271To John Adams from Pierre Auguste Adet, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
J’aurois desiré pouvoir vous présenter mes hommages Comme ministre de L’a Republique française, j’ose esperer que vous me permettrés de vous Les offrir comme particulier. j’aurois deja sollicité cette Faveur si ma santé ne m’en Eut empechè. je ne puis plus differer de vous la demander, quoique je sois Loin de me bien porter. j’ai des Choses extrêmement importantes à Vous Communiquer. je vous...
272To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 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 Frenchman named Giraud, appointed Consul for Boston. It struck in one of the names presented last May by Mr. Létombe as Consul, for your exequatur was requested and refused. I turned to the Létombe’s letter, & found it so, with the variation of the last...
273To John Adams from Charles Lee, 8 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have taken into my most serious consideration the important subjects contained in your letter of the 24th. of January last. The opinions I am about to give are predicated upon the supposition that the Legislature of France has passed a decree conformably to the advice of the directory in their message of the 4th. of January last relative to the Commerce of Neutral nations, and that our...
274To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 10th of August inst. and shall cause the name of Dr. David King to be entered among the candidates for medical appointments, and his recommendations to be filed. I have the honour to be / with the greatest respect, Sir, / your most obt & most hble St— MHi : Adams Papers.
275To John Adams from Joseph Willard, 23 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I hoped to have had the honor, before this time, of paying my respects to you at your Seat in Quincy, but have been unavoidably prevented. I am very happy to hear that you enjoy good health. May Heaven long preserve it; and preserve a life invaluable to the United States! Will you permit me, Sir, to recommend to your favorable notice, for an Office in the military line, Mr William Amherst...
276To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving, an hour since, your letter of the 22d instant, with the copy of one to you from Colonel Smith. I am happy to think that the question presented is on mere military principles a very simple one. The rule of promotion, by succession, does not in any service, as far as my knowlege goes, apply to a new corps, in its first organisation. Officers for such a corps, it is...
277To 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...
278To 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...
279To 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...
280Charles 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...
281To 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...
282To 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...
283To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
After having obtained your approbation of an enterprize to the Court of Spain &c for the two largest Frigates, it is painful for me to propose a different arrangement. But So much time has elapsed in getting the Constitution to Sea—& I have no accot. that she has yet got out; that I fear it would be the 15. of August, before the two Frigates could leave Hampton for Europe—they can Safely...
284To John Adams from Cyrus Griffin, 10 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
This being the first instance of capture and trial in my Court under the late Acts of Congress, I take the liberty to inform you that the Ship Niger, brought into this District by Capt. Nicholson of the Constitution, after long and very able arguments by the best Lawyers of this Country, was decreed by me to be restored to the Respondents, together with the ordinary Costs of defence.— It...
285To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully represents to the President of the United States. That the account of the President of the United States—stands charged in the Books of the Treasury with fourteen thousand dollars advanced by Warrants of the Secretary in pursuance of the Act of March 2d. 1797.— for the purpose of closing which account, the Secretary transmits the draft of an...
286To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
The recent death of Doctor Way has left the office of treasurer of the mint vacant, to which Mr John Knap a native of Maryland, but for some time an inhabitant of Philadelphia wishes to be appointed. This gentleman some time since produced to me recommendations from the Governor of Maryland, the Chancellor and one or two private gentlemen of that State in whom I have confidence, which bore...
287To John Adams from Charles Lee, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have attentively considered the letter of the judge of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, dated the 8th instant, relative to the act of Congress entitled “An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt,” which he thinks deficient in many particulars. 1st. He states it as doubtful whether the act vested judicial power in the judge relative to the discharge of...
288To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Having transmitted to Mr Pickering, additional documents, numbered from 36 to 50 inclusively, you will probably peruse them. The first, contained a copy of a motion, I made to the other Envoys; to put an end, as early as the 21st of October 1797, to the disgraceful communications of X & Y. at the bottom of the original, is a note in the handwriting of General Pinckney, which shews, that it was...
289To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully requests the attention of the President of the United States, to certain measures and arrangements, which appear to him to be indispensable to the improvement of our military system, and solicits, if it shall be thought proper, that the same may be submitted to Congress. No sentiment is more just than this, that, in proportion as the circumstances and policy...
290To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Conformably to your directions, I requested, and had an interview, with Mr. Waln this morning and communicated to him, that if it would suit Mr. Whelen best, on account of his family and connections to hold an agency in the branch of the Purveyor at Philadelphia, at a salary from 1000 to 1200 Dollars per annum, in preference to the Principal office which would require the removal of his family...
291Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have rejoiced in the fine weather which we have had Since your absence, and tho to day it threatens a Change, and debilitates me, I hope it will not prove very urksome to you. I received your Letter written at Flags and should have rejoiced more in your progress, if it had not have distanced you further from Mrs smith who was following you with all speed— I fear she did not overtake you...
292To John Adams from Elias Dayton, 4 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The members of the society of the Cincinnati in the state of New Jersey, this day convened at their annual meeting, for the purposes of perpetuating their friendships, and of commemorating together the great events which gave Independence to these United States (in all that purity of intention which we trust has ever been manifested by our Society, and for the truth of which we have appealed...
293To John Adams from Charles Lee, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In communicating to you a state of the Union at this time when you have been convened by my special direction it is with great satisfaction I inform you that the present meeting has not been occasioned by any occurrences within the United States. An attachment to our system of government has encreased with the experience of its utility, & resting on the most proper and only solid foundation...
294To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I was honoured with your letter of the 16th covering your answer to the address from Burlington in Vermont, and forward the same by this day’s mail. Copies of the address and answer I send to Mr. Fenno to be printed. Herewith I transmit a letter from Matthias Barton Esqr. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, inclosing an address from himself and subalterns, the officers of a company of...
295To John Adams from Uzal Ogden, 26 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I send you by this day’s post, a Pamphlet published yesterday, entitled “a Letter to Major General Alexander Hamilton” &c.; signed, “a Citizen.” I hope the Publication will be honored with your approbation, and be of public utility. It was certainly written with the best Views, tho’ in great haste , in less than thirty years. I wish it could Speedily be reprinted, and circulated through these...
296To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, in a packet accompanying this letter, fifty Mediterranean passports, for your signature, and to be, / With perfect respect, / Your most obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
297To John Adams from William Macpherson, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Attached to the Government of the United States, from a conviction of the blessings which we derive from the just administration of wise and equal laws; and anxious to vindicate the character of our country from the aspersions of foreign insolence; we, citizens of Philadelphia, associated as soldiers under the denomination of MacPherson’s Blues, beg leave to offer our services, through you, to...
298To John Adams from William Cranch, 28 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Colo. Charles Semmes, of Alexandria. This gentleman I have never seen, to my knowledge. General report speaks of him as a man of talents in his profession, of a good moral Character, and friendly to the government. His practice is very extensive. Thomas Swann Esquire.—of Alexandria. I have seen this Gentleman. He appears to be about 36 years old—is very much esteem’d as a lawyer, and a man. He...
299To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I this moment received the inclosed official letter , an answer to the one from me, of which I inclose a copy, and do myself the honour to forward it sir to you under a hope that it may meet you at Braintree before the copy of it reach the Secretary of State. I inclose in another letter a copy of it to him— as this is a duplicate by the same post through another hand. I had sent duplicates to...
300To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 17 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
A few days since I did myself the honour of enclosing a few of the Nouvelles Politiques—& now have the pleasure of sending a few more. The papers afford a prospect of politics, of party & of events that gives me little to add. From all I can collect from private sources I certainly expect very soon a great explosion at Paris. The Directory have appealed in a degree to the Armies, & the armies...
301To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 29 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I shall with pleasure obey the command contained in your letter of the 17th instant and shall accordingly inform the Governor that I am ready to proceed in the execution of the measure. With perfect respect and esteem / I have the honor to be / Sir / Yr Obed Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
302To John Adams from Jacob Rahm, 3 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a large and general meeting of the Inhabitants of this Village and its Vicinity at Mr. Patrick Cochran’s Tavern on the 28th of April. Ulto. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted, as expressive of the Sentiments of each individual. Resolved, That such is the situation of the United States with respect to her foriegn relations – such has been the rectitude and wisdom of the...
303To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your direction the papers which were laid before you respecting John Marsden Pintard Esqr. Consul of the United States for the Island of Madeira, including his own communications to you, have been committed to the Heads of Departments and Attorney General for their examination and consideration: and their opinions thereon I presume will be submitted to you immediately: by own I...
304To John Adams from David Perry, 19 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ members of an infant Institution, and of little comparative weight in the political scale of the union, we feel for the interest of our country. It becomes every youth in whose breast there dwells the least principle of honor, to come forward calmly and boldly to defend his country. When we behold France, a great and powerful nation, exerting all their energy to undermine the vast fabrics...
305To John Adams from John Sinclair, 9 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
You will herewith receive the Diploma, to which you are entitled, as an honorary Member of the British Board of Agriculture, and which I am persuaded will be doubly valuable to you, as it will be delivered by the hands of the gallant Kasecusko, who has stopped in this Country for a few days in his way to America. It would be presumption in me to take the liberty of recommending him to your...
306To John Adams from Jonathan Dayton, 16 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have the honor to address you on the subject of the appointment to an office, created by an Act lately passed for the establishment of a general Stamp-office, & to recommend Mr. James Greenleaf for the same. As an accurate Accountant, no one can be better qualified to discharge the duties of this office, and as a man of probity, we have good reason to believe, & indeed have seen very...
307To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning been honored with your letter of the 13th. and will introduce in the 10th article the idea you have been pleased to suggest, in the instructions to Mr. King, to negociate a commercial treaty with Prussia. A copy of these instructions shall be transmitted to Mr. Adams at Berlin, with the fresh instructions you direct. Yesterday I received from our Consul at Gibraltar the...
308To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recd. Augt. 10. 1798. and forwarded by the President’s most obt. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
309To John Adams from Jacob Wagner, 16 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letters, containing the applications of Messrs. Archibald Campbell and William Wilson for the office of Marshal for Maryland, I received since the last northern mail was closed. I have the honor to submit them to your consideration, and to be, / With the most perfect respect, / sir, / your most Obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
310Elijah Adams to John Adams, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I embrace this opportunity to send, by Miss Hannah Adams, a copy of the genealogy of the family of Adamss according to your request. It is some years since I was requested by a number of respectable relations to prevent the genealogy from being lost; Accordingly I have been, for several years, collecting information from every source to make out the genealogy which I here exhibit to you. I...
311To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Capt Little, covering Warrants for Saml Bullen Saml. G. Jerald } to be Midshipmen Jno G Norwood Edward Durant —Gunner James Potts —Boatswain James Howe —Carpenter These Gentlemen are recommended in a Letter just received from the Committee at Boston, & are intended for that Frigate, which I hope is on the eve of Sailing—Their Warrants, if you think...
312To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 19 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury most respectfully reports to the President of the United States That the facts stated in the Report of the Secretary of State dated Decb. 19th. 1799. in relation to the official conduct of John M. Pintard appear to be proved, and are in the opinion of the undersigned, of such a nature and tendency as render his removal from Office necessary. All which is...
313To John Adams from Anonymous, 15 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
We are a private Committe held at the Natchez on the 13th of June 1797 and beg leave to report as follows. !st That no Attention is or hath been paid by the Spaniards to the Treaty subsisting between America and Spain as they refuse to Evacuate any of the posts included in the Treaty, but contrariwise are repairing Rebuilding and fortifying such Posts. 2d The People of the Natchez do solicit...
314To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning Mr. C. Humphreys handed me your letters and the dispatches of Mr. Gerry & others. I have now the honor to inclose some copies of our order for requiring the departure of aliens, pursuant to the act of Congress passed the 25th of June last. If the form of the Order meets your approbation, I respectfully submit to your consideration whether during your absence from the seat of...
315To John Adams from Charles Lee, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The trial of Fries for high treason which was commenced on monday the 6th. instant and which from that period has alone occupied the court was concluded yesterday at 10 oclock at night. The prisoner had the assistance of able counsel Dallas Lewis and Ewing and after a fair & patient trial before an impartial court has by an unexceptionable jury been found guilty. During the trial of the...
316To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is with peculiar satisfaction that I prent to you, at the request of the Officers & privates of a Troop of Horse, organised and equipped at this place, their resolutions and Address Rendering their Services to the united States; and they are equipped, Sir, in a manner that would & do honor to any Troop of Horse in the World. Their offer, Sir, is the effusion of pure patriotism, and may be...
317To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 28 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Meeting with a safe hand going to London the other day I did myself the honour of sending to you through Mr. King a pamphlet written lately by Boulay (de la Meurthe) of the 500. It is a very remarkable work—a view of the causes of the English Revolution by Cromwell & of its failure. He forces the lines of events when they run at all together into a parallel—& to my mind absolutely with a view...
318To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 5 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday had the honor of receiving your communication of the 28th Ulto. advising me of the appointment of your Nephew Mr. Shaw as my successor in the Capacity of Private Secrety. The flattering testimony you have given me of the discharge of my duties while in your family, be assured Sir I consider as an additional evidence of that friendly regard which has taught me to Value your Esteem...
319To John Adams from John Marshall, 12 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. inst. returning the dispatches from our envoys of the 17th. of May, is just receivd. I now perceive that my having omited to accompany those dispatches with a letter requires an apology. After decyphering it, I had been engagd with the heads of departments until it became necessary to forward the package immediately to you, or to lose a mail which I was not inclind to...
320To John Adams from George McClelland, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Prompted by the purest principles of patriotism, and inspired with the warmest zeal for the maintenance of our Liberties and independence, We presume at this momentous Crisis, to offer to the Executive magistrate of one Country our sentiments and determinations. Considering ourselves as individually outraged in every insult offered to our Government, We should do injustice to our own feelings,...