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Adams, John (1735-1826) to: James McHenry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00103 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Quincy, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 July 1799 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm.

Summary of Content: Fear or rising debt and taxes. Written as President to his Secretary of War. Adams approves McHenry's raising a company of cavalry [sic] but worries at cost. "This system of Debts and Taxes is levelling all government in Europe." JA was staying at his home at Quincy at the time

Background Information:

Full Transcript: Quincy July 27. 1799

Sir
I have recd your favour of the 20th. And have no Objection to the plan you propose of raising a Company of Cavalry. - on "Our means"! ...I never think of our means without Shuddering! All the Declamations as well as Demonstrations of Trenchard & Gordon, Bolingbroke Bernard & Walpole, Hume, Burgh and Burke, rush upon my Memory and frighten me out of my Witts. The system of Debts and Taxes is leveling all Government in Europe. We have, a Career to run to be sure and some time [struck: before Us] to pass before We arrive at the European Crisis. But We must ultimately go the same Way. There is no practicable or imaginable Expedient to escape it, that I can conceive.
J. Adams

Secretary of War.

[docket]
Quincy July 27. 1799

27th July 1799
President of the U.S.












See More

People: McHenry, James, 1753-1816
Adams, John, 1735-1826

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: PresidentTaxes or TaxationFinanceEconomicsCavalryQuasi-warGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyGovernment and Civics

Sub Era: The Early Republic

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