Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 July 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Sir
Quincy July 23d. 1799

It always gives me pain, when I find myself obliged to differ in opinion from any of the heads of department, but as our understandings are not always in our own power, every man must judge for himself.—In the case of Capt Talbot, I am perfectly clear in my own mind, that he has been a Captain in the Navy of the United States, from the time of his appointment in 1794 to this hour—that a legal title and an estate in his office was then vested in him, and that he has never been divested of either. The suspension of his pay & subsistance was no deprivation of his office, any more than shakeing off the apples is cutting down the tree. The principle is well known & established in a multitude of cases. Sequestration of the uses & profits of lands or tenements by the acts of the Legislature, is not a destruction of the title or a divestment of the estate. Suspensions of the functions are no deprivation of the offices. The dukes of Norfolk for ages were disqualified to discharge their functions on account of their catholic religion, yet they remained dukes of Norfolk & their titles & offices descended from generation to generation without any degredation of rank. President Washington made the distinction at the time & instead of discharging or dismissing Capt Talbot from his office or anulling his appointment, only informed him that in consequence of an act of congress his pay & subsistence must be suspended or must cease for the present but at the same time expresses his desire that he would still stand ready to engage again in the service when he should be called. Had President Washington continued in office he might have given Talbot the command of a ship & ordered him his pay & subsistence without a fresh nomination to the senate & so might the successor to the office of President. Nothing can be inferred from my nomination of him, but my desire to give satisfaction to the Senate and the public. Had the Senate refused their advice & consent, I might have desisted from my intention of employing him; but the repetition of their consent is certainly no diminution of his title—But had Talbot been expressly dismissed, & his appointment annulled for no fault by President Washington, it would have made no alteration in my opinion. Talbot upon being called into service again ought to have his former rank, which he held under the same constitution of government, & in the same department of the public service.
Far be it from me to depreciate the merits, services or talents of Capt. Truxton. I respect, I esteem & especially since his late glorious action, I love the man. His gallant behavior & splendid conquest of the Insurgents have won him laurells, which I hope he will live to wear, for many years after I shall be no more. But this meritorious conduct makes no alteration in my judgment in the State of this question. It is no more an argument for promoteing him over Talbot, than it is for promoteing him over the heads of Nicholson & Barry, which no man will advocate or propose. If he is to be promoted, as a reward for a great action, his promotion ought to be as impartial as possible, to all other officers. One ought not to be singled out, as a victim to be slighted & wounded alone.
It is impossible to finish this letter, without saying something of talents, services & general merit. In all these points in my opinion, Talbot will not suffer by a comparison with any naval officer in the service. Delicate as this subject is, I must hint at a few particulars, which appear not to be sufficiently known. Exploits, of twenty years age in history, are little attended to by the present generation. Talbots talents & services in civil life, as a Representative in congress, as an agent for the liberation of our seamen in the West Indies and even in fitting out our ships lately are of very respectable character, but his services last war far outweigh all the services which were ever performed by Truxton to the United States during his whole life.—I should regret sincerely & extremely the loss of Capt Truxton to the Navy & to the United States & I confidently hope & believe he will not think of a resignation. But if it must come to such a crisis, that I should be compelled to say which officer I would retain in the service, I should not hesitate a moment to say it must be Talbot. Truxton is a new man in the service of the United States. Talbot has served them very long.
There are two principles, which produce a tenaciousness of rank. One is a sense of honor & consciousness of dignity, which cannot bear disgrace or degradation; the other is a selfish vanity & aspiring ambition, which is desirous of rising at any rate, & leaping over the head of all others, who are higher. Talbot is, in my opinion, undoubtedly in the first case & I sincerely hope Truxton will not prove himself in the last. Talbot cannot descend without disgrace & loss of reputation & confidence in the world. Truxton stands on safe ground, & will loose no character or confidence by not riseing. He has not even a colorable or plausible pretence for riseing, whatever an unthinking undiscriminating popularity may say. I will not be the dupe of that popularity.
I promised you some hints of Talbots services. In May 1775 he was elected a Captain of a company by the Legislature of Rhode Island, when he raised a full company & marched to the camp near Boston where he continued untill the ennemy were driven away in 1776. He then marched with the army for New York, but upon his arrival at New London with the army, he was drafted with two hundred men to man Comodore Hopkins squadron, which had just arrived there from a cruize. The draft was made, to help the fleet bound from New London to Newport, the better to defend the ships, in case they should fall in, as was expected, with two British twenty Gun ships, cruizeing off Newport. The Squadron arrived without seeing an ennemy at Newport, when he left the fleet & embarked in a small vessell with his soldiers & landed in the city of N York
In the course of the campaign of 1776 some five ships were equipped at New York with the view of endeavoring to destroy the British fleet & army laying then at a particular place. When they were ready for service, the commander in chief sent for Talbot, & requested him to take charge of a combustible brigg, to which he readily consented, though it was considered so hazardous an undertakeing, that it was with great difficulty, that others could be procured to command the rest. John Thomas, Talbots ensign, followed his example, & took charge of a second & was burned to death in the flames of his vessell. Talbot did not receive orders to execute the design of his ship untill three of the British ships of War moved up the North river, seven miles above the city. In the night preceeding the battle of Haerlem, he received directions to run down upon the ships of war in the north river & destroy them if possible, which were promptly attempted to be put in execution, an hour before day light, by getting the fireship under way & running down & boarding the Asia on her starboard bow, when he set fire to her & with the greatest difficulty, made his escape through the flames into the boat, where his men had been placed to take him off. The fire ship was grappled to the Asia for some time, but at length by the activity address & intrepidity of British seamen, was disengaged, so that the Asia was not burned. But the attempt threw the ships crew into such confusion & alarmed them so much that all the ships of war & their attendants in the North river cut & ran down to their old station, below the city. The morning after this the battle of Haerlem was fought and as the enemy had not those ships to cover their left flank, as had been intended, Washington gained the advantage of that day. After leaving the fire ship, Talbot made his escape to the Jersey shore in a boat receiving the fire of all the ships as he passed them. In escapeing through the flames his cloaths were all burned & his body too to that degree, that he did not see the light for fourteen days. Congress in a representation of this service throught proper to grant him a commission as Major in the army of the United States, & to make him a grant of a sum of money as a compensation for the cloaths, which were burned on his back. Rapid promotions & splendid rewards were not so easily obtained in those days you see as they have been in some instances of late years.
At the latter end of the siege of Fort Miflin, on mud island, which was always allowed to have been well defended, Talbot was second in command & in the afternoon previous to the evening of its evacuation, when the cannonade & fire of musquetry were very severe, he received a musquet ball through his left wrist, the pain of which must have been to most men, insupportable; he bound it up & continued at his post till sun sett, when he was shot down by another ball, which entered near his left hipp & yet remains in his left groin.
In 1778 at the battle of Rhode Island, under General Sullivan he commanded in the light advanced corps & commenced the action of that day in person, & such was his conduct during the battle & activity in procureing boats for landing the army on the island previous to the battle that Sullivan mentioned him very honorably to Congress in the communication of the events of that expedition.
In the same year after the expedition before alluded to the British stationed a large galley in the passage between Rhode Island a& the main mounting eight twelve pounders which cannon had been taken out of the Flora frigate that was sunk in the harbor & were marked with her name. As this galley totally stopped all supplies for the army by water & prevented all our navigation from Providence & Taunton rivers, which was very considerable & annoyed all vessells bound to those places, Talbot determined to move her if possible & accordingly requested of Gen. Sullivan who commanded the army fifty men to be drafted for the purpose. The General after some hesitation complied. Talbot embarked these on board a small sloop at Providence called the Hawk, which mounted only two three pounders, cutt away the boarding nettings, drove the ennemy from their quarters, & took possession sword in hand of the galley, which was commanded by a British lieutenant of the Navy with forty eight men. After this Talbot weighed her anchors, run out of the harbor & carried her safe to Connecticut where he landed the prisoners before dark the next day. For this service the Legislature of Rhode Island passed a law that a sword should be presented to him at the expence of that state & congress thought proper as a reward for the same service to promote him to the rank & to give him a commission of Lieutenant Colonel in the service of the Untied States. The British never posted any other armed vessel in the passage which remained open and free ever after.
Sometime after this Talbot made arrangements & sailed twice from Providence with three hundred men, on board a large merchant ship, mounted on a stage above her deck, for the purpose of boarding a sixty four gun ship, that lay in the bay. But the wind at both times failed him, and it became so calm, that he was obliged to return without affecting his purpose. As the ennemy always got information of his movements, they were after this, so much afraid of being boarded, that they took a regiment on board from the Island, & kept them untill they learned that his plan was laid aside.
In 1779 Congress directed General Gates, who succeeded General Sullivan, to provide an armed vessel for the protection of the bays and coast about Rhode Island. Accordingly a sloop was equipped, named the Argo, mounting ten six pounders, but as this sloop when equipped could not be manned, General Gates requested Talbot to take the command of her, as he was at that time popular with the Seamen. At first he declined, because the command of a small sloop was not equal to that which a Lieutenant Colonel ought to expect. But he was at length prevailed on by the General, as it was desirable to have the sloop manned. General Gates can certify the most important services performed by the Argo while under his command. The number of cannon, which he took in the several prizes are said to have amounted to ninety six, twenty of them twelve pounders, the rest sixes and fours. Some of the privateers he took were double his own force, & all of them of superior force. In a battle fought with the privateer ship dragon of fourteen guns, which continued four hours & an half with great vigor on both sides, the ship did not surrender until her mainmast was shot away just above the deck & tumbled into the sea. In this battle he had twenty one men killed & wounded, & when the ennemy surrendered, the Argo was on the point of sinking, the water in her hold being above the gunroom floor.
Congress, as a reward for his services in this action & five others fought in the Argo, some of them not much less severe, thought proper to appoint him a captain in the Navy, for while he commanded the Argo, he was furnished with no other than a Lieutenant Colonels commission. Thus I have given some intimations of the principles and facts, which I have taken pains to collect, on which I have acted in giveing Talbot a commission to take rank from the day of his appointment as a Captain in the Navy in 1794, which words here underscored, I pray you to insert in his commission in your office as they are the only alteration I have made in it.
After all, human events are all uncertain. Truxton may resign, which I sincerely hope he will not & upon my honor I think he ought not, & Talbot may be unfortunate—Consequent censures will probably be freely cast upon me. I am prepared to meet hem. Let them come as thick as they may, however I may regret them, I shall never repent of the measures that produced them, because it has been the result of mature deliberation, impartial consideration of the whole subject, & conscientious opinion that it is right.
After the detention of nine days by contrary winds, the Constitution took the advantage of a brisk breeze, and went out of the harbor & out of sight this forenoon, makeing a beautiful & noble figure amidst the joys & good wishes of many thousands of good federalists.
I have the honor to be with great regard Sir / your humble servant

P.S. Although this letter is committed to your discretion prudence will dictate that some parts of it be considered as confidential.


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 23 July 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy July 23d 1799

Inclosed is a letter from Mr. Thaxter relative to the light house on Gay head.
I shall soon send you a drawing if not a model of an œconomical improvement of these lights of Mr. Cunnington, which appears to me, but I may be mistaken, of greater importance than the great question who shall be the keeper of one of them.

J. Adams


Title: To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 23 July 1799
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Treasury Department July 23d. 1799

I have the honor to transmit a letter dated the 18th instant from General Thomas Pozey, advising of his resignation of the Office of Commissioner of Direct Tax, for the eleventh Division in the State of Virginia, and recommending Captain William Taylor of Fredericksburgh as his successor.
Having no reason to doubt that Mr Taylor is a suitable character to fill the vacancy—I enclose a blank Commission for the President’s signature, in case he shall see fit to direct the appointment to be made.
I have the honor to be / very respectf / Sir / Your Most Obedt. Servant
Oliv Wolcott.


Title: To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 July 1799
From: Gerry, Elbridge
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Cambridge 24th July 1799

I have the honor to enclose a copy of Mr Pickerings letter to me of the 20th of June No 1, of an account of Stores said to have been purchased for the Sophia No 2, & of his statement of my account No 3; the latter of which, as I conceive, is unjust in several particulars.
1st Mr Pickering has considered my salary as terminating the 12th of may; stating, that it was “the day on which I received his letter, directing my return to the United States,” & that “he considered my stay in France, after that time, as perfectly gratuitous.” I received no such directions from any one, neither had he, unless by express order of his superior, any authority whatever over me. thro him, I received on that day, the Presidents instructions of the 23d of march 1798 purporting, that if the Envoys were then in treaty, with persons duly authorized by the Directory, on the subject of their mission, they were to remain, & expedite the completion of the treaty act. I was then in a situation, unknown to the President when the instructions were issued, which it was conceived, would have justifyed the remaining at Paris, to ascertain the veiws of the french government, & prepare the way, if it was so inclined, for a reconciliation; or if not, to make its disposition manifest to the government & citizens of the United States. I was not accredited, but was urged to the measure by the french minister, duly authorized to treat with me. peace, or war, appeared to depend on the sincerity or insincerity of the french declarations in regard to the United States, & I had no reason to doubt, that the Government, would, on the principle of its instructions, have approved of my conduct, in pursuing a fair prospect of ascertaining these points. this opinion has been since confirmed by the Presidents message to Congress of the 21st of June 1798, wherein he says “I presume, before this time, Mr Gerry has received fresh instructions, to consent to no loan, and therefore the negotiation may be considered at an end.” The demand of a loan, the only ground of that presumption, having been then relinquished by the french government, had this circumstance been known to the President, he would not probably have expected the negotiation to end, on the receipt of those instructions. nevertheless, “suspense” being represented by the instructions as “ruinous”, after the receipt of them, I did not incline to lose a moment of time in making arrangements to return even to attain the important object mentioned: lest my remaining in France, might be attended with injuries to the United States, paramount to the advantages on prospect. application was therefore immediately made for my passport. Having waited ‘till the 27th of may, for the fitting out the Sophia & Mr Humphrys’ return from Lyons, I should probably, within a day or two afterwards have left Paris, with the wished for information, had not american news papers arrived, with the publication of our dispatches. this, having irritated the directory to an high degree, produced my detention, & would undoubtedly have brot on a war, had not three of the directors, suppressed their resentment to counteract G Britain; whose Government, by rapidly distributing the dispatches thro’ out Europe, & by friendly acts towards the United States, raised strong apprehensions, that it expected much benefit from engaging them in the war, & had great hopes of accomplishing it. had this taken place, it would undoubtedly have been followed, by my confinement, on account of my communications in general, & particularly in regard to the conduct of the french minister; & probably, as my health was bad, by the loss of my life. & can it, Sir, be reasonable, that to this should be added the deprivation of salary, after the 12th of may; when, had I received a positive recall, one branch of the Government, had put it out of my power to obey it, by publishing the secrets of the embassy? I impute no blame for this act; but if the publick welfare required measures which put my life in danger, it cannot be urged, that publick justice requires my defraying the expence of an unavoidable detention, in consequence of those measures: more especially, when it is considering, that the salary, handsome as it was, did not exceed the necessary expences of a public minister, that I could have had no other motive than the publick interest for remaining there, after the departure of the other envoys, that every personal consideration prompted my return to the Untied States, that after the 12th of may, my exertions were incessant to obtain a passport, & that by them alone, a clearance was obtained for the Sophia. much more may be said on this head, but I shall only refer to my dispatches, for supporting the facts herein stated.
2dly Mr Pickering has charged my account with 579 dollars: 94 cents for the passage of myself & servant from Havre, when I could have been much better accomodated on board a packet, notwithstanding the polite attentions of Captain Geddis, for 200 or 250 dollars. the pretext of Mr Pickering for this extravagant charge is a certificate from Mr Humphreys “that the articles mentioned as cabin stores were purchased at my request” & a second certificate, for it seems the first was not sufficient for the purpose “that many articles aforesaid were provided by my special orders, & would not have been provided by Capt Geddis & himself; & therefore one half the amount, should be charged to me.” he makes no particular mention of the articles, or their amount which subjected me to the payment of half of that account, & Mr Humphrys is inaccurate in his statement of facts. the day after his arrival at Paris, to the best of my memory, I informed him, that I should be ready to embark as soon as the brigantine could be fitted for sea, & desired him to make out a list of cabin stores, & send them to Capt Geddis. he repeatedly expressed a wish for my assistance, in consequence of which, from my list of stores for the outward passage, I made out one with him, & depended on him for determining the quantities. in some instances I thot the quantities large, and he observed, the articles would not be lost, but would serve for the next voyage: & the observation was just. When I arrived at Havre, finding he could not come over, & had not compleated the list of stores, I sent for it, ordered the articles to be purchased contained in No 4, & informed him, that as I should pay for my passage, they might be placed to the ships account had he hinted to me, that the articles of my passage out, were unnecessary for the other passengers, or that to purchase them for the ship, was not agreable to him or the Captain, I would have provided for myself, & in that case stores for the Captain myself, & servant, & for Mr Humphrys likewise, would even at the american rates, not have exceeded 250 Dollars for with that sum, on my outward passage I subsisted the Captain, myself & servant, & the mate for the most part; & nearly one third of the stores were left, on our arrival at Rotterdam. besides, there were daily in the cabin of the Sophia seven, in addition to whom, two other passengers were expected, & actually provided for—1800 livres equal to £100 lawful, are charged for grocery. What the articles were, I know not; but can it be supposed, Sir, that one half of them was requisite for me, or that they were not sufficient for half a score passengers? or that I consumed, or ordered for myself, half of 15 dozn of claret, or of a hogs head of brandy? Sure I am, that my consumption did not exceed one dozen of the former; & that half of the latter would serve me twenty centuries, for I do not use a gill in a year. some of the articles which I procured at Havre, were for the Ships crew, as well as passengers & were so applyed; & there was not an article, to my recollection, appropriated to my particular use. nevertheless, if any stores procured by my means, are not usually provided for cabin passengers, in health or sickness, I wish to be charged with them: for I did not expect, & cannot consent, on the one hand, to put the publick, for my accomodation, to an unnecessary expence; or, on the other hand, to submit to a gross imposition.
3dly Mr Pickering has charged the guilders, drawn by me, from the bankers of the U. States at Amsterdam in 1797 & 98, at 40 cents; Whereas the act of Congress of the 4th of august 1790, provides, that each florin or guilder of the United Netherlands shall be estimated at 39 cents. this by an act of Congress of the 2d of march last, was altered to 40 cents, from & after the 1st of this month, being twelve months subsequent to the last of my drafts, & nine or ten months after the exhibition of my account in which were credited the passages of myself & servant, with a blank for the amount. Why Mr Pickering has deferred the adjustment of that account, I know not; neither do I think it probable, had the act last mentioned reduced the value of the guilder, it would have been charged to me at the reduced value. it would not have been just, or in my part expected.
I shall make no comment on Mr Pickering’s submitting to the arbitration of his messenger, the accounts of a publick minister, & his thus debasing the office; or on his general conduct towards me, before & after my return from Europe; the circumstances of which, must, it is conceived convince any impartial mind, that justice from him, in this case, is not to be expected, & that an appeal to the President is indispensable.
I have made a statement in No 5, of the sums due to me, in consequence of the surcharges & short credit, herein referred to; amounting to 2410 dollars: 94 cents, which is respectfully submitted to the President.
I have the Honor to remain, dear Sir, with every sentiment of attachment / & respect, your most obedt / & very huml Sert.
E Gerry
P.S The extracts No 6 may still further confirm, if necessary, some facts herein stated


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 July 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Philadelphia July 24. 1799.

There is in the Aurora of this city, an uninterrupted stream of slander on the American Government. I inclose the paper of this morning. It is not the first time that the Editor has suggested—that you had asserted the influence of the British Government in the affairs of our own—and insinuated, that it was obtained by bribery. The general readers of the Aurora will believe both.—I shall give the paper to Mr. Rawle, and, if he thinks it libellous, desire him to prosecute the Editor.
I do not know a member concerned in the administration of the affairs of the U. States who would not indignantly spurn at the idea of British influence—And as to bribes, they would disdain to attempt a vindication from the charge.
The article in the paper marked 5. of an acknowledgement in my writings, that in case of a war with Great Britain, a foreign war is not the only one to be dreaded,—probably refers to my letter of Septr. 12. 1795, to Mr. Monroe, in which, vindicating our state of neutrality and the British treaty, & exhibiting the evils to low from a war with Great Britain, I say, that in that case, “it would be happy for us if we could contemplate only a foreign war, in which all hearts and hands might be united.”
The editor of the Aurora, Wm. Duane, pretends that he is an American Citizen, saying that he was born in Vermont, but was when a child, taken back with them to Ireland, where he was educated. But I understand the facts to be, That he went from American prior to our revolution, remained in the British dominions till after the peace—went to the British East Indies, where he committed or was charged with some crime—and returned to Great Britain, from whence within three or four years past he came to this Country to stir up sedition & work other mischief. I presume therefore that he is really a British subject, and as an alien liable to be banished from the U. States.—He has lately set himself up to be the captain of a company of volunteers, whose distinguishing badges are, a plume of cock-neck feathers & a small black cockade with a large eagle. He is doubtless a United Irishman, and the company is probably formed, to oppose the authority of the Government; and in case of war and invasion by the French, to join them.
I am with great respect / sir yr. most obt. servt.
Timothy Pickering


Title: To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 July 1799
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Treasury Department July 24. 1799.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honour most respectfully to submit to the President of the United States the following Report.—
That in consequence of strong suspicions that great disorders existed in the office of John Fitzgerald Esquire, Collector of the Customs for the District of Alexandria, an enquiry was instituted in March 1798, the management of which was committed to William Heth Esquire, Collector for the District of Bermuda hundred—
The result of the enquiry will appear from Letters of the said William Heth Esqr. dated March 29th: April 9th. &  13th: 1798, and from the statements therein mentioned—also from the correspondence of the Secretary of the Treasury with the said Collector, during the present year, and from Letters written by James Keith Esquire to the Comptroller of the Treasury, which accompany this report.—
It appears to be fully proved that the Collector has been guilty of gross neglect of the duties of his office, and that in consequence of his credulity and indolence, the public monies to a very considerable amount have been misapplied by Vincent Gray, the Deputy of the Collector—
The general good character of the Collector, the respectability of his connections, and the strong representations of the Collector of Bermuda hundred, induced the Secretary to expect that the public demand would be secured, and that a resignation of the office would be tendered to the President.—
The time which has elapsed without any thing effectual being accomplished, the neglect with which recent communications have been treated, the danger of an increase of the evil, and positive evidence that the ill health of the Collector has increased, the imbecillity of his character, render it incumbent on the Secretary to report to the President, that a new appointment appears to be indispensibly required by the public interests.—
All which is most respectfully / Submitted,

Oliv: WolcottSecy of the Treasy.


Title: To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 July 1799
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Sir.
Treasury Department July 24. 1799.

By this Mail, I shall have the honour to transmit a Report respecting John Fitzgerald Esqr. Collector of Alexandria—if the President shall see proper to make a new appointment, I take the liberty to recommend Charles Simms Esquire, who is, I presume well known to the President.—The Attorney General is of opinion that Colo. Simms is the most suitable character—He is a Gentleman of eminence at the Bar, & in all respects a man of influence and respectability.—
Mr. Scott is, I believe, a very good man, but not equal in age and standing with the community, to Colo Simms.—I know nothing to the disadvantage of Mr. Porter; his pretensions are not however strongly supported by those whom I conceive to be the best judges of the qualifications requisite for the office.
I have the honour to be / very respectfully, Sir, / your mo. obedt. servt.

            Oliv: Wolcott


Title: To John Adams from Samuel Smith, 24 July 1799
From: Smith, Samuel
To: Adams, John

					Baltimore July 24, 1799

				I Do myself the honor to Inclose you a publication of the Committee of this City, whether it will have the desired effect contemplated I cannot yet determine. The following Expression Induced me to address you. We are informed by the Sect. of War that the Finances of the U. S. did not admit of a larger appropriation than twenty thousand Dollars towards the fortifications to be erected near our City.This information is Certainly not Calculated to make a very favorable impression on the public Mind. What will foreign powers think when they are told from the Sect of War that our finances are Such that more than twenty thousand dollars Could not be Spared to fortify A City known to be of the Commercial Consequence of Baltimore. But is the Secretary correct—on recurring to the Appropriation Laws, I find that, in May 1798, the Sum of two hundred & fifty thousand dollars were appropriated for fortifying the Ports & harbours &, in June following, a further sum of twenty five thousand, making together, with the Amount unexpended of former appropriations, a sum between $420 & $440 thousand dollars, of which there remained unexpended on the 30 September last, agreeably to the report of the Secty. of the Treasury 326 thousand dolls. And of this last Sum, I am inclined to believe, a Considerable proportion remain still unexpended. From this Statement, I cannot but hope & believe that you will be of Opinion that a larger Amount than twenty thousand dollrs. ought to be granted. I am informed that the last Estimate States 60 thousand Dollars as the sum required—however, I presume that twenty five thousand, in Addition to that already expended, would be as much as Could be expended this summer. With the greatest Respect / I have the Honor to be
/ your Obedt Servt


Title: To John Adams from Charles Lee, 25 July 1799
From: Lee, Charles
To: Adams, John

Sir
Philadelphia 25th. July 1799

At the Board of Commissioners appointed to carry into effect the sixth article of the treaty of Amity with Great Britain differences have proceeded to such a length that the American Commissioners have come to a determination to attend it no more until the nations shall have an opportunity of coming to an explanation. It is now upwards of three months since they sent to the Secretary of State a full representation of sentiments avowed by the other members of the board in which they did not concur, and which inevitably would lead to the present suspension of business. I understand they propose to make a further representation upon this very important subject in which the motives of their secession and the difficulties which have occurred will be amply stated. I am persuaded that this measure of the American commissioners can be placed in a point of view that will command general approbation and most especially as it will afford an opportunity by means of negotiating an explanatory article, for preserving harmony between the two nations, while the malcontents in our own country will be deprived of a source of complaint which they have sanquinely expected might one day be turned decidedly in favor of those who opposed the treaty and yet oppose the present course of administering the government of the United States.
The Secretary of State I presume will lose no time in laying before you such papers and documents as may be requisite to enable you to decide on the measures which you may be pleased to direct. My opinion of the expediency or rather necessity of endeavouring to agree upon a new article explanatory of the sixth article of the treaty of Amity, I had the honor on former occasions to present to your consideration, and every thing that has happened at the board will be found to confirm it. I shall select and arrange the leading resolutions which have been passed at the board, containing principles which are deemed inadmissable on the part of the United States in order that you may have a clear view of the matters that are to be the subject of negotiation if such a measure shall be finally appear to you to be proper.
Though the meetings of the board are suspended I consider it highly useful to presecute enquiries into the justice of the several debts which are alledged to have been lost to the creditors and are the subject of claim against the United States. These enquiries you will readily believe to be a work of great labour and time, when you are informed that compensation is claimed for nearly twenty one millions of dollars stated to be due from many thousands of individuals who are dispersed in various parts of America. I have the satisfaction to mention to you that much good has been and will be derived from the industry of the agents employed on the part of the United States in the several parts of the country to make these enquiries, from whose exertions in a short time, the injustice of many claims is already made apparent, the debts on which they are founded having been in many instances paid in specie since the peace.
With perfect respect I have the honor to remain Sir your most obedient Servant

Charles Lee


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 July 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir
Phila. 25 July 1799.

I do myself the honor to enclose the Aurora of yesterday—beleiving that you do not take that paper.
I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & / esteem Sir Yr. most / Obed. Servt.

Ben Stoddert


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 26 July 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy July 26th. 1799

The inclosed letter is from a very respectable Senator of our State, to a gentleman, whom you know to be as respectable as any of our best federalists. Application has been made to me by Dr. Hunt, another of our Senators and a man of the most worthy & independent character. Our North Hampton is the very reverse of its namesake in Pensylvania. It has produced some of our very best characters & has been invariably through the late revolution & ever since a modal of virtue, intelligence & patriotism. I pray you therefore to gratify the wishes of the Artillery company of North Hampton if it is possible, consistent with your established rules. The place is only about ten miles from Springfield. The pieces may be returned in two hours to Springfield in a boat down the river or in a waggon by an excellent road by Land. You may depend on the punctuality of their engagement whenever you order it.


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 27 July 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy July 27, 1799

I have recd your favour of the 20th. and have no Objection to the plan you propose of raising a Company of Cavalry.—“Our means”! I never think of our means without shuddering! All the Declamations as well as Demonstrations of Trenchard & Gordon, Bolingbroke Bernard & Walpole, Hume, Burgh and Burke, rush upon my Memory and frighten me out of my Witts. The system of Debts and Taxes is levelling all Governments in Europe. We have, a Career to run to be sure and some  before Us time to pass before We arrive at the European Crisis. But We must ultimately go the same way. There is no practicable or imaginable Expedient to escape it, that I can conceive.

J. Adams


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 27 July 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy July 27th 1799

I have received the letter of Gen. Hamilton, inclosed in yours of 22 July, which I return as you desire. I see no material or reasonable objection against the appointment of Mr Thomas Y How to be a second lieutenant in the eleventh regiment.


Title: To John Adams from John Murray, 27 July 1799
From: Murray, John
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Boston July 27. 1799

I am not happy enough to be master of language calculated to express the grateful sense I feel for every instance of your condescending kindness vouchsafed towards me ever since divine goodness favored me with the knowledge of, and an acquaintance with, the justly revered Head of our Nation—But at no time have I injoyed this inestimable blessing with greater pleasure, or with a more lively gratitude than when I was last blest with the privilege of sitting—accompanied by Mrs. Murray—in the company of the President and his ever amiable Lady—
I have also to acknowledge with great gratitude your kindness in allowing me to bring home with me so large a fund of pleasing information as I found contained in the Pursuits of Literature and the Antient Mythology. The former I have taken the liberty to forward by Post, the latter I shall beg leave to deliver myself, when, I incourage the hope of being indulged with the favor of looking over the residue of Mr. Bryant’s valuable labours, which will, I am confident, afford much profitable entertainment to
Sir / Your most obedient / Humble Servant

John MurrayI have, by permission, ventured to inclose a Copy of Mrs. Murrays song for the 4th. of this Inst. sung in her native Town by a large company in the Meeting House immediately after the delivery of the first Oration on the occasion ever delivered in that place.


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 July 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy July 29th 1799

The talk of Methlogee & the answer of Mr Seagrove, copies of which were inclosed in your favors of the 22d had been before transmitted to me by the Secretary of State, & returned to him with some of my sentiments upon them. Mr. Seagrove’s answer is so unanswerable, that the Indians unless determined on War at all events, must be satisfied with it.
The French officer in the Spanish service, who has endeavored to inspire jealousies & discontents into the Indians, ought to be complained of at Madrid & New Orleans at least, by sending the Indians talk, for that is I suppose the only evidence against him & he will deny it? Who indeed will have much faith in it?—You may signify to Mr. Seagrove my satisfaction at his answer & obligations for his prudence. Gen. Pinckneys precautions appear to have been very proper. But I am clearly of your mind, that there is no danger at present & I will go further, that nothing short of an avowed  war of Spain & France against the United States, will soon endanger our tranquility with the Indians I return all the papers 1. 2. 3. & Gen. Pinckney’s letter


Title: To John Adams from Francis Dana, 29 July 1799
From: Dana, Francis
To: Adams, John

Sir
Cambridge July 29th: 1799.

On my return home from Newport last Saturday, I found your Card of the 18th: had been left for me on the Tuesday following, lest you might possibly suppose me negligent in point of civility, in not returning an answer as requested, I beg leave to inform you that I left Cambridge the Monday preceeding the date of your card, for Newport, to bring Mrs: Dana from thence, who had gone on a visit to her friends during my absence on the Eastern Circuit. I am persuaded I need only to state these facts to prevent any improper impression on your mind against one who has ever deemed it his honour & happiness to stand fair in your estimation.
I am Sir, with great respect / & the most sincere regard / your most obedt: humble Servant

            F M Dana


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 July 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir.
War Department 29 July 1799

I have the honour to lay before you, in continuation of the subject of my dispatch of the 22 July inst, copy of a letter from Mr. Hawkins, which was received last Saturday.
With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir / Your most ob. st.

James McHenry


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 July 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Department of State July 29. 1799.

I have the honor to inclose Mr. Murray’s letter of May 5th, acknowledging the receipt of the commission constituting him, Mr. Ellsworth & Mr. Henry, Envoys to the French Republic, and covering a copy of his letter to the French Minister Mr. Talleyrand, announcing the appointment.—As he refers to his instructions on this subject, being by letter of March 6th, I also inclose a copy of the latter; and am, / with great respect, / sir, your obt. servt.
Timothy Pickering


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir
Navy Department 29 July 1799.

After having obtained your approbation of an enterprize to the Court of Spain &c for the two largest Frigates, it is painful for me to propose a different arrangement. But So much time has elapsed in getting the Constitution to Sea—& I have no accot. that she has yet got out; that I fear it would be the 15. of August, before the two Frigates could leave Hampton for Europe—they can Safely operate in the West Indies by the middle of October—It would require 4 months for the European expedition—and there are only two months to be spared from the West Indies—where they may be employed in pursuit of an object attainable, & of the highest importance—the Security of our Trade to the Islands, & to Spanish & Dutch America. Indeed, my impression of the vast importance of Securing the West India trade now, & laying a good foundation for it in future, is so strong, that I almost consider it Treason against the true Interest of the Country, to employ a Vessel elsewhere, which can be employed in the West Indies, while a single French armed Vessel remains to infest those Seas.
Influenced by such considerations, I Shall venture to put a stop to the European expedition—and to send orders to Talbot at Norfolk, to proceed immediately to Cayenne—& to remain there in that vicinity ‘til about the 20. Septr.—& thence to proceed by Surinam, Guadaluppe &c to Cape Francois, so as to arrive there about the 10. of October—& to assume the Command of all our Vessels on that Station, for the Winter.—He will be useful at Cayenne, where the French may be too formidable for McNiele & the 12 Gun Brig sent to Join him—& he will there be out of danger, from the Hurricanes.
Barry may remain on the coast, as well as Truxtun for six or seven weeks, when it will be time to go to the Islands, where all the smaller Vessels will be employed, notwithstanding the Hurricane Season.
I hope this change will not meet with Your disapprobation. When the European enterprize was first thought of, it was expected the Vessels could have left Norfolk early in July—and that they might return time enough for the West Indies—this now seems to be impossible—or at least, very doubtful. I have the honor to be with the highest respect & esteem sir Yr most Obed Sert.
Ben Stoddert


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir
Navy Depart. 29. July 1799.

I do myself the honor to enclose a letter from Capt Perry, on the Havanna station—It appears from this letter—as well as letters from the Consul to the Secy of State, that our Vessels are freedy admitted into the Havanna, except when they go from British ports—and the behaviour of the Govr. to Perry was something more than polite.
I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem Sir Yr mo / Obed Sert

Ben Stoddert


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 July 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Department of State July 30. 1799.

I have the honor to inclose a letter dated June 5th. recd. this day from Mr. King, respecting the proposed negociations with the Porte and the Emperor of Russia; and to be / with perfect respect / sir your most obt. servt.

Timothy Pickering


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 July 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir
Navy Department 30. July 1799

I am honored with your letter of the 23d. Inst.—The alteration directed, shall be made in the Register of Capt Talbotts commission—and I beg leave to add, without any regrets arising from my opinion on that subject being over-ruled. I never doubted that Talbot had merit equal to any man in our Service, notwithstanding his unwarrantable suspicion of my want of confidence in him, nor shall my this suspicion produce any change in my mind, or conduct towards him.
I believe the World will think the determination, a proper one—It shall not be my fault, if any inconvenience to the Service is produced by it—or if any circumstance should arise out of it, to occasion you a moments pain.
I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & esteem / sir Yr. most Obed Servt.

Ben Stoddert.


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 July 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir.
War Department 31 July 1799.

I have been honoured yesterday with your two letters dated the 23 July inst.
Inclosed is a letter from Major General Pinckney with a copy of my answer thereto. Also a copy of my letter to Lt. Colonel Rice and Hunnewell, and list of the Candidates which have offered from Massachusetts for the appointment of surgeons and mates.
It has appeared to me, that circumstances do not require, at this juncture, that recourse should be had to the “act to regulate the medical establishment”, or that it is necessary to being into action the officers it has provided for the complete organisation of the same. For some time to come the Surgeons and mates allowed to the Regiments respectively will be sufficient to the care of their sick, and field or occasional hospitals, all that will be wanted. I should therefore advise, that medical appointments be confined for the present to Regimental surgeons and mates.
The “act to augment the army of the United States and for other purposes”, passed the 16 July 1798 provides for the appointment of four Chaplains, to the armies of the United States. This would give one to every four Regiments of Infantry, and none to the artillery and cavalry.
The situation of the four old Regiments of Infantry and a portion of the Artillery & Cavalry, extended along the North Western frontiers, the Mississippi, and the Frontiers of Tenessee and Georgia, is such as would prevent any Divine from being useful to any great number of these troops. I therefore consider the latter troops as precluded, by the peculiarity of their situation from the benefit intended by the act.
It will be different with the twelve new Regiments when drawn to the stations contemplated for them, vz. three at Uxbridge in Massachusetts, three at Brunswick, in New Jersey, three at Harpers ferry, and three in the vicinity of Augusta above the falls of Savannah. Each of these divisions may with propriety be accommodated with a Chaplain. It may therefore (altho’ their appointment will not be necessary until the Regiments shall be raised) be proper to consider among the candidates who have offered from each district, the fittest character to fill this office, for the troops to be stationed within the same, in order that (the selection being made) the troops may immediately upon being drawn to their respective stations have the benefit of religious instruction.
I request to know your pleasure respecting Mr Charles Jones Jenkins of Bufort, recommended by General Pinckney, to fill the vacancy created by the non acceptance of Mr. Edwd Croft.
With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir / Your most ob & hble st.

James McHenry


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 31 July 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Department of State Philadelphia July 31. 1799.

Yesterday, by the southern mail, I received the inclosed triplicate of Mr. Murray’s letter of May 17th, covering a copy, also inclosed, of the answer of M. Talleyrand, minister of foreign relations of the French Republic, to his letter of May 5th (which I forwarded a day or two since) announcing the appointment of Envoys to negociate with that Republic, in which the Minister declares the assent of the Executive Directory to receive the Mission.—The answer, I observe, does not exactly conform to the terms used in the instructions to Mr. Murray, & which he repeated in his letter of May 5th to the Minister. But M. Talleyrand does not forget the common practice of his government, to drop a reproach or insult, while making amicable professions. It was certainly not necessary for him to insinuate that the President of the United States was wasting many months of precious time, “for the simple confirmation” that if new envoys were sent they would be received.
I have the honor to be / with great respect, / sir, your most obt. servt.
Timothy Pickering


Title: To John Adams from George Spooner, 31 July 1799
From: Spooner, George
To: Adams, John

May it please your Excellency.
Boston July 31st. day 1799

I hope your Excellency will pardon the liberty I take to address you by letter, tho at the same time well knowing that I should do it through the hands of the Secretary of State, but my distance from his place of residence, Join’d with that of the many Misfortunes that I have sustaind for these some years past, puts it out of my power, nor will my present situation make it convenient for me to Atten’d your Public Levees in that state due to the President, of This Sovereignty, as well as that of my former Sphere of life. Therefore trusting to that knowledge you once had of me, I will presume to make known to your Excellency my wishes, and relying on your goodness to forgive one who highly respects you in both public and private life.
I have Sir been calld to England on Account of some family Concern’s for these last Seven years with hopes of recovering by Law some loss of property, but being frustrated in my Negotiation, and adding to that my Expences has been almost my total Ruin, for which last misfortune calld me to france, but the distracted Counsells of that Country, Joind with their Unparallel’d conduct towards this, would not permit me to Continue there any longer, therefore permit me to ask the favor of your Excellency, that should your Excellency being in want of a Consul for Lisbon or Gibralter or that of any other place, and you Sir will do me the favor to hon’or me with that trust, or that of any other Post your Excellency may see fit, it will be confuring an hon’or upon me, and will be the means of releaveing my family from its present State, that was born and brought up in affluence and whose misfortunes has been Unavoidable. And your Excellency may belive me that to your Person and Goverment, I am in a most Solemn manner Attache’d too, and am at all times Ready with life and property willing to be call’d upon to defend those rights that is Justly due to the present Goverment of the U:S: of America.
I am with due Respect to your Excellency / Your Excellencys most Obedient / & Most Humble Servant

Geo Spooner


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy August 1. 1799

I have recd your favour of the 24th of July, inclosing an Aurora of July 24th imbued with rather more impudence than is common to that Paper.
Is there any Thing evil in the Regions of Actuality or Possibility, that the Aurora has not suggested of me? You may depend upon it, I disdain to Attempt a vindication of myself against any of the Lies of the Aurora as much as any man concerned in the Administration of the Affairs of the United States.
If Mr. Rawle does not think this paper Libellous he is not fit for his office, and if he does not prosecute it, he will not do his Duty.
The matchless Effrontery of this Duane merits the Execution of the Alien Law. I am very willing to try its Strength upon him.

J. Adams


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy Jul August 1st 1799

I have signed the blanke commission, inclosed in your letter of the 23d of July, that you may fill it up with the name of Captain William Taylor of Fredericksburg, in conformity to the recommendation of Gen Thomas Posey, if no other candidate occurs, whose pretensions are superior in your judgment.


Title: To John Adams from John Coffin Jones, 1 August 1799
From: Jones, John Coffin
To: Adams, John

Sir
Boston Aug. 1st. 1799

Some very respectable friends of Docr Benjamin Mason, at Newport, having been informed, an Hospital is to be immediately established, in that Town, or the vicinity, for the Sick of the Army & Navy of the United States—at their instance, as well as from personal esteem & attachment, I solicit permission to recommend that Gentleman, to your Excellency, as a Character well qualified for the Office of Physician General of that institution—He is about 38 years of Age, was graduated at the University of Cambridge, after which, passing the usual period, as a medical Pupil to the late Docr Joseph Gardner of Boston, and having pursued a regular process of studies & experiments, under the best Masters in the Hospitals, of London, he returned to Rhode Island & established himself in his Profession at Newport, where he has since practiced extensively, during Eleven years, with the reputation of great medical talents & literary acquirements, accompanied with integrity, benevolence & urbanity—From a sense of his merit, the Corporation of the University of Cambridge (altho’ scrupulous of confering honorary degrees) lately honored him with a vote for a Degree of Doctor of Physic, which would have been confirmed by the Board of Overseers, previous to the late Commencement, had the time prescribed, admitted of it—agreeably to the enclosed Certificate—Docr Mason is a nephew of the late worthy Jonathan Mason Esqr of Boston. His deceased Parents were inhabitants of Newport, very respectable for property & probity—His wife is sister of CG Champlin Esqr, representative of the State of Rhode Island, in Congress, and in fine, he & his family connections have been uniformly distinguished for their zealous adherence to, & support of Government, from these considerations, I am confident Docr Mason would discharge the important duties of the Office, in the most satisfactory manner, should it comport with the arrangements of your Excellency, whence from with the appointment—
Persuaded your Excellency’s candor will ascribe to just motives the presumption of this address it is respectfully submitted by, your Excellency’s, / most obedient and very humble Servant
John C Jones


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

(Private)
Sir,Philadelphia Augt. 1. 1799.

The day before yesterday I received from Mr. Charles Hall of Northumberland County in this State, a letter concerning a publication by Thomas Cooper, an Englishman, & a connection of Dr. Priestly, addressed to the Readers of the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette, on the 29th of June. This address has been republished in the Aurora of July 12th which I now inclose.
By Mr. Hall’s information, Cooper was a Barrister in England, and like Dr. Priestly a chymist, and a warm opposition man. Dr. Priestly was at the democratic assembly on the 4th of July, at Northumberland. But what is of most consequence, and demonstrates the Doctor’s want of decency—being an alien—his discontented and turbulent spirit, that will never be quiet under the freest government on earth, is “his industry in getting Mr. Cooper’s address printed in hand-bills and distributed.” This, Mr. Hall adds, “is a circumstance capable of the fullest proof.” Cooper, has taken care to get himself admitted to citizenship: I am sorry for it: for those who are desirous of maintaining our internal tranquillity must wish them both removed from the U. States.
It is near a year since you authorized the expulsion of Genl. Collot and one Sweitzer. Colo. Mentges, who was engaged (while I was at Trenton) in getting information of Sweitzer’s names and conduct, kept me long in suspence; until at length he informed me that Genl. Serrurier was in the country in disguise. I then thought it best not to give an alarm to him by arresting the other two; But after months of suspense while enquiry was making, I was satisfied the information concerning Serrurier was groundless. Then so many months had elapsed, & the session of Congress commenced, when other business pressed, the pursuit of these aliens was overlooked. Colo. Mentges now informs me that Sweitzer is about to embark for Hamburg: But Collot remains, and is deemed as much as ever disposed to do all the mischief in his power. He remains a prisoner of war to the British; and it would seem desirable to compel him to place himself under their jurisdiction, where he could do no harm.
Mr. Létombe not only exercises those services which on the withdrawing of his exequatur he requested permission to render to his fellow citizens in this country, but assumes and uses the title of Consul General of the French Republic—just as he did formerly. He held the purse-strings of the Republic in this country, and paid the bribes ordered by the French minister Adet: the Minister being gone, he is probably vested with powers adequate to the object. With much softness of manners, he is capable of submitting to and doing any thing corruptly which his government should direct.
The reiterated observations that the alien law remains a dead letter—have induced me in this manner top bring the subject under your notice: and waiting the expression of your will, I remain, / most respectfully, sir, / your obedt. servt.
Timothy Pickering
P.S. A prosecution against Duane, editor of the Aurora, has been instituted, on the charge of English secret service money distributed in the U. States: and I have desired Mr. Rawle to examine his news-paper and to institute new prosecutions as often as he offends. This I hope will meet with your approbation.


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Department of State August 1. 1799.

Mr. Paleski, formerly Prussian Consul in the U States, has sent me a certified copy of a commission from the King of Prussia to Johann Ernst Christian Schultze, appointing him his Consul at Baltimore, where Mr. Schultze resides. Mr. Paleski called this morning, and expresses no doubt of the authenticity of the appointment, and prays that the exequatur may issue. The original probably may arrive: but with the evidence of the formal copy bearing every mark of authenticity, I supposed you would be inclined to grant the exequatur; which therefore I have had made out, and now inclose for your signature, if approved.
I have the honor to be, / with great respect, / sir, your most obt. / servt.

Timothy Pickering


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir:
Quincy August 2d 1799

Mr Cunnington has been at Quincy & exhibited to me a model of the machinery represented by the inclosed draught. The splendor of the light was so great & the experriment succeeded in all respects so well that I really think the invention a great improvement in œconomy as well as general utility in other respects.
I pray you to show the plan & papers to the Secretary of the Treasury & request his attention to it, as well as Mr Millers. If any thing can be done, I shall be very glad. The man I fear though very genteel & ingenious, has been unfortunate and is in straightened circumstances


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 2 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy August 2d 1799

With the blank commission signed I here return all the applications & recommendations inclosed in your favor of 24th of July.—If it is your ultimate judgment that Charles Simms ought to be prefered, you will please to have his name inserted. The recommendations of Mr Porter however seem to be very respectable.


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 2 August 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir
Navy Depart. 2 August 1799

I have this Day recd. from Capt. Truxtun his resignation of his commission in the Navy. If Decatur who is here employed in superintending the building of the Merchts. Frigate, which they wished him to Command, prefers her to the Constellation; then I shall immediately send a Pilot boat for Capt Barron; at Norfolk, who is quite equal to the Command of  the Constellation.
I have the honor to be / With the highest respect & / esteem sir Yr. most Obed / sert.

Ben Stoddert.


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy Aug 3d 1799

I have received a long letter from Mr. Gerry of the 24th of July with papers inclosed numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 besides another paper of extracts of letters. I enclose extracts of his letter together with all the numbers & his paper of extracts. These numbers & last extracts I pray you to return to me, when you have made all the uses of them you wish.—These papers I think will convince you as they have me, of three points. 1st. That Mr. Gerrys stay in France after the receipt of your letter by Mr. Humphreys & especially after the publication of the dispatches was not gratuitous but of indispensable and unavoidable necessity under the paws of arbitrary power & therefore that his salary ought to be allowed him according to his account. 2d. That Mr. Gerry ought not to be charged with the ships stores or any part of them. I am ashamed to make any remarks on this head & shall not do it unless driven to the necessity of it. If the necessities of our Country require, that we should order our ambassadors to take passages in small vessels, with all the sea Captains and mariners that can be collected, I think a generous provision of articles in case of sickness & putrid fevers ought not to be charged to the ambassador. 3d. that the guilders ought not to be charged at forty cents. This point however I may mistake. I should be obliged to you for information. I wish right may be done according to law at the time the debt was contracted. Upon the whole it is my opinion that Mr. Gerrys account as stated by himself ought to be allowed.
I am Sir with all due respect your / most obedient humble servant


Title: To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 August 1799
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Sir
Treasury Department. Augt. 3. 1799.

I have the honour to transmit a Letter from Alexander Freeland, dated July 12th. announcing the death of Constant Somers, late Collector and Inspector of Great Egg harbour in the State of New-Jersey.
I desired Mr. Latimer the Collector of Philadelphia to make the requisite enquiries respecting Mr. Freeland, and am informed that the Candidate is reputed to be an honest man, and that he is probably as well qualified as any man to be found there. The place is obscure, and rarely resorted to except by coasting vessels. If agreable to the President, I request that Freeland may be appointed.
I have the honour to enclose certain recommendations in favour of William Watson, to be Collector & Inspector of Little Egg harbour, which could not be found when I addressed the President on the 1st. of August.
I have the honour to be, very / respectfully, Sir, / your mo. obedt. servt.

Oliv. Wolcott


Title: From John Adams to Robert Treat Paine, 4 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Paine, Robert Treat

Sir
Quincy August 4. 1799

I have received, with great Pleasure, your very handsome Letter of the 27th of July inclosed with a Copy of your oration delivered in Boston on the 17th of that month. This oration is another Effort of a pregnant and prolific Genius, which had before exhibited many elegant learned and masterly Productions to the delight of our Americans and the Applause of all Men of Taste and Sentiment in other Countries.
The Young Men of Boston do honour to their Education their Parents and their Country and in the Celebration of that day were excited by the purest Motives and governed by the best Principles.
I thank you, Sir for your Civilities to me upon this and many former Occasions, and should be happy to have a more particular Acquaintance with you. Quincy is a short and pleasant and salubrious Excursion from Boston and here I should be much obliged with a Visit from Mr Paine to Spend some time with Us
I am, Sir with high Esteem for your / Talents and Character, your most / obedient and most humble Servant

John Adams


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy August 5. 1799

I return you Col. Hawkins’s Letter of 23 of May inclosed in yours of 29. July and am happy to find that all Accounts Agree in holding out Expectations of a continuance of Peace with the Indians.
Inclosed is a Letter to me from Gen. S. Smith of Baltimore, dated 24 July with an Address to the Citizens of Baltimore from the Marine Committee in a Slip of a Newspaper. I wish that Justice may be done to that City, and that it may have its Proportion of Aid in the fortification of it. I wish also to know, What Sum is destined for the fortifications of Castle Island & Governors Island in Boston Harbour. I wish also to know the plan for appointing Surgeons & Mates for Garrisons & Regiments.

J. Adams


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy August 5. 1799

I thank Mr. Bordley kindly for his Book and you for your care and trouble in Sending it.
I have a great Opinion of Mr. Bordleys Experience, skill and Knowledge in Husbandry and should have great delight in trying his Experiments, if I was not obliged to recollect and apply to myself President Washingtons Words to me, a few days before he went out and I came in. “Sir, I have read nothing these Eight Years, but the Pepers that have been brought me, from day to day.”
With much respect
J. Adams


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy. August 5th 1799

I thank you for your favor of 29th of July, incloseing Mr. Murrays of 7th of May & copy of Mr. Murrays instructions. The business is well enough done by Mr. Murray, & now let citizen directors chichane if they will, or be candid if they can.


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 6 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy August 6th 1799

Last night I received your favor of 31st July. Upon looking over the list of candidates for surgeons & surgeons mate & all the other papers, I find no letters from Lt Col Rice nor Lt Col. Hunnewell selecting such as they wish. Lt. Col. Rice called on me a few days ago and told me had recommended Charles Blake for surgeon & Ebenezer Lawrence for mate. I know personally few of the candidates but Warren and Welsh are characters so vastly superior, that no hesitation could be made. But I presume neither would accept a regiment alone. Blank is a young man of twenty four, brother in law of Rice. I should be very loath to refuse Rice his choice, but we must not depart from principles.—I think Welch ought to be appointed a surgeon and have the full pay. His duty is severe and very strictly attended. But I wish to know the plan. I have understood that we were to appoint all hospital surgeons & mates & detach from those individuals to regiments and ships. There is neither surgeon nor physician in the United States of higher character or better practice than Warren. If any medical department is to be established in any of those northern regions, there is not a man of equal pretensions to be superintendant.
As to chaplains I wish for a list of candidates. Mr. Evans an old chaplain must be known to you. He has applied to me & is recommended by Gen Lincoln. I readily approve of Mr Charles Jones Jenkins of Bufort recommended by Gen. Pinckney vice Edward Craft. Joining sincerely with you in your best wishes for Mrs. Pinckney’s health, I chearfully submit to the Genl discretion the voyage or journey to Newport.


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy August 6. 1799.

I received late last Evening your favour of the 31st. of July, inclosing a triplicate of Mr. Murrays Letter of the 17th. of May and a Copy certified by Mr. Murray on the 18th. of May, of a Letter of Ch. Man. Talleyrand dated Paris le 23 Floreal de l’an 7 de la Republique Francaise une et indivisible.
Sovereign to Sovereign, and Minister to Minister is a Maxim in the Cabinets of Europe, and Although neither the President of U.S nor the Executive Directory are sovereigns in their Countries, the Same Relations exist between them and their Ministers, and therefore the Reason of the Maxim is applicable to them. It is far below the Dignity of the President of the United States, to take any notice of Taleyrands impertinent Regrets, and insinuations of superfluities. You, or the Envoys or Mr. Murray may answer them as you please, in your correspondence with one another or with the French Minister. I will say to you, however, that I consider this Letter as the most authentic Intelligence yet received in America of the successes of the Coalition. That the design is insidious and hostile at heart I will not say. Time will tell the Truth. Meantime I dread no longer their Diplomatic skill. I have seen it and felt it and been the Victim of it, these twenty one years. But the Charm is dissolved; their Magick is at an End in America.
Still, they shall find, as long as I am in office, Candor, Integrity, and as far as there can be any Confidence or safety, a pacific & friendly disposition. If the Spirit of exterminating Vengeance ever arises it shall be conjured up by them not me. In this Spirit I shall pursue the negotiation and I expect the Cooperation of the heads of Departments.
Our Operations and preparations by Sea and by Land are not to be relaxed in the smallest degree: on the contrary I wish them to be animated with fresh Energy. St. Domingo and the Isle of France and all other parts of the French Dominions are to be treated in the same manner as if no negotiation was going on.
These Preliminaries recollected, I pray you to loose no time in conveying to Governor Davie his Commission and to the Chief Justice and his Excellency, Copies of these Letters from Mr. Murray and Talleyrand with a request that laying aside all other Employment they make immediate Preparations for embarking. Whether together or asunder, from a northern a southern or a middle Port I leave to them. I am willing to send Truxton or Barry or Talbot with them. Consult the Sec. of the Navy and heads of Departments on this point. Although I have little Confidence in the Issue of this Business, I wish to delay nothing to omit nothing.
The principal Points indeed all the Points of the Negotiation were so minutely considered, and approved by me, and all the heads of departments before I left Phyladelphia that nothing remains but to put them into form and dress. This service I pray you to perform, as promptly as possible, lay your draught before the heads of Departments, receive their Corrections if they shall judge any to be necessary and send them to me as soon as possible. My Opinions and determinations on these subjects are so well made up, at least to my own satisfaction that not many hours will be necessary for me to give you my ultimate sentiments concerning the Matter or form of the Instructions to be given to the Envoys.
I have the Honor to be, sir with / very great respect, you most / obedient and humble servant

John Adams


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 August 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir.
War Department 6 Augt. 1799

I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 26th, two of the 27th and two of the 29th ulto.
It will certainly be attended with serious inconvenience, to yeild to the application, made by the Northampton Company of volunteers, for the loan of two Brass Field pieces, and subject the Department to similar requests, which having once set the example, I shall not find it easy to resist. Artillery destined for the army, cannot with any degree of propriety be loaned to militia, and we have no surplus for such a purpose. However careful these may be, it must suffer as well by use, as from unavoidable accidents. I shall in the present instance, in conformity with what appears to be your desire give the necessary orders for furnishing the two peces of Brass artillery solicited.
The inlosed names of candidates for Surgeons and mates for the 14th & 15th Regiments, with their recommendations are respectfully submitted. Perhaps you will be able to make a better selection from the list inclosed in my letter of the  ulto. This included all those who have offered for medical appointments from Massachusetts.
With the greatest respect I have the honour to be, Sir, / your most obt. / & hble St.

James McHenry


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 7 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy ca. 7 August 1799

I return you Col. Hawkins of 23 of May inclosed in yours of 29. July and am happy to find that all accounts agree in holding out expectations of a continuance of Peace with the Indians.
Inclosed is a letter to me from Gen. S. Smith of Baltimore, dated 24 July with an address to the Citizens of Baltimore from the Marine Committee, in a slip of a Newspaper. I wish that Justice may be done to that City, and that it may have its proportion of Aid in the fortification of it. I wish also to know, What Sum is destined for the fortifications of Castle Island & Governors Island in Boston Harbour. I wish also to know the plan for appointing Surgeons & Mates for Garrisons & Regiments &c.

J. Adams


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 8 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy August 8th 1799

The inclosed letters & documents from Samuel Cooper Esqr I transmit at the request of Mr. William Shaw, now of this town & my near neigbor. I pray you to convey them by the first opportunity to Mr. King, with a request to him, to obtain the discharge of this gentlemen as soon as possible.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Sir
Quincy Aug 8th 1799

I received last night your favor of the 2d of this month. I am sincerely sorry for the resignation of Capt Truxton. Although you have not explained to me his motives, I presume the decision which gave rise to them, was founded in principles of sound policy and eternal justice, as it was made upon honor & with conscientious deliberation. If it were now to be made, it would be the same, tho my son or my father were in the place of Capt Truxton. I have no more to say. If we loose Captain Truxton, we shall soon regain Capt. Dale. Meantime I am very desirous that Capt Decatur should take the constellation. If however he prefers the merchants frigate, as you call her, I will not urge him from his bias. Of Capt Barron I know very little, but repose myself with great confidence upon your judgment.—I now request of you that Barry & Talbot may be seperated. I have reasons for this which it is unnecessary to detail. Not from any misunderstanding or dislike between them that I know of or suspect but it is best the great frigates should have seperate stations. With great regard.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Sir
Quincy August 8th 1799

I enclose you copies of letters this moment received from Mr. McNeil brought up to me by Dr Welch, from a passenger on board a vessel just arrived, which he has been obliged to compell to perform quarantine. I will send you more on the subject tomorrow.


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 August 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Navy Department ca. 8 August 1799

I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter from Doct. Mason F. Coggswell, recommending Doctor Edward Field for the appointment of a Surgeon’s Mate—Also a Letter to Doctor Edwd. Field, covering his Commission, which will require your signature, should you think fit that the appointment should be made—There have been very few appointments from the state of Connecticut, comparatively—This young Gentleman, I presume is a native of that state.—He is wanted for the Congress.
I have the honor to with the / highest respect & esteem, / sir, yr. most obed. hble servant

Ben Stoddert


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy Aug 9th 1799

Inclosed is a letter of the 1st of this month from John Coffin Jones Esqr recommending Dr. Benj. Mason to be physician to the marine hospital at Newport. I recommend this letter & subject to your consideration among all other applications of a like nature. Dr. Welsh speaks as handsomely of Dr. Mason as Mr. Jones writes. A certificate from Dr Howard Secretary to the board of overseers or corporation of our university is also inclosed.


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy Aug 9th 1799

I return the blank commission signed that you may fill with the name of Alexander Freeland to be collector & inspector of Great egg harbor, if no other candidate presents of superior merit in your estimation.


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 9 August 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Navy Department 9 August 1799

I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Mr. Lemuel Little, covering his Warrant, as a Sailing Master, which will require your Signature, should you think fit, that the appointment should be made—
This Gentleman is intended for the Frigate Congress, Capt Sever, by whom he is strongly recommended—He is brother to Capt. George Little, of the Boston.
I have the honor to be, with / the greatest respect & esteem, / sir, / your most obed. servant

Ben Stoddert


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 9 August 1799
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Navy Departmt 9 August 1799

I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter to Mr Moses M Bates, covering his Warrant as a Midshipman in the Navy, which will require your signature, should you approve the appointment.
He has been well recommended by Mr. Lyman—He is intended for the Frigate Congress, Capt. Sever.
I have the honor to be, / with the greatest respect & esteem, / sir, / Your most obed. servt.

Ben Stoddert


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy Aug 10th 1799

I have received your favor of the 1st. and read all the ——— papers inclosed with much pain as I had conceived of Mr. Tucker, without honouring very much of him, a good deal of regard for him. I have signed the blank commission to be filled with the name of William Watson, the recommendation of him being sufficient, & the expediency of a new appointment apparent.
I return all the papers with this.


Title: To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Department of State Augt. 10. 1799.

I have just recd your letter of August 3d respecting Mr. Gerry’s accounts; and with it an extract of his letter to you of July 24th, & nothing else: the numbers 1. 2. 3. 4. & 5, and a paper of extracts of letters, which you mention as also inclosed were omitted; which doubtless your Secretary will discover, and forward them by the next mail.
I have recd. at the same time your two letters of August 5th referring to the proposed negociations with France, Russia & the Porte: and another acknowledging the receipt of Mr. Bordley’s book.
You will doubtless have seen by the news-papers that process has been instituted against Duane, Editor of the Aurora, for a libel. Other, subsequent libels are under the consideration of the District Attorney.—I take the liberty of inclosing the Aurora of the 9th instant. The address to the Electors of Pennsylvania is unquestionably the production of Tench Coxe, late Commissioner of the Revenue, & until May 8th 1792, Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury.
I am very respectfully, sir, / yr. obt. servt.

Timothy Pickering


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy Aug. 12th 1799

Inclosed is a letter from Mr Strong recommending Job Strong Jun. to be an ensign & another from Joseph Hosmer recommending many for places in the eventual army. Mr. Strong recommendation, you know to be very respectable, not meaning any disparagement to Mr. Hosmer.


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy Aug 12th 1799

The Freeport volunteers are so well recommended, that I pray you to send their officers commissions. Their application & recommendations are all inclosed.


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy. Aug 12th 1799

Inclosed is a letter of Mr. Thatcher recommending George Barrell to be a midshipman & I know of no reason why a warrant should not be given him.


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 August 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir.
War Department 12 Augt. 1799.

I had the honour to receive your letter of the 5th on saturday last, inclosing a letter from General Smith, and that dated the 6th inst this morning.
The General has not sufficiently examined the points he writes upon, or he would not suggest that Baltimore, has had too little allotted to her defence out of the appropriations, in particular he cannot have read my letters to the naval committee. The information I have given the gentlemen composing this committee, and arrangements respecting the defence of the harbour of Baltimore, will be found to be strictly correct, and my expressions to them appropriate. I shall send you all the letters I have addressed to them, and relative to this business, with a statement of the distribution of the money that has been appropriated for the protection of our harbours, as soon as they can be made out. I shall also inform you, what sum may be calculated upon towards improving the fortifications in the harbour of Boston.
It was my opinion as expressed in my letter of the 31st July ulto., that it was unnecessary, under present circumstances, to organize the Hospital establishment, in other words, to fill all the offices created by the “act to regulate the medical establishment.” I inclose the act for your perusal.
You will percieve, that by the 1st section of this act, Hospital Surgeons are made liable to serve in the field; and by the 4th section, that Regimental Surgions and mates may be called upon to serve in the Hospitals. This provision was inserted into the act, merely for the purpose of obviating any difficulties that might be started, by either order of Surgeons, when the service required, that the one should assist the other. There is no where in this or any other act, a power to create and detach Hospital Surgeons and mates to serve on board of ships.
The method pursued for the care of the sick of the army is as follows. The sick of the respective garrisons are attended in their quarters, in garrison Hospitals, or in tents, as the case may be, by the Surgeon or mate of some Regiment, or when these prove insufficient in number, by temporary mates, appointed in conformity to the 1st section of the “Act to augment the army of the United States, and for other purposes,” passed the 16 July 1798.  I had concluded therefore that we might pursue this course for some time yet to come, at least, that under the present circumstances of the army, Regimental Surgeons and mates, with the occasional help of temporary mates, would be adequate to the management of the sick, consequently, that we might with propriety, and without inconvenience to the service, postpone the appointing of the far greatest number, at least, of the officers contemplated in the act to regulate the medical establishment. The act itself countenanced this view of the subject, by providing, “that none of the officers aforesaid shall be intitled to any part of the pay or emoluments aforesaid, until they shall respectively be called into actual service.”
The only officers, under the Hospital act, for whom any employment could be devised at this moment, are, the Physician General, one or more Hospital Surgions, and the Purveyor to the establishment. If a system of directions for the care of the sick in camps &c &c, and temporary and permanent Hospitals, are proper to be formed and established, at this time, there must be for these purposes, a physician General and several Hospital Surgions. As to the Purveyor he could be imployed in procuring medicines &c wanted for the army.
Is the organizing of the medical establishment required on another account, to provide Hospitals and surgeons for the sick and disabled seamen and marines? It appears to me that the “act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen” passed the 16 July 1798, and the “act in addition to an act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen” passed the 2d of March 1799, contain provisions and full authority to do every thing necessary for their comfort.
The result of this brief view of the subject is.
1. That Regimental Surgions and mates, with temporary mates, are considered equal competent to the care of the sick of the army while it shall be situated as at present.
2. That if the Physician General is called into service, it will be proper to appoint several Hospital Surgeons, to enable him to do certain acts in which the law gives them a coagency, and that a Purveyor could be employed.
3. That the organizing of the Hospital establishment is not necessary to give effect to the two acts before recited respecting sick and disabled seamen & marines.
Doctor Warren is a man of superior talents and deserving of any medical appointment in the power of the President to offer. I question however, whether he would renounce his practice in Boston for the office of Senior Hospital Surgeon, the performance of the duties of which would require his attendance elsewhere.
Doctor Welch, from what I have heard of him, is well intitled to attention. I believe he is at present under pay, as temporary mate only, an appointment which does not oblige him to relinquish his private practice.
I had the honour to inclose in my letter of the 6th of Augt inst. the names of the candidates for Surgeons and mates for the 14 & 15 Regiments with the recommendations of 2 Colonels Hunnewell & Rice. I now inclose a list of the names of those who have applied to be appointed Chaplains in the army of the United States.
General Pinckney has proposed for Captain in the 5th Regiment Dr. John Mitchel vice Mr Simons, who has dclined to accept of that office. The recommendation which, was received this morning, is respectfully submitted.
With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir / your most obt. / & very hble St.

James McHenry


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

(Private)SirQuincy August 13. 1799

And now, sir, what shall I say to you on the subject of Libells and Satyrs, lawless Things indeed? I have recd your private Letter of the 1st of this month and considered the subjects of it, as fully, as the pressure of other Business of more importance would allow me time to do.
Of Priestley and Coper, I will say no more at present, than to relate to you, two facts.
Anecdote the 1st. Dr. Priestleys old Friend and my old Acquaintance Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, the celebrated M.P. soon after his arrival in Boston came up to Quincy with his Lady, on a Visit to Us, who had visited his family in London. I was Absent. They dined with Mrs. Adams, and in the Course of Conversation Mr. Vaughan told her, that Mr. Cooper was a rash Man and had led Dr. Priestley into all his Errors in England and he feared would lead him into others in America.
Anecdote the 2d. At the time when We were enquiring for an Agent to conduct the Affairs of the United States before the Commissioners at Phyladelphia, Mr. Cooper wrote to me a solicitation for that appointment and Dr. Priestly wrote me a Letter, strongly recommending him. Both made Apologies for his Reputation as a Democrat, and gave intimations of a reformation. I wondered that either could think it possible that the People of the U.S. could be satisfied or contented to intrust Interest of such magnitude to an Englishman, or any other Foreigner. I wondered that either should think it compatible with my Duty, to prefer a Stranger to the great number of able Natives who wished for this Trust. But so it was, As it has been from the Beginning a Rule not to answer Letters of solicitation or Recommendation for Officers. I never Answered either. Mr. Reed was appointed, and the dissappointed Candidate is now it seems indulging his Revenge. A meaner, a more artful or a more malicious Libel has not appeared. As far as it alludes to me I despise it. But I have no doubt it is a Libel against the whole Government and as such ought to be prosecuted. I do not think it wise to execute the Alien Law against poor Priestley, at present. He is as weak as water as unstable as Reuben or the Wind. His Influence is not an Atom in the World. Having long possessed Evidence the most satisfactory to my Mind that Collot is a pernicious and malicious Intriguer I have been always ready and willing to execute the Alien Law upon him. We are now about to enter in a Negotiation with France, but this is no Objection against expelling from this Country such an Alien as he is. On the Contrary it is more necessary to remove, such an Instrument of Mischief from among our People, for his whole Time will be employed in exciting corrupt divisions, whether he can succeed or not.
As to Létombe, if you can prove “that he paid the Bribes ordered by the French Minister Adet” or any thing like it, he ought to be sent away too. But perhaps it would be better to signify that it is expected that he go off, than to order him out at first by Proclamation. There is a Respect due to public Commissions which I should wish to preserve, as far as may be consistent with safety.
The Alien Law, I fear, will upon tryal be found to be inadequate to the Objects intended, but I am willing to try it in the Case of Collot.
I have the Honor to be, sir your / most obedient servant
John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 13 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Sir
Quincy Aug 13th 1799

The inclosed recommendation of George Barrel from his uncle Joseph Barrel Esqr. to be a midshipman concurs with that of Mr. Thatcher and I request that you would send him a warrant.


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy Aug 14th 1799

Inclosed are is a letter from Judge Bourne of Rhode Island recommending Dr Benjamin Mason to be a surgeon & physician.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 14 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Sir
Quincy Aug 14th 1799

I have sent your letters to Jonathan P. Hitchcock & William H Williams, with their commissions inclosed, signed to be midshipman. I return you Mr. F. Fosters letter. This in answer to yours of the 8th.


Title: From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Sir
Quincy Aug. 14th 1799

Inclosed is a letter from Ebenezer Skiff, with many recommendations from select men, Minister &c to be keeper of the light house at Gay Head.


Title: To John Adams from James McHenry, 14 August 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Adams, John

Sir.
War Department 14 Augt. 1799.

William Hossack is recommended by Major General Hamilton, who inclosed me, the within letter to him, from Cap McClellan, on the same subject, to the office of Lieutenant in the first Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. Staates Rutledge, having declined his appointment of Lieutenant, Mr Hossack is respectfully submitted to supply the vacancy created thereby.
I have received this morning a letter from Doctor Hall of Pennsylvania, declining the surgeoncy of the 10th Regiment of Infantry. As it may be some time before a choice can be made of a gentleman duly qualified for this office, and as a considerable part of this Regiment is now at the Regimental Rendezvous, at Bristol, and in want of a Surgeon, I request authority to signify the appointment to this vacancy.
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, Sir, / Your most obt. / & most hble St.

James McHenry


Title: To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 August 1799
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Treasury Department Augt. 14. 1799

I have the honour to transmit a Letter from Otway Byrd Esquire, Collector of Norfolk, and Superintendant of the Revenue Cutter Virginia, advising of the resignation of Samuel Bright third mate of the said Cutter, and recommending Mr. Roe Latimer as a proper person to succeed him.—I have no reason to doubt of the propriety of the recommendation, and have enclosed a Commission for the President’s signature, to be filled with Mr. Latimer’s name, if the President shall think proper so to direct.
I have the honour to be / most respectfully / Sir, / your mo. obedt. servt.

            Oliv. Wolcott


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 15 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Sir
Quincy Aug 15th 1799

I have transmitted a commission to Mr. Lemuel Little to be a sailing master & a warrant to Mr. Moses M. Bates to be a midshipman as you proposed in your two letters of the 9th.


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Waterhouse, 15 August 1799
From: Waterhouse, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Cambridge August 15th 1799.

In consequence of some conversation the other day at Quincy respecting Dr Priestley, I here send you the paper of to-day which contains what was intended as a vindication of Dr. Priestley from the aspersions of Willm: Cobbett.—Untill last Tuesday, I did believe that Dr. P. had excited the venom of the Porcupine more from his being a distinguished Dissenter from the church to which Corbbett is a begot, than from his taking any part in the transient politics of the day.—When you related the anecdote of Cooper & Priestley, I was surprized and mortified, and could not help inwardly ejaculating, alas! poor human nature!
Cooper’s book proves him to be either fool or knave; and Dr. P. must know that it is surcharged with fals hoods; untruths which have had a cruel operation on his country men who have been seduced by it to come & this purchase land here. To recommend such a man, for such an office as Mr. Cooper sought, must be folly in Dr. P. or something worse.—I thought Dr. Priestley was so absorbed in philosophical pursuits as to have no space left in his mind for little quotidianical politics. I absolutely thought the honor of our country was in some degree concerned in protecting a great literary character, who had taken shelter among us, from the cruel attacks of his gothic pursuers. You will say, perhaps that it is not the first time that I have been deceived, by that mixed, sphinx like animal, a philosopher. I would have suppressed the letter to Corbbett on my return from Quincy but found it was too late—
My best compliments to Mrs. Adams; Please to tell her that I wish the Saratoga-springs, were for her sake, in the county for Norfolk.
With the greatest respect / I am your very humble servt:

Benjn: Waterhouse


Title: From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: McHenry, James

Sir
Quincy Aug 16 1799

Inclosed is a letter from Augustus de Grasse. I know not why his pay is withheld I pray you to make some inquiry into this gentlemans affair, & let me know the result.


Title: From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1799
From: Adams, John
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Quincy Aug 16th 1799

I have received your favor of the 10th. Mr. Shaw discovered his omission of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 and the paper of extracts & sent them on the next day. I hope you received them in course.—I have read the address to the independent electors of Pennsylvania, & am very curious to know, where all this will end. The trial will bring out some whimsical things. At present I will say nothing. I have no apprehensions for myself nor the public from the consequences.