16711From John Adams to William Smith, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Pleasure of Mr. Smith’s Company to Dine, on thursday next, at ½ past 2 o’clock. An answer is requested. MHi : Adams Papers.
16712From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
We shall never get the constitution to sea, by any means that I know of. After much enquiry I found no body particularly accquainted with Talman, tho many knew him. All agreed that he was a man of property & respectable character. I accordingly sent on by the post your letter to him with his commission. Now I find he is not liked. I desired Talbot to make enquiry—the result you have in the...
16713From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of June 29, and have read the Proposal inclosed in it from the Collectors of Phyladelphia and New York and request you to carry them into Execution. I perfectly agree with you in your preference of Brick to Wood. I return you Mr. Latimers and Mr. Sands’s Proposals. CtHi .
16714To John Adams from Robert Leslie, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. King, as well as several other Gentlemen from America, having informed me that several improvements were yet wanting on the present method of Coining the Specie of the United States, I have for some time turned my attention to that object and have examined all the most improved Machines and the method of using them, as practised in this Kingdom; I therefore venture to address myself to...
16715To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a Letter from Genl. Hamilton, recommending Mr. Frederick N. Hudson for the Appointment of Midshipman in the Navy—Capt. Talbot is desirous of having this young Gentleman with him—I have therefore, enclosed his Warrant, which will require your signature, if you think fit that the Appointment should be made. I have the honor to be, sir / with the greatest respect &...
16716To John Adams from William Alexander Humphrey Graham, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
With in six years past I have written to you for your Binifit in an Inteligible style in our English Tongue—how these Letters have been presented to you I am not Abl to say I am Embarrassed with that diffidence not with Impertinent tales or Intermedling. further than our & my Rights & dues demand I have Intimated a part of my Employment in Vermont since last July past.—I have Repeatedly...
16717To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received this morning a letter from the Secretary of the Northwestern Territory, informing that the reports propagated in the news-papers of Indian depredations in the two western counties of the Territory & in Shelby county in Kentuckey, are utterly destitute of foundation. I inclose a letter which came to hand yesterday under a cover from a Christopher McPherson at Norfolk. A letter...
16718To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of two letters of the 24th and one of the 28th of June ulto, and two of the 1 July Inst. Inclosed are lists of names of candidates recommended to fill vacancies in the 9th. 10th. 14th. & 15th. Regiments of Infantry, all which are respectfully submitted. You will perceive that Mr. Benjamin Shaw of Marblehead is first named in the proposed...
16719From John Adams to James McHenry, 7 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
As It is an excellent Principle for every Man in public Life, to magnify his office and make it honourable I admire the Dexterity with which you dignify yours by representing an Army and means adequate to its Support as the first thing necessary to make the nation respected. Genius in a General is oftener, an Instrument of divine Vengeance, than a Guardian Angell. Stoddert I warrant you,...
16720To John Adams from Silas Talbot, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the 3d. in answer to your Excellency’s favor of the 1st: Inst. I took the Liberty in a note to suggest, whether it might not be deemed best as the ship Constitution was now ready for sea, Except as to her number of men, to have that compliment made up out of the Boston. I also then ment to convey an Idea that I had been authorised by the Secretary of the Navy, to pospone the...
16721From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The constitution employs my thoughts by day & my dreams by night. Capt. Talbot has written to you in his letter of the 7th of June, which I return. His candid & impartial opinions, according to the information he received. But Beale was absent by the advice of his physicians & Hull was present. I mean no insinuation by this against Mr. Hull, whose character is in my mind fair, & his conduct...
16722From John Adams to Silas Talbot, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of this days date by Mr Tarbell & had before received your note.—I can give no answer to any of your propositions nor determine any thing concerning officers or men untill I know who is to command the Constitution. Your refusal to accept the commission has ruined all my designs. It was altogether unexpected to me. I know not the facts at present with...
16723To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
In your letter of december 15th, referring to General Marshall’s journal, You are pleased to observe, “that my seperate , & secret conferences with Talleyrand, & my advocating a stipulation for a loan, to be paid after the war, will do no good to me or to the public,” & that “Pinckney & Martial will attest to the correctness of this journal, & will be beleived .” My conferences with Mr....
16724To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit the Proceedings of a Court Martial on Joseph Perkins, a private in Capn. Ingersols company; also a letter from Major General Hamilton dated the 3d July inst; with two forms, one a pardon, and the other a warrant of execution. With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, / your most ob. & hble. st. MHi : Adams Papers.
16725To John Adams from Silas Talbot, 9 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The foregoing sheets contain exact copies (as I believe) of my Commission in the Navy the last War, an Official notice of my Appointment under the present form of Goverment, the letter of Suspension of my pay as Captain, and some Correspondence between the Honorable the Secretary of the Navy & myself on the subject of Seniority—But considerable conversation has taken place Between the...
16726From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have sent all the papers inclosed in yours of the 2d to Capt. Little. If however I should see Capt Little before he sails, I know not but I might with propriety, communicate to him some idea of his destination, because the reason you assign, for concealing his instructions, has ceased by the publication of the proclamation, relative to the trade of St Domingo I have the honor to be Sir your...
16727From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
With Mr. Davis’s report of the 8th I enclose all the papers relative to the complaint of Mr Liston against Capt Laskey & Capt Mugford & am Sir your most obedient I return also Carnots pamphlet. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
16728From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two favors of the 3d. The constitution shall not be delayed by me. If Talbot cannot go, I will appoint Sever. Tis a choice of difficulties. Unpopularity, censure and reproach must attend every thing I do. Talbot in my opinion ought to rank from his appointment by Gen. Washington, but whether I shall risk a declaration of this opinion or risk an equal & more just censure,...
16729To John Adams from Jacob Van Buskirk, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Whereas Philip Desh and Jacob Kline, both Mauungy Township, in the County of Northampton, and State of Pennsylvania having been some time Ago apprehended and Committed to the Goal of Philadelphia, for Treason, and are still there confined, and Whereas the said Philip Desh, and Jacob Kline, and their Wives and Children, having so earnestly requested of us the Subscribers to Petition his...
16730From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the information that the reports propagated of Indian depredations in the North Western territory are destitute of foundation.—The letters from Christopher McPherson I return to you inclosed. It would not perhaps be proper for you or me to answer him. But a man of his stamp may be of more consequence than we may apprehend. If you think it worth while to communicate the letter to...
16731To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
You will recollect that John Scotchler presented to you a second petition, praying a remission of his fine. I desired Mr. Davis, the District Attorney of Massachusetts, to enquire into the truth of the petitioners allegations. His answer of the 29th ult. induced me to think that you would be inclined to forgive him. That answer with the draught of a pardon are now submitted to your...
16732To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Willings & Francis of this city have undertaken to prepare a fast sailing vessel, of a moderate size, to go to the Isle of France, with a cargo estimated to defray the expence of the voyage, in order to carry thither a suitable person as the agent of the United States, to propose a renewal of our commercial intercourse with that Island.—They have brought to me a very pointed...
16733To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
When I took the liberty of referring you to Mr. Jacob Lewis for information relative to the Isle of France s , I presumed he might communicate something useful, because he would not, I conceived, have any interrested motive to deviate from facts: But when I learnt that he had returned home to Boston with his family, I thought it fortunate.—I had seen a letter from an American at the Isle of...
16734To John Adams from Peter St. Medard, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
on the death of doct: Read and just as the Constitution was about Sailing for the West India Station I was applyd. to by Capt. Nicholson to take the place of Surgeon on board his Ship,— a desire to be in the Service of the United States induced me, with only two days warning, to Comply with his request & Leaving my own business in quite an unsettled state I have Continued to do the duty of the...
16735To John Adams from Isaac Stephens, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
To your Excelency and Honorable president Adams Sir when Distress wrings the Soul Measures May become Expedient which might Be unjustifiable this Must be my apoligy for again addressing you on the Subject of My Long Captivity in algiers— Sir I am Not out of Hopes yet as in algiers although a Long time in algiers Still we had hopes of a Redemption Honored Sir be pleased if posable to think on a...
16736To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose the petition of John Sylvester, with a Report signed by the Secretaries of the Departments—The Attorney General being absent in Virginia, could not be consulted without a considerable delay.— I have the honour to be / with the greatest deference / Sir, / your mo. obedt. servt. In pursuance of the direction of the President of the United States, communicated to the...
16737From John Adams to Silas Talbot, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
As it is of importance, that the constitution should sail on her cruize as soon as possible, you are hereby authorized and directed to require the service of any marines to repair on board, without loss of time, till your compliment is as full as you think necessary. I am Sir your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
16738To John Adams from David Leonard Barnes, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The merit of the inclosed Oration deliver’d by the learned & eloquent President of the College in this place, will I trust be a sufficient apology for the liberty taken in transmitting it by Your most Obedient / And very Humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
16739To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose, a submission to the Heads of Departments, in conformity with your letter of the 19th of June Ulto, and the answers thereto dated the 3d. 6th and 9th of July inst. I shall only observe, that it appears from the files of the proceedings of courts martial—during our revolutionary war, that the practice was not uniform, to mention on the face of the proceedings, the...
16740To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive, this morning, your letter of the 7th of July inst. It is very certain, Sir, that nothing was more remote from my thoughts, than to bring into comparison, the re l ative importance of the Navy and Army; and I believe, I shall never take the liberty, to call upon you to decide, what I flatter myself, it is impossible can ever happen, any dispute between Mr...