2051To Thomas Jefferson from Anonymous, 25 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have Opposed your Election with all the little power & Influence I had, believeing as I did, and still do, that your Election to the chief Magistracy of the US. wou’d not promote the Interest and happiness of this Country, but that the Riverse wou’d happen, not from any personal Enmity to you Sir, for I can have none, as I have not the Honor of your Acquaintance, but for the following...
2052To John Adams from Anonymous, 19 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The desire, Sir, of making you acquainted with what I deem’d it important you should know, made me take the liberty of making you some time past an epistolary communication under the very appropriate signature of “a friend”. The motive which induced that, urges me to ulterior communications on the same interesting subject. My profound admiration of your conduct as chief magistrate—&...
2053To John Adams from Anonymous, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
From a desire of seeing every department of the federal Govt filled by respectable characters I am induced to make an observation or two on the pretensions of the persons who I have heard are candidates for the naval office of this port, vacant by the recent death of the late excellent Mr Russell—Mr. Nath. Folsom, & Capt Geo Turner, I have heard are desirous of obtaining it— From enquiry Sir...
2054To John Adams from Anonymous, December 1798 (Adams Papers)
It can not have escaped your observation that the Secretary of State has qualities that may be the means of involving this nation in war. He is irascible and resentful. His correspondence is in a Style not conciliating but insulting. His published instructions to Pinkney were not as from a civilised nation, suaviter in modo, they were of the most caustic quality. With the Spanish minister he...
2055To John Adams from Anonymous, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty through necessity of troubling you with this anonymous letter, which we send with good intention; for we are the Persons who endeavoured to communicate to General Washington by two Special Messengers one of whom miscaried in a Vessel he sailed in from New Orleans which was lost on her Voyage. And the other who was Mr S——n who we suppose hath made his Virbal Report: the...
2056To John Adams from Anonymous, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am desired to inform you that thier at present Laws which give you too great power and cause great discontents amongst the citizens of the United states, There is several thousand of the citzens who are ditirmened to have those Laws repealed or undergo the perils of a civil war; to conquer or die; we have frequent corespondance with those patriots in Northampton whom we are to join as soon...
2057To John Adams from Anonymous, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty through necessity of troubling you with this anonymous Letter which we send with good intention, for we are the persons who endeavored to communicate to Genl Washington by two special messengers one of whom miscaried in a Vessel he sailed in from New Orleans which was lost on her Voyage; and the other was Mr. J––n who we suppose made his Virbal Report: The substance of...
2058To John Adams from Anonymous, 23 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have frequently warned Americans against reposing any confidence in the friendship of any European Nation: and have recommended to them to rely for Safety and Justice, only upon God and the Sword.—Many of my friends have thought this Opinion erroneous, and my Jealousies illfounded; but a circumstance has occurred which convinces some that I have not been widely mistaken, and I trust that all...
2059To John Adams from Anonymous, 11 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
As people are often last to hear & know, what it concerns them most to know, I take the liberty of enclosing you an article from the Aurora relative to a business which has too much foundation in truth. The love I bear my country induces me to make this communication to you. There are many very powerful reasons why I should not address you, at present , under my legitimate Signature, but the...
2060From Joseph Anthony to William Allibone, 11 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
We do agree to supply William Allibone Esqr for the use of the Delaware Light House with Fifteen Hundred Gallons of the best winter Straind Sperm Oil for which he is to pay us Eight Shillings per Gallon on delivery, which is to be in the Course of one Month from this date CtNlCG .
2061To Alexander Hamilton from Mathew Arbuckle, 14 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
From the publication of the Secratery at war it appear nesasery for me to Report why I am absent from my Regt. I have never Reced. any orders since I Reced. the appointment, althoug h I have Twice wrote on to the war Office, I am now In compleat Readiness and wait your Orders I am sir, with great Respect your Obt. Hunbl. Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ALS [with minor...
2062To Alexander Hamilton from Mathew Arbuckle, 25 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
From the Notice by the Secratery at War I found It nesasery for me to Report myself to you, which notice I immediately complied with. and have Reced. a Letter Which from the direction appeared to have Come from your hand, but had no name Signed to it, which I Suspected had been a Neglect, however be that as it may, I can only Inform you as I have before that I am in perfect Readiness I would...
2063To Alexander Hamilton from Starling Archer, 29 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with pleasure I (in my Father’s Absence) acknowledge the reciept of your kind Epistle for which I return my unfeigned thanks, I have been informed by a Gentleman who hath lately returned from Philadelphia that I stand second Candidate upon the list for Surgeon’s Mate, I hope it will not be long before the Appointments take place as I am extreemly anxious to enter into the Service, Any...
2064To Thomas Jefferson from B. D. Armistead, 18 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
The auther, sensible of the rank which you hold in the literary world, presents you with due respect the inclosed manuscript for examination: If you think it sufficiently interesting, and would so far oblige an obscure stranger, he requests that you would either communicate your sentiments upon the subject to the auther for the purpose of forwarding the publication; or lay it before the A. P....
2065To John Adams from Theodore Armistead, 21 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
When addresses are gone forth, from every part of the United States, expressive of the high confidence reposed in your Virtues and Abilities, approving your past Conduct, and earnestly praying for the preservation of your health and happiness, which cannot fail to secure to your Country a continuance of your important services; The Youth of Norfolk, are impressed with the assurance, that an...
2066To Alexander Hamilton from James F. Armstrong, 16 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I would not have troubled you at present had I not been solicited by Letter from Wm. S. Livingstons friends Since I saw you to address you on the subject of his application for a Midshipmans place in the Navy—But what Mrs. Armstrong told me you said to her on that head gives me full confidence that nothing will be wanting on your part should that subject come before you while at Phia....
2067To John Adams from James F. Armstrong, 16 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The pressure of straitned circumstances and the impractibility of performing those parts of ministerial duty which expose to the weather and require active exertion will be my apology for again troubling your Excellency by application for some place in your power to grant.—If the Mint Department Should be removed to the Seat of Government it is most probable there will be some vacancies in...
2068To John Adams from James F. Armstrong, 21 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will excuse me for again brining my name to view in application for some appointment under the general Government—during last summer and fall there was great probability I should never more have troubled you upon this head—it now appears as if Providence would restore me again to some measure of health & strength—any office the execution of whose duties might be principally...
2069To John Adams from James F. Armstrong, 17 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Pure necessity compels me to present myself once more before the President of the United States as an Applicant for some place or office in his power to confer.—My rheumatick complaint has been so severe during great part of the winter as to render the discharge of my duties which require activity or exposure to sudden changes of weather dangerous to my health.—Any place or office whose duties...
2070To John Adams from James Francis Armstrong, 2 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Armstrong wishes to insinuate to the President of the United States his wish to know whether the President proposes to communicate with our Church tomorrow as we expect the administration of the Lord’s Supper then by Dr. Woodhull—The Communicants sit with us not at a common Table, but in the Pews around the Pulpit—mine in which the President sat last Sabbath week is one, which I wish he...
2071To Thomas Jefferson from John Armstrong, 8 November 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your riquest I have enterd with the auditer the Lands Located for General Koscuskiosko, and payed the taxes thereon. this track is well situated on the Sioto, if the general does not intend it fore sale perhaps he would do well, to have an agent in this country who would let it out on Lease, improving the Land would inhance its value, and the tenant in possession always be...
2072To 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...
2073To Alexander Hamilton from William Armstrong, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer James Gray is the Regimental Taylor I mentioned to you; he informs me that he has been accustomd to work for the British Troops at Montreal & I employed him in making the Cloathing for, the Rifle Compy. with which I was perfectly satisfied. Shoud you have any proposals to make to him I dare say you will find him ready to enter into such as you may think best for the Public Service—...
2074To Alexander Hamilton from William Armstrong, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 13, 1799. “… May I presume to request your good Offices in recommending my Brother in Law Mr Charles Ramsay” as American consul “at the Havannah.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Armstrong was a New York City merchant. Ramsay, an American merchant who lived in Havana, was not appointed consul. On June 29, 1799, during the recess of the Senate, John Morton of New...
2075To Thomas Jefferson from William Arthur, 8 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Be not offended (though you may be surprised) when you receive this from an individual whom you do not know, & of whom, perhaps, you never would have heard, had he not, after much hesitation, & with almost invincible reluctance, resolved to write to you; An individual, who has no ambition to be regarded in any other view than as a minister of the gospel, & can plead no excuse for his present...
2076To John Adams from John Baptista Ashe, 9 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just now been inform’d of the death of Mr. Rowan, late Commissioner of Loans for this District, and of a desire of Captain Bassett Stith, to succeed him in that office—I therefore Sir, am induc’d, to take the liberty of of offering Captain Stith to your notice—and do with great confidence assure you Sir of the competency of Captain Stith as an accountant and whose respectability of...
2077To George Washington from James Ash, 8 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing you, my proposals for printing, a Digest of, the Laws of Maryland, from 1785 to the time of publication. The manifold Services, which you have rendered our Country, in the walks of public and private life—the love and veneration to which your character is so deservedly entitled, renders it an incumbent duty, approved by the warmest affections of my heart, to...
2078To Alexander Hamilton from Phineas Ashmun, 16 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 29th of July last I enlisted a Man by the Name of Samuel Wolcott, soon after I had enlisted him and before he was taken before the Majistrate he informed me that he wish’d to be Absent for Three days, but would return in Season to attest—he however did not return, untill about 9 days had elapsed—at which time he declined taking the Oath, or any Bounty or emoluments from the United...
2079To Thomas Jefferson from William Frederick Ast, 10 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with Your very esteemed favour of 17. Septr. 1.—extreme hurry of business has hitherto prevented me to answer it sooner. I have now the pleasure to send You herewith the Amendments made at the last General Meeting of the Mutual Assurance Society, as also the New form of the Declarations, and an explanation of the System made for the general Information. The Amendments appear to...
2080To George Washington from James Athill, 21 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honour to be at your hospitable mansion in the last Autumn with Mr Liston, I took the liberty to propose to send you some plants to assist in furnishing your green house, to which you politely consented. I then expected to have been here before Christmas, & to have had much time & leisure to prepare a collection not entirely unworthy your acceptance. Several circumstances...
2081To John Adams from John Punderson Austin, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
My Father, who now holds the Office of Collector of the Customs, for the District of New Haven, being apparently very near the close of life, I take the liberty to make known to you the desire I have to succeed him in that Office. I have been his Deputy and Assistant in the Office ever since I finished my collegiate course of studies, which is now five years past; during this period he has...
2082To John Adams from John Avery, 24 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
We the under Signd did on or about the 30th of October last pay into the Treasury of the United States thirty four Dollars for the obtainment of a Patent right of a Machine for Cuting and Heading Nales and likewise the moddle and drawings requisit in Such Casses With an asureance from the Seccretary of a Patent if attainable delivered at the Post office in Norwich (Connecticut) in a Short time...
2083To John Adams from Stephen Jones, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Machias, in the district of Maine, tho’ residing in a remote corner of the United States, have not been inattentive and indifferent spectators to the dangerous encroachments of a foreign nation, and the impending evils which threaten our Country.—We have waited with anxious concern for the result of the extraordinary mission to the French...
2084To George Washington from John Avery, 2 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Avery, 2 Oct. 1799. On 13 Oct. GW wrote Avery : “I have received your letter of the 2d instant.” Avery’s letter of 13 Oct. is printed as a note to GW’s letter to Avery of 25 September .
2085To George Washington from John Avery, 2 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Avery, 2 Sept. 1799. On 25 Sept. GW wrote Avery : “Your letter of the 2d instt came duly to hand.”
2086To John Adams from John Avery, Jr., 8 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Letter from my Son this day, dated the 30th. of May who was then in France and concluding the intelligence, he has given me, would be pleasing to your Excellency; I have taken the Liberty to give you an Extract from it.—“The Manly and spirited Letter of Mr. Pickering to Mr. Pinckney is considered by the first advocates in Paris as a Master peice and unanswerable. It has been...
2087II. Letter from a Well Informed Merchant in France, 1 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Translation of a letter from a well informed merchant in France to his friend in this city, dated Feb. 1st. ’98. The present situation of Europe induces me to address you, in order to inform you, as much as I can, of our political affairs which become those of all Europe and even of the New-World; and which are so quick in their progress, that it becomes interesting for you to be informed as...
2088To John Adams from Samuel Baird, 19 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a numerous Meeting of the Inhabitants of Potts Town and it’s Vicinity, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, On Saturday the 19th. May 1798, Samuel Baird in the Chair, and Joseph Potts junr, Secretary. The following Resolutions were unanimously agreed to— Having contemplated, with anxious Sollicitude and Approbation; the repeated Efforts made by the Executive to terminate the Differences...
2089Enclosure: Certificate by John Baker, Jr., [28 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
This may Certify that Mr. Henry Collins, son of Tyrannus & Abigail Collins late of Richmond in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts was Born in said Richmond on the eighteenth day of October AD 1783 as appears from the Records of said Town of Richmond. ADS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
2090To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 25 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
The Gentlemen whom I wish to recommend as Officers (and yesterday mention’d to you) are Mr Arther Lee in the County of Northumberland, and Mr Reuben Beale of Richmond County. They are Gent. of Family, and I think will be actuated by proper principles. Those Gentlemen aspire to nothing higher than to commence with an Ensigncy or Cornetcy, provided, Officers of the Cavalry are furnish’d with...
2091To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 16 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Burgess Ball, 16 Sept. 1799. On 22 Sept. GW wrote Ball : “Your letter of the 16th instt has been received.”
2092To George Washington from Burgess Ball, Sr., 31 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Washington. I have lately been apply’d to by Mr Chs Carter (who was a Fellow Student with my Son Burges who died with the Fever in Philadelphia) for a Ballance due him for monies paid for my Son. Since his application I’ve found a Letter of his acknowledging the rect of money from Mr Dandridge, & mentioning that “he had then paid off the last Accot.” I think...
2093To George Washington from George Ball, 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering the writing more attentively, which pass’d between us, respecting the land—I think a part of it meterially improper—and I am confident when I state some facts you will think with me—the writing says I shall pay six Pr centum upon the purchase money from 1789 untill the whole is discharged. Your letter to Geo: Fitzhugh states that your terms are eight hundred pounds with...
2094To John Adams from James Vincent Ball, 10 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to address you on a subject which I hope will be viewed by you as of sufficient importance to authorize it—As rank is an object with every military character, we come into the army with the prospect of promotion in view, and thereby are prompted to acquire an ample Knowledge of the several duty’s annexed to the different grades—When once this prospect is distroyed, and the precedent...
2095Address of Baltimore City Council, 12 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
To partake of the prosperity arising from your unwearied attention to the Welfare of our Country—To admire that firmness which has never been disconcerted in the greatest difficulties, and which has acquired vigor in proportion to the exigency. To feel that honorable ascendancy you have obtained in the well founded opinion of your fellow Citizens by a Wise administration, and the exercise of...
2096To John Adams from Md., Citizens of Baltimore, 7 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
We The members of a society in the city of Baltimore think it our duty as becoming Good citizens to address you in a manner becoming our attitude in life (The society is composed of minor citizens from the age of 15 to 26) Who now addres you. Father & Fellow Citizen hear us for our cause is good not that we wish to assume the conduct of any party Influenced by a wim, But from a true love of...
2097To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Banger, 1 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By direction of Colonel Hodgdon, I enclose you a Return of Clothing, in the Public Store at Philadelphia, this day I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing "Return of Clothing in the Public Store at Philadelphia …" ( ADS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2098To Thomas Jefferson from James Barbour of Kentucky, 9 February [1801] (Jefferson Papers)
I heartily & Sincearly Congratulate on the triumph of Republicanism over the Administration party it gives Pleasure to nearly all the people of this Country (those holding offices under the General Government & a few others excepted) it is said that many complaints will be made against the Marshall of this State , should he be removed as it is a pecuniary office no doubt many applications will...
2099To Thomas Jefferson from James Barbour, 20 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night under cover from you Mr. Coopers pamphlet for which accept my thanks. The Legislature here will adjourn I presume on Saturday next after the most important Session We have had for some years. The report produced by my Colleague Mr Madison I suppose has long since reached you as well as instructions to our Senators. Amongst other subjects contemplated in the instructions...
2100To John Adams from Hugh Barclay, 31 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of the Borough and County of Bedford (Pennsylvania) at the Court house in said Borough, on the 31st: day of May 1798 Hugh Barclay having been appointed Chairman & William Reynolds clerk of said meeting, It was Unanimously Resolved— That the following Address be signed by the Chairman and attested by the Clerk; and that a copy thereof be transmitted to...