and friendly communication in your kind letter of the 19th. of the Arrangement for the Negotiations at St. Petersburg. I have no Objection to make to it. The Points of Rank and Ettiquette, of Such vast acknowledged importance in Europe, and felt by every Man in America to be more consequence here than any Man will acknowledge; are So unsettled in this Country, that I...
10From John Adams to James Monroe, 21 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
As you have many Years to live, and are likely to have Buissness enough to do with your Countrymen as long as you live: I Shall claim a merit rather than make an Apology for introducing to you George Ticknor Esqr a Schollar, a Lawyer and a Gentlemen very greatly esteemed in this northern Region. Knowing the imensity of your Burthens at this time I have no wish to increase them: but knowing...
11From John Adams to James Monroe, 1 March 1816 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for the Presidents message, and for a pacquet from our fellow Citizen La Fayette. I have also the honour to enclose a letter from C H Robbins, in favour of his brother. There Robinses, are Sons of our once Lieutenant Governor, now Judge of Probate. They are respectable people & have respectable connections. You probably know mr Forbes. There may be many applications from...
12From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
Although, our good old Massachusetts, has encore quelques Prejuges; yet I find that all our liberal minded Men have a Strong desire to See our past present and future Presidents. They hesitate not to ask me for Introductions; and I hesitate not to give them; knowing as I do the past, present and future President to be as liberal Men as themselves. They all return So full of Gratitude for their...
13From John Adams to James Monroe, 17 December 1816 (Adams Papers)
All our intelligent Travellers to Washington, I find have an ambition to See both the present, and future President of the United States. I beg leave to introduce to you Colonelt William Sumner and his Sister, Miss Elizabeth Sumner, Children of our late Governor Sumner. Col Sumner has not only the Advantages of the best public Education at Colledge, and the Bar, but of many years service in...
14From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
From the tenderness of Friendship and the Weakness of Compassion and humanity, I have promised two Gentlemen to mention their names to you, as Candidates for Mr Daltons late Office, Captain Tucker and Mr Deblois. A Friendship of forty Years with the former, and of fifty Six years with Mr Dalton have deeply interested my Feelings in behalf of both these Gentlemen. But what Signify Feelings when...
15From John Adams to James Monroe, 23 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
From the tenderness of friendship, & the weakness of compassion & humanity, I have promised two gentlemen to mention their names to you as Candidates for mr Daltons late office. Captain Tucker and mr Deblois. A friendship of 40 years with the former & of 56 years with the mr Dalton have deeply interested my feelings in behalf of both these gentlemen. But what signifies feelings when I know...
16From John Adams to James Monroe, 27 June 1817 (Adams Papers)
Another application has been made to me by Mr Elbridge Gerry, the oldest Son of the late Vice President, for a recommendation to the office of Surveyor in Boston. How can I recollect, the laborious Services, the great Sacrifices of a Gerry for forty years, and the destitute Circumstances of his Widow and Children, without Emotion. I told him I had mentioned the Names of Tucker and Deblois;...
17From John Adams to James Monroe, 7 July 1817 (Adams Papers)
In the good old English Language of your Virginian and my New England Ancestors, I am right glad to See you in the oldest Plantation, in old Massachusetts, next to Salem, where you will be recd with more Splendor and I hope with equal Cordiallity. MHi : Elizabeth Smith Scrapbook; Smith-Townsend Family Papers.
18From John Adams to James Monroe, 4 February 1818 (Adams Papers)
I should ask leave without scruple to transmit the enclosed letter to you were it not for the foolish compliment in it to my pretended influence, which you know to be unfounded & therefore may pass over with a smile. I do not hesitate to comply with his request, by enclosing a copy of a letter, I wrote to Mr Madison, on the 2nd. February 1813 nor scruple to say that no opinion or sentiment in...
19From John Adams to James Monroe, 19 June 1819 (Adams Papers)
For the last twenty years I have made it a rule to interfere as little as possible with public affairs. but an occation now presents in which I think it my duty to make a frank, a Candid, a Submissive representation to you—if the Treaty with Spain returns ratifyed there will be commissioners appointed to adjust the claims for Spoilations on our Commerce—there is a Gentleman who I recommend to...
20From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1819 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic effluvia of blossoms and roses to Such a degree as to deprive me of the Sight of letters and the feeling of a pen: I Should have long Since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the thirteenth of the month. It is perfectly Satisfactory to me, and it ought to be So and I presume will be So to Dr Waterhouse. I am hapy to hear that your heal t...
21From John Adams to James Monroe, 3 November 1819 (Adams Papers)
Will you please to accept a morsel of rusty Antiquity, which I know you cannot and ought not to be read, because your time is imperiously demanded for occupations more important to your Country and Mankind, as well as to yourself. Your learned, and Ingenious Son-in Law Mr Hay, may possibly have a curiosity to look into it—to him I pray you to present my Respectful Complements.— And believe me...
22From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I ought not o have delaid an acknowledgement of your favour of February 20th. and the Volume of the Journal of the Federal Convention which attended it—The Volume shows that our present inestimable Constitution cost the Venerable Characters who composed it—much anxiety, debate, and difficulty—But a Candid and liberal disposition on all hands resulted in the—“preclarum singulare quiet”—which we...
23From John Adams to James Monroe, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to have delaid an acknowledgement of your favour of February 20th. and the Volume of the journal of the Federal Constitution Convention which attended it—the Volume shows that our present inestimable Constitution cost the venerable Characters—who composed it—much anxiety and debate and but a Candid and liberal disposition on all hands, resulted in the “preclarum singulare...
24From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Of the multitude of applications to me for Letters of Introduction and recommendation to the President and Heads of departments, in favour of candidates for Office, I have for a long time Sternly, and Sometimes almost cinically refused them all. But the enclosed letter from Dr Waterhouse has so tenderly affected me that I cannot resist my feelings and Inclination to transmit it to you. I...
25From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic iffluvia of blossoms and roses to such a degree as to deprive me of the right of letters and the feeling of a pen: I should have long since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the 13th of the month. it is perfectly satisfactory to me and it ought to be so and I presume will be so to Dr Waterhouse. I am happy to hear that your health is...
26From John Adams to James Monroe, 15 November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr Ticknor and his Lady. This Gentleman is a Professor at our University in Cambridge, and one of the most conspicuous Literary Characters in this State, he has been for several years intimately acquainted with Mr Jefferson, and is highly esteemed by him. I believe he has been acquainted with Mr Madison he proposes to visit Montpelier as well as Montecello in the...
27From John Adams to James Monroe, November 1824 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr Ticknor & his Lady, this Gentleman is a Professor at our University in Cambridge and one of the most Conspicuous Literary Characters in this State, he has been for several years intimately acquainted with Mr Jefferson and is highly esteemed by him I believe he has been acquainted with Mr Madison, & he proposes to visit him Montpelier as well as well as...
28From Abigail Smith Adams to James Monroe, 3 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
upon the 23d of Feb’ry mr Adams addrest a Letter to you, and inclosed a private Letter from my Son at St Petersburgh to me, requesting a return of it by the next Mail. as the Letter has not been received I presume in the multiplicity of buisness, It has been forgotten. You will oblige me by sending it, and at the same time do me the favour to forwarding the packet which accompanies this Letter...
29From Abigail Smith Adams to James Monroe, 20 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have this day the pleasure of your Letter of April 10th with the inclosure. The intelligence you have been pleased to communicate to mr Adams, and to me, occasion many reflections in my mind. But with respect, to the path of Duty before me, I have not any hesitation. Early taught to relinquish all personal considerations and enjoyments, at the call of my Country, Surrounded with a young...
30From William Steuben Smith to James Monroe, 4 May 1815 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to state my arrival at this place on the 2nd. instant, returning from St. Petersburg in Russia, where I have been performing the duties of Secretary of Legation, during the residence of Mr. Adams at that Court; and who, upon the receipt of the orders of his Government to repair to Gothenburg, for the purpose of becoming a Member of a Commission to negotiate a Treaty of Peace...
31From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to James Monroe, 17 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
At the risk of incurring the anger of my husband, and under the apprehension of your displeasure; I am obliged by the ties of nature which are more powerful than either of these circumstances however painful, to solicit your aid and compassion for my Sister, whose situation fills me with alarm and dread. Mr: Boyd who was formerly at the head of the wa Pension Office, in a moment of anguish at...
32From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, and Abraham B. Venable, [17] December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On reflection, I deem it adviseable for me to have Copies of the several papers which you communicated to me in our interview on Saturday evening, including the notes, and the fragment of Mr. Reynolds’ letter to Mr. Clingman. I therefore request that you will either cause copies of these papers to be furnished to me, taken by the person in whose hand writing the declarations which you shewed...
33From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 11 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the paper which Mrs. De Talleyrand & De Beaumez were to hand you through me. You observe they have foreborne to insert any but females. The object, I am sure, will interest your good offices, as far as shall consist with your situation & with propriety. I confirm to you what they say on the subject of money. With good wishes, consideration, & esteem I remain, Sir Your obed ser ALS ,...
34Enclosure, [11 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr de Talleyrand and Mr de Beaumez have their Relations in France; none of whom have been accused. But they are arrested as having been heretofore Nobles, without any other suspicion as to their private characters. If they were under accusation, Mr de Talleyrand and Mr de Beaumez would not entreat the interest of Mr Monroe in their favour. As suspicions to which men are liable, may be of more...
35From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 12 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The obtaining of Information concerning the point, to which these Papers relate, is of material importance to this Department and to the public service & as such is particularly recommended to the attention of Mr. Monroe. The late Secretary of State wrote to Mr. Morris on the subject but I know not whether the papers got to hand. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. This letter concerns...
36Enclosure: Francisco de Miranda to James Monroe, 2 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Ce n’est que dans le moment que je reçois Votre lettre du 17 mars. Mr. Prévost qui me l’envoie m’explique ainsi l’objet de Votre sollicitude: “the papers alluded to in the within note (votre lettre) are those which respect a negotiation with Mr. Pitt; confided to Mr. Miranda Some time Since by Messieurs hamilton and Knox, the object of which was to adopt Some effectual measure to liberate...
37From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In a pamphlet lately published entitled “No V of the History of the United States for 1796 &c” are sundry papers respecting the affair of Reynolds , in which you once had an agency, accompanied with these among other comments—“They (certain attacks on Mr Monroe) are ungrateful, because he displayed on an occasion that will be mentioned immediately, the greatest lenity to Mr. Alexander...
38Enclosure: [Declaration of Messrs. Monroe Mughlenburgh and Venable], [5 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
“That they regretted the trouble and uneasiness which they had occasionned to me in consequence of the Representations made to them—That they were perfectly satisfied with the explanation I had given and that there was nothing in the transaction which ought to affect my character as a public Officer or lessen the public Confidence in my Integrity.” AD , The Library, Lehigh University,...
39From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 8 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I request to be informed whether the paper numbered V dated Philadelphia the 15 of December 1792 published partly in the fifth and partly in the sixth number of “The History of the United States for 1796” and having the signatures of James Monroe, Abraham Venable and F A Mughlenberg is the copy of a genuine original. I am Sir Yr. humble servt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For...
40From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton requests an interview with Mr. Monroe at any hour tomorrow forenoon which may be convenient to him. Particular reasons will induce him to bring with him a friend to be present at what may pass. Mr. Monroe, if he pleases, may have another. AL , University of Rochester Library. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797 . See...
41From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, [17 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have your letter of this date. It gives me pleasure to receive your explanation of the ambiguous phraze in the paper No V., published with your signatures and that of Mr Venable, and your confirmation of the fact, that my explanation had been satisfactory to you. You express your surprise at the contents of a paper in the Gazette of the U. States of the 8 instant. If you will review that...
42From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [17 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I send herewith an answer to the joint letter of Mr. Mughlenberg and yourself. It appears to me on reflection requisite to have some explanation on the note of January 2. 1793 with your signature and It may be inferred, from the attention to record the information of Clingman therein stated after what had passed between us, that you meant to give credit and sanction to the suggestion that the...
43From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [18 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of yesterday in answer to mine of the same date was received last night. I am sorry to say, that as I understand it, it is unsatisfactory. It appears to me liable to this inference, that the information of Clingman had revived the suspicions which my explanation had removed. This would include the very derogatory suspicion, that I had concerted with Reynolds not only the...
44From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 20 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last letter to you I proposed a simple and direct question, to which I had hoped an answer equally simple and direct. That which I have received, though amounting, if I understand it, to an answer in the negative, is conceived in such circuitous terms as may leave an obscurity upon the point which ought not to have remained. In this situation, I feel it proper to tell you frankly my...
45From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [22 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have maturely considered your letter of yesterday delivered to me at about Nine last and cannot find in it cause of satisfaction. There appears to me in the first place an attempt to prop the veracity of Clingman by an assertion which is not correct, namely that I had acknowleged all his previous information to be true. This was not & could not be the fact. I acknowleged parts of it to be...
46From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 28 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 25 instant reached me yesterday. Without attempting to analize the precise import of your expressions, in that particular, and really at a loss for your meaning when you appeal to my knowlege of a determination to which you say you should firmly adhere, I shall observe, in relation of the idea of my desiring to make the affair personal between us, that it would be no less...
47From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 4 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In my opinion the idea of a personal affair between us ought not to have found a place in your letters or it ought to have assumed a more positive shape. In the state to which our correspondence had brought the question, it lay with you to make the option whether such an issue should take place. If what you have said be intended as an advance towards it, it is incumbent upon me not to decline...
48From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 9 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The intention of my letter of the 4th instant, as itself imports, was to meet and close with an advance towards a personal interview, which it appeared to me had been made by you. From the tenor of your reply of the 6th, which disavows the inference I had drawn, any further step on my part, as being inconsistent with the ground I have heretofore taken, would be improper. I am Sir Your humble...
49From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [January 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
A resolution long formed to act with deliberation in any case which should involve the extremity, to which I am now driven, has occasionned me to defer my reply to your letter of the first instant. Though I have it in my power completely to satisfy any candid mind, that I never give a shadow of cause for the resentment you avow; yet the indelicate doubt of the veracity of my representation to...
50From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [8 August 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 8, 1797. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by John Heise, Syracuse, New York, 1921, Catalogue S5, Item 9.