51To John Adams from Uriah Howell, 25 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of Recommending to you John Rousby Plater Esqr. as one of the Judges for the Territory of Columbia. He is a Man of Understanding and of Honor. He Read Law about five years, with the present Chancellor of Maryland, and practiced about three years, in the lower Counties of this state, where He then Resided; and for some time acted as the Attorney of the State in two of the...
52To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 9 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to communicate to you the substance of a note, without his signature, which I received last Night from a person of considerable abilities , now in private life , in Paris. After expressing his expectations, that “an Envoy extraordinary is on the way to France.” he adds “ It would renew at once the happy former good understanding between the two Countries. His words are...
53To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the command of the President of the United States respectfully submits the following Report upon the letter of the Secretary of War dated November 22d: 1797, and the papers accompanying the same. The principal question may be stated in either of the following modes. First—What are the powers and duties of the Accountant to the Department of War?...
54To John Adams from Joshua Winslow, 27 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to inform you that Colo. Robert Rowan the Commissioner of Loans for the district of North Carolina, died on the 26th. Inst. It is, Sir, in consequence of this event that I presume to address you and humbly solicit that appointment in his place. I do not ascribe to myself any uncommon merit on which I might found a claim to such a favor:—A consciousness of being fully...
55To John Adams from Jacob Rahm, 28 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
Although we are but a handful, compared with the aggregate body of the citizens of the United States, at whose head, as Chief Magistrate you deservedly stand—although we inhabit a Village of inconsiderable consequence, compared with the numerous towns and cities, which chequer the face of the Country, over whose rights and interests you have been chosen to preside, yet feelingly impressed with...
56To John Adams from William Griffith, 11 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
In the answer with which you were pleased to honor my letter inclosing an oration on the death of General Washington,—you were so good as to notice some papers I had written with a view to the revision of the New Jersey Constitution:—I very little expected that so obscure a pamphlet would have found its way to your Excellency, and much less that it should serve to introduce me with some...
57To John Adams from Ebenezer Breed, 24 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Subscriber Ebenezer Breed humbly represents, that he is proprietor of about half the Land lying in the Town of Charlestown, which has lately been fixed upon by the Government of the United States, as the most eligible & convenient place within this Commonwealth for the purpose of a Dock & Navy Yard. That on the representation of Aaron Putnam Esquire, as agent for the United States, in that...
58To John Adams from Alexander White, 13 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Being overtaken by a Snow Storm at this place on my way from Washington to Winchester I embrace the opportunity which the leisure of a day affords, to communicate information which may perhaps be useful or satisfactory—In the letter from the Commissioners to the President of 21st Ulo. they express an opinion, that a good house in a convenient situation may be provided at the seat of Goverment...
59To John Adams from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 3 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
The American Consulate in this City, & destrict, having been left to my charge, by, & in the absence of my Son, who is the appointed Consul; I beg leave to assure you of my attention to the dutys annexed to that important trust, & that however arduous the task may now become on account of the present unhappy State of things: I have – with alacrity and firmness – asserted the grievances, and...
60To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Privious to my Taking any ultimate step relative to presenting the names of persons to offices, the battalion added to the 2d Regt. of Artillerists and Engineers by an act for the better organising of the troops of the U.S. and for other purposes, passed the 3d. of March ulto. I thought it adviseable to submit to the attorney General for his opinion the annexed paper. The inclosed is a copy of...
61To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose 15 blanks, permissions to collectors to clear out flags of truce carrying French people from the United States, to which I request your signature, & that you will cause them to be returned to me. A second packet forwarded yesterday contained the residue of the commissions for the Commissioners of the Land Tax. I am with great respect / sir, your most obt. servt. MHi...
62To John Adams from Jacob Eÿermann, 5 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
We the Undersigned, prisoners in the Goal of Philadelphia, beg leave to present their Humble Petition & Prayer to your Excellency— It is with deep Reverence and Humility we address ourselves to Your Excellency—We look upon You as a kind Father, permit us therefore to speak as Children that have gone astray and who are justly punished for their folly and Wickedness but who now feel and see the...
63To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter for Capt Talbot, enclosing a commission for your signature. Several letters have passed between Talbot & me, on the subject of the dispute between him & Truxtun—I have stated to him explicitly my opinion, that Truxtun must now be considered his Senior Officer—but promised him the whole should be laid before you, & that he should not serve with Truxtun,...
64To John Adams from William Simmons, 8 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject which from its nature I trust from your known goodness will appologize for the intrusion.—I have a Brother who entered the service of The United States as a Lieutenant of Cavalry at the age of nineteen, in the Year 1797, He was shortly after ordered to proceed to the Frontiers of the State of Tennessee where he continued to do duty near two...
65To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President of the US. and will have the honor of waiting on him to dinner on Thursday next NHi ; NNGL .
66To John Adams from William Moulton, 11 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
At this important crisis, while the sensibility of our good citizens through the union is awakened by the indignities the United States have suffered from the French government, and while they are signifying their confidence in and approbation of the measures adopted by their own Government, I hope it will not be deemed impertinent or improper in me to testify my sensibility at the nefarious...
67To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 21 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received a letter from one of my brothers, who went thro Pittsburg to New Orleans in June last, which contains some information relative to public affairs. I therefore do myself the honor to enclose a copy that it may be of any confidential use that you may think proper, within the Government. My brother having a very considerable commercial establishment at New Orleans, and other parts...
68To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that on considering, with the Secretary of the Treasury, the mode of communicating your proclamation for renewing the commercial intercourse between the United States and St. Domingo, we have concluded to transmit copies thereof by mail, as follows. To-morrow, Friday, to send off those for the District of Maine, for the States of Georgia, South and North...
69To John Adams from Seth Harding, 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 27th. Instant, I had the Honnor to Receive your kind frendley Letter with a Number of Certificates which I Enclosed to your Excelencey Sumtime past the Reason your Letter did not Com to hand before I suppose was on acct. of the Sickness in this City. Sir I am Exceading happy to hear youre Excelency so fulley Sattisfied, in Regard to the Unfaverable Charge Lodged against me—Sir I...
70Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 20 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have your favor of the 15 th: inst t: and am pleased to find in it an interpretation of the 6 th: Article of the Convention with France, which had escaped my reflection— Viewing it as a provision only to operate after the expiration of our treaty with G Britain, it may be both natural & proper, but as the time when it was to operate was not specified, many others, like myself, have supposed...
71To John Adams from Hanson Briscoe, 25 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At a meeting of the Citizens residing in the Town of Cumberland in the County of Allegany and State of Maryland and its vicinity, held on Friday the 25th. day of May 1798 after due notice. Hanson Briscoe was appointed Chairman and Patrick Murdoch John H Bayard, Samuel Selby 3rd, John Simkins and George Dent were named a Committee to draw up and report an address to the President of the United...
72To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 7 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
As Mr. Rand, a good American, sails in a lettre of Marque from the Texel direct for Boston, I take the liberty of sending some gazettes, which remain of those which I could not consistently with an eye to postage , send through the Secretary of State. They may amuse you after the labours of Philadelphia, & contribute to brush away those public cares which ought not to follow you in the...
73To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour to present schedules, shewing the vacancies in the 1st. & 2d. Regiments of Artillerists & Engineers, and the 3d Regiment of Infantry, on the permanent military establishment of the United States, together with the cadets in the Corps of Artillerists, and the names of all the Gentlemen recommended for Lieutenancies in the same, with the letters recommending them. In...
74To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received at this place your letter of the 1st of Sepr. instant with its several references. I have been attacked here with a bilious fever from which I am getting slowly better, a restoration to my former state of health being impeded by the business I have been obliged to attend to and having no assistant to copy for me except a youth my nephew. The inclosed papers from No. 1 to No. 5...
75To John Adams from Joshua Morris, 11 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to send you the inclos’d letter which was sent (as you may se) by Thomas Davis a Member of Congress to Cap Standerford an Acquaintance of mine. I beg your Honour will not take Offence at the fredom I take in this Business. The steps that are taken by many of Our Gentlemen here are realy serious to me. I am Apprehensive unless some measures are taken to prevent, a revolt will...
76To John Adams from Uriah Forrest, 25 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
It is I assure You with great diffidence that I take this liberty; but I could not let my friend & Brother Colo. Plater, visit Philadelphia, without his having an opportunity of Presenting himself to the President. He is a Man of Honour, and as such, I make free to Introduce him to you. I have the honor to be with every sentiment of Respect and attachment, / Sir, Your most Obedient Servt. MHi...
77To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 24 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the United States request you to accept their acknowledgments for the comprehensive and interesting detail you have given, in your speech to both Houses of Congress, on the existing state of the Union. While we regret the necessity of the present meeting of the Legislature, we wish to express our entire approbation of your conduct in convening it on this momentous occasion. The...
78To John Adams from John Stoughton, 28 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to your request on the 13th Instant: I did myself the pleasure of addressing the Honble: Timothy Pickering Esqr. Secretary of State to the following Effect as Per Copy annexed, to which at present have received no answer much to the disappointment of the poor Captain and injury of the Cargo he h as on board— Should your Excellency have received any reply, thereto shall think myself...
79To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 28 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
Being here on a few days visit with Mrs. Gerry to her aged parents, & having left six small children, the eldest of whom has the care of the rest and of the domesticks, I am deprived of the honor of paying my personal respects to you at this time. When I wrote to Mr. Monroe, I supposed he was in Philadelphia: it being so announced in the news papers, his conduct in making an inmate of Paris...
80To John Adams from R. Bourne, 6 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The employment of Individuals is a matter of Concern—The unfinished House in Chesnut street might probably be made of Much value to the State by being made into a Mint and Treasury I am with Much respect MHi : Adams Papers.
81To John Adams from W. K. Cole, 15 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
Residing as we do, in a remote part of the State of New Jersey, it cannot be expected, we can with so much promptitude, discharge our duty, to you and our fellow-Citizens, as those, placed in situations, more exposed to the current of public information— Anxious, however, when in our power, to disclose to you and to the world, our loyalty; we at this late day, (in immitation of our Friends,...
82From George Washington to John Adams, 13 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour on the evening of the 11th instant to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War, your favour of the 7th announcing that you had with the advice and consent of the Senate appointed me “Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised for the Service of the U. S.” I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this New proof of public...
83To John Adams from Daniel Story, 13 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Assured that every degree of progress made in civilization, morality and religion will be pleasing to you, I have taken the Liberty to present the enclosed, which shows the state of Society and Religion in Marietta and its Vicinity— The necessity of leaving the City, early tomorrow morning deprives me of the pleasure of waiting upon you in Person.— With sentiments of the greatest esteem and...
84To John Adams from Jonathan Fay, 25 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
When we contemplate the Wisdom and Firmness, the Integrity and Magnanimity of our National Executive; we rejoice that we are Men; we boast that we are Americans!— When Britain treated America with more than step-dame Cruelty, the daring Infant manfully asserted her rights and bade Defiance to her Foe. A surviving few of us acted on the memorable 19th. of April—We saw unsheathed the first...
85To John Adams from John Sinclair, 29 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor herewith to transmit to Your Excellency, An account which I have just printed of The origin of The Board of Agriculture and its progress for three Years after its establishment, by which you will perceive the nature of our Exertions for the Internal Improvement and general benefit of this Country. I shall much esteem your casting an eye over this paper when your leisure...
86To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much engaged, in consequence of the Arrival of so many Vessels, that I have not been able to communicate so much information on the business of the Navy as I ought to have done. The United States—The Constitution, the Delaware, the Montezuma, the Herald, and the Revenue Cutters, Govr. Jay, the Virginia, the Scammel & Genl. Green, are all in different ports in the United...
87To John Adams from Jacob Van Buskirk, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Whereas Philip Desh and Jacob Kline, both Mauungy Township, in the County of Northampton, and State of Pennsylvania having been some time Ago apprehended and Committed to the Goal of Philadelphia, for Treason, and are still there confined, and Whereas the said Philip Desh, and Jacob Kline, and their Wives and Children, having so earnestly requested of us the Subscribers to Petition his...
88To John Adams from Richard Blue, 7 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
We whose names are hereunto amend, of Capt. Bishops Company the second Regiment of Artirilists and Engineers, can but express to you Sir, that notwithstanding what may be the decision of a Court Martial held at Philadelphia on the conduct of our Capt. respecting his treatment to his Men, we freely and candidly acknowledge that partiallity we bare to him and hope that he may yet be continued to...
89To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter addressed to you by Mr. Murray, which came to hand this morning under cover from Mr. King. The draught of instructions preparing agreeable to your directions for the Envoys to the French Republic, will be ready in two or three days to submit to the consideration of the Heads of Departments. Judge Ellsworth was here when I recd. your letter on this subject; and I wrote...
90To John Adams from Jean Baptiste Francisqui, 17 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
the patronage it has always pleased to your Excellence to grant to the artists in general, Besides the feeling of your heart induce me to request the honour of your presence at the performance which is to take a place for my benefit on friday next the 18th instn: the public happiness and Wellfare, I know, take away from your Excellence all the time and attention, but it is equally his constant...
91To John Adams from Theodore Foster, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
In the event of the Hon. Benjamin Bourn being appointed a circuit judge in the first circuit, under the act providing for the more convenient organization of the courts of the United-States, we beg leave to recommend to you the Hon. Ray Greene , for the office of judge for the district of Rhode–Island, now held by Mr: Bourn. Mr. Greene has been uniformly and deservedly esteemed in private...
92To John Adams from Moses Blackly, 19 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
An address from the well disposed Citizens of this County was forwarded to you last fall being Myself Secretary of the Meeting & never having recieved any Information concerning the said address causes me to believe it has never been recieved— I am your Excellencys / most Obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
93To John Adams from Oliver Bowen, 3 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
You have thaught proper to remove me from Office, it is presumed to have been on good information.—You have been imposed on, I am materially injured in reputation which to me, I have alwaise considered the most valuable Jewel Jewell in life. I have been tryed on sundry charge which I presume are such as you have thaught proper to dismiss me on, I am honourably acquitted by my country. I have...
94To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
When I took the liberty of referring you to Mr. Jacob Lewis for information relative to the Isle of France s , I presumed he might communicate something useful, because he would not, I conceived, have any interrested motive to deviate from facts: But when I learnt that he had returned home to Boston with his family, I thought it fortunate.—I had seen a letter from an American at the Isle of...
95To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to return you Mr. Murray’s letter’s decyphered; the first is, in different points of view, very interesting. The name he refers to I retain for another conveyance. General Pinckney is at Newark, where he proposes to stay ten days or a fortnight. He asked me (in his letter recd. the 16th) whether you would expect him to wait on you. I answered, that considering it must oblige...
96To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Capt Talbot arrived at Hampton roads the 15h. Inst—He writes me that he had not two hours fair wind from leaving Boston. He would leave Hampton for Cayenne, in two or three Days. I am moving this Day my office to Trenton—seeing neither courage, wisdom nor duty in remaining longer at Phila-.— which which I believe could not be done without very great, & unnecessary danger. I have the honor to...
97To John Adams from John Cleves Symmes, 23 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to Observe, that in October 1788, my agents at New York on my behalf entered into a Contract with the United States in Congress assembled for the grant of one million acres of land, lying east of and adjoining to the Great Miami River. On certain conditions therein set forth, which conditions of purchase I conceive have hitherto been literally complied with, and fulfilled on my part...
98To John Adams from George Mathews, 10 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
After I Left Philada. I posued my Jurney, through the wilderens to the Fawles of Ohio in Kintuck my Stay in that countary was but a Short time So that I cannot say mutch on the poleticks of that country but observed its will Stored with Democrats how Loose no opportunity to cavel at Govarment. I Left that plase on the 29th of August—and after a pashage of forty five days arived hear on the...
99To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 19 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
A long absence from this City has induced a suspension of those attentions, which duty as well as pleasure will ever impel, and gratitude Command— Convinced of the sincerity of your interest in any every thing relating to my promotion & success, it is with much satisfaction I inform you, that I was yesterday admitted an Attorney in our supreme Court—. Being thus early about to enter upon a new...
100To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a report, and documents, in the case of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Rochfontaine Commandant of the Corps of Artillerists, and Engineers. I am Sir / with much the greatest respect / Your most Obedient / Humble Servant— James McHenry War Department 6th: April. 1798— To the President of the United States. The Secretary of War respectfully reports. That certain Charges...