1151From John Adams to United States Senate, 8 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Israel Wheeler Esqr. of Pensylvania to be purveyor of public supplies for the United States in the place of Tench Francis Esqr. deceased. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1152From 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...
1153From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate John Cooper of Georgia to be collector of the District of Brunswick & Inspector of the revenue for that port in the place of John McIntosh resigned Jonas Clark Esqr of Massachusetts to be collector of the District of Kennebunk DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1154From 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.
1155From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
As I perceive a necessity of introducing a change in the Administration of the office of State, I think it proper to make this communication of it to the present Secretary of State that he may have an opportunity of resigning, if he chooses. I should wish the day on which his resignation is to take place to be named by himself. I wish for an Answer to this Letter on or before Monday Morning...
1156From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Diverse Causes and considerations essential to the Administration of the Government, in my Judgment requiring a Change in the Department of State you are hereby discharged from any further Service as Secretary of State. MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers.
1157From John Adams to United States Senate, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate William H Harrison of the North Western territory to be Govenor of the Indiana territory DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1158From John Adams to United States Senate, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Israel Ludlow of the North Western territory to be register of the land office at Cincinnati. James Findlay of the said territory to be receiver of public monies for lands of the United States at Cincinnati. Thomas Worthington of the territory to be register of the land office at Chilocothe Samuel Findley of the territory to be receiver of public monies for lands of the United...
1159From John Adams to United States Senate, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the honorable John Marshall Esqr. of Virginia to be Secretary of State in the place of the Honorable Timothy Pickering Esqr. removed. The Honorable Samuel Dexter Esqr. of Massachusetts to be Secretary of the department of War, in the place of the Honorable John Marshall nominated for promotion to the office of State. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1160From John Adams to United States Senate, 13 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the U. S. on the 13th of May approved & signed the folowing Acts which originated in the House of Representatives viz. An Act to authorize the issuing certain patents. An Act directing the payment of a detachment of the militia under the command of Major Thomas Johnson in the year 1794. An Act to retain a further sum on drawbacks for the expences incident to the allowance &...
1161From John Adams to U.S. Cabinet, 15 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President requests the Several heads of Departments to take the most prudent and oeconomical Arrangements for the removal of the public offices, Clerks and Papers, according to their own best Judgments as soon as may be convenient, in Such manner that the public offices may be opened in the City of Washington for the dispatch of Business by the fifteenth of June. DLC : Miscellaneous...
1162From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I request you to transmit copies of the law for reducing the twelve regiments which passed yesterday to Major Generals Hamilton & Pinckney & also to the commandant of brigades with orders to the Major Generals to make immediate arrangements, for reducing those regiments on the fourteenth day of June I pray you also in concert with the Secretary of the Treasury to make seasonable preparations...
1163From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President requests the several heads of Departments, to take the most prudent and economical arrangements, for the removal of the public offices, clerks, and papers, according to their own best judgment, as soon as may be convenient, in such manner that the public offices may be opened in the City of Washington for the despatch of business, by the 15th of June. Printed Source--George...
1164From John Adams to Elijah Cooper, 16 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 9th of this month. The defence of the American Constitutions, being public, any man has a right to publish a new edition of it, who will run the risque of a loss by it. I doubt whether you will find your account in it. As to additions & annotations it would be easy with time & leisure, to make many; but my time is the property of the nation, & every moment of...
1165From John Adams to Charles Lee, 16 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you a copy of a resolution of the Senate of the United States, passed in Congress, on the fourteenth of this month, by which I am requested to instruct the proper law officers, to commence & carry on a prosecution against William Duane, Editor of the newspaper, called the Aurora for certain false, defamatory, scandalous & malicious publications, in the said newspaper of the...
1166From John Adams to U.S. Cabinet, 16 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the U.S. requests the heads of Departments to take the charge of the property of the United States, consisting of the furniture of the presidents house & also of the public papers there deposited & transport them to the city of Washington with all possible care & oeconomy & there preserve them under their own care or that of the commissioners of the federal city, untill they...
1167From 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...
1168From John Adams to Gilbert Blane, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received but yesterday your obliging note of the 13 of September, with your observations on the diseases of seamen, through the care of Mr. King. I pray you, Sir, to accept of my best thanks for this valuable present. The subject is of high importance to the commercial & political world, & there is scarcely any, in which philosophy & humanity are more deeply interested. The former editions...
1169From John Adams to Collin Gillespie, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Dayton the senator has presented me from you, a letter from your father, with an elegant present of a monument, in honor of the memory of Gen. Washington. I pray you to convey the inclosed letter, expressing my gratitude, to Glasgow, & to accept of my thanks for your care. I am Sir your obliged & obedient humble ser. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1170From John Adams to William Gillespie, 18 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have lately received the letter you did me the honor to write me from Glasgow on the 14th of March. The letter is a very handsome testimonial in honor of my friend & predecessor, & I must consider it as a very elegant compliment to me. I pray you to accept of my hearty thanks, for a valuable monument, in a handsome guilt frame of our deceased General, whose memory deserves to be preserved,...
1171From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Questions 1. Among the three Criminals under sentence of death is there any discrimination in the essential Circumstances of their Cases which would would justify a determination to pardon or reprieve one or two and execute the other? 2. Is the Execution of one or more, so indispensably demanded by public Justice and by the Security of the public Peace, that Mercy cannot be extended to all...
1172From John Adams to Charles Lee, 21 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday the opinion of yourself the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Navy on the Case of the Prisoners under Sentence of death for Treason, formed, as I doubt not under the full Exercise of Integrity and humanity. Nevertheless as I differ in opinion, I must take on myself alone the responsibility of one more appeal to the humane and generous natures of the...
1173From John Adams to Charles Lee, 21 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read your report of the 17th of May relative to the conduct of Dr Stephens and Mr. Mayer & the documents under the labell useful. I have also read the report of the late Secretary of State of May 12th on the same subject & agree with both, that the conduct of Dr. Stephens ought to be approved and that Mr Mayer ought to be removed from his office. Mr. Hammond may be appointed to succeed...
1174From John Adams to Pennsylvania Insurgents, 21 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Whereas, the late wicked and treasonable insurrection against the just authority of the United States, of sundry persons in the counties of Northampton, Montgomery, and Bucks, in the State of Pennsylvania, in the year 1799, having been speedily suppressed, without any of the calamities usually attending rebellion; whereupon peace, order, and submission to the laws of the United States were...
1175From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter, recd this morning from Col. Smith. I am at present at a loss to judge of it.—Will you be so kind without favour or affection, to give me, your candid opinion of it.—Whether his request can be granted in the whole or in part without injustice to other officers. And whether it is consistent with the military Ideas. I pray your Answer as soon as possible. I am, Sir...
1176From John Adams to James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President requests the candid opinion of the Secretary of War, upon the project in the inclosed letter of Col Smith. Whether his request can be granted in whole or in part consistent, with military & political justice & propriety without favor or affection. The P. prays Mr. McHenry to return Smith’s letter. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1177From John Adams to James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your note of this date & have read all the papers. This whole business is so entirely new to me, that I have read the documents with great surprize. I highly approve of the proposed enquiry & of your letter to Messrs Shepherd Parks & Ely I am Sir with great esteem MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1178From John Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your favor of yesterday & thank you for the communication. Mr Morris’s merits shall be impartially considered with all the other candidates in due time. Mrs. Adams will be soon in N York. When she passes, will you be so good as to give me the news of her I am Sir yours as usual MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1179From John Adams to James McHenry, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read and considered your report of yesterday & concur with you & the other gentlemen at the heads of department in the propriety of appointing a qualified person to visit & examine into the actual state of the garrisons—Indian trading houses or factories & other public property in the North Western territory on the Missisippi & on the frontiers of Tennesee & Georgia. It has been...
1180From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 24, I can only say that I have referred the Papers relative to extra Services to the Secretary of the Treasury who has not yet reported. That I cannot determine any Thing on Major Tousard’s Claim nor Mr. Dinsmores till some general rule is settled,—Major Tousard however and Mr Dinsmore will have Justice done them. If you approve of the Measure you may send a...
1181From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of 23 of this month relative to Col. Smith’s Letter: your letter of this 26th relative to appointments for Major Tousard: Your letter of this date. I shall omit appointing any officer in the Artillery at present excepting Mr: Robins Chamberlain. Your Letter also of this date inclosing a Petition from Robert Gilmore, Esqr: Chairman of the Committee, &ca. All these...
1182From John Adams to John Steele, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I agree with pleasure to your request in your letter of the 24th on the condition mentioned in it of an arrangement to prevent delay or inconvenience in the dispatch of public business. Your long & faithfull attention to the duties of a laborious office, entitle you to my thanks as well as to the accommodation you request. I am Sir with great esteem / your humble servant. MHi : Adams Family...
1183From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I hereby request you on the 1st of June, or whenever Mr. McHenry shall leave the war office, to take upon you the charge of that office, and I hereby invest you with full power and authority to exercise all the functions of secretary of the department of war, and charge you with all the duties and obligations attached by law to that officer, until a successor regularly appointed and...
1184From John Adams to Pa., Citizens of York, 30 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive with much satisfaction this friendly Address. In revisiting the great Counties of Lancaster and York, after an Interval of nearly three and twenty years, I have not only received great Pleasure from the Civilities of the People which have deserved my grateful Acknowledgments,: but a much higher delight from the various Evidence of their happiness and Prosperity. The multiplication of...
1185From John Adams to Sc., Citizens of Georgetown, 31 May 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 beautiful and fertile in a high degree, I hope that all the reluctance which...
1186From 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...
1187From John Adams to Citizens of Washington City, 5 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive with pleasure, in this address, your friendly welcome to the city and particularly to this place.—I congratulate you, on the blessings, which providence has been pleased to bestow, in a particular manner, on this situation, and especially on its destination to be the permanent seat of government. May the future councils of this august temple be forever governed by truth and liberty,...
1188From John Adams to William Fitzhugh, Jr., 11 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive from the Citizens of Alexandria, this kind salutation on my first Visit to Virginia with much pleasure. In the earlier Part of my Life I felt at sometimes an inexpressible Grief and at others an unutterable Indignation at the Injustice and Indignities which I thought wantonly heaped on my innocent virtuous, peaceable and unoffending Country. And perceiving that the American People...
1189From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 13 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your favor of the fourth & immediately communicated it to the present Sec. of State Gen Marshall who will look into the papers relative to the subject & bring it soon to a conclusion—A business which ought to have been done last fall.—I have taken a view of the federal city & its environs as far as Mount Vernon & am well pleased with the whole. I think Congress...
1190From John Adams to James Calhoun, 16 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
I receive with Pleasure this Testimony of Respect from the Mayor and City Council of the great flourishing opulent, and populous City of Baltimore. Our Country I trust will always abound, as it ever has abounded with Characters in whom she may safely confide the management of her affairs and who will be able so to conduct them as to avoid all the Calamities which can be avoided by good plain...
1191From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 20 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
The itinerant Life I have led has prevented me from Acknowledging the Receipt of your favour of May 24th., till this time. Your Sentiments are very Satisfactory to me, and will be duly attended to. I anticipate Criticism in every Thing which relates to Col. Smith. But Criticism, now criticised so long, I regard no more than “Great George a Birthday Song.”—Coll Smith Served through the War with...
1192From John Adams to John Marshall, 20 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from John Lasher resigning his office of surveyor & inspector of the customs for the port of N York I receiv’d last night. I believe you have blank commissions in your office one of which I pray you to fill up with the name of Wm S Smith of N.Y. or if you have not a blank, you will please to make out a commission for him & send it to me for signature. for it is my judgment...
1193From 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...
1194From John Adams to John Marshall, 5 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 24th of June & thank you for transmitting to the Secretary of the Treasury a commission for Mr. Smith. If Mr. Smith for any reason should decline this appointment, my opinion is that Mr. William Morris of N. York, at present Deputy collector is next in the line of merit & you may send a commission to him.—I concurred with you & the gentlemen you consulted in...
1195From John Adams to John Wendell, 5 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6th. of June and read it with great pleasure. It brought to my recollection a great number of agreable hours Spent in the earlier part of my Life, with my esteemed Friend Mr Edmund Quincy when the general Subjects of Litterature and Science and particularly Agriculture Gardening &c were more talked of than Politicks. I have as good an Opinion of Mr Gerry as...
1196From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 10 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 30 June. I know not what answer to give to General Pinckney. There are so many considerations to be attended to in appointments in the Artillery & old regiments, that it is difficult to introduce any new officers. The old officers think they have a right to rise in succession & where their merit is known & unquestionable, they have reason & justice on their...
1197From John Adams to John Marshall, 10 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are a number of petitions for pardons of fines & imprisonments, which cannot be granted. They ought however to be filed in the office of State I am with great regard yours MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
1198From John Adams to John Marshall, 11 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received only last night your favor of the 30th of June. There is no part of the administration of our government, which has given me so much discontent, as the negotiation in the Mediteranean—our ill success in which I attribute to the diffidence of the agents and ministers employed in them, in soliciting aid from the French & the English and the Prussians. Mr. D’Engestrom has too much...
1199From John Adams to Samuel Dexter, 14 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Joseph Coffin Boyd, dated Portland July 8th: You may know this Gentleman, better than I do. The papers inclosed in it, recommend Aaron Dwinel for Captain, Samuel Swett, for 1st lieutenant, John Quincy Keith for second lieut. & Zadock Dean for Cornet. If you see no objection to the acceptance of this troop of Volunteers, as I do not, you may send commissions to the...
1200From John Adams to John Marshall, 14 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed German letter I received yesterday but as the language is illegible & unintelligible to me I inclose it to you, that if any of your clerks can read it, they may translate it for your edification & that of your humble servant. I have not opened it—but give you full authority for that purpose. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.