1951To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Once more I Shall enjoÿ the Sensation in addressing you as the President of the U.S. but your leaving the chair will not bereave you of a more exalted title, that of being the Father and Benefactor of your Countrÿ. To your indefatigable cares America owes her continuallÿ increasing prosperity—to you we owe—that our peace had been undisturbed—our independencÿ consolidated—and our Friendship...
1952To John Adams from Joseph Pitcairn, 8 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing, a scetch of the overthrow of the Helvetic Republics, which has just appeared, and is said to be written by a person of merit equal to his eminence. With the greatest deference, I imagine there are some facts, contained, it might be useful for America to know, they establish the encroaching temper of France, on Elective equally with hereditary Governments, &...
1953To John Adams from Giles Leonard Barrett, 6 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your known humanity, and my extreme Necessity will I trust, in some degree plead my Apology for the Intrusion of this Solicitation. Flatter’d as I once was with prosperity—and now sunk (together with a deserving wife and family) by a complicated series of Inevitable calamity, to extreme distress, where can I hope to fell the fostering hand of Protection, if not from. The President of the...
1954To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 12 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter has been submitted to my perusal by my friend Mr Rutledge. Presuming it may be satisfactory to you to know that Genl Pinkney and the Federalists in So: Carolina adhered with honor to your interest, an I have taken the liberty to borrow it from him and send it to you, with a request that it maybe returned to my lodgings this afternoon as Mr R will have occasion to reply to...
1955To John Adams from Jacob Mayer, 27 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is the intention of General Toussaint to declare the Island of St. Domingo independent. He is disgusted with frenchmen, and therefore wishes to form a close and intimate connection with the Government of the United States. He charged me to communicate these great truths to “Mr Adams the American president”. He, however, for divers political reasons, does not yet wish it to be known that he...
1956To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
With my letter concerning Mr. Jones, the candidate for the Consulate of New-Orleans, I intended to transmit a Commission, that if it seemed to you expedient to appoint him, his commission might be signed and returned, seeing he will very soon depart for that country. I have now the honor to inclose it. I inclose also a copy of a note received this day from Mr. Liston, announcing that the loan...
1957To John Adams from Eleazer Russell, 9 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
In several of the late Boston Centinels, the collector of the Port of Portsmouth Newhampshire, has been cruelly and wantonly abused—A report is also attempted to be spread here, that application has been, or will be soon made to the Executive to remove him from Office Impelled by an Idea of duty to the Government of the United—To you Sir, and in Justice to Mr Whipple; I am led to address you...
1958To John Adams from Aaron Putnam, 20 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
immediately after I had the honor of an interview on Tuesday about noon 29th April I enter’d the stage, and by riding all night arrived at New York at 8.OC. the next morng, from whence I took the liberty to write you, which I hope you receiv’d in due course—on my arrival here I found my suggistions in that communication fully verified with respect to the anxious solicitude of my Constituents,...
1959To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Isaac Parker Esquire Marshal of the District of Maine, recommending Josiah Reed, to be surveyor & Inspector of the Port of Thomaston in the District of Caldobourogh. After due enquiry I take the liberty to recommend Silas Foster to be Commander of the Revenue Cutter General Greene which place is vacant by the resignation of Captain George Price, who...
1960To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a copy of Mr Pickerings letter to me of the 20th of June No 1, of an account of Stores said to have been purchased for the Sophia No 2, & of his statement of my account No 3; the latter of which, as I conceive, is unjust in several particulars. 1st Mr Pickering has considered my salary as terminating the 12th of may; stating, that it was “the day on which I received...
1961To John Adams from Tadeusz Andrzej Bonawentura Kosciuszko, 24 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
A Packet given to me by Sir John St Claire for your Excellency is deliverd to Colo: Pickering. I beg at the same time, that I may have the Honor to pay my Respectfull Homage to you as to the first Magistrate of a Great Brave Free and happy Nation Your Excellency most / Humble and most Obedient servant MHi : Adams Papers.
1962To John Adams from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th instant, for which I sincerely thank you. It has not only relieved me from some painful impressions, but afforded me ground to expect, I shall be able, when I have the pleasure of again seeing you, to satisfy you more fully that I exceeded, in no particular whatever, the line pointed out to me by your Instructions. Having acted, both...
1963To John Adams from William Moubray, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Should my Application not interfere with that of a Gentleman of much Superior merit, I would beg Leave, with the greatest deference and Respect, to offer my Services as Collector of the Customs for the Port of Savannah I have the honor to be, with the highest Respect, / Sir, / Your Excellency’s / most Obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
1964To John Adams from William Henry Harrison, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
That those, to whom the management of public affairs is confided, should be called from their deliberation, to listen to the opinions of popular meetings, will seldom, we think, be found warranted by discretion or compatible with the good order of society—But at a period like this, when our enemies boast of finding among ourselves the support of their purposes, we presume, that sincere...
1965To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States, respectfully reports his opinion on the following questions. 1st. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris and the Territory of the Republic with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility as we have been informed of, are bars to all further measures...
1966To John Adams from Jonathan Jackson, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received by last post from the Secretary of the Treasury letters addressed to the nine Commissioners who were appointed to execute within this State the “Act to provide for the valuation of lands dwelling houses &c”— The Secretary desiring me “to take effectual measures for having the letters safely delivered”—I waited upon Colo. Dawes, to deliver him his, who informed me that he had sent in...
1967To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 7 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 30th: ult: enclosing the Warrant for the Execution of Samuel Ewing signed. Lieut. Col. Hamtramck writes to me under date of the 16th ulto.— “The Crime of Samuel Ewing is no doubt of the most heinous nature, but the extraordinary conduct of the Prisoner, having deserted on one day returning on the next, and declaring War against a whole Garrison, appears to...
1968To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I now do myself the honor to enclose letters from Capt Tingey—who appears to be a Judicious, attentive, active officer. I wish his commission was of older date. The Merrimack, Capt Brown, must have joined him very soon after the date of his last letter—she might have joined him before.—The Pickering sailed from New York, to join him, the 27. June—and the Delaware is now proceeding down the...
1969To John Adams from Henry Dearborn, 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
Having been informed that Mr. Isaac Parker, Marshall of the District of Maine, has lately been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State, I take the liberty of soliciting the appointment of Marshal on Mr. Parkers accepting his appointment as Judge;—if Sir you should have no objection on the score of my capacity or integrity, I should hope that my pretentions otherways will be...
1970To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you a letter from Major General Pinckney dated the 12 of Augt. ulto containing a request, that Mr. Pierre Gaillard, may be appointed the eighth first Lieutenant in the room of Mr. Charles Boyle who has refused to accept. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most obt / & most hble st. MHi : Adams Papers.
1971To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 21 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the memorable afair which took place at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on the 19th: of April 1775, the news of it reached the Town of Machias, then most eastern port in the province of Maine, and early in the month of May came to that place two coasting Sloops owned by a Mr. Ichobad Jones, and convoyed by the armed Schooner called the Margarite a British tender, commanded by...
1972To John Adams from Enos Hitchcock, 4 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Citizens of the Town of Providence voluntarily assembled to tender their respects to the first Magistrate of the Union on his arrival in this Town beg leave to approach you by their Committee with sentiments of Joy on the present occasion, and with assurances of the sensible pleasure they feel in common with their Fellow Citizens that the suffrages of this great community have met in a...
1973To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the proceedings of a General Court Martial, held at the Natches July the 21st. and by adjournments to the 29th, 1798, by order of Captain Isaac Guion commanding, for the trial of Ensign Daniel Fero, and others. The Sentence of this Court, upon Ensign Fero being a commissioned officer, extends to his dismission from the service, and therefore requires your directions, whether the...
1974Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favors of October 28. & November 11. of the past year, have been some weeks in my possession. I am not, nor can I conveniently be, so good a correspondent as my brother, whose frequent and copious communications exhaust most of the subjects upon which I should feel disposed to write you myself, I think it is my duty nevertheless not to suffer any considerable period to pass, without...
1975To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The unfortunate mistake referred to in Mr. Liston’s letter of the 13th to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, has induced me to reprint your proclamation for opening the trade with St. Domingo, and to subjoin an extract of Mr. Liston’s letter, to put into the hands of as many of the Collectors as are within reach, prior to the first of August.—General Maitland’s letter to me of the 23d of May and the 5th...
1976Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 22 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 8 th. I received the 17 th. Ins t. and broke the Affair to M r. Cranch, who has it under Consideration and expect he will give me an Answer this Week— A Day or two previous to the Receipt of yours, Solomon Thayer of Braintree came to my House and offered me a piece of Pasture Land adjoyning to a detached Piece of the Farm which You bought of Elkanah Thayer, the same Piece he had...
1977To John Adams from Charles Lee, 12 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
In deferring my answer to the letter which I had the honor to receive relative to your speech to Congress I was induced from the expectation of authentic information relative to the most recent state of the negotiations between this country and the great nations of England & France. These are topicks which every one expects to find embraced in the speech. Though the newspapers last from...
1978To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit a letter proposed to be sent to Lt Col. Gartlen by to-morrows post, with the letter mentioned therein from Governor Jackson of Georgia and that from Lt. McCall to the said Governor—It is desirable to have the letters returned to-day if approved of. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir / your most obt. & hbe st MHi : Adams Papers.
1979To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 5 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this, Aaron Putnam Esq, is the gentleman names to you, as a suitable candidate for the office of Superintendant of the Dock & Navy yard, should such an establishment be made in this harbour. He goes on to the seat of government by the unanimous voice of this town, as their agent to represent their wishes, & to state their proposals, relative to the erection of a Dock &c. in this...
1980To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the permission contained in the letter with which you honored me, of the 27th. Ulto. and expecting that the Constitution will arrive at Boston in a few Days, if she is not already there; I take the liberty to enclose a letter for Nicholson—If it meets with your approbation, it may be forwarded to him. Barry speaks favorably of Nicholsons conduct, in the West Indies. But as he...
1981To John Adams from William Vaughan, 7 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I beg to introduce to your acquaintance and civilities Mr Masson the Kings Botanist who is taking the Tour of America in order to increase our Knowlege in one of the most extensive and most useful pursuits in Nature. From your situation and your disposition to encourage all undertakings of public Utility I am persuaded you will anticipate my wishes in shewing those attentions to a man of worth...
1982To John Adams from Nathan Mayo, 4 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
At a time, like the present, when every heart is overflown at the remembrance of the never to be forgotten Fourth of July: When the public mind is much agitated, in regard to the event of both foreign and domestic affairs:— When a change of administration in the Federal Government is aimed at, which if effected, we apprehend will be productive of great national evils:— When to be most popular,...
1983To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to return the papers received the 5th instant, which were laid before you by the Secretary of War, concerning a difference of opinions between him and the accountant of that department relative to their respective powers in the issues of monies appropriated to its use; and upon which you directed me to consult the Attorney General, and make report to you.—With those papers I...
1984To John Adams from Pseudonym: "An Old Soldier and a Firm Federalist", 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Sir being A Solder In the Last War and Since An Observer of the Rigulations of the Amarican Army I Wish to Make Some few Observations or statements that Are In My Wiek Sence of Consiqunece. In the first Place the Army Doubtless Is Made Up of the Lower Class of Mankind & Always Will Be for the following Reasons Viz— If It Happen that A Man of Tallents Enlists Into the Service He stands but A...
1985To John Adams from Charles Lee, 27 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th. a few days ago and sympathising with you on account of the tedious illness of Mrs. Adams it is pleasing to learn that her health is in such a state of convalescence as to enable her to undertake a long journey; and I hope and pray your own strength may be restored before the meeting of Congress and that you may be blessed with health at all...
1986To John Adams from United States House of Representatives, 9 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
While the House of Representatives contemplate the flattering prospects of abundance from the labors of the people by land and by sea, the prosperity of our extended commerce notwithstanding the interruptions occasioned by the belligerent state of a great part of the world, the return of health, industry, and trade to those cities which have lately been afflicted with disease, and the various...
1987To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 18 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Ensign Peyton of the 1st. Regiment: will have the Honor to present this to you; ill Health obliges Him to retire from this Climate, more dangerous to us, than the swords of our neighbours.— A desire to be made known to you Sir, as natural as it is commendable, imboldons me to indulge Mr. Peytons request. By the medium of this note, and the assurance, that this Young officer is valuable in his...
1988To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to the direction of the President of the United States—The Secretary of the Treasury, has the honor of transmitting for his consideration—two Official Statements; One of them exhibiting a view of the payments made at the Treasury on account of the President’s compensation to the 3d of March 1800—inclusive—the other in relation to the expenditure of the Sum appropriated for his...
1989To John Adams from Anne-Louis de Tousard, 8 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Accustomed, as you are, to Sentiments of all kind, which those Citizens of the United States, who are attached to your Government, neglect no Occasion to improve, and express, and in which I do Sincerely join them; Will you distinguish those of my Gratitude for the two last favours, which you were pleased to Confer on me. I have lately recieved the two nominations of Lt. Colo. Commdt. the 2d...
1990To 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...
1991To John Adams from Samuel Niles, 24 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
As the distance from Lebanon (where I now live) to Quincy, Has prevented me from well waiting on You personally, Be pleasd: sir to accept my hearty Cogratulation on Your Advancement to the Chief seat in the United States, In which may You shine more and more to Your dying day. Former Acquaintance emboldens me to apply to You in behalf of my Son Jereh: Niles who was in the Publick service in...
1992To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 17th by Mr Hopkins; & being informed by Mr. Putnam of Boston, that Mr. Morgue, who has long resided with him, & has his confidence will depart in a day or two for Philadelphia, I embrace this opportunity of informing you that our affairs will be brot to a crisis in a day or two, & that we shall all leave France immediately, unless I should be obliged to...
1993Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 2 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 22 d. Ult o. I received the 1 t. Ins t. After a long & severe Winter, a cold & stormy March, and April much the same, a few Days excepted. We have at length fine Weather, and an Opportunity of getting our Seed in the Ground. The Weather has been exceeding hot and dry for Four Days Viz from the 28 th. of April to the 2 d. Ins t. April 28. Thermom tr. 68. 29 th. Th. 70. 30 th.
1994To John Adams from Henry Guest, 1 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Addressed A Lettr. to you the 2 Day of February Last But With some reluctance As I thought Your time then was more necessarily imployd On the subject of shething Our Rising Navy With Leather—As I Apprehend you are Now a Little more at Leisure I take the Liberty to Lay this Matter More fully before you Which is Enclosed in this—I thought it propper to Publish it first in Claypools Philada....
1995To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your very obliging Letter of the 18th. May which arrived here at a time when I was absent on an excursion to Pennsylvania in order to bring my family to this Country, and obviate the necessity of the like in future. The approbation you have been pleased to bestow on the Pamphlet which I took the liberty to enclose to you, could not be received without great...
1996To John Adams from Pseudonym: "Verax", 2 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
In Expectation that my Former Communication did not Offend & I cannot see how it could, an Intelligent & Enlighten’d Mind ever open to Receive Communications, From the Humblest of His Constituents, which may throw the smallest light on The Character, or Politicks of any Portion of The Country. He at Present is most Propitiously ( at this Important Period ) destin’d to Rule Over. I again...
1997To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I took immediate Care to hand the public Papers, as authenticated by Mr. Otis, to the Printers of the Commercial Gazette, & shall lodge the Certificate with the Files of the historical Society. I could not avoid so apt an Occasion of making a few prefatory Observations, designed more for the Republicans of the Southern States, than our New England Citizens. A vast Majority of whom undoubtedly...
1998To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 4 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Some few days past I took the liberty to mention my anticipations respecting an Election then pending for Members to Compose our State Legislature: this is now determined, and the issue Known, it exceeds all that my most sanguine expectations could have imagined—Nyork again takes its rank among the most federal States— To account for this revolution of sentiment it must be observed, that for...
1999To John Adams from Maxwell Armstrong, 23 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
We the subscribers, a Committee appointed by a respectable meeting of the Inhabitants of Harrison County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia holden at Clarksburg, on Monday the sixteenth day of July 1798, for the purpose of expressing their sentiments of the measures pursued by our Government with respect to France—Beg leave to assure you that although among the last—in addressing, we are not...
2000To John Adams from Uriah Forrest, 4 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
Whether we regard your signal Services in the hour of our Country’s Difficulty, or your diplomatic Exertions in the Conclusion of Peace, when national Rights of the highest Import were put into Peril.—Whether we view your Firmness in repelling foreign Aggression, or your sincerity in the Pursuit of Peace, when compatible with honor—We find abundant Cause for Admiration, and should commit...