15381To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I removed my family and office to this place, to avoid the danger from the present contagious fever in Philadelphia; and the progress of the disease since last Thursday (the day of departure) shows that the removal was long enough delayed. A letter from the Director of the Mint dated, and received by me, yesterday, announced the death of the Treasurer, Dr. Way; an event greatly to be lamented,...
15382To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter was forwarded, I have received the inclosed letters from Judge Patterson & Mr. McHenry, mentioning the names and characters of candidates for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Probably more will be presented; and as the prevalence of the fever in Philadelphia will for some time interrupt the operations of the mint, there will be no inconvenience in suspending your...
15383To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here on Sunday evening, to which place the Treasury offices had been removed. The state of the City is much more unpleasant than I expected to find it; business is nearly suspended; about fifteen hundred houses are entirely deserted, and more than half of the people have left the City—The mortality has not & I believe will not be great, as the danger of contagion will be generally...
15384To John Adams from Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, 8 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
The office of Treasurer of the Mint having become vacant by the Death of Dr. Way permit me most respectfully to offer myself a Candidate for the same. A series of misfortunes to a Son in Law of mine occasioned by french Captures have also affected me very materially, and being at present out of public Employment, I have both Leisure and Inclination to attend to the Duties of this or any other...
15385To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Of the two applicants for the office of Treasurer of the mint mentioned by Judge Patterson, one of them, Mr. Huger, must be in some measure known to you. I have several times seen him at the boarding house of Mr. Goodhue, Hillhouse &c. in Philadelphia, and from his conversations I had placed his abilities in the lowest grade. I understand he was sometimes disabled by the gout; & am much...
15386To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter was forwarded, I have received the inclosed letters from Judge Patterson & Mr. McHenry, mentioning the names and characters of candidates for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Probably more will be presented; and as the prevalence of the fever in Philadelphia will for some time interrupt the operations of the mint, there will be no inconvenience in suspending your...
15387To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 12 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Having by a late arrival, from Aux Cayes received advice of the death of our Consul resident there, I have been requested by a number of respectable merchants to acquaint you of the Circumstance, as also of the Expediency in appointing a Successor; in the number of Characters they mention for this purpose, a Mr: George Sanderson native of Lancaster in the State of Pensylvania, but at present...
15388To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your two letters of the 4th instant, and am happy in your approbation of the matters therein referred to. Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Francis Nichols, offering himself a candidate for the office of Treasurer of the mint. He was an officer in the Pennsylvania line in the war of our revolution. He now lives at Pottsgrove in that State. He...
15389To John Adams from William Cocke, 14 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
To inform you that a large number of respectable citizens of the State of Tennessee are found to be within the limits of the Indian Claims. Justice requires that I should speak to you in plain and decided language. When I last had the honour to converse with you and Secretary of War on the subject, I felt myself highly pleased at the assurance you then gave me that you would take the matter...
15390To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from John Q. Adams Esqr. dated at London the 19th. acknowledging the receipt of my letters informing of his appointment to the Court of Berlin, and that he should remain in London until his instructions should arrive. He regrets the publication of extracts from some of his letters, such as that of Novr. 4. relative to the conduct of the Dutch Republic, as it would...
15391To John Adams from John Searson, 14 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to say, I thought my self happy when I waited on you personally (previous to the Publication of my Poems in Philadelphia) when I thought I had your Countenance of approbation for Encouraging Literature, and your Benevolent disposition, this was previous to your appointment to the Presidency. But alas! A few days previous to your leaving, Philadelphia when I wish’d to have...
15392From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was not till last night that I received your favours of the 5. of the month. I am happy to learn that your Family and office are removed to Trenton, which I hope will proove a Place of Safety from the Contagion of the Plague of Philadelphia, as it is a well chosen Situation for the Business of your office. Dr. Way, I knew not: but his Character is such as excites a deep regret for his...
15393From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of Septr. 7. Many Applications have been made to me for the Place of Dr Way. Mr Muhlenbourg, Mr. Huger, Mr Knapp Dr Jackson, and Dr Rush, besides those you have mentioned, have presented themselves as Candidates, and Mr Mumford of Philadelphia formerly of Rhode Island. These are all respectable Characters: but all Things considered my Judgment inclines to Dr...
15394To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the application of Mr. James Sykes of the State of Delaware, to be appointed Treasurer of the mint. It is perhaps ten years or more since I saw Mr. Sykes at my friend Mr. Doz’s. I had more acquaintance with his father, who sustained a good character, and was clerk of the county court in Kent County. His son, Mr. James Sykes, I suppose is the physician, and I believe a gentleman well...
15395To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose the celebrated speech of Pastoret, in the Council of Five Hundred, concerning the subsisting relations between France and the United States. I have had it translated, and it will be published in the beginning of the ensuing week in Fenno’s news-paper. I inclose a letter, I suppose from Dr. Hall of Yorktown in Pennsylvania, with one from General Miller...
15396From John Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 17 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 12th. Will you be so good, as to write to Col Pickering the Sect of State at Trenton, the substance of what you have written me, concerning Mr George Sanderson of Lancaster in Pensylvania & other candidates for the consulship at aux Cayes that he may be able to lay before me in one view all the applications. Your electioneering campaign will be an easy one,...
15397To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 17 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
If I had not supposed, that the Hon. John Quincy Adams, your worthy and amiable Son, would have forwarded to Your Excellency one of the Copy’s of my Discourse on Socrates, considered as a Citizen ; if I had not expected I could write You with freedom and tranquillity on my own affairs, and announce You the end of all the troubles and persecutions, of which my steady adherence to the Cause of...
15398To John Adams from Alexander Moultrie, 17 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is with backwardness, that I again Trespass, with an Epistolary Intrusion, on your Moments:—but the Honor you have confered on me, in the Answer to my late application, calls on me irresistibly to express to you, my Sensibility & Gratitude, for the very polite attention you have paid to that application; as well as the Manner, in which you have communicated it.—I beg leave Sir to assure...
15399To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 18 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
By an arrival this morning from Greenich we hope accounts from London to the 9th August, by which it appears that there is an official confirmation of the Dutch Fleet having Sailed from the Texel—that the approach of a Certain body of Troops near to Paris had created the most Serious alarm, and Commotion—that the Negotiations at Lisle were said to be broken off, for the moment, for the...
15400From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was not till last night that I received your favors of the 5th of the month. I am happy to learn that your family and office are removed to Trenton, which I hope will prove a place of safety from the contagion of the plague of Philadelphia, as it is a well-chosen situation for the business of your office. Dr. Way I knew not; but his character is such as excites a deep regret for his death....
15401To John Adams from Jan Willink, 19 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Dr. the Honorable John Adams Esqr. of Philadelphia His Account Current, Cr. 1795 Aug 13 To Balance of Account ƒ 176. 13 " " " Sundry Goods p Captn. Gardner for Boston 513. 2 26 " a Bond of the US No. 1751 at 98 pc 980.
15402To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter just recd from Judge Patterson, recommending Dr. James Hall of York-town, Pennsylvania, for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Last week I transmitted to you Pastoret’s speech in the Council of Five Hundred on the conduct of the French Executive directory & their agents towards the United States. I now inclose an anonymous answer, at once weak and...
15403To John Adams from Jan Willink, 19 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
General Marshall handed to us your esteemed favor of the 14th. July inclosing a number of Coupons to be invested in fresch stocks, of the United States, in consequence we re purchased 4 Oblg.: of ƒ1000—each No. 852 & 853, 2692 & 2673 at 84 per Ct. of the Loan of 4 per C intrest Whch. please to find charged in the abstr: of Y/a inclosed, whch. ballance in our favor we transfer on new accts....
15404To 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...
15405To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the copy of a letter from Robert Morris Esqr. dated yesterday, accompanied with information from a Mr. Rees who is attending the treaty held at his request with the Seneka Indians at Genesee River, where doubtless the Chief of others of the six Nations are assembled. It confirms our other accounts of the attempts of the Spaniards to seduce the Indians from our Territory, with a view...
15406From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 22 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your Favour of the 16th. The Speech of Pastoret I had before received by two Conveyances from France, from an old Acquaintance, whom I had not heard from, before for thirteen Years. The Applications from Dr. Hall, and General Miller as well as that of Col. Francis Nicholls mentioned in your Letter of the 12th, and those of Mr. Huger and Dr. Conover mentioned in your two Letters of...
15407From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 23 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of Septr. Mr Storer is a Man of Science and Letters, a Merchant of acknowledged Accuracy and unblemished Reputation, many years Treasurer of the University of Cambridge, and of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, in both of which offices he has acquitted himself with Punctuality. His Connections are numerous and respectable. His Age is the only Objection to him: but his...
15408To 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...
15409To John Adams from Samuel B. Malcom, 26 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
In addition to the honor; I have the peculiar Satisfaction to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 17th Inst: Agreeably to your Commands I have acquainted the Secretary of State, thro’ the medium of Mr George Taylor, who departs hence, this day for Trenton with the circumstances relative to George Sanderson— I am happy to observe your favorable impressions with respect to the issue of...
15410To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 15th. instant. The enclosed papers relative to the Collectorship of Norfolk confirm the Presidents preference of Otway Byrd. I shall therefore consider the appointment as settled in his favour. Doct. Rushs pretensions founded on public services & celebrity of character are certainly superiour to any of the Candidates who have been named. I do not...
15411To John Adams from American Spectator, 28 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
The American Spectator desires the President of the United States to accept of this little Volume, as a small token of ardent esteem for his pre-eminent talents, patriotism and virtue. The object, at least , which it embraces, must meet the approbation of a gentleman, distinguished for every conjugal & parental excellence, and cultivating, with his amiable sentimental Partner, the fondest...
15412To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 29 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you, from considerations both of duty and of prudence, a copy of a letter recd by me last Night from an English Master workman, who has made proposals to this office at 32000 Dollars for erecting a light House upon Cape Hatteras, and at 16000 Dollars for erecting a lighted Beacon House at castle Island. This attempt is at once so dishonest and imprudent, that I...
15413To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge your Letter of the 4th. instant—The dispersed situation of the Offices prevented me from knowing when I wrote last, that Mr. Storer had been appointed Inspector; though his qualifications are not known to me personally, yet as they known to the President, I cannot entertain a doubt that the Office is properly filled. Mr. Hopkinson will be perfectly satisfied as...
15414From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letters of Septr 14. 15. and 19th. The Letters inclosed in them, from Govr. Sinclair, Judge Patterson and Dr. James Sykes, I return to you inclosed with this, that you may be able to preserve together all the Papers, relative to the successor to Dr. Way in the Treasury of the Mint. Tomorrow I shall sett out on my Journey to the Southward, and shall Stop at East Chester...
15415To John Adams from James McHenry, 3 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed dispatches from Brigr. General Wilkinson were received the 28th of Sept. ulto. The next day I thought it proper to write a letter to Capt. Guion (a copy of which is annexed) to prevent him from mistaking his duty or misunderstanding any longer the instructions I had sent him, which to me had appeared sufficiently explicit. He seems however to have got tired of one thing, I mean,...
15416To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I arrived home on Saturday evening with my family;—I did not arrive at New York so soon as was expected by one day, this rendered it impossible for me to pay my respects to the President without being detained on the Road till this week, which would have been very inconvenient, I am desired by Genl. McPherson to inform the President that the Troops of the City & vicinity are desirous of...
15417To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was honoured with your letter of the 2d.—Yesterday I saw Dr. Rush at this place. His information agrees with what I have heard from others, that very few persons have the yellow fever in the city of Philadelphia. The sickness is principally among the poor people in Southwark . The Doctor is now about four miles from Trenton, & I will endeavour to see him before he returns to...
15418To John Adams from Jacob Morton, 9 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer is charged with a Communication from Mr. Malcom to the President, the object of which is to ascertain the time of his arrival that we may pay him those respects which we feel are his due—We wish if possible to receive notice the evening previous to his arrival, as it takes some time to communicate the necessary orders to the Troops— Will you be good enough to convey to me by the...
15419To John Adams from Jacob Morton, 9 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Military of this City being desirous of testifying their respect to the President of the United States on his arrival by being under arms on the occasion, and the command of the Detachment which has been ordered out haveing been given to me, I would be greatly obliged to you, if you would make some arrangement by which his Excellency shall be informed of the intentions of the Military, and...
15420To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Hearing Daniel W. Coxe, brother of Tench Coxe Esqr. had returned from New-Orleans, I wished to obtain what information he had collected in that quarter relative to the affairs of the United States. On the 6th instant I recd. from Tench Coxe an extract of a letter from his brother of which a copy is now inclosed.—On account of the commercial affairs of D. W. Coxe at New-Orleans, the...
15421From John Adams to Samuel B. Malcom, 11 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Soon after my Arrival at Col Smiths this Evening, I received your favour of the 10th inclosing a Letter to you from Mr Morton of the 10th desiring to be informed of the hour of my intended Arrival at Newyork— Having a good deal of Business to do, it was my Intention to have passed a few days with my Daughter at this Place, previous to my Journey to the City, and in case this would be most...
15422From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 12 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night I arrived at Col. Smiths, and my Family will probably make this House their home till they can go to Philadelphia with Safety. Your Reasons against convening Congress at any other Place than Philadelphia, have great Weight: but must all be overruled, if the Plague continues in that City. Perhaps it may not be necessary to remove many of the Books and Papers of the Public offices to...
15423From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 14 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 7th. and the duplicate of it, and that of the ninth, with their Enclosures, I received last night— Dr Rush has so many motives to wish that Congress may assemble in Philadelphia, that his Testimony must be weighed with certain Grains of allowance. It is but a small consolation to the Senators and Representatives of the United States to say that the malignant Contagion is but...
15424From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you, a day or two ago, on the necessary Article of money: but am afraid I did not express myself with earnestness enough to convey an adequate Idea of my Necessities. This shall be your Warrant for signing a Warrant in my behalf, if that is necessary, for two thousand dollars of my salary, which I pray you to convey to me in Postnotes, on New York, as soon as possible. The Question...
15425To John Adams from Rev. William Walter, 14 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
having left Your Seat at Quincy earlier than I had expected deprived me of the Pleasure of paying my respects to Mrs. Adams & your Excellency and thanking you for the Information & Satisfaction which I had recently received from the Perusal of your Letters on the Constitutions of the American States— The same Reason prevents me the Honor of delivering with my own hands two more of the volumes...
15426From John Adams to Charles Lee, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is my design to remain here, and at New york, till the day of the Meeting of Congress, or at least within a few days of it.— You will oblige me by giving me your Opinion whether the Epidemical Distemper in Philadelphia, is so dangerous to the Lives or health of the Members as to render a Proclamation necessary to convene Congress at some other place; and by committing to Writing and...
15427From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I arrived, with my Family at this Place four days ago and propose to remain here and at New york, till the Meeting of Congress. Letters addressed to me, to the Care of Charles Adams Esqr. Counsellor at Law in New york, will Soon find me. I pray you to commit to Writing such Things are you judge necessary to be communicated or recommended to Congress at the opening of the session, and convey...
15428To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your letter of the 12th from East Chester. I wrote you on the 7th by duplicates, in answer to your letter of the 2d, in which you directed future letters to be addressed to you at East Chester, one sent to the postmaster at New-Haven, where I supposed it might you on tuesday the 10th, and the other to New-York, to the care of your son. On the 9th I wrote you a...
15429To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 16 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to recieve your favour of the 12th instant, and congratulate you on your safe arrival so near the Seat of Government. To prevent the possibility of risque in remitting you the sum of Two thousand Dollars, I inclose a Letter to Mr. Sands who will pay that sum to your order. The sickness is unquestionably diminishing in the City: its operation is the same as in 1793 in one...
15430From John Adams to James McHenry, 17 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your Letter of the 24th of Sept: with Inclosures— I am Very Sorry to learn your health has been interrupted, and heartily hope it is fully restored— I return with this all the papers I have received from you to this time—I have read them, but find nothing which requires any particular observations from me—My Sentiments are in concord with yours, and I pray you to...