2051To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received your Note yesterday afternoon, inclosing a letter to you from Wm. S. Smith Lt. Colonel of the 12th. Regiment of Infantry dated the 21st. instant. You may wish my candid opinion upon the project contained in the letter enclosed. Whether his (Col. Smith’s) request can be granted in whole or in part, consistent with military and political justice and properly without favour or...
2052To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a letter dated 13th from Pennock, the naval agent at Norfolk, saying Nicholson had brought into Hampton Road a Ship of 20—or 24 Guns, full of men, who refused to give any account of themselves, and who are suspected to be Pirates. I hope by the mail of this evening to receive more certain intelligence. Capt Barry to my Surprize, made his Appearance here, at 1 OClk. His Ship with about...
2053To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed address and tender of services from the Volunteer riflemen of Christiana Hundred, county of New Castle, State of Delaware came to hand last evening. MHi : Adams Papers.
2054To John Adams from John Stockton, 24 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
That viewing the present crisis as pregnant, with events of the first Importance to the people of the United State; on which the very Existance of Goverment and the happiness of its Citizins depend. With this awfull prospect in view, and considering this as an extraordinary occasion, calling aloud for a declaration of the Public Mind; we conceive it our indispensable duty, to communicate our...
2055To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 25 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 6th, which I took from the cover without breaking the seal. The secret shall not escape me; but, from the circumstance mentioned, I shall not be surprized to find, that it has transpired on it’s passage. If the tho’t of sending Mr. Jefferson proceeded from both parties, it wears the appearance of “a natural one”, otherwise, coming from so many of one party,...
2056To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
My very worthy Secretary Mr. Bartolemew Dandridge is so animated with the energy which our country displays, & so devoted to the fair and honourable cause of the government over which You Sir preside as to request me to apply to You for a commission in the army. As he has the honour to be known to you Sir I need only to add that ever since he has lived with me he has daily risen in my esteem....
2057Richard Cranch to John Adams, 15 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
To wish you Joy on your advancement to the high Station you now hold will perhaps, at present, be premature; I shall therefore rather wish you Patience. The comprehensive and clear Views that you have acquired from an accurate Examination of all the ancient Forms of Government and their consequences in actual operation, and your great Experience in the modern Systems that have been exhibited,...
2058To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose, agreeably to a request contained in a letter from Mr Shaw of the 9th instant, the regulations for the government of the Navy together with my report on the naval establishment. I have the honor to be, with / the greatest respect and esteem / Sir, / Your most Obd. Hb. St. MHi : Adams Papers.
2059To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks, the Presidents oblidging Letter of yesterday. The time contemplated by myself for retiring from Office, is the last day of December next.—It will however be necessary for me to remain here several Weeks after my resignation takes place, whenever that event may happen, for the purpose of compleating the business, which will have been by me...
2060To John Adams from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 5 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
This is the second time I have taken the liberty of trespassing on your Excellency’s time & with due reverence have now to repeat my request that you will have the goodness to listen to the Justice of my cause. In case the false rumours that have been circulated & publish’d against me by my rivals & enemys should have in any degree alter’d the good opinion I meritted of your Excellency, in the...
2061To John Adams from Israel Hatch, 23 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Should Cald on you before I Left Washington but the wether being So Very bad and your hous Crowded with Companey Deprived me of the Pleshur of Seeing you before I left, I Made Aplication to the Secretary of State and obtaind A patent, And an order for making Full trial at Fort Independence In Boston Harber, From the Secretary at War, Sir as I have Spent time and money to Serve my Cuntry and...
2062To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed will be presented to you by a committee from a number of Citizens on Monday next at half fast ten oClock should you at that time be at Quincy and in a situation to receive them—Our mutual friend Mr. Jonathan Jackson is with me & proposes to return here to meet our brethren Vzt. Colo: Daws Dr. Mason Mr Higginson Judge Wendal J Jackson B Lincoln With sincere wishes for your...
2063To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War, in conformity with the desire of the President as expressed in his letter of the 14th instant has the honour to submit the following suggestions. 1st Question. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. For the most part it is a relative...
2064To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a copy of a Letter which I have written to several of the collectors of the Revenue, on the subject of a temporary provision for the relief of sick and disabled seamen.— It is found that by a Law of the last session, the Hospitals for the Army & Navy are to be established under the immediate superintendance of the Physician-General. The Secretary of War, will,...
2065From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 22 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Toussard, who will have the honor of delivering you this letter, is desirous of being appointed Inspector of Artillery. He has reason to hope that his wish is favoured by the Secretary at War—and seems to think that the intimation of my opinion may be useful to him. On the supposition that it accords with the views of the head of the War Department, I have no hesitation to add my...
2066To John Adams from James Sullivan, 26 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
A letter is gone on from the Agent of the united States on the St Croix boundary to the Secretary of State, informing him, that the Commissioners have fixed on the Scoodiac river as the St. Croix truly intended &c: and on the most remote water issuing into the northern branch of that river as the source. This settlement, will, I beleive, be quite agreeble to Massachusetts. A water boundary...
2067To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 13 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the order of the President of the United States, the Secretary of War respectfully represents to him That the only matters relating to his department which appear deserving of notice in the speech of the President at the opening of the next Session of Congress are that the Country is now amply supplied with military stores of every description, except that more Cannon and Small...
2068To John Adams from Md., Citizens of Baltimore, 7 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
We The members of a society in the city of Baltimore think it our duty as becoming Good citizens to address you in a manner becoming our attitude in life (The society is composed of minor citizens from the age of 15 to 26) Who now addres you. Father & Fellow Citizen hear us for our cause is good not that we wish to assume the conduct of any party Influenced by a wim, But from a true love of...
2069To John Adams from Abraham Rutledge, 15 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Permit us Sir the Companies of Infantry, commanded by Captains Rutledge and Davis of Washington County and State of Maryland to join the general voice of our Country in addressing you upon the present important and critical situation of our national affairs, to express our sincere affection for the Government of our choice and our firm determination at every hazard to support it—While we...
2070To John Adams from Charles Hall, 8 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is not without the deepest regret, that I am compeled by a combination of imperious circumstances, to forego the honor of endeavouring by the exertion of my poor abilities, to justify the distinguished favor confered on me by you in the appointment of Agent to defend the United States against the British debts, under a law of the late congress, in relation to the sixth Article of the...
2071To John Adams from William Simmons, 11 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to your desire, I have the honor to lay before you a few observations in reply to the letter of the Secretary of War to me of the 11 November Ult. by stateing to you the reasons for my conduct, which he seems to think reprehensible. The subject of his complaint is, my refusing or suspending to countersign a Warrant in favor of Samuel Lewis a Clerk in his Office for Two thousand...
2072To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a list of officers for the ship George Washington, fitting for sea at Providence. If the persons named and recommended meet your approbation, it will be desirable that the commissions & warrants signed by you should be returned immediately, as Captain Talbot has made such dispatch in improving and equipping the ship that he expects to have her ready for sea by the...
2073To John Adams from Nathaniel Mitchell, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
We, the militia of Sussex county, composing the third brigade of the state of Delaware, at this important period of our public affairs, think proper to express to you our cordial approbation of your and your predecessor’s administration, and to declare to you, most unequivocally, however much we wish to live in peace with all nations, that we hesitate not an instant in our choice, between...
2074To John Adams from Beriah Norton, 8 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
When I Left your House the Saturday that I had the Honor to dine with you, I intended to have waited on your Excellency again before I Left Philadelphia. But the Vessel Came out on Monday morning So that I Could not have that Honer. Your worthy Secy. of State Mr. Pickering did me the honor to Pay Particular attention to My Business, he will of Course Let your Excy. know the nature and...
2075To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is represented to me, as will appear by the inclosed letters, that Mr. Morgan, who was appointed Major, to the Regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Parker, will not accept of that rank. As Mr. Morgan has not yet signified to me his intention to serve or decline, it would be premature to fill his place until I can learn from himself his determination. I have written to him accordingly, and in the...
2076To John Adams from David Humphreys, 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I request your indulgence for presenting to you Mr. Henry Preble, a native of the State of Massachusetts, who, I expect, will have the honour of delivering this letter. This Gentleman has suffered infinite vexations and great losses from a long & troublesome process in the Maritime Tribunals of this Country. And there is little or no expectation that he can ever obtain any compensation for his...
2077To John Adams from Samuel Williams, 1 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of transmitting to you a packet from, & at the request of, Mr. Herbert Croft, with a letter addressed to me. A casual and short acquaintance with him permits me only to say, that the description, he gives of himself, appears pretty just. When he mentioned his intention of offering his services and his Dictionary to America, I was far from flattering him with a prospect of...
2078To John Adams from Peter Turner, 25 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
On information that a military Hospital was to be established at Newport I have represented to the Secy. of the Navy certain pretensions, which I think I have, to superintend it. I have been longer a Surgeon in my Countrys service than any Other man in this State. I have served with reputation as Surgeon to the 1st. Rhode Island Batallion (in the revolutionary War) 4 Campaigns—In the sea...
2079To John Adams from C. Legaux, 20 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
L’Esprit et Le Coeur de L’homme-d’Etat, qui veut le bien sincérement de son paÿs, et qui désire ardament le bonheur de chaque individu qu’il Gouverne; n’ont pas besoin d’être stimulés pour L’Effectuer; aussi n’est ce pas L’objet de la présente que j’ai L’honneur de vous adresser: mais il importe beaucoup pour la prospérité des nations, que dans L’immensité des branches qui doivent concourir à...
2080To John Adams from Citizens of Washington City, 5 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Inhabitants of the City of Washington rejoice in the Opportunity which your Presence this day affords them of paying to you their unfeigned Respect, and of giving You a Welcome to the City which, by the Acts of the Union has become the Metropolis of the United States. We have long anticipated this day: We consider this your first Visit to Columbia, as a high Gratification, and look forward...
2081To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your Letter of the 19th. instant, which I had the honor to receive this morning, I enclose a Letter & commission for Cotton Thayer, to be a 2nd Lieutt. of Marines, which after receiving your Signature may be forwarded to Capt. Talbot. I have the honor to be, / with the highest esteem & respect / sir, / yr most obed sert MHi : Adams Papers.
2082To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Letter from Alexander Freeland, dated July 12th. announcing the death of Constant Somers, late Collector and Inspector of Great Egg harbour in the State of New-Jersey. I desired Mr. Latimer the Collector of Philadelphia to make the requisite enquiries respecting Mr. Freeland, and am informed that the Candidate is reputed to be an honest man, and that he is...
2083To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to inform you in my letter of the 16th of March ulto. that I had issued orders, to draw five companies of the regular army to the, scene of insurrection, and for the volunteer companies of Pennsylvania, to be in readiness to march at the shortest notice. I flattered myself, at the time of issuing this order, that the two volunteer companies of horse, of Philadelphia (if...
2084To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter just recd from Judge Patterson, recommending Dr. James Hall of York-town, Pennsylvania, for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Last week I transmitted to you Pastoret’s speech in the Council of Five Hundred on the conduct of the French Executive directory & their agents towards the United States. I now inclose an anonymous answer, at once weak and...
2085To John Adams from Cyrus Griffin, 20 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that an increase of Salary, will be solicited by some of the District Judges, and that the President of the United States would be written to upon the subject, if not improper I take the freedom to mention to you that my claim particularly rests upon a solid foundation: the District of Virginia is very large, the Business of the different Courts lengthy and laborious, almost...
2086From Thomas Rasing to John Adams, 23 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
That in Consequence of the publicity given to the instructions to the Commissioners of the United States near the Republic of France, and to the dispatches containing the narrative of their Conduct in the discharge of the duties of their mission, your memorialists are induced to infer that the situation of public Affairs is so critical and alarming, that the opinion of the Citizens of the...
2087To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 28 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
When I reflect how often I have lately taken the freedom to address You especially relative to my private concerns, it is with much regret that I so soon again trouble You respecting them. A Circumstance, unexpected by me, occasions my present intrusion— Mr Lear has been appointed Secretary to General Washington—and has accepted the Office— This has caused a dissolution of our Copartnership,...
2088Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
A private opportunity offering by way of Hamburgh to write to you, I eagerly embrace it, and hope it may reach you safely notwithstanding the various Chances it may run. your arrival at Berlin was made known to us from your Letters to the secretary of state of Nov’ br the 10th and 17 th . no private Letter has yet been received, nor the publick Letter which you mention having written from...
2089Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
A long interval has gone by since the date of my last to you, but I have received nothing from you in the course of it. Not a vessel has arrived here from Hamburg for several months and none of your letters later than the beginning of December have reached this Country. We know that in consequence of the severity of the past winter, the navigation of the Elbe was obstructed for many weeks,...
2090Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have not written a line to you for a long time; yet scarcly an hour of the day passes in which you are not present to my mind; I fear my last Letters were captured the ship, captain scott, was taken by the French. you will think me more tardy than I have really been. by the date of this you will see where I am. it was not my intention to have come here untill the Fall of the Year. I expected...
2091John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter from the sec. of state will go by the Way of England. In the paragraph quoted from me I wish you not to mistake. I dont mean that I have any aversion to a Treaty with Prussia or sweeden, upon Terms consistent with your Instructions. You may agree to such a Treaty as soon as you please. But in the present State of Things, if the Neutral Powers will not go to War with France...
2092Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I am under obligations to you my dear son, for keeping up so regularly, and so constantly your correspondence with me; notwithstanding your various publick employments and private engagements, and I consider myself as very fortunate in receiving your Letters, tho frequently of an old date, owing to the circuitous route they have to make. By mr Fisher of this city I received a few Days Since...
2093Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
The packet being detaind I write you a few Lines further to inform you that mr Marshal accepts his appointment, but Judge Dana declines on account of his Health The President accordingly has Nominated mr Gerry. the senate have not yet agreed to it. the N Englanders do not like this Nomination. You are so well acquainted with mr Gerry, and With his sentiments Principles conduct and services,...
2094Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 21 st of April, appears to intimate a doubt of the possibility of our meeting, my last disappointment my beloved friend, has taught me to fear, and I have endeavored to acquire fortitude, in case of the worst— Heaven knows with what delight I should have accompanied you, and how rejoiced I should be to have it in my power to contribute to your happiness but if this cannot be...
2095Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your favor of Nov r: 13 th: with an enclosure for J Hall, yesterday, by the New York mail. It came by a vessel, which left Hamburg only one day later than myself and was enclosed by M r: Pitcairn in hopes it might reach me before I got out of the River. I will begin by acquainting you and Mrs: A— with the health of all your friends. Our good mother, from whom I have not yet heard...
2096Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I hope long before this time you have arrived Safe at Berlin. The first intelligence which I received of your having left England, was under the Copenhagen head soon after. Letters were received from mr Murrey of the 9 th of November, in which he mentions your writing to him from Hamburgh. I immediatly informed my dear Louissa’s Parents and received a Letter from mrs jhonson this last week; in...
2097Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 2 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure of informing you and Mrs Adams of the safe arrival of mr Johnson and Family in George Town on the 25 of November, after a passage of 60 Days. I heard from mr Cranch that the Family were all well. I had written to him previous to their arrival to give me immediate notice of it, and I yesterday had the Satisfaction of writing to mrs Johnson to congratulate her upon her...
2098Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
The June packet is to sail tomorrow. as I know you must be anxious for constant intelligence, at this critical & important period, I will not let her sail without writing to you, tho it is a hazard whether she will go safe, for our very coasts are infested with French Privateers, who insult us in our own Waters. every exertion is making to get our Frigates to sea. we have some 20 Gun vessels...
2099Joshua Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
We reached Graves end about 11 OClock on Monday & proceeded immediatly on Shipboard. the Wind being fair we Saild in about Two Hours afterwards & rundown to the Hope, we remained their that Night & got under weigh the next Day & reached Bugsbeys Hole, where we remained until to Day 1 O Clock during which time we experined very heavy Gales of Wind, which created both alarm & much Sickness. we...
2100Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last, I have received none from you, though we are in expectation of arrivals from Hamburg, which we think must bring Some tidings of or from you. I wrote a letter to Mess rs: Marks & C o. very soon after the receipt of the papers of M r: Engel, and in the course of a few days after, got an answer copy of which I now enclose.— I have put the business into the hands of M r:...