851From John Adams to Charles Lee, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is my design to remain here, and at New york, till the day of the Meeting of Congress, or at least within a few days of it.— You will oblige me by giving me your Opinion whether the Epidemical Distemper in Philadelphia, is so dangerous to the Lives or health of the Members as to render a Proclamation necessary to convene Congress at some other place; and by committing to Writing and...
852From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
According to your request in your favor of 24th June, I return to you the commission for Timothy Newman to be a master commandant in the navy MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
853From John Adams to Stephen Jones, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received and considered your your elegant Address of the 10th. of August. Although you reside in a remote Part of the United States it is very manifest you have not been inattentive or indifferent Spectators of the dangerous Encroachment of a foreign Nation. You are of Opinion that no Connection with the present Governors of that Nation or their Agents ought to be Sought, or desired....
854From John Adams to United States Congress, 20 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Law of the United States of the third of March 1797, entitled “an Act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation, for the prosecution of the Claims of certain Citizens of the United States for property captured by the Belligerent Powers,” I submit to Congress the account exhibited to me, by the Secretary of State, with his report of the seventeenth of this...
855From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr Strong recommending Job Strong Jun. to be an ensign & another from Joseph Hosmer recommending many for places in the eventual army. Mr. Strong recommendation, you know to be very respectable, not meaning any disparagement to Mr. Hosmer. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
856From John Adams to Pennsylvania Legislature, 21 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I receive the Honor of this Address, from the House of Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania, expressive of their approbation of my Conduct as Chief Magistrate of the United States in Support of the honor and Independence of this Country with more than common Gratitude and peculiar sensibility. The Passion of Ambition is in its nature unlimited. Its The late wild Projects suggested by...
857From John Adams to United States Senate, 5 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Simeon Theus Esqr, to be a commissioner of valuations for the first division of South Carolina, in the place of Daniel Hall who has declined. Mr. Theus is of South Carolina. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
858From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 7 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Secretary of State to give directions for preparing Letters to the Consul General, and all the other Consuls and Vice Consuls of the French republic, throughout the United States revoking their Exequaturs, and a proclamation announcing such revocation to the public—The proclamation to be published and the Letters expedited, as soon as the Law...
859From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Report of the Sixteenth of this month, and for your early Attention to the important subject of the Loan. I have Subscribed, and Send you with this, an Authorization to borrow to the amount of the Law: but if the public Exigencies can be Satisfied with a part of it, your own public Spirit of Œconomy will induce you to confine your Self to Such part. The Rate of Interest is...
860From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations of Henry Jackson Knox to be a lieutenant in the Navy & a petition for liberty to Capt. Brown to take some merchant vessels under convoy, which I granted—This petition you may file away. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
861From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your Letter of the 24th of Sept: with Inclosures— I am Very Sorry to learn your health has been interrupted, and heartily hope it is fully restored— I return with this all the papers I have received from you to this time—I have read them, but find nothing which requires any particular observations from me—My Sentiments are in concord with yours, and I pray you to...
862From John Adams to John Marshall, 18 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I believe you will find in the office that either the original or a duplicate of Mr. Kings triplicate dispatch of Sept 11 1799 has been before received & perhaps your predecessor wrote to Mr. King upon the subject. Be this as it may. With you, I presume it was a mistake of the American Captains in thick & hazy weather. But still it is proper, that you should write to Mr. King in the manner you...
863From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate His Excellency Arthur St Clair to be governor of the territory of the United States North West of the river Ohio for three years commencing from the end of his last appointment. At the same time I transmit you a number of petitions and other documents relative to this nomination. Solomon Sibley Esqr of the said territory to be a member of the Legislative council of the said...
864From John Adams to John Marshall, 21 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 16th. I am well satisfied with all its contents. The only thing which requires any observation from me, is the proposed instruction to Mr. King. As far as I am able to form a conjecture, five millions of dollars are more than sufficient, provided the British creditors are at liberty to prosecute in our courts, and recover all the debts which are now...
865To John Jay from John Adams, 30 August 1798 (Jay Papers)
I had last night the pleasure to receive the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 21 st of this month inclosing the resolutions of the Senate & Assembly of New-York, & their unanimous address. I can scarcely imagine any event that could do me more honor or give me greater satisfaction. The unanimity of New York, of vast importance in the union, is a happy omen of success...
866From 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.
867From John Adams to Wilson Miles Cary, 28 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address, presented to me by Your Representative in Congress Mr Evans. With you I believe the Prosperity of America to be consistent with the Good of all. But there are some, who will have Us as Tributaries and Dependents or Ennemies. They have it in their Power to make Us Ennemies. But they cannot make Us dependent. I thank you for your Applause to my Predecessor and to...
868From John Adams to Commissioners of Washington City, 17 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured by your Letter of the eleventh. Sensible of the difficulty of obtaining Loans of Money in Europe at this time, and equally with my Predecessor aware of the evil of Stopping the public Buildings, I shall have no hesitation to approve of your Plan of employing Agents to Sell Lotts, for the best Prices they can obtain, provided they be not lower, than the Standard that you Shall...
869From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Mr Pope, the Collector of New Bedford requesting to be appointed to Superintend the Building a Light House on Gayhead, to which I request your attention. I am, Sir with great regard / Your Most Obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
870From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Thomas Baker of Pennsylvania to be first Lieutenant— Thomas Wilkey of Pennsylvania to be second Lieutenant James McKnight of Pennsylvania to be Lieutenant of Marines, for the ship of War the Delaware. Andrew Sterret of Maryland to be third Lieutenant of the Frigate Constellation; Simon Gross, having resigned DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
871From John Adams to New Hampshire Legislature, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
My most respectful and affectionate Thanks are due to your two Honorable Houses, for an Address, transmitted by your excellent Governor, and presented to me by your Representatives in Congress. The American Nation appears to me, as it does to you, on the point of being drawn into the Vortex of European War— Your entire satisfaction, in the administration of the federal Government, and in the...
872From John Adams to James McHenry, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received on Saturday your favor of the 13th have read the papers inclosed voluminous as they are & return the commission for Col. Butler & the talk to the Indians signed. The Indians have been taught to misunderstand The advice against selling their lands to individuals, for advice against selling to the United States. I am Sir / your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
873From John Adams to John Marshall, 7 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from a worthy Clergyman of Braintree who has invented a very ingenious machine to facilitate that necessary domestic operation called Washing; which, by the concurrent testimony of those who have Used it, Saves, two days labour out of three. A Patent was granted him long ago: but by the inclosed Letter it was sent back for some Amendment. I pray you to send on his Patent...
874From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commissions for Lee, Folsom Varnum Cushing, Homan, Wadsworth & Woodward to be midshipman, and sent them in your letter to Capt James Sever, as you proposed in your favor of 28 ult. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
875From John Adams to United States Senate, 8 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I nominate William Smith our minister plenipotentiary to the court of Portugal to be envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to The Sublime Ottoman Porte with full powers to negotiate a treaty of Amity & commerce between the United States of America & the dominions and Dependencies of the Sublime Porte DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
876From John Adams to United States Senate, 21 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the Honorable Thomas Bee of South Carolina to be chief Judge The Honorable John Sitgreaves of North Carolina and the Hon. Joseph Clay Jun of Georgia to be judges in the fifth circuit of the United States. sixth Circuit William McClung Esqr of Kentucky to be a Circuit Judge in the sixth circuit of the United States The Hon Jacob Read Esqr. Senator from South Carolina to be Judge of...
The inclosed oration concerning Citizen Socrates is presented to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences by one of their most learned and respectable foreign Members, Professor Luzac of Leyden, late Rector magnificus in the University of that City—He is himself in many respects, the Socrates he draws— With my best Respects to all friends I / Remain your obt. MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
878From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the pardon of Wanton signed & pray you to have the seal of the US official affixed & the man liberated as soon as possible being convinced that humanity & the public good will justify it. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
879From John Adams to United States Senate, 25 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the following persons for promotions and appointments in the Army of the United States— Cavalry William Tharp Lieutenant 26th July 1797 Vice Mc.Dermont, resigned Ludwell Grimes Cornet Virginia Vice Tharp, promoted Thomas Blackburn Junr. do. do. Vice Warfield resigned Artillery Richard Watkins Lieutenant Vice Rand resigned First regiment of Infantry John Whistler
880From John Adams to United States Senate, 4 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Alfred Moore of North Carolina to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, in the room of the late justice Iredell, deceased. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
881From John Adams to United States Senate, 11 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States did, on the ninth instant, approve and sign an Act, which originated in this House, intitled “An Act further to suspend the Commercial intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof.” DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
882From John Adams to Pa., Citizens of Dauphin County, 15 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Address to the President and Congress of the United States has ben presented to me by your Representative in Congress Mr Hanna. The Necessity of Unanimity and Firmness never was greater or more manifest than at this interesting Moment. In expressing your full approbation of the Measures of Government, your Confidence in its Virtue, Wisdom and Prudence, and your fixed resolution to support...
883From John Adams to Corporation of the City of New London, 1 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive with Sincere Satisfaction this Testimony of Esteem from the Corporation of this respectable City of New London. The Part I took in our important and glorious Revolution was the Effect, of a Sense of Duty, of the natural Feelings of a Man for his native Country and the native Country of his ancestors for Several Generations, of all the principles moral, and political & religious in...
884From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The letter you sent me is from Mr. Murray of the 1 of May at Paris. I return it inclosed to you, that you may consider the recommendation of Mr. Dan. Murray of Anapolis his relation, who is a midshipman on board the insurgent. If this young gentlemans merits will justify his promotion, of which you are better judge than I can be, my disposition to consent to it need not be doubted. With great...
885John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 25 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Newspapers had informed Us of your Marriage, but the first Evidence of it from yourself, was in your Letter to your Mother of the 29. July.— I congratulate you and your Lady on this Event, which I hope will be for your mutual Happiness and the Comfort of all the Friends of both Parties, for a long Course of years, dedicated to the Public— And may the Blessing of God Almighty be bestowed on...
886From John Adams to Alexander Nelson, 1 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
A Dangerous sickness in my Family must be my Apology to you and to many others of my fellow Citizens, for the Delay of my Answers to their favours. Your Resolutions of the fourth of July have been presented to me and received with Gratitude and respect. Your Approbation of the Administration of the Government and the Conduct of its Envoys; and your firm Determination to Support, in all...
887Proclamation Proclaiming a Fast-Day, 23 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the People owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that Morality and Piety, without which social Happiness cannot exist nor the Blessings of a...
888From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests the Secretary of State to prepare the Draught of a Project of a Treaty, and a Consular Convention such as in his opinion might at this day be acceeded to by the United States if proposed by France. It is his Desire that the Secretary of State would avail himself of the Advice and Assistance of all the heads of Departments in the formation of this...
889From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of Septr. 7. Many Applications have been made to me for the Place of Dr Way. Mr Muhlenbourg, Mr. Huger, Mr Knapp Dr Jackson, and Dr Rush, besides those you have mentioned, have presented themselves as Candidates, and Mr Mumford of Philadelphia formerly of Rhode Island. These are all respectable Characters: but all Things considered my Judgment inclines to Dr...
890From John Adams to United States Congress, 23 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the commencement of this session of Congress, I proposed in course of it, to communicate to both Houses, further information, concerning the situation of our Affairs, in the territories of the United States, situated on the Missisipi River, and in its Neighbourhood; our Intercourse with the Indian Nations; our Relations with the Spanish government, and conduct of their officers and...
891From John Adams to John Marshall, 6 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you a letter from William Wetmore Esqr. of Castine in the District of Maine, to be filed & considered in time & in case. Mr. Whetmore is one of the remaining characters, whom I knew as a student in a Barristers office, when I was at the bar. What other applications may be presented I know not. With sincere regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
892From John Adams to Virginia Militia, 1 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Address of the twenty second of october. Your sentiments of the late Conduct of the French, seem to be conformable to the general sense of the World at large as well as almost the Unanimous Opinion of all America at present. A Republic that is not bound by the Laws of the Majority, is an Aristocracy or an Oligarchy, and commonly more oppressive than Monarchy. Mixed...
893From John Adams to United States Congress, 13 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
A Report, made to me on the fifth of this month by the Secretary of War, contains various matters, in which the honor and safety of the Nation, are deeply interested. I transmit it therefore to Congress, and recommend it to their serious consideration. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
894From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 3 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition from Scotchar again. I request that yourself & the Attorney General would consider it & give me your opinions whether it can be granted. I hope the easterly winds, which terminated in a furious storm of snow, have brought into some port or other, some good news from Europe or the West Indies. I have the honor to be Sir your very humble servant. MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
895From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have considered your report of the 25 of April & concur with your opinions in general & pray you to carry them all into execution as fast as may be prudently done, excepting with regard to Portsmouth & Rhode Island, which will require some further consultation with you. The lands at Charleston I wish you to purchase immediately & that to the amount of 45 or 50 acres marked in the plan & to...
896John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
as soon as your Letter informed Us that M rs Brisler could not come without her husband I sent him off, in two hours, the day before Yesterday, i.e Monday. There has been Such a snow storm ever since that he must have had a bad Journey to N. York— Whether he will wait there for a Wind for Rhode Island or take the stage I know not but hope he will get home before you come away. This days Post...
897From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
It always gives me pain, when I find myself obliged to differ in opinion from any of the heads of department, but as our understandings are not always in our own power, every man must judge for himself.—In the case of Capt Talbot, I am perfectly clear in my own mind, that he has been a Captain in the Navy of the United States, from the time of his appointment in 1794 to this hour—that a legal...
898From John Adams to United States Senate, 20 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, to be Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the King of Prussia DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
899John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had no Letter from you Yesterday. As You intended to commence your Journey on the 24 th. it is not probable this Letter will meet you, till it returns to this Place. But as it is possible you might not be able to set out so soon, you may receive it at Quincy. Brisler is at Quincy before this, I hope. Charles is just gone, for N. York— I have communicated to him my Plan of sending my Coachman...
900From John Adams to Rhode Island Legislature, 11 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
This unanimous Address from the Legislature of Rhode Island, comes with such authority, that nothing I could say in answer to it, would increase its weight; I shall therefore confine myself to request, your acceptance of an assurance, that I receive your declarations of approbation, Confidence, and Support, with great respect, and your respectful and personal attachment, with Sincere...