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...
15431To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Young Lafayette called to day, on his way to New York to embark for France. He left Genl. Washington last Friday perfectly well—and saw a letter from him dated on Saturday afternoon. But on his way, as he drew near to Philadelphia, was told the General was dead.—Mr. Simmons at the War Office told Major Lewis, who just now called to see me, that an Express had passed thro’ Derby with the news....
15432To John Adams from John Steward, 19 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Hounred Sir I your pitisioner John Steward A man that have had the houner to Serve the United States with my waggon and hourses for three years and six month during the Late War and I Never have Recived any thing for my past Labour And as the Lord have pleased to Aflick my with is holey Hand as I ham nott hable to help my Selfe out of the Bed with out help with Induse me to Lay my Compleant be...
15433From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of yesterday was brought to me to day at Dinner, a very pleasing Circumstance as it Shews the practicability of quick and frequent Intercourse between us.— The Chevalier de Yrujo’s Letter you mention, I shall probably have an Opportunity to See, as soon as I wish and therefore shall Say nothing to it at present.— I wish the Person, whoever he was, that undertook to publish your...
15434From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favour of the 16th.—Thank you for your care in writing to Mr Sands, who has furnished me with two thousand dollars for which I gave him duplicate Receipts to Serve for one, according to your desire. Though I rejoice to learn from your Letter that the Sickness in the City is diminishing, I cannot admit your Walk through the Principal Streets of it, to be full proof; because it...
15435To John Adams from James McHenry, 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by yesterdays mail your dispatch of the 20 September Ult. Major Lovell sent it from Pittsburg and expected to be here in a few days. The Spaniards it seems have thought proper to make a new move on the Chessboard and fall down the Mississippi. I shall offer no opinion as to its object: It is enough that it serves to discredit them among the Northwestern Indians who will find some...
15436To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have according to the Presidents desire continued to observe the progress of the sickness in Philadelphia.—I have been several times at my own House in Spruce Street & through all the central parts of the City—the panick has subsided, and all agree that the disorder is almost entirely confined to Southwark—The effect of the weather is uniform: cool weather & frosts are unfavourable to the...
15437To 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...
15438Epitomy, and Remarks on Actions of Ministers at Paris, 22 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Epitomy No. 1. Oct. 22. 1797. On the 5th. verbally informed Talleyrand, of their arrival. On the 6th. Major Rutledge carried a Letter of that date to Talleyrand On the 8th. They made their first Visit to Talleyrand, at one, not at home at 3 called again. Engaged with Portuguese, who soon retired. They were admitted and presented a Copy of their Credentials. T. employed about a report. In a few...
15439To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit the following letters and copies of letters and to request that the originals may be returned with such orders as you may think proper. vz. No. 1. Copy of a letter dated the 16th of Octbr. to Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson. No. 2. (a) Instructions to Capn. Pierce dated 16 Octbr. (b) Instructions to a detachment expected from Tenessee at Massac. (c) Instructions to Majr....
15440To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter under date of the 15th of this month on the 20th inst. In conformity with your desire therein, that I should commit to writing such things as I might judge necessary to be communicated or recommended to Congress at the opening of the session I beg leave to report as follows. It does not appear to me from any thing that has come to my knowlege, that...
15441To 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...
15442To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning I received letters from Mr. Bulkeley, our new consul, dated at Lisbon the 26th & 29th & 30th of August. Mr. Smith embarked in the same ship with him at Philadelphia, the 20th of July, and they arrived at Lisbon the 20th of August. Mr. Smith would have written, if he had known of the conveyance; but he was in the country at Mr. Bulkeley’s father’s. Mr. Bulkeley’s information...
15443To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 24 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
During the Plague at Algiers in July last Mr Barlow wrot me Several letters very pressingly requesting I would Send over some person of my confidence to attend to the buseness of the United States While he should return to Europe as was absolutely necessary for him at that period. I had then no person I could depend on but my own Nephew Mr George Clark, from whom I have Just received the...
15444To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of acknowledging the rect. of your favour of Oct. 20th.— What I have written respecting the state of the City has been my most sincere belief. I have fullfilled what I supposed to be the Presidents wish, by seeking for information of the most authentic kind—In proof that my opinion is not a singular one, I take the liberty to mention that the Custom House business is expected...
15445From John Adams to Rev. William Walter, 24 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 15th with two Volumes of Essays from the beneficent Genius of Count Rumford. If you have labored through the three Volumes of my defence of the Constitutions, you have done them an honor that very few other men of letters have taken the trouble to bestow on them (They were written with a view of not only composing the ferment in America which produced...
15446From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 26 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you, for the Summary in your Letter of the 23d. of the dispaches from Mr Pinckney, Mr Murray, Mr Bulkley &c. Mr Murray arrived in Season to renew his old Friendship with his Predecessor. They had spent Some weeks together at the Hague, more than a dozen years ago. Mr Adams had an opportunity to introduce Mr Murray to his Friends and to communicate to him the train of Affairs,...
15447From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 20th and thank you for your vigilant attention to the Progress or rather to the decline of the Fever in Philadelphia. I request your explicit opinion, and pray you, if you can, to obtain those of Mr McHenry and Mr Lee; whether from the Prevalence of contagious Sickness in Philadelphia, or the Existence of any other Circumstances it would be hazardous to the Lives...
15448To John Adams from John Parrish, 26 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Observing in the public Prints under New York heads of the 17st instant that “the President of the United States intended honouring the Theatre in Johns Street with his presence, and that a Box was engaged for his reception”— My mind was led into serious reflection on the influence of Example so conspicuous as that the Chief Ruler filling the highest Station of Confidence and respect in...
15449From John Adams to James McHenry, 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 22d and thank you for your Sentiments, with which in general I very well agree. At the Same time I recd your other Letter of the Same Date with its Inclosures all of which I return to you with this.—I thank you Sir for your indefatigable Attention to all these Subjects. The Letters and Instructions to the Officers especially to General Wilkinson appear...
15450From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Favour of the 24th. and thank you for your careful attention to the distemper in Philadelphia. Representaions Similar to yours are sent me from various quarters. That there would be considerable public Inconvenience, in a Convention of Congress to any place out of Philadelphia, is certain, and this consideration has great Weight:—that there would be much popular Clamour, at...