1From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Secretary at War to take into his consideration the following Questions and make report of his opinion in Writing. 1. Whether the Refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the Territory of the Republick, with such Circumstances of Indignity, Insult and Hostility as We have been inform’d of, are bar’s to all further...
2From John Adams to James McHenry, 1 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two letters of Aug 25th. & have read their inclosures with attention. Your letters to Gen Wilkinson of July. 21st. 25th. Aug 11. & 25th appear to me all weighed & prudently and judiciously written. I have considered them with much satisfaction & they have my entire approbation. I return all the inclosures with this letter. I think you are in the right to remove your Family...
3From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I arrived, with my Family at this Place four days ago and propose to remain here and at New york, till the Meeting of Congress. Letters addressed to me, to the Care of Charles Adams Esqr. Counsellor at Law in New york, will Soon find me. I pray you to commit to Writing such Things are you judge necessary to be communicated or recommended to Congress at the opening of the session, and convey...
4From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your Letter of the 24th of Sept: with Inclosures— I am Very Sorry to learn your health has been interrupted, and heartily hope it is fully restored— I return with this all the papers I have received from you to this time—I have read them, but find nothing which requires any particular observations from me—My Sentiments are in concord with yours, and I pray you to...
5From John Adams to James McHenry, 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 22d and thank you for your Sentiments, with which in general I very well agree. At the Same time I recd your other Letter of the Same Date with its Inclosures all of which I return to you with this.—I thank you Sir for your indefatigable Attention to all these Subjects. The Letters and Instructions to the Officers especially to General Wilkinson appear...
6Enclosure: John Adams to James McHenry, Timothy Pickering, Oliver Wolcott, Junior, and Charles Lee, 24 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U S. requests the Secy of State, the Secy of the treasury, the Secy of War and the Atty. general to take into consideration the state of the nation and its foreign relations especially with France. These indeed may be so connected with these, with England Spain Holland and others that perhaps the former cannot be well weighed without the other. If our Envoys extraordinary...
7From John Adams to James McHenry, 6 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is my Desire that you embrace the first opportunity to sett out on your Journey to Mount Vernon, and wait on General Washington with The Commission of Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States, which by the Advice and consent of the Senate has been signed by me. The Reasons and Motives which prevailed with me, to venture on Such a step as the Nomination of...
8From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received only this morning your Letter of the 4th. of this month. Its Contents are of much importance. I desire that you would inform General Washington, that I consider him in the Public Service from the Date of his Appointment and intitled to all the Emoluments of it. He is at Liberty to receive all or any part, at his Discretion: and is fully Authorised to appoint his Aids and...
9From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is an address from Virginia, The Whites & Greens of Warrenton, with my answer which I pray you to transmit, with such an answer from yourself in your official capacity, as you give to others in similar circumstances. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
10From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you, an address from a Corps of Horse in Warren, North Carolina,—I have some difficulty about accepting for a Company so small a Number as forty and also about lending the Arms, I pray you to detirmine These Points in this Case as you have done and mean to do in others and transmit them an answer.—I am, Sir, / Your Most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
11From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return the Address of the county of Renselar with an answer which I pray you to forward. Perhaps they mean to offer themselves as a volunteer corps. If you understand them in that sense, you will please to give them the proper official answer. Your huml Servt MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
12From John Adams to James McHenry, 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since I have been here, his Excellency the Governor of this State has enquired of me with some Anxiety to know whether the Cession of Castle Island is accepted. I referred that Act of the Legislature of this State to you or the Secretary of State to prepare an Answer of Acceptance. Will you be so good as to attend to this subject as soon as possible and forward the Acceptance to me for my...
13From John Adams to James McHenry, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday your favor of the 13th have read the papers inclosed voluminous as they are & return the commission for Col. Butler & the talk to the Indians signed. The Indians have been taught to misunderstand The advice against selling their lands to individuals, for advice against selling to the United States. I am Sir / your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
14From John Adams to James McHenry, 21 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the duplicate talk signed & congratulate you on your recovery. I am Sir your most humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
15From John Adams to James McHenry, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from David Hobbs, Richard Bland Lee, Wm. Mason, H. G. Otis, Lt. Gov. Gill, Thomas Seymour, John Lillie, Gen. Philemon Dickinson, James Coskey, Judge Peters, John More, Samuel Panneli late ensign requesting or recommending to offices in the army which I transmit to you that all may appear upon your books & files. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
16From John Adams to James McHenry, 24 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Ebenezer Stocher & votes of a company of Infantry, under the name of the Newbury Port federal volunteers, offering their services. I pray you to answer them, accepting their services and to send their officers their commissions. I am Sir / your most humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
17From John Adams to James McHenry, 28 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from His Excellency John Henry, Govonor of Maryland, dated in Council Annapolis Aug. 19th. I transmit it to you, with my request that you would Answer it, with all the respect that is due to the subject and the Authority by which the Application is made, according to that Arrangement for national Defence, which has been or may be adopted in your Office, in the faithful and...
18From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of Aug 20th I believe tho the 0 is obscure. Gen. Knox is gone to the eastward as I understand, to return in ten or fifteen days. But if he were in Boston, I could not send him either your official or private letter, as neither contain sentiments that I can approve. My opinion is & always has been clear, that as the law now stands, the order of nomination or of...
19From John Adams to James McHenry, 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to put on the list of captains of infantry, Mr. Philip Church of New-York, who is very handsomely recommended by Gen. Hamilton, & whom from a personal accquaintance with him, I believe to be well qualified. I enclose to you also a letter & documents from his Excellency Governor Jackson of Georgia, which I pray you to consider, and answer according to those arrangements, which you...
20From John Adams to James McHenry, 4 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of Aug 29 last night. I have recd nothing from the Secretary of State respecting the Castle which ought to be accepted, and the Convicts removed as soon as possible and a respectable officer and Garrison appointed. I perceive that Tousard is coming here I know not why, nor wherefore? General Hamilton recommends him to be Inspector of Artillery. I have no Reason to...
21From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letters from Fisher Ames, John Allen and Nathaniel Smith and John Allen, recommending Characters for Commissions in the Army, deserve our particular attention. I accordingly recommend them to yours. You know the Writers and their great Worth and Merit. I have the Honor to be / Sir your most humble Servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
22From John Adams to James McHenry, 11 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations of Major McFarland, Captain Nathaniel Thwing to be appointed in the army which I pray you to file with other recommendations & record among the candidates for appointments—Also a letter from Dr Waterhouse a very respectable authority recommending Wm: Amherst Barron to be one of the scientific teachers. I have the honor to be Sir your / most obedient Servant MHi :...
23From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of the fourth and return You the blank Commissions signed and all the Papers inclosed in yours. As to Major Brooks, I know not how a Man can talk of fighting “French Bloodhounds” who has been capable of saying Since his appointment, “that Things were going very well before the Arrival of the Dispatches of the Envoys: but the publication of those Dispatches had ruined...
24From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your favour of the sixth and approve of your determination to make out the Commissions in the order of Knox on the first day, Pinckney on the Second and Hamilton on the third. This being done you may call Generals Knox and Hamilton into Service as soon as you please. Your request to be informed, whether I attach any portion of the Intrigues, which I alluded to, if any have been...
25From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are applications for appointments &c. from George McDonald, Gen. Whiting a very respectable officer, James Cunningham, James Campbell, Zenas Meign Bradley George Walton, Gen. Morgan, Elijah Paine, which I recommend to your consideration & am your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
26From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are applications for Appointments &c from George McDonald, General Whiting, a very respectable Officer, James Cunningham, James Campbell, Zenas Meigs Bradley, George Walton General Morgan, which I recommend to your Consideration and am your humble sert Also a letter from Elijah Paine, recommending Mr Samuel Shuttleforth to be chaplain in the army NNGL .
27From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10th and return you the letters from Gen Wilkinson & the Q Msr. Gen. Inclosed is a letter from John Hampden Palmer of Vermont to Judge Cranch, requesting his aid in procuring a pair of coloures. This young gentleman is a grandson of old Gen Palmer, my neigbor, who was active, and useful in the early parts of the late revolution & indeed I believe through the...
28From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your letter of the 10th and return you the Letters from General Wilkinson and the Qr. Mr. General. Inclosed is a Letter from John Hampdon Palmer of Vermont to Judge Cranch, requesting his Aid in procuring a Pair of Colours. This young Gentleman is a Grandson of old General Palmer my Neighbour, who was active and usefull in the early Part of the late Revolution, and indeed I believe...
29From John Adams to James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 15th with its inclosures, & perceive nothing to alter. Inclosed is a letter from Samuel Treat who has been a lieutenant at the castle a long time. His claims to a continuance in service I hope will be considered, but I know nothing of him, but his appearance on a late visit to me & the inclosed letter MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
30From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed address and petition from the Hudson independent rangers should have been transmitted to you sometime ago; but in my distress it has been omitted. You will please to give them such an answer as our rules and circumstances will admit of. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
31From John Adams to James McHenry, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter or address and offer of service from a volunteer company of riflemen in Christiania hundred in the state of Deleware I transmit to you to be answered according to law and our rules and usages I am Sir your most / obedient Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
32From John Adams to James McHenry, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the Commissions for the three Generals Signed and all dated on the Same Day. I am sir / your most obedient &c DLC : James McHenry Papers.
33From John Adams to James McHenry, 4 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations for the Army of a Major McFarland, and two Mr Eatons whose names will be entered and Pretensions considered in Course. I am sir your most humble DLC : James McHenry Papers.
34From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Recommendations of Rufus Graves and Joseph Dunham, from Mr Freeman and Letters from themselves requesting Appointments in the Army. And some notes of Observations made to me verbally and put down on paper at my desire, which you may consider at present and return to me when I meet you again, if ever DLC : James McHenry Papers.
35From John Adams to James McHenry, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Meeting of Congress approaches, and it is necessary to consider whether Phyladelphia is a safe Residence for Congress: and also the Particulars that will be proper to communicate and recommend to both Houses at the opening of the session. I ask the favour of you to resolve these Subjects in your Mind and write me the Result as soon as you can. I have the Honor / to be, sir your most...
36From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Resolutions and Address of the Officers of the Greens Troop of Horse &c Letter from Governor Sevier and the Letter from Allen Gillespie and Alexander Nelson I pray you answer with all the respect and Civility that is due to them: and to Accept of the offered service of the volunteer Corps, according to the Rules, by which you have answered all other Offers of a like kind. I am /...
37From John Adams to James McHenry, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed address and offer of service as a volunteer corps of a troop of horse in the county of Warren N Carolina has been by me unaccountably overlooked. I pray to you answer it without loss of time & send the officers their commissions. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
38From John Adams to James McHenry, 22 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday your favor of the 15th. When I dated the commissions of the Major generals on the same day, I had made up my mind, that if an acquiescence by amicable agreement in the opinion of General Washington should not take place, I would confirm his judgment, whatever it might be. If I could have been at Philadelphia to receive him, I should have invited General Washington to...
39From John Adams to James McHenry, 23 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from Gen. Schuyler Gen. Hull, Capt. James Cunningham which I pray you to consider and answer Hull and Cunningham according to usage. Also letters from Jeremiah Olney & Murdoch Murphy which you will please to consider in determining on the candidates for commissions. Also recommendations of Thomas Bowman Esq. son of Judge—Bowman of Pownaborough an excellent federalist father...
40From John Adams to James McHenry, 25 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Major Gen Hull of the 9th of Oct & another of the 19th inclosing an address of the officers & soldiers of the 4th regiment in the 2d brigade & 3d division of the militia of Masstts. The offer of service as a volunteer corps I pray you to answer according to law & usage Inclosed also is a letter of 6 Oct from Major Gen Hull & brigadier Gen Walker with an address from...
41From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you have recieved your favor of the 18 with the copies of your letters to the Govenours of Maryland & Georgia. I return you the address of the Gen & field officers of the 11th brigade & the 3d brigade in Maryland as you desire. That from Warren county I sent sometime ago I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
42From John Adams to James McHenry, 28 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Gen Wadsworth & an address of a company of Volunteers at Portland. I pray you would answer this without loss of time & send the officers their comissions as I have accepted of their offer. Inclosed also is a recommendation of the Rev Jacob Emerson of Masss. to be chaplain at Castle Island. If the law enables us to appoint chaplains to the Artillerists or any other...
43From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The president of the U.S. requests the Secy. at war to present to each of the heads of department a copy of the schedule A with a request that they would examine it and consult such members of congress as they judge the best qualified to give information concerning the propriety of nominating the officers contained in the list. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
44From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received, in your favour of the 16th. Major General Pinckneys List, arranged in concert with Governor Davie. This List has my Approbation and you may announce as soon as possible, to the Persons their Appointments. I expect that all the vacancies in the Army be first communicated to me and the Candidates with their recommendations be transmitted to me, before Commissions are sent them...
45From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a recommendation from Gen. Thayer one of our Massachusetts Senators of Mr. Augustus Hunt, to be an officer. By his personal appearance he will make a very handsome & a well made stout lieutenant, you may put him on the list accordingly, if you please. &c I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
46From John Adams to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from Mr. Otis and Mr. Parkman, recommending Mr. William Williams to be a Capt. which I pray you to file and record for consideration. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
47From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Last night I recd your favour of the 5th. The Proceedings detailed in it, appear to have been well considered and prudently pursued: But the Sordid Spirit, which produced this as well as the former Insurrection in Pennsylvania, and which have given So much trouble to the Government, Anxiety to the Nation and burden on the Treasury, ought to excite more general Indignation than they have done....
48From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Major Jackson, which I pray you to consider, and to send Mr Titcomb s Pay and Rations accordingly, if the Law will allow it. He is a promising and deserving young Man, fit for an Ensign. Inclosed also is a Letter from Major Lillie, which deserves your consideration. Burbeck is a Sewell that We must not loose and Lillie I think must be made a Major. I have seen him and...
49From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd yesterday your favour of the 8th. If there is no room for Mr Hastings as a Major, which I believe there is not, you may consider whether there is Place for him as a Captain. If there are not candidates of Superiour Claims he may be offered a Captaincy, and if he declines that, another may be appointed. It is not upon the Act of the 3d of March Ult. that I ground the Claim of an...
50From John Adams to James McHenry, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd last night your favour of the 11 and thank you for the Copy of General Macphersons Letter and the List of his Prisoners. The Generals Conduct has been prudent and Successfull, and will terminate in the permanent tranquility of the People. I return you Reeders Letter and Jacksons Address. Have these Democrats, a morality of their own? or have they none? Do they really believe that lying...