1To John Adams from James Sullivan, 22 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since I received your favour of the 27th of May on the Subject of Representation I have heard of a Letter being in the post office in Boston for me which I flattered myself was from you in reply to my answer to yrs above mentioned but some body has taken that with one other out of the office and embezzled them. In my answer to yours of the 27th of May I let you know that I was convinced, that...
2To John Adams from James Sullivan, 2 October 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have to aknowledge the honor of receiving yours of the 17 th & 21 st. instant In my Letter of the 18th of agust, I suggested to your consideration, the idea of encreasing the circulating medium of the united states, by some kind of paper Credit. I hinted that I beleived, the duties, and Impost, Established, would call for more cash than is in circulation within the union, and that there was...
3To John Adams from James Sullivan, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners have agreed that the Scoodiac is the St Croix truly intended in the Treaty of peace. I am of opinion that Benson will accompany Barclay to a Pond near the Penobscott as the source of the river. Whether the Declaration of two Commissioners only is binding, is a question in which I can hereafter have no concern. But at present I am involved in it. The Commissioners are by the...
4To John Adams from James Sullivan, 30 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
Upon contemplating the subject of settleing the eastern boundary of the untied States, and attending to of expression in the treaty of 1795, that the commissioners shall decide what river was intended by the commissioners at Paris in 1783, as the Saint Croix; I am of opinion that it is necessary to establish the facts, that Mitchells map was, as an authority before the commissioners, and that...
5To John Adams from James Sullivan, 16 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have neglected writing to you perhaps more than I Should have done had I not supposed that your Numerous correspondents had become a burden to you. indeed our Country has afforded but little lately to write upon. I have been here seventeen days on a mission to settle by a way of Compromise with the State of N York a Controversy between our Commonwealth and them respecting the Western...
6To John Adams from James Sullivan, 24 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Numerous friends will undoubtedly give you by this Conveyance all the news we have in this part of the world, but that you may not think me wanting in that respect which we all owe to your public Character, and that Esteem I ever had for you in private life, I intrude this letter upon you: I have not however the ambition to wish you would acknowledge the receipt of it, because I am...
7To John Adams from James Sullivan, 7 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor on the 2 d Instant of receiving your much Esteemed favour of the 11th of March. you have I hope, already received an Act of Congress which may serve as an answer to your reasoning on the necessity of our having A minister at the Court of London. before this can reach you, the accounts of a sad agitation in the Commercial Circle of your Country, but more Especially in your...
8To John Adams from James Sullivan, 29 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am very sensible that this is out of proper mode of communication to the President of the United States; but there are certain considerations which I hope will form an apology for the intrusion I have the honor to be / with the most perfect / respect your humble / Servant MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
9To John Adams from James Sullivan, 23 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had your favour of the 16 th. of August Yesterday, and am exceeding glad that it came at this time because I am frequently applied to for my Sentiments upon the propriety of the Navagation act of this State and being clear in my own opinion that it ought not to be repealed I can Say it with more confidence when my sentiments so exactly coincide with yours. but as the People here are much...
10To John Adams from James Sullivan, 24 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I beleive you will be tired of my correspondence not only from the length of my letters but from the Melancholly things I always tell you. Since I Sealed the enclosed I have heard something of the Province of main which I cannot but communicate to you as interesting and important. upon the 10th instant there was a convention held at Falmouth the president was Gorham the Judge of probate of the...
11To John Adams from James Sullivan, 2 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing a Letter to your Excellency, upon a subject of allowed importance to the united States, I did not indulge a hope, that you would step aside from the important concerns in which you are engaged, to acknowledge the receipt of it. nor was I vain enough to imagine, that I was able to Suggest one thought, which was not fully possessed by the Learned body of...
12To John Adams from James Sullivan, 21 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
To trouble you with a Letter merely by way of compliment, or to have it known that I assume the freedom of writing to you is quite out of the way of my practice. nor can I say any thing respecting our Confederation, or constitution, but what you are perfectly acquainted with— but as M r Cranch tells me that you complain of the remisness of your friends on this side the water for not giving you...
13To John Adams from James Sullivan, 23 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of this date, and am highly flattered by your expressions of approbation on my book called the history of the district of maine. I should have not imposed the task of that work on myself, with my other avocations, if I could have procured any other person to undertake it. I have attended to your remark on the sentiment in page 299: and should be exceedingly...
14James Sullivan to John Adams and Elbridge Gerry, 11 October 1776 (Adams Papers)
There is no measures conceivable to me that can save this Country from utter ruin but the raising an Army to serve during the present War which to all appearance will be yet of very considerable duration. I therefore am much pleased that the Congress are taking measures to that purpose and wish their present measure may prove Effectual but am constrained to say that there is not in my mind the...
15To John Adams from James Sullivan, 9 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
To intrude on one who in the greatest Political Tempest is Tyed to the helm of the Mighty Vessel of Empire, wrecked and tossed by the Whirling blasts of Despotism, must give disagreeable Sensations to one (if there is such) of less Sensibility than myself—but as the greatest Events are Swiftly impelling each other upon us, and each moment in the present being worth an age in any other Time I...
16To John Adams from James Sullivan, 10 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
The Communicating our Sentiments to men in power, when done with the respect due to their characters, and without a troublesome intrusion, is at all times a mark of Veneration and esteem. upon these ideas I Venture to address a letter to the Vice President of the United states, and which he will read, when his leisure will admit a moment of heedless employment. I am very deeply impressed with...
17To John Adams from James Sullivan, 10 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
By the Ship which will sail in a day or two, I beg leave to inform you that our Situation in america is, by no means so pleasing as would be agreeable to you, the poverty of the general treasury, as soon as the money now resting in holland shall be exhausted will be very distressing. a reluctance in the Legislatures to levy taxes and a greater in the people to pay them seem to urge us with...
18James Sullivan to John Adams, 22 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 7th Sep r. I had a few days ago, shall Set off for Trenton within three days, and shall not fail to communicate One Paragraph of your Letter, the inconvenience of public parsimony I have experienced So much as gives me a full Idea of your feelings. I rejoice with you that you are again with an agreeable and charming family after so long an absence from domestic felicity, I...
19To John Adams from James Sullivan, 23 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the honor of receiving your Letter dated the 14th July. as to the subject respecting an opposition to the constitution of the united states, there are no doubt men in every society whose desperate Fortunes render them alike Enemies to all Government, but the people with very few exceptions, and these by no means important consider the Government of the united states as...
20To John Adams from James Sullivan, 26 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
A letter is gone on from the Agent of the united States on the St Croix boundary to the Secretary of State, informing him, that the Commissioners have fixed on the Scoodiac river as the St. Croix truly intended &c: and on the most remote water issuing into the northern branch of that river as the source. This settlement, will, I beleive, be quite agreeble to Massachusetts. A water boundary...
21To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 18 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am aware that I am guilty of an impropriety in giving you the Trouble of this letter. Since the death of my friend Doctor Jarvis there have been many applications to me for letters on this score; my answer has been uniform, that I had no authority to trouble the President of the United States on this subject; but I cannot deny my name to Doctor Waterhouse on the Occasion. I know him to be...
22To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 21 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By some letters from Washton lately recieved it appears that there is great interest felt in our state election, among the gentlemen near the seat of government. The republicans have made every possible fair exertion. There will be 80000 votes, 70000 are already known, in which the federal candidate has 1200 more than the republican candidate. There are some scattering votes. If there is a...
23To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 24 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago the Secretary of State, Mr Madison, requested of me information in regard to the method of ascertaining the boundary between the United States, on their northern angle, and the British dominions. He was lead to this by my having been the agent of our nation in the settlement of the St. croix line. I readily complied with his wishes; and now observe in the Presidents communication...
24To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 20 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was exceedingly honoured by your condescention in your letter of the 21st. of may. The mail had scarcely gone from Boston with mine of the 14th. of april before I deeply regretted having troubled you with it. I then knew, on a moments reflection, that there was no vacancy, and that it would be ineligible for me to leave this State. The same friendly feelings which dictated your letter will...
25To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 2 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The mail that carries this has a letter to the war department on the public concerns of this state. I am very sensible of the impropriety of addressing letters to you: but there are things which it is necessary for you to know, that cannot be communicated through the heads of departments. As no answer is expected to this, I hope the casting your eye over it will not add too much to the burden...
26To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 3 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The station to which I have been recently called by my fellow citizens encourages me to believe that the intrusion of a letter will not be offensive to the cheif magistrate of the nation. My general Sentiments on our public concerns will appear from the press, in the gazette of tomorrow, in form of a communication made this day, by me, as Governor, to both branches of our legislature. I...
27To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 23 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with the greatest reluctance that I impose upon you a letter on our national concerns; I derive great relief from the consideration that the President is under no necessity, to read it, and, that merely breaking the seal and glancing on the superscription, will take but a moment’s time. You have been long in possession of my idea, that a strong party in the northern States are determined...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 3 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Federal party in this State, have obtained the government: their principal object, at present, appears to be the political, and even the personal destruction of John Quincy Adams—they have, yesterday come to the choice of a senator, in congress, to succeed him next year. James Lloyd had 246 votes Adams 213. It is of great consequence to the interest of Mr Adams, and to that of your...
29To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 8 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you, a Resolution of both Houses of the Legislature of this Commonwealth, requesting me to apply to the Government of the Union in behalf of the unfortunate Claimants, under the Act of the State of Georgia of 1795 to part of their western Territory, who are Citizens of this State—I cannot but flatter myself, that in communicating this Representation to both...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 22 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Leonard Jarvis Esqr. who has been in respectable public life in Massachusetts, is going to the capital on business, and has conceived that a letter from me may have a tendency to procure him the notice of the President of the United States; to whose administration he and his connexions are warmly attached. I do not feel willing to injure myself so much as to say that a recommendation from me...
31To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 2 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Was it at this moment, demanded of me, why I assume the freedom to trouble you with a letter, I should be unable to give an answer which would in any measure give satisfaction to my own mind: but you are not obliged to read it. I had the honour of yours of the third of march; and while I feel greived at your resolution to retire, I cannot say that I should not do the same under similar...
32To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 8 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with the highest satisfaction that I perform my official duty, in tendering to you the respectful approbation of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts upon your administration as President of the United States. To one whose veiws are evidently turned from all selfish, personal advantages, and fixed intirely on the interest of his country, the most respectable testimony of...
33To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 10 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know but that I have been incautious in Mentioning Dr Waterhouse to you as surgeon for the hospital here. I beleived him qualified but knew that a great number the faculty were opposed to him as they had been to Dr Jarvis, but beleived the opposition to be founded in politics. I am now apprehensive that his Skill in surgery is not such as I had supposed and conceive that any opinion I...
34To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 12 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
This intrusion can do no hurt, if it can do no good. I ask leave to tell you, that your Friends in the New England States, who are many will be much disappointed if you should decline being Vice President. It is true that you have been abused. But this abuse came from a party, who are determined to abuse every one, who will not with them, bow, in adoration to the british monarchy. If the...
35To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 27 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On what we call western circuit, and whence I returned yesterday, I have had intercourse with Lincoln, Bidwell and other friends of the national administration. We all realize the pain and anxiety incident to your exalted Station; and would by no means add to the burdens you are destined to bear, by letters, from whence you can derive no advantage. The situation of the national government in...
36To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 8 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
One Mr Dearborn of this Town whom I conceive to be a natural Machanic, carries this letter to Philadelphia and hopes to have the honor to deliver it to you. His object is to gain by Patents an exclusive priviledge in several inventions among which are a perpendicular wind-Mill on new & useful principles, a Steelyard calculated to prevent fraud—a Trigonometrical Instrument useful in measuration...
37To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 11 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The very great pleasure which I should enjoy, in paying my respects, in person, to Mr. Jefferson, as President of the United States, it is not probable that I shall have very soon, unless you shall give us the honor of a visit to the northward. My son John Langdon Sullivan , who is in the mercantile line, is making a tour to the seat of government; I have requested some of my friends there, to...
38To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 20 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters I have presumed to intrude on you have been too much filled with egotism, and I rely on it that they are reduced to a state of illegebility soon after you have the trouble of them; and you may rely on it that you will have no more trouble in this way. A man of strong feelings wounded with the poisoned arrows of malice and calumny will be troublesome, but it ought to be restrained....
39To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 22 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Colonel Hatch of this state goes on to the seat of government with a project of his own in the art of gunnery. If I had time to examine it I should not consider myself competent to offer an opinion upon it to the President of the united States; but I consider our situation, as a nation to be such, that every attempt to serve or unite the country ought to be encouraged. I therefore presume to...
40To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 7 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have indulged the pleasure of replying to the letter you condescended to honour me with in June last; but I reflected that there was a vast number, who had a prior claim, and with whom a correspondence with Mr Jefferson, personally, would be more agreeable to him, and I also considered, that the accumilation of business, on the mind of the first magistrate of a nation must be so...
41To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 21 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When I received your letter of the 6th of may, in regard to granting certificates for flour &c, my state of health and other circumstances; urged me to decline a concern so laborious and responsible; but on communications with the friends of your administration I became assured, that as you was then in virginia, before any other person could receive authority from you, a scarcity would become...
42To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 21 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose to you a hasty sketch of our state politics. The sufferings I have endured would not have been oppressive if my wife, and my only son in America did not feel more than I do. When I say my only son, I mean the only one now in America attached my politics. My oldest son is with the other party and is more bitter against me than any of the federalist, with a few exceptions. My situation...
43To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 23 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My Son Colonel Sullivan is going to Baltimore, and will probably go as far as Washington. I have requested him to wait on you with my respects; You will find him intelligent and correct in his answers to any inquiries you may be pleased to make of him. he has been very attentive to public concerns since he returned last Spring from Italy. He has been gone three years to Europe I remain with...
44To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The day in Massachusetts, yesterday, was a day of uncommon exertions. The republicans seem to be assured of success; and their enemies despair. Before the Act of congress laying an embargo, they openly, and universally declared, that they did not mean to make any opposition in the election of Governor for the present year. The deep laid plot of Pickering’s letter, added to the embargo, gave...
45To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 3 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In days of great adversity when I was surrounded inveterate enemies your notice and sentiments inspired me with firmness and gave me support. They are vanquished—They are fawning at my feet—The serpent is torpid with the cold, looking with but little hope for the return of the scorching beams of federalism. In the days of my keen anguish I intruded upon you one imprudent letter at least, will...
46To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 24 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of the 12th and will continue to act as discreetly as I can in the business of certificates according to your request, until the 13th of next month. Flour &c, has lately risen on an idea, of the exportation from the southern and middle States being impeded; I will have them down in a day or two. There is no engine, but what is, and will be used here against your administration....
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 7 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The writer of the letter I take the liberty to enclose is one of our Senate, and is, by no means, an enemy to our present national administration; he does much business as a merchant, and is considered as being the most wealthy man in our State. From a long acquaintance with him I have the most perfect confidence in his prudence and integrity: I derive great satisfaction from a compliance with...
48To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 6 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Boston, 6 May 1791 . Recommends for consular appointment Samuel Cooper Johonnot, grandson and only male descendant of “the late American Patriot Doctor Cooper.” Johonnot “has had his education in France … has read Law under my direction, and has been about three years at the bar. His conduct has added much to the partiallity I general[ly] feel for my pupils.” He has had a call to Demarara, and...
49To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 7 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
We are, of course, in a state of doubt and uncertainty in regard to a war with Great Britain here; nor do I find that you have much more knowledge on the subject at Washington. Should such a war happen we have much to do in this state to prepare the ship for action. The decks must be cleared. There is no way to carry on a war with that vigour which is necessary to success without the decisive...
50To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 8 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When the affair took place lately in regard to Waterhouse I was determined never to trouble the President again on business of that yet I was induced on the 7th to inclose Mr Grays letter beleiving there was no party or competion—I have no concern & do not wish to have any influence in that Matter as there are parties—and pledge myself never to trouble you again on the business of...