Massachusetts Historical Society
450 documents
Desire for Moderation and Peace, Etc.
Although it seems that the French are expressing a desire for moderation and peace, McHenry argues that it is too early to relax America's efforts to bolster its fleets and armies. One might expect …
Washburn Autograph CollectionCover Letter & Additional Accounting for Funds Necessary to Supply Troops Now Being Raised
McHenry submits a detailed accounting of expenditures for the War Department in "this and the six months of the ensuing year" [unclear whether he is referring to a calendar or fiscal year]. Notes …
John Adams PapersConstitutional Limits of the President's Authority to Empower Naval Vessels to Defend American Coasts & Shipping
Discusses issue of instructions to armed vessels being deployed to protect the U.S. coast. Considers the president's war powers in the Constitution, noting that the president cannot issue …
John Adams PapersComments on Negotiations with Cherokee; Root of Problem with Indians Reluctant to Sell Land
Acknowledges receipt of McHenry's letters concerning treaty negotiations with the Cherokee. He confirms the commission of Col. Butler as an Indian commissioner, and comments on the root of the …
John Adams PapersCommencement of Construction at Fort McHenry; Request for Delivery of Funds
The committee acknowledges receipt of McHenry's letter detailing Major Tousard's plan for Fort McHenry at Whetstone Point outside Baltimore, and pledges to purchase the necessary land and oversee the …
John Adams PapersCertificate for Payment to Hugh McAlister
Callender Irvine and Francis Gibson certify that Hugh McAlister delievered a deserter from Captain Miller's company.
John Adams PapersBaltimore Naval Committee Requests Funds & Estimate of Costs for Fort McHenry
The chairman of the Naval Committee of Baltimore reiterates the sentiments of the general committee's letter, asking that $4000 be tendered to them for defense construction services already …
John Adams PapersArranging the Relative Rank of Generals Hamilton, Pickering, & Knox
McHenry is wrestling with the issue of assigning relative rank to Generals Hamilton, Knox, and Pickering. He consulted General Washington and is notifying President Adams that the General's opinion on …
John Adams PapersAppointment as Commandant of Massachusetts Recruiters; Duties & Regulations for That Office
Appoints Jackson as commandant of recruiting parties in Massachusetts; orders him to inspect Castle Island and report on its readiness to receive recruits, once the convicts detained there have been …
John Adams PapersApplication & Recommendation for Officer Appointment
Encloses a letter from John Hampden Palmer, the grandson of Revolutionary War General Joseph Palmer, who is seeking an appointment to the army. Adams commends him as a man of "sprightly abilities."
John Adams PapersAn act for the further defense of this State [New York] and for other purposes, 27 Aug 1798
Authored by the New York state legislature. Declares that the current defenses of New York City are inadequate, and allocates $150,000 to complete & expand existing fortifications and erect new ones …
John Adams PapersAlterations in the Military Establishment, to Artillery & Dragoon Regiments
McHenry's submission of a report on proposed changes to the makeup of standard artillery and dragoon regiments, expanding the number of officers and men. The proposed expansions, with comparisons to …
John Adams PapersAddressing McHenry's Place in the Hamilton Relative Rank Intrigues
Authorizes the commissioning of generals of the army in the order of Knox, Pinckney, and Hamilton, and asks McHenry to call Knox and Hamilton into service whenever he deems fit. Answers McHenry's …
John Adams PapersAdams Submits to Judgment of Cabinet & Generals on Military Appointments; Gloomy Appraisal of Military Preparations
Adams addresses the relative rank of the major generals, saying that when he chose to sign them all on the same date, he decided to abide by either an amicable decision among the group or the judgment …
John Adams PapersAcknowledgement of Receipt of Commission as Major General
Acknowledges receipt of commission as inspector and major general; states that he will defer his journey until late October, so as to arrive [presumably at Philadelphia] around November 1. Observes …
John Adams PapersAcceptance of New York Plan of Defense, with Hamilton to Execute It, on Condition of Silence
Adams accepts the plan of Governor Jay and the New York legislature to place the funds and execution of the preparations for the defense of New York City in the hands of General Hamilton. Does so on …
John Adams PapersAcceptance of Commission as Major General; Requests for Care of Family & a Commission for Former Secretary
Pinckney states that he learned of his appointment as major general via a newspaper while en route from France to America; asks that McHenry inform Adams that he will accept the commission. Requests …
John Adams PapersUnsigned Presidential Endorsement of Capital Punishment for Andrew Anderson
States the particulars of the court martial and conviction of Andrew Anderson, and affirms his sentence to hang, in the name of "the beneficial influence of well-placed examples in Military Service." …
John Adams PapersUnited States & British Trade Agreements Concerning St. Domingo [Haiti]
Relates that the British have determined to send a Colonel Maitland, the man who struck their existing agreement with Toussaint L'Overture of St. Domingo [Haiti], to America. There he will be able to …
John Adams PapersTroop Movements & Considerations Regarding the Insurrection in Northampton, Pennsylvania
Reminds Adams of his earlier letter regarding troops sent to put down the insurrection at Northampton, Pennsylvania. McHenry had believed that 5 companies of regulars and two companies of volunteer …
John Adams PapersThoughts on the Crime of & Pardon for Andrew Anderson
Adams discusses his thoughts on the sentencing of Andrew Anderson, believing that the prisoners Anderson was accused of helping escape had induced him to desert. Encloses Anderson's pardon, leaving …
John Adams PapersSummary of Correspondence on McAlister Case & Accusation of William Simmons' Insubordination
McHenry reviews all letters thus far written on the Hugh McAlister case. After summarizing all of his correspondence with William Simmons, the War Department Accountant, he inquires of Adams whether …
John Adams PapersSubmission of Proposed Appointments & Promotions for 12th Regiment
McHenry submits a list of proposed promotions and appointments in the Twelfth regiment of Infantry, for Adams' approval. Two lists follow, compiled separately and contingent on whether a certain …
John Adams PapersSubmission of Officers to Fill Vacancies in 6th Regiment
Submits an included list of names to fill officer vacancies in the 6th Regiment. The list contains recommended individuals for the posts of one captain, two first lieutenants, four second …
John Adams PapersSubmission of List of Officer Appointees for 9th, 10th, 14th, & 15th Regiments
McHenry submits a list of candidates for appointment to officer vacancies in the 9th, 10th, 14th and 15th Infantry Regiments. Expresses doubts about the character and sobriety of one appointee, and …
John Adams Papers
