1901To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 8 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am desired by President Dwight to forward you his excellent & seasonable discourses, whh are enclosed. I beg your acceptance of my Masonic Discourse written & preached since the offensive Fast Sermon was published, & whh affords further evidence that it was not my intention to attack Free Masonry .—When this sermon was written I did not know that persecution was among the Masonic virtues . I...
1902To John Adams from Dwight Foster, 8 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received a Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury desiring Me to recommend to the President some able and fit Character to be appointed Commissioner, under the Act for the Valuation of Lands &c, in the this Division, in the Room of Joseph Allen Esqr who has declined— I do not know a Person who would probably discharge the Duties of the Office with greater Ability & Integrity, in...
1903To John Adams from David Sewall, 8 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
By the desire of the Grand Jury for the district Court of Main at this Term, of whom Mark Langdon Hill Esqr. of Bath was Foreman, the inclosed Address is respectfully forwarded / by Your Obedient / Humble Servant September 4th 1798 To John Adams, President of the United States. The Grand Jury at the District Court now holden at Pownalborough in the District of Maine, haveing with the Utmost...
1904To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter dated Augt. 25th. from James Breckenridge Esq. who was named Commissioner for the Third Division of Virginia—It seems that this Gentleman resides out of the Division and that this circumstance and expectations of being able to render more important services have induced him to decline the appointment.—I have good reason to believe that Mr. Breckenridges...
1905From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Lt. Col. Perkins who has commanded Castle William these dozen Years which after you have read it I pray you to give to the secretary at War to be minuted and filed among the applications for Appointments. I wish to be informed whether you have written an answer to His Excellency Governor Sumner, accepting the Offer of Castle Island and if you would have not, that you...
1906From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 1st of this month and thank you for the paper No. 1 which exhibits a view of the ships in service those which are building and their commanders. I return you the blank commissions signed and approved of the appointment of Capt. Tingey and Capt. Chapman, as you propose, and leave it to your discretion to appoint the other officers in the list, if nothing should...
1907To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter from the Quarter Master General dated the 21st ulto, and a copy of a letter from Brigadier General Wilkinson dated the 25th of July ulto. I have the honour to be with due respect Sir / your ob & hbe St. MHi : Adams Papers.
1908From John Adams to James McHenry, 11 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations of Major McFarland, Captain Nathaniel Thwing to be appointed in the army which I pray you to file with other recommendations & record among the candidates for appointments—Also a letter from Dr Waterhouse a very respectable authority recommending Wm: Amherst Barron to be one of the scientific teachers. I have the honor to be Sir your / most obedient Servant MHi :...
1909To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
By a letter from Mr. King dated the 14th of July, it appears that Mr. Gerry was in Paris on the 26th of June “waiting, according to private letters from persons about him, for the ultimatum of the Directory.” Genl. Pinckney was at Lyons the 13th of June, his daughter then much better; & he hoped to be at Bordeaux, & to embark by the 20th. of July. Dupont de Nemours and some other French...
1910To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your letters of August 14th and 29th we have seen in the hands of the Secretary of War. We are ever sorry when our views of men and things oblige us to entertain opinions different from yours; and we cannot without much pain express to you those opinions: but a sense of duty to you and to our country, supercedes all other considerations. In your letter of the 29th of August you seem to have...
1911From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of the fourth and return You the blank Commissions signed and all the Papers inclosed in yours. As to Major Brooks, I know not how a Man can talk of fighting “French Bloodhounds” who has been capable of saying Since his appointment, “that Things were going very well before the Arrival of the Dispatches of the Envoys: but the publication of those Dispatches had ruined...
1912From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your favour of the sixth and approve of your determination to make out the Commissions in the order of Knox on the first day, Pinckney on the Second and Hamilton on the third. This being done you may call Generals Knox and Hamilton into Service as soon as you please. Your request to be informed, whether I attach any portion of the Intrigues, which I alluded to, if any have been...
1913From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6th. with Judge Iredells Letter inclosed, informing of the Death of Judge Wilson. The Reasons urged by Judge Iredell for an early Appointment of a successor, are important. I am ready to appoint either General Marshall or Bushrod Washington. The former I suppose ought to have the Preference. If you think so send him a Commission—If you think any other Person...
1914From 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.
1915From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 6th & thank you for a letter of credit on Gen Lincoln for 766, 66/100 dollars of which I shall receive from time to time such sums as I shall have occasion for & give receipts as you propose. My Steward is at Trenton ferry on the Pensylvania side of the river at the ferry house. The distress of the poor at Philadelphia is so great that I pray you to subscribe...
1916From John Adams to Seth Harding, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 11th of this month I received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the fourth with a large number of certificates from gentlemen of great respectability. I am very sorry, Sir, that you have had the trouble of procuring these testimonials; but I am very happy to assure you, that they are entirely satisfactory to me, & have removed every unfavorable impression from my mind,...
1917From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are applications for appointments &c. from George McDonald, Gen. Whiting a very respectable officer, James Cunningham, James Campbell, Zenas Meign Bradley George Walton, Gen. Morgan, Elijah Paine, which I recommend to your consideration & am your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1918From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are applications for Appointments &c from George McDonald, General Whiting, a very respectable Officer, James Cunningham, James Campbell, Zenas Meigs Bradley, George Walton General Morgan, which I recommend to your Consideration and am your humble sert Also a letter from Elijah Paine, recommending Mr Samuel Shuttleforth to be chaplain in the army NNGL .
1919From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return Mrs Adams’s letter No 120 with its inclosure and Dr. Rushes letter of Sept the first, which I received in yours of the 7th of this month I am not all mortified at the delay of the treaties with Prussia, or Sweden, having no ardent desire of any treaties with Prussia till the crisis in Europe is more decided. Gen. Marshall or Bushrod Washington will succeed Judge Wilson, if you have...
1920To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter received yesterday from Mr. Liston. The application he refers to I made at the request of Mr. Read, Senator from South-Carolina, who stated to me, that the King of Great Britain had formerly made a present to the then province of South-Carolina of a number of heavy cannon which had belonged to the French ship Foudroyant (captured in I think...
1921To John Adams from James Oliver, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Grand Jurors of the county of Ulster , and state of New York , are well aware that the opinions of the people, in their individual capacity cannot, and ought not, to be expressed on every public measure—We should, therefore, have forborn, at this late period, from adding our voice to that of the thousands that have addressed you—If the events of every day did not demand, more injuriously,...
1922To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a Report on the proposals of Henry Dearborn for erecting two Light Houses in North Carolina. The distresses in the City increase; attempts are making to draw all the people possible from the scene of danger; about fifteen hundred of the most indigent are encamped on the Common;—another Camp for such as are able to support themselves is forming, which may contain...
1923From John Adams to George Reid, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
With great respect & esteem, I receive your unanimous address, agreed on at a meeting expressly called for that purpose on the twenty second of August. That men who cheerfully arranged themselves in the front rank to oppose the most formidable attack, that was ever made on their country—that men, who have experienced the delightful reflexion of having contributed to the establishment of the...
1924To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Being on a Visit at this place, I am solicited by Mr John Pintard to introduce him to your knowledge. He means to apply for the office of your private Secretary in the room of Mr Malcolm, who he is informed has resigned— I am well acquainted with Mr Pintard and have been so from his Infancy, and can with pleasure recommend him in the strongest Terms— His liberal Education, knowledge of several...
1925To John Adams from Elisha Boudinot, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Being informed that Mr. Malcomb your private secretary has resigned his office my friend Mr. John Pintard has been advised to offer himself a candidate for it—If I did not feel myself particularly interested in your administration, I should not presume to take the liberty of recommending him to your notice for that office, but relying on the motives to excuse the freedom I have taken—permit me...
1926To John Adams from James McHenry, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letters of the 3d 4th and 5th of this month. It is somewhat difficult, I imagine to please the governor of Georgia. I thought I had been attentive both to himself and the State. There has been ordered to Georgia, on the 3d. of May 2 brass 6 pounders; 2 brass 3 pounders with carriages and impliments & 4 Iron 24 pounders with a sufficient quantity of...
1927To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your letter of the 10th. and have handed to the Secretary of War the letter of lieut. Colo. Perkins, to be minuted & filed as you directed. Governor Sumner’s letter & inclosures of July 2d. I remembered to have packed up with other papers when the office was removing from Philadelphia; but I did not recollect where. This forenoon found them; and now have the honor...
1928To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since I had last the honor to address you, I have received from the Collector of Pennsylvania information of the arrival at Marcus Hook of Frenchman named Giraud, appointed Consul for Boston. It struck in one of the names presented last May by Mr. Létombe as Consul, for your exequatur was requested and refused. I turned to the Létombe’s letter, & found it so, with the variation of the last...
1929To John Adams from John Pintard, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that Mr. Malcomb has resigned the office of private secretary to Your Excellency, permit me to tender an offer of my services to supply the vacancy. To advance anything in praise of my own talents, would be highly indecorous. I take the liberty therefore to refer to the accompanying letters from my Connections and friends, Elias Boudinot Esq. director of the mint, the honorable...
1930From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10th and return you the letters from Gen Wilkinson & the Q Msr. Gen. Inclosed is a letter from John Hampden Palmer of Vermont to Judge Cranch, requesting his aid in procuring a pair of coloures. This young gentleman is a grandson of old Gen Palmer, my neigbor, who was active, and useful in the early parts of the late revolution & indeed I believe through the...
1931From John Adams to David Sewall, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your address of the 4th of this month has been transmitted to me as you requested by one of my ancient and esteemed friends Judge Sewall. The mercenary views of the French Republick have been sufficiently maniffested for a course of years by their purchasing supplies without any thought of payment, by their continued depredations on our commerce & especially by the infamous law against all...
1932From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 11th. I wish I understood better than I do the conduct both of Gen. Pinckney & Mr. Gerry. I shall not be guilty of so much affectations 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; & I really begin...
1933From John Adams to David Sewall, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a short answer to the address of the Grand jury transmitted in your letter from Pownallborough at Sept term 1798. It would have given me great pleasure to have seen you at Pownalborough as I did in 1764 but I shall never see Kennebeck river again most probably. Some coincidence or other of affaires I hope will one day enable me to take you by the hand once more I am dear Sir your...
1934From 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.
1935From John Adams to M. Anderson, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The affection and Confidence expressed in your obliging Address, of the twenty fifth of August, is very Satisfactory to me. Although there is no Truth, of which I am more fully convinced, than this, which you approve, that “a free Republick is the best of Governments, and the greatest Blessing to which Mortals can aspire,” it is too apparent from History and Experience, that Such a Government...
1936From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 10th and return you the Letters from General Wilkinson and the Qr. Mr. General. Inclosed is a Letter from John Hampdon Palmer of Vermont to Judge Cranch, requesting his Aid in procuring a Pair of Colours. This young Gentleman is a Grandson of old General Palmer my Neighbour, who was active and usefull in the early Part of the late Revolution, and indeed I believe...
1937From 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...
1938From 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.
1939To John Adams from John Sevier, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
It affoards Me great pleasure to have it in my power to transmit to you, Junary Resolutions entered into by four Companies of Cavalry and Mounted Infantry belonging to the District of Washington together With an Adress from Captains Gellispie & Nelson— You will discover sir, that they have tendered their Services to the President, provided the same should become Necessary, and be Assured, that...
1940To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the President of the United States the following Report. That it appears from a communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue dated the 14th instant, a Copy whereof is subjoined, to be expedient to increase the Salary of the Keeper of the Light House on Cape Cod, from one hundred & fifty to Two hundred Dollars per Annum, in...
1941To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of Was has permitted me to peruse your Letters to him dated the 14th. and 29th. of August, and after much reflection and some hesitation, I have ventured to request him to delay transmitting to you, the Commissions of the General Officers, untill I could accompany his official dispatch with a communication of my sentiments, upon the arrangement which appears to be meditated....
1942To John Adams from Daniel Davis, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter came to hand by this Evening’s mail. It contains all the information I possess upon the Subject, excepting that I have been informed, the Bristol Schooner mentioned in the letter, was captured by a French privateer; that the crew remained on board, and a few days after the capture, rose upon the four Frenchmen who were put on board to carry her into port, and retook her,...
1943To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose commissions for the Major Generals and Inspector of the army of the United States dated agreeably to your orders. At the instance of Mr. Wolcott, I have ventured to delay forwarding the Commissions, for a short time, to give him the opportunity of drawing up and presenting to you a respectful representation on the subject of the generals of the army. I have the honour to be, with the...
1944To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to introduce to you Captain Joseph Ingraham, who waits on you with a desire of stating his qualifications and pretensions to an appointment in the navy—Having been heretofore permitted to mention to you the name of this Gentleman, & his nautical reputation, I will only subjoin that I have the honor to be / with the greatest Respect / Sir, / Yr most obedt: Servt MHi :...
1945To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since I had last the honor to address you, I have received from the Collector of Pennsylvania information of the arrival at Marcus Hook of a Frenchman named Giraud, appointed Consul for Boston. It struck me as one of the names presented last May by Mr. Létombe as Consul, for whom your exequatur was requested and refused. I turned to Létombe’s letter, & found it so, with the variation of the...
1946From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Captain Patrick Fletcher recommending Captain John Cruft to be a Lieutenant in the Navy.—I have so good an opinion of this Captain Cruft from a personal Knowledge, that I desire you would place him on the List for Promotion among the first Lieutenants that Shall be appointed. Mr Breck of Philadelphia can probably give you Satisfactory Information concerning him. I...
1947To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a sealed letter addressed to you—An address signed Stephen Moore, Brigadier General, from the officers & soldiers in the 6th brigade of the third division of North Carolina Militia, which came to hand last evening under cover to me—a letter from Dr Rush dated the 14th, mentioning that his brother would decline the appointment he had solicited for him in the former...
1948To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter was recd. last night—it is yet too early to receive an official confirmation of the intelligence it contains—but as I hope, & believe it to be true, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of forwarding it to you in its present state. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & / esteem, sir yr. most Obed / servt MHi : Adams Papers.
1949From 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 &...
1950To John Adams from David Bradford, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
David Bradford an unfortunate man; who fell into the errors of that part of the community where he resided, having severely felt and suffered on account of those errors, with the deepest sensibility and contrition, adventures to address your Excellency in the sincerest language of submission, humiliation & petition. Far from beleiving that he can justify his conduct, your Petitioner will not...