Adams, John, as second President

1 page (8 x 7 3/8 in.; 204 x 186 mm) on a leaf of wove paper, "United States" [Washington, D.C.], 16 February 1801, with a portion of the integral blank (now detached), with the following dockets in a secretarial hand: "Message from the President of the United States respecting the disposition of the property of the United States, in his possession."; 17th February, 1801. referred to Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Otis, & Mr. John C. Smith"; 21st February, 1801. Committee discharged from consideration, and referred to the joint committee appointed on the eighteenth instant to enquire what further measures ought to be taken for the accommodation of the President of the United States."

John Adams: "Special Message," February 16, 1801. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=65701.

1 page (8 x 7 3/8 in.; 204 x 186 mm) on a leaf of wove paper, "United States" [Washington, D.C.], 16 February 1801, with a portion of the integral blank (now detached), with the following dockets in a secretarial hand: "Message from the President of the United States respecting the disposition of the property of the United States, in his possession."; 17th February, 1801. referred to Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Otis, & Mr. John C. Smith"; 21st February, 1801. Committee discharged from consideration, and referred to the joint committee appointed on the eighteenth instant to enquire what further measures ought to be taken for the accommodation of the President of the United States."
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In the election of 1796, John Adams was elected President by an electoral vote count of 71 to 68 over his political rival, Thomas Jefferson, who became Vice President. Four years later, their political fortunes were reversed with both Jefferson and Aaron Burr receiving 73 electoral votes to Adams's 65 (the tie was decided by the House of Representative who voted Jefferson President and Burr his Vice President). 

With the results of the election finally decided, Adams sent the following special message to the joint houses of congress, in order to ensure an orderly transition for his successor:

"I wish to know the pleasure of Congress and request their direction concerning the disposition of the property of the United States now in my possession; whether I shall deliver it into the hands of the heads of Departments, or of the commissioners of the city of Washington, or of a committee of Congress, or to any other persons Congress may appoint, to be delivered into the hands of my successor, or whether I shall present it myself to the President of the United States on the 4th of March next. Any of these modes will be agreeable to me."