2941From John Adams to James Lovell, 20 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I set down Simply to acknowledge over again the Receipt 1777 Decr I 8 21 1778 Jany. 20. Ap. 29. May 15. 16 Sept 25 3 others which accompanied some of the others without dates Oct. 24 of the Letters from you whose dates are in the Margin. These have been answerd, and I have wrote you at other Times. But there is a terrible Waste of Letters in the Sea. I cannot lay aside my Pen without Saying,...
2942John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours by Mr. Williams have received. The little Bill must be paid, but I confess it allarms me a little. The Expence of my Son here is greater than I ever imagined. Altho his Company is almost all the Pleasure I have, in Life, yet I should not have brought him, if I had known the Expence. His Expences, together with what you have drawn for, and a little Collection of Books I have bought, will...
2943From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 21 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Conversation with which you honoured me last Evening, has induced me, to give you the Trouble of this Letter upon the same subject. It is certain that a Loan of Money, is very much wanted, to redeem the Redundancy of our Paper Bills, and without it, it is impossible to foresee what will be the Consequence to their Credit, and therefore every service that may be rendered, in order to obtain...
2944From John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 24 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Evening I had the Honour of your Letter by Mr. Bradford. When that young Gentleman shall arrive, he shall be treated with all the Civility in my Power, and the best Advice that I am able to give him, shall be at his service. I fancy, sir, they exaggerate the Number of Troops both at N.Y. and R.I. I am persuaded there are not four Thousand Men at either. We have just received News from the...
2945From John Adams to Leray de Chaumont, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of your kind Billet of this Days Date, and I feel myself under great Obligations for the genteel and generous offer of your House, at Blesois: But, if I do not put Dr. Franklin to Inconvenience, which I shall not do long, my Residence at Passy is very agreeable to me. To a Mind as much Addicted to Retirement, as mine, the Situation you propose would be delicious...
2946From John Adams to James Warren, 25 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the I. Jany. was delivered me, by the Marquis de la Fayette. I wish I was as happy as you, in not being obliged to copy my Letters. Sense or Nonsense frivolous or weighty, I must copy every line I write, for I know not what Accusations may be brought against me, grounded on my Letters if I do not. My Letters are lyable to more Misfortunes and foul Play too than yours, and I keep no...
2947John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have this day taken a long Ramble, with my son. The Weather is as delightfull as you can imagine. There is not in the Month of May, a softer Air, a warmer sun, or a more delicious Appearance of Things about Boston. We walked all over the Gardens of the Royal Castle of Muet, at Passy. The Gardens are very spacious, on one Quarter looking to Mount Calvare, on another to the famous Castle of...
2948John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Weather continuing fine, I went to Saint Denis a little Village about Eight Miles from this Place, where are the Tombs of all the Kings and Queens. The statues of all lie in state in Marble. The Church which is called the Royal Church of Saint Denis is magnificent, and there is an Appartment in a Chamber where the Crowns and many other Curiosities are preserved. It is curious to see such a...
2949From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 27 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
By the new Arrangement, which was brought by the Marquis de la Fayette I find myself restored to the Character of a private Citizen. The Appointment of a single Minister, at the Court of Versailles was not unexpected to me, because I had not been two Months in Europe, before I was convinced of the Policy, and indeed of the Necessity of such a Measure. But I ever entertained hopes that when the...
2950From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 27 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, which your Excellency did me, the Honour, to write me, on the twenty first of this Month. This Testimony, from your Excellency, of those indulgent Sentiments with which his Majesty, is pleased to honour my Sincere Intentions, cannot fail to be preserved by me and my Posterity as a most precious Monument, and what, is of infinitely more importance, it cannot fail to...