1To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the copy of a letter sent this morning to the District Attorney of Georgia, & the draughts of letters to the British & Spanish ministers—left open for additions, if any should be thought necessary. Nothing is promised or intimated in either of the letters to the Ministers of the Use of military force to make our...
2To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully submits the following facts and observations, to the President of the United States, relative to matters of which he may deem is proper to give information, and to measures which he may think necessary and expedient to recommend to Congress, at the approaching Extraordinary Session. I. General Pinckney’s mission to the French Republic. The late President of...
3To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
To the Questions proposed by the President of the United States, on the 14th of the last month, the Secretary of State respectfully returns the following answers. 1. Question. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris & the Territory of the Republic, with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility, as we have been informed of, are bars to all...
4To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a report respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States since the 1st of October 1796, as far conformable to the Resolve of the House of Representatives of the 10th instant as the materials in my possession would admit. The number of captures will give a tolerably correct idea of the extent of our losses, and the documents will...
5To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Judge Sullivan has sent me the inclosed copy of a letter he wrote to Governor Jay, requesting him to give his testimony personally to the board of Commissioners to sit at Boston the 1& of August on the St. Croix Boundary. He (Judge Sullivan) conceives your personal testimony alike necessary. But the Commissioners can never think of declaring your presence, or Govr. Jay’s, indispensable, seeing...
6To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State incloses the rough draught of the Instructions to Mr. Adams and a sketch of additional instructions which if approved by the President may be forwarded to-day with the former to Mr. Gerry’s care. An express is engaged to go in the mail stage this day to Cambridge. The Secretary will call presently to take the President’s orders. MHi : Adams Papers.
7To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
To day the inclosed arrived from Mr. Gerry. By his letter to me I find he received the dispatches which I sent him, on Sunday the 23d instant. Nothing remarkable has happened since your departure. I am with great respect / sir, your obt. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
8To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
By this day’s mail I send three packets, containing, together, 80 Mediterranean passports, for your signature; which I shall wish to have returned as soon as you can find time to dispatch them. David Howell Esqr. Commissioner on the St. Croix business, expressed to me, last winter, his expectations that his salary of £ 1000. Sterling a year, would continue from the day he accepted the...
9To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The letter and deposition of which the inclosed are copies, were received from Judge Sitgreaves the first instant. I answered the Judge, that the papers would be submitted to your consideration; and that perhaps you might think it proper to issue a proclamation to check the evil, and warn the people of their danger. In the mean time, that the measure he proposed for apprehending offenders...
10To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday I received by the way of Alexandria a letter from General Pinckney dated at the Hague the 5th of June, from which I have made the enclosed extracts for your information. Some time ago I mentioned to you my opinion that it would be expedient to send the United States brigantine Sophia to the West Indies, to receive and bring home such of our seamen as were detained in...
11To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
This morning I recieved a letter from Mr. Charles Hall, declining the office of Agent of the United before the Board of Commissioners sitting here in relation to British debts; and covering a letter to you, which I have the honor to inclose. I also inclose a letter from Mr. Coleman to Collinson Read Esqr. advising him that his son-in law, Mr. Hall, had declined the appointment of Agent. This...
12To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Attorney General just informs me that before your departure you directed him to employ Mr. John Read, if Mr. Hall should decline the office of agent, without waiting any further order from you. Having no knowledge of this determination, I wrote to you yesterday and this morning, mentioning the names of candidates, supposing the matter would remain suspended until your answer should arrive....
13To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed packet was handed to me yesterday by Colo. Moultrie of South-Carolina. I understood him that it contained an offer to convey to the U. States the title to a large tract of land in Georgia. He seemed anxious to obtain a speedy answer. I have the honour to be / with great respect, / sir your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
14To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have to-day received from Genl. Kosciusko the inclosed letter, accompanied with two packets understood to be from Sir John Sinclair (President of the English Board of Agriculture) and containing, one a diploma for you as a member of the Society—the other some pamphlets of the proceedings of the board. With one of the packets was tied up a letter which I also inclose. The packets I imagine...
15To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
On the 24th, two messengers arrived with dispatches from Mr. Ellicott and lieutenant Pope, dated the 27th & 28th of June, at the Natchez. Copies of those addressed to me I have now the honor to inclose. The Secretary of War informed me that he should, for want of time, transmit to you his originals from lieut. Pope. We have conversed together on their contents; but conceiving nothing to be in...
16To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
In my public letter of this date I have inclosed a letter from Mr. Boudinot, in which he suggests that Dr. Rush would accept the director office of Treasurer of the Mint. The Doctor is so perfectly well known to you, it would be impertinent to say one word concerning him. By marriage I think you must know that he is connected with Mr. Boudinot. Dr. David Jackson can have no special claims to a...
17To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I removed my family and office to this place, to avoid the danger from the present contagious fever in Philadelphia; and the progress of the disease since last Thursday (the day of departure) shows that the removal was long enough delayed. A letter from the Director of the Mint dated, and received by me, yesterday, announced the death of the Treasurer, Dr. Way; an event greatly to be lamented,...
18To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter was forwarded, I have received the inclosed letters from Judge Patterson & Mr. McHenry, mentioning the names and characters of candidates for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Probably more will be presented; and as the prevalence of the fever in Philadelphia will for some time interrupt the operations of the mint, there will be no inconvenience in suspending your...
19To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Of the two applicants for the office of Treasurer of the mint mentioned by Judge Patterson, one of them, Mr. Huger, must be in some measure known to you. I have several times seen him at the boarding house of Mr. Goodhue, Hillhouse &c. in Philadelphia, and from his conversations I had placed his abilities in the lowest grade. I understand he was sometimes disabled by the gout; & am much...
20To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter was forwarded, I have received the inclosed letters from Judge Patterson & Mr. McHenry, mentioning the names and characters of candidates for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Probably more will be presented; and as the prevalence of the fever in Philadelphia will for some time interrupt the operations of the mint, there will be no inconvenience in suspending your...
21To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your two letters of the 4th instant, and am happy in your approbation of the matters therein referred to. Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Francis Nichols, offering himself a candidate for the office of Treasurer of the mint. He was an officer in the Pennsylvania line in the war of our revolution. He now lives at Pottsgrove in that State. He...
22To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from John Q. Adams Esqr. dated at London the 19th. acknowledging the receipt of my letters informing of his appointment to the Court of Berlin, and that he should remain in London until his instructions should arrive. He regrets the publication of extracts from some of his letters, such as that of Novr. 4. relative to the conduct of the Dutch Republic, as it would...
23To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the application of Mr. James Sykes of the State of Delaware, to be appointed Treasurer of the mint. It is perhaps ten years or more since I saw Mr. Sykes at my friend Mr. Doz’s. I had more acquaintance with his father, who sustained a good character, and was clerk of the county court in Kent County. His son, Mr. James Sykes, I suppose is the physician, and I believe a gentleman well...
24To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose the celebrated speech of Pastoret, in the Council of Five Hundred, concerning the subsisting relations between France and the United States. I have had it translated, and it will be published in the beginning of the ensuing week in Fenno’s news-paper. I inclose a letter, I suppose from Dr. Hall of Yorktown in Pennsylvania, with one from General Miller...
25To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter just recd from Judge Patterson, recommending Dr. James Hall of York-town, Pennsylvania, for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Last week I transmitted to you Pastoret’s speech in the Council of Five Hundred on the conduct of the French Executive directory & their agents towards the United States. I now inclose an anonymous answer, at once weak and...
26To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the copy of a letter from Robert Morris Esqr. dated yesterday, accompanied with information from a Mr. Rees who is attending the treaty held at his request with the Seneka Indians at Genesee River, where doubtless the Chief of others of the six Nations are assembled. It confirms our other accounts of the attempts of the Spaniards to seduce the Indians from our Territory, with a view...
27To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was honoured with your letter of the 2d.—Yesterday I saw Dr. Rush at this place. His information agrees with what I have heard from others, that very few persons have the yellow fever in the city of Philadelphia. The sickness is principally among the poor people in Southwark . The Doctor is now about four miles from Trenton, & I will endeavour to see him before he returns to...
28To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Hearing Daniel W. Coxe, brother of Tench Coxe Esqr. had returned from New-Orleans, I wished to obtain what information he had collected in that quarter relative to the affairs of the United States. On the 6th instant I recd. from Tench Coxe an extract of a letter from his brother of which a copy is now inclosed.—On account of the commercial affairs of D. W. Coxe at New-Orleans, the...
29To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your letter of the 12th from East Chester. I wrote you on the 7th by duplicates, in answer to your letter of the 2d, in which you directed future letters to be addressed to you at East Chester, one sent to the postmaster at New-Haven, where I supposed it might you on tuesday the 10th, and the other to New-York, to the care of your son. On the 9th I wrote you a...
30To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Young Lafayette called to day, on his way to New York to embark for France. He left Genl. Washington last Friday perfectly well—and saw a letter from him dated on Saturday afternoon. But on his way, as he drew near to Philadelphia, was told the General was dead.—Mr. Simmons at the War Office told Major Lewis, who just now called to see me, that an Express had passed thro’ Derby with the news....
31To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning I received letters from Mr. Bulkeley, our new consul, dated at Lisbon the 26th & 29th & 30th of August. Mr. Smith embarked in the same ship with him at Philadelphia, the 20th of July, and they arrived at Lisbon the 20th of August. Mr. Smith would have written, if he had known of the conveyance; but he was in the country at Mr. Bulkeley’s father’s. Mr. Bulkeley’s information...
32To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was honoured with your letter of the 26th. My opinion is, that by the second Monday in November, the members of Congress may assemble in Philadelphia with perfect safety. The repeated frosts which are to be expected will doubtless destroy the remnant of contagion, in the fifteen days to come. The faculty of the College & schools at Philadelphia have advertised that they will be...
33To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
By yesterday morning’s mail I received two letters, superscribed by you, one addressed to the Revd. Stephen Peabody, at Atkinson, N. Hampshire, which is inclosed; the other to your son Charles, which I now send to him. According to your directions, I am preparing the papers and business which I imagine you may think proper to lay before Congress. I have the honor to be / with great respect, /...
34To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 2 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
In observance of your directions, I do myself the honor to present to your view such matters as seemed to me proper to be communicated to Congress, at the opening of the approaching session. Some few others may perhaps be added: but in this case they will be prepared in such manner as to require little time to introduce them. If your address should be lengthy, even some of these may be...
35To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to return the papers received the 5th instant, which were laid before you by the Secretary of War, concerning a difference of opinions between him and the accountant of that department relative to their respective powers in the issues of monies appropriated to its use; and upon which you directed me to consult the Attorney General, and make report to you.—With those papers I...
36To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of your direction founded on the Resolve of Congress passed the second of March 1797 I wrote to the Governors of the. . . . . states of Conversation in New-Jersey Pennsylvania Maryland, Virginia, Kentuckey Tennessee & South-Carolina. requesting to be informed whether those states respectively had “ratified the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution concerning the...
37To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a copy of the act of the Legislature of Kentuckey, this day received, ratifying the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States, respecting the suability of States. The amendment having now been ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, has become a part of the Constitution of the United States. MHi :...
38To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully presents, as directed, the annexed papers, exhibiting, pursuant to a resolve of the House of Representatives of the first instant, “a statement of the losses recovered by the citizens of the United States, under the treaty made with Great Britain;” and, as far as he possesses information, “specifying those cases which have actually been decided in the court...
39To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed on the third of March 1797, entitled “An Act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation for the prosecution of the claims of certain citizens of the United States, for property captured by the belligerent powers,” I have the honor to lay before you an account of the expenditures in that service in London , and of the reimbursements...
40To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed is an extract of a private letter which I have just recd. from Mr. Higginson, & which I hasten to communicate to the President. MHi : Adams Papers.
41To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 25 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that you set out this morning, to proceed to Massachusetts, I have thought it proper to send on a parcel of commissions for the Commissioners of the Land-Tax, hoping they will meet you at New-York, be there signed and returned. The commissions for the whole are filled up, and the residue are now under examination & will be forwarded to-morrow. It seemed important that these...
42To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose 15 blanks, permissions to collectors to clear out flags of truce carrying French people from the United States, to which I request your signature, & that you will cause them to be returned to me. A second packet forwarded yesterday contained the residue of the commissions for the Commissioners of the Land Tax. I am with great respect / sir, your most obt. servt. MHi...
43To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
This morning I received a letter from Callohill Memis (an officer of our revolution war) covering the inclosed address, which he desired me to present to you, from the Inhabitants of Bedford County in Virginia. I am with great respect, / sir,your obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
44To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the petition of Robert Worrall, a prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, convicted of a misdemeanor, in offering a bribe to Tench Coxe the late Commissioner of the Revenue. I formerly mentioned his case to you, in consequence of the application of two respectable citizens of Philadelphia, whose information greatly extenuated the offence, and satisfied me that Worrall...
45To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received notice of the death of Colo. Innes, and that his remains are to be interred this forenoon. By the mail of to-morrow I will send a commission for your signature for the gentleman you shall be pleased to name for his successor. The inclosed letter from Colo. Spencer with the address of Columbia and the neighbouring towns in the northwestern territory, I received this...
46To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of sending the copy of Mr. Gerry’s letter of May 13th: I now inclose a copy of his letter of May 12th referred to in the former; but have not been able yet to decypher his letter of April 20th. to M. Talleyrand: it shall be done and forwarded in the next mail. I also inclose a commission for the person you shall be pleased to appoint a Commissioner under the 6th...
47To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recollect you proposed to appoint Samuel Sitgreaves Esqr. to fill the place of Colo. Innes; and perhaps this has proceeded so far as to be unalterable; for I think I heard that it had been proposed to him, & that it would be gratefully accepted. I do not know that a fitter person, who would accept the office, could be appointed. I am convinced it will require a person of equal boldness and...
48To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose a copy of Mr. Gerry’s letter of April 20. to M. Talleyrand, which completes communication of every thing new received from him. A copy of his letter of May 13th I sent by last Friday’s mail; and a copy of his letter of May 12th by Saturday’s mail. Several cases of the yellow fever have occurred. I am with great respect, / Sir / your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams...
49To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Some days before you left Philadelphia, I mentioned to you the petition of John Scotchlar, who had been convicted at a late Circuit court in Boston of a larceny, for which he had been sentenced to pay a fine and to be whipped; and that to avoid the indelible disgrace to himself and family of receiving the corporal punishment was the object of his petition. You were inclined to remit this...
50To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 8 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Huberd Rees of Claremont County, So. Carolina, I received to-day, and with great pleasure forward it, with the address from the people of that county to You and both Houses of Congress expressing such just sentiments of the “perfidious” French Republic, and of duty towards their own country. I have the honor to be / most respectfully / sir, your obt. servant MHi :...