51From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 14 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
I mentioned in a former letter that Congress had separated from me my friend, Mr. Dana, and sent him as a public minister to the court of Russia, from whence he communicated to me the following correspondence. A Letter from the French Minister at St. Petersburgh, to Mr. Dana, St. Petersburgh, August 22, O. S. 1781. Sept. 2, N. S. Sir , I have received the letter which you did me the honor to...
52From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 14 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
Not long after the foregoing letter, but I know not how long, the Marquis of Verac communicated to Mr. Dana the following: Exract from the Answer of the Court of France to the Propositions made on the subject of the re-establishment of Peace by the Courts of Petersburgh and of Vienna. PROPOSITION. Il Sera traité á Vienne, entre la Grande Bretagne, et les Colonies Americaines, du retablissment...
53From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 18 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
Project of an answer to the three Belligerent Courts. Answer Mutatis Mutandis. THE courts of Versailles and of Madrid, having caused to be transmitted to the two Imperial Courts, their respective answers to the articles to serve as a basis to the negotiation which had been communicated to them, as the court of London had communicated her answer to them on the 15th of June last, they think they...
54From John Adams to Elias Boudinot, 20 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received the favour of your kind Letter of the 17th but Yesterday: and having an opportunity by my Grand Son William Steuben Smith to answer it this morning sooner than I could by Post, I embrace with Pleasure the Conveyance by him, that I may give him the Priviledge of paying his Respects to Mr Bowdinot and Mrs Bradford Mr And Mrs Adams will be very happy if Mr Bowdinot and Mrs Bradford...
55From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 27 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
HAVING laid together the negociations with the Comte De Vergennes, relative to that sublime machine for demolishing our independence, the mediation of the two Imperial Courts and the congress at Vienna, I shall now go back to my first arrival in Holland. Mr. Laurens had been long appointed agent to borrow money, and I expected to meet him in Holland, and consult with him on every thing...
56From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 30 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
Though I thought I was negociating for peace , to better purpose in Holland than I could in France, yet as I could not be responsible for that, I was obliged to depart. The adventure of a journey, which, in the hands of Sterne, would make a sentimental romance, are of no importance here. On the 7th day of July, 1781, I wrote the following note to the Comte de Vergennes. Versailles, July 7,...
57From John Adams to William Cunningham, 31 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received in season your favour of the 30th June as well as that of July 24th, and thank you for both. The first is full of the candour and frankness of true friendship, and deserves my mature consideration. I have not been able to answer it, for I have been very busy, and my son’s destination and preparations for departure, have claimed all my attention. It is an heartrending stroke to me. I...
58From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 31 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
On the 24th of August, 1780, transmitted to Congress, by another conveyance, duplicates of the declarations of Sweden, Denmark, &c. relative to the maritime confederation. September 4th, wrote to Congress, news that the outward bound West-India fleet of 52 sail, and five East-Indiamen, on the 9th of August, fell in with the combined French and Spanish fleets, about sixty leagues from Cape St....
59From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 3 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
ON the 12th of September, 1780, wrote to Mr. Dana, at Paris. “This will be delivered you by Mr. Samuel Hartley, who is recommended to me by Mr. Diggs and Mr. David Hartley. I should be obliged to you for any civilities you may show him. Mr. Diggs recommends him as an open friend to the American cause. There is no news here but what you will see in the Leyden Gazette, which is my vehicle for...
60From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 4 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
ON the 20th of September, 1780, wrote to his excellency Joseph Reed, Esq. President, and the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, in answer to a letter recommending Mr. Searle and his mission, that he might depend upon every civility and assistance in my power, consistent with the duties of the place I was in. Mr. Searle was sent by them to Europe, to borrow money. Such was the distress...
61From John Adams to Elihu Phinney, 7 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your favour of July 24th inclosing a of the Otsego Herald and several other printed papers in Prose and verse. I thank you Sir for the amusement you have given me in these Compositions. There is a good deal of Wit and diverting humour in those in Verse. A great mathematical Controversy that once in a Century invariably puzzles Mankind like a Riddle is completely decided...
62From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 7 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of July 26 and its Enclosures. You have frequently, in a most friendly manner advised me to write my own Life.—I Shall never have Resolution or Time to accomplish Such a Work: but having been called before the Publick most undesignedly and unexpectedly, and excessively reproached with one of the wisest most virtuous most successfull and most important Actions of my...
63From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, October 4, 1780, wrote to Mr. Dumas—“I should be glad to see a copy of the dispatches from the Dutch plenipotentiaries at Petersburgh, or at least as exact an account of their substance as possible: and to learn whether the object of the congress is simply to form a plan for supporting each other and making a common cause in defence of those principles only which the three northern...
64From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
24th October, 1780—wrote to my correspondent in London: “Give me leave to trouble you to send me two newspapers, the General Advertiser and the Morning Post. Let them be sent constantly by the post. I have an opportunity already of seeing some other papers. Let me beg the favor of your sending me, also, General Burgoyne’s and General Howe’s narratives. When your funds are near exhausted, let...
65From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
WE will now return to Mr. Laurens, on the correspondence upon other subjects. On the 14th of October, 1780, wrote to Dr. Franklin—“The extracts of letters you were so good as to send me, have been inserted in the public papers, and I should be obliged to you for future communications of the same kind. Notwithstanding the flow of spirits and vigorous exertions of our countrymen, this year, I am...
66From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 16 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
1780, November—wrote to Mr. Jennings: “I have received yours of the first. Will you be so good as to explain to me what is meant by ‘Instructions to endeavor to inspire American agents at Madrid, with distrust and jealousy of one another, at present employed in Europe?’ Let me remark here, Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Littlepage are no more. Mr. Jay and Judge Livingston live. It may be in their...
67From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 18 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, November 17, 1780—wrote to Congress: “From the time of the arrival of my commission, I have been constantly employed in forming acquaintances, making enquiries, and asking advice; but am sorry to be obliged to say, that hitherto I see no certain prospect of borrowing any money at all. For some years past, all the information I could obtain from this country, led me to think that...
68From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
1780, Nov. 30th—wrote to Congress: “The state of parties in this republic is still critical. Many anonymous pamphlets appear, on both sides. Those which proceed from the English party, are virulent against Mr. Van Berckel. The republic itself wavers, according to events and causes, which are impenetrable. A few days ago, the plan appeared to be to accede to the armed neutrality, in order to...
69From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 29 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
1780, December 9th—wrote to general James Warren, (among many other things, some too trifling, others mere repetitions of what has been said in other letters, and some perhaps, too severe to be worth transcribing:) “I am of your mind concerning flags to England, and importations from thence. There has been too much weak communication, which must be cut off.—The design of the Dutch is to keep...
70From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 31 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
If I were not as disinterested as a Patriot, I should answer every Line from you as soon as recd. in order to get another. Your favour of Aug. 14 is yet, to my Grief unacknowledged. Neither Colonel Duane nor any other Newspaper will follow me through the long Journey I have undertaken. I am not certain that the Patriot will have Patience and Perseverance enough. In short I shall be so tedious...
71From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 31 August 1809 (Adams Papers)
If I had not been blind to my own Interest I should have Sooner acknowledged your favor of 23d of June, as that might have been a mean of procuring another before this day. Your Observations are very gratefull to me because they lead me to hope for Some good from a Course of Publications, which few Persons appear to be Satisfied with, for indeed very few have read them in Boston. You Say you...
72From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 1 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Thanks for yours of Aug. 25 and the Papers enclosed. They are very high and very warm. You pretend that you have outlived your Patriotism; but you deceive yourself. Your feelings contradict your Assertions. You can never get rid of your Amor Patriæ and attachment to your Natale solum. At your age and mine it would perhaps be better for our Tranquility if we could outlive all our public...
73From John Adams to Henry Guest, 5 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your Grand Daughter writes so beautiful a hand that you need not be at a loss for an Amanuensis. I have received your favour of the 25th of August and had before received in its Season that in which you explained the Word Dormant. I never took any offence at that Word but if I had your Explanation would have cleared all up. I hope Hamilton reported and was forgiven. And I wish the Same could...
74From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 5 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
The moments were so critical, that I felt it my duty to transmit to Congress every circumstance, and accordingly wrote them three letters on the same day. 1780, Dec. 25th—wrote to Congress: “Affairs are still in suspense. This day being Christmas, and yesterday Sunday, there was no public exchange held on Easter. But business, and especially stockjobbing, goes on without ceasing, being...
75From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
1780, Dec. 30—wrote to Congress: “The Province of Zealand having been opposed to the other Provinces in so many instances, and having lately protested against the resolutions of the States General, which begin to be thought spirited, it may be useful to explain to Congress the causes which influence that Province to a conduct which is generally thought to be opposite to the true interests of...
76From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, January 1st, 1781—wrote to Congress: “The mail from London arrived this morning, brought us for a new year’s entertainment, the following MANIFESTO. George R. Through the whole course of our reign, our conduct towards the States General of the United Provinces, has been that of a sincere friend and faithful ally. Had they adhered to those wise principles which used to govern the...
77From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 16 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, January 14th, 1781—wrote to Congress: “In an excursion which I have lately made through the principal cities of this province, that is, Haerlem, Leyden, the Hague, Delph and Rotterdam, I have had an opportunity of perceiving, that there is a spirit of resentment against the English, very general among the people—Notwithstanding this, every thing is so artfully retarded; The...
78From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 19 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
1781, January 18—wrote to Mr. Mazzei, at Florence: “Yesterday I received yours, of the 19th of October. Some time since, I received the other, of the 19th of August: both went to Paris, and I being here, Mr. Dana and Mr. Thaxter forwarded their enclosures to America, according to my desire, but I am not able to say in what vessel. In consequence of Mr. Laurens’s calamity, I am ordered to...
79From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 22 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
ALL the gentlemen in Holland who were the most friendly to the American cause, were excessively prone to have their spirits cast down into deep despondency, and absolute despair of our final success by any sudden news of unfortunate events: In one of these dispositions, the Baron Vander Capellen wrote me a letter, full of these causes of his own and others anxiety, to which I wrote him the...
80From John Adams to William Cunningham, 27 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your favour of the 23d and had before in its season received that of the 9th in good order, its enclosure unviolated. My boyish letter to Dr. Nathan Webb appeared with more propriety in a Worcester paper than any where else. It is demonstrative evidence that John Adams’ Declaration Of Independence was one and twenty years older than Thomas Jefferson’s . To understand my...
81From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 27 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
I recd. in course yours of the 7th. Fox was a remarkable Character. I admire the Morsell of History. Pitt was another. he has left nothing but speeches taken down by stenographers. I cannot pronounce either of them wise statesmen: yet perhaps they were as wise as they could be in their Circumstances. Great Men they both were, most certainly. Pitt I think was more correct in his Knowledge of...
82From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 27 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters are a Cordial to me. I am glad to know that one Man of Sense has read my Correspondence as they call it. Hamilton was indeed a most fortunate and a most unfortunate Man. He had Talents and insinuating qualities; but he was a crafty designing Man with more Ambition than Principle, more Enterprize than Judgment. I am very glad they have republished his Pamphlet. I intended to have...
83From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 29 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
1781, February 1st—wrote to Congress: “One of the most brilliant events which has yet been produced by the American revolution, is the following TREATY OF MARINE, Concluded at Copenhagen, the 28th of June, 1780, Old Style, between her Majesty the Empress of Russia, and his Majesty the King of Denmark and of Norway, for the maintenance of the liberty of neutral mercantile navigation , and in...
84From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 6 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, February 7th, 1781—wrote to Congress: “By the tenth article of the treaty of alliance with France, the Most Christian King and the United States agree to invite or admit other powers who may have received injuries from England, to make common cause with them, and to accede to that alliance, under such conditions as shall be freely agreed to, and settled between all the parties.”...
85From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 6 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 15, 1781—wrote to Dr. Franklin: “This morning the house of Botereau & Co. of this city, presented to me sixty-six bills of exchange drawn by Congress, on the 26th day of October last, in favor of Nathaniel Tracy, of Newburyport, amounting to the sum of ten thousand pounds sterling, payable at ninety days sight. I was obliged to ask the favor of the house to wait until I could...
86From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 8 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Bacon the great Bacon was fond of Paradoxes. What could The Old Hunks mean by Great Men having neither Ancestors nor Posterity? Was not Isaac the son and Jacob the Grand son and Joseph the Great Grandson of Abraham? Was not Julius Cæsar the Posterity of the Anchises and Eneas? Was not King William the Posterity of the Great William Prince of orange and of the still greater Admiral Coligni? Was...
87From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 14 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
LEYDEN, March 10, 1781—wrote to Commodore Gillon: “I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the eighth of this month, requesting me to furnish you with fifty obligations of the United States, to enable you to discharge the debts of the ships, of which you have the command, in the service of the state of S. Carolina. I have considered your letter, sir, and all the...
88From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
THE memorial promised in my last letter was in these words High and Mighty Lords , As soon as her Majesty the Empress, was informed of the sudden departure from the Hague, of the Ambassador of his Britannic Majesty to your High Mightinesses; guided by the sentiments of friendship and benevolence which she professes towards the two powers; she did not wait, for further explanations, concerning...
89From John Adams to William Cunningham, 23 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 17th.—I know the integrity, talents and intelligence of great numbers of the Federalists: and have no doubt of the good intentions of the great body of that party: but of a great number of their leaders, and the most active of them especially, I have no better opinion than I have of some of the leaders of the Republicans. By their writings they have deceived...
90From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 24 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 13th came seasonably to my hand. Your approbation of my communications to the public continues to give me great pleasure, and will continue to console me under all the abuse that has been or may be produced by them. To you, who have been an attentive observer of public affairs for half a century, there can by very little that is wholly new; but when I consider the errors that...
91From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your new Edition on Animal Life and Madam read it in the evening to me and all the Family, to the great delight and Edification of Us all. Whether it is all solid or not we can not say: but there are Ideas enough thrown out to excite and employ the attention and Investigation of all the Philosophers, Physicians and Surgeons. Accept of all our Thanks for this favour....
92From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 12th of this Month and read it with great attention. your Integrity Industry and Abilities in the Conduct of the Naval Department, I have ever acknowledged and Still Acknowledge with Pleasure. your Personal Behaviour to me in general and with very few Exceptions, was with all the Civility, Respect and even Friendship which I expected or even desired from any...
93From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 3 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
The black cloud that hung over the whole of the seven provinces; the solemn gloom that pervaded the whole nation; the universal uncertainty and timidity that had seized upon all minds, determined me to bring my own mission to a trial. If I should be rejected and ordered out of the country, our situation would not be worse. If I should be received, my object would be gained:—but if I should...
94From John Adams to William Plumer, 4 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have received with much pleasure your kind letter of the 28th of October. My Son has often mentioned to me the Friendship between you and him, as one that he most highly valued: and he has remembered you with affection in his letters from the banks of New Foundland the 16th of August. I hope with you that his friendship will not terminate but with Life. I know of no more direct and certain...
95From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 4 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
In my last letter I mentioned the following MEMORIAL To their High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. High and Mighty Lords , The subscriber has the honour, to propose to your High Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress assembled, have lately thought fit to send him a Commission (with full powers and instructions) to confer with...
96From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 14 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 2 n d is, like all your other letters, a cordial to me. I seem to be conversing with one of the ultimi Americanorum. Your sentiments and mine upon public faith and public credit are perfectly consonant and concordant. As long as old Tenor or new Tenor Land Bank Bills, Continental currency, or Bank Bills of any kind, are made the medium of trade and standard of value, there...
97From John Adams to William Cunningham, 15 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of Oct. 28.—I am very unexpectedly involved in Occupations and Correspondences very dispropotioned to the feeble Forces remaining to a Man of Seventy Four, and which make it impossible for me to reply to the various important subjects of your Letter. There is one however that my Feelings will not allow me to pass by. It is no fault to “Covet honor” any more than it...
98From John Adams to William Bentley, 16 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I am not under less obligations to you for your Letter of the first of this month, for having neglected So long to acknowledge the Receipt of it. I Shall certainly communicate your Letters to the Historical Society or to the Agricultural Society. Indeed I think they deserve to be recorded by both. At the most proper Time for grafting in the Spring I should be very much obliged to you for a few...
99From John Adams to Henry Dearborn, 17 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I received, but yesterday your Letter of the 30th of August. Convinced of the Wisdom and Sound Policy of this Measure of Government, I accept with Pleasure your Commission: and will execute it to the best of my Capacity and in as Short a time as possible. My field of Investigation is however so narrow the very little can be can be expected from, Sir your / humble Servant PHC : Charles Roberts...
100From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, May 8, 1781—wrote to Dr. Franklin: “I have the honor of your letter of the 29th of April, and according to your desire have inclosed a list of the bills accepted with the times of their becoming due; and shall draw for the money to discharge them, only as they become payable and through the house of Fizax & Grand. I sincerely congratulate you upon the noble aid obtained from the...