Massachusetts Historical Society
450 documents
On the Appointment of an Envoy to Trade, Negotiate & Civilize the Creek Indians
Informs the president that the Creek Indians now in negotiations with U.S. commissioners desire a representative to arrange trade, explain boundaries and criminal procedures as they relate to the …
John Adams PapersOn Personal Enemies, Especially James Wilkinson
Reports to Wayne on Wayne's personal enemies, especially including Gen. James Wilkinson.
John Adams PapersOn Breaking Alliance with British, and Establishing Friendship with United States
Indian chief Blue Jacket, of the Shawnees, relates how he and his people once fought for the British, having been urged to do so by them; now cites deception by the British and wishes only friendship …
John Adams PapersList of the Officers in the U.S. Army; Regulations for Recruitment
A copy of the roster of all U.S. Army officers, divided into categories of general officers, dragoons, artillerists & engineers, 4 regiments of infantry, and unattached surgeons' mates. Followed by a …
John Adams PapersInstructions to Indian Agent to the Creeks & Other Indians South of the Ohio
Official commission and instructions for Benjamin Hawkins, as Principal Temporary Agent for Indian Affairs, within the Indian Nations South of the Ohio, and North of the Territorial Line. Includes …
John Adams PapersInstructions to Deputy Paymaster & Storekeeper for Tennessee
Appoints Hillis as deputy paymaster & military storekeeper for Tennessee. Instructions from the Comptroller of the Treasury and the Accountant of the War Department follow, addressing record- and …
John Adams PapersInstructions to Army Officer Commanding in Tennessee, Relative to Relations to the Indians
Instructs the U.S. Army officer commanding in Tennessee in how to coordinate enforcement of the recent act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indians with the new Indian agent for the region, …
John Adams PapersInstructions to Army Officer Commanding In Georgia, Relative to Relations with the Indians
Instructs the presiding U.S. Army officer in Georgia (Major Constant Freeman) in his powers, relating to the sending of a new Indian agent to manage trade & intercourse with the Creek, Choctaw, and …
John Adams PapersInstructions for Superintendent of Military Stores
Lays out instructions for office of Superintendent of Military Stores, including inspection & reporting on the condition of supply houses, armories, arsenals, etc.; proper record keeping; and …
John Adams PapersInstructions for Keeper of Military Stores
Appoints John Harris Storekeeper of articles pertaining to the Department of War [military stores], and transmits regulations for that office. These address: inventorying & record-keeping, the receipt …
John Adams PapersENCLOSED: Appointment to Corps of Artillerists and Engineers
Request by McHenry for Lincoln to take charge of appointment letter for James Rand.
Benjamin Lincoln PapersDiscussion of a Speech to Encourage the Cherokee to Higher Civilization
Encloses a draft of a speech to the Cherokeeswhich is designed to encourage their civilization and make its management [by the U.S.?] more economical. Asks Washington's opinion on that document, and …
John Adams PapersDetailed Instructions for the Execution of the Plan for Civilizing the Cherokee
Attaches speech, approved by the president, to the Cherokees. Laments that recent attempts to civilize the Indians have failed; states that the key is to "wean them from hunting and trapping," and …
John Adams PapersDetailed Instructions for Commander in Georgia to Dispose Troops to Keep Peace Between Creek Indians & Georgians
Notes that a treaty has been concluded with the Creek Indians reaffirming desires to live in friendship with the United States; however, asks Gaither to be prepared for contingencies. Says that the …
John Adams PapersConference with the Several Indian Chiefs Assembled, & Washington's Reply
Various Indian chiefs speak on rights to land, inclinations to peace over war, and a recent treaty. Tribes represented: Wiandots [Wyandots], Delawares, Shawanees [Shawnees], Ottawas, Chippewas, …
John Adams PapersChoctaw Chiefs' Objections to U.S. Encroachment
Wishes to renew friendship with U.S., and profess that the Choctaw have never broken any faith with the Americans. Discusses the exact parameters of the boundary of Choctaw land, asks that the U.S. …
John Adams PapersAssessment of Dispute Between Georgia & Creek Indians
Weighs the arguments of those who believe that the serious situation on the Georgia border could escalate into war, and believe that either further negotiations or a show of strength via …
John Adams PapersStatus of Northwest Indians, U.S.-Cherokee Boundary Project, & Frontier Military Movements
Reports that the Indians of the Northwest appear to desire remaining at peace with the U.S. Also reports on the progress of the commissioners running the boundary line between U.S. and Cherokee land, …
John Adams PapersState of Foreign Negotiations
Refers to ongoing foreign treaty negotiations and forms of government.
John Adams PapersState Department Preparation for State of the Union Address
Confirms that he is forwarding some of Adams' correspondence to its recipients; also informs Adams that he is preparing "business to lay before Congress," presumably material for Adams' state of the …
John Adams PapersSecretary of War's Extracts of Communications with Gen. Wilkinson
McHenry documents extracts from Wilkinson dated 13 June, 7 July, and 6 September 1797. McHenry includes his replies to Wilkinson dated 14 July and 25 July 1797. They regard martial law around …
John Adams PapersReturning Originals of Forwarded Correspondence
Adams writes to enclose all the originals of letters McHenry had sent to him, that McHenry may have them for his records. Expresses concern over McHenry's health.
John Adams PapersRequests for Cabinet Guidance on State of the Union Speech & Other Issues
Asks Secretary of State and Attorney General to find a precedent for the State of the Union speech, as none has ever before been given [to Adams' knowledge]. Also asks the Secretaries of State, …
John Adams PapersRequest for Information on Pertinent to Congress, Especially Regarding Sickness in Philadelphia
Informs McHenry that the Adams family will be at either East Chester or New York until the next meeting of Congress; tells McHenry how to address letters so they will reach him. Asks McHenry to …
John Adams PapersReport to the President from the Departments of War, Treasury and State on a Treasury & Revenue Dispute
Analyzes complaints of the Secretary of the Treasury, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., against a Mr. Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue. These are: a complaint of the delinquency of the inspector of the revenue …
John Adams Papers
