1851To John Adams from William Cunningham, 23 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cunningham is very much troubled on account of a certain paper she address’d to you some time ago. She is apprehensive something very tradgical will happen to her, or some of her connections, from the Arm of power in concequence thairof, in the course of the past winter she has had many restless nights on Account of this paper—we had concluded to do our selves the pleasure of waiting on...
1852To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received, on the afternoon of the 10th last, from Mr. Elisha Hall secretary to the commissioners for holding a treaty with the Cherokee nation, the following enumerated dispatches viz, 1st a letter dated Tellico 14th July 1798 signed A Moore, George Walton, and John Steele. 2nd a letter dated 16th July 1798 signed George Walton. 3rd the Journal of the proceedings of the commissioners...
1853To John Adams from John Marshall, 24 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you two letters No. 71 & 72 received from Mr. King. Respecting the jewels for Tunis I think it proper to observe that or looking into the correspondence between this department and Consul Eaton I perceive a letter which states the demand of them as being an encroachment which ought to be resisted as long as possible but which in the last necessity must be submitted to, and in that...
1854To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received this morning a letter from the Secretary of the Northwestern Territory, informing that the reports propagated in the news-papers of Indian depredations in the two western counties of the Territory & in Shelby county in Kentuckey, are utterly destitute of foundation. I inclose a letter which came to hand yesterday under a cover from a Christopher McPherson at Norfolk. A letter...
1855To John Adams from Francis Malbone, 1 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Alfred Hazard having informed me that he has made application for the office of Purser on board the United States Ship General Greene now fitting in this State; I take the liberty of recommending him as possessing the necessary qualifications to perform the functions of that office; he is a young man of a liberal education, is of one of the most respectable families among us, & of an...
1856To John Adams from Nh., Citizens of Portsmouth, 11 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Subscribers, inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth, State of New Hampshire, conceiving the present moment to be one of those critical periods when political necessity calls aloud for the Public Voice to advocate the measures of its own Government, and cheerfully offer the Supreme Executive and the Congress of the Union the most determined and unequivocal support in maintaining measures...
1857To John Adams from James Asheton Bayard, Jr., 11 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The House of Representatives having Set unusually late the last two days I have been prevented waiting upon You according to my intention. I beg You Sir to believe that I appreciate with a becoming Sense the high honor You have proposed to confer upon me. I took the liberty of stating the subject to the Chief Justice who was So obliging as to undertake to request your opinion upon the...
1858To John Adams from Henry Knox, 5 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Although I have often entertained the intention of writing to you, yet as I had nothing more to communicate, than assurances of my sincere attatchment, and the warm approbation which appeared to possess the best mind of the great majority of the People, I could not bring myself to intrude on your time, so precious to your Country. But when your recent nomination for France seem for a moment to...
1859To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 7th & 13th, and also by yesterdays mail one of the 14th and three of the 16th Instant. The inclosed copy of a letter to Mr. Joseph Williams of Springfield will shew the steps I had taken, relative to Mr. Coltons account, and the order given for its final settlement. I have assurances from Mr. Ames that such...
1860To John Adams from William Vaughan, October 1797 (Adams Papers)
In case you should not have known Mr Masson the Gentleman who will be the Bearer of these lines permit me to request your attention and civilities to him and to his pursuits. He is Botanist to the King and has been sent out with the express desire of his Majesty for the purpose of Botanical pursuits in the interior parts of America that have been little frequented by professional men. He...
1861To John Adams from John Marshall, 26 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receivd by the last mail your letter of the 19th. inst inclosing several papers which are disposd of according to your directions. You will receive herewith a translation of the German letter which was addressd to you. The calculations & the poem referd to, it was deemd unnecessary to translate. The Spanish minister has on the part of his sovereign claimd the restoration of the Sandwich...
1862To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to send herewith a packet & letter from Mr. Pitcairn, received yesterday morning, and to inclose the letter No. 128. and the document it refers to, from Mr. Adams at Berlin, which in my last I mentioned were in the act of being decyphered. Before this gets to hand you will find that General Pinckney arrived at New-York last Saturday afternoon: So I find it stated in a paper...
1863To John Adams from James Mann, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
This certifies that Ebenezer Coddington Thayer of Braintree sustains an unblemished reputation. After the honorary degrees of Harvard College had been conferred upon him, he has the usual time persued the study of the theory and practice of Physic with the greatest proficiency. And I can with confidence add, that should he be indulged a surgeon’s birth in the Army or Navy of the United States;...
1864To John Adams from George Poindexter, 14 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
At this important moment when imminent danger threatens us from abroad, the undersigned Young Men of Richmond, feel themselves impelled by that common sentiment, which now Animates America, to express, their fervent wishes for peace, but their determined resolution to support those measures of Government, which are calculated to repel foreighn aggression, and to protect our Country from injury...
1865To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 2 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
A subscription was opened in this Town, a few days ago, to raise money for the building a Galley, in order to loan her to the Government, for the farther protection of the Missisippi, should it be thought proper to encrease that species of naval force in that quarter. A considerable Sum was immediately subscribed, and, in a few days, a sum adequate to the purpose will be subscribed: for, the...
1866To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter dated Augt. 25th. from James Breckenridge Esq. who was named Commissioner for the Third Division of Virginia—It seems that this Gentleman resides out of the Division and that this circumstance and expectations of being able to render more important services have induced him to decline the appointment.—I have good reason to believe that Mr. Breckenridges...
1867To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received notice of the death of Colo. Innes, and that his remains are to be interred this forenoon. By the mail of to-morrow I will send a commission for your signature for the gentleman you shall be pleased to name for his successor. The inclosed letter from Colo. Spencer with the address of Columbia and the neighbouring towns in the northwestern territory, I received this...
1868To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed is an extract of a private letter which I have just recd. from Mr. Higginson, & which I hasten to communicate to the President. MHi : Adams Papers.
1869To John Adams from Charles B. Cochran, 1 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The momentous concerns which have so fully engaged your attention, since last I had the Honor of a few lines from you and a disinclination to brake in upon moments so precious to the Public, have been the reasons of my omitting to avail myself of the license you then gave me of continuing a correspondence so flattering in itself and so truely interesting to me: But at a time when every good...
1870To 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...
1871To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the decease of Robert Chesley, the offices of Surveyor and Inspector of the Port of St. Mary’s in the district of Nanjemoy in the State of Maryland, have become vacant. The names of Robert Chesley, son of the deceased, and William Hebb, are presented in the papers which I have the honour to enclose.—The weight of recommendation by Col. Howard of the Senate, Charles Caroll of Carrollton...
1872To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Jacob Lewis, Consul of the U. States at the Isle of France, from whence he has recently returned to Boston with his family. I shall write to him by this mail, and desire him to wait upon you, to give more full information concerning that French Colony; particularly in reference to the anxious wishes of a number of merchants here trading to the East...
1873To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Young Lafayette called to day, on his way to New York to embark for France. He left Genl. Washington last Friday perfectly well—and saw a letter from him dated on Saturday afternoon. But on his way, as he drew near to Philadelphia, was told the General was dead.—Mr. Simmons at the War Office told Major Lewis, who just now called to see me, that an Express had passed thro’ Derby with the news....
1874To John Adams from Joshua Johnson, 18 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have not been inattentive to your request, to make inquiry of the Price of Hay, Straw, Oates & Wood, for the first, I can obtain for you at 7/6 the long Hundred deliverable at your Stables; Starw is scarce, I have not met with anyone who will ingage to serve you with it; The Country People ask 3/9 per Bushel for Oates tho the Crop is large and some has been bought at 3/— at which price I...
1875To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter from George Divers who was appointed the Commissioner for the eleventh Division declining the appointment and recommending Thomas Divers to be appointed in his stead. From the tenor of Colo. Carrington’s Letter of the 13th. of September and the express recommendation of Thomas Posey contained in his Letter of September 28th. I have no doubt that General...
1876To John Adams from John Penn, 24 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
Conscious of the sincerity with which I espouse the noble cause, from the conspicuous support of which your Excellency has derived so much glory among all true Englishmen; I mean the cause of national liberty; I do not scruple to presume that the publications which attend this letter may be thought worthy of your acceptance. Taste has been so perverted by the new opinions, that it seemed...
1877To John Adams from Ezra Weld, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
As inhabitants of this ancient Town, which gave you birth, tho’ now by its division, Quincy is honored, as the place of your residence we retain that affection and esteem for your personal honor and happiness, which are the natural result of such a connection; yet this is a circumstance of very small consideration, compared with other reasons of attachment and veneration, which upon this...
1878To John Adams from Rev. William Walter, 7 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
Count Rumford having enclosed to me two packages which I presume contain two of his Essays I hasten to forward them that your Excellency may have the great pleasure of perusing his long promised observations on the best & most œconomical Method of preparing our common Food, a Subject of no small Importance to Society but in the Knowlege of which, he says, we are shamefully deficient. with...
1879To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from J C Jones, Chairman of the Committee for building a Ship at Boston; recommending Capt George Little, for the Command of that Ship. Presuming that you Sir, will think it proper to indulge the Committee at Boston, as has been the case in all similar instances, with the selection of the officers—I take the liberty to enclose in the letter for Mr Jones, a...
1880To John Adams from William Lewis, 19 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your request, we shall now proceed briefly to communicate the points and Authorities, which we intended to urge in the case of the U.S. vs. Fries, if the Conduct of the Court had not unexpectedly deprived us of every hope of Success from these Means of defence. It may be proper to premise, that on the Morning appointed for the Trial, the Presiding Judge in the Presence of...
1881Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 12 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday afternoon, in the Ship Alexander Hamilton, after a passage of 46 days— The Season of the year will best explain what kind of weather we have experienced. I thank God that I tread once more the land of my Fathers. I shall wait only for my baggage to come on shore and then set out for Philadelphia—where I hope—to meet you in health. It gives me pain that I...
1882To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipts of your letters dated May 27th. & 28th. and Mr Shaws letter dated June 5th. covering recommendations in favor of Noah Pease, Nathaniel Mayhew and Silas Daggot, for the appointment of Keeper of the Light House to be erected on Gay Head— The Light House is not erected, and there is not an immediate necessity any appointment;—to prevent the trouble of...
1883To John Adams from Tn., Citizens of Powells Valley, 21 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers in behalf of themselves, and certain other Inhabitants, of Powells Valley, Citizens of the State and County aforesaid, humbly represent to His Excellency John Adams, President of the United States of America. That your Memorialists are like to receive considerable injury by the extension of the Boundary Line, between the United States, and the Cherokee Nation of...
1884From George Washington to John Adams, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed from Mr Joel Barlow (though the old date) came to my hands only yesterday. I have conceived it to be my duty to transmit it to you without delay—and without a comment; except that it must have been written with a very good, or a very bad design: which of the two, you can judge better than I. For, from the known abilities of that Gentleman, such a letter could not...
1885To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
This week the public offices have been removed to this place, on account of the malignant fever which has again visited Philadelphia. Last Evening I was honoured with your letters of the 10th & 11th. and to-day I shall forward by the mail, Worrall’s pardon, and the Commission for Mr. Sitgreaves. Your answers to the addresses from Hamilton county and Cincinnati, in the Northwestern Territory I...
1886To 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...
1887To John Adams from James Cogswell, 23 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Impressed with the eventful period in which we live, and especially with the present alarming state of our public affairs, the ministers of the association of the County of Windham, Cont. beg leave respectfully to address the President of the United States. Called to act as ambassadors of the Prince of peace, we cannot but deeply deprecate the horrors of war, and have fondly indulged the hope...
1888To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 25th Inst.—The Herald sailed on Tuesday last, from New Castle, to cruise on the Coast, until the 10th. of July, when she is to return to Boston—Mr. Beale can then be changed from the Herald to the Boston. I have the honor to be / With the highest Respect & / Esteem sir Yr. most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
1889To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter dated April 8th. 1799 from Nathl. Burwell Esqr. one of the Commissioners of Virginia.—This Letter was received in due season, after the date.—By the operation of a late Law of the State, a new appointment is now necessary.—I have no reason to doubt that Mr. William Fleet is a suitable character to fill the vacancy.— I have the honour to be / very...
1890To John Adams from William Barry Grove, 24 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is understood the Marshall of North Carolina has or intends to resign shortly; in that event, We beg leave to name and Recommend James Taylor esqr. of Rockinham County as a fit Person, in our Opinion to fill that office. Mr. Taylor is a Man of handsome Education and general information, and from the Several appointments of Honour and Trust which he has held and discharged in the state with...
1891To John Adams from Allen Wiley, 9 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of Allen Wiley, Cartwright Tippet, David Waterston, John Vermillion, George Amos, William Simms, John Philips, William Simington John Delowry Robert McMahan and Alexander Shaw—Inhabitants of the City of Washington, Humbly Sheweth—That Your Petitioners, all men with families, reside at present, in houses which are Public property, and now standing on the Capitol Square,—which...
1892To John Adams from James Gunn, 21 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to recommend to the notice of the President Mr. Thomas Gibbons as a man Well qualified to fill the office of Judge in the District of Georgia.— Mr. Gibbons is a Gentleman of Great professional abilities, was born in Georgia, and is Independent in his Circumstances.— I am sir, / With the greatest Respect / Your Most Obt. and / very hubl. Srt. MHi : Adams Papers.
1893To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Frigate United States arrived on Friday—The Montezuma Murray, the Herald, Russell, and the Revenue Cutters General Greene, & Scammel, have since come into the Delaware. The copy of Capt Murrays letters which I have the honor to enclose, contains every thing of importance by these Vessels.—Capt. Tingey has sent in a prize, a small Vessel, not yet come up to the City, tho she is, I...
1894To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
By this day’s mail I send three packets, containing, together, 80 Mediterranean passports, for your signature; which I shall wish to have returned as soon as you can find time to dispatch them. David Howell Esqr. Commissioner on the St. Croix business, expressed to me, last winter, his expectations that his salary of £ 1000. Sterling a year, would continue from the day he accepted the...
1895To John Adams from John Rutledge, 25 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have been requested by many very respectable Gentlemen of Charleston, who subscribed liberaly for building the ship of war which is constructing in that Port, to make application for having Mr. John Smith appointed a second or third lieutenant in the Navy. As soon as I heard from the gentlemen who have solicited a commission for Mr Smith, I wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, and did not...
1896To John Adams from John Fitzgerald, 25 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a numerous Meeting of the Citizens of Alexandria held at the Court House on the 25th. Inst. in pursuance of a publick notice for that purpose, the following resolutions were adopted—with only two dissenting voices Col. John Fitzgerald in the Chair. Resolved, That the prospect of an impending rupture with the republick of France, is one which is deeply to be deplored; and that war and all...
1897To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 11 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreably to your opinion, advice, & request, of the 15th of december, any one of which was sure on my part of a ready compliance, I have waited for your communications to Congress, and candidly confess, that some parts of them have given me extreme pain. They commence with a letter of instructions to me of the 25th of June, which I never saw or heard of, untill it appeared in the Centinel; &...
1898To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Liston informs me, that on information recd. by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, of one of the mutineers and murderers of the officers of the British Frigate Hermione being at Charleston So. Carolina, the Admiral sent thither a vessel on purpose to receive and carry the culprit to the fleet to be tried: but that the district judge had not deemed it proper to deliver him up. This question has...
1899To John Adams from Corporation of the City of New London, 1 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Corporation of the City of New London seize with Avidity your short stay among them, to pay their respects to the first Magistrate of a free & enlightened People; & to join in the general Voice of their Country, in bearing Testimony to the early trying & decided part, which the purest patriotism only could have prompted You to take, in our important & glorious Revolution; we might regret...
1900To John Adams from Isaac Story, 6 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to introduce into your presence, by letter, my oldest son, who is taking the tour of the southern states; partly for his amusement, & partly on account of health.— In him you will behold a steady friend to your person, & public administrations. And were the Country made up of persons possessing his character, your government would be easy & happy. He is a Descendant, by his mother’s...