1951To 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...
1952To John Adams from Joseph Pitcairn, 8 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing, a scetch of the overthrow of the Helvetic Republics, which has just appeared, and is said to be written by a person of merit equal to his eminence. With the greatest deference, I imagine there are some facts, contained, it might be useful for America to know, they establish the encroaching temper of France, on Elective equally with hereditary Governments, &...
1953To John Adams from Giles Leonard Barrett, 6 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your known humanity, and my extreme Necessity will I trust, in some degree plead my Apology for the Intrusion of this Solicitation. Flatter’d as I once was with prosperity—and now sunk (together with a deserving wife and family) by a complicated series of Inevitable calamity, to extreme distress, where can I hope to fell the fostering hand of Protection, if not from. The President of the...
1954To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 12 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter has been submitted to my perusal by my friend Mr Rutledge. Presuming it may be satisfactory to you to know that Genl Pinkney and the Federalists in So: Carolina adhered with honor to your interest, an I have taken the liberty to borrow it from him and send it to you, with a request that it maybe returned to my lodgings this afternoon as Mr R will have occasion to reply to...
1955To John Adams from Jacob Mayer, 27 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is the intention of General Toussaint to declare the Island of St. Domingo independent. He is disgusted with frenchmen, and therefore wishes to form a close and intimate connection with the Government of the United States. He charged me to communicate these great truths to “Mr Adams the American president”. He, however, for divers political reasons, does not yet wish it to be known that he...
1956To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
With my letter concerning Mr. Jones, the candidate for the Consulate of New-Orleans, I intended to transmit a Commission, that if it seemed to you expedient to appoint him, his commission might be signed and returned, seeing he will very soon depart for that country. I have now the honor to inclose it. I inclose also a copy of a note received this day from Mr. Liston, announcing that the loan...
1957To John Adams from Eleazer Russell, 9 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
In several of the late Boston Centinels, the collector of the Port of Portsmouth Newhampshire, has been cruelly and wantonly abused—A report is also attempted to be spread here, that application has been, or will be soon made to the Executive to remove him from Office Impelled by an Idea of duty to the Government of the United—To you Sir, and in Justice to Mr Whipple; I am led to address you...
1958To John Adams from Aaron Putnam, 20 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
immediately after I had the honor of an interview on Tuesday about noon 29th April I enter’d the stage, and by riding all night arrived at New York at 8.OC. the next morng, from whence I took the liberty to write you, which I hope you receiv’d in due course—on my arrival here I found my suggistions in that communication fully verified with respect to the anxious solicitude of my Constituents,...
1959To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Isaac Parker Esquire Marshal of the District of Maine, recommending Josiah Reed, to be surveyor & Inspector of the Port of Thomaston in the District of Caldobourogh. After due enquiry I take the liberty to recommend Silas Foster to be Commander of the Revenue Cutter General Greene which place is vacant by the resignation of Captain George Price, who...
1960To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a copy of Mr Pickerings letter to me of the 20th of June No 1, of an account of Stores said to have been purchased for the Sophia No 2, & of his statement of my account No 3; the latter of which, as I conceive, is unjust in several particulars. 1st Mr Pickering has considered my salary as terminating the 12th of may; stating, that it was “the day on which I received...
1961To John Adams from Tadeusz Andrzej Bonawentura Kosciuszko, 24 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
A Packet given to me by Sir John St Claire for your Excellency is deliverd to Colo: Pickering. I beg at the same time, that I may have the Honor to pay my Respectfull Homage to you as to the first Magistrate of a Great Brave Free and happy Nation Your Excellency most / Humble and most Obedient servant MHi : Adams Papers.
1962To John Adams from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th instant, for which I sincerely thank you. It has not only relieved me from some painful impressions, but afforded me ground to expect, I shall be able, when I have the pleasure of again seeing you, to satisfy you more fully that I exceeded, in no particular whatever, the line pointed out to me by your Instructions. Having acted, both...
1963To John Adams from William Moubray, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Should my Application not interfere with that of a Gentleman of much Superior merit, I would beg Leave, with the greatest deference and Respect, to offer my Services as Collector of the Customs for the Port of Savannah I have the honor to be, with the highest Respect, / Sir, / Your Excellency’s / most Obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
1964To John Adams from William Henry Harrison, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
That those, to whom the management of public affairs is confided, should be called from their deliberation, to listen to the opinions of popular meetings, will seldom, we think, be found warranted by discretion or compatible with the good order of society—But at a period like this, when our enemies boast of finding among ourselves the support of their purposes, we presume, that sincere...
1965To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States, respectfully reports his opinion on the following questions. 1st. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris and the Territory of the Republic with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility as we have been informed of, are bars to all further measures...
1966To John Adams from Jonathan Jackson, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received by last post from the Secretary of the Treasury letters addressed to the nine Commissioners who were appointed to execute within this State the “Act to provide for the valuation of lands dwelling houses &c”— The Secretary desiring me “to take effectual measures for having the letters safely delivered”—I waited upon Colo. Dawes, to deliver him his, who informed me that he had sent in...
1967To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 7 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 30th: ult: enclosing the Warrant for the Execution of Samuel Ewing signed. Lieut. Col. Hamtramck writes to me under date of the 16th ulto.— “The Crime of Samuel Ewing is no doubt of the most heinous nature, but the extraordinary conduct of the Prisoner, having deserted on one day returning on the next, and declaring War against a whole Garrison, appears to...
1968To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I now do myself the honor to enclose letters from Capt Tingey—who appears to be a Judicious, attentive, active officer. I wish his commission was of older date. The Merrimack, Capt Brown, must have joined him very soon after the date of his last letter—she might have joined him before.—The Pickering sailed from New York, to join him, the 27. June—and the Delaware is now proceeding down the...
1969To John Adams from Henry Dearborn, 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
Having been informed that Mr. Isaac Parker, Marshall of the District of Maine, has lately been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State, I take the liberty of soliciting the appointment of Marshal on Mr. Parkers accepting his appointment as Judge;—if Sir you should have no objection on the score of my capacity or integrity, I should hope that my pretentions otherways will be...
1970To 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.
1971To John Adams from Joseph Wheaton, 21 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the memorable afair which took place at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts on the 19th: of April 1775, the news of it reached the Town of Machias, then most eastern port in the province of Maine, and early in the month of May came to that place two coasting Sloops owned by a Mr. Ichobad Jones, and convoyed by the armed Schooner called the Margarite a British tender, commanded by...
1972To John Adams from Enos Hitchcock, 4 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Citizens of the Town of Providence voluntarily assembled to tender their respects to the first Magistrate of the Union on his arrival in this Town beg leave to approach you by their Committee with sentiments of Joy on the present occasion, and with assurances of the sensible pleasure they feel in common with their Fellow Citizens that the suffrages of this great community have met in a...
1973To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the proceedings of a General Court Martial, held at the Natches July the 21st. and by adjournments to the 29th, 1798, by order of Captain Isaac Guion commanding, for the trial of Ensign Daniel Fero, and others. The Sentence of this Court, upon Ensign Fero being a commissioned officer, extends to his dismission from the service, and therefore requires your directions, whether the...
1974Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favors of October 28. & November 11. of the past year, have been some weeks in my possession. I am not, nor can I conveniently be, so good a correspondent as my brother, whose frequent and copious communications exhaust most of the subjects upon which I should feel disposed to write you myself, I think it is my duty nevertheless not to suffer any considerable period to pass, without...
1975To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The unfortunate mistake referred to in Mr. Liston’s letter of the 13th to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, has induced me to reprint your proclamation for opening the trade with St. Domingo, and to subjoin an extract of Mr. Liston’s letter, to put into the hands of as many of the Collectors as are within reach, prior to the first of August.—General Maitland’s letter to me of the 23d of May and the 5th...
1976Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 22 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 8 th. I received the 17 th. Ins t. and broke the Affair to M r. Cranch, who has it under Consideration and expect he will give me an Answer this Week— A Day or two previous to the Receipt of yours, Solomon Thayer of Braintree came to my House and offered me a piece of Pasture Land adjoyning to a detached Piece of the Farm which You bought of Elkanah Thayer, the same Piece he had...
1977To John Adams from Charles Lee, 12 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
In deferring my answer to the letter which I had the honor to receive relative to your speech to Congress I was induced from the expectation of authentic information relative to the most recent state of the negotiations between this country and the great nations of England & France. These are topicks which every one expects to find embraced in the speech. Though the newspapers last from...
1978To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit a letter proposed to be sent to Lt Col. Gartlen by to-morrows post, with the letter mentioned therein from Governor Jackson of Georgia and that from Lt. McCall to the said Governor—It is desirable to have the letters returned to-day if approved of. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir / your most obt. & hbe st MHi : Adams Papers.
1979To John Adams from Jedidiah Morse, 5 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this, Aaron Putnam Esq, is the gentleman names to you, as a suitable candidate for the office of Superintendant of the Dock & Navy yard, should such an establishment be made in this harbour. He goes on to the seat of government by the unanimous voice of this town, as their agent to represent their wishes, & to state their proposals, relative to the erection of a Dock &c. in this...
1980To 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...