91To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive, this morning, your letter of the 7th of July inst. It is very certain, Sir, that nothing was more remote from my thoughts, than to bring into comparison, the re l ative importance of the Navy and Army; and I believe, I shall never take the liberty, to call upon you to decide, what I flatter myself, it is impossible can ever happen, any dispute between Mr...
92To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour, to receive your letter of the 5th inst., inclosing two letters dated the 10th of August 1798 and 2d May last, to you, from Ensign David Fero, relative to his sentence by a general court martial, which sat at the camp near Natches. You direct me to inform you, if I have any official information on the subject, and to report my opinion, what is proper to be done. In my...
93To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit the inclosed list of names of candidates recommended to fill vacancies in the 6th Regiment, and to be with the greatest respect, / Sir / Your most obt. / & hble St. MHi : Adams Papers.
94To John Adams from James McHenry, 20 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The impossibility which has existed to do more than proportion our supplies of cloathing to the wants of the recruiting parties for the 12 Regiments of Infantry, has been one cause why no orders have yet issued to Major General Hamilton to raise the six additional companies of Cavalry. I have been influenced also to this delay, by a desire to husband our means, and guard against interrupting...
95To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning the inclosed letter from Major General Hamilton dated the 17th July Inst. recommending Ths. y. How of Trenton, in N. Jersey, to the Office of 2d. Lieutenant in the 11th United States Regiment of Infantry. Knowing the inadequacy of the salaries allowed to officers in subordinate stations, and how difficult it is to secure the services of persons properly qualified to...
96To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Major General Pinckney advises on the 28th June ulto. “I have this moment received accounts from Mr. Seagrove at St. Mary’s that the Creeks are disposed to prevent the running of the line between the U.S. and the Floridas, notwithstanding they had consented to it by the treaty of Colerain. The talk of one of the Indian Chiefs to him, and his answer is now copying to be sent you, but I do not...
97To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to lay before you, in continuation of the subject of my dispatch of the 22 July inst, copy of a letter from Mr. Hawkins, which was received last Saturday. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir / Your most ob. st. MHi : Adams Papers.
98To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured yesterday with your two letters dated the 23 July inst. Inclosed is a letter from Major General Pinckney with a copy of my answer thereto. Also a copy of my letter to Lt. Colonel Rice and Hunnewell, and list of the Candidates which have offered from Massachusetts for the appointment of surgeons and mates. It has appeared to me, that circumstances do not require, at this...
99To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 26th, two of the 27th and two of the 29th ulto. It will certainly be attended with serious inconvenience, to yeild to the application, made by the Northampton Company of volunteers, for the loan of two Brass Field pieces, and subject the Department to similar requests, which having once set the example, I shall not find it easy to resist....
100To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 5th on saturday last, inclosing a letter from General Smith, and that dated the 6th inst this morning. The General has not sufficiently examined the points he writes upon, or he would not suggest that Baltimore, has had too little allotted to her defence out of the appropriations, in particular he cannot have read my letters to the naval...
101To John Adams from James McHenry, 14 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
William Hossack is recommended by Major General Hamilton, who inclosed me, the within letter to him, from Cap McClellan, on the same subject, to the office of Lieutenant in the first Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. Staates Rutledge, having declined his appointment of Lieutenant, Mr Hossack is respectfully submitted to supply the vacancy created thereby. I have received this morning a...
102To John Adams from James McHenry, 14 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit two letters from Benj. Hawkins Eqr. dated the 25th of May & 15 of June Ulto. with the documents they inclosed. As they do not require from me any immediate attention, I have prefered sending the originals which I request may be returned. With the greatest respect. I have the honour to be Sir / Your most obt / & most hble St MHi : Adams Papers.
103To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 10th of August inst. and shall cause the name of Dr. David King to be entered among the candidates for medical appointments, and his recommendations to be filed. I have the honour to be / with the greatest respect, Sir, / your most obt & most hble St— MHi : Adams Papers.
104To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letters No. 1 relative to the fortifications at Baltimore, exhibit the whole proceedings with the naval Committee of that City. The schedule No. 2. the monies which have been expended on the different harbours of the United States, with the several appropriations and the balance still in the treasury. You will perceive from these letters, that by my first engagement with the naval...
105To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The fever threatening this City with similar ravages to what took place in the years 1793, 1797 & 1798 has induced to the measure of removing the offices to Trenton where I expect to be on Monday next. Altho’ the personal inconveniences attending upon this removal are very great, I lament it yet more on a public account. With the greatest respect, I / have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most ob...
106To John Adams from James McHenry, 28 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose the Copy of a letter from Mr. Jonathan Waldo, respecting the application of monies for the improvement of the defences of Salem, and an alteration in the name of the Fort, with my answer. The circumstances and time did not seem to admit of a previous communication to you had it been considered necessary in such a case. Generally forts have been named by the...
107To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit for your approbation the inclosed list for promotions and appointments in the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry, and request if approved your authority to announce to the several candidates their respective appointments—I also submit the recommendations of those who are nominated as second Lieutenants. I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, / Your most...
108To John Adams from James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
In May last I issued a notification in the news papers, requiring officers absent on furlough or otherwise in certain of the States, to report themselves to Major General Hamilton. It appears by a letter from the General dated the 28th Ulto, that this measure has not produced its effect, and that a more decisive and stronger one is absolutely necessary. I have therefore issued the inclosed...
109To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you a letter from Major General Pinckney dated the 12 of Augt. ulto containing a request, that Mr. Pierre Gaillard, may be appointed the eighth first Lieutenant in the room of Mr. Charles Boyle who has refused to accept. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most obt / & most hble st. MHi : Adams Papers.
110To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Major General Pinckney expresses his wish and respecting an appointment in the army for Thomas Pinckney junr. the son of his brother Major Pinckney. If you think it proper to appoint the young gentleman a Lieutenant in the 1st. Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers I have no doubt but it will be pleasing to both father & brother. Mr Pinckney is a student at Princetown...
111To John Adams from James McHenry, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose, the proceedings and sentence, of a general court martial, held at Loftus’s heights, on the 11th day of April last, by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson. At this Court Lieutenant Jacob Kreemer, of the first Regiment of Infantry, was tried and sentenced. The sentence conformably to the 18 section of “an act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the...
112To John Adams from James McHenry, 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters, bearing date the 23d. and 30th. of Augt. and 9th 13th & 14th of Septr. inst. I find on recurring to the case of Augustus de Grasse, that he was left out of service for two reasons. 1st upon information, that he spent in gaming &c whatever he received from the government. 2. Because he could not be made useful in the office of...
113To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the Proceedings of two General Courts Martial, in the case of Robert Brown a Matross in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, sentenced to die, for the situated crimes of Desertion Mutiny, and disobedience of orders, aggravated by a resistance of civil Authority; and of Serjeant Adam Steer of Captain McClary’s company, sentenced to be shot for desertion, together...
114To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
As Secretary of the Department of War, a great constituent branch of the Government of the United States, I deem it incumbent upon me, not only to perform my particular duties, to the best of my judgement and abilities but to prevent if practicable that kind of conduct in Officers connected with the Department, which has a direct tendency, to embarrass its administration, and destroy the...
115To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the requisition of the President of the United States, of the 18th of October instant, the Secretary of War has the honour most respectfully to submit the following suggestions, relative to the information and advice, it may be proper and necessary to lay before Congress, at the approaching Session. That, without descending to particulars, such a general notice should be...
116To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the Proceedings of two General Courts Martial, one held at Detroit, on the 23rd. July last by order of Colonel Hamtramck on Sergeant Adams Steer; the other held at Fort Fayette, Pittsburg on the 10th. day of October instant, by order of J. F. Hamtramck Colonel Commanding the Western Army, on Cornelius McMahon a private Soldier, together with the letters of Major...
117To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received for the use of the Indian Department, vz. from Francis Mentgis, 350 Dollars, and from Samuel Lewis Senr. 1320 Dollars, which sums have been applied in the manner following vz. 1st. To the Indians who were convened at Philadelphia in 1796 & 1797, in proportions regulated by the influence of the persons and importance of the purposes intended to be effected 1170 Dollars. 2d. To...
118To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
We have examined the papers in relation to Mr. Pintard, in the hands of the Secretary of State, including his exculpatory letters to the President, and to the Secretary of State. It appears that Mr. Pintard while acting as Consul, carried on trade with parts of the Dominions of the Emperor of Morocco, at that time in Zebullion, and that he persisted in this trade after our Minister Mr....
119To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Yellow fever has again, not only appeared, but made so alarming a progress in this City—that in my opinion it will be necessary immediately to move the Public offices—It is ted to remove them to Trenton; I write the last paragraph the 7h. of August—haveing waited for some of the intended inclosures, which are not yet copied, but will be forwarded as soon as possible. I am Sir / with the...
120To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
Answer to Questions proposed by the President of the U States— To the first. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparative strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the...