1John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams and John Adams, 28 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have now the happiness of presenting to you another daughter, worthy as I fully believe of adding one to the number of those who already endear that relation to you.— The day before yesterday united us for life. My recommendation of her to your kindness and affection I know will be unnecessary. My sentiment of her merit, will not at this moment especially boast its impartiality , but if...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Mr Read Senator from South Carolina, containing an application for the appointment of midshipman, for the Son of Mr Izard. Altho there are midshipmen enough from So. Carolina, I presume it will be proper to gratify the wishes of so respectable a man as Mr Izard. I have Just recd information of the Arrival of Capt Bary at Newport, the 12th. Inst. which...
3To John Adams from United States Congress, 25 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America provides that the President may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses of Congress; and whereas an extraordinary occasion exists for convening Congress, and divers great and weighty matters claim their consideration, I have therefore thought it necessary to convene, and I do by these presents convene the Congress of the United...
4To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a copy of the act of the Legislature of Kentuckey, this day received, ratifying the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States, respecting the suability of States. The amendment having now been ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, has become a part of the Constitution of the United States. MHi :...
5To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I intended some time since to have returned an answer to the letter you did me the honor to send me of the date of Oct. 10. relative to the communications to be made to Congress at the opening of the approaching session; but delayed it, expecting leisure to mature my ideas on the subjects to be brought into view: but that leisure has not yet occurred; and therefore now beg leave to submit the...
6To John Adams from John Williams, 15 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
At this important Crisis, when war with all its train of Calamities seems ready to burst upon us; when by the malice of our Enemies we are reprisented as a divided people, a people inimical to the measures of our own Government, and wanting confidence in it; We deem it our duty as Citizens of the United States explicitly to declare, our fullest faith in the Integrity and Wisdom of all the...
7To John Adams from John Warren, 20 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
This may certify that Doctr Moses Baker has for some years past, been a reputable practitioner of Physic and Surgery in the Town of Canton, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and that from my knowledge of his ample qualification for the duties of his profession and the high esteem, in which he has ever been held in the place of his residence I have no hesitation in declaring it as my opinion that...
8To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 27 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh; Your exaltation, has so perfectly fulfilled my wishes, and gratified the strong feelings of my heart, I cannot suppress the sentiments which it inspires: Having long indulged a belief of “the high destinies of our country,” this event seems an additional omen, and brightens the glorious hope.—The ruling characters of the world have...
9To John Adams from Harry Innes, 30 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
Pardon me if my zeal for the public good hath induced an address to you in your official capacity different from the common rotine of business; yet sir when you reflect on both the importance & delicacy of the subject, I trust this deviation will be excused as I would not be willing to commit myself upon the occasion to any other person except yourself. Thro’ the medium of a correspondence...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am this Day honored with your two letters of the 19th. Inst. the contents of which shall be strictly attended to. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
11To John Adams from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 14 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the death of Colo. Innes it is probable that a variety of characters will receive recommendations to you to obtain an appointment so respectable & important as that which is now vacant by his decease. I have seen the name of Colo. William Davies mentioned with particular respect as being every way qualified to fill that office with advantage to his country; &, indeed, as...
12To John Adams from Rufus King, 28 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I avail myself of the opportunity of a vessel about sailing from Hull for Boston, to say that a Danish frigate with a small number of ships under her convoy, having resisted a search attempted by a squadron of British frigates, has together with the merchant ships been captured and sent into an English Port. Several persons on each side were killed in the action between the frigates. If...
13To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of September 14—No person can more sincerely commisserate the situation of Mr Jarvis and his family than I do—and I am certain that the Comptroller who has directed the proceedings for the recovery of the debt due to the United States has been influenced by the same feelings—It is now about three years since Mr Jarvis was removed from Office and not...
14To John Adams from Samuel Stanhope Smith, 16 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that the students of this College, seized with the general spirit that is pervading the country, have presumed to offer you their address on the present state of public affairs. As this measure has been entirely planned & executed without the privity, or participation of any of the Masters of the College, I fear it must be at least imperfectly, perhaps, imprudently executed—Most...
15To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
As I consider the Appointment of a Judge, for the fifth Circuit, of very great Importance to the Public, and to the judiciary Department, I take the Liberty to recommend to your Excellency Philip Barton Key Esqr.—I know no Gentleman, in this State (who will accept) better qualified, in every Respect, to discharge the Duties of the Office; and I am well assured, that only Want of Health, of...
16To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received the inclosed letter and list of persons proposed for military appointments from Major General Pinckney, and take the liberty to request, if the names should be approved of that it may be returned as soon as convenient, with authority to announce to the persons therein named their appointments and to make alterations therein should any intervening information or...
17To John Adams from James McHenry, 2 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Tench Frances Eqr Purveyor of public supplies, died last night; This event creates a vacancy in an important office, which the necessities of the service, require, should be filled with as little delay as possible. Permit me respectfully to present to you, the name of Mr. Jonathan Williams as a successor to this office. He is a gentleman of intelligence, activity, experience...
18To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the President of the United States, the following report upon the petition of Slocum Fowler.— The petitioner states that at the last February term of the District Court for the District of Rhode Island, judgment was recovered against him in favour of the United States, for the sum of four hundred dollars, being a penalty incurred by him in...
19To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in Obedience to the command of the President of the United States respectfully submits the following Report. That the facts stated in the petitions of Robert Wanton herewith transmitted, praying for the pardon of an offence committed by him against the Revenue Laws of the United States are verefied by the Letter of the Collector for the District of Boston and...
20To John Adams from James Francis Armstrong, 2 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Armstrong wishes to insinuate to the President of the United States his wish to know whether the President proposes to communicate with our Church tomorrow as we expect the administration of the Lord’s Supper then by Dr. Woodhull—The Communicants sit with us not at a common Table, but in the Pews around the Pulpit—mine in which the President sat last Sabbath week is one, which I wish he...
21To John Adams from David Campbell, 2 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
With this letter you will receive an Address from part of the Citizens of the State of Tennessee, under my signature. I being appointed by a very respectable body of people to draw up, and forward the same, it becomes my Duty to transmit it to your Excellency. I have the honour to be with very / great Respect / Your Excellency’s / Most Obt. Hbl. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
22Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have not any Letter from you of a later date than the 9th; you was then unwell. I have one from william of the 12th. as he does not mention your being still indisposed I hope it was only occasiond by the Thaw, and the close air of the Theatre. I have myself been confined for a week, but got down stairs yesterday, and hope I have parted with some of my bad humours , by the application of...
23To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the inclosed letter of July 30 from Mr. King, it seems that the King of Denmark intends to name a Consul to reside in the United States; but desires first to know whether it will be agreeable to the American Government. With your permission I will communicate to Mr. King the requested assurance that such an appointment will meet your approbation. The inclosed letter of Sept. 6th from...
24To John Adams from John Williams, 17 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter will be handed to you by Mr. Van Flick, as the Bearer alluded to in the Letter has been taken Sick, but as Mr. Van Flick is an intimate Acquaintance & Friend of mine, & his; you may confide to him any Thing you please for the assistance of the unfortunate Person, who was to be the Bearer of the inclosed Letter, and please to excuse my Freedom in applying to you, for to...
25Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
My time has been so occupied between going to Boston to get my dinner and coming back to Quincy again, that I have written to you but once since my arrival. I should have considered these frequent visits as time lost to improvement, but that they have enabled me to attend the Session of the Supreme Court, which commenced on the 19 th: ult o. . Having now complied with all the necessary forms...
26To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose a copy of Mr. Gerry’s letter of April 20. to M. Talleyrand, which completes communication of every thing new received from him. A copy of his letter of May 13th I sent by last Friday’s mail; and a copy of his letter of May 12th by Saturday’s mail. Several cases of the yellow fever have occurred. I am with great respect, / Sir / your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams...
27To John Adams from Silas Talbot, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
If it should be the Pleasure of the President of the united States, or the Secretary of the Navy, to place Lieut. Knox as the Junior, or an Extra Leiutenant either Temporarily, or Perminently It would be exceptable to to me. MHi : Adams Papers.
28To John Adams from William Davis, 6 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Permit me, most respectfully to congratulate yr. Excellency on yr. advancemt. to this, your exalted Station; permit me, also, ( in confidence ) earnestly to request an appointment here, on the first vacancy, whereby I may be enabled to support my Family, in this my advanced age, & whereby I may render my Country some little service. nothing, but imperious necessity, can apologize, for thus...
29To John Adams from James Greenleaf, 8 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
By the demise of Mr Innes, the Office of Commissioner for Liquidating the claims of British Citizens under the Treaty, has become vacant. My long acquaintance with the arbitration of Exchanges, and with the most complicated & difficult modes of Account keeping both in Europe and America, would, I presume, enable me to fill the place of the late Mr. Innes, with becoming ease and propriety—I beg...
30To John Adams from Arthur Campbell, 21 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
You have spoken, and you have spoke it with dignity and truth.—That the rising generation of Americans, the most promising and perhaps the most important Youth, which the human species can boast, educated in the principles of religion and morality, and having before them the examples of the wise and good of all nations, cannot fail to answer the high expectations, which the World has formed of...
31To John Adams from Antonio C. de Poggi, 27 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
Proofs of the Death Montgomery &ca Rich gilt Frames, Glasses &c 6 = 6 = Packing Case = 8 = 6 CtY : Trumbull Papers.
32To John Adams from George Claghorn, 2 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
We the subscribers being the superintendant Constructer and Clerk of the Navy Yard, during the building of the Frigate Constitution feel ourselves Constrained by the Principles of Justice to say That Genl. Henry Jackson the Naval Agent has on all Occasions from the Commencement of building the Frigate manifested unremitting Zeal and exertion by Personal attention to obtain in the most...
33To John Adams from Samuel Dexter, 4 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Among the papers accompanying the list of military appointments was the resignation of an Officer by the name of Bullet, if I mistake not. It was sent for your acceptance. He is waiting, & would be obliged by your decision as soon as convenient. I have the honor to be / with perfect respect / Your faithful servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
34To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the proceedings of a General Court Martial held at Fort Sargent on the Mississippi, on thursday the 22nd day of November 1798 by order of Brigadeir General Wilkinson. At this court Andrew Anderson, a soldier, was tried on a charge of deserting his post, on the night of the 31st of October 1798, and aiding and assisting two prisoners to make their escape from confinement at Fort...
35To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Pickering, Capt Preeble, arrived at New York two or three Days ago—I expect the George Washington, Fletcher, is at New Port by this time. I will take the most decided steps, to get both these Vessels out immediately. Capt Preeble thinks the Pickering may be dispatched in a Week—she will be sent to near Guadaloupe,—where there remain The Ganges—Tingey The Baltimore—Barron The...
36To John Adams from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 22 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your Consideration the inclosed affidavits respecting the English Ship Oracabessa Burnt on Tuesday last within the Bar of this harbour by a Privateer said to be called the Vortitude commanded by a Captain Jourdain and belonging to Cape Francois, also of the capture of the Ship Pallas belonging to this Port and the Mary of Savannah. By an examination of the...
37To John Adams from Samuel Smith, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I Do myself the honor to Inclose you a publication of the Committee of this City, whether it will have the desired effect contemplated I cannot yet determine. The following Expression Induced me to address you. We are informed by the Sect. of War that the Finances of the U. S. did not admit of a larger appropriation than twenty thousand Dollars towards the fortifications to be erected near our...
38To John Adams from William Richardson Davie, 30 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The legislature of the State of North Carolina have, by their resolution of the 24th. Instant, committed to me the agreeable duty of transmitting to you the inclosed address; and it gives me great pleasure to assure you that it contains a deliberate and explicit declaration of their sentiments upon the measures which have been taken by the Federal Government with respect to our foreign...
39To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of this morning which inclosed the last dispatches I had from General Wilkinson and others, I have thought it proper to write to the General relative to the subject of Mr. Powers’s mission, to prevent should any thing have delayed Cap Guion at Massac, any misconceptions on his part. I submit a copy of it. As I had sent off the original to which this letter refers, it is...
40To John Adams from William Alexander Humphrey Graham, 17 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have spent some considerable time & Propperty in Aiding & Assisting to support Government under your direction—have spent my time in the northern part of the Country—since the first day of August—in Vermont state & in the northern & western part of the Country, for that Purpose. believe Sir you have seen some of the good effects—Acknowldged to your Honour, since that time Sir when or before...
41Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received Yours last Evening of the 21st, when on the road; I could not write; I was generally so fatigued by Evening as to wish to get to Bed. we rose early and as soon we could get Breakfast sat out upon our days journey, at noon we usualy stopd two Hours; to feed ourselves and horses; and my Lame animal was a constant anxiety to me; I have got him here, and John has Physick him, and bled...
42To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honour to inform the President, that he received Mr. Pintard’s papers here inclosed, from Mr. Wolcott—read & handed them to Mr. McHenry—& has this moment received them back from Mr. Stoddert. It appears that Mr. Pintard himself first gave them to Mr Lee. The Secretary of State sees no remark upon them from any of the gentlemen; nor has he any to make himself. MHi...
43To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
On the 24th, two messengers arrived with dispatches from Mr. Ellicott and lieutenant Pope, dated the 27th & 28th of June, at the Natchez. Copies of those addressed to me I have now the honor to inclose. The Secretary of War informed me that he should, for want of time, transmit to you his originals from lieut. Pope. We have conversed together on their contents; but conceiving nothing to be in...
44To John Adams from Warner Mifflin, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I hope I may address the first magistrate in the United States in this Stile without Offence , as I do esteem him my friend, and have a due respect unto him, & for the Office he fills; sincerely desiring to conduct myself under his Administration in every respect consistent with my conscience, as a good & faithful Citizen ought to do. I therefore inform the President, that being in this City...
While I feel with keenest anguish the late Dispensation of Divine Providence, I cannot be insensible to the mournfull Tribute of respect and veneration which are paid to the memory of my dear deceased Husbad—and as his best services, and most anxious wishes were always devoted to the welfare and happiness of his country—to know that they were truly appreciated and greatfully remembered,...
46To John Adams from Collen Williamson, 26 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The petition of Collen Williamson houmbly saieth that your petitioner recived a letter when residing in new york, signd by the first three commissioners, of this City dated—Aprile 92 Inviting me to come forward as it was but a few days stage travle, so that they might have a personal conversation with me, at heir request I came forward to georgton And was with the commissioners eight ore ten...
At a meeting of the freeholders of Prince Edward county, in the state of Virginia, convened on Monday the twentieth of August 1798, for the purpose of considering the present state of American affairs, in consequence of five weeks previous notice: Resolved, by a large majority; that the following address be immediately transmitted to “The President of the United States.” Sir, If amidst the...
48To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman of Maryland, not long from France, where he was a Prisoner, but after a time was suffered to go at large, mentioned to me last night, that a Colo. Hickbourn had lately arrived at New York from France & had gone on to Boston, where he has connexions—that he was supposed by the Americans in France to be an Instrument of the French Govt.—and that tho’ he was ordered to leave France in...
49To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have really occasion to make an Apology for troubling you so often with my personal concerns—perhaps I presume too much on the Score of private Friendship—That, and Your Candor, I will hope, may plead my excuse— On the 21st of the last month I did myself the Honor of writing to You–when I took the liberty to mention the probability of a dissolution of my Copartnership with Mr Lear— It is...
50To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter which I received last evening under cover from Mr. Pedro Josef Caro, accompanied by a letter from Mr. King intended as an introduction to Mr. Caro; but the latter having missed a passage to the U. States in the British Cutter which sailed from Falmouth for New-York on the 20th of April, & circumstances requiring his arrival in So. America with as little delay as possible, he...