Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Lurvey, 12 June 1798
From: Lurvey, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Amesbury June the 12th 1798

Addressof the Inhabitants of the Town of Amesbury to the President of the United States of America
at a time when Our Country appears to be thretned with all the Horrors of a war unless we yeild to the unjust demands of a haughty and might Nation who have been Intriguing and ploting us to divide and prevent us from uniting in Opposing their unreasonable Requests—
The Inhabitants of the Town of Amesbury have thought proper to present an address to you—and accordingly, at their Meeting held on the 11th day of June Instant, Directed us Respectfully to declare to you their firm and unshaken attachment to the Laws and Constitution of their Country and Likewise their Entire approbation of the Measures adapted by the Supream Executive of the Nation, in Respect to all foreign powers, and perticularly the french Nation—and to delore to you their Just Indignation and abhorrance, of all those, whether foreign or domestick, who have been Busing themselves in propogating an Opinion that the people and Goverment have Seperate Intrests—and at the Same Time to assure you that although they deprecate a war, which they have had the pleasure of hoping might be averted by your wise and prudent administration, yet Reposing the highest Confidence in your wisdom firmness and patriotism, they will Readily afford Every Support that is in their power to Contribute, for Carrying into Effect Such Measures as Shall be adopted by the Constituted authorities for the defence of the Country and for Securing our freedom and Independance.
Benjamin LurveyDaniel Currier Jun.Isaac WhittierSelectmen of Amesbury


Title: To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 June 1798
From: Bourne, Sylvanus
To: Adams, John

Respected Sir
Amsterdam June 12 1798

I had the honor to address you not long since (via Hamburg) acquainting you that, notwithstanding the best exertions of our Minister at London (agreably to the instructions of the Secy of State by your order) no chance whatever remains to me for the recovery of a large property which was condemned by the Admiralty Court of England about eighteen months past—on the principle & for reason that I reside in Holland—It is a peculiarly hard case as I never did any thing to forfeit my neutral rights & was not aware on—accepting my Appointment here—that by that act merely I relinquished privileges so valuably a Character so dear to me as that of Citizen of America.
The loss of property to Amount of fifteen thousand Guilders falls very heavy on me, particularly at a moment, when by the conduct of another nation towards our Country—both my Official & commercial resources are cut off from the almost total Stagnation of the intercourse of trade, between this Country & America, rendering my Office here in a manner useless
Under these circumstances give me leave to solicit your attention—Should any Object of Employ of a temporary nature arise in any other part of Europe in which I could be serviceable to my Country—till a Change of Affairs might enable me to return to my Station here (which during my absence I should provide as far as necessary by leaving an Agent here, as I did during my late absence to the UStates)—unless Events might oblige our minister to leave the Hague & thereby render it proper that I should remain here to attend to Objects resulting from his Absence.
I trust in your candour for a due Appretiation of the Motives which dictate my request & guide my hopes & in your knowlege of my Character for the discernment of any title I may have to yr approbation
I have the honor to be with / perfect respect / yr Ob & devoted Servt

Sylvanus Bourne


Title: To John Adams from George McClelland, 13 June 1798
From: McClelland, George
To: Adams, John

To the President of the United States—
ante 13 June 1798

Prompted by the purest principles of patriotism, and inspired with the warmest zeal for the maintenance of our Liberties and independence, We presume at this momentous Crisis, to offer to the Executive magistrate of one Country our sentiments and determinations. Considering ourselves as individually outraged in every insult offered to our Government, We should do injustice to our own feelings, were we to attempt, on the present occasion to suppress those sentiments of indignation which the nefarious conduct of France towards us has produced. Not Content with the grossest violation of every principle of the law of nations, not satisfied with depriving us of our property to a prodigious amount by Continual depredations upon our Commerce, not considering as sufficiently outrageous and insulting, the most unexampled and infamous abuse of our Citizens, she has even dared to demand from our Government, as a preliminary to negociation, the most unqualified prostration of its independence, and a surrender of the dearest rights and interests of the nation.
She has had the audacity triumphantly to boast to the very agents of our Government that she had a party already secured in our Country ever ready to favor and execute her designs, that against her we could never be united, and that consequently any terms which her rapacity & imperiousness might dictate, we should be forced to Comply with.—But while on the one hand, We execrate language and sentiments so vile, while we hold in just abhorrence and detestation every artifice that has been employed to produce disunion and rebellion in our Country, and while we are determined at the risque of our lives and fortunes to repel every attempt so derogatory to our honor and dignity as a nation; so on the other, We Cannot but, in the highest degree, admire and applaud the firm and patriotic spirit manifested by our Executive, whom we have now the honor of addressing.—Altho’ we deprecate war and its consequent calamities, yet it is our firm determination never to shrink from it when it shall be deemed necessary by the Constituted authorities of our Country for the preservation of its Liberties. Thus will the world be convinced that as with the one hand, we were once capable of procuring our independence, so with the other, we shall ever be able & willing to protect it.
We rejoice, that on the present occasion, we have it in our power to express our most perfect approbation of every measure that you have pursued for the preservation of peace with France; more especially when we reflect that you have never, on any occasion, lost sight of that national honor and Character which we have ever been so solicitous to maintain.
Be assured, sir, that our Co-operation and exertions never will be wanting to assist in carrying into effect any measures which the wisdom of our Government may devise for the maintenance of our national honor rights liberties and independence.—

Geo: McClellandThos FergusonWilliam Richard......


Title: From John Adams to David Lambert, 13 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Lambert, David

To the Officers of the 19. Regiment and also those of the Artillery and Cavilry, attached to the 4th division of Militia, in VirginiaGentlemenPhiladelphia June 13 1798

I thank you for this Address. The national honour and dignity of So many Nations have been wounded, within a late period and all from causes So analogous & uniform that very little refinement is necessary to discover the Causes investigate those which have involved Us in the general Calamity.
Continue, Gentlemen to watch over your national Rights, and never Suffer any foreign nation to change, alter or controul, the present Constitution, or dictate any, not the choice of the People.
An unchangeable determination to Support the Rights of our Country against every Invader, is one of the most essential Characteristicks of uncorrupted Republicans.
When you look to me as the Chief Magistrate of America to guard well the Rights of its Citizens, as far as may depend upon my Zeal, Sincerity and Industry, I hope you will not be disappointed.—But I cannot cry Peace! Peace! when there is no Peace.
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Commissioners of Washington City, 13 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Washington City, Commissioners of

Gentlemen
Philadelphia June 13th 1798

Inclosed is the Attorney General’s Opinion, and you will see by the date, that it was not, his fault that it was not transmitted sooner.
I am Gentlemen / with much Esteem, your humble Sert:

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 June 1798
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir.
New York 13 June 1798.

I arrived here yesterday about 7 O’clock a.m. and after breakfasting visited GovernorIsland Bedlow & Oyster Islands. I intended to have devoted to-day to the Narrows, the East and west bank and Sandy Hook, but have been prevented from executing my purpose by the rain. I shall therefore occupy part of t-day in preparing some questions for the consideration of the New York military committee, and if the weather permits in seeing some of the inhabitants.
I find every thing too languid for the conjuncture. I have spoken freely to those I thought could render service, and to some of the young City militia. The latter had no disposition to offer as volunteers under the late law. I hope however to be able to remove their objections before I leave town.
With the most sincere respect and attachment I am Sir /  Your most obt. & hble. st.

James McHenry


Title: To John Adams from John Murray, 13 June 1798
From: Murray, John
To: Adams, John

Boston June 13. 1798

It is with a painful degree of diffidence I venture, even for a moment, to intrude on the time and attention of the President of the United States—Thanks be to God that, in the greatness of his goodness he has made our enemies instrumental in uniting the good people of these states, more than ever I expected to have seen them in my day—for a long season my heart was pained, on not being able to count in my Congregation, (as large as any in this Town) as many Federalists as states in the Union—Now, thanks be to God, and our good Ally—I find converts multiplying every day. it is the Lords doings, and it is marvellous in our eyes—I often think of our good friends the French, as a poor persecuted man thought, and spake of his Persecuters—when he said—Much kindness they to me impart, with little kindness in their heart. I bless God most devoutly for placing you at the head of our nation—and I devoutly bless God for making your way so clear before you—you will go on, in the strength of the Lord, and prosper—
But, tho’ my heart can never cease to feel for you, our Country, and myself—I should hardly have dared in this way to have told you so, if a very near kinsman of Coll Sargents, who resides in Gloucester, Mr. William Dollever, brought up to the sea—have been some years master of a ship, to England, and elsewhere, and coming to Town in the hope of getting a Lieutenancy in one of our Continental vessells, but on making application was informed the appointment rested wholly with the President—had not requested me to write to you on his behalf—this, however, I assuredly should not do, if I did not beleive him every fitted to serve his country in that station—but you will do in this, as seemeth good in your sight. I humble hope you will indulge me with your pardon for thus intruding on your precious time, and allow me the honor of being / Your devoted Servant
John Murray


Title: To John Adams from John Henry, 14 June 1798
From: Henry, John
To: Adams, John

Philada:—97 front street June 14th. 1798

In presuming to lay before Your Excellency, the work that accompanies this letter, I presuppose more than even my vanity will reconcile,—namely, that it will not be altogether unacceptable to You. If it possesses no merit that can recommend it to Your patronage; it has at least novelty to attract Your notice. And when with great deference, I request You to allow Your name to sanction the undertaking; be assured my desire flows as much from the consideration of Your private virtues and love of literature, as of the illustrious situation in which Your country has placed You.
With the most profound / Respect and admiration I am / Your Excellency’s most humble / and devoted Servt.

John Henry


Title: To John Adams from Pa., Citizens of Dauphin County, 15 June 1798
From: Dauphin County, Pa., Citizens of
To: Adams, John

To His Excellency John Adams Esquire President, and the Congress of the United States.
ante 15 June 1798

The Subscribers Inhabitants in the Country of Dauphin State of Pennsylvania, deeply impressed with the critical and alarming situation of the United States: and convinced of the necessity of Unanimity and Firmness at this interesting moment, beg leave to express to the Supreme Executive and Congress of the United States, their fullest approbation of the measures adopted by The President relative to our Foreign Relations, their gratitude for his exertions to reconciliate the French Republic, and his solicitude to settle and accommodate all existing differences, upon terms compatable with the safety the interest and the dignity of the United States.
They beg leave also to express their high and elevated opinion of and confidence in the Virtue, the Wisdom, and the Prudence of the National Government, and their fixed resolution to support, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, such measures, as the President and Congress, in their wisdom shall determine to be necessary, to promote, and  secure the honor and happiness of the United States.


Title: From John Adams to Pa., Citizens of Dauphin County, 15 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Dauphin County, Pa., Citizens of

To the Inhabitants of Dauphian County in the State of Pennsylvania
GentlemenPhiladelphia June 15. 1798

Your Address to the President and Congress of the United States has ben presented to me by your Representative in Congress Mr Hanna. The Necessity of Unanimity and Firmness never was greater or more manifest than at this interesting Moment. In expressing your full approbation of the Measures of Government, your Confidence in its Virtue, Wisdom and Prudence, and your fixed resolution to support at the risk of your Lives And Fortunes, such Measures, as may be determined to be necessary, to pr secure and promote the honor and happiness of the United States, you fullfill your share of the great Duties of Unanimity and Firmness. In, what? or in whom? can the People of America unite, if not in their Government? Can they Unite in a foreign Government? a foreign General? or a foreign Ambassador?
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Samuel Phillips, 15 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Phillips, Samuel,Robbins, Edward H.

To the Legislature of MassachusettsGentlemen
Philadelphia June 15t. 1798

An affectionate and respectfull Address, from your two Honourable Houses, has been presented to me according to your request, by your Senators and Representatives in Congress. The Anxiety and the ancient and constant habit of the People of Massachusetts, and their Legislature, to take an early and decided Part, in whatever relates to the Safety and Welfare of their Country, as well as their Ardor, Activity Valour and Ability in its defence by Sea and Land, are well known and ought to be acknowledged by all the World.
The first forty Years of my Life were passed, in my native Massachusetts, in a course of Education and a professional Career, which led me to a very general Acquaintance, in every part of that State. Those Years which have Since intervened have been all expended in your Service And that of the Union, though chiefly without the limits of the State. If, with your Opppertunities and pressing motives for Observation and Experience, You can pronounce my Services Successfull and Administration virtuous, and the People of fifteen other States could concurr with you in that Opinion, my reward would be compleat and my most ardent Wishes gratified
If the Object of France in her revolution ever was Liberty, it was a Liberty very ill defined and never understood... She now aims at Dominion; such as never has before prevailed in Europe. If, with the Principles, Maxims and Systems of her present leaders She is to become the Model and Arbiter of Nations, the Liberties of the World will be in danger.
Nevertheless The Citizens of Massachusetts, who were the first to defend, will be among the last to resign the Rights of our national Sovereignty. You have great reason to expect in this all important Conflict, the ready and zealous Co-operation of the free and enlightened People of America, and, with humble Confidence to rely on the God of our Fathers for Protection and Success.
With you, I fully agree, that a People, by whom the Blessings of civil and religious Liberty are enjoyed and duly appreciated, will never Surrender them, but with their Lives. The Patriotism and the Energies of your Constituents, United with those of the People of the other States are a Sure Pledge, that the Charter of your civil and religious Liberties, Sealed by the blood of Americans, will never be violated, by the Sacrilegious hand of foreign Power. The Solemn Pledge of yourselves to Support every measure, which the Government of the United States, at this momentous Period may See fit to adopt, to protect the commerce and preserve the Independence of our Country; must afford an important Encouragement to the national Government and contribute greatly to the Union of the People throughout all the states.
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hezekiah Veatch, 15 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Veatch, Hezekiah

To the Citizens, Inhabitants of the Upper part of Montgomery County in the State of MarylandGentlemen
Philadelphia June 15 1798

Your Resolutions Addressed to the President and Congress of the United States have been presented to me by your Representative Mr Craik. It becomes you, and all your Fellow Citizens to be deeply impressed, at this eventful and interesting Period with the critical and alarming Situation of our Country. It never yet saw a prospect, of greater danger. Its Integrity, fortitude and Wisdom were never called to a Severer Tryal. You have considered attentively your situation, and have made up your Minds. You approve of your Government, you confide in it, and are determined to support it.—Nothing wiser or better that I know of can be done or resolved on.

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Charles Lee, 15 June 1798
From: Lee, Charles
To: Adams, John

Sir
Office of the Attorney General 15th June 1798

I have the honor to submit to your consideration a copy of a resolution intended to be proposed to the Board of Commissioners for carrying into effect the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America which there is reason to suppose may be adopted by a majority if a question shall be taken upon it.
The principle which the resolution will establish is that in every case where a debt contracted before the late war, was paid in the paper money of the United States or any of them by an American citizen to a British creditor or his Agent duly authorized, if there be any difference between the sterling value of the debt and the sterling value of the paper money paid and accepted, such difference is a loss to the creditor for which he is entitled to claim compensation from the United States under the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity. Against a principle of such extensive consequences some of the arguments which were supposed the most cogent have been by my direction put into print that they might be the better understood and they are now also laid before you.
It is my opinion that a loss of this kind was not within the contemplation of the Treaty of Amity, and is not submitted to the jurisdiction of the Board, and therefore any award against the United States to compensate such a loss is void in itself and ought never to be paid
Whether the Commissioners act within the sphere of the authority vested in them by the Treaty or exceed it in any particular case is a question in my opinion open for the consideration of the United States who may without a violation of good faith decide upon such a question, but if the Commissioners do not exceed their authority whatever award they make upon a matter submitted to them, ought to be performed however erroneous it may appear to be, unless it manifestly appears to have proceeded from corruption or flagrant partiality neither of which is beleived or supposed possible. Though according to these opinions it will be in the power of the United States consistently with national honor and good faith, which are ever to be held sacred, to avoid the payment of sums awarded in cases which in their opinion have not been submitted to the Commissioners yet it is much more desireable that no such awards should be made. It seems then proper before any award under any circumstances whatever shall be attempted to be made in favor of a claim for compensation arising from a payment in paper money accepted by the Creditor or his Agent, that it should be made the subject of negotiation between the two nations, and be ascertained whether such a claim is within the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, by a new negotiation. To give an opportunity of obtaining an explanation upon this point it is adviseable that the two Commissioners named on the part of the United States should secede from the others if by no other measure a postponement of a decision can be obtained.
If another negotiation shall be commenced there are other matters of moment which at the same time may also be adjusted. These may be particularly stated when necessary and in the mean time I pray leave to refer to the discussions in the case of William Cunningham and Company as suggesting the most material questions which are likely to arise relative to the circumscribed jurisdiction of the Commissioners: and the description of the cases releivable under the Treaty. These discussions appear in the claim, answer and reply herewith communicated.
I have been induced to make this representation because I am persuaded that in general the British creditors entertain the most extravagant and inadmissable expectations of awards in their favor, expectations which are neither warranted by equity or the stipulations in the Treaties, and which if realized cannot fail to impose an immense burden of unjust debt upon the United States.
With the most perfect respect / I have the honor to be your most / obedient humble servant

Charles Lee


Title: From John Adams to United States Senate, 16 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate—
united States June 16th 1798

I nominate, George Wright of New Jersey to be surgeon of the ship Delaware, he having been before nominated as Surgeons Mate by a Mistake

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from George Washington, 17 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th June 1798

I have heard with much pleasure, that you contemplate a visit to the City designated for the permanent Seat of the Government of the U. States, in the course of the Summer, or early in Autumn.—
It is unnecessary, I hope, for me in that event, to express the satisfaction it would give Mrs. Washington & me to see Mrs. Adams, yourself & Company in the shade of our Vine & Fig tree;—but I shall request that while you remain in these parts, that you would make Mount Vernon your Head Quarters. It is but about 17 Miles by land, and less by water from the Federal City; and only half that distance from Alexandria, which is on the direct rout between them.—
I pray you to believe that, no one has read the various approbatory Addresses, which have been presented to you, with more heart-felt satisfaction than I have done;—nor are there any who more sincerely wish that your Administration of the Government may be easy, happy and honorable to yourself, & prosperous for the Country
Present, if you please, the best respects of Mrs. Washington, Miss Custis and myself to Mrs. Adams & Miss Smith,—accept them yourself,—and be assured of the high esteem & regard with which I have the honor to be.
Dear Sir / Your Most Obedient / and Very Humble Servant

Go. Washington


Title: From John Adams to Nathaniel Mitchell, 18 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Mitchell, Nathaniel,Batson, Kendle

To the Militia of Sussex County in the State of Delaware
GentlemenPhiladelphia June 18 1798

I thank you for this generous Address presented to me by your Representative in Congress Mr Bayard. The cordial approbation to you assert of the Administration of this Government, from the beginning of it, is highly satisfactory. Where is the Man of Honor or Virtue or public Spirit, who can hesitate, between dishonourable Peace and necessary War? between a moment of false security, purchased only by a disgraceful surrender of our Rights, and a noble struggle, for the safety and of our Liberty and Independence. The Confidence of the French Rulers in “their Means”, is more and more apparent every day. They are confident they can make Us tributary, to augment “their means” till We shall have no means left of defending Ourselves. Passionate Attachments to any foreign nation are very apt to mislead. Wisdom dictates, to take no warmer Interest in the successes of any foreign Country, than Justice and Equity requires. Enthusiasm and Affectation have given too much color to imagine, that the regard of some for a foreign Country was so great as to absorb the Love of our own. The Policy of “divide and conquer” may always be practised with success, upon a corrupted Republick, corrupted in its moral Principles, and sunk in sloth Luxury, & Avarice, till it has lost the Passion for Glory Fame and the Use of Arms. This I presume is not yet the Character of America.
If We are proof against the “Diplomatic skill” of France, We need not at this distance fear their military Power.
If your Prayer should be answered, I should be ready to Say Let me depart in Peace.
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to William Macpherson, 18 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Macpherson, William

To the Citizens of Philadelphia, associated as soldiers under the denomination of McPhersons Blues
Gentlemen
Philadelphia June 18 1798

This Dedication of yourselves, in the Presence of God and the World, to defend, against the Attacks of Arrogance, Injustice and lawless ambition, that happy System of Government which you have inherited from your Fathers cemented by the best blood of America and sanctioned by your own approbation, is very Solemn and affecting. It has, I presume been well weighted deliberately considered and well weighed.
I am fully convinced that America must assume reassume, the warlike Character and that in a manner more decisive and universal, than at any former period. It is essential, that she should never forget the subordination of the military to the civil Power. Your sentiments in this point, appear to be correct. Cherrish them, Gentlemen in your own Bosoms and encourage them in your associates as your first Point of honour.
Relying on the Justice of our Cause, I Trust with you, that under the Protection of the God of Nations We shall acquit ourselves as becomes the Citizens of a free Country engaged in the necessary defence of all that is dear and sacred to Men, to Citizens and to soldiers With these Sentiments and these Views, I accept your Services with pleasure, and as soon as some necessary general arrangements can be concerted, your officers will be appointed and commissioned.

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to United States Congress, 18 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: United States Congress

Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives—
United States June 18th 1798

I, now transmit to Congress the dispatch number, 8. from our Envoys Extraordinary, to the French Republic, which was received at the Secretary of State’s office on thursday, the fourteenth day of this month

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Pa., Citizens of Bedford County, 18 June 1798
From: Bedford County, Pa., Citizens of
To: Adams, John

18 June 1798

At a numerous meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough and County of Bedford (Pennsylvania) at the Court house in said Borough, on the 31st day of May 1798.
Hugh Barclay having been appointed Chairman, and William Reynolds Clerk of said meeting,
It was unanimously resolved,
That the following Address be signed by the Chairman, and attested by the Clerk; and that a Copy thereof be transmitted to the President of the United States and to both Houses of Congress
To the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives, of the United States of America.
We not only consider it our right, but at this interesting crisis, our duty also, with becoming freedom and candour, respectfully to address, to the constituted Authorities of our Country, our Sentiments, as citizens and constituents, concerning our important national Interests.
Whatsoever difference of sentiment may prevail amongst us on various internal subjects; yet when our happiness as a People—when our Independence as a Nation is at stake, divesting ourselves of all inferior considerations, we are united in one opinion and sentiment, in the great cause of our common Country. Peace with all nations, upon honorable terms, is the most ardent wish of our hearts; and we believe it also to be the sincere sentiment of the People and the Government of the United States: But firmly relying on your Patriotism, wisdom and virtue, we shall, upon this and upon all other occasions, cheerfully rest it with you, to decide upon and pursue, the best and most effectual measures, honourably to accomodate and adjust all differences, which may unhappily exist, between us and other nations. And trusting that the direction of that Supreme Being, who hath all nations at his command, will guide you in the paths of rectitude and wisdom, We will unite with our fellow citizens, “as a band of brothers,” resolved to perform our duties, and to protect our rights. We also solemnly declare, that we will at all times heartily contribute our utmost support, for the preservation of the Government of the United States, and in the defence of our national liberty and independence, against the mischiefs of domestic faction, and the intrigues and aggressions, of foreign influence and power.
Signed by order, of the Meeting,

Hugh Barclay Chairman.Attest,William Reynolds ClerkIt was also unanimously resolved
That Colonel Benjamin Bird Doctor John Anderson Jacob Saylor Jacob Wink, Esqr. Cornelius Devore Esqr. Solomon Adams Thomas Vickroy Andrew Dixon Esqr: Amos Evans Esqr. John Piper Esqr. Samuel Graves Thomas Coulter Esqr. William Patterson and Peter Morgaret be a Committee of the County to procure Subscribers to the above or a Simalar Address.
William Reynolds Clerk


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 June 1798
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir,
War Department 18t. June 1798.

I have the honor to submit, the enclosed papers Nos. 1. to 4 inclusive relative to my proceedings at New-York.
I am Sir / with the greatest respect / your most obedient / humble servant.

James McHenry


Title: To John Adams from William Macpherson, 18 June 1798
From: Macpherson, William
To: Adams, John

Sir,
June 18th. 1798

Attached to the Government of the United States, from a conviction of the blessings which we derive from the just administration of wise and equal laws; and anxious to vindicate the character of our country from the aspersions of foreign insolence; we, citizens of Philadelphia, associated as soldiers under the denomination of MacPherson’s Blues, beg leave to offer our services, through you, to our country.
Having on a former occasion as citizens, expressed our entire confidence in the wisdom, patriotism and integrity of your administration, we now approach you in a military character, to pledge ourselves in the presence of God and the World; to defend against the attacks of arrogance, injustice and lawless ambition, that happy System of Government, which we have inherited from our fathers, cemented by the best blood of America and sanctioned by our own approbation.
Relying on the justice of our cause, we trust that under the protection of the God of Nations, we shall acquit ourselves as becomes the citizens of a free country engaged in the necessary defence of all that is dear and sacred to men, to citizens and to soldiers.
With these sentiments and these views, we Solicit your acceptance of our services, and will hold ourselves ready for your command; convinced that in obeying the summons of our country, we shall comply with the noblest dictates of patriotic virtue.

W MacphersonCommdt.


Title: To John Adams from John Gray, 19 June 1798
From: Gray, John
To: Adams, John

Sir
Somerset Place London 19th June 1798.

As you have greatly distinguished yourself by your learned discussions on political subjects, & are now by your eminent situation enabled to promote the establishment of just fundamental principles of taxation, from which the European Governments have wandered for upwards of two hundred years, I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you some Copies of an imperfect Essay of mine, wherein I have endeavoured to illustrate those principles, with the view of drawing the attention of Legislators to the consideration of them. In Europe, & more particularly in Great Britain, encumbered with a very heavy national debt, & a most perplexing and chaotic system of finance, my principles of drawing the whole of the Public Supply directly from land, cannot be reverted to but by very slow degrees; but in the United States of America, not yet far advanced in the European maze of taxation, they may be put in practice without difficulty, provided the Legislators are but convinced of the sound policy of them. I shall therefore in my present letter make a few observations applicable more particularly to the actual state of the United Governments, over which you preside, or supplementary to the reasoning in my Essay.
The great Capital of the United States is land; & I will venture to say, that it would be sound policy in Congress to consider it, in conjunction with the industry bestowed upon it, as the only Capital, in so far as relates to the Supplies of Government. Those Supplies would thus be raised at very little expence; they would be a most inconsiderable burden upon that Capital; the foreign commerce of the States would thereby be freed from checks and shakles that tend to interrupt its prosperity; many temptations to fraud at the seaports would be removed; & artificial values would be prevented from attaching themselves to marketable commodities, consequently the territory of the States would long continue to be resorted to by foreigners as a cheap market, or a cheap habituation. All those are agreeable circumstances; but should Congress impolitically persevere in adopting the unsystematic modes of European taxation, it will instead of securing those circumstances to the United States, gradually introduce among them the embarrassments, which all European Governments have brought themselves into, by those unsystematic modes.
The causes which have insensibly led the European States to abandon the natural & simple source of Public Supply are various; but one of the principal of those causes will be found to be the erroneous opinion that a community has other sources of Income, of great importance, besides land. Numbers of writers on politics & finance might be quoted, who have held this opinion. Mr. Arthur Young had gone so far as to assert, that land yields little more than one half of the Income of a Community; & Dr. Adam Smith in his Enquiry into the Nature & Causes of the Wealth of Nations, has with most weak & fallacious arguments endeavoured to maintain the same doctrine. This doctrine, which is the belief of the multitude, being of a most pernicious tendency (as all errors in fundamentals are) I have though it extremely necessary to give it a full refutation; & to prove by, I hope, conclusive arguments, that manufactures, make and sold at home, produce no national Income, & consequently that the National Income arises wholly from land, exclusive of the small gains from foreign commerce. That alone is a National Income, which is an Income collectively to the whole Community; that fills the pockets of it, without taking any thing out of the pockets of B?; and what Income is of this kind besides the Income of the Cultivator. When this principle is clearly understood, the idolatry of manufactures will fall of course, & the jealousy of commerce will cease to be the pest of nations.
Because a trade, a manufacture, or a profession is very productive to a few individuals, the conclusion I say has been hastily drawn by many political writers, that it is nationally productive. This error may be said to pervade the whole of Dr Adam Smiths enquiry, where a Capital acquired by a mere transfer of income is but too much confounded with a Capital acquired by an increase or renovation of income, though in their nature very distinct, & consequently requiring to be kept distinct by an Enquirer into causes & principles. ‘Tis the Capital of the last kind, which directly supports a nation, & adds to its wealth & strength; the other may or may not add to its wealth & strength, and can do it only indirectly. Lord Mansfield died worth £400,000; but was not the whole of that accumulation drawn out of other peoples funds? The same may be said of the wealth of the late Dr Warren, of that of Sir Joshua Reynolds, of that of Sir James Arcwright, & of that of the late Alderman Wright and Gill Stationers formerly on London Bridge, who are said to have realized half a million. Now under these names are comprehended the whole of the most numerous classses of the Law, of Physic, of the Arts, of Manufactures, & of Retailers, all of which classes, so far from augmenting the National Income, are fed out of it.
Were money (as by the wise mosaic Constitution) to bear no interest, & were lands not saleable, accumulations of the above kind could hardly be called Property; at least, they could never produce what is directly signified by the words Income, Revenue, Re-ditus. They might be locked up in chests, like so many rare pebbles; & no-body would have a right to enquire what they were, or how many they were.
The natural distinction between the possessors of such accumulations & the possessors of land did not escape the penetration of our ancestors. They most accurately & deservedly called the last, possessors of Real Property; & from them alone as such, they required the whole of the Supplies for the inland defense of the State. Unhappily however in Great Britain, & more particularly in Ireland, for many years back, this natural order of things has been reversed. Real Property & Real Income have been taken little more notice of by Legislators than if they did not exist, & taxes without intermission and without measure have been imposed upon personal property; which from its nature the Legislature ought not to pry into, whether it be lodged in a pocket, or in a chest. It ought to be indifferent to the Legislature whether I have ten guineas in my pocket, or ten chests full of guineas. But if I possess one thousand productive acres, or one hundred productive acres within the State, I am thereby marked out as a possessor of Real Property, & consequently am under an obligation to contribute a proportion of my Income with the other possessors of Real Property to support & maintain Government, which is to protect the whole.
This plain principle not having been clearly understood by the people of England at the close of the last Century, the treatise of Dr Davenant on Ways & Means, instead of being considered by them as the production of a writer who took but a half view of things, met with the most unbounded approbation & applause. Ways & Means have since become a Parliamentary phrase;& Ministers of State, & political writers without number have valued themselves upon being good ways and means men. Even so, unskillful artists might value themselves in having constructed a time piece with an hundred, or rather with a thousand wheels, continually wanting alterations & repairs, when the hours might have been just as well marked by a clock with three or four wheels, of such materials, & such a frame, as would seldom have made repairs necessary.
I have, in page 83, proved, that if the Parliament of Gr. Britain had altogether abstained from Excises, Stamps, Licences, &c:d: & even from Customs, & restricted the Public Supplies wholly to the Ways & Means, pointed out by the Antient Constitution, one twentieth part of the produce of its lands, that is, one shilling in the pound of the national Income would have sufficed to maintain 250,000, Soldiers. And in confirmation of my reasoning I have appealed to the page of history, & shewn that the practice of many nations in different parts of the Globe was conformable to the principle I had previously illustrated, of drawing the Public Supplies directly from the produce of land. To the historical examples quoted in my Essay pages 91.2.3. I might have added the following from Cicero, who says of Sicily, Omnis Ager Siciliæ livitatum decumanus est; itemque, ante imperium Populi Romani, ipsorum Siculorum voluntate et institutis fuit.—Siculis charissimus Hiero, ut qui alia vectigalia non haberet. It would give me a very particular satisfaction to be authorized to add Americanis fæderatis charissimus Adams ut qui alia vectigalia non valuerit, as in that case, the Will united to the affectionate approbation would soon be followed by the Effect, to the advancement of the prosperity of the United States.
Should the arguments in my Essay lead the United States to imitate the wise King of Sicily, & to take the Supplies for the Public Defense as near the fountain head as possible, I am persuaded it would be found, that less than sixpence in the pound of the produce of their lands would suffice for the whole of those supplies. Nay most likely an assessment of three pence in the pound would suffice; & the proprietors of land would be more than indemnified for that threepence in the pound, by the greater cheapness of articles of manufacture, & of all foreign merchandise.
I have the honour to be very respectfully / Sir / your most obedient / and most humble Servant

John GrayPost script. The London Periodical Reviewers have considered my Essay very differently. By one it is deemed the production of an agent of Government acting in concert with Mr Dundas, who has procured for the Author a Diploma of L.L.D. from the University of St Andrews, of which University he is Chancellor. By another it is the work of a concealed Jacobin (to use the absurd French term) who has bad designs against the peace of Society. A third very candidly acknowleges my real patriotic views; but has some hesitation about what I have said of the unproductiveness of manufactures, merely from the novelty of the proposition. To the examples on this point given in the Essay, I shall here add the following. From the reigning fashion of the females in London for these two Summers past, manufactured Straw has been sold for upwards of £100 the cart-load, consequently the raw material may be said to be increased in value by manual labour above thirty fold; but the money which on this occasion is gone into the pockets of the Milliners, for hats & bonnets, is precisely equal to what is gone out of the pockets of their Customers; and the Straw in an unmanufactured State is only to be counted upon as the increase of National Capital.
Sero medicina paratur cum mala per longus invaluere moras. Several years ago I had occasion publicly to notice the dangerous error, which the United States at first committed in regard to Duties on Exports & Imports. I soon after had the satisfaction to see that system abandoned, & Port duties submitted to the Regulation of Congress, an alteration easily effected, because the false system had not by a long continuance become very complex. In like manner, the sooner the States pursue the true theory in regard to taxation in general the fewer difficulties they will find in establishing it.
Mr. Pitt has this year made a giant step towards the reform of the financial system in Great Britain by fixing for a perpetuity the Land Tax at its nominal value of four shillings in the pound, as a prelude (according to general expectation) to an equalised Land Tax. Had this measure been effected seventy years ago by Sir Robert Walpole, the National Debt might thereby have been rendered 120 millions less than it now is. But false theories instead of being refuted by that minister, were adopted by him, & he even assumed praise to himself for reducing the Land Tax to a nominal shilling in the pound.


Title: To John Adams from Francis Kennedy Kerr, 19 June 1798
From: Kerr, Francis Kennedy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Philadelphia 121 No Wabost 19 June 1798

Your administration commenced at a critical period, hath been conducted in wisdom, and, sSo far as human wisdom will permit us to forsee, will end in public good The spirit of the people is with you, the fear of God is before you—With these objects as Chief Magistrate of the United States of America, you may encounter any host of foes. May the Lord of Hosts be with you and the spirited exertions of the people of America will not be wanting—When I detail my own Sentiments I have little hesitation in declaring them to be those of the Merchants’ Clerks of this metropolis
I have the honour to be, / sir, / Your most obdt hu st

Francis Kennedy Kerr


Title: To John Adams from William Jackson, 19 June 1798
From: Jackson, William
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Philadelphia June 19. 1798

Under any other than the very peculiar situation in which I am placed, I should not, after what I have already had the honor of stating verbally, presume again to tresspass on your goodness;—But I persuade myself that the following fact will absolve me from any charge of presumption, an induce a favorable consideration of what is herewith most respectfully submitted—
On making an application, for the first time, this day to one of the Representatives in Congress from the State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Kittera) that he would be pleased to express such opinions of me to the President of the United States as his Knowledge of my qualifications for the Office of Collector would warrant—he astonished me by saying that he had been told by several persons, to whom he had observed that he supposed I was a Candidate, that Major Jackson did not wish the office—that this had been repeatedly mentioned to him—and that he had given his recommendation in behalf of another.
Deprived by this cruel artifice of that support which I might otherwise have hoped to receive from the Pennsylvania Members of the federal Legislature, I have been compelled to resort to the recommendations of Gentlemen from other States to whom I am known
Among these are Mr. Read of the Senate, who has known me from a Boy—Mr. North of the Senate—and Messrs. Harper and Rutledge of the House of Representatives.
I have been more particular in applying to the Gentlemen of South Carolina—as I am told it has been intimated as an objection that I was not originally of Philadelphia—although it might also be mentioned that neither the present Collector, nor any of the Candidates, that are known to me, are originally of Philadelphia—I have however been a Citizen of this place eighteen years, and my connexions in Philadelphia are equal to those of either of my Competitors.
When I left South Carolina in the year 1780, which I did after the siege of Charleston, where I was made Prisoner with my friend General Lincoln, whose Aid de Camp I then was, I first came to Philada—I was suffering under a severe indisposition, incurred in a series of military service—for although at that time I was but twenty one years of age I had been five years in the service of my country as Lieutenant and Captain in the same regiment with General, and Major Pinckney, and as Aid de Camp to General Lincoln.
General Lincoln insisted on taking me home with him, where under his affectionate attentions I recovered my health—In the autumn of 1780 I was appointed to act with General Lincoln as Commissioner for the exchange of Prisoners at Elizabethtown.
Having performed this duty and joined the army under General Washington, I was appointed Secretary to the younger Colonel Lauren’s mission to Versailles—and in the course of this service I had the honor to become known to you
After my return to America I was appointed Assistant Secretary at War, and, in the absence of the Principal, for several months, conducted the Department, & entirely to his satisfaction, and that of the Commander in chief, from both of whom I obtained the most honorable testimonials.
After the peace I studied law in this city, and was, after examination, admitted a Practitioner in the common Pleas and Supreme Court.
I have filled the offices of Secretary to the Convention that formed the Constitution of the United States—and of Secretary to the late President of the United States—And I was so far honored with General Washington’s confidence as to have the office of Adjutant General of the army offered to me—which other engagements occasioned me to decline.
In the office which I now hold, and which is subordinate to that which I now solicit, my conduct has been fully approved by the Treasury Department.
Under the consciousness, Sir, of having faithfully discharged all my trusts—Under the knowledge that my friends, who favor me with their esteem and affection, are ready to become Sureties for the fidelity of my services to any amount—and under the belief that I am capable of the duties to which I aspire—aided by the consideration that I have bled and endured captivity in the cause of my country—. And that I can procure, even at this late hour, and after the unfair anticipation of others, the best credentials in behalf of my wishes, I trust I am not too sanguine in hoping that the opinions of my friends may be favorably received.
I have the honor to be, / with the most respectful attachment, / Sir, / Your faithful obedient Servant

W Jackson


Title: To John Adams from David Perry, 19 June 1798
From: Perry, David
To: Adams, John

Sir.
William’s College 19th: June 1798

Tho’ members of an infant Institution, and of little comparative weight in the political scale of the union, we feel for the interest of our country.
It becomes every youth in whose breast there dwells the least principle of honor, to come forward calmly and boldly to defend his country. When we behold France, a great and powerful nation, exerting all their energy to undermine the vast fabrics of religion and goverment; when be behold them inculcating the disbelief of the Duty, of future rewards and punishments; when we behold them discarding every moral principle, and dissolving every tie which connects men together in society, which sweetens life and renders it worth enjoying; when we behold them brutalizing man, that they may govern him; as friends to humanity, as sharers in the happiness of our fellow men; as citizens of the world, our feelings are deeply affected. We commiserate the sufferings of our European brethren: we weep over the awful calamities of anarchy and atheism.
But when we behold this aspiring nation, not contented with its vast European dominions, but endeavoring to stretch its colossean empire across the Atlantic, every passion is roused; our souls are fired with indignation. We see that their object is universal domination; we see that nothing less than the whole world, nothing less than the universal degradation of man will satisfy these merciless destroyers. But be assured, Sir, should the situation of our country require it, we are ready to oppose them with all our youthful energy, and risque our lives in defence of our national rights.
Untaught in the school of adulation or the courts of sycophants, we speak forth the pure sentiments of Independence. We give you our warmest approbation. We behold with  patriotic pride the dignified conduct of our chief Magistrate, at this alarming crisis. We are highly pleased with that candor, firmness and moderation, which have uniformly characterized your administration. Though measures decisive and energetic, meet with censure from the unprincipled, the disaffected and the factious, yet virtue must eternally triumph. It is this alone which can stand the test of calumny; and you have this consolation that the disapprobation of the wicked is solid praise.
At this eventful period, our eyes are fixed upon you, Sir, as our political father; and, under the protection of a wise Povidence, we rely on your wisdom and patriotism, with the cooperation of our national council, to perpetuate our prosperity; and we solemnly engage, that, while our goverment is thus purely and virtuously administered, we will give it our whole support.
These, Sir, are the unanimous sentiments of the members of Williams College, who tho’ convinced of the evils of war, yet dispise the ease and affluence of peace, when put in competition with national freedom and sovereignty.
Accept, Sir, our warmest solicitude for your personal welfare.
Signed by the request and in behalf of one hundred and thirty of our fellow students

David L Perry.Samuel Cowls.Solomon Strong.Silas Hubbell.}Committee


Title: From John Adams to Samuel Lord, 20 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Lord, Samuel,Barron, John

To the Citizens of the County of Allegheny in the State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia June 20 1798

Your Address and Memorial to the President Senate and House of Representatives has been presented to me.
The Veneration you profess of the Blessings of civil and religious Liberty, and your Attachment to your Country and its Government under which you enjoy Such inestimable Advantages, are Sentiments worthy of the best of Men.
The Confidence and Satisfaction you express in the firm and upright Conduct of the Executive Authority towards France, are received with esteem, and the Indignation you feel at the Contempt, Insults and accumulated Injuries with which our Efforts and Overtures for the Preservation of Peace have been received, does you honor.
Sentiments like these are, of themselves a Sufficient Pledge of Support to such Measures as Government in its Wisdom may adopt and direct for the Preservation of the national honor, Safety and Confidence

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to New Jersey Militia Officers, 20 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: New Jersey Militia Officers

To the Commander in Chief, the General Officers the General Staff and Field Officers of the Militia of the State of New Jersey.Gentlemenca. 20 June 1798

Among the numerous Addresses which have been presented to me, in the present critical situation of our Nation There has been none which has done me more honour,  which express animated with a more glowing Love of our Country, or expressive of Sentiments more magnanimous, exalted and  and determined.
The Submission you avow to the civil Authority of your Country, an indispensable future Principle in the Character of good Soldiers Warriours in a free Government, is highly  knowable to you both as future and  at the same moment when you make a solemn Proffer of your Lives and futures in the Service of your Country is highly honourable to you as Citizens and soldiers, and proves you perfectly qualified for the Duties of both Characters.
Neither officers nor soldiers of New Jersey have occasion or disposition to boast. Their Country has long boasted of their ardent Zeal in the Cause of Freedom: and their invincible Intrepidity in the Day of Battle.
Your Voice of Confidence, and Satisfaction of firmness & determination to support the Laws and Constitution, the Honor & Dignity of the United States, has a Charm in it, irresistable to the feelings of every American Bosom. But when, “in the presence of the God of Armies and in firm Relyance on his Protection, you solemnly pledge your Lives your futures and your sacred honor” you have recorded Words which ought to be indelibly imprinted in the Memory of every American Youth. With these sentiments in their hearts and this Language in the Mouths of all Americans in General the Greatest Nation or the Grand Menace may bluster and  menace at their its Pleasure: and the “degraded” and “deluded” may Characters may tremble lest they should be condemned to the Severest Punishment an American suffer, that of being conveyed in Safety within the Lives of an invading Ennemy.


Title: To John Adams from New Jersey Militia Officers, 20 June 1798
From: New Jersey Militia Officers
To: Adams, John

To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.Sir,
ca. 20 June 1798

The Commander in Chief, the General Officers, the General Staff and Field Officers of the Militia of the state of New-Jersey, feel, in common with their numerous Fellow-Citizens, who have addressed you in the present critical situation of our nation, and most cordially join them in expressing to you their high approbation of your conduct in the management of its Foreign Concerns, and their indignation for the insult offered to the honor and independence of the American People.
We come not, Sir, to dictate–Whether Peace can be preserved with the safety of our national dignity, or whether an appeal is to be made to arms, are questions entrusted to those in whose patriotism we confide, and according to their decision we shall always be prepared to act.–But, Sir, at this eventful period, we deem it our duty, and we feel it a pleasure, respectfully to approach our Commander in Chief, and to make him a solemn proffer of our Lives and Fortunes in the service of our Country.
It is not, Sir, for Soldiers to boast; but we know the troops whom we have the honour to command–we have been eye-witnesses of their ardent zeal in the cause of Freedom–we have been their companions in many toils and many sufferings, and if our beloved Country calls, we shall again cast the eye of confidence along their embattled ranks.
Let our enemies flatter themselves that we are a divided people–In New-Jersey, Sir, with the exception of a few degraded and a few deluded characters, to whose persons and to whose services the invading foe shall be welcome, from the moment of their arrival, and whom we engage to convey in safety to their lines–in New-Jersey, Sir, there is but ONE VOICE–and that is the voice of confidence in the Federal Government–The voice of perfect satisfaction with your administration of it–and the voice of firmness and determination to support the Laws and Constitution–the honor and dignity of the United States; and, Sir, for the defence of these, we do this day, in the presence of the God of Armies, and in firm reliance on his protection, solemnly pledge to you our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.


Title: To John Adams from Samuel Lord, 20 June 1798
From: Lord, Samuel,Barron, John
To: Adams, John

To the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America
ca. 20 June 1798

The Address and Memorial of the Subscribers, Citizens of the Townships of Mead, Irwin & Erie in the County of Allegheny in the State of Pennsylvania respectfully sheweth—
That duly appreciating the blessings of Religious and Civil Liberty your Memorialists consider it a duty at the present important crisis to express their Attachment to their Country and to the free and happy Government under which they live.
They have beheld with entire confidence and Satisfaction the firm and Upright Conduct of the Executive of the United States towards France and the repeated efforts made for the preservation of Peace with that Republic, They have seen with Indignation those overtures treated with Contempt, and the Greatest Insults added to accumulated Injuries—
Although your Memorialists entertain a due Sense of the Value of Peace they think proper to declare that to them, Peace is only desirable on Terms just and honorable and that should continual Aggressions on the part of France, render resistance necessary, and War inevitable, they pledge themselves to Support such measures as Goverment in its Wisdom may direct for the preservation of the National Honour, Safety and Independence—

Saml. LordJohn BarronAnd Many Others


Title: To John Adams from James Maxwell, 20 June 1798
From: Maxwell, James,Corkfield, Matthew
To: Adams, John

Sir.
20 June 1798

The subscribers in behalf and by the unanimous desire of the first Battallion of the sixty seventh Regiment of Virginia Militia formed out of a part of Berkeley County within that Commonwealth, beg leave to assure you that they entertain the highest sence of the Judicious measures persued by the Executive, respecting our relation with the different Nations of Europe, with whom an Intercourse at present subsists, and whilst they regret that the anomaly of the french Republick, manifested by the Insulting conduct heretofore exhibited towards the Amarican nation, holds out a prospect that harmony will not speedyly be restored, between that Republick and Amarica; do assure you that they are determined to encounter all the Calamities of War rather than prostrate their Independance, before that or any foreign power on Earth. And when with the deepest Regret we observe the unhappy difference of opinion too prevalent in our Country. with respect to the Nefarious Sea Robbing Republick. Be assured Sir, that in the first Battallion of the sixty seventh Regiment there is but one sentiment, and that is to support the present Government with our lives and fortunes.—
May the Supreme ruler of the Universe direct and prosper all your measures, and may you enjoy all the blessings of health & happiness, & again see your Country restored to peace and Unity is our sincere wish.—

Ja. Maxwell Majorand 15 others


Title: From John Adams to United States Congress, 21 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: United States Congress

Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
United States, June 21st: 1798—

While, I congratulate you, on the arrival of General Marshall, one of our late Envoys Extraordinary, to the French republic, at a place of safety, where, he is justly held in honor, I think it my duty, to communicate to you, a Letter received by him, from Mr. Gerry, the only one of the three, who has not received his Congé, this Letter together with another from the Minister of foreign relations, to him of the third of April, and his answer of the fourth, will shew the situation in which he remains, his intentions, and prospects—
I presume that before this time, he has received fresh Instructions (a copy of which accompanies this Message) to Consent to no Loans, and therefore the Negotiation, may be considered at an End
I will never send another Minister to France without assurances, that he will be received, respected, and honored, as the representatives of a great, free, powerful and Independent Nation

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hugh Barclay, 21 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Barclay, Hugh

To the Inhabitants of the Borough and County of Bedford, in PennsylvaniaGentlemen
Philadelphia June 21 1798

Your Address to the President Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, has been presented to me by one of your Senators in Congress Mr Bingham
I believe there never were three Men together, if there were two, which who did not find Some difference of sentiment to prevail among them on various Subjects. Unanimity in all Things is never to be expected. Yet When the essential Happiness of a People, when the Independence of a Nation is at Stake, any irreconcileable Difference of opinion is the infallible Proof a Corruption, that must produce Ruin. This I will confidently affirm is not the melancholly Situation of America. All Inferiour Considerations will be laid aside and We shall be and We are united, in one opinion and sentiment, in the great Cause of our Country at least so far as to render all Dissenteints impotent.
Your Government is your own. If you cannot Select Persons in whom you can confide, who can? Where will you look? To foreign Governments, Generals or Ambassadors? No. Let Us trust in the Direction of the supream Being and Unite as a Band of Brothers.

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Edward Hand, 21 June 1798
From: Hand, Edward,Ross, James
To: Adams, John

At a Meeting of One hundred and fifty of the Officers of the Militia of Lancaster County, the following Address was and Unanimously agreed to.—To John Adams Esquire, President of the United States,Sir,Lancaster June 21st. 1798.

At a period so momentous as the present, when it but too plainly appears that we must either submit to be dictated to by a foreign Power, or resort to Arms for the Defence of all that can be held dear to Freemen; the Officers of the Militia of Lancaster County, feeling themselves happy under the Influence of a Government of their own Choice, mild and equal in it’s Operation, And perfectly satisfied that it has been, and continues to be, administred with Prudence, Moderation and Wisdom; beg Leave to assure you, Sir, that should the Insolence and Rapacity of the French Republic, or any other foreign Power, render an Appeal to Arms the dernier Resort, they will be always ready to support, to the utmost of their Ability, the Rights of the American People & the Honor and Dignity of their Government.
We pray the Almighty Disposer of all Events to aid your Councils and preserve your Health.
Signed by Order and in Behalf of the Meeting.

Edward Hand. Major Genl.James Ross. Brigade InspectorAbraham Henry Major 1st. Regt.Alexander Scott. Major 2d RegimentThomas Barber Major 3d Regt.John Light Major 4th. Regt.Isaac Ellmaker Major 5th. Regt.Thomas Bayley Major 6th. Regt.Joseph Long Major 7th. RegtCommittee


Title: From John Adams to Josiah Bartlett, 22 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Bartlett, Josiah

Philadelphia June 22d 1798

As I never had the honor to be one of your ancient Fraternity, I feel my Self under, the greater Obligations to you for this respectfull and affectionate Address. Many of my best Friends have been Masons; and two of them Grand Masters of Lodges, my professional Patron the learned Gridley, and my intimate Friend your immortal patriot and Hero Warren, whose Life and Death were Lessons and Examples of Patriotism and Philanthropy: were Grand Masters of Lodges.
Yet So it has happened that I never had the Felicity to be initiated. I have neverthe less, ever Such Examples as these and a greater still in my venerable Predecessor would have been Sufficient to induce me to hold the Institution and Fraternity in Esteem and honor, as favourable to the Support of civil Authority, if I had not known their Love of the Fine Arts, their delight in Hospitality and devotion to Humanity.
Your indulgent opinion of me and my Conduct deserves my Thanks, and your benevolent Wishes for the fortunate termination of my public Labours, have my Sincere Thanks.
This public Engagement of your utmost Exertions in the Cause of your Country, and the offer of your Services to protect the fair Inheritance of your Ancestors are Proofs that you are not chargeable, with those Views designs the imputation of which, in other Parts of the World has embarrassed the public Mind with respect to the real Views of your Society.

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to George Washington, 22 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia June 22d 1798

I have this morning received, with great Pleasure, the Letter you did me the Honor to write me, on the Seventeenth of this month.
Although a Visit to the City of Washington would give me great Pleasure, and chiefly for the opportunity it would afford me of paying my Respects at Mount Vernon; Yet I cannot but consider the execution of the Plan, as very uncertain. I thank you, Sir, for your obliging Invitation: and shall certainly wish to Spend as much time as possible, under the refreshing shade of your Vine.
The approbatory Addresses, are very prescious to me, as they discover more union among the States and more unanimity among the People than was expected. My Administration, will not certainly be easy to myself.—It will be happy, however if it is honourable. The prosperity of it to the Country will depend upon Heaven, and very little on any thing in my Power.—I have no qualifications for the martial part of it, which is like to be the most essential. If the Constitution and your Convenience would admit of my Changing Places with you, or of my taking my old station as your Lieutenant civil, I should have no doubts of the Ultimate Prosperity and Glory of the Country.
In forming an Army, whenever I must come to that Extremity, I am at an immense Loss whether to call out all the old Generals, or to appoint a young sett. If the French come here We must learn to march with a quick step, and to Attack, for in that Way only they are said to be vulnerable. I must tax you, sometimes for Advice.—We must have your Name, if you, in any case will permit Us to Use it. There will be more efficacy in it, than in many an Army.
Mrs Adams and Miss Smith, join with me in presenting our best respects to yourself, Mrs Washington and Miss Custis.
With the highest esteem and Respect / I have the Honor to be, Sir, your most / obedient and most humble servant

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William Bingham, 22 June 1798
From: Bingham, William
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Philada June 22d 1798

On the receipt of the Address of the Inhabitants of the Borough & County of Bedford, to the President Senate & House of Representatives, I presented in compliance with your request, one Copy thereof to the President & another to the Senate of the United States—
The Sentiments conveyed therein made a very favorable Impression, & I have the Honor of inclosing to you the Reply, on the Part of the President, which I shall take the Liberty of having  in the public News Papers—
I am with Regard / sir, / Your devo hble ser

Wm Bingham


Title: To John Adams from Hosea Howard, 23 June 1798
From: Howard, Hosea,Knight, Daniel W.
To: Adams, John

Sir!
Ante 23. June 1798

We are not of those, who have Vowed a passive obedience to their Rulers, whatever, may be the object of their measures, and Commands, neither we think us entitled after our glorious Struggle with Great Brittain for our privileges and Liberties, By which we wrested our independency, from its hands To remain in a disgracefull indolence Enjoying the blessings of our happy Situation, on this vast Continent, and throw all our Cares upon them, whom we Created the Guardians of our Rights and Liberty, pretending, that they ought to know what will Secure them, and promote the prosperity of our Country, then we would have been unworthy these blessings, then we would have been alarmed, and Cursed our apathy when the devastation of our fields, and the flames of our burning Cottages, with the groans of our wives and Children, had warned us, too late, of our imminent danger. We Consider it our duty—as free and independant Citizens to look out, at the Conduct of our magistrates, and keep a Watching eye on all their proceedings.—
As a part of Great Brittain’s empire, we Considered us entitled to all the privileges of born Englishmen, and the insolent Claims of our mother Country—obliging us, in the most unnatural contest to oppose her Violence, with our arms acquainted us with the important truth, that her Cares, and her threaths were equally misapplied to us, acquainted us with our strength pointed out the rank, which we ought to fill among the Nations, and Convinced us that nothing less than our Independence could Save this Country.—
As Citizens of an Independent State we Consider it our duty, to be attentive on those whom we entrusted with our public Concerns, weighing with a Jealous anxiety, all their public transactions, and Scrutinising their most Secret deeds, exploring, if these answer their Solemn protestations, and may justify our acquiescence in their boasted disinterested Patriotism; we are Convinced that every Nation is on the brink of Ruin, the moment a General indolence prevails among its members.—We Consider it as highly unbecoming in every Citizen, when the prosperity, the independency—the political Existence of the Country is at a Stake, to remain indifferent about its issue, and fold its hands till it is too late, to escape the final blow.—In that alarming Critical Moment, and Such a one we Consider the present, every individual must come forward as a Single Man, and Stand or fall with its Country; here is indifference a Crime, too Cautious prudence approaching treason: The moment of reform of National Griefs or private wrongs, if there are—is past.—Jealousy of our Rulers must as preposterous, be replaced with Confidence in their administration, and a Manly Support of the Measures Concerned by them, to Save the Republic.—
Upon these principles: Sir! We encroach upon Your precious Moments, to Speak the Sentiments of our hearts. Not, that we are Vain enough to believe that the approbation of individuals Can make any of your Constitutional Steps, wise, Good, and Salutary to the public; or that you want it to proceed with firmness in the arduos Career you have entered. No, we have too exalted ideas of the Character of that Man whom the united voice of America loudly Called to Succeed the Illustrious Washington; But to evince foreigners, what a Fauchet, insinuated, and a french directory, with its Venal minister openly proclaimed that we are not a Corrupted, divided people. We read the dispatches of our ministers to the french directory, and we trembled with indignation on their perusal, uncertain, if we must more admire the Solid arguments—exemplary moderation, and Self Controul of the Noblest passions, under such an uninterupted train of unprovoked indignity’s of our Negotiators; or the outrageous Conduct unparralled in history from one independent Nation to another of the french directory and its Ministers—a Conduct, which the Savages on our Continent, and the algerines would have blushed to imitate, a Conduct not excusable if practised towards a petty European State but eminently odious, when an allied, friendly nation is Chosen for its object. We lament the Critical Situation of our Envoys which would not permit them, to Conclude their Memorial in a More energetic Language, more Convenient with the dignity and Grandeur of the American Empire. But then they would not have obviated the Calumnious aspersions of french Intriguers, Now Silenced with the sacrifice of their own feelings—
We Consider, Sir! the unworthy propositions to our Ministers as the direct acts of the french Government Confident that the Guillotine, or Cayenne Would have waited on the Minister with his pimps, if he had been daring enough to hazard, unqualified one Single Step in this transaction, we Cannot Reconcile the attempts of few individuals to make it appear otherwise, as with endeavours to humble the United States of America before the kingly directors—to endeavours inimical to the Rights of the people, inimical to the principles of Republican Government; To Cover the directory’s desultory infamous proceedings with the Garb of friendship, to hide their piratical warfare on our Commerce, under the Cloak of imperious Necessity, and tell our fellow Citizens, that we ought to Submit to france, because we are a weak infant people: The french, the grand–all domineering Nation, is to wish us a Dutch Liberty, to bring us in the Condition of the Swiss, or prepare us to be Blotted as Venice, from the list of the Nations.
Though we Scorn to Copy any ways the Conduct of the french directory, Justice obliges us, by this. Our Solemn appeal to assimulate them in distinguishing few oligarchical despots, from the french Nation, entitled by her Valor to the highest esteem of every Republican, worthy the blessings of Religious, and Civil Liberty, if She can bear, and obtain yet a free Constitution.
Our Situation as Settlers in the western parts, makes for us the Continuance of Peace a Most desirable object, having all our little to loose, Nothing to Gain by War, and we Should detest the men, who wantonly provoked an assault on our Country. But, that little and our Lives we are willing,—placing an intire Confidence in your wise and firm administration, to Sacrifice at your Call—to maintain our Liberty’s and independency, and deliver to our Childern a Constitution to which we owe our increasing Greatness and Prosperity.
These our Sentiments are the Sentiments of our Neighbours—our fellow Citizens all around us, and the Respectfull addresses from every part of the Union Convinces us, that we have not been decieved in our oppinon of our Brethren, that no disparity of political opinions, has a sufficient influence on our minds to Rally with the Enemy’s of our Country When our Liberty and Independence is endangered. So shall the Americans once more United, deliver a Second Lecture to the slaves of despotical power. So Shall Americans convince Europe, that they did not break Great Brittain’s fetters, offered under alluring promises of Wealth and protection, to purchase a More Galling Yoke from the french, With our Treasures, our Commerce and independence. So shall our national Credit be established, More and more, the Confidence in our Government, by Your administration, be strenghtned, and the America People, by its firm attachment to Every Social, and private Virtue, leaded by virtuous, and religious Characters—never more be insulted unpunished, and Show a striking proof to posterity of the Consoling and awful truth, that Righteousness exalts a people, but immorality is the bane of Nations—
The Military Officers of the County of Oneida in the Regement of Militia commanded by Lt. Col. Hosea Howard approve of the above
Hosea Howard Lt ComdtDaniel W. KnightJesse ParceThomas Hicks10 other signatures


Title: To John Adams from Jacob Samsin, 23 June 1798
From: Samsin, Jacob,Branter, George
To: Adams, John

To the President of the United States
Sir,
ante 23 June 1798

AT this eventful period, when the dignity and independence of the United States are involved; at a time when a foreign nation has declared (among other enormous requisites) that money to an immense amount must be paid as a preliminary to an audience with the Directory, or their recognition of our envoys extraordinary to that nation; and at a time when a foreign nation attempts to degrade the American character, by declaring to the world, that they have in the bosom of our country a considerable party attached to their interests, or devoted to their mandates, with a view to overawe our councils; that the fate of Venice is held out to us as a punishment in reserve for our country; that their ships of war, should ravage and plunder our sea coasts, should their demands not be complied with.—This painful picture, sent to us by our Commissioners, in whom we repose full confidence, from a government to congenial to our own, from a nation to whom our best wishes extended in their arduous struggles for independence, is a strange and wonderful spectacle of man! We the subscribers, inhabitants of Washington  County, and State of Maryland, anxious for peace with all the world, and being possessed of full information of your conduct with respect to France, have no doubt Sir, but that you with the other branches of our government, will yet meet with sincerity, every honorable overture of that nation, for the final adjustment of the differences unhappily subsisting between us; fully impressed with those ideas, we have only to declare, that your conduct with respect to France, has been fair, ample, and honorable, and receives our most hearty approbation, and having then the utmost confidence in the integrity and wisdom of our national government, we are resolved at the risque of our lives and property, to support it, as one of our own choice, and the hard earned independence of our country.
Jacob SamsinGeorge Branter102 other signatures


Title: From John Adams to Nc., Citizens of Franklin County, 23 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin County, Nc., Citizens of

To the Inhabitants of Franklin County in the State of North Carolina.Gentlemen
Philadelphia June 23 1798

I thank You for this Address presented to me by your Representative in Congress Mr Macon.
It is was indeed high time for the Friends of Government and good order, to exert themselves and declare their opinions: in a little or in a short time there might have remained neither Government nor Order.
Our conciliatory Conduct has produced no other Effect, than a repetition of marked insult, a denyal in Effect by refusing an Audience to our Ambassadors, of our being a nation, a Systematicall Warfare upon Us by Sea, and too much Scorn even to declare War, against Us, in form. Our former Connection, which raised the French from a State of depression and even almost of Contempt in Europe, is an Aggravation, instead of an Apology.
Since the Commencement of the French Republick, if We except hypocritical Professions of extravagant Love of our People I have seen nothing in the Conduct of that Government in Europe or that of their Ministers here, but unwarrantable depredations, unjust exactions, imperious demands and contumelious Language. If this Country was not ready with their the Lives and fortunes of its Inhabitants to defend its Constitution and Laws against Such lawless Attacks, it would deserve the Ruin which would follow

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hosea Howard, 23 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Howard, Hosea,Knight, Daniel W.

To the Officers of the County of Oneida in the Regiment of Militia, commanded by Coll: Howard
GentlemenPhiladelpa June 23d: 1798—

I thank you for your address, presented to me, by your Representative in Congress Mr: Cochran—
It is very true, that our evolutionary contest, acquainted us with our strength, and convinced us, that nothing less, than our Independence, could save this Country from a condition of existence, disgraceful and degraded below the Character of Freemen—But we should remember for our consolation, that three and twenty years have passed away, since the beginning of that Contest—that the number of our Men, is now at least double, and that our Resources are augmented, in a still greater proportion, that we have now officers in abundance, of Science, experience, and tried Bravery—that the greatest maratime, and commercial Nation on the Globe, could scarcely by searching through all Europe find transports enough, to convey to this Country, those Armies, which were then unable to Subdue us. Is it possible, there can be an unnatural monster in America, an Advocate, for Servitude and Submission to a french Executive directory?—

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Ny., Courts of Onondage County, 23 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Onondage County, Ny., Courts of

To the Members attending the Courts of common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace in the County of Onondaga in the state of New YorkGentlemenPhiladelphia June 23 1798

Your Address which has been presented to me by Mr Cochran your Representative in Congress, is very welcome to me.
Should France in the Spirit of Rapine and destruction attempt the Practice of her Menaces I have no doubt the History of our Second War, will be worthy of the Records of the first.I am afraid that free Government is a subject which will never be under
The delusive Theories of Government which are abroad in the World, are rather Pretexts of Ambition and Avarice, of Envy, Jealousy and revenge than the Convictions of the Understanding.—It is almost impossible to reason upon the Science of Government. So many Passions take fire, and So many Interests clash, that a Statesman or Writer who reasons is Scarcely Safe. Modern Revolutions are all uniform Commentaries which he who runs may read upon Principles and Systems of Government. But few Men dare to think, fewer still to Speak, and all seem afraid to write. Those who would introduce into this Country projects of Mischief, long since reprobated by the Sense of America cannot be her Friends.
Those who can honestly Say “We can not defend ourselves,” ought to be pitied as Men insane or distempered. Those who desire to die with when their Independence expires, will yet live to extreme old Age.

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Jacob Samsin, 23 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Samsin, Jacob,Branter, George

To the Inhabitants of Washington County in the State of Maryland
GentlemenPhiladelphia June 23 1798

Your Address has been presented to me by your Representative in Congress Mr Craik. When you say that the Government of France is congenial to your own, I pray you Gentlemen to reconsider the subject. The Constitution the Administration, the Laws and their Interpretation in France are as essentially different from ours as the ancient Monarchy. If We may believe Travellers returned from that Country or their own Co. The Pomp of Magnificence, the Profusion of Expence, the proud Usurpation, the domineering Inequality at present in that Country as well as the Prostitution of Morals, and depravation of Manners exceed all that ever was seen under the old Monarchy and form the most perfect Contrast to your own Country in all these respects.
I shall meet with Sincerity any honourable Overture of that nation: but I shall make no more overtures.

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from William R. Williamson, 23 June 1798
From: Williamson, William R.,Ogden, Harry W.
To: Adams, John

Sir
Elizabeth Town June 23d. 1798—

Feeling the keenest sensibility on account of the many and deep wounds which have been inflicted on our Country by the Republic of France—Seeing that Republic deaf to the voice of reason, justice and truth and instead of reparations avowing the continuation of her system of hostility and plunder, and adding insults of the grossest nature to injuries already received; and observing Sir, that in your opinion “America must reassume her warlike character and that in a manner more decisive and universal than at any former period”. It becomes the indispensible duty of the Young Citizens of the United States, after the bright example of their Fathers to prefer the dangers of the field, to days of inglorious ease and to hold their lives in less estimation than the Independence of their Country—
In Consideration whereof a Company of Volunteers in Elizabeth Town in the Borough of Elizabeth and State of New Jersey have associated themselves together (a Copy of which association is herewith sent), and in order that they may join in the most active manner in vindicating the honor of the Nation and in repelling from it those injuries with which it is threatened (in the intoxication of success) by a power regardless of all the Rights of humanity, the Laws of nations, and the most solemn Treaties. They do in presence of Almighty God whose aid they implore upon this solemn occasion, dedicate themselves to the service of their Country, at this eventful crisis, and do offer themselves accordingly as a Volunteer Corps, under the denomination of Elizabeth Town Volunteers, agreeably to the provision of an Act of Congress lately passed for raising a provisional Army and do request that they may be accepted and Officers appointed accordingly—
Signed by order and in behalf of said Volunteer Company,
William R. Williamson—Harry W. Ogden.—Aaron Dayton}CommitteeElizabeth Town June 16th. 1798—
Agreeably to an Act authorising the president of the United States to raise a provisional Army, passed at Philadelphia May 28th. 1798
We the Subscribers do hereby associate ourselves into a Volunteer Company of Infantry and do offer ourselves to the president of the United States for the said service and do engage to arm, clothe and equip ourselves at our own expence, agreeably to the provision of the said law and do request that Officers may be commissioned accordingly——
Subscribers Names—
Benjamin Williamson, Aaron Dayton, Harry W. Ogden, William R. Williamson, Thomas Lovell, John Lovell, John Ogden, Andrew Woodruff, John H. Willis, Stephen Burrows, John Craig, Stephen Ogden, George C. Thomas, George Williamson, Elihu Brittan, Joseph Dayton, William R. Willis, John H. Stiles, Abraham Stiles, Joseph Crane junr, John Jones, Jonathan Crane, Jonathan Ogden, Jacob Wheeler, Major Denman, David Marsh, Levi Price, William Cole, Andrew B. Woodruff, George W. Willis, William Bell, Henry Swift, Aaron Conckling, James Ross, William Higgins, Charles T. Tooker, George Lee, William Mockridge, Samuel Owen Smith, Elias Dayton, Samuel Winans
We the Subscribers do hereby Certify, that the above is truely copied from the Original Article of Association now in our possession——
William R. Williamson—Harry W. Ogden.——Aaron Dayton.}Committee


Title: From John Adams to William R. Williamson, 23 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Williamson, William R.,Ogden, Harry W.

Gentlemen
post 23 June 1798

I have received your Address and a Copy of your association, by the Hand of the Speaker Mr Dayton. Your Feelings of the keenest Sensibility on account of the many and deep Wounds which have been inflicted on your Country by the Republic of France, must be approved by the coolest reason of every honest Man and faithful American.
The Dedication of yourselves to the service of your Country, in the Presence of Almighty God, whose Aid you implore, is too solemn to be insincere. May his Blessing attend you.
The offer of yourselves as a Volunteer Corps under the Denomination of Elizabeth Town Volunteers, agreably to the Provision of the Act of Congress lately passed for raising a provisional Army, is accepted: and your officers shall be appointed as soon as may conveniently be done. In the Mean time I wish to be informed of the Names of the officers under whom you have associated.

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Todd, 25 June 1798
From: Todd, Timothy,Canfield, Nathan
To: Adams, John

Sir Permit—
ante 25 June 1798

the Inhabitants of the Towns of Arlington and Sandgate in the County of Benington in the State of Vermont with the greatest respect to approach the Executive and Solemnly avow those Sentiments which for Years we have Cherished and which at this time We think Criminal to Suppress—
Long have we Seen foreign Influence prevailing Endangering the Peace and Independance of our Countrey, Long have we seen with most painful Sensations the Exertions of dangerous and restless men misleading the Understandings of Our well meaning Citizens and prompting them to Such measures as would Sink the Glorey of Our Countrey and prostitute her liberties to the feet of France—
Long have we seen that Nation departing from her Specious professions of Emansipateing the Enslaved and following the Steps of Ambitious Tyrants in the road to Universal Empire and While we lamented that so maney with Intemperate Zeal Appeared willing to Sacrafice Every thing to her glory we Charitibly hoped in times like the present they would Cheerfully rally around the Standard of Government nor are our hopes blasted the Veil is now removed from their Eyes and the Spell broken Suffer Us Sir with perfect Sincerity to declare that the Executive and Government of the United States have ever had our Confidence. We have no Attachments or exclusive friendship for any foreign Nation America is Our Country—To Support such measures as our Executive And Administration have or may adopt for the safety and defence of Our National dignity and Independance We pledge our Selves and dearest Enjoyments and while we gratefully Acknowledge the goodness of Heaven for the blessings of a Constitution happily Calculated to secure our Safety and freedom and for the wisdom firmness prudence and justice by which the Government of the United States has been administered and which has been our Security from foreign bondage we ardently pray that the Invaluable life of the President may be long Continued, the term for his Usefullness protracted, his Administration prospered, and those Caroding Cares and trying Circumstances which are Inseperable from his Exalted Station receive the merited Acknowledgment of the present and Unborn Generations—
            Timy: Todd
              Nathan Canfield
              Danl. M. Baker
              Isaac Oatman
              Stanl. Leonard
              and 166 other signatures


Title: To John Adams from Jonathan Fay, 25 June 1798
From: Fay, Jonathan,Hunt, Joseph
To: Adams, John

From the Inhabitants of Concord, Massachusetts—To His Excellency the President of the United States.—ante 25 June 1798
Sir,When we contemplate the Wisdom and Firmness, the Integrity and Magnanimity of our National Executive; we rejoice that we are Men; we boast that we are Americans!—
When Britain treated America with more than step-dame Cruelty, the daring Infant manfully asserted her rights and bade Defiance to her Foe. A surviving few of us acted on the memorable 19th. of April—We saw unsheathed the first conquering sword—Concord drank the first blood of martyred Freemen—Here commenced a Contest, dubious for Columbia; but by the Perilous Patriotism of her Sons, and the All-conquering Sword of God and Washington; she won her sovereign Independence, and founded a growing Empire, on the indestructible basis of Justice and equal rights!—
We, Sir, having kept a watchful eye on your active merit, from the first dawn of your Political existence, until you rose to the Acme of Political Greatness, recognize with warmest gratitude your signal services during the tempest of a revolution, which challenges obliterating Time to blot it from the scroll of Fame. We revere your inviolable attachment to the interests of our Country, which shone with Eclat, in framing and defending our immortal Constitution, which exhibits Wisdom inferior only to Divine!—
While we view with fullest satisfaction peerless Washington’s equitable Administration, we cordially acquiesce in the unshaken rectitude, the amicable disposition, and the vigorous measures, now adopted by our Executive, towards an aspiring Power, who, unprovoked, has outraged the Piracy and Perfidy of Gothic darkness and Vandal barbarity; who has perpetrated Crimes unparalelled in the History of Man! France, grasping at universal domination and aggrandizement, has abandoned every Moral and Religious Principle; trampled on sacred faith; sported with National Laws; and demanded pecuniary exactions, which would bankrupt our Nation and render us Slaves, instead of a Free, Sovereign, Independent People. Shall we submit to these repeated insults and humiliating demands or resolve, in holy remembrance of those who bled, that we will defend by our Valour, what they won by their Blood? We would not dictate; but should the Crisis demand, we will rally round the Standard of our Government, and under the direction of the concentrated Wisdom of the Union, make a free willoffering of our Lives and Fortunes, sooner than truckle to the mandates of any foreign Power. We will gloriously perish in the attempt, or unsullied, transmit to Posterity, what we received in early day, from those who are now translated to brighter worlds; or, trembling beneath the weight of Age!—We, in unison with the Union, will convince France and the World, that the Divine enthusiasm of ’75 glows in the bosom of each genuine American, and, under Providence, will render Columbia as formidable to her foes, as was Michael’s Sword from the Armory of God, to the rebel Angels of Heaven!

Jona. Fay.Joseph Hunt.Thos. Farmer.Nathel. Munroe.Samel: Jones.Samel. P. Prescott.Ezra RipleySamel. BarrettBenj. HosmerJona. PrescottNoah MorseNoah MorseFrancis JarvisJoseph HosmerCyrus HosmerRoger BrownJohn Curtis.John Fay(54 other signatures)


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Todd, 25 June 1798
From: Adams, John
To: Todd, Timothy,Canfield, Nathan

To the Inhabitants of the Towns of Arlington and Sandgate in the County of Bennington in the State of VermontGentlemen
Philadelphia June 25 1798

I thank You for this Address, which has been presented to me by Mr Chipman one of your Representatives Senators in Congress.
Sentiments like yours, which have been entertained for years, it would at this time be inexcuseable to Suppress. If, you have long seen, foreign Influence prevailing, and endangering the Peace and Independence of our Country, So have I. If you have long seen, with painful sensations the Exertions of dangerous and restless Men, misleading the Understandings of our well meaning Citizens, and prompting them to Such measures as would Sink the Glory of our Country, and prostrate her Liberties at the Feet of France, So have I.
I have seen in the Conduct of the French Nation for the last twelve years, a Repetition of their Character displayed under Louis the fourteenth, and little more, excepting the Extravagances which have been intermixed with it of the most of wildest Philosophy which was ever professed in this World Since the Building of Babell and the Fables of the Giants who By piling mountains on mountains invaded the skies. If the spell is broken, let human Nature exult and rejoice. The Veil may be removed from the Eyes of many but I fear not of all. The snare is not yet entirely broken and We are not yet escaped.
If you have no attachments or exclusive Friend Ship for any foreign nation, you have the genuine Charater of true Americans.
The Pledge of your selves and dearest Enjoyments to support the Measures of Government, shews that your Ideas are up adequate to the national Dignity, and that you are worthy to enjoy of its Independence and Sovereignty
Your Prayers for my Life and Usefullness are too affecting to me, to be enlarged on.
John Adams