Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Tench Coxe to John Adams, 8 November 1792 Coxe, Tench Adams, John

From Tench Coxe

Sir Philadelphia Novr. 8th. 1792

I have the honor to enclose you a list of the Votes in the city and county of Philadelphia from which it appears that the antifederal people are not as much animated upon this occasion as their leaders, and that we have more than our real proportion of votes in the city, and much more in the County. The Boroughs are generally enlightened and federal, and vote largely in proportion in all elections, which are not great. I feel therefore confident that 3/4 or 4/5 of the Electors of Pennsa. will be for you and against Mr. Clinton or any other person whatever that may be attempted to be run.1

The same paper contains the list of the Jersey electors, in which State I think you will have an unanimous vote. I know several of the gentlemen to be duly impressed with the importance of your reelection, and that they have abilities and inclinations to place your public & private virtues, talents, and knowlege in their proper light, if their should be occasion—

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I trouble you, Sir, with more communications upon this subject than are probably convenient or agreeable to you; but my anxiety for the happy issue of this Election, and the mortification I should have felt had Pennsylvania; been as unwise, as she lately was, have exceedingly quickened my feelings on the occasion.

With perfect and unfeigned Respect / I have the honor to be, Sir, / your most obedient / & most humble Servant

Tench Coxe

RC and enclosures (Adams Papers).

Coxe enclosed two newspaper clippings. The first was from the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 8 Nov., reporting that the New Jersey legislature had appointed lawyer Frederick Frelinghuysen as U.S. senator and citing the state’s seven presidential electors. A second clipping, which has not been further identified, listed the Pennsylvania electors. Philadelphia County voters chose all fifteen of the state’s electors, fourteen of whom cast their vote for JA in the presidential election of 1792 ( Biog. Dir. Cong. ; A New Nation Votes).

Samuel Allyne Otis to John Adams, 12 November 1792 Otis, Samuel A. Adams, John

From Samuel Allyne Otis

Sir Philadelphia Nov 12th 1792

I do myself the honor to enclose you a minute of the proceedings of Senate, the speech & answer of the Senate thereto—1 In addition to what appears on the journals there are official documents to evince that the Southern Indians are determined to join in hostile measures against the US— And those documents evince that the Executive is doing everything possible to conciliate & be at peace. And indeed Putnum2 has effected this with several Western tribes— The Spaniards are doubtless instigating hostilities and Mc Gilvery has left us—3

On the subject of Electors for President & VPresident both parties seem very still and I presume an attack if any is made will be by sap rather than oppen assault— The two Secretaries look very sour each on the other and probably will make their partizans do so by and by—

your friend & those of the Government are in daily & anxious expectation of seeing you here. And Mrs Otis & myself anticipate the pleasure of your company this winter— She joins in best remembrances to your lady

Your most humble Sert

Sam. A. Otis

RC (Adams Papers).

The enclosures have not been found. Along with his summary, Otis sent copies of George Washington’s 6 Nov. address to Congress, and the Senate’s response two days later. The president spoke to recent conflicts with Native Americans and the state of 150 negotiations with nations in the Northwest Territory, which Henry Knox summarized in a 7 Nov. report sent to JA and Congress (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S. Senate). Owing to JA’s absence, Senate president pro tempore John Langdon delivered the formal response, expressing concern about the deterioration of Native relations with the U.S. government and highlighting Pennsylvanians’ growing opposition to the Whiskey Act (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 11:342–351, 361–363). For the Washington administration’s efforts at Native diplomacy, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 2, above.

Gen. Rufus Putnam (1738–1824) established the town of Marietta, Ohio, and served as judge of the Northwest Territory since 1790 (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 6:122).

Creek chief Alexander McGillivray (ca. 1759–1793) negotiated with Great Britain, Spain, and the United States in an effort to secure Native land. In 1790 McGillivray arranged a joint U.S.-Native survey of the boundary between Georgia and Creek territory, known as the Treaty of New York. Two years later, he signed a new treaty with Spain that negated that agreement, accepting instead a Spanish guarantee that the Creek would retain their land ( ANB ; AFC , 9:86; John Walton Caughey, McGillivray of the Creeks, Norman, Okla., 1938, p. 285–286, 329–330).