51To John Adams from Samuel Livermore, 10 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
We beg leave respectfully to recommend Edward St Loe Livermore late a Judge in our supreme court, for the appointment of an associate Judge; in the first circuit Court for New hampshire Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We also take the liberty to recommend Jeremiah Smith late a Member of Congress from New hampr. for the appointment of an associate Judge The consideration that the District Judge...
52To John Adams from Jedediah Huntington, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The collector’s office at New Haven being vacant, I beg leave to mention to you Mr. Nathan Beers of that city as one who I think will fill that place to satisfaction.—He served in our revolutionary war with reputation as an officer in the line & as paymaster.—he is at present Steward of Yale College.—His standing generally and connections are respectable— I am with the greatest / Esteem &...
53To John Adams from Henry Knox, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr Wetmore who has been long a barrister at the bar of this state, but who meeting with pecuniary embarrasments has removed into the district of Maine, is very desirous of some employment in the judicial Line. His age about fifty, and his legal knowledge, qualify him in the opinion of those who are intimately acquainted with him, for almost any office in the department of the law I have the...
54To John Adams from Jonathan Mason, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
It being presumed that the bill for the amendment of the Judiciary System will by your approbation become a law, & you having intimated to some of us a wish to ascertain the sentiments of gentlemen in relation to persons qualified for promotion to the office of Judge. We therefore beg leave respectfully to re commend John Lowell Esquire for the appointment of Cheif Justice of the first...
55To John Adams from James Monroe, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
In the course of last year on the receipt of information from mr. Lee of Norfolk, that a Mariner from the United States Frigate Constellation, had been delivered up by a magistrate of the Borough of Norfolk to the british consul at that port and sent by him to a british island, where he was condemned and executed on a charge of being a mutineer on board the british ship of War, the Hermione, I...
56To John Adams from Samuel Smedley, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Office which I had more particularly in view when I had the Honor of addressing my letter to you of the 30, of April last, is now become vacant. the Collector of the Customs for the District of New Haven, I am informed, is no more. there will be many applicants for this Vacant Office. Senators and Representatives will be intreated for their interest by the Several Applicants, their...
57To John Adams from Lewis B. Sturges, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I learn that Samuel Smedley Esqr. Collector of the Customs for this District has applied for the Office at New Haven – vacant by the Death of David Austine Esq – in Case he shou’d be promoted to that Office – it is my wish (if considered consistent with the public interest) to succeed him here,—As I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency—I take the liberty of...
58To John Adams from Richard Lee, 7 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
the Editor of the American Universal Magazine ventures respectfully to solicit the following favor—Observing that his fellow Citizens universally wish for an accurate likeness of their first Magistrate, elect—and endeavouring to gratify so general a desire to the utmost of his power; he is encouraged to enquire if Mr. Adams possesses a miniature, or other painting and would thereby confer a...
59To John Adams from Richard Peters, 6 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that the Judiciary Bill is likely to pass the Senate as it came up from the House of Representatives I beg to mention to you, without any formal Application in any official Capacity, the 25th. Section of that Law. It is in the Opinion of every legal Character here a most flagrant Violation of the Constitution; & must have been overlooked in this Point of View by the Gentlemen who...
60To John Adams from Nathan Beers, 5 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The office of Collector for this Port being vacant by the Death of David Austin Esqr. For myself and at the solicitation of a number of the most respectable Inhabitants of this Town I am induced to address your Excellency with a request that I may be appointed to that Office. As early as Augt 1798 (when it was the general opinion here that the Office would become vacant, Mr Austin being very...
61To John Adams from William Munson, 5 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to Inform you that the office of Collector of the Customs for the District of New Haven has become Vacant by the death of David Austin Esquire. I beg Leave to inform the President of the United States that I have served in the office of Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue in this District almost Eight years and have in that time during the Vacancy of a Collector performed...
62To John Adams from Jeremiah Brown, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to notice to you the following pieces of Machinery of my Invention, it being my intention shortly to apply at the proper Office to obtain Patents therefor.— 1st. For raising water for watering Soil &c.— 2nd. For a Plough which may be worked by one Yoke of Oxen with equal advantage that it is worked by two in the Ordinary way.— 3rd. & 4th. For cooking with Steam of Fat, such...
63To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Among the papers accompanying the list of military appointments was the resignation of an Officer by the name of Bullet, if I mistake not. It was sent for your acceptance. He is waiting, & would be obliged by your decision as soon as convenient. I have the honor to be / with perfect respect / Your faithful servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
64To John Adams from Francis Gurney, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I hope Your Excellency will Pardon the liberty I take in addressing You on a Subject which interests me deeply from Personal motives of friendship; and I am well Satisfyed if my present application is successfull, I will in this instance, as I have always meant and intended, be Serving the real Interests of my Country—Having learned Yesterday that the Judiciary Act has passed in Congress in...
65To John Adams from John Marshall, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to accept my grateful acknowledgements for the honor conferd on me in appointing me chief Justice of the United States. This additional and flattering mark of your good opinion has made an impression on my mind which time will not efface. I shall enter immediately on the duties of the office & hope never to give you occasion to regret having made this appointment With the most...
66To John Adams from John Punderson Austin, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
My Father, who now holds the Office of Collector of the Customs, for the District of New Haven, being apparently very near the close of life, I take the liberty to make known to you the desire I have to succeed him in that Office. I have been his Deputy and Assistant in the Office ever since I finished my collegiate course of studies, which is now five years past; during this period he has...
67To John Adams from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 3 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been requested by a very worthy friend to express to you my opinion of the character of Saml. Bayard Esqr of New-Rochelle in the state of New York—I am aware that you must be oppressed with introductory & recommendatory letters. And I have not an idea that the gentlemen who write them ought to expect more from them, than to furnish you with the materials of making a comparative estimate...
68Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 2 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 24 th: & 27 th: ult o: are duly received. It seems not to be understood here, whether the proceedings, in Senate, relative to the Convention, are conclusive, as to the fate of that instrument, or whether, under any pretext, the discussion can be revived upon it. I am, myself, unable to solve the question, though I have some idea, that the rejection of the particular,...
69To John Adams from Richard Stockton, 2 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to return my grateful acknowledgements for your goodness in answering the letter I took leave to address to you on the 17th. of last month. This act of condescension affects me the more as it was altogether unexpected, and has been performed in such a manner as lays me under a w e ight of obligation that I want words to express. Whilst I tender you my most sincere thanks for this...
70To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Once more I Shall enjoÿ the Sensation in addressing you as the President of the U.S. but your leaving the chair will not bereave you of a more exalted title, that of being the Father and Benefactor of your Countrÿ. To your indefatigable cares America owes her continuallÿ increasing prosperity—to you we owe—that our peace had been undisturbed—our independencÿ consolidated—and our Friendship...
71To John Adams from Nathaniel Wells, 1 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Honble Daniel Davis Esqr has been lately appointed Solicitor General of this State and probably will soon resign his office as District Attorney for the District of Maine as the business of one office will interfere with that of the other—Considering it as of great importance to have able and faithful Attorneys in the several Districts in the United States I take the liberty to recommend...
72To John Adams from Caleb Gibbs, January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I flatter myself that the President of the United States will excuse the Liberty I have taken in addressing him at this time, but concious that he will lend an listing ear to my observations induces me to do it. The Inclosed Copy of a duplicate to the Secretary of the Navy in June 1799, respecting my situation, and soliciting him to keep me in view in case of any preferment taking place in the...
73To John Adams from Timothy Dwight, 31 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Punderson Austin , Son of David Austin Esq. the present Collector, wishes me to write to you in his behalf. He has for a number of years done the business in the Office of his Father, who as Collector of this port; &, as appears by a certificate, signed by several of the most respectable merchants of this town, and now lying before me, has done it much to their satisfaction. His...
74To John Adams from John Rodgers, 31 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
It was with Singular Pleasure I learned from the public Papers, that the Judiciary Bill had passed the House of Representatives, by so respectable a Majority, and I hope it will meet with no Obstruction in the Senate—I consider it as a wise Measure, & one that promises no Small Utility to the Union; as the important Trusts it contemplates will, no doubt, be commited, under the present...
75To John Adams from Roger Griswold, 29 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman who is a member of the Senate of the United States has informed me that you have done me the honour, to nominate me to the Senate, to fill the office of Secretary of War. Without detailing to you the reasons which opperate conclusively upon my mind, but which can be of no importance except to myself, I deem it my duty, at this early period to inform you, that in case the Senate...
76To John Adams from William Thornton, 28 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
We do ourselves the honor to present to you a state of the business under our care, and of the public property belonging to the federal seat, with an estimate of its value, founded, not on mere supposition, but on the average of former sales. This report would have been made at an earlier day, had it not been delayed by the unfortunate death of Mr. Scott. We have the honor to be, with...
77To John Adams from Charles Chauncy, 27 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Should the present Judiciary Bill, under Consideration of Congress, pass into a Law; and an appointment of a Judge or Judges, be made, if in this State, Permit me Sir, to ask to be considered as a Candidate, if not inconsistent with other arrangments; and, if my Qualifications & Character, shall be found suitable to the important Betrustment, to be indebted to Your Goodness, for A Nomination,...
78To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Major Hatch has shewn to me the draft of a system he has formed for discharging a number of Cannon at the same instant and proposed so to connect the balls by chains and sharpened Knives so as to cutt their way thro every body which shall come in contact with them.—I have not any pretentions to that kind of science on which their operation must be founded. I therefore hope that my silence...
79To John Adams from Hanson Catlett, 26 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Nothing of less value to me than my reputation should tempt me to this bold intrusion, as, nothing but conscious innocence could promise me advantage thereform— Raised Sir, by your appointment to the station which I have held, I am justified in the confidence I feel, that to spare the reputation of a young man whose tender buds of hope had scarcely blown, (if it can be done consistently) will...
80To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 26 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your confidential letter of the 30th of Decer, & am sorry that any event should render it uncertain, whether you shall appoint Consuls to France. that Mr Lee, amidst the interfering applications of so many candidates, should be represented to the President as a Jacobin, is not to my mind, in this epoch of intrigue, slander, injustice, unexpected or extraordinary. but I am...
81To John Adams from John Bayard, 25 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Having been informed that the the Judiciary Bill is like to pass into a Law–by which there will be two appointments to be made of Judges for the State of New York, vizt. An additional District Judge & One Circuit Judge—I have taken the liberty to propose to You my Son Mr. Saml. Bayard, (who resides in the County of West Chester in that State & is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of...
82Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 22 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
When I said, that I did not disagree with Manlius, in attributing the downfall of the federal cause, to the Mission to France, my meaning was, not, that the loss of the late election, was to be viewed, as the consequence of that Mission, for I believe with you Sir, that independent of that measure, the federal Candidate would have been almost universally deserted. But I meant to assert as my...
83To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 22 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Common Minds it is said, are governed more by feeling, than by sentiment; (my only apology for writing) late events are of nature to make deep impressions on minds that saw & acted in Revolution days. To witness pens, as well as tongues, “set on fire of hell,” to remove the Father of his Country from his parental Office, – to see mock patriots, learned cheats, & weak rogues, mingling their...
84Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 15 th: inst t: and am pleased to find in it an interpretation of the 6 th: Article of the Convention with France, which had escaped my reflection— Viewing it as a provision only to operate after the expiration of our treaty with G Britain, it may be both natural & proper, but as the time when it was to operate was not specified, many others, like myself, have supposed...
85To John Adams from Lucius Horatio Stockton, 20 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been informed that You have conferred upon me the very unexpected, and unsolicited honour of nominating me as Secretary at war of the United States. I beg Your Excellency to be assured that I am deeply affected with this very flattering mark of confidence. The afflicting necessity by which I am obliged to pay the last sad offices of duty to an honoured and only Surviving parent...
86To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 20 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Being just returned from New Jersey, will you excuse the liberty I take in mentioning to you, that I found the Gentn. of the Law there, are exceedingly anxious, relative to a report that is prevailing, that the Office of Chief Justice of the united States may possibly be filled by our present Chief Magistrate after the month of march next—I am authorized to say, that it would give them the...
87To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The bad weather prevented my doing myself the honor of calling this morning, to mention, at the request of some Members of Congress—that the Judiciary bill would be taken up in the House of Representatives tomorrow—& be passed upon. As the bill proposes a reduction of the Judges to five—and as there are already five Judges in commission, it is suggested that there might be more difficulty in...
88To John Adams from George Churchman, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Herewith cometh the transcript of a Letter, expressing some of the last exercises & religious concern of our late valued Friend Warner Mifflin, deceased; It was written at Philadelphia in the time of awful mortality with which that City was visited in the Year 1798; We the subscribers were in company with him at that season; He opened to us his concern on the subjects hinted in the Letter,...
89To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the US. and will have the honor of waiting on him to dinner on Thursday next NHi ; NNGL .
90To John Adams from Richard Stockton, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The probable success of the Judiciary bill now before Congress, and the short time that will remain to select proper Characters to be appointed Judges thereto it be enacted into a Law, induces me take the liberty respectfully to mention to the President of the United States the name of William Griffith Esqr. of Burlington as a Candidate for the office of a Circuit Judge. The President is in...
91To John Adams from Richard Thomas, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to hint to you, my Wishes in favour of a Friend & Colleague—Mr John W. Kittera of Pennsylvania after Serving in the House of Representatives Eight or Ten years—to the great Sacrifice of his Professional emoluments, has now, declin’d his Seat.—and being advanc’d to that time of Life that opposes descending into the Minutia of the business of the Law—and also of an Age that...
92From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the US. and will have the honor of waiting on him to dinner on Thursday next RC (Gary Hendershott, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1992); addressed: “The President of the US.” Not recorded in SJL .
93To John Adams from James F. Armstrong, 16 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The pressure of straitned circumstances and the impractibility of performing those parts of ministerial duty which expose to the weather and require active exertion will be my apology for again troubling your Excellency by application for some place in your power to grant.—If the Mint Department Should be removed to the Seat of Government it is most probable there will be some vacancies in...
94To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 15 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to transmit to the President of the United States, Triplicates of a Statement of Expenditures upon the funds heretofore appropriated for defraying the contingent Expenses of Government up to the 31st of December last All which is respectfully submitted / by. MHi : Adams Papers.
95To John Adams from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Whether My Letters to America, or the Answers from My friends Have Miscarried I am Not Able to determine—Certain it is that the Correspondance, Either Official or private to Which duty and Affection Equally prompted me Has Been very Unfortunate—it were Superfluous, Not Being Guilty, to seek an Explanation as I Had Rather Accuse the piracies of European Vessels, than Any Neglect from My old...
96Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have searched, in conformity to the request expressed in your favor of the 2 d: inst t: all the writers upon the law of Nature and Nations, which I have in my Office, for authorities to support & justify & explain, the Sixth article of the Convention with France. The extracts from Vattel in your letter are somewhat more explicit on the particular point in question, than his masters,...
97To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 9 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I took immediate Care to hand the public Papers, as authenticated by Mr. Otis, to the Printers of the Commercial Gazette, & shall lodge the Certificate with the Files of the historical Society. I could not avoid so apt an Occasion of making a few prefatory Observations, designed more for the Republicans of the Southern States, than our New England Citizens. A vast Majority of whom undoubtedly...
98To John Adams from Samuel Blodget, 5 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the honor to address you on the subject of a nomination for the vacancy in the Board of Commissioners for the City of Washington, I have seen Mr Stoddart who is one of the largest proprietors for of Lots at the West end of the City. I mentiond the Letters respecting Mr Cranch & received his request to make use of his name to any of the other proprietors, & also to you, accompanied...
99To John Adams from James Hillhouse, 3 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hillhouse presents his respects to The President of the United States, and not having it in his power, at this time, to wait on him personally, to avoind any inconvenience by delay, takes the liberty of sending the enclosed letter, which fully explains the Wishes of the Writer, who is well known to the President, and whose application cannot be enforced by any thing Mr. Hillhouse could say...
100To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 2 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Having this moment received a Commission by which I am appointed Secretary of the Department of the Treasury, I have the honor to inform you that I accept the Office, & shall immediately proceed to execute its duties. I have the honor to be / with profound respect, Sir, / Your obedt. & faithful servt. MHi : Adams Papers.