1To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
General Pinckney and his family have arrived at Amsterdam; but as I have not seen him I presume he did not pass through this place. On the other hand Mr: Monroe has arrived in Paris, upon his return from his tour through this Country.—What was the cause of Mr. Pinckney’s being ordered to leave France is yet unknown.—But the conduct of the french Government and its dependents, at the same time...
2To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 16 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you last I have been in constant expectation of seeing General Pinckney here, and in hopes that from conversation with him, I might have some new circumstances of interesting information to communicate to you. My letters from Paris mention that he was to leave that place on the 2d: of this month.—Some accident must have delayed him as he has not yet reached this place. As soon as...
3To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 7 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you last I am informed that the French Directory have ordered Mr. Pinckney to leave France, and as he has determined to come into this Country, and wait here for the orders of the Government I expect to see him, from day to day—At the time when the refusal to receive him took place an intimation was given him that it was expected he would depart, but he refused to go without a...
4To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 3 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago, I received at once your Letters of Novr: 11. from Quincy and of Decr: 5. from Philadelphia. In the course of three or four days indeed, I had a flood of American Letters pouring upon me, and can no longer complain of that inattention and neglect which an interval of three or four months had occasioned me to mention in my last Letter. Very soon after you wrote, the Elections of...
5To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of October 23 and it is by several weeks the latest Letter that I have from America.—It tells me that the Elections were going on with as little bitterness as could be expected, and this in the present circumstances is grateful intelligence. But all my American correspondents public and private as they appear to care nothing about the affairs of Europe, seem...
6To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed extract of a Letter from Paris, which has been communicated to me, contains certain paragraphs from the Rédacteur a newspaper used by the French Directory for their official and non-official publications. It explicitly denies as you will observe that the Directory have determined to suspend their intercourse with the Government of the United States. It is among those paragraphs...
7To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The french Directory have refused to receive Mr: Pinckney as Minister from the United States, and have taken a resolution, that all communication between them and the American Government shall be suspended untill the wrongs of which the French Republic has a right to complain, shall be repaired. The motives alledged for this proceeding are said to be that the Treaty between the United States...
8To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
In my last Letter I purposed giving you an account of the measures which have been taken upon the Constitution produced after seven months labour by the Committee appointed to draw it up. But after mentioning the frowns which had been cast upon it while yet in embryo, by the citizen Noël, it would be perhaps superfluous now to relate how soon after its birth it has been overlaid.—The principal...
9To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 25 November 1796 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of August 7. The first time I have had the pleasure of a letter from you since the same date. I have also to acknowledge an unusual interval since my last to you was written. I shall not plead in excuse that a very considerable American correspondence, which I find myself obliged to furnish altogether on my part, with few returns of any kind, and those few...
10To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 13 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago, I received from England, together, your favours of March 25., May 5., and June 10. The two first were brought to London and forwarded from thence by Mr. Cook, whom as recommended by you, I shall be happy to see either here or in England, if his or my peregrinations should at any time bring us within reach of each other. At the same time I received with several other letters one...
11To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 21 July 1796 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of May 19th has lately been transmitted to me from England, and relieved me from some anxiety I had entertained for the fate of my letters written at London, as it mentions the receipt of them all to the middle of February. Since then I trust you have received three more from England, and there are now on the passage two, written since my return here. I have a letter from one of my...
12To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 24 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago, I received your favour of April 5. which acknowledges the receipt of three little scraps from me, merely accompanying the newspapers, and some pamphlets. Your letter speaks of my long ones, but as it does not particularly notice the receipt of any that I wrote from England, I am still a little apprehensive on their account. As my long Letters to you have all been regularly...
13To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 6 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
At length I have been released from a situation, equally remote from all public utility and all personal satisfaction. After a detention which I could not avoid, but which was at least unnecessary, of several months I left London on the 28th: of last month, and arrived here on the 31st: The People there were in the midst of the Saturnalian electioneering holidays. The writs issued for the New...
14To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 12 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
In addition to the letters and Packets which I have already sent by the present conveyance, I now enclose the newspapers up to this day. This contains intelligence of very considerable importance, which proves that the king of Sardinia has been compelled to enter into negotiations for Peace with the French Republic, and to surrender two strong fortresses as a preliminary to obtain a suspension...
15To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 29 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
After almost four months of expectation, I have at length received a letter which permits my return to the Hague, which I shall accordingly do by the first direct opportunity which may occur. The communication between the two Countries is interrupted, but there are frequent occasions of crossing, at this Season, by neutral vessels. I have written you several lengthy letters within these few...
16To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 18 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this letter, is Mr: Henry Rigal, who has been recommended to me as a gentleman of great respectability; he has heretofore held an office in the Service of the Elector of Bavaria, but from the present unsettled state of his Country, and a predilection in favour of America, he has determined to remove with his family and settle in some part of the United States, to whom I am well...
17To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Robert Bird, the bearer of this letter, is a respectable merchant of this place, a brother of the Gentleman with whom you had the pleasure of an acquaintance some years since, at New-York. He proposes making a tour in the United States, during the ensuing Season, and I am happy to have this opportunity of introducing him to your acquaintance, and recommending him to your attentions. I am,...
18To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 14 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
You will see by the official papers published in the "Times" of the 11th: instt: which I enclose to you by this opportunity that the Government of this Country have at length thought proper to communicate to the other Governments of Europe, and to publish to the world the result of their late steps towards a negotiation with France.—The notes of Mr: Wickham and of Mr: Barthelemi, may serve as...
19To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 4 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
The reports of Peace being at hand, so prevalent when I last wrote you have in a great measure died away. It is now said that proposals have been made by this Government and the Emperor in concert, to the French Directory, which on their part have been rejected. It is very probable that this account is true: but I do not imagine that the allies expected or intended that their terms should be...
20To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 20 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
In the situation which has already detained me here between four and five months, and from which I am waiting with anxiety not unmingled with impatience to be relieved, I have very few opportunities to obtain any intelligence of importance other than what is contained in the daily newspapers, one complete sett of which I have regularly forwarded to you by every opportunity that has been known...
21To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 10 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Hall arrived a few days ago, and delivered to me a few days ago your favours of Novr: 17. and Decr: 12. The first acknowledges the receipt of my N. 11. July 27. But I feel somewhat concerned lest my next number to that, written very soon after it may have miscarried, as it should regularly have reached you before the date of your last. Mr. Randolph’s pamphlet had arrived before Mr. Hall,...
22To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 1 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Pinckney has returned, and of course my business here ceases. I am yet waiting however for orders enabling me to return to the Hague. I expect them with a little impatience, having many reasons to wish myself away from hence. The newspapers sent herewith contain intelligence of two important Events. The armistice concluded between the french and Austrian armies on the Rhine; and the return...
23To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 7 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have a few papers to send you, and cannot omit the occasion to say a few words, though I have but very few to say. Our own affairs are at a stand. Mr: Pinckney will be here in the course of this week, and I have not chosen to do any thing conclusive before his return.—I believe there are people here, who like Publicola much better than they think of its reputed author. You have long known,...
24To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 1 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you so copiously, a few days since, that I can embrace the present opportunity only to offer the tribute of my duty and affection on the commencement of the new year, and to enclose a few papers and a review which may perhaps afford an hour of amusement. No news of importance has transpired since the date of my last Letter. The communication between the Continent and this island is at...
25To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 29 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last number, I have twice enclosed to you a packet of newspapers, with a line of excuse for not writing by the same opportunities. In the interval I have received your favour of Septr: 19. The pleasure I receive from every new testimony of your approbation, is pure as it is exquisite, nor can there I think belong to the lot of humanity, a sensation more delicious than that...
26To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 29 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have entered upon my business, and have many things to say to you, but find myself at present, pressed for want of time. The newspapers to this date are enclosed. By the next opportunity I hope to write you largely, and I wish it may then be in my power to give you an opinion more favourable, of the dispositions entertained here towards the United States than my present expectations will...
27John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 21 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since my last Letter (15.) nothing very material has occurred. The newspapers enclosed will shew you the degree of opposition that is made against the Convention bills as they are called. The City of London has instructed its members to vote against them. They will however pass. I know not whether you have seen the review of the new Edition of your book, and therefore send the monthly Review...
28To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 November 1795 (Adams Papers)
After a detention of twenty days at Helvoetsluys, and a pleasant passage of twenty four hours from thence to Margate I arrived here on the morning of the 11th: instt: The state of the business on which I came, will be known to you before the receipt of this Letter. An English paper that I saw at Rotterdam on the day of my departure from the Hague gave me the first information of Mr: Randolph’s...
29John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 October 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have been detained about ten days in this place, waiting for a wind, and am very like to be detained as many more; the westerly winds prevailing in the channel at this Season of the year almost without intermission. Since my arrival here I have received your favour of August 25. transmitted to me by my Brother, who remains at the Hague, with the care of our affairs during my absence.—...
30To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 12 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received two days ago your letter from New-York of June 29. It gratified my highest ambition as it testifies the approbation of the President and the Secretaries, upon my conduct and correspondence, and my strongest affections as it informed me of the health of my dearest friends. At the same time I received a letter from my brother Charles, and papers, with accounts of popular movements in...
31To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 31 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
The total defeat of the Emigrants who had effected a descent in Britanny, as mentioned in my last Letter, and the Peace between France and Spain signed at Basle on the 22d: of July, and since ratified by both parties are events of such consequence that they will be fully known in America, before this letter can reach you. It is scarcely possible that any interesting intelligence should be...
32To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 August 1795 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this Letter Mr: Montfort is a clergyman who being compelled to leave his Country, has for some time past found a refuge in this; but is at present obliged also to retire from hence. He has some expectation of going to America; and being unacquainted with the Language and altogether unknown there, he has requested some Letter that should bear testimony in his behalf. Without...
33To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
The public affairs of the Country where I now reside, afford at this time but an indifferent topic of correspondence. In the general scale of Europe, it is of so little comparative importance, that nothing less than a conquest or a Revolution, can make its current events interesting enough to be an object of communication beyond the atlantic. Both these great political changes have taken place...
34To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 June 1795 (Adams Papers)
I received two or three days since your favours of March 26. April 21. and 26. all together, and I know not how to express the pleasure they gave me. The first and dearest of all my wishes is personally to give satisfaction and obtain the approbation of my parents, and in a public capacity to justify the confidence placed in me by the appointment I now hold. This wish is in both parts so...
35To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 22 May 1795 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter acknowledged the receipt of your favour of February 11. That of December 2. has since reached me. By the same opportunity, I have Letters from my brother Charles of March 12. And I have seen Boston papers to the 1st of April. Our information from America, is yet generally indirect, and our means of conveyance few, difficult and uncertain. The appointment, which places me here is...
36To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 4 May 1795 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Wilcox has not yet been here but sent me from Hamburg your favour of February 11. which was the first letter I have been happy enough to receive from you since we left America. When he comes here, I shall be happy to shew him every civility in my power. It is extremely pleasing to hear that the elections for the ensuing completion of the Senate have been so favourable. I believe the time...
37To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last Letter, February 12, nothing very material has taken place in this Country. The customary tranquility has been uninterrupted, and the Patriots of the present day have been proceeding with moderation towards their first object the annihilation of the Government that has hitherto existed. I say the Patriots of the present day because the party is not exactly the same,...
38To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 12 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
Since the date of my last Letter, (December 25: 1794.) a revolution has taken place, the substance of which had been for some time expected, but the forms of which have been infinitely milder, than had ever entered the imagination of any man. The french Army of the North, after a brilliant and successful campaign from March till December, had at length reached the banks of the Waal, and was...
39To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 21 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I hear of a vessel to sail in two or three days from the Texel, and cannot lose any opportunity to write you directly from hence at this time; as the severity of the season will in all probability soon close the rivers and suspend the expedition of any more vessels for a month or two. But I have nothing very material to say. In my letters as well to the Secretary of State (which I am afraid...
40To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 3 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
I enclose herewith a letter from Mr: Dumas, which he requested me to transmit. The old Gentleman’s health appears to be very good, and he looks not older than he did when you saw him last. But oppression has had its proverbial effect upon him, and he can write think nor talk about any thing but representative democracy and Joel Barlow. Last Week at Leyden I saw our old friend professor Luzac,...
41To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 18 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The bearer, Major-General Eustace, after having served with great honor and reputation in the Armies of France, retired from that service on receiving the Presidents Proclamation, declaring the Neutrality of the United States, & is now upon his return to America. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to your acquaintance, and recommend to your attentions a Gentleman of so much merit, and...
42To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 17 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday, I had my Audience of the Stadtholder and delivered him my credentials. He enquired after you, mentioned the time of your arrival here and that of your acknowledgment and reception asked me if I was not here with you, and whether I did not study at Leyden. Yesterday I came here by the Schuyts through Leyden and Haerlem; I had not been here an hour before I was informed...
43To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 9 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
Under the present circumstances of affairs in this Country, I did not think it prudent to make any unnecessary delay in England, and accordingly left London on the 28th: of last month. Our passage to Helvoet was short though not agreeable; the packet being very much crowded with passengers. We were only three days from London to this place. I had been told in England, that I should perceive...
44To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 October 1794 (Adams Papers)
On the 15th: instant in the Evening, twenty-eight days after our departure from Boston, we arrived in this place, and I now write you from our old station at Osborne’s Hotel, in the Adelphi. We landed at Deal and came up from thence by Land. The Dispatches which had been delivered to me for Mr. Jay, and which were my principal inducement for coming here, were so bulky that they could not be...
45John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 27 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I expected to have been on my way to Boston before this; but M r: Hamilton is gone into the Country, and I cannot be supplied with my instructions untill he returns. He has been expected every hour these four days, and it is very possible that four days hence he may still be hourly expected. In the mean while I am here lolling away my time, and sweating away my person, with nothing to do, and...
46John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Since my arrival here, I have employed all the Time, that I have been able to spare, from the more important business of visits and dinners, in the Office of the Secretary of State, and have gone through six large folio volumes containing your dispatches to Congress while you were in Europe. They can have but little relation to the business upon which I am about to proceed; but they have...
47John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 10 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here last Evening, and this morning paid my Respects to the Secretary of State, who introduced me to the President.— I find that it is their wish that I should be as expeditious in my departure as possible. I told the Secretary, that the state of my own affairs would render my return to Boston previous to my departure, extremely eligible to [my]self. He enquired whether it would be...
48John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 26 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
M r: Dorr obtained a passage in the vessel with M r: Jay, and M r: Jones, had an opportunity to go from Newport, so that they had no occasion to make the application to Congress, in behalf of which I requested your favour. I drew another petition some time since, for the manufacturers of snuff and tobacco in this Town, making representations against the tax proposed upon those articles. I know...
49To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Mr: Ebenezer Dorr, and Mr: Edward Jones, merchants, of this Town, by this Post send a petition to Congress for leave, to send a small vessel in ballast to some port in Europe. It is a matter of great importance to them, that they should obtain their request. Mr: Dorr has bills of exchange drawn in France in his favour upon some person here, and they are protested. It becomes therefore of the...
50John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 12 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
I received this morning your favour of the 3 d: inst t: We still hold tolerably firm to the text of neutrality; though we have our partialities for the french, and are much irritated against the british.— This is natural enough, and indeed, although we have some grounds of complaint against both with respect to their treatment of our commerce, in their present contest; yet it is not to be...