551To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have taken the liberty to send you some Observations I made upon a Letter of Mr. Nicholas to his freind in Virginia.—They have been delayed a great while beyond what was intended by a disapointment the printer met with in getting paper; but I flatter myself they are not too late, yet to do some good, and if they have that effect, and are not disaproved of by You, I shall not repent the...
552To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated last Saturday, stating that “as you perceive a necessity of introducing a change in the administration of the Office of State, you think it proper to make this communication of it to the present Secretary of State, that he may have an opportunity of resigning, if he chooses:” and that “you would wish the day on which his resignation is to...
553To John Adams from John Marshall, 12 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I send you the copy of a letter transmitted to this department by the Chevallier de Yrujo. Your letter of the 31st. of July, inclosing one addressed to yourself personally, by the minister of his Catholic Majesty, was received on the 9th inst., & I have, in conformity with your wish, consulted with the Secretary of war on the means proper to be usd on the occasion. He will write to Colo....
554To John Adams from Jan Willink, 31 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Permit us to congratulate your Excellency on your Election to the first office in your Country: In the discharge of which, We must sincerely and ardently wish you the success that our personal knowledge and experience assure us, your Exertion, Zeal and perseverance to promote the Honor, Interest, and Prosperity of the United States will most amply merit: The warm part We take in the Welfare of...
555To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a letter to General Lincoln directing the payment of the Sums which the President may require on account of his compensation. The Sum due on the 4th. of March last, was Six thousand Dollars, the further Sum of Two thousand Dollars monthly will if the President pleases to require the same be also advanced. The discontents in Northampton are not increasing, and no...
556To John Adams from John Knapp, 5 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I again take the liberty to solicit an appointment under Your Administration, as it is presumable a number of Vacancies will take place, on the removal of the Government here— I did myself the honor to address Your Excellency, on the death of Doctor Way in September 1797, accompanied with a letter from the Secretary at War, respecting the Office of Treasurer of the Mint then Vacant, which I am...
557To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 1 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
It has been repeatedly mentioned to me that you have, on different occasions, asserted the existence of a British Faction in this Country, embracing a number of leading or influential characters of the Federal Party (as usually denominated) and that you have sometimes named me, at other times plainly alluded to me, as one of this description of persons: And I have likewise been assured that of...
558Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The rain comeing on the morning I left Bristol, I reachd Vantilburys about noon & remaind there untill Yesterday Mor’g when I procceeded to Brunswick. Soon after I got there the col & Major Ripley arrived, and informd me that Mrs smith would expect me to dinner. we accordingly sit out and got here about 2 oclock. the col was not able to be absent as Gen’ ll Hamilton was on his way to Camp—and...
559To John Adams from James Gardner, 10 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Some few days since I had the honor to pay my Respects to you, at the same time express’d to you my desire of entering in the Merine Service. you was Kind enough to permit me the liberty of addressing you, enclosing such recommendation’s of my Character as would Entitle me to your confidence. Your granting me this indulgence enduces to renew my Solecitations for a Commission in the Merine...
560To John Adams from James McHenry, 28 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose the Copy of a letter from Mr. Jonathan Waldo, respecting the application of monies for the improvement of the defences of Salem, and an alteration in the name of the Fort, with my answer. The circumstances and time did not seem to admit of a previous communication to you had it been considered necessary in such a case. Generally forts have been named by the...
561To John Adams from William Prentis, 19 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a Meeting of the Citizens of the Town of Petersburg Convened at the Courthouse of the said Town the 19th May 1798 Agreable to public Notice given for the purpose of expressing their Opinion on the present Important and critical Situation of our Country— William Prentice Mayor of the said Town being Appointed to the Chair and John Grammer Secty— Resolved Unannimously, as the sense of this...
562To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 28 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I find that Mr. Lovell is the only Man in Boston capable of decyphering intricate papers. I have conversed with him upon the subject & shown him the method in which the figures are placed. He despairs of being able to find a Key to the papers, but will nevertheless wait upon your Excellency to see if there is a possibility of obtaining a Key by which he can decypher them. I am with great...
563To John Adams from John Marshall, 2 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have just receiv’d your letter of the 25th of July inclosing the recommendations of several gentlemen for the vacant office of Marshal for this district. I am sensible of the confidence you place in me, when you authorize me to fill the commission with the name of such person, as on the best information I can collect, shall appear most proper; & I shoud not have hesitated to insert the name...
564To John Adams from John Foncin, 12 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
John Foncin appointed at first Engineer at Baltimore, and newly at Boston, presents to the President of the united States his most respectful thanks; happy, if by his fidelity, and his constant endeavours to perform his duty, he may deserve the continuation of Such a favor; happy again if during many years, he may consider and admire the high influence of the Virtues of the President, who by...
565To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have had the honour in obedience to your commands maturely to consider the papers and subject referred to us in your letter dated 29 January Ultimo, and the law of Tennessee passed the 26. October 1799 and a letter from the Governor of the said State to William Cocke and Joseph Anderson Senators and William Charles Cole Claiborne Representative of the State of Tennessee in the Congress of...
566To John Adams from Lewis Mengher O’Brien, 13 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I crave your permission for to offer You this mark of my respect, which, at once displays my confidence, and congratulates your Excellency on being chosen President of the American Congress.—Who ever is acquainted with your vigorous, and efficacious exertions in the Support of your Country, during its hard struggle for Independence, must applaud the choice, and still admire in your invariable...
567To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The very obliging manner, in which you was pleased to assure me of the appointment of my nephew Philip Church , and the actual appointment of my relation Captan Hamilton to a Lieutenancy in the Navy, which I just learn from the Marine Department, are circumstances from which I derive much pleasure, which I consider as conferring upon me a personal obligation, and for which I beg you to accept...
568To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to the President’s direction, the Secretary of State respectfully offers the following notices of matters appearing to him proper to be communicated to Congress, at the opening of their approaching session. “It appearing probable; from the information I had received, that our commercial intercourse with some ports of the Island of St. Domingo might safely be renewed: Conformably to...
569To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
On the petition of David Steward & other respectable citizens of Baltimore, praying the President to order a nolle presequi in the case of Captain Levin Jones, late master of the American Brigantine called the David Stewart, who has been indicted for the crime of murder committed, as alledged on the body of William Davis one of his crew, on the high seas. The Secretary of State, in obedience...
570To John Adams from John Cosens Ogden, 9 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The health of David Austin Esqr. the present Collector of the customs in New Haven, is declining so fast, that it is generally supposed that death, will put a period to his valuable life within a short period time. As that office will then be vacant, I thought it to be my duty, in as early a season, and in as respectful a manner as possible, to ask it of Your Excellency for myself. Perhaps an...
571From George Washington to John Adams, 3 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favour of the 19th Ulto, mentioning the nomination of Mr Murray to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Republic. With the writer of the letter, which I did myself the honour to enclose in my last to you, I truly observed that I had never held any correspondence; and I only knew him in his public mission from this Country to the Barbary States, the...
572To John Adams from Elias Boudinot, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Being on a Visit at this place, I am solicited by Mr John Pintard to introduce him to your knowledge. He means to apply for the office of your private Secretary in the room of Mr Malcolm, who he is informed has resigned— I am well acquainted with Mr Pintard and have been so from his Infancy, and can with pleasure recommend him in the strongest Terms— His liberal Education, knowledge of several...
573To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 15 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of some conversation the other day at Quincy respecting Dr Priestley, I here send you the paper of to-day which contains what was intended as a vindication of Dr. Priestley from the aspersions of Willm: Cobbett.—Untill last Tuesday, I did believe that Dr. P. had excited the venom of the Porcupine more from his being a distinguished Dissenter from the church to which Corbbett is...
574From George Washington to John Adams, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Not being in the habit since my return to private life, of sending regularly to the Post Office (nine miles from hence) every Post-day, it often happens that letters addressed to me lye longer there, on that account, than they otherwise would do. I have delayed no time, unnecessarily, since I had the honor of receiving your obliging favour of the 22d Ulto, to thank you for the polite &...
575To John Adams from Pierre Auguste Adet, 13 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
J’aurois desiré pouvoir vous présenter mes hommages Comme ministre de L’a Republique française, j’ose esperer que vous me permettrés de vous Les offrir comme particulier. j’aurois deja sollicité cette Faveur si ma santé ne m’en Eut empechè. je ne puis plus differer de vous la demander, quoique je sois Loin de me bien porter. j’ai des Choses extrêmement importantes à Vous Communiquer. je vous...
576To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 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 Frenchman named Giraud, appointed Consul for Boston. It struck in one of the names presented last May by Mr. Létombe as Consul, for your exequatur was requested and refused. I turned to the Létombe’s letter, & found it so, with the variation of the last...
577To John Adams from Charles Lee, 8 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have taken into my most serious consideration the important subjects contained in your letter of the 24th. of January last. The opinions I am about to give are predicated upon the supposition that the Legislature of France has passed a decree conformably to the advice of the directory in their message of the 4th. of January last relative to the Commerce of Neutral nations, and that our...
578To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 10th of August inst. and shall cause the name of Dr. David King to be entered among the candidates for medical appointments, and his recommendations to be filed. I have the honour to be / with the greatest respect, Sir, / your most obt & most hble St— MHi : Adams Papers.
579To John Adams from Joseph Willard, 23 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I hoped to have had the honor, before this time, of paying my respects to you at your Seat in Quincy, but have been unavoidably prevented. I am very happy to hear that you enjoy good health. May Heaven long preserve it; and preserve a life invaluable to the United States! Will you permit me, Sir, to recommend to your favorable notice, for an Office in the military line, Mr William Amherst...
580To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of receiving, an hour since, your letter of the 22d instant, with the copy of one to you from Colonel Smith. I am happy to think that the question presented is on mere military principles a very simple one. The rule of promotion, by succession, does not in any service, as far as my knowlege goes, apply to a new corps, in its first organisation. Officers for such a corps, it is...
581To John Adams from Charles Lee, 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor to receive your letter of the 15th. Supposing the cold of winter in the climate at Philadelphia to be an antidote to the Yellow Fever as the experience of 1793 seems to warrant, I am of opinion that Congress may hold its next session at Philadelphia without danger to the health or lives of the members. But if at this time it may be too hazardous yet a proclamation for...
582To John Adams from Richard Thomas, 6 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Collector of the Port of Philadelphia having declared his intention to Resign that employment—We sue the freedom to bespeak your goodwill for a particular friend Mr Israel Whelen of this City for that Appointment— We sometimes, in our Advocations of this kind, make our appeals to the Judgment & understanding—sometimes to the benevolent feelings of the Heart—In the present case, with...
583To John Adams from Christopher McPherson, 21 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
On this day three Weeks ago I did myself the Honor of writing a letter to Your Excellency, Covering an Address to His Excellency the President of the U.S. and the Honorable the Senate of the Same; which letter I handed to a Servant in waiting within the door of Your Palace.— It being actually Necessary for me to know, positively, before the 22d. of this Month, if that letter is gone safe to...
584Charles Adams to John Adams, 31 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
M r Francis Baretto has as he informs me applied for the Consulate at Madeira and has requested me to mention you to him as an acquaintance. He is a Native of that Island though for many years a Citizen of this Nation He has been known to me for more than ten years and his misfortunes of various kinds have excited my compassion and esteem as I beleive he did not merit them. If I should err...
585To John Adams from Henry Knox, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I flatter myself with the hope that the subject of this note, will not be deemed by you as unreasonable importunity. My son my only son has been a midshipman in the Navy upwards of a year. Before that period he performed a long voyage to India. He is reputed to be well skilled as a navigator, active as a seaman, in addition to which the experience of three years, appears in the opinion of Capt...
586To 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...
587To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
After having obtained your approbation of an enterprize to the Court of Spain &c for the two largest Frigates, it is painful for me to propose a different arrangement. But So much time has elapsed in getting the Constitution to Sea—& I have no accot. that she has yet got out; that I fear it would be the 15. of August, before the two Frigates could leave Hampton for Europe—they can Safely...
588To John Adams from Cyrus Griffin, 10 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
This being the first instance of capture and trial in my Court under the late Acts of Congress, I take the liberty to inform you that the Ship Niger, brought into this District by Capt. Nicholson of the Constitution, after long and very able arguments by the best Lawyers of this Country, was decreed by me to be restored to the Respondents, together with the ordinary Costs of defence.— It...
589To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully represents to the President of the United States. That the account of the President of the United States—stands charged in the Books of the Treasury with fourteen thousand dollars advanced by Warrants of the Secretary in pursuance of the Act of March 2d. 1797.— for the purpose of closing which account, the Secretary transmits the draft of an...
590To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
The recent death of Doctor Way has left the office of treasurer of the mint vacant, to which Mr John Knap a native of Maryland, but for some time an inhabitant of Philadelphia wishes to be appointed. This gentleman some time since produced to me recommendations from the Governor of Maryland, the Chancellor and one or two private gentlemen of that State in whom I have confidence, which bore...
591To John Adams from Charles Lee, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have attentively considered the letter of the judge of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, dated the 8th instant, relative to the act of Congress entitled “An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt,” which he thinks deficient in many particulars. 1st. He states it as doubtful whether the act vested judicial power in the judge relative to the discharge of...
592To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
Having transmitted to Mr Pickering, additional documents, numbered from 36 to 50 inclusively, you will probably peruse them. The first, contained a copy of a motion, I made to the other Envoys; to put an end, as early as the 21st of October 1797, to the disgraceful communications of X & Y. at the bottom of the original, is a note in the handwriting of General Pinckney, which shews, that it was...
593To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully requests the attention of the President of the United States, to certain measures and arrangements, which appear to him to be indispensable to the improvement of our military system, and solicits, if it shall be thought proper, that the same may be submitted to Congress. No sentiment is more just than this, that, in proportion as the circumstances and policy...
594To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Conformably to your directions, I requested, and had an interview, with Mr. Waln this morning and communicated to him, that if it would suit Mr. Whelen best, on account of his family and connections to hold an agency in the branch of the Purveyor at Philadelphia, at a salary from 1000 to 1200 Dollars per annum, in preference to the Principal office which would require the removal of his family...
595Abigail Adams to John Adams, 15 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have rejoiced in the fine weather which we have had Since your absence, and tho to day it threatens a Change, and debilitates me, I hope it will not prove very urksome to you. I received your Letter written at Flags and should have rejoiced more in your progress, if it had not have distanced you further from Mrs smith who was following you with all speed— I fear she did not overtake you...
596To John Adams from Elias Dayton, 4 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The members of the society of the Cincinnati in the state of New Jersey, this day convened at their annual meeting, for the purposes of perpetuating their friendships, and of commemorating together the great events which gave Independence to these United States (in all that purity of intention which we trust has ever been manifested by our Society, and for the truth of which we have appealed...
597To John Adams from Charles Lee, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In communicating to you a state of the Union at this time when you have been convened by my special direction it is with great satisfaction I inform you that the present meeting has not been occasioned by any occurrences within the United States. An attachment to our system of government has encreased with the experience of its utility, & resting on the most proper and only solid foundation...
598To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I was honoured with your letter of the 16th covering your answer to the address from Burlington in Vermont, and forward the same by this day’s mail. Copies of the address and answer I send to Mr. Fenno to be printed. Herewith I transmit a letter from Matthias Barton Esqr. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, inclosing an address from himself and subalterns, the officers of a company of...
599To John Adams from Uzal Ogden, 26 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I send you by this day’s post, a Pamphlet published yesterday, entitled “a Letter to Major General Alexander Hamilton” &c.; signed, “a Citizen.” I hope the Publication will be honored with your approbation, and be of public utility. It was certainly written with the best Views, tho’ in great haste , in less than thirty years. I wish it could Speedily be reprinted, and circulated through these...
600To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, in a packet accompanying this letter, fifty Mediterranean passports, for your signature, and to be, / With perfect respect, / Your most obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.