John Adams Papers
389 documents
Discussion of Hugh McAlister & Deserter Bounty Issue, Requesting Additional Consultation & Explanation
Reviews the case of Hugh McAlister and the general practice for payments to those who apprehend deserters; points out that the regulation of this system depends on the construction of the governing …
John Adams PapersDiscussion of Envoys to Portugal and the Ottoman Empire, & of Treaty Negotiations
Adams is pleased that the instructions for envoys will be prepared in a few days; asks McHenry's advice on the deployment of them and the frigate that will carry them -- some will go to Lisbon, one …
John Adams PapersDiscussion of Bounty System for Citizens or Soldiers Apprehending Deserters, & Grounds for Rejection of Hugh McAlister's Certifiate for Payment Under This System
Discusses the payment of bounties to citizens or soldiers apprehending deserters. Reports that it has been the practice of the War Department Accountant's Office to pay money to soldiers searching …
John Adams PapersDiscussion of Appointment of Officers, Medical Staff, & Chaplains; Disposition of Old and New Regiments
Forwards letters concerning General Pinckney, as well as the issue of appointing surgeon's mates for Hunnewell and Rice's regiment. Advises against recourse to the "act to regulate the medical …
John Adams PapersDetails Surrounding Construction & Naming of Fort [Pickering] at Salem
Acknowledges receipt by the Salem Board of Selectmen of federal money for the strengthening of fortifications at Salem, Massachusetts; discusses details of the construction of the works. Also …
John Adams PapersDenial of Cannon Loan to Militia; Medical Appointments for 14th and 15th Regiments
Explains reasons for denying the loan of army cannons to the Northampton, Massachusetts militia, because of the need to keep army materiel in the best condition possible. Also encloses appointments …
John Adams PapersContinuance of July 22 Letter, with Enclosure from William Hawkins
McHenry continues a matter addressed in his letter of July 22, and encloses a copy of a letter from William Hawkins.
John Adams PapersConstruction of Fort McHenry to Proceed, on Funds Both from Baltimore & the War Department
Notes that as a result of communication both with Robert Gilmer and with other members of the Baltimore Naval Committee McHenry has authorized construction of Fort McHenry to continue based on Mr. …
John Adams PapersConsideration of MacPherson's Plans
Appears to address approval of General MacPherson's plan for the occupation of the rebellious Pennsylvania counties, as well as a pardon for a soldier.
John Adams PapersConsideration of Creek Indians' Refusal to Allow Running of Line Between U.S. & Spanish Florida
Quotes a recent letter from General Pinckney reporting that the Creek Indians are reneging on their promise in the Treaty of Coleraine to allow the running of the boundary line between the U.S. and …
John Adams PapersConsideration & Signing of Death Warrant for Court-Martialled Private
Adams notes that he has weighed the case of Joseph Perkins, a recently court-martialled private, and signed a warrant for his execution. In the manner of the discussion of Sgt. Richard Hunt's court …
John Adams PapersConsent to Exchange of Names Proposed by General Pinckney
Adams consents to the "exchange of names" proposed by General Pinckney in a recently received letter.
John Adams PapersConcerning Records of Officers at Court Martial, & the Appointment of Southern Officers
Responds to Adams' inquiry about the commission status of the officers comprising the court-martial of Richard Hunt -- McHenry believes that at least some of them are from the new regiments and thus …
John Adams PapersConcerning Officer Appointments
Notes a difference of opinion concerning the "construction of the Constitution" [apparently referencing Constitutional law concerning officer appointments, as the frigate Constitution had already been …
John Adams PapersConcerning Armory Employee & Proposition Establishment of Military Laboratory & Storehouse Near Philadelphia
Forwards a letter showing how he has settled the account of an assistant, now discharged, at Springfield [Armory]. Discusses recommendations for the appointment of several officers. Recommends that …
John Adams PapersConcerning Additional Companies of Cavalry
Stresses the need of clothing and other supplies for new recruits and asks why no issues have yet been ordered to Major General Hamilton to raise six additional companies of cavalry.
John Adams PapersCircular Letter from Secretary at War to Department Heads [Cabinet] Concerning Officers & a Court Martial
At the request of the president, McHenry lays out Adams' concerns over the propriety of a recently concluded court-martial in New York [presumably that of Richard Hunt], and asks for the department …
John Adams PapersBaltimore Naval Committee Members to Travel to Philadelphia to Consult McHenry
Acknowledges receipt of a copy of McHenry's letter to Mr. Foncin, superintendent engineer of Fort McHenry. Informs McHenry that two members of the Baltimore Naval Committee are traveling to …
John Adams PapersBaltimore Declines McHenry's Plan of Funding, Asks for Officer to Re-Determine Estimate for Completion of Fort McHenry
Happily agrees with McHenry that the defense of Baltimore is of interest to both the government and the Baltimoreans, relating the ways in which Baltimore has always shown its support for the federal …
John Adams PapersAssignment of Captains & Subalterns of North Carolina in Provisional Army
Pinckney informs McHenry that the preparations for assigning the captains, lieutenants and ensigns allotted to North Carolina are almost complete, though assigning officers of higher rank will take …
John Adams PapersArrangements for Occupation of Revolting Pennsylvania Counties, & Discharge of the Militia
Announces pleasure at MacPherson's success in pacifying the revolting region of Pennsylvania, and authorizes him to discharge the volunteer & militia companies, with the express thanks of the …
John Adams PapersApproval of War Office Evacuation to Trenton & Request for Judgment on McAlister Payment Dispute (Copy of Differing Date)
Approves the removal of the War Office to Trenton due to the Philadelphia yellow fever; forwards correspondence concerning Hugh McAlister's claim for money from the War Department. Asks that McHenry …
John Adams PapersApproval of War Office Evacuation to Trenton & Request for Judgment on McAlister Payment Dispute
Approves the removal of the War Office to Trenton due to the Philadelphia yellow fever; forwards correspondence concerning Hugh McAlister's claim for money from the War Department. Asks that McHenry …
John Adams PapersApproval of Thomas Pinckney's Appointment as Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers
Approves General Pinckney's recommendation that his nephew Thomas Pinckney be commissioned a lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers.
John Adams PapersApproval of the Conduct of Colonel Hawkins
Asks McHenry to convey his satisfaction regarding the conduct of Colonel Hawkins.
John Adams Papers
