1From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 6 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
your favor of the 27th Ult. gave me great pleasure. The proposal of appointing the V.P. to go as Envoy Extraordinary to Paris, has arrived from so many quarters that I presume the thought is a natural one. I will tell you a secret But I wish you to keep it a Secret in your own Breast—I was so impressed with the idea, myself that on the 3d of March, I had a conversation with mr. Jefferson in...
2From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning yours of the 25th and as yours are the best Letters I receive I must hasten to acknowledge it. But the Press upon me is so great that I must be very short. Your Brief of the formidable Position of France is very true as it appears, at present: but Intelligence of the surest kind which is not laid before the public shews it to be all hollow at home and abroad: in Spain,...
3From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
There are many parts of your Letter I have omitted, indeed it requires more Leisure than I have to do it Justice. Men of Cander and Discernment, you observe, have thought that my Predecessor erred, in some particulars. This may be and who has not? But you must remember that the French were always antifederalists. Always opposed and countenanced and stimulated the Party that opposed the federal...
4From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 30 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have just recd your favours of 28. May, No. 6 and No. 7. with a Copy of No. 3. This last I had recd before. I had no share in the Recall of Monroe, and therefore am not responsible for the Reasons of it.—But I have heard such reports of his own Language in France at his own Table, and the Language of those whom he entertained and countenanced, and of his correspondences with Bache Beckley &c...
5From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 20 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment written a Message to the Senate nominating you to be an Envoy Extraordinary to the French Republic. Knowing as I did Mr Dana’s aversion to the Sea, and his continual dread of his Mother’s fate, I was always apprehensive he would decline and should have nominated you at first, if I had not been overruled by the opinions of many Gentlemen that Mr. Dana’s Experience in this...
6From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 20 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment written a Message to the Senate nominating you to be an Envoy Extraordinary to the French Republic; Knowing as I did Mr: Dana’s aversion to the sea, and his continual dread of his Mothers fate, I was always apprehensive he would decline, and Should have nominated you at first, if I had not been over ruled by the opinions of many Gentlemen, that Mr: Dana’s Experience in this...
7From John Adams to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 22 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Abilities, Integrity, Prudence, and Patriotism, I have nominated and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate do appoint you the said Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry, jointly and severally Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the French Republic, authorizing you...
8From John Adams to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 22 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Know Ye, That for the purpose of terminating all differences between the United States of America and the French Republic, and of restoring and confirming perfect harmony and good understanding and re–establishing a commercial and friendly intercourse between them; and reposing a special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and Abilities of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall...
9From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 7 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I know not when I have received So much pleasure from a Letter as from yours this Moment brought in, to to me of the 3d. The Circumstances of your family are Such as to Excite the tenderest feelings & anxieties and Mrs: Gerrys Resolution does her great honor. She never will repent of it, I fully beleive. Mr: Marshall is here and will Sail next week for Amsterdam, It will be adviseable for you...
10From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 17 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment your Letter of the 10th. That Man must have more Skill in Intrigue than any that I have been acquainted with who can Sap the foundation of the Confidence I have in Mr Gerry....No Such Attempt has been made. All have confessed to me your honour and Integrity—Some have expressed doubts of your orthodoxy in the Science of Government—others have expressed fears, of an...