1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have passed the Law allowing 14,000 d to purchase furniture. The State Legislature have done nothing about their new House: so that I shall take the House the President is in, at a 1000 £ or 2700 dollars rent, nothing better can be done. M r Jefferson arrived Yesterday and came to visit me in the Evening. Tomorrow will be a worse day than the 8th. of Feb. was. We are to take the...
2From John Adams to Thomas Mifflin, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Having been out this Forenoon upon public Business it was not untill my Return after three O Clock, that I received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on this day. The Respect to the United States intended by the Legislature of Pensivania, in building a House for the President will no doubt be acknowledged by the Union, as it ought to be For your kind offer of it to me in Consequence...
3From John Adams to United States Senate, February 1797 (Adams Papers)
If, in the general Apprehension of an intention to retire in that most eminent Citizen, to whom all Eyes had been directed and all hearts attended, as the Center of our Union for So long a period; the public opinion had exhibited any clear Indications, of another, in whom our fellow Citizens could have generally united; as Soon as I read that excellent Address which announced the Necessity of...
4John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Presbyterian Congregation have voted me the front Pew in their Church for my Family. It is an elegant new Building and the Pew is large I have bought me a Pair of Young Horses for a Carriage and a saddle horse. The Birthday was affecting and the Night Splendid but tedious to those who were too old to dance. I have now Settled all My Accounts with the senate as you will see by the inclosed...
5From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
An Address so respectful and affectionate as this from Gentlemen of such Experience and established Character in public Affairs, high Stations in the Government of their Country, and great Consideration in their Several States, as the Senators of The United States, will do me great honour and afford me a firm Support, wherever it Shall be known, both at home and abroad. Their generous...
6John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 21 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I believe I have not acknowledged your favour of the 20th January, which I received in its season. I hope your apprehensions that “the party who have embarrassed the President, and exerted themselves to divide the election, will endeavour to render my situation as uncomfortable as possible,” will be found to be without sufficient foundation; I have seen, on the contrary, a disposition to...
7From John Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 21 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received in its time your favor of the 2d and thank you for your clear and satisfactory answer to my Questions. Pray tell me, entre nous, whether you were one of the Citizens who fraternized with Citizen Adet at Concert Halls, Whether Citizen Lincoln & Citizen Higginson are not a little in the Compunctions for the illegitimate Embraces they gave and received on that day, They seemd to me to...
8John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
just rc d yr s of 8. 9. 13 th. return sister Peabodys lovely Letter. John’s is gone to the P.— I could not withhold it. All thoughts of building a Barn or Coach house I must lay aside for this Year— I cant bear the thought of it.— My head and hands are so full—and Expences so great. in March I will send Provision for Taxes, Haydens Note &c French may break up the 4 Acres if he will. Brisler...
9From John Adams to John Lathrop, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of the 30 Jan and thank you, for your obliging Complaisance in nominating Dr. Bancroft to be a Member of our Academy and for your Compliments on the issue of the late Election. When you assure me, that your Brethren of the Clergy, of the Colledge and of the Accademy are “almost without an Exception my real Friends” you assure me of an approbation very much to...
10From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 18 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of 30. Ult.—Thank you for your good Wishes. I know not the reason why the Chroniclers should wish that Mr Jefferson would not accept the office of V.P. The Reason is obvious why the “highest Partisans” on the other Side shd. wish so.—But neither the Jacobins nor Antijacobins, knew the Temper and Character of Mr Jefferson So well as I do. I have known these Seven Years...
11From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 13 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I recd by this days Post your favr of the 3d No. 2. I had before received Number 1.—I shall confine myself in this to No. 2. You are Apprehensive “that France will view the discussion of Gratitude in its full Extent, as trespassing the Line of defence” But Adet had laid his demands of Gratitude so high and all his Partisans were in the habit of deafening our People with such rude and...
12From John Adams to John Lathrop, 12 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter and thank you for your friendly Congratulations I begged a Copy of the inclosed Volume of my Friend Judge Peters for our Accademy: but as he sent me one in boards I will get that bound for myself that I may Send His the Sooner. to our Accademy I ask your Pardon for sending you Such a Scrawl, being in great haste, your humble sert MBAt : American Academy of Arts...
13From John Adams to United States Senate, 10 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of the Declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the H of Representatives of the Election of a President & V. P. of U.S. the Record of which has just now been read from your Journal by your Secretary I think have judged it proper to give Notice, that on the fourth of March next at twelve O Clock, I propose to attend again in the Chamber of the H. of R. in order to take the...
14John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Die is cast, and you must prepare yourself for honourable Tryals. I must wait to know whether Congress will do any Thing or not to furnish my House— if they do not I will have no House before next Fall. and then a very moderate one, with very moderate Furniture. The Prisoners from Algiers arrived Yesterday in this City, in good health and looking very well. Capt n. stevens is among them....
15From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, of the election of a President and Vice President of the United States, the record of which has just now been read from your Journal, by your Secretary, I have judged it proper to give notice, that on the fourth of March next, at twelve O clock, I propose to attend again in the Chamber of the House...
16Declaration of Votes in Elections for P and VP, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Constitution and Law of the United States, and to the commands of both Houses of Congress, expressed in their Resolution pass’d in their present session, I now declare that John Adams is elected President of the United States for four years to commence with the fourth of March next and that Thomas Jefferson is elected Vice President of the United States for four years to...
17From John Adams to David Jackson, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have Just Received from your son—your Obliging Letter of this Days Date In Which as Secretary of the Corporation of the first Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia you inform me of their kind offer to me of the Pew No. 92 in their Church for the Accommodation of my Self and my Family and that I may begin to use it next Sunday. I Pray you Sir to Present my best Respects to the Corporation and...
18John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I rec d Yesterday together your Letters of the 28. 29. and 30 th of January. It is impossible for me to give any Directions about our affairs at Quincy. I shall be hurried here with Business and Ceremony. I like your Plan to get Mears but fear he will not agree to it. When you come here I hope you will bring all the Women you want. I would not have any other than N. England Women in the House...
19John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will not communicate to any body the hints I give you about our Prospects: but they appear every day worse and worse. House Rent at 2700 dollars a Year 1500 dollars for a Carriage 1000 for one Pair of Horses— All the Glasses ornaments kitchen furniture—the best Chairs settees, Plateaus &c all to purchase—All the China Delph or Wedgwood Glass & Crockery of every sort to purchase—and...
20John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I believe I have not directly & expressly Answered your Letter, inclosing the Memorandum from M r Smith of the Price of a Chariot at Boston. I had before bespoke a new Chariot here, and it is or will be ready: so that there is an End of all further Enquiries about Carriages.— I hope as soon as the Point is legally settled you will have your Coach new Painted and all the Arms totally...
21From John Adams to Cyrus Griffin, 2 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have Received the Polite and friendly Letter you did me the honour to write me on the Sixteenth of Last month and I Pray you to accept of my Thanks for your kind Congratulations on a Late Event—nothing Can be more agreable to me Then the assurances you give me that a Respectable Part—of Virginia—will be Satisfied with the issue of the late Election my Character was once better known then it...
22John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d yours of January 22 d. I know not the reason you had not rec d Letters for a Week— There has not been a Week since I arrived in Philadelphia that I have not written you twice or thrice I agree with you that Something must be done for my Mother to make her Condition comfortable and respectable. A Horse and Chaise must be at her Command and I like your other Plan very well if she...
23John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is now determined what the President has to depend on after the 4 th March. The Committee determined against raising the Salary of P. or V. P. The House which the P. had for 500 £ cannot again be had under 1000 £ — Horses are from 3 times to five times as high as they were Seven Years ago, Carriages three times as high—Provisions &c In Short all Levees and Drawing Rooms and Dinners must be...
24From John Adams to United States Congress, 25 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund respectfully Report to Congress as follow. That in pursuance of the powers committed to them by the Act entitled “An Act making provision for the payment of Certain debts of the United States” passed in the last session of Congress, they have authorized Sales of a part of the Capital Stock of the Bank of the United States, belonging to the United States,...
25From John Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 23 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is Mr Pickerings Letter to mr. Pinckney. will you be so Good as to Send it to Mrs. Adams. After you have Read it will you also be so Good as to write me what Sensation it Makes and what Reflections it Occasions in Boston. I want to know what Effect this whole Buisiness has had or shall have On your Insurance offices and the Price of Stocks, in this Place. I am told the Insurers at a...
26From John Adams to Tristram Dalton, 19 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning with great Pleasure your friendly Letter of the 16, and thank you for your kind congratulations on an Event which seems determined in the public Opinion, tho not yet legally ascertained I have lost by the course of years so many of my Friends and so many others in their old Age, have become weathercocks that the Sight of correspondence of a few who have proved...
27From John Adams to Samuel Griffin, 19 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I Received this morning your kind Letter of the 12th and thank you for your obliging Congratulations on an Event which although it is not as yet Legally ascertained Seems to be Settled in the Public Opinion when you assure me it was the general wish of The Friends of Order and good Government In Virginia and that I may Rely upon the Support of that State you not only make me a high Compliment...
28From John Adams to John Trumbull, 19 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
Col. Wadsworth, upon my inquiring after your health gave me the most agreable and favourable account of it, I have heard for a long time. It rejoiced me very much: and the Information he gave me of your present occupation, in preparing for the Press a new Edition of your Writings, gave me more pleasure than any thing I could have heard of you next to the perfect restoration of your health and...
29From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 19 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
After wishing you many happy and Proserous Returns of the Season and a Speedy mitigation of The Severity of the winter I wish to know whether you have any Letters from my Sons, I have Seen a Short one from Thomas to his mother of the 5th October which Came I Suppose by the vessell from Rotterdam and gave me hopes that more might Come by the Same Oppertunity I Should be Obliged to you if any...
30From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 19 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
After wishing you many happy and prosperous returns of the Season, and a Speedy mitigation of the Severity of the Winter, I wish to know whether you have any Letters from my Sons. I have Seen a Short one, from Thomas to his Mother of the 5th Oct. which came I Suppose by the Vessell from Rotterdam and gave me hopes that more, might come by the Same Opportunity. I Should be obliged to you, if...
31John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I rec d , Yesterday by the Post, the inclosed Letter, which excites a hope of more by the Same Ship. There is a curious Mass of matter in fermentation at this Time. The French and Spaniards are as injurious as ever the English have been. Washington retires and his Sucessor will have but a majority of three Votes at most. and as if, it were to irritate every feeling nerve a Land Tax must be...
32John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 18 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I Received yesterday your kind Letter of the 13 th and Return you and yours the Compliments of the Season and Thanks of your Congratulations on the Probability of a Cartain Election the felicities or infelicities of what Events however are Hidden from our Vew by that impenetrable Veil which Covers Futurity the Prospect at Present is not very bright a Country Impotent at Sea tho Powerful at...
33John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I went Yesterday to hear D r Priestley, in the Philosophical Hall of the University and there I met unexpectedly with D r Euwing and D r Andross or Andrews. Euwing Seems paralytic and falling very fast. The Drift of the Discourse was to shew the Superiour moral Tendency of the Jewish and Christian Religions, to that of all the Pagan Rituals ancient and modern. The Weather is moderated. I hope...
34John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
M r Beale called upon me, a few Days ago and left your Letter of Dec r. 23 d. — Last Evening I presented him to the P. and M rs W. together with M r Howard, a son of D r Howard of Boston. You Say M r H. is very full of his Praises of M r Monroe— So is D r Edwards— He Says M
35John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
on Tuesday when I waited as usual on M rs W. after attending the Levee, She congratulated me very complaisantly and Affectionately on my Election and went farther and Said more than I expected. She Said it gave them great Pleasure to find that the Votes had turn’d in my favour. &c I doubted whether their Prudence would have ventured so far. I believe it Sincere. Ket however the Stewart was...
36John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received to day, together, your Favours of the 31 st December 1796 and 1. Jan. 1797 Our H. of R. boasts that We are the most enlightened People in the World: but We behave like the most ignorant Babies, in a thousand Instances. We have been destroying all Terror of Crimes and are becoming the Victims of them. We have been destroying all Attachment and Obligation to Country and are Sold in...
37John Adams to Abigail Adams, 5 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
M rs Swan and her Daughters, conducted by M rs Otis came into the Senate Chamber this morning to see the Room and Pictures. There I had Opportunities to see for the first time the fair young Ladies. I send you Guillotina, the most wanton Muse of the whole ten.— dreadful Truths are told in jest— Dallas tho, innocent , Dallas is much injured. I have now rec d Votes from Kentucky the last state:...
38John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I rec d Yesterday your favour of 23. of Dec r. from Boston. The old Patrioch, has got a Name of Old Scrathum, or old Scratch or Some Such Oddity that will amuse the Blackguards for a time. M rs Storers Verses are very shrewd The Story of my Muteness, or Incapacity to talk, I almost wish were true.— On Some Occasions. D r Walters Politeness to be Sure is conspicuous. It is enough at present to...
39John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wish the new Year may be the happiest of your Life. Last Night I had a Visit from D r Rush, whose Tongue ran for an hour.— So many Compliments, so many old Anecdotes. To be Sure, My Election he Said, he had vast pleasure in assuring me Since it had been made certain had given vast Satisfaction in this City and State. Even those who had voted for another had a great Affection for me. M r...
40John Adams, Deposition regarding Mitchell’s Map, 1796 (Adams Papers)
Deposition of President Adams—In answer to Interrogatories by the Agent on the part of the United States he deposed, “that Mitchell’s Map was the only Map or Plan which was used by the Commissioners at their public Conferences, tho’ other Maps were occasionally consulted by the American Commissioners at their Lodgings; the British Commissioners at first claimed to Piscataqua River, then to...
41John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Prospect that opens upon me presents Troubles enough of every kind.— I have made Some Inquiry concerning Horses and Carriages, and find that a common Chariot of the plainest Sort cannot be had under Twelve hundred Dollars, and if you go to a little more ornament and Elegance you must give fifteen hundred. The President has a Pair of Horses to sell, one 9 the other 10 Years old for which he...
42John Adams to Charles Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have received with great Pleasure your kind Letter of 28 th. I think M r Sands’s Plan for the Education of his Nephew is judicious. But I Should not advise him to Send him to Europe, So very early. If he remains in America two or three Years, undergoes his Examination and is admitted to the Bar it will be early enough to go to Europe. By your Representation M r Joshua Sands has been your...
43John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I rec d yours of the 14 on Fryday: but had no Letter on Monday. According to present appearances, Jefferson will be Daddy Vice, and between you and me I expect you will soon See a more ample Provision made for him, that he may live in Style—and not be obliged to lodge at Taverns and ride in Stage Coaches. I See plainly enough that when your Washingtons and Adams’s are Stowed away our dear...
44From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Resolutions of the Senate, passed on the 10th. of February and 16th. of March 1796, I have the honour to transmit herewith the following statements. 1st. A statement of the Tonnage of the ships and vessels employed in the Trade of the United States for the year preceding the first day of October 1795. distinguishing the Foreign from the Domestic Tonnage, and the quantity...
45John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday dined at M r Binghams and Sitting next to Madam at Table, had Something like a political Conversation with her. She has more ideas of the Subject than I Suspected: and a correcter Judgment. She gave me the Characters of Several of the notable Foreigners, and I find has the Same Jealousies of them, which I have entertained. Talleyrand Liancourt, Volney, Caznove &c. Noailles is the...
46John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning yours of the 9 th. Am glad you have mine from Stratford: you will receive others in Succession. I am not much chagrined at the disappointment of ploughing the Hill. The Spring will do. The more Seaweed is procured the better. I need not exhort you to get Wood. I am Glad M r Bass is provided for. I wish you to expend as little as possible in Labour except for Seaweed and...
47John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I went Yesterday at 12 O Clock to the Presbyterian Meeting House in Market Street to hear D r Rush pronounce an elegant and pathetic Elogium on M r Rittenhouse the late President of the Philosophical society. He made him out to be a good Man and a great Astronomer & Philosopher. This I agree and if he had not betrayed Jacobinical Weaknesses I should have liked him very well. D r Euwing is Sick...
48John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I rec d this morning your kind Letter of the 7 th. and wonder you had not rec d a Letter. I wrote from Stratford & Newyork and twice a Week since I have been here. your Anxiety for your Country is amiable and becomes your Character. Elevated Expectations of Grandeur and Glory as well as Prosperity have accompanied me through Life and been a great source of my Enjoyment. They are not diminished...
49From John Adams to United States Senate, 16 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund Respectfully Report to Congress as follow. That the purchases of the Debt of the United States as stated in their Report of the eighteenth of December 1795, amount to Two Millions, three hundred, seven thousand, six hundred, sixty one dollars, and Seventy one cents, for which there have been paid in specie, One Million, six hundred, Eighteen thousand, Nine...
50John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have just rec d your fav r. of the 4 th. I wrote you from stratford New York and from Philadelphia. Adets Note has had some Effect Pensilvania and prov’d a Terror to some Quakers and that is all the ill Effect it has had. Even the southern States appear to resent it. If Col Hamiltons personal Dislike of Jefferson does not obtain too much Influence with Massachusetts Electors, neither...