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“AN ARMY AND NAVY ESTABLISHMENT IS ESSENTIAL”
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ADAMS, JOHN. Autograph Letter Signed, “J. Adams,” as President, to Secretary
of War James McHenry, concurring in his view that an Army and Navy are necessary to
furthering the interests of the United States and warning of embarrassment should the
department heads be surprised. 1 page, 4to, with integral blank; marginal foxing along left
edge, three small holes punched in center vertical fold. (AKF)
Quincy, 19 July 1799
[10,000/20,000]
“
I agree with you . . . that both an Army and Navy Establishment is essential to the present
and future Interests & Greatness of the United States and that We must run the Risks which
other Nations have run.
“
It appeared to me that Offices were created and Salaries made necessary in the Plan for
Supplying the Army, which would require the Interposition of Congress, But if the Powers
already given to Administration are Sufficient I am Satisfied. . . .”
Because of the apparent disingenuousness of American diplomacy that led to the XYZ Affair
in 1798, the French, without a declaration of war, seized and plundered American vessels,
necessitating the expansion of the American navy. In July of 1798, Congress empowered the
merchant marine to defend the American ships. French aggression ceased in 1800 after the
signing of the “Convention of Peace, Commerce and Navigation,” but Adams continued to
build the military, partly due to a perceived threat of French invasion.
Published in the
Works of John Adams
, vol. 8, 1856.