611To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning been honored with your letter of the 13th. and will introduce in the 10th article the idea you have been pleased to suggest, in the instructions to Mr. King, to negociate a commercial treaty with Prussia. A copy of these instructions shall be transmitted to Mr. Adams at Berlin, with the fresh instructions you direct. Yesterday I received from our Consul at Gibraltar the...
612To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recd. Augt. 10. 1798. and forwarded by the President’s most obt. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
613To John Adams from Jacob Wagner, 16 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letters, containing the applications of Messrs. Archibald Campbell and William Wilson for the office of Marshal for Maryland, I received since the last northern mail was closed. I have the honor to submit them to your consideration, and to be, / With the most perfect respect, / sir, / your most Obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
614Elijah Adams to John Adams, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I embrace this opportunity to send, by Miss Hannah Adams, a copy of the genealogy of the family of Adamss according to your request. It is some years since I was requested by a number of respectable relations to prevent the genealogy from being lost; Accordingly I have been, for several years, collecting information from every source to make out the genealogy which I here exhibit to you. I...
615To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Capt Little, covering Warrants for Saml Bullen Saml. G. Jerald } to be Midshipmen Jno G Norwood Edward Durant —Gunner James Potts —Boatswain James Howe —Carpenter These Gentlemen are recommended in a Letter just received from the Committee at Boston, & are intended for that Frigate, which I hope is on the eve of Sailing—Their Warrants, if you think...
616To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 19 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury most respectfully reports to the President of the United States That the facts stated in the Report of the Secretary of State dated Decb. 19th. 1799. in relation to the official conduct of John M. Pintard appear to be proved, and are in the opinion of the undersigned, of such a nature and tendency as render his removal from Office necessary. All which is...
617To John Adams from Anonymous, 15 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
We are a private Committe held at the Natchez on the 13th of June 1797 and beg leave to report as follows. !st That no Attention is or hath been paid by the Spaniards to the Treaty subsisting between America and Spain as they refuse to Evacuate any of the posts included in the Treaty, but contrariwise are repairing Rebuilding and fortifying such Posts. 2d The People of the Natchez do solicit...
618To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning Mr. C. Humphreys handed me your letters and the dispatches of Mr. Gerry & others. I have now the honor to inclose some copies of our order for requiring the departure of aliens, pursuant to the act of Congress passed the 25th of June last. If the form of the Order meets your approbation, I respectfully submit to your consideration whether during your absence from the seat of...
619To John Adams from Charles Lee, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The trial of Fries for high treason which was commenced on monday the 6th. instant and which from that period has alone occupied the court was concluded yesterday at 10 oclock at night. The prisoner had the assistance of able counsel Dallas Lewis and Ewing and after a fair & patient trial before an impartial court has by an unexceptionable jury been found guilty. During the trial of the...
620To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is with peculiar satisfaction that I prent to you, at the request of the Officers & privates of a Troop of Horse, organised and equipped at this place, their resolutions and Address Rendering their Services to the united States; and they are equipped, Sir, in a manner that would & do honor to any Troop of Horse in the World. Their offer, Sir, is the effusion of pure patriotism, and may be...
621To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 28 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Meeting with a safe hand going to London the other day I did myself the honour of sending to you through Mr. King a pamphlet written lately by Boulay (de la Meurthe) of the 500. It is a very remarkable work—a view of the causes of the English Revolution by Cromwell & of its failure. He forces the lines of events when they run at all together into a parallel—& to my mind absolutely with a view...
622To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 5 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday had the honor of receiving your communication of the 28th Ulto. advising me of the appointment of your Nephew Mr. Shaw as my successor in the Capacity of Private Secrety. The flattering testimony you have given me of the discharge of my duties while in your family, be assured Sir I consider as an additional evidence of that friendly regard which has taught me to Value your Esteem...
623To John Adams from John Marshall, 12 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 2d. inst. returning the dispatches from our envoys of the 17th. of May, is just receivd. I now perceive that my having omited to accompany those dispatches with a letter requires an apology. After decyphering it, I had been engagd with the heads of departments until it became necessary to forward the package immediately to you, or to lose a mail which I was not inclind to...
624To John Adams from George McClelland, 13 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Prompted by the purest principles of patriotism, and inspired with the warmest zeal for the maintenance of our Liberties and independence, We presume at this momentous Crisis, to offer to the Executive magistrate of one Country our sentiments and determinations. Considering ourselves as individually outraged in every insult offered to our Government, We should do injustice to our own feelings,...
625To John Adams from James Wilson, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Officers of the second Lincoln regiment of Militia in the State of North Carolina, in Court Martial met at Lincolnton on the 2d. of October 1798. Resolve that Colo. James Wilson be requested to prepare and send forward an address to the President of the United States expressive of our approbation of the measures adopted by the Executive respecting our differences with the French Republic....
626To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Both the Ganges, and the Warren, have been driven from their station at the Havanna, by the Sickness of their Crews. The Ganges arrived at New Castle a few Days ago, and the Warren I expect is by this time at Norfolk. I am taking measures to send the Delaware to the Havanna, without delay, that our Commerce to that place, at this moment unprotected, may not be long exposed to the depredations...
627To John Adams from Abiel Wood, 15 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the request of the Feild & Commision officers of the first and fourth Rigement of the first Brigade Eighth Division. I enclose you the their address. (those of the Second and Third Rigements with those of the several Companys of Artilery And Cavalry being allready forwarded—) I am Happy to find that every officer with out Exception—in the Brigade I have the honr. to Comand, feel that Just...
628To John Adams from John Cropper, Jr., 28 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a crisis when the sovereignty of our Country is assalted: when demands are made upon us by a foreign nation altogether incompatible with our honor and independence, & when in case of a refusal to accede to these demands, even our National existence is threatened: when we have reason to believe that an opinion has gone forth, which has contributed to produce this conduct; that we are a...
629To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 26 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your confidential letter of the 30th of Decer, & am sorry that any event should render it uncertain, whether you shall appoint Consuls to France. that Mr Lee, amidst the interfering applications of so many candidates, should be represented to the President as a Jacobin, is not to my mind, in this epoch of intrigue, slander, injustice, unexpected or extraordinary. but I am...
630To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the Aurora, because it contains an address from Genl. McPherson—& one from a German Clergyman, to the Insurgents. The Accounts from Northampton, are that the People are very much alarmed; & that there is not the least shew of resistance— I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & esteem / sir yr. most obed Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
631To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 13 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
On as mature deliberation as the time would permit I have concluded that it is proper for me to decline the honor intended for me in your nomination of yesterday. At present I am certainly unqualified for the duties of the Office; & such have been my pursuits & such are my habits, that my mind would not be devoted to it, & consequently I never should acquire the ability of conducting the...
632Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
on twesday Evening I received the Mercury, and read in it, the arrival of Capt Jenkins in the America, on sunday. you may well suppose I felt greatly rejoiced expecting from Thomas’s Letter, that he was undoubtedly a passenger. no mention was however made of him in the paper: I expected for two days to hear of him, then I conjectured that not knowing of my being here, was the reason of my not...
633To John Adams from Jacob Morton, 9 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer is charged with a Communication from Mr. Malcom to the President, the object of which is to ascertain the time of his arrival that we may pay him those respects which we feel are his due—We wish if possible to receive notice the evening previous to his arrival, as it takes some time to communicate the necessary orders to the Troops— Will you be good enough to convey to me by the...
634To John Adams from Charles Lee, 17 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the directions of the President of the United-States, the Attorney General has taken into his consideration, the several questions stated by the Commissioners of the City of Washington, relative to the claims of Daniel Carroll of Dudley, together with all the papers accompanying their statement, and the trust Deed to which they refer;—and has come to the following opinions...
635To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
Not knowing the President’s determination respecting the Consulate of Madeira, the Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President a letter of the 24th instant, just received, from some respectable citizens, recommending Mr. Marien Lamar for Consul in that island. Mr. Lamar is the nephew of the late Henry Hill Esqr. of Philadelphia, & has resided some time at Madeira, in Mr. Hill’s...
636To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, 30 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Isaac Stephens late from Algiers humbly shews to your Excellency, That he understands that a light-house is to be erected on Cape Cod, & that a Keeper of the same will be wanted. He will not pretend to repeat the misfortunes which has happened to him in the course of his life, nor his present dependent & very indigent situation, for they are already known to your Excellency. But should your...
637To 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...
638To John Adams from James Potter, 18 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned having been appointed by the Subscribers to the inclosed Address to transmit it to your Excellency, perform that Task with peculiar Pleasure. At the same Time they conceive it to be proper to inform you, that as the Signers were collected from the different Parts of the County to attend the Court now sitting at this Place, & that as the Address received their hearty & unanimous...
639To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 5 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
In doing myself the honor to submit to your consideration the ideas contained in the inclosed paper, I feel myself obliged to assure you beg you to believe, that an anxiety for the public peace is my only motive. You will perceive, that if they are reasonable and just, they are of a nature, if true, too arouse afford to partizans both foreign and domestic, with the appearance of observation...
640To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
In a letter which I had the honour to write you dated the 22d inst. I submitted the names of Messrs. Tracy and Badger for Lieutenancies in the Regiment commanded by Lt. Colonel Taylor. I received this morning the inclosed letter from the honourable Mr. Tracy, by which it would appear, that one of these gentlemen may answer better for the Provisional army, and that it is doubtful whether the...
641To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the President’s Letter of July 22d:—The Commission for Colo. Smith as Surveyor of the Port of New York was received and directed by me to be transmitted soon after my arrival at this place—His acknowledgment of the Commission was received about ten days since.— Presuming that it was the President’s intention that the usual commission of Inspector of the Revenue...
642To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose, a submission to the Heads of Departments, in conformity with your letter of the 19th of June Ulto, and the answers thereto dated the 3d. 6th and 9th of July inst. I shall only observe, that it appears from the files of the proceedings of courts martial—during our revolutionary war, that the practice was not uniform, to mention on the face of the proceedings, the...
643To John Adams from Stephen Temple, 19 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Impressed with the importance of union in sentiment and action at the present momentous crises of Public Affairs, We the second Battalion of the Militia of Prince George think it our duty to come forward with assurances of our cordial approbation of every measure you have adopted to preserve peace and restore a good understanding with the French Republic— Warmly attached to the cause of...
644To John Adams from Archibald Henderson, 18 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
We beg leave to recommend William Lee Alexander Esquire of North Carolina as a person highly qualified to fill the office of Circuit Judge and to express a wish that this Appointment May be conferred upon him We have the honor to be / with great respect / your Mo Obedt / humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
645To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the enclosed letter and address. General Badgley of Hampton, lives near Baltimore, is one of the wealthiest men in the state of Maryland, and at the same time, influential and respectable. With the sincerest attachment / and respect, I am Sir / your faithful & / obt. st. Perhaps you may remember my putting an address into your hands the day before you left Philada to which...
646To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter to the Accountant for the department of War, dated the 11th: instant, with his answer of the same date, is respectfully submitted for your consideration. I have been induced to make this representation from the Accountant’s having refused to countersign a Warrant drawn by me agreeably, as I conceived, to my powers, and the practice of the Office; of the general...
647To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
If Capt. Talbott persists in declining the Command of the Constitution—I presume Capt. Sever will be quite equal to that service. For my own part, I have thought very highly of him, from his correspondence, and Capt. Murray informs me, that there was hardly a Vessel in our service, where better discipline was kept up than in the Herald, which he attributed in a great degree, to the good...
648To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 20 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that there has lately been published in the Boston Gazettes, a letter signed “Timothy Pickering”, addressed “to P Johnston Esqr of Prince Edward County, (Virginia,) dated the 29th of September last; wherein Mr Pickering, speaking of the dispatches of the Envoys, says, “that Mr. Tallyrand affects an utter ignorance of the person, designated in the dispatches, by...
649To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 12 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your letter which you were so good as to write to me, yesterday—& beg leave to assure you that I feel in the approbation which you have been pleased to bestow upon my letters a great reward, Sir, at least, most anxious moments, & zealous endeavours in the service of my country—The times in my view of things, have been, & still continue tremendous—They will Sir be...
650To John Adams from Samuel Codman, 15 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr S. Codmans Respects to the President of the United States, and takes the liberty to inclose two Letters to the Secretary of State on the Subject of the Capture of his & mr Head’s property by the Spaniards , & French, when Mr Codman had the honour to see the President at quincey he mentioned there circumstances & the President was so good as to say if mr. C. would leave the Letters with him...
651To John Adams from Nathaniel Whitaker, 18 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
a destrest person takes this opportunity to write to You, pleading an excuse, for so doing. I have serv’d the United State to the best of my abilityes in procureing the Condemnation of the Ship Niac which has ben imploy’d in the Slave traid & by which a considerable sum accrues to the United States and not being intitled by existing Laws to any compensation for my exurtions I have by advice of...
652To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 14 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honored by your letters of the 7th and 8th instant. The satisfaction which you are pleased to express at my acceptance of the mission, is the most flattering circumstance of my political concerns. I have taken passage in the ship Union for Rotterdam, & expect to sail in ten days; having notified Mr Pinckney by two vessels which are to sail this day & tomorrow, of this circumstance, & of...
653To John Adams from Arthur St. Clair, 28 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
My Commission of Governor of the Territory of the united States north west of the Ohio will expire on the 9th. day of next month. A considerable time ago, I informed the late President that it was my intention to decline being appointed again, which he may probably have communicated to You. Various causes (but particularly a broken Constitution and a broken Fortune, both of them expended in...
654To John Adams from Pseudonym: "An Unfortunate Misled Man", 18 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
There is very generally, so little attention paid to anonymous letters, that I have little to hope; but the present occasion to is so unprecedented, that I cannot avoid giving way to the impulse of the moment, and have therefore acted accordingly. Conscious of the rectitude of my intentions, and convinced that I am barely doing my duty, I feel little repugnance at betraying the horrid designs...
655To John Adams from Daniel Morgan, 23 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed to you by Robert Page esquire who succeeds me in Congress for the District composed of Frederick & Berkeley Counties; who I beg leave to introduce to you as a gentleman. He is a man of real information and a great supporter of the happy Government we live under, and I dare say you will find Mr. Page on further acquaintance worthy of your confidence. I hope you continue...
656To John Adams from George Washington, 1 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed from Mr Joel Barlow (though of 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...
657To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr Sewell—and my answer, to be forwarded, if it meets with your approbation. I have consulted the heads of Departments on this subject, but the opinions are so various, that I could only write give my own to Mr Sewell. Coll. Pickering thinks the convoy ought to be granted.—But there is scarcely a considerable port in Europe, to which...
658To John Adams from Campbell Smith, 17 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
My particular Situation will I trust plead my apology for this indirect channel of approach—Will you oblige me by directing the Secretary of War to suspend any operation upon my Letter of Resignation, addressed to Major General Pinckney, untill the arrival of Brigadier General Wilkinson, who is, I am informed, shortly expected in this quarter, or untill the state of my case shall have been...
659To John Adams from James McHenry, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letters of the 3d 4th and 5th of this month. It is somewhat difficult, I imagine to please the governor of Georgia. I thought I had been attentive both to himself and the State. There has been ordered to Georgia, on the 3d. of May 2 brass 6 pounders; 2 brass 3 pounders with carriages and impliments & 4 Iron 24 pounders with a sufficient quantity of...
660To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Upon the receipt of your letter inclosing the letter and deposition of Capt. Ebenr. Giles of Beverly, I turned to some communications I had some time before received from Captain Truxtun, in which he had, and I still think justly, ascribed the beating given to Giles on board the British frigate Daphne, to his own extremely improper and insolent behaviour. This I think will appear from the...