101From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 28 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter of Judge Iredell, by which it appears that Judge Ire Wilson died on the night of the 21st of Augt. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr Desdoity which I request you to answer according to law and usage. Another from RB Forbes which I request you to note & file for consideration in due season. I received last night from the post office in Boston a bundle of addresses like the...
102From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of Oct. 18. And pray you when you see General Pinckney to congratulate him for me on his arrival; but I would not wish him to think of a Journey here to see me. I shall see him I hope eer long at Trenton or Philadelphia. The two Letters returned in yours are important. The first has made a great Impression on me. Inclosed is another Letter which I pray you to decypher,...
103From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank Mr Bordley kindly for his book, & you for your care and trouble in sending it.—I have a great opinion of Mr. Bordleys experience, skill & knowledge in husbandry, & should have great delight in trying his experriments, if I were not obliged to recollect & apply to myself, president Washingtons words to me, a few days before he went out & I came in. Sir I have read nothing these eight...
104From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received late last Evening your favour of the 31st. of July, inclosing a triplicate of Mr. Murrays Letter of the 17th. of May and a Copy certified by Mr. Murray on the 18th. of May, of a Letter of Ch. Man. Talleyrand dated Paris le 23 Floreal de l’an 7 de la Republique Francaise une et indivisible. Sovereign to Sovereign, and Minister to Minister is a Maxim in the Cabinets of Europe, and...
105From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 26 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you, for the Summary in your Letter of the 23d. of the dispaches from Mr Pinckney, Mr Murray, Mr Bulkley &c. Mr Murray arrived in Season to renew his old Friendship with his Predecessor. They had spent Some weeks together at the Hague, more than a dozen years ago. Mr Adams had an opportunity to introduce Mr Murray to his Friends and to communicate to him the train of Affairs,...
106From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is an extract of a private letter from Gov Wentworth to Mr. McDonald the British consul at Boston. You may shew it confidentially to Mr. Liston & your colleagues. It is so consistent with all our intelligence from St Domingo, that it made an impression upon me. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
107From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Department of War being absent from the seat of government, I do hereby, in conformity with the Act of Congress passed the 8th: of May 1792, authorize you to perform the duties of his Office, during his Absence.— CSmH .
108From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 28 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 21st. thank you for the intelligence & rejoice that our affairs with Algiers are no worse. Your other letter of the same date arrived at the same time. I have read the papers relative to Mr Daniel Hawley and agree with you in opinion that there is evidence of unskillfulness in business at least enough to justify us in looking for a more adroit consul or...
109From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 12th. which with all its inclosures shall be sent to the Attorney of the district that he may investigate the facts & make report to me. Every complaint of the kind from the British minister shall be treated with great respect and examined with the utmost candor, being from inclination as well as a sense of duty, disposed to cultivate the best...
110From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 4 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have read all the Dispatches inclosed in your favour of Aug 26 and have now time only to thank you and Col. McHenry for your Vigilant Attention and judicious Execution of all the Business relative to them. Your Letter to the Chevalier de Yrujo dated the 8 of August I have read with some Attention. The quotations and References I presume to be exact, and the Fact of his Intimacy with Blount,...
111From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 19th last night and have read the inclosures. Dr. Rushes letter gives me pleasure, because the number of dissappointed candidates is diminished by it by one. Mr. Sitgreaves letter is frank, candid and agreeable; but although this gentleman has merit and talents, held in high esteem by his country, as well as by me, I cannot help thinking that a few years...
112From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 31 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your letter of yesterday I take this———early opportunity to inform you, that the determination of the President, is not at present to remove Mr. Pintard from his consulship at Madeira. I return you to be filed in your office, the respectable recommendations of Mr. Lamer & have the honor to be Sir / your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
113From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 30 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition from American seamen on board the Carnatic Capt. Loring in Jamaica. I pray you to write pressingly to Mr. Savage, to demand Habeas corpuses for them if no other means will do. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
114From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from Major McFarland, a meritorious old officer & as I have always understood an amiable, irreproachable character, though unfortunate & in distress. I pray you to attend to this thing, as soon as possible & if any thing is wanting to procure him a patent, to inform him or me of it, as soon as possible, for he has no time to loose MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
115From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 11 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is the Commission to Mr Sitgreaves no communication was ever made by me or by my desire to that Gentleman of my thoughts of appointing him. but all things considered it appears to me we cannot do better. Mr Potts and Mr Parsons are very capable: but the first is not so active and resolute the last has other objections to him, the s t rongest of which is his Position in the Union— I am...
116From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
As the Session of Congress draws nigh, I pray you to favour me with your sentiments concerning the Communication necessary to be made to Congress of the State of the Nation, and particularly a concise narration of the Proceedings with St Domingo and the Isle of France. It may be doubtful however whether any thing need be said at present, on the last. A very succinct Account of the Invitation...
117From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received but last night your favor of the 18th. I return the commission signed for Mr John Moreton, as consul at Havanna—the copy of your projected letter to the Govenor, to which I see no objection, & all the letters & papers of Mr. Iznardi. Considering the conduct of Mr Iznardi, as represented in his own letters, it has been zealous & meritorious, although there are marks of credulity. But...
118From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 8 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letters & documents from Samuel Cooper Esqr I transmit at the request of Mr. William Shaw, now of this town & my near neigbor. I pray you to convey them by the first opportunity to Mr. King, with a request to him, to obtain the discharge of this gentlemen as soon as possible. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
119From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
One Bundle of the inclosed Papers belongs to your Department and the other to that of the Secretary of War. The original of the latter I have before sent on to Mr McHenry. I pray you to consult with him upon the subject of both: and write such answers to his Excellency Governor Jackson as shall be thought proper. Perhaps something should be written to Col. Humphrys, if not to Mr Yrujo, upon...
120From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last night Mr Amory & Mr Gardner came out to Quincy to shew me the original letters from the houses of Horsyth Smith & Co. and Hartshone & Boggs of Halifax, suggesting from Admiral Vandeput the idea of a convoy from Halifax in the fall, spring & midsummer. I pray you to consult with the other gentlemen especially the Secretary of the navy concerning the practicability utility & necessity &...
121From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr Stodderts recommendation of Mr James Reid of New Hampshire to be Vice Consul at Canton, inclosed in your Letter of the 21. and returned in this, is sufficient for my satisfaction, provided you know of no other candidate of greater merit, or Superiour qualifications. You may therefore make out his Commission as soon as you please. I have the honor to be, Sir, your / most obedient NNGL .
122From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Copies of Letters I have received from David Leonard Barnes, the District. Attorney of Rhode Island. Tho they have been sent to you before, they were to me, there are so many french Villanies committed in the Post Offices, I think it necessary to send them again that there may be one chance more of their reaching you. What can be done with these Wretches? I have the Honor to be...
123From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the Eleventh. I wish I understood, better than I do, the Conduct both of General Pinckney and Mr Gerry. I shall not be guilty of So much affectation of regard to Science, as to be very Willing to grant Passports to Dupont De Nemours or any other French Philosophers, in the present Situation of our Country. We have had too many French Philosophers already: and I...
124From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received two letters from you of the 29th June—one concerning Govenor Davie which I am glad to see tho it requires no answer—the other relative to Mr Savage in Jamaica to whom I am glad you have determined to send authority as agent MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
125From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your answer to the Address from Virginia, concinnate and consummate. My Secretary gave a hint of it to Mrs. Adams and She insisted upon his bringing it to her Bedside and reading it to her. She desires me to tell you, that weak and low as She is She has spirit enough left to be delighted with it. She says it is the best answer to an Address that ever was written and worth all that ever...
126From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 7th. and the duplicate of it, and that of the ninth, with their Enclosures, I received last night— Dr Rush has so many motives to wish that Congress may assemble in Philadelphia, that his Testimony must be weighed with certain Grains of allowance. It is but a small consolation to the Senators and Representatives of the United States to say that the malignant Contagion is but...
127From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 1 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return inclosed the commission for Mr. Reid & General Pinckneys letter with all the papers attending it. Though the information obtained from the prisoners at Charleston is not very material, the gentleman who wrote the intelligence from Hamburgh deserves praise, because the mystery assumed by the mulattoes &c gave just cause of suspicion. The congregation of negroes and mulattoes at the...
128From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose a letter from Joshua Lamson soliciting an appointment, as consul or Vice consul at Trieste. Mr. Lamson has been handsomely recommended to me. I pray you to record him as a candidate for enquiry. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
129From 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...
130From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 25 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this day received your Favors of the 18th & 20 of this month. Inclosed are the twelve permits signed. When I shall be able to attend to the addresses and other things, I know not. Mrs. Adams is extremely low and in great danger. My attention to business cannot be without distraction, while her life is so precarious, as it is in the judgement of all her friends and physicians. I hope...
131From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 23 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States proposes to the Consideration of the heads of Departments a Subject which although at first view it may appear of inconsiderable Moment, will upon more mature reflection be found to be of some difficulty but of great importance to the honor Dignity and Consistency of the Government. In every Government of Europe I believe there is a Gazette in the Service of...
132From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of the 5th: The Blank Commissions inclosed I return signed. I also return Mr. King’s and Mr. Humphreys Letters. I am anxious to receive the Result of the Conference with Mr. Liston, Gen. Maitland & Colo. Grant and their written propositions— I have the honor to be, Sir / Your very humble Servt. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
133From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the papers inclosed in your favor of the 4th. relative to the consulship at the Havanna and am very well satisfied with the recommendation of Mr John Moreton, whose commission may be prepared for him when you think fit. As I am preparing to attend the funeral of my esteemed relation & beloved Gov Sumner, I have not time at present to advert to any other matters in your late...
134From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 14th & 15th. The letter to Govenor Sumner, I will send to his Excellency. I feel very sensibly the obligations of the US to Mr Liston to his royal highness, Prince Edward & to Sir John Wentworth for their civility and kindness & shall accept the loan of the cannon and shot upon the terms you propose. Mr Stoddert will take the earliest opportunity to give...
135From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition of George Schaffer Daniel Swarts, Henry Stahler, Christian Rhodes & Henry Shafford for a pardon of their crimes to which is subjoined a petition in their favor signed by many. I pray you to consider this with a number of others I sent you sometime ago & say whether I ought to give any answer. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
136From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 6th. and considered the copy of instructions to Mrs. King, which have been examined and unanimously approved by the heads of departments. I am very well satisfied with them on the whole though, I wish that in the tenth article, you would introduce another idea in corroboration. As a principal mean of annoying a maratime commercial ennemy would be our...
137From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 25 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr Adams’s letter No 128 and the document inclosed in it. I congratulate you on Gen Pinckneys arrival and condole with you on Gen. Marshalls erroneous answers to his catechist. An account of the conduct of the French in overturning the government of Switzerland, written by Sir Francis D’Ivernois has been published in one of the Boston papers. Perhaps that which you have received...
138From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
According to your request in your favour of the 9th. I inclose your Letter to Mr King N. 7 and remain, Sir your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
139From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 24th of July, inclosing an Aurora of July 24th imbued with rather more impudence than is common to that Paper. Is there any Thing evil in the Regions of Actuality or Possibility, that the Aurora has not suggested of me? You may depend upon it, I disdain to Attempt a vindication of myself against any of the Lies of the Aurora as much as any man concerned in the...
140From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was not till last night that I received your favours of the 5. of the month. I am happy to learn that your Family and office are removed to Trenton, which I hope will proove a Place of Safety from the Contagion of the Plague of Philadelphia, as it is a well chosen Situation for the Business of your office. Dr. Way, I knew not: but his Character is such as excites a deep regret for his...
141From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had last night your favor of 18th. The misapprehension of Dr Steephens is to me altogether unaccountable—but I presume Mr. Listons letter will correct the error of Gen. Maitland. Lest the copy you have sent to the collector should miscarry I have sent one of your declarations to Gen Lincoln. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
142From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 16 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 11th and return you three warrants signed, which you may fill up for Gen. Collot, Mr. Sweitzer & the person mentioned in Mr. Kings letter if he is to be found. I could trust the heads of departments with this power rather than my own judgment. But I think we ought to give the act a strict construction and therefore doubt the propriety of delegating the...
143From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 24 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests The Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury The Secretary of War, and the Attorney General to take into their Consideration, the State of the Nation and its foreign Relations, especially with France. These indeed may be so connected with those as with England, Spain, Holland, and others, that perhaps the former cannot be well weighed...
144From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 24 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
My reverend neigbor and worthy friend Mr. Weld of Braintree has written me a note which I enclose. As Mr. Weld is so good a man and so sound a citizen, tho not very opulent I wish him all the advantages of his invention and pray you to send a patent to me to be signed if you have no special objection against it. To Mr. Welds letter is added a recommendation of Mr. Seth Noble to be a chaplain....
145From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 9 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests the Company of the Secretary of State, with the Heads of Departments, tomorrow Evening at Six of OClock and requests the Secretary to bring with him a Copy of the Instructions to our late Envoys to France. MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers.
146From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of yesterday was brought to me to day at Dinner, a very pleasing Circumstance as it Shews the practicability of quick and frequent Intercourse between us.— The Chevalier de Yrujo’s Letter you mention, I shall probably have an Opportunity to See, as soon as I wish and therefore shall Say nothing to it at present.— I wish the Person, whoever he was, that undertook to publish your...
147Enclosure: 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...
148From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received a long letter from Mr. Gerry of the 24th of July with papers inclosed numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 besides another paper of extracts of letters. I enclose extracts of his letter together with all the numbers & his paper of extracts. These numbers & last extracts I pray you to return to me, when you have made all the uses of them you wish.—These papers I think will convince you as...
149From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was not till last night that I received your favors of the 5th of the month. I am happy to learn that your family and office are removed to Trenton, which I hope will prove a place of safety from the contagion of the plague of Philadelphia, as it is a well-chosen situation for the business of your office. Dr. Way I knew not; but his character is such as excites a deep regret for his death....
150From 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...