26 June 1798

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. White

Letterpress copy. Discusses his concerns about the navy, and mentions a "few ships of War, and the french [sic] have a few, would in a few days convey an army of ten thousand blacks and people of color in Vessels seized from our own citizens." Continues with expressing his concern about the defense of the coast. Noted as private.

GLC02437.07154

20 July 1798

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox to the hand of Henry Jackson

Offer his congratulations on an appointment to the army and discusses other business. Noted as written at Mount Pleasant, state unknown.

GLC02437.07159

11 November 1798

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Knox's declination of an army commission, and his own views on service. Knox had declined a commission in the army raised during the quasi-war when he learned that Alexander Hamilton would outrank him. Noted as written at Mount Pleasant.

GLC02437.07189

29 May 1800

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Williams writes Knox about his son Henry Jackson Knox and hopes that his son intends to return to his ship. Williams comments on the changes in the administration "which I think forebodes a settlement of some sort or other with France." Williams says it is assumed that Adams will lose the next election. Talks about a meeting of Federalists who want to run Pinckney and Adams "equally", which Adams will see as abandonment. "He wishes rather to take the chance of being second to Jeff than to P." Relates a letter James McHenry sent to him saying that he wished Williams to have a post in the…

GLC02437.07418

January 22, 1799

Elliott, Simon, 1762-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Elliot says that he is compelled to "abandon all Idea of accepting my late appointment." Elliot cannot find anyone to take over his business, so it would be "highly imprudent." Elliot says that "nothing could warrant it but the actual Invasion of the Country, - or the certainty of a speedy and active War."

GLC02437.07226

17 August 1799

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Dayton

References Dayton's letter of 16 August 1799. Writes to tell Dayton, Senator from New Jersey, that he should tell his brother that the three regiments being raised in New Jersey for the Provisional Army during the Quasi War with France might not quarter there. Dayton's brother wanted a contract to provide rations for the three regiments in the year 1800, but McHenry fears he based his contract on the fact the three regiments would remain in New Jersey. Says the regiments might actually quarter in Carlisle, Pennsylvania if the barracks prove feasible. McHenry awaits final word from General…

GLC05229

29 May 1800

McHenry, James, 1753-1816

Letter signed

Title: [Report on Department of War to the successor of James McHenry]

Written shortly after McHenry's resignation as Secretary of War on 13 May 1800. McHenry wrote this report to his successor. He offered his resignation to President John Adams after an angry Adams accused him of working behind the scenes with Alexander Hamilton. Adams eventually selected Massachusetts Senator Samuel Dexter to the post. Report details instructions for the Provisional Army, created in the face of French aggression in 1798. McHenry, attempting to facilitate a smooth transition, touches upon many subjects important to the War Department. These include: logistics of clothing and…

GLC05230

21 April 1798

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Describes his journey from Paris to Bordeaux, where he waits to return to America. Writes with a vein of humor. Mentions that two wheels broke on the journey, but says such a fact does not need to be communicated to the Secretary of State, so the broken wheels can be saved a circuit around the United States. Will take the ship "Alexander Hamilton" home and says it "a very excellent vessel but for the sin of the name which makes my return in her almost as criminal as if I had taken England in my way." Hopes to make "an eternal adieu to Europe" as well as its crimes. Wishes for better health…

GLC05632

December 1, 1798

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

References Bourne's letter of 23 November 1798. Writes to Bourne, American Consul in Amsterdam. Says he does not have any recent information from America. Says stories on the yellow fever in the American newspapers are distressing, but otherwise the news is good. Says Congress adjourned on 1 December 1798, but he does not know what Elbridge Gerry told them after he returned from France after the XYZ affair in October 1798. Believes that no matter what Gerry said, it will not change American-French relations. Says "As long as they continue to treat neutrals much worse than their Enemies, it…

GLC05656

12 May 1798

Cabot, George, 1752-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Williams

Cabot, former United States Senator, informs Williams that he "must decline the Secretaryship of the Navy; to this determination I was ultimately brought by a full conviction that I cou'd not go through the labor of an office so difficult ... in estimating the forces that cou'd be employed to overcome the obstacles in a path hitherto untrod in this country I assure you that my mind constantly resorted to you as the principle, & if I cou'd have been induced to take upon myself so weighty an engagement I shou'd have relied greatly upon your assistance in every part of the performance of it…

GLC05588.01

16 December 1798

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

States he is stuck on the Susquehanna River because of low tide and bad winds. Takes the opportunity to discuss administration of the Provisional Army. Says War Department should only communicate with a concentrated military leadership, or else it will get bogged down in details. Says he is not the best person to contact about day to day military affairs because he will not personally lead the army unless an actual military engagement seems likely. He wants McHenry to communicate with General Thomas Pinckney, the commander in the south and with General Alexander Hamilton in the north. General…

GLC05319

12 May 1800

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Hodgdon

During the Quasi war with France, Major General Hamilton writes to the Superintendent of Military Stores Hodgdon, in anticipation of greater hostilities. Requests a supply of marquees and tents, as he plans to set out for camp at Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

GLC07539

1 October 1797

Cobb, David, 1748-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to Knox's letter of 16 September 1797 with an apology for his "abrupt deportation from Montpelier." States that he has met with disappointments while participating in running the nation, commenting that "the inattention of our friends to this Country & me is unpardonable." Comments on Alexander Hamilton's recently exposed affair with Maria Reynolds. Possibly in reference to the Quasi War with France, General Cobb expresses a cynical hope for peace in regard to European affairs, claiming that the Old World is "too numerous and vicious to exist as Governments." Also comments on…

GLC02437.07035

28 August 1798

Newspaper

Title: English Chronicle no. 3006 [Washington becoming Lt. Gen. p.4]

GLC08806

1 July 1800

Newspaper

Title: Independent gazeteer. [Vol. 1, no. 26 (July 1, 1800)]

XYZ affair, Sedition

GLC08775

09 April 1798

Pamphlet

Title: Instructions to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry

XYZ affair. Evans 34837. Sabin 34865. Disbound with paper wrapper. With date at top in ink: April 9, 1798

GLC00338

September 16, 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

James Monroe discusses his diplomatic mission to France during the winter of 1796-1797. He requests a copy of the proceedings of the Hartford Convention, which took place during the winter of 1814-1815.

GLC00306

March 2, 1797

Webster, Noah, 1758-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis Childs

Webster, book writer and editor of the New York Federalist newspaper "The Commercial Advertiser," writes to Childs, a New York publisher and friend, in London. He asks Childs to place an order for type with Caslon's foundry, perhaps for his newspaper. He requests Childs to get unsold copies of his books from a noted London bookseller, Charles Dilly. Webster is possibly referring to his works "Dissertations on the English Language," "Political Essays on the Nature and Operation of Money, Public Finances and Other Subjects," or a series of pamphlets on free trade and finance, all of which sold…

GLC00312

November 11, 1807

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

Addressed to "My dear Phylosopher [sic] and Friend," this letter discusses George Washington, France and scientific societies. Adams dwells ironically at great length upon those "talents" which brought about Washington's "elevation above his Fellows." The ten talents include a "handsome Face" and "tall Stature", coming from Virginia ("Virginian Geese are all Swans"), the "Gift of Silence," self-control, and his ability to hide his temper. His letter concludes that he ought never have agreed to the appointment of Washington Commander of the Army (during the Quasi-War) with Hamilton, and he…

GLC00424

January 2, 1801

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Boylston Adams

Docketed on page 4. Written as President to his son about the Convention with France which averted war. Adams quotes from jurist Vattell and mentions Grotius and Pufendorf. Also, The Law of Nations (book by Emer de Vattell).

GLC01204

13 May 1799

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

In reply to McHenry's letter of 2 May 1799. Written as commander of Provisional Army created during the fear of a French invasion to McHenry as Secretary of War in the Adams Administration. They are attempting to find the best candidates to fill openings in the officers' ranks. Washington claims he does not know the rising generation of Virginia as he did when the Revolution broke out since he does not leave home very often. Wants to know if McHenry believes it is proper for the War Department to send out a request for applications that can be reviewed, otherwise he does not know how they…

GLC02337

26 December 1799

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Appears to be a retained draft. Written by North as Adjutant General of the Provisional Army with the rank of brigadier general (a position he held 1798-1800) to an unknown recipient. Says if "you are too full, ask Mrs. Duane for a pail of butter." Mentions that he has a sleigh and horses at Duanesburgh doing nothing and that the recipient can use them. Says he is not settled in yet, but says they are doing well. Says they are planning a "great show here on the 31st - funeral honors to the memory of Gen. Washington" (who died on 14 December) on 31 December. Mentions other friends.

GLC02341

23 March 1798

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Breckinridge

Writes to Breckinridge, a former neighbor of Monroe in Albemarle County, Virginia who moved to Kentucky in 1793. Was a member of Kentucky House of Representatives when he received this letter. Monroe had recently returned from France, burdened with debts and writes that he wants to sell his Revolutionary War land bonus in Kentucky. Writes of problems with the sale. Says he is returning to practice of law in Richmond. He mentions early news of XYZ affair from Pinckney, Gerry and Marshall in Paris and rumors of Napoleon invading England.

GLC02323

30 July 1799

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Marked duplicate. Written by Pickering as Secretary of State to Bourne, a merchant and Counsel General of the United States to the Netherlands. Acknowledges letter of 10 May 1799. Pickering says he can return to America, despite the United States Minister to the Netherlands William Vans Murray's mission to Paris. Murray went to Paris as part of the a final peace mission to end the Quasi War, along with Patrick Henry and Oliver Ellsworth. He states there is no answer from the French government, but says the mission "will not remain in Paris to be neglected or trifled with: We shall not submit…

GLC02326

circa 1797-1800

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Trial notes in a case involving nonpayment of an indemnity for a ship seized by the French]

Written by Alexander Hamilton as counsel to the ship master, answering the underwriter's attempt to avoid payment. An armed American ship carrying unspecified contraband was seized by the French, and the ship's Master attempted to take back the vessel. Argues that the ship was legally armed "with intent to resist privateers" and that the Master's attempt to retake the ship was legal. Uses testimony to show the Mate and crew supported the Master and did not act belligerently against the French boarding party. Docket title reads: Autograph brief of Genl Hamilton.

GLC02377