Massachusetts Historical Society
450 documents
Estimate of Sums Necessary for U.S. Port Fortifications in 1797
Line-item accounting for costs associated with the upkeep of coastal fortifications, less "unexpended appropriations from 1794 & 1795."
John Adams PapersDetailed Response to Several Inquiries from Adams Regarding Relations with France
Renders suggestions to the president, answering questions posed in a letter from Adams to McHenry on April 14, 1797. Subjects addressed include: when affronts from one state to another become …
John Adams PapersCharges of Illegal Activity Surrounding War Department Accounts Office
Simmons wishes to address charges that he has committed "reprehensible conduct." Charge appears to have arisen from Simmons refusing to sign a warrant to a clerk from another department. Simmons …
John Adams PapersAppointment of Commissioners to Survey U.S. Boundary with Creeks, Chickasaws & Cherokees
Appoints 3 men as commissioners, and records the boundaries with each Indian nation as stipulated in respective treaties with them. Advises them to make sure they try their hardest to reconcile the …
John Adams PapersVolunteer Troop of Cincinnati Offers Services to the President
The officers and men of the Cincinnati militia horsemen express their outrage at the depredations of France and offer themselves in service to the president, to defend the Constitution.
John Adams PapersThanking Pinckney for Accepting Commission; Relative Rank of Major Generals
Thanks Pinckney for his faithful acceptance of a commission as major-general, and confirms that the relative rank of the three major generals is: Hamilton, Pinckney, Knox. Asks to see Pinckney soon, …
John Adams PapersSubmission of Names for List of Men Seeking Officers' Appointments
Adams submits the names of two men to be considered for officers' commissions.
John Adams PapersSubmission of Copy of Cabinet Circular Requesting Judgment of Decisions on New York Defense Plan
McHenry submits a copy of his circular to the heads of departments, which he prepared as per Adams' request that they adjudicate the rightness of his decision(s) regarding the New York Defense Plan.
John Adams PapersReturn of [Cherokee Indian] Talk
Returns duplicate of "talk" [presumably a missive to be sent to the Cherokee, which had earlier been sent to Adams for approval]. Congratulates McHenry upon his recovery from illness.
John Adams PapersResolves of the Cincinnati Troop of Horse
Expresses at greater length the sentiments sent in the secretary's cover letter, expressing outrage at the French, support for the president, and resolution to place the company at the disposal of the …
John Adams PapersResolution of Relative Rank Issue; Threat of Resignation Over Implication in Supposed Intrigues
Notifies Adams that he will follow the president's prescriptions for assignments of relative rank for Generals Knox, Pinckney and Hamilton, dating their commissions in that order. Expresses shock at …
John Adams PapersRequest for Washington's Attendance at Meeting to Discuss Officer Appointments & Other Military Necessities
Informs Washington that Adams cannot leave his wife's sickbed until it is absolutely necessary for him to meet Congress, and that he has authorized McHenry and the generals to decide the appointments …
John Adams PapersRequest for Response to Letter Concerning National Defense
Forwards a letter of application [type undetermined] from Governor John Henry of Maryland, asking that McHenry respond to it in the manner determined by the laws for national defense.
John Adams PapersRequest for Opinions of Department Heads [Cabinet]
Submits copies of letters to and from Governor Jay of New York, an act of that state's legislature, and a letter to Alexander Hamilton; asks that McHenry distribute these to all the Cabinet officials …
John Adams PapersRequest for Mobilization of Defenses of Baltimore
The committee asks McHenry to attend immediately to getting the fort at Whetstone Point [eventually "Fort McHenry"] into a state of readiness, as it currently offers no defense to the city, and no …
John Adams PapersRequest for Acceptance of Militiamen into Federal Service, & Commissioning of Officers
Encloses a letter [not included] from the commander of a militia company, under the name "Newbury Port Federal Volunteers," offering its services to the government. Adams asks McHenry to send them an …
John Adams PapersRegarding Volunteer Company's Correspondence & the Appointment of a Military Chaplain
Adams forwards correspondence from a volunteer company at Portland; he also inquires as to whether he is empowered to appoint a chaplain to the troops, and sends Mrs. Adams' thanks to Mrs. McHenry for …
John Adams PapersRegarding Treaty Negotiations with the Cherokee
Refers to the cessation of treaty negotiations with the Cherokee, which took place in July 1798. Peace in Tennessee said to be contingent upon these negotiations' success. Discusses the various …
John Adams PapersRegarding the Release of Correspondence With U.S. Ministers in France to Congress, & a Declaration of War with France
The Secretary at War responds to questions asked by the President. This letter discusses disclosing to Congress the official correspondence with U.S. ministers in France. McHenry discusses the pros …
John Adams PapersRegarding Military Stores Sent to Georgia, Major Brooks Affair, and Merits & Use of Foreign-Born Engineers Vs. Natives
Comments that it seems hard to please the governor of Georgia. Notes that substantial shipments of cannon, arms & ammunition have been sent to Savannah. McHenry has had them stockpiled there to be …
John Adams PapersRegarding Issue of Relative Rank Between Washington, Knox, Pinckney & Hamilton
Weighs the idea of presenting the names of the general officers of the army (Washington, Knox, Pinckney, and Hamilton) to Congress, specifically the idea of changing their relative order of rank. …
John Adams PapersRegarding General Washington, Ranking of General Officers, & Readiness of New England to Provide Troops
Asks that McHenry inform George Washington that he is considered fully in the public service, may appoint aides and secretaries as he sees fit, and may draw upon pay and rations. Asks that General …
John Adams PapersRecommendations for Informal War with France, & Consideration of the Rest of Europe
Contains McHenry's observations concerning a potential war with France. He says that the people of the U.S. are quite averse to war; if present negotiations fail, he recommends an informal war, which …
John Adams Papers
