1781To 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...
1782To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose a letter from Brigadeer General Macpherson dated the 3d inst, which was received yesterday, and the letters to which it refers. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, Sir, / Your most ob St MHi : Adams Papers.
1783To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Mr. Liston’s note of the 8th. requesting the usual Exequatur for Thomas Barclay Esqr. and Benjamin Moodie Esqr. whom his Britannic Majesty has appointed—The former Consul General for the Eastern States, and the latter Consul for North & South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Barclay is the gentleman who was the British Commissioner for settling the question of the St....
1784To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr Sewell—and my answer, to be forwarded, if it meets with your approbation. I have consulted the heads of Departments on this subject, but the opinions are so various, that I could only write give my own to Mr Sewell. Coll. Pickering thinks the convoy ought to be granted.—But there is scarcely a considerable port in Europe, to which...
1785To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
After a very laboured trial, Fries who led the armed Party at Bethlehem, has been convicted of Treason;—he continued tranquil untill the verdict of the Jury was returned, when and since he has been much affected. His composure during the trial was not owing to stupidity, for though an illiterate man, he is not deficient in sagacity. He confidently expected to be acquitted, and his hopes are...
1786To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter from Mr. Jones, Chairman of the Committee for building a Frigate at Boston, recommending William Wild and Nathaniel Clift for Lieutenants to that Ship; and also a Letter to Mr. Jones, containing Commissions for these Gentlemen, which will require your signature, should you think proper that the Appointments should be made. I have the honor to be /...
1787To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a Letter from John Faulcon Esqr. one of the Commissioners of valuations for North Carolina.—No person has been recommended as a successor by the Board, but from the information of Judge Iredell & Mr. Steele the Comptroller, I have reason to believe that John Branch, Principal Assessor for Halifax County is well qualified for the Office, and take the liberty to...
1788From John Adams to Uriah Forrest, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday, your friendly letter of the 28th of April and I thank you for it. & should be very happy if it were in my power to comply with your advice—not so much on account of any real public utility, as in compliance with what you call, the public sentiment. I have reason to believe however that this sentiment is chiefly in Philadelphia & Georgetown. “The people elected me to...
1789From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to you a letter to me of the 2d, from Mr Ashley Colton, with three certificates, inclosed in it from Gentlemen, whom I know to be of the very best character for probity. I pray you to consider these papers, and do as justice and prudence shall dictate. I have the honor to be Sir your very humble &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1790From John Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your several favors of Ap. 27th & 30th & May 4th. The intelligence they contain is very favorable to the cause of our country. The opposition to government has been defeated in this state in a manner equally honorable. We shall go on pretty well and finally preserve our Country from the continuation contamination which has threatned it. Mrs. Adams is not secure against returns...
1791From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 6th. and considered the copy of instructions to Mrs. King, which have been examined and unanimously approved by the heads of departments. I am very well satisfied with them on the whole though, I wish that in the tenth article, you would introduce another idea in corroboration. As a principal mean of annoying a maratime commercial ennemy would be our...
1792To John Adams from Samuel Harrison, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
After having so often troubled your Excellency with my scribbling I shall not attempt to apologize for this obtrusion on your Excellencys Patience: but will beg leave to explain the requests I have heretofore made which were (I am afraid) in such incoherent terms that I fear your excellency will be hardly able to understand them—In my Letter of the 26th Ulto I did attempt to apologise for my...
1793To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Frigate United States arrived on Friday—The Montezuma Murray, the Herald, Russell, and the Revenue Cutters General Greene, & Scammel, have since come into the Delaware. The copy of Capt Murrays letters which I have the honor to enclose, contains every thing of importance by these Vessels.—Capt. Tingey has sent in a prize, a small Vessel, not yet come up to the City, tho she is, I...
1794From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return your List of Appointments for the 16th Regiment and that of Major Theodosius Fowler for the 12th. approved. I inclose also the Recommendations of those officers, recd in yours of May 9th. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1795From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
According to your request in your favour of the 9th. I inclose your Letter to Mr King N. 7 and remain, Sir your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1796To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 14 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed should have been forwarded last Saturday. MHi : Adams Papers.
1797To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Liston informs me, that on information recd. by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, of one of the mutineers and murderers of the officers of the British Frigate Hermione being at Charleston So. Carolina, the Admiral sent thither a vessel on purpose to receive and carry the culprit to the fleet to be tried: but that the district judge had not deemed it proper to deliver him up. This question has...
1798To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter from John C: Jones Esquire on behalf of the Committee at Boston, recommending William Parsons for Surgeon’s Mate to the Boston—Nehemiah Macombe for Sailing Master—Moses Allen for Purser—and Joseph Beale—Henry S Butler Jaazaniah Tucker Clark—Abel Lincoln junior Joseph Cordis & Benjamin Conant for Midshipmen—; and also a Letter to John C. Jones Esquire,...
1799To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the permission contained in the letter with which you honored me, of the 27th. Ulto. and expecting that the Constitution will arrive at Boston in a few Days, if she is not already there; I take the liberty to enclose a letter for Nicholson—If it meets with your approbation, it may be forwarded to him. Barry speaks favorably of Nicholsons conduct, in the West Indies. But as he...
1800From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 7th May and since there appears a difference of opinion concerning the Construction of the Constitution and the Law, and as I see no necessity for an immediate appointment, I am content to suspend it for the present, perhaps till the meeting of the Senate— I think well of Mr. Williams as a gentleman of Science & Literature, as a good Citizen & brave man But...
1801From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the List of Appointments for the Eleventh Regiment Commanded by Colo. Ogden, inclosed in your favr. of the 9th: Approved— MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1802From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor received your favour of the 10th. and have read the Letter of Brigadier General Macpherson to you of the 3d. and the letters of Mr. Chapman and Mr. Eyerly to him, with great pleasure— I pray you to present to General Macpherson and the Officers & troops under his Command in the late expedition my thanks for the prudence, Caution, Fortitude & perseverance with which they have...
1803From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Letters from Colo. Rice, Lt. Soper, and from General Knox and Mr. HG Otis—which I pray you to file with all other applications of Similar natures. Mr. Henry Sargent appears a very respectable Man— MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1804To John Adams from Joseph Allen, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The bearer hereof, Capt. Thos. Denny, a gentleman of Education and respectable talents, waits on you, for the purpose of informing you, that in consequence of Capt. Chandlers designation, as an Officer in the standing Army— The Worcester Volunteer Cadet Infantry company have elected him to command the same. If you should be pleased to commission him, we have no Doubt from the knowledge we have...
1805To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is represented to me, as will appear by the inclosed letters, that Mr. Morgan, who was appointed Major, to the Regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Parker, will not accept of that rank. As Mr. Morgan has not yet signified to me his intention to serve or decline, it would be premature to fill his place until I can learn from himself his determination. I have written to him accordingly, and in the...
1806From John Adams to Charles Lee, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 10th. I am told that Mr Lewis is of opinion that Fries Crime amounts not to Treason. Can you give me a minute of his reasons? I am MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1807From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 10th: Mr Liston’s note of the 8th was not inclosed as you intended. Mr. Barclay I know & his Exequator will be ready. Mr. Moodie I know not, nor do I know or suspect any objection to him. I thank you for the account of the tryal of Fries, which if it was attended to by as numerous a concourse of people in Philadelphia, as it would have been in some other...
1808From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commissions for Lt Wild & Clift inclosed in yours of the 11th & sent your letter with its inclosures to Mr J. C Jones MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1809From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two Commission, inclosed in yours of the 11th. signed. The contracted Law of N. Carolina, if followed by all the states, would make short Work with the Fæderal Government. What will be the Result of these Things? Such a Law is enough to dissaffect an whole state and excite a Rebellion against the U.S. I am sir your most humble &c CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
1810From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you, Sir, for your favour of the 11th. which I received last night. The Termination of the Tryal of Fries is an important, an interesting and an affecting Event. I am unable to conjecture the grounds of Mr Lewis’s opinion, and wish I had a sketch of them. Is Fries a Native or a Foreigner? Is he a Man of Property and independent, or is he in Debt? What has been his previous Life,...