101John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
We arrived here last night, or rather yesterday at one O Clock and here We dined and Slept. The Building is in a State to be habitable. And now We wish for your Company. The Account you give of the melancholly state of our dear Brother M r Cranch and his family is really distressing and must Severely afflict you. I most cordially Sympathize with you and them. I have Seen only M r Marshall and...
102From John Adams to Thomas Pinckney, 27 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is was only this morning on Yesterday that I received the Letter you did me the honour to write me, on the Sixteenth of September. For the friendly and respectful Style in which it is written I pray you to accept of my hearty Thanks: and you shall receive in my answer all the Satisfaction in my Power to give you. Of The Letter which is published in my name I have no Copy, nor any very...
103From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recommendation of Capt. Samuel Robinson to be keeper of the lighthouse on Wigwam point are from such authority & so decisive that I presume it will be unnecessary to look any further. With great esteem &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
104From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter or memorial from Mr I Lewis late consul at the Isle of Enclosed is a letter from General Peleg Wadsworth. A memorial of the select men of Livermore—another of the Select men of Turner—a petition of a committee & an association of about 60 men. All those are amply sufficient to justify me in the appointment of the Turner & Livermore federal volunteer company of Cavalry & I...
105From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I did request or direct Mr McHenry to give a Lieutenants commissions to the Cadets Landais & Wilson, but as he was so great a lawyer & statesman, to have determined that I had no constitutional authority, he declined to do it. I believe it may be as well to insert them in the list you are preparing to be nominated to the Senate. With great regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
106From John Adams to John Marshall, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter or Memorial from Mr J. Lewis late Consul at the Isle of France. I pray you to consider it in connection with that from Mr Babcock in favour of Mr Spooner. I know of no disqualification or demerit in Lewis. He has often called on me Since his return, and I think him a considerate and well informed and well behaved Man.... The great difficulty will be to permit the...
107From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr Jackson in favor of Major James Gibbons came to me only last night. I inclose it to you that it may be filed with others though it is too late for the present appointment as I suppose. It may be of use another time With great respect &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
108From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed very respectable recommendations from Mr Senator Green, Mr Edmund Trowbridge Ellery, & Capt Chris. Raymond Perry of Mr Robert Greenleaf to be a lieutenant of Marines. I recommend to your serious attention in case of a vacancy. With great respect &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
109From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 9 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read the enclosed tedious proceedings but cannot reconcile myself to the severity of the sentences. One of the officers certainly ought to be dismissed & compelled to do justice to the men. But the circumstances of degradation & infamy might work upon the compassion of his neigbors powerfully enough to make him a great man in the militia or some state goverment. The other perhaps ought...
110From John Adams to John Marshall, 9 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr Adam Babcock a respectable merchant of Boston whom I have known and esteemed for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Spooner I also know and believe him to merit the character given him by Mr. Babcock. If it should be thought expedient to try a new experiment at negociation with the isle of France I dont believe we shall find a more proper person to conduct it as...
111From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr Joseph Woodward & another from Mr Thomas Amory. The first requests employment & the second recommends Mr Willliam Haswell to be a lieutenant in the navy. This is a brother of Mr Haswell already in the navy. I am with great esteem &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
112From John Adams to John Marshall, 7 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed are papers received from Govenor Sargeant. I pray you to keep them till I arrive. As they are private communications to me I would not wish them to be read by any but yourself With great regard. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
113From John Adams to John Marshall, 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Memorial from a respectable Merchant in Boston Mr Babcock. Mr Lewis has a similar request before you. Can We do any Thing in either Case or is it worth while to send another Agent to negotiate with the Isle of France? Enclosed is the Permit signed for the Brig. Amazon to carry Passengers to France, sent me in yours of 26. septr. DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Port Louis.
114From John Adams to John Marshall, 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed are some packets of Newspapers &c received from Mr. Smith & a private letter to you which I dared not open. I am for sending half a dozen frigates into the Mediteranean With great esteem &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
115From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Samuel Wales requesting an appointment in the Marines. A certificate in his favor signed by many respectable characters in Bridgewater is also inclosed much in his favor. From the knowledge I have of him & his connections I believe him a good appointment if there are any vacances MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
116From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter from Gen Lee recommending in very strong terms Mr King for collector in place of M Col Byrd came to me but yesterday, & consequently too late I suppose to answer any purpose, but to be filed with the rest & considered on some future occasion MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
117From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Col. Hunnewell & another from Major Rowe recommending Mr Daniel Bell of Boston late Lieut in the 15th regiment to be a first Lieut. of marines. If there is a vacancy I wish he may succeed I am Sir with very great regard &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
118From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 4 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from Mr Daniel Bedinger, with a Certificate in his favour from Governor Wood. I Suppose the Letter comes too late but that if it had arrived earlier it would have made no Alteration in your Judgment or mine. Neither Mr Parker nor any other Person ever had authority from me to Say that any Mans political Creed, would be an insuperable Bar to promotion. No Such rule has ever...
119From John Adams to John Marshall, 3 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received last night your letter of 24 Sept. I return you Mr. Adams’s letter of 28th of June. The question whether neutral ships shall protect ennemies property is indeed important. It is of so much importance that if the principle of free ships free goods were once really established & honestly observed, it would put an end forever to all maratime war & render all military navies...
120From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 30 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The letter of Mr. King to me of Aug the 11 with Bells weekly advertiser messenger of Aug 10. I enclose to you because Gen Marshall I suppose will be absent. I pray you to communicate it to the other Gentlemen. If the negotiation is terminated upon the stated points, the object is no doubt our U.S. election; but time will shew that they are directed by superficial advisers. Instead of operating...
121From John Adams to John Marshall, 30 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is high time for me to request that you would seriously revolve in your own thoughts, the subject of communications both of intelligence & advice to be made to congress at the opening of the approaching session and favor me with your sentiments upon the whole subject, as soon as possible. I shall leave this place on Monday the 13 of Oct. No letters should be directed to me here which are to...
122From John Adams to John Marshall, 30 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr. William Rogers of N York, requesting to be Consul at Bourdeaux I pray you to file with others, aiming at the same object. I am Sir with much respect, MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
123From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have carefully read all the applications & recommendations for the office of collector of Norfolk & although the list of candidates is numerous and their pretensions respectable I think I discover sufficient reasons in the papers to concur with you in opinion that Col William Davis ought to be appointed and pray you to send him a commission accordingly. His letters have a strong character of...
124From John Adams to John Marshall, 27 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the enclosed letter of J Cox Barnet at Bourdeaux of 27 July. This letter being addressed to the Secretary of State, I ventured to open & found in it only a private letter to you. This, I did not think myself warranted to open, though it may contain intelligence of a public nature, and now transmit it to you in the same enclosure, which first covered it. I have received...
125From John Adams to John Marshall, 27 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday the inclosed letter, sent up from Boston, with several others and large packets, which appear to be only newspapers. This is duplicate of N. 244 from Mr. Humphries at Madrid, dated 29 July & Aug 1. Talleyrands reply to the French minister, “in the present state of the negociation, between the US & France, you may inform Mr. Humphry’s that he shall not long have occasion to...
126From John Adams to John Marshall, 27 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter of the 20th from Dr Leib together with a petition from Philip Desh & Abraham Shants for pardons. A certificate of physicians and other citizens accompany the petition. Refer this to the Attorney Gen. & let me know your opinions. With great regard. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
127From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have carefully read all the Applications and Recommendations for the Office of Collector of Norfolk: and altho the List of Candidates is numerous and their Pretensions respectable, I think I discern Sufficient reasons in the papers to concur with you in opinion that Col William Davis ought to be appointed and pray you to send him a Commission Accordingly. His Letters have a strong Character...
128From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 25 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th. Privateers manned by Spaniards with French commissions are intollerable. Remonstrances ought to be made to the Spanish govenors & to the Court of Madrid in a serious tone.—The Warren is arrived in Nantaskett Road, but I have nothing from any officer. The Captain, Col. Pickerings nephew, Newman is dead. I know not the character of the ship. If our ships...
129From John Adams to John Marshall, 25 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Elias Backman, Consul in Sweden with an account, which you will please to consider. If he took upon himself the office of Ambassador without orders, commission or instructions and spent money to obtain advantages to American commerce, the Executive authority cannot reimburse him. Enclosed also is a letter from C. Blackberd. You may take notice of it or not at your...
130From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from an officer of good character & I believe superior endowments accomplishments William Cocks. I take the liberty to recommend him to your candid attention, and careful enquiry. If a place can be spared for him, it will be very agreeable. Enclosed is the association of the Durham fœderal volunteers with recommendations of Isaac Davis as Captain, William Hoyt as 1st Lt. &...
131From John Adams to John Marshall, 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr Samuel Parkman, a very respectable citizen of Boston & a member of our Massachusetts legislature, recommending Mr George A Cushing to be Consul at Havanna. You will find in your office the papers referred to. This letter you will please to file with them to be considered in case. I know nothing of the probability of the office being vacant. A letter is also...
132From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from Jesser Lewis which I recommend to your Consideration. General Marshall can probably give you more Information than the Letter contains or is known to your affectionate sert DNA : RG 45--Naval Records Collection.
133From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr William Channing from Tappahannock requesting to be made Collector of Norfolk in the place of Col Bird which you will be pleased to file & consider with all other applications for the same office With affectionate esteem &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
134From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The letter you sent me is from Mr. Murray of the 1 of May at Paris. I return it inclosed to you, that you may consider the recommendation of Mr. Dan. Murray of Anapolis his relation, who is a midshipman on board the insurgent. If this young gentlemans merits will justify his promotion, of which you are better judge than I can be, my disposition to consent to it need not be doubted. With great...
135From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 11th. I hope We have not made a mistake in Appointing Col. Hunnewell. On the Petition of Mrs Sylvester I am of the same opinion with you and your Colleagues. I had read with real Grief in the Papers, the account of the Death of Col. Otway Bird. The Character I read of him at the time of his appointment to the Collector, convinces me that the public has Sustained...
136From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is high time for me to request, that you would seriously revolve in your thoughts, the subject of communications, both of intelligence and advice, to be made to Congress, at the opening of the approaching session, and favor me with your sentiments upon the whole subject, as soon as possible. I shall leave this place on Monday the 13th of October. No letters should be directed to me here,...
137From John Adams to John Marshall, 18 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received last night & have read this morning the copy of your letter to Mr. King inclosed in your favor of the 9th. I know not how the subject could have been better digested. An idea has occurred to me, which I wish you would consider. Ought not something to be said to Mr. King about the other board, that I mean in London. We understand it no doubt all along, that those commissioners are to...
138From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr. Otis & another from Mr. Bussey, recommending Mr. Payton Gay of Dedham to be an officer of marines. Enclosed also is a letter from Dr. Charles Blake requesting to be a surgeon in the army or navy. Dr. Blake served on board the constitution untill he was promoted in the army. I submit them all to your consideration With sincere esteem MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
139From John Adams to John Marshall, 17 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I agree entirely with your sentiments relative to explanations with the British government & a gross sum, and am happy to learn that you have prepared a letter to Mr. King, according to the principles understood between us, which has been approved by the heads of department. This letter may be sent without further advice from me. Mr. Liston apparently had un peu de l’heumeur when he wrote his...
140From John Adams to John Marshall, 17 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the information, transmitted in your letter of the 6, I think it most equitable to suspend the removal of Mr. Pintard for the present. I am glad to find that Mr. Lamar is a native American & now agree with you that whenever Mr. M Pintard must be removed, a more proper person cannot probably be selected, than Mr. Lamar. I have read with care your letter to Mr. Humphries, &...
141From John Adams to John Marshall, 17 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 6th I agree upon the whole with you. The law considers the whole of the Island as a dependance on France, which raises some doubt of the power of the Executive to discharge & restore the vessel captured by Capt Talbot. If therefore the interested should insist on the judgment of the judiciary, the plan you propose will be the safest. Capt Talbot I am convinced...
142From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Mr. D Leonard Jarvis called on me to present me the inclosed letter from himself dated the 10th and the enclosed statement in print of the claim of the Rhode Island brigade. All the consolation I could give him, after reading over his representation with some care, was a promise to enclose it to you with my recommendation to you to give it a candid & impartial consideration & if you...
143From John Adams to John Marshall, 13 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the third. There is indeed so much delicacy in engaging in the support of a claim founded on provision furnished the British army during the revolutionary war that I would not consent that Mr. King should interpose officially in the business of Col Norton. I return the letter of Will. H. Harrison to you & Mr. John Wilkins’s letter to him recommending Mr. John...
144From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 12 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Applications like those enclosed from Mr Francis More, recommended by the select men of Cambridge, Dr Tappan & Mr Holmes, I never know how to receive. No particular employment is specified & I am left to study what can be done for the man. The consequence generally, if not universally has been, that nothing has ever been done for him. In such cases I know not which of the heads of department...
145From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 11 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from General L. R. Morris, recommending John Cook Esqr to be a Capt in the second regiment of Artillery. Mr. Cook had his education to the law under Mr Chipman the Senator. It is possible he may make one the instructors in your military academy With sincere regard &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
146From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from General Peleg Wadsworth of Portland, recommending Thomas Baker Wait to be surveyor & inspector in the place of James Lunt. You know as well as I the respectability of this recommendation With sincere regard &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
147From John Adams to John Trumbull, 10 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 4th. Porcupines Gazette and Fenno’s Gazette, from the moment of the Mission to France, aided, countenanced and encouraged by Soidisant fœderalists in Boston New York and Phyladelphia, have done more to Shuffle the Cards into the hands of the Jacobin Leaders than all the Acts of Administration and all the Policy of opposition from the Commencement of the...
148From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 10 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received and will communicate to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, your Prospect of exterminating the Small Pox. I have read this History of the Kine Pox with pleasure. Your Zeal and Industry to give these Experiments fair play in America deserve the thanks of all the Friends of science and Humanity. To disarm the Small Pox of its contagion is an enterprize worthy of a Hercules...
149From John Adams to John Marshall, 9 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Stevens’s letter inclosed in yours of the 30th seems to require a proclamation to open the trade between the United States & the ports of St Domingo which were lately in the possession of Rigaud, & I am ready to agree to it whenever you & the heads of department shall be satisfied. Mr. Mitchell of Charleston promises great things, & he may be able to perform them, for any thing that I know....
150From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read the proceeding against Lt. Mariner of the frigate Adams, inclosed in your favor of the 30 Aug, & upon due consideration of the whole, have approved of the justice sentence of the Court martial. I cannot however omit to express my anxiety, that so much irregularity should have occurred, as I fear from too much indulgence in the harbor of St Kitts. I pray you to impress upon all our...