1From Robert Morris to United States Congress, 10 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Subscribers, taking into Consideration the important Situation of Affairs in the present Moment, and the Propriety & even Necessity of informing the People and rousing them into Action; considering also the Abilities of Mr Thomas Paine as a Writer, and that he has been of considerable Utility to the common Cause by several of his Publications. They have agreed that it will be much for the...
2From George Washington to United States Congress, 8 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Upon a careful examination of the Report delivered to Congress the 17th of June, by the Committee on the Peace Arrangement the following remarks have occurred. Nothwithstanding there may not be any very essential difference between the proposed Plan for a standing Force now under consideration, & the Sketches which were given in my Memorial of the 1st of May; yet it is my wish to make known...
3From George Washington to United States Congress, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with...
4From John Adams to United States Congress, 7 November 1791 (Adams Papers)
The Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, The Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General respectfully report to the Congress of the United States of America. That pursuant to the Act intitled an Act making provision of the reduction of the public debt and in conformity to two resolutions agreed upon by them one on...
5From Thomas Fielder to John Adams, 10 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Thomas Fielder Respectfully representing That he having invented an Apparatus for facilitating Navigation for which he has obtaind the grant of an exclusive privilege, by the requisition of Friends to the extensive utility of the Idea he has at a very considerable expence attempted the prosecution of his Design but perceiving that its completion (so as to carry it into useful...
The Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, The Chief Justice, The Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury and The Attorney General respectfully report to The Congress as follows— That pursuant to the Act intitled An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt and in conformity to Resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved by the...
7From John Adams to United States Congress, 16 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
The Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, the Chief Justice, The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General, respectfully Report to Congress as follows, That pursuant to the Act intitled “An Act making provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt” and in conformity to Resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved by The...
The vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, the Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General respectfully report to Congress as follows: That pursuant to the act entitled “An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt” and in conformity to resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved by the...
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund Respectfully report to Congress, as follows. That pursuant to the Act entitled “An Act supplementary to the Act making provision for the debt of the United States” and in conformity to Resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved, by the President of the United States they have caused purchases of the said debt to be made through the Agency of...
At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, on the 26th day of December, 1795, Present: The President of the Senate , The Secretary of State , The Secretary of the Treasury . A report of the Secretary of the Treasury was read, as follows: “That, to provide for the payment of the interest on the public debt, which will fall due at the close of the present year, it will be necessary...
11From John Adams to United States Congress, 25 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund respectfully Report to Congress as follow. That in pursuance of the powers committed to them by the Act entitled “An Act making provision for the payment of Certain debts of the United States” passed in the last session of Congress, they have authorized Sales of a part of the Capital Stock of the Bank of the United States, belonging to the United States,...
12From John Adams to United States Congress, 16 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
On addressing myself to the Senators & Representatives of the United States, it would have afforded me the most sincere satisfaction to have been able to congratulate you on the restoration of peace to the nations of Europe whose contentions have endangered our tranquillity & to have invited your attention only to such measures as ordinarily occur, in managing the concerns of an extensive and...
13From 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.
14From John Adams to United States Congress, 12 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received information from the Commissioner appointed on the part of the United States, pursuant to the third Article of our Treaty with Spain, that the running and marking of the boundary Line, between the Colonies of East and West Florida, and the Territory of the United States, have been delayed by the Officers of his Catholic Majesty; and that they have declared their intention to...
15From John Adams to United States Congress, 23 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
It appears that the Dey of Algiers has manifested a predilection for American built vessels, and in consequence has desired that two vessels might be constructed and equipped as cruisers, “according to the choice and taste of captain O’Brien.” But instead of two brigs, Captain O’Brien thinks it will be most eligible to build one brig of twenty guns, and a schooner of about sixteen guns. The...
16From John Adams to United States Congress, 3 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
The whole of the Intelligence, which has for sometime past been received from abroad, The Correspondences between this Government and the Ministers of the belligerent Powers residing here, and the Advices from the Officers of the United States civil and military, upon the Frontiers, all conspire to shew, in a very strong Light the critical Situation of our Country. That Congress might be...
17From John Adams to United States Congress, 22 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was, for sometime apprehensive, that it would be necessary, on account of the contagious Sickness which afflicted the City of Philadelphia, to convene the national Legislature, at Some other place. This measure, it was desireable to avoid,; because it would occasion much public Inconvenience, and a considerable public expence, and add to the calamities of the Inhabitants of this City, whose...
18From John Adams to United States Congress, 13 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I lay before you the Copy of a letter from the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, representing the inconvenience arising from altering the time of holding the Circuit Court for the State of Delaware, from April to June; and desiring that the existing law may be altered, by restoring the Spring-Session of the Circuit Court in Delaware to the 27th of April. DNA : RG 46—Records of...
19From John Adams to United States Congress, 30 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
In complyance with the desire of the two Houses of Congress, expressed in their resolution of the Second day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety Seven, that some speedy and effectual means might be adopted of obtaining information, from the States of Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tenessee, and South Carolina, whether they have ratified the...
20From John Adams to United States Congress, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary for the Department of War on the 30th day of December last made a representation to me of the situation of affairs in his office, which I now transmit to the Senate and House of Representatives, and recommend to their consideration and decision. Printed Source--A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. 10 vols. (Washington, 1896-1899)..
21From John Adams to United States Congress, 8 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now an Opportunity of transmitting to Congress, a Report of the Secretary of State with a Copy of an Act of the Legislature of the State of Kentucky, consenting to the Ratification of the Amendment of the Constitution of the United States proposed by Congress by in their Resolution of the Second day of December 1793, relative to the Suability of States. This Amendment, having been...
22From John Adams to United States Congress, 17 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
The situation of Affairs, between the United States, and the Cherokee Indians, having evinced the expediency of a Treaty with that Nation, for the promotion of Justice to them, as well as of the Interests and convenience of our Citizens, I have nominated, and by and with the Advice and consent of the Senate appointed Commissioners to hold conferences and conclude a Treaty, our Treaty, as early...
23From John Adams to United States Congress, 18 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
A representation has been made to me by the judge of the Pennsylvania district of the United States of certain inconveniences and disagreeable circumstances which have occurred in the execution of the law passed on the 28th day of May, 1796, entitled “An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt,” as well as of certain doubts which have been raised concerning its construction. This...
24From John Adams to United States Congress, 23 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the commencement of this session of Congress, I proposed in course of it, to communicate to both Houses, further information, concerning the situation of our Affairs, in the territories of the United States, situated on the Missisipi River, and in its Neighbourhood; our Intercourse with the Indian Nations; our Relations with the Spanish government, and conduct of their officers and...
25From John Adams to United States Congress, 2 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received from our Minister in London two Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, one passed on the fourth of July 1797 entitled “an Act for carrying into execution, the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation concluded between his Majesty and the United States of America” the other passed on the nineteenth day of July 1797 entitled “an Act for the regulating the Trade to be Carried on...
26From John Adams to United States Congress, 5 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received a letter from his Excellency Charles Pinckney Esqr. Governor of the State of South Carolina, dated the 22nd October 1797, inclosing a number of depositions of Witnesses to several captures and outrages committed within and near the limits of the United States by a French privateer, belonging to Cape Francois or Monte Christo, called the Vertitude or Fortitude and commanded by a...
27From John Adams to United States Congress, 12 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Law, I now present to both Houses of Congress, my annual account of Expenditures from the Contingent Fund during the year 1797. by which it appears, that on the first of January last there remained in the Treasury a Balance of Fifteen thousand, four hundred, and ninety four dollars and twenty four Cents, Subject to future dispositions of Government. DNA : RG 46—Records of...
28From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In the Report of the Secretary of State, and the documents, herewith transmitted, will be found such information as is in our possession, of the losses recovered by the citizens of the United States, under the treaty made with Great Britain, which are now presented to the House of Representatives, in compliannce with their request, in their resolution of the first of this month. DNA : RG...
29From John Adams to United States Congress, 20 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Law of the United States of the third of March 1797, entitled “an Act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation, for the prosecution of the Claims of certain Citizens of the United States for property captured by the Belligerent Powers,” I submit to Congress the account exhibited to me, by the Secretary of State, with his report of the seventeenth of this...
30From John Adams to United States Congress, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed memorial from the commissioners appointed under an act of the United States entitled “An act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States,” representing the situation and circumstances of the city of Washington, I take this opportunity to present to both Houses of the Legislature and recommend to their consideration. Alexander White,...
31From John Adams to United States Congress, 5 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
The first dispaches from our Envoys Extraordinary, since their arrival at Paris, were received at the secretary of states office at a late hour the last evening—They are all in a character, which will require some days to be decyphered, except the last, which is dated the 8th of January 1798—The contents of this Letter, are of so much importance to be immediately made known to Congress, and to...
32From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Dispatches, from the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic which were mentioned in my Message to both Houses of Congress of the fifth instant, have been examined and maturely considered. While I feel a Satisfaction in informing you, that their Exertions for the Adjustment of the Differences, between the two Nations have been sincere and unremitted, it is...
33From John Adams to United States Congress, 3 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the request of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of the second of this Month, I transmit to both Houses, those instructions to and dispatches from, the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic which were mentioned in my message of the nineteenth of March last, omitting only some names, and a few expressions descriptive of the...
34From John Adams to United States Congress, 4 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I now transmit to Congress, copies of all the communications, from our Envoys Extraordinary, received since their arrival in Paris, excepting, those before presented by me, to both Houses— DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
35From 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...
36From John Adams to United States Congress, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I, now transmit to Congress the dispatch number, 8. from our Envoys Extraordinary, to the French Republic, which was received at the Secretary of State’s office on thursday, the fourteenth day of this month DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
37From John Adams to United States Congress, 21 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
While, I congratulate you, on the arrival of General Marshall, one of our late Envoys Extraordinary, to the French republic, at a place of safety, where, he is justly held in honor, I think it my duty, to communicate to you, a Letter received by him, from Mr. Gerry, the only one of the three, who has not received his Congé, this Letter together with another from the Minister of foreign...
38From John Adams to United States Congress, 27 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received a Letter from his Excellency Thomas Mifflin Governor of Pennsylvania enclosing some documents, which I judge it my duty to lay before Congress without loss of time— As my opinion coincides entirely with that of his Excellency the Governor, I recommend the subject to the consideration of both Houses of Congress whose authority alone appears to me adequate to the occasion— DNA :...
39From John Adams to United States Congress, 8 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
While with reverence and resignation, we contemplate the dispensations of divine providence, in the alarming and destructive pestilence, with which several of our Cities and Towns have been visited there is cause for gratitude and mutual congratulations, that the malady has disappeared, and that we are again permitted to assemble in safety, at the seat of Government, for the discharge of our...
40From John Adams to United States Congress, 31 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
A report of the Secretary of war made to me on the twenty fourth of this month, relative to the military establishments, I think it my duty to transmit to congress, and recommend to their consideration DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
41From 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.
42From John Adams to United States Congress, 21 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
According to an intimation in my Message of fryday last, I now lay before Congress, a report of the Secretary of State, containing his Observations on some of the Documents which Attended it. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
43From John Adams to United States Congress, 28 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
An edict of the Executive directory of the French republic of the twenty ninth of October 1798, inclosed in a letter from our minister plenipotentiary in London, of the sixteenth of November, is of so much importance, that it cannot be too soon communicated to you & to the public DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
44From John Adams to United States Congress, 31 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received a report from the director of the mint on the state of the business committed to his superintendance, and a statement of the coinage of the mint of the United States, for the year 1798 which it is proper to lay before congress. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
45From John Adams to United States Congress, 15 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Message to the House of Representatives; Respecting the suspension of a French decree In pursuance of the request in your resolve of yesterday, I lay before you such information as I have received, touching a suspension of the arrêt of the French republic communicated to your house by my message of the 28th of January last. But if the execution of that arrêt be suspended, or even if it were...
46From John Adams to United States Congress, 2 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Judging it of importance to the Public that the Legislative should be informed of the gradual Progress of their maritime Resources I transmit to Congress a statement of the Vessells with their Tonnage, Warlike force and Compliment of Men to which Commissions as private armed Vessells have been given issued, Since the Ninth day of July last DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
47From John Adams to United States Congress, October 1799 (Adams Papers)
On the mission to France – To be independent of all nations and at peace with all has been the sincere desire of the United States. From the commencement of the present war in Europe unexampled in the history of modern times, the proceedings of our government, guided constantly and uniformly by this honorable and pacific maxim, have as constantly received the general approbation and steady...
48From John Adams to United States Congress, 3 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is, with peculiar Satisfaction, that I meet the Sixth Congress, of the United States of America.——Coming from all parts of the Union, at this critical, and interesting period, the members must be fully possessed, of the Sentiments and wishes of our Constituents. The flattering prospects of abundance, from the labours of the people, by land and by sea; the prosperity of our extended...
49From John Adams to United States Congress, 5 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
I transmit to Congress certain documents which have relation to the communications made on Tuesday on the subject of the insurrection in Pensylvania on the renewal of commerce with St Domingo and the mission to the French republic DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
50From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life our excellent fellow-citizen, George Washington, by the purity of his character and a long series of services to his country, rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for an affectionate and grateful people, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honors to his...