то B. STODDERT, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. Quincy, 27 April, 1799. SIR, I have signed the commission for Lieutenant Parker, which was inclosed in your favor of the 19th, and sent it to him with your letter and its inclosures. ance. Your other favor of the 19th contains matter of more importI own that the navy has not afforded to our commerce that complete protection which might have been expected from it, considering the vast inferiority of all the French force, both of public and private ships, in the West Indies. Although I would never hurt the feelings of officers, or excite questions which might affect their reputations, or move suspicions without necessity, yet I am prepared to agree to your arrangement about Nicholson.1 I am not yet prepared to say whether Talbot, or Sever, or some other, ought to be appointed to command the Constitution. Talbot, I am told, was not bred a seaman, though an excellent officer. I apprehend that ship wants an officer of complete nautical skill. URIAH FORREST TO JOHN ADAMS. Georgetown, 28 April, 1799. DEAR SIR, I feel how improper it is, in so inconsiderable an individual as I am, to be intruding on your time, much more, obtruding opinions and advice. I shall, however, hazard your censure, and be guilty of the impropriety which stares me in the face. I feel how much the happiness of this country depends on the confidence the people have in the government, and I feel that yourself must be the rallying point of confidence. The public sentiment is very much against your being so much away from the seat of government, from a conviction that, when you are there, the public vessel will be properly steered; and that these critical times require an experienced pilot. The people elected you to administer the government. They did not elect your officers, nor do they (however much they respect them) think 1 To superintend the construction of the frigates then building. In a them equal to govern, without your presence and control. country like ours, when the people get divided into parties, as we have become, there will always be found men on the governing side, not satisfied with their proper share of power, and who, getting yielded to them more than is their due, increase in their own consequence and claims, until they fancy themselves exclusively entitled to direct. Are we free from such characters? Are there not, even in the soundest States in the Union, men (of influence and fair fame, not at all tinctured with jacobinism, but filled with a certain kind of ambition), who believe that with some other person as chief magistrate, they would have more power than with the present? I hope the influence of such men has not reached any of the departments of government. I speak the truth, when I say that your real friends wish you to be with your officers, because the public impression is, that the government will be better conducted. I have sincerely regretted Mrs. Adams's indisposition, and now as sincerely rejoice to learn that she has recovered. You will not think of bringing her into Philadelphia, though it would give me great pleasure to hear you were about going to take her to some healthy situation in the neighborhood of it. I wish the time had arrived for you to remove here, where I am sure Mrs. Adams would be very much benefited by the healthiness of the situation. I hope you will pardon this liberty; I can have no motive that is personal to myself; I feel as every man ought to feel for the public happiness. I believe that the seeds of more than two parties in this country have been scattered; but I trust they will not sprout. I am sure it is in your power alone to prevent their growth, and I must add, that you owe it to the public to prevent it. In thus adding, I am not unmindful of the great debt which the public owe to you.1 I have the honor to be, &c. URIAH FORREST. 1 In this letter, General Forrest spoke the genuine sense of probably not less than five sevenths of the federal party. Mr. Adams's answer scarcely meets the argument. Yet, taking the cabinet as it was, the only effect of a change of practice must have been to hasten its dissolution, without giving time to establish a better one in the public confidence, before the end of his term. H TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE. Quincy, 1 May, 1799. SIR, I received your favor of the 23d, and have read all the papers inclosed with attention and much satisfaction. With the No. 3, " Observations," &c., I was particularly pleased.1 I can see no rational objection to any of the seven articles ultimately signed by all the heads of department, unless it be the 6th.2 When I first read this, I was apprehensive that some embarrassment might soon arise in consequence of it. We have given our word that the commerce should be open by proclamation as soon as privateering should be suppressed in the island, and the fulfilment of our promise may be claimed. But, on further consideration, I hope and presume that General This was a production of Mr. Pickering's, entitled by him "Observations on the Sketch of proposed Regulations,' for the trade of the Island of St. Domingo, received from the minister plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty to the United States of America." 2 This is a copy of the articles; POINTS, on which there is an understanding between the governments of Great Britain and the United States of America, in consequence of the foregoing proposed regulations. 1. It is understood that Great Britain and the United States have a common interest in preventing the dissemination of dangerous principles among the slaves of their respective countries; and that they will mutually and sincerely attend to that interest, to guard both against the danger here alluded to in consequence of the proposed intercourse with St. Domingo. 2. That any infringement of the contemplated regulations which may be agreed upon with Toussaint, and which will constitute the basis of the determination of the two nations, respectively, to open a commercial intercourse with St. Domingo, or any hostility commenced, or manifestly intended, on his part, against either, shall lead to an immediate suspension of intercourse with that island, on the part of both nations, while the laws of the United States authorize such a suspension on their part. 3. That it is the interest of both nations to induce General Toussaint to refuse an asylum to any French armed vessels in the ports of St. Domingo; such an asylum being deemed incompatible with the safety of the proposed commercial intercourse. 4. That it is the positive object of both nations by pacific arrangements to put an end, in toto, or as nearly as possible, to all maritime operation or exertion of any kind in the island of St. Domingo. 5. That the American Consul-General in that island shall be instructed to assist in carrying into effect the proposed regulations. 6. That no commercial vessel of either nation shall be permitted to enter the port or ports to be opened, as before proposed, until the day to be fixed according to the fifth article of the regulations to be proposed to General Toussaint. 640 Maitland will settle this point, without any difficulty to us. I am very glad that you did not detain General Maitland till you could hear from me. Upon the whole, I think the negotiation has been conducted with caution and prudence, and the result has my fullest approbation.1 TO J. MCHENRY, SECRETARY OF WAR. Quincy, 7 May, 1799. SIR, - I have received your favor of the 29th of April, and have considered the subject of it with as much attention as will be necessary to agree in general to your principles.2 Merit I consider, however, as the only true scale of graduation in the army. Services and rank in the last war, or in any other war, are only to be taken into consideration as presumptive evidence of merit, and may at any time be set aside by contrary proof. Services and rank in civil life, and in time of peace, I think, ought not to be forgotten or neglected, for they are often of more utility and consequence to the public than military ser vices. The officers, I think, ought not to be flattered with any positive assurance of rising in succession. The right, authority, and duty of government to depart from the line of succession, 7. As the present political state of St. Domingo is subject to constant change and fluctuation, and as even its situation at the moment is not perfectly ascertained, it is understood that the whole of the present arrangement shall be to such future discussion and decision as the nature of the case, in the opinion of the respective governments, may demand. 20 April, 1799. TIMOTHY PICKERING. papers open were Owing to the immediate departure of General Maitland, the drawn up by Mr. Pickering, with the assent of the other cabinet officers, and sent, without referring them to Mr. Adams, subject to his ultimate decision, however, to approve or reject the propositions made. 2 Mr. McHenry recommended that the relative rank at the close of the revolutionary war, of all such officers as had served in that war, should govern, liable to exceptions in cases of extraordinary service or merit. On the 23d of April, Mr. McHenry had addressed a letter to Mr. Hamilton, requesting his opinion on this subject. The reply does not appear, but it is fair to infer that it was the same as that presented by Mr. McHenry to the President as his own. Hamilton's Works, vol. v. p. 250. in clear cases of unusual merit, of extraordinary services, or uncommon talent, ought always to be asserted and maintained, and constantly to be held up to the view of the army. Inclosed is a letter from Joseph Woodward, recommending Baldwin and Brown to be lieutenants. Another from Josiah Waters, soliciting some appointment. Another from Daniel Tillotson, soliciting a captaincy of infantry. Another from General Brooks, recommending Samuel Fowle. Another from Major Lillie. I own I am not able to read such histories without strong emotions. As this, however, might be intended to be confidential with me, I pray you to return it to me. TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE. Quincy, 8 May, 1799. I have received, in your letter of the 30th April, the very handsome apology of Mr. Henry, and the letter of Chief Justice Ellsworth, from Halifax, of March 21st. In several conversations with Judge Ellsworth, I mentioned to him Governor Davie, as one among several whom I had in contemplation to appoint in the place of Governor Henry, if he should decline, as was apprehended by many. The character of this gentleman for abilities, integrity, and sound political principles, inclined my judgment in his favor, although personally a stranger to me. I am very glad the Chief Justice communicated the idea to him, and that he has not rejected it. I pray you to make out his commission and send it to him, and communicate the intelligence to Mr. Murray as soon as possible. I return you the letters of the Chief Justice and Mr. Henry, the latter of which I think you would do well to publish. (Inclosed.) PATRICK HENRY ΤΟ THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Charlotte City, Virginia, 16 April, 1799. SIR, Your favor of the 25th ultimo did not reach me till I have been confined for several weeks by a two days ago. |