101From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [2 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I received from you not long since a letter on the subject of a fit person for naval Agent which in the hurry of my business I forgot. I think you mentioned in it for consideration Col Stevens & Mr. Blagg. Col Stevens is an active man not wanting in intelligence who has latterly been employed in navigation & probably has some relative ideas. He is however pretty largely in other business &...
102From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [5 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
The answer from The President to the Commander in Chief &c of New Jersey contains in the close a very indiscreet passage. The sentiment is intemperate & revolutionary. It is not for us, particularly for the Government, to breathe an irregular or violent spirit. Hitherto I have much liked the Presidents answers, as in the main within proper bounds & calculated to animate and raise the public...
103Enclosure: Further Measures Adviseable to Be Taken without Delay, [5 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Further measures adviseable to be taken without delay I To authorise the President to proceed forthwith to raise the 10000 men already ordered. II To establish an academy for naval & military instruction. This is a very important measure and ought to be permanent. III To provide for the immediate raising of a corps of Non Commissioned officers (viz) serjeants & Corporals sufficient with the...
104From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [25 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I understand that the Collector of Philadelphia will speedily offer his resignation & that McPherson does not incline to be the successor—but that Major Jackson is desirous of it. If all this be so—and if your experience of his conduct in his present station gives you a confidence that he would execute the Office of Collector well, it would gratify me to see him appointed. Jackson has more...
105From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [28 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Col Burr sets out today for Philadelphia. I have some reasons for wishing that the administration may manifest a cordiality to him. It is not impossible he will be found a useful cooperator. I am aware there are different sides but the case is worth the experiment. He will call on McHenry upon going to the City. Yrs. truly ALS , Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. H and Aaron Burr were...
106From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [29 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment seen a Bill brought into the Senate intitled a Bill to define more particularly the crime of Treason &c. There are provisions in this Bill which according to a cursory view appear to me highly exceptionable & such as more than any thing else may endanger civil War. I have not time to point out my objections by this post but I will do it tomorrow. I hope sincerely the thing...
107From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [6 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
You are probably apprised that in announcing to the General Officers their appointments, they are told that the emoluments are to be suspended until called into actual service and that as a consequence of this plan they are to remain inactive. The project suits admirably my private arrangements, by leaving me to pursue in full extent my profession. But I believe it accords neither with the...
108From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Mr Pope, the Collector of New Bedford requesting to be appointed to Superintend the Building a Light House on Gayhead, to which I request your attention. I am, Sir with great regard / Your Most Obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
109From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Col. Dawes has declined his Appointment and I have determined to appoint Thomas Davis Esqr in his place of first Commissioner. I return the Papers that you may request the secretary of State to alter the Commission if he can. It would be a very unlucky loss of time, to send a new Commission to me for signature and after that for me to return it to the secretary of State for the seal of the...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 21 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two letters of the 9th. reached this place during an absence on necessary business which only terminated on Saturday. Our friend McHenry has adopted the ideas suggested to him. And you may rely on my effectual cooperation. At the same time, as a total dislocation of residence, to fulfil in all its extent the idea you intimate, would be unqualified ruin to me, I must endeavor to avoid it....
111From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 22 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
No one knows better than yourself how difficult and oppressive is the collection even of taxes very moderate in their amount if there be a defective circulation. According to all the phœnomena which fall under my notice this is our case in the interior parts of the Country. Again Individual Capitals & consequently the faculty of direct loans is not very extensive in the U States. The Banks can...
112From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letters will shew you the reason for appointing Elijah Brigham Esqr of Westborough to be a commissioner & I pray you to procure a commission to be sent me to sign. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
113From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 22d. Inclosed is the commission to Mr. Woolsey Burton signed. Can you tell me any news of Mr. Brisler my steward & the rest of my Family left at Philadelphia. I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
114From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Please to write to Gen. Lincoln authorizing him to furnish me money out of the appropriation for my salary, while I remain here. I intended to have asked you for such a letter & brought it with me, but you was necessarily absent in Conntt. You may limit him to any sum you think proper; but I shall have occasion for all my salary while I remain here I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
115From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 27 of Aug. & return the commission for Mr Thomas Davis signed by your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
116From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 4 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return the blank commission signed with the name of Elijah Brigham inserted, according to the advices in my letter to you of the 29 Ult. I have the honor to be &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
117From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you a Commission signed for Moses Robinson Junr, upon your recommendation and that of Mr Jonathan Hunt. I have no difficulty in believing that he may be a good Commissioner. How is Father came to be so wrongheaded I never could account. I have / the Honor to be, Sir your humble / Servant. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
118From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition of Robert Watson for a pardon which I refer to you for your consideration & report to Your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
119From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 6th & thank you for a letter of credit on Gen Lincoln for 766, 66/100 dollars of which I shall receive from time to time such sums as I shall have occasion for & give receipts as you propose. My Steward is at Trenton ferry on the Pensylvania side of the river at the ferry house. The distress of the poor at Philadelphia is so great that I pray you to subscribe...
120From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 16 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the commissions for William Hunter Cavendish of Virginia & Cornelius Howard of Maryland. I le also inclose to you letters from James Brackenridge Esqr. Robert Gorsuch, Daniel Bowley and have the honor to be Sir / your most &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
121From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the Commissions for William Hunter Cavendish of Virginia and Cornelius Howard of Maryland signed, and have the Honor to be, Sir your most &c Also are inclosed letters from James Brackenbridge Esqr Robert Gorsuch & Daniel Rowley. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
122From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 18 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 18, 1798. On September 19, 1798, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your Letter of yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
123From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr Andrew Halliburton of Portsmouth has called this morning upon me with the inclosed letters, which I transmit to you for your consideration with all other letters & recommendations you may receive relative to the succession to the naval office With great esteem &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
124From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr Andrew Halliburton of Portsmouth has called this morning upon me with the inclosed Letters, which I transmit to you for your consideration with all other Letters and Recommendations you may receive, relative to the Succession to the Naval Office. With great Esteem &c CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
125From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 17th and read it over and over again, with all the attention I am master of. The long continued dangerous sickness of my best friend, and her still precarious destiny, have thrown my mind into a state of depression, agitation and anxiety, which will not admit of a full discussion of the various points on which, you and I appear to differ in opinion. I will...
126From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr. Abiel Foster recommending Edward St loe Livermore to be naval officer at Portsmouth which you will please to weigh with others. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
127From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Kinchen Turner of Virginia requesting to be appointed a commissioner to value lands houses &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
128From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the full powers to borrow five million and two million signed according to your report made to me and dated the 20th. of September. The duplicates I shall send by another opportunity if those should not arrive to you. This is I suppose as you intended I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
129From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 30 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Attention to my request and for the trouble you have taken in writing the Letter &c I hope the Post Office will not be robbed by any of the Societies of Illuminati, German Union, United Irishmen &c who are Said to be so inquisitive in Post offices in America as well as Europe. CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
130From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
By virtue of the Act entituled “An Act to enable the President of the United States to borrow money for the public service”, passed on the Sixteenth day of July in the year One thousand seven hundred and Ninety Eight. I do hereby authorize and empower you, by yourself or any other person or persons to borrow on behalf of the United States, of the Bank of the United States, or any other body or...
131From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
By virtue of the Act entituled “An Act making certain appropriations; and to authorize the President to obtain a loan on the credit of the direct tax.” passed on the sixteenth day of July in the year One thousand seven hundred and Ninety Eight. I do hereby authorize and empower you by yourself, or any other person or persons to borrow on behalf of the United States of the Bank of the United...
132From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Letters relative to the Appointment to the Naval office at Portsmouth. Oliver Whipple is the only One that has been presented whose Pretentions deserve much Attention in competition with Mr Edward St. Loe Livermore: But upon the whole I think Mr Livermore ought to be appointed. He is able, popular, honourable and I believe will give general satisfaction. If you think so, he may be...
133From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr. Millers report of September 23d relative to a light house near the entrance of George Town harbour in the state of South Carolina approved. I have The honor to be Sir your humble / servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
134From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the commissions for Maxwell Armstrong & Alexander Nelson signed according to the recommendation, inclosed in yours of the first of this month which I here enclose I am Sir your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
135From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is time to consider whether it will be prudent for congress to meet in Philadelphia & also what communications & recommendations will be necessary in the address to both houses. I request you to turn your thoughts upon these subjects & write me your opinions as early as may be I have the honor to be &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
136From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is time to consider whether it will be prudent for Congress to meet in Phyladelphia; and also what Communications and Recommendations will be necessary in the Address to both Houses. I request you to turn your Thoughts upon these Subjects and write me your opinions as early as may be. I have the Honor to be, Sir / your most obedient CtHi : Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Papers.
137From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I returned the commission for Gen. Thomas Posey with papers inclosed in your favor of the 5 which I received last night. I have received your other favor of the 5th inclosing Mr. Pattens letter for which I thank you. I am Sir your / most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
138From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the pardon of Wanton signed & pray you to have the seal of the US official affixed & the man liberated as soon as possible being convinced that humanity & the public good will justify it. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
139From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 31 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I return you the commissions inclosed in yours of the 22d signed and desire you to fill the blanks with the names you report in favor of. I return you the letters of recommendation you sent me & send you a letter from Mr McDowel I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
140From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 20 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 20, 1798. On December 21, 1798, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your favour of the 20th.” Letter not found. ]
141From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have embraced every opportunity since the receipt of yours of the 21st to obtain light on the subject of the loan. But my research has been essentially fruitless. Opinions are as various as they are vague. You must therefore conjecture, and you ought to act on the sure side for selling the loan. For my part, I retain the opinion that the loan ought to be upon eight per Cent Interest, the...
142From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is natural for people where their interest is concerned to die hard. Mr. Juhel, the bearer of this, goes to Philadelphia to lay before you some supplementary evidence with regard to the Ship Germania, which he hopes may vary your determination. At his request I give him this line to you merely to say—that he is a Merchant of this City of Reputation, and so far as his conduct has fallen...
143From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hope you will have understood that I did not mean by any thing in my late letter to blame the plan pursued with regard to vessels arriving contrary to the Non-Intercourse laws. I mean only to give you testimony of the character of an Individual & to place before you my professional ideas of the defective wording of the law as a kind of caution in the execution. I agree with you that the...
144From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 2 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday, your favor of 25th March, & thank you for the letter inclosed in it to Gen Lincoln. I am glad to learn that the discontents in Northampton are not increasing. I wish the expence of marching a force against the malcontents could be laid upon them alone.—Our elections are supposed to have gone very well.—much better than had been feared and expected. In a violent snowstorm,...
145From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of 25 Marche and thank you for the Letter inclosed in it to Gen Lincoln. I am glad to learn that the discontents in Northampton are not increasing. I wish the Expence of marching a force against the Malcontents could be laid upon them alone—Our Elections are supposed to have gone very well—Much better than had been feared and expected. In a violent Snow Storm,...
146From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you in confidence the copy of a letter of this date to the Secretary of War and of the plan to which it refers. Consider it well. Make the Secretary of War talk to you about it, without letting him know that I have sent it to you—And urge the establishment of some plan which will effectually organise this important branch of our Military service. The proper course in the interior of the...
147From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd yesterday your favour of the 4th. and am so well satisfied with the Recommendations of Mr Elijah Barrett of Cambden Kent County, in the State of Delaware, as to be very willing to sign his Commission: but unluckily the Blank Commission which you intended to send was not inclosed. The recommendations of Lamberton Cooper to be surveyor and Inspector for the Port of Middleton, in...
148From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 25 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two blank commissions, signed & am satisfyed with the recommendations of Robert Chesley to succeed his father. If a real reformation should take place in Northhampton county in consequence of a consciencious conviction of their crime & error, it would be happy; but a cessation of opposition from fear only, may last no longer than the terror. I am Sir your most obedient Servant MHi...
149From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the two blank Commissions, signed and am satisfied with the recommendations of Robert Chesley, to succeed his Father. If a real reformation should take place in Northampton County, in consequence of a consciencious Conviction of their Error & Crime it would be happy: but a cessation of opposition from fear only, may last no longer than the terror. I am, Sir your most obt. CtHi .
150From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
When lately in Philadelphia, I mention’d to you that the Secretary of War had given me to expect some Communication from you previous to the Execution of an Order which he has given me respecting a Military Escort to protect the marking of an Indian boundary line. This is intended to remind you of the matter and to repeat to you that I wait for this Communication. With great respect I have...