17801To John Adams from Lewis B. Sturges, 9 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I learn that Samuel Smedley Esqr. Collector of the Customs for this District has applied for the Office at New Haven – vacant by the Death of David Austine Esq – in Case he shou’d be promoted to that Office – it is my wish (if considered consistent with the public interest) to succeed him here,—As I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency—I take the liberty of...
17802From John Adams to John Marshall, 10 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Newbury Port Herald in which is quoted “A letter from John Adams dated Amsterdam 15 of Dec. 1780 to Thomas Cushing Lieutenant Govenor of Massatts.” This letter has been for some years past reprinted & quoted in many American pamphlets & newspapers as genuine & imposes on many people by supposing & imputing to me sentiments inconsistent with the whole tenor of my life & all the...
17803To John Adams from Harry Innes, 10 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
A desire to promote the happiness of our common country has induced me to address you at this time; this reason I flatter myself will be received as a sufficient appology for the freedom I have taken in writing this letter. It is reported that a change is proposed & will probably take place in the Judicial system of the U. States & that this change will require an additional Judge in this...
17804To John Adams from Samuel Livermore, 10 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
We beg leave respectfully to recommend Edward St Loe Livermore late a Judge in our supreme court, for the appointment of an associate Judge; in the first circuit Court for New hampshire Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We also take the liberty to recommend Jeremiah Smith late a Member of Congress from New hampr. for the appointment of an associate Judge The consideration that the District Judge...
17805To John Adams from Chauncey Goodrich, 11 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
In the event of the “Bill for the more convenient Organization of the Courts of the United States,” receiving your signature, it is presumed that Recommendations of Persons suitable for the important Offices of Judges in the Circuit Courts will be acceptable to You. We therefore take the Liberty of respectfully recommending to You, the Honble. Egbert Benson of the State of New York, for the...
17806To John Adams from Oliver Whipple, 11 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
This bein y for the Choice of President of the once united States I can not but view it as an eventfull Period: May that guardian Providence (which has hitherto protected this brave and once happy People ) secure to them, in your Person, as chief Majestrate, that Union, Safety and Protection, which is your Wish to cultivate, and Desire to give. I must, respected Sr, whatever is the Event, give...
17807To John Adams from James Asheton Bayard, Jr., 11 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The House of Representatives having Set unusually late the last two days I have been prevented waiting upon You according to my intention. I beg You Sir to believe that I appreciate with a becoming Sense the high honor You have proposed to confer upon me. I took the liberty of stating the subject to the Chief Justice who was So obliging as to undertake to request your opinion upon the...
17808From John Adams to United States Senate, 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I nominate James A. Bayard, member of the house of Representatives from the State of Delaware to be minister plenipotentiary from the United States to the French republic DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
17809To John Adams from Timothy Bloodworth, 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Act pass’d this sessions, for the revisal of the Judicial sistem, will require the appointment of a Judge for the State of No Carolina, permit me, with resepectfull submission, to recommend Mr Samuel Johnston, as a Gentleman suitably quallified to fill that Station. his Charrecter is so wel established as a Lawyer, that any observations on that subject, would be superfluouse. I beg leave...
17810To John Adams from William Cooper, 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
By the provisions of the Act respecting the Judiciary, which has just become a Law—a new District in the Northern part of the State of New-York is created; In which the Offices of Attorney & Marshal are to be filld. by new appointments—relying upon the belief that your Excellency is willing to receive all information relating to the suitableness of persons for any employment which is vacant—we...
17811To John Adams from Theodore Foster, 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Act to provide for the more convenient organization of the Courts of the United States, contemplating the appointment of judges of the Courts in the several circuits, we take the liberty of recommending to you Benjamin Bourn Esqr: the present district judge of Rhode Island as a proper character to fill the office of a judge of the circuit Court in the circuit with which that State is...
17812To John Adams from Jared Ingersoll, Jr., 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I extremely regret that my business requiring an immediate Return, prevented my having the honor a further Interview with you before I left the City of Washington. permit me to repeat, what I have already mentioned to you verbally, my resignation of the office I now hold, as District Attorney of the United States for the District of Pennsylvania. If the Result of the late Presidential election...
17813To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
When I sported the Idea of an Ambassadorship I meant Nothing more than that it must be a most desirable Thing to the People of the United States to have their forign Affairs Again committed to the Charge of the ablest Minister they ever had in Europe; And that too under Circumstances more dignified & singular than any other Nation ever exhibited. As Farmer of Stonyfield You certainly can unite...
17814To John Adams from James Wilson, 13 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing you upon a Subject, which, though of little Importance to you, is yet highly interesting to me. On the 26th of May last you were pleased to give a verbal Order to the Secretary of War, through Major Tousard, to make out for me a Commission of lieutenant in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers. Mr McHenry, then in the Hurry of Business necessarily attendant...
17815To John Adams from Willis Alston, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the passage of a law during the present session of Congress for organizing the courts of the united states the appointment of a circuit Judge in the state of North Carolina becomes necessary I therefore take the liberty of recommending to your consideration the character of the Honorable Samuel Johnston, at present a Judge of the Supreme court of said state, for the Honor of...
17816To John Adams from Richard Bland Lee, 14 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
When I left Virginia a vacancy in the Collectorship of Alexandria seemed to be expected. Should that event happen I requested some of my friends to nominate me to you as a candidate to supply it. It was also expected that a government for the territory of Columbia would be adopted, which would include in its organization a judiciary System, consisting of one Judge & two associates—I took the...
17817To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
As I consider the Appointment of a Judge, for the fifth Circuit, of very great Importance to the Public, and to the judiciary Department, I take the Liberty to recommend to your Excellency Philip Barton Key Esqr.—I know no Gentleman, in this State (who will accept) better qualified, in every Respect, to discharge the Duties of the Office; and I am well assured, that only Want of Health, of...
17818To John Adams from Theodore Foster, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have long been acquainted with Samuel Bayard Esq. of New Rochelle, in the State of New York, where he has Settled with and has an amiable Family, having married Miss Pintard of that Place, a Relation of the Family of Mr. Boudinot, Director of the Mint.—He has had a Liberal Education. He practiced Law a Number of Years, at the Bar of Pensylvania—Served Six Years as Clerk of the Supreme Court...
17819To John Adams from Theodore Foster, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
In the event of the Hon. Benjamin Bourn being appointed a circuit judge in the first circuit, under the act providing for the more convenient organization of the courts of the United-States, we beg leave to recommend to you the Hon. Ray Greene , for the office of judge for the district of Rhode–Island, now held by Mr: Bourn. Mr. Greene has been uniformly and deservedly esteemed in private...
17820To John Adams from Elizur Goodrich, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Having inclosed to the Secretary of the Treasury, a petition, addressed to your Excellency soliciting an Appointment to the vacant office of Collector of the Port of New Haven, I hope it will not be deemed improper to express, my motives leading at the present time to a wish for retirement. I have an affectionate family and young Children to support and educate—I have always considered the...
17821To John Adams from Elizur Goodrich, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
The Office of Collector of the Port of New Haven in the State of Connecticut having become vacant by the Death of David Austin Esquire, I take the Liberty to solicit of your Excellency an appointment to succeed him in the office. A friend has in my absence, transmitted from New Haven the accompanying Certificate, signed by respectable Men. Perhaps it will not be deemed improper to observe,...
17822To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Upon perusing with more attention a letter from Judge Lowell which I had the honor to mention to you, it appears to me to be a duty not only to him but to the Executive, to communicate the letter itself under his hand, as it seems to contain not merely an expression of his wishes in relation to the office of Circuit Judge, but an eventual resignation of his office, which he relies upon me to...
17823From John Adams to United States Congress, 16 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I wish to know the pleasure of Congress and request their direction concerning the disposition of the property of the United States now in my possession; whether I shall deliver it into the hands of the heads of Departments, or of the commissioners of the city of Washington, or of a committee of Congress, or to any other persons Congress may appoint, to be delivered into the hands of my...
17824To John Adams from Nathaniel Chipman, 17 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I find there will be a vacancy in the office of judge for the district of Vermont—permit me sir to say that I should think myself honored by an appointment to that office if you should think proper to nominate me—I hope sir you will find in the present situation nothing improper in this direct application.— I am sir with the / highest respect your / most obedient servant MHi : Adams Papers.
17825To John Adams from John Dennis, 17 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of recommending as a circuit Judge for the Districts of Maryland & Virginia, Philip B. Key Esqr; than whom, I know of no Man in the State of Maryland, likely to accept the appointment, who stands higher in the public Estimation, for his legal reputation, or moral qualities or who will be likely to discharge with more Zeal or fidelity the Duties of so important an...
17826To John Adams from John Chew Thomas, 17 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
It is with the most respectfull deference that I take the Liberty of offering to your Consideration Philip Barton Key Esqr. as a person in my Opinion well qualified to fill the Office of District Circuit Judge under the new Judiciary System—In addition to other Oppurtunities of becoming well acquainted with him—I have served two Sessions with him in our State Legislature and entertain an high...
17827From John Adams to United States Senate, 18 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Elizur Goodrich Esqr, member of the House of Representatives for Connecticut to be Collector of the Customs for New Haven in the place of David Austin deceased DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
17828From John Adams to United States Senate, 18 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Henry Prebble Esqr. of Massachusetts to be Consul of the United States at Cadiz in Spain in the place of Mr. Iznardi John Jones Waldo of Massachusetts to be Consul Commercial Agent at Nantes in France Isaac Cox Barnet of New Jersey to be Consul Commercial Agent at Bourdeaux John M. Forbes of N York to be Consul Commercial Agent at Havre de Grace William Lee of Massachusetts to be...
17829To John Adams from Archibald Henderson, 18 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
We beg leave to recommend William Lee Alexander Esquire of North Carolina as a person highly qualified to fill the office of Circuit Judge and to express a wish that this Appointment May be conferred upon him We have the honor to be / with great respect / your Mo Obedt / humble Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
17830To John Adams from Nathaniel Macon, 18 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to recommend to your notice Mr. Samuel Johnston of North Carolina, as a person well qualified, to discharge the duties of a circuit Judge, I do this the more cheerfully, because you were acquainted with him, when he was a senator from No: Carolina in the senate of the United States, He is now one of the supreme Judges of the state. I am with due respect / Sir / yr most obt. Sert— MHi...