1To John Adams from Charles Lee, 27 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
It being very disagreeable and perhaps attended with a little danger to the health of my family to remain in the city, I have thought it prudent to return to Alexandria for the month of september. Unless some unforeseen circumstances prevent it, I hope to be here again the first week in october. I trust this temporary absence will be occasioned attended with no inconvenience to the public as...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To John Adams from Charles Lee, 17 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the directions of the President of the United-States, the Attorney General has taken into his consideration, the several questions stated by the Commissioners of the City of Washington, relative to the claims of Daniel Carroll of Dudley, together with all the papers accompanying their statement, and the trust Deed to which they refer;—and has come to the following opinions...
8To John Adams from Charles Lee, 13 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Attorney General of the United States most respectfully reports to the President his opinion that the President may reprieve for offences against the United States in all cases except in cases of impeachment. MHi : Adams Papers.
9To John Adams from Charles Lee, 18 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your direction I have taken into consideration the memorial of Joseph Barrell Marston Watson and Benjamin Joy Directors of the New England Missisipi Land Company bearing date the 30th October last together with the several documents which accompany it. It does not appear proper that the President should express any opinion upon the merits of the claim or defer on this account the...
10To John Adams from Charles Lee, 28 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 17th. but not having been present at the trial of Fries it was not in my power to give you a minute of Mr. Lewis’s reasons for the opinion that the crime of Fries was not treason, without applying to Mr. Rawle on the subject who has given me a short note of which a copy is enclosed. The reasons were thought by the court insufficient and so they...