2051To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
If it should appear to you neither lawful nor expedient to delegate to the joint deliberation of the Head of Departments, and to the determination of a majority of them, the case of Aliens deemed unsafe to the U. States, I conceive there can be little doubt of the propriety of requiring the departure of General Collot, and of Mr. Sweitzer who is described in Colo. Mentges letter herewith...
2052From John Adams to Ashbel Baldwin, 12 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the thirtieth and am sorry that it is not in my power at present to comply with your request. The address from the protestant Episcopal church in Connecticut which I received and answered with much pleasure I left with the rough draught of the answer in Philadelphia. My papers have been since removed from my house to a place supposed to be of greater safety....
2053From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Resolutions and Address of the Officers of the Greens Troop of Horse &c Letter from Governor Sevier and the Letter from Allen Gillespie and Alexander Nelson I pray you answer with all the respect and Civility that is due to them: and to Accept of the offered service of the volunteer Corps, according to the Rules, by which you have answered all other Offers of a like kind. I am /...
2054To John Adams from John Steele, 12 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed address came to my hand yesterday and I avail myself of the oppty of forwarding it by the first post after its arrival. The county of Chowan includes the Town of Edenton near the sea coast of North Carolina, a part of the country which has lately elected Judge Stone a very sensible & worthy man to succeed Demsey Burges . Viewing their late election in connection with this address...
2055To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 13 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I received letters from Bourdeaux, by which it appears that General Pinckney embarked with his family, about the middle of August, for New–York. The letters came in the ship Franklin, arrived in the river Delaware. I inclose copies of these letters, being Mr. Shipwith’s to Mr. Fenwick, mentioning that on the 21st of August he had received an official copy of an Arret of the...
2056From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 5th. The letter for our minister at Berlin shall be forwarded as you desire & thank you for dispatching the instructions to the collectors & the commission to Mr. Bushrod Washington. There were two young gentlemen nephews to the president general who were at college, when my family was in Philadelphia, & sometimes visited us, who appeared to me to be...
2057From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I returned the commission for Gen. Thomas Posey with papers inclosed in your favor of the 5 which I received last night. I have received your other favor of the 5th inclosing Mr. Pattens letter for which I thank you. I am Sir your / most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2058From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of the 6th & thank you for the intelligence from the Southward. The effervescence at Madrid as well as the news from Naples coincides with Mr. King’s letter & the news from Trieste confirms or rather favors the account that Buonaparte’s destination was the Adriatick not Egypt. But we must wait for further eclaireissement. Mr. Sullivans letter gives me apprehension that...
2059From 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...
2060From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 5 with its inclosures. I must leave the Niger to the justice & impartiality of our tribunals & the conduct of Capt. Nicholson to the judgment of the world; but I lament & deplore the misfortunes of his people. The orders you have given him are the most prudent & humane immaginable. Inclosed are letters from Gov. Fenner and old comodore Hopkins recommending...
2061To John Adams from James McHenry, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 30th of Septr. ulto. inclosing commissions for the three Major Generals of the army of the United States, signed and dated on the same day. In contemplating the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the Generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course you meant I...
2062To John Adams from David Payson, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Although possibly the last to declare, yet be assured, that we the Second Regiment, in first Brigade & eighth Division of the Militia of Massachusetts, & the Companies of Cavalry & Artilery Commanded by Silas Lee & David Silvester, will not be the last, to prove our attachment to our Country, & happy Government : if to Strengthen the hands of the hand of the Supreme Executive, by declaring our...
2063To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to send herewith a packet & letter from Mr. Pitcairn, received yesterday morning, and to inclose the letter No. 128. and the document it refers to, from Mr. Adams at Berlin, which in my last I mentioned were in the act of being decyphered. Before this gets to hand you will find that General Pinckney arrived at New-York last Saturday afternoon: So I find it stated in a paper...
2064To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a commission, for Jno. Cruft, as Lieutenant in the Navy. Also a list of officers for the Navy, whose Services will be immediately wanted;—and commissions filled up for these officers.—By filling up the commissions now, such of them as may be approved of by you Sir, may get their commissions before my return from Maryland, which in some instances, may be necessary. I...
2065To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of to Day on the subject of appointments—I omitted to mention Mr Benjamin Strother, (Who was an Officer in the Army & resigned on accot of pecuniary embarrassments, under circumstances honorable to himself)—as a Lieutenant of Marines. I now beg leave to mention him for that appointment—He is recommended by the Secy at War, & is spoken of by the officers with whom he served as a...
2066From John Adams to Rufus King, 16 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from the Sec. of State I pray you to convey in Safety and as Soon as may be to Berlin. I ought not to omit the opportunity to thank you for the Pamphlets you have Sent me from time to time. They not only entertain and amuse me but I flatter myself are Usefull. Our Country Seems to be, as we used to Say in 1774 unanimous & firm. They are much more So now than they were then....
2067From 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...
2068From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received, last night, a Letter from His Excellency Governor Jay, inclosing a Copy of an Act of the Legislature of New York, for the further Defence of that State and for other Purpose. The Governor Observes that it appears to be the intention of that Act, that the Money appropriated in it, 150,000 dollars, shall be laid out only in the manner which the National Government will recognize...
2069From John Adams to John Jay, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 26. of September, with a Copy of an Act of the Legislature of the sState of New York, for the further Defence of the State and for other Purposes. I shall transmit these Papers to the Secretary at War, that a proper consultation may be had upon their Contents and a final Arrangement made according to Rules which generally obtain in Such Cases. In the...
2070From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 17th and return you three Warrants signed, which you may fill up for General Collot, Mr. Sweitzer and 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...
2071From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have signed and inclosed to Col Pickering the authority to act in your absence in the Navy office as you inclosed it to me in your favor of the 9th. Your letter of the 10th is of much importance & deserves consideration. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2072To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Arrangement of the Rank of the Captains in the Navy, is a Subject which will soon demand attention.— It will I believe be of great consequence to the character of our Navy, that the last four of the first Six Captains appointed, should be retained in the service. They seem to be men who would do honor to the any service. The paper enclosed No. 1, details particularly, the circumstances...
2073To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in Obedience to the command of the President of the United States respectfully submits the following Report. That the facts stated in the petitions of Robert Wanton herewith transmitted, praying for the pardon of an offence committed by him against the Revenue Laws of the United States are verefied by the Letter of the Collector for the District of Boston and...
2074To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your several letters under date of the 13th 14th 17th and 21st of September and also of the 4th. 5th. 10th & 12th of Octbr. instant. I shall give the earliest consideration to the objects suggested in your letter of the 10th (which came to hand yesterday) and write you thereon as soon as possible. With respect to this sickness at Philadelphia, that may as well...
2075To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to return you Mr. Murray’s letter’s decyphered; the first is, in different points of view, very interesting. The name he refers to I retain for another conveyance. General Pinckney is at Newark, where he proposes to stay ten days or a fortnight. He asked me (in his letter recd. the 16th) whether you would expect him to wait on you. I answered, that considering it must oblige...
2076From John Adams to Richard Benbury, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your unanimous Address at Edenton of the fourth of September has been transmitted to me by your Richard Benbury Esqr your Brigadier General. After a solemn Embassy of three Envoys had been denied an opportunity to negotiate, the miserable Attempt to divide them from each other, and carry on a delusive shew of negotiation, for the purpose of effecting Divisions in our Country, was too mean and...
2077From John Adams to Nc. Militia Guilford County, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Unanimous Address adopted by you has been transmitted to one as you directed by Major John Hamilton to Mr Steele and by Mr Steele to me. Addresses to one like yours, so friendly to me and so animated with public spirit, can never stand in need of any Apology.... It is on the contrary very true, that the affectionate Addresses of my Fellow Citizens have flowed in upon me from various Parts...
2078From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recieved return you Mr Adams letter & the speeches. The latter with an extract from the former might be advantageously inserted in the newspapers. I return you Mr Murrays letter to me of the 14th of July which I pray you to decypher with great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2079To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
A long absence from this City has induced a suspension of those attentions, which duty as well as pleasure will ever impel, and gratitude Command— Convinced of the sincerity of your interest in any every thing relating to my promotion & success, it is with much satisfaction I inform you, that I was yesterday admitted an Attorney in our supreme Court—. Being thus early about to enter upon a new...
2080To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I returned to you the two letters from Mr. Murray which you desired me to decypher: I now inclose another private letter from Mr. Murray. The Treasurer, Mr. Meredith, enquired to-day for the time of death of Judge Wilson. It is noted in the original letter from Judge Iredell which I had the honor to send you early in September: it is still with you. As it is necessary for the...
2081To John Adams from James Sullivan, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners have agreed that the Scoodiac is the St Croix truly intended in the Treaty of peace. I am of opinion that Benson will accompany Barclay to a Pond near the Penobscott as the source of the river. Whether the Declaration of two Commissioners only is binding, is a question in which I can hereafter have no concern. But at present I am involved in it. The Commissioners are by the...
2082From John Adams to James McHenry, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed address and offer of service as a volunteer corps of a troop of horse in the county of Warren N Carolina has been by me unaccountably overlooked. I pray to you answer it without loss of time & send the officers their commissions. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2083From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
There are many things which deserve to be maturely considered before the meeting of congress. I shall mention two or three at present, concerning which I pray you to take as early measures as possible to obtain the advice of the heads of departments. One of them is, whether it will be expedient for the president to recommend to the consideration of congress a declaration of war against France....
2084From John Adams to William Falkener, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received from Capt Caller through the postmaster Gen. in due season, your unanimous address of July 19th. The offer of service as a volunteer corps shall be transmitted to the Secretary at war, to be answered according to law & the rules & usages adopted in General. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2085To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that there has lately been published in the Boston Gazettes, a letter signed “Timothy Pickering”, addressed “to P Johnston Esqr of Prince Edward County, (Virginia,) dated the 29th of September last; wherein Mr Pickering, speaking of the dispatches of the Envoys, says, “that Mr. Tallyrand affects an utter ignorance of the person, designated in the dispatches, by...
2086To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have been this day honoured with your letters of the 14th & 15th. I am very happy that you and Mrs. Adams approve of my letter to the Freeholders of Prince Edward County, Virginia. This morning I recd. from Mr. King a letter dated June 20. in which is the following passage. “Notwithstanding his pretended delicacy, Hauteval by no means denies the agency ascribed to him in soliciting the Bribe...
2087To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The very obliging manner, in which you was pleased to assure me of the appointment of my nephew Philip Church , and the actual appointment of my relation Captan Hamilton to a Lieutenancy in the Navy, which I just learn from the Marine Department, are circumstances from which I derive much pleasure, which I consider as conferring upon me a personal obligation, and for which I beg you to accept...
2088To John Adams from George Washington, 21 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 9th. instant—was received by the last Mail; and demands my particular acknowledgments. It was with sincere concern I received the account of Mrs. Adams’s low state of health, and your consequent indisposition—If my fervent wishes would restore her, and you, to perfect health, this object would soon be accomplished:—and in these...
2089From John Adams to James McHenry, 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday your favor of the 15th. When I dated the commissions of the Major generals on the same day, I had made up my mind, that if an acquiescence by amicable agreement in the opinion of General Washington should not take place, I would confirm his judgment, whatever it might be. If I could have been at Philadelphia to receive him, I should have invited General Washington to...
2090To John Adams from Samuel Lyman, 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I believe it will afford you a little satisfaction, to read the enclosed Sermon, not only on account of the just Sentiments it contains, but also on account of the evidence it gives, that a Preacher of Jacobinism, may become a Preacher of Righteousness—The Cause of Truth and Federalism is substantially good, & will prevail, it commands the respect of Doctor Lathrop—Science and Literature must...
2091To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is the name to which the decyphered letters which I returned to you last week had reference. MHi : Adams Papers.
2092To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I take pleasure in transmitting to you the inclosed address from Glynn County in Georgia, forwarded by General Gunn, whose letter of the 1st instant I also inclose. I also inclose a letter from Gideon Hill Wells relative to a pipe of Wine imported for you by his uncle the late H. J. Hill. And have the honor to be / with great respect, / sir, your most obt. servt. P.S. Inclosed is one letter...
2093To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a Letter from John Skinner Esqr. one of the Commissioners of North Carolina, in answer to an enquiry made by me respecting three vacancies in that State. At present I am only prepared to state, that I have reason to believe that Mr. Joseph Graham is a proper character to succeed Wallace Alexander, who has declined—I have taken measures for ascertaining the...
2094To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I enclose a Letter from Wm. Martin Esqr. of North Yarmouth refering to an Address, to the President which I had the honour to enclose on or about the beginning of September, if my recollection serves me;—The good people wish a reply from the President. I shall pay the most particular attention to the instruction of the President of the 10th. instant—as soon as I return from a journey after...
2095To John Adams from Alexandre-François-Auguste de Grasse-Rouville, comte de, marquis de Tilly Grasse, 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
When I arrived here to Look for a Shelter against the dreadful Evils which threatened us in the most unfortunate Colony of St. Domingo, I Sollicited from President Washington a friend to my father the means of Subsisting of which an atrocious revolution had deprived me. Warmly Suported by General Knox, I was happy enough as to obtain to be employed as a Sub-Engineer under Mr. Serrant in the...
2096From John Adams to Daniel Jackson, 23 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The firewards of the town of Boston have requested permission to deposit at castle Island a quantity of Gunpowder now lying in the harbor of Boston and more that is soon expected to arrive. As I can foresee no material inconvenience from granting from such permission. I request that you would give orders that for such gun powder as the firewards shall desire to be deposited at the castle, at...
2097From John Adams to James McHenry, 23 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from Gen. Schuyler Gen. Hull, Capt. James Cunningham which I pray you to consider and answer Hull and Cunningham according to usage. Also letters from Jeremiah Olney & Murdoch Murphy which you will please to consider in determining on the candidates for commissions. Also recommendations of Thomas Bowman Esq. son of Judge—Bowman of Pownaborough an excellent federalist father...
2098To John Adams from Henry Knox, 23 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter, enclosing a commission, and giving me to understand, that, A Hamilton is ranked as the first, C C Pinckney the second, and myself as the third, Major General, and that this arrangement is considered as definitive. In so plain a case, it is unnecessary to multiply words. The impossibility of my serving under Officers so much my juniors, must have been known, to...
2099From John Adams to James McHenry, 25 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Major Gen Hull of the 9th of Oct & another of the 19th inclosing an address of the officers & soldiers of the 4th regiment in the 2d brigade & 3d division of the militia of Masstts. The offer of service as a volunteer corps I pray you to answer according to law & usage Inclosed also is a letter of 6 Oct from Major Gen Hull & brigadier Gen Walker with an address from...
2100From 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...