2051From John Adams to James McHenry, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you the selection of two majors from North Carolina & that of officers for South Carolina and Georgia with the letter of Genls Pinckney & Washington with that of Mr Steele. I am satisfied with these recommendations and approve the selections.—I return the proceedings of the court martial in the cases of the deserters. The absolute necessity of examples in such cases as that of Richard...
2052To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 2 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of yesterday is this moment recd and I take my pen upon the first impulse to tell you not to be uneasy, I will pay you every farthing principal & interest, have patience for my measures to operate & rely yourself with Confidence. The Nature of your debt ties me at all events & it shall be paid. As to Mr Church’s Security how can it be doubted. I told you before that Mr Marshall is...
2053To John Adams from Charles Lee, 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor to receive your letter of the 15th. Supposing the cold of winter in the climate at Philadelphia to be an antidote to the Yellow Fever as the experience of 1793 seems to warrant, I am of opinion that Congress may hold its next session at Philadelphia without danger to the health or lives of the members. But if at this time it may be too hazardous yet a proclamation for...
2054From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 22d. Inclosed is the commission to Mr. Woolsey Burton signed. Can you tell me any news of Mr. Brisler my steward & the rest of my Family left at Philadelphia. I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2055[Diary entry: 10 August 1799] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning perfectly clear. Wind from So. Wt. and Mer. at 75—at highest 87—and at Night 74. In the afternoon heavy clouds & fine rains all around us but none fell here.
2056To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 20 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have half an hour ago delivered my defence to the Court of Inquiry—Major Hoops & Captain Still, intend to Set of To Morrow Morning, I therefore do myself the honor of transmitting by them my reasons for not entering any charges against Captain Bruff; indeed for declining bringing any forward at any time— Was I to arrest him he would not be tried for want of a Sufficient number of Officers &...
2057To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Officers have been appointed for six additional companies of cavalry. It is not however deemed expedient, at present, to enlist for, or mount the Cavalry. I submit it, to your consideration, whether these Officers, may not be usefully, and properly employed, untill called into their appropriate service, by being attached to the Infantry companies, as well to assist in recruiting, as in...
2058From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr. John C. Jones of Boston, recommending Capt Joseph Coffin Boyd, to fill the place of Col Lunt. Also a letter from Richard Hunnewell, requesting the office for himself. Thus you see we have an ample choice of candidates. Fosdick, Titcomb Mayo Boyd & Hunnewell, all well qualified & recommended by very respectable men. The last however appears to me to have the best...
2059To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus Graves, 16 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Oxford [ Massachusetts ] November 16, 1799 . “Your letter of the 4th Oct. ordering the removal of the recruits receivd for the 16th Regt to this place for winter quarters, I received the 28th of Oct, and Issued my orders for the march on the twenty ninth. Agreeably to your directions I called on the Contra[c]tors for the means of tra[n]sporting the baggage Military Stores &c. But from the...
2060To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
(confidential) Sir, Philadelphia August 2. 1799. A letter from Mr Murray of May 17 received this week, covers a letter from Talleyrand, dated May 12th, assuring him that the Executive Directory will receive the Envoys of the U. States in their official character; and that they shall enjoy all the prerogatives attached to it by the law of nations; and that one or more ministers shall be duly...
2061From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the blank commission signed which you did me the honor to inclose in your letter of the 20th & pray you to have it filled up for Augustine J Smith, whose satisfactory recommendation from William Payne Esqr. I return with it. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2062To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 9 April 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
This morning the dispatches from our envoys are published, and I inclose a copy. In your letter of March 27th in answer to mine of the 25th just then received, you say, “I shall write again to-morrow.” I have received no letter from you since that of the 27th. which I mention on the presumption that you may have written, and because if you have, it is important on every account that it should...
2063To John Jay from Robert Troup, 23 December 1799 (Jay Papers)
On Tuesday last I wrote you a few lines informing you of the probability of General Washington’s death. The truth of this melancholy event is confirmed beyond all possibility of doubt. We are taking measures here to pay suitable honors to the memory of this greatest & best of men— Our whole city appears to be penetrated with the profoundest Grief— Our churches are in mourning— our bells toll...
2064From John Adams to United States Senate, 12 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Samuel Winslow Esquire of Massachusetts to be Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue for the port of Thomaston in the district of Waldoborough, in that State, in the place of Thomas Vose Esqr: resigned DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
2065To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 25 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
at the moment of embarking on board of the vessel which is to carry us to France, I snatch a few minutes to inform you that when you receive these few lines we will be on our way to our native country where we will carry a deep sense of all which we owe you, and where I hope to be able to tell my parents all their own as well as my own obligations to you. we are this moment setting out to go...
2066John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I had been almost three months without receiving a line from you, or from any other of my correspondents in America; and although upon coolly considering circumstances I was sensible that this was the natural fruit of my own neglect of writing during the last Winter, yet as one’s feelings never make the allowances which sober reason requires, I began to think it strange to be so long without...
2067From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the nineteenth instant with its enclosure— Were this a time of war I should not be embarrassed by your enquiry, but, in the present state of things, we must rely for a remedy — of the evil of which you complain on the influence of strict discipline up on the troops themselves. Where stores are erected near a high way you can place a sentinel on to prevent the...
2068From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A rule respecting the allowance of Barracks and Quarters is wanting. I submit to your consideration the following scale. To a Major General for himself four rooms, for each Aid one room, and a Kitchen. To a Brigadier General for himself four rooms, for his Aid one room, and a Kitchen. To the Inspector General in addition to his allowance as Major General two rooms for officers, and one for his...
2069To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Gibbs, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Application having been made to me by Major Daniel Jackson of the Corps of Artillerist and engineers to muster and inspect the company of Captain Lemuel Gates of the same corps at Castle Island. I have attended the service, and do myself the honor to transmit you the Muster Roll of that company I cannot but say they are in general a very good body of men and in justice to the Officers have...
2070From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 25 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is plain from Mr. Hamiltons pamphlet & from all the writings against the negotiation with France that neither that gentleman nor his fellow laborers in the great work of detraction have ever known the rise and progress of the measures they have successfully misrepresented & abused. In order to correct the public opinion, I inclose you authenticated copies of the messages, which I pray you...
2071[Diary entry: 16 May 1798] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning perfectly clear—Wind northerly & Mer. at 58. Wind fresh after morning & cool all day. Mer. 60 at Night.
2072To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Priestley, 30 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I am flattered by your thinking so favourably of my pamphlets , which were only calculated to give some satisfaction to my suspicious neighbors. Chancellor Livingston informs me that he has got an edition of them printed at Albany , for the information of the people in the back country, where, he says, it is much wanted. Indeed, it seems extraordinary, that in such a country as this, where...
2073To Alexander Hamilton from George Izard, 2 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
If any thing could add to the respectful sense I entertain of your favors to me, it would be the obliging manner in which you received my Request of directing my choice. I have determined to accept of Mr. Smith’s Invitation, and have been principally influenced by curiosity in the step I have taken. The hope of seeing countries so little known to us as the Turkish Dominions is a powerful...
2074From John Adams to Et al., 4 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this day, received and read with much Pleasure your unanimous Address, subscribed in your behalf by Colonel Sprout Sproat, your commanding officer at a Regimental Parade at in Marietta on the twelfth of November 1798. The Coercion of Terrorism, cannot be practiced in America, so easily as in Europe where the fate Issue of a Battle determines the Fate of a Nation and the Capture of a...
2075From George Washington to Hepburn & Dundas, 23 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th was recd yesterday. If my attendance at Mr Heiskill’s in Alexandria on the 26th could render you any real Service, I would do it with pleasure. But all that I could relate would be hearsay whilst means exist, to obtain (I presume) positive proofs of the facts you wish to establish. With respect to the division of the tract, of (what you call) 51,302 acres, I am as...
2076To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Leiper, 16 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by last Post an answer to yours of the 26th. Ult: to which I refer—The Aurora of this day will inform you That we have carried our Member of Congress—Captain Jones—our State Senator John Pearson and Sheriff Israel Israel and one Member Samuel Wetheral for the Assembly—The old member Barton of Lancaster is returned against us but Bucks has given us Mr Rodman in our favor which is...
2077To John Adams from Richard Thomas, 6 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Collector of the Port of Philadelphia having declared his intention to Resign that employment—We sue the freedom to bespeak your goodwill for a particular friend Mr Israel Whelen of this City for that Appointment— We sometimes, in our Advocations of this kind, make our appeals to the Judgment & understanding—sometimes to the benevolent feelings of the Heart—In the present case, with...
2078From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Parker, 14 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have Your letter of the 6th. inst. has been received. The number of Officers on the list sent you was intended as a temporary arrangement of relative rank; You will find by a circular letter of mine, which has recently by another desired should be particularly attended been recently adverted to, recommended to the Lt. Cols. Commndts. in concert with their Majors to revise the order in which...
2079To John Adams from Christopher McPherson, 21 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
On this day three Weeks ago I did myself the Honor of writing a letter to Your Excellency, Covering an Address to His Excellency the President of the U.S. and the Honorable the Senate of the Same; which letter I handed to a Servant in waiting within the door of Your Palace.— It being actually Necessary for me to know, positively, before the 22d. of this Month, if that letter is gone safe to...
2080To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose for your information copies of several letters (viz) one from Captn Miller dated Fort Washington March 9th 1799—one from Capt Edd D Turner, dated Fort Fayette 26th April 1799 one from Colo Butler dated Belle Canton April 15th 1799 and copies of recruiting orders given by Colo Butler to Major Bradley and Captain Bird dated 15th April 1799 I have the honor to be, with great respect,...
2081To Thomas Jefferson from William Thornton, 7 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of your favor of the 23d Ultimo. by Mr Barnes, whose short stay here prevented me from enjoying the gratification of shewing such attentions as I could wish, independent of your friendly recommendation, to which I shall at all times be exceedingly happy to pay particular respect.—Though I believe he is not unfavourably impressed with the Situation & appearance of our new City,...
2082From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two blank Commissions, signed and am satisfied with the recommendations of Robert Chesley, to succeed his Father. If a real reformation should take place in Northampton County, in consequence of a consciencious Conviction of their Error & Crime it would be happy: but a cessation of opposition from fear only, may last no longer than the terror. I am, Sir your most obt. CtHi .
2083To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas McKean, 10 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The important election has been so far favorable for the Republicans; you & Mr; Burr have 73 votes each, and the House of Representatives must, on the second Wednesday in the next month, chuse one of you two for President. As it appears from the explicit & honorable conduct of Mr; Burr there will be no competition on his part, it is reasonably to be expected that there can be no difficulty in...
2084From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of the Presidents letter to me, which I request may be, with this letter, burnt as soon as they are read, & no more said respecting the contents than might be proper for him to hear repeated again; Otherwise, a knowledge that the contents of my letters to, and from him, are in possession of others, may induce him to believe, in good earnest, that intriegues are carrying on,...
2085From John Adams to Theodore Sedgwick, 16 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the session of the Senate for Executive Business should be continued, and that the members thereof should convene on Tuesday the seventeenth day of July instant; You are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on that day, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, then and there to receive and deliberate on such communications as...
2086[Diary entry: 30 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning—Clear, wind Southerly Mer. at 62–70 at Night & 74 at highest. Mr. Law & Mr. Peter went away after breakfast—and Doctr. & Mrs. Craik & Son—Mr. & Mrs. Harrison—and Mrs. Jenifer & a Miss Barnes came to dinner & returned afterwards. Mrs. Jenifer is probably Dr. and Mrs. Craik’s daughter Sarah, wife of Dr. Daniel Jenifer. Miss Barnes is probably a member of the Barnes family of Charles...
2087From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 4 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your Letter of Aug. 24 and pray you to keep the Packets from Sir John Sinclair till my return. This Agricultural Patriot and Hero has sent me Letters and Packets for Seven Years not one of which have I answered, but still he persevered.—I am not much charmed with the honour of being elected a Member of any Society in Europe especially in England, at this Crisis: but as it is owing...
2088From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The business I shall have to transact in Philadelphia will, more than probable, be of so piddling & trifling a nature, as to produce more trouble, than profit from the Commission, to whomsoever undertakes it. Notwithstanding (this being premised) as it has always been done by you, while I was not myself in Philadelphia as a Resident [,] I could not think of applying to another without first...
2089To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 30 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this morning received your private and confidential Letter of the 19th. inst, from the post office at new Rochelle; it pains me to have the appearance of being so long inattentive to your communications. I have written to the Asst. Ajt. Genl. expressing my wish, that some more direct mode of communication, may be adopted, injury and inconvenience, may arise, if some alteration does not...
2090[Diary entry: 19 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
19. Calm & very pleasant—M. 58.
2091From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 24, I can only say that I have referred the Papers relative to extra Services to the Secretary of the Treasury who has not yet reported. That I cannot determine any Thing on Major Tousard’s Claim nor Mr. Dinsmores till some general rule is settled,—Major Tousard however and Mr Dinsmore will have Justice done them. If you approve of the Measure you may send a...
2092From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus Graves, 11 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
My circular of the 31 of March professes to transmit profers offers a plan for the Division and subdivision of the Circle, within which your Regiment is to be raised. When that letter was written it was supposed that materials for a perfect plan would speedily have been proposed obtained; but prev peculiar circumstances not necessary to be specified, have disappointed that expectation. The...
2093Charles Adams to John Adams, 31 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
M r Francis Baretto has as he informs me applied for the Consulate at Madeira and has requested me to mention you to him as an acquaintance. He is a Native of that Island though for many years a Citizen of this Nation He has been known to me for more than ten years and his misfortunes of various kinds have excited my compassion and esteem as I beleive he did not merit them. If I should err...
2094To John Adams from Henry Knox, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I flatter myself with the hope that the subject of this note, will not be deemed by you as unreasonable importunity. My son my only son has been a midshipman in the Navy upwards of a year. Before that period he performed a long voyage to India. He is reputed to be well skilled as a navigator, active as a seaman, in addition to which the experience of three years, appears in the opinion of Capt...
2095To George Washington from William Heath, 11 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which you did me the honor to write me, some time since, you expressed a wish to be a reader of my memoirs of the American revolutionary war, if they were published, The work being now out of press, I take the liberty to forward a Copy, and pray you to do me the honor of accepting it. When you think proper to give the memoirs a perusal, I intreat you to exercise much candour, and...
2096To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 12 July 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here two days since and sit out in return the day after to morrow for Phila. where I shall probably be a fortnight before I proceed on home. Here I have had an interview with the friend of Mr. or Mrs. R. each of us having a friend present , and which furnished no result, the business being adjourned over to Phila. where we meet the day after my return there in company with the other...
2097Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of hearing of your Arrival at East Chester and in Health. Since you left Quincy, We have scarcely had a Storm, except that which occur’d on your Journey. The Weather has proved favourable for Farming Business and for finishing the Cellar, which will probably be compleated this Week as far as was intended, th’o not in all its Parts as was directed by Brizler, the Part next...
2098From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 23 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved with great pleasure your favor on the subject of the Steam engine . tho’ deterred by the complexity of that hitherto known from making myself minutely acquainted with it, yet I am sufficiently acquainted with it to be sensible of the superior simplicity of yours, and it’s superior economy. I particularly thank you for the permission to communicate it to the Philosophical...
2099To John Adams from George Washington, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
With all the respect which is due to your public station, and with the regard I entertain for your private character, the following representation is presented to your consideration.—If in the course of it, any expression should escape me which may appear to be incompatible with either,—let the purity of my intentions;—the candour of my declarations;—and a due respect for my own character, be...
2100[Diary entry: 6 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning—Mer. at 65. Calm & thin clouds; thunder abt. 10 Oclock & Showers at a distance. In the Afternoon Rain for near an hour. Mer. 64 at Night. Mr. Law went away this morning & Dr. Stuart Mrs. Stuart & three daughters came to breakfast & dinner. According to Niemcewicz, the Stuarts arrived in a coach and four with two postilions and two men on horseback ( niemcewicz , 103). The Stuarts’...