Memoirs of the Administrations of Washington and John Adams

FIFTH CONGRESS-THIRD SESSION.a

Letter to the President on Subjects of Speech, 167. - Meeting of Congress, 172.

- Reports from the Departments, 175.- Eight per cent. Loan, 178.- Re-

port of Secretary of State on Mr. Gerry's Negotiations, 180.- Measures of

Congress, 180.- Institution of New Mission to France, 184-Circumstances

attending the Measure, 185.- Barlow's Letter to Washington, 189. — Mr.

Adams' alleged inducements to the Mission, 191. - Review of his Statement,

193. Logan's Interview with Washington, 195. - Talleyrand's Overtures

to Mr. Murray, 196. Mr. Adams' Remarks thereon, 197. — Review of these

Circumstances, 199. His Message Nominating Mr. Murray, 203.- Inter-

view with Committee of the Senate, 204.- Nomination of Ellsworth and

Henry, 205. — Of Wm. R. Davie, 205. - Review of his Statements concern-

ing the same, 205.- Mr. Adams' Account of the Cabinet Council, 209. —

Defence of the Cabinet, 212. - Different Opinions respecting Policy towards
France, 217. Motives of the Opposition, 219.—Mr. Adams' Charges against
the Federalists, 221. - Political Consequences of the Mission,
222.

CHAPTER IV.

SUMMER OF 1799.

Failure of Negotiations with Russia and Turkey, 226. — Arrangements with St.

Domingo, 227. Correspondence, 228–231. - Second Insurrection in Penn-

sylvania, 231. — Correspondence, 232, 233.- Military Affairs, 233. — Offi-

cers of Provisional Army Commissioned, 236. - Effects of Naval Armament,

237. Correspondence, 238-247. — Preliminary Instructions to Mr. Murray,

247.Cabinet Conference on Instructions to the Envoys, 248.- Talleyrand's

Reply to Mr. Murray, 249. - Draft of Instructions, 250.- Proposed Articles

of Treaty, 252.- Wolcott's Observations thereon, 257. Correspondence,

262, 263. Revolution of 30th Prairial, 263.- Proposed Suspension of Mis-

sion, 264. Correspondence, 265-267. — Letter to President on Suspension,

Return of the President to Philadelphia, 267. — Order to the Envoys

to Embark, 268. - Mr. Adams' Account of these Transactions, 269. — Re-

view of his Narrative, 272.- Consequences of the Measure, 277. - Corre-

267.

By an oversight, this is entitled in the
body of the work the Second Session.

The error was not discovered until too
late for correction.

spondence, 277-288.- Movements of the Opposition, 288. - New Elections,

289.- Positions of Patrick Henry and Mr. Madison, 289.- Former Senti-

ments of Mr. Madison, 289.- Death of Henry, 293. - Callender's Writings,

293. His employment by Mr. Jefferson, 293. - - Jefferson's Letters on the

subject, 295.

CHAPTER V.

SIXTH CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION.

Letter to President on Subjects of Speech, 299. Suspension of Boards of Com-

missioners under British Treaty, 306.- Meeting of Congress, 308.- Speech

to Congress, 308.- Political Opinion in Congress, 309. — Death of Wash-

ington, 310. Reports of Secretary of Treasury, 311.- Correspondence,

312-324. Report of Secretary of War, 324.- Estimates for 1800, 325. —

Measures of Congress, 327.- Reports on Reduction of Army and Navy,

and on Additional Revenues, 328.- Of Committee of Ways and Means on

the Public Debt, 331.- Opinion of Committee on Management of the Treas-

ury, 337. — Mr. Gallatin's Reply, 338.- Affair of Thomas Nash, called Jona-

than Robbins, 338. - Adjournment of Congress, 339.- Acts of the Session,

340.- Proposal of Mr. Liston of Treaty Stipulation for Restitution of De-

serters, 342.- President's Letter on subject of a Public Printer, 344.

CHAPTER VI.

SUMMER OF 1800.

Resignation of Mr. McHenry, 346. -Letter from him on the subject, 346. -

Dismissal of Col. Pickering, 348. — Mr. Adams' Alleged Reasons, 348.

Probable Motives, 351.- Observations on these Events, 356. - Character of

Mr. McHenry, 357.- Appointments of Gen. Marshall and Mr. Dexter as

Secretaries of State and War, 358. — Calumnies against Col. Pickering, 359.

-Pardon of Fries, 360. Removal of Seat of Government to the City of

Washington, 362. — Correspondence, 363.- Preparations for the Elections.

364. - Position of the Federal Party, 365. Correspondence, 366-424.

Mr. Adams' Letter to Tench Coxe, 424. - His Letter to Mr. Pinckney, 425.

- His Charges of British Influence upon the Federalists, 427. Mr. Hamil-

ton's Letters to him on the Subject, 428. — Hamilton's "Letter concerning

the Conduct and Character of John Adams," 429.- Correspondence, 430-

434. Proceedings of the Embassy to France, 434.- Revolution of 18th

Brumaire, 434. - Commercial Policy of Bonaparte, 435. Results of the

Negotiations, 436. Conclusion of a Convention, 437. Its Defence by the

Envoys, 437.- Its Provisions, 438. — Mr. Adams' Opinions concerning it.

440.

CHAPTER VII.

SIXTH CONGRESS-SECOND SESSION.

Letter to President on Subjects of Speech, 442. - - Wolcott's Resignation of

Treasury Department, 443.- Correspondence, 443-450.- President's Speech,

450.- Wolcott's Letter to Speaker, requesting an Investigation into Condi-

tion of Treasury, 451.- Committee of Investigation, 451. — Report on Sink-

ing Fund, 451.- On Internal Revenues, 452.- Condition of the Finances,

452.- Correspondence, 455–463. — Appointments to Treasury, &c., 463. —

Conditional Ratification of Convention with France, 464 - Character of the
Convention, 465. — Mr. Adams' Opinion of its Merits, 465. Correspond-
ence, 467-469.- Report on Condition of the Treasury, 469. Retirement

-of Wolcott, 476.- Fires in the Offices of War and the Treasury, 478.—

Charges against Wolcott and others, 478.- Examination of Circumstances

of the Fires, 480.- Wolcott's Notes on the Affair, 481.- Character of the

Charges, 482. Measures of the Session, 484.- The Judiciary Law, 485.

- Hostility of Anti-Federalists to the Judiciary, 485. Presidential Election,

487.
Wolcott's Remarks thereon, 488.- Examination of Charge against

the Federal Party, 489.- Correspondence, 489, 490.- Wolcott appointed

Circuit Judge, 491.- Correspondence, 491-495.- His Acceptance, 496..

Correspondence, 496-498. - End of Mr. Adams' Administration, 498.

Concluding Remarks, 499. - General Character of the American Colonies

499. Obstacles to a Constitution, 501.- Merits of the Constitution, 502.

- Difficulties of the Federal Administrations, 503.- Democratic tenden-

cies of the People, 505.- Grounds of Opposition to the Federal Administra-

tions, 506. Causes of its Success, 507.- Qualifications of Mr. Adams,

508.- Defence of the Federal Administrations, 508. Their Merits, 513.

I flatter myself that you will hear with much pleasure of my safe arrival here, after a passage of twenty-seven days from the Capes of Delaware. We suffered no accident at sea, or delay, except of about two hours, to undergo an examination from a small French squadron, which after a visit, allowed us to pass unmolested. By some papers which I transmit to Col. Pickering by this opportunity, it appears there is a practice of counterfeiting American sea letters and registers. The consul informs me that he believes the practice is very extensive and requires a prompt remedy; he knows of an English vessel provided with an unlawful sea letter, purporting to be an American one, which was once examined by a French privateer and suffered to proceed on her voyage, for which valuable service, the captain of the vessel was rewarded by the owners with the sum of thirty pounds. I have desired him to collect all the information he can on this subject, which shall be at once transmitted. I understand this would be a very excellent market for our tar, if it were manufactured with more care; a vast quantity of Swedish tar is bought and that of the United States is rejected, because it is badly made, being mixed with sand, or otherwise unfit for market. This is deserving of your attention. Mr. Steele may perhaps communicate this subject to some of his friends in North Carolina. Flour is sometimes admitted here, and even rice has found a good market, owing to the loss of so many Brazil ships. The French have made dreadful havoc among them. We have no certain accounts from Lisle, and rumours vary every day on the subject of peace. What think you of Talleyrand's appointment? what effect will it produce on our affairs? I am in hopes that the want of money and union in France, will bring about peace; the present moment appears favourable to England. The government of Portugal have been obliged to issue a paper currency, in order to defray the expenses incurred by their preparations for defence. They have equipped a

squadron and raised a considerable land force. The sum issued is a million and a half of dollars, payable at the treasury at the end of a year, with 6 per cent. interest. They are a tender in law, and are already in extensive circulation without any depreciation. As there are neither banks nor any other paper currency; these bills, if they maintain their credit, will be very convenient as a medium of negotiation. I cannot be so unreasonable as to expect to hear often from you, because I know how much your valuable time is pre-occupied ; and yet, I cannot help suggesting how much I shall be gratified by hearing frequently from you. Your letters will always be extremely interesting, whether they refer to any general subjects, or to the department which flourishes under your administration, and in the prosperity of which I have always felt more than a full share of satisfaction.

The friendship with which you have honoured me, I shall always remember with the liveliest sensations, as well as the very many proofs you have given me of it. With the sincerest regard, I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, WILLIAM SMITH.

FROM RUFUS KING.

LONDON, Oct. 24, 1797.

Dear Sir,

We are not informed how the negotiation in Italy has ended, nor indeed, are we sure that it may not be still continued. That with this country is entirely broken off. And it is here hoped that a like result may have attended the conferences at Udina.

The war between England and France is to go on, and it is probable that the war with the Emperor will recommence. But what is to be our situation? Our envoys are still at Paris, but not a lisp has transpired from whence we can form any opinion respecting the result of their mission. According to the short rules by which business is done at Paris, we may expect very soon to hear from them; not because they like us, but because their hatred to this country is extreme. I have never been convinced that they would go to war with us. There are however, causes, and in the present situation of France, very powerful ones, which have a great influence to induce them to go to war with us. I hope sincerely, that we may remain at peace, but our situation is too critical not to prepare, and that in earnest, for a war. The late naval victory has raised, and will contribute to support the natural courage of England, which the repeated efforts of the administration to conclude a peace, have lowered much more than has perhaps been imagined. Farewell. Yours, very truly,

R. K.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 24, 1797.

After a painful and inconvenient dispersion, the public officers have returned

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Memoirs of the Administrations of Washington and John Adams ..., Volume 2