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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE. (Private.) - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Private.)

Trenton, 18 October, 1799.

As the session of Congress draws nigh, I pray you to favor me with your sentiments concerning the communications necessary to be made to Congress of the state of the nation, and particularly a concise narration of the proceedings with St. Domingo and the Isle of France. It may be doubtful, however, whether any thing need be said on the last. A very succinct account of the invitation of the French Directory to our envoys, of the subsequent change, and the short pause made on this side the water in consequence of it, may be proper; and very explicit declarations that no relaxation will take place in any executive part of government in consequence of the mission, till we know its result, either in preparations for defence by sea and land, or in the employment of the means already provided by the legislature. In short, whatever is thought proper to be mentioned to Congress from the full consideration of the state of the nation, in all its relations, will be received from the Secretary of State with great pleasure by his faithful, humble servant.

John Adams.

N. B. Perhaps I ought to have mentioned particularly the unfortunate interpretation of the boards of commissioners, the observations to be made on them, and the sentiments proper to be expressed in consequence of them, and the miserable rebellion in Pennsylvania, which must be stated, I suppose, with the means of its suppression.1

[1 ]Similar requests were addressed on the same day to the other cabinet officers. That to Mr. Wolcott is printed in Gibbs’s Federal Administrations, vol. ii. p. 298.