931From John Adams to John Marshall, 23 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Col. Norton of Marthas vineyard & copy of a certificate from Sir Guy Carlton. If Norton should make you a visit it is my desire that you would attend to his story & give him a letter to Mr. King, requesting Mr. King to give him any in his power without committing his government. I wish you to write at the same time a private letter to Mr. King, expressing it to be at...
932From John Adams to American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 23 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The american academy of arts & sciences, founded when their country was struggling for freedom and independance, which your exertions have so greatly tended to establish, beg ask leave to offer you their congratulations on your election to the office of first magistrate in a nation where the rights of men are respected and truly supported. They are authorized in led to pay ing this tribute to...
933From 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.
934From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 13th and thank you for your Zeal for the honor of my “Defence”. That Work which was begun on the 4 of October 1786 and finished on the 26 of December 1787 was written in haste. It was not the fruit of twenty Years Labour like Montesquieus & Gibbons and as it was written in haste may be supposed to have marks enough of Inaccuracy. I am not yet sensible of any...
935From John Adams to David Perry, 29 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have been not less surprised than delighted with an Address from one hundred and thirty Students of Williams Colledge, presented to be my the President Pro Tempore of the Senate Mr Sedgwick. So large a Number in so recent an Institution as it shews the flourishing Circumstances of our Country at present, affords a most pleasing Prospect of young Citizens in a course of Education for the...
936From John Adams to John Marshall, 7 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your favor of July 29th. The merit of Judge Chase of which I have been a witness at times for six & twenty years are very great in my estimation & if his sons are as well qualified as others, it is quite consistent with my principles to consider the sacrifices & services of a father, on weighing the pretensions of a son. The old gentleman will not last very long, & it can...
937From John Adams to Peter St. Medard, 14 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I request you to act as surgeon on board the constitution as you have done from the 17th of December last. I shall write this day to the Secretary of the Navy to send you a commission in form to meet you at Norfolk I am Sir with great esteem your humble servt. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
938From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 8th. of this month; and am sorry to find that you judge it necessary to retire from office—Although I shall part with your services as Secretary of the Treasury, with reluctance and regret, I am nevertheless, sensible, that you are the best and the only judge of the expediency of your resignation.— If you persist in your resolution, your own time shall be...
939John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have yours of the 6 th. by the Post of this day. I have proposed to Brisler to give him 300 dollars and pay the Expences of his Wife and Children to this Place and back again to Quincy, when they return— And He and his Wife and Children are to live in the Family. This is pretty well— I must and will have him. I am peremptorily for excluding all blacks and Molattoes. I hope to get into the...
940From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you have recieved your favor of the 18 with the copies of your letters to the Govenours of Maryland & Georgia. I return you the address of the Gen & field officers of the 11th brigade & the 3d brigade in Maryland as you desire. That from Warren county I sent sometime ago I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
941From John Adams to John Henry, 26 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the honor of your Excellency’s Letter and immediately referred it with its Enclosures to the Secretary at War, with Directions to take the most prompt measures for doing Justice to the State of Maryland. Your Excellencys candid approbation of my Conduct on a late Occasion does me great honour. I have the Honour to be, with / great Esteem and respect, Sir your / Excellency’s...
942From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President requests the Secretary of State to send him a copy of Mr. Patric Henry’s letter in which he declines his appointment, to be laid before congress with the other papers relative to the mission to France. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
943From John Adams to Hezekiah Veatch, 15 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Resolutions Addressed to the President and Congress of the United States have been presented to me by your Representative Mr Craik. It becomes you, and all your Fellow Citizens to be deeply impressed, at this eventful and interesting Period with the critical and alarming Situation of our Country. It never yet saw a prospect, of greater danger. Its Integrity, fortitude and Wisdom were...
944From John Adams to Benjamin Dewitt, 3 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 20th of March in the character of Secretary of the society, for the promotion of Agriculture arts and manufactures. I pray you, Sir, to present me with great respect & esteem to the society, and my hearty thanks for the honor they have been pleased to confer upon me by their unanimous election of me, to be an honorary...
945From John Adams to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Congratulations on my return to my Family and Friends are very obliging. Your polite Invitation is accepted with Pleasure. At this Period, when Disorder, Indiscipline and Disobedience of every kind fashioned into a kind of Science, are vindicated as Rights and inculcated as Duties, it is not to be expected that our Country should wholly Escape their contagious Effects. Although many...
946From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is high time for me to request, that you would seriously revolve in your thoughts, the subject of communications, both of intelligence and advice, to be made to Congress, at the opening of the approaching session, and favor me with your sentiments upon the whole subject, as soon as possible. I shall leave this place on Monday the 13th of October. No letters should be directed to me here,...
947From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 7 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Attorney General has left with me and I now Send to you a Project of an explanatory Article or Treaty and a Project of a Letter to Mr King, defining an Ultimatum. There is no Business before the Government at this time of more importance than this and I pray you to turn, your Attention to it, and prepare a Draught of a Letter to Mr King, to be considered if possible on Monday Evening at...
948From John Adams to United States Senate, 15 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I transmit to you the treaty between the United States and the Cherokee Indians signed near Tellico on the second day of October 1798 for your consideration. I have directed the Secretary at War to lay before you the journal of the commissioners and a copy of their instructions. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
949From John Adams to John C. Herbert, 10 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I receive your patriotic Address with great Pleasure. I rejoice that you highly appreciate the fair Inheritance you have received from your Forefathers, the Enjoyment of equal Liberty and Laws: and have no suspicion that you will want valour, to repell the assaults of its Invaders. I agree with you that War with all its incidental ills is preferable to base submission: and applaud your...
950From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of the 23d & have read all the papers inclosed with attention & much satisfaction. With the No 3. observations &c I was particularly pleased. I can see no rational objection to any of the seven articles ultimately signed by all the heads of department unless it be the 6th. When I first read this I was apprehensive that some embarassment would might soon arise in...
951From John Adams to United States Senate, 19 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate William North of New York to be Adjutant General of the Army with the Rank of Brigadier General. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
952From John Adams to John Marshall, 5 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I should rather have waited till nominations could be made to the Senate, when we might have had an opportunity to make more enquiries, but as Mr. Harrison seems so anxious & you seem to be satisfied, I am willing to appoint Mr William Clark, Major Henry Vanderburgh & Mr. John Griffin. I am apprehensive that this will be suspected to be a compliment to his father & that other candidates may be...
953From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr Cunnington has been at Quincy & exhibited to me a model of the machinery represented by the inclosed draught. The splendor of the light was so great & the experriment succeeded in all respects so well that I really think the invention a great improvement in œconomy as well as general utility in other respects. I pray you to show the plan & papers to the Secretary of the Treasury & request...
954From John Adams to Uriah Forrest, 4 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive with much Esteem Affection and Gratitude this obliging Address. The Approbation you have the goodness to express is both a reward and an Encouragement. I congratulate you, Gentlemen on the translation of the Government to the City so near you. As the Country between the former Seat and the present is beautifull and fertile, in a high degree, I hope that all the Reluctance which...
955From John Adams to Dwight Foster, 27 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests the pleasure of Mr. Fosters company to dine this day at 2 Oclock MHi : Foster Family Autograph Collection.
956From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Dr Bartleet of Charleston, offering himself a candidate for a medical appointment in case; I transmit to you, because I believe the law has committed the medical marine Establishment to your care. If I am mistaken in this, you will please to give this letter & its inclosures to Mr. Stoddert. Dr. Bartleet is as worthy & respectable character as any we have. Last night I...
957From John Adams to William Murray, 3 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received a very kind Address Subscribed with the Names of a long List of your respectable Inhabitants, expressive of very patriotick Sentiments and the most virtuous Resolutions. These decided Appearances from Kentucky of respect to the Union, Affection for its Government and determination to defend it against all its Ennemies will be received with Joy, in every Part of the United...
958From John Adams to United States Senate, 14 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Francis Hawks of North Carolina to be collector for the District of Newbern, and Inspector of the Revenue for that port, in the place of John Davis resigned. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
959From John Adams to Winthrop Sargent, 4 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th of Jany. inclosing an address from the inhabitants of the Mississippi territory, which is very acceptable and pleasing to me. For the polite manner in which you communicated this kind attention of your fellow citizens to me, I pray you to accept my thanks. The situation, in which your country has placed you, is at present of great importance to its...
960From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I Nominate Mattathias Rice, of Western, Massachusetts To be a Surgeon’s Mate in the Navy. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
961From John Adams to James McHenry, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the Commissions for the three Generals Signed and all dated on the Same Day. I am sir / your most obedient &c DLC : James McHenry Papers.
962From John Adams to William Vans Murray, 3 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now before me your several favours of 18th July, 4, 11 & 17th of August, and 31st October.—I am very much obliged by your kind attention to me, in all these instances, and for the News papers you have Sent me from time to time— I have attended with some care and with great pleasure to your correspondense with the Secretary of State, which will do you much honor—I wish it could be more...
963From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Joshua Sands of New york to be collector of the District of New york, vice John Lamb dismissed DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
964From John Adams to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have ruminated so long, upon the case of Andrew Anderson, that I am under some apprehensions that my feelings have grown too strong, & produced a result, that will not appear to you perfectly right. I consider Cox & his associates, as very artful men & being probably considered as men of great consequence in that country, they had the influence to seduce a poor soldier to a crime, for which...
965From John Adams to James McHenry, 28 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from His Excellency John Henry, Govonor of Maryland, dated in Council Annapolis Aug. 19th. I transmit it to you, with my request that you would Answer it, with all the respect that is due to the subject and the Authority by which the Application is made, according to that Arrangement for national Defence, which has been or may be adopted in your Office, in the faithful and...
966John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
This day you promis’d me to begin your Journey: but if the Weather is as disagreable with you as it is here, I could not exact the fullfillment of the Engagement. I fear you will have bad roads and unpleasant Weather. You talk of your Perplexities and say you must get out of them yourself. Do you think mine less severe, public or private? My dear and venerable Mother— Alass— I feel for her.—...
967From John Adams to United States Senate, 11 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Samuel Snow of Rhode Island to be Consul of the United States at Canton— DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
968From John Adams to John Marshall, 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Memorial from a respectable Merchant in Boston Mr Babcock. Mr Lewis has a similar request before you. Can We do any Thing in either Case or is it worth while to send another Agent to negotiate with the Isle of France? Enclosed is the Permit signed for the Brig. Amazon to carry Passengers to France, sent me in yours of 26. septr. DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Port Louis.
969From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 22 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr Senator Foster, recommending Dr Mason of Newport. Another from Mr Cabot, one from Dr. Tappan & another to him from Dr. Osgood, recommending the Rev. Mr. Samuel Sargeant to be a chaplain. Tappan & Osgood are divines of the highest characters among us. Mr Sargeant appears very worthy. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
970Points Receiving the President’s Assent, 11 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Points which, on the 11th of March, 1799, received the President’s assent, as ultimata . 1. That France should stipulate to indemnify the citizens of the United States for the spoliations committed on their commerce by the armed vessels and citizens of France, and by the adjudication of her courts in prize causes. 2. That as the vessels of the United States were not bound by treaty to have on...
971From John Adams to Ny., Courts of Onondage County, 23 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your Address which has been presented to me by Mr Cochran your Representative in Congress, is very welcome to me. Should France in the Spirit of Rapine and destruction attempt the Practice of her Menaces I have no doubt the History of our Second War, will be worthy of the Records of the first. I am afraid that free Government is a subject which will never be under The delusive Theories of...
972From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of 18th. The misfortune of the hero is much to be regretted. The necessary orders I presume will be dispatched to her at Jamaica but I am not sufficiently informed of her situation to be able to judge what those orders ought to be. The anonimous letter you inclosed is curious enough. If it is required of me to procure satisfaction for every family ruined by the...
973From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return the papers relative to Scotchlar, with his pardon, and am your Mo. Obt / Servt. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
974From John Adams to Chauncey Goodrich, 3 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind Attention to my Necessities. Will write to Philadelphia to have the Cyder received, and it shall be paid for wherever you please.— Whoever conveys it to Philadelphia—may deliver it to Mr John Brisler my Steward.— I am Sir with great Esteem your very / humble Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
975From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 27 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I last night received by the post, an anonimous letter, together with a pretended copy of a process from John Allen, Justice of the peace against Mr. Tracy, in the name of Pearsall & Glover of N. York. As Mr Tracy is at present employed in the public service, as an agent of the War office, by the appointment of your predecessor, with my consent, I think it most proper to transmit these papers...
976From John Adams to Rufus King, 16 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from the Sec. of State I pray you to convey in Safety and as Soon as may be to Berlin. I ought not to omit the opportunity to thank you for the Pamphlets you have Sent me from time to time. They not only entertain and amuse me but I flatter myself are Usefull. Our Country Seems to be, as we used to Say in 1774 unanimous & firm. They are much more So now than they were then....
977From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 17th and return you three Warrants signed, which you may fill up for General Collot, Mr. Sweitzer and the Person mentioned in Mr. Kings Letter, if he is to be found. I could trust the Heads of Departments with this Power, rather than my own Judgment; But I think We ought to give the Act a strict Construction, and therefore doubt the Propriety of delegating the...
978From John Adams to United States Congress, 18 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
The communication relative to our affairs with France alluded to in my address to both houses at the opening of congress the session is contained in the sheets which accompany this. A report of the Secretary of State, containing some observations on them, will be sent to congress on Monday DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
979From John Adams to Silas Talbot, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the pleasure to inclose a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to you with your commission, to which I know you will do honor. I wish you all the success & glory in the enjoyment of it, which you can possibly wish yourself With great regard your most humble MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
980From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Letter of the fourth and return You the blank Commissions signed and all the Papers inclosed in yours. As to Major Brooks, I know not how a Man can talk of fighting “French Bloodhounds” who has been capable of saying Since his appointment, “that Things were going very well before the Arrival of the Dispatches of the Envoys: but the publication of those Dispatches had ruined...