1To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 11 November [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
11 Nov . [ 1785 ]. Extend dinner invitation to TJ and David Humphreys for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the farmers-general; they are to be at the Place Vendôme at two o’clock. D’Estaing will also attend. The Abbés are grateful to TJ for forwarding the letter from Adams. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated “Vendredi lle. 9bre.”; addressed.
2To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 17 April [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
17. Apr. [ 1785 ]. Accept dinner invitation for Tuesday, 19 Apr. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; addressed: “A Monsieur Monsieur Jefferson ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats-unis d’Amerique Dans son Hotel.” The two Abbés’ names are often misspelled, particularly that of Abbé Arnoux, whose name is also frequently confused with that of the Abbé François Arnaud (1721–1784). They lived on the...
3To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 13 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 13 Nov. 1785 . Extend dinner invitation to TJ and his party for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the Farmers General; they hope “ qu’il ne lui restera aucune raison de refus .” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated: “dimanche 12. 9bre. 1785”; addressed. Since 12 Nov. 1785 fell on a Saturday, the date of this letter has been corrected to the 13th. TJ evidently had declined the invitation for...
4To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 28 June [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Les abbés de Chalut et Arnoux ont l’honneur de faire leurs compliments à Monsieur jefferson et de Le prier de la part de M. de Chalut de Lui faire L’honneur d’aller diner chez lui à St. Cloud jeudi prochain 30 juin. M. de Chalut fait la meme priere à M. Le Colonel humphries et à M. Williasmos il espere qu’ils voudront bien être de la partie. Les deux abbés iront diner à St. Cloud ce jour là,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 24 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
24 May 1785 . Accept TJ’s invitation. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; addressed.
6[To Thomas Jefferson from Achard Frères, 29 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 29 Aug. 1786 . Recorded in SJL as received 2 Sep. 1786. Not found.]
7To Thomas Jefferson from Achard Frères, 21 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received the Passeport your Excellence has been so good as to send us. Your two Cases are on Board of the Diligence L’Adelaide and we hope they will Come Safe in the hands of your Excellence. Here inclosed is a note of our Expences which have been paid to us by the Master of the Diligence to whom we beg of your Excellence to reimburse them. We are most respectfully Your Most obedient...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Jean-Baptiste Acher, 29 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bayonne, 29 Nov. 1788. Submits to TJ, as “Dépositaire des droits des Etats Unis et des faveurs que les traittés avec la france leur assurent,” a complaint concerning the importation of whale oil. The king’s arrêt of 28 Sep. last concerning the importation of foreign oils was sent to the port authority for Bayonne without any specification that an exception was to be made for the United States;...
9To George Washington from Robert Adam, 26 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Whilst all Denomination’s of People bless the happy occasion of your Excellency’s return to enjoy private and domestic felecity, Permit us Sir, (the Members of Lodge No. 39 lately establish’d in Alexandria) to assure Your Excellency that We as a Mystical Body rejoice in having a Brother so near us, Whose pre’eminent Benevolence has secured the Happiness of Millions, and that We shall esteem...
10Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 10 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
Tho I have already acknowledged all your Letters, I will not let captain Scoet sail without a few lines from me, I had not time to write you by Barnard, but Cushing had Letters for you I write now to inform you, that the more quarrelsome and turbulent you grow, the more anxious I am to be with you, not that I think it pleasent fishing in troubled waters, but because immagination paints higher...
11Abigail Adams to John Adams, 11 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Two days only are wanting to campleat six years since my dearest Friend first crost the Atlantick. But three months of the Six Years have been Spent in America. The airy delusive phantom Hope, how has she eluded my prospects. And my expectations of your return from month to month, have vanished “like the baseless Fabrick of a vision.” You invite me to you, you call me to follow you, the most...
12Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
As I did not write you by the last conveyance I will not omit the present. I supposed your sister had got a Letter for You, but I found afterwards that she did not send it, because she could not please herself. This Week I received your trunk which Mr. Dana brought with him. You cannot conceive the pleasure I took in looking it over. The Books it is true were in a language that I understand...
13Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I hope if the Marquiss de la Fayette is returned to Paris he may be able to give us some account of Colln. Smith for whom we are not a little anxious, having no intelligence from him since the begining of September when he wrote that he should tarry at Berlin till the reviews were over which would be by the 20th. of that month and then should make the utmost expedition to Paris where his stay...
14Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 1 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
your two Letters of May 21 & 26 were yesterday deliverd. captain Scot has not yet got up. I hope by him to receive Letters from my other Friends. I have been not a little anxious that Barnard and Davis should arrive without a Letter either from Braintree or weymouth as this is to go by the packet, I will confine myself wholy to buisness and as mr Adams has written you respecting mr Borlands...
15Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 18 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I thank you my dear Neice for your last kind Letter. There are no days in the whole year so agreable to me nor any amusements this Country can boast so gratifying to my Heart and mind as those days which bring me Letters from my Dear Friends. In them I always find the law of kindness written, and they solace my mind in the seperation. Could I, you ask, return to my (Rustick) cottage, and view...
16Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 15 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Mrs Hay call’d upon me a sunday whilst I was gone to meeting to let me know that She expected to Sail in a few days for Newyork. When I saw her before she determined to go out in captain Lyde who will not go till the middle of April, but Captain Cooper is a British Bottom, and on board of him they will not have algerines to fear. I cannot but think She is right. I freely own I should be loth...
17Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 5 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favour by captain Folger came safe to Hand, and brought me the agreeable intelligence of my Eldest sons having received His degree, and performed his part to the satisfaction of his Friends, and his own credit. you know Sir from experience, that there is no musick sweeter in the Ears of parents, than the well earned praises of their children. I hope he will continue through Life...
18Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 15 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Storer says the ship in which he is to embark will go down to day and that he shall go on Board tomorrow. I cannot let him depart without a few lines to you tho I wrote you so lately by Captain Lyde that I have nothing New to add. I have not been lately either to Court or the Play. I have made some visits into the Country to a couple of families who have been very polite to us. When we...
19Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 12 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter was handed me, on my return from a journey into Devonshire. it was one of the most agreeable excursions I ever made. The Season was delightfull, and we performd our journey by easy Stages, always sure to find good accommodations at the Inn’s. The whole country through which we travelled was like a Garden, and the cultivation Scarcly admits of an other improvement; I wish I...
20Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 12 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have sent by Captain Scott the Books you wrote for, and if there is any thing else in which I can serve either you or my cousins, I shall be happy to do it— it is with much pleasure I learn that my cousin W.S. is like to be so pleasingly connected, and with a family to whom both you, & my Late parent, were much attached by a long accquaintance, and established Friendship. Educated under...
21Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 6 – 30 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have been 16 days at sea, and have not attempted to write a single Letter; tis true I have kept a journal when ever I was able, but that must be close locked up; unless I was sure to hand it you with safety. Tis said of Cato the Roman censor, that one of the 3 things which he regreted during his Life, was going once by sea when he might have made his journey by land; I fancy the philosopher...
22Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch?, July – August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by Captain Dashood just when I was about removeing from the Bath Hotel to Grovsnor Square, since which I have had a buisy time getting my House in order and procuring a thousand little necessaries for different countries have different fashions and what suits in one will not answer in an other. For instanc my kitchen furniture was made for a hearth fire none of which could be used...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 23 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Trumble will have the honour of delivering this to you. The knowledge you have of him, and his own merit will ensure him a favourable reception. He has requested a Letter from me, and I would not refuse him, as it gives me an opportunity of paying my respects to a Gentleman for whom I entertain the highest esteem, and whose portrait dignifies a part of our room , tho it is but a poor...
24Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 9 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by way of Amsterdam had a quick passage and was matter of great pleasure to me. I thank you for all your kind and Friendly communications, by which you carry my imagination back to my Friends and acquaintance; who were never dearer to me than they now are, tho distanced so far from them. I have really commiserated the unhappy Refugees more than ever, and think no severer punishment...
25Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have time only to write you a line or two, not expecting captain Bigolow to Sail so Soon. I was yesterday informd that he would not go till the middle of the week, but this morning he has sent for the Letters. I thought your sister had letters, but she says they are not ready. She wrote you by mr Jenks 3 weeks ago. I must refer you to your Friend Storer for further information as I have...
26Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have Sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me, as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
27Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 8 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yes my dear Neice, it was a Ceremony that one must study Some time to find out either utility or pleasure in it. I own tho I made one in the procession I could not help feeling foolish as I was parading first up one side of a very wide road, for a mile and half and then turning, and following down a vast number of Carriages upon the other as slow as if you was attending a funeral. By this...
28Abigail Adams to Lewis D. Ward, [before 17 March 1788] (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams being absent upon publick Buisness in Holland when your Letter came to Hand I take the Liberty of replying to it, as I know he will be so much hurried for time when he returns as to be unable to attend to private matters, but I can answer for him, and am sure that he harbours no resentment against mrs Ward but wishes both of you success in Life & will rejoice to find that you are in...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, with Enclosure, 6 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams has already written you that we arrived in London upon the 27 of May . We journey’d slowly and sometimes silently. I think I have somewhere met with the observation that nobody ever leaves paris but with a degree of tristeness. I own I was loth to leave my garden because I did not expect to find its place supplied. I was still more loth on account of the increasing pleasure, and...
30Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 21 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have just returnd from a visit to Moor Place Moor feilds, Where I have been to take leave of my much esteemed Friends, mr and Mrs Rogers, who set out on wedensday for France, and from thence are to sail in the April Packet for Newyork. Mr Rogers thinks it most for his benifit, and those connected with him, to quit England, and endeavour to adjust his affairs himself in America. She...
31Sunday June 20 1784. (Adams Papers)
Embarked on Board the ship Active Capt. Lyde commander, with my daughter and 2 servants for London. To go back to the painfull Scenes I endured in taking leave of my Friends and Neighbours will but excite them over again. Suffice it to say that I left my own House the 18 of June. Truly a house of mourning; full of my Neighbours. Not of unmeaning complimenters, but the Honest yeomanary, their...
32Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 8 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have just sent some Letters to go by Captain Folger, but find he does not sail so soon as captain Cushing. Should he arrive before Folger without a Line I know by experience how fruitfull your imaginition would be of conjectures, and tho I have said all that appeard to me of importance, & perhaps more than others will think of any, in my Letters on Board Folger, I forgot to inclose a paper...
33Abigail Adams to William Stephens Smith, 18 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Col. Franks being detained to day by an accident gives me the opportunity of replieing to your kind Letter last evening received; Col. Forrest had inclosed them to Mr. Adams and we were not a little rejoiced to hear from you after an interval of 4 weeks in which we had spent many conjectures where you was at one time, and where you was were at an other. Mr. Adams received your Letter from...
34Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
As captain Folger is not yet gone I write a few more lines by him, tho I have nothing new to acquaint you with, only that two days ago my little darling was inoculated for the Small pox. if whenever you come to have Grandchildren, you will scarcly know any difference between them & your own children, particularly if you should be under the same roof with them; I have got mr Jenks to take the...
35Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have procured the Books for you, and Captain Folger not sailing quite so soon as I expected, I have sent them to mr Boylstones Store requesting him to send them for me. I think it would be worth while to inquire at the post office in Boston with regard to the other Books which were put into the Bag with the Letters, & must have gone to the post office, or have been taking out, before they...
36Abigail Adams to Lucy Cranch, 26 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
I write you a few lines my dear Lucy to thank you for your kind Letter, and to inform you that I am a Grandmamma ! my Grandson be sure is a fine Boy, & I already feel as fond of him as if he was my own son, nay I can hardly persuade myself that he is not, especially as I have been sick for six weeks, I cannot however Nurse him so well as his mamma, who is already so fond of him, that I...
37Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 3 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am determined not to neglect my pen for so long an interval as I did before your last Letters; for then I always go to it with reluctance. Mr. Appleton came here this Day week; from London, and as he thinks he shall return before Captain Young sails, I am induced to proceed to the fulfilment of my promise, and attempt a Description of the French Theater. I have from time, to time, survey’d...
38Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 November 1788 (Adams Papers)
We Reachd this place last evening and put up at a mr Avery’s private Lodgings, where we are very well accommodated. I am delighted with the veiw I have had of this state, the River is in full sight from the House & the fields yet retain their verdure, Lands I am told are valued here at a hundred pounds pr acre, and it is not unusuall to let the Farms upon this River at four pounds pr Annum pr...
39Abigail Adams to Charles Storer, 22 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
It is a very pleasent morning Sir, and I have risen a little after five, that I might have the pleasure of writing you before Captain Bigolew Sails, so Sir I have seated myself at a desk near the window of the Chamber in which you used to lodge, from whence you know the square has a beautifull appearence, delightfully green it is, but the weather continues so cold that we still keep fires. As...
40Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 12 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some days ago, and mr Gardner comeing in just as I had closed my Letter I inquired of him, if he knew of any opportunity of sending to Boston, he replied, that a vessel belonging to Newyork had taken freight for Boston and would Sail that day. I gave him the Letter to you, the only one I had written which he promised to put into the bag; and which I hope has reachd you. I expected...
41Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 16 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of july 20th repeated to me the melancholy tidings of my dear Aunts Death. The first information which we received of it, was by a Letter from Mr W. Smith by way of Liverpool in a very short passage, upon the receipt of which I immediately wrote you. No person my dear sir can more sincerely sympathize with you than your afflicted Neice, the kindness with which my dear Aunt always...
42Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 8 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by way of Bilboa dated February 25, did not reach me until the 2d. of this Month, yet it was 2 Months later date than any I have received from my Friends, and I feel myself much obliged to you for your information. We had heard by way of New York of the resignation of your Governour, and we have had many conjectures, who amongst all the Canditates will succeed him. We rather thing...
43Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1788 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 14 th and ever Since thursday have been in Hourly expectation of seeing you I hope it is oweing to all the packets being detaind upon this Side, as is reported, and not to any indisposition that your return is delayed, that unpleasing detention is sufficiently mortifying particularly as we wish to proceed to Falmouth as soon as possible, tho I shall fear to go from...
44Abigail Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 2 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
April the 2 d: and the anniversary of the birth of my dear Grandson whom I am half distracted to see again, with all his pretty, winning pranks. God bless and preserve the dear boy and grant us all, a happy meeting on the other side the great water. We left London on Sunday about two o clock, and arrived here on Monday evening, having made a very good exchange of the Bath Hotel for the...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon Petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
46Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have written you a very long Letter by way of Newyork, yet should one vessel go to Boston without a few lines from me, I flatter myself you would be dissapointed. Captain Cushing and Lyde both dined here yesterday. Each of them expect to sail in all this month, but Cushing in the course of the present week. By him I send you a set of shirts, as we had your measure I supposed it was as...
47Abigail Adams to Charles Storer, 23 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letter of came to hand by captain Lyde. I had chid you for not writing by way of Newyork, as you could not but suppose we were anxious for your safety. I constantly inquired what vessels were arrived, and Had the pleasure of hearing that Captain Stout was safe a month before your Letter came. I suppose you thought you would be very particular, yet mark, you never told me how the...
48Thursday [24 June]. (Adams Papers)
A fine wind and clear air but the Ship going before the wind rolls sadly. Dr. Clark has been well through the whole, and kindly attentive to us. If he had been our Brother he could not have been more so. I know not what we should have done without him. No airs, but a pleasent, Benevolent, friendly kindness, as tho he was rewarded by the disposition alone of doing good. Our Captain an exelent...
49Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
I told you in my last, that I was going to dine with my Friend Mrs. Rogers. You must know that yesterday the whole Diplomatick Choir dinned here, that is his Lordship the Marquiss of Carmarthan and all the Foreign Ministers 15 in all, and to day the Newspapers proclaim it. I believe they have as many Spies here as the Police of France. Upon these occasions no Ladies are admitted, so I wrote a...
50Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw, 11 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
This day 3 weeks I came on Board this Ship; and Heaven be praised, have hietherto had a favourable passage. Upon the Banks of Newfoundland we had an easterly Storm, I thought, but the Sailors say it was only a Brieze. We could not however sit without being held into our chairs, and every thing that was moveable was in motion, plates Mugs bottles all crashing to peices: the Sea roaring and...