1941Address to the New York State Legislature, 2 January 1798 (Jay Papers)
IT must afford sincere and cordial satisfaction to our Fellow Citizens, to see the Representatives whom they have freely chosen, thus peaceably and calmly assemble, to deliberate on their common concerns, and to concert the measures most conducive to their common prosperity. Nor will they derive less satisfaction from the reflection, that at this moment the Representatives of the Nation, of...
1942From Thomas Jefferson to Mann Page, 2 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know whether you have seen some very furious abuse of me in the Baltimore papers by a mr Luther Martin, on account of Logan’s speech published in the Notes on Virginia. he supposes both the speech & story made by me to support an argument against Buffon. I mean not to enter into a newspaper contest with mr Martin. but I wish to collect, as well as the lapse of time will permit the...
1943Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I Embrace the opportunity by the British packet of writing you a few lines, tho I have not any thing very material to communicate to you. I have already informd your Brother and sister of the safe arrival of her Parents and sisters at George Town after a passage of 60 days. Since which, I have received Letters both from mr and Mrs Johnson both of whom with the young Ladies were well. young mr...
1944To John Adams from Robert Worrall, 3 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I hope your Goodness will not think me Troublesom in giving you this line, and Informing you of my being in the Building Branch of Buseness, and having nearly devoted all my Time, Since the begining of August last, with the Commissioner of Revenew, on the Light, and Beacon, House, Business, and makeing the best Plans, with Honest Estimates, delivered and fulley Approved of, with Bonds Men...
1945To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 3 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to-day received your letter of the 1st inclosing a letter from Colo. Fleury, dated the 21st. of February last, with powers to receive & remit to Europe the amount of his dues from the U.S. which he hoped to receive in six months. He will be uneasy at not hearing from me in near eleven months, and will lose the benefits which the possession of the money might have yielded. These...
1946[Diary entry: 3 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
3. Mrs. L. Washington & Mr. Elliot went away after breakfast, & Mrs. Washington, myself &ca. went to Alexandria & dined with Mr. Fitzhugh. Morning clear but lowering afterwards. Mer. about 28. Wind No. Easterly.
1947To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1798 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of Dec. 25. came to hand yesterday. I shall observe your directions with respect to the post day. I have spoken with the Depy. Post. M. Genl. on the subject of our Fredericksburg post. He never knew before that the Fredsbg. printer had taken the contract of the rider. He will be glad if either in your neighborhood or ours some good person will undertake to ride from April next. The...
1948From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Dec. 25. came to hand yesterday. I shall observe your directions with respect to the post day. I have spoken with the Depy. Post. M. Genl. on the subject of our Fredericksburg post. he never knew before that the Fredsbg printer had taken the contract of the rider. he will be glad if either in your neighborhood or ours some good person will undertake to ride from April next. the price...
1949[Diary entry: 4 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
4. Wind at No. Et. and constant Rain all day, with a Sleet; Mer. at 30 in the morning, & continued thereat all day.
1950From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 4 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Edward Tiffin solicits an appointment in the Territory North West of the Ohio, The fairness of His Charactor in private and publick life, together with a knowledge of Law resulting from close application for a considerable time, will I hope, justify the liberty I now take in recommending Him to Your attention; regarding with due attention the delicacy, as well as importance of the character...
1951To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 4 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Boyce somewhat contrary to my expectation this day took up Mr. Barnes’s draft—I have paid Mr. Walker $103.92. & to an order of Mr. Millers, a part of the sum which you direct to be paid him. I am Very respectfully Dear Sir Your Mt. Obt. servt. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson esqr. Philada.”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Jan. 1798 and so recorded in SJL . On 21 Dec. 1797 TJ...
1952To Thomas Jefferson from Stevens Thomson Mason, 4 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I subjoin an extract of a letter which I informed you I had received from Colo Normand Bruce of Frederick County Maryland and am With great regard Your Obt Sert “I am just informed that Mr Jefferson has requested Capt Perry Fitzhugh to procure information of Michael Cresap’s conduct relating to the murder of the Indians in spring 1774. I have no doubt but that Capt Fitzhugh (who is a most...
1953Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter of December and was surprized to find that my Letter should convey the first intelligence of the Death of mr & Mrs Hall to mr & Mrs Black, as their Brother assured me he had written three weeks before. I told him I would take charge of any Letter from him, and could nearly vouch for its going safely I was much dissatisfied when mrs Brisler sought the Child so...
1954To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a copy of the act of the Legislature of Kentuckey, this day received, ratifying the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States, respecting the suability of States. The amendment having now been ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, has become a part of the Constitution of the United States. MHi :...
1955From John Adams to United States Congress, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary for the Department of War on the 30th day of December last made a representation to me of the situation of affairs in his office, which I now transmit to the Senate and House of Representatives, and recommend to their consideration and decision. Printed Source--A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. 10 vols. (Washington, 1896-1899)..
1956[Diary entry: 5 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
5. Little or no wind all day. In the evening it sprung up at No. Wt. Mer. from 30 to 36. A Mr. Fisk who came here on Wednesday evening went away this morning. Last night there fell about three Inches of Snow. Thawing all day.
1957To George Washington from Louis La Colombe, 5 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letters by the John from Hambg having been saved & I have at length recd mine by them, I have had news of all my Esteem’d friends who were confined in the austrian Bastilles. I am happy sir, to have the honor of forwarding to you the enclosed letter from our mutual Friend Genl De Lafayette whose greatest happiness I’m well assured, was to avail himself the pleasure to write you on the...
1958Notes on the Formation of the Federal Government, 5 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
1798. Jan. 5. I recieve a very remarkeable fact indeed in our history from Baldwin & Skinner . before the establishment of our present government a very extensive combination had taken place in N. York & the Eastern states among that description of people who were partly monarchical in principle or frightened with Shays’s rebellion & the impotence of the old Congress. delegates in different...
1959To John Adams from R. Bourne, 6 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The employment of Individuals is a matter of Concern—The unfinished House in Chesnut street might probably be made of Much value to the State by being made into a Mint and Treasury I am with Much respect MHi : Adams Papers.
1960To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 6 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Dalton desirous to pay the Compliments of the Season to her much respected Friend Mrs. Adams, I take the Liberty of putting under Cover, with this, a Letter to that Purpose—adding Mrs. D’s request that you will be so good as to pardon the Freedom. It affords me an Apology for troubling yourself with my best Wishes, on the same Occasion—I should have highly enjoyed the Opportunity of...
1961[Diary entry: 6 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
6. Wind pretty brisk from No. Wt. Mer. from 33 to 40 and thawing.
1962From John Jay to Richard Lawrence, 6 January 1798 (Jay Papers)
Be so good as to inform me of the present Condition and number of the S t . Domingo Refugees that if they require further Assistance, to the Necessity and Extent of it may appear with a proper Degree of Certainty— It will also be proper that your Account of the Expenditures made for them during the last year be exhibited and settled before I make any Communications to the Legislature on the...
1963To John Jay from Ebenezer Stevens, 6 January 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to enclose Your excellency a return of the field artillery ammunition and small arms which I have received from the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to procure the same and also of the issues therefrom to the different counties agreeable to your Excellency’s orders— I beg leave to inform your Excellency that fifty cases small arms recently missorted were damaged and...
1964Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I design’d to have written you by the friday mail but on Wednsday mr Norton came over to attend Abdys funeral (he dy’d on monday) & brought a chaise to take me back to spend a few days at weymouth. mr cranch went that morning to Boston So I thought I would go & return as soon as he would. but I was caught in a Snow Storm the first of any value we have had— by it I lost my chance of writing to...
1965To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Gouverneur, 7 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 7, 1798. “The cause which has been so long depending between Louis le Guen and my commercial house in this city, has excited so much attention … I can only address you on the subject through the medium of a public newspaper.… To satisfy me more fully on the subject … I resorted to Philadelphia to take further advice from three more gentlemen that were thought most eminent in...
1966To Alexander Hamilton from Moses Lopez, 7 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 7, 1798. “… I am informed you intend going to Albany in a day or two with Mr. Le Guen. My long confinement of 2 years the 19th Instant will I trust … induce you to see Mr. Le Guen, and come to some conclusion in his consenting to my discharge on Common Bail, which Mr. Livingston is Ready to do in behalf of Mr. Governeur.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This...
1967[Diary entry: 7 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
7. Morning calm & clear. Mer. at 28; in the evening it lowered with the wind at No. Et. Mer. at 34.
1968From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 7 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution, it renders every thing more easy. If now & then, of a morning before breakfast, you are inclined, by way of change, to go out with a Gun, I shall not object to it; provided you return by the hour we usually set down to that meal. From breakfast, until about an hour before Dinner (allowed for dressing, & preparing for it, that you may...
1969From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 7 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowleged, my dear Maria, the reciept of yours in a letter I wrote to mr Eppes. it gave me the welcome news that your sprain was well. but you are not to suppose it entirely so. the joint will remain weak for a considerable time, & give you occasional pains much longer. the state of things at Chesnut grove is truly distressing. mr B.’s habitual intoxication will destroy himself, his...
1970From John Adams to United States Senate, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of Affairs between Some of the Citizens of the United States and the Cherokee Indians, has evinced the Propriety of holding a Treaty with that Nation, for the purpose of extinguishing by Purchase, their Right to certain parcells of Land, and for adjusting and Settling other Points relative to the Safety and Conveniency of our Citizens. With this View and for these Ends I nominate...
1971From John Adams to United States Senate, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of Affairs, between Some of the Citizens of the United States, and the Cherokee Indians, has evinced the Propriety of holding a Treaty with that Nation, to extinguish by purchase, their Right to certain parcells of Land, and to adjust and Settle other points relative to the Safety and Conveniency of our Citizens. With this view, I nominate Fisher Ames of Dedham in the State of...
1972From John Adams to United States Congress, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now an Opportunity of transmitting to Congress, a Report of the Secretary of State with a Copy of an Act of the Legislature of the State of Kentucky, consenting to the Ratification of the Amendment of the Constitution of the United States proposed by Congress by in their Resolution of the Second day of December 1793, relative to the Suability of States. This Amendment, having been...
1973To John Adams from John Allen, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
Judge Miller, of Connecticut, and a Gentleman in whose information entire confidence may be placed, arrived here within a few days from the Natchez which he left about the middle of Novr. In conversation with me and others last evening he mentioned that Lieut. Pope’s detachment of troops in that quarter were extremely destitute of cloathing, & that a year’s pay was due them— That Lieut. Pope...
1974To John Adams from Richard Peters, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
From motives of humanity towards the objects of the act of Congress entitled “An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt,” I have, under several disagreeable circumstances, endeavored to carry that law into effect; but I find it deficient in many essential provisions. It is doubtful whether the district judge is vested with judicial powers, or those of a bankrupt commissioner. It...
1975[Diary entry: 8 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
8. Wind at So. Et. in the Morning and lowering. Mer. at 28. Abt. Noon it began to rain & contd. to do so all afternn. Mer. 30 at Night. A Mr. Marshall Music Master came here—Tuned Nelly Custis’s Harpsicord & returned after din⟨ner⟩.
1976From George Washington to Gustavus Scott, 8 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Ulto from Annapolis, has given me the pleasure of knowing that the State of Maryland continues to act like itself, in granting a loan to carry on the Public buildings in the Federal City. Another object of equal importance to it—the Navigation of Potomac—lays claim to its attention, and I hope will meet with equal success. By a notification in the Gazettes, I perceive a...
1977To George Washington from Jesse Simms, 8 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is with pain that I am oblidged to make the present application being a thing that I have never done before, but Some very heavy Losses and particular the Detention of my Brig the Virginia not being able to get up on account of the Ice as She has just Returnd from the West Indies, and the Proceeds of her Cargo I Cannot turn into Cash—therfore Shall Consider it as a particular favour if you...
1978To George Washington from Alexander White, 8 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since the conversation with which you honored me at Mount Vernon the subject of the Federal Buildings as connected with my conduct has never been mentioned—Our affairs being at a crisis I thought the measure then in contemplation might be considered as deserting my Post —Before the Presidents return to Phil[adelphi]a we wrote to him requesting a power to borrow $150,000, and sent a Copy of the...
1979To Thomas Jefferson from Luther Martin, 8 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having in my last seen my much respected old friend Col. Cresap freed from his irons and discharged from an imprisonment of twenty months duration, which to give it its softest epithet was most unmerited , I will now accompany him to Maryland, and restore him to an affectionate wife and beloved children, who most providentially had escaped the relentless flames which had consumed his property,...
1980To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 8 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yours of the 27. Decr., for which I thank you. I have made some comments on one item in it to a person who will probably see you. I rejoice that the land tax is postponed, & hope when revived it will be under the auspices of those who have imposed on the publick the necessity of such an increase of their burden. It wod. be entertaining to see the friends of an accumulation of [the]...
1981To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Gouverneur, 9 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 9, 1798. “I had the honor to pay my respects to you on the 7th inst. to give the opinions of the able counsellors at the bar in Philadelphia, on the case of Le Guen’s.… I think you, as a professional man of the law, should act with more caution in committing yourself with a mistaken opinion; for it frequently acts as a spur to make individuals unreasonably obstinate...
1982[Diary entry: 9 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
9. Very foggy with little or no Wind in the morning. Mer. at 32—at the highest 42 and at Night 30 the Wind having got to No. Wt. abt. Noon.
1983To George Washington from John Dunn, 9 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
The charming Poem which accompanies this was committed to my care near four weeks ago by Mrs Morton for the purpose of being forwarded to you. By delays on the Road I have unfortunately retarded your Perusal of a Poem dictated by Taste and Genius and displaying like its author an exalted Veneration for you—In transmitting it thus late I thought it necessary to mark explicitly that the Delay is...
1984From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 9 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Confidential Dear Sir Mount Vernon 9th Jany 1798 The attention which the Papers you transmitted, required I should give them; and the form which my land assumes by connecting the two tracts together, evinces most clearly, the necessity there is of my becoming possessed of Andrew Wodrows 300 acre tract, which is surrounded thereby, if attainable. If you can, therefore, be instrumental in making...
1985From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 9 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago, Mr Herbert handed me your letter of the 30th ulto with the Papers to which it refers; and for the trouble you have had in that business, I offer you, and General Posey also—when you have an opportunity of presenting them—my best thanks, for the parts you have respectively acted therein. Having perused the Papers attentively; and, fortunately, having by me, the original Patents...
1986To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 9 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have at length procured from the Auditors office a rough Statement of Yr Taxes in Kanawa for the 6 years mentioned in Aldersons order, by which you will discover that they differ £1.11.7 from the amount there stated. But as the difference is trifling, and the Auditor may very probably have made a mistake in the calculation (for he did it in a hurry) it would probably be better to pay it,...
1987Proclamation Respecting Foreign Coins, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
By John Adams, President of the United States of America A Proclamation. Whereas an act of the Congress of the United States, was passed on the ninth day of February 1793 intitled “An Act regulating foreign Coins and for other purposes,”,in which it was enacted “That foreign Gold and silver Coins shall pass current as money within the United States, and be a legal tender for the payment of all...
1988From John Adams to United States Senate, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the following Persons to be Marshals of the United States. John Hobby for the District of Maine. Phillip B. Bradley, for the District of Connecticut. Thomas Lowry for the District of New Jersey Samuel McDowell Junr for the District of Kentuckey, each for the term of four years to commence, on the twenty eighth of January current, when their present terms will expire. DNA : RG...
1989To John Adams from Henry Lee, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I intrude on yr. time with reluctance but having communicated to you the purport of Mr John Taylors declaration (previous to the late presidential election) respecting your political principles, with a promise that I would present you with his written declaration on that subject, I feel myself bound so to do. You have herewith his ler: a form of doing the business to him most agreable, because...
1990To John Adams from John Taylor, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the time when the contest for the Presidency, produced a general discussion relative to the political opinions of the gentleman proposed for that office, I mentioned to Genl. Lee a conversation I had with you in the Senate chamber some years past, and he now calls upon me for a statement of what I then said. I think there would at this time be an impropriety, in giving it, except for the...