1931From John Adams to David Sewall, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your address of the 4th of this month has been transmitted to me as you requested by one of my ancient and esteemed friends Judge Sewall. The mercenary views of the French Republick have been sufficiently maniffested for a course of years by their purchasing supplies without any thought of payment, by their continued depredations on our commerce & especially by the infamous law against all...
1932From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 11th. I wish I understood better than I do the conduct both of Gen. Pinckney & Mr. Gerry. I shall not be guilty of so much affectations of regard to science, as to be very willing to grant passports to Dupont De Nemours or any other French philosophers in the present situation of our Country. We have had too many French philosophers already; & I really begin...
1933From John Adams to David Sewall, 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a short answer to the address of the Grand jury transmitted in your letter from Pownallborough at Sept term 1798. It would have given me great pleasure to have seen you at Pownalborough as I did in 1764 but I shall never see Kennebeck river again most probably. Some coincidence or other of affaires I hope will one day enable me to take you by the hand once more I am dear Sir your...
1934From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the commissions for William Hunter Cavendish of Virginia & Cornelius Howard of Maryland. I le also inclose to you letters from James Brackenridge Esqr. Robert Gorsuch, Daniel Bowley and have the honor to be Sir / your most &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1935From John Adams to M. Anderson, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The affection and Confidence expressed in your obliging Address, of the twenty fifth of August, is very Satisfactory to me. Although there is no Truth, of which I am more fully convinced, than this, which you approve, that “a free Republick is the best of Governments, and the greatest Blessing to which Mortals can aspire,” it is too apparent from History and Experience, that Such a Government...
1936From 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...
1937From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the Eleventh. I wish I understood, better than I do, the Conduct both of General Pinckney and Mr Gerry. I shall not be guilty of So much affectation of regard to Science, as to be very Willing to grant Passports to Dupont De Nemours or any other French Philosophers, in the present Situation of our Country. We have had too many French Philosophers already: and I...
1938From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the Commissions for William Hunter Cavendish of Virginia and Cornelius Howard of Maryland signed, and have the Honor to be, Sir your most &c Also are inclosed letters from James Brackenbridge Esqr Robert Gorsuch & Daniel Rowley. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
1939To John Adams from John Sevier, 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
It affoards Me great pleasure to have it in my power to transmit to you, Junary Resolutions entered into by four Companies of Cavalry and Mounted Infantry belonging to the District of Washington together With an Adress from Captains Gellispie & Nelson— You will discover sir, that they have tendered their Services to the President, provided the same should become Necessary, and be Assured, that...
1940To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the President of the United States the following Report. That it appears from a communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue dated the 14th instant, a Copy whereof is subjoined, to be expedient to increase the Salary of the Keeper of the Light House on Cape Cod, from one hundred & fifty to Two hundred Dollars per Annum, in...
1941To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of Was has permitted me to peruse your Letters to him dated the 14th. and 29th. of August, and after much reflection and some hesitation, I have ventured to request him to delay transmitting to you, the Commissions of the General Officers, untill I could accompany his official dispatch with a communication of my sentiments, upon the arrangement which appears to be meditated....
1942To John Adams from Daniel Davis, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter came to hand by this Evening’s mail. It contains all the information I possess upon the Subject, excepting that I have been informed, the Bristol Schooner mentioned in the letter, was captured by a French privateer; that the crew remained on board, and a few days after the capture, rose upon the four Frenchmen who were put on board to carry her into port, and retook her,...
1943To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose commissions for the Major Generals and Inspector of the army of the United States dated agreeably to your orders. At the instance of Mr. Wolcott, I have ventured to delay forwarding the Commissions, for a short time, to give him the opportunity of drawing up and presenting to you a respectful representation on the subject of the generals of the army. I have the honour to be, with the...
1944To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to introduce to you Captain Joseph Ingraham, who waits on you with a desire of stating his qualifications and pretensions to an appointment in the navy—Having been heretofore permitted to mention to you the name of this Gentleman, & his nautical reputation, I will only subjoin that I have the honor to be / with the greatest Respect / Sir, / Yr most obedt: Servt MHi :...
1945To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since I had last the honor to address you, I have received from the Collector of Pennsylvania information of the arrival at Marcus Hook of a Frenchman named Giraud, appointed Consul for Boston. It struck me as one of the names presented last May by Mr. Létombe as Consul, for whom your exequatur was requested and refused. I turned to Létombe’s letter, & found it so, with the variation of the...
1946From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Captain Patrick Fletcher recommending Captain John Cruft to be a Lieutenant in the Navy.—I have so good an opinion of this Captain Cruft from a personal Knowledge, that I desire you would place him on the List for Promotion among the first Lieutenants that Shall be appointed. Mr Breck of Philadelphia can probably give you Satisfactory Information concerning him. I...
1947To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a sealed letter addressed to you—An address signed Stephen Moore, Brigadier General, from the officers & soldiers in the 6th brigade of the third division of North Carolina Militia, which came to hand last evening under cover to me—a letter from Dr Rush dated the 14th, mentioning that his brother would decline the appointment he had solicited for him in the former...
1948To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter was recd. last night—it is yet too early to receive an official confirmation of the intelligence it contains—but as I hope, & believe it to be true, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of forwarding it to you in its present state. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & / esteem, sir yr. most Obed / servt MHi : Adams Papers.
1949From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last night Mr Amory & Mr Gardner came out to Quincy to shew me the original letters from the houses of Horsyth Smith & Co. and Hartshone & Boggs of Halifax, suggesting from Admiral Vandeput the idea of a convoy from Halifax in the fall, spring & midsummer. I pray you to consult with the other gentlemen especially the Secretary of the navy concerning the practicability utility & necessity &...
1950To John Adams from David Bradford, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
David Bradford an unfortunate man; who fell into the errors of that part of the community where he resided, having severely felt and suffered on account of those errors, with the deepest sensibility and contrition, adventures to address your Excellency in the sincerest language of submission, humiliation & petition. Far from beleiving that he can justify his conduct, your Petitioner will not...
1951To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment honoured with your letters of the 13th and 14th, and have directed a Commission to be made out for a judge of the Supreme Court, in the place of Judge Wilson deceased, leaving a blank for the name, and which I shall transmit to you in the mail of this evening. I shall also this day write to General Marshall to inform him that you have designated him to fill the vacant seat,...
1952To John Adams from Nathaniel Kezer, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a legal meeting of the inhabitance of Rowley , Voted to Address the President of the United States , and that Messrs. Parker Cleaveland , Esq. Joseph Chaplin , and David Mighill , be a Committe to prepare the Address. Voted , That the following Address, reported by the above Committee, be forwarded to the President of the United States . ADDRESS
1953To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet recd official accounts of the capture of the French 20 Gun Ship by Nicholson—But the account comes so well authenticated from different quarters, that the fact is not to be doubted. I hope this Ship will prove a useful addition to our Navy. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
1954To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the President of the United States the following Report. That by an Act of Congress passed on the 16th. day of July 1798, entitled “An Act to enable the President of the United States to borrow money for the public service,” authority is given to the President of the United States to borrow a sum not exceeding five Millions of Dollars,...
1955From John Adams to Elisha Boudinot, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th recommending Mr John Pintard to be my private secretary in the place of Mr Malcom resigned. Mr William Smith Shaw has acted in that capacity with me when at home for more than a year past & has been sometime since appointed & officiateing as successor to Mr Malcom With great esteem I have the / honor to be &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1956From 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.
1957From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 14th & 15th. The letter to Govenor Sumner, I will send to his Excellency. I feel very sensibly the obligations of the US to Mr Liston to his royal highness, Prince Edward & to Sir John Wentworth for their civility and kindness & shall accept the loan of the cannon and shot upon the terms you propose. Mr Stoddert will take the earliest opportunity to give...
1958From John Adams to Increase Sumner, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honor to Send my Secretary Mr Shaw to present to your Excellency the Secretary of States Letter on the subject of the Castle, and Another Letter as an Apology for the Delay. With great Respect I have / the Honor to be, Your Excellencys / most obedient and most humble / Servant MHi : David S. Greenough Papers.
1959From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr Andrew Halliburton of Portsmouth has called this morning upon me with the inclosed letters, which I transmit to you for your consideration with all other letters & recommendations you may receive relative to the succession to the naval office With great esteem &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1960From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr Andrew Halliburton of Portsmouth has called this morning upon me with the inclosed Letters, which I transmit to you for your consideration with all other Letters and Recommendations you may receive, relative to the Succession to the Naval Office. With great Esteem &c CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
1961To 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...
1962To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Mr. Adams at Berlin a letter which I am decyphering: it is dated the 18th of June. If it appears necessary, I shall forward it in to-morrow’s mail. The three letters inclosed for Mrs. Adams, arrived last evening with the former. I have a letter from General Marshall, dated at Richmond the 15th. in which is the following passage:— “I have seldom seen more extraordinary...
1963To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a letter dated 13th from Pennock, the naval agent at Norfolk, saying Nicholson had brought into Hampton Road a Ship of 20—or 24 Guns, full of men, who refused to give any account of themselves, and who are suspected to be Pirates. I hope by the mail of this evening to receive more certain intelligence. Capt Barry to my Surprize, made his Appearance here, at 1 OClk. His Ship with about...
1964To John Adams from Increase Sumner, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellencys letter, & the Secretary of State’s letters accompanying the same, by your Secretary Mr. Shaw, and shall cause the proper arrangements to be made for delivering the possession of Castle Island to the United States. I understood by Major Jackson, that your Excellency had Authorized him to receive possession, & to place his Comany in the Garrison; I...
1965From John Adams to Jonathan DeWitt, 22 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and read with great pleasure your address of the first of Sept. which, in this kind of writing with a few explanations, may be confident as a model of sense & spirit, as well as of taste and eloquence. Is there any mode imaginable in which contempt of the understanding and feelings of a nation can be expressed with so much aggravation, as by affecting to treat the government of...
1966To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the copy of a letter I have just written to the Collector of Norfolk, on which I shall wait your orders. Perhaps another (and possibly a more effectual) condition may be required, on the issuing a permit to a vessel to carry off French persons—to wit, That the Collector shall previously ascertain that she is not a fast sailing vessel, and not calculated for being...
1967To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed address and tender of services from the Volunteer riflemen of Christiana Hundred, county of New Castle, State of Delaware came to hand last evening. MHi : Adams Papers.
1968From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 17th and read it over and over again, with all the attention I am master of. The long continued dangerous sickness of my best friend, and her still precarious destiny, have thrown my mind into a state of depression, agitation and anxiety, which will not admit of a full discussion of the various points on which, you and I appear to differ in opinion. I will...
1969To John Adams from Warner Mifflin, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I hope I may address the first magistrate in the United States in this Stile without Offence , as I do esteem him my friend, and have a due respect unto him, & for the Office he fills; sincerely desiring to conduct myself under his Administration in every respect consistent with my conscience, as a good & faithful Citizen ought to do. I therefore inform the President, that being in this City...
1970To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose two letters from Mr. Adams, one dated “Berlin June 18th. 1798;” the other on the 25th of the same month; the latter covering three papers of extracts from French news-papers with Mr. Adams’s remarks. In his letter of June 18th he refers to the propositions made by the Swedish minister, Baron d’Engerstrom, (now at Berlin) when he was minister in England in 1793, to...
1971To John Adams from Edward Pope, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Doct. Samuel West, jr: being desirous of entering into the Military service of his Country as a Surgeon, has procured letters from three of the most respectable Physicians, in this quarter, certifying their opinion of his abilities—In which I heartily concur.—Those letters will accompany this, from / Your Excellency’s most obedient, / and very humble Servant, MWA : West Family Papers.
1972To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recd. only on Saturday evening, the letter from Capt Nicholson, of which the enclosed is a copy. It is I think, highly probable, that the Ship brought into Hampton by Nicholson, belongs to, or has been hired by, that unfortunate class of Frenchmen, who call themselves Loyalists, & who adhering to the British ‘till a place of Refuge is denied them in the West Indies, come to America as the...
1973To John Adams from Denny McCobb, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a moment So eventful & alarming as the present, when a great & imperious Nation whose aim is universal domination, is endeavouring to Sap the foundation of our political existence, it is the duty of every man to step forth & avow his Sentiments on Concerns so interesting to humanity—Replete with this Idea, We the field Officers & Commanders of the Companies of the 1st. Regiment 1st. Brigade...
1974To John Adams from Theodore Sedgwick, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
By the death of Judge Willson there is a vacancy on the bench of the supreme court. Whether I may be deemed competent to supply that vacancy, or whether it may be thought proper to appoint another Judge, from this state, I am ignorant.—Pardon, Sir, my thus suggesting a wish—I should not have done it, but from a fear, that my friends, will compel me, again, to serve in the house of...
1975To John Adams from George Washington, 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
With all the respect which is due to your public station, and with the regard I entertain for your private character, the following representation is presented to your consideration.—If in the course of it, any expression should escape me which may appear to be incompatible with either,—let the purity of my intentions;—the candour of my declarations;—and a due respect for my own character, be...
1976To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inform the President, that I have received Letters from South Carolina, informing me that Arnoldus Vanderhorst and John Chesnut Esqrs. have declined accepting their appointments as Commissioners for that State. I have no information which will justify me in indicating the name of a Successor to Mr. Vanderhorst—I have however written to the Supervisor and to Mr. Desaussure...
1977To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have complied with your direction by sending under cover to the Post Master of Philadelphia an anonimous Note with Five hundred Dollars in a Letter to Mr. Allen President of the Health Committee—This generous donation will relieve many a distressed person. The Warrant stands charged to the Presidents account in the Treays as recd. by me in the character of Agent to the President . I have the...
1978From 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.
1979From John Adams to Stephen Moore, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
An Address from Seven thousand two hundred and Ninety four Men, a Number Sufficient to compose a respectable Army, giving Assurance of their Approbation of Public Measures, and their Determination as Men and Soldiers to Support them, with their Lives and Fortunes, must be a pleasing Appearance to every Lover of his Country. There is no Part of the Union from which, such Sentiments could be...
1980From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 19th last night and have read the inclosures. Dr. Rushes letter gives me pleasure, because the number of dissappointed candidates is diminished by it by one. Mr. Sitgreaves letter is frank, candid and agreeable; but although this gentleman has merit and talents, held in high esteem by his country, as well as by me, I cannot help thinking that a few years...