51John Adams to Samuel Adams, 13 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letters by M r Jackson and M r Appleton. The former I answered Some days ago.— My Son who is going to London in hopes of meeting his Mother and Sister will convey this from thence.— I shall probably be fixed here, out of the reach of that Envy, which you prophecy whose Power I never felt or dreaded untill I Saw Europe.— There are little Fermentations in the Courts of...
52John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am glad to find by your Letter that you are so well situated, at Mr. Sewalls, make my Compliments to that Gent. and thank him for the Kind present of his translation of Young—it appears to me to be well done. You will write to me from time to time, if you want Books, or any assistance in your studies, from this side the Water. I hear a good account of your Conduct, your studies you must...
53From John Adams to the Earl of Ailesbury, 28 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
It was my earnest desire to have obtaind an Audience of Leave of the Queen that I might have had an opportunity of presenting to Her Majesty before my departure for America my most Humble thanks for the Civilities, that myself and my family have Received at her Majestys Court, and my best wishes for every Blessing and Felicity to her Majesty, and to every Branch of her Majestys Royal Family,...
54Instructions to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
To the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, at the Court of Versailles empowered to negociate a Peace, or to any one or more of them. First. You are instructed and authorised to announce to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Germany or to his Ministers the high Sense which the United States in Congress assembled entertain of his exalted Character and eminent virtues, and...
55The American Commissioners to the Conde de Aranda, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 27 th day of Sept r last, and we thank you for your care in transmitting to your Court, the information of our appointment to treat with it. You desire to be informed if one or more of us can repair to Madrid for the purpose of conducting & concluding the negotiation, because that it is the system of your Court in matters...
56From John Adams to the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 8 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Permettez moi de vous presenter Mon Ami monsieur John Trumbull Fils du Governeur Trumbull et cidevant Colonel au service des Etats Unis— Il a l’Ambition noble de consigner a l’immortality les Evenemens de notre Histoire par son Pinceau— vous verrez son Warren et son Montgomery— M r. Trumbull est un Citizen tres estimable, et Je vous prie de l’assister avec vos Bontés Allow me to present to you...
57From John Adams to Samuel Austin, 25 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your of Dec r. 23 d. & have since received from M r. Jay our secretary of State for foreign affairs, the papers you refer to, with particular instructions from Congress, which I shall carefully attend to— Your demand as you state it is a Debt contracted before the peace— But you know there is a great misunderstanding between the two Countries, concerning such debts & in my...
58John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 24 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am here to collect together the Bills and Send them to you by Express. When this Express returns, I pray you to Send by him, my Trunk and all my Cloaths. The Books you will deliver also to him or his order to be Sent to me. Will you be so good as to pack the Trunk yourself, and see that the Books, Papers, and Plate are well placed and fixed So that they may not shake too much. You will Send...
59John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 11 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
My Express who sett off, on the third from Amsterdam is with you before now, and I hope you have found the Bills of Exchange to your Satisfaction. I am anxious for his Return, that I may have once collected together, under my own Eye, all that belongs to me in Europe, and be able to finish my Accounts. I should be much obliged to you, if you would examine my Accounts and Vouchers and give me...
60John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 8 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your favour from Rochfort of the 25 th Ult: I may inform you, entre nous that if I should go to England, D r: F and M r: J: will go with me: we shall go all together upon the business of our Commission. But whether we shall go or not is yet problematical, and depends upon an Answer, as yet to be received from the British Ministry. In all Events I think we shall not go before you...
61From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 3 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved in due time with great Pleasure all your Letters & Dispatches: But the Reason why I have not answ’ d. them regularly, was the uncertainty where you was to be found indeed I have been buisy in other things, & nothing from you seemed to require any other answers, than acceptance & payment of your Draughts, which has been punctually done, Give me leave my dear sir to congratulate...
62John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 27 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have a Letter from M r: Jefferson of 19. June by which it appears, that he will be at Paris by the Latter end of August, where I am to join him and D r: Franklin in the Execution of orders which he brings with him. Will you be so good as to give me, the Earliest Notice, of his Arrival, and that of Col l: Humphreys who may be expected before him. My Friends have arrived in London, will come...
63I. Commission, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
To all to whom these Presents shall come or, may be made known. Whereas the United States of America in Congress Assembled, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence and ability of their trusty and well-beloved the Honble. John Adams late one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts...
64From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 26 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 13 th with my accounts settled by yourself up to the first of August 1785, signed by you on the 10 th of this Month. the article of Eighty five Florins 17 May 1784 is probably right. the difference between the Charge of Mess rs Willinks &c on the 31 of August 1784 and the Credit I gave I can account for only by supposing that they Charged the Exchange and a...
65VII. Letter of Credit, 6 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled on the 14th. day of Febry. last resolved, that the Ministers of the United States who are directed to form Treaties with the Emperor of Morocco and the Regencies of Algiers Tunis and Tripoli be empowered to apply any Money in Europe belonging to the United States to that use: As you are appointed to proceed to Morocco as Agent for forming such...
66John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 23 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Pleasure of your Letter of the 18. The Bills you mention, which were only accepted by me, and were paid by Fizeau & Co in Behalf of D r Franklin, or M r Ferdinand Grand, are the proper Vouchers of those Gentlemen, and will Speak for themselves. They are the Vouchers which M r Grand must produce to you, in Support of his Account. I have no right to demand them, and...
67John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 28 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment your Favour of 22. last night I returned from Amsterdam, where I have collected the Bills and left them with M r Willink to be Sent to you, by an Express, who will sett off, next Wednesday, and bring you a Letter containing all Particulars. By him, you will please to Send all my Things, except the Filtrating Machine, which is at your Service.— As soon as my Express returns I...
68John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 4 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you the 23 Ult. and expect your Answer by the next Post. To Day I have yours of 26 Ult and have executed your orders, by writing to Amsterdam &c You require me to produce to you the Bills of Exchange accepted by me, and paid by Fizeau & C o But in this with humble Submission you are wrong. D r Franklin obtained Money of the Court of Versailles M r Grand of Paris, received it, and paid...
69John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your Letters of the fifth and ninth, and at last my Trunks are arrived, so that I am now collected into one Spot. I shall. be much obliged to you, to settle my Account, according to your own Judgment as soon as possible. I would not charge any Thing wrong, nor willingly any thing that shall appear to be so. Yet I ought in Justice to charge what is right. As to my coming to Paris,...
70From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 7 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 24 th. May, by M r. Chew, and am very Sorry to hear of your ill Health, You must come to my remedy a Walk of four or five Miles every day; As we advance in Years Exercise becomes more and more necessary to us. The News from my son is very refreshing to us all. He Speaks warmly of your kindness to him at L’Orient. Rec’ d. at the same time your Letter of 26. May...
71John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 11 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment rec’d your Letter of the 6 th: and have now only to say, that if you have not absolutely engaged the House I desire you would not engage it at all, and if you have engaged it, to get released from that Engagement upon the easiest Terms you can— This is an Unlucky Change of Mind But I shall not change again. With great Esteem, your &c. LbC in JQA ’s hand ( Adams Papers );...
72John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 12 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am Sorry to have given you, So much Trouble about the House, to no purpose: But I am weary of these perpetual Incertitudes in which We are kept, and I must put an End to them as far as they regard me, by planning my Affairs for myself, or they will soon put an End to me. I conclude therefore to remain here without farther Wandering, and not to go to Paris at all, at least not untill I know...
73From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 17 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I allowed M r. Thaxter only 4 years Salary viz t. from 13 Nov r. 1779 to 13 No vr. 1783, three of which I paid him at £100 the other year is charged to the Public at £300— He did not reach home ’till after that Period viz t. Dec r. 1783 or Jan y. 1784. But that must be left to Congress— I really pitty that faithful Youth for 4 years, indefatigable Server, he has never received more than would...
74II. Instructions, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having been pleased to invest us with full powers for entering into treaty of Amity and Alliance with the Emperor of Morocco, and it being impracticable for us to attend his court in person and equally impracticable on account of our seperate stations to receive a Minister from him, we have concluded to effect our object by the intervention of a confidential person. We concur in...
75John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 16 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your letters of the 10 th. and 11 th. Inst: and am sorry you had the Trouble of writing to me about the Bills, which was owing to a Misstake made by the Gentlemen at Amsterdam— In place of sending My letter to your Care, they address’d you directly on the subject— Immediately on receipt of your resolution respecting the House at Auteuil, I gave Notice to the owner that I...
76From John Adams to Joel Barlow, 4 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favour of December 12 th. 1785, and for the oppertunity of reading the vision of Columbus a Poem of very great Merit— as soon as I had read it, I went out with it to my friend D r. Price at Newington Green, and left it with him, together with your Letter to him— The Doctor will do you every service in his Power & I will do what may be in mine. As the English...
77From John Adams to Nathaniel Barrett, 24 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am happy to learn, by your favour of the 10 th. that your prospects are satisfactory to yourself and promising for the publick You may depend upon every Personal and official exertion of M r. Jefferson, and the marquis will take a pleasure and a Pride in assisting you, both by his Knowledge of the Language, the Usages and the Characters in the Nation, by his powerful and numerous...
78From John Adams to Nathaniel Barrett, 2 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your Letter of Nov. 29. inclosing another written at sea give me Leave to Congratulate you, on your fortunate Escape from the Dangers of Shipwreck. I am indeed no stranger to the Marquiss’s exertions in the affair of the Oil, and it may not be improper to mention to you, the Particulars of the Rise and Progress of them. One day at dinner I beleive at his House or mine, He...
79John Adams to William Bingham, 10 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Since my Arrival at this Place and indeed Since I left London I have heard no News of M r Jay. will you be so good as to inform me, where he is and what is the State of his Health. As soon as I hear of his Return to Paris I shall have occasion to write to him, perhaps before.— This Place is So out of the Way of all Letters from America, that it will not be expected there, that I am here, So...
80From John Adams to the Baron Lynden van Blitterswyck, 8 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I take this Opportunity by M r Bingham whom you once Saw at my House at the Hague to congratulate you on your agreable Situation in England as I entertain a pleasing Remembrance of those Social Hours We have heretofore passed together in Paris and the Hague, I cannot but cherrish a Hope of meeting you again in some Part of the World. Two months ago I thought it possible it might be in London...
81From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 26 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your Directions, I do myself the honor to inclose to you, a List of all the Draughts of money, which have been made by me, whether on a public or private account since the first day of August 1785. Sometime ago, I transmitted to M r. Barclay according to the Resolutions of Congress, all my Accounts up to that Day, —after the Examination he made a settlement of them and...
82From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 2 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
By Letter I received yesterday fm—Mess rs: Willinks & Van Staphorsts of Amsterdam, I learn with much Concern the misfortune of their associates De la Lande & Fynje, who have stopped payment, indebted to the United States to the amount of one Hundred and twelve Thousand Florins— This House was recommended to me by the best and most judicious Friends of America in Amsterdam, and altho’ my...
83From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 8 March [i.e. May 1787] (Adams Papers)
on Fryday last I had the Honour of your Letter of the fourth of April with two Bills of Exchange inclosed for Seventy five thousand Florins. rejoiced, at the Prospect of Supporting the Credit of the United States, I went immediately, to M r Ruckers House in Hatton Gardens, in order to present them for Acceptance. But nobody was at home, but a Footman, who told me his Master and the Family were...
84From John Adams to the Board of Treasury, 19 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the Letter, you did me the honor to write on the 6 th. of April, and to day, your Letter to mess rs. Willinks & C o. inclosing a Bill of exchange was forwarded by Post— As m r. Barclay and M r. Lamb are sett out upon their travels, and we know that the former is arrived at algiers, and the Latter has passed Madrid on his Way to Morocco it is not in my Power to withhold the...
85The American Peace Commissioners to Elias Boudinot, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this...
86From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 9 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencies Letter of the 12. of January I have had the Honour to receive, and am much obliged to you for the Information in it Your Opinion of the Policy of this Country, will be found in the Result of Things to be just, and your Reasoning in Support of it is so conclusive and at the Sametime, so obvious, that it is astonishing it has not its Effect upon the Cabinet. Every Consideration...
87From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 1 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have lately written to Congress, An Account of the Sentiments and Conduct of the Lords of the Admiralty, upon Captain Stanhopes Letters, which will no doubt be transmitted to you from N. York. It consists in Substance in the Signification to Capt. Stanhope of the “Sensible Displeasure” of their Lordships, and in his Recall from the American Station. In a late Visit to the Hide a Country Seat...
88From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 2 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
D r. Gordon, Yesterday called upon me, with the Letter which your Excellency did me, the Honour to write me, on the 10 th. of April— I have long since transmitted to Congress, the Answer of the Board of Admiralty to the Representations relative to the Conduct of Cap t. Stanhope, in which the Letters of that officers are disapproved, The Representations of the Encroachments on the territory of...
89From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 24 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour of inclosing a few Extracts of Letters written in 1783 to M r Livingstone, which it is to be presumed were laid before Congress: but I have not heard that the Plan Suggested in them of purchasing raw Sugars in France, Spain and Portugal, to be refined in Boston, New York and Philadelphia for Exportation to Russia, Germany & Italy, has been ever attempted, untill this...
90From John Adams to Jabez Bowen, 8 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have this day rec d. the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 27 th. of July, and, as I had rec d. but a few days ago an instruction from Congress, relative to some other’s of our fellow-Citizens in the same unhappy predicament with M r: Low, I shall present to the Ministry a requisition for him & all the rest at the same, & will endeavor to make enquiries concerning the ballance...
91From John Adams to Thomas Brand-Hollis, 5 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
If ever there was any philosophic solitude, your two friends have found it in this place, where we have been wind bound, a whole week, without a creature to speak to. Our whole business, pleasure and amusement has been reading Necker’s Religious opinions, Hayley’s Old Maids, and Cumberland’s fourth Observer. Our whole stock is now exhausted, and if the ship should not arrive with a fresh...
92From John Adams to Thomas Brand-Hollis, 9 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have, to day, received your kind letter of the 7th and the valuable books that accompanied it. Mariana, Corio, and Ramsay, for which I most heartily thank you. I wish I could write romances. True histories of my wanderings and waitings for ships and winds at Ferrol and Corunna in Spain; at Nantes, Lorient and Brest in France; at Helvoet, the island of Goree, and Over Flackee in Holland; and...
93From John Adams to Elizabeth Brown, 10 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your favour of the 8 th of this month, inclosed a Letter from your unkle Warren of the 30 th of August which is returned to you here inclosed. I sent off your former Letter with my first dispatches to New York, there not being any Vessell at that time bound to Boston.— you ask my advice Madame, and I hold myself bound by every obligation to give it you according to...
94From John Adams to Thomas Bulfinch, 13 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Day before yesterday, I received the Letter you did me the honour to write me in January last— I had indeed long before received from Congress the Papers relative to similiar Claims in Boston with Instructions to use them when I should see a Prospect of success, if, upon any favourable turn in the Minds of this Court and Nation, any such prospect should ever occur— I have not yet presented...
95John Adams to Carmarthen, 13 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams presents his Compliments to the Right Honourable The Marquis of Carmarthen and acquaints his Lordship that Mr. Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles, is now here, and as they have something to Communicate to His Lordship relative to the affairs of the United States, they request a Time when they may have the honor to pay their respects to...
96From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 30 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
The Letter of Recall, herewith enclosed never reached my hand till this Moment when I was ready to Step into the Carriage for Portsmouth where I am to embark. its omission in Season, was wholly owing to the Sickness of M r Jay, our Secretary of State for foreign affairs. With great / Truth and Respect I have the Honour / to be, my Lord, your Lordships / most obedient and most humble / servant...
97From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 21 January 1788 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inclose to your Lordship, for the Consideration of his Majestys Ministers, the Papers relative to the Brigantine Jane and Elizabeth the Property of James Sheafe and William Sheafe Citizens of the United States of America; by which it appears that the Said Brigantine was taken by Force, not only from the owners, but even from the officers and Custody of the Court of...
98From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 28 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to Your Lordship, an authenticated Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the third of May, relative to Phineas Bond Esquire, His Majestys Consul in the States of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania Delaware and Maryland. Congress being desirous, on this and every other occasion to manifest their Disposition to cultivate a friendly Correspondence with Great Britain,...
99From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 22 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to your Lordship a Letter this moment received, from the Master of a Vessel belonging to the United states of america— His Name is John Douglass, commander of the ship 4 friends, american built & the property of Andrew Van Truyl Merchant of NewYork He informs me, that as 2 of his people were going on Shore for Provisions for the day, they wer seized by the...
100From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 20 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
By the Seventh Article of the provisional Treaty of Peace, signed on the thirtieth of November, One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty two, confirmed by the definitive Treaty of September one thousand, Seven hundred and Eighty three, it was Stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty should, with all convenient Speed withdraw all his Armies and Garrisons from the United States of America and from...